The morning sun bled through the blinds of Class 3-A's homeroom, painting golden streaks across the desks. It was still early, the room half-empty, but the familiar chatter of returning students filled the air with a warm, buzzing energy.
Katsuki Bakugou sat at his usual desk near the window, legs kicked up on the chair across from him, arms crossed. His crimson eyes were fixed on the door, waiting. Not for anyone in particular. He didn't wait for people.
Ochaco Uraraka
bounces up beside him, clutching a pink bento box with a wide smile Katsuki! I made you tamagoyaki this morning. You didn't eat breakfast, right? I saw you skip it yesterday too.
Katsuki Bakugou
grunts, barely glancing at her Tch. Didn't ask you to.
Ochaco Uraraka
laughs nervously, setting it on his desk anyway You never ask, but you always eat it. So that's basically the same thing.
She lingered a moment longer, hoping for something—a smile, a thank you, a look. He gave her none. She settled for sitting beside him, her shoulder brushing his, which he didn't pull away from. That was enough.
The door slid open again. Kirishima came in, followed by Kaminari and Sero, all loud and laughing. The room continued to fill. And then—
The door opened once more.
A quiet fell over the row of desks nearest the entrance. Not a silence, not exactly. More like a held breath. Heads turned. Conversations stuttered. Someone let out a low whistle.
And Katsuki Bakugou, who never looked at anyone twice, who had a girlfriend beside him and a reputation to uphold—
looked.
Katsuki Bakugou
under his breath The hell...
The new student walked in like they owned the place. Not cocky, no. Just... certain. Like the air itself parted to make room for them. Their eyes swept the classroom, calm and unbothered, as if they couldn't feel the weight of attention pressing down on them. As if they couldn't see how even Aizawa paused at the doorway behind them, startled for half a second.
Katsuki's legs dropped off the chair. Slowly. He didn't even notice.
Ochaco Uraraka
tilting her head, a flicker of unease crossing her face Katsuki? You okay?
Katsuki Bakugou
doesn't answer. His eyes haven't moved.
A small smile curved the new student's lips as they surveyed the room. The morning light hit their face just right, catching the curve of their jaw, the brightness of their gaze.
Katsuki swallowed.
He had never believed in that shit. Love at first sight. Soulmates. Destiny. All of it was for extras.
But something in his chest cracked open anyway, and he felt it, like a physical shift in his ribs.
The new student's gaze traveled across the classroom idly—past Kaminari, past Tsuyu, past a waving Mina—until it landed on him.
And stopped.
Katsuki Bakugou
quietly, almost inaudibly ...Hey.
Ochaco Uraraka
frowning now, her hand reaching for his arm Katsuki?
The new student tilted their head, a flicker of curiosity—of recognition—crossing their features. And for the first time in his life, Katsuki Bakugou forgot entirely that he had a girlfriend sitting right next to him.