scars can fade [bakudeku]

chapter 18 - graduation speech

'I never knew what it was to be alone, no. Because you were always there for me, you were always home waiting.'

- alter bridge, 'in loving memory of'

***

Time went by quicker than imagined. It's been over two years, and Katsuki has started to recover, though he doubts he'll ever fully heal. He's been training and studying, as well as taking care of himself mentally and physically. And now — everyone still finds it unbelievable — it's graduation. Their three years at U.A. have come to an end, they'll become pro heroes after this. Fighting, saving people, missions, and a lot more is waiting for them. Some like to keep it small, go to a small agency and help with small town-missions while others strive to be the number one hero.
Katsuki, he's closest to that out of his classmates. He ended on top of his class, even surpassed Todoroki and Momo in the process. And as he's walking to the stage, having everyone stare at him, waiting for him to give his graduation speech, he feels anxious again. He's afraid things won't turn out the way he wants them to. He might not become the number one hero, he might not be able to save everyone. What then? What will he do if he fails? Will he be able to continue, keep trying? Is he able to do that when even Izuku couldn't? It's a scary thought, that things might go the exact other way he's planned.

"So, we're here." Katsuki's speech, his voice echoes through the room. "In all honesty, I haven't prepared a speech. Every time I tried, the words I wrote down felt wrong, so I stopped writing them down." Some people start mumbling, he overpowers their voices with his own "That doesn't take away the fact that I do know what I want to say." The whispering quiets down and the attention is back at Katsuki and Katsuki only. "About two years ago, our school lost someone. A young, promising and most of all positive student. He appeared to be, at least." A lot of whispering follows, everyone but class 3A is talking. "I understand this day isn't meant for this story, but I need all of you to know. That student, and my childhood friend, Izuku Midoriya, took his own life. And until this day, I haven't opened the letter he left me. Why, you may wonder. I kept thinking: 'You don't deserve that.' and 'It's all your fault.'. One side of me might've been scared for what's in it. If it isn't as much as I suspected, if it leaves some questions unanswered, then what do I do? How will I move on?" Katsuki takes a deep breath. Ever since he opened up to Shitty Hair, he's been opening up more often. He doesn't keep it to himself anymore, it's a good feeling. "The other side of me knows that once I open it, once I read it, nothing new will be left, it'll all be over. And that thought is scary on its own." He stops talking for a while, organising his words before continuing. "Why am I saying this? That's what you must wonder, and the answer is quite easy: From now on, everything in our lives will change. We'll enter society, become grownups, start our hero work. And we might lose people, people who we thought would be with us forever, even when you know you don't deserve them. I guess I've learned that the hard way, life isn't some fun story, it isn't something you can live through without pain. People coming and leaving is part of it, and you have to deal with that. After all, there isn't much else you can do." He receives some understanding nods from the crowd. He makes eye contact with Kirishima, who gives him a reassuring nod "You can cry, you can be mad, you can fall to the ground but eventually you have to stand up and continue creating your own way. Even if it hurts, even if your wounds are like scars, even when they'll never heal, you have to stand up again, even if it means fighting through all of it." Another short pause to make sure his words sink in "Now to fall back to the topic with which I started with: Izuku Midoriya. Or as I used to call him, Deku. We go years back, he was my first friend. Always positive, always optimistic. If there was no way out, he'd create one himself. I think that's the reason he did what he did, he didn't see a way out, so he did what he always does, creating one himself. To honour him and never, ever, make myself forget about a promise I made, I've finally decided on my hero name: Pro hero Kacchan, the one who will save everyone, because he couldn't save his best friend. Thank you for listening." There's a long silence, then a small applause is heard, which soon turns into a much bigger applause. Katsuki can't help but smile, this is the first time people have praised him after a speech, it feels good.

After all the speeches and formalities, Katsuki meets up with Kirishima and his other classmates. Kirishima smiles "That was such a manly speech, dude, I couldn't have done it better." It took Kirishima a long time to fully forgive Bakugou after what he told him, but he never left his side. They're all good now.
"It wasn't perfect, I should've said more." Bakugou says, both of them know what he means, the rest of the class remains oblivious.
"I'm sure Midoriya would be proud of you, Bakugou. You've come a long way, and everyone noticed you've worked hard to improve yourself for the better. I wish you the best of luck on the field." Iida tells him.
"Four eyes." Bakugou says sharp, then continues with a joking voice "Don't try to commit murder when you're out there." Iida's eyes widen, unsure how Bakugou knows, but he has shifted his attention already. He noticed someone in the corner of the room.

"Inko?" He asks, walking up to her. Every since they visited Izuku's grave, Bakugou visited her at least once a month. Checking up on her as well as catching up with her. She didn't look well last time he visited. She hasn't looked well in a long time. She had huge bags under her eyes, the dishes were always all over the place and she didn't even seem to be changing clothes. Yet now, she looks well. She's wearing a new set of clothing and has make-up covering her bags.
"Pro hero Kacchan, your speech was beautiful." She tells him. Right now, he's glad he didn't open up about the bullying. He doesn't want to imagine how much that would've broken her.
"Thanks, I hope Izuku is proud too, wherever he's watching us from."
"He is, I'm certain." the edges of Katsuki's mouth curl up up, a small smile appears "And Katsuki?" Bakugou focuses his attention on Inko again "I'll treat you on Katsudon sometime soon. See it as a little gift for your graduation." Katsuki understands why it has to be katsudon, he's sure Inko once promised Izuku to do this, katsudon was his favourite food after all. He's grateful he can help Inko keep her promise to Izuku, he's sure that would make her happy. "I'd love that."