[It really isn't the torture chamber so many people expect it to be. Katsuki's just a private person, an introvert, but more often than not he keeps his space minimalistic, modern, and clean. He grew up in a Western style home (that is fucking huge), so the style is reminiscent of that, decorated with only a few things here and there - the poster being the major thing that stands out, along with his drum set. Other than that, a cork board with various dates, some polaroids, sticky notes and reminders to himself, and even a coupon or two for things Katsuki likes (mostly snacks or arcade vouchers for a free game or so).
There's also...his first place medal from the Sports Festival tossed nonchalantly on his bookshelf, among piles of books and notebooks. The thing holds no value to him, personally, and is just a fucking eyesore...but his parents made him keep it. He would have preferred melting it down...or burying it.]
...So you know nothing. [Vague details being vague is a huge red flag, Uraraka.] Tch, this is gonna be more work than I thought. Alright, give me your notes, let me see what you got written and I'll compare.
[He leans over in his seat to grab a binder and tug out his own school notes, thumbing through for the one that's specifically for Hero History.]
[ Yet again Uraraka finds her view of a classmate shifting by a few subtle degrees as she takes in the crumbs of his personality scattered around in innocuous objects. Her gaze lingers the longest on the medal lying discarded, good for nothing now but collecting dust. Clearly it means something very different for him than it would for her - not necessarily a bad thing, but nevertheless a reminder of how close she'd been to realizing a goal thought out of reach for a long, long time. The loss doesn't sting quite so much now. That was a different time, and she was a different person, after all.
-- give me your notes -- ]
Oh, right. Here you go!
[ Uraraka jerks her attention back to her scowling study buddy with an apologetic smile, flipping haphazardly through a spiral bound notebook so she can slide it across for him to skim over. It's... uh. Something. Lots of '???'s and bits that trail off into half finished words, evidence that her limited attention span went wandering off into the weeds somewhere. ]
[She was incredibly close and even Katsuki himself would happily tell any person who thought otherwise to stuff it up their ass. Out of a small few, Uraraka gave him a fight worth writing home about - she almost won, for crying out loud!! Against him. If he hadn't pushed his quirk to its absolute limits, she would have buried him and herself under a pile of rubble that he created. A risky gambit, but it taught him a lot...not to underestimate her strength, her resolve, or her cunning, and that sometimes in order to seize victory...you have to double down and risk it all. That's what Heroes do.
But that's neither here nor there. Right now, he's snatching Uraraka's notes from her and flipping through them, reading over the lines of...bubbly as hell writing and narrowing his eyes. Good god, is there anything about her that isn't round? Even her handwriting is so fucking...circular and soft. Ugh. But other than that, it's extremely scarce stuff, and he sighs heavily. Cripes, he knows she's been doing a lot with...who was it again? Ryukyu? But damn, Uraraka, you can't let your academics slip like this...]
The only thing you're right about, tch... Alright, read and copy my notes, so you have them, then I'll quiz you on a few questions from the book. [He slides over his notes and her notebook back, then cracks open his Hero History text and thumbs through to find the section that Midnight went over last class. There should be a mock "quiz" at the end of the section, with questions that pertain to the information they're studying. Probably won't be the exact wording on any of the tests they get, but...close enough, and the answers will still be the same.] Shit, what time is it? I doubt we'll be able to catch dinner with how much I'm gonna have to cram...and if I cook now, it'll waste too much time before I want to go to bed.
[He groans, loudly, and elbows the brunette in the ribs. Before reaching for his cell phone and opening a delivery app.] You owe me for this shit, Cheeks.
[ Bubbly writing for a bubbly girl! At least she doesn't dot her 'i's with hearts like Mina... that's just a bit too saccharine for Uraraka to handle. ]
Right, right. Just go easy on me if I don't get it right away, okay?
[ HA HA no chance of that. But she cracks open the notebook he gives her either way, resisting the urge to make a face at the stark contrast between the dense writing he's crammed in with the usual military efficiency and the sparse skeleton mockery of her own attempts. How can someone focus so hard on such a dry subject? Who knows? It's a mystery. The answer is simply 'because Bakugou ¯\_(ツ)_/¯', as usual. BUT! Mama Uraraka didn't raise no quitter (and the nightmare scenario of dropping a letter grade is terrifying) so she's gonna study the absolute shit out of these texts even if she winds up comatose with history facts leaking out of her ears.
An apple bunny slice disappears into her mouth as she starts furiously scribbling away on a fresh page in her book, shiba inu brows furrowed in intense concentration as if staring at every individual word as hard as physically possible will make memorizing it any easier. Hint: it won't. ]
It couldn't be that bad to take a quick break for dinner if we just take ten minutes--
[ Elbow, meet ribs. The perfect 'o' she was in the middle of writing gets a big, ugly zig-zag through it - a casualty of Uraraka's startled sideways jerk. rude. ]
[A point for not going overboard... Katsuki might've actually vomited right on her lap - a taste of her own medicine and all that.]
Tch, if you can't handle how I teach, the door is unlocked.
[He doesn't go easy on anyone, so fat chance indeed. Besides, it's not like Uraraka can't handle it - she's already proven she's way tougher than she looks. If she can take an onslaught of his explosions point blank and keep pushing herself up, a little tough love in terms of academics will be nothing. Hell, Kirishima had it way worse - though he's literally a doofus. He's among the more "lacking" of their classmates when it comes to booksmarts. Uraraka's set nicely in the middle - not stupid like Mina and Kaminari, but neither smart like Iida or Momo. She's just...average. Painfully so.
And it's because he has a goal. He has to be Number One, and getting there means getting good grades and being the fucking best (or close enough to it because Four-Eyes and Ponytail always outdo him in most subjects, huff). They're also going to be Heroes - they have a shitload to learn that will apply in the field, too. Katsuki takes his schooling very seriously - he won't get scouted by a shit-tier agency as a sidekick when he graduates. He wants to get his foot in the door as high to the peak as possible, and that means really digesting what's in their lessons. Though right now, he's busy on his phone as Uraraka copies his notes, growling at her when she suggests taking a break right when they've only started.]
Hell no, get the fuck back to work. I'm ordering something to be delivered. [And because he's ordered from this place before, Houndog or the other security personelle won't give the delivery person that much grief...hopefully. The usual protocol after all the incidents that have happened at UA.] Usually takes forty minutes to get here with all the safety measures, so tell me what you want...
And then I'll decide how you owe me for helping you, and for feeding you.
[ Taking a cue from the rest of the Bakusquad when they set him off - usually for fun - Uraraka holds her hands up in placation at shoulder height, just about as clear a 'alright, you win' concession as one could give. Granted considering the soft pads on her fingers it could just as easily be a threat but that's definitely not intentional on her part. ]
It was just a suggestion!
[ Welp, so much for sneaking off for a snack. Ganbatte, Ochako! Power through and ignore the hunger pangs!!!! The mention of delivery and the damning lightness of her wallet has her pep talk screeching to a halt as her eyes widen with equal parts alarm and astonishment he's even offering. If you told Uraraka she'd enjoy having a late night study date with the school's most notorious overachiever, she probably would've thought you hit your head a little too hard.
Which is to say she turns a fascinating shade of pink and suddenly finds her notes extremely interesting to look at. She's broke af dude this is such an embarrassing situation. ]
Um, something cheap I guess? Konbini onigiri is pretty good. Maybe some mochi too...?
[Katsuki knows that gesture well - it serves as little protection to the morons who tease him on the regular, but only because he knows it's their pitiful means of defense. From Uraraka...it's a passive gesture, and he makes a face - he's not one to like people backing down, but Uraraka's not stupid...she knows where and when to step up or back down. His needling never got to her, barely ever, and he wouldn't start a fight in his own room...p-probably.
And he...has absolutely no goddamn idea that his classmate is literally poorer than dirt. Katsuki is perceptive, and he likes to keep little mental notes about his classmates and friends (how else is he going to overpower them and be the best if he doesn't know anything about them?), but even he doesn't know everything about everyone in the class. Little things like that, which are fairly private, he doesn't know. He only knows that this Round Face here is cheap. He's always just equated it to her being frugal as hell, considering he's, ah...pretty well off in terms of wealth. No where near Todoroki and Yaoyorozu levels, but with two fashion designer parents making good money in the industry...he's lived a somewhat privileged life.
So he...doesn't understand why she's asking for cheap calories instead of real food that he's offering.]
The hell?! I'm not offering bargain bin trash, I'm offering food! Chicken or pork?! Or do you want a pizza?
Meanwhile, Uraraka's stuck between a rock and a hard place while she tries to figure out whether or not she has the pocket change to cover delivery. Pizza can be thrifty depending on the toppings but then again having a bunch of greasy food tends to make her nausea act up way worse than something lighter, and chicken should be fine as long as it's not some kind of fancy french style caramelized onions and whatever else that's been so popular lately. Then again she hasn't had pork in a while either --
She might not share his penchant for throwing down anytime, anywhere, but having Bakugou get on her case while she's already in full panic mode sure isn't helping her make a prompt decision!
