Chereads / Consciousness and Forsaken Abilities / Chapter 37 - Chapter XXXII

Chapter 37 - Chapter XXXII

Everyone chatted amongst themselves after unpacking their rooms. Kurmara sat next to Uraraka, stealing glances at Kirishima, but her nerves were getting the better of her. Suddenly, a voice whispered in her ear, and she turned to see Mina leaning over the couch. "Psst, now would be a good time to confess," Mina said, her voice low. Kurmara looked at her, a mix of confusion and anticipation in her eyes. "Huh? But what if—" "We've already discussed it, remember? You won't know unless you say something first. Go ahead, but make sure to seize the moment while I start," Mina said, winking at Kurmara. Heat rushed to Kurmara's cheeks as she nodded in understanding. Taking a deep breath, Kurmara stood up and walked over to Kirishima. Her heart pounded in her chest as she mustered the courage to speak. "H-Hey Kiri? Can I, um, talk to you really quick?" she asked, her voice slightly shaky. Kirishima smiled warmly and stood up. "Sure," he replied, his eyes filled with curiosity. "Do you want to talk in private or...?" "Y-Yes, please. Remember that important thing I wanted to tell you?" Kurmara's voice trailed off, her nerves fluttering in her stomach. "Oh! Yeah, yeah! Then let's go outside for that," Kirishima replied with a hint of excitement.

The two of them walked towards the front doors, stepping outside into the warm summer air. Kurmara took a deep breath, gathering her courage as they stood face to face. "It's really good to see you again, you know? It makes me happy to see your cute face again," Kirishima said, his words causing Kurmara's heart to flutter. He gently took her hands in his, and she blushed at his touch. "Jeez, you're still saying my face is cute?" Kurmara smiled, feeling a mix of shyness and joy. She averted her gaze, and Kirishima chuckled softly. "Of course! I wouldn't say that if it wasn't true, you know," he flirtatiously replied, a slight blush coloring his cheeks under the soft lighting. Kurmara's heart raced, realizing the subtle hint in his words. "Uh... uhm..." Kurmara glanced down at their intertwined hands, her ears turning red. Nervousness washed over her, and she bit her bottom lip. Tears welled up in her eyes as she stood there in silence with Kirishima. She desperately wanted to say something, but her voice felt trapped in her throat. "What's wrong?" Kirishima asked, concern evident in his eyes. Kurmara finally mustered the strength to look up and meet his gaze. The soft illumination highlighted a faint blush on his cheeks, and she couldn't help but smile.

With a deep breath, she gathered her courage to speak her truth. "Kiri, this is something I need to say, but it's really hard for me," Kurmara confessed, her voice trembling with a nervous giggle. "It's important, but you don't have to rush," Kirishima reassured, his own nervousness evident. Just tell him! A voice inside her urged, and with a deep breath, Kurmara let go of his hand. "I like you, Kiri! I actually like you a lot, more than a friend and more than admiration!" she confessed, her eyes still closed, afraid to witness his reaction. I did it... I told him... gods, I'm scared, she thought, her hands trembling at her side. Summoning her courage, she cautiously opened her eyes and stole a glance at the red-haired boy. His face had turned a deeper shade of pink as he stared at her, and her own cheeks felt like they were on fire as their eyes locked. "Y-you do?" he finally asked, his voice filled with a mix of surprise and hope. Kurmara looked down, feeling her heart race, before nodding. "Y-yeah... I do..." she confirmed, her voice barely above a whisper. Kirishima closed the distance between them, pulling her into a warm embrace, catching her off guard. But she willingly embraced him back, feeling a surge of happiness and relief.

"Do you... feel the same?" she managed to ask, her voice muffled against his chest. He looked down at her, gently brushing a strand of hair from her face, before nodding. "I do. Actually, I have for a while now, but I could never find the right time to tell you." Kurmara's heart skipped a beat, a mix of surprise and joy washing over her. "Wait a second... you liked me?" she stepped back slightly, looking at him in disbelief. He rubbed the back of his head, sheepishly admitting, "Yeah... I was kinda asking Ashido for ways I could tell you..." Mina, you little sneak. You could've told me from the start, she thought, amused by her friend's intervention. With a renewed sense of confidence, Kurmara closed the distance between them again. "You know... now that we've told each other how we feel... I was thinking about how we could maybe start, you know," he suggested, taking hold of one of her hands. Kurmara looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with anticipation and happiness. "W-well, we don't have to... it doesn't have to be romance," Kurmara stammered, her face growing even hotter as she felt Kirishima squeeze her hand. "No, no, it's not that... I actually... like the idea of it," he confessed with a small smile. "Yeah?" she asked, her voice filled with hope.

