Katsuki Bakugo had always been prideful, never one to back down from a challenge. But seeing her again after all these years—a girl he vaguely remembered from middle school—made him feel something unfamiliar. She had always been quiet back then, blending into the background. Now, in their second year at UA, she had blossomed into someone strong and confident, her quirk shining brighter than ever.

The problem? She was dating his best friend, Eijiro Kirishima.

Bakugo didn’t understand why it bothered him so much. At first, it was just an itch, a flicker of irritation whenever Kirishima casually wrapped his arm around her or laughed at her jokes. But as time went on, that irritation grew into something deeper. He started paying more attention to her—how she handled herself in battle, how her eyes lit up when she smiled. She was fearless and fiery in a way that matched his intensity, even if he didn’t want to admit it.

In moments of quiet, Bakugo found himself drawn to her. He’d catch glimpses of her when she wasn’t looking, her focus elsewhere. The way she treated Kirishima—kind and supportive—only made him more frustrated. Why wasn’t he enough? Bakugo’s inner turmoil raged on as he trained harder, trying to drown out the feelings that gnawed at him.

One night after a grueling training session, he found her alone, waiting for Kirishima to finish up. The moonlight caught her eyes, and for a second, Bakugo’s usual bravado faltered. She glanced at him, curiosity flickering behind her gaze.

"You’ve changed since middle school," she said softly, almost teasing.

"Tch. So what?" Bakugo grumbled, crossing his arms, trying to deflect the emotions that swirled inside him.

She smiled—gentle, understanding. And it struck him harder than any blow in battle. He clenched his fists, frustration boiling over. She wasn’t supposed to make him feel like this. Not her. Not when she belonged to someone else.

But despite everything, he couldn't stop himself from falling for her, even if he knew it could never be spoken aloud.