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Mina falls back, laughing so hard that her chest hurts. As always this is the highlight of her week. Hagakure suggested that they meet in Jiro’s room, and although it's not the style Mina would typically go for, she is having a blast regardless.
Every other Friday, the girls in class 1-A have a ‘girl’s night. Sure, sometimes Kendo and Shiozaki from 1-B show up, but her point still stands. The six of them pick someone's room to meet up in, each bring activities, snacks, and whatever else they feel like bringing. Tonight, Mina brought facemasks and a couple of her favorite foods, all of course acquired from the nearest gas station. She’d brought enough to feed a small army, but despite this, all that’s left of the haul is a mess of wrappers strewn across the floor.
Currently, the group is painting their nails, a random rom-com on in the corner. And yeah, they're not really paying attention, but c’mon! Uraraka is making some damn excellent points. Hero costumes for the girls are iffy at best.
“I mean, I literally specified for them to make it fit looser on my body, but my suit is very skin tight. And now I have to submit a whole other form,” she huffs. “It's especially stupid because this mostly happens with just the girls.” Uraraka finishes. “So stupid,” she mutters, scowling.
“Mine’s pretty tight too, kero.”
Mina crosses her arms. “Yeah, it’s kinda weird. I think it’s awesome to have a cool costume you feel good in, but if the people who make hero costumes completely disregard your wishes is definitely not cool.”
Uraraka nods her head. “See, that’s my thoughts exactly.”
“Maybe it's a standard for heroes to have skin tight costumes? I mean, it could be detrimental if they end up in a potentially dangerous situation with an extravagant costume.” Momo suggests, stroking her chin.
Jirou rolls her eyes. “Tell that to Aoyama’s cape.”
This gets a good laugh out of the rest of the group. Jirou smugly blows on her freshly painted nails. “Anyone want more snacks from the kitchen? I'm pretty sure I saw a couple chip bags in there.”
“Oh yes!” Hagakure says, “I think Satou made some cookies earlier that were free to eat. You should get them too.”
“M’kay, on it,” Jirou walks out, giving a thumbs up.
The girls fall into polite conversation expecting Jirou to be back in a timely fashion. A couple minutes pass when they realize they have more time than they originally thought. She probably got distracted with something.
“Hey Mina, you can braid hair, right?” Uraraka brushes her hair behind her ear, a shy look on her face. “I know my hair is pretty short, but I wanted to try it out...”
“Sure thing!” Mina says as she pats for Uraraka to come sit in front of her. “I might be a bit rusty, but I'll try.”
Uraraka smiles as she scoots over and Mina begins to navigate her hair.
“Hey Tsu, can you throw me that brush?” Mina points to the floor near the bathroom. Tsu grabs the brush with her tongue and tosses it to Mina.
Mina fumbles but manages to catch it. “Thanks!” She begins to comb thoroughly. “One or two?”
“Uhm one,” Uraraka replies.
With that, Mina pulls a rubber band from her wrist with her teeth, letting it rest between her lips as she begins to part and braid Uraraka’s hair. Mina struggles, locks of hair slip out uninvited left and right. She restarts, frowning.
“Damn! Maybe I have lost my charm,” she says, teeth still clenched on the hair tie.
“That’s not how you do a fucking braid.”
Mina looks up, seeing- Bakugou? He’s leaning on the doorframe with crossed arms, looking as pissed as ever. Damnit, Jiro must have left the door open. How the hell is Mina going to get out of being exploded into a million pieces? One time Bakugou gave her a death glare over the last slice of cheesecake—which Mina totally gets, Aoyama's cheesecake was certainly to kill for— so she wouldn’t be too surprised if he did the same over a goddamn braid. All Might better speak at her funeral.
“You think you can do better?” Mina asks, raising an eyebrow.
Mina challenges him not to start a fight, but because she's genuinely curious as to why Bakugou of all people would comment at all on her braiding techniques. Does he seriously think he can do better? God, is this his superiority-but-also-inferiority complex again? Mina wouldn't be surprised if he knew how to braid hair perfectly just because he needs to be the best at everything. She mentally rolls her eyes.
