The aroma of freshly ground beans lingered in the air; Mina stood in front of the coffee pot; her gaze fixed on the swirling patterns forming in the depths of her steaming mug. The ceramic felt warm against her hand as she absentmindedly stirred the creamer into the ebony abyss. The rhythmic clink of the spoon against porcelain seemed to echo the quiet cadence of her melancholy thoughts.
Muted sunlight filtered through the window, casting a gentle glow across Kirishima and Midoriya's features as they sat around the island. Mina let out another long sigh, picking the mug up as she turned, Katsuki walked into the kitchen just then, perking the pinkette up.
"Oh-!" She excitedly quickly sat her mug on the island. "-did you hear anything!?"
"No." Katsuki replied, plopping his phone down without a care. Mina frowned, eyes falling back into the steaming liquid of her mug as Katsuki made himself a cup of coffee in a to-go cup.
"I'm sure we will hear something soon." Kirishima weakly smiled.
"When!?" Mina growled, "Mr. Aizawa and All Might left yesterday to Tartarus, they should be here by now!"
"They probably got back late-" Midoriya suggested, "-and didn't want to wake us, so they waited until they had to drive us today."
"The fact that the strike in front of the Bronze Gate is still happening means she didn't get out." Mina responded; her voice shadowed with frustration.
The front door opened, in walked Ojiro and Kaminari.
"Hey?" Ojiro instantly spotted his classmates around the kitchen island. Kaminari's eyes—one blacked—dropped to the floor, feeling the distained glares seeping off his friends. "Any word on when they'll be here with the bus?"
"No." Mina answered, turning her head as Jiro and Ochaco's chatter entered the room.
"You picked them up?" Midoriya nodded towards the picket signs in the female hero's grasp.
"Yeah!" Jiro grinned, "We just got back how do they look?"
"Um..." Mina tilts her head, reading a few of the signs.
"You said you had good quotes to put on them." Katsuki cuts in, placing a hand on his hip, glaring at the first sign reading 'Free the Three'.
"These are good!" Ochaco defended with a stomp of her foot, placing the dozen signs on the kitchen island, Mina quickly snatches her mug before it is knocked off.
"How?" Katsuki questioned, pointing to the same sign. "It doesn't make any sense."
"Gray's name is Three!"
"Shouldn't it say the Third Bullet?" Kirishima wondered, "I-I mean they aren't bad, I like this one!" Kirishima quickly points to the sign reading '#JusticeforFiveSevenThree'.
"I'm not holding any of these." Katsuki declared.
"Come on!" Ochaco pouts, turning to Midoriya for support. "These were hard to make, and they charged by the letter!"
"We wanted them to look nice, Momo did reach out to one of her reporter friends, so we might have one news channel there covering the strike."
"I'm really hoping for like a dozen people." Ochacho breathed, "It'll be so embarrassing if we can't get many people there!"
"We will be there." Shoji walked up, placing a hand on her shoulder, "I am sure that will mean the most to (y.n) in the end."
"Yeah-" Ochaco smiled, "-you're right Shoji, thank you."
"Why didn't you have Momo make them?" Ojiro wondered, spinning on one of the bar stools.
"She isn't here." Jiro sighed, "Her parents made her go home, they don't want her at the strike, same with Camie."
"What!?" Mina gasped, "What not!?"
"They don't want their kid at a political event." Jiro explained.
"They don't want their name there." Katsuki rolled his eyes, seeing through the bullshit.
"It's not political." Mina furrowed her brows, "We are going to support freeing our friend who has been unfairly locked up!"
"I mean..." Ojiro scratched his chin, "..the Bullets did break their-" He cut himself off feeling the glaring scarlet eyes. "...so, when are we being picked up?" Ojiro coughed, quickly changing his tone.
"Good morning." Todoroki hummed; sleep lingered on his face.
"About time you got up." Katsuki commented as Todoroki slid past him to the coffee pot.
"I was up late." Todoroki muttered.
"Oh yeah?" Katsuki turned, "Doing what?"
"Talking to my father."
"Oh, that's great!" Ochaco clapped, "You and your dad are on speaking terms again!?"
"You can't do that another time?" Katsuki rolled his eyes, "We're leaving any minute now."
"No, I couldn't." Todoroki turned, holding his black coffee. "I was speaking to my father on (y.n)'s behalf."
