UA PAGEANT?!

soft smile

The night had been a whirlwind of unexpected comfort. I woke up in the early hours, tangled in the soft sheets, and realized that I was clinging to Deku as if he were my lifeline. His arms were around me, our bodies pressed close together. I could feel the warmth of his breath against my neck, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

As the first rays of morning light filtered through the curtains, I stirred and reluctantly pulled away, my cheeks burning with a mix of embarrassment and lingering comfort. I had fallen asleep like this, and waking up to find myself snuggled up to Deku was both confusing and disconcerting.

I tried to extricate myself from the embrace without waking him, but a soft chuckle met my efforts. I looked up to find Deku, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

"Good morning, Kacchan," Deku said with a grin. "Looks like you really needed that hug."

I felt my face flush even deeper, and I shifted awkwardly. "Uh... sorry. I didn't mean to... you know, cuddle all night."

Deku laughed softly, his laughter warm and infectious. "It's okay. You were really clingy, but I didn't mind. Do you want to stop? I'm okay with whatever you need."

I hesitated, my mind racing. The idea of letting go of this comfort felt almost painful. I shook my head, trying to keep my voice steady. "No, it's fine. I... I guess I needed it more than I realized."

Deku's smile softened, and he gave me a reassuring pat on the back. "Alright, then. Let's get ready for the day."

As I got up, I couldn't help but think about how much I enjoyed being close to Deku. The comfort and warmth I felt when I was with him made me realize something I hadn't fully acknowledged before. Yeah, I definitely liked him—more than just as a friend.

3rd POV

In the classroom, the day unfolded with its usual routine. The students filed in, and the energy shifted as the day's activities began. The girls, Mina, Jiro, and Uraraka, still buzzed with a mix of hope and frustration regarding Bakugo's progress for the pageant.

By the end of the class, Mr. Aizawa called everyone to attention. "Alright, everyone. We're nearing the pageant, and I need to see some improvement from the participant."he was still amused by it though.

The girls exchanged glances, their expressions reflecting their doubts. Mina finally spoke up. "We've been trying our best, but there's just been no luck making Bakugo fit the pageant role."

The boys erupted into laughter, Kirishima, Denki, and Sero's chuckles ringing out more loudly than the rest. The laughter only made Bakugo's cheeks flush red with embarrassment.

"Alright, Bakugo," Mr. Aizawa said, turning his attention to him. "Show us something—anything—that you've been working on."

Standing at the front of the classroom, the eyes of my classmates felt like a million-pound weight pressing down on me. Mr. Aizawa had just given me the task of showing something I'd been working on for the pageant. I was trying to fight through the nerves, but the pressure was suffocating.

I stole a quick glance at Deku. His encouraging smile was the only thing that kept me grounded. I took a deep breath and forced myself to attempt a smile—a small, hesitant one. I was trying to be something I wasn't, and the result felt awkward and unnatural.

The room went quiet as my classmates processed the sight of Bakugo, the usually fierce and unyielding hero, attempting to smile. The silence didn't last long.

A few snickers started, then grew into outright laughter.

"Did Bakugo just—?" someone began.

"No way, he's actually smiling!" another voice said.

The classroom erupted into a mix of chuckles and laughter. "Look at him, all soft and stuff," someone teased. "Who knew he had a smile in him?"

The laughter was loud and unmistakable. It was less of a cruel mockery and more of a playful shock at seeing Bakugo, the infamous hothead, actually attempting something so out of character. But to me, it felt like a punch to the gut. My face flushed red with anger and embarrassment. Without thinking, I unleashed a burst of sparks from my hands.

"Shut up!" I roared. "I'm not here to be a joke!"

The explosion of sparks sent the classroom into stunned silence. Everyone stared, their laughter abruptly cut off. The sight of Bakugo, who usually exuded an aura of invincibility, now turning red and exploding in anger was a shocking twist.

I stormed back to my seat, my cheeks still burning. I could feel the weight of their gazes, and their attempts to stifle their laughter only made me angrier.

3rd POV

The tension in the classroom was palpable. The boys, who had initially found the situation hilarious, were now exchanging glances of both concern and amusement. The girls, meanwhile, were trying to hide their own chuckles as they watched Bakugo's reaction.

Mr. Aizawa, ever the observant teacher, watched with a mixture of sympathy and bemusement. "Alright, let's move on," he said, trying to diffuse the tension. "We'll work on Bakugo's performance in a more constructive way."

The classroom, still buzzing with the aftermath of Bakugo's outburst, slowly returned to its usual rhythm.

Bakugo's POV

As I slumped back into my seat, I could hear the subdued murmurs and occasional chuckles from my classmates. It was clear that even though the laughter had died down, the moment had left its mark.

Deku approached me after class, his eyes filled with a mix of concern and sympathy. "Hey, Kacchan. I know that was probably hard for you. But I think it's kind of impressive that you tried to smile."

*deku thought is was really hot slash cute ... haha gay green boi*

I grunted, still feeling the sting of embarrassment. "Yeah, whatever. Just forget about it."

Deku's smile remained, though his eyes held a depth of understanding. "If you want to talk or need anything, I'm here for you, okay?"

I nodded, feeling a pang of appreciation despite myself. "Thanks, Deku."

3rd POV

As the students began to leave, the mood in the classroom was a mix of residual amusement and cautious optimism. The girls, having witnessed Bakugo's struggle and subsequent outburst, were more determined than ever to support him.

"Let's not give up," Mina said, her earlier excitement returning. "Bakugo's trying, even if it didn't go as planned. We just need to find a way to make this work."

Jiro nodded in agreement, her frustration replaced with renewed determination. "We need to be more supportive. It's clear that Bakugo is struggling, but he's making an effort."

Uraraka added, "We need to keep encouraging him. He's clearly trying, and we need to be there for him."

As the girls regrouped and discussed their next steps, the classroom buzzed with a new sense of resolve. Despite the awkward start and Bakugo's explosive reaction, there was an underlying feeling of camaraderie and support. The laughter from earlier had turned into a shared understanding that, with continued effort and encouragement, they could help Bakugo find his way.

To Be Continued...