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Kaminari sat alone in his room. The scene kept replaying in his mind. It was like he was there, watching on the TV. “And the Mighty Heroes have one last chance to beat the UOV, with only a minute to go and down 5 points. Bakugou drops back to pass, he scans the field to see his options. He throws loooonng into the arms of Kaminari! He’s running! He’s running! UOV on his tail! The 30! 20! 10! He dives! Oh no! One yard short! That’s the game! UOV wins! UOV wins!”
Just one yard short. He couldn’t face anyone after that. Not Bakugou, Kirishima, Midoriya, not the coaches, interviewers not even his girlfriend, Jirou. When he showed up to the dorms, Jirou was already sitting down. “Hey, babe.” She called gently “Want to sit for a while?” Kaminari didn’t say anything. He kissed her on the cheek and then yawned “Sorry, I’m just…tired. I think I’m going to rest up a bit.”
Jirou let Kaminari walk away. She did watch the game at the college café with their friends who couldn’t make it. It was terrible, seeing everyone shouting in excitement and then groaning in disappointment. “Another season gone.” “Almost had it.” “Wanna go find somewhere to eat?” No-one really seem to care but Kaminari was lying on the grass, being picked up by Kirishima and carried away.
Jirou and Yaomomo were sitting in Kaminari dorm room that he shared with Kirishima. Kaminari had given Jirou a key only a month after dating. “Should we do anything about it?” Jirou asked. Yaomomo had been dating Todoroki, who was a gymnast, and so Jirou thought that she might know how to deal with athletes. “I always let Shouto know that no matter what, I’m always there for him.” “And what does he do?” Jirou asked “He rests, I help him relax, talk him out of the competition and let him know that he is my #1, now and forever.” Jirou was stunned. Yaomomo made it sound so easy.
It was a quick interaction, the normally touchy Kaminari just left with a quick kiss. It wasn’t like him. Even when his team lost a game, he was always there cheering everyone up. “There’s always another game, guys! We got this cause we’re The Mighty Heroes!” A few minutes later Kirishima came in. “Oh, hey Jirou. Has Kaminari not come back yet?” he asked, a little concerned. Jirou shook her head “No, he’s home. Just in his room.” She said, dejectedly. Kirishima sat next to her “Yeah. It was a…tough game for him. Did you see it?” Jirou nodded “Just one yard.” They sat in silence for a moment. “What does Mina normally do when you guys…well, not win?” Kirishima scratched the back of his head “Well…it’s usually a quick bite to eat and then um…stuff.” Both Jirou and Kirishima were better off not talking further about “stuff.” “Anyway,” Kirishima continued “I can check up on him, if you like?” he offered. Jirou didn’t want to encroach on Kirishima’s space or time “It’s ok. I can do it before I go.” Kirishima gave a thumbs up and went to his own room.
Kaminari heard a knock at the door. He didn’t answer, just sat on his bed staring at the ceiling. The thoughts rattled through his brain. ‘Is this it? Man, losing really sucks. But it sucks more because it’s on me. Diving like a complete idiot. What was I thinking? What the hell was I thinking?!’ The door gently opened and a beam of light fell on Kaminari, interrupting his thoughts. “Hey, Denki?” It was Jirou’s voice, softer than normal. He quickly sat up and grinned “Oh, Hey Kyo babe! What’s up?” Jirou sat on the floor, laying her head on Kaminari’s bed. She didn’t say anything at first, the words difficult to come up with. Instead, she grabbed his hand and squeezed tight. In no time at all, Jirou felt his grip tighten gently and she smiled to herself, for Kaminari and towards their future.