Heyyyyyoooo I finally made it to the end ;-;
kay that's enough bs

Enjoy~

The blinding ray of the sun that afternoon was terrible enough that Bakugou nearly wished he had a pair of sunglasses with him. He took a step back to hide in the shade of the building. He swept his eyes to his surrounding before landing them on his wristwatch at last. There were still 15 minutes until the appointed time he made with Kirishima. He had decided to step out of the station and waited in front of some shops to avoid the crowd. Lost in his thought, he was then reminded of their conversation that led to the current meet-up.

He was pissed at himself for being led around the nose by the adorable bastard, Kirishima. He was done in by that stupidly cute, shark-teeth smile and unreasonably cool, flaming red eyes. It was unusual of him, but it wasn't exactly new. Around that particular redhead, Bakugou often found himself acting out of character. Worse, he doesn't seriously hate it.

That night, though, was a little exceptional. No matter how soft-hearted Bakugou is toward Kirishima (despite not showing it on the surface), he normally wouldn't just go along with him without any explanation. However, at that sincere eyes filled with determination, he couldn't find any sign of doubt. Knowing his personality, Bakugou realized that straight-forward idiot wouldn't beat around the bush if it's not something extremely important. He decided to trust him. Moreover, it really piqued his interest when Kirishima said the word 'us'.

He didn't know for sure what Kirishima meant by that, but the implication was pretty clear. It was their relationship, and not of friends, apparently. The blond sighed, tilting his head back. What happened to cutting it off cleanly, he wondered. At the last minute of meeting him, Bakugou regretted ever agreeing to it. If he couldn't even reject the request right off the bat, then his resolve wasn't that strong anyway. Didn't he swear to himself he wouldn't drag Kirishima into his matter again? Maybe he shouldn't be there after all.

Bakugou straightened up his back, instinctively, he was about to turn around and walk away from the meeting point.

"Stop running away!"

Deku's voice suddenly resonated in his head. He was forced to a halt. It quickly annoyed him as he came to realization. Of all people, he just had to be reminded of his damn childhood friend's words. He really shouldn't be speaking to him about his personal matter. The guy would definitely poke his nose into it more than necessary.

As much as he's unwilling to admit it, Deku's right. He shouldn't be running away from what he brought upon himself. He'd take whatever Kirishima brought to him and do it right this time. He'd do it so Kirishima finally give up for good.

A loud, cheery voice called out to Bakugou and when he turned around, Kirishima Eijirou was running to him with a bright smile. Somehow, his vibrant energy spread to the blond as well. Heedlessly, a smile had made its way on his lips in response. Yes, he had to break this person's heart even if it means taking away that gorgeous smile, one of the greatest bliss in this world.

Several minutes later, however, Bakugou was thrown into confusion. The redhead had something different stored for him, one he had not taken account to. He took him to a coffee shop, but he stopped right before entering. Instead, he turned to Bakugou, a worried look on his face. Kirishima proceeded to hold both of his shoulders in a quick motion. He couldn't help flinching, all the while keeping his cool.

"What?"

Kirishima stared at him straight in the eyes. And he began. "Listen, Bakugou."

It was simply answered with a perplexed frown.

"I know it's really low of me to keeping it from you." Each word that came out was filled with his overflowing guilt. "I know it's awful to make you agree without a clue. But, can you promise me just one more thing? No matter what, please don't turn away when we got in." He begged, amongst the guiltiness he felt, lied desperation.

Bakugou spoke, holding back the tremble threatening to surface in his voice. "What are you on about, Shitty hair?" He had no idea what was going on, but he had bad feeling. It was indescribable, but he somehow could feel that what was beyond that door is something he wasn't ready for.

"Please…!"

The blond reluctantly agreed to it, uncertainty enveloped him, but he hid it well. He didn't even know why his mouth would then move to say yes. Neither did he know what Kirishima had up his sleeve. It might have been of pure curiosity at first. Though, the moment he stepped inside, he finally understood Kirishima's worry.

How unfair, he initially thought.

Sitting on one of the tables in the far corner of the coffee shop was a person he couldn't help but recognize just from one look. The place wasn't that crowded, and even with the distance from where he was, that flowing long white hair stood out immediately.

