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It was the perfect day for a picnic; skies were clear and bright. Kids laughed as they raced to school. Stepping off the train, Eijirou saw hordes of people leave on the same stop, power walking to their jobs. Despite the large crowd from the Morning Rush, there was a wide berth around him. People were actively avoiding him. The sea of people split as if he was Moses walking through the red sea.
He hunched over, head lowered, and gaze pointed towards the cement sidewalk. He didn’t want to inconvenience anyone. He knew what people thought when they saw him—dyed red hair, tall, naturally muscular, and with sharp canines to top it all off—fear and disgust equally present in their eyes.
Eijirou didn’t want to see it. He couldn’t stand it.
Shame curled itself around his mind. It amplified his insecurities. He hated the way people were scared of him—of the way he existed naturally. He hated the way he inconvenienced people. Distress appeared in people’s eyes when they looked at him. It followed him around from childhood. Kids pointed at him only to tell him how scary he looked.
As much as he wanted to, Eijirou couldn’t avoid the train, the people that rode it, and their stares. His commute was relatively short, being just a single line for a couple of stations, but he preferred to stay out of most people’s way if he could until he got to the neighborhood of his school.
He stuck to the alleys, wireless earbuds in his ears playing the latest K-POP dance trend. From childhood, his presence and face demanded negative attention, whether he wanted it or not. He despised it, so he avoided it.
Approaching UA’s campus, Eijirou heard someone yelling cut over Jihyo’s chorus in “Cheer Up”. Looking up, Monoma was berating some other asshole across the street. Ah, that made sense. Shiketsu students fucking hated UA students because of some arbitrary rivalry.
“You pretentious dogs have all the money and still can’t beat us in baseball. Looks like all those fancy facilities don’t work.”
“At least we don’t have to relearn the basic rules from the umpire.”
It seemed like they were talking about the baseball match the schools had last weekend. Monoma taunted the other students. He was put on earth to piss people off.
Whoever planned the city probably had a giggle when they put the “problematic” UA directly across the streets from the “prestigious” Shiketsu. Both schools were extremely successful and had similar curriculum. The biggest difference was the students that went to each school.
Shiketsu had the reputation of being prim and proper, focusing graduating students with skills that would aid them in higher positions. As a result of that prestige, most of the students that attended came from families that could afford the big enrollment fee. The filthy rich want the reputation of sending their kids to Shiketsu more than anything else; it was a very good school to attend, after all. Many of its alums sat in positions of power in companies and government.
In contrast, UA had a very difficult entrance exam and prioritised giving their students the room and freedom to develop their personality and creativity all while making sure they had their core skills—all the things that Japanese society didn’t like. To add insult to injury, UA had reasonable tuition and cheap uniforms, making it accessible to middle and working class families like Eijirou’s. Despite its reputation, the numbers didn't lie on the success of its alums. Many went on to start successful businesses and attend some of the highest ranked universities in Japan.
“I wonder why your parents would throw money to be wasted by being ranked lower than us ‘heathens,’” Monoma kept mocking from their side. That annoying smirk and wide eyes made even Eijirou irritated. “I would be embarrassed if we spent that much money just to lose.”
“You animals don’t even know about quality facilities, even if you walk by the building,” jeered the Shiketsu student with a long, purple fringe covering half his face. He looked at Monoma down his nose.
Eijirou looked at the other Shiketsu students walking into their school. All of them had the same expression as the kid with the long bangs, disgusted that a UA student was speaking to one of them.
Well, except one.
His red eyes rolled and he walked not with poise but with confidence. Pale blond hair sat on his head like a crown. He wore his uniform baggy and loose. Button nose and pouty lips sat on a sharp face. Pretty was the first word that came to mind. Manly quickly followed it. He was beautiful in the same way that models were. Yet, he walked with purpose, and his presence forced you to keep looking.
Suddenly, the pretty blond caught Eijirou looking at him.
They made eye contact, and the nameless blond smirked at Eijirou. The moment broke, though, when someone jumped on his back.
Still, in those three seconds, he felt his heart speed up, and his mind fantasized over the blond walking up to him. He imagined those fierce eyes piercing straight through his sternum and directly to his heart. He saw the poof of blond hair, spiked and fluffed. It looked soft, but so manly. Eijirou fought the urge to run across the moat of asphalt just to have a chance to feel it between his fingers.
As quickly as the feeling had overtaken him, it ended.
Eijirou stumbled forward from the added weight, catching himself, but by the time that he looked back up, the blond was gone, presumably inside of Shiketsu now.
“KI-RI-SHI-MA!” Kaminari wrapped himself around Eijirou’s back. Giggling at his own antics. “Carry me to class?”
“Walk yourself to class, idiot,” Sero walked up to their side. He was one of the few who came close to Eijirou’s height. The lanky teen rolled his eyes at the blond’s antics. “What did Kirishima do to be sneak attacked and then a mule?”
“I don’t mind,” Eijirou adjusted his bag to piggyback Kaminari before walking through the UA gates. “How long do you think Monoma has to yell before he loses his voice? I need it to happen all the time if it means he doesn’t speak anymore.”
“Pft, I think it’s so funny that he’s the only one that you don’t get along with,” Kaminari laughed in the redhead’s ear. He hopped off and walked in between the two taller boys. “Like you don’t have anything bad to say about anyone except for Monoma, and like- Well, it makes sense. Monoma is such a prick.”
“You pompous swine can’t even spot skill because no one in your flamboyant school has seen it,” Monoma yelled as if to prove Kaminari’s point. The group all cringed at the statement. The irritating blond really should look in a mirror. Embarrassment all shot through them like an arrow through the back, making them walk faster to the school building.
They made it to the shoe lockers, and as Sero opened his locker, letters fell out. Kaminari’s locker was on the other side, and he turned around at the sound of them.
“Damn! Fuckboy Sero at it again!”
“Can you be fucking normal please?”
“Can you stop sleeping around like a slut?”
“Touché.”
Eijirou couldn’t help but smile at his friends’ antics. Kaminari and Sero continued to make jabs at each other. None of them were serious, and they were all laughing at the insults directed at each other.
This was nice, having friends for once. Eijirou was new to having friends. It felt weird, but it was nice. He imagined that this was what it felt like to have siblings. Eijirou had an older sister, but she lived away in Kyoto as a working adult. They weren’t too close, but close enough that they called each other occasionally to catch up. But the age gap between the Kirishima siblings prevented them from truly bonding or understanding each other’s puberty struggles.
Spending time with Sero and Kaminari—watching them poke fun at each other, giggling with each other over the latest edition of Shonen Jump, and arguing over useless things, especially with Ashido—made him feel more confident. They didn’t look at him with fear or disgust. There wasn’t a difference between how they spoke between each other versus with him.
Eijirou felt really lucky that they let him spend time with him.
They made it into classroom 1-A. Eijirou sat in the back because of his height. He didn’t want to block anyone’s view of the board, even if it meant sacrificing his focus a bit. More than that he was always too distracted looking out the window from his seat. Ashido sat in front of him, and Sero’s seat was on his left. Kaminari sat further towards the front, but he always came to the back to chat with them.
