13 THE CARNIVAL

WEEKS PASSED after your group mall outing, and ever since then both you and Kaminari didn't lose contact. Whether it was calling at night, or texting each other with excuses to do so, the two of you were glued to the hip.

Eventually, due to the hero course's hard work, class 1A and 1B were rewarded with a trip to a nearby carnival.

"I am so excited!" Mina gushed, practically jumping up and down in her spot. "Oooo! I wanna go on all of the roller coasters!"

"Dude! This is gonna be so rad!" Kirishima chimed in, wrapping an arm around Bakugo's shoulder as he dragged the blonde closer with a grin. "Aren't you excited, man? This is our first hang out as a class!"

"You think I'd give a shit about some shitty carnival?" Bakugo growled, his bitter attitude still apparent as usual. "I'm only here because it's mandatory."

"What a mood killer." Sero commented, a quiet mumble under his breath.

"The hell did you just say, tape arms?!" Bakugo immediately piped up, and the whole situation shifted into a loud ordeal.

"Andddd they're at it again." Kaminari chuckled from beside you, one arm on his hip as he watched Bakugo chew Sero out.

"This happens every time." You crossed your arms, shaking your head.

"I'll give credit for Sero, not even I would comment on Bakugo like that." He continued. "Mainly because it just leads to... that."

Kaminari pointed over to the scene, where Bakugo was basically being held back by both Mina and Kirishima, whilst Sero continued to taunt him for god knows what reason.

"Class 1A! Please pair up and board the transportation vehicle in a calmly manner." Iida spoke up, directing the class towards the bus.

During your last school trip you ended up with your usual pair, Mina. And unfortunately, Kaminari slipped from your fingers. He ended up paired with Jirou, a girl better than you at every matter, and much as you'd hate to admit it, you did end up getting bitter and jealous.

However, this time was different.

A glint caught your eye, hanging off the side of your backpack. The card was now in a laminated purse, like it was your most prized possession. Some people would look at the item and wonder if you were so unlucky that the best card you had ever gotten was a two star silver Mirko card. 

But this one was special. It was your lucky charm.

Your eyes drifted to the bus, your classmates already partnering up and entering.

Then, with an anxious turn, you looked behind you to see Kaminari.

His eyes stared into yours, almost blankly. Like there was so much to say and tell behind them. Like it was a cryptic message for you to decode.

"Wanna..." you both started, words slurring out in sync like a partnered wish. Despite the short pause, you both continued.

"...be my partner?"

The words were so short, so little. Yet, so meaningful. Like a hidden confession written beneath a simple ask.

Asking it felt so intimate, and so did hearing it.

None of you answered, only stared. It wasn't a flushed, panicked state this time. It was calm, almost serendipitous. So cozy, so sweet. The warm breeze, the daunting sunlight, the cackle of your keychain beating at the zipper in the wind.

It was wordless. Yet the moment was so, so, ineffable. Almost as if you had fallen in love all over again.

"Kaminari! L/N!" Iida waved his arms robotically, peaking out the coach as he snapped the two of you out of your moment. "You're holding up the rest of the class."

"Ah! Sorry!" You quickly apologised, and rushed towards the bus with bright red cheeks. It was almost like it had a delayed effect on you.

"Coming!" Kaminari followed in suit, a little more calm and collected than usual.

Due to being the last ones to board the bus, the two of you were forced to be isolated to the front seat. You didn't know whether it was a good idea to be separated from your friends and alone with Kaminari for forty five minutes, especially since your heart was still punching out of your chest like a world class boxer.

However, your worries were shut down by half an hour of conversation and laughter.

And soon, your class had reached the carnival.

Stepping out of the bus and into the parking lot, you could already hear the flashing lights and loud fair music bursting out from the area. You could see the roller coasters, the stalls, and especially the large ferris wheel in the middle.

"Ooo! No way, guys!" Mina gasped, a wide and excited grin on her lips. "They have fireworks at eight!" She announced, her eyes glued to her phone as she searched for information.

"Huh? Really?" You raised an eyebrow, stepping closer to peak over her shoulder.

Mina quickly hid her phone, shrouding the screen from you as she backed away nervously. "Woah—uh, yes really. We have to all meet at the beach at eight, okay?"

"Eight... that gives us four and a half hours." Yaoyorozu replied, the whole class gathered in a circle to listen.

"Is that gonna be enough time?" Kaminari questioned, looking around the group.

"You idiot!" Bakugo immediately spat back, quickly silencing the electric blonde.

After a bit more planning on where to meet up, and after scolding Mineta for scheming dirty plots, the class split up into groups and ventured into the carnival with excitement pumping through their blood.

Your group was the usual. You, Kaminari, Bakugo, Mina, Kirishima and Sero.

The six of you wandered the pathways, strolling past stalls stocked with games, prizes, or even just items to buy.

You watched as Mina gushed over a hairpin, but she immediately pulled back once she saw the price.

"Awhh... I would've totally bought it if it wasn't that much money." She whined. "It's so cute!!"

"How much?" Kirishima piped in, reading the number before he paled visibly. "That much for a hairpin?!"