"Kirishima…" He uttered. He couldn't just turn down the said man, but he wouldn't have agreed to it easily had he known the situation. A smart move indeed, Bakugou cursed internally, although he knew how uneasiness must be eating on the redhead for keeping him in the dark. In an instant, he already pieced together everything he wanted to know in his head, be it Kirishima's choice of words, how and why did he set him up, to how he found out about that girl. "…so it's Deku, huh?" Bakugou swore he would blow up his childhood friend's face, regardless of getting on half-and-half's bad side.

Whatever Kirishima was about to reply with, Bakugou stopped him with another question.

"Do you think there's a meaning to this meeting?"

There was a pause. Kirishima hesitated, but he said what's in his mind anyway. "I-I don't know, honestly…" Quickly after that, he raised his voice. "But! But I think you gotta take a shot to it! You have to try talking to her, Bakugou!"

"What even is there to talk about?" He kept his tone calm, sounding a little bit sad if one's listening attentive enough.

"There's… There is definitely something… Maybe you've been mistaking something all this time." Kirishima looked at him, straight in the eyes. "If not, then she wouldn't have agreed to meet you too, right?"

At the statement, Bakugou raised his eyebrows. He pressed his lips together tightly, turning his back from the other teen. Out of nowhere, he was reminded of what made Kirishima such an amazing guy he fell for. He is an idiot and way too optimistic, but maybe that's exactly what Bakugou needed in his life. "Shitty hair," he said finally. "I'm just keeping my promise, nothing more and less. But if you're right, then I don't mind listening to another one of your request. So sit tight and wait there."

The blond began to walk away while Kirishima was still processing his words. In a rush, he answered. "Huh? Oh, okay? Then I'll think up something and wait for the good news?"

Bakugou looked back and threw him a snicker, stunning the redhead, before turning to the front again. He certainly admitted that Kirishima had a point. If what was between him and that girl were nothing but painful memories, there was no need for her to be here, assuming she agreed on her own will, unlike Bakugou. Anyhow, there was no use pondering over it now that he's there.

When Bakugou was only a few metres away from that table, a guy sitting across her got up. He walked to where Bakugou came from, and when they passed by each other, he gave him a piercing glare. The blond only rolled his eyes in response. He had forgotten the mob's face, but it was pretty obvious he's her boyfriend, Kirishima's friend they bumped into that time. Sometimes the world really is a small place.

Just one step and he arrived right next to her table. As he made a halt, he opened his mouth. "Hey, Shiratori."

The girl, whom was called Shiratori, took a moment before looking up. With a rather bland expression, she simply replied with, "Bakugou-kun…" softly.

"I seriously don't know what she's thinking."

Kirishima glanced to his left, where his friend sat. Honestly, as close as they were in middle school, it became awkward to meet him somehow. The redhead's relentlessly annoying phone calls were the reason. He went as far as threatening to end their friendship. It must have meant just how important the Shiratori girl was to him. But Kirishima didn't think he was losing on that factor. He set his eyes on Bakugou, who were quite far away from the table he was at. He'd risk it all for that person too.

"What do you mean?" Kirishima asked.

He didn't answer immediately. Seeing Kirishima was, no matter what, a dear friend of his, he held back in phrasing what he wanted to say. "Well, that guy… didn't he dump her or something? Why would she want to meet him again? I just… don't want her to get hurt again…"

The redhead said nothing in return as he sipped his cold drink, wondering if he was in the place to add a remark.

"Ei-chan,"

"Hmm?"

"What is that guy to you?" Kirishima stared at him, slightly puzzled of what he hoped as an answer. "Shiratori told me, but even if she didn't, I could see it too. He's not just a friend. Why are you trying so hard for him?"

For a moment, Kirishima thought of what to reply with. He could just play it dumb and convinced the other that they're best friends, whom had been through the ups and downs in battlefield together. But he had chosen to stop lying to himself. So the manliest way to put that resolve in action was to be honest about it.