"Yeah. I just know she will have a blast when she finds out," Kirishima replied, laughter filling the air as they shared a lighthearted moment. She looked at Kirishima once again, mustering up the courage to take a small leap, bringing her face to his level. With a shy smile, she kissed his cheek before gently landing back in front of him, her cheeks burning as she glanced down at their joined hands. "Does this make us officially...?" she trailed off, her voice filled with anticipation. "I believe so," Kirishima confirmed, a softness in his voice. The two of them stood there, soaking in the moment of their newfound connection. Kirishima brushed a strand of hair behind Kurmara's ear, his touch gentle and tender. "Kurmara, you have no idea how happy I am right now," he whispered, his voice filled with genuine affection. Kurmara's heart swelled with warmth, and she leaned into his touch, feeling a sense of peace and contentment wash over her. "I'm happy too, Kiri," she murmured, her voice filled with tenderness. "To finally have the courage to tell you how I feel, and to know that you feel the same... it means everything to me." Kirishima cupped her face with his hands, his thumbs gently stroking her cheeks.

"You're an amazing person, Kurmara. You've always been there for everyone, showing kindness and strength. I'm honored to be able to call you mine," he said, his voice filled with sincerity. Kurmara's eyes shimmered with unshed tears, overwhelmed by the depth of his words. She leaned forward, capturing his lips in a soft, sweet kiss. Their connection deepened as they poured their emotions into the gentle embrace, a testament to their newfound love. Time seemed to stand still as they lost themselves in each other, the world around them fading away. In that moment, nothing else mattered except the love and tenderness they shared. When they finally pulled away, Kurmara rested her forehead against Kirishima's, their breaths mingling. "I've dreamt about this moment for so long," she whispered, her voice filled with wonder. Kirishima smiled, his eyes filled with adoration. "I promise to cherish you, to support you, and to love you with all my heart, Kurmara," he vowed, his voice unwavering. Kurmara's heart swelled with joy, feeling the weight of his words and the depth of his commitment. "And I promise to do the same, Kiri," she replied, her voice filled with equal devotion.

They stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, basking in the warmth of their love and the promise of a future together. In that moment, surrounded by the tenderness and affection they shared, Kurmara and Kirishima knew that their love was the foundation upon which they would build a beautiful and meaningful relationship. However, Kurmara soon released herself from his arms, suggesting that they should head back inside before Mina and others grew concerned. As she began walking towards the doors, Kirishima stopped her by grabbing her hand. She turned to face him, curiosity shining in her eyes. "You know, back at the training camp in the forest, when I saw you get hurt like that... it made me scared. Not only were villains after our classmate and friend but you got really injured as well," Kirishima confessed, his expression shifting to one of sadness. Kurmara listened intently, her heart aching at the vulnerability in his voice. "I know we're supposed to be training to be heroes and all, but in that moment, I was scared..." He tightened his grip on her hands, seeking solace in their connection. Kurmara gazed at him, touched by his sincerity. With a gentle smile, she interlaced her fingers with his, providing comfort and reassurance.

"Kirishima, you're not alone in feeling scared. We all go through moments of fear and uncertainty. But remember, we're here to support each other. Together, we can face any challenge that comes our way," she said softly, her voice filled with conviction. "And I'm pretty sure I pissed you off or hurt your feelings when I told you I was leaving to save Bakugou... I didn't mean to if I did. I wanted to get our friend back, considering how we lost him to the villains and how I almost lost you because we heard you had died back in the hospital..." Kirishima's voice trailed off, his remorse evident in his eyes. Before he could continue, Kurmara gently placed her hands on either side of his face, bringing their foreheads together. "It's okay. Yes, you did hurt my feelings when you said you were leaving, but that's only because I didn't want you to get hurt or into any trouble," she reassured him, her voice filled with understanding and affection. Kirishima let out a small sigh of relief, pulling her closer by her waist, causing her cheeks to flush with color. The warmth of his touch sent a pleasant shiver down her spine, and she couldn't help but lean into his embrace, finding solace in his arms.

