Saving Me [Monoma x Reader]

o7. Hagakure

Hagakure fluttered around me like a distressed mother hen, but it just looked like a flying set of clothes being flung about.

"[L/N], what happened?! This could be serious! I know we just met, but you can tell me anything, okay?"

Still trying to reclaim my spirited away soul and the broken shards of my poor heart, I could only nod my head at her words.

"I'm here to help! We're supposed to support each other as heroes!" She plopped herself right down next to me and scooped up a hand of mine into both of hers. It felt really weird being held by an invisible person. "It's okay, you don't have to talk now, but I'm here for you!"

And then, an amazing thing happened.

Hagakure pulled me into a hug, and she held onto me like I was her most precious teddy bear.

"Everything's gonna be okay, [L/N]!! I'm right here!"

For the past four years, I hadn't been hugged by anyone except for my mom. I didn't let anyone that close. And now, being hugged by Hagakure, it was a feeling I didn't realize that I had missed so much, a feeling that I didn't allow from other people until now.

Maybe I couldn't see her, but I could feel Hagakure's heartbeat, and I could feel the sincerity of her words and feelings. She really did care.

I know that we only just met today. For most people, being hugged by newfound company might have crossed some boundaries, but in that moment, I welcomed it.

"Thanks... Hagakure."

She gasped. "You finally talked! I'm so glad. That means this is working! I'll keep hugging you until you feel better!"

I felt some of the color return to my face as I was finally able to find my bearings. Yesterday, Todoroki was my hero. Today, Hagakure was my hero.

"Wow, some of the boys here are just so mean. I can't believe it. You never call a girl gross, even if she's got boogers hanging out of her nose or the worst smelling feet!" Hagakure steamed.

"Word," Jiro added coolly. "Guys are just so clueless sometimes."

I had shared my riveting tale with Hagakure about how I was verbally assaulted by Monoma in the cafeteria. We were changing in the girls' room and gearing up, slipping into our hero costumes to prepare for the Battle Trials, when a pink-skinned girl with horns overheard our conversation. She apologized for intruding, but I didn't mind. It wasn't as if I was trying to hide what had happened, and when the rest of the girls heard my story, they got their pitchforks ready.

And that was how I met and became friends with the girls of 1-A.

"Well, if he ever comes up to you again, we'll be ready!" Uraraka guaranteed while pulling her fists in front of her and wearing a determined expression.

Yaoyorozu proudly placed a hand on her hip, turning to the rest of us, fully decked in her costume. "Yeah, us ladies have to stick together."

"Agreed, ribbit." Asui nodded her head, her crouched form perching on one of the benches in the room.

"Alright, then it's decided! The ladies of Class 1-A are united! You mess with one of us, you mess with all of us!" Ashido jumped onto Asui's bench and punched a victorious fist into the air while striking a heroic pose.

I let out a small laugh. There was nothing like a stupid boy to unify a band of girls, right?

"Thanks... everyone." I was actually surprised how willing they were to stand so steadfast by my side. Maybe this was what it was like to go to a school with other heroes. Everyone, well, maybe not everyone--a mental image of Bakugo and Monoma popped up in my head--but most people seemed to be willing to help each other out. And I was grateful to be initiated into this sisterhood.

Hagakure shouted, "Alright, so who's ready to rock these Battle Trials and kick some butt?!"

Not gonna lie, I felt like a badass walking into the training grounds with my costume on. I requested for a tinted, skydiving helmet for my head, and custom-made gloves and boots that allowed air to flow more freely from my hands and feet. I needed something that was aerodynamic to work with my quirk, so I also had my costume include a simple, black bodysuit with some light padding around the chest, shoulders, forearms, knees, and shins.

"Hagakure, go on ahead. I just have to adjust my boots real quick."

"Okay, girl! Don't take too long, now. The fun's about to start!" She skipped on ahead.

I bent down to readjust a strap around my ankle. It was just a little loose, and I wanted to make sure everything was in place so that I could do my best in the upcoming assignment.

"Heh. I've got you all figured out, chair brat."

A certain someone's voice called out to me from behind. I knew exactly who it was, and I really didn't want to deal with him right now.

Rising from my kneeling position, I turned around to face him, glaring back with a mere the-hell-you-want sort of expression.

A wicked grin spread across his face. "You think you can just ignore me without saying anything? Well, think again. I know why you don't bite back." His lips curled back to show even more of his teeth. "It's 'cause you don't have anything to say. You don't have shit up your sleeve, so all you can do is turn your back, or stare at me like the useless and pathetic coward that you are! At least Deku fights back with something to say!"

I froze. As much as I hated it, he was right.

Bakugo scoffed, "I'll have you know that kind of crap doesn't work on me, so don't think for a second that you've won anything."

There was something in his eyes that screamed satisfaction in beating someone down, but I didn't get it. Why me? Why Midoriya? Why anyone? Why was he so angry and mean?

I could see nearly all of the whites of his eyes as his irises contracted into tiny little dots, and angry, red veins streaked across his sclera.

"I'm gonna fucking crush you like the bug you are, and you'll be so flat on the ground that you won't even be able to-"

"Bakugo, back off!!" 

It was Hagakure coming to my rescue, yet again.

"Who the hell are you, EXTRA? This isn't your fucking business!"

"I'm not an extra, and I have a name! It's Toru Hagakure, and this is my business!"

The way she spoke without fear or hesitance was amazing. I couldn't help but watch her in awe.

"You're being nasty to my friend, so you can bet your explode-y butt that I'm gonna do something about it!" She marched right up to me, took my hand, and about-faced like no one else's business. "C'mon, [L/N]! Let's leave him behind. He's not worth it."

As she dragged me along, I was speechless, but I let her pull me away as I stumbled on my feet and followed her out. 

I knew Bakugo wasn't worth my time. No bully or brat ever was, but after everything he said, after being slapped in the face with the truth, I couldn't help but ask myself... if a coward like me was worth anyone's time?