Izuocha's Love Stories

SCORPIONS & CHAINS (CHAPTER 5)

CHAPTER FIVE

"...And you're... Deku Midoriya, right?"

"Deku?"

"Yeah, wasn't that what that Bakugo kid called you?"

"Oh, well... err, it's Izuku, actually... Deku is what Kacchan calls me... to... it means good for nothing, so..."

"Oh! It's an insult? I'm so sorry! But you know... I like Deku. It sounds like 'you can do it'!"

"Ah – It's Deku, then!"

She'd always seen that adorable side of him. Even back then, when she barely knew Deku, she knew he had a heart of gold. That smile of his always brightened her days. Sure, he was slightly on the timid side as well, and he tended to easily panic by minor things, but she'd brushed those aside, assuming that was just how Deku was. However, after the Battle Trial, where he had faced Bakugo head on, something changed within him. He had become braver. Something had happened during his fight with his childhood bully, whatever it had been, it had triggered something.

"I'm not gonna be 'Deku' the worthless punching bag anymore, Kacchan! I'm... I'm the 'Deku' who does his best!"

Back then... it had been a victim standing up to his tormentor. It had been the turning point between the two. To her, Izuku was that brave boy who encouraged her to do her best, to try her hardest. But, seeing his past self, it was clear he hadn't always been brave.

Ochaco admitted she loved this boy, and it was very hard to not get angry at the moment. Her emotions turned into one big ball of anger, and she directed it at one person who she felt deserved it.

That loud slap to Bakugo's face was strangely satisfying.

His face turned to the side from the force, and he stayed that way, staring blankly at nothing. The whole class stood in shock. They still hadn't gotten over what the old Bakugo had told Izuku to do, and now, seeing one of their sweetest classmates bitch-slap Bakugo of all people... it was all too much to take in. It took minutes of silence for their minds to fully digest the situation.

Bakugo slowly, ever so slow, turn to stare at her, his cheek turning red. Her cheeks puffed and were wet, her eyes red-rimmed from crying so many times in one day. She jabbed him in the chest with her finger, opened her mouth to say something, then closed it again before a sob could escape.

She remembered Izuku had risked his life to go after Bakugo during and after the Forest Lodge attack.

"He..." her voice was barely heard. "He saved you... he... he still saved you... e – even after... even after all you did to – to him... he still..." It was easy to target all of her anxieties at him. She had felt this tightness in her chest for a week, since Izuku's injury and hospitalization, and now, it all came pouring out in waves of anger and tears and hate and grief.

Something changed in Bakugo's red eyes. He touched his reddening cheek and they all saw sharp rage flash through his pupils. Kirishima was the first to move, hardening his arms and hooking them under Bakugo's, trapping him before the blond exploded, in more ways than one.

"I didn't ASK for that SHITRAG'S help!" Bakugo barked. His throat muscles visibly tightened and fire cracked in his fists.

"Easy, man!" Kirishima tried to calm him down. He hardened most of his body as the other boy almost dragged him forward with him.

"Let – the fuck – go! I'll pulverize that bitch!"

"Why are you so mean to him?" Ochaco cried and Iida held his arm out to gently push her back. She was ready to full on attack Bakugo if she had to.