"I promise, Kirishima, I understand your intentions. We're a team, and we look out for each other. We'll face whatever challenges come our way together, just like we always have," Kurmara whispered, her voice filled with unwavering support. They stood there, wrapped in each other's arms again, finding comfort and strength in their shared bond. Surrounded by the warmth of their connection, Kurmara and Kirishima knew that they were ready to face whatever the future held, united by their love and unwavering determination to protect one another. The world around them faded into the background as they held each other, their hearts beating in sync. Kurmara could feel Kirishima's steady breath against her cheek, and she closed her eyes, savoring the closeness and tenderness of the moment. Time seemed to stand still as they embraced, a silent promise passing between them. They didn't need words to express their feelings; their actions spoke volumes. Kurmara felt a sense of completeness as if she had finally found her missing piece. She couldn't help but think how lucky she was to have someone like Kirishima by her side, someone who understood and accepted her for who she was.

As they pulled away from the embrace, their eyes met, and a tender smile graced Kurmara's lips. Kirishima returned the smile, his eyes filled with adoration and love. Without needing to say a word, they knew that this was only the beginning of their journey together, and they were excited to see where it would lead. Hand in hand, Kurmara and Kirishima walked back inside, their hearts entwined and their spirits soaring. The future held countless challenges and adventures, but with their love and unwavering support, they were ready to face it all, side by side.

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Kurmara found herself on her bed, surrounded by familiar bedsheets and cozy blankets. The room in the new dorms felt foreign, a stark contrast to the comfort of her previous space. She gazed around, taking in the neatly organized belongings that now adorned her room. Sighing softly, she couldn't help but think about her brother, Eun, with a mix of nostalgia and melancholy. As the evening settled in, casting a gentle glow through her window, Kurmara's thoughts were interrupted by a familiar sound—her phone emitting a soft ping. With a sense of curiosity, she reached for her phone and unlocked it, revealing a single message from Bakugou. It was short and simple: "Go outside." Intrigued and filled with a mix of anticipation and uncertainty, Kurmara set her phone aside and made her way out of her room. She navigated the halls of the girls' wing, her steps soft and deliberate, until she reached the front doors of the dorms. With a hesitant hand, she pulled one of the doors open and stepped outside, greeted by a warm summer breeze that gently caressed her skin. Looking to her left and right, she spotted Bakugou leaning against one of the pillars, his figure illuminated by the soft glow of the moon.

Kurmara approached him, the gentle breeze playing with strands of her hair as she closed the distance between them. Neither of them spoke a word, their eyes locked in an unspoken understanding. It was as if the night itself held its breath, waiting for their conversation to unfold. "You know we all missed you, right?" Kurmara's voice broke the silence, her words filled with a mix of sincerity and subtle playfulness. Bakugou looked up at her, his intense gaze softened by a hint of something unspoken. The corners of his lips twitched slightly, a fleeting shadow of a smile before it disappeared. "Why? There's no need. I was perfectly capable on my own," he responded, his tone carrying the stubbornness that defined him. Kurmara couldn't help but think, What a hardass.. Yet, she nodded, acknowledging his independent spirit. But her lips moved before she could filter her words, "But I missed you a lot." Bakugou's eyes widened in surprise, a flicker of vulnerability shining through his tough exterior. His brows furrowed, as if trying to process her admission. "A lot? The hell do you mean a lot?" he questioned, a mixture of confusion and curiosity coloring his voice.

