Ch.12- Enclosing Future
Standing outside, the time nearing 4am, you adjusted the strap on your shoulders. The object hanging on your back was heavy, but you couldn't bear to part with any of the objects inside, so you'd deal with the weight and not complain.
In your hands was a clean and crisp letter, unopened and ready to be the sent to the person who would be receiving it. And lucky for the letter, its destination was currently in front of you. The door decorated in dents, chips and slight discoloration from the current resident was enough to let you know you had the right place.
But... you knew you did before you took a few moments to reflect. You had been here too many times before to second guess yourself. This was definitely her room, it was next door to yours after all.
Bending down towards the crack under the door, you couldn't help but feel a tinge of guilt bounce around in your heart. But you had to do this... it was the only chance you had. You were not going to let it happen again.
The letter was gently guided under the door, the writer sighing as she got up again. Under her breath she bid her goodbyes and moved towards the door, ready to finally escape this dream... or at least survive in it a bit longer before she was destined to wake up again.
"Bye Hatsume. I'm sorry you wasted your time on such an abrasive friend... cause in the end- looks like I left before you did."
~~~~~
The station was alive, even for a Sunday morning. Usually it was adults heading to work, or children heading to school, but today seemed to be a mix of religious followers heading to a shrine or mass or businessmen still working at the wee hours of the day, despite it being their off days.
But despite all this, you couldn't help but feel as if you stuck out amongst the crowd. Maybe it was that small inkling of guilt doing everything it could to get you to go back, but this was the only option left... and nothing would make you turn back. Not now. You had made up your mind.
The rush of metal and gush of wind alerted you towards the two incoming trains at the terminal: one heading south and the other north. Your legs carried you towards the gently slowing down transportation system, ready to disappear amongst the crowd and be gone for good.
The doors opened, the sounds of the automated voice asking for those entering to allow those getting off to have the right of way. Despite this, people shoved into you, trying to hurriedly get onto the train and also possibly grab an actual seat if they were lucky enough.
You bumped into people, your small frame being shoved away from the train you needed to get on and instead pushing you towards the other one. You hit a businessman, his words not kind, and then into a woman and her children heading to a shrine.
You apologized and attempted to get back towards the train still loading, sure that the robotic woman would be starting with her address of the doors closing once more. You pushed past more people but still struggled to get on.
Finally, you were nearly at the doors, hearing the announcer calling all final boarders because the doors would be closing in another minute or so. Your body shoved forward but was ultimately stopped when someone tugged you back, stopping your pursuit.
"(Last Name)-san?" Midoriya spoke, surprised to have caught you at the train station near 5 am.
You froze, a chill creeping up your spine as you slowly glanced around you to see that the voice did indeed belong to the person who you suspected. Midoriya was behind you, his hand still gently touching your shoulder.
He looked much different than the usual times you had seen him: school uniform, gym uniform or casual clothing. This time he instead was dressed in a dark forest green attire, no doubt having the 'Hatsume' touch from a few of the more support created parts.
He was in his hero gear.
"Midoriya?" Todoroki pushed through the crowd, seeing as his friend had gotten distracted by the most recent person who had bumped into him. And as it turned out, that person was (Name).
"Oh? (Name) is here?" Kaminari piped up, Kirishima and Bakugou coming into view among the dividing sea of people.
'The doors will be closing in a moment. Please board as soon as possible.'
This wasn't good. You needed to get on this train to make the next one... and then get out of here for good. And right now, your chance of escape was slowly twiddling by the second because of the number of hero course peers that appeared.
"What are you doing here?" Kirishima asked, taking in your appearance: dressed for travel, a look of panic in your eyes as the seconds ticked by.
"That's a fairly large bag as well." Todoroki mumbled, the dots starting to connect.
Bakugou's eyes widened, a snarl coming out of his mouth. "That bag is recommended for people who go on large backpacking trips... so where are you going, machine girl?"
"A day trip." You lied, seeing that the train had finished filling.
"That's a lie." Bakugou spoke, knowing full well what you were attempting to do.
It was now or never.
'Doors are closing. Please stand by.'
Turning and sprinting as fast as you could, you jumped towards the doors, hand outstretched towards the handrail. If you could snag it and pull yourself onto the train before one of them grabbed you... then you were home free.
"I'd stop now or else." Shinsou spoke, as you ran past him.
You smirked, seeing as you had avoided the one last obstacle who would have blocked your path from in front of you. And now with him giving you a ridiculous threat, you couldn't help but gloat back.
