Chapter Text
Kaminari spent many nights up late. His hyper activeness usually forced him to.
The days he could sleep were worse since he always woke up more tired than when he went to sleep.
So he was used to staying up.
But this time, he wanted to stay up. There was an hour till midnight, and he was spending his time playing video games.
He had nothing else to do as he waited for midnight except play games. No one else was up right now, so he couldn't talk to anyone.
He thought back to previous years. How many times he did this. How it only started back when they were first years.
He was in his third year now and knew that the day was going to be good.
After playing Mario Kart for the third time, he heard a slight knock at the door.
"Hey, dude? Are you awake?" Kaminari heard Sero ask quietly, and Kaminari physically brightened up at his voice. Kaminari quietly walked across the room to the door.
He opened it with a smile as Sero walked in with two boxes and a bag and made his way to the bed.
Kaminari closed the door and sat across from Sero, and moved his Nintendo to the side.
"Okay. Close your eyes for a second." Sero asked, and Kaminari complied.
He heard some movement and boxes opening, and after a little bit, Sero asked him to open his eyes.
He opened his eyes to doughnuts stacked up on a plate with candles around them and lit.
"Happy Birthday, dude," Sero said, and it made Kaminari smile brighter.
Sero sang the birthday song to Kaminari quietly not to disturb any of his dorm neighbours.
"Make a wish, dude!" Sero offered as he pushed the doughnut plate closer to Kaminari, who laughed lightly.
"I'm eighteen, and I don't think it's gonna do anything," Kaminari said.
"Just do it, bro," Sero said, and Kaminari closed his eyes. He didn't have much to think about, and soon enough, he was making a wish and blowing out the candles.
"Thanks, dude." Sero moved to sit next to Kaminari as they ate the doughnuts.
"These are the best birthday doughnuts ever," Kaminari commented with powder and custard on his face.
"Yeah. Only the best for my best, bro." Sero said as he grabbed the box next to him.
"Okay, here's your present." Sero pushed it into Kaminari's lap, and Kaminari laughed a little.
He opened the box and saw a few things. The first thing he picked up was another Pikachu plushie to add to his collection. This one was wearing a Charizard hat, which Kaminari loved.
"Aw, dude, this is so nice," Kaminari said as he hugged it a little. He placed it in his lap as he took out a framed photo of him and the Bakusquad.
Then he took out the new resident evil game. "Aw dude, I was gonna buy this myself," Kaminari said as he looked over it before placing it down.
The last thing he took out was two keychains. One seemed to be symbols representing his friend group. Then there was the other one which was a symbol that Kaminari drew to represent his future career.
"I hate you," Kaminari said lightly, and he lightly punched Sero in the arm.
"What the heck, dude, why?" Kaminari turned to Sero with tears in his eyes.
"I can't believe you got this made for me," Kaminari said, and Sero smiled at him.
"Of course I would. I'm just glad it came in time." Sero said as he pulled Kaminari into a hug.
"Thanks, bro. This was so nice of you." Kaminari said as he hugged Sero back.
"So. Denki. You think you gonna confess to Bakugou today?" Sero asked.
"Heck no." Kaminari pulled away from Sero. "Why would I do that?" Kaminari questioned.
"Well. You kinda missed your opportunity last time on Bakubro's birthday, so today would be a good day." Sero suggested.
"No, it wouldn't. If he rejects me, then I get to be all sad and depressed for the day, and I don't want that." Kaminari whined, and Sero chuckled.
"I dunno, dude. You've been kinda pining over him for almost two years now. I think you should do it soon before we graduate next year." Sero mentioned, and Kaminari pouted.
"I would rather let myself die," Kaminari said, and Sero sighed.
"Fine. Whatever you want. Enjoy those doughnuts, dude. I gotta get back to my room." Sero said as he got up.
"Yeah. Thanks again." Kaminari smiled again at him, which Sero returned as he left the room, quietly enough not to disturb anyone else.
