A Lucky One

16

"What is pain to you?" Katsuki remembered a conversation in a small gathering they - Kaminari, Sero, and Mineta - had as a group.

"Pain?" Kaminari asked, "What's got you thinking about that so suddenly?"

"You have to ask? I mean, come on. Look around." Sero answered for him.

"Pain is the inability to hear your own singing without cringing on the spot." Mineta's answer gained a few laughs.

"Oh, I know!" Kaminari chimed, "Pain is homework due the next day, but you haven't started, and it's 12am."

"Pain is," Sero immediately added after a few chuckles, "being... short."

"Hey!"

"Hahahahahahaha - "

Sero added, "Sorry, Mineta. But you cannot deny fact."

Eventually, the three took turns in defining pain in a very light and humorous manner. Saying things such as, "When a cockroach flies on you" or, "When you stub your toe" or even, "An empty wallet."

"Hm, hm, hm... That's a good one." Sero nodded.

That was weeks ago when they were trying to celebrate Bakugo's welcome to becoming a hero. To which, they all ended up calling the Coming of Hero's Day. They were gonna put in Bakugo's hero name at the time, but realized, much to their surprrise, that he doesn't have one.

"I thought you've always had a hero name and just didn't wanna tell us."

"Right? I think so too. I always kinda thought that you'd judge me for asking or something. I don't know. It's just the atmosphere you give off I guess."

"Wanna make one?"

There was no point in having one.

"What made you bring up this subject?" Shoji asked on their last mission.

"The others were talking about it." Bakugo asnwered.

"Which others are we talking about exactly?" And when Bakugo told him that it was Sero, Kirishima, and Mineta, he sighed and made a tired expression, as if to say that he wasn't in the least bit surprised. "I should'a figured... Well, try not to get their goofiness get to you."

"So?"

"Hm? So what?"

"Do I have to repeat a question to you of all people?" He meant it. Shoji was a little different from the rest of the group. It seemed to Bakugo that his calm and melancholic demeanor stemmed from a far forgotten wound.

"Ah, so you're actually serious about it? It can't be helped then... But first, tell me your answer. Then, I'll tell you mine."

Shoji waited, but Bakugo could only stare back before shamefully admitting that he isn't really sure himself. That aside from the knowledge of what it actually is, he could tell no one what it actually is to him. That, sometimes, he isn't sure if it really exists anymore.

"...I see." Shoji understood enough not to dig in further into this. "So, my turn then." He paused, thinking, taking his time to choose his words carefully. "From my point of view, everyday has become a game of endurance with variying degrees of pain. But pain, is something that makes the soul grow old, the mind grow wise, and if spent enough time with, makes the heart know love... Ah, that's it. I see now... Pain is the price we pay for love." Shoji took a second to glance at Bakugo, "I guess, that is what pain is to me."

Bakugo could only look. He hadn't realized that something like pain could be a positive thing for someone. It was certainly something.

"You should think about it more. Your answer." Shoji assured him, "You'll get it one day. I'm sure of it."

Unfortunately, the conversation had to end when Toga appeared to launch a sneak attack from behind. Bakugo, at some point, had been knocked out and could not remember for sure what had happened.

With the concussion dealing him blows, all he could recall was Shoji trying to call out for his name, but knew, that if he did, he'd be putting Bakugo in danger by exposing to the enemy the fact that they had an undercover hero with them.

When he woke up, he was the only one in the infirmary and he never asked for where, nor saw, Shoji again. He didn't need to see

He just knew.

He hadn't answered it aloud at the time... But, if he was given another chance... If, he was just a little bit smarter, he could've told Shoji when he asked,

"What is pain to you?"

He could've answered,

Not having a hero name.