Kurmara attempted to dismiss her admission, a playful smile tugging at the corners of her lips, but her attempt faltered, unable to hide the truth. Her gaze met his, unwavering. "Yes, I missed you a lot, more than anything," she confessed, her voice laced with honesty and genuine longing. Bakugou shook his head, a mixture of exasperation and affection playing across his features. "..idiot," he murmured softly, the word carrying a touch of fondness. The vulnerability in his eyes disappeared, replaced by the familiar intensity that Kurmara had come to know so well. Silence settled between them once more, the only sounds being the gentle rustling of leaves and the distant hum of the city. Kurmara found herself lost in her thoughts, the weight of the past weighing on her heart. She recalled the nightmarish events she had endured, the fear, and the uncertainty that had consumed her. Midoriya's desperate cry echoed in her mind, a painful reminder of how close she had come to losing everything. Unable to hold back the tears any longer, Kurmara closed her eyes, allowing the tears to fall freely. She didn't want Bakugou to see her vulnerability, the rawness of her emotions. But unbeknownst to her, he stepped closer, his presence comforting and warm. His hand found its way to her head, a gentle touch that offered solace without words.

"Idiot, stop crying," he uttered in his characteristic tone, a hint of tenderness underlying his words. Kurmara sniffled and wiped away the tears, a small giggle escaping her lips. "You may be an ass sometimes, but you seem to care in your own way," she admitted, her words filled with a mix of gratitude and affection. Bakugou's hand playfully ruffled her hair, a gesture that felt strangely comforting, reminiscent of her brother's actions. He looked down at her, his gaze softened, a glimmer of something hidden flickering in his eyes. For a moment, it felt as if time stood still, their unspoken connection filling the space between them. Before Kurmara could speak, her phone interrupted the moment, a notification breaking the tranquility of the night. Mina was asking if she wanted to meet up briefly. Kurmara retrieved her phone from her pocket, her gaze briefly falling on the screen before looking up at Bakugou. "I guess Mina wants to do something real quick," she mentioned, tucking her phone away. As they began to walk toward the doors once again, Bakugou paused, his interruption catching her off guard. "What is it?" she asked, her brows furrowing in confusion.

He let out an irritated sigh, a subtle show of his impatience. But then, to her surprise, Bakugou pulled her into an embrace, holding her tightly for a fleeting moment. The warmth of his presence enveloped her, sending a shiver down her spine as their bodies pressed against each other. Kurmara's heart skipped a beat, her breath catching in her throat. It was a gesture she hadn't expected, and yet, in that moment, it felt so right.

When Bakugou released her, he took a step forward, walking ahead of her with a hint of his usual brashness. "What the hell are you standing around for? Don't you have something to do with raccoon eyes?" he quipped, his words laced with his trademark sass. Kurmara's giggle mixed with relief, grateful for the familiarity of his teasing. With renewed determination, Kurmara hurriedly caught up to Bakugou, falling into step beside him. The night held promises of new beginnings, and she was grateful to have Bakugou by her side once again. As they walked in silence, Kurmara couldn't help but notice the subtle softness in Bakugou's gaze, a glimpse of the affection hidden beneath his tough exterior. Their footsteps echoed through the night as they ventured into the unknown, the shared silence speaking volumes. Kurmara cherished these moments, the unspoken connection they shared. She knew that, despite his gruff demeanor, Bakugou had a way of expressing his care in his own unique way. The night air seemed to carry a sense of anticipation, as if the world itself was holding its breath, waiting for their journey to unfold. Kurmara's heart was filled with a mixture of emotions—excitement, trepidation, and a budding affection for the boy who had stood by her side through thick and thin.

As they ventured into the night, their paths intertwined, Kurmara knew that there was something special between them. It was a connection that went beyond words, a silent understanding that transcended the barriers they had built around themselves. And as they walked together, side by side, Kurmara couldn't help but feel a surge of hope, a belief that the future held infinite possibilities. The road ahead might be filled with challenges, but with Bakugou by her side, she knew they would face them head-on, their bond growing stronger with each step. In the quiet of the night, as their footsteps faded into the distance, Kurmara held onto that newfound warmth and affection, etching it deep within her heart. Their journey had only just begun, and she was ready to embrace whatever lay ahead, knowing that she wasn't alone. And so, under the moonlit sky, they ventured forth, their souls intertwined, and their unspoken affection weaving a tapestry of possibilities. The world may be full of quirks and challenges, but with Bakugou by her side, Kurmara knew that together, they could overcome anything that stood in their way.