"Good luck with everything~"
A soft click and the sound of someone in your head played at a hypnotic volume. Your muscles eased and relaxed, but your mind rose in anxiety. What was happening? Why couldn't you feel your body any longer?
"Stop and come back here."
Your body stopped, arms pulling out of the train stall and marching back towards Shinsou. Your mind panicked, attempting to get control back over your body. Your head screamed for your legs to go back, but they seemed to no longer listen to you.
"S-Shinsou-kun... p-please, tell me you didn't do what I think you just did?" Midoriya spoke, glancing down at the dull and zoned out hues of (eye color) standing in front of Shinsou and now himself.
"Did you use your quirk on her?!" Kaminari threw his hands into the air, turning around and panicking to make sure no one noticed.
"She's going to kill us when she's released." Todoroki spoke, waving a hand in front of your face, seeing no reaction.
"Like a zombie." Kirishima shivered, feeling rather creeped out by this encounter.
"Dumbass was trying to run away... the Mind Controller did us a damn favor." Bakugou rolled his eyes, easily taking the bag off your arms and carrying it himself. "Hell, she packed a lot."
"What do we do now?" Midoriya mumbled, seeing as their own train would be arriving in a few more minutes.
"Can you order her back to UA?" Todoroki asked.
"My range doesn't go that far. So even if I did, there's no way the range would reach UA. And when she is out of my range, who's to say she won't try to run away again."
"So (Name) is either tagging along or we risk the element of surprise?" Kaminari sighed. "Why can't things ever be easy?"
"Let's just be extra cautious... we don't want her getting hurt." Kirishima mumbled, looking up to see their own train arriving.
"Let's go." Shinsou spoke walking ahead with Bakugou as the four other boys trailed behind to make sure you or they didn't cause any more looks then they already had since they looked ready for a battle.
"She's gonna kill us." Kaminari groaned on the seat.
"And then she's going to resurrect us just so she can kill us again..." Midoriya joined in.
You sat on a seat, Shinsou and Todoroki on either side of you, both looking ready to nod off from the early morning. Bakugou and Kirishima stood, holding onto the handrails, while Midoriya and Kaminari sat across from you.
"I'd be careful. Just because she doesn't have bodily functions right now... she's still able to hear and think." Shinsou informed them.
'And I can't wait to be released...' You internally seethed. 'Cause you're all going to beg and plead for your lives.'
"Seriously?" Kirishima blinked. "I-If so... I wanna apologize right away. I didn't think this would happen... so please- be merciful (Name)"
"Man up and take whatever happens when she's back." Bakugou clicked his tongue, looking a tad bit bored.
"Well, this is Shinsou's fault... he acted without our agreement! So he's to blame." Kaminari attempted to convince everyone.
"Don't throw me under the bus. You were trying to pull her back from the train as well. While I acted with my quirk, none of us were letting her make that decision-"
The train came to a sudden screeching halt, cause you and Shinsou to knock heads. Another pop and then suddenly you could feel the rest of your body again. Your teeth gritted and in one quick motion- your hand slapped Shinsou across the face.
He gasped, the others too stunned to do anything. (Name) was back in control and she looked just about ready to cause them some deeply-rooted torture. Reaching into your pocket and pulling out a device, you chuckled.
"Who wants to go first?" You asked, turning on the device. It buzzed and flashed a few different colors and you laughed darkly, malicious intent hidden in your eyes.
"A-a stun gun?!" Kaminari cried.
"A pocket stun gun." Todoroki elaborated.
You pointed it to Bakugou, his eyes rising at you in growing annoyance. "My bag- now."
"Yeah yeah. Don't get your stupid ego in a twist." He grumbled, giving you your large backpack back.
You fished around, taking out a pen and a notebook. You tore a piece out and scribbled something down, handing it off to Shinsou. He took it, Todoroki and Kirishima glancing over his shoulder as he read the message.
'As far as you should be concerned, I'll be reporting everyone here for kidnapping.'
"No, you won't. You were attempting to run away, and as a result, we stopped you. As far as you should be concerned, we'll be reporting you to a school counselor." Shinsou challenged you.
Your eyes narrowed, and finally, you clicked your own tongue, walking a few steps away and taking a seat in an empty one. You grumble several words under your breath and stared at the six boys dressed in their hero attires.
"Don't be mad, please... we were just concerned." Midoriya scooted closer to you, attempting to talk to you in a friendly manner.
"None of you had the right to do that. Back off and leave me alone, seeing your face makes me nauseous." You turned to glance out the window.
