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It’s really funny looking back. I’ve never needed glasses, but realizing how blind I was to the truth (even when it showed up in the form of a beautiful green-haired hero in training) makes me rethink that.
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The fact that we’ve survived UA so far is a miracle. Making it through two years, villain attacks and a war was one thing. Surviving the Bakusquad antics though, I’m not quite sure how I haven’t gone completely insane. Or died.
Bakugou definitely mellowed out, but he was still ‘explosive’ to say the least. Adding that onto the everyday antics of Denki and Mina, I basically have a part time job corralling them. Kirishima is helpful with Bakugou, thankfully, but together they can be their own brand of chaos. It’s a lose-lose situation most days. I thank my lucky stars that all of them can be serious when it comes to hero work at the very least.
Because of my expertise at handling the Bakusquad (a nickname so lovingly given to us by Mina herself), I had been dubbed the ‘Dad’ of Class 3-A. It felt like a terrible decision to me, but I found I felt a lot better about it after learning Tsu was being called ‘Mom’. It was cute, and felt like we were a cute married couple watching over our trouble-makers. Tsu could be sitting next to me, working on a new crochet piece. I’d be reading next to her and th-
“Seroooo! Daydreaming about a certain froggy hero again?” I jump as Mina pops up behind the common room couch, disrupting my train of thought.
“Shut up. Someone might hear you.” I gently smack the top of her head. Unfazed, she skips around and plops down on the floor with Denki, begging for the next turn on the Switch. He glances up at me and smirks.
“It’s kinda obvious dude. You get that dreamy look in your eyes anytime she enters a room.”
“Or the way you smile when she ribbits and does that thing with her tongue.” Kiri does a poor impression of Tsu from where he’s laid across the couch, head in Bakugou’s lap. I shake my head at him and carefully mark my spot in the book I’ve been trying (unsuccessfully) to read.
“You guys have it all wrong. Well, mostly wrong anyway. I do think Tsu is cute. And I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have feelings for her. But I’ve also accepted that I have no chance with her. She’s out of my league.”
“Tch. Idiot.” Bakugou is staring at me, looking vaguely irritated, even though it’s countered by his left hand gently playing with Kiri’s hair. He sets his phone to the side and points his thumb back towards the courtyard.
“Deku and his nerds, including Tsu, are hanging out in the courtyard. Go talk to her. She likes you, you’re just oblivious to it.” Wow. I’m oblivious? He’s one to talk.
There’s no way. Right? I mean, Tsu is so kind, sociable, and caring for everyone, especially her friends. I’m just the sarcastic asshole who could keep most of the Bakusquad somewhat sane.
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It’s dinnertime and I should definitely be eating, but I can’t help but glance at her. The way she tucks her hair behind her ear while listening to Midoriya’s rambing. Her laugh when Ochako pokes fun at Iida. I’m lost in her beauty.
I wish I could hold her hand, or run my fingers through her pretty green hair. I would trade the world to spend time with her, studying, relaxing, or even just talking for hours on end.
Suddenly, her eyes meet mine. Shit. I drop my gaze and pretend to be focused on my plate.
“Did you need something?” My heart starts racing. I shamefully look up at her.
“Uh… No. Just, staring into space. Ya know?” Please believe me. Please.
“Well, you’ve been staring at me all night. I just wanted to make sure you’re alright. Need to talk?”
“Goddammit. Yes, he does. Go with the lady, and knock it off with the puppy-dog eyes.” It was surprising to hear exasperation like that from Denki. Am I that bad?
I sighed and stood up. I looked down at the adorable girl in front of me.
“ We can talk in the courtyard if you’d like. Is that alright?”
“Yeah, that’s alright with me.” I smile, suddenly feeling shy. I followed behind for a minute, before Tsu turned back to me.
“For someone so tall and quick in training, you sure walk slow.” Without warning, she grabs my hand and starts pulling me along. It felt unreal. Her hand in mine is so warm and nice. I want to memorize this feeling, this moment, before everything inevitably goes wrong.
As we enter the courtyard, I breathe a sigh of relief at the empty space. If I get turned down, I’d rather it not be in front of other people.
“Sero, what’s going on? You look stressed out. Did something happen?” Shit, how do I explain without sounding creepy? Or crazy?
“It’s really nothing. Well, not nothing I guess. There’s this girl, and I really like her. But I don’t know how to tell her, so I’ve been pretty distracted lately.” I can feel my face turning red, so I stare down at my feet.
“Oh.” The disappointment is clear in her voice, so I look back up to try to see why. She won’t look at me anymore. What did I do?
“Tsu, did I say something bad?” What happened? I can feel panic rising in my chest. Did she figure it out? Does she hate me now? Oh god.
“Hmm? No. Not at all. I just… I have to go. I’m sorry.” Wait. Wait, no.
