Flamebound: Embrace the Heat ||BNHA||

.Chapter 17.

Chapter 17: Get it Together

Kaye woke up feeling off, a gnawing discomfort in her stomach that she just couldn't shake. The events of the previous night still replayed vividly in her mind. The men in black suits, and sunglasses at night—why her? She felt insignificant, like just another transfer student trying to make her way in Japan, so why were they keeping tabs on her? She wasn't anyone special, not yet. Not famous, not powerful, just... Kaye. So what did they want with her? The uncertainty was driving her mad.

The questions circled like a relentless storm cloud, filling her with an uneasy tension. She had thought about going to the teachers, maybe Aizawa or All Might, but something held her back. Was it fear that she'd be dismissed, that it wouldn't seem like a big deal? Or was it just the burden of how serious all of it felt? If she told them, it would make everything real—these shadowy men would become a real threat, not just an unsettling mystery. Either way, she decided that she needed to handle this alone—for now at least. She was aware of how dangerous this might be, and knowing she had lost her chance to track them after confronting them made her stomach twist with regret. The image of them dissolving into ash kept replaying in her mind—what kind of quirk was that? She sighed, trying to push it out of her mind. She couldn't show up to class like this—unsteady and on edge.

She took a deep breath and forced herself into action, starting with a hot shower to steady her nerves. The heat did wonders for her muscles, loosening the tension that had coiled tightly in her body. She leaned her forehead against the shower wall, letting the water cascade down her back, trying to wash away the fear and uncertainty. After getting out and pulling on her school uniform, she made her way to class, though the usual excitement felt dulled by everything swirling in her head.

The moment she stepped into the classroom, her eyes drifted toward Bakugo, who once again seemed to refuse to look at her. He kept his eyes firmly forward as if she didn't even exist. A twinge of frustration mixed with her unease, but she let it slide. She didn't have the energy for Bakugo's avoidance today. She passed by his seat without a word, offering Midoriya a soft smile instead. His face immediately turned a bit pink as he greeted her warmly.

"Good morning, Kaye! Congrats again on passing the licensing exam!"

"Thank you, Mido," she replied, her voice lighter than she felt.

Midoriya's smile had a calming effect, like a beam of sunlight cutting through dark clouds. She settled in behind him, feeling a bit of the tension dissolve, even if her mind wasn't completely at ease. Just focus on class, she reminded herself. One step at a time.

Aizawa, looking as tired as always, shuffled to the front of the class. His droopy eye scanned the clipboard in his hand. "Alright, I hope you all have the notes you need because it's time for your hero agency project. This will be a group project, and I've already selected your partners. No switching, no complaining. Remember, in the hero world, you'll be forced to work with people you don't necessarily like. Adaptability is part of your training." He droned on, holding his clipboard up as he read off names.

"Ashido, Midoriya, and Sero."

Kaye couldn't help the small pout that tugged at her lips. She had hoped she'd get paired with Midoriya. He offered her an apologetic glance, while Sero pumped a fist in excitement, nudging Midoriya cheerfully. Kaye sighed and tried to stay focused as Aizawa continued reading off the groups.

"Iida and Tokoyami. Bakugo, Mineta, and Kaye—"

Kaye blinked, her eyes widening at the announcement. Mineta's gleeful little giggle sounded from behind her, and she fought the urge to shudder. She could feel Midoriya's sympathetic gaze, he gave her a tight-lipped smile as if to say 'Good luck.' Her eyes shifted toward Bakugo, who sat a few seats ahead, and she saw his shoulders stiffen. He looked straight ahead, not reacting beyond a clenched jaw and narrowed eyes.