It was Friday night, which meant the girls of class 3-A were huddled up in Momo's room for Girls' Night. Everyone brought their pajamas and favorite blankets for a long night of laughs and gossip. It was a weekly tradition they had since moving into the dorms, and it seemed as though they could never grow tired of it. Well, except for Mina, who wanted to mix things up for tonight.
"Who's everyone's second crush?" she asked out of nowhere.
"Second crush?" Tsuyu asked, confused.
"We've all been friends for over two years now. We all know who we each like. Hell, most of us are already dating our first crushes." Mina sounded exasperated. "There has to be something we don't know about each other."
Of the six girls, Mina was the first to hook up with her crush. Kirishima asked her out at the end of their first year, and they were the class's power couple until Momo built up the courage to confess to Todoroki midway through the second year. A couple of weeks later, Kaminari confessed to Kyouka, and the status quo had been stagnant since then.
Mina spoke up again. "We all know how clueless Tokoyami and Ojiro are, and Ochako and Midoriya have practically been dating for years. Just neither wants to make it official."
"Deku and I are just friends!" Ochako shouted, red-faced. "You all know that I've been over him for months."
"All the more reason you should tell us who you're crushing on now," Mina demanded.
"I'm not crushing on anybody." Ochako denied.
The room grew quiet, which only further fuelled Mina's frustrations. "Come on, ladies!" Then she spotted Jiro in the corner, twirling her earlobe around her finger. "Kyoka!" Jiro jumped in surprise. "Spill it! Who are you crushing on?"
"W-well, I wouldn't call it a crush," Jiro said red-faced. The girls leaned in closer in anticipation. "If I had to date a boy other than Denki, I wouldn't mind Bakugo."
"WHAT!?" Mina and Ochako screamed in unison.
"Hey, keep it down, will you," Jiro said, covering her ears. "I know he can be a lot but he does have his moments."
"Acting like a normal human being isn't enough to be a good boyfriend!" Mina shouted. She turned to where Momo and Toru were sitting quietly. "And why are you two so calm about this!?"
The two stared at each other for a moment, unsure of what to say. Mono was the one to speak up. "Bakugo isn't the same crazed animal he was when we arrived at UA. He hasn't been for a long time."
They were all reminded of the boy chained and gagged atop the sports festival podium. No one was more displeased with that image than Ochako, but she'd seen how much he had changed within their first year alone. Maybe the idea of someone dating Bakugo wasn't so far-fetched.
"How about you tell us why you chose him?" Ochako asked Jiro.
"Yeah, spill it, girl!" Mina demanded.
Jiro looked a bit hesitant. "Well, it happened a little after our first-year school festival."
Jiro's POV
It was Saturday, and I had gotten permission to leave campus after class to go to a hardcore show in town. Aizawa was pretty against it at first with all of the recent Villain incidents, but All Might had overheard us talking and convinced him to let me go. All I had to do was get through this last bit of hero training, but it was just my luck that I'd end up with a concussion.
Recovery Girl patched me up but ordered me to stay inside and get some rest. As much as I knew I should listen to her, I just couldn't miss this show. The band I wanted to see was just the opener for a much more popular band, but it was their first Japanese tour, and who knew when I'd get another chance to see them. So I told everyone I was turning in for the night and then snuck out the window. I'd done it a few times before when I couldn't sleep and just needed to get away from the world so I knew just how to do it without getting caught.
But then I was hit with another instance of bad luck when the dorm's back door opened next to me. Before I could hide, Bakugo stepped out and stared directly at me. His piercing red eyes observed me for just a moment before his face shifted to one of boredom. Then, he walked down the path toward the main gate. I guess my luck wasn't all bad. There were definitely worse people to run into, and I could trust that Bakugo wouldn't snitch on me.
I followed a few paces behind him, curious about where he'd be going, but not enough to ask him outright. We walked through the main gate and towards the station. I kept expecting him to take a turn or go down a different path, but his back remained in front of me the entire journey to the station platform. Despite the sun still being out, we were the only two there, making the situation so much more awkward.
Finally, it became too much for me to handle, and I spoke up. "So, where you heading?" There was no response. "Hey, the least you can do is-"
Bakugo turned his head slightly while taking a headphone out. "Are you talking to me?"
Just then, the train arrived, and I quickly entered with an irritated "Nope!" I sat at the far end of the cabin and thanked whatever gods were watching over me for keeping the blonde firecracker from sitting near me. The concussion was bad enough; I don't need Lord Explody Boy making my night any worse.
I quickly exited once we arrived at my stop but noticed Bakugo getting up to leave. Of course, he's getting off here, too. I ran down the stairs as fast as I could to put some distance between us. The venue wasn't far; I just needed to get inside, and the rest of the night was mine.
I stopped at a busy intersection and could see the building on the other side. I impatiently pressed the button, pleading for the crosswalk to turn green. Then I heard heavy footsteps approaching from behind me. You have to be fucking kidding me. I turn my head, and there he is, Bakugo Katsuki, with his hands in his pockets and not a care in sight. The light turned green, and I watched him cross the street and enter the one building I didn't want him to. I take back what I said, fuck the gods and fuck my life.
I followed him inside and quickly went through security. After checking my ID, the bouncer stamped a large "X" on my hand, and I was finally in. I eyed the merch booth and noticed a particle shirt on display. It was a T-shirt with the band's first EP artwork on it. With the announcement of their first studio album, I may never get another chance to get this shirt. But the line was long, and the band will start performing soon. With a heavy sigh, I pushed my way into the crowd.
