Chapter Text
Every school has a rumor.
There will always be one or a few. Especially for those structures that has a long tale of history.
The music room is haunted. You can hear someone crying down the hall at night. Someone committed suicide in the bathroom. The chairs move by themselves when no one is around. The lights flicker on and off.
There are many to tell and they're passed down from generation to generation of students. Whether they are created for fun or actual experience- no one knows. No one knows how many years old were these stories passed down. It was impossible to find out- to pin point the exact time when it all started, especially when your school dates back 100 years ago since it's foundation, like Yuuei High.
"That can't be real..."
Izuku shook her head.
"You'll never know! How do you explain those red prints down the hall at the fourth floor? They're blood stains!"
"Ochako... they're paint stains from the members of the art club."
The said brunette pouted.
"You're no fun, Izu. But I really do believe that our school used to be a hospital."
"Last rumor I heard, it was a graveyard..."
Izuku sighed as she slid her notebook inside her bag. Lunch time just dropped in and she's hungry. Her best friend just came up to her desk and yapped about the new rumor she just heard. Izuku loves her mochi faced friend to the moon and back but she's a person of logic and she doesn't believe in scary rumors or even supernaturals.
"Then at least hear this, did you know about the school witch?"
"No..."
"Well! She's the witch that has been around for so long. She grants your wishes in exchange for a strand of your hair."
"Wishes? What does that have to do with hair?"
"I don't know. But to make a wish to her, you must climb up to the rooftop, state your wish then throw out a strand of your hair to the edge."
Ochako's eyes gleamed as if she just stated a matter of fact."Ocha, it doesn't matter. It's not true, now c'mon let's go down to eat." Izuku grabbed her shoulders and pushed her to the exit of their classroom. Wishes? Yeah right. Although Izuku does have a wish she strongly wants to come true, offering your hair wouldn't make things different.
"How about we find out for ourselves???"
Ochako declared as they waited in line for their food at the cafeteria.
"What do you mean?"
"Tonight- we'll have a ghost hunting event! We'll go around and check things out!"
On this day, a school camp is at place. They won't be going home and the third year students will camp inside the campus instead. It was an annual thing at Yuuei. They will be having a bonfire on the school yard and play games and stuff for one night and they'll be sleeping inside classrooms. The event is always awaited by the students every year.
"I don't think the student council will allow us to roam around at night in here on our own." Izuku informed. "What if we escape for a bit though?" Her friend grinned sheepishly. "A-And get on the bad side of the student council??? No way." Izuku fretted. The other narrowed her eyes accusingly.
"You mean the school, not the student council. The only reason why you don't want to get into trouble is-"
"Waaah! Mister president, over here! Come sit with us!"
Ochako's sentence was cut off and their heads turned to the source of noise.
"Speak of the devil."
A blonde, handsome young man smiled as he entered the cafeteria. Many students greeted him left and right. It's like he became the light of the whole place in an instant. He greeted them back with a kind smile.
"Student council president- Bakugou Katsuki. He's the reason why you're so behaved."
Izuku's face turned completely red.
"W-W-W-What do you mean?"
"I mean, it's pretty obvious that you have a crush on h-mmmphhh?!?!"
"Stop that! Quiet down!"
Izuku clamped her hand on Ochako's mouth. While the latter struggled to get it off, Izuku looked back at the president. He's talking to a group of girls who came to him, offering boxed lunches that they probably made just for him. She wished she has the courage to come up to him like that. It's been two years since she's been looking at him from a far, never having the guts to approach him or even enter his 2 meter radius.
"I don't get why all of you are so hung up on him."
Ochako huffed when she managed to escape from Izuku's hand.
"What?"
"Sure he's kind, handsome, helpful, responsible, smart, not to mention athletic, but..."
"But..?"
"I feel like he's hiding something."
