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Bakugou simply doesn't know how this all started. Well, actually, he does; what he doesn't understand is how it got to this point.He's sprawled out on his bed, staring at the ceiling for who knows how long, trying to connect all the dots. First, he tries to remember when he started thinking about her more than he should have.It was when her name was practically everywhere: in the newspapers, on TV, online, and even inside his own home. Back then, he thought it was normal to think about Uraraka a lot because, damn, what she did was seriously badass.The memory is as clear as if it happened yesterday. He was in the dorm kitchen; the place was a bit empty because his day off was on Thursdays, and everyone else was out on their internships, including her.That gray afternoon, Uraraka simply showed Japan what a rescue hero is supposed to be; that's what the reporter called her during the live coverage."Rescue Hero Uravity is trying to neutralize the villain while protecting the victims. We still haven't identified who this villain is."By the time the news broke, she had already been fighting for a while. Bakugou vividly remembers dropping the vegetables he was chopping for his spicy curry and heading to the living room when he heard her hero name.In the living room were the Invisible Girl and Four Eyes, who was turning up the TV volume.The camera angle was far from ideal to understand what was really going on, but Bakugou knew all too well the sight of debris being levitated several meters off the ground.The reporter, standing at a safe distance from the scene, had just put her fingers to her ear, trying to grasp the information coming from headquarters. Her eyes widened, and she quickly started speaking with urgency."We've just learned that Uravity is protecting the First Lady and her son. They've just identified her. This could potentially be an attack on the current president, who is seeking re-election."Iida handed the remote to Bakugou and left through the front door without saying a word. He was definitely going to talk to Aizawa-sensei.A feeling Bakugou couldn't name began to stir inside him, but the events on TV unfolded so quickly that he barely had time to process them.The camera tried to focus on the fight despite the distance, and he clearly saw Uraraka's silhouette. She was sort of crouching, one hand touching the ground. A pink glow emanated from her fingers when.Pretty much everything within a one-kilometer radius started to float.Cars, people, debris, signs—basically everything except her and the damn ground joined what was already airborne.Bakugou couldn't believe what he was seeing because it looked like a weird glass dome, but with Zero Gravity. You could see that the dust inside the perimeter she created contrasted with the area that wasn't under Zero Gravity.This was new. He didn't know she could do that.Uraraka, who was at the center of it all, suddenly shot off like a pinball, hitting the villain with no effort. She repeated this move several times: the first time, kicking him perfectly; the second, grabbing the side of the villain's moss-green cloak and landing a punch right on his nose; the third attack, pushing off the air and slamming him mercilessly onto a massive chunk of concrete. He hit it hard and even tried to grab onto something, but the only person who could move flawlessly in Zero Gravity was her, and she was already propelling herself towards him again.Two more hits and the villain was knocked out.Urgently tying him up, Uraraka glanced upward to ensure there were no debris hanging above them. Her eyes scanned the area, locating the First Lady and her son. Once again, like a rocket, she easily reached where they were hiding under a worn, rectangular stone. Uraraka started gesturing and giving them instructions, and the boy clung to her waist shortly after.Then it turned into one hell of a show.Uraraka clasped her hands together, and everything within her Zero Gravity dome began to slowly descend.The reporter’s voice returned, so shrill it caught Bakugou off guard. He reflexively lowered the TV volume, and before he could keep the Invisible Girl company, he tossed the remote onto the couch and headed back to the kitchen, not before hearing the reporter say:"That was incredible."It was, indeed, he silently agreed.Later, in his room that day, he reviewed the latest events, searching and easily finding them online. Everyone was talking about it."How the rescue hero Uravity saved the First Lady and her son..."Shortly after deactivating the Zero Gravity field, Uraraka needed medical attention. She had exceeded her limit and was taken straight to the hospital, leaving the press starving for details.In the various reports he found, there was only the First Lady's statement about how everything had happened and how grateful she was that Uravity had been nearby; otherwise, the worst could have happened.And yes, that was the start of it all because, for months, she was the center of attention. After the rescue, there was comprehensive coverage on all networks, so it was normal for him to think about her.He could make a list of the events.Her first interview about the rescue.The meeting with the First Lady, her son, and the damn president.The report on the president visiting UA.Her first ad for a mochi brand because she said on national TV that it was her favorite sweet.Her contract with a famous clothing and footwear brand.Uraraka was everywhere.So, lying in his bed, Bakugou realized there was no avoiding it. He's not stupid enough to ignore that this has turned into something more than just keeping up with the news. With a scowl, he tries to push away these sappy thoughts. There's no way in hell he's getting a crush now, right at the end of his last school year.No way in hell he's giving any attention to this.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Seeing the entrance to the dormitories was a relief for Uraraka. Her day had been so exhausting that all she wanted at that moment was to collapse into bed as quickly as possible. Walking from the subway station to the school wasn't the best idea. Even though it was a short uphill walk, her legs were already aching from standing all day, and waiting longer at the bus stop only made her more anxious for rest. She wished she was wearing her hero costume boots right now. She could just float, activate the thrusters, and easily get there without any effort. Her holiday break had been so tiring, but she was overwhelmed with happiness for finally finishing the photoshoot for the new Powerful Girl collection, all without interfering with her school schedule. By the way, it reminded her that the final exams were coming up. The end of her third year wasn’t going to be easy. Entering the building, Ochako noticed that most of the students were already in their rooms. She waved to Tokoyami and Ojiro, who were watching TV on the sofa. There was probably someone else in the kitchen, but she didn’t stay to find out who it was. Bed, lying down, was what her body demanded with every step. Turning the corner, she saw Bakugou’s back as he called the elevator on the boys' side. “Call the girls’ one too, please!” she asked as she approached. He didn’t turn around or say anything, but he pressed the button for the other elevator, which, luckily for Uraraka, was already on the ground floor. So, the doors simply opened, and all she had to do was step in and press the button for the fourth floor. “Thanks,” she said, turning to face him. They exchanged a somewhat prolonged look. Every now and then, they had these little staring contests, but today he didn’t seem very competitive because his gaze started to wander, drifting down her body and stopping at her feet. The moment was brief, but Ochako witnessed his expression go from pure coincidence to something like surprise and then to complete shock. And at that very moment, the elevator doors closed. It must be her tired mind playing tricks, but did she just see Bakugou Katsuki shocked? What was that?? To her surprise, the elevator door suddenly reopened. “Where did you get those?” Bakugou asked, pointing at her feet. It took her a moment to understand, so she couldn’t keep up with his reaction. “The boots, where did you buy them?” he demanded again, stepping into the elevator and then pressing the button to close the doors. Honestly, it was a little unsettling to have Bakugou staring at her like that, with wide eyes and no sense of her personal space. Trying to recall, it was the first time she’d seen him like this. This free display of interest in something not related to competition was new. “Ah,” she exclaimed awkwardly. “I didn’t buy them. I was invited to try them on. The designer of this brand was at my shoot today. For some reason, he wants me for his next launch, but I don’t think I can fit it into my schedule. Even knowing that, he insisted. I didn’t want to be rude because he was very nice to me, so I agreed to wear them for a while.” The explanation came out all at once, leaving her exhausted. God, she just wanted to get to her room. At that moment, the elevator announced its arrival at the selected floor. “Yuuto himself invited you to do his new campaign??” Bakugou asked again, holding the side of the elevator door open, allowing her to exit first. “Yes,” she replied, not understanding why he was so insistent. “Get to the point, please. It’s weird hearing you ramble with questions, Bakugou!” She laughed lightly while entering the passcode on her door’s lock. “The fact that you got such a good offer and didn’t even realize it, that’s what’s weird. Didn’t your agent explain anything to you?” Katsuki retorted, watching as she opened the door. “Is your passcode your birthday backward? How predictable!” Uraraka made a face, entering her room and deciding to ignore his last comment. “Do you think it’s a good offer?” Ochako didn’t mind throwing herself onto the bed without taking off her boots. “I haven’t told my mom yet. It was a pretty random and informal invitation. They’ll send the contract tomorrow!” “Are you going to let me see them or not?” he asked again, pointing to her feet. “And yes, I think it’s an amazing offer!” If someone had told her this would happen, she would’ve said it was an exaggeration. He was really excited about the boots. She could see his impatience as she sat on the bed, moving slowly just to annoy him, putting the front of her left foot on the back of the right boot to take it off. “What the hell are you doing, Round Face?” His tone was pure horror. Before Ochako could complain about the way he was speaking, he bent down and grabbed her left calf. His hands were firm and warm. This fact made Uraraka’s stomach twist in a strange, new way. “Who the hell takes off a boot like that, damn it?” His fingers gripped her leg a little tighter. Involuntarily, she could feel the texture of his palms. Her brain made a mental note of that. It was hard to react to what was happening, so all she could do was watch him untie her boots, one at a time. Thank God she put on new socks this morning. Not knowing what to say, Ochako just watched as he grabbed the boots and examined them. It was impossible not to admire how his forehead creased when he was deep in thought. She was almost sure he had recently cut his hair. “To sum it up, these are probably going to be worth around $10,000 to $12,000 after the launch. The guy makes limited collections. It’s insane how successful he is! And this one—” He held the pair at eye level. “—is the first women’s collection he’s going to release. I bet that in a year, this pair will be worth more than $15,000!” The shock hit Uraraka like a hammer. She would never have thought about walking around in these boots if she knew how valuable they were. Kaori had mentioned it was a new collection and asked for discretion, but she should’ve pointed out that her partner Yuuto made exclusive, extremely expensive shoes! “Did you only see this pair?” Bakugou asked, still not taking his eyes off the boots. “No, there was a men’s pair too. It’s kind of a set, like those matching outfits couples wear. That’s the theme of the collection, from what I understand. It’s a trend that’s popular right now!” That’s why Uraraka assumed it was a regular launch. “I’ll show you!” Grabbing her phone from her shorts pocket, she scrolled through her gallery until she found the photo. The bed dipped as Bakugou sat beside her. He leaned in to look at the phone screen, unable to hide his curiosity. That amused her somehow! Without warning, and for the second time, he touched her. His hand wrapped around hers to get a closer look at the photo. “Damn, it’s camo!” He exclaimed, completely awestruck. “It’s going to be practically impossible to buy; everyone’s going to want it!” Just as quickly as he grabbed her hand, he let go. Ochako couldn’t tell, but she thought he seemed a bit awkward, finally realizing what he had done. It was funny how he also moved away a bit to keep some distance. “I’ll check the contract tomorrow. If I can fit it into my schedule, I might request a pair as a perk. What size do you wear? But I’m not making any promises!” If anyone knew what it was like to want something and not be able to afford it, it was her. And seeing Bakugou so excited kind of melted her a bit inside. That’s why she decided to help him, even though she wasn’t sure he’d accept! “I’m a size 9!” He replied so quickly that it surprised Uraraka. “But I’ll pay you for the boots and owe you one too!” Ochako smiled, unable to explain why his quick acceptance made her excited. Maybe it was because he never cooperated easily, and there was also the bonus of him owing her a favor. Maybe turning down this contract wasn’t an option after all!
