His name is Zero

Chapter 14 

"Iida-kun. I have a question."

"Yeah?"

"How do you apologize?"

Iida-kun eyeing me slightly, with a little confused face holding his chin up simply said "What?"

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It's now the third day of the training camp and things have been quite the same. My classmates wait for a letter from Sensei about their game, getting excited about the prizes, while I and Bakugo are still stuck in the kitchen together. Not that it was bad.

Ever since we hunted down the boar from the first day, things were a lot easier to deal with. He only talks to me if there are any errands to do and doesn't really spark any conversation that might lead on any type of argument. It was shallow. Not that I was expecting deeper conversations with him, but I feel like we're not even friends again. Like I'm just another person he has to deal with just because we were put in the same containment.

Truth be told, I don't think we even established our relationship yet. We never once told each other that we are now 'friends' or something. But honestly, how can I expect anything from him? The boy is completely lacking social skills, and I'll be damned if he can evaluate any sort of friendship tiers.

Oh gosh. I haven't even apologized to him yet.

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"Is it about the dogs again?" Iida-kun asked.

"Ah... well... yeah." Thinking about it, this dog stories might get out of hand.

Nodding at me with his hand on his chin, slowly gave me a thumbs up. "Yep. Come at me! I'll try to help this time! So what happened?"

I directed him to sit down with me thinking it can get more comfortable that way. Meticulous about this conversation, how it should start, how it should end, I'm thinking too much about this more than I should. It's laughable because I don't think I can even divert my thoughts to anything but him. Restrain won't help me though can it? As long as I try to avoid his attention, the more I stumble, and I don't think that's an option. I just have to straighten it out.

"So... I had this dog once. He was unpredictable just like the other dogs. Though he did normal things of course, he played, he ate, and he slept. But just like the others, you can't really understand what he's thinking. I mean, maybe someone out there has a quirk that can talk to animals, but as we all know, I don't."

Iida-kun simply smiled at my restlessness and just patiently waiting on how I will end this.

"But one day, I did things that I shouldn't have. I was perplexed on his actions. I was just not used of having a dog I guess. But the next day, he acted as if nothing happened. And I... I don't know how to reach out to him."

"You're thinking of reaching out to your dog? Which I believe only wants food from you." Staring at me with a poker face.

"Hahahaha! Right?! I... I just feel like I should still apologize for something." Picking some of the grass just to distract me from my undeniably weird story telling.

"Hmmmm... apologizing to a dog huh? What about a new toy?!"

"Pfft. Hahahaha!! Yeah! That might just work... hahaha! What am I even thinking?" I should probably just give up on this.

"Why don't you just talk to him?" suddenly continuing his idea.

Talk huh?

"Well you and this dog might actually be closer than you think. Thinking on how to apologize to him is already enough to show it. But despite the obvious language barrier that you have with him. Isn't talking still a better option? After all, he might not really understand a word you're saying, but I feel like he can sense your compassion." Smiling towards me.

"Compassion huh?"

"Yeah! I think dogs have a lot of those."

"Right." I couldn't help but smile a little. "Thanks Iida-kun."

"By the way, what's his name? Your dog?"

"Ah." Well I guess having some sort of secret puppy dog chats might just help me get through this. "Zero. His name is Zero." Smiling at Iida-kun.

"Nice."

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Checking up on him once in a while to see if it was the right moment to apologize, but it just never came.

Until the sun fell, the stars rose and the chill tingling on my skin.

He was sitting on a rock all alone, slouched back, looking so defenseless.

It was now or never.

"Hey" I whispered.

Only I was greeted with silence. I guess he didn't hear me, I should probably try that again. I cleared up my throat and said it again. "Hey!" A little louder this time.

"I heard you the first time Pink Face." Not even glancing at me.

"Ah...mmm... yeah." I slowly walked towards him, grass rustling on every foot step I make. I sat down on the grass beside him holding my two legs.

"What is with you and nighttime? Aren't you supposed to sleeping?" he said sonorously.

"You-You're one to talk! It's not like you're sleeping yet either." Staggering a little bit.

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever." Relaxing his head on his right hand just looking straight ahead. He still hasn't looked at me this entire time.

"It's not like... I like staying up late you know." Pausing a little. Looking up at him expressionless, I just continued. "It just happens when I'm thinking about stuff. Like Physics for example."

"Hope you're not going to ask me teach you here."

"Wha- No!" shaking my hands, losing my balance a little.

"Oi!"

"I'm fine! I'm fine! Sorry..."

He lets out an exasperated sigh.

I gulped a little. Good job Uraraka.

"So what are you thinking?" he suddenly asks.

I didn't really have time to think about my answer.

"You."

I didn't think there was anything wrong with my answer, until I felt a tingling down my spine. I slowly looked up at him and was unexpectedly greeted with his eyes. He looked surprised. Or maybe confused? Wait. Did I just tell him that I was thinking about him?

WHAT THE!

OH. MY. GOSH.

He slowly broke away and straightened his back. He started tapping his sit and continuously did without emitting any sound.

I should probably say something.

"I'm sorry Bakugo-kun." I finally said.

"HUH?"

"About the other day."

"What other day?"

Eh?

"You know... when I said some things, and you... you know, blasted a tree." Mimicking his movements that day.

"Ah that, I barely remember it."

"Ehhh??!! You barely remember it?!" I suddenly stood up from this frustration. I have been thinking about it for 3 days, and he barely remember it? Am I the only one overthinking this?

"Oi! Don't be so noisy!" Now standing just as I am.

"Wait. So you're telling me that whatever happened that time doesn't really matter?!" Staring at him.

"Well..."

"I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS!"

"Are you actually getting mad right now?!" he groaned.

"YES! BECAUSE ALL THIS TIME. I HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED. ABOUT YOU. FOR THREE DAYS! AND THIS WAS JUST 'BARELY'... AARRGHH! WHAT WAS ALL THAT EFFORT THEN??!!" looking away from him.

"So that's what you meant." He whispered. Letting out a sigh he sat back down again. The moment then was broken by a snicker that came from him.

"Are you-?

"You exhaust me Round face." Now looking at me with a half-smile.

I didn't really know how to answer that.

Tonight was particularly chilly. I should have probably brought my blanket with me if I would've known that it was going to be this cold. Yet, right now, I feel like I'm in a bubble of warmth and one wrong move it might pop. The stars were also particularly dazzling. Feels like if I just reach out enough, I might be able to grasp it.

"You exhaust me more." I finally said, breaking the silence. Hesitating, I paused for a moment. "So are we friends now?" looking up at him hoping he would say yes.

"Aren't we already?" Looking straight at me.

"Oh, I didn't know that." Looking down at my thighs trying to hide from this sudden embarrassment that's coming out of nowhere.

"Yeah me neither."

Eh? Immediately I checked up on him seeing that now he was the one looking away relaxing his head on his right arm. His ear lightly tinted.

It must be the cold.