The train ride took a good 2 hours, and in that time you kept to yourself. And though your gaze never once left the window, you could feel the boys keeping tabs on you. Every stop they'd watch you more closely.
And even when the ride picked up at full speed, some would let their eyes linger a bit longer then you thought they should be. Another reason to add to the list of why you hated them and everything they stood for.
They had assumed you needed saving... and took it upon themselves to save you... despite the fact that you didn't need to be saved.
Heroes were despicable.
Finally, the train reached a stop and the six of them rose. Bakugou strode over to you, grabbing your arm and forcing you up and to walk with him. You followed but made sure to drag behind, thus messing with his pace.
The heavy smell of seaweed and salt hit your nose and you glanced out over the horizon. You appeared to have gotten off at a stop near the piers, the outline of fishing boats and canneries coming into view against the risen sun.
"So what do we do with her now?" Bakugou snapped, pointing an accusing finger at you.
"We'll have to take her with us." Todoroki spoke.
"What?" Kaminari cried. "She's going to get hurt!"
"Can we leave her with Fatgum?" Midoriya asked Kirishima.
"He's still another hour away... but told us to go in and start."
"I guess we only have one option then." Shinsou spoke.
"I'd like to know what else you idiots are dragging me into to determine how much I'm going to kick and scream..." You mumbled, eyes rolling.
"We're breaking into that warehouse down there and arresting the villain who's gonna cause all the shit to go down in two days." Bakugou spoke coldly, pulling you with him towards the direction he needed to go to.
"You're what?" Your mouth dropped, a flash of red against the cement and the sounds of gunshots invading your memories. "Y-you can't.... It's a bad place."
"We have no choice... it's our job to stop this." Kirishima muttered to you, taking your large bag and putting it in a locker. "I'll tell Tamaki to come get it later."
"You can stay here." Midoriya motioned to a small cafe that separated the city from the wharf. "We'll leave you be and you don't have to have the risk of dying..."
"No." You shook your head. "Something bad happened here before... and I might be the only one who can warn you all. I'll come along... but as payment, you all owe me a favor from what happened from before..."
"Sounds like a fair deal to me." Kaminari rose a thumb up and flashed you a wink.
"Let's just get this shit over with..." Bakugou grumbled, tugging you along, the others following.
When you all finally arrived at the building Shinsou had located, it was surrounded by condemned signs and looked to be about ready to cave in on itself. The boys pushed past the warning signs with ease, but you walked a bit slower, the uneasy pit in your stomach growing by the minute.
Todoroki froze the back lock off, helping everyone inside before he rewelded the knob with his other side. And once finished, he used his palm to ignite a flame so that everyone could once again see.
"Ick... smells like mold in here." Kaminari cringed, holding his nose.
"Shut it." Bakugou warned him, knowing that any sound could alert the villain that they had broken in.
The seven of you walked in quiet silence towards glowing blue lights at the end of the hallway. The sounds of machines, bubbles and soft purrs hinting you to what might be ahead.
The boys paused, doing a quick safety check before opening a set of double doors and glancing into the large main room of the warehouse. Around the entire room with numerous tables were all sorts of equipment and various tubes of neon blue light liquid swirling with a transparent black substance.
"Looks like we found the lab..." Shinsou spoke, seeing as he had been correct in his research.
Everyone dispersed, looking at the evidence themselves and trying to wrap their heads around what exactly you had found... and what it meant.
You walked towards a row of blue tubes, feeling as if you were being watched. You paused in front of one vat and pressed your hand against the warm glass. Inside, the black material swirled, a humanoid shape taking form and pushing its own misshapen hand against your own.
It let out a low moan, sounding of a broken car and an infant's cry. The realization that these were the not yet finished version of the shadow creatures made you back away. Your back collided with someone's chest and your breath hitched, another flash and now a spike in pain hitting your head.
"Oi. Calm the fuck down, it's me." Bakugou placed his large hand on your forehead. "Fuck... you're burning up."
"My head is killing me... everything about this place is screaming at me to run."
Bakugou narrowed his eyes, taking his hand away from your warm skin. His heart pounded against his chest, begging him to do something to ease your terrible state... but his pride was much too strong since he had five more people around.
"Why did you decide to run today, machine girl?" He asked, stepping you away with a tough tug from the creatures and back into the more stable part of this place.
"It's a rather obvious answer... I don't want to die." You mumbled, seeing that the others had come near.
You sighed, crouching down and sitting at a table, wiping at the dry skin near your upper cheeks. Did you bring this upon yourself, or did these situations seek you out themselves? That was quite the question.
