Dragon's Heart, Hero's Will

Chapter 34: Unspoken Desires at Ground Gamma

The chilly air at Ground Gamma sets in as Class 1-A assembles, all now dressed in their new winter outfits. Steam rises from their breath, and the subtle crunch of boots on concrete echoes through the area. Iida comments on everyone’s costume modifications, and a few students chuckle about their updated designs.

Kirishima, however, isn’t paying attention to the chatter around him. His eyes are glued to Bakugou. Katsuki’s winter outfit is just as sharp and fierce as the guy himself, but it’s the tight shirt underneath that has Kirishima losing focus. The way the fabric clings to Bakugou’s broad chest, highlighting every inch of his pecs—it’s downright distracting.

God, those Bakutiddies… Kirishima swallows hard, mentally kicking himself for letting his thoughts drift to something so… hormonal. He forces himself to look away before someone notices his eyes lingering.

“You staring at something, shitty hair?” Bakugou’s voice cuts through the air, sharp but not entirely biting. There’s a teasing undertone to his words, the same one he uses when he knows he’s got Kirishima flustered.

Kirishima’s heart skips a beat as he snaps his gaze back to Bakugou’s face, trying to keep his cool. “Wha—no, man, just thinking about your costume change. It’s pretty tight, huh?” He grins, playing it off like it’s nothing, even though his mind is anything but innocent.

Bakugou narrows his eyes, his lips curling into a smirk as if he knows exactly what’s going through Kirishima’s mind. “Tch, yeah. Better not slow me down. You should focus on your own damn costume instead of staring at mine, idiot.”

Kirishima lets out a nervous laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. “Right, right. Sorry, Katsuki.”

There it is again. That casual use of Bakugou’s first name. It slips out naturally now, but each time Kirishima says it, it feels like a small victory—like he’s earned something no one else can have. Bakugou, for his part, doesn’t react to the name. If anything, it seems to ground him, calm him in a way that Kirishima finds oddly satisfying.

Before Bakugou can respond with one of his signature grumbles, Midoriya pipes up from across the group. “Kacchan, your new gauntlets are awesome! The winter upgrades really suit your fighting style!”

Bakugou’s smirk immediately fades, replaced by an annoyed scowl as he shoots Midoriya a sharp glare. “Shut up, Deku! I didn’t ask for your damn opinion!” His voice rises with irritation, but Kirishima can see the faintest hint of embarrassment in his eyes. Bakugou hates being put on the spot, especially by Midoriya.

Kirishima chuckles to himself. Typical Bakugou. His body tenses, though, when he realizes he’s just as distracted as ever by the sight of Bakugou, fists clenched, pecs rising and falling with each breath. God, get a grip, Eijiro. You’re acting like a hormonal teenager.

Oh, wait. He is a hormonal teenager.

His dragon quirk stirs restlessly, sensing the growing tension between them. Kirishima forces himself to focus on something else—anything else—before his quirk makes things even more obvious.

Just as the air between them thickens, the sound of Monoma’s voice cuts through, obnoxious as ever. “Well, well, if it isn’t Class 1-A. I see you’re all still trying to prove you’re the best, huh? Too bad my self-researched survey proves that Class 1-B had the better performance at the School Festival!”

Monoma’s self-satisfied grin earns a collective groan from Class 1-A, but before he can get too far into his speech, Aizawa’s capturing weapon snakes out, silencing him in an instant. “Focus, Monoma,” Aizawa mutters, eyes narrowed as he and Vlad King step forward.

The teachers announce the arrival of their special guest, Hitoshi Shinso, who strides into view, his cold, determined eyes surveying the class. There’s a ripple of excitement and curiosity from the students, and as Hitoshi begins to speak, Kirishima listens, though he still feels the pull toward Bakugou beside him.

The training announcement comes next—Class 1-A and Class 1-B will face off in teams of four. As the lottery system finalizes, Kirishima finds himself on Team Asui, while Bakugou ends up on his own team. A small pang of disappointment settles in Kirishima’s chest, but he pushes it aside, eager to face the challenge. Bakugou, on the other hand, throws a sharp look toward him, his usual fire burning in his eyes.

“You better not screw this up, shitty hair,” Bakugou calls out, his voice full of mock arrogance, but there’s a hint of something else in his tone—something that makes Kirishima’s heart race a little faster.

Kirishima just grins, determined to hold his own. “You know I won’t. Better hope I don’t outshine you.”

The banter feels easy between them, but beneath the surface, that familiar tension hums. Kirishima can feel it—like a live wire sparking between them. He wonders if Bakugou feels it too, or if it’s just him, his dragon quirk stirring at the mere proximity of his teammate.

Suddenly, before he can say more, Class 1-B arrives on the scene, their team led by Shiozaki. Neito Monoma, of course, takes the lead in taunting Class 1-A, his voice grating as he proclaims their victory in the school festival.

Bakugou’s scowl deepens, and Kirishima, who stands near, catches the way his chest rises a little faster, irritation clear in every line of his body. Kirishima smirks to himself, noticing how Bakugou’s winter hero outfit clings to his muscles—particularly his pecs. Damn, how is he supposed to focus on anything else when Bakugou looks like that?

When Bakugou shoots him a look, Kirishima averts his gaze quickly, hoping the heat creeping up his neck isn’t too obvious. Not the time for this, definitely not the time.

As the team lineup is finalized, Kirishima, on Team Asui, feels a growing anticipation. Facing Team Shiozaki is no small task, but the adrenaline pumping through him is mixed with another feeling—one that seems tied to Bakugou, even when they’re not on the same team.