Amethyst. (Katsuki Bakugo x Reader)

PART 32 - Own My Mind

Tomura Shigaraki's POV:

The hideout smelled like old smoke and wet concrete—rotting insulation clinging to the cracked walls, mold curling in the corners. A long-forgotten bar stretched along the side of the room, bottles dusty, some still filled with half-evaporated liquor. It had once been a bar, maybe even a lively one, but now it was just another corpse the League had claimed.

I sat at the counter, tapping the wood with four fingers. Always four. The fifth twitched restlessly, aching for decay.

Kurogiri was behind the bar as usual, his form half-shadow, half-smoke, polishing a glass he didn't intend to serve. It was pointless, but it made him feel human.

"It was wise to keep the League on standby," he said calmly. "Your Sensei has finally confirmed the next target's location."

I didn't answer immediately. Just kept tapping. The itch behind my eyes sharpened, but I welcomed it. Movement. Purpose. Finally.

The door creaked open. Giran walked in like he owned the place, again..—jacket wrinkled, toothpick hanging from his lips, smug as ever.

"I've got a delivery," he announced, tossing a file onto the counter. "They'll arrive by morning. We had to move fast, so forgive the aesthetics. They look like hell, but I guarantee quality." He gave me a toothy grin. "The League has high hopes for you, Shigaraki."

"Soon," I said flatly, "you won't know where to shove all the assignments coming your way."

The corner of Giran's mouth twitched. Kurogiri gave a quiet nod.

My pulse quickened.

Finally.

"Then I guess it's time," I murmured, letting a crooked smile tug at my lips. "Games start."

__________

Y/N's POV

"The first trimester at U.A. is officially over," Aizawa said, arms crossed, face unreadable. "Summer vacation has begun."

That... sounded like good news. For a second. Until he looked at us the way only Aizawa could — like he was daring anyone to smile about it.

"But for those of you who want to become Pro Heroes," he continued, tone dry as dust, "there's no break. No pause. Just more training. Plus Ultra."

"PLUS ULTRA!" the class shouted in unison.

I didn't join in. But I exhaled, just a little, and let my shoulders drop. No break, huh? Not that I expected one.

I was already halfway to the edge of the group when I heard her.

"Y/N!"

I turned — and there was Mina, charging toward me like joy on legs. Before I could react, she wrapped both arms around mine and bounced.

"This is gonna be so fun! Like, actually fun. We're all going together!" Her curls bounced right along with her, and somehow, I found myself smiling before I meant to.

"Easy," I said, raising an eyebrow. "You're gonna dislocate my shoulder."

"You love it," she grinned. "Don't lie."

I didn't answer — which, to her, probably said enough.

Denki showed up right on cue, slipping into the space on my other side. "We're gonna have a blast. Sleeping bags, snacks, ghost stories—"

"Brutal training," I reminded him.

"Same thing," he said, like that settled it. Then he threw an arm around both of us. "Let's make a pact: if we're gonna suffer, we suffer together."