It Started with a Smile

Chapter 7

We didn't get to hang out again until that evening as the Mario Kart tournament that had taken place right after the movie hadn't been conducive to secret hand-holding. Bakugou came out on top, telling us "damn extras that this is how you play". I finished fifth which was nothing to scoff at.

As we slowly broke off into smaller groups, I asked the girls if they wanted something from the convenience store. I was craving Calpis Soda again since I'd given my bottle to Yaomomo last time. The girls rattled off their order and handed me some money.

I was just outside of UA when I heard someone running behind me. Glancing over my shoulder to see who it was, I smiled fondly when I noticed Sero.

"You need something too?" I asked him when he finally caught up.

He shook his head, falling in beside me. "No, I just... I wanted to talk."

"Sure."

It was probably about what we'd done during the movie. I waited with bated breath to hear what he had to say but by the time we'd reached the convenience store, he still hadn't uttered a word. When he hadn't spoken once we were on school grounds again, I pulled him to the side, making sure we were hidden behind one of the finely sculpted hedges.

"Sero?"

He opened his mouth but then closed it, repeating the motion enough times that he was starting to resemble a fish. Unflattering as it was, my eyes were still drawn to his lips and I had to clench my fingers around the bag of groceries so I wouldn't reach out and run a thumb over them.

"It doesn't have to have a deep meaning or anything," I finally said. "I liked holding hands, it was nice. And we can just leave it at that."

Sero closed his mouth and frowned like he was somehow displeased with that explanation. I reached out to brush my fingers against his hand but missed as he raised it to run through his hair.

"We should go back," he said, much to my disappointment.

* * * * *

"I hate Mondays" is not just a complaint - it's a universal fact.

Even so, there was probably no one in the world who hated Monday more than I did at that precise moment. Standing in the classroom with our desks and seats pushed back, we listened to Mr. Aizawa pair us off for our newest rescue exercise. We'd learned the basics in class last week but none of us thought we'd end up actually practicing it.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, aka CPR, aka mouth-to-mouth. Aka watch how the universe conspires against me again.

There were twenty-one students in the class which allowed for so many different pairings but no, it had to be that specific one. When Mr. Aizawa put Sero and Ochaco together, I turned away, unable to handle the shy expression on his face or the uncomfortable look Ochaco probably sported. They weren't trying to spite or hurt me, so I had no real reason to be angry, but still, it smarted. I wasn't asking to be paired with Sero, but was there really a need for him to end up with his crush?

I didn't even react when Mr. Aizawa informed me that I would be working with Bakugou nor did I flinch when the latter started howling in rage. If it meant not setting those two up, I would've willingly worked with even Mineta.

"I'll go first," I told a seething Bakugou, gently nudging his shoulder. "Lie down."

"Die."

"Don't be difficult, lie down."

"Die!"

"Bakugou, lie down!"

"DIE, SCUM!"

The next thing I knew, we were in each others' face, screaming and cussing. Mr. Aizawa had to bind and forcefully separate us. Our classmates watched in amused consternation as we were lectured about our childish behavior for the next ten minutes. I kept my eyes glued to Mr. Aizawa's shoes, avoiding the Sero-Ochaco pairing at all cost. Once the sermon was over, our teacher ordered us to start over, threatening us with detention and make-up exercises if we got into another fight.

Grinding my teeth together, I faced an equally enraged Bakugou. Deciding the best approach was a grade based one, I told him:

"Listen Bakugou. Tsuyu's very serious about her studies and Yaomomo is a perfectionist so if you don't chill, Midoriya and Todoroki will do better than you."

Bakugou scowled but I could see it in those crimson eyes of his that he would comply. Sighing in relief, I motioned for him to lie down and he did so with only minimal cussing. I grabbed his arms to uncross them but it was like trying to pry iron bars apart.

"I need access to your chest, Bakugou," I said, defeated, as I sat back on my calves.

Bakugou spread his arms by his side with a grumble. I proceeded to do as Mr. Aizawa had taught us last week. Bakugou's lips were chapped yet surprisingly soft. They also tasted real sweet and I couldn't help but snort in amusement. I was forcefully shoved off, the blond glaring at me as he wiped the back of his hand over his mouth.

"The hell are you blubbering all over me, shit-rag?" he snapped as I tried to contain my mirth.

"I read that nitroglycerin was supposed to have a sweet taste," I said between chuckles. "But I didn't think you would too."

There was a moment of silence as everyone absorbed my words. Bakugou turned a furious shade of red, choking on his insults. Then the whole class dissolved into laughter.

It was impossible to get the situation under control after that so once Mr. Aizawa finally lost patience with us, he told us we'd failed and put us all in detention that afternoon.

* * * * *

Detention turned out to be nothing more than a repeat of our failed CPR exercise, albeit we were to do it on mannequins instead of people. I heard Kyoka mutter how it would've been simpler if we'd done this from the very beginning.

Part of me agreed but another, bigger one pointed out that without the "live" experiment, I never would've gotten the laugh of my life at the expense of my explosive classmate. Bakugou would probably be out for my blood for the rest of our lives but it was still worth it.

At the end of detention, I was stopped from leaving the classroom by someone hesitantly calling my name. I turned around to find Ochaco standing behind me, fiddling with her skirt, a guilt-stricken expression on her face. I squeezed her shoulder before she could utter a word.

"It's alright," I said with a wide smile. "It was just an exercise."

Ochaco's face scrunched up before she launched herself at me and enveloped me into a bear hug that had us floating off the ground. I patted her back, laughing when my back bumped against the ceiling.

"Get a room, you two, "Toru called, waving at us from the ground as our other friends teased and catcalled us.

We both giggled as Ochaco released her Quirk and we both landed on our feet.

~*~*~*~

Not a lot of Sero in this chapter but some Bakugou teasing which is entertaining in its own way, no? :)