"Is Shiratori-san precious to you?" He started with a question, which was obviously answered proudly. He then nodded in agreement, a smile forming on his lips. "Yeah, Bakugou is the same for me too."

The other teen looked at him in silence, instantly understanding what his friend meant. "How can you be so calm?"

"Eh? No way. I'm pretty anxious here, you know." Kirishima chuckled. In fact, he's already on the edge of his seat by then. "I don't know the details," He added. "but for that person's sake, let's trust them and wait. That's the least we can do for now, right?"

At Kirishima's words, he spun his head to the same direction, watching the table Shiratori and Bakugou was at and sighed. "I guess so. If this ended up badly, then I'm really cutting my ties with you, okay?"

The redhead laughed lightly. "C'mon, don't be like that!"

Five, no, ten minutes might have already passed since Bakugou took a seat where Shiratori's boyfriend was at. Let alone talking, they haven't even been looking at each other in the eyes. It's awfully lame, he was aware, but he had no idea what to say or how to get anything started at all. He only stared at the distance while resting his chin on his fist. The girl on the other hand, had her eyes glued to her cup of coffee without moving or blinking even. He glanced at her from the corner of his eyes. Now that he thought about it, she was acting drastically differently from the girl he used to know.

Shiratori in the middle school was a cheerful and high-spirited girl who could hardly stay quiet around anyone. Bakugou had forgotten how they got to know each other, but by the time he realized it, she's always there. Among the other classmates, she was one of the few who had guts and was seriously aiming to be a Hero just like him. It's hard to believe that the person in his memories was the same as the meek one right in front of him. Was it on him? Did she change since then?

"Bakugou-kun." She suddenly began. "It's been a while…"

"…Yeah."

They fell back to silence again in less than a few seconds. It was getting unbearable, but before he could open his mouth, she continued.

"I didn't think you would be coming."

"That's my line."

At that, she looked up, though her expression stayed the same. "Why?"

Looking straight into her eyes, Bakugou spoke according to their unpleasant reunion the other day. "Don't you hate seeing me again?"

She seemed to get what he was referring to when her gaze dropped. "Well, I can't say I like it." She exhaled once. "I just never expect to meet, or talk to you again."

The blond averted his gaze as well. "For that, me too." The momentary pause gave him some time to reflect once again on his own action years ago. He noticed, maybe he was given this perfect chance—which sounded too convenient—to do what he didn't back then. Maybe, that was the whole point of this meeting. Therefore, he lifted his chin, so that he wouldn't look away from what he had to face. "Shiratori," he called.

When their eyes met, she was unable to distract herself from that pair of red eyes as well.

"It's terribly late, of course. Meaningless, even, I know. But I've always wanted to apologize. I was a stupid brat, but that's no excuse. That time, I've said too much. I'm sorry."

Shiratori was in daze. Everyone who's familiar with Bakugou Katsuki knows he doesn't bow down to anyone, not even a teacher or Hero if he deemed them unworthy of his respect. Though, having gotten plenty closer to him than everybody else in the past, she had an idea that he wasn't as crude of a person as his reputation said. Even so, admitting his mistake openly and putting it into words were indeed rare. But above anything, somehow his apology only frustrated her.

"Stop that."

"Huh?"

Curling her hands into fists, she raised her voice little by little. "Do you think… Do you think I came here simply wanting to hear your apology?!"

"Wh—"

Bakugou couldn't even finish his sentence when she continued her outrage. "Don't show me that pathetic state of yours! True, you were in the wrong! But you're definitely misunderstanding something here!"

Shocked, Bakugou was left tongue-tied. He was already taken aback by the passive Shiratori, so he really wasn't ready to see her being angry. It startled not only him, but the two guys watching them from afar. One was about to stand up, but was held down by the other.

"What are you on about?" The blond finally found his words back.

"That's what I want to ask!" Shiratori stood up. "For what sake did you come here, Bakugou-kun? Why are you apologizing? What for?"

For most part, he was confused, but he was also pissed off of being yelled at without a clue of what's going on. He snapped in no time, raised up on equal ground with her. "Shut up! Why are you being so difficult?! It's all my fault so I'm saying sorry here! Can't you just accept it?!"

