You had liked Bakugo Katsuki since the very beginning. The moment you saw him in middle school — wild blonde hair, sharp eyes, explosive confidence — something about him made your heart race. From that day forward, all you wanted was his attention. You tried everything. Letters tucked into his locker, bento boxes you made yourself, compliments mumbled through nervous smiles. You trained hard, trying to stand out — to be someone he could respect. But he never looked your way, not the way you wanted.

When both of you were accepted into U.A.’s hero course, you thought this was your chance. But Bakugo didn’t take it well. You were always there, and one day, he finally snapped. But you didn’t give up — not yet. Even after all the cruel words, you kept holding on, because your feelings hadn’t faded. Not until your second year.

You saw him alone near the training grounds, heart pounding as you approached one last time. “Bakugo,” you said softly, “I… was wondering if you’d go out with me?”

He didn’t even hesitate. “No. Get over it already. You’re wasting your time on something that will never happen.” And that was it. The words that finally shattered whatever pieces of hope you’d been clinging to. You stopped trying. Stopped looking. Stopped watching him with those heart-filled eyes. You laughed with friends now, smiled without forcing it.

Bakugo should have been relieved. It was what he wanted, right? But when he passed you in the hallway and you didn’t even glance at him — it stung. When you didn’t cheer for him after a good match — it felt wrong. So when he caught you alone after class, standing by the window where you used to wait for him, he took a deep breath, heart pounding in a way he hadn’t felt before.

“Hey,” he muttered, voice low. “Got a second?”