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The following week was pure torment for Bakugou. Ever since he had left Uraraka's room with the promise of getting a pair of boots from Yuuto Watanabe's new collection, he couldn't get the thought out of his head. He didn’t want to get his hopes up too much, let alone feel anxious, but given the way the offer had been made to Uraraka, he was almost certain it would work out.
The real torment was that a whole week had passed, and she hadn’t mentioned it again. She hadn't promised anything, but their conversation had certainly given him hope.
On Monday, he tried to manage his expectations but still found himself scanning the cafeteria for those silky brown locks. He spotted her sitting at a distant table where her friends had gathered and forced himself to leave it for the next day.
Tuesday came with a surprise rescue drill, and with all the chaos, he didn't find the time to talk to her. Even after school hours, she wasn’t in the dorms.
On Wednesday, he had to attend his internship in the morning and was excused from classes since there wouldn’t be enough time to return before the last period ended. Besides, he needed to stop by his apartment to collect the keys from the person overseeing the renovations and conduct a thorough inspection.
On Thursday, he made it a point to wait for her before class, but she didn’t come downstairs. When Bakugou finally got to the classroom, she was already there, surrounded by all the girls who were bombarding her with questions about where she had spent the night. He decided not to approach her. He didn’t see her at lunch either, nor after classes.
By Friday, Bakugou was in a foul mood and decided to avoid everyone. He entered the classroom without looking around, focusing entirely on the English lesson. When the lunch bell rang, just before leaving, Katsuki involuntarily glanced at the back of the classroom, and there she was, once again surrounded by people.
Frustration bubbled up inside him, and in an effort to keep his distance from everyone, he decided to head to the convenience store next to campus. It was only a 10-minute walk there and back, which would help him clear his head.
As Katsuki was making his way along the paved path, a shadow passed by and stopped.
“Gods, you walk fast!” The brown hair blowing in the wind could only belong to one person. “I’ve got news.”
Uraraka flashed a satisfied smile, catching Bakugou off guard. He remembered not to stare at her for too long, so he decided to cut to the chase after a week of uncertainty.
“Did you get the boots?” he asked gruffly.
“Yes and no.”
“Be specific, Cheeks.” He noticed the convenience store was just ahead.
Uraraka hurried forward to open the door.
The distance from the school to the store barely registered in his mind; he hated when that happened. Katsuki watched her grab a basket and head to the bento section, starting to scrutinize them carefully. He still wasn’t used to seeing her with longer hair, now reaching past her shoulders.
By the time Katsuki stopped beside her to see what he might buy, she had already picked up a few items.
“Lunch is on me,” she said without looking at him. “My mom approved the contract with Yuuto. We’ve got a meeting this weekend. By the way, are you free Sunday morning?”
“What, are you going to take me to meet him?” His reply came out in a playful, mocking tone.
“Yes!” Ochako turned to him with a grin. “If you can and want to come!”
Her words echoed in his mind; he repeated them several times until he finally understood and realized that the invitation was serious.
“Can you make it on Sunday?” she asked again, her smile even bigger.
“Are you serious?” Katsuki asked as he reached for a few things on the higher shelves.
“I am! We’re going to his studio!”
The surge of joy that welled up inside Katsuki caught him off guard. He looked at her a bit dumbfounded and incredulous, not knowing what to say.
Uraraka grabbed the sleeve of his uniform, pulling him toward the drinks section.
“You still haven’t given me an answer.”
“I’ll go, damn it, I just got a bit flustered on how to respond.”
“Sometimes I forget how smooth you can be.” She teased as she grabbed three bottles of Katsuki’s favorite iced tea. “Do you want dessert?”
“Ice cream.”
“Ice cream bites?”
“Yeah. What the hell is this? Are you trying to put me in your eternal debt? Meeting Yuuto, buying my lunch, my drink, and my favorite ice cream?”
“Don’t be so grumpy, I’m just being nice, that’s all.” She replied, laughing at his teasing. “Come on, I’m starving.”
The two of them headed to the checkout.
The cashier took a close look at Uraraka. Bakugou watched as she told Ochako that she was a fan of Uravity. After Ochako thanked her, the cashier glanced at Bakugou and then back at Uraraka.
“Are you two eating here? If you want to get the ice cream later, so it doesn’t melt, just let me know.”
“Is it okay if we eat here?” Uraraka asked Bakugou.
He nodded, shoving his hands into his pockets. The cashier kept looking between them with great interest, which irritated him.
As soon as Uraraka paid, Bakugou picked a secluded table in the corner, far from the cashier’s curious eyes.
“The good thing about coming at this time is that they’ve just restocked the bentos. They’re fresh and hot,” she said as she set everything on the table.
“How did you get in touch with Yuuto?”
“Kaori is my photographer; she’s dating him. She recommended me because she thought I fit the campaign's concept. During our last photoshoot, we talked about it, and that’s when I got the boots. You know the rest. By the way, you were right, it was a great opportunity.”
“That makes things easier. Is she going to photograph the campaign?” Bakugou asked, starting to eat.
“Probably. She’s an excellent professional; I always feel comfortable during the photo sessions.”
“You’ve worked hard this year.”
Her smile in response was subtle. She seemed to drift off in thought at Bakugou’s comment. He knew how hard she had worked to balance everything; he hardly ever saw her around the dorms.
“Yes, and it’s totally worth it,” her voice came out in a whisper, filled with emotion.
After that, the two of them fell into a comfortable silence. Bakugou tried not to stare at her too often, but the more he tried, the more he failed. His sneaky mind pondered over what they were doing, and he found himself happier than he liked. The feeling of comfort settled in his heart, making him realize that he would probably spend Sunday with her too. And all the struggles he had been dealing with over the past few days dissolved; his ears began to warm up, and suddenly, he felt shy.
