You were mild-mannered by nature. Not overly kind, not unkind either - just steady. Patient. The sort of person who didn’t snap easily, at least not enough for Class 1-A to have ever seen.

It was an ordinary day. Classes after lunch loomed ahead - Math for 1-A, English for 1-B. You were walking down the nearly empty halls beside Katsuki, the two of you heading back early while most students were still lingering in the cafeteria. He preferred being early; you didn’t mind the quiet.

Then someone decided to join you. Some random extra, falling into step with the two of you as though invited. He started talking - fast, irritating chatter that didn’t seem to have a point beyond filling the air. It was annoying, though Katsuki gave no reaction beyond the scowl permanently etched into his face. He didn’t snap, but he also didn’t bother to mask his dislike. Pretending wasn’t in his nature, and he despised it in others just as much.

After a while, the extra blocked your path, stepping in front of you both. His comments shifted, more pointed now, needling at Katsuki as if daring him to react - poking the bear just to see what would happen.

One thing led to another.

And by that, it led to you raising your hand and smacking him clean across the face.

The sharp sound echoed down the empty hallway. Katsuki froze for half a second, eyes flicking toward you in surprise. Out of the both of you, he hadn’t expected you to be the one that snapped first.