Shangri La Pt. 1

69: Gluttonous

"I hope Melissa isn't mad about how things turned out tonight." 

"Eh– Maybe if that friend of yours didn't follow us and make a fuss, it would've turned out different." Katsuki responded as they were walking back towards the palace. 

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean for you to get involved in something like that, as I didn't even think Shinso would act like that. And... Shinso didn't find us, did he?"

"Tch– If he did, what do you think he would've done finding you passed out in my arms?" 

"I-I passed out in your arms?!?! I-I'm so sorry!" Izumi expressed as it was clear she was embarrassed about the entire situation. 

But even seeing her blushing face like this, Katsuki didn't seem happy, even when he did 'kiss' her.

"Why do you keep apologizing?" 

"Eh?" 

"You keep apologizing even when it wasn't your fault. It's like it's a natural instinct for you to apologize to me about something you didn't do." 

"B-But– But you got involved with me in this mess, and there's no way you'd forgive me if I didn't apologize for–" 

"For something that I chose to help you with?" 

"Ah– I–" 

"Hah~ Izuku." 

Katsuki paused as he delicately pushed her disguised blonde hair out of her face and then thumped her forehead without her expecting it and made her flinch from how much it hurt. 

"Ow! W-What was that for?" 

"Because you still won't get it through your head." 

"Huh?" 

"I told you that no matter where you are, no matter what happens, I'll protect you, even if you're around people you know. You told me you didn't wanna see that guy earlier, which gave me every right to protect you no matter the situation. I'll always be there when you need me, remember that. So stop apologizing and just say thanks for letting me help you." he reminded, letting the greenette just stand there and take it all in. 

"Hm?" 

"A-Ah– M-Mn. Thank you for everything you've done for me up until now." 

"Good. Hah~ I'm tired, so let's go." 

"Mn. R-Right behind you." 

'I really don't understand him. Why does he keep making my heart hurt? Erm– and why are my lips still swollen?!?!'

Just as the pair snuck into the palace without being seen, Katsuki could only sigh as it felt like though he'd accomplished something he wanted–somehow–he was still upset at the fact that there was another guy out there that likes Izumi just as much as he does. 

'If I didn't know about that guy, then I wouldn't have known a lot more about some stuff that goes on in the city. And if that guy likes Izuku just as much as I do... then I shouldn't wait any more and just tell her my feelings. Yeah... and right now... would be the time to do it!' he thought as his chest started to get excited before he even realized it. 

"Hey, Izuku, I–" 

Just as he turned his head with expectation that the greenette would be behind him, he froze up to see she had vanished from his sight when he was in deep thought. 

'She... She ran away? Arg– WHY CAN'T SHIT WORK FOR ME FOR ONCE IN MY FUCKING LIFE!?!?!?!?!' he yelled in his head.