"It's understandable." Shinsou muttered, watching a few machines pump black and red liquid through a tube. "Once was enough for me... but for you..."
"It's fucking selfish though." Bakugou clicked his tongue. "So many people are at risk... and you decide to save your sorry ass."
"I'm well aware of how selfish it is... but getting lectured from the six of you is a bit hypocritical." You chuckled dryly.
"What do you mean?" Midoriya asked, his uneasiness at your words rising.
"I know why you all befriended me... my quirk is awfully valuable, isn't it?"
Midoriya widened his eyes, stealing a glance at his classmates to see their facial features were ones of matching shock. You knew... you knew the reason behind it all.
"A girl with a quirk assumed to be time travel, what a perfect way to elaborate and have unlimited lives. All we have to do is gain her trust..." You rose to your feet, voice dull and emotionless- but this time it was in such a pitiful way.
"(Name) we-" Kirishima attempted, but you held up your hand.
"It's fine." You smiled sadly. "We all have to make sacrifices... and I'm fine with being one. You all tried so hard... so let's end this adventure here so things can go back to normal.
You all can work towards your goal and I mine... and we'll only exchange awkward eye contact in the halls like before. I'm just about ready for this dream to be over with anyway. So let's finish on a good note together!"
And for the first time in a while, you smiled brightly.
You pushed yourself to hold it, showing that you weren't hurt... but tired. Tired of it all and ready to no longer fear the next day. You were ready to wake up and start a new day.
The boys nodded uncertainly, not wanting to speak out against your will again. Plus... you looked so sad. You looked like you had given up something important to you already, and thus this wasn't going to change anything major.
A soft click sounded from down the hallway, making everyone turn and look at the door they had entered in from. It continued, growing louder as the seconds passed.
Someone had returned.
"Someone's coming." Todoroki spoke, hearing the sounds of clicks against the concrete floor in the warehouse.
"Shit." Bakugou cursed, glancing around at the various lab equipment. It wasn't a good place for a fight... not with all this medical equipment around.
"Kiri! Call your internship!" Kaminari breathed out, eyes flashing to the sounds of heels getting closer and to the room the seven of you stood in.
Your eyes widened, hands flying up to your head. The pounding had started again... it was terrible and it made it so hard to tell where you were or how fast time was moving. Your mind was screaming, stabbing at your body to do something... because something bad had happened before.
"(Name)?" Midoriya gripped you. "What wrong?"
"Closet... two doors down. Big enough for us all... we have to hide." You managed to speak through the shots of pain rushing through your skull.
Someone pushed you towards where you had spoken of, the door closing quietly as the echo of the hallway door opened. You groan, head still killing you. Someone clamped a hand over your mouth, shushing your cries.
It was dead silent, the only sounds being the noises of someone walking around turning on the machines and speaking to herself. Her heels clicked against the ground, each step sending a jolt of anxiety and fear into seven hearts buried away inside a small broom closet.
"It's nearly complete. A little more field testing and it'll be done." The feminine voice spoke, voice smooth and velvet. "It'll be ready in less than two days."
"I have to get out." You spoke in a hushed but panicked tone.
You reached out, grabbing towards the knob, desperate to get out of here and away from this woman and what she would do to you and everyone here if they caught you. But what exactly would she do? Why were you so hysterically trying to get out?
"Calm down." Todoroki grabbed you, slinging his arms around you.
He pulled you into his embrace, forcing you both to sit on the ground, tucked away from the others and listening to this woman continue on rambling and working. Todoroki held you firmly, his thoughts of keeping you calm and away from the villain being his first concerns.
"Relax. I've got you. None of us will let anything happen to you. Whatever happened before won't repeat now." He coaxed you out of your panic.
"We just have to wait for her to leave." Shinsou muttered, ear pressed up against the door and listening to every possible sound, ready to warn the others if the situation arose.
"And once she's gone... Fat's waiting outside to storm in with the police." Kirishima assured you. "No one is going to die today, you don't have to run away."
"Shut up! She's moving again." Bakugou hissed, tugging Shinsou away from the wall and pushing everyone into the back corner behind some old coats, cleaning supplies and what looked to be spoiled leftovers.
The seven of you remained hidden as the door creaked open, a dark and unseeable figure standing out amongst the bright lights and chuckling to herself. You held your breath, feeling Todoroki's grip tighten drastically, a great heat consuming you both.
"Ah! I've come so far and only have a few preparations left! How exciting!" She tossed in a long waterproof jacket.
