Against the World

Chapter 9

BAKUGO'S POV

"Why are you here?" Deku asked. "We're done working together, and I told you I don't want you near me."

"That's unfortunate," I said, pushing past him and into his apartment. The other two were in class, which is the only reason I'm cocky enough to do this. "I was hoping that since you dont have in-person classes, you would want to do something."

"You memorized my schedule?"

"We could go for breakfast, get some work done, study, do each other—"

He groaned. "Do you ever shut up?"

I smiled innocently. "You could shut my mouth with yours if you really want to."

Deku rolled his eyes. "I'm going to do some independent work today."

"And you need a trustworthy assistant?" I never thought I would willingly be someone's assistant, but there's something about him that pulls me in. I would do just about anything he wanted me to do.

"No. Besides, you don't have a police badge," I told him.

"And you do?" I asked. Having one would be so helpful.

"We also have an undercover cop or two," he replied, grabbing a coat from the hook by the door. "Not nearly as many as the mafia does, but we have enough."

"What happens when they turn on you?" I asked since that's what he asked me.

"We kill them," he deadpanned. "That's what you said, right?"

"Yeah—"

"Can you drive?" he asked. "If you can, you can come."

"You can't?" I'm surprised the future head of the Vipers can't drive. He's supposed to lead them one day.

"I can. I have a car and everything, but I prefer not to drive. My road rage is too bad. The last time someone pissed me off on the road, I shot their tires out and they crashed. My father yelled at me for a week," he explained.

That doesn't surprise me in the slightest. "I can drive, but I don't have a car." I can probably afford a nice one now if I put some money aside, but living on campus, I haven't necessarily needed one yet.

"I have one in the lot that you can drive. We'll have to stop at the frat house so you can change your clothes. You can't show up in that." He nodded to my torn jeans and school sweatshirt.

"What are we doing?" He was wearing black slacks, a button-up shirt, and a nicer black blazer.

"Impersonating cops, obviously," he said. "I have an extra badge I can grab, but you really can't show up in that."

"What's your assignment?" I asked.

"It's not an assignment. I'm doing some personal work." He grabbed his phone and wallet and shoved them into his pocket. "You're also sworn to secrecy if you join. The Vipers don't know about this, and the mafia cannot know, either."

"Should I be scared?" I asked. I don't know what the hell he's up to, but if I'm being sworn to secrecy, it can't be good.

"No. I'll explain on the way after we stop at the frat house. By the way, it's an overnight trip. It's a six-hour drive, so we'll get a hotel after the task."

"It's nine in the morning. We both have classes today," I countered. "You're going to skip?"

"Yeah. Will you get in trouble if you skip?"

I shook my head. As long as I don't fail my classes, the boss doesn't mind if we skip every once in a while. Hell, he expects it. "Let's head out."

He tossed me a set of keys before grabbing a bag and heading out the door. Without hesitation, I followed him. I think I've made it clear to everyone that I would follow him anywhere.