Ashido was seated at her desk. She turned around in the chair and had her elbows on Eijirou’s desk as she scrolled on her phone, waiting for the boys to join her before homeroom. Walking up didn’t yield a reaction from her though. It wasn’t until Eijirou pulled out his chair that she noticed their group.
Kaminari sat on Sero’s desk, and the desk owner slouched in his seat, grinning. Ah, it was his gossip grin.
“Mina, you won’t believe what happened at the gates just now,” Sero started before Kaminari cut him off.
“Monoma was yelling at the assholes across the street again!” The electric blond laughed at the statement, like there was a punchline delivered. Well, Eijirou figured Monoma calling other people assholes was pretty ironic. “Like don’t get me wrong, I don’t like the prissy princesses next door either, but like, come on, Monoma is the most annoying person in the school.”
“For real! Like girl, please look in the mirror before you speak,” Mina spoke with her hands making gestures and swaying left and right as she made her amusement known. “Ugh, the worst part is that he’s not wrong though. Shiketsu are so annoying to talk to.”
“More than that. They’re so pretentious,” Sero scowled. Eijirou hadn’t seen this expression on him before. The lanky teen normally wore a lazy grin, and was a known joker to most the teachers and their year. “Imagine being so proud of going to a school that you have to pay to pass. Bro, get over yourself.”
Most of the students at UA ignored their rival school. Eijirou was one of them. He didn’t really care about the school across the street and their students. Well, most of their students. The pretty blond didn’t really act like his peers. He looked at Eijirou and smiled.
Now that Eijirou thought about it, it was more of a smirk, but it was still special. His nameless blond looked at him like he was in on an unsaid joke. It felt weird, like an angel over his shoulder who knew all his intricacies. Eijirou felt the urge to learn more about his pretty blond.
“None of them are smarter or more athletic. People just go to that fucking school to flaunt their money,” Sero continued his rant. Kaminari and Ashido were both nodding their heads in agreement. “The entire school is just a circle-jerk for wealthy assholes on a powertrip. The whole thing is just a facade of prestige hiding assholes fighting over who has the biggest number in their checking.”
No one in their class matched the animosity that Sero had for their rival school. It wasn’t unfounded. Sero’s parents were both blue collar, with a dad who was a plumber and his mom a maid. They were financially stable, but their jobs were physically demanding.
Their little group lived in similar circumstances. Ashido’s mom worked as a hair stylist, and her dad was a construction worker. Kaminari’s parents were both electricians and met in trade school.
In Eijirou’s opinion, he had the easiest situation out of his friends. His family owned a bakery. His mama baked cakes, and his mom handled the front and paperwork. They were comfortable—not wealthy by any means—but they didn’t worry about money (or his parents hid it well). Eijirou got gifts on his birthday without having to trade school trips for them.
Most of the students at UA were in similar situations. Only going to the famous school by not only passing the entrance exam, but ranking in the top thirty out of hundreds of applicants. The school’s reputation made it every students’ dream to attend. The freedom to just grow into their own person while opening so many doors and connections that a normal public high school didn’t give. Their teachers were research professors at the local university as well as certified for teaching Eijirou’s age group. Getting recommendation letters from any of their teachers was a sure way to get accepted into even Tohoku University—the best college in Japan.
Eijirou made it into UA somehow despite his abysmal studying.
UA’s prestige spread even into the wealthy. Yaoyorozu Momo placed first in their class and was well known as the heiress to Creati, a Japanese multinational conglomerate in multiple industries including digital systems, power and renewable energy, railway systems, healthcare products, manufacturing and construction. Iida Tenya landed in second place. He was the younger brother to the current President—and the second son of the Chairman—of Ingenium Engines, the leading car manufacturer.
Neither of them were snobs about their status either. In fact, Eijirou would consider them friends, even if he didn’t spend time with them as frequently as he did with Sero, Kaminari, or Ashido.
“I hate this! why do I have to agree with Monoma first thing in the morning,” Ashido whined as she slumped in her chair.
“For real! I feel like a hypocrite agreeing with him,” Kaminari cocked his head in defeat. He quickly popped back up. “Oh! Did you guys read the latest chapter of Edgeshot Chronicles?”
“No! Don’t spoil!” Eijirou jumped up in alarm. He was spacing out for most of the conversation. It felt wrong to judge a bunch of people he’d never met, but in the same vein, he understood why his friends had those thoughts.
“Fine, but you have to come with us after school,” Kaminari demanded.
Eijirou checked his phone for any text messages from his mom. Normally he helped out with the bakery if there was any heavy lifting needing to be done or even work the counter during slow hours. His mom would text him if he was needed after school. Seeing none, he agreed to the outing.
“Sure!”
“Wait, really?” Kaminari looked dumbfounded, like he didn’t expect an agreement so easily, despite demanding Eijirou’s presence.
It wasn’t just the blond that was shocked at the response. Both Ashido and Sero looked surprised as well. Pink curls bounced as Ashido jumped up. Her eyes opened wide, making the thick black liner disappear. Sero’s jaw dropped and his air of nonchalance disappeared with his previous sneer.
“Oh my god!” Ashido squealed suddenly, causing heads to turn towards them. Eijirou bowed his head in apology towards Shouji and Tokoyami, their class’s resident introverts. “Have you been to Hawks’ arcade near Rumi’s kickboxing gym? We have to take you there!”
“Uh… Nope. Is it special or something?”
“The owner, we call him Hawks, is an alum, and he’s like some big shot special ops agent, detective, or something.” Sero jumped in to explain after seeing Eijirou's confusion. “He runs the arcade for poor kids like us. Everything is cheap, but new. It’s like a side gig or something. I think he owns the whole building and makes money from renting the studio space on the upper floors.”
“Wait, is he really a special ops agent?” Kaminari cut in. His ears only filtered what he wanted to hear. “‘Cause that would explain why he’s always so shifty every time we see him at the place.”
“No one really knows what he does. He’s like an enigma,” Ashido responded, always being down for gossiping. “I could’ve sworn he was like a mob boss or some sort of hit man though. He has way too many rolexes for an average person.”
Sero laughed at the dumb theories that their group’s self proclaimed “bimbo and twink duo” made up, jumping in whenever he had a comment. Eijirou couldn’t help but grin as well.
He loved how included his classmates made him feel. UA was the first time he felt included. Eijirou didn’t think he was bullied, but he definitely wasn’t really included with his peers back in middle school.
“Pipe down, students.” Aizawa entered the room with his sleeping bag draped over his arm. Their sleepy homeroom teacher had a stable routine: give class announcements and then nap for the rest of the time. He was a laid-back teacher, so long as you didn’t give him grief, and then he could be terrifyingly firm. “The summer sports festival is coming up soon.”
“Hell yeah!”
“Let’s go!”
“Our class is gunning for first place for sure.”
Aizawa glared at Kaminari, Sero, and Sato who all jumped out of their seats in celebration. Eijirou couldn’t blame them at all. He vibrated in his seat from excitement as well. He was an active kid and athletic as well. Even the girls in their class started whispering about doing their best to each other.
