Explosive Touch [Bakugo Katsuki x OC] - Book 1

Chapter 1 - That Warm Spring Afternoon

"Un-fa-ir!"

"What is?"

"You got a perfect score on the chemistry exam. Again!"

"Eh, sorry...? It's the one subject I'm good at, Tomo-chan – at least let me enjoy it a little!"

"You always say that, Atsu-chan. Shouldn't I have a subject I'm good at too, then?"

"I'm sure you'll find one soon enough... Maybe..."

"What was that!?"

"Nevermind, nevermind! No point in sulking any longer. See? We're parting ways for today."

"Hmph, you better hope I've forgiven you by tomorrow."

"You were never mad in the first place!"

"Sure, sure. Bye for now, Atsu-chan!"

"Bye-bye!"

With those words, the girls parted ways, Tomomi turning her back and heading down a bustling street, her big and very stuffed backpack obscuring most of her frame, only the skirt of her middle school uniform peeking out beneath it, helping tell her apart from the rest of the crowd. Atsuhi watched the girl retrieve further and further into the distance, finally turning around herself and walking in the opposite direction from her friend. Thus, began the lonelier half of her relatively short journey home.

The streets she walked, the doors, the shops, the buildings with all their features and displays – they were all already long familiar to Atsuhi, who'd gazed upon them day after day for many years now. Even still, it was a bit like a game she played daily, except she was both the only one who knew about it and its rules, as well as the only participant.

To ease the oncoming boredom, she'd gaze at those very same places she had memorized by heart already and search for any minor changes. Whether that be the new flowers that friendly old woman was selling for the day, the replaced doorknob on that one door that always looked ready to fall off its hinges, the new curtains peeping through the window of the small family restaurant.

Today, it was the cozy little bookshop that caught her eye. Just like any other day, there was its light blue sunshade, the magazine rack situated just beside the open door, and the most recent bestsellers lined up neatly behind its single window. But it was the view of the two or three posters of All Might, hanging just beside those books, that made Atsuhi's eyes linger.

Just the mere sight of the big smile that graced the Symbol of Piece's face in the photos made a wide grin illuminate her own features. Lately, every time she passed by here, she'd stop and stare at them with a sort of childish awe, not to mention how she'd bought those same posters and hung them up in her own room once, not too long ago.

Ten months. It's all going to happen in just ten months... the UA Entrance Exam!!

Ah, she'd never looked forward to anything in her life more than this single day in February of next year. Not only that, it was going to be the single day that would decide whether her life-long dream would become reality or not.

It's kinda exciting but also very, very nerve-racking at the same time...

Taking her eyes off the posters, Atsuhi continued on her way, thoughts jumping from one hero to another, this time in a slightly different context.

Dad's finally coming home tonight, so I better not waste too much time here. It's been, what now? Three days since he left for that big rescue operation? I bet he'll be tired, so it will be nice if we can at least have a good dinner together before he immediately crashes into bed to catch up on some sleep!