"Huh?! Like I need your sorry! You're just saying it to feel better for yourself, aren't you?" She lashed back with a finger pointing at her opponent. Clearly, Bakugou had nothing to retort to that, so she went on. "You've always been like that, just thinking about yourself! Do you think this is over once you apologized to me?"

"Then what the hell should I do, White-hair?!"

"How should I know? Think about it yourself!"

At that point, Bakugou's eye was twitching in anger. They must have been a bother to their surroundings, but it was the least of his concern by the moment. At least, he was clenching his fist tightly, preventing himself to make an explosion right there and then. "You…!"

"You never think on people's behalf, unlike that childhood friend of you, Midoriya-kun. That's why you never get along with him, right?" Shiratori just had to run her mouth again, flaring his emotion with the name he didn't want to hear the most.

"Huh? Why'd Deku come out here?! Are you picking a fight?!"

She frowned. "Look, you also snap easily! And you have no delicacy! Are you going to fight a girl here?"

"Shut up, you macho girl! Someone who aspires to be a Hero, don't go acting frail now!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, Shiratori went slightly docile. Bakugou might not have anything in mind when he said those, but little did he know, how it was something she was sort of relieved to hear.

"…What's wrong with you?" Noticing the lack of response, he asked.

The white-haired girl sat back down and muttered. "So you do remember about me."

"Huh? Why now?" He wasn't sure of the yet another turn of events, but he also sat down as he saw the boyfriend guy stopping on his track and going back to his seat.

"Bakugou-kun," She said, this time composedly, back to her first state. It made him wonder if she was actually emotionally unstable. "I think you were a jerk back then."

"Yeah, and?" He groaned. It's not like he wasn't aware of his own horrible deeds.

"I still think so, but the truth is I was in the wrong too."

That Bakugou didn't see it coming. "What do you mean?"

With her head hanging low, she finally told him. "I knew you wouldn't like it, I knew it'd make you uneasy, but I kissed you on purpose. I was running out of time since I was moving out of town soon, so I thought I'd take a bet."

Bakugou's eyes widened with a strange feeling he couldn't describe well. He was surprised, nonetheless, and he was probably supposed to be angry in one way or another. Though, strangely, he felt no wrath.

"I had wanted to say sorry too, to be honest." She continued, gulping down a sob. Her tone was filled with deep, deep regret. "I know that, before you hurt my feelings, I've hurt yours too. And I ran away from it, blaming you for everything."

The blonde furrowed his eyebrows, bewilderedly. It was hard for him to accept that, after all this time, he wasn't the only one who had a hand in ruining their relationship. "Why are you the one that's sorry now?! That didn't change the fact that I gave you a scar! I had not wanted my words to change you so much!" His voice lowered, in a way full of remorse. "You're right. I'm a jerk after all." And so he really shouldn't be in a relationship, not with Kirishima Eijirou, before his light faded just like Shiratori's by his hand.

Shiratori stared at him with surprise this time. She processed Bakugou's last sentence in her mind, then uttered. "What…?" He had yet to realize that he'd voiced his mind out loud. It however, gave the girl a peace of mind almost immediately. She snorted, but not in a mockery manner.

Bakugou looked up, questioningly.

"Maybe I shouldn't say this," She started. "but somehow I'm glad we're the same. So it weighed you so much that you don't think you deserve anyone. Me too, Bakugou-kun. Me too."

"Don't give me that crap." The blond grunted, eyeing the boyfriend guy. "What do you call that then? Are you just playing around with him?"

Quite offended, she retorted. "Of course not!" Looking down, she added with a sigh. "I'm just really lucky… That's why I'm here today. I want to be able to move forward with him."

Bakugou stared blankly, replying in monotone. "Then we're not the same. Being with me, it just means he'd run out of luck."

Shiratori listened quietly, her brows knitted in concern, knowing fully well she's the reason behind those words of his. "As I thought, you're misunderstanding something." She put on a faint smile. "I… My personality… They didn't change because of you. Actually, it's more like I've never changed. This is the real me."

Another fact that Bakugou couldn't understand came. He simply stared, perplexedly.