Kaminari put everything away and checked his phone for anything.
None of his other friends had messaged him, and neither had his family. Kaminari wasn't really expecting anything at the moment.
It was late, and everyone was usually asleep, so he didn't really expect anything right then.
So he tried to get some sleep.
Some sleep that he did not get.
The following day, he woke up feeling a little groggy.
He hated mornings because he always woke up feeling worse than anything and feeling like he'd been hit by a truck.
He couldn't have coffee because it would usually knock him out instead. So he settled for washing his face and just dealing with the headaches.
Once he got ready for school, he made his way down to the common rooms, where everyone was eating breakfast.
Kaminari checked his phone and saw nothing still and felt a little bit sad.
He wasn't expecting anything from his family; he was usually ignored by them but still felt a little disappointed when there was nothing from his friends.
He ignored it and went into the kitchen.
He grabbed some bread and made toast while he watches people converse. He smiled at anyone who came into the kitchen and greeted them when he could.
"Hey, dude!" Kirishima greeted as he stepped into the kitchen to grab some water.
"Hey, Eiji!" Kaminari returned as Kirishima grabbed an apple too.
"Dude, I think we have a mock test today. It's gonna suck so much." Kirishima complained.
"Yeah. Completely forgot to study." Kaminari said.
"You always forget to study," Ashido said as she walked into the kitchen.
"No, I don't," Kaminari said.
"Nope, I'm pretty sure you have always forgotten to study." Jirou laughed a little, and Kaminari smiled.
He smiled even though it hurt.
None of them had mentioned his birthday.
Soon everyone was walking to school, making small talk with each other.
They all managed to get to class just a little bit early, which was better than the days that some of them managed to get to class late.
"I'm serious. I slept in through my alarm that time, so I didn't even realise I was late." Kaminari mentioned as they talked about the last time he was late to school.
"I'm pretty sure you wanted to miss the math lesson," Jirou stated, and Kaminari groaned.
"No. As much as I hate maths, I can't afford to miss out on lessons or else I won't be able to catch up easily." Kaminari complained as the bell rang for class.
Mr Aizawa stepped into the classroom, and everyone quieted down immediately.
"We have a mock test. All devices to be put at the front, along with your bags." Aizawa said as everyone got up and did what he asked.
Once they were seated again, Aizawa started handing out the mock tests. Kaminari groaned internally and waited until Aizawa finished handing them out before letting them start the test.
Seeing the first page caused Kaminari to get annoyed. He hated tests because he could never remember anything during the test but remember it all after the test.
It annoyed him. He wished he could remember it during the test, but it's like he blanked.
And he knew that if he studied for it, he could get some answers in, maybe not good ones, but still some.
He sighed as he jotted down whatever he could in the sections.
Before he knew it, time was up, and everyone was handing in their tests. Kaminari sighed as he got up last, as everyone handed in their tests to Aizawa.
"Okay." Aizawa nodded, and Kaminari stepped away to go to his seat before Aizawa stopped him.
"Kaminari." Kaminari looked back to Aizawa, who looked up at him. "Happy Birthday," Aizawa said, a little quiet and a smile grew on Kaminari's face.
"Thank you, Mr Aizawa," Kaminari said as he went back to his seat.
The bell had rung, right as Aizawa got up, leading them into the next period.
It was kinda boring all day. Just lessons and work all day. The only people that remembered his birthday was Sero and Aizawa.
No one else remembered, and it did kinda put a damper on Kaminari's mood.
He sighed quietly as he got changed into his hero costume.
Once they made it to the training grounds, they were informed of their goal.
"We are gonna split the class in half. We are gonna do a game of capture the flag. Anything is on the table as long as it's within the training grounds. Now you will pick one of these sticks, and depending on the colour, it will be your team." Aizawa explained as he held out sticks for everyone to grab.
