Suffocating Silence | Kiribaku

Alone In The Struggle / Bakugou

A feeling of shock was still running through me. He knew. He knew everything, and yet he didn't say a word to anyone.

After lunch, something in my mood had changed. I couldn't quite figure out what it was, but that stupid, manly, idiot had my respect.

When the next bell rang we went to the portable speaker's class, our English teacher, Hizashi Yamada.

I enter the classroom, and walk to my seat in the back. This class aggravates me, why do I need to learn pronunciation when I'm going to be using hand signs. It's just useless.

Halfway into the period I jam my headphones in, but I don't even bother finding a song. I just need Mr.Loud Mouth to think I'm not paying attention to the lesson.

I glance to the empty seats beside me and position my phone in my lap so no one can see it. I search up the JSL site my teacher recommend, and look through the common phrases category.

I move my hands in a familiar pattern. Are you ok?

Dumb-

Shitty-

The class drug on longer than I would've preferred, so when the bell finally rang I was beyond relived. However, I heard a voice beckon me, just like earlier.

"What?" I grumble, turning to the loud blond that called for me.

"Bakugou," Mic waves me over with an overly friendly smile.

A small groan of aggravation escapes me, but I walk to the front of the class. I watch as the remaining students filter out, and I'm left alone with a teacher, yet again.

"So.. Bakugou," the blond shifts his glasses to the top of his head before continuing, "I- well-." He seems to sit in thought for a moment before looking to me.

I watch as the older man's hands move in the pattern from earlier. Are you ok?

Then I have the obvious realization for what this is about, and a crushing feeling seems to press on my lungs. "Sir, I'm-," I sigh lightly and grit my teeth, "I'm just making sure I'm prepared." I raise my hands and move my right hand over my left index finger. Practice.

Hizashi nods, but still doesn't open his mouth. I understand, but unlike myself your quirk is affecting your hearing much quicker. It has to be hard on you. I struggle, and Doctors say I have about 4 years left. "Even with these," the blond looked to the right, exposing a clear hearing aid, "they'll be virtually useless then."

I nod hesitantly with a nervous swallow, "Mhm." I understood everything he said in sign, that's good. He could teach Kirishima and I. Wait, no, that's ridiculous. We both already have scheduled classes, it's too much of a fuss.

"Do you want to know any particular signs, I know you probably have an instructor, but I would like to feel at least a little helpful," Mic spoke with his usual confidence as he kept his eyes trained on me.

"Not that I can-," I respond and look to the floor for a short moment, "actually.."

The man's attention perks up when I regress, and he hums, "Yeah?"

"How do I sign 'hair'?"

Something in Mic's eyes makes him look puzzled, but it soon melts into a look of realization. He looks like he just put two pieces together. The blond moves his dominant hand to his hair, and pinches a few loose hairs. Hair.

"Easier than you think," he smiles, and leans back in his desk chair, "anything else."

"I don't think so," I turn my body to leave, but stop myself, "uhm, I really have to go, but uh.. thanks."

With that I'm out the door, putting my tough guy facade back on. Be strong, be who they want to be.. do it till you can't anymore.

"Bakugou!" Kirishima's jogging footsteps only hit me once he's less than a few steps away.

"Hey, uh, I really have to get going," I avoid eye contact. And it's totally not because I'm about to cry.

"Oh, but we still have one class left?" the red haired boy's voice is full of question.

"I know, I'm leaving early," my tone is cold as well as my emotion. I cringe as I think back to lunch, and then to the classroom moments ago. Keep your walls up, you're letting too many people in.

But It's fine. It's just Kirishima, right.

I sigh and finally look to him. Raising my hands to motion. Appointment.