Slowly, ominously, Uraraka turns her head to pin him with the full force of the Gremlin Stare™. ]
[Thing is...Katsuki is paying. It's his phone, his app. Plus, he offered - it'd be Plus Ultra shitty of him to expect Uraraka to pay when he posed the idea. He'd have just shoved some rice in the cooker and topped with a fried egg and furikake seasoning - maybe some bacon bits - if he was feeling lazy and cheap. But he's hungry and has a craving, sue him, it shouldn't be this hard for someone else to fucking order food - he thought Uraraka liked food? She's always snacking...
Looking up Katsuki blinks, taken aback slightly by that look. He's only saw a similar one on her face once, when he was facing her in the ring at the Sports Festival, and he feels an adrenaline spike for a second - the urge to fight - because he knows a challenge when he sees one. After a second, a slow and deliberate blink, his mouth curls at the corners, splitting his once grumpy or passive expression into a manic, Cheshire cat grin. Yes, that one.]
Hooh. ...You sure about that?
[Do you want to give him this power, Cheeks? The Spice Overlord himself?? Are you really sure??? IS THAT YOUR FINAL ANSWER????]
[ Well you know the saying about assuming! Generally the idea of asking 'so are you gonna pay for me or?' of Bakugou is uniquely uncomfortable in the way of all socially awkward moments. Therefore, the easiest way to handle it would be... not to handle it in the first place. Genius!
Uraraka's face shifts into something a little less like a startled cryptid and more like herself - albeit with a distinctly determined bent with the furrow of her brow as she thrusts a fist in the air like an Olympic champion on the placement pedestal (instead of being some dweeb getting stoked over delivery of all things). Is she sure? OF COURSE SHE IS! This is just another obstacle on the way to making herself the strongest Ochako she can be!!!! ]
[Normally, he wouldn't...but out of all the girls in the class, Uraraka is perhaps the least insufferable. The other girls are either annoying as hell and fucking lucky they're decent Heroes otherwise it'd be on sight (cough, Ashido and Hagakure, cough), or just plain don't like him because of his bad attitude (literally all the others). Uraraka sits in this...very bizarre liminal space of neither disliking him or being overly obnoxious. She's been a pain to sort into a space that seems like it'd fit, but...that does grant her the privelege of getting free food.
Plus, she's strong. Capable. Doesn't back down. She's also clever, so...shit. If she presses, he'll say it was for a good first fight. She deserve that much.
Katsuki leans back in his chair, phone in hand, and chuckles darkly. Oh, sweet Uraraka...you have handed him too much power, and he's already flitting through the options for food, picking out his first before smacking his lips and clicking his tongue, leg bouncing excitedly.]
Is that so? Haah...I'll be pretty surprised - this is one of my favorite dishes from this place. [He spins around in his chair, cackling and spinning a pencil between his fingers like a drumstick before pointing it at the doomed brunette.] ...You know what a Scoville is, right?
[ He's right in thinking Uraraka won't back down if push comes to shove, but in instances like this one knowing when to take the L and survive another day is prooooobably the wisest choice. As it is she's fully aware self-styled King Explosion Murder is up to something nefarious, but she just can't quite put her finger on it yet... Maybe the food's served with some crazy exotic sauce or the way it's cooked is kinda weird and he's just trying to get a reaction? It'll be fine. A little spice won't kill her! What's the worst that could happen?
...Defaulting to thinking the best of Bakugou and his motives is, alas, going to bite her in the butt once the delivery arrives. Pls send flowers to her funeral. ]
"Scoville"? [ HMMMMMM..... oh wait, yeah, she's heard that name before! ] Don't they make toasters and stuff?
[ Ochako honey that's Breville you're thinking of-- Completely unaware of the stunning Airhead Moment™ that just came out of her mouth, she gives him the biggest grin and a ✧MOTIVATIONAL FIST PUMP✧ like he even needs the encouragement in the first place. ]
Anyway, you should definitely order your favorites! Maybe I'll like them too, you know?
[I mean...she is technically correct in assuming there's going to be some crazy sauce being slathered onto the meat, vegetables, and coating the rice. It's just less exotic and more "cast your gaze to the heavens and pray for mercy". He does, at least, toss in a bottle of milk into the order as a single act of grace for his poor, poor classmate...
And maybe pauses before he hits the confirm order button and purses his lips together. Oh, this sweet summer child...she's going to actually die. Her bowels will never recover, so does he really want that nuke to go off in his room? He could toss her off the balcony, she can float and all, but. Hm. Katsuki bounces his leg and turns his his chair to do some fiddling with his phone before confirming their order.]
It'll be to die for... [He chuckles, setting his phone down at last.] App says about thirty minutes, but it'll take longer with security. How're those notes going?
[ Crap. She kind of stopped writing altogether when he mentioned food, so... ]
Fine! It's fine. Going great!
[ SHE'S SO FULL OF SHIT. Looking down at her notebook, the sadly scribbled 'o' is still there, followed by some word-salad mishmash that devolved into blank paper as her limited attention span switch from study mode to snack mode. Multitasking is definitely not one of her strong suits, unfortunately. Fully aware of the hell she'll pay if her classmate peeps just how behind she is on their study session, Uraraka snatches her notebook off the table (wow, so subtle) and starts writing as fast as she can between the odd snatched glance at his notes.
It's not fine. But hey, he did distract her first. ]
[Yeah, there's the usual Bakugou call-out. He knows she's not focusing enough, he's literally right there and can see her writing or not writing. With a roll of his eyes, Katsuki shakes his head. Honestly, it's her fucking funeral if she fails this exam or not - he already studied and memorized the source material, so he doesn't need to do shit. Katsuki is helping out of the goodness of his heart, and because he actually respects Urakaka and likes her the most out of the girls (translation: she annoys him the least), so...if she squanders that, it's all on her.]
...Tch, you got five more minutes of writing before I quiz you, Round Face. You better make 'em count.
[And just...because, no reason at all whatsoever, Katsuki grabs a little foam ball from his nightstand and just...holds it. :')
[ Uraraka's head whips up from staring intently at her notes over to Bakugou instead, looking equal parts offended and betrayed. Is this what he always does? Has Kirishima been subjected to the same kind of last minute panic? wait does he even study with kirishima she's never seen them poring over notes together... ]
Now you're just torturing me!
[ A fingertip lances out. Pointing. Nay, accusing! One of those cute little finger beans is dangerously close to jabbing him in the cheek, but she's too far into her righteous indignation to respect his personal space bubble now. All in all she's actually making reasonable time copying or reformatting the pertinent parts of the module, it's just having the sudden additional weight thrown on top of her study workload that's sparked so much alarm. It's just a quiz! So what if she flunks? It's not like she has anything to lose.
wow what a nice foam ball, it'd be a shame if he did something terrible with it. ]
[They do indeed study together when he has the patience for it - same with the other idiots that claw at his shorts for exam notes and help. He's the token smart one of the "Baku Squad" and the others come to him for help pretty much all the time, negging him for answers instead of actually applying themselves and working hard. Sero and Kirishima have since gotten better about it, but fuckin...Kaminari is a lost cause. And yes, he gives a proper thrashing to everyone who slacks off - Uraraka is getting off easy...usually he smacks Kirishima upside the head with a rolled up version of the test book.
He can take it.]
You knew what you were signing up for, Round Face.
[He raises a brow at the accusatory finger and is tempted to snap his teeth at it - keep your hands to yourself and all that - but the weird little...pawpad...thing of hers catches Katsuki's attention and distracts him long enough that the moment passes. What even are those things, anyway? He kinda wants to touch, curious if they're squishy like a cat's pads, but as if he's going to ask...
Besides, she needs to work. Once the five minutes are over, he tosses the foam ball between his hands, a grin sliding onto her face slowly.]
[ The five minutes of grace time passes in a blur for Uraraka, hunched over her notes like some miniature gargoyle as she copies line after line of relevant facts and passages. Honestly she's not even sure what she's writing is sticking considering the speed she's trying to prioritize, but that's a problem for future Uraraka to deal with - some nebulous, far off in the distance point that might as well be 'never'.
"Time's up."
Just like that, Bakugou blows a hole in her sense of time and space, leaving only panic. ]
Wait, wait! I'm not done yet!
[ aaaAAAA oh no OH NO okay she's got this just a quick two more sentences it's fine it's totally fine everything's under control nothing to worry about-- Curling protectively over her notes, she hastily scribbles out the last passage she needs before sitting bolt upright and slamming her pencil on the table with enough force to rattle the tabletop, a little surprised that she managed to focus on one task for so long.
[His grin only curls, darker and more sinister, and he squeezes the little ball in his hands and pages through their textbook for the practice exam at the end of the chapter. Sitting up, he lets the book sit in his lap as he chuckles.]
Tough shit, you really think any of our teachers would give you extra time? Next time you want peace of mind, plan ahead.
