Unveiled Winds || Katsuki Bakugou x Reader

Chapter 25 - Ranking Ceremony

You stood in front of the mirror, your reflection staring back at you. The person in the glass looked almost unrecognizable—so different from the hero who usually donned a uniform.

Tonight, you were dressed in formal attire, your outfit carefully chosen for the hero ranking ceremony. The fabric clung to your form in all the right places, elegant yet simple, making you feel both powerful and a little out of your element.

You adjusted a small detail on your outfit, your fingers brushing over the fabric as you took a deep breath. The ceremony tonight was a big deal, not just for you, but for every hero attending.

You tilted your head, examining your reflection one more time. The dress you wore was a deep, midnight blue that shimmered subtly under the light. It was an elegant, floor-length gown with a fitted bodice that accentuated your figure without being overly flashy.

The neckline was modest, with delicate lace detailing that added a touch of softness, while the off-the-shoulder sleeves gave it a timeless, classic feel. The fabric flowed down in a way that made you feel graceful with every step, and a small slit on the side offered just enough edge without taking away from the sophistication of the look.

The dress made you feel polished and confident, yet you couldn't help but wonder what someone else might think when they saw you tonight.

Just as you were about to reach for your bag, a soft knock sounded at your door, breaking the silence of your thoughts.

You turned, surprised by the sudden noise, and opened the door to find Mina standing there, grinning from ear to ear.

"Wow, look at you! You're absolutely killing it in that dress!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She was dressed to impress as well, in a chic, form-fitting gown that perfectly matched her vibrant personality.

"Thanks, Mina," you replied with a shy smile, feeling a bit more at ease. "You look amazing too. Ready to head out?"

"Definitely! The others are waiting downstairs. We're going together as a group. It's going to be so much fun!" Mina said, practically bouncing on her heels.

You grabbed your bag, feeling a mix of anticipation and nerves, and followed Mina out of your room.

As you and Mina made your way downstairs, the sound of your heels clicking against the floor echoed in the hallway.

When you reached the front entrance and stepped outside, your eyes widened in surprise. Parked right in front of the building was a sleek, black limo, its polished surface gleaming under the evening lights. You couldn't help but gape at the unexpected sight.

"Mina... what is this?" you asked, turning to her with wide eyes.

Mina giggled, clearly pleased with your reaction. "Surprise! We figured we'd arrive in style tonight. I mean, how often do we get to do something this fancy, right?"

Before you could respond, the limo door opened, and you saw Kirishima step out, followed by Sero, Kaminari, and Jiro, all looking sharp in their formal attire. They greeted you with enthusiastic smiles, the energy of the group already buzzing with excitement.

And then, there was Bakugou. He was leaning casually against the side of the limo, dressed in a perfectly tailored suit that highlighted his strong build. His usual scowl was in place, but when his eyes landed on you, something flickered in his expression—just for a moment. He quickly looked away, his gaze fixing on some point in the distance, but the way his jaw clenched slightly gave him away.

He wasn't sure why he felt so off balance. He'd seen you in formal attire before, and it had never affected him like this. But something about this outfit, the way it accentuated your figure and brought out a confidence in your stride, caught him off guard.