The clothing smacked next to Kaminari's head, but he managed to keep his cool, not uttering a sound. The woman strode in, not far enough to where the hidden teens were, but enough to actually be standing in their presence.
She reached for a syringe, taking it off the shelf and walking out the door with a few loud clicks. The door shut closed and she swaggered away, the sounds of her muttering continuing as she walked.
And so you all waited.
And waited.
And waited.
And waited.
Hours passed, but no one relaxed. That woman could open this door again at any moment and see you all. The first time had been lucky... the second time might not be as lucky.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity of uncertainty, she left. The machines hummed off, the lights flickered off and she beat her heels once again towards the exit. The room outside of what you had made into an asylum was empty... and yet none of you moved to make your escape.
The feelings of entrapment still clawed heavily on those in the small broom closet, and as a result, the idea of this area being safe once again seemed... like a far-off dream.
Midoriya crept forward, his ghost pale hand touching the icy metal of the knob and turning it. The door creaked open, the lab and all the materials around it back in slumber. The last tubes of black shadows were empty and drained. The tables had been cleared, the only thing remaining were a few drops of blood and a used syringe.
It looked more like an abandoned meth lab then where the start of the apocalypse was created and nurtured.
"Kirishima-kun... call Fatgum. Let him know we're safe." Midoriya spoke, walking out with his legs sore and stiff.
"It's okay now." Todoroki spoke softly, undoing his arms and letting you crawl off of him.
"Thank you. Some far off memory seemed to have taken me." You nodded to him, extending your hand to assist him in standing back on his own two feet once more.
"Ahhh.... I for sure thought we were gonna get caught!" Kaminari sighed, relief flooding through his blood.
"Shut it!" Bakugou rose his voice. "That bitch could still be in here... keep your damn guard up."
"R-right!"
"Fatgum and Tamaki are coming in now. He told me to get everyone in the middle of the room and stand still... that way they know it's us and not someone else." Kirishima turned his earpiece off.
"Sounds good." Shinsou motioned for everyone to join him near the work area.
"Was she making those creatures?" Kaminari asked, glancing over the empty surface.
"No shit..." Bakugou clicked his tongue.
"The question is... how was she making them?" Midoriya mumbled, hand pressed up against his mouth.
And before anyone could further answer, the doors to the hallway burst open. An array of pro-heroes and police officers rushed in. Fatgum was leading the charge, his new sidekick Suneater right behind him.
The large hero rushed over to Kirishima, taking the boy into his arms and embracing him tightly. Kirishima returned the gesture to his mentor, knowing this softy often got worried for his interns during situations like these.
"You had me worried kid!" Fatgum cried out. "Radio silent for nearly 8 hours, but nothing to make us think to rush in!"
"I know... we got put into a tough situation..." Kirishima mumbled, guilt taking over.
"You did well." Fatgum rubbed his spikes away, much to Kirishima's displeasure.
"F-follow me o-out..." Tamaki spoke, not liking so many new and scary faces.
The new sidekick led the seven of you out and towards an ambulance to get checked over. And once that was done it was a series of police interviews and questions. But finally... after another 2 hours... you were finally dismissed.
You were reunited with your runaway bag and told to be more cautious with your items, as some of the items in here would have been stolen in a heartbeat. You simply nodded and listened to the officer's next orders for you.
"We'll handle it from here." The officer spoke, motioning for his units to go in. "You kids head back to school and take it easy. You did a good job today."
You nodded, glancing back at the warehouse. Droves of heroes and armed officers swarming in to set up shop and look for the woman in the heels who had been around. As you stood and watched, you couldn't help that for once... you felt awake.
"Hey." Todoroki gently touched your shoulder.
You turned to look at him, grip tightening on your bag's straps. He took notice and pushed yours gently to the other boys who were being piled into a squad car headed back towards UA.
"Let's go home, (Name)."
~~~~~
The campus was quiet, as most students had retired from class already. The only sounds being that of your walking companions and the dull chirping of some awakening cicadas. It was almost eerily peaceful, this reminder of what would have been lost- and what you had so carelessly given up.
Your personal dorm was before the boy's, the view of it coming up quickly. You paused a moment, glancing downwards. Your hands held onto your small carry along of belongings, shaking from your nerves starting to get the better of you.
"I can't go back." You spoke, turning to head back to the gate and leave once more.
"Not so fast." Kaminari grabbed onto your wrist quickly, pulling you towards your dorm again. "If we stopped you before, what makes you think we'd let you run away now?"
"You don't understand... Hatsume is going to hate me..."
"She won't." Shinsou reassured you. "She's your best friend, she could never hate you."
