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Bentos have magically appeared on Katsuki’s desk for weeks now. He blew up the first one, not trusting the obvious trap. Aizawa-sensei gave him detention for that even though he never scorched his desk. After another one appeared the next day, his teacher confiscated it and later told him it was cleared of anything suspicious, so no more exploding them. Instead, he heavily encouraged Katsuki to appreciate them.
Katsuki has to admit, as he opens up today’s bento, that it is kind of nice to not have to worry about cooking lunch or grabbing it from Lunch Rush. He never makes any of the food spicy enough for Katsuki’s liking. Whoever this person is does. In fact, the bentos feature all of Katsuki’s favorite dishes. Either one of his classmates has made these for him or they told some extra about shit he likes. Katsuki doesn’t know which one is worse.
Today, the mystery person made him spicy karaage along with fried rice, kimchi, and crispy lotus roots. There are cut up carrots in the shape of explosions and the lotus roots look like skulls. Katsuki likes that way more than the typical, cutesy hearts or flowers. He grabs the chopsticks and digs in, no longer wary of poison after so long.
Katsuki bites into a piece of karaage first. The exterior breaks in his mouth before his teeth sink into juicy chicken. The sauce coats his tongue in a firework of flavor. Spice sets his taste buds on fire,eventually burning out to ashy numbness. There are hints of garlic and ginger underneath. Katsuki savors the first burst of fiery flavor.
After a few more bites, a shadow covers him. Katsuki doesn’t bother looking up, just scooting over a bit. Kirishima plops down next to him against the tree. Since Katsuki began receiving these free meals, his classmates now gossip and tease him about his secret admirer. He expected it to die down after the first few days. When it didn’t, Katsuki stormed outside to eat. He never bothers going back.
Kirishima is the only one that follows him out here every day. He is the only one Katsuki wouldn’t turn away. They both eat their lunches in peace. Kirishima never asks or jokes about his admirer. He talks about school or patrols or video games. Katsuki appreciates the normalcy. As much as he likes the food, he’s tired of hearing rumors and bets about who it might be. After all, who could possibly love the beast of UA?
Today, Kirishima breaks the comfortable routine. He shifts around, tense and no longer smiling as he glances towards Katsuki and the bento. Katsuki gets tired of the nervous energy radiating off his friend and asks what’s wrong with him. Kirishima finally broaches the unwanted topic and asks if Katsuki enjoys the bentos. He examines Kirishima suspiciously before begrudgingly admitting that he does. Kirishima’s eyes light up and his bright smile reappears like clouds no longer blocking the sun. Kirishima doesn’t ask anymore weird questions; he just rambles about his patrol with Fat Gum yesterday.
Katsuki half-heartedly listens as he reflects on that odd interaction. He would almost believe Kirishima is the secret admirer. It would make sense, especially considering his anxious question. But, Katsuki knows it can’t be him. Kirishima’s too nice and upbeat to want to hang around an asshole like Katsuki more than he already does. Even if Kirishima likes him more than friends, Kirishima is too manly to not ask him out directly instead of secretly cooking for him. No, it’s more likely that Kirishima knows who the admirer is and asked for them. The question and his response must mean they will up the ante or maybe even confess soon.
Katsuki ignores the disappointment sinking his heart at the thought of some stranger cooking these lovingly crafted meals for him instead of the one person he would willingly date. If Kirishima ever asks him out, the answer would be a resounding yes. Unfortunately, that won’t happen. Katsuki will have to deal with rejecting this person and hearing all the gossip about how cruel he is for weeks to come. The bell rings, interrupting Katsuki’s train of thoughts and Kirishima’s monologue. They head back to class. Nothing out of the ordinary happens the rest of the day.
However, the next day, his desk is empty. Everyone comments on it the moment they notice. They all speculate about the sudden absence. Did the secret admirer finally get over whatever infatuation they had? Were they hit by a quirk? Did Katsuki unintentionally say something mean to them? Or, did they already confess?
By lunchtime, Katsuki is already sick of it. He heads out to his regular spot even without anything to eat. He dreads the thought of entering the cafeteria tomorrow. Maybe, he’ll cook food for himself. Katsuki sighs and slumps back against the tree. He already misses those delicious bentos. Katsuki scowls at the grass below him and rips some of it up. He wonders if his classmates are right–not about the confession obviously, but about everything else. Katsuki gave a positive answer to Kirishima, who should have passed it on. He doesn’t get it.
A shadow darkens the ground Katsuki glares at. He scoots over without looking up, but Kirishima doesn’t sit next to him. Katsuki leans his head back, his eyes dragging up over Kirishima’s shoes, pants, and… a bento in his hands. Katsuki stares at it, utterly confused yet cautiously hopeful, before staring at Kirishima’s expression. It’s the same one he wears to battle–nervousness, excitement, and determination all in one. The flickers of hope shine brighter at that look aimed towards him.
Katsuki stands up and Kirishima stands straighter. Kirishima takes a deep breath before confessing that he was the one leaving him bentos. As he asks Katsuki out, red colors his cheeks and a slight shakiness enters his voice at the thought of Katsuki’s possible reaction.
Katsuki stares at Kirishima’s white knuckled grip on the bento box. He covers those trembling hands with his own and looks back up. His fierce, battle-ready face matches Kirishima’s. Katsuki agrees with vicious enthusiasm:
“Hell, yeah!”
He drags down a stunned Kirishima to sit by him and opens up the bento for them to share. Katsuki stuffs Kirishima’s dumbstruck face with some squid and laughs at his tears and dripping nose as the spice hits him. Right after, he gives Kirishima his water and non-spicy rice. Katsuki laughs some more and asks Kirishima how the hell he pulled everything off without any of their nosy classmates finding out. For the rest of lunch, Kirishima explains how Fat Gum gave him recipes and how Present Mic let him use his kitchen. Afterwards, they walk back to class hand in hand and set off the gossip mills once more.