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the walk home from the gym was quiet, but y/n's mind wasn't. she replayed the moments over and over—the way bakugo had begrudgingly joined their stretching session, how kirishima's teasing had dragged him into the mix, and the way his smirk softened when their eyes briefly met. It wasn't just that moment, though. It was the way he'd actually answered her questions, his tone less sharp than usual, almost as if he didn't mind the conversation.
it didn't make sense. he was still bakugo—rough, brash, and blunt—but there was something else beneath it all. something that tugged at her curiosity. maybe it was the challenge of figuring him out. or maybe it was something deeper, something she wasn't ready to admit just yet.
by the time she got home, y/n had convinced herself to let it go. she had more important things to worry about—like the stack of assignments she'd been putting off. determined, she sat down at her desk, but the words on her laptop screen blurred together. her mind kept drifting back to the gym, back to bakugo.
with a frustrated sigh, she pushed her chair back and grabbed her bag. if she couldn't focus here, maybe a change of scenery would help. the small café near campus was her go-to spot for late-night study sessions, and tonight was no exception.
the café was quiet when she arrived, its warm lighting casting a cozy glow over the few scattered patrons. she ordered a cup of coffee and found a corner table by the window, setting up her books and notes. for a while, the soft hum of the espresso machine and the faint chatter of other students helped her focus.
but just as she was getting into a rhythm, the bell above the door jingled. she glanced up—and froze.
in walked bakugo, his sharp gaze scanning the room. he looked like he had just come from the gym, a water bottle in hand and a hoodie slung over his shoulder. for a moment, his eyes landed on her, and she thought she saw a flicker of surprise cross his face. then he muttered something under his breath and made his way toward her table.
"figured you'd be here," he said, dropping his bag onto the chair across from her. his tone was as gruff as ever, but there was something almost casual about the way he sat down without waiting for an invitation.
y/n raised an eyebrow, unsure whether to be annoyed or amused. "and what's that supposed to mean?"
"nothing," he muttered, leaning back in the chair. "just didn't think I'd run into you again so soon."
her lips twitched, threatening to smile. "maybe the universe is trying to tell you something."
"yeah, like how i can't seem to escape you," he shot back, but the corner of his mouth tugged upward in the faintest hint of a smirk.
she rolled her eyes but couldn't help the laugh that escaped her. "you're welcome to sit somewhere else, you know."
"too late now," he said, crossing his arms over his chest. his gaze flicked to the open notebook on her table. "what're you working on?"
"just some assignments. you?"
he shrugged, leaning forward to rest his elbows on the table. "kirishima dragged me out to get food, but the idiot bailed to meet mina. figured i'd stop here instead of heading back."
y/n hummed, taking a sip of her coffee. "must be my lucky day, then."
"don't push it," he replied, but there was no edge to his words.
for a moment, silence settled between them, broken only by the sounds of the café. then bakugo glanced at her, almost as if he were debating something.
"you coming to the party tomorrow?" he asked suddenly, his voice casual.
y/n blinked. "party?"
"yeah," he said, looking away as if the menu on the wall behind her had suddenly become interesting. "my frat's throwing. figured you'd be there since mina and kirishima won't shut up about it."
she tilted her head, studying him. there was something in his tone—subtle, almost hesitant. "are you ou asking if i'm going?"
"tch, just making conversation," he muttered, but the way his fingers drummed lightly on the table gave him away. "not like it matters or anything."
a slow smile spread across her face. "well, I wasn't planning on it, but maybe i'll reconsider. you know, since you seem so interested."
he scoffed, leaning back in his chair. "don't get ahead of yourself. just figured if you're gonna show up, we might—whatever. do what you want."
but as he spoke, his gaze lingered on hers for a beat too long, and y/n couldn't help but wonder if the rough edges of his words were just a cover for something softer. something he wasn't ready to say outright.
"maybe I will," she said lightly, picking up her pen and turning her attention back to her notes. but her heart skipped a beat when she caught his faint smirk before he stood up, muttering a quiet, "see you around."
as he walked away, she couldn't help but feel like tomorrow's party might be more interesting than she'd expected.