"Can't you just put a stick in your hair and call it a day?" Kaminari joined in, peering over Kirishima's shoulder with an almost pained look.

"It's not even that much, cheapskates."

"Of course you'd think that, Bakugo! You're freaking loaded!" Mina, Kirishima and Kaminari all shouted back at the same time.

"It's nice, yeah. But I personally would've preferred the necklace instead." You shrugged.

"Oh, yeah. I see." Sero replied, looking at the accessory as well. "It does look nice, huh."

Kaminari immediately took a look after hearing your opinion. He inspected the necklace, mentally agreeing with Sero. It does look nice. It would especially look nice on you, though. However, his thoughts were immediately burned to a crisp when he saw the price.

"What, this?" Mina turned back towards the display, and pointed towards a necklace adorned with shiny crystals. "I guess it is pretty cute too. Not any cheaper though..." she mumbled. "Oh well! We better leave this area before I make some bad money choices and abuse my wallet." She said, waving dismissively.

"Hey Bakugo! Remember our hour long basketball match at the arcade?" Kirishima spoke up, walking towards a stall with basket ball hoops.

"What?! You want a rematch?!" Bakugo immediately threatened defensively.

"Wha—no! I was just—"

But the damage had already been done.

With one swift movement, the money was on the desk and Bakugo had ten basketballs in his hand. Kirishima sighed, but ultimately stepped forward to entertain his angry friend.

Kaminari stepped forward as well, his lips adorned with an arrogant grin. "Heh. Watch this, Y/N. I'll win you one of those plushies." He declared cockily, handing the money over and retrieving the balls.

Mina sent you a playful wink as she turned away, hands behind her back as she whistled to herself. "Oooo... he's gonna win you something, huh?" She wiggled her eyebrows at you as she whispered into your ear teasingly.

"Oh, really?" You smirked, and although you were calm on the inside, the reality was that you felt your insides do backflips. "Okay, then. I'd like to see you try." You challenged playfully.

Kaminari picked up the ball, a smile on his lips at your playful remark. He propped it onto one hand, aiming with the other, before he pushed his arm forward and propelled the ball through the air.

"Dude." Sero gaped. "... how do you mess up that badly?"

"Ah!— I don't know!" Kaminari fumbled over his words, waving his arms about frantically. He looked over at you, his eyes meeting your unimpressed expression. "Y/N, it slipped, I swear!" He practically pleaded for you to believe him. He panicked and picked up another ball, aiming it towards the net. Missed. He did it again. Missed. Eventually, he missed all ten shots.

"Games gone." Mina sighed, shaking her head and pinching the bridge of her nose in frustration. She didn't know how you liked him.

"Uhh... Kaminari, man... you might wanna try and put more force into your throws." Kirishima advised from the slot next to him.

"In short terms, grow more muscle, dunce face." Bakugo grumbled as he scored a shot with ease.

"Crap... that was the only money I had to spare!" Kaminari whined, checking his wallet. "I only have enough for groceries. I'll starve if I spend it." He shoved his wallet back into his pocket, letting out a defeated sigh. All he wanted to do was impress you, or at least, make you happy by winning you something.

He leaned against the pillar, waiting for Bakugo and Kirishima to finish their death match. His lips were curled into a deep, disappointed frown. And you hated it.

"Kaminari...." You dragged on his name mischievously, appearing beside him with your hands behind your back. "You look beat."

"Yeah..." he sighed. Despite his current mood, the way you grinned and playfully said his name caused his frown to shift into a small, subconscious smile. "I feel scammed."

"Would this make you feel any better?" You questioned, pulling out a yellow bear holding a red heart from behind your back.

"What?! No way—you won this for me?" He gasped, taking the soft plushie with a gaped expression.

"Yeah. It was easy." You replied pointing back to the basketball stall, where a kid cheered happily as he scored first try and won a prize.

"He's like seven?!" Kaminari voiced in an aggravated tone at the sight.

"I felt bad you wasted all your money like that. But im glad you tried. That's all that matters." You replied with a smile.

You walked past him and joined Mina, leaving Kaminari to stand by himself with a blank stare. His eyes didn't move from the spot, heart thumping in his chest. That smile, that laugh, your voice. You were like an angel.

And so, the group continued on. The six of you rode on a large roller coaster that Kaminari wanted to back out of, but you forced him into going on it either way. His girlish squeals were priceless.

After a couple more coasters, you all agreed it was time to eat some food before you ended the day with a haunted house ride and then finally, the fire works.

The group shared three whole boxes of pizza, and despite the fact Bakugo grumbled on and on about gluttony, he had a whole box to himself.

Denki, uncharacteristically, only had one slice, before he mumbled something about going to the bathroom and left.

With his wallet in his hand, he took out the remaining cash, standing back at the basketball stall.

He could remember a lot about you. Your favourite things, what makes you laugh, the meaning of each tone in your voice. But those eyes. He could never stop looking at them. And he most definitely didn't miss when they lingered on a certain stuffed animal.

He didn't really mind starving for the week if it meant you got to be happy.