“Tsu, wait, please. You misunderstood. I-“
“Really, I’m fine. I’ll, uh, see you in class.”
Fuck.
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* beep beep beep*
Damn. I barely slept. I spent the night tossing and turning, stressing about seeing her in class. Yesterday was so awkward, I don’t know how I can face Tsu without dying of embarrassment. I knew everyone was wrong when they said she felt the same. Now I’m suffering the consequences of listening to them.
I finally stretch, roll out of bed and get changed. I’m considering skipping class, but Aizawa will have my head. I guess I’ll just lay low today. Or maybe forever. I’ll become an underground hero. Cause that wouldn’t be totally lame. I’m such a loser. A girl turns me down and I’m considering underground work? I would never hear the end of it from the rest of the bakusquad.
I grab my phone and earbuds as I pull on my blazer, hoping to avoid any awkward conversations with anyone who might have heard what happened. I open my door and nearly jump out of my skin as I run into Uraraka.
“Shit, I’m sorry. Are you alright? What were you doing in front of my door?” Her eyes meet mine, and I can tell she’s pissed. Not my favorite sight, since that ball of sunshine can be absolutely terrifying when she wants to be.
“Who is it? You better fess up and then apologize.” I’m now even more confused than I was a second ago.
“What are you talking abou-“ I’m cut off by a fist to the gut. What the hell is going on? What did I do?
“You really led her on like that. Taking her out into the courtyard like you were going to confess, and then telling her that you like another girl? Are you fucking stupid? Or do you enjoy making someone so sweet cry her eyes out all night?!” What is she talking about?
“Wait, are you talking about Tsu? I didn’t-“
“Shut the hell up and listen. Tsu has had a huge crush on you since the end of our first year. She realized it when we all thought about how we could have lost each other. How much she cared. Do you know how much she’s done to try and get your attention? She adores you. She looks at you like you hung the moon with your tape. So yesterday, when I caught you staring at her, I pushed her to go over and talk to you about it. Big mistake on my part. You told her you liked another girl, and broke her heart. And now, we’re gonna spar, and I’m gonna kick your ass into next year.”
Holy shit. Tsu likes me too? This whole time? And here I was, thinking my crush that I’ve had since first year would always go unrequited. She actually liked me. Or, she did. I messed up. Big time.
“Wait, please let me explain myself, and then you are welcome to kick my ass.” I’m met with a curt nod and a glare that warns me I had better have a good explanation.
“I like Tsu. I’ve had a crush on her since the first time I saw her in training. The way she fought, how much of a badass she was. I thought it was incredibly cute. And then I got to know her. I saw how kind she is to everyone, how she is always a shoulder to cry on. How she has a strong moral compass that rivals even the best of pro heroes. That led to me knowing that I didn’t just like her for her looks, but for who she is on the inside. What happened in the courtyard was a misunderstanding. I was so convinced that someone as wonderful as Tsu couldn’t possibly have feelings for a sarcastic jerk like me, that I was vague. I was trying not to embarrass myself, and in doing that, I hurt her. I’m so sorry. But I need to apologize to her and explain. Can I?”
She considers for a second, then walks back up to me and puts her pointer finger into my chest. She glares up at me again, looking truly deadly.
“Sure, but if you hurt her feelings again, or make her uncomfortable if she turns you down, I will kill you.” The sickly sweet tone and terrifying smile assure me she is very serious.
“Understood. Now where is she? Please.” My desperate tone seems to soften Uraraka’s scary demeanor a little. She sighs and shakes her head.
“In the courtyard you guys talked in, reading before class.”
I run across the campus, I’m determined to get there in time to talk to her. I’m out of breath as I arrive. I hold the cramp in my side and catch my breath. I spot her sitting on a bench, absorbed into her book. I walk up and sit down beside her.
“Tsu. Can I talk to you please? Uraraka told me I hurt your feelings, and I really didn’t mean to. I’d appreciate a chance to explain.” She didn’t look at me, but she isn’t leaving. I guess that means ‘yes’.
“Tsu, that girl I was talking about was you. I was so convinced that there was no way you would have feelings for me. So I tried to save myself from looking stupid, and in turn, I hurt you. That was entirely my fault, and I’m so sorry. But I really, really do like you.” She sighs, and more of her green hair fell in front of her face, keeping me from seeing her reaction. The first bell rings through the school, and I stand up.
“I understand if you don’t want to talk to me. I’ll see ya in class.” As I turn to leave, a hand grabs my shoulder, turning me around and pulling me down to her eye level.
“Hey stupid, I like you too.” She hits the top of my head,and then pulls me into a hug. Oh. This is so nice. I could definitely get used to this. I wrap my arms around her. The second bell starts ringing, and we break apart, looking at each with panicked eyes. Aizawa was gonna kill both of us. Tsu grabs my hand and we start sprinting for the classroom.