Shiratori took a deep breath, about to tell something she'd rather hide away for the rest of her life. "I had always hated myself, you see. So I pretended to be chipper and energetic the whole time, just so people would accept me."

"What?" He was baffled, if he had to put it into words. "Are you saying that was all an act?"

She nodded. "The real me, you can see it. I'm just this kind of a dull person. But you were different. You were someone who could live true to yourself, not minding people's opinion of you. For that, I had always admired you."

Shocking as it was, Bakugou was aware that it was no laughing matter. If it was back then, when the distance between them was much more intimate, there would be a lot he could do or say, helping her gain confidence in his own way, and such. But those are all meaningless now. One thing, he had to know at least was, "How about your dream as a Hero?"

Hearing that, Shiratori put on a firm expression. "Among my lies, that was the only thing I'm honest about. So, as much as I hate to admit it, I'm sort of touched that you remembered it."

The blond scowled as he got the whole picture of their situation at last. He had a complicated feeling, still. At one point, he somehow understood that none of them was in the right or wrong. Shiratori, who couldn't be herself and was constantly anxious saw Bakugou, the ideal person in her opinion. Admiration soon turned into love. At the same time, he was getting comfortable around her too, but she then betrayed his trust out of her own selfishness. Not caring for her feelings, Bakugou hurt her afterwards to express his frustration. They never cleared things out between them, not knowing there was a need to. Both were shackled by the regret of the past, unable to move forward to the path ahead of them. The truth on the other hand was simple, it just didn't work between them, and it was no one's fault.

Bakugou shut his eyes briefly then replied. "You were quite a threat as rival. How could I forget?"

Hearing that, Shiratori held back a smile that was about to form on her face. She picked up her cup of coffee left untended and took one last sip. "Bakugou-kun, I said sorry and you did too. We don't owe each other anything anymore. Should we put an end here?"

"Agreed." He said shortly, straightening up.

"I suppose I've said too much about you too." She added again, earning the blond's attention. "You aren't that bad. If not then I, or Kirishima-kun wouldn't have fallen for you either."

Startled at the sudden mention of that name, Bakugou couldn't make out a proper response. "Wha—You…?!"

Shiratori then got up on her feet, taking her handbag and getting ready to leave. Ignoring whatever the other wanted to say or ask, she ended the conversation with, "I hope both of us can do better with our partner this time round."

Her amber orbs met Bakugou's red one. With conviction, he uttered. "Yeah." Maintaining their eye contact, he stood up, and extended his right hand. "The next time we meet, it'd be as Pro Heroes."

Astonished, she accepted his handshake with a proud smile. "I'll be in your care by then."

"Likewise."

Shiratori turned her back and walked away, taking the first brave step freed of the past. He watched as she approached where her boyfriend and Kirishima were at. They held hands and exited the shop soon. Kirishima whipped his head to Bakugou with expectant and worried look, but he didn't move an inch, patiently waiting. At the sight of that guy, he spoke to himself, that it's time for him to make that first step as well.

Shiratori walked to their table with a wide, reassuring grin on her face. Each of her steps was light and springy, accelerating little by little, as though she couldn't tolerate even just a second of delay. Responding to that, her boyfriend got out of his seat, rushing to welcome her. They didn't close their distance with a hug, but the way their gazes locked, and how her smile was contagious to the other, they told all. It was truly a scene of happy ending out of any romance story.

Kirishima watched with awe. He had never wished for his own love story to resemble anyone else's. But that moment, as he saw those two walked off the distance hand in hand, even just a tiny bit, he did feel envy.

He then turned to where Bakugou was. He didn't know why, he couldn't naturally go over to him like he usually does. Something, a voice in his mind, was telling him to stay and wait for that person to make the move this time. Suddenly being conscious of their surroundings, he pointed to the counter, gesturing to Bakugou that he'd be paying. The blond nodded in understanding and made his way out of the shop first to wait outside.

Did things go well with that girl? Did they talk over whatever problem they had? The answer was most likely yes. Kirishima couldn't help feeling restless. He didn't quite think of what came next, and if there's any change in their relationship. The only manliest way his brain could make of was to straightforwardly confess his love once again. But would it be the right call? Pathetic he might be, but the thought of getting rejected haunted him greatly. He didn't think he'd be able to stand back up again if he had to go through roughly the third heartbreak.

