❤ HEARTBEAT.

       It’s obviously her black leather jacket. She knows this even before he says the words that incriminate him. The KJ initials in purple that she got sewn in the breast pocket are unmistakable. It’s also not surprising that it fits him though snug. Really, he should be asking before taking her jackets.

         He sounds so sure, always so sure of everything he thinks and feels, and she isn’t the same at all. The only thing she’s ever been so sure of wanting is to be a hero, not a musician like her parents.  No, he’s joking, he can’t possibly have a crush on you a part of her urges while another part is going, you’re the one fooling yourself here. It’s not true, she does take him seriously, knows he’s strong, but it’s just easier to act like she doesn’t. It’s easier to brush away his compliments, easier to ignore the fact that he probably sees her more than others do. It’s easier to hide her own insecurities and lack of confidence behind a cool facade. Her lips set, trying to swallow down the lump in her throat. ( Don’t confess to me, I can’t be the type of girl you want. )

        ‘  Am I just like a joke to you ?   ’     he questions, voice full of frustration.

            Sharp amethyst eyes look down at the vibrant red colored shoes, if you can call them that. ( Why are there holes in them? Why are they shaped liked that? ) Her own tastes are different, more black and punk-rock aesthetic, but even Uraraka’s affinity for pink sneakers is tolerable. Pink lips part before honeyed tones deliver words that are about as direct and full-force as one of her heartbeat fuzz.       “    Those shoes are terrible, Kirishima.     ”   

            One blond brow raises in question of the sudden bite in her tone – was she pissed off because he was right? No …usually in a situation like that, she’d get flustered rather than angry, if experience was any indicator. That begged the possibility that his guess was wrong – but that was just as unlikely, in truth. He’d always been a rather sound judge of character, and a talent for picking up on things around him. In spite of how most only thought him capable of blind, stupid anger, he’s actually fairly adept when it comes to logistics and tactical organization.

            ❝ – tch. Like I care what you want. I’ve already shown I can work on a team, unless you forgot that we just won. ❞  

            He retorted, taking another sip from his water bottle. He wasn’t bitter – not in the slightest. He’d merely meant to encourage her to be more honest; that being said, he’s probably got a long way to go in the “how to be friendly” department. He had quite a few obstacles ahead of him, that much went without saying – but neither was he about to let her sit there and invalidate all of the efforts and changes he’d made since his fight with Midoriya the night after their provisional license exam. He grits his teeth – dammit, son of a –

            ❝ – but I guess you idiots didn’t suck too bad, either. ❞

                                                                   Bless him, he’s trying.

            It’d be impossible to forget their recent win, their team being the first to score so highly without any of them being caught. So, true to this word, he can work on a team, arguments withstanding. It’s still his way or the highway, unfortunately, which she thinks can only deter him in the future. Still. . . she’ll wait and see. There’s still plenty of time left. As for him trying to pry about any possible feelings she might have --- there’s a line she’s not willing to cross. Her goal is to be a hero, not like anyone. Her mindset is already set there.

                    “     Yeah, I know we won.     ”

               She’s not oblivious to the fact that he’s saying ‘we’ instead when in the past he would probably have said ‘I.’ So --- she’s probably not giving him enough credit, she’ll admit. He had been a bit more tolerant this match than in the past. Her dark amethyst colored eyes watch him take a sip, watch his jaw clench a bit, and it looks like it’s actually painful for him to try conversing. ( Somewhere in the back of her mind she thinks it’s almost like the way she can’t take compliments and appreciation, trying to avoid every scenario of it, lashing out. ) Didn’t suck too bad. A snort escapes her lips at that, her lips quirking upwards the slightest before a gloved hand comes to press up against her mouth, covering it.

                     “    Is that your way of complimenting us? Because if so you suck at it.   ”

                   There’s little bite in her words though, more of light humor if anything, a touch of amusement in her voice. She eyes the water bottle in her hand before saying her own way of compliment, and it’s more direct than his.