[Sad but true, there's perhaps only a tiny handful of their teachers that would give extra time to complete schoolwork or retake and exam. UA is the most difficult and best Hero academy globally for a damn reason - they're tough...and strict. And the faculty clearly wants their alums to be quality Heroes and members of society. Students scraping by isn't exactly what they strive to achieve...and certainly not laziness and scatterbrained Heroes.
Katsuki reads off the first question, tossing the ball at Uraraka's head so it bounces off back into his waiting palm each time she gets the questions wrong. If she gets it right...a nod of his head and a gruff "good". Thankfully, only ten minutes into this godawful torture--I mean, study session, Katsuki's phone buzzes and he looks down.]
Food's here. I'll go grab it. This is your second chance to cram, so get to it. Otherwise you'll need to refit your headpiece to make up for that unicorn horn. [He cackles, striding toward the door.]
[ Truthfully, she's already doing much better in the mock tests than she could dare to hope for if she studied the material on her own. He's a stern taskmaster, true, but the acknowledgement when she does answer correctly means so much more... because Bakugou doesn't sugarcoat a single damn thing for anyone. Faint praise has more weight; it's meaningful, because she earned it, fair and square.
It'd be nice if the price of perfection wasn't so infuriating though. ]
You're so mean.
[ Uraraka complains, like making her suffering known to the universe will make a lick of difference how Bakugou exists in the same space. Scrunching her face at his retreating back, she rubs at the pink mark on her forehead where the ball had repeatedly pinged off her skull and obediently bends back to the task of stuffing as many notes into both her book and memory as she can. She gets a couple paragraphs in before her attention inevitably wavers - eyes aimlessly wandering over to his side of the table, and the source of her woe... sitting right there. In the open. Just begging to be tampered with.
By the time he returns, the ball will be gone. Poof. Vanished. And Uraraka will still be diligently working away like nothing happened. ]
[Exactly right. Katsuki isn't so much a tyrant as he is just...himself. His methods are harsh and cruel, but by god do they work. He didn't pull Kirishima out of his own shithole without making that dumbass dig 80% of the way himself - Uraraka is no different. If they want to succeed, they have to work with their own skills and their own smarts. He's only here to kick them in the ass long and hard enough to get their gears going. Because they can do it, Katsuki knows every single one of his classmates can, they just need someone to drag them by the balls part of the way until they figure that out themselves. Tough love and all that.
Katsuki's slipping on his loafers as he heads out of his room at last, rolling his eyes as he looks back at the brunette.]
Oh yeah, because agreeing to tutor and feed you is absolutely villainous. Put me in jail. [A sneer, and then he yanks the door open, heading through it.] Keep studying, I'll be back in just a few minutes.
[Aaand he's gone!
...And then he's back, popping his head in very suddenly.]
If you snoop through my shit, I'll know, and I'll fucking kill you.
[Now he's gone. Enjoy that looming sense of "peace", Cheeks.]
Ahhh, there we go. He wouldn't truly be the class hothead if she didn't get a parting shot death threat squeaked in at the last second just because. It's a miracle he hasn't threatened to blow her up until now - actually, even that's kind of tame for him, now that she's thinking about it. Is that his 'nice' setting? Should she consider this 'progress'? Sort of???? Boys are so confusing... All the rampant thoughts running through her head like a bunch of loose cats has her just staring blankly at the door where his snarling face disappeared behind, but Uraraka eventually gives herself a shake and does as she's told.
... Does she seem like the kind of girl to snoop? Is that the kind of vibe she's giving off? Should she feel offended right now?!
Better question, what kind of stuff is he hiding to be worth that kind of warning, anyway? Not that she's actually planning on getting nosy, obviously! HA HA... no... of course not... But now that she's got the thought lodged deep in her brain matter, the curiosity makes it extremely difficult to concentrate on the same sentence she's read about five times and absorbed exactly none of. Big surprise. At least she's not touching anything? (minus the ball she stole earlier still gently floating across the ceiling like a tiny celestial body, because even she's not immune to a little spite now and then.) ]
[Uraraka is right in all regards - he is indeed being "tame" for him, and this is definitely the least prickly Katsuki has ever been towards someone not in his immediate friend group. Like said earlier, she's by far the least annoying girl in their class who doesn't automatically dislike him for his attitude, and he knows she's tough as nails and could put him in his place - he's seen it. As for why he's helping, well...that's what a Hero's supposed to do, right? Help people and all that. Plus, he likes to maintain that their class is on the up and up. Can't have that if people aren't pulling their weight academically (cough, Raccoon Eyes and Dunce Face, cough).
And while no, Katsuki sincerely doesn't expect someone like Uraraka to go through his belongings - he actually have very little to hide, Katsuki is a very upfront and honest person - he has caught the other assholes in his friend group poking through his drawers and stuff, or touching his very expensive drum set, too. Please do not, he will not only beat you the hell up, but make you pay for any damages for as long as it fucking takes. The most ""incriminating"" thing Katsuki owns, probably are various manga and movies, and his tastes definitely do vary. Most of the latter is All Might themed - info-matics and documentaries, stuff like that. His room is actually very neat and tidy, so really what you see is what you get.
Katsuki returns maybe twenty or so minutes later, with a bag of their food hanging from his arm while his hand carries a drink tray. The free hand opens the door and he nudges it shut with his foot, slipping out of his house slippers and just going barefoot. It's his room, after all.]
[ Uraraka's head jerks up from where she'd rested her cheek on the palm of her hand, frowning down at her notes (huh. she's actually made actual progress for once - that's a weird feeling) after the umptillionth time hammering the facts into her brain matter. Muscle memory has her halfway uncoiling from her crosslegged sitting pose, so used to helping her parents with bringing in groceries that she has to actively stop herself from asking if he needs help carrying anything.
Of course he doesn't - it's Bakugou - but she waffles uncertainly for a couple moments before sinking back down again to neatly stack the books off to the side, brushing off the tabletop with a couple cursory sweeps of her forearm for good measure just to keep her hands busy.
Ta-dahhhhhh! One clean eating surface. Let's see the goods. ]
Good to go!
[ And since he's apparently paid already and Uraraka's loathe to be a bad houseguest... ]
Thanks for the food. And the help, too. This stuff is really difficult for me to get my head around, you know?
[He doesn't need help because it's really on two things, and the actual food is in packaged containers and in a bag. The drink tray weighs practically nothing to him, and he still has a hand free. If he really needed her help, Katsuki would...maybe ask. Maybe. And only because he hates the idea of wasting good food (and having to stay up late cleaning his floor and carpet). But he sees her wriggling in her seat and raises an eyebrow curiously, reading the body language completely wrong.]
If you need to take a piss, just use the bathroom. [A thumb is jabbed over his shoulder to the attached half bath in his room (and all other rooms in the dorms). He goes about setting everything down, using the bag and a few folded out napkins as placemats and coasters to keep his space tidy. Uraraka is handed a container of food - honey garlic chicken katsu over steamed rice with a side of veggies and a very little cup of miso soup and one gyoza. His is, uh...far more colorful. Literally. The container has a very pungent odor of spice and parts of said container are a deep red-orange color...probably from whatever sauce was coating his meal - gochujang noodles with seafood and a beautiful soft boiled egg on top as well as some dices red and green hot chilis for garnish.]
Because you're shit at focusing. [He snaps his chopsticks apart.] I'd say your head is empty, but there's something in there that draws your attention from everything else. Dunno what, don't give a shit regardless, but you need to pay attention to the crap that actually matters or it's gonna bite you in the ass. Bad.
...You're not stupid, Uraraka. You already got half the answers right just after a few hours, so if you do fail the exam, I'm beating your ass in next week's training. I don't waste my time on losers.
[ Wh--- Bakugou no!!!!! Uraraka's face goes a little red, all fidgeting immediately vanishing before it's interpreted as more embarrassing misunderstandings. Honestly! He might be one of the most intelligent people in their class, but sometimes he could be breathtakingly dense at the exact same time. From one extreme to the other... ]
Just excited to eat, I guess. Thank you for the meal.
[ Grumble grumble. Here she is trying to be a good guest and getting her pure intentions misinterpreted in the worst possible way, because it's never a dull moment with their class of oddballs. There might, maybe, be just a little more force than necessary thrown into pulling her chopsticks apart, but it's fine. Nobody will notice. One (1) petulant mouthful of rice and katsu later, Uraraka lights up, making a muffled noise of approval. ALL IS FORGIVEN. This food is really, really, good!
Fortunately she isn't so blissed out by gourmet snacks that all social taboo has flown out of her head, so she hurriedly gulps down her chicken and rice, scrubbing roughly at her mouth with the back of her hand before leaping to her own defense. ]
I focus when it counts, most of the time. It's just... different with you. [ Truthfully, she's not really sure why that's the case. Not in tangible terms, anyway, just the vaguest sense of grim determination that she'd found in their exhibition match, something she still hasn't been able to assign a word to just yet. A fundamental lack of self preservation, maybe? It's difficult to say for sure, but she has a feeling that a fraction of his unshakeable confidence might have rubbed off on her at some point - for better or for worse.
