I Don't Wanna Be You Anymore

2

When the join-battle training between the two classes began, the students noticed that instead of sitting among them, Bakugo found himself associating with the teachers at the very back. Well, that should make sense, of course, since they're adults, but I guess they were so used to him being with them that it felt a little odd that he was not. Iida in particular noticed that even though he was with the teachers, he wasn't really engaging in much conversation. That, too, makes sense, since they were so focused on the battle presented on the screen. But because of that, from time to time, Iida caught glimpses of when Bakugo would just lean on the railing at the very back and stare at the sky. Even though he was a little worried about this more quiet demeanor, he had to reassure  himself that this Bakugo is all grown, and is more mature than the rest of them. Thus, there was nothing to worry.

Eventually, as the matches went on, All Might, alongside Midnight, arrived. 

“Hello, Young Bakugo.”

Bakugo, somewhat unprepared and shocked by the voice that called for him, flinched. All Might could see that the young man was surprised by his presence just by the way he stood almost in attention before relaxing immediately the moment he laid his eyes on him. The young man replied, “You shouldn’t call people ‘young’ just because you're older, All Might.”

“Pfft- Did you hear that? Old-Might.” Midnight snickered. 

“That’s my bad. I'm just so used to calling you ‘Young Bakugo' that it completely slipped my mind. You don't mind if I call you that too, though, do you?”

For a moment, All Might could see a shine glimmer in his eyes before he hid it away, turning and leaning back into the railings as if nothing has changed. “Do whatever you want.”

The man stood beside him, while Midnight went ahead to greet the students and the other two teachers. When Bakugo stole glimpses of All Might, he could see the unmistakable sense of pride that emanated in the way he watched his students on the screen. 

When All Might did the same, he came to the realization that this Bakugo wasn't one to make small talk either. That much was reassuring to know as he caught a glimpse of the young man staring at the screen, his eyes filled with focus and something else… something a little… sad.

All Might wanted to ask if something was matter, but figured that that would probably be a stupid question. Of course something was wrong. The young man had just been taken away from whatever timeline he once was and shoved somewhere else. He probably had family and friends back home waiting for him. He couldn't help but be worried. He was, afterall, still his student. But taking into consideration the fact that they might have never even met in Bakugo's universe, All Might began to question whether it was even his right to worry when he was never his teacher to begin with.

Not wanting to ruin the mood, instead he initiated small talk. “So how are you finding UA?”

Bakugo stopped typing on the tablet that was given to him by the robot not too long ago. “Hm? What?”

“How are you finding UA? You mentioned in the Teacher's Lounge that you were never a student of UA in your world. How is it? Are you enjoying yourself?”

“It’s… certainly something. I can't say much just yet since I haven't even been here for more than a day. But it is…different. That much I can say.” He grew quiet as he scanned the training ground. “Very different.”

All Might nodded. “Different… Well, I guess that would be the case. How so?”

All Might waited, but Bakugo never really answered this question. The young man just continued to stare at the two classes for a while, and All Might chose not to get in the way of whatever he was thinking about. In that momentous silence, he saw in Bakugo's face, a slight frown. Bakugo's brows crumples, and a hint of worry flooded his eyes.