"Huh?" Mina blinked, pulling her brows together.
"-the hell?" Katsuki scowled.
"My father is the number one hero-" Todoroki explained, "-I was hoping he might have some leverage he could pull."
"And does he?" Ojiro wondered; Todoroki closed his eyes.
"He does not."
"Fantastic-" Katsuki growled, with a shake of his head. "-waste of time."
"Guys-" Kaminari walked up, sweat coating his hands, unable to make eye contact with anyone. "-I-I just wanted to say-"
"Save it Dunce Face." Katsuki snapped, putting his phone away while glaring at the blond.
"But-!"
"I said shut up-!" Katsuki seethed, "-before I give you matching eyes."
"Wait you did that!" Mina breathed.
"Bakugo I-"
"It seems you haven't learned your lesson!" Katsuki snarled turning to Kaminari, "I said keep your mouth shut, if you would have just done that, (y.n) wouldn't be in fucking prison right now!"
"I said I was sorry!"
"Sorry doesn't get my fucking girlfriend out of prison now does it!?" Katsuki snarled, "All Might message me, they are here, let's go."
The class, under the awkward tension, picked up the signs and shoes before heading to the door.
"Not you!" Katsuki spun around pointing out Kaminari.
"B-But we are all going-!"
"Not you." Katsuki growled, "You're one of the reasons this is happening, you're staying here."
"But-!"
"Kami..." Jiro stepped forward, "...Sero and Mineta aren't here either...just...stay home and hold the fort down."
"Tch-" Katsuki glared, "-knowing his useless ass, he'll burn the place down while we're gone."
"Bakugo-!" Jiro spun around; "-you're not helping!"
"I don't have too." Katsuki retorted, "I'm not the one who fucked up-!"
"We know!" Jiro groaned, "We all know you're not, it's all you've been saying for days!"
"Alright!" Mina stepped in, pushing Katsuki towards the door. "Let's go, we are not going to be the last ones there, not today!"
"Tch." Katsuki took one last hard second to stare Kaminari down before spinning on his heel, stomping out the dorm with Mina and the rest of the class following behind.
"Jiro..." Kaminari frowned, wishing for her to stay with him, she glanced over her shoulder, her saddness reflecting in her face.
"I'm sorry-" She breathed; "-I have too..."
Aizawa and Toshi stood outside U.A. in front of the rented bus, Aizawa had his arms crossed over his chest as Toshi slid his phone into his pocket while he paced back and forth.
"The kids will be here soon." Toshi sighed, turning to Aizawa. "They are going to have questions, what are we going to tell them?"
Aizawa's gaze fell to the sidewalk, the defeat in your face still fresh in his mind. "I don't know." He breathed, "But we can't tell them what she said-"
"Mr. Aizawa!"
The two teachers turned in time to see Class C1-A jogging their way towards the parked bus. With a strained glance between them, Toshi faked a smile as the questions already began before the students even hit the pavement.
"Everyone get on the bus." Aizawa called, "We are running behind."
"But-!"
"We will answer any questions you have on the bus." Aizawa instructed, shutting down Katsuki. The blond pouted, but quickly hopped up the stairs, picking the first seat knowing it'll be closest to the teachers.
Midoriya sat beside Katsuki while Mina and Kirishima settled in behind them. The class was quick to pile into the metal bus and get situated, within minutes the door closed, and the bus driver was driving down the street.
"So!?" Katsuki blurted after pulling off U.A.'s street. The teachers looked at one another before Aizawa inhaled, pulling himself to his feet he turned to face his class.
"How's your eye Mr. Aizawa?" Tsu wondered.
"Who the hell cares about that right now!?" Katsuki bites, Aizawa smirked.
"My eye is fine, thank you."
"How is (y.n)?" Mina asked, her hands gripping the seat in front of her. "Did you get to see her!?"
"We did see her." Aizawa confirmed with a nod.
"She's ok?"
"She is...she is fine." Aizawa breathed, putting his hands in his pockets.
"You don't sound very convincing." Todoroki points out.
"We saw (y.n) last night, she is holding up alright-"
"Alright?" Katsuki frowned, not liking the choice of words. "What the hell does 'alright' mean!?"
"(y.n) isn't in just any jail-" Toshi stood, "-she is in Tartarus, but she's strong and she's hanging in there."
"She's a target-" Midoriya spoke up, his voice tight. "-isn't she?"