               Normally cool facial features shift, a smile taking place upon pink lips and spreading across, making her face look almost as honeyed as her voice, a rarity in itself. ( Her smiles have always been subtle, flickering away almost as soon as seen. ) It’s impossible not to feel the recent victory buzzing in her veins, spreading like a burning flame. ( A step closer, their pathway to becoming a hero is becoming clearer. ) Her gloved hands come up to rest in the air, awaiting for his hands to meet hers in soft enthusiasm.  “   Sero, high-five!    ”

                   It’s apparent to her his attention isn’t a hundred percent at the moment, and while the material is dry he isn’t going to do so well with the exams without some level of focus. Her finger comes up to flick him on the forehead, trying to get his attention then.  In contrast, Kyouka’s already prepared well enough that she feels certain she’ll do fine on the upcoming exam. Memorizing and comprehending material has never been too impossible a feat for her. There’s an touch of irritation in her honeyed voice. ( Though, she doesn’t mind helping him study at all, he’s her friend; she wants him to do well. )  “   You’re the one who asked for help on this stuff. Pay attention, idiot.   ”

           One hand comes out to hold the CD back to Tokoyami , the same disc she borrowed from him about a couple of days ago. It hadn’t taken long to make a copy of it and transfer it into her iPod. Recently, they’ve made a habit of sharing music, what with their music tastes sort of similar.   “    Thanks for letting me borrow it, Tokoyami. What’s your favorite song?    ”

            ❝ – only because I told you idiots to. ❞ 

            He replies without missing a beat, the pair of them pausing in unison to take a few deep sips from their respective water bottles. But it didn’t need to be said in order for both of them to understand the truth; they had discussed as much before the match, and it had played out precisely as Bakugou had predicted. If you’re in trouble, I’ll save your asses – and if I get into a pinch, then you losers can save me, too. 

            ❝ – shut up! What the hell was there to doubt? I guaranteed a flawless victory from the start! And I’m always easy to work with, ear lobes! ❞

            Ah, there’s the volatile pipe bomb that class 1-A is more familiar with. He sneers and takes another sip of his water to cool his sizzling temper and lazily follows the line of her gaze to where Kaminari stood, enthusiastically pushing conversation with that baggy-eyed hypo-creep from the general studies class. He makes a shallow noise through his teeth and tips his gaze in the other direction disinterestedly.

            ❝ – bet you would’ve rather been paired up with drooly, huh? You got a thing for him. ❞

            It was a statement, rather than a question, and issued with all the tact of a sledgehammer.

              It’s true he told them to, and maybe that’s his logic of trying to make it seem that he wasn’t dependent on them, hadn’t needed them. It’s a battle she isn’t up for fighting against, his ego and pride withstanding. Her tongue runs across the top of her teeth behind her lips at his next comment. The nicknames are annoying.

             “    That’s not my name, Mr. I-Can’t-Remember-Names,    ”    she quips, though she doesn’t think it’s actually true; she thinks he probably does know their names but pridefully chooses not to use them. 

               While truthfully Kyouka isn’t even aware of when her gaze trails off, watching with bored interest at Kaminari and Shinsou, maybe, it’s a second longer than she originally thinks because then Bakugou’s pointing it out. Drooly. More stupid nicknames. Her irritation bubbles a bit more inside but it’s probably more so because he’s making assumptions. ( Who is he trying to read? He doesn’t know her well enough yet. ) Her dark brows pinch down, and sharp purple eyes flicker back over to his form. Words comes out with a bite, rough despite honeyed tones.

          “    What do you know? I doubt you’ve got experience in that area. Anyways, you sound bitter talking like that, you know.   ”    Her arms come up to cross across her chest.    “   If you want me to prefer you then you might wanna work on your attitude.    ”

              “     So, besides bugs are there any other animals you don’t like?    ”    While she hasn’t really thought about it before, not since their first partner match together that feels like eons ago, she wonders now about it. Bugs aren’t the worst things she can think of personally. There’s creepy horror stuff for starters. 