Their teacher cleared his throat effectively silencing everyone.
“If you’ll let me finish, there are more announcements,” Aizawa said sternly. “Midterms come before the festival. Those who fail them will be stuck in supplemental instruction, so they are able to retake them after the festivities end, understood?”
“Yes, sir!”
“For sure, teach!”
“Alright, that’s all.” Aizawa disappeared behind the podium for his regularly scheduled nap.
That’s when their small group started panicking.
“I’m so fucked, you guys,” Ashido whined. Her hands gripped at her dyed pink curls, and her face scrunched up in distress. “I’ve been barely skirting by with just passing grades, there’s no way I can pass midterms.
“If you’re fucked, then I’m beyond saving,” Kaminari responded with grief. “I barely made it in, and it was through pure luck. I can’t study to save my life.”
“I’m in the same boat.” Eijirou didn’t have high hopes either despite being an optimist.
“Just get good, dudes.” Sero grinned. The guy was the only one of the four who could actually study.
“Um, if you don’t mind me interrupting you, I don’t mind if you join our study group,” Yaoyorozu interrupted their conversation. Jirou was just behind, arm around her waist in support. “We normally meet up in the library after school on Thursdays and Fridays.”
Kaminari and Ashido practically fell to their knees crying in unison to their smartest classmates. “An angel among us!”
“That’s really nice of you, Yaomomo!” Eijirou praised. He was really thankful because his notes are chaotic at best, so having the top graded student help him should boost him up a bit.
“I probably don’t need nearly as much help, but could I join y’all?” Sero grinned sheepishly.
“Of course! The more the merrier.” Yaoyorozu clapped her hands together. “I’ll organize some study guides for us.”
“Today is your last day of relief. Have fun at Hawk’s,” Jirou said over Yaoyorozu’s shoulder before they both walked away. They all sulked a bit at that. A lot of effort would be needed to study for midterms, so they couldn’t goof around nearly as much anymore.
“Alright, class. Get back in your seats. It’s time for Math.” Nishida, their math teacher, traded places with Aizawa at the podium, prosthetic legs making a distinct creak when he moved. “Pass up your homework. I’ll collect them, and then we’ll get started.”
This was going to be a long day.
˗ˏˋ ♡ ｡‧˚ʚ🍰ɞ˚‧｡ ♡ ˎˊ˗
“Freedom!”
Ashido skipped ahead of them as they all walked off of campus. Kaminari hung off Sero, talking their ear off about some shounen about high school students with super powers striving to be heroes. Eijirou walked a few paces behind them not wanting to get in the way or scare anyone. He hunched and slouched as much as he could to make himself smaller in the crowds of students leaving school, although he still stood a near head above everyone.
Hawks’ was only a few blocks away from UA. The walk was as short as it could be taking the main roads. It wasn’t too crowded with midterm season starting to roll in. Responsible wasn’t something that could describe Ashido and Kaminari especially with Sero egging them on. Eijirou was glad he was allowed along.
“Oh! Kiri, I need to play against you at the hockey table.” Kaminari tugged Eijirou over to the wide air hockey table with Sero following behind.
“You boys have fun! I’m gonna go look at the selection they have at the cranes.” Mina waved at them before parting ways.
Eijirou didn’t know the last time he had so much fun. His cheeks were hurting at the perpetual grin stuck on his face. Kaminari was losing badly despite being the more experienced player, having Sero teasing on the sidelines was fun, causing Eijirou to laugh and Kaminari to flounder around even more than normal.
Eijirou won with eleven points to Kaminari’s five points. The gap in points was a whole six points.
“I can’t believe after all that boosting you lost to a newbie,” Sero laughed at the blond’s defeat. “You talk big, but can’t keep up huh?”
“Why don’t you come play me then!” Kaminari raged although he still had a smile coming through his pout. “You’ve been commenting on the sidelines annoyingly.”
“Alright, but don’t go cryin’ when you lose again.” Sero took Eijirou’s place after the game. They started the game. In stark contrast to the previous match, both players were focused. Sero’s taunting grin said enough words as he made the first goal making the first point of the game.
“I’m gonna go find Mina.” Eijirou didn’t wait for a reply before going off to look for their friend. He wasn’t expecting one with the two other boys so dialed into the game they were playing.
He took his time walking over to the crane games on the other side of the arcade. There were a few games that he recognized playing as a kid with his older sister. There were more that looked newer that he didn’t know.
He smiled at the grade school kids playing a racing game, remembering when he played it with his sister at the same age.
The crane games were arranged in an orderly way. It was easy to find Ashido, with her pink hair being so recognizable. She stood against one of the machines with two older boys in front of her—college students, Eijirou guessed from their lack of uniform. Mina looked really irritated with her glare and furrowed brows, her back straight and tensed her hands balled into fist. The boys didn’t notice or ignored her clear body language completely as they kept talking to her.
“So, a cutie like you could join us if-”
“Kirishima! Over here!”
Ashido spotted him walking towards her. Both of the boys turned around just as Eijirou reached them. Almost immediately, they coward in fear at Eijirou’s height and bulk.
“Hey, Mina. Is everything alright?” Eijirou wore a confused frown. Apparently, the glimpse of his teeth as he spoke was enough for the older boys to run off leaving just the UA students alone.
“Yep! Thanks, Kiribabe,” Ashido laughed at the scared boys and hooked her arm together with Eijirou and led the way back to their friends. “They were just annoying me but left with your arrival.”
A pang of guilt made itself known, but louder than it, Eijirou was relieved that he was able to help. His scary image had some use at least.
By the time Ashido and Eijirou made it back to the air hockey table, Sero was laughing at Kaminari’s demise. The scoreboard lit up an overwhelming victory of fourteen to three in Sero’s favor.
“Why do you always try to challenge him, ‘Nari?” Ashido hip bumped their friend. He had his head hung but leaned into her platonic affection. She swung an arm over his shoulder to guide him over toward the basketball shooting game. “You know that Sero is the undefeated champ of air hockey.”
“Hey, Kiri play this with me?” Sero gestured towards the games that sat next to each other along the wall. He tossed a couple 100 yen over towards Eijirou. The redheads frantically caught the coins in hand before he grinned and knocked his fists together.
“Bring it on!”
“You boys have fun. I’m taking the twink with me. We’re gonna make memories!”
“Hey!”
“I’m not wrong.”
“...No, you’re not.”
Ashido pulled Kaminari to a purikura booth nearby. She giggled while the blond pouted.
Eijirou slid coins in his machine with Sero so that the basketballs would come down at the same time. The timer counted down from five before the balls were released. The two of them tried to make as many baskets as they could. Eijirou fumbled the first few shots before he was able to correctly gauge the angle he needed to make. He made most of the shots from there.
The game buzzed after three minutes signaling the end of the first “quarter.” He made thirty-two shots. While glancing over to Sero’s score, the lanky teen had thirty-six. They were surprisingly close.