Ochako quirked her brow. "That can't be." Izuku defended. She's been looking at him for such a long time and all he's ever shown was the usual, charismatic self. Izuku tried getting close to him. She really did. But the closest she could ever get was literally having her name next to him when the test scores are out. Katsuki Bakugou always ranks first while Izuku's second.
The girl had hoped that it will somehow make him notice her but no. Whenever she looks up at the board of rankings, he's always surrounded by a bunch of girls singing praises to him. Of course he'll never notice her that way.
The last bell rang, signifying the end of class. It was time to prepare for the camp.
"Midoriya! Let me carry that for you."
Izuku turned to her classmate- the class representative.
"Ah, Iida. Thanks."
Iida carried the bunch of fire woods Izuku was carrying and both headed out to the field.
"It's not right to let a girl carry these, you could've just helped with the food and let the guys handle it."
"Uhh... yeah, haha. But I'm not really good at cooking, so here I am."
"Is that so?"
Izuku nodded then bowed her head.
"Iida, can I ask you something?"
"The president will be sleeping in the classroom with his male classmates. Not telling which classroom though."
"W-What?! That's not what I was-!"
"Oh, it wasn't? Sorry. All of the girls are asking me where the president will be retiring tonight. I thought you'll be asking the same, given that you like him."
The class representative didn't skip a bit, always blunt and straight forward. "No-I-I-I-! Just- Let's just drop it. I was going to ask you if there's a chance that we can walk around the school tonight. Ochako was proposing a ghost hunt." Izuku tried to wave off the blush on her cheeks. "Oh, that! We'll be having a treasure hunt instead before going to bed. So, I think that's already the chance to walk around."
Izuku perked at Iida's information. It seems that Ochako's suggestion will be slightly valid- that is if she's still up for the ghost hunt and not the actual hunt held by the council.
Wait.
Why was she suddenly interested in that ghost hunt anyway? Izuku shook her head. It was because of that rumor her best friend told her, the one about the school witch. Granting wishes for a strand of hair? That wasn't so bad. Izuku can't believe she's starting to fall for it but it wouldn't hurt to try right? After all, it's just a rumor, right?
The bonfire started and Izuku couldn't stop thinking about it.
Ochako was noisy beside her but her ears are blocking the volumes because she's deep in thought. Green eyes looked to the left. There was the president with his friends, holding a guitar and singing with them. So bright, just like always. Izuku sighed.
"That's the 15th time for the past hour."
Ochako pouted.
"I'm sorry. Uhh, what's been happening?"
"The preparation for the hunt starts in 5 minutes. The student council will be facilitating so we don't wander elsewhere."
"Oh yeah, about the hunt, will you-"
"WE WILL WIN IT!"
Izuku's startled by the sudden ignite of fire on Ochako's eyes. "Wait, you're joining the actual hunt?" She asked. "YES! Do you know that the price is money?!? I'm gonna get it!!!" The brunette cheered. It seems that she threw away the ghost hunt. Izuku laughed sheepishly. She guesses that she'll be joining too. It's too bad that she wouldn't get to check about that witch rumor.
"Okay, listen up!"
Minutes passed, the president gathered the third years to start the game.
"The rest of the council are now in place to guide you where to look. There are 15 hidden treasures inside the high school building. It's the only place to look, by the way. And this..."
He held up a rectangular paper with weird writings on it.
"...is what you're going to look for. The first to find and give us 5 of them will win the cash prize. The two runner ups will only be receiving incentives."
The crowd murmured happily and excitedly, especially Ochako. Izuku giggled at her friend. Though she does support her on this, Izuku guesses that she'll just be walking around. She doesn't have the stamina to search around with competitors.
"Remember, fighting and taking away someone else's treasure is prohibited. Also, there will be places that are off limits. If the room is locked, then there's no reason to search there."
Katsuki added before placing a finger on his lips with a smirk.
"All violators will be punished accordingly."
The girls squealed. Though for some reason, Izuku felt as if Bakugou Katsuki's warning was serious.
