Chapter 24

I looked up at my old man before nodding. "Today was very eventful." After I took off my shoes, I followed him into the kitchen. Like every year since I started middle school, he would teach me the recipe he cared for my after birthday lunch. Just another thing I shared with dad. "Old man."

"What is it, Katsuki?" I took a deep breath as I set my book bag down on the cough. Since the old hag wasn't home, I thought I would take the chance to ask the question. It's a question that I had thought about many times but was too afraid to ask. But maybe this time would be different. And with the strange feelings I had moments ago with Deku, my mind kept returning to this one question. I just needed to ask and get it over with.

"Why do you love mom?"

I watched as dad stared at a bottle of soy sauce that was in his hands. I even noticed the faint smile that grew on his face. "She's a total hothead who's very passionate about what she believes in. If she wants something, she will do everything in her ability to get it. At first, I was confused about her constantly yelling at me when we first met. It didn't help that I was new at the company we met." The old man then started to chuckle as he set the rest of the ingredients on the kitchen island.

"And?" Dad smiled at me before ruffling my hair.

"All the girlfriends I had before I met your mom was nothing like her. Your mom is very outspoken and direct with her emotions. For once, I met someone who spoke their mind without ill intent behind their actions. She's very genuine. And as I got to know her, I saw things I never knew I would like in a person. The more I got to know her, the more I fell for her. Does that answer your question?"

I just looked at him and wondered about what he just said. He made it seem it was easy to deal with my mom. Especially to like her. "You're strange, old man." He just chuckled again as he finished setting the rice in the rice cooker.

"Maybe one day you'll get it. Then again," He looked over his shoulder at me. "Or maybe you already do." I felt my cheeks heat up as I looked away from the old man.

"Shut up." I could hear him chuckle before he walked next to me. He then ruffled my hair again. "Stop it, old man!"

"Just promise me that you don't let your hormones get the best of you. And no grandbabies before you get married."

"What the fuck are you talking about!" I felt a strange anger build at such a comment. What did my old man mean by such? Hormones? Grandbabies? What the hell did that have to do with any of this?

For the rest of the evening, the old man taught me the recipe. At that, the old hag even approved of my take on the dish. It always felt nice whenever she gave me the rare praise. Something about it made me giddy with joy since I rarely get them. Sure, the old man would praise me for every small thing I did. But the hag's praise was like getting a gold metal. I had to work hard to get those.

As I did my homework, I thought about the little information the old man gave me. Nothing he said seemed to make any sense. It didn't help that I was still not over the fact of that strange comment about grandbabies.

Once I was finished with my homework, I went into my closet it get a certain box. It was a box that I made sure to hide in a spot where neither of my parents could find it. Since it was a very special box. In fact, it was many boxes. Each one held something that I cherish. But I had to hide them. For I was ashamed of the feelings they gave me. Along with being ashamed of what people might say if they knew.

I pulled out the smallest of the shoe boxes and placed it on my desk. Then I went locking my door and made sure my window curtains were closed. With that out of the way, I grabbed my All Might doll and the shoe box and covered myself with my blanket. There I used my phone's flashlight before setting my doll between my folded legs.

Taking a deep breath, I opened the box and pulled out the first card. It was the first birthday card Deku ever made me. I couldn't stop smiling at the childish doodle of what I can assume was All Might. Then I recall how Deku gave this to me while we were in the playground. Something about how he was sorry for not giving it to me while in class. But it didn't matter to me then or now.

All that I cared about was that Deku made it just for me. I was so happy that night that I had fallen asleep hugging the card. I then went on to look at the other cards he made me. Some came with gifts that he had gotten me. But all in all, I saved each and every one. Even when things became messy between us, he never failed to be a ray of sunshine.

I could feel the tears falling down my face as I placed the box back in the closet. And I began to whisper to myself. "You're not the same Deku I always known. Something is different. I don't know what it was, but something about that day with the sludge villain changed you. Besides, you are still pushing yourself to the breaking point. Something else is different. You're such a hero." I tried to hold back my tears as I mouthed out the last bit to All Might.