When Kirishima stepped out of the coffee shop, however, all his negative thinking was swept away in less than a moment's notice. Leaning on the pole by a crosswalk just outside there was Bakugou. The instant he saw the redhead, he stood straight up and smiled softly at him. Kirishima's heart almost stopped beating. The smile disappeared as quickly as it was flashed, though he had quickly carved it into his mind.

No good, Kirishima thought to himself. He was apparently that easy to give in when it comes to Bakugou Katsuki. He's hopelessly in love with him.

"Sorry for the wait!"

The blond only grunted in return and began walking with Kirishima tagging behind. As they moved along, Bakugou said, "Let's grab a bite and head back. Our homeworks are piling."

"Yeah!" Kirishima beamed. "Kaminari did say that math's is really difficult. So can you look over them for me?"

Bakugou scoffed. "Keep listening to that Dunce-face and I don't care if you all fail together or something." Then he added, a tad softer. "…Just come to my room later if it's that bad."

"Okay, thanks!"

The rest of the day went by surprisingly smooth. They interacted normally the way they always did. But Kirishima didn't actually mind. If anything, he truly enjoyed just that kind of everyday life with Bakugou. He may have missed the chance to confess right away, even so, that was fine. He'd definitely do it the next time the timing came. Once his heart was set, nothing seemed to matter anymore.

Though, Kirishima had not expected an alternative outcome.

"Good night!" He said to Bakugou as he was leaving the other's bedroom right before midnight.

The blonde said nothing in return, simply standing at the edge of the door with a frown.

Clueless, Kirishima turned around and waved him goodbye, thinking there was nothing deep to it. He had not taken more than half a step away when his name was called.

"Kirishima, you forgot something."

As the said teen spun his head to look back, he felt something pulling him forward. The next thing he knew, something was pressing against his lips. Bakugou was kissing him. His pair of red eyes widened in shock. His mind went blank in an instant. Was he dreaming? That was the only logical answer his brain, still in recovery state, could make out.

As he pulled back, Bakugou's lips that had just kissed him, formed into a satisfied grin. "There you go." He let go of his grasp on Kirishima's shirt and said. "Go to sleep now. Your intern starts tomorrow, right?"

He didn't think he'd be able to sleep that night, though. Regardless, Kirishima nodded mindlessly. "Yeah…" He headed to his own room with slow, unsteady step. Located just next to each other's, his room wasn't far away at all, but he couldn't seem to arrive. Eventually, he halted and turned back. He couldn't possibly let it end there!

Knocking on Bakugou's door impatiently, he felt like he was about to cry of overwhelming happiness. A semester had passed since he got to know Bakugou Katsuki, almost equally the same amount of time he spent holding onto his one-sided love, and now his feelings was finally reciprocated. The first kiss Kirishima started that had triggered the start of their prolonged struggle, it's being returned by another kiss from Bakugou.

"What the hell?" The blond opened the door in confusion and was immediately tackled into a hug.

"I love you, Bakugou!" Kirishima finally said, one more time. "I can't give up on you after all. Please go out with me."

Bakugou was a little taken aback, but it didn't take long for him to hug the other back. "Idiot." He uttered gently. "Isn't the answer obvious?"

Kirishima perked up in excitement at that. Words aren't Bakugou's forte, but he always properly showed his feeling through the actions. Picking up those hints are his and from now on, only his joy. He looked at the latter's face and said again. "Hey, Bakugou, can we go on a date when I came back from intern?"

Unexpectedly, he laughed. "Is that what you're going with your free request?"

Topping it off with his brightest smile, the redhead answered. "There's nothing better I can ask."

am I giving too much light to the OC? is it too random of a closure? idk it's been hard to finish this
but this work that took 3 years is finally done
im so glad omg

Thank you for reading~
Feedbacks?

Edit: There's a spin-off I made for Kaminari because I cannot bear seeing him sad ;-; Please read if you feel the same