Unveiled Winds || Katsuki Bakugou x Reader

Chapter 6 - A Night of Celebration

Kirishima, his face lighting up at the sight of you, quickly turns towards you, the tension from moments ago dissipating as if it were never there. "Hey! Glad you could make it," he says with a warm, welcoming grin. His enthusiasm is infectious, instantly making you feel like part of the group, regardless of the previous atmosphere.

You return Kirishima's greeting with a nod and then your gaze drifts upwards to meet Bakugou's. As your eyes lock, a flicker of challenge passes between you before you break the silence, a playful edge to your voice, "Surprised to see you here as well, Sparky."

Bakugou's irritation is almost palpable, his scowl deepening at your comment. Before the tension can escalate further, Mina jumps in, her voice filled with genuine excitement. "Tempest, it's such a blast seeing you in action again!" Her enthusiasm serves as a welcome distraction, diffusing the momentary standoff and shifting the focus to you.

Your connection with Mina roots in a handful of missions you've tackled together in the past. Though these instances were relatively few, the intensity of the situations and the seamless way your abilities meshed left a lasting impression on both of you.

"Those missions really were something else, weren't they?" you reply, reminiscing about the adrenaline and camaraderie of past assignments. "Your energy always pushed the team forward, no matter how tough things got. It's great to see you again, Mina." You pause for a moment, offering a warm smile. "And please, just call me Y/N"

Mina leans in, her voice dropping to a whisper that only you can hear, the concern in her eyes genuine. "Hey, I know it's kinda sensitive, but... how are you really doing? It's been ages since anyone's seen you in action. Coming back into all this," she gestures vaguely around, encompassing the lively bar and perhaps the world beyond, "it's gotta be a lot. You're not feeling too swamped, are you?"

Your usually playful demeanor fades slightly as you respond, "Yeah, I guess I just needed to cut off all communication with the world for a while... But I'm more than ready to be back." You pause, a reflective note creeping into your voice, a hint of uncertainty shadowing your words. Internally, you wonder, not entirely convinced of your own assertion, if you're truly prepared for what lies ahead.

Sensing a shift in the mood and perhaps seeking to lighten it, Kaminari chimes in with his characteristic enthusiasm. "Hey, I'm Denki Kaminari!" he says, extending a hand with a grin that's both welcoming and slightly mischievous. "Heard a lot about you, and it's super cool to finally meet the famous Tempest in person!" His tone is genuinely friendly, aiming to bridge any gaps and ensure you feel part of the group.

Following Kaminari's lead, Sero steps forward with a smile, adding his own warm welcome. "And I'm Hanta Sero," he introduces himself, his demeanor as laid-back as it is friendly. "Really looking forward to seeing you back in action. From what I've heard, your skills are something else." His voice carries a tone of respect and curiosity, indicating his interest in your past exploits rather than a working relationship.

Smiling at the warm welcomes, you respond with a touch of humor in your voice, "Thanks, but you guys hardly need any introductions. You were pretty famous even when you were first years." You pause, letting your gaze sweep over them with genuine respect. "It's actually pretty cool to meet heroes who've made such a name for themselves so early in their careers." Your tone is both appreciative and slightly teasing, acknowledging their accomplishments while also setting a comfortable, informal tone for the conversation.

Kirishima, catching the friendly banter, beams with pride and a touch of humility. "Thanks! We've all been pushing hard, trying to do our best out there. It's kind of surreal to hear that from someone like you, though," he responds, his tone sincere and appreciative.