Finished - September 10, 2022

Word Count - 4189

Music - The Last of His Name - BrunuhVille

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The car ride was surprisingly short, especially with six teenagers stuffed into the small seats. Once word was out about a shopping trip, the entire class got involved and they had to call extra cars to drive them all.

Allira spent most of her time looking out the window and listened to her friends belt out their favorite songs. She felt bad for the chauffeur forced to drive them around. Kiminari has somehow convinced the poor man to play the radio, which was immediately turned up to full blast. Windows rolled down and the car became a live concert.

The sound of Kanimari and Kirishima's out of tune singing, drowned out Jiro's amazing vocal chords. The noise overpowered her ears, even if she was sitting in the back row. Overall, it was not unpleasant. In fact she might even say it was fun. To let loose and watch her friends enjoy themselves.

She couldn't help notice how Bakugo sat shotgun, arms folded as he pretended not to be associated with the people behind him. She couldn't see his expression from her seat, but she knew he was frowning. Not in a mean way, but more annoyed that his friends would make such a scene in front of a stranger.

After about fifteen minutes, they arrived at the Mall. The cars pulled up to the curb and everyone spilled out of the small car.

"We'll be back in four hours, make sure you get here on time. Because we will leave without you." The driver spoke plainly, his window rolled down. Then without another word he and the other cars drove away.

Four hours seemed like plenty of time, almost too much time to be in such an uncomfortable, public space. Allira's social battery was limited and didn't hold a long charge. After one group event, she would always retreat to the safety of her bedroom. In addition, she couldn't remember the last time she had been out with friends.

"I want as many soft pretzels as legally possible." Kanimari charged forward and started leading the group.

"I bet you can't eat twenty without throwing up." Kirishima started his challenge.

"Twenty? No sweat." Kaminari pumped his fists. "I bet you fifty."

"Oh, no you'll just get sick again." Jiro grabbed each boy by the collar and settled them down. "We came here to get Takari clothes. Not an eating contest."

The childish discussion continued as they walked towards the entrance of the mall, which had been previously blocked by trees and other large buildings. However, the minute the view opened, Allira stopped in her tracks. Her mouth agape and eyes wide, her feet forced her body to stop and take in the sheer mass of what she was about to enter.

A giant, horseshoe type building swun in a large curve. At least four stories tall with an open air balcony on each level, shops and stands in every corner. The soft arch of the building shone as the sun bounced off the glass surface, making it almost look like a bubble.

The place was a buzz of activity and noise, colorful bags hung from decorated arms. Voices of children running through the halls, while the smell of baked goods wafted through the air.

Allira was a country girl and grew up in random farming towns, this was nothing like what she was used to. She had a hard time processing that something like this was actually real and not from an illustrated novel. The sight gave her a sense of excitement to venture out and explore, but it also gave her a panic attack.

Her friends were all too involved in their conversation to notice Allira's halt in movement, except for one person who literally almost ran into her.

"Don't stop in the middle of a road, I almost ran into you! A little warning next time!" Bakugo shouted in her ear from behind her. He must have been walking strangely close to her, since he had little time to alter his movements before walking onto her.

"Sorry." Allira shook her head and tried to play it off.

"Don't apologize!" He rolled his eyes and sighed. "If your eyesight is that terrible, just follow me."

He then moved his body slightly in front of her and motioned his thumb forwards, which allowed her to follow him from the side.

Allira didn't know how to respond, she didn't need his guidance...but she didn't mind it. Yes, she was legally registered as blind, but her quirk allowed her to see much clearer. With the use of labradorite she could heighten her senses and see better than a regular person. Baugo knew that.

In addition, she was already following the group in front of them. Ashido, Kaminari, Kirishima and Jiro were only a few feet ahead of them. Therefore she didn't understand his reasoning for offering his close help. Nevertheless, she accepted his offer and took a spot at his side, which allowed him to feel helpful.

Together, Bakugo led her up stairs, down hallways and through the chaos of the crowded mall. With all the bustle and noise of the shopping center, she became grateful for Bakugo's presence. She often found herself overwhelmed and overstimulated by large crowds. So it was very comforting to have a designated place to stand, a place to feel safe.

