Why Us?

Gingerbread

A/N: I was really debating on whether or not to do this chapter... but it's kinda next in the order of things according to the anime/manga. So while I am dying inside writing about Christmas when it's October: have another chapter.

"Toshiiiii! Got any plans today or tomorrow?" Izumi asks, noticing her classmate nearby as she shakes off the snow from her coat.

"Kind of, why?" Shinsou changes direction and meets Izumi near the entrance to the dorms to take the bags from her hands.

"Well... I was hoping to go home for the holidays because my mom, Auntie Inko, and Izu always get together and celebrate as a family. But we're not allowed to leave the dorms. So some of the classes decided to do their own holiday celebrations!"

"And...?"

"Well, our class hasn't really been as interested in celebrating. Do you want to do something little with me for Christmas Eve? We could bake gingerbread!"

"Probably not. I'm behind on my homework. Sorry," Shinsou apologizes sheepishly and glances at his watch before sighing, "I'm gonna be late for an extra sparring session with Mr. Aizawa, but I'll let you know when I catch up on my other homework and we can do something."

The purple-haired boy hastily sets down Izumi's bags and darts out the door, almost forgetting his coat in the rush. Izumi sighs and puts away the groceries. She debates whether or not to make gingerbread on her own.

"It's only 9 am..." Izumi mutters softly.

After some thinking, she jogs up to her room and pulls out her phone. Izumi stares at the screen for a couple of minutes and types then deletes a text half a dozen times. Would he be interested in baking? Or would it be weird? Is he helping with his class celebration?

The text accidentally sends.

Izumi: You busy?

Izumi groans and throws the phone onto her bed. Stupid buttons, stupid text. She hides her face in her hands and briefly debates waterboarding her phone so she doesn't have to wait for Bakugo's response. Or lack thereof depending on his mood.

The phone chimes. Izumi considers dunking the phone in water again.

It chimes a second time.

Hesitantly, Izumi approaches her bed, eyeing the phone as if it were a ticking time bomb. She takes a deep breath and opens the screen.

Bakugo: Depends
Bakugo: Wait, who is this??

Flushing with embarrassment, Izumi answers.

Izumi: This is Hirai
Izumi: Sorry I didn't start off with that

Bakugo: Oh. Cool

Izumi: Are you busy?

Bakugo: No, not really

Izumi: Were you going to change your answer based on who texted?

Bakugo: Yes.
Bakugo: What do you want?
Bakugo: I mean, what's up?

Izumi huffs softly, amused. She wonders if he would have said he was busy if it were one of his classmates texting.

Izumi: Do you want to make gingerbread with me? My friend Toshi is busy and Izuku says he has to get a tree so he can't

Bakugo: So I'm just a backup plan

Izumi: Nonono
Izumi: Well, kinda? It depends on how you look at it
Izumi: I didn't want to be a bother

Izumi is in the middle of typing out another response to apologize when Bakugo's text interrupts her string of messages.