The second “quarter” saw the net moving from side-to-side at a slow pace. This had Eijirou panicking. Though the angle of the shot didn’t change by much, Eijrou shifted his weight side-to-side to try and compensate for the directional change. He still ended up missing most of his throws. A few baskets did make it in by sheer luck.
By “halftime,” Eijirou was in the lead with forty-two compared to Sero’s thirty nine.
The hoop moved up and down at a slow speed, but neither of the teens were able to make any of their shots.
The final “quarter” had half the time, but the hoop stayed stationary the entire time. Eijirou made all of his shots even with the stress of the game’s sped up music.
The final scores ended in Eijirou favor with just a two point lead of sixty-four to Sero’s sixty-two.
“Damn, nice work, Kiri.” Sero patted Eijirou on the back. Pride swelled in the redhead’s chest as he grinned and rubbed the back of his neck.
“Thanks, man. I gotta wonder how someone got a score of one-hundred and twenty-nine,” Eijirou said as he looked at the game’s high score display.
Ashido and Kaminari made their way back towards the two tall boys just as Eijirou’s phone rang out. It was his mom.
“‘Gotta take this, bro.”
“‘Kay.”
Eijirou stepped off to a quieter part of the arcade, and Sero caught up their friends on the result of their game.
“Hey, Mom.”
“Hi, dear. I know you’re out with your friends, but do you think you can come home to watch the front tonight? Hanabi just called out sick.”
“Oh, no. Will she be alright?” Eijirou shifted his weight nervously from worry for someone he knows.
“She said she should be. The poor girl has a stomach bug. I would try calling Kelly, but you know she took the week off because her brother was visiting America. And Ms. Kishimoto has a doctor-”
“It’s alright, Mom. I’ll come home to take over the front. Don’t worry.”
“I’m sorry, Eijirou. You rarely go out with your friends too.”
“Don’t apologize, Mom. You work really hard, and I know you have to make dinner and finish writing the checks tonight.”
“You’re the best, Eijirou. I’ll see you in a bit?”
“Yep! See you.”
Now comes the awkward part of telling his friends he had to leave. It felt rude to leave earlier than the others. It neared five in the evening by now, so hopefully it wasn’t too weird to leave now.
They were over by the claw machines. Kaminari attempted to win a cinnamoroll plush. Ashido laughed at the taunts that Sero said while the blond fumbled the prize.
Eijirou couldn’t help the smile that grew on his lips. The little group of friends were a cheerful bunch. It was a little shocking that he found his place among them.
“Hey guys, my mom needs me to get home, so I gotta go now,” Eijirou said nervously rubbing the back of his neck.
“Oh shit what time is it? I probably need to head home to make dinner for my family too.” Sero pulled out his phone to check out the time.
“What’s the time?” Ashido leaned over to check the phone as well. “What?! When did it become five already?”
“Oh fuck. I forgot to tell my mom I was going out after school,” Kaminari said. “She’s gonna kill me.”
“Alright, let’s disband before our parents all kill us,” Ashido declared and grabbed their school bags leaning against the crane game. “Kiri, do you know how to get home from the station near here?”
“Yeah, I should be fine.”
“Cool! Let’s walk together then! Sero and I live in the same apartment complex.”
“Lucky! I live like down the street so I head in the opposite direction from the station,” Kaminari said as they walked out of the arcade. He walked backwards and waved his hand for a bit before turning around to walk home. “See ya’ tomorrow!”
“Alright team, let's head home!”
Thankfully, the trip home was uneventful. Eijirou split off from Sero and Mina at the second stop where they lived.
When he arrived at the bakery, he went into the alley next to it and took the entrance there. Inside was a hallway with three doors. One led to the front, the middle one was the kitchen, and the last was the staff room and connecting bathroom. At the end of the hallway was a staircase that led to an apartment where his family lives.
Eijirou headed upstairs to change into the bakery uniform. He sets his school bag next to his desk. He gives his thanks to the EdgeShot poster, a shonen series, after he got dressed. Then, he headed back downstairs.
“I thought I heard you come in. So, right now there’s only a regular, Bakugou-san, out front,” Mikoto said when Eijirou ran into his mom at the base of the steps. Kirishima Mikoto had a petite stature. Her red eyes framed with crows feet and strawberry blonde hair. She had it pulled into a low messy bun, and the uniform bandana hid her bangs. “He’s already taken care of, so all you need to do is just keep watch up front.”
“Alright, mom,” Eijirou said as he loosely tied the bandana around his gelled hair. “Go rest before you make dinner. I’ll take care of the front until closing.”
Mikoto patted his arms one last time before the two walked past each other to their delegated tasks.
Walking out to the front was a bit similar to coming home for Eijirou. The excitement of living in a cake bakery faded when he moved onto junior high, but the bakery itself never lost its charm. The cozy lighting matched with the bean bag corner of the cafe area. There were bookshelves along the back wall of the cafe area filled with manga and light novels that their patrons could read at any time with genres ranging from shoujo to josei to seinen. There was also the display case showcasing the different cake slices, tartes, and other pastries that his mama had painstakingly made from scratch.
(Some of his earliest core memories were watching his mama test different cake and icing flavors and their combinations for their rotating seasonal menu. He remembers holding his mama’s hand as they’re walking through a strawberry farm sampling that season’s fruit. His mom negotiated prices and made the bakery’s orders for the season.
His older sister had picked the biggest strawberries in the field for them. The sweet and tart juice covered their faces by the time they were about to leave.)
Sitting at the tucked table in the back corner was Bakugou. He had fluffy blond hair, unblemished skin, sharp red eyes, and soft cheeks currently full of the strawberry shortcake sitting in front of him. Eijirou couldn’t help but let his eyes linger on the full pouting lips smeared with frosting. When Bakugou swallows the mouthful he has, those lips curled into a soft smile, and Eijirou was mesmerised.
Bakugou was the pretty blond from Shiketsu—the pretty blond who winked at him was a regular of his family's bakery.
“Um,” Eijirou said dumbly. He was a little dumbfounded. He wanted to say something, but pretty boys made him forget his thoughts.
Bakugou jerked his head up and looked at Eijirou with wide eyes and pink ears.
They just stared for a moment. Eijirou once more lost his train of thought. Bakugou stands up grabbing his stuff and turns to the UA student.
“You didn’t see shit,” the blond demanded while walking backwards. He bumped into one of the other tables. His face flushed with the same pink on his ears before he turned around and ran for the door all before Eijirou could say anything.
Eijirou couldn’t help but squat down and hide his face in his hands. How could he be so stupid and scare off one of their regulars? It must’ve been his fucking teeth. Even if people got past his aggressive features, his teeth always freaked people out. The scar on his eye was the first warning sign to people apparently, even though he had it before he ever started socializing with his peers.
(Although Eijirou doesn’t remember what happened, he’s heard it enough times from his sister to know how he got the scar on his right eye. At the tender age of four, Eijirou was supposedly running while playing tag with his sister in the house when he ran into a bookshelf, where a picture frame fell on his head and cut his eye.
His sister apologized up until the day she left for college for scaring his “pretty face” in her words. She was biased, though, because to the rest of the world, his face was that of a scary delinquent.)
