A Shy Kiss

Chapter 17

The following days left the group in despair. Bakugo was a lot of things: hot headed, rude, blunt, bossy.... but he was never one to get himself in trouble. He wasn't bad, he wasn't a bad person. So why did this happen to him? Why was he missing? Where is he if he isn't in the morgue already?

The group kept meeting together, at first to try and cheer each other up with jokes and stories of Bakugo; but soon the meetings felt more like headcounts. You were all making sure no one else was going to disappear. Tamaki decided to stay overnight once in a while to make sure both you and Tsu were safe. You thought it might be a little exaggerative but Tsu quickly agreed to having him over for protection. The following week was torture: everyone had bags under their eyes, waiting on their phones for any notification of Bakugo. Tamaki was worse. He stayed up much later than he should to make sure no one tried to open the front door. You repayed him in sweets and watching over him while he napped throughout the day. 

"We can't keep going on like this!" blurted out Eijiro. The group looked up towards him as he dropped his textbook on the table, the loud bang alarming them. "We don't know if he's dead so we should stop acting like we've already said our goodbyes! I can't- I can't keep going on like this..." 

Momo and Mirio hugged him as he tried to calm down. He gritted his teeth as he tried to control his breathing. Everyone sat in silence. No one could blame him for his reaction. Bakugo was his first real best friend. And he was Bakugo's best friend. The untamable Bakugo in high school that everyone was afraid of; that very same Bakugo grew soft with his friend Eijiro. And the shy Eijiro of high school grew confidence because of his friend. And now his friend is gone.

"He's right." Started Iida. "We must find the answers to our many questions. I understand we have one theory about where Bakugo may be...." He hesitated for a brief moment before he said:

"The morgue. But! We cannot be sure. And so, I have spoken with my brother who is part of ongoing case. He is not allowed to give us details regarding the case but he is allowing us a simple 'yes or no' question. I have taken the opportunity to ask if the....corpse on the news belonged to Bakugo. He said he cannot answer it yet as there is an ongoing autopsy, but when it is done he will be able to tell us before it comes out on the news."

The group breathed a sigh of relief. A small ray of hope was finally coming back. You could even see a little bit of life fall back into Eijiro's eyes. Tamaki held your hand as you sighed in relief. He was supposed to be in class but he cut class today to stay with you and the group. He didn't want to leave you alone, especially with what was going on. No one even knows if that attack was from a killer or from an animal. Whatever it is it's probably still there. 

You shook your head of those thoughts as your phone rang. You scrambled through your bag until you could find it. It was your mom. You took a breath before answering the phone, pretending to sound okay. She called regarding the upcoming holiday. Thanksgiving of course. You smiled and clarified that you were in fact going. In your head you thought this was a good way to get away from the fear of being on campus. Soon, a lightbulb went off in your head as your mom continued on her updates about the holiday plans. You decided to ask her if Tamaki could come over. Tamaki overheard and was blushing as your mother excitedly said yes. She was excited to meet this 'handsome chef' as she liked to refer to him. You laughed a little as you said your goodbyes. You hung up and looked towards the group, the idea still fresh in your head.

"Guys, I think we should all get off campus for the holidays."

The group looked to you as you continued. "I mean, whatever caused that incident, a killer or some animal, it's still nearby. I think we should lock up our stuff and get off campus and away from it during this holiday at least. I know some of us live pretty far away and can't be home for the holidays, so maybe some of us can take the others in so we can all get off campus. I know Tama's family is really far while mine are only a couple hours away so he can come with me for starters."

The rest of the group began to nod. Getting off campus would also mean we could all sleep peacefully for once instead of worrying the night away. Momo cleared her throat before speaking. "My home is nearby and large enough to hold a few people. I can only take the girls though, my parents wouldn't approve of me bringing home a boy."

Ochako and Mina nodded and asked if they could join her. And so the table began to talk again. A little at least, though definitely not as bubbly as before. Denki's friend Shinsou was going to stay with him since Shinsou was only here on a student visa and his home was in Japan. Iida was going to take Kirishima and Mirio, and Tsu was going to take Hagakure. Once things were settled the group gave each other a small smile. A sincere one, and a worried one. Everyone packed their things and headed to their dorms to start packing, hoping this holiday would come sooner.

"Bunny?" Tamaki looked at you as he asked. You two were the only ones left at the table, the rest of the group long gone.

"Yes Tama?"

"Is..um...do you, do you think your family will like...me?"

"Oh baby of course they will!" You gave him a hug as you kissed his cheek. "Plus my dad wants to meet the man who can make a good paella." You added with a small laugh. He smiled before kissing you.

"Then maybe I can bring them a plate of food to try for Thanksgiving. Th-That's if they don't mind of c-course! I don't wanna intrude e-either..."

"Oh they won't mind at all honey, the more the merrier!" He smiled and let out a small sigh of relief. You both pack your things and head to your respective homes to start packing for the holiday.

And then the news gave a new report. They found another body.