Chapter 46 - Truth or Dare

The music softened into something warm and gentle as the party began to wind down, the chatter fading from chaotic excitement to the mellow hum of tired but happy students. Half-eaten desserts sat on plates, the punch bowl was almost empty, and stray confetti sparkled under the soft lights. Laughter drifted through the air in waves—Mina reenacting dramatic scenes from earlier, Sero joking about Bakugo nearly committing another "mass knockout," and Jirou softly strumming her earphone jacks like she was still buzzing from the energy of the night. Yuuki found herself leaning against Uraraka, relaxed for the first time all evening, giggling at the silly stories they all shared once the chaos had settled.

Eventually, people began stacking plates, gathering napkins, and stretching tired limbs. The party had reached that cozy, sleepy calm where everyone knew it was almost time to go but didn't quite want the night to end. Kaminari yawned dramatically. Mineta was still slowly recovering from fear-based exhaustion. Todoroki finished his drink and blinked like he wasn't entirely sure how to process a normal high school party.

Just as the room began to quiet, the double doors opened.

All Might and Aizawa walked in together.

The difference between the two was hilarious—All Might stood tall and bright, even in his weakened form, offering a proud smile that practically radiated warmth and approval. Aizawa, on the other hand, looked exactly like someone who'd been forced to come here despite wanting to sleep for the past six hours. His hair was messy in a way that suggested that, yes, he had probably just woken up from a nap.

A hush fell over Class 1-A for a moment before All Might clapped his hands together.

"Well done, everyone!" he said with his signature booming enthusiasm. "I hope you all enjoyed yourselves! It looks like the party was a great success!"

The students cheered lightly, exchanging glances full of satisfaction and nostalgia already blooming at the edges of the night.

Aizawa sighed, though there was a faint hint of fondness in his tone. "Party's over. Return to the dorms when you're ready."

Sero saluted jokingly. Mina whispered, "He definitely hates fun," earning a tiny, tired smirk from Aizawa—yes, he heard her.

Uraraka stepped forward politely, brushing down the wrinkles in her dress as she looked between the two teachers. "U-Um... All Might, Aizawa-sensei... do you need any help cleaning up? We don't mind. It was our party after all."

All Might beamed at her, shaking his head. "No need! You kids should get some well-deserved rest. You've had a long evening!"

Aizawa nodded in agreement. "We've got it. Just head back to the dorms. Try not to get into trouble on the way."

Bakugo scoffed at that, crossing his arms. "Like we ever cause trouble."

Half the class turned and stared at him.

He growled. "What?!"

Yuuki giggled quietly behind her hand, cheeks warming. Even Midoriya couldn't hold back a sheepish smile.

All Might laughed a deep, nostalgic laugh—something soft and proud. "I'm glad you all had fun. Truly."

With that, he gave one last encouraging thumbs-up, and Aizawa muttered something like "go on, go on" while waving them toward the exit.

Everyone began gathering their things, chatting softly, drifting together in little groups as they prepared to leave. Midoriya zipped up his jacket, Iida straightened his tie, and Mina twirled around Yuuki to compliment her dress once more. Bakugo nudged Yuuki's shoulder, quietly making sure she was awake enough to walk back without tripping again. Uraraka linked arms with her, smiling brightly.

Class 1-A spilled into the dorms in a sleepy, laughing wave, the hallway filled with the soft scuff of shoes, yawns, and the occasional dramatic groan from someone whose feet hurt after hours of partying. Door hinges creaked open, and one by one the students disappeared into their rooms to change out of their suits and dresses. The atmosphere shifted from the elegant glow of the party to the familiar comfort of home—warm lights, soft carpets, and the nostalgic coziness of the dorm common room.

A few minutes later, they started trickling back in.

Mina showed up first, wearing a bright oversized hoodie covered in neon splashes of color. Kaminari stumbled in behind her wearing plaid pajama pants and a T-shirt with a Pikachu knockoff on it. Even Todoroki returned in simple, soft pajamas that gave him an oddly approachable look.

The night still carried energy—everyone too wired and too full of leftover emotions to sleep yet.

"Okay!" Mina announced as she twirled into the center of the room like she was stepping onto a stage. "The real party begins now. How about... a REAL game of truth or dare?!"

Groans and cheers echoed depending on who was listening.

Iida adjusted his glasses, looking like he was mentally preparing for chaos. "Mina, we already played truth or dare earlier and a considerable amount of chaos ensued."

"Exactly!" she shot back, eyes sparkling. "This time, it'll be even better!"

Everyone exchanged glances—and somehow, unanimously, the chaos won.

They settled down in a large, loose circle across the fluffy rugs and couches. Pillows were tossed around, blankets draped over shoulders, the room buzzing with soft laughter.

Then Yuuki walked in.

She shuffled into the room wearing the cutest pastel pajamas—soft pinks, baby blues, a small star pattern across her sleeves—and hugging a stuffed bunny with long floppy ears pressed gently against her chest. Her hair was slightly messy from changing out of her dress, and she looked soft, cozy, and impossibly adorable.