“Eijirou? Why are you on the floor?” Ayane inquired when she stepped through the threshold of the front of the house. Kirishima Ayane, the baker behind the cakes at their humble bakery, stood at a tall six foot one with long black hair normally tied into a high bun and hidden behind a head scarf. Eijirou got her height, teeth, and features. His mama was the coolest person he knew, but Eijirou was a fake. He just looked like a delinquent when in reality he's a coward and a wimp.
“Mama, I’m sorry for scaring a regular off,” Eijirou fretted as he slowly stood up looking at his feet.
“Who? Bakugou? He wouldn’t be scared of your face,” Ayane doubted. She walked over to the register to close it out. “He’s not one to judge people based on appearances.”
“Well, I think I did it somehow.” Eijirou walked over to the table Bakugou was sitting at. A bitter aftertaste sat cold on his tongue. Still, he ignored it and started to clean up the dirty plates and cutlery.
“Eijirou, truthfully if a customer was afraid of you, they are not welcome here whether they were a regular or not.”
“That’s not good business. Most people are scared of me.” Eijirou let out a dry laugh.
“Eijirou,” Ayane turned away from the display case and grabbed her son by the shoulders. “You are my son. You will always be more important than anything else.”
“Thanks, mama,” Eijirou conceded, having known how stubborn his parents were about this specific topic.
“Head up. I’ll clean here.”
“Thanks. See you at dinner.”
Maybe after sleeping tonight, he’ll forget all about the blond and move on with life.
˗ˏˋ ♡ ｡‧˚ʚ🍰ɞ˚‧｡ ♡ ˎˊ˗
He couldn’t sleep.
He can’t get the way Bakugou looked when he ate that cake. The blond wore such a soft smile. Not to mention the amount of cake he had gotten as well based on how many empty plates were on his table after he left. Eijirou kept feeling despair at the thought of ruining the bakery for him.
At least he’s early today, there wasn’t anyone commuting yet meaning he didn’t have to take the alleys for once. His school was coming into view and there was a Shiketsu student next to the UA gates, the black uniform stark against UA’s bright paint. Then, Eijirou recognized the pale blond fluff on Bakugou’s head.
Oh, God, is Bakugou waiting for me?
Eijirou couldn’t look away before scarlet eyes met his own, and he couldn't deny the panic that bubbled in gut threatening to rise up. Was Bakugou approaching him? Was he pissed at Eijirou? Actually, Eijirou might let the blond beat him up if it met being on his good side.
“Oi! Shitty hair!” Bakugou hollered. Eijirou braced for impact as they met in the middle of the sidewalk. “Give me your phone.”
“Huh?”
“Just give me your phone!” Bakugou’s ears were pink again. Eijirou handed over his phone, not wanting to rile the blond up any further. (Even if the red flush Bakugou had last night only enhanced his beauty.)
Bakugou looked at the redhead’s phone before looking back up at Eijirou’s face bewildered.
“What’s your password, shitty hair? I can’t put in my number if your phone is locked.”
“You’re giving me your number? Like your phone number?” Eijirou doubted. Now he was truly confused by the blond’s intentions. It wasn’t like he minded getting Bakugou’s number. In fact, he was really attracted to Bakugou. He seemed really manly.
“Yes. Do I need to repeat it again for you to get it?” Bakugou turned the phone screen towards Eijirou. The taller redhead put in the code for his phone. Bakugou tapped on the phone while Eijirou waited awkwardly for anything to happen. “I’m holding you hostage. You better not tell anyone about me eating at the bakery.”
“I wasn’t going to say anything dude.” Eijirou was so lost. What was happening? How did he get the number of the prettiest boy he’s ever seen? Why was he being held hostage? Was this even a bad thing?
“Good. You better not. I’ll fucking know,” Bakugou said as he tossed the phone back to Eijirou. In addition to adding his contact, the blond also texted himself “shitty hair” probably to add Eijirou as a contact.
“Oh, I guess we never really exchanged names,” Eijirou realized, causing Bakugou to look up from his own phone. “I’m Kirishima Eijirou.”
“I figured. Mikoto-san talks about you.” Bakugou pocketed his phone and looked at Eijirou up and down. “Bakugou Katsuki. Don’t forget.”
The redhead didn’t think he could even if he tried. Bakugou left such an impression on his mind that he had never experienced before.
“See ya ‘round, Kirishima,” Bakugou smirked before heading across the street toward Shiketsu.
Eijirou felt his heart skip. His face was warm too. Bakugou wore confidence so casually, like it was something that the universe owed him.
The redhead followed the blond’s example and headed through UA’s front doors. The lack of other student’s chatter allowed him to think about what just happened.
Eijirou was still confused by the whole interaction, but rather than feeling offended by Bakugou’s confrontation, he was pulled to the blond even more. He couldn’t help it. Like Persephone’s reaction to the underworld’s pomegranate, Eijirou just wanted to consume whatever Bakugou would give him.
Later in the future when he looked back to this moment, Eijirou wouldn’t be able to explain the sort of impulse that came over him when he pulled out his phone, opened the chat that Bakugou had already started, and sent a stupid message to Bakugou. It was the best decision of his life.
Shitty Hair 7:34AM
shitty hair
Shitty Hair 7:51AM
when birds migrate they come down to sleep?
or do they j like fall alseep at the wheel
asleep*
Bakugou K 7:51AM
They stop to sleep dumbass.
Why the hell do you need to know this?
Shitty Hair 7:51AM
just curious
do pandas hibernate?
Bakugou K 7:52AM
They don't.
Shitty Hair 8:02AM
oh i should stop asking stupid questions huh?
Bakugou K 8:02AM
Don’t.
I’ll kill you.
˗ˏˋ ♡ ｡‧˚ʚ🍰ɞ˚‧｡ ♡ ˎˊ˗
Eijirou didn’t stop texting Bakugou, not that he wanted to. He actually couldn’t stop even if he tried. It was a little addicting. Well. Okay. It was a lot addicting. Bakugou responded quickly too, always within a couple minutes usually with a quick response. Whenever the blond was busy or sleeping, he still responded as soon as he could and provided an explanation as if he knew that Eijirou was panicking. Eventually the irrational fears of annoying Bakugou faded, but the blond still gave reassurances.
The texts weren’t the only contact that Eijirou had with Bakugou. His thoughts manifested into reality because he started noticing Bakugou everywhere in his life.
In the mornings, he found that they actually head to school at the same time and even more they had the same commute. Well, it makes sense, but for some reason it just never clicked in his mind before. His mom needed help out front after classes? The blond walked in to order their new menu. Eijirou went to the park to run? Bakugou was walking dogs part-time apparently. Mina wanted to try a new cafe because they had a collaboration with her favorite otome game? Bakugou worked at the coffee bar as a barista. Sometimes, he went to the convenience store to pick up some snacks at night, and Bakugou would be working the register.
