𝓞𝓼𝓱𝓾𝓷 - 𝙸.Mɪᴅᴏʀɪʏᴀ

Chapter 49

▍japan, nabu island
𝐎 𝐒 𝐇 𝐔 𝐍
𝐢. 𝐦𝐢𝐝𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐲𝐚
49.    ✿ ↬

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second person

𝑻𝑯𝑶𝑺𝑬 𝑾𝑯𝑶 𝑺𝑯𝑰𝑵𝑬 bright still have to watch their shadow. There is a lot that lurks in the dark, themselves included. Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything. Change is scary, but change is growth. It's perfectly okay to be scared, scared means you're about to do something really brave.

The friendship between you and Izuku started off slow, but the pace sped up over time. The two of you had realized you only had each other, and that made you practically inseparable. Izuku would help you with Japanese, and you would help him with English. You spent nearly everyday together, except when you visit South Africa or your cousins in other countries.

Being friends with Izuku gave you a sense of belonging and relief. It was hard spending everyday lonely and only depending on your brother for moments of happiness. Or your grandmother and South Africa, where you got to see Rufaro. Izuku brought a constant joy to your life that made you internally grateful for him.

You were happier, he improved your confidence. You enjoyed the days at the pond where you would read books, or listen to him ramble about heroes, or run around together. You enjoyed the days you got to stay over at his house, or when his mother took you two places, like a theme park. And you enjoyed finally standing up for yourself and protecting him. You were happy with him.

All of this did not go unnoticed by a particular young blonde, Katsuki Bakugo. The same boy who saved you from bullies months ago, despite being one himself. The truth is, you had always caught his attention, since the day his saw you on the first day of school. You were so different from him. Different skin, different hair, different personalities. And yet, it interested him. You interested him.

Katsuki admired you.

He would never openly admit it under any circumstances, but he really did. He admired how different you are and how unapologetic you are. He respected how you grew confidence in yourself and learned not to let bullies beat you down, returning their same mistreatment if provoked. He liked that you were black and didn't care to change or deny who you are. He admired you.

It was something he couldn't be. Himself. Everyone told him who he should be, and how he should be. He never had a chance to be himself, he wasn't sure how to. He didn't know who he was. Even when it came to his race, half Japanese and half Hispanic, he still never got to explore that spaniard side of him because everyone only saw asian.

Unlike him, you could not hide who you were and you never cared to, despite the bullies. At least, that's what he thought. You were able to embrace your culture. You were still expected to change yourself, to straighten your hair and try to act like them and fit in with society. But you didn't. You stayed quiet, did your own thing and didn't care to be like them. He wished he could do that.