𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐃 ʙɴʜᴀ

thirteen

BAKUGOU AWOKE WITH A POUNDING HEADACHE AND A BRIGHT LIGHT IN HIS EYES. It took him all of five seconds to register that the fluorescent lighting was very much that of Yueei's nurses' office. He sat up with a groan, his tender muscles protesting. He must've pushed himself harder than he thought in the obstacle race.

(What he didn't know was that he exceeded human limits of speed— even with quirks, and the size of his largest explosions, effectively beating his own record).

Wait. The obstacle race. Flashes of the race burned brightly in his mind: running, heavy breathing, red and white on his tail, scorching hands, a loud ringing noise, green hair blotched with red, oh god red, blood so much blood— a metallic scent searing his nostrils.

"Bakugou."

The blood was gone.

The ash-blond's head turns to the right where Aizawa stood, eyes narrowed and lips pulled into a frown. "Hey, kid."

Bakugou nodded towards him in acknowledgement. "You alright?"

Katsuki shrugged. Was he ever alright? He couldn't remember a time when he felt fine. It had to be years and years ago, when him and Izuku were friends, before he got his quirk, before people told him he was important. They lied to him, he could see that now. But there's nothing he wouldn't give to travel back in time and hug his green-haired friend instead of bullying Deku when he told the ash-blond he was quirkless.

What a fool he had been.

"That was quite a show out there, Young Bakugou," a deep voice spoke as All Might walked behind Aizawa in his deflated form. The raven-haired teacher sent All Might a glare.

Didn't he know it? God, and it had been in front of everyone. His failures had been right on display for all of Japan, and even other nations, to see. He snorted; well, at least All Might knew he was wrong in trying to get him to be his successor. Because how could someone like him, someone who hurts people(explosions, burnt skin, tear-filled green eyes— big and hopeful, another explosion— hope replaced with pain; so much pain, oh God, what had he done?), be the number one hero?

"Bakugou."

These episodes kept getting worse— so many in such little time. Usually, he just thought about his past; flashbacks were a common occurrence. But out on the field, during the race, he saw him. He was right there, so close his hand almost grazed him. His head was throbbing, and his eyes burned with hot, unforgiving tears. How much longer until he just couldn't keep up with it anymore?

"What happened out there, Bakugou?" Aizawa asked softly, sitting at the end of his bed.

Katsuki shrugged again, feeling helpless. How could he begin to explain the inner-depths of his mind: the enigma of Bakugou Katsuki? How could he tell them, the two best heroes in his mind, that he killed his best friend? A cry unconsciously left his mouth, tears already building up, and he bit his lip to keep them in.