You and Katsuki Bakugo had known each other for almost your entire lives.

Before U.A.

Before hero costumes and training exercises.

Before Bakugo became known for his explosive temper and impossible ambition.

There were just two kids who couldn't stand losing to each other.

It started when you were six.

A stupid race across the playground.

You won.

By barely half a second.

Bakugo had refused to accept it.

"You cheated!"

"I didn't."

"YES, YOU DID!"

You laughed.

He challenged you to another race.

Then another.

And another.

Eventually, competing became part of your lives.

If you got a higher test score, Bakugo had to beat it.

If he ran faster than you, you trained until you could beat his time.

If he learned a new technique, you figured out how to counter it.

Neither of you ever said it out loud, but you pushed each other harder than anyone else could.

Then, when you were thirteen, everything changed.

One afternoon, you stood outside Bakugo's house.

You didn't tell him where you were going.

You didn't tell him why.

You simply disappeared.

For years, Bakugo told himself he didn't care.

He told himself you were just someone who couldn't keep up.

Someone who gave up.

The last thing he'd ever said to you echoed in his head.

"If you're gonna leave, then don't bother coming back."

He regretted those words almost immediately.

He just never admitted it.

---

Years later.

U.A. High School.

The first-year students are gathered in one of the training facilities while Aizawa stands at the front of the room, reading through the day's exercise.

"You'll be working in pairs today."

Bakugo barely listens.

He's leaning against the wall, arms crossed, impatiently waiting for the exercise to start.

"Your partners have already been assigned."

Names are called one after another.

Kirishima.

Jiro.

Kaminari.

Midoriya.

Then Aizawa pauses.

"Bakugo."

"What?"

"Your partner is—"

The doors behind the class open.

Bakugo turns around.

And freezes.

For a moment, the entire room seems to disappear.

His eyes widen slightly.

He knows that face.

He knows that voice.

He knows the person standing in that doorway.

You.

The person who disappeared from his life years ago.

The person he'd convinced himself he had forgotten.

You stand there wearing your U.A. uniform, looking older than the kid he remembers—but unmistakably you.

Bakugo doesn't say anything.

Not at first.

Kirishima looks between the two of you.

"Uh... Bakugo?"

Bakugo's expression slowly hardens.

"No."

Aizawa looks at him.

"No?"

"You're not seriously putting me with them."

You raise an eyebrow.

"Nice to see you too, Katsuki."

His jaw tightens.

Hearing you say his first name hits harder than he expects.

"Don't call me that."

"You used to like when I called you that."

"That was years ago."

"I know."

Silence.

The rest of the class has gone suspiciously quiet.

Bakugo pushes himself away from the wall and walks toward you.

He stops only a few feet away.

"Where the hell have you been?"

His voice isn't loud.

That's what makes it worse.

You don't answer immediately.

Bakugo stares at you, waiting.

"You disappeared."

His fists slowly clench.

"One day you were there, and the next day you were just... gone."

He laughs bitterly.

"And now you just show up at U.A. like nothing happened?"

You look away.

"It wasn't that simple."

"Then explain it."

You remain silent.

"Explain it."

His voice cracks slightly with frustration.

"I spent years thinking you just decided I wasn't worth sticking around for."

For the first time, his anger falters.

"I thought you gave up."

He looks away, jaw clenched.

"And I hated you for it."

The room is completely silent.

Aizawa watches the two of you carefully but doesn't interrupt.

Bakugo looks back at you.

"Then I spent even more years trying to convince myself I didn't give a damn."

He takes a breath.

"Guess I was wrong."

You finally meet his eyes.

"Katsuki..."

"Don't."

He looks away again.

"Not until you tell me why you left."

Another silence.

Then Aizawa clears his throat.

"You two can have your reunion after the exercise."

Bakugo looks at him.

"This isn't a reunion."

Aizawa raises an eyebrow.

"Whatever you say."

Bakugo turns back toward you.

For a moment, neither of you speaks.

Then that familiar competitive spark appears in his eyes—the same one you've seen since you were six.

"Fine."

He grabs his gloves and steps toward the training area.

"If you're really back..."

He looks over his shoulder.

"Prove you haven't gotten soft."

A small smirk appears on his face.

"Because I'm not the same kid you left behind."

He pauses.

"And this time, I'm not letting you disappear without an explanation."