The blue team consisted of
Sato
Jirou
Shinsou
Bakugou
Ashido
Koda
Shoji
Midoriya
Kirishima
Todoroki
And the red team consisted of
Yaoyorozu
Uraraka
Ojirou
Iida
Hagakure
Tokoyami
Kaminari
Aoyama
Sero
Asui
Kaminari was quite content with his team. He had his best friend on it and a lot of people he could somehow work with.
Though the other team had three of the strongest people in the class, he didn't let that phase him.
"Okay. You guys have five minutes to separate and plan. Once the time is up, it's a no holds bar game. Just don't kill each other." Aizawa looked at Bakugou specifically, and everyone laughed at that, including Kaminari.
He handed each team a flag before they separated and went to secure locations.
They all started discussing plans on beating the other side, and Kaminari was struck with an idea.
"Uh, hey guys?" He tried speaking up over everyone, but no one was listening.
"Uh, guys." Kaminari tried again, but it didn't work.
"No, if we go that route, then surely they would hear us. They have a lot of the Scouters on their side." Iida mentioned, and Yaoyorozu agreed.
"Guys." Kaminari tried to speak a little louder, but no one heard him again.
"I hate to intrude on this plan, but I'm pretty sure Kaminari is trying to say something," Tokoyami said, which halted the rest of their plans.
They all looked at Kaminari.
"Uh. Well, our site has access to the water. And I think that we should utilise that. If we can get our flag to the bottom of the lake, then it would be harder for the other team to find and even grab. We have Asui, who can move through the water with ease and YaoMomo, who could probably make some gear to help any of us breathe under the water if necessary. Ojirou can swim through water without much difficulty.
"I have better control over my electricity and can hit anyone who comes close to it. Sero can immobilise anyone from one side, and Iida's speed can stop someone when we missed them. Once we have everything set up, I'm sure half of us could go find the other's flag while the rest hold down the fort." Kaminari explained his idea, and everyone thought it over before nodding.
"It is a very effective idea," Iida commented.
"Hm. I'll get started on making the necessary equipment," Yaoyorozu said as she went off to the side to create the equipment.
"We will have Asui, Kaminari, myself, Ojirou and Tokoyami protect the flag. The rest will make an attempt to capture the opposing teams flag. Now we have to secure the flag." Iida explained, and everyone nodded.
Sero found a heavy rock, one that could definitely sink and taped the flag to the rock. Yaoyorozu handed out equipment to everyone, including electric preventing blankets to the defending half, earpieces so they could talk and underwater equipment for those going in the water that wasn't Asui. She also gave rope to everyone to capture anyone.
Kaminari placed the mask over his face and steadied it before he held a thumbs up to everyone.
Sero handed the rock to Asui, who went into the water to place it down.
Iida, Tokyoami and Ojirou all made their ways to different areas they would be defending.
Soon they heard a loud buzzing go off, and they were off.
Kaminari jumped into the water and kept steady breaths as he swam through, trying to keep himself unknown.
Asui smiled at him, and he gave a nod towards her.
He heard Uraraka talking into the earpiece, talking about how they were still looking for anyone from the other team.
Kaminari looked around and listened carefully for any movement and heard nothing.
"Sato and Midoriya heading our way," Tokoyami said, and Kaminari prepared for any kind of battle.
He would have to be more careful with Asui in the water but was grateful that he didn't have to fight.
"We found their base. Engaging in combat." Uraraka said.
He smiled when he heard some noise from behind him and saw Midoriya. 'Check and mate.' Kaminari thought.
He wasn't the strongest against anyone, but he knew that it was pretty hard to stand against electricity. Midoriya was basically hopping around everywhere, and Kaminari carefully steadied his aim and carefully shot out enough electricity to immobilise him in the air.
He had fallen into the water, and Kaminari smiled a little. He had taken down Midoriya.
"I've got Sato restrained," Tokoyami stated, and Kaminari kicked his legs to keep him afloat as he nodded to Asui.
He took the mask off. "Midoriya's been taken down. Asui's bringing him up now." Kaminari said as he put the mask back on.