Aizawa gave a short nod.
"Well how is the case going!?" Mina leaned forward, "How close are we to getting her out!?"
"It can't be going good-" Shoji commented, "-which is why we're doing this strike, right?"
"Right." Aizawa confirmed, Katsuki's heart sank inside his chest as a dark realization enters his sight, Katsuki turned to look out the window, hiding his face from his classmates as they continued with their questions.
----
The bus convulsed forward causing students in the bus to jerk forward.
"Ow!" Ochaco held her face, having smacked it in the seat in front of her. Aizawa stood, moving to the driver.
"Can you get us through?"
"Eh." The driver shrugged, "This might be as close as I can get you."
"I thought we had a parking spot?" Toshi questioned, peeking over the seat.
"Not anymore." The driver gestured forward, "To many people, it'd probably be faster if you just walked the rest of the way."
"What?" Mina frowned, lifting her eyes from her phone. Leaning over Kirishima, she ignored the faint scent of his hoodie wafting through the window. Suddenly, her expression shifted to one of astonishment, lips parting as she gazed out into a sea of people, blocking the bus from progressing any further.
"That's a lot of people." Kirishima mumbled.
"There are hundreds..." Midoriya breathed, his eyes scanning the endless faces and numerous news vans barely visible.
"Wow." Jiro blinked.
"I guess we don't have to worry about the whole 'no one showing up' thing." Ojiro stretched his arms out in front of him, preparing to disembark.
"I didn't realize just how popular (y.n)'s team is." Tsu replied, her neck straining as she peered at the crowd through the window.
"Ha!" The bus driver threw his head back, letting out a throaty laugh. "-you're in for a treat!"
"Huh?" Kirishima frowned, observing the man rise and turn toward the class. The man pulled on a black hat adorned with white letters that read: 'Bullet Head'.
"I see why you volunteered to drive us." Aizawa remarked, crossing his arms.
"Yep!" The bus driver chuckled. "I'm a huge fan of the Seven Bullets! I was happy to volunteer to drive the Fifth Bullets family!"
"Aw." Mina's eyes tingled. "Thank you so much!"
"I'll meet you all back here after the event!" The driver waved as he opened the door.
"Alright." Aizawa nodded. Toshi leaned over quickly.
"No drinking!" Toshi called after the driver. "You're driving us all back!"
Aizawa turned to the class. "Everyone stay together, but if we get separated, All Might, and I will be at the front of the stage."
"There's a stage!?"
"We are a block from the Bronze Gate." Aizawa continued. "Which is where it's set up."
"Why there?"
"Because-" Aizawa smirked, "-we're blocking the only entrance to and from the prison. If they wish to play hardball, then we'll make it impossible for them to ignore us."
Katsuki smirked. "I like your style."
"We will all meet here at six—" Toshi stood, stretching as he spoke. "—that's when the driver will meet us to take you all home."
"Wait—" Midoriya frowned. "—us? You're not coming?"
"No." Aizawa replied. "After tonight, pro-heroes and volunteers are taking turns staying here, blocking the gate."
"Isn't that illegal?" Jiro wondered.
"It is." Aizawa nodded. "Which is why there needs to be people here able to defend if the prison tries to bulldoze the stage and everything around it."
"B-Bulldoze!?"
"Yes." Toshi nodded. "You kids will be home—"
"No—!"
"Yes." Aizawa turned. "You all are on permits. Any legal action against you, and you can permanently lose them."
"Which means—" Toshi finished, "you'll never be able to be a pro-hero."
Katsuki and Midoriya exchanged tight glances.
"That's why we have to go home?" Mina softly asked.
"Yes." Toshi replied. "It's to protect you and your future, and you all know (y.n) wouldn't want any of you to risk everything you've been working towards."
"Alright." Aizawa grinned. "You all know what to do—"
"Let them know we're here and raise some minor, perfectly legal hell!" Toshi cheered, exiting the bus with Aizawa.
"Wait!" Kirishima quickly got up, following Katsuki, Midoriya, and Mina. "You haven't really told us anything to do!"
As the class piles off the bus, they enter the sea of people all moving towards the Bronze Gate. Katsuki could already hear the resonating chants for the liberation of the Bullets. Katsuki reached out, grabbing Mina's hand dragging her through the crowd determined to keep up with the two teachers who were already making their way towards the stage. The atmosphere pulsates with energy. Overwhelmed, Mina's eyes welled with tears as she gazed at the multitude gathered in solidarity for you, Gray, and Shiro.