(Eijirou worried that the blond was unable to keep a job. He wanted to ask his mom if they had any positions open so that Bakugou could work for them. But after asking Bakugou if he needed a job, he found out that the Shiketsu student actually worked multiple jobs throughout the week. Now, Eijirou worried that Bakugou wasn’t resting enough since he was supposedly a scholarship student sitting at the top spot in Shiketsu.)
Bakugou lived in Eijirou’s periphery, and it was shocking that the redhead never noticed the blond before.
(Maybe it was a good thing because he would’ve never gotten into UA if he had noticed Bakugou. The blond consumed his every thought, so there was no way he could’ve studied for the UA entrance exam.)
Currently Eijirou was playing basketball after school in UA’s outdoor court. On his team were Sero and Kaminari. Opposing them was Midoriya, Iida, and Tokoyami. It was a fair three-on-three game. It was practice for the upcoming sports festival. Eijirou dribbled the ball, and was about to shoot when a specific vibration pattern buzzed in his shorts. He let go of the ball earlier than he was supposed to and the ball hit the rim.
Bakugou texted him first.
“Defense!” Sero yelled while running to the other side of the court.
The sun’s harsh rays beat down on Eijirou when he ran a second behind the others. His heart raced, but he couldn’t tell if it was because of the exercise or simply the knowledge that Bakugou texted him first got him all flustered.
Iida got the ball from the rebound and was currently dashing to the other side where Midoriya was already waiting. Iida passed the ball over for the other to make the basket before Eijirou could catch up and make his way over. They had set such a fast pace that the redhead couldn’t keep up with an occupied mind.
Fuck, Bakugou texted first.
All Eijirou wanted to do at that moment was pull out his phone and message the blond back immediately. The text could’ve been about anything and Eijirou was sure that he would be freaking out all the same.
He usually associated the swishing of the net with sheer disappointment and self-loathing. His mind this time couldn’t deny him the excitement of getting a text from his current target of affection.
“Damn, Iida. I guess being on track does have its benefits,” Kaminari heaved as he bent over breathing heavily. “You are the sprinter too, huh?”
“Track is an excellent way to stay in shape. We are always welcoming team members.” Iida waved his hand towards the entire group. The sheen of sweat on his forhead proves that he is human and not an engine.
“Nah, I think I’m good. I love my current club,” Sero responded. “The going-home club is infinitely more fun.”
The others continued to chat among each other while they all grabbed their water bottles, and Eijirou couldn’t help but tune it out as he tunneled vision onto his phone.
Bakugou K 4:32PM
Why did you dye your hair red?
Shitty Hair 4:51PM
it’s really silly
Bakugou K 4:51PM
Don’t care.
The cafe is so empty now with that stupid collab done.
I’m bored.
Shitty Hair 4:52PM
well ok
so
there is this patisserie that my moms took me to
i was like going through my emo phase
think suuupper depressed kid
anyways
Bakugou K 4:53PM
How the hell did you figure out how to ramble in text?
Shitty Hair 4:54PM
its a talent what can i say
Bakugou K 4:55PM
Right. Ok, the patisserie?
Shitty Hair 4:54PM
right!
SO
the patisserie had some of the coolest decorated pastries
like the fucking manliest
and on top of it all it was sooo good
the place had such a manly name
crimson riot
mama and the pastry chef there worked under the same chef
and like
Shitty Hair 4:55PM
idk
i guess i never considered it an option for me
to be manly and loud about it
growing up all i ever heard about was how scary i looked
Bakugou K 4:55PM
You don’t look scary???
You look like Kirishima.
People are stupid.
Shitty Hair 4:56PM
thanks bakugou
its fine tho
like i get why people think shark teeth are scary
Bakugou K 4:56PM
Your teeth are literally cool.
Or manly. Whatever.
Don’t be dumb.
Shitty Hair 4:56PM
You called be an idiot like this morning lol
Bakugou K 4:56PM
You’re an idiot, not dumb.
Clear distinction, idiot.
Shitty Hair 4:57PM
tanks dude
“Yo, Kiri, who made you smiling like that!”
Eijirou looked up and saw that Iida, Midoriya, and Tokoyami had already left. Kaminari was the one who had called out to him.
“Are we done for today?” Eijirou guessed.
“Yeah. It’s like five,” Sero explained, “We all gotta go home now.”
“But before that! You have to tell us who your new sweetheart is?” Kaminari wiggled his eyebrows, and Eijirou knew that Sero was also curious. The phone in his hand buzzed a couple more times. It was that special pattern.
“It was just a friend I made out of school,” Eijirou explained. There was a little bit of anxiety at what his friends would think about his relationship with Bakugou. Not that there was anything weird about his relationship with Bakugou.
It was a normal platonic friendship.
The issue came with Bakugou’s enrollment to Shiketsu and their school’s rivalry, but Bakugou wasn’t an asshole. Well, he was an asshole. The blond wasn't as condescending as that other Shiketsu student. Hell, he wasn’t half as narcissistic as Monoma.
That was an issue he wasn’t touching anywhere in the near future—or like, ever, if he could help it.
“You’re not getting out of the interrogation, Kirishima,” Kaminari called out through an arm around him as they made their way off campus after grabbing their bags. “Like come on bro. I’ve never seen a smile like that on you before.”
“Kami’ means that you looked really happy.” Sero fills in the rest.
The topic changes quickly but the thought lingers. What did Eijirou feel about Bakugou? He felt happy talking and texting with Bakugou. He hadn’t experienced anything like it before.
On the train ride home, Eijirou pulled out his phone and saw the texts that Bakugou sent him after his friends interrupted their conversation.
Bakugou K 4:57PM
So what does that bakery or patisserie have to do with your hair?
Like I don’t get when red hair comes into play.
Shitty hair?
Kirishima?
Shitty Hair 5:34PM
sorry bro
my friends pulled me away from my phone
uuuh so basically
my mom’s friend had red hair
and i really wanted to change myself
i wanted to be better
become manly
and i wanted a physical change
i was scared that i would ruin the cozy experience that my mom made
but she also dyed her hair
i’ve never been so thankful
but yea thats why i dyed my hair
Bakugou K 5:36PM
You are manly.
You’re the kindest person I’ve met,
I have the closing shift at the cafe.
Later, Kirishima.
Shitty Hair 5:36PM
talk to you later!!
Oh. Eijirou knew what he felt about Bakugou now. He was sure this was what having a crush felt like.
He likes Bakugou.
˗ˏˋ ♡ ｡‧˚ʚ🍰ɞ˚‧｡ ♡ ˎˊ˗
The bell let out and Katsuki nearly fell asleep in his last class. Geography was a snoozefest. He memorized the maps already. It was an easy and pointless class because there will never be a time where he cannot access a map. Either way, Katsuki had an uneventful day at school. He considered it a good day.
The other students parted a way for Katsuki as if the blond carried some sort of plague. The rich pricks around him basically considered the poverty he’s in as a contagion.
“Where are you working today?” Shouto joined Katsuki’s side at the shoe locker. “I could get my driver to drop you off.”
“Yeah, and let the old ladies sipping their coffee to ask me who my sugar daddy is? Fuck no. I’m good,” Katsuki scoffed. He knew that this was Shouto’s way of showing his appreciation and friendship, but it still felt like the richer boy was pitying him.
