Midoriya remembered what Aizawa had told her about the quarrel, so now she walked with a little fear.
After another training session, the teacher called Izuku and Bakugou to him, asking them to come to his teacher's room after class. Bakugou walked ahead and didn't even seem the least bit worried, but Midoriya was very nervous. Even the thought that a stupid quarrel could negatively affect their training or their teamwork frightened her and made wonder. Was there even a point to their stubbornness. Was there any point in continuing this farce.
- Take these papers. - Aizawa said, holding out a small stack of fully scribbled sheets. - All Might offered to prepare an additional training plan for you. I've done a little more work, and here's the result.
Aizawa glanced sullenly at the students. Even so, I could feel the tension emanating from them.
- I wouldn't even pay attention to your quarrel, but it was beginning to have a negative effect on your progress.
- It has no effect on me in any way. - Bakugou snorted, and rolled his eyes.
Aizawa sighed and walked out the door, shutting it. Putting her hands on the shoulders of the students, she pulled them with a little pressure into the nearest open office.
- Sit down. - he said, and taking a chair, he sat down in front of the boys. - I trusted you and didn't interfere, but it seems to be too hard for you.
Aizawa turned his gaze to Midoriya.
- Need I remind you of your scores from the last test? Yes, you didn't sink too low, but your grades have obviously gotten worse. In practical training, you're more and more in your head, and that, on the one hand, is a good thing, if you were thinking about strategy instead of thinking in the clouds.
- Excuse me, Aizawa-sensei. - Midoriya looked at Bakugou, who instantly turned away. - I'll try to concentrate on my studies and my training.
- I'm not asking you to go harder into your studies and training, but to work out your problems. That is the root cause. By the way, that goes for you too, Bakugou.
Aizawa looked back at Bakugou.
- I was sure it wouldn't affect you in any way, so I didn't interfere, but it can't go on like this.
Aizawa was right. Not only Midoriya understood that, but Bakugou did too, no matter how much he didn't want to admit it.
The rays of sunlight streamed in through the windows, lighting up the corridor. Midoriya raised her hand and shielded her eyes from the sun and turned her gaze to Bakugou's receding back.
The consultation with the teacher didn't last long, so within a couple of minutes Midoriya and Bakugou were on their way back. When Izuku was feeling unwell, she tried to keep herself busy with a variety of activities.
Midoriya realized only now that a similar thing was happening now. Study, practice, and study again. Now it was as if she was shutting herself off not only from Bakugou, but also from her other friends. Each day there was less and less time left, and the number of things to do did not increase
- Are you sure everything is okay?
- Of course. I'm fine. - Midoriya always answered the same way. It wasn't because she didn't want anyone to worry about her. On the contrary, she herself thought that everything was fine. It could be called deception on the part of her own mind. Until the moment Midoriya became somewhat estranged from Bakugou from their relationship, Izuku didn't even realize how sad and difficult it was for her to be without her friend.
Although it all started with some silly argument and never ended because of the pride of both of them, in the end it began to bring only discomfort. Remembering past experiences, Izuku didn't want to repeat old mistakes, which sometimes made him think of ending it. To hell with pride, why not just go over there and apologize? Well, that might leave a bad taste in my mouth, because Midoriya wouldn't admit her guilt with that outcome.
Izuku let out an intermittent exhale, trying to gather her thoughts. Okay, as hard as it sounds at first, you just have to say one word and this will all be solved, right? It seemed so easy to say sorry, but before throwing empty words, Midoriya wanted to at least understand what the point of their quarrel was in the beginning.
Izuku stopped, afraid to think about what was just happening. How could it be that she had forgotten the root cause of the quarrel. Their petty clashes occurred frequently, and this ignoring each other became so habitual that it all safely disappeared from memory.
When Midoriya turned her eyes back to Bakugou, she noticed how he didn't seem to think to wait for her. This person was just about the only one who could sense the atmosphere around her friend, and now, his receding back seemed to mockingly shout: "I don't care about you."
- Ah, well. - Izuku muttered, frowning. - I go to meet, but him!
Midoriya defiantly turned away and went the other way. Why was that even necessary. She seemed to be the only one here who bothered with it.
There was only one way to the dormitory, and now Bakugou was walking that way. Midoriya did not want to follow him on principle, so she decided to go around the building through another corridor and from there to the right road. Yes, it was long and probably childish, but Izuku didn't want to retreat.
Midoriya sped up at first, though she seemed in no hurry, but at the second flight of stairs she lost her step. The sun was sinking lower and the light was not so bright. The school grew quieter by the minute. The students gradually left, and the teachers and other staff dutifully finished the last of their work. Midoriya descended the stairs and finally stepped outside. The wind ruffled her hair, driving away unnecessary thoughts.