The show hadn't even started yet, and it had already reeked of beer and sweat. I could feel my boots sticking with every step, and I dreaded cleaning them later. Still, I pushed through until I was almost up against the railing. If I time it just right…. Now! A man walked away, allowing me to slip in. A few people around me gave me a dirty look, but I didn't care. I was front and center with the stage; nothing could ruin it.
"Damn, Ears," an annoyingly familiar gruff voice said behind me. "That was cold, even for you."
"What's that supposed to mean?" I turn to him and ask, making no effort to hide my irritation. "And what are you even doing here? Isn't it past your bedtime?"
"You're one to talk," he spat back. "We both sure as hell know that you should be back at the dorms resting, or did that concussion earlier turn you into some kind of dumbass?"
Before I could come up with a comeback, the lights dimmed, and the crowd began to cheer. I patted my pockets in search of my earplugs but couldn't find them. Shit, I must have left them back at the dorm. Bakugo gently smacked my arm and then held a small foil bag out. I looked at him confused, to which he tapped his ear.
"Thanks," I said quietly. He ignored me and kept his eyes focused on the stage. What a dick.
A second round of applause followed the band's arrival on stage. They looked over the crowd and took it all in before the guitarist started playing. It was a slow build-up before the drums and bass joined in, and then the singer let out a guttural scream. Instantly, a mosh pit broke out behind us. I was momentarily pinned against the railing before Bakugo could push them back. He used the rail to brace himself, trapping me between his arms in the process. I turned to look at him for a moment, but he was busy giving the pit a death glare. I returned my gaze to the performance in front of me, and despite the confined space I was in, I was able to engross myself in the music. For the rest of the set, it felt like I had a wall against my back, keeping me safe from the rowdy bunch on the other side.
The singer announced that their last song of the night would be the first song off their new album, and the crowd erupted into an uproar. The song was completely different from their previous work. There was a beautiful harmony underneath the distortion, and I couldn't help but close my eyes. So it came as a surprise when a crowd surfer fell on top of us. Bakugo narrowly stopped her giant boot from hitting me in the back of the head with his forearm but was hunched dangerously close to my face in the process. There was rage bubbling in his fiery eyes mixed with concern. I could see his mouth moving, but whatever he said was drowned out by the noise around us.
A security guard pulled the woman away just as the song ended. Bakugo leaned in closer and asked, "Do you need to step out?" I nodded, and he grabbed me by the wrist and led me through the crowd and back to the entrance.
"Shit!" I shouted, fanning myself with my shirt. "I always forget how hot it gets in there." I looked to the merch booth, and sure enough, the shirt I wanted was completely sold out—figures after a performance like that. "Thanks for keeping the pit back, Baku-" I turned back to where Bakugo had been standing, but the blond was nowhere to be seen. "Never mind." Once I caught my breath, I returned to the crowd but kept to the back. There was still some time before the next band, and I wasn't ready to jump back into the sweat pool.
"There you are," a voice said, startling me.
"You know, for someone who calls himself 'King Explosion Murder,' you seem to sneak up on me easily."
"And for someone who calls herself the 'Hearing Hero,' you seem to be pretty fucking deaf." I rolled my eyes. Bakugo handed me a cup he'd been holding. "You need to stay hydrated." I wordlessly accepted the cup, savoring the cold water.
"You didn't answer my question earlier. Why are you here? This isn't exactly your scene."
He scoffed. "So what the fuck is my scene then?" I tried to think of what that would be, but I realized I knew nothing about him besides heroing and being the best at everything he does. Then again, I couldn't forget how he acted during the cultural festival. Bakugo picked up on my hesitation and spoke. "I heard about this show months ago, and unlike you, I went through the proper procedure to come out here tonight."
"Ugh, why are you such a dick!" I shouted, crushing the now empty cup in my hand. The lights dimmed, and the next band began to play. Another pit opened in the center of the crowd. "Come on," I ordered, grabbing him by the wrist. "I need to blow off some steam."
I could hear his protests behind me, but I ignored him and jumped into the circle, bumping shoulders with the others around me. Bakugo stood at the edge with his arm out in front of him and gave me an irritated glare. The singer stood atop a speaker and spread his arms apart, signaling the crowd for the Wall of Death. My eyes were on the blond across from me, and I could make out the faintest smile on his face. At the singer's word, we crashed into each other.
"That was so sick!" I screamed as we left the venue. We moshed and danced and screamed for the rest of the show. I could already tell I would be sore in the morning, but I didn't care. This was the best night of my life.
Bakugo checked his phone and swore. "Shit, we're going to miss the last train!" He grabbed my wrist, and we ran back to the train station. When we came to a red light, Bakugo swept me into his arms and used an explosion to launch us over the cars.
"You're insane!" I shouted.
"Shut it before I leave your ass behind." I couldn't contain my laughter as he carried me. Drunk office walkers shouted at us as we sped by, and a taxi driver gave us the finger when Bakugo ran over his hood. We were lucky we made it to the train station without running into any cops. The ride back to UA was uneventful. We sat together on the nearly empty train, and I talked Bakugo's ear off about the show. Despite being there himself, he silently smirked, allowing me to let all of my excitement out.
By the time we arrived at the dorm, I was completely exhausted. I must have started to doze off at some point because Bakugo walked me to my room. I vaguely remember him saying how he should have left me to sleep on the couch. I stopped him as he was beginning to leave. "You're not that much of a dick after all."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," He said, pulling my hand off him. "Get your ass to bed already." I gave him one more smile before closing the door. Tonight had been incredible; I couldn't have had as much fun with anyone else. I opened the door again, hoping to ask him if we could do this again. But he was already back in the elevator, heading up to his room. Just as I was about to go back inside, I spotted a bag with the venue's name in front of my door. I checked what was inside, and there was the band's shirt I had wanted.
