✰

The sunlight streaming through your window was harsh, and for once, it felt like the world was moving too fast. Every part of your body ached from yesterday's mission, though the physical toll wasn't what weighed heaviest on your mind. No, that was reserved for the aftermath—the debrief, the conversation, and him.

You trudged through the halls of U.A. as though you carried the weight of the entire mission on your shoulders. Memories of Bakugo's harsh words, followed by his reluctant compliment, played in a constant loop in your mind. His intensity was maddening—always full throttle, always impossible to ignore.

"Y/N!" Mina's voice called out, breaking your reverie as she hurried to catch up. Her pink hair bobbed with every step, and her ever-present energy seemed to add a little light to the otherwise dreary morning.

"Morning," you greeted her with a small smile, though you knew your lack of enthusiasm was evident.

Mina narrowed her eyes at you suspiciously as she fell into step beside you. "Okay, spill. What's going on? You've been quiet all morning."

"Nothing," you said, trying to brush it off. "I'm just tired from the mission yesterday."

"Uh-huh," Mina said, unconvinced. "Is this about Bakugo? Because you've had that look ever since the debrief. You know the one—you're thinking way too hard about something."

You froze mid-step. "What? No. Why would it be about him?"

Mina smirked knowingly. "You tell me. You've been weird ever since we got back. And let's not forget, he did say you weren't useless."

You rolled your eyes, heat rushing to your face. "Barely. And it was hardly a compliment. It's not like he said I did a great job or anything. He just..."

"Admitted he respects you?" Mina supplied helpfully, her smirk widening.

"I wouldn't go that far," you muttered, quickening your pace.

"Oh, come on," Mina said, catching up easily. "You have to admit, it's a big deal coming from him. I mean, this is Bakugo we're talking about. Mr. 'I Don't Need Anyone' himself. If he said something even remotely positive, that means something."

"It means nothing," you countered, trying to ignore the way your heart skipped a beat. "It's probably just his way of not admitting I was better than he expected."

"Keep telling yourself that," Mina said with a knowing laugh.

By the time you made it to class, you had convinced yourself that Mina was reading too much into it. Bakugo didn't respect you, and he certainly didn't care about you. He was just... Bakugo. Loud, arrogant, and utterly insufferable.

Still, as the day wore on, you couldn't stop yourself from stealing glances at him during lessons. He seemed as grumpy as ever, his brows furrowed in concentration as he scribbled notes or muttered under his breath. It wasn't like you wanted to look, but there was something about him that drew your attention—his intensity, his drive, the way he seemed so completely himself, even when it irritated everyone around him.

"Y/N," Deku's voice startled you out of your thoughts. He sat next to you, offering a curious look. "Are you okay? You seem distracted."

"I'm fine," you said quickly, forcing a smile. "Just tired."

Deku nodded, though his expression remained concerned. "If you need help with anything, let me know, okay? Yesterday's mission was tough on all of us."

"Thanks, Deku," you said sincerely, grateful for his kindness.

Across the room, Bakugo's eyes flicked in your direction for a brief moment before he turned away, scowling.

The library was quiet when you arrived later that afternoon, the perfect escape from the chaos of the day. You settled into a corner with your notebook and tried to focus on your assignments, though your thoughts kept drifting back to the mission and the lingering tension between you and Bakugo.

"Oi," a familiar voice broke the silence, and you looked up to see Bakugo standing there, his arms crossed and his usual scowl firmly in place.

"What are you doing here?" you asked, surprised.

"I could ask you the same thing," he shot back, though he didn't leave. Instead, he dropped into the chair across from you, his presence as overbearing as ever.

You raised an eyebrow. "Didn't know you were the library type."

"Shut up," he snapped. "I'm here for the quiet, not to talk to extras."

You rolled your eyes and returned to your notes, though his presence made it impossible to focus. The weight of his gaze was like a tangible thing, and you could feel it flickering toward you every so often, as if he was studying you.

"Hey," he said suddenly, breaking the silence.

"What?"

He hesitated for a moment, as though the words he was about to say physically pained him. "You weren't... completely useless yesterday."

You blinked, caught off guard. "Was that a compliment?"

"Don't get used to it," he muttered, his face turning slightly pink.

You couldn't help but smile. "Noted."

That night, as you lay in bed, Mina's words replayed in your mind. There's something there. Was she right? You thought back to the moments during the mission and the library—moments where Bakugo almost seemed... human.

Your phone buzzed, pulling you from your thoughts.

Private Text between Mina & Y/N

Mina: SO?! Did you talk to him today?
Y/N: Kind of. He sat with me in the library.
Mina: OMG. What did he say?

