Stupid things
Every minute that passed, Katsuki felt like his brain cells were burning in his head. Maybe because of boredom, maybe because of the psychological torture Mina had subjected him to in the last few weeks. Call psychological torture those series called K-dramas, which Katsuki didn't understand why on earth they were so popular if they are complete stupidity in all its splendor.
No, Katsuki doesn't say it because he hates the "Romantic comedy" trope or something like that, but he prefers those kinds of things within a good story that has something more to tell. For example, "Megamind" and "Tangled." Both have romance, but it's not the main focus of the story, rather something secondary.
Would there be interesting romantic comedies out there? Definitely. Were all K-dramas stupid romance things? Not at all. Sero's cousin took on the task of subtitling Thalía's telenovelas into Japanese, so Katsuki knows how to recognize foolishness when he sees it. That's why every minute spent watching "King in the Land" or something like that made him want to bang his head against the wall.
"How many episodes are left for that stupid thing to end?" he asked, almost collapsing on his part of the couch.
"Well... we're on episode seven, so we're not even halfway through, "replied Roundface, who was sitting next to the rest of the Dekusquad on the floor. She and the president seemed to be the only ones in the group who weren't interested in watching the stupid thing anymore, because both Deku and the Half n' Half were very absorbed in watching the screen with interest. Come to think of it, the Half n' Half was half socially inept, so maybe he identifies with the protagonist or something.
At his response, Katsuki huffed and plopped down on the couch, seriously thinking about taking off and losing Mina's challenge.
"Is something wrong, brother? "Kirishima asked next to him.
"My brain cells are burning out from boredom. That's what's wrong, Sharky. How can you stand watching this stuff?"
"I don't know, I guess watching 'María Mercedes' gave me extra strength."
"Oh, no. Don't compare 'María Mercedes' to this because at least that novela made you laugh from time to time."
"I get your point, although I think I only tolerated it because I wanted 'Meche' to finally be happy," Kirishima replied, grabbing popcorn from his bowl. After swallowing, he continued, "And I insist, 'King in the Land' is not bad, really. It's just that there are attitudes that bother me, and I don't know if it's because they're very unmanly or if it's a cultural thing."
"Cultural or not, the guy is kind of toxic and reckless."
A collective 'shhh' came from the living room, and Kirishima apologized for both but continued the conversation in a hushed tone.
"Yeah, he is, but almost all romantic things have one or two toxic attitudes, don't they? Look, for example, the guy from 'Hello, me.' At first, he was just asking the protagonist for money."
"Well, he did start off a bit toxic, but that was because he was a spoiled brat of a father," Katsuki replied. That K-drama was one of the few he had liked. "When his father kicked him out and he started working, he improved little by little, but this guy seems to have trouble distinguishing between work and personal life, and it's driving me crazy."
"Are you seriously going to continue with the argument now?"
Both Katsuki and Kirishima stopped and looked at Mina, who was using Sero and Kaminari as her makeshift bed on the same couch.
"It's not my fault you picked something stupid like this," Katsuki defended himself.
"And it's not my fault you accepted the challenge to watch it," she countered.
Kyoka, seeing that the argument seemed like it was going to last a while, decided to pause the K-drama with the remote.
"I don't like giving up easily, and you know that," Katsuki replied.
"That's precisely why I hoped you could stay quiet until there's a break or at least until we finish the episode," Mina retorted.
"And what do you expect me to do?"
Mina got up from where she was lying, sitting on Kaminari, who groaned softly due to her weight. "I don't know, something like shutting up or accepting defeat and leaving."
"Listen to me, Raccoon..."
"Alright, that's enough," Kirishima intervened. "Bro, she's right. You shouldn't have accepted if you're going to behave like this."
"You were talking too, you know?"
"And Mina, my love," Kirishima continued, ignoring what his friend was saying, "I understand that he accepted and all, but it's not right to provoke him either. Plus, it's his first time doing this, right? Even when we watched Barbie movies, he was calm. If this series bothers him, it's for a reason, isn't it?"
Mina was about to speak when Sero raised his hand as if they were in class.
"Can I say something?"
Katsuki was going to tell him to mind his own business, but the president beat him to it: "Go ahead, Sero-kun."
"The truth is, I'm actually enjoying the K-drama, so I don't get the drama about this," he said sincerely. Hagakure and Kaminari nodded in agreement with Sero.
"Bro, no offense, but you're only saying that because you like the cringe," accused Kirishima, and Sero shrugged with a smile.
"What can I say? I'm a lover of cringe."
"We're two," Jiro said from the other couch as she checked her phone.
"Do you see? There are people who like it," Mina countered.
"Yes, but you heard them; it's just because of the cringe," Katsuki argued back. Kirishima felt uncomfortable being in the middle of them. "Maybe there are good romantic moments, but do you really think a relationship can be okay with one person being so invasive in the other's work life?"
The president, from the floor, fake-coughed. "Excuse me, if I may say something, remember that this is fiction, so..."
"So, you shouldn't take it so seriously!" Mina finished loudly, but then her frowning expression turned into a mischievous smile as she looked at him. "Don't tell me... does it remind you of some failed romance, and that's why you're so irritable?"
"What!?" he retorted loudly, getting closer to her mocking face with each word.
"Oh, come on, Blasty. Don't be like that. Why don't you share your experiences with us, huh?"
"Alright, let's stop here," Kirishima interrupted firmly, placing a hand on each of their shoulders to push them back. "As good friends, I know you'll both calm down a bit and leave your arguments out of sight of others. Understood?"
