STRINGS // KATSUKI BAKUGO [2]

Chapter 26 // Trouble

When you returned to the dormitory, it was chaotic, rightfully so. Your classmates were bolting around trying to locate you. Aizawa was making call after call, and Eri was crying in the arms of Uraraka, clearly overwhelmed with the situation, a situation you caused.

You didn't know what to say. You didn't know if you could say anything without spewing out details about the interaction between you and Shigaraki or possibly revealing your deteriorating health condition.

You remained silent until you went noticed, and, of course, the first person to realize your presence was Aizawa.

At the sight of you alive and unharmed, Aizawa released a relieved sigh before muttering into his phone, "never mind. I found her," and abruptly hanging up the call he was indulged in.

He pocketed his phone and rushed over to you, and, to no surprise at this point, enveloped you in a bear-crushing hug. You didn't mind though.

You weakly returned the gesture, wrapping your arms around the man's torso and clutching the back of his baggy shirt as you squeezed your eyes shut.

"[L/N]," you heard the concerned voice of Kaminari say. "Is she okay?"

Aizawa released you from his grasp but kept his hands steady on your shoulder, his eyes raking over your appearance. His nose scrunched.

"Why do you smell like that?" he questioned, and your brows furrowed in confusion.

What did you smell like that was enough to pose suspicion?

"Like what?"

"Like sewage."

'Sewage?' you thought, pulling your shirt a few inches off of your chest to sniff at it. 'Why the hell do I smell like?—"

Ding!

You leaned on Shigaraki. You didn't smell like sewage. He did, and his presence lingered on you.

They are underground. The League of Villains are hiding underground, in the sewers to be specific.

You knew you'd figure something out. It just took the realization of other person to decipher it.

"Can we go home?" you asked, deliberately ignoring Aizawa's question. "Actually, can you take me to Shinso's?"

Aizawa's nostrils flared at your request. He was upset. He had a right to be, yet he still turned toward the rest of the class, saying, "watch over Eri," before dragging you outside.

As soon as the front doors were closed, Aizawa turned to you, quietly asking, "where the hell were you? Do you know I worried I was, how we all were?"

"I'm sorry. I—" you peered inside the dorms via one of the windows to make sure no one was eavesdropping, "—talked to Shigaraki."

Oh, and if looks could kill, you would've instantly dropped dead at Aizawa's expression.

"You what?" he hissed, lips curling up into a snarl, his nostrils flaring once more. "I'm starting to think your bravery is really just stupidity."

"Ow," you sounded. That was stung a bit. "Look, I'm sorry, I know it was stupid, but, hey, if I never went, he would've never left the scent of sewage on me. Now we now they're hiding in the sewers."

"Why was he close enough to even leave such a smell on you in the first place?" Aizawa questioned sternly, and you dug your teeth into your bottom lip.

"I'm sorry," you apologized once more, and you could do it again a thousand times over, but you knew it wouldn't help that much. "I'm just desperate, okay? I'll do anything to get a lead, and now I have one."

"Do you know how many sewer systems there are in Japan?" the man replied. "That's a much of a lead as what your father said."

"It's something," you said through gritted teeth. "I can work with it."

Aizawa sighed, rubbing a hand over his face as he muttered out, "you are literally the only student that has ever made me this stressed, and that's saying a lot considering Midoriya is in the same class," and you couldn't help but allow a breathy chuckle to slip past your lips.

"You can put a tracker on me or something if it makes you feel better," you stated, "but I promise I won't do it again."

"That's a lie," he said, crossing his arms, and you rolled your eyes with a small exhale.

"I suggested the tracker for a reason," you stated with a scrunch of your nose. "Can we go to Toshi's now?"

"Yes," Aizawa began, unfolding his arms. "Do you want to stay there for the night?"

"Do you trust me without a tracker?" you joked, grinning.

"I trust Shinso to keep an eye on you," he replied, "not you to go against your gut."

"I promise no more shenanigans for the night," you said, holding out your left pinky.

Aizawa rolled his eyes lightly before wrapping his pinky around yours, firmly shaking it.

"Let's go before you change your mind about that," he stated, and you smiled as he wrapped an arm around your shoulders.

You were sure you were going to get right back to trouble the next day. However, for now, you just wanted to hang out with your best friend.

[EDITED]