“Pay attention, Raccoon Eyes.” Bakugou says, stepping into the room, officially peaking the girl's curiosity. Mina thinks about kicking him out, but her aforementioned curiosity has her reluctantly scooting over as he takes her place on the couch behind Uraraka. Mina leans forward, teetering on the edge of the couch to get a better look. Bakugou delicately handles Uraraka’s hair and weaves it into a complex braid.
Mina, and she swears on her mother’s grave, has never ever in a million years seen anyone better at braiding hair. This bitch not only flawlessly braids Uraraka’s hair but offers to do other fun hair styles on the others, claiming he could do anything ‘without a damn tutorial.’
Jirou comes back to an…interesting scene.
“Sorry I took so long, I ran into Kaminari and Shinso..?” she trails off as she takes in the situation at hand. “What the hell.”
Hagakure looks up, startled. “Oh- oh, uh hey, Jirou!”
Jiro responds by simply furrowing her eyebrows.
The girls look at each other for a moment. Tsu clears her throat. “So basically, Bakugou said that Mina's braiding skills were inferior to his own and they challenged each other… kero, it turned into this,” she explains.
By this point, the whole group has beautiful hairstyles (mostly braids but as things escalated, they wondered if he could do more outlandish styles) and Bakugou is in the middle of braiding Hagakure's hair. Her invisibility quirk seems to have no bearing whatsoever on his apparent godlike braiding talent.
“Well shit.” Jirou pauses. “Can you do me next?” .
Bakugou is so invested in the meticulous process of weaving invisible hair he blatantly ignores her. It doesn’t matter though, because he is so captivatingly good at braiding that it steals everyone’s attention anyways. Including Jirou. She places the plate of cookies and chips on a coffee table and lowers to the floor to get a better look at everything.
“Cute hair,” she whispers to Momo, settling into the seat next to her. It really is cute: braided half up half down and tied up with a little bow that had been supplied by Tsu.
Momo smiles as a faint rosy color creeps onto her cheeks. “Thanks,” she whispers back.
“Isn't he good?” Uraraka murmurs. She didn’t seem to be asking anyone in particular, but both Mina and Tsu nod.
Bakugou holds out a hand. “Rubber band me,” he states. Mina scrambles to get him one but the supply has been run dry, so Momo ultimately uses her quirk to create one. Mina sits back down and finds her gaze being drawn back to the intricate work.
“Done,” Bakugou says, tying it off.
Hagakure traces the French braid with her hand. Probably. Mina doesn’t know for sure, since she is invisible, but it's something Mina would do, so. Probably.
“It feels perfect,” Hagakure says, dumbfounded. “Um…thank you? Bakugou?” The words sound foreign.
“Yeah, whatever,” he scoffs, going to stand up. “I’ve proven my point.” He dusts his pants off, then moves as though to leave. He manages all of one step before Mina stops him, grabbing his wrist. Bakugou looks down at her, eyebrows raised. He’s clearly annoyed. Well. Mina is dead. (If All Might doesn’t speak at her fucking funeral-)
Fortunately, she recovers quickly. Thank god.
“W-well. I have always thought nail polish would look good on you- and, I mean you're… just really good at braiding hair,” she scratches her head and smiles sheepishly up at him. “And I'm really good at nail polish. So… maybe I could paint your nails? As a thanks?” Scratch that. God is dead, she said that terribly. Yikes.
Bakugou hesitates. He fucking hesitates. Not for long, but it's definitely noticeable, and definitely strange. Mina wasn't expecting to get this far. He then does the biggest ass eye roll humanity has ever witnessed. But no immediate explosions, so a definite win in Mina's book.
“Fucking fine.” Bakugou plops down (criss cross applesauce style of course) right where he was standing with a scowl on his face. He puts a hand out in front of him looking away from Mina. He leans back on his other hand still making no eye contact. Like he's being forced to do this. It's bizarre yet funny.
