STRINGS // KATSUKI BAKUGO [2]

Chapter 54 // Heartbreak

You almost forgot about Bakugo's secret until you stepped through the front door of Aizawa's house and were startled by thrown party streamers and miniature popped confetti cannons.

"HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!"

You winced at a ringing sound that stung your ears, squeezing your eyes shut at the bright lights that contrasted the dark sky you were just previously taking refugee beneath.

When the noise dialed down, you blinked, adjusting your eyes to the environment before looking around.

Your classmates were huddled around the living room couch, surrounding by hung banners, cut out decor taped to every wall, and various colored parchment paper that acted as homemade streamers. Bright smiles were thrown your way, gleaming eyes waiting for your response.

"Anniversary for what?" you asked.

"You and Bakugo!" Mina exclaimed. "Our class couple has hit one year!"

'Me and Bakugo,' you thought, processing the information. 'Me and Bakugo?'

"Tch, to think you actually put up with my ass for a year."

You turned at the sound of the boy's voice from beside you, finding his crimson red eyes staring at you as if he was waiting for some type of positive reaction. Unfortunately, you didn't give him the one he was hoping for.

"Who are you?"

He stilled, eyes widening at your wonder, but you were unsure why. Why was a stranger shocked as to why someone they didn't know questioned who they were? It only confused you more.

"Wha..." the boy's voice fell short, lips quivering as his eyes remained bulging.

"[Y/N]," you heard the familiar voice of Uraraka begin, "Bakugo's your boyfriend."

Suddenly, snippets of memories flashed through your head, ones you wouldn't have remembered without Uraraka's reminder.

"Oh..." you trailed off, in disbelief at how quickly you were able to forget such a pillar in your life. "Yeah, right, I know."

Bakugo's facade was clearly shattered, but he didn't say anything further about your abrupt forgetfulness. He simply looked away, avoiding all eye contact with you and everyone else.

"Sato made wings," Jirou began slowly, clearing trying to lighten the mood while simultaneously switching the topic. "They're honey barbecue, your favorite."

"Thanks," you said, trying to manage a small smile, but it fell short, "but I can't really eat seasoned food. My body kinda rejects stuff like that now."

"Oh..." the girl trialed off, looking toward her classmates for support in a response.

"'t's fine," Bakugo mumbled, squeezing your far hip before heading toward the kitchen. "I'll wipe it off."

You watching as your boyfriend disappeared into the kitchen, his final statement settling an eerie silence across the crowd.

"I'm gonna go change," you said, pulling at the front of your sweat doused shirt. "Training was brutal."

"Do you want help?" Momo asked, clearly trying to be of service. However, you took heavy offense to her offer.

"I can fucking change by myself," you hissed, heading for the stairwell. "I'm not dead yet."

You headed upstairs without waiting for any reply, holding onto the railing as you did so in case you were to lose your balance, which was something that was starting to become increasingly common.

You slammed your bedroom door once you passed the threshold, kicking off your shoes before pulling off your shirt.

You swapped your leggings for some sweatpants and pulled one of Bakugo's sweatshirts over your head. At least, you thought it was Bakugo's. It could've been Shinso's. You couldn't remember.

Once you were fully changed, you tossed your dirty clothes in the hamper beside your dresser before sitting on the edge of your bed, your body positioned in front of the full length mirror leaning against the wall.

You didn't even look like you anymore. You looked like someone trying to be you, but that someone would never come close to portraying the person you previously were. Your happiness, your energy, your banter, your determination, you'd never get it back. Bakugo would never get it back.

You placed your head in your hands, digging the joints of your wrists into your eyes and pressing down until you felt a stinging sensation that told you your body was still somewhat alive.

"[Y/N]?"

You heard a faint voice coming from the other side of the closed door that was too soft spoken for you to identify the owner of.

"It's Toshi. Can I come in?"

He took your silence as a "yes", and you weren't sure if you wanted him to until he was sitting by your side with an arm slung over your shoulders, and that's when you realized how much you needed his comfort.

You sat up, leaning over to press your face into your best friend's shoulder, causing him to instantly wrap his arms around you further.

"Shinso..." your voice was muffled against the fabric of his shirt, and he hummed in response, "...you were wrong."

The boy leaned back, arms falling from around you until his hands settled on your shoulders, his eyes scanning over you in a confused manner.

"I'm the one breaking his heart."

[EDITED]