~~~
Suffice it to say, Akira shouldn't have started her day off by putting Katsuki Bakugou in a bad mood. As Cementoss guided his lesson on modern literature, he assigned Class 1A a school project to work on... in groups.
Now, these groups had already been sorted by Cementoss himself. He stated that he thought it best, depending on the students current success rate in this particular class. So, as Cementoss announced the rules of the school project, there was a collective groan from the students - they all wanted to work with their most closest friends.
It's not like the whole of Class 1A were disassociated from one another. In fact, because of recent events, like attacks on the school, the UA sports festival and so on, the students were closer with each other than ever. But, in schools, children always had their favourite companions that they stuck next to like glue.
For Akira, that included her girlfriends and Eijiro Kirishima. However, Kira wasn't grouped with any of them. Her selected group surprised her, puzzled her, challenged her.
Others in the class got lucky with their selection, whooping and hugging their friends. Kira wasn't displeased with her group, but neither did she know them enough to warrant a friendly, knowing embrace.
Cementoss read out the list of groups, pausing every time there's an interruption. "Group One will be: Aoyama, Bakugou and Ashido."
"What!?" Bakugou leaps from his seat, slamming his hand on his desk. "This is such bullshit! I can't believe you're putting me with them!" Bakugou points at his newfound partners. "Why the hell do I have to work with these-"
"Fabulous, amazing, inspiring people?" Aoyama cuts him off, perched at his desk with his hands tucked under his chin.
Bakugou glares daggers at Aoyama, for how dare he interrupt his complaints. "I was gonna say: these intellectually challenged morons."
"That's enough," Cementoss warns. "This is just how it's going to work, Bakugou. I suggest you get used to it."
"But-"
Cementoss sets his gaze upon Bakugou as he tries to argue his case. "I've decided to group you three up because I believe it is the most suitable option. Perhaps, you can even learn a few things from one another, seeing as you, Bakugou are one of the many students in this class who strives well in my lessons. Whereas, Aoyama and Ashido - you both struggle to grasp the concept of these particular classes."
Mina huffs, going limp at her desk. She's not pleased with her partners either, it seems. "At least I can let Bakugou do everything," she mumbles quietly.
"If you're all quite finished..." Cementoss clears his throat before continuing his list of groups. "Group Two will consist of: Kiriya, Shoji and Sero."
Kira blinks at the choice - never had she assumed that these two students would be her ideal partners in this project. Akira leans forward in her seat so she can spot Sero in her row. He offers her two thumbs up and a keen grin. Well, at least it won't be boring.
Cementoss continues his selection, trying to ignore the whines and cheers. "Group Three: Mineta, Ojiro, Koda. Group Four: Kirishima, Midoriya, Hagakure. Group Five: Tokoyami, Uraraka, Yaoyorozu. Group Six: Kaminari, Jiro, Todoroki. And finally, Group Seven: Asui, Iida and Sato."
After learning their chosen teams, literature was swiftly replaced by mathematics and before Akira knew it, lunch had rolled around. She needed to talk to her group, to divise a plan on how they're going to prepare and complete this project. Kira had to admit, literature wasn't her strong suit - perhaps Shoji is the smartest out of the three of them.
Kira packed on her lunch tray, where the hero Lunch Rush bid her adieu and she decided to sit beside Shoji with Sero opposite her.
"Hey," she presents herself, tucking herself in under the table. "We need to talk."
"I take it about the upcoming school project?" Sero asks, plucking some food from his tray.
"Of course." She nods. "And it's not upcoming. Cementoss has only given us a week to complete it. That may sound like a lot, but I don't know where we're supposed to find the time."
"We'll just do it at the weekend," Sero says.
"I can't," Kira argues.
"Kiriya still has to complete her license exam retake," Shoji points out, one of his arms doing the talking.
He hasn't even got a tray of food for himself. Kira wonders if he even eats at lunch, or does he desire to keep his face hidden that much? Either way, it's not a prime concern right now.
"Exactly." Kira nods again.
"Then... after classes," Sero suggests. "We can meet up in someone's dorm room and just do it then at the end of the day, bit by bit."
"This school project is already exhausting and we haven't even started it yet," Kira nearly laughs.
"Don't worry," Shoji comforts. "I like modern literature. I'll help you out with it."
Kira smiles warmly. "Thanks, Shoji."
"Right, well if you're the genius here," Sero butts in, mouth full of food, as he aims his fork at Shoji. "Then we'll meet up in your room after lessons today."
"Sounds like a plan," Kira agrees.
Over the course of the next few days, Kira and Sero had decided that Shoji's was the ideal room to gather in after their classes. He definitely was the smartest out of the three when it came to literature and he essentially ended up leading the group on the project. It was great to see him do something like lead a small group - Kira always knew he had the potential and not just to be your standard lookout during missions. That's what she tried to tell him during the party, which seems so far away now.
