𝓯𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓴𝔂 || bnha x tcf ||

‎‧₊˚✧[Chapter 5]✧˚₊‧

                 𓆉𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟𓇼

The afternoon sun dipped low over the city, casting warm, golden light over the middle school courtyard where Katsuki Bakugo and his friends gathered. It was the kind of day that made everyone seem a little bolder, and Katsuki’s brash confidence was no exception. His eyes gleamed as he strutted forward, his gang in tow, ready to remind the other students just who held the power here.

In the center of the courtyard, a small, timid figure cowered, clutching his bag to his chest as if it could shield him. Izuku Midoriya’s face was filled with worry, his wide green eyes darting around as he tried to keep his head down. The look of fear only spurred Katsuki on.

“What’s wrong, Deku?” Katsuki taunted, a cruel smirk on his face. “Scared? Maybe you should’ve thought of that before walking through my territory.”

Izuku gulped, nervously stammering an apology, but Katsuki’s patience was thin. Small bursts of sparks popped from his palms as he took another step forward. “Honestly, it’s pathetic. How are you ever gonna be a hero if you can’t even stand up to me?”

As Izuku shrank back, a voice cut through the courtyard—calm, measured, and carrying a quiet intensity that turned heads.

“Katsuki, that’s enough.”

Cale Bakugo stepped forward, his tall frame casting a shadow over the scene. His red hair gleamed in the sunlight, and his calm expression was a stark contrast to the anger simmering in his brother’s eyes. He looked like he had wandered in from another world entirely—graceful, collected, almost ethereal in the way his calm presence commanded attention.

Izuku looked up, eyes widening in awe. He’d heard rumors of Katsuki’s younger brother, but they’d never met. It was hard to believe they were related. Cale didn’t share Katsuki’s rough edge or his explosive presence. Instead, he had an aura of quiet strength, his crimson hair framing his face in a way that gave him an almost otherworldly beauty. For a moment, Izuku forgot about Katsuki entirely, too stunned by the contrast.

Katsuki glared, gritting his teeth. “Cale, don’t get in my way,” he hissed, fists clenching tighter as he fought to control his rage.

Cale stepped closer, crossing his arms. “And what exactly do you gain from bullying someone weaker than you?” His voice was firm, but not unkind. “Being a hero isn’t about crushing others, Katsuki. If you keep pushing people down, one day, you’ll find yourself alone.”

Katsuki’s jaw clenched, his face twisting in frustration. “Stay out of this, Cale,” he spat. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

But Cale’s gaze didn’t waver. He took a step toward Izuku, positioning himself protectively in front of him. “I think I know enough,” he said, his voice steady. “You’re stronger, Katsuki. But if you think that gives you the right to hurt people, you’re wrong. It only makes you weaker.”

Izuku’s eyes flickered between the two brothers, unable to believe what he was witnessing. Here was someone who stood up to Katsuki without a hint of fear, someone who could meet him head-on without resorting to the same brutality. Cale’s presence was calm, but in it, Izuku sensed a strength deeper than quirks or raw power.

Katsuki scowled, clearly frustrated that his own brother was embarrassing him in front of his friends. “You’re lucky, Deku,” he sneered at Izuku before turning back to Cale. “But this isn’t over. Not by a long shot.”

With one last glare, Katsuki stormed off, his friends trailing behind, muttering in confusion. They exchanged nervous glances with each other, clearly unnerved by the way Cale had intervened. None of them dared to challenge him directly, though; there was something about Cale that demanded respect, even if they didn’t understand it.

As Katsuki’s gang disappeared, Cale turned back to Izuku, who was staring at him with a mix of shock and gratitude.

“Are you okay?” Cale asked gently, a soft smile gracing his lips.

Izuku blinked, his cheeks tinged with pink. “Uh, y-yes! Yes, thank you!” he stammered, struggling to find his voice. “I… I didn’t expect anyone to stand up to Kacchan like that. And… and especially not his brother.”

Cale chuckled softly, tucking a stray lock of crimson hair behind his ear. “Well, let’s just say we don’t exactly see eye to eye.” He extended his hand. “I’m Cale Bakugo.”

Izuku took his hand, still a little dazed. “Izuku Midoriya… It’s… nice to meet you,” he replied, his voice wavering as he took in Cale’s calm, steady presence. Cale’s hand was firm yet gentle, his grip warm and reassuring. It was strange—Izuku felt safe, as if he could tell Cale anything, and it would be okay.

They stood in silence for a moment before Izuku found the courage to speak. “You… you really don’t seem like Kacchan at all,” he said, glancing down as he spoke, afraid he might offend Cale. “I mean, I don’t mean to be rude or anything, but… you’re… um, different.”

Cale laughed, a light sound that seemed to carry away some of the tension. “I’ll take that as a compliment. But I understand what you mean. My brother and I… we’re on different paths, I guess.”

Izuku hesitated, his eyes flickering up to meet Cale’s. “If you don’t mind me asking… why did you stand up for me? Most people don’t. They just… they just ignore it.”

Cale’s smile softened, and for a moment, he looked almost sad. “Because I know what it feels like to be underestimated. To have people judge you based on what they think they know.” His gaze drifted to the horizon, his eyes reflecting something deeper. “But I also know that strength isn’t about tearing others down. It’s about knowing when to protect the ones who need it.”

Izuku felt a lump rise in his throat. There was something incredibly moving about Cale’s words, as if they came from a place of genuine experience. He didn’t know what Cale had been through, but he could sense the weight of it, the quiet resilience that had shaped him into the person standing in front of him.

“You… you sound like a real hero,” Izuku whispered, awe filling his voice.

Cale blinked, caught off guard. He shook his head, a slight smile playing at his lips. “I’m not a hero, Midoriya. I’m just someone who knows what it’s like to fight battles others can’t see.” He glanced at Izuku, his expression softening. “But maybe you’ll be one someday.”

Izuku’s eyes shone with hope, a shy smile spreading across his face. “Thank you… Cale. I… I won’t forget this.”

As they walked home together, Cale couldn’t shake the feeling that he’d met someone truly unique in Izuku. Despite his timid appearance, there was a strength in him, a quiet determination that reminded Cale of his own struggles.

For the first time in a long time, Cale felt a spark of something he hadn’t felt since coming to this world—a sense of belonging, a connection to someone who understood, even if only in a small way. He didn’t know what lay ahead, but he knew one thing: Izuku Midoriya was someone worth protecting.

---

The encounter left an indelible mark on them both. Izuku had finally found someone who believed in him, someone who saw his potential beyond quirks or power. And Cale had found a friend, a reminder that, despite the burdens of his past, he wasn’t alone in this strange, quirk-filled world.