"Wait up!" Kirishima called, hoping to see above the crowd trying to spot Katsuki and Mina.
"Come on!" Mina laughed, being navigated through the crowd, she could feel the collective heartbeat of the supporters all echoing a call for justice. Mina looked all around at the handmade signs waved overhead, each one carrying a plea for the freedom of the Bullets.
As they approached the center of the gathering, the chanting grew louder. The unity in the air was palpable, a potent mixture of hope, frustration, and unwavering support. Mina caught glimpses of familiar faces from school, friends, and even strangers, all standing together for this common cause.
A makeshift stage stood ahead, adorned with banners proclaiming, 'Free the Bullets'. The podium was a symbol of resilience, a platform for voices to amplify the demand for justice. Mina and the others couldn't help but be moved by the solidarity that surrounded her.
At the podium, impassioned speakers took turns sharing stories of the Bullets' heroism, underscoring the injustice of their imprisonment. The crowd listened intently, hanging onto every word, their determination strengthening with each testimonial. Mina felt a swell of pride knowing that the support extended far beyond your immediate circle.
Security guards encircled the stage, maintaining a perimeter that kept people a few feet away, permitting only one person at a time to approach and speak. Within this limited space, a small group engaged in conversation, their focus shifting intermittently towards the imposing structure of the jail. Aizawa and Toshi effortlessly navigated through, immediately granted access to the VIP area.
"Hold up." A security guard placed a hand on Katsuki's chest, prompting an instant sharpening of his scarlet eyes.
"They are with us!" Toshi waved the U.A. students over, the security guard glancing over his shoulder before lowering his hand and nodding the heroes through.
"Asshole." Katsuki grumbled.
"He was just doing his job." Mina defended as they walked over to the teachers.
"So-!" Midoriya looked around. "-what now?"
"You kids stay down here." Aizawa replied.
"What!?" Kirishima and Mina gasped. "But why!?"
Aizawa and Toshi remained unfazed by their protests, ascending onto the stage. Katsuki, however, immediately frowned upon spotting the red wings on stage.
"This is insane!" Kirishima laughed as his eyes quickly darted around. "There's food stands and even merchandise!"
"Did you know fans of the Seven Bullets are called Bullet Heads?" Todoroki asked, stepping out of the crowd, sporting a similar hat to the bus driver.
"Where did you get that?"
"People are giving them out." The dual user replied.
"Wait-" Mina glanced around, "-how come you didn't get stopped by a security guard?"
"Because of this." Todoroki held up a lanyard with his school picture and name. "I was given it by a lady."
"Why didn't we get one?" Mina muttered, puffing her cheeks out.
"I'm kinda being put on the spot here-" Hawks joking voice turned the U.A. students focus onto the stage.
"Why are we not being put on the spot!?" Mina harshly whispered, crossing her arms.
"-what can I say about the Bullets that hasn't already been said?" Hawks questioned, turning around staring at the banner. "I...loved being assigned on missions with the Seven Bullets, not because they were a strong team, or because they were highly organized...but because I knew no matter what the mission, I knew I would be laughing-"
A few chuckles crossed through the crowd, causing Hawks to smile.
"-yeah, a few of you know what I'm talking about." Hawks laughed, "Their incredible humor and infectious personalities made working with them amazing. I've had many missions with the Bullets, and because of their dry wit and affable humor, I never once suspected they were being forced to be a front." Hawk's eyes filled with sadness. "For those wondering right now, yes, I have confronted the Bullets on why they never once hinted or made it known to anyone that they were being forced, I mean, they were surrounded by pro-heroes, help was always right next to them!"
Cheering erupted through the crowd; Katsuki glanced around—scowl firmly in place.
"The reason they didn't help themselves was because they were protecting the heroes they stood besides, Shooter threatened should anyone discovered the truth, he would go after them, so the bullets kept their heads down...no matter how much it hurt them to do so."
"Hawks-" The main speaker stepped in. "-you personally were close to the Seven Bullets, correct?"
"I am." Hawks nods.
"Has the injustice that has taken place with the Seven Bullets caused any changes in your life, professionally or personally?"
"Yeah." Hawks nods.
"How so?"
"The love of my life is behind bars."
