Stuck With You | Katsuki Bakugou x OC [Book One]

Chapter 147 - Heroes Rising (Part Four)

Kira buries her face into her gauntlets uncomfortably, as she nears the call centre, spotting the red detailing of the building peeking atop the environment. The muttering of someone outside makes her hesitate, but she frowns and perseveres, stepping around the wall and revealing herself to the unknown presence. Anything is better than being alone with Bakugou right now.

"Kiriya," Midoriya greets, sweat beading his temple, as he regains his posture. Seems he's been training. "You're back already?" Bakugou isn't far behind, as he too joins her, coming to a stop close to her right side, closer than usual. Kira unwillingly tenses at his appearance, but refuses to show any other indication of her uncertainty. "How's the patrol going?" Midoriya adds.

Kira looks down at her classmate's open booklet, her eyes glossing over the scribbled notes. She doesn't really know what to say, how to reply. Bakugou's sudden confession has left her mind in shambles and her emotions soaring. It's something she never expected him to reveal, such an open vulnerability that only Kira has ever seen. She doubts Bakugou has ever let down his guard like that around Midoriya. Although... they're close enough that they share this massive secret concerning One For All.

"It looks like you're getting a little better with that damn Quirk of yours," Bakugou says instead of a straight reply.

It seems like he's avoiding the matter of their patrol as well. Maybe he regrets reopening their wounds like that. It probably doesn't help that Kira didn't have anything to say to his confession, just simply walked away, her mind a blurry fog consuming her every rational thought.

Midoriya's eyes flicker to Kira briefly, the matter of his true Quirk origins supposed to be hidden from her. Perhaps she should just come clean about her knowledge - it would make this conversation with a hidden meaning a little easier to communicate.

"I guess so," Midoriya says uncertainly. "I'm pushing through it all."

Bakugou strolls past his childhood rival without looking his way, his manner and attitude entirely different to what Kira just experienced a few minutes prior. "I'm not a big fan of waiting, you know."

"Trust me, I think I know that better than anybody," Midoriya mumbles quickly, looking down at his still open notebook. "You haven't changed much since we were kids."

Kira feels like she shouldn't involve herself in this discussion, her appearance already causing a hindrance on the directness this conversation should entail. It makes her realise that as much time as Kira's spent with Bakugou in this past year alone, it doesn't make up for the lifetime that he and Midoriya have shared. In fact, she barely knows him at all and that pains her.

"So, hurry up and make this Quirk your own, you got that?" Bakugou finally turns around to meet Midoriya's gaze, a challenging glint in his fiery eyes. "Then we can finally have a real fight."

Kira blinks at Bakugou's bluntness, at how straightforward his speech is. Surely, he's going to know that Kira will have questions about the strangeness of this conversation, but that seems to be the least of his concerns.

Midoriya turns back to Kira, who hasn't moved from by the wall, whereas Bakugou has taken a more assertive approach, stepping closer to the call centre on the other side of him. He seems uncertain about the severity of this discussion in front of her, but ultimately knows that Bakugou is being cautious with his phrasing. Kira already knows how loyal Bakugou can be when it comes to secrets, already having shown his capability when it comes to her.

"I'll prove it to you, once and for all," Bakugou adds, grabbing Midoriya's attention again. "I'm gonna be the number one hero and you're gonna be in my dust."

Bakugou's assurity and determination steals Midoriya's focus away from Kira's presence and he turns back to his rival. "Yeah, I'll work as hard as I have to," he replies, his voice soft and sincere, as he brings his hand up into view. Kira notices the scars that riddle his skin and, for some reason, she can't bring herself to keep her eyes trained on them. "This power will be mine." Midoriya lowers his arm, locking eyes with Bakugou. "And then I'll be the greatest hero in the world."