I went and sat on my bed as I hugged my doll. The way Deku's smile looked different than all the years I've known him. Or how you fought back instead of letting things happen. Not to mention the face you made when you found out our middle school principal said something awful to me. You never stood up for yourself. Yet you have no trouble helping other people.

For some reason, my chest started to hurt, and I finally allowed myself to cry. I shouldn't be having these thoughts and feelings about you, Deku. I should be cursing your name and looking down on you. You're an absolute nobody. But whenever I stare into those eyes or am near you, it doesn't feel like you're beneath me. And that just pisses me off even more. But why can't I stop thinking of you?

And the way you looked today was so unfair. From the way you looked mad at me during training class. To how you looked when we spoke at the corner. Something about the way you looked at me through it all had me feeling things that were so new and strange. It wasn't fair that I wanted you to keep looking at me in that way. And it's so confusing with how giddy I got to feel your strength when you punched me. I want to feel it again.

I wonder what it would feel like if Deku hugged me. I felt my face burn up at the mere thought of what a hug from him would be like. Would it be just as warm as he looks? I quickly shook my head. I shouldn't be having these thoughts about someone like him. But it was so hard to get the image of that smile out of my head.

Something about that smile was not normal. The way Deku's whole face was completely different. His eyes were half closed, and his head slightly tilted to the side. Then that smile wasn't like his usual teeth-showing grin. His mouth was fully closed for this. It was so strange. He only smiled by either showing teeth or opening his mouth with no teeth. And then the way he said my name with that smile gave me goosebumps. Just thinking about it now gave me the same effect. What the hell?

On top of the fact, I could be mistaken, but I think his voice was also different. For all our life he always had the same low and soft voice. In fact, most of the time, he was just mumbling. Did he always have a deep voice? Maybe because of all his mumbling, I never noticed it. Either way, his voice sounded smooth at that moment. And something about when he straightened himself up also gave him a whole new look. God damn it! Why am I still thinking about this?

Not even in my dreams did I escape these thoughts. And I wasn't sure if it was a good thing or a bad thing. Maybe if I keep them to myself, it should be ok. But either way, I needed to focus on the upcoming sports festival. On top of the fact, I have a score to settle with that round face extra.

…

Come Friday morning, I noticed something different with Bakugo. Besides how he looked yesterday, he seemed like the way he did last week. So, I guess that's a good thing. I'm not too sure about him. He looks angry all the time but with slight changes that are easy to miss. But it's the fact that he kicked Midoriya's desk, making the green hair stop writing. "It's too early for this, Kacchan."

Instead of leaving the kid alone, Bakugo just took his pencil. "You're such a nerd." Midoriya got up and seemed to be ready to confront, but both quickly sat down when we all heard the classroom doors open. To nobody's surprise and everyone's horror, it was none other than Aizawa-San. Besides being our homeroom teacher, he's also our hero training instructor. He gave one look towards Bakugo and Midoriya's direction, and without a word, Bakugo gave back Midoriya's pencil.

Besides the horror of dealing with a pop quiz for every morning class, the teachers kept saying the same thing to Midoriya. It was some form or another telling him that they were sorry for his loss. What the world did he lose? From the way the rest of the class looked at Midoriya's direction, we were all confused.

As me and Ashido walked next to Bakugo on the way to the lunchroom, I thought to see if he wanted to hang out this weekend. "I know you said no to karaoke yesterday. But what about going tomorrow, since it's a weekend? It'll just be you, me, and Ashido. What you say, man?"

He looked at Ashido before looking at me. "I guess."

"Great, bro. I know this one place that has great food. So, what time should we meet up? I'll send you two the address through text."

Bakugo shrugged his shoulders. "Whatever time." For the rest of lunchtime, we went about what we wanted to do during our hang-out. But he didn't speak much. So, I guess that could mean he really didn't mind this idea.

