Where Our Hearts Fall

Chapter 12

The exam period was in full swing, and as expected, the students of Class 1-A were feeling the pressure. The realization of their future as Pro Heroes was both exhilarating and terrifying. Every practice, every theory, every moment felt like it counted.

Y/N had been studying diligently, helping friends who were struggling, but despite her best efforts, something felt off. She couldn't help but notice the increasing distance between herself and Bakugo. Ever since the Sports Festival, things between them had been different. More tension. More silence.

"I swear this is going to be the death of me," Kaminari groaned, rubbing his face as he stared at the stack of study materials in front of him. "Why do we have to learn all this? I'm practically useless when it comes to theory."

Y/N chuckled softly, nudging his shoulder. "You're not useless, Kaminari. Just need a little more practice. And that's why I'm here."

Mina, who was seated next to them, grinned. "Yeah, and we're lucky to have someone like you around, Y/N! I'm terrible with all this technical stuff. My brain just can't process it."

Y/N smiled but also felt a little guilty. She had been trying to distract herself from the tension with Bakugo by helping others, but it wasn't easy when he was constantly pushing everyone away, especially her.

"Don't worry, Mina. We'll get through it," she reassured her, flipping through a textbook. "It's not that hard once you break it down."

Kaminari sighed dramatically. "If only Bakugo would help. He's so... aggressive about it. He's not even willing to share his notes."

"Bakugo's not like that," Y/N muttered, more to herself than anyone else. "He's just... intense, that's all."

"You think?" Mina raised an eyebrow, glancing toward where Bakugo was sitting at a nearby desk, his face twisted in concentration, but his aura unmistakably hostile. "He's smart, no doubt, but he's always so prickly when anyone tries to help him."

"I don't know," Y/N said quietly. "He just doesn't want to rely on anyone. It's not that he's not smart. He's just... not good at asking for help."

Sero nodded in agreement. "You can say that again. He's definitely got the brains, but his pride always gets in the way."

Y/N frowned at the mention of Bakugo's pride. She had seen it up close many times—the way he insisted on doing everything himself. It wasn't arrogance. It was something deeper. But that didn't stop it from pushing people away.

"Just don't expect me to do his homework for him," Kaminari said with a dramatic roll of his eyes. "I can barely keep up with mine."

"Don't worry, I won't ask you to do his homework," Y/N replied with a grin, but her eyes kept drifting back to Bakugo. Her thoughts were conflicted—she had tried to reach out to him, tried to talk, but every time he shut her down.

Later that afternoon, the group decided to take a break from studying. As they made their way to the common area, Y/N noticed that Bakugo was still isolating himself, deep in thought, scowling over a pile of papers.

Mina, ever the social butterfly, nudged Y/N with an impish grin. "Hey, Y/N, you're like the class tutor now, huh? Helping everyone out, but not your favorite explosive student."

Y/N's heart skipped a beat at the teasing tone in Mina's voice. She didn't want to think about Bakugo. She really didn't. But...

"Don't start, Mina," Y/N said with a sigh, trying to sound casual. "I'm just doing what I can. He doesn't need my help."

"Right," Mina said, a little too knowingly. "But don't you think he wants your help, Y/N? The whole class can see it. But his pride's in the way."

Before Y/N could respond, Kaminari chuckled. "If you ask me, I think Bakugo's too proud to admit he needs help from anyone."