STUTTER | KIRISHIMA EIJIROU.

chapter five.

     The orientation day for U.A. was different— extremely different. You didn't know what to expect from the prestigious school, but really didn't think that your homeroom teacher would threaten your entire class with expulsion and a quirk assessment test.

     However, you thought that the impromptu reunion with your ex-boyfriend was more unpleasant.

     "Ah," a sarcastic, haughty smile spread across your lips. "Kacchan! What a surprise." you chimed, taking a seat diagonally behind him and on the left of your best friend's.

     At the sound of his childhood nickname, he turned around with a scowl and opened his mouth, but no words left when his eyes met yours. He went wide eyed and openly gaped at you before gritting his teeth with a sneer. "What the hell are you doing here, [Name]!?"

     "Same reason as you," you blinked innocently with a lackadaisical smirk. "Congrats in getting first, by the way. Looks like you kept your word." you feigned a yawn, and your grin only grew wider when you saw the regretful expression flicker onto his face for a split second.

     (There was a small ache in your heart as you stared into his conflicted carmine hues.)

     "Woah, woah," your best friend butt into your heated stare down. "You know him, [Name]?" Katsuki bristled at his casual usage of your given name (despite the fact that you tell everyone to use it).

     You turned your head, breaking the unannounced staring contest. "Oh, yeah! We go way back, Kiri," you confirmed vaguely. "We're childhood friends."

     "Awesome!" he cheered enthusiastically, fist bumping the air. "Then you guys should be able to work together well, right?"

     "Oh, yeah, totally!"

     "As if I'd work with any of these shitheads!"

     Anyone could guess who said which response.

     Katsuki clicked his tongue irritably. "Just don't get in my way again, you furry."

     "I have no reason to, you Bath and Body Works candle," you quipped back, sliding into Kirishima's seat. You smirked when you saw Katsuki's eyes narrow down even further at the action and at your best friend's pink face. "Hey, have your roots shown up yet?" you asked, turning your head away from your childhood friend. You picked at a strand of Kirishima's spiky red hair.

     "Don't fucking ignore me, you bitch!"

     "You weren't even saying anything, Katsuki!"

     The rest of the day went by smoothly yet oddly. You were surprised to see another familiar face, one that you would have never expected to see in U.A. High School, but you congratulated Midoriya Izuku regardless. You were even more shocked to find out that he wasn't quirkless; was he a late bloomer for years or did he hide it? You were leaning towards the first idea since you didn't think that he willingly went through so much torment from his classmates just to hide his quirk.

     "Hey." a gruff voice called out to you a few days later. You turned around to see the nostalgia inducing scowl on Katsuki's face. You shoved the last notebook into your backpack, and then swung it over your shoulder.

     "Katsuki! What can I do for ya?" you asked with a demeaning grin. "Go on without me, Kiri, I'll catch up." you said to him, who had frowned due to your ex's sudden appearance.

     "Huh? All right..." the redhead agreed, reluctantly walking out of the 1-A classroom. He looked back a few times before fully disappearing from the room.

     You and Katsuki stared at each other in silence before the latter opened his mouth. "He your new boyfriend?"

     You sputtered indignantly, caught off guard by the question. "What? Who?"

     The blond haired boy rolled his eyes so hard that you thought they would drop out of his sockets. "Shitty Hair." he jutted his head towards the classroom door where your best friend was a few moments ago.

     You shook your head, feeling heat crawl up your neck. "No, we're just good friends! We live near each other," you told him, adjusting your backpack's straps. "And his hair isn't shitty!"

     One of Katsuki's eyebrows quirked up, but he didn't question you further about Kirishima. "Yeah, yeah," he brushed off with a rare, calm expression. "Look, I just..." he appeared to be equally conflicted and embarrassed with whatever he was trying to say. "D-Don't act awkward around me, got it!?" he eventually stuttered out.

     This time, your eyebrows went up in surprise and confusion. "Huh? Act awkward around you?" you echoed with a baffled look. "I hope you realize that you're making this even more awkward." you deadpanned.

     He grit his teeth with his crimson eyes down into flustered slits. "Whatever! I don't want people thinking that I can't handle being around my ex when I'm going to become the top hero!" he stated loudly.

     You nodded your head, albeit still a bit puzzled. You didn't even think that anyone except your shared childhood friend knew about your and Katsuki's failed relationship. "Okay?" you agreed in a perplexed tone.

     "Is that all?" you asked after a few quiet seconds of staring. "Kirishima is still waiting for me." you pointed out of the classroom's window, where you could see the mentioned male standing near U.A.'s front gate.

     Katsuki's lips curled downwards to a cross between a scowl and a grimace. He mumbled something under his breath before abruptly turning away from you. "As if I care! Stay outta my way." he growled, stalking out of the classroom angrily.

     "Stay safe out there, Katsuki!" you exclaimed as he went through the door.

     "Shut the fuck up!" was his clever, dignified response.

     You moved your body to the class's window and opened it. You then transformed into a harpy eagle to fly out of the window with your backpack held securely in your sharp talons. Your beak prodded at the window to close it since you weren't particularly looking forward to being given detention by your homeroom teacher.

     Kirishima lifted his head of bright red spikes just as you shifted back into a human. You caught your backpack in your arms with a huff. "Hey! Everything all right?" he questioned with concerned eyes.

     You ignored the happy feeling in your stomach by simply nodding. "Yeah! He only wanted to talk." you shrugged your shoulders casually, slinging your bag over them once more.

     There was a clash between some emotions on his face, but he hid them behind a dazzling grin. "Good to hear. At least he didn't hurt you because that would just be unmanly!" he claimed passionately. "Even if you can take care of yourself just fine." he added hastily with a faint blush.

     A smile blossomed onto your face. "Ah— you think so?" you mused with a poised finger on your chin. "Thanks, Kiri!" you beamed joyously. "Or should I call you Eijirou?" you asked in a curious yet mischievous voice.

     The barely noticeable pink on his face darkened. "H-Huh!?" he stammered with wide eyes. "Well— I mean— if you want to, I don't mind— your choice, really..." he murmured a jumble of words with a red face.

     You let out a laugh, goodheartedly smacking him on the back. "Eijirou it is!"

     With racing hearts and thoughts, you walked home together, relatively content with the comfortable silence that blanketed the two of you.