Y/N: That I wasn't completely useless.
Mina: Y/N. That's HUGE. For Bakugo, that's like saying he respects you.
Y/N: Or he just didn't want to be a total jerk since we're teammates now.
Mina: Lmao, sweetie, this is Bakugo we're talking about. He's a total jerk by default. If he held back, it means something.

Y/N: I don't know... maybe.

Mina: Maybe?? Girl, you've been on his mind, guaranteed. You're not gonna tell me he randomly decided to sit with you in the library because he wanted some light reading.

Y/N: Okay, maybe that was weird. But it doesn't mean he likes me.

Mina: Not yet, maybe. But you can't tell me there's no spark. I've seen how you two look at each other.

Y/N: What are you even talking about?? He glares at me like he does everyone else.

Mina: Glaring, staring—it's the same thing for Bakugo. He probably doesn't even realize he's doing it. But I bet he notices you more than anyone else.

You sighed, staring at the screen. Mina wasn't going to let this go, and maybe, just maybe, she had a point. Still, there was no way Bakugo felt anything for you beyond irritation—right?

Before you could respond, another message popped up.

Mina: Anyway, I say lean into it. Tease him a little, have fun with it.

Y/N: You want me to provoke Bakugo? That sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.

Mina: Disaster? Maybe. Chemistry? Definitely.

Meanwhile, in another corner of the U.A. dorms, Bakugo sat on his bed, staring at his phone with a scowl.

Private Text between Kirishima & Bakugo

Kirishima: Yo, dude, how'd the mission debrief go?

Bakugo: Fine.

Kirishima: ...That's it? Fine? What about Y/N?

Bakugo: What about her?

Kirishima: Come on, man. You two were like fireworks out there. She kept up with you, didn't she?

Bakugo: Barely.

Kirishima: Barely? Dude, you were actually working together for once. That's progress.

Bakugo: Don't make it a big deal. She's just not as useless as the rest of you extras.

Kirishima: Wow, such high praise. She'd probably faint if she heard that.

Bakugo: Shut up.

Kirishima chuckled at the reply, but he wasn't done yet.

Kirishima: So, you're saying you respect her?

Bakugo: I didn't say that.

Kirishima: You kinda did. Just admit it, bro. You don't hate her as much as you let on.

Bakugo: She's annoying. Always talking back, always in my face.

Kirishima: Yeah, but you like that, don't you? Someone who can keep up with you.

Bakugo's fingers hesitated over the screen, his scowl deepening. He hated how Kirishima had a point. Y/N was annoying, but there was something about her fiery attitude that got under his skin in a way no one else could.

Bakugo: You're an idiot.

Kirishima: Love you too, buddy. ;)

Bakugo tossed his phone onto the bed and ran a hand through his hair. Why did everyone have to stick their noses where they didn't belong? It wasn't like he liked Y/N. She just... wasn't completely useless.

And maybe—just maybe—he didn't mind her as much as he thought.

Later that night, as you lay staring at the ceiling, you found yourself replaying the events of the past two days. The way Bakugo's sharp words softened just enough during the mission. The fleeting moments of teamwork where you'd actually felt like equals.

Your phone buzzed again.

Mina: Just promise me you'll keep an open mind. You never know where this could go. ;)

You sighed, a small smile tugging at your lips. Mina was relentless, but maybe that wasn't a bad thing.

✰

The next morning, you woke up feeling slightly more optimistic. The mission was behind you, and you were determined to focus on moving forward. If nothing else, you had a team to rely on, and that was what mattered.

As you headed to class, you noticed Bakugo leaning against the wall near the entrance. He didn't say anything as you passed, but his eyes followed you, a flicker of something unreadable in his gaze.

You squared your shoulders and met his eyes head-on, refusing to back down. "Morning, Bakugo."

He grunted in response, but there was a hint of acknowledgment in the way he nodded.

It wasn't much, but it was something.

Group Chat: Combat Team Alpha

Mina: Okay, team! We're officially the best team in U.A., right?

Denki: Obviously. Did you see me out there? I was a beast.

Y/N: Pretty sure you tripped over your own feet at least twice, Denki.

Denki: Details, details.

Shinso: You're all insufferable.

Mina: Aww, don't be like that, Shinso. You're part of the family now.

Bakugo: Shut up.

Mina: Love you too, Bakugo. <3

Y/N: You're really trying to provoke him, huh?

Mina: Always.

You couldn't help but laugh at the chaotic back-and-forth. Despite the tension, the group was starting to feel like a real team.

And maybe, just maybe, Bakugo wasn't as impossible as you'd thought.