CHOPSTICK POINT. Behold, the fighting spirit of being stared down by a girl with bits of rice stuck to her cheek! Terrifying, right? ] But I'm gonna pass that test, and then you'd better watch your back, got it?
[He certainly is both very smart and, indeed, breathtakingly dense when it comes to social cues. He's not good at people-ing like Uraraka is, so these types of interactions are still very foreign to him. He raises an eyebrow in her direction, tilting his head to one side slowly, as if measuring her up a moment before blurting out--]
Just don't throw it up after.
[That can't be good for her, right? Even if she hasn't in a long time, unless she goes especially crazy with her quirk, but still. God forbid she develops some kind of serious health issue because of that, or worse. Katsuki may not show it, but he does quietly observe and listen to each member of their class, even the so-called "extras" that otherwise would not ping his radar. He cares, in his own weird way, and they've all grown on him, and vice versa. The class has each others' backs through pretty much anything and everything - these losers better know that by now, he's going to support them, too. Just with far less enthusiasm than most.
Katsuki, meanwhile, is slurping his noodles, watching Uraraka again - because really, what the hell else is there to do right now - and he makes a face of disgust before wiping his face with a goddamn napkin and scowling at her, sliding the bundle over.]
You have the table manners of a damn toddler. [Leaning back into his seat, Katsuki picks up his chopsticks to take another bite of his searing hot noodles (delicious~), then pauses and stares up at the brunette with a look of confusion and mild indignation.]
...Hah? [What is the fuck is that supposed to mean?! Why is he so different?! Is that good or bad?! You can't just leave that point hanging there and not explain, Uraraka!! But first--] Oi, don't point with your chopsticks - it's rude!! Shit, you were raised in a fucking barn!
[He knocks her gently on the head with his knuckles, huffing quietly and finally managing to stuff another bite into his mouth, chewing and swallowing before snagging his drink to sip, too.]
Tch, pretty bold words coming from you, Cheeks. You're going to pass becauz=se I'm bailing you out, but don't think you'll get ahead of me so easily. Or ever. [He grins around the next bite.] You don't have the guts.
[Yes she does, he's just goading her. Look, it's his form of motivation, and he knows she'll fall for the bait.]
[ Lord, the irony of Bakugou's dinner etiquette being leaps and bounds better than hers...
All these blows to the head in such a short time is going to leave a tender spot if she keeps this up, but Uraraka does concede the point that maybe it's just a little uncool to go assaulting her host with utensils, swallowing her pride and making do with a vaguely irked expression instead as she turns back to her katsu.
Terrible timing on her part, really. The challenge dangles in front of her nose the very second after she takes an enormous bite of chicken and rice, and it takes every speck of her self control not to immediately leap right back into arguing with her mouth full. For one, it'd prove him right, and second, she doesn't want to waste good food. It makes for a singularly strained silence as she stares back at him with brows furrowed - very much wanting to swallow the bait hook, line, and sinker.
Once both food and the intent behind the poke to her ego is sufficiently processed, the expected riposte isn't far behind. ]
See? This is what I mean! [ She finally ekes out, flicking a finger back and forth between them in an excitable 'us, right here, right now' gesture (and pointedly wiping her mouth on a napkin this time). That little pause was just enough for Uraraka's annoyance to transmute into determined optimism on the spot, like some convoluted magic trick. Inspiration through challenge. Is this what Kirishima feels like all the time? ] Talk big all you want, we both know I already almost beat you once. Next time you won't be so lucky.
[When you have a mother like his, you learn to mind your manners in certain aspects, even if you're an uppity and spiteful brat like he is.
Oh my god, it is so funny watching Uraraka nearly choke on her food, and her kneejerk reaction at his challenge to not immediately leap upon it. Hook, line, and fucking sinker...though let's be honest, he would be in the very same boat if the tables were turned on him - they're similarly competitive, with Katsuki being far moreso. His lips tug up at the corners, as if waiting for her to lose her composure, and he snickers when she has to really restrain herself, that little crinkle of her brows and everything.
Though his smile vanishes at the gesture and the words, his one brows crinkling and one lifting up in confusion. Katsuki is not following you, Uraraka. He doesn't know what "this" is. Does she mean the constant goading?? The push to do better and be better? Because that's just his norm - Katsuki does it with everyone because he knows they can be better, they just need a kick in the ass to get moving. But Uraraka's always been tough, she just...never really gets a chance to show it. It's a damn shame, really. Her quirk is stupid strong.
Oop, there she goes, actually bringing that moment up. So she noticed, huh?]
LIKE HELL YOU DID!! [She absolutely did. If he didn't use all his power to blow back that insane, last-ditch special move of hers...they both would have been buried. Reckless idiot.] Tch, last time you took me by surprised and you still didn't touch me. Don't get a big head just because you came up with some cockamamie strategy all on your own.
[If you had a hard time...it was because Uraraka-san was leading you around by your nose! Those words ring in his head and Katsuki scowls. Fucking Deku...he was right. He hates that the prick was right. He stuffs a big bite into his mouth, chewing almost angrily. She better not do anything like that again, and risk endangering herself, or wearing herself out like she did...]
Ace the test, then we'll talk about training. Finish your food and get back to it. [He tugs out his phone to check the time. Mm...not the greatest. It's maybe another hour to the time he usually gets to his evening routine and then bed...]
It's unlikely she'll ever get the chance to argue with him in a relaxed setting like this again - let alone actually make a legitimate point in the process - so she refrains from pushing her luck, no matter how tempting it might be to press the advantage. That doesn't stop her from s l o w l y raising one eyebrow at him though, clearly not to be smug or anything. Not even a little bit! The bland smile on her face says as much.
Uraraka resumes nibbling on the katsu and rice (angry chewing excluded) in neat bites, pulling her notebook over with the pads of her fingertips to review the staggering amount of legible study material she's scribbled inside courtesy of Bakugou's Plus Ultra Study Regimen™. It's a shame he's such a hellion, really... with results like these, she would be tempted to ask him for help again in the future.
But that's neither here nor there.
Between scrolling on his phone and reviewing her notes, the quiet activity makes for a surprisingly peaceful dinner, broken only by the rattling of chopsticks on takeout containers or the riffling of paper. Only after she's fished up the very last grains of rice and crumbs of chicken that Uraraka lifts her head from her cheek to turn her attention to her classmate. ]
You know, I always wondered... what would you have done if I'd managed to make contact with my quirk?
[Brat... He narrows his eyes at her then just clicks his tongue, moving on because he knows that nothing he says will weave around the truth enough that she came frighteningly close to overpowering him. There's still a part that hates that - the pride and competitive spirit that's not easily quashed - but he also has a much deeper respect for a girl he thought as nothing more than one of Deku's minions. Uraraka deserves it, she's a lot more than people give her credit for.
Still a dum--...no, that's not quite right. She's not dumb, she's just a procrastinator, which might actually be worse. Needless to say, she needs all the fucking help she can get, and though he won't be tripping over himself to offer to help her study again, he won't immediately say no. She's doing pretty well, actually, and he's confident she'll not only pass the test, but get a high score, too. Because of course just passing was never on the table. Oh no, the perfectionist in him had to make sure she got at least a seventy-five or higher.
He's long since finished his food - Katsuki burns a lot more carbs than people think, so he snacks often - and when Uraraka is done, he reaches for her trash to toss it back in the bag with his own and tie off the ends to throw away later. But he question gives him pause, his head lifting up and one brow turning up. Now that's a question...]
Mm...back then I didn't have nearly as many moves as I do now. My quirk was pretty unrefined, as awesome as it is. [He cocks a, well...cocky little smirk her way, then clicks his tongue thoughtfully.] Best I could try to do was use it to move through the air...get in close enough to knock you out. It'd also depend on what would count as a ring-out. Or how much time I'd need to think of something on the fly.
[If just passing the border of the ringed in arena while floating would count as a ring-out, he'd be fucked. His output and quirk control to maneuver in the air would have to be pinpoint perfect and precise to stay in that "bubble", otherwise an overcompensation would fling him out in record time - like a rocket. It's why she was so fucking deadly back then...Uraraka's quirk works too well with his own. He'd be his own worst enemy if she managed to float him, and the dark look that passes his face is evident of how pissed he'd be.]
I don't know if you'd win or not, if you did manage...but we sure as shit wouldn't be sitting together now. [He would probably hate her on a level close to or even more than he did Deku.]
[ Ochako comes from a world of Quirks, a world of Heroes and Villains where people have literal superpowers, so maybe she shouldn’t be surprised at the situation she’s found herself in. Later, she’ll look back on her reaction with embarrassment, wishing she’d been a just a little cooler and taken it all in stride, but…
Being transported to a different world? That’s way beyond the realm of any Quirk she knows about!
On top of that, this is the worst time she could possibly be taken. Right before a war is about to start… she’s scared, for everyone back home, but the note had told her that time back home was frozen, so… at the very least, her fear hasn’t turned into panic just yet.