Damn it! He squirmed inside, knowing all too well what that meant.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Katsuki's Saturday was a bit stressful. His mother decided to do a thorough cleaning of the house to separate some things for donation. She was taking advantage of the fact that he would be moving out after graduation to have more space, as if the house wasn’t big enough already.He also spent the day waiting for Uraraka to send him the details about Sunday—like the time and location of the meeting at the studio. And it was making him anxious.Even though he tried to focus on cleaning, he kept glancing at his phone, and spending the whole day thinking about her wasn’t helping either.The cleaning was finally done by sunset, so he grabbed his headphones and went down to the gym in the basement to start running on the treadmill, intending to do some cardio to clear his head.Music blasted through his ears as he ran, and the effort of the workout took over his mind. Finally finding some peace, he yanked off his tank top after 45 minutes of running, letting the sweaty fabric fall to the floor.“KATSUKI, DINNER WILL BE READY IN 15 MINUTES!” His mother shouted from upstairs.Slowing down on the treadmill, he stopped, panting, his mood souring with the interruption. For fuck's sake, he could hear her yell over the music! Every day, living on his own became a more tempting idea, though he knew his mom wouldn’t let him go that easily.Suddenly, the sound of an incoming video call replaced his music in the headphones.When he glanced at the phone resting on the treadmill, Uraraka’s picture popped up. Katsuki found the call strange; not only had she taken all day to send simple information, but did she really expect him to pick up immediately?No way in hell.The phone rang a couple more times before he rolled his eyes and decided to answer before it cut off. Dark, night-like eyes and pink skin stared back at him.“HEYYY!” Mina yelled, her high-pitched voice piercing through his ears.“Why the hell are you calling me from Uraraka’s phone, raccoon eyes?”“I’m impressed you even picked up…” Mina's eyes widened in surprise as she shifted in her seat, and soon, Ochako appeared on the screen too.“Mina, I told you I needed to text him. Sorry, Bakugou, about the call…” Uraraka's voice trailed off as her expression shifted from confusion to surprise, her cheeks quickly turning a deep shade of pink. “Why are you shirtless?”It took him a few seconds to realize their reactions.“I was on the treadmill, stop looking at me like a couple of creeps!”“Then change the camera angle! We’re being oppressed by the sight of your nipples,” Mina responded, bursting into laughter.With a frustrated huff, Bakugou snatched his phone from the treadmill’s display, quickly angling the camera so it only showed his face. He didn't hang up, instead stepped off the treadmill and reached for a nearby towel to wipe the sweat from his face.“What the hell do you two want?”“Sorry, Mina stole my phone after I mentioned I needed to message you.”“Look, if Eijiro weren’t the love of my life, I might’ve taken a good look at you.”Katsuki scowled at her comment while Ochako covered her mouth to hide her giggles.“You’re not my type, just so you know!”“I know, sweetie. You've never answered any of my calls before.” Mina gave him a teasing grin, raising an eyebrow suggestively.“Go fuck yourself, Mina,” Katsuki growled in response, feeling his ears burn.Of course, she burst into laughter; it seemed like his friends’ favorite pastime was getting under his skin. He should’ve known her comment had some venom behind it.“That was fun. I'll let Ochako talk to you now,” she said, apparently handing the phone back to its owner.Ochako gave him a slightly awkward look and motioned for him to wait. Katsuki sighed, realizing he wasn’t going anywhere.“Byeeee,” Mina’s voice echoed in the distance.“There. In my defense, I didn’t see her grab my phone,” Ochako said, now lying on her bed, stomach down, with her feet playfully swinging in the background.She smiled apologetically, making Katsuki feel a bit more at ease. As frustrating as it had been spending the entire day thinking about her and waiting, now seeing her like this, so relaxed, made him feel a little stupid. He took a deep breath, battling the growing warmth around his chest.“How’s tomorrow gonna go?” His voice came out lower as he leaned against the doorframe of the bathroom adjacent to the gym.“So, we’re heading to Tokyo tomorrow. I already bought our tickets; you just need to meet me at Musutafu Central Station at 9 AM,” Ochako adjusted herself on the bed, moving her phone farther away from her face, seemingly propping it up on something in front of her.The view on Katsuki’s screen widened, allowing him to see most of her dorm room. His eyes wandered casually, but then he froze.Honestly, Katsuki wasn’t as virtuous as people thought. He could appreciate curves and exposed skin, but he didn’t make it obvious like some idiots in his class.Uraraka had no idea, but she was giving him quite the show. The shirt she was wearing had a wide, U-shaped neckline—a design meant to be comfortable and airy, a fact he knew thanks to overhearing his parents talk about it at work.One thing about that neckline, though, was that when the person leaned forward or lay on their stomach, everything was on display—and that’s exactly what was happening.Katsuki had a perfect view of her cleavage, her breasts pressed together against the mattress, forming a generous, enticing view of smooth, pale skin. They were so round.He knew he should end the call as soon as possible, but honestly, he didn’t want to. And asking her to change positions would just make things awkward. So, with a lot of effort, he decided not to look at that particular spot.Of course, he failed miserably.“KATSUKI, DINNER'S ALMOST READY!” His mother’s shout broke their attention.“Was that your mom?” Ochako asked, surprised.“Yeah, I gotta go, Cheeks. See you tomorrow.” Katsuki spoke, accepting that fate was telling him not to push his luck any further.“Okay, see you tomorrow,” she replied, ending the call.Katsuki sighed, knowing full well that shaking off what he’d seen wouldn’t be easy.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Ochako huffed impatiently, realizing she had arrived way too early—half an hour before their agreed time. The sun shone brightly, casting long shadows on the sidewalks, and the city was just beginning to wake up for the day. She glanced at her phone: it was only 8:30 AM, and they had agreed to meet at 9:00.Her body felt more restless than usual. Anxiety mixed with an almost palpable excitement, and she found herself observing the movement around her. Her mind was filled with thoughts of Bakugou. No matter how busy she had been the day before, she couldn't stop thinking that today she would take Bakugou to meet someone he liked. All those little encounters had fused into her core, deeply stirring her. How many times, in her daydreams, had she imagined something like this—meeting someone who could be a bridge to something or someone she, too, would want to know and like. That's why, whenever she thought about his reaction to the boots, she got even more excited to meet him.Pulling out her phone, she began typing a message:"Good morning, Bakugou :)I ended up arriving early. I’m heading to 7-Eleven to grab something to eat, didn’t have time for breakfast. I’ll wait for you there! XOXO"Bakugou replied almost instantly."Okay."Ochako stared at the short reply and cringed, wondering why she still expected at least a full sentence in response.She tried again:"Do you want anything?"A few minutes later, already in the convenience store, he responded:"Just got here, heading your way."Finally, a full sentence, but it didn’t make her feel better. It was impossible to tell if he always responded like this or if he was just grumpy. His morning good mood was a rare thing.The 7-Eleven had some "buy one, get one free" deals, which made Ochako think about how long the Shinkansen would take to reach Tokyo. She rarely made this trip on Sundays, so maybe grabbing a lot of stuff wasn’t such a good idea.While she was browsing through the options, Uraraka noticed someone approaching. When she turned her head, she saw Bakugou. In the small distance he crossed between the store aisles, Ochako saw everything in slow motion. He wore an all-black ensemble that was casual but with a touch of elegance: a button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, accentuating his broad shoulders; slim linen pants and boots that reminded her of the ones she had seen in Yuuto Watanabe's catalog. He looked like a magazine model, exuding the aura of someone who knew exactly what he was doing.She had never seen him so put-together.Bakugou wasn’t someone who went unnoticed—Ochako knew that—but in that moment, she wasn’t seeing the boy who had been her classmate; he was a grown man.The adolescent features, which still showed up when he wore his hoodies with his hands shoved into the pockets, had faded away. Ochako wasn’t naïve enough to have never admired his looks. Quite the opposite—compared to the other girls, she had been one of the first to imagine him that way—desirable. She knew no one could be reduced to a foul mouth and sharp retorts, and anyone who said he wasn’t good-looking was simply delusional. But now, what she was seeing was something entirely different.When he stopped in front of her, Uraraka remembered to start breathing again."Hey," Bakugou greeted in a low, gravelly voice, with a subtle side-smile.As soon as he smiled, a wave of nervousness washed over Ochako. She felt the infamous butterflies stir in her stomach, as if they were about to fly out."Hey," Ochako replied, unable to meet his gaze, turning toward the nearest shelf as her cheeks heated up."I’ve already... got what... I wanted..." she stammered awkwardly, wanting to die for forgetting how to speak like a normal person.Bakugou frowned, confused, and leaned in to see what she was holding. Ochako showed him she had only grabbed an onigiri and an orange juice."Not hungry?""The trip’s short, so I thought I’d grab just a little something."Ochako smiled sheepishly, the heat in her cheeks uncontrollable, still avoiding looking directly at him, trying not to think about all the sensations running through her. Bakugou, on the other hand, grabbed the same thing she did, and they headed together to the checkout. He went ahead, toward the self-service register."Better not risk this cashier being a fan of yours too," he said in a low, playful tone, stepping away from the regular checkout.Uraraka was rewarded with another side-smile and found herself breathless again. She reminded herself she couldn’t spend the whole day flustered just because he looked more handsome than usual, but in her defense, she had no idea how to react to so many spontaneous smiles.This time, he paid for everything."What time is the Shinkansen?" Bakugou asked as soon as they left the store."9:30," she replied, biting into her onigiri to buy time and collect herself. Eating slowly became her strategy to avoid conversation, at least until they reached the train.The two of them headed toward the designated platform. When they arrived, the sense of urgency disappeared, even though there were only 10 minutes left until the bullet train departed. Many seats were available; the train was practically empty."Aisle or window?" Bakugou asked, choosing a completely empty car."Aisle.""Really?""Yup." Ochako quickly reasoned that if he sat by the window, he’d look her way less often.But as soon as they sat down, Bakugou did exactly the opposite of what she expected."Are you sick or something?" he asked, leaning in closer to her, placing his hand on her forehead. Ochako once again registered the feel of his calloused palm against her skin, which only worsened her already frazzled state of mind. "You’re a damn chatterbox, and I’ve barely heard your voice."He was so close, looking directly into her eyes.On impulse, she placed her hand over his, trying to push it away. Bakugou reacted like a cat jumping out of water, recoiling from her touch, but not before Ochako noticed he had blushed."I’m just tired," she said, amused by his retreat. It was the second time he had done that, pulling away when he realized he’d invaded her personal space.As the train moved, Ochako reflected on everything that had happened. Maybe she wasn’t the only one who got flustered in each other’s presence. A realization clicked in her mind. Mina’s teasing on the call, all the staring matches they’d had, and, most of all, all those unexpected touches. The thought was both exciting and disconcerting as she wondered:Could Bakugou Katsuki possibly be interested in her?
