Sero's sister

Chapter 36: Conflicted Hearts

As Y/N made her way back to U.A., the weight of her recent actions pressed down on her. Healing the League of Villains had felt like the right thing to do, but a part of her knew that it would only complicate her already intricate relationships with her classmates and, most importantly, with Bakugou.

Upon returning to the dorms, she found the common room buzzing with the energy of her classmates. Laughter and chatter filled the air, but the moment Bakugou spotted her, his expression shifted from annoyed to intrigued.

"There you are," he said, crossing his arms. "Where the hell have you been?"

"I was... out for a walk," Y/N replied, trying to sound nonchalant.

Bakugou narrowed his eyes, clearly not convinced. "A walk? In the middle of the night? You're lucky nothing happened to you."

Y/N felt a pang of guilt wash over her. "I know. I was just... worried."

"Worried about what?" he asked, his tone softening slightly.

She hesitated, contemplating how to explain her actions without worrying him further. "I saw the Pro Heroes earlier. They looked injured after facing the League of Villains, and I just—"

"Stop," Bakugou interrupted, stepping closer. "You shouldn't care about them. They're dangerous."

"But they're people too, Bakugou," Y/N insisted, her voice rising slightly. "They have their struggles just like we do."

He scoffed but didn't argue further, sensing her passion. "Yeah, and they make their choices. You can't save everyone, you know."

"I don't want to save everyone. I just want to help where I can," Y/N said, feeling frustrated. "And it's not like I'm going to join them or anything!"

"Good, because if you did, I'd—" Bakugou began, but Y/N cut him off.

"You'd what? Fight me? Yell at me?" She felt her emotions bubbling to the surface, frustration and hurt intertwining. "I care about you, Bakugou, but I also care about understanding why they are the way they are. Just like you had your struggles."

He fell silent for a moment, looking torn. "You really think you can fix them?" he asked finally.

Y/N sighed, running a hand through her hair. "No, I don't think I can fix them. I just want to show them there's another way. That's what I believe."

Bakugou's expression softened slightly, but his frustration remained. "You're too soft, Y/N. It could get you hurt."

"I can take care of myself, Bakugou," she said, her voice firm. "And I can handle my own feelings."

"Is that so?" he shot back, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Yeah, it is!" she snapped, and suddenly, the tension in the air shifted. Y/N could feel her heart racing, not just from the argument but from the intensity of Bakugou's gaze. "I know what I'm doing, and I know where I stand."

Bakugou stepped closer, the distance between them shrinking. "And where do you stand?"

"Right here, with you," she replied, her voice softer now. "I care about you, and that won't change because of what I do for others."

A flicker of understanding crossed Bakugou's face, and he ran a hand through his spiky hair, frustration giving way to something else—something more vulnerable. "You really mean that?"

Y/N nodded, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. "I do."

Before she could say anything else, Bakugou leaned in, closing the gap between them. His breath was warm against her face as he whispered, "Then don't do anything stupid, alright?"

"Okay," she promised, a smile breaking through the tension. "I won't."

As they stood there, Y/N felt a rush of relief wash over her. No matter how complicated their lives became, she knew that she and Bakugou could face it together.

"Good," he said, stepping back with a slight smirk. "Now let's go eat. I'm starving."

With a laugh, Y/N nodded, grateful for the shift in their mood. Together, they headed toward the cafeteria, a sense of comfort settling between them. Y/N couldn't shake the feeling that they had crossed another bridge together, strengthening their bond even more.

As they entered the cafeteria, Y/N couldn't help but glance back at Bakugou, feeling a sense of determination blossom in her heart. She would continue to fight for understanding, for compassion, and for her own feelings—especially when it came to the boy beside her.