Grit Your Teeth and Bear it (KiriBakuDeku)

Chapter 9

Midoriya's POV

"Are you going to tell us what that was all about or not?" Kacchan questioned, his arms crossed.

I bit my lip. I'm only beginning to piece together what the Black Lotus' plans are, but there are still some things that are not adding up. Why? Why would they have it? Why is it important to them? Something that so clearly belongs to me and not them.

Is it leverage? Perhaps something to just taunt me with and remind me of my failure.

No, it's more than that. It has to be. Is it me they are after? Someone else? Maybe we have their end goal completely wrong. After all, so little is known about them, who knows what they could really be after. This could be a ploy or a way to keep me distracted.

"Deku," Kacchan called.

"Calm down, Bakugou. He's been through enough already."

"I didn't do anything."

"You opened your mouth."

"Say that again and I'll fry you!"

"Guys," I called in a small voice.

"Sorry, Midoriya." Shinso looked off to the side.

"It's fine. I just don't want any fighting right now, please."

The group of friends looked worried, but did not press on the topic.

"Of course, Mido." I smiled at the familiar nickname Todoroki got in the habit of calling me during school.

"If it's okay, Midoriya, we'd still like to ask you about what happened yesterday?" Kirishima asked.

I sighed. "Not much. He said that his boss had something of mine. Truthfully, I don't even know if he's telling the truth."

"What is it?" Shinso asked.

I looked away from the group of heroes and friends and focused on my bruised hands instead. The injuries I came out with were minimal for the most part. A sprained wrist, some bruising and minor cuts. The only bad injury I had was the gash on my side that ended up needing stitches, but it's a good thing we all are pretty immersed in basic medical care now for instances just like this. Though, the safer option would have been to go to the hospital, but I just couldn't do it. I can't stand the stares and the apologetic looks every time I step foot in there. It's unbearable!

"Something I got rid of. I'm sorry, I don't really want to talk about it. I don't even understand why the villains would want it in the first place, it doesn't hold a ton of value. Okay, maybe a little, but still, I don't understand why they had to go and take it like that and for what purpose? Are they cooking up a scheme or just using it to manipulate me? It's strange and-"

"Deku!"

I looked up at the shouting. "Huh?"

"You're mumbling nerd," Kacchan said.

"Oh, sorry." I gave a small apologetic smile.

"It's okay, Midoriya. I understand it may not be something you want to talk about, but please don't hesitate if you change your mind," Kirishima said with one of those overwhelmingly reassuring smiles.

"Thanks. I appreciate that." I shifted in the bed and pulled the blankets off me to stand.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Kacchan pushed me back on the bed and I winced.

"W-We have work in thirty minutes. I need to get ready." I explained, but everyone looked at me like I was crazy.

"You're not going to work today, Midoriya. You're injured and need to rest," Todoroki said.