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The 25-minute bullet train ride to Tokyo was a bit odd. Katsuki wasn’t used to seeing Uraraka so quiet and reserved. She was like the sun itself—always full of energy and joy, constantly admiring the things around her or pointing out something she wanted to share. If she hadn’t explained that she was just tired, he would’ve insisted on taking her to a doctor, just to be safe. Maybe he was overreacting, but you never know.One of the perks of going out on a Sunday was that public transportation wasn’t packed. However, when it came to the city center, it was a different story.In the brief conversation he had with Uraraka, she mentioned that Yuuto's studio was further from the center, which was already a plus. The crowds in Tokyo could sometimes be overwhelming, not to mention the constant noise pollution competing for pedestrians' attention.They didn’t have to go far once they arrived; Kaori was already waiting for them a couple of streets away from the central station. Katsuki guessed she was around 32. She was tall, with almond-toned skin and long black hair. She wore oversized glasses that covered a good part of her face, giving her a bit of an intellectual vibe.As soon as she spotted Uraraka, Kaori waved excitedly, and Uraraka, in turn, returned to her usual self a bit. They greeted each other with enthusiastic smiles.“Good morning, Kaori. This is Bakugou. Bakugou, this is Kaori,” Uraraka introduced them.Katsuki gave a slight nod, and Kaori returned the gesture. She then opened the door to the minivan parked beside them, inviting them inside. He’d assumed they’d walk to the place. Apparently, Uraraka was pretty close to her since they were on a first-name basis. The two began chatting about their most recent work, while Katsuki just observed. He knew he'd be doing that all day since he rarely engaged in side conversations, even if he knew one of the people.“You’re wearing the 2005 collection, right?” Kaori asked, glancing at him through the rearview mirror.“Yeah,” Katsuki replied, taking a few seconds to realize the question was directed at him.“He takes a while to start engaging,” Uraraka commented.Katsuki scowled at her remark, which made Uraraka grin widely and Kaori chuckle at their small exchange.The car suddenly sped up to the point where it felt like it was pushing the speed limit, and Katsuki was almost certain of it when they took a sharp turn that seemed to lift the wheels off the ground. “Uraraka forgot to mention her friend’s a maniac behind the wheel,” he thought as he slid across the seat toward her, pinning her against the car door. Before he could pull away, the car veered in the opposite direction, sending him back the other way. Uraraka burst out laughing, trying to brace herself but failing. Instinctively, Katsuki wrapped his arm around her shoulders to keep her from slipping again in case the car tilted again. He pressed his hand against the window and braced his legs against the front to keep from sliding around.When the car finally entered the expressway, things calmed down.Kaori occasionally glanced at them through the rearview mirror, making Katsuki realize he still had his arm around Uraraka. He quickly adjusted himself in the seat and stretched his arm out, trying to play it off as he moved away. She just smiled, amused, while he glared at her, annoyed by the extra attention. “What’s with this woman?” he thought.A few minutes later, they arrived at the studio, which was located in a more green area of the city, close to the border of residential neighborhoods. Rows of trees lined the sidewalks, probably cherry blossoms, with small water channels separating the streets. Katsuki found himself admiring the architecture of the small two-story building ahead, which combined traditional and modern styles in soft pastel tones.The first part of the studio was a small shop displaying more commercial products, samples of boots, and even some clothing pieces Yuuto had co-designed with department stores, which were easier to find. The shop was very minimalist, neither too decorated nor too bare. Towards the back, there was a more exclusive collection with some limited editions, a few of which Katsuki owned. He enjoyed watching Uraraka’s reaction to the prices.“If you look closely, the stitching is made up of three lines—that’s the signature of Yuuto's boot style. Usually, brands try to hide the stitching as much as possible, but he does the opposite,” Katsuki explained to Uraraka as they admired the display.“So that’s why you noticed so quickly I was wearing one that day.”“If you liked the shop, you’re going to love the workshop,” Kaori chimed in, catching their attention.The building was much bigger than Katsuki had expected. As they moved to the back of the shop, there was a large open area with a ceiling higher than usual. At first, a few tables were covered with papers and sketches of various designs, and further back, in the larger part of the space, separated by a brick and glass wall, there was a room filled with large and small equipment, along with fabric samples—everything needed to craft footwear.“Do you make everything here?” Uraraka asked, awestruck by the place.“It depends on the collection, but all prototypes are made here. If it's a high-demand partnership, the client will mass-produce them elsewhere, but the exclusive lines are usually made right here,” Kaori replied.“Hello, good morning!” a male voice greeted them, causing everyone to turn in its direction.Katsuki recognized him immediately, despite having only seen a few photos online. Yuuto Watanabe was much younger than he had expected, probably only a little older than Kaori. Tall and slender, Yuuto had a laid-back, youthful vibe that didn’t quite match the image of a successful prodigy.“Good morning,” Uraraka and Katsuki responded simultaneously, bowing.Yuuto returned the bow before turning to Kaori, seemingly saying something that Katsuki didn’t catch. Then, Yuuto’s gaze shifted to Uraraka and finally to Katsuki.Kaori gestured towards the floor, and Yuuto's eyes fell to their feet. A satisfied smile spread across his face, lingering longer than necessary. It was as though he was lost in thought, thoroughly admiring what he saw.Kaori cleared her throat, snapping him back to the present and away from his musings.“Apologies, I’ve been caught up in this next release. Seeing the two of you wearing my boots made me wonder why we haven’t thought of couples’ boots before. It could be a lot of fun.”“Don’t worry about it,” Uraraka replied. “I’m excited about the launch too; the briefing you sent me has a lot of potential.”“I told you she’s a true professional,” Kaori added warmly. “And she brought along a long-time fan of your work—this is Bakugou Katsuki.”“I noticed,” Yuuto said, eyes twinkling as he studied Katsuki’s boots. “You’re wearing our second collection. It’s in great condition—looks practically new. Anyway, let’s head upstairs; we’ve got breakfast waiting. And, Miss Uraraka, thank you for agreeing to a more casual meeting.”Katsuki felt a twinge of disappointment; he’d been hoping for a guided tour of the studio, to see how the creative process for the boots unfolded. He’d always found it fascinating how his parents came up with their designs, and he imagined it would be similar here.The second floor was a residential space, starting with a large, well-decorated living room that balanced casual comfort with a touch of formality. The entire building had that same vibe, really. There was a couch, armchairs, two poufs, a large TV, landscape paintings, and a round table with six chairs. It looked like something out of a high-end furniture catalog.“Oh, what a beautiful breakfast spread,” Uraraka remarked.Katsuki was impressed by the amount of food—it looked enough to feed eight people.“What’s our schedule for today?” Yuuto asked Kaori as they all took their seats.“Breakfast is for discussing the ad campaign with our spokesperson,” she replied, gesturing to Uraraka. “After that, we’ll do a tour of the place, followed by a quick photoshoot, and then lunch. We should wrap up around 2 PM, maybe a little later.”“Perfect,” Yuuto said. “Feel free to dig in.”The next half hour was mostly dedicated to going over the contract’s terms. It was all straightforward, as Katsuki had seen in other campaigns for the brand: photos for catalogs, promotional spots on specific websites, and one press conference.Uraraka was sharp with her answers, exuding a confidence that caught everyone’s attention. Her professionalism quickly erased any doubts about her suitability as the brand’s ambassador. Katsuki found himself watching her, impressed by how naturally she handled the business side of things.After they wrapped up the discussion on the main campaign aspects, Yuuto finally stood up, inviting them to begin the tour Katsuki had been eagerly anticipating since their arrival.“Let’s go, I’ll show you around,” Yuuto said, leading the way.He took them through the studio, explaining each step of the boot-making process. It was, indeed, similar to what Katsuki had seen growing up with his parents—once you had an idea and a concept, everything was built around it.The most interesting part for Katsuki was seeing the workshop itself, where the boots were crafted. The space was impeccably organized, with workbenches filled with materials like leathers of various textures, patterns, and specialized machinery. Katsuki vaguely recognized some of the machines from factories where his parents had worked. The difference here was that everything felt more artisanal, focused on producing one-of-a-kind items.“This is where the magic happens,” Yuuto explained, gesturing around the room. “Every detail is handcrafted before going into production. We have a dedicated team that works on prototypes to ensure everything meets our exact standards.”Katsuki paid close attention as Yuuto spoke, noting the amount of skill and precision involved. He’d always found it fascinating how something as simple as a pair of boots could require so much effort. The attention to detail was remarkable, from fine adjustments to the patterns to the selection of materials—especially the small touches that made the brand stand out.Uraraka seemed equally captivated. Her eyes roamed the space with curiosity, taking in every aspect. It was clear she appreciated the creativity and dedication involved in the process.“It looks like a lot of work, but the final product must be worth it,” she said, leaning in to take a closer look at one of the workbenches.“And it really is,” Kaori replied with a proud smile. “That’s why we focus on limited collections. Every piece is unique, and our customers notice that.”Katsuki couldn’t help but notice the excitement in Uraraka’s eyes. She seemed to be genuinely enjoying herself, and he felt a sense of satisfaction seeing her so engaged and happy again after her uncharacteristic quietness on the train.Once the tour was over, they all returned upstairs, where Kaori informed them that her small photography studio was located. It was a room next to the one where they had breakfast, and although she called it small, it was the same size as the other room. There was nothing small about it.Kaori’s studio was fully equipped, with white walls and numerous black counters filled with gear—everything you’d expect from a meticulous professional. Uraraka hadn’t exaggerated when she said Kaori was an incredible photographer. One of the walls was covered in framed awards and articles about her work.“Well, now comes the fun part,” Kaori said playfully. “Ochako, since you’re already wearing the campaign boots, I just need you to pose a bit for me. I need some shots to decide on the poses for the catalog.”Uraraka agreed and took her position in the designated spot for the photos.Katsuki watched from the corner, feeling a bit restless. It was hard to stay still when others were working. Yuuto adjusted the lights whenever Kaori asked, while Uraraka moved effortlessly with each new pose. The sound of the camera’s shutter echoed through the room.Every now and then, Uraraka would glance his way, as if checking to see if he was okay.Katsuki was more than fine; he could look at her freely, admiring every amazing pose she struck. Uraraka was perfect for the campaign, and Kaori had a great rhythm with her. Katsuki was already thinking about keeping the catalog as a keepsake when he got home.They paused to switch cameras.“There’s water and soda in the mini-fridge if you’d like some,” Kaori said, looking first at Uraraka, then at Katsuki.“I’d love some water, please. The spotlight always makes me feel hot,” Uraraka commented.Finally seeing an opportunity to be helpful, Katsuki grabbed two bottles of water and approached Uraraka, handing one to her.“Thanks. I hope you’re not too bored,” she whispered, stepping a little closer to him.Katsuki rolled his eyes, knowing there was more to all those glances than just casual concern.“Don’t worry about it,” he muttered gruffly. “You should focus on what you’re doing.”“I just wanted to make sure you’re okay,” she replied, sticking her tongue out at him.Katsuki smirked at her reaction; teasing her was always fun.A series of clicks echoed, drawing both their attention. Kaori lowered the camera and glanced at the photo she had just taken. She quickly showed it to Yuuto, and the two began whispering to each other.A wave of discomfort swept over Katsuki, knowing exactly what was coming next. It had happened before; he could practically feel the déjà vu looming over him.She must have snapped a picture of the two of them together and liked the result. But the problem was that Katsuki didn’t like it. He had grown up hearing that he’d make a great model, and it almost always bothered him because he had zero patience for that industry. Despite his protests, his mom had forced him to try it once, and of course, it hadn’t worked out. His blunt attitude ruined the whole thing. Not to mention that many heroes let themselves get swept up in the glamour, as if their careers were all about that. That’s why he avoided publicity at all costs—he didn’t even have an Instagram. His goal of becoming the number one hero would be achieved through his heroics, not through some well-placed PR campaign. Long story short, he had a bit of a bias against all of it.Kaori and Yuuto approached. Katsuki knew exactly what they were going to ask.“Bakugou, would you, by any chance, be interested in joining our campaign?”