…Assuming she can believe any of this. Anyway, she was worried she’d be all alone here, but when she notices Bakugou… ]
Bakugou-kun? [ She calls out his name in surprise, wide eyes blinking once as she notices him approaching her. Is everyone else here, too? ]
[Katsuki never really expects to find anyone from home during his patrols - he never allows himself the tiny glint of hope that he may see his friends and classmates again, because they really shouldn't be here to begin with. Yes, he misses them, misses the familiarity and camaraderie he's built up with all of them, but they still don't deserve to be trapped in this world. They belong home, is Japan, where they're needed. Now, more than ever, the world needs any Hero willing to take up the mantle and fight against All For One and the League.
So his surprise at hearing an all too familiar voice, seeing an all too familiar face, has him stopping in his tracks during a walk through the Enchanted Gardens, expecting to find newcomers that need help adjusting, but not...someone he knows. His eyes widen, and he hesitates only a moment - this world is notorious for playing foul tricks that prey on the heart and mind - before striding forward with a bit more gusto than before.]
[ For a moment, Ochako is still too stunned to speak. Especially considering Bakugou seems more... shocked...? Than she would've expected. Not that it wouldn't surprise him to see her, of course... maybe she's overthinking it?
But she breaks the silence just as quickly, suddenly flooding him with a barrage of questions as she turns to face him fully. ]
Is that you, Bakugou-kun? Are you okay? I just woke up here, and I don't know where we are... do you have any idea what's going on? Where are the others?
[ ...Okay, so maybe that's a few too many questions to ask him at once, but she's overwhelmed, okay! ]
[Once he gets close enough, Katsuki has to reign in the urge to grab at Uraraka, just to make sure she's real. After all the shit Visium does to its inhabitants, he wouldn't put it past the place to play with his head like that. But considering she's in the Garden, and...beginning the deluge of the usual questions, Katsuki can put two and two together. She's here, she's real, and--...he doesn't know what to feel about that. Happy, relieved - because he's not fucking alone anymore, but also frustrated and angry that she's stuck here now, too. Uraraka is strong, her quirk is insanely powerful, she's needed back home, not here. She deserves to be where she can be most useful, and...
Well, Japan's not exactly safe, but she's more capable to deal with it there, with her support network. He's all she's got now, and Katsuki's not going to delude himself with thinking he can support anyone all that well.]
Fucking 'course it's me, who else would it be?! Tch... [He drags a hand through his hair.] First thing's first, do you know anything about Jaku?
[He has to ask it that way, because she could be beyond him in the timeline, and Katsuki's not ready to know what happens in the future. He doesn't want to know - the future is his to experience, he doesn't need regurgitated shit from someone else unless he asks for it.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
timeasmymeasure
For nullgravity
Date: 2023-05-15 02:36 pm (UTC)---
[It really isn't the torture chamber so many people expect it to be. Katsuki's just a private person, an introvert, but more often than not he keeps his space minimalistic, modern, and clean. He grew up in a Western style home (that is fucking huge), so the style is reminiscent of that, decorated with only a few things here and there - the poster being the major thing that stands out, along with his drum set. Other than that, a cork board with various dates, some polaroids, sticky notes and reminders to himself, and even a coupon or two for things Katsuki likes (mostly snacks or arcade vouchers for a free game or so).
There's also...his first place medal from the Sports Festival tossed nonchalantly on his bookshelf, among piles of books and notebooks. The thing holds no value to him, personally, and is just a fucking eyesore...but his parents made him keep it. He would have preferred melting it down...or burying it.]
...So you know nothing. [Vague details being vague is a huge red flag, Uraraka.] Tch, this is gonna be more work than I thought. Alright, give me your notes, let me see what you got written and I'll compare.
[He leans over in his seat to grab a binder and tug out his own school notes, thumbing through for the one that's specifically for Hero History.]
♥!
Date: 2023-05-16 02:07 am (UTC)The loss doesn't sting quite so much now. That was a different time, and she was a different person, after all.
-- give me your notes -- ]
Oh, right. Here you go!
[ Uraraka jerks her attention back to her scowling study buddy with an apologetic smile, flipping haphazardly through a spiral bound notebook so she can slide it across for him to skim over.
It's... uh. Something. Lots of '???'s and bits that trail off into half finished words, evidence that her limited attention span went wandering off into the weeds somewhere. ]
It's not 'nothing', but... pretty close.
♥♥♥
Date: 2023-05-17 06:00 pm (UTC)But that's neither here nor there. Right now, he's snatching Uraraka's notes from her and flipping through them, reading over the lines of...bubbly as hell writing and narrowing his eyes. Good god, is there anything about her that isn't round? Even her handwriting is so fucking...circular and soft. Ugh. But other than that, it's extremely scarce stuff, and he sighs heavily. Cripes, he knows she's been doing a lot with...who was it again? Ryukyu? But damn, Uraraka, you can't let your academics slip like this...]
The only thing you're right about, tch... Alright, read and copy my notes, so you have them, then I'll quiz you on a few questions from the book. [He slides over his notes and her notebook back, then cracks open his Hero History text and thumbs through to find the section that Midnight went over last class. There should be a mock "quiz" at the end of the section, with questions that pertain to the information they're studying. Probably won't be the exact wording on any of the tests they get, but...close enough, and the answers will still be the same.] Shit, what time is it? I doubt we'll be able to catch dinner with how much I'm gonna have to cram...and if I cook now, it'll waste too much time before I want to go to bed.
[He groans, loudly, and elbows the brunette in the ribs. Before reaching for his cell phone and opening a delivery app.] You owe me for this shit, Cheeks.
no subject
Date: 2023-05-18 06:07 am (UTC)Right, right. Just go easy on me if I don't get it right away, okay?
[ HA HA no chance of that. But she cracks open the notebook he gives her either way, resisting the urge to make a face at the stark contrast between the dense writing he's crammed in with the usual military efficiency and the sparse skeleton mockery of her own attempts. How can someone focus so hard on such a dry subject? Who knows? It's a mystery. The answer is simply 'because Bakugou ¯\_(ツ)_/¯', as usual.
BUT! Mama Uraraka didn't raise no quitter (and the nightmare scenario of dropping a letter grade is terrifying) so she's gonna study the absolute shit out of these texts even if she winds up comatose with history facts leaking out of her ears.
An apple bunny slice disappears into her mouth as she starts furiously scribbling away on a fresh page in her book, shiba inu brows furrowed in intense concentration as if staring at every individual word as hard as physically possible will make memorizing it any easier.
Hint: it won't. ]
It couldn't be that bad to take a quick break for dinner if we just take ten minutes--
[ Elbow, meet ribs. The perfect 'o' she was in the middle of writing gets a big, ugly zig-zag through it - a casualty of Uraraka's startled sideways jerk.
rude.]Huh?! Wait, what do I owe you?
[ WHY IS STUDYING SO STRESSFUL ]
no subject
Date: 2023-05-21 01:39 am (UTC)Tch, if you can't handle how I teach, the door is unlocked.
[He doesn't go easy on anyone, so fat chance indeed. Besides, it's not like Uraraka can't handle it - she's already proven she's way tougher than she looks. If she can take an onslaught of his explosions point blank and keep pushing herself up, a little tough love in terms of academics will be nothing. Hell, Kirishima had it way worse - though he's literally a doofus. He's among the more "lacking" of their classmates when it comes to booksmarts. Uraraka's set nicely in the middle - not stupid like Mina and Kaminari, but neither smart like Iida or Momo. She's just...average. Painfully so.
And it's because he has a goal. He has to be Number One, and getting there means getting good grades and being the fucking best (or close enough to it because Four-Eyes and Ponytail always outdo him in most subjects, huff). They're also going to be Heroes - they have a shitload to learn that will apply in the field, too. Katsuki takes his schooling very seriously - he won't get scouted by a shit-tier agency as a sidekick when he graduates. He wants to get his foot in the door as high to the peak as possible, and that means really digesting what's in their lessons. Though right now, he's busy on his phone as Uraraka copies his notes, growling at her when she suggests taking a break right when they've only started.]
Hell no, get the fuck back to work. I'm ordering something to be delivered. [And because he's ordered from this place before, Houndog or the other security personelle won't give the delivery person that much grief...hopefully. The usual protocol after all the incidents that have happened at UA.] Usually takes forty minutes to get here with all the safety measures, so tell me what you want...
And then I'll decide how you owe me for helping you, and for feeding you.
no subject
Date: 2023-05-23 06:40 am (UTC)Granted considering the soft pads on her fingers it could just as easily be a threat but that's definitely not intentional on her part. ]
It was just a suggestion!
[ Welp, so much for sneaking off for a snack. Ganbatte, Ochako! Power through and ignore the hunger pangs!!!!
The mention of delivery and the damning lightness of her wallet has her pep talk screeching to a halt as her eyes widen with equal parts alarm and astonishment he's even offering. If you told Uraraka she'd enjoy having a late night study date with the school's most notorious overachiever, she probably would've thought you hit your head a little too hard.