            Inhuman reflexes move in response to the incoming projectile, his hand flaring out to snatch the bottle from its trajectory toward his head without even the necessity of turning to look. He brings the bottle into his field of vision to examine it with scrutiny creasing his brow before tipping the dubious gaze over his shoulder to answer the voice that had addressed him – a small but significant clue as to the fact that she had gained some semblance of respect from him; he didn’t bother to look at people who hadn’t earned his attention. 

            ❝ – then next time don’t give me a reason to have to save yer sorry ass. ❞

            He strikes back with all the tact and understanding of a sledgehammer, uncapping the water bottle gracelessly to down a few mouthfuls; despite the abrasiveness of the words passed between them, the meanings seemed to ring true enough – 

                                              thanks for helping me. 

                                                            you’re welcome.

            His reflexes are kinda crazy even with her rather good hand-to-hand coordination ( or with her earjacks ), but she guesses she can’t be too surprised. She’s seen him in several battles before, remembers faintly still his match with Uraraka ( albeit with displeasure, at seeing her female companion in pain ). Despite his initial scrutiny she’s unfazed, thinks if he’s going to throw away the water bottle then so be it, she won’t take it to heart. 

               “   We saved your ass, too.    ”   Tic for tac. A reminder that he’s not immune to everything. ( Next time, he won’t have to save her, she swears. I’ll save myself. ) Nimble fingers finally twist the cap of the water bottle to swallow down a quick, refreshing gulp. For all her nonchalance and frankness, she can admit he had some redeeming moments today. Some. Pride doesn’t prevent her from voicing her thoughts out-loud, her own frankness pushing through..      “    Though. . . I guess you were a little easier to work with today. For a second I wasn’t sure what was going to happen with how reckless you are but you pulled through.   ”  

❛ jeez, jirou, if you wanted to feel my muscles so bad, you could just ask.❜

he’s teasing, of course, and he knows he might get an earjack to the ear for that one. he’s always messing with her, and she messes with him back (although sometimes he got a good buzz from her earjacks for a wisecrack or two). he can already sense the reaction he’s going to get from her for that remark, so he laughs, lifting his hands up innocently. ❛ i’m just kidding ! i did ask for a lesson. i really want to get better. then i can have some totally sick guitar solos next time we all play together !❜ as far as musical talent goes, he admires her greatly (and he’d be the first to praise her, even if she refused to admit it herself). 

                 For all her cool composure Kaminari somehow can easily make it crack, just the slightest, his own playful and ditzy nature hiding away something far more keen. ( Sometimes, she feels he can see her a little too easily, and it makes her feel a little more on defense, stubbornly wanting to hide away her own vulnerabilities. )  His words are said in jest, but the meaning still remains, as if she’s a schoolgirl with a crush.  ( She’s not, she denies vehemently, chants it like a mantra in her heart. Ba-dump, ba-dump goes her heartbeat ! )    “     Idiot !!      ”   Her voice raises a bit in pitch from its usual smooth tone, an earjack coming to lash out on top of his head, sharp like a whip, much like her chide.  

              Own music blares loudly through white earphones as an earjack comes up to take one of the earphones out of her ear, and the music slows into a crescendo before it’s paused completely in silence. It feels like her surrounding sink in again, the outside sounds hitting her ears. ( The birds chirping, the sound of light whooshing wind, and the crunch, crunch of soft snow under her feet. ) Her expression shifts into light embarrassment as she spots Eri, peeking over with innocent, big, wide eyes. Lips spread into a smile, not forced, but with a touch of modesty in place.      “     Sorry, Eri, couldn’t hear a thing.    ”    There’s a beat of silence before she bends down, a earphone offered.     “    Wanna hear something? I have some. . . rock music that’s a little softer.   ”     There’s a few classical rock songs, lullabies, she can scroll to, something not so heavy for a tender heart.