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The sudden rush of excitement that Ochako felt caught her by surprise. Bakugou was being invited to the campaign. Kaori had explained that they were looking for someone to play the male counterpart with her, but they were still exploring options since the choice for the female part had been so quick and easy. Her intention in bringing Bakugou there was more about giving him exposure to something he appreciated, not necessarily a work opportunity with the brand. It was perfect; he consumed and enjoyed the product. There couldn't be a better scenario. But as soon as Ochako saw him, she realized that maybe the proposal had been too sudden. His reaction showed discomfort, and she knew him well enough to read between the lines. It wasn't shock from the opportunity itself; it was hesitation, for sure. "I'm not a model," he responded, catching Kaori and Yuuto off guard. "Oh, yes. I understand," Kaori replied, a little awkward at the apparent refusal. "This must've seemed sudden, right?" Yuuto laughed casually. "Kaori is very intuitive with her work process, and most of the time, she's spot-on. You two have a great dynamic together and looked amazing in the photos, so we thought it’d be a good idea to make the offer." "You don’t have to answer now, Bakugou. How about reviewing the contract first? It might seem like a big deal, but our launch is aimed at a specific niche, so we won’t take much of your time as a hero. And from what Ochako told me, your graduation is in the next few weeks. We already intended to wait until after all that before starting the campaign," Kaori explained. Bakugou looked at Ochako, who tried to convey confidence by nodding in agreement. Compared to other jobs she’d had, this one was much more flexible. "Okay, it's fucking nice of you to invite me, but I need to make it clear that I’ve never done anything like this before," Bakugou responded, pulling his wallet from his back pocket. He opened it and pulled out a card, handing it to the two in front of him. "You have a business card?" Ochako asked, feeling the words slip out of her mouth. "I do," he looked at her, not understanding the question. "You don’t?" "No," she exclaimed in response. Yuuto and Kaori started laughing playfully. "That's exactly what we need for the campaign! I hope you think it over. I promise it won’t even feel like real work," Kaori said, taking his card. "Well, I think we have everything we need for now." "Lunch?" Yuuto asked everyone, smiling. Luckily for everyone, Yuuto was the one driving. Ochako sensed he wanted to spare them from another tense moment with Kaori behind the wheel. As soon as they mentioned that lunch would be at a restaurant, he made sure to clarify that he'd be the one driving. They practically returned to the area near the central station. The car was parked in a private lot, as finding a spot on the street at that hour would be difficult. Everyone walked toward the restaurant, which was near a cluster of galleries and narrow alleys full of shops, cafés, izakayas, and restaurants. It had been a while since Ochako had been to this busier part of Tokyo. In contrast, the central area of Musutafu was much quieter. Kaori and Yuuto walked ahead, leading the way, while Bakugou walked beside Ochako, avoiding people as much as possible. Every time he dodged someone, his hand would accidentally brush against hers, making her feel shy with the sudden closeness. It was like on the train ride there. It gave her a lot to think about, and her mind was already constantly focused on Bakugou Katsuki. She glanced at him from the corner of her eye, knowing that he was probably wearing a serious expression, internally wanting to kill someone. Noticing her curious look, he leaned close to her ear. "There wasn’t a damn more crowded place we could go to, huh?" he whispered, in that familiar sarcastic tone. Ochako chuckled in response, giving him a light nudge with her elbow. These little moments were piling up inside her; it was like throwing darts: with each attempt, he was getting closer to the target, which, in this case, was her heart. There was some commotion up ahead that caught everyone's attention. A woman was screaming someone's name in such a distressed tone that it stood out above the buzz of the crowd. Ochako immediately went on alert, trying to understand what was happening. On the side, someone was pushing through in the opposite direction from where the woman was. Suddenly, a scream, followed by the intense crying of a child, echoed through the crowd that had been strolling around carelessly. The people nearby moved away, bumping into each other in shock from the situation, and it was clear that someone was being taken against their will. The girl's desperate scream grew louder, and the woman, who had initially called out, was now screaming in complete despair. "HE'S TAKING MY DAUGHTER!" That was the trigger for Ochako to start running toward where her help was needed. Due to the chaos caused by the situation, many people crowded around; the narrow streets in the center didn’t help, and many were trying to move away from the possible danger. Ochako struggled to weave through the people in front of her, but as the girl's cries grew louder, more people pressed around her, making the task even harder. She cursed under her breath for not wearing her hero suit, which would have made everything easier. To her shock, the kidnapper grabbed something that looked like a flat, spherical, silver platform. He stepped onto it and began to ascend. He was getting away with the girl. "MAKE US FLOAT!" Bakugou shouted at Ochako. She hadn’t even realized he was by her side, but with a brief exchange of glances, Ochako perfectly understood what he wanted. Since so many people were practically glued to them, he wasn’t going to activate his quirk to avoid injuring the civilians. Hence, the request to float. Bakugou wrapped one of his arms around Ochako's waist to hold on tightly. She activated a small fraction of her power on both of them, and soon after, they jumped in perfect sync, gaining altitude. Once they reached a safe height, Bakugou triggered a moderate explosion, and the two of them propelled toward the villain. Ochako wrapped her arms around his neck to hold on better. They were like an arrow, aiming straight for their target, but their speed wasn’t enough, as the villain suddenly accelerated even more, this time heading skyward in another escape attempt. Ochako noticed when Bakugou lowered one of his hands to adjust their trajectory. A loud explosion echoed, and Ochako felt the tension of the powerful boost. Within seconds, the villain was right in front of them. Everything happened very quickly. She released Bakugou to reach the girl, who was still struggling to break free from her captor, who was holding her carelessly. As soon as the villain looked back, showing surprise and panic at being caught, he dropped the child. Ochako caught her without difficulty, wrapping her arms around her like intercepting a football. There were two more explosions, and before curling into a protective cocoon and spinning in the air to distance herself, Ochako saw Bakugou violently kick the villain in the head, knocking him out cold instantly. The four of them continued to ascend toward the clouds. The little girl clung to Ochako as if her life depended on it. "You're safe now," Ochako said, trying to calm her. Looking around, Ochako saw that Bakugou had grabbed the villain by the torso with one of his arms. He shot toward Ochako, and she extended her free arm to him, which he matched in response. They spun in the air a few times before slowing down a bit. Bakugou pulled her close, guiding her to wrap her legs around his waist. They formed a strange unit, the way they were holding onto each other. The girl was nestled safely between them, and the villain was secured at Bakugou's side. Once everyone was secure, Ochako gradually deactivated her quirk, making them descend slowly. When they were just a few meters above the ground, she let go of Bakugou, and finally, they all safely landed. The girl in her arms began to cry, fat tears rolling down her chubby cheeks, which was expected after such an adrenaline rush. Ochako hugged her as she began calling out for her mother. "Your mom is coming to get you soon, okay?" she said in her most affectionate tone, trying to calm the child. The sound of sirens grew louder in the distance, and looking ahead, it was already possible to see that the local police were approaching. They didn’t have to wait long. As soon as the first patrol car stopped near Ochako, a middle-aged woman ran toward them. The little girl in her arms practically threw herself into her mother's embrace. These moments always made Ochako emotional, seeing the relief in their reunion. The police officers handcuffed the unconscious villain and then began taking statements. Bakugou informed them that they were off-duty heroes, which made things easier. A female officer explained that, unfortunately, child abductions had been happening frequently in the region, with the intention of demanding ransom later. However, this was the first time they had successfully reversed a kidnapping. As usual, they wrote down the two heroes' license numbers for any future contact, and after that, they were free to go. Fortunately, no press vehicles had shown up to drag the situation out, even with a good number of pedestrians around the area. When they found Kaori and Yuuto again, Ochako felt less tense. It had been an intense moment of action, and her body craved calm. Hunger was also kicking in, so it was a relief when they finally arrived at the restaurant. "It was incredible to see you two in action," Yuuto commented, awestruck, as they sat down at the table. "I didn’t even realize what was happening until I heard the first explosion," Kaori added. "You two are perfect together." "We’re trained for that," Bakugou replied, shrugging. "Teamwork is one of the priorities in hero school." "And we’re very grateful for all your hard work," Yuuto praised again. "Order whatever you want; I feel like we need to celebrate." The next hour was light and relaxed. Kaori suggested they talk about more casual things to ease the tension after what had happened. The seafood restaurant was amazing, and they followed the maître d's suggestion, ordering a large stew to share, which had a bit of everything. Ochako found herself competing with Bakugou over the octopus pieces, which amused the other two at the table. She felt slighted when he ordered an extra portion of octopus just to tease her, but when it arrived, he pushed the plate toward her to share. When everyone was full, Ochako mentioned she would skip dessert because she was stuffed. Yuuto insisted they at least take something to go, so she could have it later. She agreed right away, which made Bakugou laugh. "You’re such a damn sweet tooth." "That’s not fair; I’ve seen you devour three slices of cake at Todoroki’s birthday party." Her response caught him off guard, and to top it off, she stuck her tongue out at him, drawing some adoring sighs from Kaori, who was watching them closely. "You two are so cute together." The comment embarrassed both her and Bakugou, but Yuuto laughed in response. Luckily, the waiter arrived with the bill and the packaged dessert for takeout, shifting the focus away from the table. Yuuto paid, and everyone got up to leave. Finally, the moment Ochako had been waiting for arrived. Kaori asked the two of them to walk with them to the car. Once there, she handed a brown paper bag to Ochako, who excitedly turned to Bakugou and gave him the gift. He looked skeptical as he took the bag, but soon his expression changed. Ochako wasn’t prepared to see the sparkle in his eyes when he opened the box and realized they were the boots she had promised. Bakugou looked at the three of them with genuine happiness in his eyes. "Look inside," Yuuto said. Carefully, Bakugou took out one of the boots and looked at the inner side of the tongue. "Holy shit, it’s the number one edition of the new collection!"
