Boys and Girls (A Trans!Jiro and Trans!Bakugo AU)

Chapter 16- Girls

3 WEEKS LATER

Jiro's POV

I can't believe he's gone...

I know it's been a few weeks but the class isn't the same. Everyone seems depressed. No one wants to speak. No one wants to do anything. If anything was said or done that reminded us of him, tears would be shed, anger and denial would rise. My parents always told me that there were 5 stages of grief; Denial, grief, anger, bargaining and acceptance... but the thing is; no one wanted to accept the fact he's gone.

Shinso is denying his death.

The Bakusquad are angry that they couldn't do anything to help him.

The Dekusquad, Hagakure, Ojiro, Aoyama, Sato, Koda, Shoji, Toga, Momo and I are in pits of grief and feeling numb.

Tokoyami can't, wont, stop talking how he'd summon the devil to return Kaminari's soul; wanting to bargain with the devil. This is his way of showing his denial and grief apparently; According to Asui.

Even Sensei is acting different. He's not pushing us as hard, always checking on us if even the smallest thing is wrong. If we show signs of exhaustion, pain, sadness, etc. He checks us over like a worried mother. I guess he doesn't want to lose another 'Problem Child.' He even confessed to us and said that we were all like his children, hence why he was always pushing us for our best. Always trying to get us to see our potential. But since Kaminari died, none of that mattered. He slept way more in class, didn't care if we did our work. Didn't care if we slacked with training or anything in general. The other classes gave us space, didn't push for questions. If they saw one of us upset or about to break down, they would ask if we're OK and help calm us down.

I felt tears run down my face before I heard myself let out a choked sob. I felt an arm wrap around my shoulders and got a strong sniff of Rose perfume, curtesy of my beloved girlfriend. I bury my face into her shoulder as she rubs my upper arm comfortingly.

"It's OK, Kyoka..." She soothed. "We all miss him dearly but I don't think he would want us to spend every-day crying and grieving. He'd want us to go out there and be the greatest versions of ourselves. To be great heroes."

"I know..." I sniff as I sit up. "But it hurts knowing all I ever did was tease and bully him for something he couldn't help."

"But you did apologise to him."

"Yeah... But I feel like that simple apology wasn't enough..." I pull my knees up to my chest and rest my head on my knees as my arms wrap around my shins.

The room is then swamped with the rest of my peers.

"Hey, guys..."

"Hey." They chorus in an uneven pattern.

"I can't believe we're almost finished our first year..." Tsu says quietly as she sits down on the arm of the couch.

"I can't believe we lost Denki..." Kirishima adds as his bottom lip starts to quiver.

"Ok, Mr. Doom and Gloom. I was trying to make something positive out of this situation, Ribbit, Ribbit, Kero."

"Sorry... I just still can't comprehend the fact that he's not here anymore."

"There is a celebration that we have in Mexico," Sero began, grabbing our attention. "It's called Día de los Muertos, in which translates to Day of the Dead. We lay orange flower petals along roads, paths, in courtyards and inside our homes; creating a trail that leads from gravestones to memorial shrines we set up at home. We have candles and offerings of food or anything that was of value or significance to that passed relative. We also have photos on display as. The photos are almost like a ticket to the living world so spirits can visit. No photo, they can't come for the night."

"That sounds so beautiful...!" Toga smiles softly.

"When is this Day of the Dead, Sero?" Midoriya questions.

"2nd of November. So 3 days away."

"Maybe we could do one for Denki." Bakugo says flatly, crossing his arms over his chest with his eyes closed. He then looks up at us. "As a way to remember him. If you don't mind helping us, Soy Sauce...?"

"I was planning on going home that night so I could celebrate with my family, but... I've celebrated it for so many years I don't think my family would mind if I skipped it this year to do it for our friend. I'll give them a call."

Sero then pulls out their phone and calls their parents. The next thing we all hear is Sero talking in Spanish. After 10 minutes, Sero hangs up and turns towards us.

"Who's ready for UA's first Dia de los Muertos Celebration?!"

We all smile and let out cheers. I realise that this is the first time we have all been generally happy since Kaminari's passing.

"So?" I speak up, "What do we do first?"