"Don't talk like you understand... don't talk like you think my relationships work out! Cause they don't... and after everything, I've done and said to her... I wouldn't blame her for hating me."
It was such a pitiful voice you spoke in: the smallest and sadness one that any of them had probably ever heard. It was true that your past was hard to understand, but your current was something that was happening... and something they could act upon.
"Why would she hate you?" Midoriya asked softly.
"It's pretty obvious." You bit your lip. "I've been a bad friend... and I abandoned her this morning."
"You're being fucking dumb. Stop psyching your stupid ass out and go find your other stupid machine girl." Bakugou clicked his tongue, finding this entire conversation stupid. If this girl was your friend, she'd be glad to see you back.
"You don't understand! I-I can't have Hatsume hate me! I-I'm fine with everyone else hating me... thinking I'm a bitch or that I'm too much... but not Hatsume. S-She's the one good thing I've done... and if I lose her, then I have nothing!"
"You care a lot about her..." Kirishima smiled to himself. "And I guess it's a good thing she's standing right behind you..."
Your eyes widened and you whipped around to see your friend. Hatsume was standing at the entrance to the dorm, arms crossed and eyes boring into you. You closed in on yourself, not sure what to do.
"H-Hatsume... I-" You called out as she marched towards you, emotions hidden under the goggles she slipped on.
You waddled in place as she stopped in front of you, not saying anything, just staring at you with her goggles on and arms crossed. You melted underneath her gaze, spewing out excuses and explanations for the goodbye letter you had slipped under her door this morning.
You had wanted to spare her... but in the end, you only acted selfishly. And whatever she had planned you would accept and live with. Whatever punishment she decided for you would be fair, and you would not complain.
Strands of pink tickled at your neck, your waist being squeezed tightly and the feeling of someone's head bumping against your own. It was an awkward embrace to put it lightly, but one you didn't entirely try to pull away from this time.
"Honestly... what am I going to do with you?" Hatsume mumbled, pulling away enough to look at her closest friend, pulling the goggles off to reveal watery eyes. "Everyone thinks you're so smart... but you're a real idiot, y'know that right?"
Your lips quivered and you nodded against her, head collapsing into her shoulder. Your arms reached to hook around the other female, fighting back the sudden overflow of feelings.
"That's mean, Hatsume." You mumbled, the last stitch barely holding everything together.
Hatsume laughed, running a hand through your locks and let out a deep sigh after a few moments, seeing as you needed a moment's rest to keep yourself together again. You embraced her kind body and protective arms more, inhaling her strange scent of motor oil and linens. Such a strange aroma, but one that made you realize how many things you would have missed about your best friend.
"Well if you're the one acting recklessly... then I'll take on the role of being mean because I care." She spoke, showing you that she truly did understand your ways, your words, your motives.
"I'm sorry... you must have been so worried." Your voice cracked and your throat closed up.
"Oh hush." She scolded you lightly, knowing full well that if the tears started now, they more then likely would start for her as well. "I worry about you when you're sleeping in more than usual. Our friendship has never been normal... but that's why I love our relationship. That's why I love you so much, (Name).
You're a secret idiot, an ice queen, but with a melting heart when someone knows you well enough. You're rude and thick headed and abrasive... but if I can't handle your bad parts, then I sure as hell don't deserve your good parts. You're the greatest friend I could have ever asked for."
"You're too nice to me."
She pulled you away, raising a brow at you. Her golden eyes keeping you in a trance as she rose her arm up slowly. Without warning she smacked the top of your cranium, a loud crack heard. You yelped and Hatsume cringed from the impact.
"You have a hard head!"
"Well, you literally just called me hardheaded a moment ago... so not sure what you were expecting, idiot."
Hatsume laughed, connecting her arms around you again, this time lifting herself and swinging herself around you. She beamed and continued to mess with her best friend while the (hair color) girl vocally protested being turned into a jungle gym.
Finally catching Hatsume's eyes and watching her silently nod towards them, the boys nodded back. They turned away as Hatsume tugged you back towards your own dorm, intending to learn about your adventure today. Though in your mind, you knew she would be demanding that information in another five minutes while the two of you were nestled in her bedroom.
The boys kicked up dirt as the last bits of the sun cleared away at the distant landscape. The droplets of sunlight transcending into another time, and a now brighter tomorrow. The night was coming quickly and in another five or so minutes it would be here, taking away today and preparing for tomorrow.
The tone had shifted to a much lighter air, so much so that the blonde boy with the black mark came up with a good idea. And while he had a feeling that only he and maybe one other would actually participate, he was too impulsive to actually bite his tongue.