Which is to say she turns a fascinating shade of pink and suddenly finds her notes extremely interesting to look at.
She's broke af dude this is such an embarrassing situation. ]
Um, something cheap I guess? Konbini onigiri is pretty good. Maybe some mochi too...?
i'm sorry for my slowness, i caught my parents' cold. ;__;
Date: 2023-05-25 10:09 pm (UTC)And he...has absolutely no goddamn idea that his classmate is literally poorer than dirt. Katsuki is perceptive, and he likes to keep little mental notes about his classmates and friends (how else is he going to overpower them and be the best if he doesn't know anything about them?), but even he doesn't know everything about everyone in the class. Little things like that, which are fairly private, he doesn't know. He only knows that this Round Face here is cheap. He's always just equated it to her being frugal as hell, considering he's, ah...pretty well off in terms of wealth. No where near Todoroki and Yaoyorozu levels, but with two fashion designer parents making good money in the industry...he's lived a somewhat privileged life.
So he...doesn't understand why she's asking for cheap calories instead of real food that he's offering.]
The hell?! I'm not offering bargain bin trash, I'm offering food! Chicken or pork?! Or do you want a pizza?
Feel better soon, friendo! 🌼
Date: 2023-05-27 12:26 am (UTC)Meanwhile, Uraraka's stuck between a rock and a hard place while she tries to figure out whether or not she has the pocket change to cover delivery. Pizza can be thrifty depending on the toppings but then again having a bunch of greasy food tends to make her nausea act up way worse than something lighter, and chicken should be fine as long as it's not some kind of fancy french style caramelized onions and whatever else that's been so popular lately. Then again she hasn't had pork in a while either --
She might not share his penchant for throwing down anytime, anywhere, but having Bakugou get on her case while she's already in full panic mode sure isn't helping her make a prompt decision!
Slowly, ominously, Uraraka turns her head to pin him with the full force of the Gremlin Stare™. ]
You know what, how about you choose?
[ ゴゴゴゴ ]
I'm just so focused on getting these notes done it's tough to make a decision anyway. Ha ha.
sob, thank you, i feel human again today...in time for back to work. ;A;
Date: 2023-05-30 04:05 pm (UTC)Looking up Katsuki blinks, taken aback slightly by that look. He's only saw a similar one on her face once, when he was facing her in the ring at the Sports Festival, and he feels an adrenaline spike for a second - the urge to fight - because he knows a challenge when he sees one. After a second, a slow and deliberate blink, his mouth curls at the corners, splitting his once grumpy or passive expression into a manic, Cheshire cat grin. Yes, that one.]
Hooh. ...You sure about that?
[Do you want to give him this power, Cheeks? The Spice Overlord himself?? Are you really sure??? IS THAT YOUR FINAL ANSWER????]
Boooo, work sucks :c
Date: 2023-06-02 02:57 am (UTC)Uraraka's face shifts into something a little less like a startled cryptid and more like herself - albeit with a distinctly determined bent with the furrow of her brow as she thrusts a fist in the air like an Olympic champion on the placement pedestal (instead of being some dweeb getting stoked over delivery of all things). Is she sure? OF COURSE SHE IS! This is just another obstacle on the way to making herself the strongest Ochako she can be!!!! ]
I can handle it, trust me!
[ She has no idea what she's in for. ]
it does, sob, that teleworker life.... but i must say your uraraka is so good, she's so cute. ;w;
Date: 2023-06-05 01:42 am (UTC)Plus, she's strong. Capable. Doesn't back down. She's also clever, so...shit. If she presses, he'll say it was for a good first fight. She deserve that much.
Katsuki leans back in his chair, phone in hand, and chuckles darkly. Oh, sweet Uraraka...you have handed him too much power, and he's already flitting through the options for food, picking out his first before smacking his lips and clicking his tongue, leg bouncing excitedly.]
Is that so? Haah...I'll be pretty surprised - this is one of my favorite dishes from this place. [He spins around in his chair, cackling and spinning a pencil between his fingers like a drumstick before pointing it at the doomed brunette.] ...You know what a Scoville is, right?
Thank!!!! Glad I'm doing her justice! c:
Date: 2023-06-06 03:55 am (UTC)Maybe the food's served with some crazy exotic sauce or the way it's cooked is kinda weird and he's just trying to get a reaction? It'll be fine. A little spice won't kill her!
What's the worst that could happen?
...Defaulting to thinking the best of Bakugou and his motives is, alas, going to bite her in the butt once the delivery arrives. Pls send flowers to her funeral. ]
"Scoville"? [ HMMMMMM..... oh wait, yeah, she's heard that name before! ] Don't they make toasters and stuff?
[ Ochako honey that's Breville you're thinking of--
Completely unaware of the stunning Airhead Moment™ that just came out of her mouth, she gives him the biggest grin and a ✧MOTIVATIONAL FIST PUMP✧ like he even needs the encouragement in the first place. ]
Anyway, you should definitely order your favorites! Maybe I'll like them too, you know?
Yes!! I love her, she's my fav female character so getting to actually play off her is great. ;w;
Date: 2023-06-10 10:43 pm (UTC)And maybe pauses before he hits the confirm order button and purses his lips together. Oh, this sweet summer child...she's going to actually die. Her bowels will never recover, so does he really want that nuke to go off in his room? He could toss her off the balcony, she can float and all, but. Hm. Katsuki bounces his leg and turns his his chair to do some fiddling with his phone before confirming their order.]
It'll be to die for... [He chuckles, setting his phone down at last.] App says about thirty minutes, but it'll take longer with security. How're those notes going?
♥♥♥
Date: 2023-06-14 06:57 am (UTC)[ Crap. She kind of stopped writing altogether when he mentioned food, so... ]
Fine! It's fine. Going great!
[ SHE'S SO FULL OF SHIT. Looking down at her notebook, the sadly scribbled 'o' is still there, followed by some word-salad mishmash that devolved into blank paper as her limited attention span switch from study mode to snack mode. Multitasking is definitely not one of her strong suits, unfortunately.
Fully aware of the hell she'll pay if her classmate peeps just how behind she is on their study session, Uraraka snatches her notebook off the table (wow, so subtle) and starts writing as fast as she can between the odd snatched glance at his notes.
It's not fine. But hey, he did distract her first. ]
no subject
Date: 2023-06-21 10:03 pm (UTC)[Yeah, there's the usual Bakugou call-out. He knows she's not focusing enough, he's literally right there and can see her writing or not writing. With a roll of his eyes, Katsuki shakes his head. Honestly, it's her fucking funeral if she fails this exam or not - he already studied and memorized the source material, so he doesn't need to do shit. Katsuki is helping out of the goodness of his heart, and because he actually respects Urakaka and likes her the most out of the girls (translation: she annoys him the least), so...if she squanders that, it's all on her.]
...Tch, you got five more minutes of writing before I quiz you, Round Face. You better make 'em count.
[And just...because, no reason at all whatsoever, Katsuki grabs a little foam ball from his nightstand and just...holds it. :')
Don't worry about it. :'))]
no subject
Date: 2023-06-26 12:58 am (UTC)wait does he even study with kirishima she's never seen them poring over notes together... ]
Now you're just torturing me!
[ A fingertip lances out. Pointing. Nay, accusing! One of those cute little finger beans is dangerously close to jabbing him in the cheek, but she's too far into her righteous indignation to respect his personal space bubble now.
All in all she's actually making reasonable time copying or reformatting the pertinent parts of the module, it's just having the sudden additional weight thrown on top of her study workload that's sparked so much alarm. It's just a quiz! So what if she flunks? It's not like she has anything to lose.
wow what a nice foam ball, it'd be a shame if he did something terrible with it.]no subject
Date: 2023-06-29 01:20 am (UTC)He can take it.]
You knew what you were signing up for, Round Face.
[He raises a brow at the accusatory finger and is tempted to snap his teeth at it - keep your hands to yourself and all that - but the weird little...pawpad...thing of hers catches Katsuki's attention and distracts him long enough that the moment passes. What even are those things, anyway? He kinda wants to touch, curious if they're squishy like a cat's pads, but as if he's going to ask...
Besides, she needs to work. Once the five minutes are over, he tosses the foam ball between his hands, a grin sliding onto her face slowly.]
Time's up.
no subject
Date: 2023-07-03 05:08 am (UTC)"Time's up."
Just like that, Bakugou blows a hole in her sense of time and space, leaving only panic. ]
Wait, wait! I'm not done yet!
[ aaaAAAA oh no OH NO okay she's got this just a quick two more sentences it's fine it's totally fine everything's under control nothing to worry about--
Curling protectively over her notes, she hastily scribbles out the last passage she needs before sitting bolt upright and slamming her pencil on the table with enough force to rattle the tabletop, a little surprised that she managed to focus on one task for so long.