Asui took Midoriya upwards when Kaminari handed him to her. She hauled him onto the surface before getting up and tying him up. She brought him over to Ojirou, who now had Sato with him.
"We've taken down Jirou and Shoji!" Uraraka stated, and Kaminari smiled internally. It was going well.
"Ah! They have taken me, prisoner." Tokoyami informed before he was dragged away. That was one of their team members.
"Yeah, they got Aoyama too," Yaoyorozu mentioned.
"I've got you, bastards, now." Bakugou was heard, and Kaminari looked up to see Kirishima, Bakugou and Todoroki.
"I knocked Ashido out. Might've been a bit harsh." Sero stated, and Kaminari chuckled internally but knew that he had to be careful now.
It didn't seem like the three noticed him, but it sounded like they were in a battle.
"I've been taken down by Kirishima and Todoroki," Iida said, and Kaminari felt frustrated.
Things weren't going quickly because now he might have to face some of the strongest people.
"They got Uraraka and Hagakure." Yaoyorozu said, and Kaminari was trying to think of a plan.
"I have an idea," Kaminari said quietly enough for his teammates to hear.
He had to move his mask down to talk.
"I want you guys to try and lead them all to me. Or as much as possible. No one enters the water. I'll be able to immobilise them but not hurt them." Kaminari explained quietly.
"You better be careful," Sero said.
"I will. Start with those who are the furthest. Then lead those here to come inside." Kaminari said as he fixed his mask and went underwater.
"Oh, I hope you know what your doing, Kami," Sero said. Yaoyorozu nodded at Sero, and they began running towards the flag.
By dodging Koda's animals, they grabbed the flag and began running back.
They had to get the flag back to their own flag, which would be a difficult feat if it wasn't for Kaminari's plan.
It worked into luring Shinsou and Koda into following them, and before they knew it, they had to jump over the water. Sero held Yaoyorozu and ran and jumped, using his tape to help leap over.
Asui helped by using her tongue to swing them across.
Shinsou and Koda followed them into the water. It seemed like Bakugou, Kirishima and Todoroki noticed their flag in Sero's hand and jumped into the water to follow.
Kaminari smirked and saw Asui jump out of the water before Kaminari used his quirk.
He overcharged himself and let it out just enough to immobilise those in the water. They got shocked and couldn't move for a second.
It was long enough for Asui to swim to the bottom and grab their flag before throwing it to Sero, who caught it.
That declared their match over. Kaminari had overused his quirk and couldn't use his legs to keep him afloat, so he started drowning.
"He's started drowning. We gotta get to him." Ojirou said, and Asui swam towards Kaminari. She held onto Kaminari, and Sero used his tape towards Asui to haul Kaminari up onto the ground.
Before they even started anything, Kaminari started coughing up water. He had let out the water in his body but passed out.
"I'll take him to Recovery Girl." Sero offered as they found Uraraka to help the others in the water.
They were lucky that there weren't too many injuries. Kaminari's was the worst, but other than that, it was generally mild injuries. Sero laid Kaminari on the bed as Recovery Girl looked over Kaminari's wounds.
It took about an hour for Kaminari to wake up, and Sero had gotten changed by then.
"Argh." Kaminari groaned as he woke up.
"Hey, dude." Sero greeted as he helped Kaminari sit up.
"What happened?" Kaminari asked.
"We won the game. You almost drowned, but we got to you in time. I'm pretty proud of the plan you came up with." Sero said.
"Thanks," Kaminari said.
"Though, not a fun way to spend your birthday," Sero commented, and Kaminari laughed.
"Yeah. Not too fun." Kaminari said.
Sero looked at his phone before getting up. "Oh shoot," Sero said, and Kaminari looked at him, concerned.
"What happened?" Kaminari asked.
"I was supposed to meet the others. We're going to watch a movie." Sero said nad Kaminari felt his happiness fade.
"Oh, uh, who you going with?" Kaminari asked.