"Let's have a bath to celebrate!" Kaminari cheered. "I'm so freaking tired, and some steam and hot water sound great! Who else is gonna join me!?"
"I'm in!" Kirishima hollered, tapping his fist against Kaminari's. "A manly bath after a nerve-wracking mission sounds damn good!"
"That and a glass of cold milk might actually help me fall asleep. Count me in." Shinsou answered, turning to the faces of two shocked classmates.
"S-seriously Shinsou?" Kaminari was shocked, having only expected Kirishima to tag along.
"Yes. Is that a problem?"
"Hell naw! The more the merrier!" Kirishima pats the tired boy hard on his back, nearly tripping the other male. "Speaking of which, Midoriya, Todoroki, Bakugou! Come and join us too!"
"A hot bath does sound good... my legs are pretty sore." Midoriya spoke, looking down at his legs, feeling every inch of soreness as he continued to move.
"I have nothing better to do." Todoroki nodded in agreement.
"Bakugou?" Kirishima asked, seeing the blonde next to him grinding his teeth.
"Why the hell would I hang out with you shits? We did what we had to do, so leave me the fuck alone now..."
Kirishima smirked, taking in the male's body language and his current movements. Bakugou, feeling another pair of red eyes on him, glanced over to Kirishima with a deep glare.
"The hell do you want, Shitty Hair?"
"It's just that you seemed pretty tense today."
"So what?"
"Well, you're rubbing your arms. I bet they're sore."
Bakugou's eye twitched, upset for having been figured out so quickly. He clicked his tongue, turning to look at Class 2-A's dorm coming into view. "I'm only staying till my arms don't feel like shit then..."
Another ten minutes passed, and all the boys found themselves immersed in the shared gender separated hot baths. Usually one or more of them would be talking but after today... it was quiet and peaceful. And each of them was thankful for this, as no one had much energy to talk any further.
Each was in their own little worlds, even if so many others were right next to them in such a small and enclosed space. And if it hadn't have been for Midoriya's long and almost conflicted sounding sigh, it might have continued on. And things might have been avoided, but nevertheless, the green haired teen's mind was racing, and everyone seemed to take notice.
"What's on your mind Midoriya?" Todoroki asked, opening a single blue hue to look at the boy sitting on his left.
Midoriya shook his head, chuckling out in embarrassment that he was so easy to read when he was feeling so conflicted and concerned. Though, he also guessed it was a good thing when he was around the right people.
"It's nothing... I was just thinking-" He paused, not wanting to bother everyone with his silly little thoughts and worries. They were supposed to be unwinding and here he was doing the opposite to himself. The others didn't need his irrational thinking.
"It's alright dude. We're all friends here-" Kaminari elbowed Bakugou. "-except for Bakugou that is!"
While Bakugou shoved Kaminari's head under the water for a few seconds, Shinsou continued what Kaminari had been trying to say.
"I'm sure whatever it is isn't bad. Get it off your chest, Midoriya."
Midoriya nodded, twiddling his fingers under the water, his mind trying to form the perfect way to put it. And when he had finally decided on what he believed to be a good way to phrase his words, he decided to speak up and finally voice his thoughts.
"I was just hoping that (Last Name)-san and Hatsume are having a good night..." He mumbled, casting forest hues to the side. "She wanted to run away today...I guess I never realized how bad things must be for her to give up on her current life for her to favor starting new and alone."
The air was cold, and the water was thick. The words clung to six hearts, and twelve eyes looked everywhere aside from the other people around them. Each had come to this conclusion already... but now that it was said... it seemed like it weighed so much more than it really should have.
"She has Hatsume." Kirishima's voice sliced through the freezing air, the water starting to become more comfortable to be lazing in once again. "And, while I can't speak for all of you, she still has me. I think I might stay in the gardening club... it's been fun."
"No way dude!" Kaminari rose his voice but quieted down when the sound bounced around the empty bathhouse. "I'm gonna stay a member too! Plus I think (Name) has finally warmed up to me, so if I leave now... all that work would have gone to waste."
"I'll be remaining as well." Shinsou joined in. "And from your words, I have a feeling you will be as well, Midoriya."
Midoriya laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head. He nodded shyly, smiling softly to himself. "Yeah... I guess you could say I enjoy being in the club."
It was slight and barely noticeable, but Midoriya could notice it right away. The slight change in the water's temperature: warmer. And it was steadily growing, the heat increasing but not tremendously so. In fact, it was almost as if the person doing it didn't even realize it themselves.