All thanks to The Bakugou Effect, clearly. ]
no subject
Date: 2023-07-06 05:26 pm (UTC)Tough shit, you really think any of our teachers would give you extra time? Next time you want peace of mind, plan ahead.
[Sad but true, there's perhaps only a tiny handful of their teachers that would give extra time to complete schoolwork or retake and exam. UA is the most difficult and best Hero academy globally for a damn reason - they're tough...and strict. And the faculty clearly wants their alums to be quality Heroes and members of society. Students scraping by isn't exactly what they strive to achieve...and certainly not laziness and scatterbrained Heroes.
Katsuki reads off the first question, tossing the ball at Uraraka's head so it bounces off back into his waiting palm each time she gets the questions wrong. If she gets it right...a nod of his head and a gruff "good". Thankfully, only ten minutes into this godawful torture--I mean, study session, Katsuki's phone buzzes and he looks down.]
Food's here. I'll go grab it. This is your second chance to cram, so get to it. Otherwise you'll need to refit your headpiece to make up for that unicorn horn. [He cackles, striding toward the door.]
no subject
Date: 2023-07-10 01:06 am (UTC)It'd be nice if the price of perfection wasn't so infuriating though. ]
You're so mean.
[ Uraraka complains, like making her suffering known to the universe will make a lick of difference how Bakugou exists in the same space. Scrunching her face at his retreating back, she rubs at the pink mark on her forehead where the ball had repeatedly pinged off her skull and obediently bends back to the task of stuffing as many notes into both her book and memory as she can.
She gets a couple paragraphs in before her attention inevitably wavers - eyes aimlessly wandering over to his side of the table, and the source of her woe... sitting right there. In the open. Just begging to be tampered with.
By the time he returns, the ball will be gone. Poof. Vanished. And Uraraka will still be diligently working away like nothing happened. ]
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Date: 2023-07-13 11:30 pm (UTC)Katsuki's slipping on his loafers as he heads out of his room at last, rolling his eyes as he looks back at the brunette.]
Oh yeah, because agreeing to tutor and feed you is absolutely villainous. Put me in jail. [A sneer, and then he yanks the door open, heading through it.] Keep studying, I'll be back in just a few minutes.
[Aaand he's gone!
...And then he's back, popping his head in very suddenly.]
If you snoop through my shit, I'll know, and I'll fucking kill you.
[Now he's gone. Enjoy that looming sense of "peace", Cheeks.]
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Date: 2023-07-16 02:50 am (UTC)[ SLAM.
Ahhh, there we go. He wouldn't truly be the class hothead if she didn't get a parting shot death threat squeaked in at the last second just because. It's a miracle he hasn't threatened to blow her up until now - actually, even that's kind of tame for him, now that she's thinking about it. Is that his 'nice' setting? Should she consider this 'progress'? Sort of???? Boys are so confusing...
All the rampant thoughts running through her head like a bunch of loose cats has her just staring blankly at the door where his snarling face disappeared behind, but Uraraka eventually gives herself a shake and does as she's told.
...
Does she seem like the kind of girl to snoop? Is that the kind of vibe she's giving off? Should she feel offended right now?!
Better question, what kind of stuff is he hiding to be worth that kind of warning, anyway? Not that she's actually planning on getting nosy, obviously! HA HA... no... of course not...
But now that she's got the thought lodged deep in her brain matter, the curiosity makes it extremely difficult to concentrate on the same sentence she's read about five times and absorbed exactly none of. Big surprise. At least she's not touching anything? (minus the ball she stole earlier still gently floating across the ceiling like a tiny celestial body, because even she's not immune to a little spite now and then.) ]
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Date: 2023-07-22 02:07 pm (UTC)And while no, Katsuki sincerely doesn't expect someone like Uraraka to go through his belongings - he actually have very little to hide, Katsuki is a very upfront and honest person - he has caught the other assholes in his friend group poking through his drawers and stuff, or touching his very expensive drum set, too. Please do not, he will not only beat you the hell up, but make you pay for any damages for as long as it fucking takes. The most ""incriminating"" thing Katsuki owns, probably are various manga and movies, and his tastes definitely do vary. Most of the latter is All Might themed - info-matics and documentaries, stuff like that. His room is actually very neat and tidy, so really what you see is what you get.
Katsuki returns maybe twenty or so minutes later, with a bag of their food hanging from his arm while his hand carries a drink tray. The free hand opens the door and he nudges it shut with his foot, slipping out of his house slippers and just going barefoot. It's his room, after all.]
Clear the desk a little, food's here.
Sorry for the slow tags! Getting travel plans organized ;;
Date: 2023-07-30 08:17 pm (UTC)Of course he doesn't - it's Bakugou - but she waffles uncertainly for a couple moments before sinking back down again to neatly stack the books off to the side, brushing off the tabletop with a couple cursory sweeps of her forearm for good measure just to keep her hands busy.
Ta-dahhhhhh! One clean eating surface. Let's see the goods. ]
Good to go!
[ And since he's apparently paid already and Uraraka's loathe to be a bad houseguest... ]
Thanks for the food. And the help, too. This stuff is really difficult for me to get my head around, you know?
No worries, I've been slow too. ;; I hope you have a good time where you're going!!! /o/
Date: 2023-08-03 03:36 pm (UTC)If you need to take a piss, just use the bathroom. [A thumb is jabbed over his shoulder to the attached half bath in his room (and all other rooms in the dorms). He goes about setting everything down, using the bag and a few folded out napkins as placemats and coasters to keep his space tidy. Uraraka is handed a container of food - honey garlic chicken katsu over steamed rice with a side of veggies and a very little cup of miso soup and one gyoza. His is, uh...far more colorful. Literally. The container has a very pungent odor of spice and parts of said container are a deep red-orange color...probably from whatever sauce was coating his meal - gochujang noodles with seafood and a beautiful soft boiled egg on top as well as some dices red and green hot chilis for garnish.]
Because you're shit at focusing. [He snaps his chopsticks apart.] I'd say your head is empty, but there's something in there that draws your attention from everything else. Dunno what, don't give a shit regardless, but you need to pay attention to the crap that actually matters or it's gonna bite you in the ass. Bad.
...You're not stupid, Uraraka. You already got half the answers right just after a few hours, so if you do fail the exam, I'm beating your ass in next week's training. I don't waste my time on losers.
I had a great time! Back home now /o/ let the snacc commence.
Date: 2023-09-08 07:43 pm (UTC)Uraraka's face goes a little red, all fidgeting immediately vanishing before it's interpreted as more embarrassing misunderstandings. Honestly! He might be one of the most intelligent people in their class, but sometimes he could be breathtakingly dense at the exact same time. From one extreme to the other... ]
Just excited to eat, I guess. Thank you for the meal.
[ Grumble grumble. Here she is trying to be a good guest and getting her pure intentions misinterpreted in the worst possible way, because it's never a dull moment with their class of oddballs. There might, maybe, be just a little more force than necessary thrown into pulling her chopsticks apart, but it's fine. Nobody will notice.
One (1) petulant mouthful of rice and katsu later, Uraraka lights up, making a muffled noise of approval. ALL IS FORGIVEN. This food is really, really, good!
Fortunately she isn't so blissed out by gourmet snacks that all social taboo has flown out of her head, so she hurriedly gulps down her chicken and rice, scrubbing roughly at her mouth with the back of her hand before leaping to her own defense. ]
I focus when it counts, most of the time. It's just... different with you. [ Truthfully, she's not really sure why that's the case. Not in tangible terms, anyway, just the vaguest sense of grim determination that she'd found in their exhibition match, something she still hasn't been able to assign a word to just yet. A fundamental lack of self preservation, maybe? It's difficult to say for sure, but she has a feeling that a fraction of his unshakeable confidence might have rubbed off on her at some point - for better or for worse.
CHOPSTICK POINT. Behold, the fighting spirit of being stared down by a girl with bits of rice stuck to her cheek! Terrifying, right? ] But I'm gonna pass that test, and then you'd better watch your back, got it?
Yaay, I'm glad, and welcome back!! \o/ Where did you go??
Date: 2023-09-16 02:23 pm (UTC)Just don't throw it up after.
[That can't be good for her, right? Even if she hasn't in a long time, unless she goes especially crazy with her quirk, but still. God forbid she develops some kind of serious health issue because of that, or worse. Katsuki may not show it, but he does quietly observe and listen to each member of their class, even the so-called "extras" that otherwise would not ping his radar. He cares, in his own weird way, and they've all grown on him, and vice versa. The class has each others' backs through pretty much anything and everything - these losers better know that by now, he's going to support them, too. Just with far less enthusiasm than most.
Katsuki, meanwhile, is slurping his noodles, watching Uraraka again - because really, what the hell else is there to do right now - and he makes a face of disgust before wiping his face with a goddamn napkin and scowling at her, sliding the bundle over.]
You have the table manners of a damn toddler. [Leaning back into his seat, Katsuki picks up his chopsticks to take another bite of his searing hot noodles (delicious~), then pauses and stares up at the brunette with a look of confusion and mild indignation.]