Half the class melted on sight.

She blinked, then quietly walked over to sit next to Uraraka. Immediately she curled into her best friend's side, clutching her bunny and trying not to draw too much attention.

Bakugo, who had been lounging on a couch with one knee propped up, raised an eyebrow. He didn't look irritated—well, not really annoyed. More like... playfully bothered.

"Tch." He tilted his head her way. "You aren't gonna sit next to me?"

Yuuki squeaked, her eyes widening as she clutched her bunny tighter. "W–What?? I–I just—Uraraka— I—"

Her words fell apart into flustered babbling.

Bakugo's expression softened into a smirk, sharp and teasing. "Relax. I'm messing with you."

Her shoulders slumped in relief, cheeks still pink, and she buried her face into her stuffed bunny.

But Mina, of course, had smelled romance.

Her grin stretched to full-chaos-width. "Wait, wait—hold up. Didn't you two confess your love like... an hour ago?!"

Yuuki let out a tiny squeak and slammed both hands over her burning face. Her ears felt hot, her shoulders trembling with embarrassment.

"THAT MEANS—" Mina continued, pointing dramatically, "YOU SHOULD SIT NEXT TO EACH OTHER!!"

"MINA!" Yuuki whined behind her bunny.

Bakugo rolled his eyes but didn't snap—if anything, he seemed more amused than annoyed for once. With a shrug, he leaned back and crossed his arms behind his head.

"Yeah, I confessed." His voice lowered into something rough but oddly gentle. "But I'll do whatever she's comfortable with. She can sit wherever she wants."

Yuuki peeked at him between her fingers, flustered and touched all at once.

Meanwhile, Kaminari and Mineta had leaned close together, whispering loudly enough that half the room could hear.

"Dude... Bakugo really stole the cutest girl in the class..." Kaminari muttered enviously.

"I KNOW," Mineta whispered back dramatically. "We didn't even get a chance to steal her!!"

Bakugo flicked a glare toward them, and Mineta instantly curled into a ball.

The room buzzed with energy again—soft laughter, teasing, excitement, and the thrill of a night that wasn't over yet.

•••

The circle settled into something lively but strangely intimate, the kind of late-night chaos that only happened when everyone felt safe enough to let loose. Blankets piled in the middle, pillows propped behind backs, snacks passed around in bowls. Mina clasped her hands together with a devious sparkle in her eyes, Kirishima far too eager beside her—clearly teaming up to unleash maximum mayhem.

"Alright!" Mina said, leaning forward dramatically. "Truth or dare starts... NOW. And nobody is holding back."

Kirishima threw his fist up. "Yeah! MANLY questions only!"

Bakugo groaned. "If this gets stupid, I'm leaving."

"You're not leaving," Mina said sweetly, far too smug. "Not when that girl confessed her love to you tonight."

Yuuki immediately hid behind her stuffed bunny, her entire face turning bright pink. Bakugo turned scarlet for half a second before snarling, "SHUT UP."

The game kicked off with an energy that lit the whole room.

Mina wasted no time targeting her first victim.

"Denki! Truth or dare?"

Kaminari puffed his chest. "Dare! Obviously!"

Mina grinned like a cartoon villain. "I dare you to tell us the cringiest thing you've ever texted a girl."

Kaminari froze. "Mina please—"

"No mercy," Kirishima declared dramatically.

Kaminari groaned into his hands. "Okay, okay, fine! ONE time I texted a girl and said, 'Are you a transformer? Because you're... Optimus Fine.'"

Everyone groaned, yelled, or threw pillows at him. Mineta looked heartbroken, mumbling, "I was gonna use that one..."

Next up was Kirishima, whose dare from Sero involved trying to crush a soda can with his forehead. He accepted proudly and immediately gave himself a tiny bruise, which only made everyone laugh harder.

Then came a round of truth questions that Mina and Kirishima took way too seriously.

"Sato! Who's your celebrity crush?"

"Yaoyorozu! Have you ever had a date before?"

"Ojiro! Have you ever kissed anyone?!"

Everyone gasped, ooo'd, teased, and shouted. The game quickly became a messy spiral of excitement, gossip, and secrets spilling.

But there were exceptions.

Some players—especially the softer and more timid ones—seemed to get oddly gentle questions, as if the universe (or the class) decided to go easy on them.

Midoriya fiddled with his sleeves nervously when his turn came.

"Mido!" Kirishima said enthusiastically. "Truth or dare?"

"Uh—truth!"

"Okay! What's your favorite food? But like... SUPER favorite."

Midoriya blinked. "Kacchan's mom's katsudon!"

Everyone melted. Even Bakugo's eye twitched like he was touched but refusing to show it.

Then came Uraraka's turn.

"Uraraka!" Mina sang. "Truth or dare?"

Uraraka laughed nervously. "Uh... truth."

"What's one thing you're really proud of but never talk about?"

Uraraka blinked, and her smile softened. "Oh. Um... I guess I'm proud that I haven't given up on my dream. Even when things get scary."

Yuuki hugged her arm affectionately while the others nodded with warm smiles.