Akira even found the time to help Midoriya for the first time. She apologised profusely for making him wait and applauded him for his patience. He shook off her incessant apology for a more understanding take on the situation, knowing full well that Akira has a busy schedule already.
Kira glanced at the clock on her bedside table and slammed her art homework shut. She's never been any good at art anyway.
Staring at her work hurt her brain too much - she needed to hit something, that was it. Kira took a second look at her clock and decided she was going to find Midoriya for another training session. He's proven to be a pretty agile combatant and his skills have already improved over the last few days. She wanted to spar with him again.
Before Kira had a chance to second guess her decision, and leap into her warm bed, she practically marched towards her door and swung it open with enough extremity and ferocity that it would have damaged her wall were she to let go. It definitely didn't help when Bakugou was there to judge her for her misguided behaviour.
"What the hell's wrong with you?" He quips, his hand frozen on his door handle when he notices Akira's hostility.
"Nothing," she mutters back. "What do you care?"
"I don't," he says quickly. "You're annoying me - you're too loud."
Kira rolls her eyes at his response. It was meaningless, really. "Oh well, sorry I have emotions."
Bakugou releases his door handle at the sarcastic remark, deciding to take on the challenge by facing her. "You seem to get pretty pissy every time I express my emotions."
"That's because your version of expression is hurling insults at everyone!" Kira barks, throwing her hands up to emphasise her point.
"Maybe bottling it up inside is worse!"
Kira pauses at his reply, wondering if he's insinuating that that's what she's doing. "Are you talking about me?" She asks, her teeth gritting together to keep a hold on her anger.
"No," he says, his tone low. "Not everything is about you."
"Then... what the hell are we arguing about?" Kira sounds deflated, defeated, fed up of this conversation already.
Bakugou doesn't say a word, just looks down at the carpeted hallway.
Kira follows his gaze to the carpet, noticing only a stain on the ground, that could probably be juice or maybe some other beverage brought up by someone clumsy.
All that resolve washed away and a chill tickled down her spine when she figured it out. The only person Bakugou would ever willingly talk to. Sounds like he's chosen to speak to Bakugou about his issues but not Akira. Why can't he open up to her too? She's open to him. Always.
Liar.
The thought of it pained her, nearly killed her inside that perhaps Bakugou's strategy of avoidance was the only way to deal. This feeling of helplessness and uselessness is traumatic in its own way, knowing that in Kirishima's eyes, she's not the one he chooses to rely on. As Kira looks into Bakugou's fierce, determined eyes, she realises it's him. In truth, she'll probably never understand Kirishima as much as Bakugou does.
After all, Bakugou's dealt with this sort of thing before. Of course, he was the bully in that situation, the one who enticed the nature of suicide. But maybe, he sees Kirishima's dispassionate ambience as a way to redeem himself of his past actions. If so, it means he's trying. Trying to rid himself of the tormented state he previously possessed. The path to a twisted heroic version of himself.
Perhaps Kirishima asked him to keep his deterioration a secret and Kira would be a hypocrite to accuse him of such hidden traits.
But, something like this? Something so serious and terrifying? It made Kira ponder on the other reality, again and again, she finds her mind wandering back to the Kirishima with the black hair, the one who really did try to commit. And Bakugou egged him on. This Bakugou, the one standing before her, clouded with a stormy haze, a breeze of regret, shame and hatred practically brimming from his atmosphere.
Kira's head hurt. She didn't know what to think about anyone and anything. She's too overwhelmed by her emotions and her jobs and her desires. Bakugou confused her, mainly. One moment, he's cruel and vindictive and Kira tries to hold back every aggravating urge to punch him across the jaw.
But then she gets moments like this where he's so unbelievably motionless, it's as if he's been frozen in time. The avoidance is a key momento for this state of Bakugou's emotions. The reluctance to maintain eye contact, because Akira believes that Bakugou's eyes betray him. Every ounce of emotion is portrayed through his vision - the piercing red tells a story of what goes on in his mind, practically showing Kira the hidden anguish that seeps in through the cracks of his steel-like exterior.
Akira had to find Kirishima, but... she couldn't betray Bakugou that way. What if... what if finding Kirishima now meant that he felt like he couldn't trust Bakugou with a secret? What if that's the final shove? Is Akira really so determined that Kirishima is undoubtedly suicidal? He's always so cheerful and full of glee when she gets to see him again.
"It wasn't Deku that changed Kirishima."
He's masking it. Just like Bakugou does with his true feelings. Except Bakugou hides it with rage, Kirishima does it with joy.
They're two halves of the same coin and Kira doesn't know who it's going to land on when it finally flips over.