A chilling wave swept over Katsuki, leaving him frozen in disbelief. His eyes widened, fixated on Hawks, as the exuberant cheers of the crowd surrounded him like a haunting symphony.
"He did not just..." Mina trailed off, stunned, as Hawks gave a small wave while exiting the stage, leaving the announcer alone for crowd control. Mina observed as Hawks moved behind the stage. She turned her head, quickly doing a double-take when she noticed Katsuki following Hawks. "Bakugo!" She harshly whispered, jogging after the blond.
Katsuki stormed up behind the pro-hero, who turned on his heel, spotting the two young heroes.
"Oh hello." Hawks flashed a smile, which boiled Katsuki's blood. "Good to see you U.A. kids came to support the Bullets. I see you haven't got your passes yet-" He gestured to the one around his neck. "-you should, they're good for any food stand-"
"What the fuck is your problem!" Katsuki snapped, fists tightening.
"Hm?" Hawks tilted his head. "I don't have a problem?"
"Clearly you fucking do-!" Katsuki snarled, "-you just declared your love for my girlfriend on live fucking TV!"
"Your girlfriend?"
"Yeah, mine." Katsuki growled.
"Mm..." Hawks pulled his lips into a thin line. "...that's funny, considering I just talked to her, and she didn't make any comment about you or being in a relationship."
"You...you saw her?" Katsuki took a breath, the impact hitting him like a sudden blow to the stomach.
"Yeah-" Hawks nods, "-she requested me, did she not do the same for her 'boyfriend'?" He made air quotes with his two fingers.
"I..." Katsuki's heart twisted in response.
"Hawks!" A voice called, turning the winged hero.
"Oop!" Hawks flashed a grin in the U.A. heroes' direction, "Gotta go, hero stuff, but we should catch up after!" He called with a wave, heading off in the direction of the voice.
"I don't like him." Mina frowned; her gaze fixed on Katsuki's unmoving frame. Slowly, she stepped forward, reaching a tentative hand out. "Bakugo?" She called his name, but he snapped his shoulder out of her touch, keeping his back turned.
"Go find the others." Katsuki ordered; his voice shaky. Mina furrowed her brows, noticing his shoulders trembling.
"I-I'm sure there's some reason for her to call Hawks first." Mina renders, shifting her weight from one foot to the other, searching for comforting words. "He's a pro-hero, probably has some kind of connection that we don't have yet, and-and that's the goal here, to get her out!"
"No." Katsuki whispered, "I'm supposed to be the one she calls."
"Bakugo..."
"I'm tired of being left in the dark."
"B, I'm sure she had her reasons—"
"Oh, I'm sure she does!" Katsuki snapped, whirling on his heel. Mina gasped, catching sight of his tear-filled eyes as he glared at her. "She always has a reason for everything she does—for breaking her damn probation, for sneaking around, for lying, for getting fucking arrested!"
"B, she was just trying to-"
"I don't care!" Katsuki snapped, gritting his teeth.
"But...she's (y.n)…"
"No." Katsuki shook his head, "My girlfriend died the day Shooter took her!"
"Bakugo!" Mina gasped, "You don't mean that, you're just mad-!"
"Fuck off Starburst!" Katsuki snapped, shoving past her, moving into the crowd without so much as a glance over his shoulder. Mina let out a long breath, her hand lingering on her temple, a sense of melancholy settling in as Kirishima poked his head around the stage.
"Hey there you are!" The redhead grinned, "We wondered where you wondered off, this is all pretty cool right?"
"Y-Yeah." Mina faked a smile. "It really is."
"I got a hat!" Kirishima sheepishly showed off the black hat sitting on his head, ruffling his hair style.
"I-It looks very nice."
"Are you ok?" Kirishima frowned, "You don't look like yourself."
"I-I'm great!" Mina cleared her throat, wrapping an arm around Kirishima's. "How about we go find me a hat to wear too?"
"I know where they are!" Kirishima perked up, "Come on!"
As Mina glanced over her shoulder in the direction Katsuki had gone, a frown etched on her face, she couldn't shake this unease, like a bolder had been placed on her chest, and it was impossible to ignore. She despised the fact that, deep down, she comprehended the source of Katsuki's anger. Mina resented you for not confiding in her about the mission to save her classmates, feeling a profound disappointment in the assumption you didn't think they could handle the unsweetened truth, or you didn't trust them enough to tell them.