The game started and the crowd started running towards the entrance of the high school building. "Over here guys!" A red haired student guided the students inside, making sure no one ran somewhere else. It's Kirishima, the secretary. Ochako was the one in the lead and that's when Izuku realized that she's all alone by the fire now.
Izuku just casually walked inside.
The students had gone wild for the search but thanks to the council members that are facilitating, they didn't thrash the whole place.
Izuku walked through hallways, avoiding students who're running here and there until she reached the fourth floor. To her suprise, no one was around and it was a bit dark, only a few lights were working. The hall looks like it came straight out from a horror movie but the girl easily brushed off the nervous feelings.
No facilitators were around.
Izuku tried opening a room but it wouldn't budge. "Huh... everyone must have gone up here already and realized all the rooms are closed.' She concluded. "I guess I have no business here." Izuku huffed but decided to cross the hall and take the stairs on the other side. The silence somehow comforted her because it's a complete contrast of what's happening downstairs.
When she reached the set of stairs that leads down to the lower level, her eyes drifted to the other set that leads up to the rooftop.
The rooftop. The place Ochako said where the rumor must be done.
Swallowing a lump in her throat, Izuku looked around. Still no one in sight.
"I'll be quick... I-I'm just going to check..."
Curse Ochako for telling her that rumor. 'You're an idiot, Izuku. A total idiot.' She chanted as she took each step. But she's about to graduate... so is Bakugou Katsuki. It's their last year and maybe once, just once, she'd like for the president to look her way. Just a strand of hair. A strand of hair and it will come true. Nothing will be lost if it's true or not right?
When she reached the door that leads outside, her pale, shaking hand reached out to turn the knob.
"Locked..."
Of course it's locked. She forgot. Ever since Bakugou Katsuki took the seat as president of the student council- which was way back when they were still first years, he prohibited the use of the very top of the building, concluding it was dangerous and only certain staffs has the key. With a sigh, Izuku turned to leave.
Until a creaking noise stopped her.
"Eh..?"
The door opened.
She went to check it. The knob was still locked but the door was free from its restraints. Wind greeted Izuku when she let her self out. The sky's clear, no clouds, just stars.
Izuku's long, wavy hair danced with the wind as she bravely neared the edge of the rooftop. Looking down, she can see the bonfire. No one's there except for the council's treasurer- Ashido Mina. No one has yet to win. Taking a step back, she reached to pluck a long, verdant strand from her head.
She's really gonna do this, right? This... childish rumor that came from Ochako that she got from who knows where. But then again, it's just hair. It's not really a loss but the fact that she did this just because of her unrequited love is quite... concerning. Oh well, then again, in the end, she has nothing to lose if she just tried it.
"I... wish for Bakugou Katsuki to notice me."
And with a swish from the movement of her hand, she tossed away the strand and watched it dance with the wind.
1 second, 5 seconds, a full minute passed and nothing happened. "Ahh, I thought so. For someone who has good grades, I'm such an idiot when it comes to this." Izuku whined. Her heels slid back to retreat she was once again stopped when the wind ran to a different direction. Izuku looked back to see a human sized whirlwind violently forming by the edge of the rooftop.
"W-What?!"
What's going on? What's going to happen? Was it real? Was this all real???
"Sorry, I heard you loud and clear, dear. Haha!"
Izuku's mouth opened to a silent scream. She has got to be dreaming, right? Above her was an old woman, cloths with weird patterns are draped all over her. She held her wooden staff forward as she smiled from ear to ear, her wrinkles stretching.
"My, my. It's been what? Fifty years since someone offered me their soul for a wish!"
"O-Offer?! Soul?! I did not offer anything but my hair!"
Izuku finally found her voice to scream out. The witch cackled before her.
"HAHAHA!!! YES! A strand of hair is the way to summon me in this place so I can feed on your soul!"
"You-!!"