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If Ochako couldn’t look at Bakugou for long before, now it was the complete opposite. Her eyes seemed unable to look away from him, admiring every detail. Her cheeks tingled slightly, a result of holding a smile that refused to fade. His happiness was simply contagious. "Stop staring at me like that," he muttered, although he returned every smile Ochako threw his way. "I'm happy for you." "I know, but you don’t have to keep staring." "Oh, you'll survive it," Ochako replied nonchalantly. Bakugou rolled his eyes at her response, which only made her smile grow. As usual, he chose an empty train car. "Window or aisle?" he asked for the second time, stopping halfway. "Window." Ochako stepped in front, sitting first, but the urge to keep looking at him was almost uncontrollable. She glanced at him from the corner of her eye, smiling at the adorable sight of Bakugou trying to hide his discomfort from all the attention. He made a face, and Ochako sighed, completely charmed by the situation. "Listen, maybe I shouldn’t ask, but... do you plan on accepting the campaign’s offer?" Bakugou blinked a few times, surprised by the sudden question. His expression hardened, and Ochako almost instantly regretted bringing it up. A few minutes passed in silence as he thought it over. "If you don’t want to talk about it, that’s fine..." "No, I just think the whole thing sucks. You know damn well I'm terrible at this PR stuff. I know it’s not exactly the same, but it feels like it. The photos are the least of my problems; what pisses me off is the rest: publicity, interviews, all that fake praise. I don’t have the patience for it. Last time I did something like that, only Todoroki made it into the final video. My language doesn’t sit well with cameras." Ochako was surprised by his honesty. It seemed like Bakugou had really thought it through in such a short amount of time. It was unusual to see him so negative about something he could do. Years ago, he wouldn’t have acted like this. Seeing how much he had grown was incredible. Almost instinctively, Ochako took advantage of the moment to get closer. A flutter in her stomach threatened to make her hesitate, but it wasn’t enough to stop her. After all, let’s be honest, he had started all this, so it wasn’t that strange when she gently leaned in and affectionately touched his hand. The first three seconds of shock were obvious. Bakugou’s body tensed, but then he relaxed, his fingers curling into a soft grip. Holding his gaze, Ochako felt the sincerity of the moment and wanted to show she was determined to do this by his side. "This might sound selfish, but a promise is a promise. You said that if I got the boots for you, you’d owe me one... so what I want is to do the campaign with you." "You sneaky little..." Bakugou hissed, interrupting her with an incredulous tone as he realized where the conversation was heading. "You can’t make me do that." "Wait, let me finish talking." Ochako waited for some kind of pushback, but it didn’t happen. In an impulsive move, she turned more toward him, lifting the armrest between the seats so that nothing was in the way. She forced her fingers between his, whether to stop him from pulling away or simply because she wanted to feel that connection. "Kaori wasn’t lying when she said the campaign was different. Look at the roles; it’s not that big of a deal. I... I want to do this with you because I think it could be fun. And please, you learned how to play the drums in just a few weeks for our festival. There’s nothing Katsuki Bakugou can’t do well." "Don’t stroke my ego, Cheeks," Bakugou cut her off, rolling his eyes and laughing at her words. "Is it working?" "Maybe." It was hard to resist the wide smile growing on her face. Ochako found herself enjoying the situation far too much. She hadn’t planned on using this tactic, but now that she thought about it, after graduation, what were the chances of seeing Bakugou frequently? Not many, she’d say. Doing the boots campaign together would guarantee a few more months of closeness, and that was too tempting to pass up. No matter what path she had to follow until then, Ochako felt comfortable and happy as she held his calloused palm. And whatever this meant, she wanted much more of this feeling. "Think it over, okay?" "I will," Bakugou replied with a sigh, with no intention of letting go of her hand.
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It was just another night of reflection in his room. Katsuki decided to head home right after saying goodbye to Uraraka, as soon as they arrived in Masutafu. Things had taken a strange turn, and he didn't know how to react or how to keep acting around her. In the first few minutes after she held his hand and then intertwined her fingers with his, Katsuki felt an immense happiness. The feeling washed over him like a wave of warmth, and he could feel every cell in his body responding to her touch. It was as if his temperature rose with each passing second, his heart racing and a euphoria spreading throughout his being. He imagined himself as Icarus, not in the moment of his fall, but while he was still ascending, feeling the sun's warmth on his face. He knew he was approaching something he didn’t fully understand, and after a few minutes of happiness, his thoughts led him to a dark place. He didn’t want to let go of her hand, and what left him on the brink of a breakdown was the certainty that Uraraka felt the same way. All the warm comfort evaporated, quickly transforming into a gray and bewildering storm, as if the change had occurred in the blink of an eye. His thoughts were a complete chaos. They had spent the entire Shinkansen ride holding hands. When the train announced its arrival, Katsuki, unsure of how to deal with what would come next, hurriedly released Uraraka’s hand, thanked her for the day and the boot, and rushed away from her as quickly as he could. Now, back in his room, locked in the comfort of home, he felt like a complete idiot for acting that way. The internal battle he was waging was intense. Every time he thought about it, a new layer of conflict arose: he shouldn’t think of her that way, he shouldn’t have been so happy with the time they spent together, he shouldn’t have held her hand, and he definitely shouldn’t have left like that, especially after the effort she made for him to meet Yuuto. The most disturbing thing of all was the certainty that he shouldn’t accept the campaign for his sake. A pang of anger overshadowed these thoughts whenever he remembered her insistence on his supposed debt for the boot, but it soon dissolved with another memory: Uraraka asserting that he could do anything very well. “Damn girl,” he thought. Yanking off his clothes in a hurry, he decided to run to get rid of the mental buildup that felt ready to explode inside his head. He put on the workout clothes he had left hanging in the bathroom since the last time he exercised and, without hesitation, headed down to the gym. The silence of the house was in his favor, as his parents hadn’t returned from wherever they were. This gave him the freedom he needed to focus entirely on what he wanted: to reach that state of pure physical exhaustion, where his mind would finally quiet down. The stress seemed to pulse in his nerves, and the tips of his fingers tingled slightly. Katsuki started running, maintaining a fast pace, as if each stride was an attempt to escape the thoughts consuming him. The sound of his feet pounding against the treadmill echoed in the gym, while sweat began to trickle down his forehead and neck, forming small droplets that quickly spread across his body. He didn’t stop, forcing his muscles to keep up with the frantic rhythm he had imposed on himself. He felt his legs starting to burn, but he ignored the pain, pushing himself even harder. For nearly 45 minutes, he kept up this insane run. The physical effort was the only way to silence the confusion that engulfed his mind. When he finally felt satisfied with his exertion, Katsuki stopped. He took several deep breaths, allowing the feeling of relief to spread. The calm that came with the increase in dopamine levels was comforting. His brain, once overloaded, now felt lighter, as if the thoughts that tormented him had been left behind on the treadmill. He stood there for a few more minutes, just breathing and feeling his breath return to normal. The momentary peace was a welcome relief, and everything felt even better when he stepped into the shower, completing his escape ritual. Back in his room, he looked at the brown paper bag he had received, his exclusive gift. With a long sigh, Katsuki found himself reliving all the events of the day, and Uraraka’s image flashed through his mind multiple times, like several screenshots taken on a phone. Who was he kidding? What truly scared him was that he liked her. Katsuki was completely in love with her.