...Hah? [What is the fuck is that supposed to mean?! Why is he so different?! Is that good or bad?! You can't just leave that point hanging there and not explain, Uraraka!! But first--] Oi, don't point with your chopsticks - it's rude!! Shit, you were raised in a fucking barn!
[He knocks her gently on the head with his knuckles, huffing quietly and finally managing to stuff another bite into his mouth, chewing and swallowing before snagging his drink to sip, too.]
Tch, pretty bold words coming from you, Cheeks. You're going to pass becauz=se I'm bailing you out, but don't think you'll get ahead of me so easily. Or ever. [He grins around the next bite.] You don't have the guts.
[Yes she does, he's just goading her. Look, it's his form of motivation, and he knows she'll fall for the bait.]
Ty ty! ♥ I was visiting friends in the US!
Date: 2023-09-21 12:18 am (UTC)All these blows to the head in such a short time is going to leave a tender spot if she keeps this up, but Uraraka does concede the point that maybe it's just a little uncool to go assaulting her host with utensils, swallowing her pride and making do with a vaguely irked expression instead as she turns back to her katsu.
Terrible timing on her part, really. The challenge dangles in front of her nose the very second after she takes an enormous bite of chicken and rice, and it takes every speck of her self control not to immediately leap right back into arguing with her mouth full. For one, it'd prove him right, and second, she doesn't want to waste good food.
It makes for a singularly strained silence as she stares back at him with brows furrowed - very much wanting to swallow the bait hook, line, and sinker.
Once both food and the intent behind the poke to her ego is sufficiently processed, the expected riposte isn't far behind. ]
See? This is what I mean! [ She finally ekes out, flicking a finger back and forth between them in an excitable 'us, right here, right now' gesture (and pointedly wiping her mouth on a napkin this time). That little pause was just enough for Uraraka's annoyance to transmute into determined optimism on the spot, like some convoluted magic trick.
Inspiration through challenge. Is this what Kirishima feels like all the time? ] Talk big all you want, we both know I already almost beat you once. Next time you won't be so lucky.
[ Hey, she can talk smack too. Tit for tat. ]
Oooh, I hope you had a lovely time!! ♥♥
Date: 2023-09-28 02:53 am (UTC)Oh my god, it is so funny watching Uraraka nearly choke on her food, and her kneejerk reaction at his challenge to not immediately leap upon it. Hook, line, and fucking sinker...though let's be honest, he would be in the very same boat if the tables were turned on him - they're similarly competitive, with Katsuki being far moreso. His lips tug up at the corners, as if waiting for her to lose her composure, and he snickers when she has to really restrain herself, that little crinkle of her brows and everything.
Though his smile vanishes at the gesture and the words, his one brows crinkling and one lifting up in confusion. Katsuki is not following you, Uraraka. He doesn't know what "this" is. Does she mean the constant goading?? The push to do better and be better? Because that's just his norm - Katsuki does it with everyone because he knows they can be better, they just need a kick in the ass to get moving. But Uraraka's always been tough, she just...never really gets a chance to show it. It's a damn shame, really. Her quirk is stupid strong.
Oop, there she goes, actually bringing that moment up. So she noticed, huh?]
LIKE HELL YOU DID!! [She absolutely did. If he didn't use all his power to blow back that insane, last-ditch special move of hers...they both would have been buried. Reckless idiot.] Tch, last time you took me by surprised and you still didn't touch me. Don't get a big head just because you came up with some cockamamie strategy all on your own.
[If you had a hard time...it was because Uraraka-san was leading you around by your nose! Those words ring in his head and Katsuki scowls. Fucking Deku...he was right. He hates that the prick was right. He stuffs a big bite into his mouth, chewing almost angrily. She better not do anything like that again, and risk endangering herself, or wearing herself out like she did...]
Ace the test, then we'll talk about training. Finish your food and get back to it. [He tugs out his phone to check the time. Mm...not the greatest. It's maybe another hour to the time he usually gets to his evening routine and then bed...]
It was amazingggg
Date: 2023-10-06 02:17 am (UTC)[ Score one for Uraraka!
It's unlikely she'll ever get the chance to argue with him in a relaxed setting like this again - let alone actually make a legitimate point in the process - so she refrains from pushing her luck, no matter how tempting it might be to press the advantage. That doesn't stop her from s l o w l y raising one eyebrow at him though, clearly not to be smug or anything. Not even a little bit! The bland smile on her face says as much.
Uraraka resumes nibbling on the katsu and rice (angry chewing excluded) in neat bites, pulling her notebook over with the pads of her fingertips to review the staggering amount of legible study material she's scribbled inside courtesy of Bakugou's Plus Ultra Study Regimen™. It's a shame he's such a hellion, really... with results like these, she would be tempted to ask him for help again in the future.
But that's neither here nor there.
Between scrolling on his phone and reviewing her notes, the quiet activity makes for a surprisingly peaceful dinner, broken only by the rattling of chopsticks on takeout containers or the riffling of paper. Only after she's fished up the very last grains of rice and crumbs of chicken that Uraraka lifts her head from her cheek to turn her attention to her classmate. ]
You know, I always wondered... what would you have done if I'd managed to make contact with my quirk?
Yaaay, I'm so glad!! Also sorry for my slowness, my games are both having busy events this month ;;;
Date: 2023-10-17 08:34 pm (UTC)Still a dum--...no, that's not quite right. She's not dumb, she's just a procrastinator, which might actually be worse. Needless to say, she needs all the fucking help she can get, and though he won't be tripping over himself to offer to help her study again, he won't immediately say no. She's doing pretty well, actually, and he's confident she'll not only pass the test, but get a high score, too. Because of course just passing was never on the table. Oh no, the perfectionist in him had to make sure she got at least a seventy-five or higher.
He's long since finished his food - Katsuki burns a lot more carbs than people think, so he snacks often - and when Uraraka is done, he reaches for her trash to toss it back in the bag with his own and tie off the ends to throw away later. But he question gives him pause, his head lifting up and one brow turning up. Now that's a question...]
Mm...back then I didn't have nearly as many moves as I do now. My quirk was pretty unrefined, as awesome as it is. [He cocks a, well...cocky little smirk her way, then clicks his tongue thoughtfully.] Best I could try to do was use it to move through the air...get in close enough to knock you out. It'd also depend on what would count as a ring-out. Or how much time I'd need to think of something on the fly.
[If just passing the border of the ringed in arena while floating would count as a ring-out, he'd be fucked. His output and quirk control to maneuver in the air would have to be pinpoint perfect and precise to stay in that "bubble", otherwise an overcompensation would fling him out in record time - like a rocket. It's why she was so fucking deadly back then...Uraraka's quirk works too well with his own. He'd be his own worst enemy if she managed to float him, and the dark look that passes his face is evident of how pissed he'd be.]
I don't know if you'd win or not, if you did manage...but we sure as shit wouldn't be sitting together now. [He would probably hate her on a level close to or even more than he did Deku.]
It's finally time! ❤️
Date: 2023-10-19 03:13 pm (UTC)Being transported to a different world? That’s way beyond the realm of any Quirk she knows about!
On top of that, this is the worst time she could possibly be taken. Right before a war is about to start… she’s scared, for everyone back home, but the note had told her that time back home was frozen, so… at the very least, her fear hasn’t turned into panic just yet.
…Assuming she can believe any of this. Anyway, she was worried she’d be all alone here, but when she notices Bakugou… ]
Bakugou-kun? [ She calls out his name in surprise, wide eyes blinking once as she notices him approaching her. Is everyone else here, too? ]
AT LAST!! ♥♥
Date: 2023-10-19 04:46 pm (UTC)So his surprise at hearing an all too familiar voice, seeing an all too familiar face, has him stopping in his tracks during a walk through the Enchanted Gardens, expecting to find newcomers that need help adjusting, but not...someone he knows. His eyes widen, and he hesitates only a moment - this world is notorious for playing foul tricks that prey on the heart and mind - before striding forward with a bit more gusto than before.]
Ah--...U-Uraraka?
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Date: 2023-10-21 01:55 pm (UTC)But she breaks the silence just as quickly, suddenly flooding him with a barrage of questions as she turns to face him fully. ]
Is that you, Bakugou-kun? Are you okay? I just woke up here, and I don't know where we are... do you have any idea what's going on? Where are the others?
[ ...Okay, so maybe that's a few too many questions to ask him at once, but she's overwhelmed, okay! ]
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Date: 2023-10-21 08:45 pm (UTC)Well, Japan's not exactly safe, but she's more capable to deal with it there, with her support network. He's all she's got now, and Katsuki's not going to delude himself with thinking he can support anyone all that well.]
Fucking 'course it's me, who else would it be?! Tch... [He drags a hand through his hair.] First thing's first, do you know anything about Jaku?
[He has to ask it that way, because she could be beyond him in the timeline, and Katsuki's not ready to know what happens in the future. He doesn't want to know - the future is his to experience, he doesn't need regurgitated shit from someone else unless he asks for it.]