Then, finally... it was Yuuki's turn.

Sero leaned forward, grinning like he was about to ask her something outrageous, but Mina smacked him on the leg.

"No!!! Don't scare her off! Yuuki gets easy ones," she demanded.

Yuuki blinked shyly. "Do I?"

"Yes," half the class said in unison.

So instead of a revealing question or a dramatic dare, Ashido put a hand over her heart and said:

"Yuuki, truth... do you like holding hands with people you trust?"

Yuuki froze. Her face slowly turned pink.

She hugged her stuffed bunny tighter and whispered, "I... I like holding hands a lot..."

Multiple people squealed. Uraraka clapped. Kaminari pretended to faint. Even Todoroki cracked a small, subtle smile.

Bakugo just looked at her, the corner of his mouth lifting as if he wanted to smirk but didn't want to embarrass her. His foot nudged her ankle under the blanket circle, a quiet, private nudge only she seemed to notice.

•••

Mina leaned forward with a dramatic sigh, clearly bored of the easy questions and harmless dares, her fingers tapping against her knees like she was planning something chaotic. The entire circle felt it—an electric ripple of anticipation mixed with dread. Yuuki, sitting there with her pastel pajamas and her stuffed bunny hugged close, didn't sense the danger yet. She just tilted her head innocently.

"Alright, Yuuki," Mina said, her voice sugary sweet in a way that made everyone tense. "Truth... or dare?"

Yuuki swallowed, remembering how she only ever chose truth. She wanted to be brave tonight. She wanted to show she could handle things without bolting every five seconds. So she took a tiny breath, puffed up her cheeks, and said quietly but determinedly: "...Dare."

The room fell silent.

Mina's entire face lit up like a villain who finally unlocked the last piece of her evil plan. Kirishima whispered, "Oh no." Uraraka covered her mouth. Even Bakugo lifted a brow, interested.

"Oh?" Mina said, eyes gleaming. "You picked dare? Are you sure?"

Yuuki nodded once, timidly. "Yes...?"

Mina clapped her hands and then pointed straight at Bakugo like she was revealing a contestant on a game show.

"Your dare," she said, voice booming with mischief, "is to go sit on Bakugo's lap... for the rest of the night."

Silence. Utter, complete, stunned silence.

Yuuki's soul practically left her body. Her eyes went huge, her bunny fell out of her hands, and she stared at Mina like Mina had just asked her to dive into a volcano.

"M-M-M-Mina!!! NO!! ABSOLUTELY NOT!!" Yuuki squeaked, shaking her head violently. Her whole face was red. "I—I can't—no—no no no—Mina, please—pick another dare—ANY other dare—"

"Nope!" Mina grinned proudly. "A dare is a dare! No backing out!"

"No—seriously—I can't—" Yuuki whimpered, already starting to tremble. "That's too embarrassing..."

Everyone turned to Bakugo. He looked amused. And way too confident.

Bakugo leaned back against the couch, spreading his knees slightly, eyes sharp and fixed directly on Yuuki like she was the only person in the room. Then, very slowly, with the most smug and cocky expression imaginable, he patted his lap twice.

A low, challenging smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"C'mere, sweetheart" he said, voice low, almost a purr. "Dare's a dare, right?"

Yuuki yelped like someone stepped on her tail.

That was her breaking point—the moment her brain short-circuited completely. She launched herself up, scrambling backward with speed nobody expected from her—running so fast it genuinely looked like she borrowed Iida's quirk. Her bunny went flying. Her slippers fell off. Her pajama top flapped behind her dramatically as she sprinted for freedom.

Everyone watched her in stunned amazement.

"Wow," Kaminari muttered. "She's—she's fast."

"She's terrified," Jirou corrected.

But Yuuki didn't get far.

Just as she hit top speed, ready to bolt toward the hallway and never be seen again, Mina casually reached out, caught her by the collar of her pajamas with a single practiced swoop, and reeled her backward like a misbehaving kitten.

Yuuki flailed in the air. "N-NO—MINA—PLEASE—DON'T MAKE ME—LET ME GOOO—PLEASE—I CAN'T DO THIS—"

"No running this time, Yuuki," Mina said sternly, though she looked like she was enjoying this far too much. "You picked dare. This is what brave girls do."

Yuuki squeaked again, kicking her feet helplessly.

Meanwhile Bakugo leaned forward a little, chin propped on his hand, watching all of this with a predatory glint in his eye like he was enjoying every second. His smirk grew, slow and intentional, a silent promise of teasing that would probably last forever.

The rest of the group? They were frozen between laughter, horror, and secondhand embarrassment.

"Poor Yuuki..." Uraraka whispered sympathetically.

"She's gonna explode," Midoriya added softly.

Kirishima cringed but whispered, "This is totally manly though."

But Mina, unrelenting, slowly began dragging a flailing, squeaking, nearly-crying Yuuki back toward the circle—and toward Bakugo's waiting lap. And Bakugo?

He just opened his arms. Ready, Confident, Way too smug. And very, very eager to accept his prize.