Unveiled Winds || Katsuki Bakugou x Reader

Chapter 43 - Serve

Mina threw her arms up. "Alright, losers! Game time!"

Kirishima jogged over, tossing the ball in the air and catching it with a grin. "Two on two. Winner gets bragging rights. Loser's doing all the cooking tonight."

"Wait, what?" Kaminari groaned, flopping dramatically onto the sand. "That wasn't part of the deal—"

"Should've read the fine print," Sero said, grabbing him by the arm and dragging him upright.

You and Bakugou stepped onto one side of the makeshift court, feet digging into the warm sand. The wind whipped your hair around a little, and you tossed it back, stretching your arms over your head as you got into position.

Sero pointed between you and Bakugou. "Oh great. Team Competitive Overkill."

You winked. "You're just mad we're gonna crush you."

Bakugou cracked his knuckles. "Stop talking and serve already."

"Geez, alright, calm down, no one's getting a medal," Kaminari muttered, squinting into the sun as he stepped to the back line.

Off to the side, Mina and Kirishima sat cross-legged in the sand with drinks, already ready to spectate. Mina had her phone out, recording. "This is gonna be gold."

"Place your bets!" Kirishima called. "I got 5000 yen on Bakugou accidentally blasting the ball into the stratosphere."

Kaminari tossed the ball into the air and smacked it over the net with surprising focus.

You darted left, feet sliding through the sand as you bumped it cleanly to Bakugou without missing a beat. "Yours."

He didn't respond, just launched into the air and sent the ball flying back with a clean, controlled spike that smacked into the sand inches from Kaminari's feet.

"Okay, rude," Kaminari yelped, stumbling back as the others burst out laughing.

"One point," Bakugou said flatly, already repositioning.

You grinned and leaned in with a playful nudge to his side. "You could at least pretend this isn't life or death."

He glanced down at you, mouth twitching. "Then stop smirking every time I score."

"Not my fault I like watching you show off."

Bakugou huffed, but his ears definitely turned red.

The next serve came from Sero, fast and low. Bakugou dove, arm outstretched, knocking it up just high enough for you to reach it. You sprinted forward, barely catching the bounce, and flicked it over the net with a last-second twist of your wrist.

It landed untouched.

You raised your arms in mock celebration. "And that, ladies and gentlemen, is called finesse."

Bakugou snorted. "That was dumb luck."

"Don't be jealous I've got style."

"You've got sand in your hair."

You rolled your eyes and shoved him lightly. "So do you, jerk."

Kaminari served the ball again, high and spinning strangely through the air.

Bakugou squinted. "Oi."

Just before it cleared the net, the ball snapped direction midair, jerking left and landing squarely in bounds.

Point: Kaminari and Sero.

You straightened with a glare. "Did you just use tape?"

Sero didn't even try to look innocent. "Absolutely."