Enough time had passed since she had missed Bakugou, so Midoriya did not expect to meet him again. Only now she wasn't alone. As they approached the dormitory, Izuku heard loud laughter and three familiar figures. It seemed that when Bakugou was going back to his place, the guys had caught up with him and were now questioning what Aizawa had told him.
- Oh, it's Midoriya!
As Izuku came closer, Kirishima, who was facing her first saw the classmate. Kaminari turned around and waved hello to Midoriya.
- And we were just talking about you, wouldn't you like to. - Kaminari said smilingly, but Midoriya interrupted him.
- Sorry Kaminari-kun, Kirishima-kun, I'm a little tired. - Midoriya shook her head guiltily and said goodbye.
Even though Midoriya had refused to take any extra minutes of rest lately, her head was now filled with a pile of various thoughts. In such a situation, it would have been a crime to refuse her friends' offer to talk.
The girls sat in the common room and waited for Midoriya to speak. She sat with her head down, trying to find the words. This meeting with Kirishima and Bakugou outside was pushing her even harder. Midoriya understood that it was good that Bakugou could communicate not only with her, and make other good friends, but what a shame.
- You know. - Midoriya began, finally raising her head. - I'm beginning to think, more and more, that this quarrel was not accidental.
- What do you mean by that? - Yaoyorozu asked, pulling closer.
- I mean, after going to the dorm with him today, it seemed to me that Kacchan didn't want to make peace, - Midoriya began to speak faster and faster, seemingly intending to say everything that had been languishing in her soul for some time. - As if I were the only one who needed it. I'm not surprised, though. I'm a terrible friend.
- No! - Uraraka exclaimed, grabbing her friend in her arms. The other girls hurried after her. - "You're a great friend and a great person.
Midoriya broke free of the embrace and smiled. These words were very pleasant for her.
- But it really is. I don't understand what can be good about being friends with me. I always try my best, but is it enough? Kacchan is an amazing man. He's smart, he's strong, his abilities are amazing! - Midoriya exclaimed, shaking her head. - And me? Maybe we should have gone our separate ways back in high school. But then it seems like I'm back on his radar. That's why he doesn't want us to keep in touch. I'm sure that's what it is. In fact, if it weren't for what Aizawa-sensei said, I wouldn't even be thinking about how to solve this problem.
- By the way, what did Aizawa-sensei say to you? You went to see him today, right? - Yaoyorozu asked.
- He gave us a new training plan so we could emphasize our work together. It turns out this whole situation was starting to have a negative impact on our results.
- That's not good. - Yaoyorozu shook her head. - As deputy headman, I can tell that we need to do something about it.
- I understand that myself. - Izuku moaned. She rested her hand on her cheek and grumbled. - I tried to concentrate on my studies, but I guess I took on too much in the end. Maybe that's why Kacchan isn't coming to the meeting.
- I think you're making this up too much. - Stopping her friend's muttering, Asui said.
- What do you mean, Asui-san? - Midoriya asked.
- Call me Tsuyu. I was talking about what we're sitting around thinking right now. Wouldn't it be easier to talk to Bakugou?
- Pff, will he want to talk like normal people? He doesn't know how to talk normally! - Mina waved him off. She walked around to the other side and sat down a little further away. - I'd understand, but would he be willing to have that conversation?
- But something has to be done; it can't go on like this.
- All right. - Uraraka decided to take matters into her own hands. - Where did it all start, anyway?
Midoriya forcedly stretched out.
- That's the thing, I don't remember. Today we were walking together and I almost decided to apologize, but the sudden realization that I didn't remember the reason for the fight stopped me. And what kind of friend am I after that.
- Oh. - Yayorozu shook her head. - I didn't think it was that bad.
The front door slammed shut. A small draught ran down my legs, making me shudder with cold. The girls shivered, huddling deeper into the couch. However, Midoriya stopped for a very different reason. The frown in her red eyes was staring directly at her.
- What are you looking at? - Bakugou exploded, making his usual grimace. He seemed to be on his way back from an evening training session, so it was no surprise to see him here.
- It's nothing serious, Bakugo-san. - tried to reassure him Yayorozu. And she even succeeded. With a disgruntled snort, Katsuki hurriedly left.
- Well, did you see him? We haven't even said a word, and he's already mad. - Mina got up from her chair. - And anyway, I'm sure he started it, and he's to blame for your fight. So forget it and let's talk about something else. Midoriya decided to sit down with us for once.
Uraraka met her eyes with Izuku's and smiled a little apologetically. Midoriya exhaled. Really, what's there to think about. Sometimes you have to rest, too.