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The fast-paced rhythm of the final week before graduation turned out to be a genuine relief for Katsuki. Every second packed with activities and commitments helped keep his mind busy, pushing aside thoughts he preferred to ignore. He felt so strange about Ochako that, as he arrived on campus that morning, his first thought was to avoid her as much as possible. However, the moment their eyes met, a powerful satisfaction washed over him, making it clear that this wouldn’t be an easy task. It was as if the weight of the world disappeared for an instant, a relief he didn't want to admit feeling. But reality quickly pulled him back. A wave of embarrassment hit him as he recalled how comfortable they had become holding hands. The mere memory of that contact made his face heat up. How was he supposed to deal with this? The question echoed in his mind, and Katsuki had no idea. He felt like he was in a constant tug-of-war: on one side, the desire to keep his distance and pretend nothing had changed; on the other, his heart insisting he stay as close to her as possible. Luckily, with final exams and all the preparations for graduation, he barely had time to truly worry about these feelings. She was just as busy as he was, both of them buried in a routine that hardly left room for casual conversations, let alone something deeper. In the end, it was only him suffering over something that wasn’t even really happening. “What an idiot,” he thought, trying to focus on his studies and ignore the surge of emotions that appeared at the most inconvenient moments. On Monday morning, an email from Yuuto’s campaign landed in his inbox, a welcome distraction. As he skimmed through it, Katsuki realized that the promotional plans weren’t as ambitious as he had initially imagined. The campaign consisted of a photo session on Okunoshima Island, with a four- to five-day travel schedule, followed by a small media rollout, including a press conference and two interviews. Everything was planned simply, which surprised him but also left him somewhat relieved. He forwarded the email to his father and to the team in charge of such activities at his agency. After all, since it was his first time considering joining something like this, he wasn’t quite sure how to proceed. In the body of the email, he mentioned his uncertainty and asked for guidance. The response came quickly, and it seemed that both recipients were quite enthusiastic about the proposal. His father, ever pragmatic, congratulated him with his usual formality and began giving guidance on specific details regarding his image rights, highlighting particular points to be adjusted in the contract. His public relations agent, whose name he barely remembered, was practically ecstatic. The response was lengthy, filled with flattery and borderline uncomfortable praise, and he promised to send all the revisions requested by Katsuki’s father by the next day. Was he worrying for nothing? From all indications, the campaign would fit perfectly with his debut as a full-time pro hero. One more thing checked off his list of concerns. After that, Katsuki focused on his exams; not that he was worried like some idiots in his class, of course not. He would pass with flying colors and the highest grades. What really caused him tension was the end of it all: knowing that in just a few days, his entire study routine would be over, making way for a new phase in his life, one he could hardly wait for. As he mentally organized everything he needed to do, Katsuki realized that nearly all the items on his plan were already resolved: the agency choice, his apartment, adjustments to his hero costume, and even fitting the campaign into his schedule. However, as he felt that everything was in order, Uraraka’s name popped into his mind. He refused to label her as a “task to be resolved.” This wasn’t something that had a solution. This was the beginning of something—something he was honestly avoiding thinking too much about. The world wasn’t going to change just because he liked her; on the contrary, not thinking about it seemed the best way to keep his focus on his ambitions. He needed to set it aside and concentrate on what truly mattered. Around midweek, after class hours, Katsuki went to the library to return some textbooks. The place was packed with students, many scattered across the various tables, reviewing for the upcoming exams. There was a nervous energy in the air, something odd for Katsuki, who never felt anxious about tests. He watched his classmates—some with worried expressions, others whispering while reviewing formulas and theories. Katsuki gave a faint smile as he saw them so tense, knowing that he himself was so well-prepared that exams were merely a formality. Even so, for some reason, the environment made him reflect again on just how close this chapter of his life was to ending. It was as strange as it was inevitable. Among the shelves, further from the study tables, Katsuki caught sight of a familiar, round face peeking at him through the gaps between nearby books. Uraraka smiled as soon as he noticed her presence. She rounded the shelves and stopped beside him in a way so casual it almost seemed planned. Her eyes sparkled in a way that made Katsuki wonder if they’d always looked like that. “Hey.” She greeted him in a low tone, as if they were about to start a secret conversation. “Hey,” Katsuki replied in the same tone. He noticed Uraraka’s habit of fidgeting with her hands gave her away, as she was playing with the buttons on her uniform blazer. “Maybe I shouldn’t say this… but a very reliable source told me you requested some changes in the campaign contract… so, is that a yes to accepting it?” It was hard not to get carried away by the growing excitement in her voice. Katsuki found himself admiring how her satisfied smile widened. “Interesting.” He crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes, feigning indifference. “You shouldn’t know about that, Cheeks.” Uraraka laughed, as if amused by his challenge. She bit her lip lightly before answering, her eyes playful. “I know… but I believe you’ll forgive my informant.” Katsuki raised an eyebrow. She was challenging him directly, and he realized he was thoroughly enjoying it. “And what makes you think that?” She looked at him with a smile that grew wider, as if she’d been expecting that question. “Few people know this, but you’re actually pretty nice… especially to me.” Uraraka shot him a teasing look and lowered her voice, as if they were sharing a precious secret. “So, I think Kaori will get away with it.” Her teasing tone sparked Katsuki’s curiosity, and he wondered if she might be flirting. “Maybe you’re right.” He replied, moving a little closer to her. Uraraka’s eyes widened, and her cheeks turned pink almost immediately. She laughed awkwardly and playfully gave him a light punch on the shoulder, trying to hide her embarrassment. The touch was brief, almost imperceptible, but enough for Katsuki to feel a sudden warmth where her fist had landed. Now that one of her hands was off her blazer, he noticed the reason behind her restlessness: one of her buttons had fallen off, and she was trying to hide the flaw. Katsuki reached out to take a closer look, ignoring the closeness between them. He touched the fabric where the button was missing. “Oh, yeah…” Uraraka said, adjusting the fabric in an attempt to conceal the missing button. “It fell off. I need to fix it.” He let his fingers glide lightly over the fabric, searching for the extra button that was usually sewn on the inside. He frowned when he realized that the spare button was also missing. “Lost the spare one too, huh?” She shrugged, a bit embarrassed, and let out a little laugh. “Yeah… looks like it.” Katsuki shook his head, opening his own blazer. He quickly found his extra button and, with a small, controlled explosion on the tip of his index finger, released it from the stitching. He held the button out to her with a slight smile. “Here.” He looked at her with an amused expression. “Try not to lose this one too.” As their hands touched, Katsuki made a subtle movement, wrapping his hand around hers, his desire for closeness overriding his restraint. “Thank you.” Her reply came out in a whisper, as the closeness between them seemed to intensify with each passing second. It was hard to control the growing urge inside him—what would be the next step now that touch was no longer a barrier? Katsuki wondered how far they could go. His gaze dropped to her rosy lips. Understanding came as naturally as a breath: he could kiss her. With a slow, deliberate movement, he began to lean toward her. In a split second, he saw the understanding in Uraraka’s expression. She closed her eyes, as if giving a silent “yes” to what he was about to do. “You two, this is not the place for dating,” said a cranky voice. Katsuki and Ochako jumped in sync with the scolding. He turned to see who had interrupted them and found the librarian watching them from between the shelves, her eyes narrowed in disapproval. “This is a library, not a hangout spot. Take it somewhere else before I file a complaint to the principal,” she continued impatiently. Katsuki let out a quiet huff, his first reaction being an urge to snap back. He’d seen other people doing the same around here, but the librarian’s presence and her stern look held him back. He hated being reprimanded, and the situation seemed even more ridiculous with Uraraka’s slightly guilty expression beside him. “We were just leaving,” she murmured, keeping her voice low as she gave Katsuki a gentle tug on his arm to follow her. He resisted for a moment, considering ignoring that ridiculous order, but seeing the way Uraraka was trying to hide her embarrassment, he eventually gave in. Once outside, Katsuki’s mind began to clear up about what had almost happened, but he barely had time to process it as Uraraka turned to him, her cheeks as red as a tomato, and began thanking him for the button. She stammered something else he couldn’t quite catch, and before he could say anything, she had already turned on her heel and walked away. Katsuki stood there for a moment, watching her back as she left. The situation felt unsettling—a mix of emotions he couldn’t fully identify. The interruption, the gesture of giving her the button, the exchanged glances—all of it, combined with the moment that had almost become something more, left his heart racing in a way he didn’t know how to handle. And the farther she walked away, the more Katsuki began to realize that maybe, just maybe, Uraraka was a topic he really needed to address.