"Todoroki-kun?" Midoriya turned to glance at his friend next to him.
Todoroki had been silent through this entire discussion, but it was obvious that even if he wasn't vocally in the conversation... he was still an active part of it. And from what Midoriya could understand and notice, something said had made the split boy activate his left without notice.
"I'm sorry, Midoriya." Todoroki spoke, tossing his locks off his eyes. "I didn't mean for that to happen... I just couldn't help but notice your eyes when you were speaking."
Midoriya gave him a puzzled look but knew that those igniting irises of cerulean and silver meant that something else was occurring. Something that Todoroki was aware of... but not yet Midoriya.
"W-what is it, Todoroki-kun?" Midoriya almost held back his words, feeling as of once again... he had been made public enemy number one amongst Todoroki and soon to be his classmates.
"I don't mean to put you on the spot, especially after the day we had, but I have to know. So please answer me truthfully, Midoriya." Todoroki's lips thinned and he inhaled a sharp breath. "Do you have feelings for (Name)?"
Midoriya paled, his heart nearly stopping from such a question and from the answer he knew Todoroki had wanted to know. His options ran through his head: he could tell the truth, but that would be very hard to do. He was in fact in love with their support course peer but was in no way ready to say it out loud yet. And option number two was to lie... but there were way too many ways for his huge lie to go wrong. And in his opinion... he wasn't a talented liar in the first place.
"I-I..." He started, squirming in his spot, trying not to rile himself up anymore.
"G-Guys come on... let's not pressure him into saying anything." Kirishima sensed his friend's uncertainty and attempted to come to his rescue.
But despite Kirishima's best attempts to ease the now tense air, it was short lived.
"Answer. The. Fucking. Question."
Truthfully, no one had noticed Bakugou's abnormal silence until he had spoken up again at that moment. He seemed to have grown intense since his last words, but much like Todoroki, he seemed to be waiting for Izuku's answer to determine how he would act next.
Midoriya gulped, not sure any longer if it was the water or the company that was making the beads of sweat drip down his neck. This was not how he pictured himself spending his evening... not in the slightest.
"...yes."
He had been expecting Kacchan to clock him, for Todoroki to give him the cold shoulder once more... but nothing. Nothing happened, and to Midoriya, that was more terrifying. What were they thinking... and was his growing suspicion that they held the same feelings as him... true?
"I see." Todoroki finally mumbled. "If that's the case... then I suppose it's only fair for me to let my own feeling towards her be out in the open as well."
"Wait..." Kaminari blinked. "You both like her?"
"We three." Shinsou spoke, tossing in his affections as well. "I share the same feelings."
"Well shit..." Kaminari laughed, taking an arm out of the water and scratching his scalp. "I guess that makes four of us."
"You too, Kaminari-kun?" Midoriya spoke, having calmed down, despite the situation getting more intense.
"If that's the case, then what about the two of you?" Shinsou tossed a glance to the two males with red eyes.
Kirishima huffed, a pout on his features. "Despite the fact that I probably have no chance against any of you... it's not manly to lie to friends. So yeah, I like (Name) too. I have for almost 2 weeks now..."
"Baku-"
"Shut the hell up!" The last boy roared, his hands creating bubbles of their own under the water. "I don't need to admit shit to any of you!"
He slammed a hand into the concrete, and if it hadn't been sopping wet, it would have surely destroyed the surface underneath it. The fumes from his hands would be evaporating the water soon though, as the ash blonde was once again growing in temperament.
"I don't care how many people like her... just know this- I won't let her be with anyone except me."
"So you're challenging us all." Todoroki's eyes narrowed. "You're so ready to risk every relationship here, for a girl?"
Bakugou chuckled, a smirk forming on his lips, though it was very sadistic and dangerous. "Like you weren't already considering it, Todoroki."
"Guys come on... guys before gals, right?" Kaminari tried to defuse the situation between the two more competitive heroes-in-training.
"No..." Kirishima mumbled. "If we all like her... then this goes beyond friendly relations. Whoever she chooses in the end... we can't complain. That's her choice and we need to respect it."
"However-" Shinsou caught everyone's attention. "-until she makes that decision... there are no rules."
"All's fair in love and war." Midoriya mumbled, not knowing how strong his words carried, his thoughts pouring out once again and feeding into the situation.
And with one challenge gone, another one begins before anyone is exactly ready to deal with it. But unlike so many times before... the enemy wasn't a villain or a criminal, but instead their own peers.
And none of them were going to stop until the final bell rang.