Was she tricked?! Did Ochako misinform her? No, it was Ochako who was misinformed. As time flies by, the rumors passed on takes form in different shapes. "Don't worry, I'm kind you know. I will make your love notice you. That is when I change my appearance into you after I get a hold of your soul!" The witch surged down to grab her by the neck.
"Ack-!!"
"I am so lucky to have my rumor passed down even after many years! Young ones are so naive, huh? Especially when it comes to this so called love. The last soul I devoured wished for her feelings to be returned!" The both of them glowed but only for Izuku to feel energy being drained out from her and into the witch.
"HAHAHA!!! Now I can freely move again inside this school. I can't wait for more victims. More souls to devour so I can live longer!!!" Izuku felt anger rise, her fear slowly draining out. With shaky hands, she used her last ounce of energy to slap the old woman across the face.
"Ah~ Feisty are we? But it takes more than that to hurt me!" Large, wrinkled hands tightened around her frail neck. The witch continued taking away her soul until-
"AGGHHH!!!"
A loud screech resonated from the supernatural, she backed away and released Izuku. The latter coughed out and chased her breath, before crumbling to the ground. Opening her eyes, she saw the witch struggling to get a piece of paper off her forehead. Red sparks roamed and hurt her body.
"This!!! This sutra talisman! You exorcist!!! You're still here?!?"
She screamed. "Exorcist..?" Izuku mumbled under her breath until she caught something in her peripheral vision.
"Not anymore, but hey. I'm your nightmare this time."
"M-Mister president..?"
Izuku croaked. Why is he here??? He held a Katana and rested it on his shoulder while his other hand is inside his pocket. He looked so cool and... cold?
She noticed that he's giving her a side glance... and he's glaring at her with cold, unfamiliar eyes. Izuku had never seen him wore such expression and what's worse is it's directed at her.
"Gah-! Always! Always! You exorcists are a pain!"
"Shut up hag. I'm not as nice as the other guys. I'm not going to seal you back in your place..."
Bakugou Katsuki unsheathed his Katana and pointed it to the witch.
"I'm ending you tonight."
He was fast. In the blink of an eye, he's already in front of the school witch and dealt multiple damage. The witch kept screaming in pain as Katsuki pushed her back. With one last slash of his sword, he opened a large wound on her front. The president pulled out another paper from his pocket but this time, it was black.
"That should be enough."
He aimed the paper to the witch but before he could throw it-
"Mister president, look out!"
It was faint, but Izuku saw it. Her soul flickered in the witch's body then a light burst out from her, blinding both Izuku and Katsuki.
"Eh?!"
When they came to, the supernatural was gone. Not a trace from her was left. The witch used the light her soul to escape.
"S-She's gone... Mister president are you o-"
"Okay my ass."
In a flash, the blonde is in front her, his weapon's pointed at her. Izuku looked up at him with worried eyes. "This place was locked. And I'm pretty sure I said that you fuckers should leave locked doors alone." He growled.
What?
Who's this?
Bakugou Katsuki's acting strange. First of all, he'd never snarl like that. Second, he wouldn't point such a dangerous thing to his fellow students and call them fuckers. He never curses- and-and, he cares about the students for god's sake, that's why he's the president right??? RIGHT???
"Answer me, dumbass!!!"
"T-T-T-The door wasn't l-locked!"
"Oh..?"
Katsuki knelt to her level with a sarcastic smile. "Gonna lie now huh? Even before the camp, I've announced that the rooftop is off limits. And I announce that every year. You're a third fucking year student, DON'T TELL ME YOU DON'T KNOW THAT!" He screamed the last statement in anger. Izuku wants to cry. Getting on his bad side was the last thing she wanted.
"You're a fucking dumbass, you know that?! Where the fuck did you hear the rumor?!"
"F-From a friend. It was the talk of the s-school."
"Heh, I'll say. And you believed it? Look where it got you, half of your soul was sucked out."