The group seems taken aback (obviously. Mina sure is) and for a moment, no one says anything at all. Now, Mina doesn't think they're scared per say, that's not the right word. More like they're shocked about his non-Bakugou actions but also don't want to say anything wrong. Just in case they set off his normal personality. Plus, they're having a shit load of fun. At least Mina is. This is hilarious.
Mina grins into her collection of nail polish. “What color would you like?”
“I don't care,” Bakugou says, pulling his hand away from Mina, crossing his arms. Does he know he doesn't have to do this?
“It’s a little out there, but I think lime green would be good,” Jirou speaks up. “I mean it would compliment your orange and black color scheme.” She smiles earnestly.
“Sure,” he says. “Whatever.”
Delighted, Mina begins to paint.
Index finger.
Mina's ongoing theory is that Bakugou is actually having a ton of fun too.
Middle finger.
Yeah, he doesn't show it but if he didn't have at least some amusement about the whole situation, he would've just walked off all smug. And stuff.
Ring finger.
Therefore, Mina thinks this is just Bakugou’s weird way of experiencing fun. He’s proven himself to be better at braiding than Mina, he could just leave whenever.
Pinkie.
There’s just no excuses. Bakugou is having fun, but he clearly doesn't want the girls to know. So, he’s acting all standoffish. And stuff.
Thumb.
Yeah. That’s gotta be it. Mina is so smart.
Bakugou pulls back a tiny bit, leaning in slightly looking over Mina’s work. His hand pulls back completely and he replaces it with his other one, carefully resting his lime green hand on his knee. Mina starts again.
The problem is, how will Mina get Bakugou to admit he's having fun? She tries to brainstorm different ideas and outcomes but can't think of anything before she’s suddenly done with his second hand.
Bakugou pulls his left hand off the carpet to look for himself. He lifts his right and eyes both of them. Mina genuinely can't tell if he likes it or not. Maybe he has no opinions on it at all.
“You missed a spot.” he deadpans, pointing to a minuscule spot on his ring finger.
Mina huffs and quickly fixes it. “Better?”
Bakugou looks content(?) and keeps eying the lime green shade, his look she still can't decipher.
“See! I knew you'd look awesome.” Mina beams despite his silence.
“Hell yeah, you look super sick, dude.” Jirou looks over his hands. “We just have to wait for them to dry and you'll be set.”
Hah! Perfect. Mina can just keep giving him (and the rest of the girls) fun things to do and he'll eventually open up. Especially since he can give himself the excuse of his nails drying.
“Heyyyy…” Mina draws out then grins. “In the meantime, I brought face masks! Should we do them while we wait for Bakugou’s nail polish to dry?”
“Ooh, I love face masks!” Momo smiles brightly.
“Sounds good to me,” Tsu says and Uraraka claps her hands in delight. Mina fishes around in her bag and pulls out the face masks.
Bakugou only shrugs, not showing any signs of…. anything.
Hm.
Mina sighs softly. She brings her focus back to the matter at hand and distributes the masks.
“Bakugou, would you like one?” Momo asks, taking two from Mina, offering to him.
He folds his arms and Mina could swear that he’s being careful not to ruin the polish. Bakugou looks away. “I’ll need a headband,” he simply states.
Mina isn't particularly caught off guard by this, especially taking into consideration what's already happened tonight. Momo doesn't seem to be either, her arm begins to glow a baby pink with blue sparkles as she pulls out a fabric headband.
“Why do you need a head band?” Hagakure asks.
“As a necklace, obviously,” Bakugou puts on the head band, successfully pulling his hair back.
“Ah. Sarcasm,” Uraraka remarks.
Bakugou rolls his eyes. And yet- is that a smile on his face? Mina has to stop herself from leaning towards him, just to see. She refrains, but only just. Instead, she tries to look as subtly as possible. She squints and yep. That’s a smile. A very small smile, the smallest smile she’s ever seen in her life, but a smile nonetheless.
That’s crazy. Sure, she's seen Bakugou smile once or twice, once when Denki said something stupid and another when he won a difficult fight, but this is teetering along the line of being friendly. Sure, it’s in his own Bakugou way, but still.