It was an odd feeling, to feel secure with her friends, especially in public. Allira often saw groups of friends walking together, in the school halls or around town. But she never thought that she too would become part of a posse.

To be involved in conversation, to walk beside someone, it all seemed like a dream. A dream that she prayed wouldn't be taken away from her.

"Oooohhhh, look at this one. Let's go there!" Ashido spotted an appealing clothing shop, with a pointed finger she dragged them inside.

The quaint boutique was filled with patterns, bright colors and an exhausting amount of florals. The entire aesthetic of the room screamed Ashido's style. Pastels of pink and teal blinded Allira's eyes.

Kaminari, Jiro and Bakugo all examined the room. Each not wanting to be there, their hardcore styles clashing with the fluffy atmosphere.

"What do you think?" Ashido grabbed an adorable cottage core dress, complete with puff sleeves and slit skirt.

Allira examined the piece with wide eyes, she didn't want to insult Ashido's style. Because Allira didn't mind the fluorescent colors. She loved to see them on Ashido, but she couldn't see herself wearing anything like that.

Not knowing what to do, or how to respond, Allira looked to the rest of her friends for advice. However, they proved very unhelpful. Kaminari was off looking at the jewelry, Bakugo was staring at his shoes and Jiro looked very uncomfortable in the bright room. Upon eye contact the girl raised her hands and turned back to the door.

"I wash my hands of the situation." Apparently unable to handle the pink anymore, which Allira sympathized with. She however, wasn't able to simply leave the situation that easily.

The only response she got was from Kirishima, who gave her an enthusiastic thumbs up. Without anything else to go on, Allira smiled and said.

"I've never seen anything quite like it." Her eyes fraught with nerves.

The response earned a happy, high pitched squeal from Ashido as she forced the dress into Allira's hands. "Oh good! Try it on, I want to see."

With her hands tied, Allira left Bakugo's side for the first time upon entering the mall and awkwardly walked to the changing station. Once inside the confined space, she examined the dress more properly. The fabric was soft and appealing and the shape could look nice. Therefore she didn't understand why she loathed it so much. It was only a dress. Allira wore skirts most days anyway, since all her previous school uniforms were shorter skirts, this shouldn't be any different.

With a breath, Allira struck up enough courage to pull the fabric over her head.

Meanwhile, Bakugo felt like he was suffocating inside the fuchsia showroom, the nauseating color seeping into his brain. He wanted nothing to do with the flashiness of it all.

He always thought himself more of a dark person, colors like black and dark greens. Never pink. He didn't hate the color, he didn't hate any color. Since his parents were designers, he was often surrounded by a variety of colors. The use of textures and fabrics was very familiar to him. He was thankful that he was brought up in a household that knew how to dress themselves. Which was more than he could say for some of his classmates.

Therefore, while Takari was in the changing room. He let his eyes wander around the room and he spotted many fashion faux pas. Clashing patterns, mixing cool and warm tones. The sight caused a guttural reaction from within himself. Made him want to call out the designer's failure at making decent clothes.

"Oh come on, I want to see." Ashido rapped her knuckles on the changing room door.

"I-I'm not s-sure..." Takari's voice was unstable.

Apparently he was too lost in thought to hear the beginning of the conversation. Turning his attention back to his friends he joined Ashido by the door.

"Is it inappropriate?" Bakugo asked, hoping for a specific answer.

"What? No!" Takari's mood changed completely with his question, which made him chuckle.

"How disappointing." Bakugo sighed.

"You ass!" She banged on the door in embarrassment.

"Don't get so feisty and get your ass out here." Bakugo used her insult against him. "I don't want to stand in this cotton candy store forever."

"Ten seconds. I'll give you ten seconds and no pictures!"

Satisfied, he stepped back. Which was when he noticed Ashido's face, her mouth agape in surprise. "You talk to everyone like that?" She teased, just loud enough for him to hear.

"Shut up." Bakugo waved her off, knowing where she was going.

The door to the changing room creaked open slowly, obviously the person inside didn't want to come out. Ashido and Bakugo strained their necks to get a glimpse of Takari, trying to see before the door had completely opened. The sight was unexpected, for two reasons.