"Shinsou, Kirishima, Bakugou, Ashido, Jirou and me. I thought one of them asked you, and you couldn't make it." Sero mentioned.
"Uh, no. Not really. I didn't even know about it." Kaminari said.
"Hey, I can cancel if..." Kaminari cut him off.
"No. I'm fine. Go have fun. Enjoy yourself." Kaminari said with a bright smile.
"Yeah. Okay. You gonna be good?" Sero asked.
"Yeah. Probably can't leave for a while." Kaminari joked, and that seemed to bring a smile to Sero's face.
"Okay," Sero said, and Kaminari pulled on his shirt.
"Hey, dude. Can you not mention my birthday to the others?" Kaminari asked.
"Yeah, sure, dude, any reason why?" Sero asked, giving him a wider smile.
"Just don't want them to somehow make a big deal," Kaminari said. Sero nodded and left him with that.
Kaminari didn't want to say anything about that the fact that only two people remembered his birthday. His best friend and his teacher.
"This sucks," Kaminari said to himself as he brought his knees to his chest.
He grabbed his phone and rechecked his messages. Nothing. No one had remembered it.
He had another four hours before the day was technically over, and he felt really upset about it.
Recovery Girl came back to check on him again. Once he was cleared to go, he made his way back to the dorm room.
He noticed that all his main friends had left, and he was basically alone.
He sat on the common room couch and put something on, just for background noise.
"Hello, Kaminari." Someone greeted, and Kaminari looked up to see Tokoyami.
"Hi, Toko." Kaminari greeted with a smile.
"Uh, Happy Birthday," Tokoyami said as Dark Shadow held out a bag for Kaminari.
"Thanks, dudes. What is it?" Kaminari asked but took the object out. It was an English book that he talked about a few weeks ago.
"Thanks, Toko." Kaminari smiled, feeling a little better about the whole situation.
"You are very most welcome. I hope you don't have such a dreadful day." Tokoyami said.
"Thanks again. I really appreciate it." Kaminari said.
Tokoyami nodded and stood up, leaving.
Kaminari got up and made his way to his dorm room.
He decided to wallow in his self-pity alone.
Every other year, he has never really felt alone on it. Never had someone not be there for him.
Why was it this year that he felt alone.
He hadn't ever thought that he would feel this way. He believed that his friends would remember.
That they would remember something about him for once.
That they would remember his birthday without being reminded by someone else.
He never forgot anyone else's birthday.
He thought that they would remember him for once.
It didn't seem this way.
What hurt worse was that his crush for almost two years even forgot.
He knew that Bakugou wasn't the most openly expressive person, but he thought he would remember.
Kirishima had forgotten, and he considered him a great friend.
Same with Ashido and Jirou.
Even his most recent friend, Shinsou, he thought he would remember it.
Shinsou was there for his last birthday, but he didn't think he would forget.
Before he knew it, he had tears running down his face. He pulled his knees up to his chest and started crying into his knees, trying to quieten himself so other people wouldn't be disturbed.
He could physically feel his heart hurting, and his head started feeling foggy with all the thoughts that ran through his head.
They might not have been friends for too long, but he thought they were all good friends.
He thought they were all good friends.
He thought.
Maybe he needed to stop thinking.
It would hurt less if he stopped thinking.
What if he overused his quirk.
It would still be painful, but he wouldn't be thinking.
It wouldn't hurt emotionally, and all the hurt will be just physically.
It wouldn't hurt.
And no one would find out.
Right.
No one would find out because no one was actually his friend.
He was lonely.
There was nobody for him.
His family ignored him.
His friends forgot him.
His classmates barely noticed him.
He was lonely.
And done.
And without realising it, he held his hands to his head and overused his quirk.
He could tell that it went into effect by the overwhelming burning sensation that crawled up into his body.
It hurt so much.
It was burning him.
He wanted to scream, but he couldn't.
It was like his voice was turned off.
But just like his voice, his thoughts were turned off.
There was no more thinking.
Only pain. Only fear. Only hurt.
Alone.