Mina makes eye contact with Momo and the girl raises her eyebrows amused. Okay, so it's not just Mina who's having a blast with this, in fact, Mina's pretty sure all of the girls are catching on to whatever the hell Bakugou is pulling.
Uraraka apparently is faster (and braver) than Mina or Momo when it comes to facing Bakugou. She leans toward him.
“Was that a smile?” she prods, snickering.
For a split second Bakugou looks slightly panicked, like he wasn't expecting to be caught. It’s his fault for underestimating them in the realm of micro-expressions.
“And what of it, Pink Cheeks?” he spits, looking away from her.
Uraraka retreats to her previous position and folds her arms. “Nothing…” she teases. “Just admit it!” Uraraka smirks. “You're totally enjoying being here with us.”
“I won't admit anything,” Bakugou grits out, returning the eye contact.
“Who's ready for face masks?” Momo hurriedly asks, likely afraid of the situation escalating.
Bakugou rips open the packet and unfolds the mask. The rest of the girls follow suit.
As they let the masks sit, despite Bakugou’s presence, the group gets back into normal conversation. Specifically, in regards to quirks.
Hagakure says, “It’s obviously amazing for stealthier jobs, but in combat or in any remotely dangerous environment at all, I'm completely useless!” Mina’s rubbing her back, hopefully comforting her.
“Hey, it's not that bad-” Momo starts but Bakugou cuts in.
“You're being a dumbass if you think your quirk isn’t useful. If action packed fights aren't your style, just don't be that kind of hero. Stealth definitely fucking works for you so you should stick with it.” Bakugou exaggerates with his hands. “You can help so many people with your quirk. In fact, even in rescue missions you're going to excel. Evading the villain is a very important part of rescuing innocent civilians, and being invisible gives you a great advantage.”
Everyone is staring at Bakugou.
“Completely useless my ass,” he grumbles, folding his arms.
Hagakure seems the most startled by the aggressive (yet weirdly nice) sentiment. She sniffles.
“Thank you, Bakugou. You're right,” she says, a bit choked up.
After Bakugou's outburst, the group falls into an even easier conversation. Gossip and laughter is shared all around. Mina was wrong before—about tonight being the highlight of her week—this has been the highlight of her entire year.
“Yeah, Shitty Hair is always so enthusiastic about everything. It's annoying most of the time but...” Bakugou eyes the group. “Don't you dare tell him this. Sometimes… I suppose it's kind of...” He huffs and looks away. “Inspiring.”
Bakugou looks taken aback at the fact that they don't make a big deal of his sweet (or as sweet as Bakugou gets) choice of words. Infact, Mina thinks he makes great points.
“Hell yeah!" Mina says. Then, thinking aloud, she adds, “His manliness must be contagious.”
“Yeah, he is very good at making other people want to keep going,” Tsu says.
Bakugou does another one of his (now) iconic micro smiles.
“Oh shit!” Jirou looks at her phone. “It's getting pretty late.”
“Should we get ready for bed?” Momo inquires.
All the girls’ nights are of course sleepovers, hence everyone being in pajamas.
Mina and the others begin to get out their sleeping bags and otherwise get ready for bed.
As they do, Bakugou stands up and wordlessly starts to walk out. Mina grabs him by the wrist again, stopping him in his tracks once more. This time he doesn't even glare. In fact, Bakugou turns around and gives Mina a questioning look. It’s still kind of annoyed-looking, but that might just be his chronic resting bitch face.
“What.”
Mina looks over at her friends and they all nod. “We have girl's nights every other Friday at seven, if you'd mayyybee want to come?” she says, trying to give him her best ‘totally innocent face’.
“Whatever,” Bakugou rolls his eyes one last time. And then he walks out.
Mina knows that was a yes. And just to throw Bakugou a bone she won’t even tell anyone about the big smile she saw on his face when he walked out.
She won't tell a single soul.
Except maybe Jirou.
And possibly Uraraka too.
And she can't leave Hagakure out of the loop.
To make it even, Tsu as well.
Okay and Momo, she's very trustworthy.
Mina smiles to herself. She won't tell mostly a single soul.