Number one; the poor girl looked very out of place and uncomfortable. The complex pattern clashed with Takari's personality and made her look more like a dress up doll than a human being. Bakugo was forced to hold his hand over his mouth, a laugh itching to escape. The image was too hilarious, she looked too funny.

"Don't laugh at me!" Takari's pale hands gripped the fabric just above her knees, her face red with embarrassment.

"Oh sweetie, you look beautiful." Ashido did a terrible job at hiding her giggles.

"I don't feel beautiful, I feel like a clown." She pulled as much fabric behind her in an attempt to hide the dress's existence.

Number two; the sight of Takari wearing something so cheerful sparked something with in Bakugo. Yes, the dress didn't fit her personality. But seeing her so embarrassed and flustered struck him. This experience brought out a side of takari that he had never seen before. She was usually so quiet and private, but this...this was different.

"Ten seconds is over, you had your fun." Takari slammed the door behind her and he could hear the dress being thrown off.

"Ten seconds of glory." Ashido sighed and rested a hand on her hip.

"You call that glory?" Bakugo raised an eyebrow.

"Then what would you call it?"

"That?" He repeated. "That was educational."

"Educational?" Ashido seemed curious by his word choice and obviously wanted to push the matter further. But, Bakugo was done with the conversation.

Takari opened the door again, dressed bak in her uniform collection. Her face exhausted, as if she had run a marathon, or taken a trigonometry test.

"I want to go home." She sighed.

"Alright, I know when I'm beat." Ashido gave in. "But we're not leaving the mall, you pick the next shop. If not, I'll pick again and we both know how that will turn out."

With a threatening wink, she turned and collected their friends from the random corners of the store. Leaving Bakugo with Takari, alone. Intentionally no doubt.

Ashido was always intrusive, she knew the patterns, the signs. Even before the people involved were aware of the situation. Ashido knew.

"Well, are you getting that thing?" Bakugo pointed to the dress Takari had tried on.

"N-No." She stuttered.

"Then let's go. Before Elle Woods gets here."

"Right!" She replaced the dress where she had found it and caught up with the rest of the group.

They all stood at the entrance of the store, waiting for them to finish their shopping and move to the next store.

"No luck?" Kirishima asked nicely.

Allira shook her head.

"Oh well, there are plenty of other shops." Kaminari cheered.

Yet, Allira wasn't as excited as the rest of them. She was already exhausted and ready to go home. Nevertheless, they moved forwards. The group of students walked along the open air halls and admired the window setups.

Once again, Bakugo placed himself directly next to Allira. As if he could tell that she was anxious, he caught her attention by nodding his head and pulled her forwards with his eyes. Telling her to follow him again. Allira welcomed his guidance and stayed at his side as they walked through the mall.

To the left, the smell of fresh pretzels wafted through the air. The excellent scent floated into Allira's nose and she savored the fragrance with awe. The smell of baking bread was familiar to Allira and it comforted her. Giving her a sense of nostalgia. Baking bread and pastry was a common occurrence in her household.

In the moment she let her guard down and a herd of small children whizzed past her. They held balloons which towered over her head and startled her. The children ran directly through the group, which separated her from her friends. In her moment of panic, she reached out for Bakugo's hand. Since he was the closest person to her, she squeezed his fingers as the children ran by. Their giggles dissipated, not having any idea where they were going.

Still attached to Bakugo's hand, Allira caught her breath. She wasn't scared, but she had a moment of panic at the thought of being separated and left alone. Therefore it was a genuine reaction to latch onto the closest person.

It took her a moment to realize what she had done, what she was still currently doing. Allira looked down at her right hand, which tightly gripped Bakugo's left. Lifting her head, she noticed that Bakugo was staring at her, obviously confused by her actions.

"Oh!" Allira quickly let go of him. "S-Sorry."

Her fingers reached up to her necklace and absentmindedly fiddled with the amethyst. The crystal glowed as she activated her quirk to calm her nerves. She often found herself using the purple quartz to settle herself down, its powers of soothing.

Bakugo watched the sparkles of purple light dance off her fingers as she turned the amethyst around and around.