"Bakugou..." Akira's lips part and sound comes out without her brain even computing the action first. "How..." She's going to ask about him. Put him on the spot and question his relation to Kirishima and what his motive is when she holds her tongue and Bakugou's brows deepen ever so slightly at noticing her hesitation. "How's your project going?" She croaks out instead, having to find an excuse for even saying his name in the first place.
"You what?" He's looked up from the carpet fully now, only confusion evident across his features. "Th- the project? Who gives a damn about it?"
"I do," she says, confidently, though she's certain her own eyes have betrayed her. "I know exactly what our argument was about," she adds, her voice also betraying her, as it wavers toward the end. "Or should I say: someone."
The confusion in her classmate's face vanishes in an instant to be replaced by that hardened look she knows so well.
"So, please," she continues. "I don't wanna talk about it anymore, and I don't think you do either. It hurts too much," she says the last bit quietly, nearly to herself, but she's certain Bakugou heard it too.
Bakugou waits for a moment and Kira wonders if he'll even speak at all, when his gruff voice lights up the hallway. "The project, huh? Well, that sparkly idiot and the pink one aren't helping at all. They're making me do everything."
Kira laughs dishearteningly at the answer. She didn't know what she expected, to be honest. "I'm sure you don't need their help anyway, right?"
Bakugou shakes his head ever so slightly, crossing his arms over his chest. "Nah, they'd just slow me down." Bakugou nods his head to her. "If you're gonna be nosing in on my business, how about you? Your project?"
"We're actually getting on really well," she tells him. "We'll be done in the next day or two, I reckon."
Bakugou scoffs at her answer. "I dunno about Arms." Bakugou takes a step closer, as he engages in the conversation. "But I doubt Elbows knows what he's doing. He's just as stupid as Dunce Face."
Kira pulls a face of her own, getting lost in Bakugou's nicknames.
"Sero's doing okay!" She blurts out, ready to defend her teammate, once she realises who's who with Bakugou's terms. "Shoji's the smart one in this group - he's helping the both of us out. And Sero's not as dumb as you think he is, actually."
"I think you're just too nice," he mutters under his breath.
Whether he intended for Akira to hear or not is unknown, but she did regardless, probably because of his small advances across the space of the hallway.
"Am I?"
Bakugou stays silent. Turns out he didn't want her to hear his last comment.
"Perhaps, you're just too cruel," Kira says. "Wasn't that what Cementoss was insinuating? Aoyama could probably help out with that personality of yours."
"Yeah, right," Bakugou scoffs. "That sparkly moron gets on my damn nerves."
"He gets on everyone's nerves," Kira chuckles slightly. "At least he's light hearted about his ways and not like you."
"And you still seem to think I care about what you think of me."
Akira rolls her eyes at his dismissive response. "Well, if you're not talking to Aoyama, I'm sure he's talking to you, even if you're ignoring him."
"Actually," Bakugou says, now only a few feet away from her, his eyes drawn to the lift next to them for some reason. "He's asking a lot of questions."
"Questions?" She repeats.
"Yeah." He looks at her this time. "Mostly about you."
Kira frowns in bewilderment. "Me?
Bakugou only nods.
"Well... what is he asking about?"
"Your Quirk."
"What about my Quirk?" Kira urges.
"Just... the basic stuff. How it works. Its limitations."
Kira relaxes ever so slightly, but still finds the situation cautious. "Oh. Well, that's good, because you won't know that sort of stuff."
Bakugou's brow quirks at the assumption. "Why wouldn't I?"
"You do?" She questions. "You know a lot about my Quirk, do you?" She crosses her arms defiantly.
"Of course I do!" He snaps, remarking on her sudden opposition. "I know about everyone's Quirks."
"Okay, then why the hell would Aoyama wanna know about my Quirk?" Kira wonders, before glancing around shadily. "Is he asking about my other Quirk?"
"No," Bakugou says and it offers Kira a slither of comfort. "That idiot is probably just trying to know more about you."
"Then why wouldn't he ask me himself?"
Bakugou groans irritably at the conversation. "Look, I don't know and I don't care. He's bothering me about it and he's being annoying about it, pestering me whenever he gets the chance. He's been hanging around that damn Deku too much, that's what it is."
"Midoriya?"
"Yeah, that stupid nerd is always carrying around those shitty books so he can take down notes of any heroes he meets," he informs Kira. "I'm betting some of that rubbed off on that shiny idiot."
"I need to find him anyways," Kira says abruptly.
"Who?"
"Midoriya," she tells him, approaching the lift.
Bakugou follows her a few steps. "What the hell do you want with Deku?"
"I'm training with him, you know that."
"You're what?"
Kira pulls a face at him. "Come on, Bakugou. I thought you knew stuff like this."
As the lift arrives, Bakugou steps inside with her and she looks over at him. From the impression of seeing him earlier, it seems like he'd just returned to his room from being downstairs and now he's accompanying her back down to the ground level again.
