MHA Holdiay series

The fluorescent lights of their shared dorm room hummed, a monotonous soundtrack to Kirishima's increasingly manic energy. Empty ramen containers and crumpled notes littered his desk, testament to a sleepless night fueled by anxiety and lukewarm coffee. Valentine's Day was looming large, a crimson-colored avalanche threatening to bury him under a mountain of unrequited feelings.

He'd been head-over-heels for Katsuki Bakugo since their first year at U.A. Now, as seniors at Japan University, sharing a cramped dorm room in the off-campus housing complex, the intensity hadn't dimmed. If anything, it had grown, nurtured by years of shared battles, late-night study sessions, and a bond forged in the fires of ambition.

But confessing? That was a different beast entirely.

Bakugo was… Bakugo. A volatile cocktail of raw power, unapologetic ambition, and a surprising depth of loyalty, hidden beneath layers of explosive outbursts and a perpetually furrowed brow. Rejection wouldn't just sting; it would probably singe him.

Hence, Operation: "Win Bakugo's Heart (with Explosive Charm and All Might Goodness)" was born. A meticulously crafted plan, born from desperation and fueled by the unwavering belief that maybe, just maybe, Bakugo felt something too.

The plan involved several stages.

Stage 1: Increase Bakugo's Sugar Intake. (Target Acquired). Kirishima had raided the convenience store, armed with Bakugo's favorite spicy curry ramen and a mountain of chili-flavored snacks.

Stage 2: Reinforce Bakugo's Heroic Ideal. (Operation: All Might Admiration in Progress). Finding a limited-edition All Might figurine had been a Herculean effort, involving online auctions and a lot of pleading. Kirishima clutched the miniature symbol of peace in his hand, hoping it would be the key to unlocking Bakugo's softer side.

Stage 3: The Confession. (Status: Pending. High Risk). This was the terrifying final stage. He'd rehearsed the words a hundred times, trying to strike the right balance between heartfelt honesty and Kirishima's signature, unwavering optimism.

He waited impatiently for Bakugo to return from his advanced combat training class, his heart hammering against his ribs like a trapped bird. When the door finally slammed open, and Bakugo stood there, sweat-drenched and radiating raw power, Kirishima almost lost his nerve.

"Oi, Shitty Hair," Bakugo grunted, his crimson eyes quickly scanning the room. "What's with all the junk food? Did you finally crack under the pressure of finals?"

"Hey, Bakugo!" Kirishima chirped, forcing a smile. He grabbed the bag of snacks and the All Might figurine, extending them towards Bakugo. "Welcome back! Thought you might be hungry after training. And… I got you this."

Bakugo's eyes narrowed as he took the bag. Then, recognition dawned as he lifted the All Might figurine, his expression softening ever so slightly. "The hell… where'd you find this?"

"It's limited edition," Kirishima explained, his voice barely a whisper. "I know you wanted it."

Silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken emotions. Kirishima swallowed hard, his palms sweating. This was it.

"Bakugo," he began, his voice trembling slightly, "Valentine's Day is coming up, right?"

Bakugo grunted in acknowledgement, tearing open a bag of chili chips.

"And I... I was wondering..." Kirishima took a deep breath, bracing himself. "Would you... would you be my Valentine, Bakugo? Not like, as a friend... but as, uh... more than a friend?"

He braced for a shout, a sneer, anything. But Bakugo just stood there, frozen, a half-eaten chili chip suspended in mid-air. His crimson eyes were wide, reflecting the fluorescent lights and a confusion Kirishima had never seen on his face.

Minutes ticked by, each one stretching into an eternity. Kirishima felt his hope beginning to wither, replaced by the bitter sting of pre-emptive rejection.

Finally, Bakugo blinked, the shock slowly giving way to something Kirishima couldn't quite decipher. He swallowed hard, the chili chip finally disappearing down his throat.

"Wait… you… you're asking me… to be your… Valentine?" He sounded almost strangled.

Kirishima nodded, his heart pounding with renewed hope and terror. "Yeah. If you want to. It's okay if you don't, I just..." He trailed off, unable to articulate the torrent of feelings swirling inside him.

Bakugo stared at him, his expression unreadable. Then, a slow, almost imperceptible smirk spread across his face.

"Fine," he said, his voice gruff. "But don't think this means anything. You're still Shitty Hair, and I'm still going to be number one. And you're paying for dinner."

Kirishima's heart soared. He didn't care about the conditions, the gruffness, or the thinly veiled attempt to downplay the moment. He saw the flicker of something real in Bakugo's eyes, a flicker of acceptance, of maybe even… affection.

"You got it, Bakugo!" Kirishima exclaimed, relief washing over him in a warm wave. "Best Valentine's Day ever!"

Bakugo scoffed, turning away to hide the blush creeping up his neck. "Don't get any weird ideas, Shitty Hair. Just… don't screw it up."

Kirishima grinned, already imagining the perfect Valentine's Day date. He knew it wouldn't be a fairytale romance, but it would be theirs. Explosive, passionate, and undeniably… right. He looked at Bakugo, who was now meticulously examining the All Might figurine, and knew that Operation: Win Bakugo's Heart was officially a success. For now, at least. And that was more than enough.