Takari's action caught him off guard and he didn't know how to react. His first immediate response was to pull away and get annoyed. But there was something more surprising to him. All of his classmates and everyone he had met was afraid of him. Besides Kirishima and Deku, they all stayed physically far away from him. Bakugo was "dangerous and unpredictable".

But this girl, Allira Takari, took his hand without even thinking. This proved more than anything, that she wasn't scared of him. She didn't fear his explosions or his temper.

It was an odd sensation and Bakugo didn't know how to process it. Therefore he decided to ignore it, and move on as if nothing happened.

He didn't respond to Takari as she continued to fiddle with her necklace. Instead he stepped closer to her and returned to his spot beside her. Which gave her the confidence to progress and move forward. Thankfully, without any type of awkwardness.

The search for clothing continued as the group stopped in multiple different types of stores. Each person of the group had their own style and they journeyed to each. Kirishima forced everyone into the Crocs and bought almost every type of shoe inside. Jiro and Bakugo lead them all into a music store and took forever to look through album covers. Kaminari snuck off to a candy store by himself and appeared with a paper bag full of sugar. After that, they all traveled to an athletics store and they all picked up some fresh work out clothing.

Besides the gym stop, Allira hadn't found anything she liked. Yes, she found some nice leggings and an exercise top. But nothing she could wear out. She thought it all hopeless, until Jiro picked out her favorite store.

The theme was very gothic and dripped with blanks and highlights of metals. The walls were covered in band t-shirts and other memorabilia. Loud music blasted through the speakers while the employees wore dark makeup and painted nails.

Jiro and Kiminari ran immediately into the store and were lost within the shelves. Mina ran to the tiny pastel section and looked at the cute backpacks. Which left Kirishima, Allira and Bakugo to look around the rest of the store.

Something about that particular store made Allira happy. She enjoyed looking through the collections of pins and dark colors. She felt much more comfortable here than at the pink store.

As they were looking around, something caught Allira's eye. Hanging on the wall was a section of plain black clothing. A short black skirt, with a cute cropped top and a set of larger belts. As she turned around, she saw more of the same style. Black skirts, high waisted shorts and simple crop tops.

"What cha lookin at?" Kirishima noticed Allira's interest.

Without verbally answering, she held up a hanger with a piece she was interested in.

"Never would have pinned you as the gothic type." Kirishima laughed slightly.

"Don't make fun of someone's taste. I could go on and on about your choice of footwear!" Bakugo spat roughly.

It felt nice that Bakugo defended her, even if it was loud and angry. Though, she couldn't see him doing it any other way.

"Calm down man, I didn't mean it that way." Kirishima lifted his palms in desense.

"I'm going to try this on." Allira grabbed a few more pieces and ran off to the changing room.

The boys watched as she weaved through the store and found the changing station. She moved with such precise speed and elegance, as if she was floating across the floor. Her excitement leading her, as if she couldn't wait to try them on.

"That was quick." Kirishima observed.

"She's always fast." Bakugo countered.

"And what would you know about that?" The boy teased.

"Nothing! Absolutely nothing!" Bakugo practically bit off his head.

"Dude, chill. Why're you so on edge today?"

Bakugo didn't answer. In truth, he didn't know why he felt so irritated. He had been up-tight ever since they left for the mall. Maybe he was stressed about the move and hadn't relaxed yet? Or maybe he didn't like shopping? Either way, Kirishima was right, he needed to calm down.

"What do you think?" Bakugo didn't notice the changing room door open, he was so deep in thought. But once he looked up, he couldn't take his eyes away.

Takari stood with confidence and a bright smile, her toes tapping the floor in excitement. She wore all black, but her crystal jewelry remained, which added just the right amount of color. She wore a black cropped shirt, with a black pleated skirt that floated just above her knees. Black patterned tights and black high top converse. Her pale skin and white hair contrasted heavily with the dark fabric, yet she looked amazing.

This was different from the frilly dress she had tried on earlier. Not only did she look hot, she looked confident. Bakugo could tell the difference immediately. And he thought she looked good before. This. This was way better!

"Wow." Kirishima beamed. "You look awesome!"

