Chapter 5

After another long weekend of dad teaching me to cook, it was the first day of 8th grade. I wonder what nonsense I would have to deal with now. Especially since this is my last year with worthless nobodies at my middle school. All I have to do is keep my grades up as I prepare for the UA entrance exams. Based all everything I learned from the cram schools, I have an idea of what was needed of me.

As I walked, I could feel I was being followed. At that, the recognizable mumbling told me enough about who it was. I still don't get how we always end up in the same school and class. It was so annoying. But I know for a fact he won't be able to follow me into high school. I will be leaving that nerd behind where he belongs. After all, I'm going to be the number one hero. Just wait and see, Deku.

After the rest of the extras left, I turned to Deku. "Just give up, nerd. There's no way you'll get into UA." With that, I grabbed him by his shirt and threw him against the wall. That's when I saw one of those damn notebooks of his and picked it up. As I looked through it, I saw how he had written notes about today's villain attack.

Deku is such a nerd. It was when I saw the first few pages that made my face burn. Notes about my quirk, along with a drawing. What the hell? Especially reading a small note saying that Kacchan was awesome. I took one more look over his notes on me before exploding the notebook. "Kacchan!"

I tossed the notebook out the window, and thankfully it landed in the school's koi pound. Which put out the flames that my explosion made. With that out the way, I refocused my attention on Deku. "Just give it up, nerd. You'll never be a hero. Especially since you're quirkless, Deku."

I watched as Deku shakingly stood up and guard himself. "You don't know that Kacchan. I can still be a hero without a quirk." Damn it, Deku. I punched him back down, but he kept trying to get up. Why won't you just stay down?

"You'll never be a hero! Better yet." I couldn't help but smirk. "How about you take a swan dive off the roof? Maybe you'll get a quirk. In your next life." As I said that, as angry as I was, I also felt sad. Why didn't he give up on our childhood dream? Damn it, Deku. I'll become a hero. Maybe then you'll just stop.

"You don't know that." Seeing the tears on his face hurt. But why doesn't he understand I'm doing this for the both of us? He's weak and needs to be reminded that some things are just impossible. I gave him one more punch to knock him down. With that, me, Kato, and Saito started to walk out of the room. "I will be a hero."

"What?" When I looked back at Deku, he had his hands up. So pathetic. But just as I walked near the staircase, I realized what I just said. With that, I rushed back to the class. Oh, please! Please Deku! I hope you didn't take me seriously. When I entered the class, there was no sign of that nerd. I rushed to the window and looked down. He was nowhere in sight. So, I quickly ran to the other set of stairs and ran as hard as I could to the roof.

My heart stunk as I looked all over the roof. It was hard to breathe as I made sure that Deku was nowhere in sight. I was more relieved when I spotted him getting his notebook out of one of the school's koi ponds on the ground level. "Are you ok, Bakugou?" I looked to the roof door and saw Kato and Saito. Taking in deep breaths, I tried to calm my racing heart. I waved them off, letting them know I would catch up in a moment.

As I walked with the guys, they chatted back and forth about how they didn't get why Deku even tries. It's the same conversation every time. How they don't get how Deku and I were ever childhood friends. They question why he still calls me by the childhood name he gave me. But of course, they will never understand. Like how much I enjoy the fact that he still called me Kacchan. No other name would feel right coming from him. At that, during 1st grade, I have beaten everyone who dared call him Deku. Only I get to call him that.

Before long, these extras were annoying with how they kept bringing Deku. "Don't you talk about anything else?" They just looked at me and then left. With that, I decided to go down one of the many allies. I just need to clear my head. After everything that happened today, I wasn't ready to go home.

I can't believe this. It was so hard to breathe as I tried to get this damn sliming thing off me. But it was no use. It was hard to keep fighting as it covered my mouth. "Kacchan!" Deku!

I tried to see where that sound came from. To my horror, it was Deku. No! Stay away. There's no way you can save me. But for some reason, he kept getting up. He even reached out to me. I should grab his hand. NO! That would mean I'm weak, and he saved me. I can't let that happen. So, I kept my hand to myself.

I watched as he cried, but still trying to save me. What is wrong with this nerd? Why doesn't he give up? He's weak but still fighting. Then the guy tossed Deku back. Please, stay down. Deku weakly tried to get back up. But within a blink of an eye, everything was over. And standing next to me was All Might.

As a hero asked if I was ok, I completely ignored him. All I could focus on was how Deku was being lectured for being reckless. Damn it, Deku. I then tried to look for All Might, but he seemed to have just vanished. But it was pointless.