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Things had piled up; that was the plain truth. Ochako knew, even if subconsciously, that her actions weren’t right. In her defense, though, what had almost happened in the library corridors had given her a new perspective on her and Katsuki. Now, with his intentions clearer, her own instincts seemed to betray her. Every time he came near, Ochako felt an irresistible urge to run—not fully understanding why, but always sensing that cowardice lurking in the shadows. In the three days leading up to graduation, she found ways to avoid being alone with him. There had only been three brief encounters, but they were enough to make her grasp for any excuse to escape. Everyone was busy, sure, but the fact that she felt so inclined to wrap herself around him left her unsettled. Whenever Katsuki was nearby, she became a mess—much more than just awkward like before. Deep down, Ochako kept telling herself that after graduation, this would no longer be an issue. Not that it was exactly a problem, but away from the school dynamic, if something did happen, it would be easier to deal with. Easier to the point where she wouldn’t care how far things might go. However, her evasive behavior was starting to have an effect: it was clear that Katsuki was growing more and more intrigued by her slippery attitude. It wasn’t his fault that her overly imaginative mind kept wandering to thoughts of the two of them. All the closeness they had built up until now only fueled dangerous fantasies. His hands had touched her too many times for her not to imagine how they’d feel on other parts of her body, especially while he kissed her. Since they hadn’t talked about the almost-kiss, he probably thought she hadn’t liked his initiative. Little did he know that that almost-moment had only sparked even more compromising thoughts. Each day, whenever their eyes met, Ochako noticed new lines forming on his face. Now, on the eve of graduation, Katsuki was practically glaring at her all the time. The thought that he might corner her at any moment hammered in her mind, and Ochako knew that if it happened, it would be the worst way to start the conversation they needed to have. She sighed dramatically as she climbed the dormitory stairs. Why did she have to make things so complicated? With a heavy heart, Ochako sat down on the stairs, feeling her body give in under the weight of her own thoughts. Thinking about all of it felt like a burden, as if every thought were a stone she’d been carrying for days without rest. Her knees simply buckled, and she allowed herself that moment of pause, trying to organize the whirlwind of feelings consuming her. She didn’t want Katsuki to misinterpret things. After all, he already seemed confused enough by her behavior. But how could she start a conversation that, to her, felt so difficult to have? Just walking up to him and saying she wanted to kiss him—really wanted to—seemed far too bold, something she couldn’t do without her voice trembling. Just imagining the scene made her mind race to the worst-case scenario: her, stammering like an idiot, while he looked at her with that expression that screamed he had no patience for beating around the bush. Ochako felt her stomach churn at the thought. Talking about her feelings so openly wasn’t easy. On the other hand, staying silent felt cruel. He didn’t deserve that, not after everything they’d been through together. Katsuki had always been straightforward, always faced things head-on, and she knew, deep down, he expected the same from her. She sighed again, resting her elbows on her knees and burying her face in her hands. “Why does this have to be so complicated?” she thought, feeling her frustration grow. None of this should be so hard. And yet, it felt like her heart and her mind were in constant battle, each pulling in a different direction, leaving her unable to find balance. After a few torturous minutes trapped in her thoughts, Ochako heard footsteps climbing the stairs below. For a moment, she considered running to her room, but whoever it was seemed to be ascending quickly, taking the steps two at a time. She wouldn’t have time to get up before they reached her. Then, strands of sandy blond hair came into view, followed by the figure of Bakugou, who abruptly appeared, clearly irritated. The surprise was mutual. He nearly bumped into her due to the speed with which he was climbing, while Ochako froze at seeing him suddenly emerge. “Bakugou,” she blurted, a weak attempt at a greeting, her voice faltering with surprise. “Oh, now you’ve decided to talk to me?” He hesitated for a few seconds, as if weighing his words. But, in the end, he did what he did best: spat out a sharp, cutting remark. Ochako considered feigning ignorance, but she knew he wasn’t dumb enough to fall for a half-hearted excuse. That might even insult him. So, she simply kept her eyes fixed on him, with no intention of answering his question. “So that’s it? What the hell, Uraraka.” Bakugou’s expression wavered between irritation and genuine frustration, his voice growing louder with every word. “Seriously, did I really get everything wrong? And now we’re just gonna stay in this shitty situation, pretending nothing happened, like two idiots? What? I remember very well that you wanted the kiss. Changed your mind?” “It’s not that... you don’t have to talk like that either…” Ochako finally found her voice. “Then what the hell is it? Because if you tell me you haven’t been avoiding me these past few days, that’s a damn lie.” This was exactly what she was afraid of: that he’d corner her and try to settle everything with sheer impulse, like a hurricane claiming what it wanted. For Katsuki, it seemed that simple, but to her, it was like being swept up in winds she couldn’t control. Ochako cringed internally, more from guilt than at his reaction, which she had already anticipated. A pang of remorse washed over her, and she felt more exhausted than ever by the whole situation. “I just didn’t know what to say,” she murmured, standing up, her height slightly surpassing his because she was on a higher step. “Did you like what I tried to do or not?” Katsuki asked, the irritation still clear in his voice. “I did,” Ochako admitted, her face burning with embarrassment. “Then why the hell are we even having this conversation?” “I don’t know.” Katsuki stared at her in disbelief, running a hand down his face as if trying to summon patience he never had. “Girl, are you trying to drive me insane? You could’ve, I don’t know, sent me a damn message to explain this.” “Oh, sure. I can’t even think straight about the whole thing,” she lied, “and yeah, I’d totally send you a perfectly worded text, no problem at all.” “Why can’t you think straight about it?” Ochako opened her mouth to reply, but shame got the better of her—thankfully. If she had spoken, she might have let slip some of her more compromising thoughts. She averted her eyes, but when she looked back at him, she noticed how little distance there was between them—just one step. Her body reacted instantly, a sudden heat coursing through her as if someone had flipped a switch inside her. Instinctively, she crossed her arms, trying to create a barrier against the overwhelming feelings. Katsuki studied her more intently, and Ochako held his gaze, even as she felt her cheeks grow warmer. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have avoided you these past few days.” “I don’t know if I’ll forgive you that easily,” he said bluntly, brushing past her and climbing the stairs. He stopped at the door next to the girls’ dorm, opening it without looking back. “Come on. No way in hell am I continuing this conversation out here.” At the word come, Ochako’s legs obeyed as if on autopilot. She found herself climbing the steps, and as he walked through the door without waiting for her, she followed without hesitation. Katsuki stopped in front of his room door, typing the code into the electronic lock. The click of the unlocking mechanism echoed in the quiet hallway. He didn’t go inside. He simply pointed to the doorway, inviting her in. The strangest part was that Ochako obeyed again, as if she weren’t the same person who had been avoiding him like the plague. As she entered, she automatically turned on the light in the small entryway, the motion so natural it felt like reflex. But her steps faltered, and she didn’t go far. Katsuki shut the door behind him, and the sound of the lock engaging broke the surface calm that hung in the air. Ochako stopped for a moment, and before she could process what was happening, she felt his hand grip her arm with controlled firmness. In the next moment, Katsuki switched off the light she’d just turned on, plunging them into a dense darkness. Her breathing suddenly seemed louder than it should, and the silence around them only amplified the frantic pounding of her heart. His firm hands slid to her waist, and the touch sent a whirlwind of emotions through Ochako. The heat radiating from Katsuki was almost suffocating, and her knees wobbled. Instinctively, she placed her hands on his chest, seeking support. Her right hand landed directly over his heart, and she was surprised to feel it racing. It was as if his body was in sync with hers, both caught in the moment. The first few seconds in the dark were filled with a palpable tension that seemed to grow with each breath. Their breathing became louder, heavier, almost blending in the charged air between them. When Ochako’s back met the cold wall, a shiver ran down her spine, but it was Katsuki’s presence that truly unraveled her. He leaned his forehead gently against the side of her head, the gesture unexpectedly intimate. The silence was broken by his raspy voice, low and close. “You really never thought of us like this, Cheeks?” His voice was like velvet, soft but laced with hidden intent. Every word felt like an invisible touch, sending chills across Ochako’s skin. She opened her mouth to answer, but her mind went blank, overwhelmed by everything all at once. The closeness, the darkness, the warmth of Katsuki… It was too much. Finally, her voice came out hesitant, almost a whisper. “I… I thought about it… too much, actually.” Ochako didn’t know where she found the courage to admit it, but at the same time, she felt like she couldn’t lie. There was something about the way he spoke, the way he called her Cheeks, that made all her fears seem so foolish. Katsuki leaned in even closer, his lips almost brushing her ear. “You want me to kiss you?” he asked in a calculated tone, low but dripping with intent. Ochako’s heart raced even faster, and she could only respond with a soft murmur, almost a whimper. “Yes… yes…” For a brief moment, she thought he would give in, that they’d finally cross that line. But then his voice shifted, taking on a cynical, teasing tone filled with malicious satisfaction. “But I’m not going to. Three damn days of pure limbo, Ochako.” He made a point to draw out his words, emphasizing his restrained irritation. “You think I’ll forgive you that easily? Just because you were left wanting?” She tried to argue, but the words got stuck in her throat. He had her caught in his game, a mix of punishment and teasing. His restless fingers brushed against the fabric of her shirt, sending electric shocks through her body, while his tone made it clear just how much he was enjoying the situation. Suddenly, his hands pulled away, leaving a near-tangible emptiness. Before Ochako could react, she heard the click of the door unlocking. The sound was so loud it made her flinch slightly. The light from the hallway seeped in, starting as a faint thread before flooding the room, revealing Katsuki. He gave her one last mischievous smile, the glint of challenge still present in his eyes. “Good luck with that, Cheeks.” And with those words, he disappeared into the hallway, leaving her behind. Ochako remained still for a moment, overwhelmed with frustration. His warmth still clung to her skin, and her heart continued to race far too fast. She brought her hands to her face, trying to contain the mixture of embarrassment and irritation burning inside her. “Idiot,” she muttered softly, not sure if she was referring to Katsuki or herself.