"Thanks." Takari smiled. "I feel really comfortable in this."

Bakugo was left physically unable to speak, his tongue caught in his throat and his brain empty. He couldn't stop staring at Takari and how great she looked.

"Takari, is that you?" Ashido peaked her head from around the corner. "You look so pretty!"

"Nice choice." Kanimari and Jiro heard the commotion and joined the group.

"Sweet pieces, you look really cool." Jiro complimented.

"If I close my eyes, it feels like I'm wearing my old clothes." Takari explained. "But they look so much better than my old, dusty uniforms."

"That's true, our uniforms are almost exactly the same. But lame." Jiro walked closer to get a better look.

"What do you think Bakugo?" Ashido nudged him in the ribs, which snapped him out of his frozen state.

"I think you should burn all your old uniforms, I never want to see them again!" His voice was loud and way over the top.

Which caused the entire store to sink into an awkward silence, even the employees stopped their tasks and looked over. It was such a direct statement, said so harshly. In general, it was not a nice thing to say, for someone to burn their clothes.

From the stillness, a voice broke the tension. Laughter.

Once again, Allira was unable to contain her amusement as giggles bubbled out of her mouth. Her voice, the only noise in the entire room. Besides the music still blaring from the speakers. Everyone was confused, she was just insulted, what was so funny?

"Why the hell are you laughing again?" Bakugo stomped his foot, as a toddler demands for attention.

She had done this once before, in the cafetiera, when she laughed at his outburst. Was she making fun of him? Nothing was funny about what he said.

"I'm sorry." Allira whipped a tear from her eye.

"Don't apologize to him, he needs to apologize to you." Ashido crossed her arms.

"No. No. I understand what he means." Takari regulated her breathing.

"What are you talking about? I always say what I mean!" Bakugo yelled back.

"Yes, so thank you for the compliment." Takari smiled, her fingers rested on her necklace again.

"Takari, he told you to burn your clothes. How on earth is that a compliment.?" Ashido spun her fingers in the air.

"Yeah." Takari didn't move her gaze from Bakugo's face. Her lips still lifted in a soft smile. "Which means, he wants to see me wearing these clothes all the time."

Bakugo physically recoiled from her comment. Not only did she expose him in front of his friends, but she was spot on.

"You little-" Bakugo pointed his finger at her, his face red.

"Whoops." She interrupted him. "I should change out of these clothes, still have to buy them."

She gave him zero chance to rebuttal against her comment and fled back into the changing station. Which left him speechless in front of everyone who heard the conversation.

"Was she right?" Jiro asked.

"No!" Bakugo barked venomously.

"Don't deny it Bakugo, she pegged you." Kirishima pat his shoulder.

"And what do you know?!"

"Bro, I'm one of your best friends." Kirishima defended. "But man, she can read you like a book."

"I'm not a book!" Not wanting to hear anymore, Bakugo stomped out of the store and decided to wait outside.

Just beyond the exit of the Gothic store, he planted himself at an empty table. The rickety stood, uncomfortable to sit in. It wiggled side to side as he shifted his weight back and forth. His foot tapped against the floor, like a jack-hamer trying to chisel a whole in the ground. He was unable to sit still after an altercation like that.

Even his mind traveled a mile a minute and he couldn't think straight. Since school had started he couldn't get Takari out of his head. No matter how hard he tried to focus in class, or study, his mind always wandered back to her.

He couldn't waste time thinking about a silly classmate, he had a bigger goal. An objective he had spent his entire life preparing for and he would not let some tiny female ruin his chances.

Yet, he was still enthralled by her presence. The way she held her books, how she traced her fingers along each page as she turned them. The way she fiddled with her necklace and calmed her breathing when he could tell that she was overstimulated. The way she squinted her eyes during class and eventually had to copy his notes. The way she laughed at his overthetop reactions. The way she always stayed honest and told the truth, even if it was embarrassing. The way she used her quirk, to heal and create. Which was the opposite of his, destructive and loud. The way she looked when she sparred. Fluid and beautiful, her movements like water. The way she made his head flood with foreign thoughts.

She was unlike anyone he had ever met and he didn't know how much longer he could deny his own feelings.