"Half?! W-What does that mean?"
"It. Means. Your lifespan is now halved. Congratulations! You just won your Darwin award!"
"E-Ehhh?! I- How do I bring it back?!"
"You're one and a half idiot alright. Kill the witch of course." Katsuki quirked his brow. "R-Really? Then- let's find her right now. Please mister president, help me get her!" Izuku whined. "No way. What do you think of me? Some prince in a shining shimmering armor and a horse that comes to save you when you're in need? Fuck off. Besides, I don't sense her anymore. She's hiding."
Oh right.
What did happen to him anyway? Where's that princely, nice guy attitude?
"M-Mister president-"
"Oh, you're probably confused about me right now, huh? Heh, well missy, this is my true self. Congratufuckinglations for unlocking my character."
"W-What?"
"That walking ball of sunshine you see almost everyday? It's all a front. Just to keep my seat as the president."
Izuku blinked many times in confusion. She couldn't believe it. The image of her unrequited love for almost 3 years was shattered in front of her and was replaced with this smirking devil. "Why would you..." She asked, dumbfounded. "Why? Haha! So I can do whatever I want in this school of course! I can't exorcise shit when I'm stuck as an extra like you."
The girl pinched her cheeks. Someone please wake her up right now.
"You're not dreaming. If you want me to prove that further, I'll gladly tear you from limb to limb right now."
"But... No way."
"Yes way, fucker. What I hate the most are violators. You're coming with me."
Katsuki stood up and looked down at her.
"B-But-! I still need to get my soul back! I... I don't know what to do."
"Your name."
"Huh?"
"Your name, dumbass."
"M-Midoriya Izuku..."
"Midoriya Izuku?" Katsuki repeated, trying to feel the name on his tongue before something clicked in his brain. "Oh! You're that second rate fucker whenever the school ranking is out." Izuku felt a stab in her heart. Or maybe she should be happy? After all, at least he remembered her because she made an impac- holy shit wait, he's not the same guy! Why would that make her happy?!
With a try hard glare, she looked up at him. She needs to be angry! This person is not the person she used to like!
"I'm not a second rate. I've been close to surpassing your grades many times!"
"Yes, and it's taking all of me not to choke the living daylights out of you, Deku."
"Deku???"
"That's how I read your name at first. It fits because it means useless for a loser like you." He shrugged. Izuku felt like fainting. This was NOT how she imagined her first conversation with Bakugou Katsuki. It's like they're on a trash talk showdown. How romantic.
"Come to think of it, what did you wish for from the school witch? You got good grades and I think I saw you with a round extra a while ago which means you have no troubles at school."
Izuku swallowed nervously when Katsuki leaned down at her.
"Do you have problems with your parents? Or was it about..."
Izuku felt her heart stop and face explode.
"AHAHA! I KNEW IT! You wished for me didn't you?! It's written all over your fuck ugly face!" The president guffawed. "Stop laughing! I-I was not!" Izuku squeaked. "You sure like lying huh? You wouldn't be that confused and disappointed when I revealed my personality to you if you don't feel so strongly about me." Izuku internally whined. He got her.
Damn, she wants the old president back! She'd like to get a refund from the witch! She did NOT ask to be noticed by this arrogant, rude, homicidal maniac!
"Don't worry though. You'll be sticking with me from now on. You got your god forsaken wish."
"...huh?"
Katsuki's grin was conniving.
"You'll be helping me with my exorcisms like the rest of the council. I did say that there will be punishment for violators, right?"
"But I-"
"So, if you want half of your soul back-"
The devil stretched out his hand.
"It'll be nice working with you, Deku."
Izuku felt like he's offering a contract for slavery but she doesn't have a choice now does she? She doesn't stand a chance against that witch. She needs Katsuki. And so with a dreaded feeling, she accepted his hand.
"Wow, you sure like me, huh Deku?"
"... I'd sell you to Satan for one corn chip."