Haunted | Bakugo x Reader

03

The rest of the school day drags on, each class blending into the next as you try to shake off the fatigue from the Capture the Flag exercise. Whispers and glances seem to follow you wherever you go, your classmates' curiosity lingering long after the battle. It's exhausting-this mix of attention, noise, and excitement. Though you expected U.A. to be intense, you hadn't fully prepared yourself for the constant buzz of energy from the students around you.

By the time the final bell rings, you're ready to escape. You slip out of the classroom quickly, letting your feet carry you through the hallways until you find a secluded courtyard tucked away from the rest of the school. The quiet is a welcome relief, the fresh air cool on your face as you lean back against a bench and let yourself breathe. For a few precious minutes, you're alone, surrounded by the soft rustling of leaves and the fading warmth of the afternoon sun.

You close your eyes, the sounds of distant laughter and conversations fading, and try to process everything. New classmates, strange dynamics, and the weight of your own expectations. Being here, in this courtyard hidden from prying eyes, you feel almost at peace, like you can think clearly for the first time all day.

But the moment can't last forever, and soon, you're walking home, each step pulling you further away from the temporary sanctuary of U.A. and back to the familiar emptiness of your neighborhood. The streets are quiet, and when you finally reach your house, there's no one waiting to greet you-just the still, silent reminder that you're on your own here.

You slip off your shoes, glancing around the empty entryway. No sign of your parents. No note, no message, nothing to indicate they even remember you came home today. You're used to it by now, but the loneliness creeps in all the same, settling into the quiet spaces of your heart.

As you make your way down the hallway, your gaze falls on a framed photo on the wall. It's an old picture of you and Kazuo, his wide smile bright beside your own. The memory of that day rushes back-how he'd begged you to take him out, how he'd laughed so freely, as if the whole world belonged to him. Your hand hovers over the frame, a strange mix of emotions bubbling up inside you: sadness, guilt, regret, and a fierce, aching determination.

You remember his voice, his endless excitement about becoming a hero one day. It was all he ever talked about. You lower your hand, clenching it tightly as you force yourself to swallow the pain. This dream of becoming a hero, of going to U.A.-it was Kazuo's dream first. And now, it's yours to carry forward.

Turning away, you head to your room, letting the silence of the empty house settle around you once more.

**********

You sit at your desk in Class 1-A, scrolling through your phone, trying to tune out the general buzz of the classroom. It's still early, and you're hoping to keep a low profile for now.

Out of nowhere, Mina slides into the seat next to you, her grin wide and her eyes full of excitement. She leans in, brimming with energy.

"So, Y/N!" she says, practically bouncing. "Have you heard about the U.A. Sports Festival?"

You glance up from your phone, slightly surprised by her enthusiasm. "Yeah, I've seen it on TV a few times. Pretty big deal, right?"

"Oh, totally!" Mina's voice is practically bubbling over. "It's, like, the biggest event of the year here. All the pro heroes, scouts, and even the media come to watch us compete."

You tilt your head, now a little more curious. "They're all there just to watch students?"

Mina nods, her expression turning serious for a moment. "Yup. A lot of heroes got their big break at the festival. If you stand out, it's a huge chance to get noticed. Some students even get offers right after the event."