Solo

Time Skip a week later.

Every day the band showed up at eight to the studio, and we would practice till around nine at night.

I was used to this schedule, but they were not.

"Guys, you can't sleep," I sighed irritably.

"Come on, MidoBro, it's been a week, and we are pulling serious hours," Kiri complained.

"You forget who you are talking to, Shitty hair," Bakugo huffed, glancing at me.

I smiled. "Yeah, these hours are nothing."

Mina, Kami, and Kiri gaped at me. "WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?"

I put my hands up. "Guys, I have been the number one idol for how long? All-nighters are a regular."

"Right, we forgot about that," Mina admitted.

Kaminari groaned, flopping dramatically onto the couch. "Man, I don't know how you do it, Midoriya. I need my beauty sleep!"

I chuckled. "It's all about conditioning. You'll get used to it."

Kirishima stretched, wincing slightly. "I'm starting to think your superpower is actually 'no sleep required.'"

Bakugo shot me a look, his eyes narrowing slightly. "It's not a superpower. It's just him being a stubborn workaholic."

"Hey, I've got to stay on top of my game," I said, trying to sound modest while feeling the tension between us.

"Speaking of staying on top of your game," Mina said, perking up, "how about we take a quick break? Maybe get some coffee or something?"

I considered it, then nodded. "Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. We all need a little pick-me-up."

As we headed out of the studio, the atmosphere between Bakugo and me was still tense. We walked in silence, the others trying to fill the gap with light chatter.

"So, what's next on the agenda after the break?" Kami asked, yawning.

"We'll run through the setlist again," I said. "And then work on those harmonies. We're almost there."

"When are we going to start writing our own music?" Mina suddenly asked, making all eyes turn to me.

"We have yet to actually sign under the same company," I said hesitantly.

"That's not it, is it?" Bakugo pinned me with a glare. "It's the fact you still don't know if you want to."

I looked at him with a stiff gaze. "That's true."

"What, Mido? Why?" Kami asked, confused.

"I have been solo since I debuted. I'm not sure I'm ready to give that up," I answered honestly.

"Let's talk to Mumma Inko then! She'll help you decide that we rock as a team," Mina shouted, getting excited.

"Yeah! Mumma Inko!" Kiri and Kami chanted.

I looked down at my drink quietly, feeling the frustration build up inside me.

"Shut up, you stupid extras," Bakugo snapped, catching my look. "Midoriya doesn't need your cheerleading right now."

I couldn't take it anymore. "Enough!" I snapped, slamming my drink down on the table.

Everyone froze, staring at me in shock. "I'm fine, okay? I don't need your pity or your solutions. Just go home."

"Mido, we were just trying to help," Mina said, her voice small.

"Well, you're not helping!" I retorted, my voice harsh. "I just need some space."