(Before Katsuki was disowned by his parents, the Bakugous had a strong friendship with the Todorokis. The latter had invested into the former’s current fashion empire back when Mitsuki and Masaru were just starting out.
Shouto and Katsuki were originally set to marry by their parents until his disownment. Now they were just close friends where Shouto dated Katsuki’s other childhood friend, Izuku, who he originally made from their neighborhood park.)
“Ah, the Erased Mic Café. I’m still shocked that they hired someone who goes to Shiketsu,” Shouto spoke with his usual monotone voice. He had a cadence that Katsuki was sure no one could recognize. “It’s co-owned by two UA professors, right?”
“Yeah. The stupid dick measuring contest is completely from the teachers in this pompous school, and you fucking know that.” Katsuki walked out ahead of Shouto who as usual took the time to pick up a handful of confession letters that fell out from his locker. Earlier in the school year, Katsuki rolled his eyes until he got a headache.
“That means that you’ll just be bullied until you get expelled from here if you keep working at places owned by UA alums and professors.” Shouto caught up to Katsuki and matched his pace. “Seriously, be careful.”
“Yeah, yeah. Hop off my dick,” Katsuki growled. He hated this topic, and everyone around him seemed intent on talking to him about it.
Eventually Shouto got into his family’s car, and Katsuki walked to the quaint café tucked in between a florist and a small boutique. Mirio stood behind the counter. “Welcome in, Bakugou!”
Katsuki ignored him and instead went to the staff room to change into his uniform: a simple black cotton shirt, black jeans, and a brown apron.
(Katsuki was originally a regular at the café. Aizawa saw him studying for various entrance exams. He offered Katsuki a job after he saw the blond crying from getting kicked out of his parent’s house and disowned. Long story short, he would rather become a high school dropout before he quits working at ErasedMic.)
He liked working as a barista at the café the most out of all his other part time jobs. The aroma of the roasted coffee beans calmed him down. Let him think and process without the hectic nature of his personality.
Pulling espressos became second nature. Steaming milk was therapeutic. Making various drinks from lattes to cappuccinos felt more satisfactory than anything else.
There were boring pockets in his shift that usually would consist of him running through flashcards and simple assignments. Now, there was a new addition to his routine. A bright red addition.
Shark Brain 3:44PM
do you watch any anime
or read any manga
?
Bakugou K 3:45PM
Why?
Shark Brain 3:45PM
just wondering if our tastes overlap
Bakugou K 3:46PM
Manga.
A Sign of Affection, Blue Spring Ride, Chihayafuru
Shit like that.
Shark Brain 3:46PM
YO
i didn’t peg you for a shoujo enjoyer!!!
Bakugou K 3:46PM
I will block you.
Shark Brain 3:47PM
WAIT NO
I WASN’T MAKING FUN OF YOU
ITS SO MANLY TO BE ENJOYING SHOUJOSEI
Bakugou K 3:47PM
So?
Shark Brain 3:47M
?
wdym by so?
Bakugou K 3:47PM
I don’t fucking know you’re the one asking me a queston.
Shark Brain 3:48PM
oh!!
no they don’t :(
i mostly watch and read shonens
Bakugou K 3:48PM
Let me guess. Shounen Jump?
Shark Brain 3:48PM
HOW DID YOU KNOW
Bakugou K 3:49PM
Lucky guess.
Katsuki shook his head, but he couldn’t stop the smile from spreading on his face. How could someone be so cute? Kirishima was a fucking golden retriever. It was always a wonder to him how anyone could see the redhead as anything other than a puppy.
On his worst days, Kirishima would be the only thing that kept him pushing to the end. Like his clueless cheerleader. His personal dopamine dealer.
“Welcome to ErasedMic,” Mirio greeted a customer that walked in. “How can I help you today?”
Katsuki shoved his phone back into his apron and focused back on his job. The few bills he had weren’t gonna pay for themself. The long laundry list felt like it grew every time he thought of it.
Hormones. School books. His phone service. Food. Paying back Auntie Inko. Saving for his own apartment. Become independent. Surgery.
He’ll mark everything off the list. Determination had carried him this far, so it’ll carry him to the finish line.
Shark Brain 4:01PM
btw we got a new menu
summer tarts!!
i think you’ll like the lemon one
˗ˏˋ ♡ ｡‧˚ʚ🍰ɞ˚‧｡ ♡ ˎˊ˗
If Katsuki picked his favorite shift, it would surprisingly be the closing shift. The routine of cleaning and organizing the café cups. It was therapeutic. God knew how much he needed therapy. Either way, Katsuki took the closing shift at the café as much as he could.
He locked the entrance before leaving out the back door and locking it as well. It was bright enough outside that he didn’t mind taking the alleyways back to the Midoriyas’ apartment.
He should’ve stuck to the main roads.
“Hey! Aren’t you Bakugou?”
Great, someone who knew him and had the bravery to fucking talk to him. Looking up, it was a couple of boys that had gone to middle school with him. They had known him back as a girl.
“Damn! It is!”
Katsuki recognized their faces but couldn’t care less to remember their names. Both brunettes, one was tall and lanky with an undercut, and the other was wider and a bad haircut.
“Who the hell are you guys?”
“What, is your memory that bad? We saw each other a week ago, when your man was present.” Undercut walked up to Katsuki, pushing his shoulder and knocking him into the brick wall. Bad Hair grabbed his wrist painfully and waved his hand around.
“You’re not fucking punching us? Need your man to do it? Aren’t you a man now, Bakugou?” Bad Hair mocked his situation, and Katsuki wanted to throw the first punch so badly. He really can’t afford a record right now—or ever actually—as his status as a scholarship student at Shiketsu will be disputed the moment they find out about it.
“You fuckers are fucking losers.” Just because he couldn’t punch didn’t mean that he was gonna take it laying down. “You bottom feeders couldn’t find anyone at your school to pick on? Surely, you need to bully your fucking barber for that haircut.”
“You bitch!”
Bad Hair pulled his arm back to throw a punch when a blur of red covered Katsuki’s vision.
Kirishima.
The tall teen received a swing in the cheek as he sprinted between Katsuki and bad hair. He was hunched over the blond.
“Oi! You-”
Eijirou looked over his shoulder, eyes set in a glare. All Katsuki could hear was a scurry of running footsteps and a couple of heckles before it was quiet again.
“Are you ok, Bakugou?” Kirishima stood his full height and lowered his hand.
This fucking boy was too fucking kind for this cruel world. For Katsuki.
“You’re the one that got punched. Let me look.” Katsuki grabbed his jaw. He tilted the bruised cheek towards the streetlight. It was red and angry, and his jaw would be sore for a bit. Kirishima would be ok though, and Katsuki couldn’t stop the sigh of relief from leaving him. “Don’t do that again.”
“And let you get hit? No way. I couldn’t do that.”
Of course, Kirishima wouldn’t. He ruined all of Katsuki’s standards.
Lowering his gaze, Katsuki noticed the bleeding arm and grabbed it. “You’re fucking bleeding, Red!”
