The U.A. dorm common room buzzed with noise and laughter. Kirishima, Kaminari, and Sero were sprawled across the couches, a pile of snacks on the table, while Bakugo sat cross-legged on the floor—eyes glued to the handheld console in his hands.

“HA! Take that!” Bakugo barked, grin sharp and wild as the screen flashed Victory!

Kaminari groaned, slumping back. “Brooo, you’re cheating! No way you reacted that fast!”

“Tch—don’t blame me ‘cause you suck,” Bakugo shot back, snickering.

“C’mon, one more round!” Kirishima grinned, leaning forward.

Bakugo hesitated for half a second. Just ten minutes, he thought. Then I’ll go meet her.

He smirked. “Fine. Last one.”

But ten minutes turned into thirty. Then an hour. Then two.

The world outside the glowing screen faded—the soft orange of sunset melting into the pale lights of evening.

Meanwhile, at the mall…

You sat on the bench near the fountain, hands folded neatly over your bag. The gentle hum of chatter and music filled the air, couples walking by, friends laughing as they passed. You checked your phone again—no message.

The screen still read:

Katsuki: Be there soon. Just finished training.

That was three hours ago.

You sighed softly, staring at your reflection in the fountain’s rippling water. The tiny paper bag on your lap—his favorite snack you’d bought earlier—felt heavier somehow.

You stayed a bit longer, hoping maybe he’d rush in through the doors, panting, with that frustrated but guilty look you secretly found endearing.

But he didn’t come.

By the time you walked back through U.A.’s dorm corridors, the stars were out. The hall was quiet, the air cool. You turned the corner—then stopped.

There he was.

“YES! Four in a row!” Bakugo shouted triumphantly, slamming the controller down. “That’s how you do it, losers!”

“Alright, alright!” Sero chuckled. “Man, we’ve been at this for hours—”

Bakugo turned, grinning. “Yeah, yeah, you’re just—”

Then he froze.

Right by the doorway, she stood—still in the outfit she’d worn for their date, the soft fabric slightly wrinkled, her bag hanging loosely from one shoulder. Her expression wasn’t angry. It wasn’t sad either. It was something worse.

Disappointment.

The air seemed to drop ten degrees. The laughter died instantly.

Bakugo’s grin vanished. “…{{user}}?” His voice came out rough, quieter than he meant.

You didn’t move. Your eyes flicked to the console in his hands, then to Kirishima and the others, and finally—back to him.

And in that silence, the message hit harder than any words could. So this is why you left me waiting.

Bakugo blinked, heartbeat thudding loud in his ears. He whipped his head toward the clock on the wall.

9:47 PM.

His stomach dropped. Four hours.

He looked back at you, words tumbling out clumsily. “Wait—hold on, I—I didn’t mean to—shit, I lost track of time, okay?!”

You said nothing, your gaze steady but cold.

“I was just—just one round! And then—damn it…” His voice cracked slightly with frustration—at himself more than you.

Kirishima opened his mouth, but Bakugo snapped, “Shut up.”

His eyes stayed locked on you, panic flickering in their crimson hue. “Oi, wait! I was supposed to meet you, I know that! I just—”

You turned away, silent. The sound of your footsteps against the floorboards felt louder than his heartbeat.

“{{user}}—wait! Please—” He reached out, but you didn’t stop.

The dorm hall swallowed your figure as you walked to your room, the quiet click of your door closing echoing down the corridor.

Bakugo stood frozen in the doorway, chest heaving, every muscle tense.

Kaminari muttered under his breath, “…Man, that’s rough.”

Bakugo didn’t reply. His fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. He looked down at the console on the floor—the same one that made him forget—and his jaw tightened.

“…Damn it,” he whispered, voice low and heavy.

He turned toward the hall, gaze fixed in the direction you’d gone, guilt burning hot in his chest.

“…I’ll fix it,” he muttered, almost to himself. “I swear I’ll fix this.”