…

I don't recall much of last night, but I was glad that the forms were done when I woke up this morning. What happened yesterday? All I could remember was coming home and then speaking with mom. Well, it shouldn't matter if I got the gym paperwork done. Even my homework was done. So, I guess everything was ok.

While I walked into the kitchen, I spotted mom was sleeping at the table again. Once I placed the pile of dishes in the sink, I covered mom with her sweater. With that, I grabbed one of the orange juice cans and started heading out the door. Today is going to be an exciting start to my weekend.

What was going on? Why did every teacher tell me that they were sorry for my loss? Did I lose something? It was very confusing, to say the least. Not to mention the surprising pop quiz for each class. I was also told to go to the teacher's office before heading to lunch.

When I got to the teacher's offer, each had a binder of work for me. "What is this for?"

It was Aizawa sensei who answered. "Since you are going to miss school on Monday, we're giving you the work for that day. Along with extra credit work, if you so choose." Why was I going to mi—Oh! I suddenly remembered something about a funeral and having to take a day off from school. Just my luck. I'm going to be behind on training class.

Instead of going to the lunchroom, I went back to class. When I got there, I was grateful to see it was empty. I took this time to go about going over what I could. The time went by as I worked. It was when I was halfway through the science binder that the bell rang for the next class. As everyone came back, I started to put away the binders.

The rest of the day seemed to go by in a blur, as all I could think about was that I was going to the gym today. At best, from what Sydney informed me through text, I was going to be there this whole weekend. I hope I told mom that I was doing something this weekend and won't be home. But at last, I can't remember. Should I send her a text so she wouldn't worry?

When the final bell rang, I just stared at my phone. If I text mom, she would most likely ask a lot of questions. Or worse, forbid me from doing whatever I was going to do. Either way, it seems not to be a good idea to text her anything. But if she texts me at any point, maybe then I would answer her. Not like she would text me. Especially with how mad she got when she learned I had a phone. Or the fact I have been paying for it myself.

It still haunts me how that day was so foggy. All I could remember was that I came home after upgrading my phone and plan, and mom was waiting for me. She had just been fired from another one of her many jobs, and she didn't know where I was. I think it was a school night or something. All I do remember before and after the fog was I was crying and angry. If I'm correct, the day after that, I gave her my number. Since then, she had a few other jobs before the law office. And now she has to find a new job.

"Nerd!" I quickly blinked and looked up. How long was Kacchan next to me? "Why did the teachers keep telling you sorry?"

I quickly looked away from Kacchan as I thought about what I should say. Should I tell him that my father had died and his funeral was on Monday? Not like it would matter. "I don't want to talk about it." When I looked back up, I tried not to smile. Kacchan was doing that cute pouting thing again before he quickly sucked his teeth and left the class.

"What was that about?" I looked to Uraraka, who was coming over to me. I simply shrugged before getting up to leave. "You never did say what you were doing this weekend."

I just looked at her before walking away. There's no need to explain myself. Not like it was anyone's business what I did. Besides, after the week I had, I don't think I can handle talking about my personal life with anyone. When I got to the shoe locker, I saw that Kacchan was there. He even had his arms folded while a finger tapped his biceps. "Kacchan—"

"No." I froze in place and just looked at him. "You're going to talk one way or another."

I just shook my head as I finally got my sneakers. After I locked my school shoes up, I spoke. "I said I didn't want to talk about it."

That's when Kacchan turned and slammed me against the lockers. "Deku." I let out a sigh and pushed him off me. I was in no mood for any of this today. Especially when I have to get my thoughts together for what awaited me at the gym. All the more, I just can't talk about something like this. As I started to walk away, Kacchan tripped me and stepped on my leg. "Why won't you talk?"

"It's not that big of a deal. So, just drop it." I punched at his ankle, which got him off me. With that, I got back up and once again started to walk away. But I let a deep breath before looking over my shoulder. "If you still want to know, I'll tell you after the fact." So I left the school and got on the bus to the gym.