LOST // BAKUGO X OC

Merry Christmas!

Estelle solely experienced confusion when her feet finally stepped into the living room. Decorations she had never seen surrounded every inch of the place, coloured in green, red, white and gold. The room was pretty, but it didn't answer why the space suddenly changed from its usual state.

Directing her stare from all the bright shades, Estelle focused her eyes on the students crowded around the room, happily shuffling next to each other as they continued to hang up the shiny foil scarves they held in their hands. She noted the quiet music in the background, her mind whirling on the tune before realising that she didn't recognise the melody.

Estelle stood quiet, observing as the teens happily chattered away to one another, eager looks on their faces as they continued to place ornaments and foil around the room. It was clear that they were all excited, her eyes zoning in on Momo, who was humming along to the music absentmindedly with a soft look on her face.

The appealing picture warmed her heart but felt conflicting as it began to ache. She had never seen anything like this, and she had to wonder what else she had missed out on during years of servitude to her duty. It made her feel like an outsider; before she knew it, her feet were taking her out of the room. She didn't want to intrude.

It was too cosy, and it felt hard to breathe.

"Estelle!"

Scrunching her eyes at the fact she had been noticed, Estelle slowly turned around at the entrance to find twenty pairs of eyes looking back at her with so much happiness that she didn't know what to do. Feeling her heart twist, Estelle lifted her lips at the scene, but it came out more of a wince, which had caught their attention.

"Where are you going?! We were waiting for you!"

Stunned by Kirishima's words, Estelle furrowed her brows, evident perplexity in her eyes as she asked, "You were?"

"Of course we were! This is a class activity!" Ochako chimed in jovially, walking up to her to place the foil scarf in her hands.

The discomfort within her soul continued to simmer, a whirlwind of confusion continuing to throw her thoughts for a loop. Estelle wasn't just baffled at why they were decorating in the first place, but she was also perplexed at why she felt this way. Why did seeing them all like that hurt so much?

Not wanting to downpour on such happiness, Estelle allowed another soft smile to enter her lips, but she failed to hide the turmoil within her eyes. Gazing at the shiny material in her hands, she had missed the glances between the students, filled with worry due to her sombre expression.

"I..."

Patiently, the class waited for Estelle to continue.

"I have things to do. I'm sorry, but you'll have to finish without me. Don't worry, though. I'm sure you'll do a splendid job!" Estelle tried to cheer at the end, her hands placing the decoration back into Ochako's hand before turning around to leave.

Concern instantly filled the students once again as all their eyes drifted to Katsuki. He seemed to have gotten the message before they sent it because his feet were already moving to grab onto her arm. Turning her around, they were all met with an unsheltered view of Estelle's expression, a wave of pressure hitting them to relieve whatever was causing her discomfort.

"The world won't crash and burn if you miss a day. You told me that, didn't you?" Katsuki uttered, a knowing look in his eyes that threw the rest of their classmates in for a loop.

Silent, Estelle knew that despite what she was experiencing, she didn't want to make their joyful day sour. The view from before remained in her mind. Regardless of the pain it brought, it still made her content. She didn't want to be the reason it was no longer there. So, she bobbed in answer.