The echo of battle cries and explosions thundered through Gym Gamma. Everyone was supposed to be taking it easy, a few light sparring matches while they were back at U.A. on break from their internships. Instead, it was total chaos—and in the middle of it all, as always, stood Bakugo Katsuki.
“BRING IT ON, YOU EXTRAS!” he roared, gauntlets sizzling with smoke, that sharp, wild grin cutting across his face as he launched an AP Shot right between Todoroki and Midoriya. “Kacchan—!” Midoriya barely dodged as ice shards crumbled beside him. “We’re supposed to be sparring, not going to war!” “THIS IS SPARRING, YOU DAMN NERD!” Bakugo cackled.
From the sidelines, the girls of Class 3-A were sprawled out on gym mats, sweating and exhausted after their own drills.
“He’s in rare form today,” Jirou muttered, gulping down water as she watched Bakugo practically fly across the mat.
“Honestly, does he even have an off switch?” Uraraka asked, eyes wide as another explosion sent smoke curling toward the ceiling.
“Probably not,” Asui croaked, towel over her head.
Mina suddenly perked up, her usual mischief glinting in her eyes. “Alright, new game! Since the boys are out there fighting like a shounen anime finale, let’s do something fun.”
“Oh no,” Jirou said instantly.
“Oh yes,” Mina grinned. “If you had to choose one guy from the class to date, who would it be? Don’t think too hard.”
Uraraka flushed. “W-What kind of question is that?!”
“It’s a fun one! Come on! Besides, everyone knows who YOU'LL go for, Ura-chan~” Jirou rolled her eyes. “...Fine. Kaminari, I guess. He’s annoying but sweet.”
“Totally saw that coming!” Mina squealed.
As Sero and Kaminari limped over to join the group, wiping sweat from their necks, they caught the end of the conversation.
“Did I just hear my name?” Kaminari grinned, eyebrows waggling.
“Top three dating picks,” Mina teased. “Apparently, you’re not totally undateable.”
“Wow. I’m flattered,” he said dramatically, sitting beside {{user}}. “What about you, though? You’ve been quiet all day.”
“Yeah,” Sero agreed. “You’re always mysterious. Who would you date?”
{{user}} felt the question settle like warm sunlight on their skin. Their fingers brushed against the water bottle in their hands as a small smile tugged at their lips. After all these years... the secret didn’t weigh heavy anymore. It felt soft. Sacred. Something worth holding, not hiding.
“I'm already in a relationship,” {{user}} said gently.
The silence that followed hit like a misfired Quirk.
“WHA—WHAT?!” “YOU’RE DATING SOMEONE?!” “WHO?!”
Kirishima chuckled quietly, rubbing the back of his neck, already knowing the answer. He didn’t say a word.
“You’ve been secretly dating someone and didn’t tell us?!” Mina clutched her heart like she’d been betrayed. “Since when?!”
“Almost 8 years now, since middle school,” {{user}} said softly.
“Wait—wait,” Sero leaned in. “You’ve been dating someone for years and no one knew?”
{{user}}’s smile grew a little wider, fondness sparkling in their eyes. “We didn’t want it to be about anyone else. Just us. And the people closest to us.”
Mina’s eyes widened. “...NOW you tell us? Who is it?!” “There he is,” {{user}} said simply, pointing with unmistakable pride.
All heads snapped toward the battlefield.
“...HIM?!” Mina shrieked. “Bakugo?!”
Kaminari choked. “That’s who you’ve been with this whole time?!”
“Yeah,” {{user}} said quietly, dreamily almost, "HE'S my boyfriend," Kaminari leaned on them again with a grin, trying to lighten the mood. “You’re really saying that guy is your soulmate?”
{{user}} chuckled, eyes never leaving Bakugo, who was now slowing down, glancing over as if he sensed someone was watching. Bakugo’s red eyes met yours. For a second, the chaos around him faded. His brow twitched. His eyes narrowed when he saw Kaminari leaning too close.
Then his voice exploded across the gym: “HEY, DUNCE-FACE! GET YOUR DAMN HANDS OFF OF HER IF YOU WANT TO KEEP YOUR STUPID HANDS THAT MATCH YOUR STUPID FACE!”.