Ripples of Fate

Chapter 28: After the Ceremony

Mailin’s POV:

The closing ceremony wraps up, but my mind is still spinning from what just happened. Bakugou, tied up like some sort of villain—what were they thinking? I had rushed down, furious, and in front of everyone, freed him from those ridiculous restraints. Now, with the crowd slowly dispersing, Bakugou sits on a bench nearby, still trying to steady his breathing.

I walk over to him, concern etched into my features. He looks exhausted, but that sharp fire is still there in his eyes.

"Bakugou," I say softly, kneeling down beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder, "You okay?"

His jaw clenches, and I can tell he’s fighting the urge to lash out, probably embarrassed from what happened. But I’ve spent enough time around him to know he’s not angry at me—he’s angry at the situation.

“I’m fine,” he mutters, turning his face away. “I don’t need help.”

I sigh, sitting down beside him, ignoring the way his body tenses slightly at my proximity. “You’re not weak for needing a break, Bakugou. What happened up there was humiliating, but it doesn’t define you.”

Bakugou remains silent, the scowl on his face deepening. His hands rest on his knees, clenched into tight fists, still trembling slightly.

I let the silence hang for a moment, not pushing him to talk. I’ve learned over the past few weeks that Bakugou’s not the type to respond well to coddling. But after a few moments, I can feel the ice breaking, even if it’s just a little.

“You really didn’t have to do that,” he finally says, his voice quieter now. “It wasn’t your problem.”

I turn to face him fully, meeting his eyes. “You’re my student, Bakugou. That makes it my problem. And besides,” I add, a small smile tugging at my lips, “I wasn’t about to stand by and watch you have a panic attack on stage. It’s not who I am.”

He glances at me, a strange mix of gratitude and stubborn pride flashing across his face, before looking away again. “Tch. Whatever.”

But there’s a softening in his tone, and I know that’s about as close to a “thank you” as I’m going to get from him.

“Come on,” I say, standing up and offering him my hand. “Let’s get you back to the infirmary. I’ll check on those burns.”

Bakugou hesitates, eyeing my hand like it’s some kind of trap, but eventually, he takes it. The weight of the day seems to press on his shoulders as he stands, and for once, he doesn’t brush me off.

---

Shota’s POV:

I watch from a distance as Mailin helps Bakugou off the bench, her voice low and soothing. There’s that fierce protectiveness in her, something I’ve always admired, but now, seeing her like this—with my student—it stirs something deeper in me.

We’ve only been together for a few weeks, but the way she’s always there, taking care of everyone... it’s something I’m getting used to, even if it’s a little unnerving.

Mailin turns her head, catching my eye, and she gives me a small nod. She’s worried about Bakugou. I can see it in her expression, the way her brows furrow slightly, the way she moves with purpose. And I know that look well.

It’s the same one she gives me when she’s worried about me.

I stand there, feeling the weight of my own injuries as my arms hang uselessly at my sides, still wrapped in casts. I should be helping more, doing more, but Mailin always jumps in before I get the chance.

She’s always been like this, ever since high school—caring, fierce, and sometimes just a little too stubborn for her own good. But that’s why I—

“Yo, Eraser!” Mic’s voice breaks through my thoughts as he saunters up beside me, a knowing smirk on his face. “Saw your girl rush in like a hero saving the day, huh?”

I roll my eyes, but there’s no real heat behind it. “Yeah, she’s... something else.”

“Damn right she is,” Mic says, clapping me on the back. “You’re one lucky guy, you know that?”

I glance at Mailin again as she leads Bakugou toward the infirmary, and a small smile tugs at my lips. Yeah, I know.

---

Mailin’s POV:

After making sure Bakugou is settled in the infirmary and doesn’t need anything else, I head back to the staff room to gather my things. The day’s events are still swirling in my head, the adrenaline slowly wearing off.

Pushing open the door, I’m greeted by the sight of Shota sitting in his usual spot, his eyes half-lidded, the ever-present exhaustion on his face. But when he looks up at me, there’s a softness there that makes my heart skip a beat.

I walk over to him, dropping into the seat beside him. “Bakugou’s okay. Shaken, but okay.”

Shota nods, reaching out with his cast-covered arm to brush a strand of hair from my face. “Good. You were amazing out there, you know.”

A warm blush rises to my cheeks at his compliment. Even though we’re dating now, it still feels surreal sometimes—hearing those words from him. I lean into his touch, letting myself savor the moment.

“Thank you,” I murmur, my hand resting on his thigh. There’s a contentment between us now, a sense of peace that wasn’t there before. No more tension, no more wondering. We’re together, and that’s all that matters.

He leans in, his lips brushing against my forehead in a soft kiss. “Come on, let’s get home.”

---

Shota’s POV:

As we leave the school together, I glance at her out of the corner of my eye. The way she moves with that calm confidence, the way her hand brushes against mine as we walk—it all feels so natural now.

I still can’t believe we’re here, that after all these years, we’ve found our way back to each other. But I’m not questioning it. I’m just grateful.

We make our way back to my apartment in comfortable silence. She’s been staying over more often lately, helping me with everything while my arms are still healing. It’s been... strange, but not in a bad way. Just different.

She unlocks the door, and we step inside. The smell of dinner still lingers from earlier, and I watch as she moves around, tidying up the things I can’t handle with my arms still out of commission.

“You don’t have to do everything,” I say, my voice gruff but gentle.

Mailin looks over her shoulder, her blue eyes twinkling with amusement. “Oh? And how exactly were you planning on handling things with your arms like that, Mr. ‘I Don’t Need Help’?”

I can’t help the small smile that tugs at my lips. “Point taken.”

As she moves closer, standing in front of me with that teasing glint in her eyes, I reach out with my bandaged hand, resting it on her hip. “Thank you, Mailin. For everything.”

Her expression softens, and she leans down, kissing me gently. “You don’t have to thank me, Shota. We’re a team now. Remember?”

I nod, my heart swelling with something warm and steady. Yeah. We’re a team.