Katsuki grumbled but listened to his friend and settled back on the couch. Mina, on the other hand, just pouted and reclined again with her two friends, earning complaints from Sero and Kaminari.
"So... can we go back to watching the series?" Momo asked, speaking for the first time in a while.
Kirishima gave a thumbs-up in response. Momo nodded and reached for the remote.
"Are they really going to stop arguing so soon? The gossip was getting good," Mineta admitted, eating popcorn as he watched everything, getting hit by one of Kyoka's earphones. "Hey! Why'd you do that?"
"I don't know; figure it out."
Grateful for the change in the atmosphere, most of them reengaged with the screen. Everything would have gone smoothly if Katsuki hadn't been seriously contemplating Mina's words.
"Why din't yii shiri yiir ixpiriincis with us, hih?" What did she think she would gain from that? Dig up embarrassing information or what? Ha! As if it were that easy.
"Well, too bad for her because I've never had a 'romance' in the first place," Katsuki thought mockingly. Correction: he thought he had thought that until he felt the surprised gaze of four people on him: Kirishima, Kyoka, Shouji, and to his very, very bad luck, Kaminari.
Before Katsuki could attempt to say something, Kaminari opened his mouth and asked almost reflexively, "You've never had a girlfriend?"
If the others had tried to pay attention to the screen before, now they definitely wouldn't. As soon as Kaminari said that, Katsuki had everyone's eyes on him, and as rarely happened, he stood frozen in place, not knowing how to respond.
"I..."
Katsuki tried to come up with an excuse or make something up, but his mind was blank, so he just stayed silent and looked away, feeling his ears burn with embarrassment.
"He's not denying it," Sero said, as if it weren't already painfully obvious. Katsuki wondered if running to the elevator and pretending like nothing was said was a reasonable option.
"No, he's not," Half-and-Half chimed in, throwing more fuel on the fire. Katsuki mentally noted to get him a teapot for Christmas. "Midoriya, do you know if Bakugou has ever had a girlfriend?"
Immediately, the attention shifted to Izuku, who appeared uncomfortable right away. He said, "Um, I... I'm not really sure. I mean, I've grown up alongside Kacchan and all, but it's not like I've ever paid attention to his love life, so I can't deny or confirm something I don't know, and..."
"Leave it, nerd. It doesn't matter," Katsuki cut off his ramblings. He dug his own hole, and he'd dig himself out. He looked at the others with his usual scowl and continued, "No, I've never had a girlfriend, happy? And for the record, it's because I didn't want to, got it? My goal has always been to be the best hero, not the best boyfriend, period."
"So... have you never fallen in love, buddy?" Kaminari asked.
"Fictional characters don't count," Sero added, just in case.
Katsuki thought for a moment before responding, "No, not really. I occasionally have a fleeting thought like, 'Wow, she's pretty,' but it's just been that: a thought. I've always prioritized my studies."
"And you're not alone," Tsuyu chimed in, sitting next to Kyoka and Momo. "Because my parents work a lot, I had to focus on my studies and taking care of my siblings. I didn't even have much time for friends in high school."
"It's better that way, at least in terms of focusing on studies," Iida opined.
"I consider it a gray area," Momo intervened. "On one hand, it's important to take our studies seriously, but it's also essential to enjoy our youth and learn about love. Although there are experiences that should be had in adulthood, of course."
"Exactly. Besides, have you never been curious?" Sero asked Katsuki, who raised an eyebrow at him. "Curious about being in a relationship, hugging someone, going on a date..."
"Going out for ice cream together," Ochako added.
Shoto looked confused. "But can't you do that with friends?" he asked, remembering that they had all gone out for ice cream together recently.
"It's not the same, Todoroki-kun," Izuku told him.
Shoto tilted his head, as always, innocent. "What's the difference?"
"When you're eating ice cream with someone, you don't take advantage of when they're distracted to steal a kiss," Mina said with a smile, appreciating how her boyfriend blushed. "Unless you have ulterior motives, of course."
"If you're going to start flirting, let me know so I can switch seats," Kaminari complained, and Sero immediately slapped him.
"Are you an idiot or what? That will only make things worse."
Fed up with it all, Katsuki interrupted, "I don't see the point of this conversation."
"I don't think there's really a point," Kirishima commented, still blushing, "but I think what they're trying to tell you is that maybe one day, you might become very fond of a person. To the point where you'd want more than just a nice friendship, perhaps a hug or sharing tender moments together..."
"Especially if those moments involve kisses," Mina added, causing both Kirishima and the rest of the room to blush. But she paid no attention to them. "Have I told you that red looks good on you, my treasure?"
This declaration (and nickname) prompted various reactions. Katsuki and Kaminari made disgusted faces, Tsuyu and Momo blushed at their friend's sincerity, while the other girls sang "ooh" and made kissing noises. The guys, starting with Sero, who shouted "Watch out for the wild one, tiger," wolf-whistled at Kirishima, who hid his face in his hands out of embarrassment.
"I think you killed him," Kaminari laughed, earning an elbow from his friend.
"Just stop, please," Kirishima pleaded.
"No one asked you to have Pinky Pie as a girlfriend," Katsuki teased.
His best friend just nodded and tried to hide his face in his hands, not knowing how to defend himself.
Katsuki tried to feel sorry for him, but after enduring so much embarrassment, it was only fair to pass the torch to someone else for the rest of the day, night, or whatever it was.
.
Minutes later, when they resumed the K-drama, this time no one complained about anything.