When I got home, I was surprised to see that my parents were waiting for me. "Are you ok, son?" Dad tried to come forward, but mom got in the way. It then became like usual. Mom started to yell at me. She went off how why didn't I fight back. Or at least run away.

"Just drop it, old hag!" With that, I stormed my way to my room and locked it. The moment I was alone, I sat on my bed. I took out the card from my pocket. Sad how I didn't get a chance to ask for an autograph. But then I looked at my All Might doll. That night I held him as I fell asleep. With my last thought being how I needed to have a word with Deku.

…

Today was the first I get to train under All Might. Making sure I packed an extra set of PE clothes, I got ready for school. When I walked into the kitchen for a quick breakfast, I saw that mom had already left for the day. After yesterday, I'm surprised she had the energy to go to work today.

The school went like always. Some kids talked among themselves, making it hard to hear the teacher. A few kids threw paper balls at me while calling me names. Nothing out of the ordinary. The only thing that was strange was how calm Kacchan seemed. He was still being cocky when he answered the teacher. He's so smart. There's nothing he can't do.

Once class was over, I rushed to get my things to leave. The class was practically empty now, besides me and Kacchan. Just as I started heading to the door, Kacchan got in my way. "Kacchan, I'm in a hurry. So, please move."

"Shut it, nerd." Kacchan grabbed me by the collar of my uniform. "You shouldn't have pulled that stunt yesterday." He then pushed me to the ground. As he stood above me, my face started to burn. Even when he's being intimidating, he's so cool. "You could have gotten hurt, idiot!"

At that moment, I couldn't believe what I was hearing. He shouldn't worry about me. Especially when he was the one in danger, and I was trying to fix my mistake. "It didn't matter. I just couldn't see you get hurt." Kacchan growled as sparks came off his hands.

"You should learn your place." Just as he was about to hit me, I nearly escaped. With that small moment, I made my way out the door. I just kept running as I could hear Kacchan in the distance. "Get back here! Deku, you're pissing me off!" Turning the corner, I saw one of the school's trashcans. I stopped in front of it. As Kacchan ran toward me, I tried to keep my breath and waited for my chance. The moment he was close enough, I tipped over the trashcan and made a run for it. "Damn it!"

…

I still can't believe that nerd ran from me. What is so important that he didn't face me? For the last week and a half, it has been the same thing. I would try to confront him, and Deku would somehow escape me. He never runs away. So, whatever it was, I needed to find out. What am I thinking? Why do I even care?

As I walked home, I wondered what I should do. After all, I had almost 10 months to get ready for UA entrance exam, and I was worried about a nerd. I should put more focus on finishing those elite cram classes.

When I got home, I was surprised to see that dad was home. I looked to see where mom was. "She won't be home for another hour. Do you want to help me out?"

"Sure." As I helped dad prep the ingratiates for tonight's dinner, I was lost in thought. Something about doing stuff with dad was very calming. Especially when it came to cooking. I don't know why, but it always puts a smile on my face.

"Are you doing well in your studies?"

"Straight A plus like always, dad." I looked behind me to see dad was frowning. "What's the matter, old man?"

"I know it's none of my business, but please let me talk." I watched as dad turned the fire low, as he turned to face me. It's not often he does this. Which means it's important, and I should hear him out. "You don't have to tell me anything, but are you ok?"

"I'm fine."

"Don't lie to me." I looked up at dad and crossed my own arms. "Ever since you found out Izuku was quirkless, you been acting off." At that, I looked away from him but didn't speak. "You're just like your mother. Putting on a hard act when you're worried. I've noticed that you've been crying more recently. Not to mention how you hesitated to touch the phone. And then what happened the other day."

"I don't want to talk anymore. It's nothing, old man!" I turned away from him and got back to chopping the vegetables.

"There's nothing wrong with admitting you're scared."

"I wasn't scared!"

"Is Izuku trying to get into UA as well?"

"He shouldn't. Not like he'll ever get in without a quirk. It's impossible. That damn nerd."

"Nothing is impossible." I then felt dad's hand patting my shoulder. "Please don't be too hard on yourself." With that, it went silent between us. And during dinner, I couldn't help but notice how dad seemed more worried than usual. At that, these were the few moments I saw mom being gentle. As much as we fought, when it came down to it, she was very sweet. Mom just worries a lot.

As I washed dishes, mom stood by the door. "Telling from that look your dad spoke to you?" I nodded my head. "Well, Inko called yesterday about how Izuku is acting strange. She wanted to know if you knew anything."

"I don't."

"I thought as much. You two used to be so close." Mom then walked over to me and gave me a hug while passing a hand through my hair. "My big boy is going to high school soon. You've grown so much." With that, mom left me to finish the dishes. After, I went to deal with my homework. I just hope Deku is ok.