"That nerd is useless," Bakugou comments. "How the hell are you teaching him anything?"
"I'm teaching him the basic combat stuff and in return, he's going to help me control my Quirk."
Akira watches the lights in the lift ding down and down, as Bakugou responds to her statement, his voice edged with rare interest. "Sounds like a pretty shitty deal."
Kira peels her eyes away from the lights to glance at her classmate staring at her curiously. "Well, I'm sure you've noticed over these last few months that close quarters combat isn't really one of Midoriya's strong points. He relies too much on his Quirk to get the job done. What if he comes across someone who can get up close and personal?"
Akira's words seemed to cause Bakugou to ponder on something. She wondered if that had anything to do with their fight they had a few weeks ago now in the training grounds that ended with their house arrest.
The lift travelled to the ground floor and Kira marched out in search of her green-haired classmate, with Bakugou still hot on her heels. She doesn't know why he cares so much.
"Even if that's true," Bakugou says. "You can hardly fight too. How the hell are you supposed to teach him anything?"
Kira stops walking abruptly at Bakugou's consistent nagging and she feels him right behind her, her sudden notion causing him to nearly crash into her. Instead, she spins to face her classmate, getting irked at his bothersome questions.
"Why do you care who Midoriya trains with?"
"Because I don't want that useless nerd to surpass me!" He yells and from this closeness, Kira can see Bakugou's chest heaving with his burst of rage.
Kira keeps herself calm, firm with her opinions. "Midoriya is far from useless. He's proved himself of that."
"Not if he's training with someone like you," he say, his voice laced with venom.
Kira closes her eyes briefly, not going to give in to her own impatience. The last thing she wants is another screaming match with the fierce blonde. She's tired of it.
"I can hold my own," Kira decides to say.
"Not from what I've seen," Bakugou continues to argue. "You've just exploited your own weaknesses again and again when you're fighting."
Kira frowns a little at the remark - it sounds like he's giving her pointers, though it's also come across as an insult. Akira shakes her head, ridding her mind of the misguided assumption.
"We should be working together." She puts her hand on her chest, gripping her shirt slightly. "We both failed the provisional license exam. Todoroki too. That can't happen again."
"I know that!" He snaps, disliking the mention of their exam.
"Do you really?" She retorts, unable to dismiss her steadily growing anger. "You said you're gonna be number one. Well, the number one hero can do anything. And that includes being a nice person. A good person."
She didn't want to mention this subject again, but somehow they keep coming back to it, like destiny has other plans and the topic has to be discussed if they ever want to move on from this position they're stuck in.
Unexpected tears appear in her eyes and she turns her back to Bakugou, refusing to let him see. "I don't think you're even capable of that." Her voice breaks. "What kind of hero tells someone to kill themselves? And you don't even feel bad... do you?"
She can practically feel his glare digging holes into her back as a response for his silence.
"You know what?" She sniffs. "Don't even answer that. I don't wanna hear it from you."
But, Bakugou doesn't grant her the bliss of continued silence, as his tone splits the air again. "You're the idiot who failed the rescue exam because you froze."
She slowly turns to face him, a deep frown etched upon her brows. Sure, the directors at the licensing exam retake mentioned her failures out loud to the entire hall of students, but how could he assume and even begin to fathom what went through her mind the day of the first license exam?
"How-" She starts, only to be cut off.
"You can't even save people properly and you're the one judging me?"
Her frown deepens, if that were even possible, her indisputable anger rising at him for prodding at her mistaken failures. "You're completely out of line! You can't even accept what you did was wrong!"
"Deku is just a Quirkless nobody that doesn't deserve the power he's been given!" He snaps, his own tears glistening his eyes.
He looks down sharply, hiding the unwanted emotion once again.
"Given?" She repeats, her voice suddenly soft at seeing the state of her classmate. "What are you talking about?"
He doesn't reply, his fists clenched tightly by his sides.
"What really happened that day - when the both of you fought?"
"None of your business," he says quietly.
Kira takes a small, tentative step to Bakugou, contemplating her actions. Bakugou is such a hidden character. Any kindness shown to him and he immediately retreats back into his shell of anger and abuse.
"Come on, Bakugou." She scoffs, her own curiosity biting at her heels, despite their argumentative state, the adrenaline still flooding her veins. "Funnily enough, the both of us have been through more stuff together than anyone else in our class." She licks her lips before continuing. "I haven't told anybody what you said back in the other reality and I never will. You... you can tell me anything and for some reason I hope the same goes for me."
"Shut up, already," he murmurs. "I'm not gonna tell you anything."
He wipes his eyes and straightens, his eyes ever so slightly bloodshot. He doesn't cry much - so little tears probably have a huge effect on him.
"I expected as much."
~~~