OUR NO.1 LOVE

CHAPTER 17: (SADNESS)

The front door of the house creaks open as Bakugo and Todoroki step inside, their tired bodies and heavy sighs signaling the end of another exhausting patrol. They remove their shoes and walk down the hallway, ready for some rest.

(Bakugo grumbles as he stretches his back): " Damn, that mission was a pain in the ass. Finally done for the day."

(Todoroki rubbing his neck, voice tired): " Yeah, it’s good to be home."

They walk into the kitchen, where Bakugo immediately notices the remnants of dinner— the plates and bowls left in the trash. His eyes narrow, a lump forming in his throat as he stares at the uneaten food.

(Bakugo's voice tense, not looking at Todoroki): " Hey, did you see this? Why is the food in the trash?"

(Todoroki pausing, frowning as he walks closer to the trash and examines it more closely): "This… this was midoriya's cooking. Did he… throw it out?"

A heavy silence fills the room as the weight of their earlier neglect hits them both. Todoroki slowly turns around, his gaze falling on Izuku’s room down the hall. It’s locked, a stark contrast to the usual open door where Izuku would greet them with a smile after a long day.

(Bakugo his voice softening, regret creeping into his tone): "He... He hasn’t been himself lately, huh?"

(Todoroki his tone is quiet and reflective):" We’ve been so caught up with work and missions… I didn’t realize how much we’ve been neglecting him. I think he’s… feeling lonely."

Bakugo’s expression shifts from frustration to concern. He walks down the hallway, pausing in front of Izuku’s door. The silence feels louder than before, and the absence of their usually energetic and positive teammate is painfully noticeable.

(Bakugo quietly, almost to himself): "I thought we were doing okay… I thought he’d understand. But I didn’t even think to ask how he’s been feeling. He probably thinks we don’t care anymore."

(Todoroki guilt in his voice as he looks down at the floor): "I didn’t even notice how much we’ve been leaving him alone… He just wanted to spend time with us. We’ve been so focused on everything else."

Bakugo hesitates, then slowly raises his fist to knock on Izuku’s door. His knuckles hover, but he doesn’t knock, the hesitation making it hard for him to go through with it. Todoroki steps up beside him, looking at him with the same worry in his eyes.

(Todoroki gently, with concern):  "Maybe we should just give him some space for now. But when he’s ready, we’ll be here. We need to show him that we care, not just with words, but with actions."

(Bakugo softly, almost regretfully):  "Yeah, we screwed up… I just hope he’s not too mad at us."

Todoroki gives a small nod, and the two of them linger in front of the door, unsure of the best way to proceed. They know they’ve let Izuku down, but now they’re determined to make things right.