Today is the first of November.
The day my birth father died driving my birth mother to the hospital.
The day my birth mother died during delivery.
The day I was first raped.
The day I entered hell and never returned.
My birthday.
Happy fifteenth birthday to me.
I made a parody of the "Happy Birthday" song on this momentous occasion:
Happy birthday to me.
My life's a tragedy.
And I've lost my sanity.
Happy birthday to me.
A dark poem for a dark me. How fitting.
I have never bothered to celebrate my birthday. Considering my history behind this date and the "gifts" I have received on this day - and the one I will receive after school - I have every reason not to. I don't plan on doing it today. But I do intend to change one thing: my relationship with Todoroki-kun.
Something happened between us yesterday when we linked fingers. Something that made me untangle all the morning glories in my hair and bound the glories in a bouquet for him when we had to part ways. I can't explain what it was, but it brought me a sense of safety and a surge of confidence. Confidence to suppress my pride and apologize to him. It's ironic, but there nevertheless. Honestly, I'm surprised that surge lasted the entire night.
Here I am now, at U.A., in class, waiting for a chance to talk to Todoroki-kun alone.
But that chance may not come at all, or if it does, it will come much, much later today. Because what seems to be a fourth of the school's population has formed a horde outside the classroom doors. Uraraka-san, Midoriya-san, Iida-san, and he's-not-worthy-of-my-respect-but-habit-compels-me Mineta-san stand on the other side, staring in shock and fear. Bakugou-san approaches the group, but he seems unfazed.
"They're crowding the exit! What are they here for?" Mineta-san exclaims.
Bakugou-san nonchalantly responds, "They're scoping out the competition, retard. They wanna see the gang who came through the villain ambush. They're checking us out before the big battle, asshole." His next words are directed at the horde, and they are just as rude, if not ruder, than his previous words. "It's pointless to try, so why don't you just get lost, you goddamn mob!"
The mass of students is understandably offended. One boy from the mass steps forward. He has a fair complexion, good height, dusty indigo hair, and eyes. The eye bags reveal his sleep deprivation and his stoic expression depicts his quiet but straightforward personality, but overall he has an attractive appearance. He is intriguing. "I came to see what you kids are made of, true, but I didn't think you'd be this arrogant. Are all the kids enrolled at the Department of Heroics this way?" the boy says. At that, Midoriya-san and Iida-san frantically gesture, "No!", and Bakugou-san's temper flares as he sneers in derision. I want to laugh. I commend the boy for saying that. Intriguing indeed. "I'm a bit disillusioned. So that's it, huh?
"There are lots of kids who wind up in the General Education Department or other departments because they failed the Heroics one. Did you know that? And based on the results of the Sports Festival, people can be even come under review to be transferred to Heroics. And the reverse is also a possible outcome." I did not know that. I missed that somewhere in my review sessions with Shigaraki and Kurogiri. The feeling of not knowing until now irritates me. "Scoping out the competition? If nothing else, a General ED kid like me is thinking: Hey! Why don't I try pulling the rug out from under those Heroic kids while they're on their high horses? Consider it a declaration of war."
Bakugou-san remains impassive, while the other three tense up visibly.
Other students announce their stances against Class 1-A, but my focus is on the indigo-haired boy. Now I am genuinely impressed. The part of me that craves drama, chaos, and competition is excited. Definitely intriguing.
"So you found him interesting, too?" Todoroki-kun interrupts my thoughts.
He is watching the boy's figure retreat from the crowd through the classroom windows. "I did. He'll certainly make things entertaining at the Festival. I like his spirit and attitude," I agree.
"Unlike a certain someone we know."
We turn simultaneously to stare at said someone: ash-blonde hair, red eyes, and a permanent scowl. I am about to grin, but Bakugou-san's words make me hesitate: "None of that matters once you're at the top."
I know he was talking about the exponential increase in haters Class 1-A has made just now, but there are other insinuations behind those words. Insinuations I cannot deny. And on the topic of Bakugou-san, his other words come to mind. Words that prove he is intelligent in spite of the persistent sour mood. I smile softly, "I'm not sure, Todoroki-kun. Bakugou-san is passionate and ambitious. It is very likely he'll make things lively, too. While his attitude makes him unapproachable, his spirit is nothing to be scoffed at."
Todoroki-kun is quiet for some time, staring at Bakugou-san. "Maybe."
His eyes divert from him to Midoriya-san, who is still trembling.
His gaze lingers longer on him.
"Maybe."
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Image URL: https://www.futurity.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/wilted-flower-on-pink_1600.jpg
Note: I have copied some dialogue from one of the English-translated versions of the manga. The link to the chapter is here: https://ww1.bokunohero.online/manga/boku-no-hero-academia-chapter-23/
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Blossoms of the Dark
RomanceHanada Selene. Todoroki Shouto. Two troubled souls living troubled lives. But they somehow find solace within each other. They first met in a dream, and later again in real life. Both of them were initially wary of each other. But with time, the...
