Izuku changed his route on his morning run.
It wasn't a coincidence. He knew exactly what he was avoiding.
If he ran into Bakugo now, there'd be no putting it off later—and he wasn't ready for that conversation.
"…He's going to corner me at school anyway."
The thought stayed with him as his pace settled into a rhythm. His body moved on habit, but his mind drifted elsewhere—back to middle school, to moments that started small and spiraled into something louder, harsher.
He let out a slow breath.
"…Just get through today."
By the time he got home, the idea had already taken shape.
"A mask…"
He went straight to his room, opened the closet, and crouched down, reaching toward the back. His fingers brushed against something solid.
"There."
He pulled out a box and set it on his desk.
Inside were old belongings—festival items, small keepsakes, things he hadn't touched in years.
"This one's too small… this too…"
He paused when he picked up an All Might mask.
"…We got this together."
For a moment, he just looked at it. Then he set it aside.
Further down, he found what he was looking for.
A half-face mask. Simple, understated—just enough to cover the lower half of his face.
Beneath it lay a photograph.
Faded. Torn cleanly in half.
A younger version of himself stood there, smiling beside someone else. The other face had blurred with time, details lost to years he couldn't quite recall.
They had been close once.
Now, all that remained was this half-photo—and the mask.
Izuku brushed off the dust and slipped the mask on.
"…Yeah. This should work."
It didn't draw too much attention. Just enough to hide his expression.
"Mom! I'm heading out!"
Inko looked up as he reached the door. "Okay! …Oh? Izuku, why the mask?"
"It's just… trying something new."
She smiled, gentle as always. "I see. Well, have fun with it. And remember to get along with your classmates."
"…I will."
He arrived at the classroom at exactly seven.
Empty, just as expected.
"Still early…"
Izuku took his seat. His gaze drifted forward, landing on Bakugo's desk.
After a moment, he pulled the mask into place.
Alright. No direct contact today.
He opened his books and began reviewing.
Time passed quietly.
At 7:10, he checked the clock.
That was usually when Bakugo arrived.
Izuku stood, picked up his book, and slipped out of the classroom.
The hallway was still.
"…Half an hour to kill."
He leaned against the wall and pulled out the half-photo again.
The image was worn, the edges soft with age.
"We used to hang out every day…"
He tried to follow the memory further.
Nothing came.
"…Guess I'll remember when it matters."
He slid the photo back into his pocket and checked his phone.
The messages were exactly what he expected—short, blunt, and full of threats.
Izuku exhaled quietly.
"Yeah… avoiding him was the right call."
He scrolled a little more, then paused.
"…Training."
He'd only reached the third stage so far.
There was still more ahead.
At 7:10, Bakugo arrived.
The classroom door slammed open.
"Deku! We're talking—"
Silence.
Empty room.
His gaze shifted.
Izuku's bag was still there.
"…So you're here."
Bakugo clicked his tongue and kicked the desk.
"Running away, huh?"
He dropped into his seat, irritation simmering just beneath the surface.
"Fine. I'll wait."
By 7:40, the rest of the class filtered in.
Iida entered first, followed by the others.
"Midoriya should already be here," Kaminari said, glancing around.
Bakugo didn't turn. "He is. Just hiding."
"I don't know what's going on between you two," Iida said, adjusting his glasses, "but class is about to begin. Please take your seats."
The door opened again.
Izuku walked in.
Aizawa followed behind him, his face and arms still wrapped in bandages.
"Sensei, you're back already?"
"Are you alright?"
"Does that look 'alright' to you?" someone muttered.
Izuku kept his head down and returned to his seat.
As he passed, Bakugo's gaze locked onto him—sharp, unyielding.
Izuku felt it immediately.
But with the mask covering his face, nothing showed. He sat down without a word.
Aizawa stepped forward.
"My condition isn't important," he said. "What matters is what's coming next."
The room fell quiet.
"The UA Sports Festival is approaching."
The reaction was immediate.
"Seriously?!"
"Finally!"
Excitement rippled through the class.
Izuku's hand tightened slightly against his desk.
The Sports Festival…
A national event. Broadcast everywhere. A stage where students could prove themselves in front of pro heroes.
If I stand out… I'll be seen.
His focus sharpened.
With what I have now… I can compete.
He glanced at Bakugo.
Bakugo was already leaning forward, eyes burning with anticipation.
Izuku looked away.
…First, get through today.
The pattern started right after class.
The bell rang—
Izuku was already gone.
No hesitation.
Bakugo followed immediately.
When the next class approached, Bakugo returned first, clearly irritated.
A few seconds later, Izuku walked in.
No confrontation. No words.
Just silence.
"…What are they doing?" Mina asked, watching it happen again.
"No clue," Uraraka said. "But Bakugo looks ready to explode."
Hagakure leaned forward. "I saw them both checking their phones earlier. It looked serious… Should we check Midoriya's messages?"
"That is absolutely not acceptable!" Iida cut in immediately. "That would be a violation of privacy. And besides, he's been taking his phone with him."
The class settled into quiet curiosity.
Whatever was going on between them—
It wasn't over.