“Oh, I must’ve cut myself on the metal there,” Kirishima said nonchalantly, gesturing to the shutters behind Katsuki. “It's okay! I can get it patched up back at the bakery. We have a pretty extensive first aid kit for kitchen accidents.”
“Let’s fucking go then.” Katsuki grabbed his hand, ignoring how they fit like puzzle pieces. He pulled them through the alley and around the corner was the familiar bakery. “How the hell didn’t you notice getting cut?”
“Take the side door.”
Kirishima tugged his hand to lead them through the correct entrance, then to the empty kitchen before sitting on the counter. Katsuki reluctantly pulled his hand away, turning away to grab the first aid kit. He got exactly two steps away before he realized he has no fucking clue where anything is in this kitchen.
“Where’s the thing?” Katsuki bashfully asked, not turning around. He felt his ears warm from embarrassment.
“Oh,” Kirishima chuckled, “It's mounted on the wall above the sink on the left.”
Katsuki followed the instructions and found it quickly.
(On a normal day, Katsuki would take being laughed at as an attack. His guard would be put up, and he’d pull away or punch depending on the person. Something about Kirishima was different though. All that occupied Katsuki’s mind was getting the redhead to laugh again. To hear the grin in his voice. It was like he was obsessed.)
By the time that Katsuki got back, Kirishima was pressing a rag to his arm. The blond set the kit on the counter and dug around for his supplies.
“So…What were you doing out so late anyways—Ouch,” Kirishima asked as Katsuki cleaned his cut.
“I closed today,” Katsuki replied simply. Working was just another aspect of his life.
“Why do you have to work so much anyways?” Kirishima hissed in pain, but Katsuki felt the redhead’s eyes on him. He frowned the hiss.
“Do you really wanna know?” Katsuki kept his eyes on wrapping the cut in sterile bandages. He didn’t usually talk about his situation with anyone. A collective of five people know about his situation: Inko, Aizawa, Izuku, Shouto, and the headmaster of Shiketsu. For some stupid reason, telling Kirishima about his past sounds easier than sitting through a western history class. He couldn’t explain the way his heart skipped a beat at that knowledge.
“Of course. It’s about you.” Kirishima said it so softly. Katsuki heard the smile add an endearing tone to his voice. “I wanna learn everything about you.”
Artwork by Ric
“My parents disowned me for being a man.” Why the hell did he say it like that? Now, Kirishima was gonna kick him out and block his number. He was gonna push Katsuki away.
Except, he didn’t. Kirishima always ruined Katsuki’s standards.
“Oh that’s…Didn’t they already know?” Kirishima made a confused expression. Katsuki had to spell it out for the other, didn't he.
“I wasn’t born a man like you, Red.” Katstuki pulled his pride up to be able to look at Kirishima. He’s coming out for the second time, and somehow it was more terrifying than when he knew his parents were going to kick him out. “I may not be exactly like you, but I’m a man through and through. If you have a problem—”
“NO! No. Not at all. You’ve always been Bakugou to me.” Kirishima grabbed Katsuki’s shoulders. Crimson met scarlet. He felt the sincerity of that statement. He knew the redhead didn’t know the significance of those words, deep down.
Katsuki was always a man. He hated the way his body felt growing—how he struggled with thoughts of mutilating himself until he matched the image of himself in his head. It was never a change. It was simply a child learning the words representing his emotions. Kirishima understood him instantly.
Too fucking kind.
“Yeah, sorry for jumping on you.” Katsuki leaned forward. He placed his forehead on Kirishima’s chest, and the endearing redhead wrapped his arms around the blond’s shoulders. “I don’t have the greatest experience clearly, but you’ve always been too fucking kind to me.”
“What do you mean? I don’t think I’ve done a lot for you,” Kirishima asked.
“I know you think that.” Katsuki paused thinking of what to say next. Being vulnerable was never his strong point, yet it felt like such an easy thing to do with Kirishima. “You became an anchor point for me when I first came to this bakery.”
The silence wasn’t as loud as he thought it would be. Katsuki stood up straighter to see Kirishima’s expression. The redhead’s eyes became glassy, but they held awe when the blond made eye contact. He couldn’t help the emotions that led him to keep talking.
“I had just finished washing dishes at a shitty restaurant, and I hadn’t finish an essay that was due the next day. It was snowing. I didn’t have a coat, so I went into a local bakery. You were behind the counter.” Kirishima gasped at the revelation, but Katsuki wasn’t done, so he kept eye contact and continued. “I ordered the cheapest cake y'all had, and sat at the coffee bar to rest my feet while you plated the cake for me.”
He chuckled at how Kirishima was crying before he could reach the end. Cupping the redhead’s cheeks, Katsuki wiped the tears that fell.
“I cried at the first bite of strawberry shortcake. You came around the bar, and waved your stupidly long arms around trying to console me, but the only cake I could afford being so fucking good was the breaking point for me. I couldn’t go to my dream school, and the pretentious one I got into was looking for any excuse to expel me. I was so fucking tired working as many hours as could while maintaining the top spot at fuckass Shiketsu.”
Katsuki let out another watery chuckle barely keeping his own tears in as well. Kirishima’s tears kept falling but Katsuki just continued to wipe them.
“I dumped all my shitty situation onto you, and you fucking gave me a hug. You told me to come back before I got to that breaking point. That’d you’d be unbreakable so I could afford to break with you.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t remember that.” Kirishima sniffled and grabbed the blond’s hands on his cheeks.
“I know. The hair dye got to you,” Katsuki jested, “I didn’t expect you to. I was just a customer you had right before you closed, but I remembered our first meeting and the words you said. So I kept coming back.”
“Bakugou, I like you.”
Katsuki widened his eyes, shocked. He didn’t have time to respond before Kirishima continued.
“You make me feel kind. You help me feel confident. You’re my savior as much as you claim I’m yours. You listen to me and I wasn’t gonna do it like this. I wanted to bake you a cake, but I just had to-”
Katsuki pulled Kirishima down by his uniform tie, and led their lips to meet. It was everything and more. His heart beat faster, and his lungs couldn’t fill with air. But fireworks spread from where they touched. Kirishima pulled Katsuki closer with his neck and returned the kiss just as passionately. It was clumsy without experience, but it conveyed every emotion that they felt.
As Katsuki pulled away, Kirishima leaned forward to follow. It was adorable, and the blond couldn’t help but laugh, causing his eyes to close with a wide smile.
“Do that again,” Kirishima requested, “What can I do to make you laugh like that?”
“Shut the fuck up,” Katsuki just laughed at him. The redhead just wrapped his arms around the blond to prevent him from running away. “You’re fucking ridiculous.”
“You just kissed me and then let out the prettiest sound I’ve ever heard. I’d gladly be a jester to get it again,” Kirishima declared and looked at Katsuki with awe and affection.
“You fucking idiot.”
Katsuki leaned in for their second kiss. Shorter than their first, but still as world changing. Sparks danced under his skin and in his heart leaving him breathless.
“I like you too.”
“Go on a date with me.”
“Fuck yes.”