Firecracker- A Katsuki Bakugo fan fiction

CHAPTER 14: Feelings

For some stupid reason, Nine decided to just treat today like any normal one, giving us average lessons and going through the motions. For the most part, this whole thing was pretty boring, if it weren't for the fact that Eijirou wouldn't stop passing me notes. Finally, I got frustrated and crumpled up the paper, throwing it in my bag. He seemed unfazed, smiling and getting back to work.

Damnit.

It felt so weird seeing him after everything that I had gone through during stage two. I didn't know whether or not I could trust this Eijirou, whether or not he was just leading me on, whether or not he'd break my heart again.

What I did know for sure was that this Eijirou wasn't my Eijirou. In spite of how clear my feelings were for him, I had no idea what was going on in his mind. But what I did know was that if I ever wanted to see him again, I had to make it out of here.

                                            -.-

I begrudgingly sat down with the red-head at lunch, along with Mina, tape-guy, Jirou and Pikachu. I'm sure Balls deep 69 didn't make it in on this because of my abrasive words to him earlier.

"So....Bakugo...since when are you such a dad?" Mina began, smiling coyly.

"The fuck do you mean?"

"I'm just saying. You seemed awfully over-protective of Ai-chan."

My face turned as red as my eyes.
"I'm just....good with kids....and shit like that."

My face only became more red as I heard Eijirou giggling.

"That's really cute. When you ever marry a girl, I guess we know who'll protect the kids."

Pfft. Yeah right. Girl's aren't really my thing, I thought with frustration. Man, why'd he have to assume my sexual orientation like that? Nevertheless I couldn't stay mad for long at his face.

"Whatever." I really hoped to god the conversation would be over by now.

"Speaking of which-" Jirou smirked. "-What even is your type of girl Katsuki? Do you like anyone?"

FUCK JIROU I THOUGHT I COULD TRUST YOU-

"Relationships aren't really my thing." I lied, hoping they'd take it and move on. Fortunately, Jirou sighed and turned to Eijirou instead.

"So, Kirishima. Anyone you've got your eyes on?"

My heart fluttered for a moment, wondering what he'd say.

"Hehe. Not right now, no." He smiled.

"Didn't you and Ashido date a while back?" Pikachu remarked, and Sero nodded.

"So do you guys still like one another or something?"

For some unfathomable reason, this conversation seriously pissed me off.

"I'm gonna go....ask Aizawa something." I didn't even wait for anyone to say anything before quickly leaving the cafeteria, the envy inside me practically boiling.

                                          -.-
I walked around the hallways anxiously, looking around for Nine. She promised that I could talk to her if I ever felt weird, and right now? I felt really fucking weird.

"Oi Ni- I mean, Ai? Where the fuck are you?" I called out, still getting used to this whole new name of hers. God, it was so cliche and predictable. After calling out for a couple of minutes in annoyance, I figured she was probably in the teacher's lounge taking a nap or something. I sighed. I don't even think she needed sleep.

I shoved open the door. "OI! CUT THE CRAP! CAN WE TALK?!"

My eyes widened. Nine was sitting alone on one of the sofas, curled up into a ball, tears streaming down her face. Her eyes widened in shock when she saw me.

"Kacchan- it's nothing-I-"

Within an instant, I surprised myself by pulling her in for an embrace. Her eyes widened with shock, but she returned the hug.

"Thanks."

"You looked like you fucking needed it."

"You know, you're a really amazing dickweasel."

I burst out laughing.

-.-

"So," I said once Nine had calmed down and left my arms. "What's up?"
She looked down at her tiny white boots for a moment, hesitant to open up.
"Well...it's just...." She clenched her fists. "I was thinking about how much fun I was having as a teacher here, and how much fun it was spending time with you. But I'm kind of scared that I'm not really in control." She bit her lip nervously. "I'm nothing but a program in here. I can't act out. I'm not alive, Kacchan. So what's the point of my existence?"

There was silence for a moment.

"Well, I think you're alive."

She looked at me in confusion. "....huh?"

"Are you deaf all of a sudden? I said that I think you're alive. Look," I stared into her eyes with a serious feeling. "I don't know if what you feel is real, but what I do know is that you've helped me more than some people even can do, and I'm grateful for that. So to me, you're just as alive as anyone else." I smiled.

She sniffled softly. "But what if I betray you or something?"

My smile transformed into a grin.

"Then I guess I'll just have to kick your ass. Seriously, don't worry about it." I placed my hand on her shoulder, realising that I was shockingly good at this somehow.

She smiled weakly. "I'm sorry about all this. You came in wanting to talk to me and I just shut you out with my own problems."

"It's fine. It's not that big of a deal anyway." It would only do harm to bring up Eijirou. Maybe then I'd think about him less. "Besides," I continued.

"We're friends aren't we???"

Nine stared at me in shock for a moment. My face went pink.

"QUIT ACTING LIKE ITS THE END OF THE DAMN UNIVERSE!"

Nine giggled at that, and I felt a sense of relief.

"I'm sorry- it's just- you don't seem like the type to openly admit friendship like that! Who are you, Midoriya?"

"YOU BETTER NOT FUCKING COMPARE ME TO HIM EVER AGAIN!"

At that she burst out laughing, and I couldn't help but smile.

She deserved to be happy.