aerie (bakugo katsuki x oc)

chapter 54: what could go wrong

Alright, sports festival. This whole thing is televised, and the entire world is watching, but it's no big deal. I just happen to be a supervillain that can't lie who's infiltrating the top hero school in the-

"Hey, Kai!" Kirishima says with a playful nudge to my shoulder, and I just about jump out of my skin.

"Oh, hey," I say, clearing my throat.

I've decided the whole "getting into character" thing has become too dangerous, so I've been doing my best to keep my thoughts villainous. But when I'm hyperaware of the fact that I don't belong here, it makes it a little difficult to act natural.

"So, are you excited for this thing or what?" he asks with a friendly smile.

"Um, yeah. Very uh... very excited."

"Is something wrong?"

"Hm?"

"You're acting kinda funny. Is something bothering you?"

Alright, this is impossible. I can't say a single sentence without acting suspicious. If I don't act like someone else, I'm gonna blow my cover.

I allow myself to switch into Kai mode with a slight shake my head, just for the moment. "I'm fine," I say with a chuckle. "I'm just trying to come up with a speech for when I take that first place."

Kiri shakes his head. "Start thinking of one for second, 'cause you're going down."

"Ooh, I'm so scared," I say sarcastically.

"Should be," he says with a wink. He pats my shoulder, then jogs off back to where the rest of the class is waiting to enter the arena.

I sigh, letting myself back into villainous thinking.

Well, that wasn't so bad. Switching from Kai to Aerie is quick and seamless, with no issues. Maybe I was overreacting a little. Kai's just a character, it's not like anything she thinks actually matters, or reflects how I really think. She's just a role that I play to make my job at UA easier. There's nothing wrong with that, right?

And just as I'm thinking that, my phone buzzes.

  -Now, remember what I told you. No first place.

-i knowwww
   -but what about 2nd or 3rd :p

   -If you end up getting third, it's fine. But don't win any of the events.

   -not even 1?

   -No. I know you're excited, and you can do well,  just don't stand out too much. We don't all of the publicity that comes with that.

   -fineee. ur gonna be watching, right?

   -Yes.

   -okie. make sure u watch until the end. when i get 3rd, i'll blow u a kiss :*

   -Okay. I'll be watching.

   -okayy, it's about to be time to go into the arena so i gtg. love u

   -Love you too, kitten. Have fun.

   I toss my phone in my locker, and take a deep breath in.

Alright. I think I've come to an agreement with myself. As long as I'm at UA, I can allow myself to get into character. I can make friends, have fun in class, etc., but as soon as I leave the premises, I'm me again. As long as my thoughts don't get all jumbled together, there's nothing to worry about.

So, sports festival. I guess that means it's Kai time, right? As long as I can switch back to Aerie when it's time to go home, what could go wrong?

~