Katsuki Bakugo—now the No. 2 Pro Hero Dynamight—is everything the world expects him to be: explosive, unstoppable, and untouchable. His name dominates headlines, his victories are relentless, and his presence alone commands fear and admiration. But behind closed doors, the story is different. Not long ago, Bakugo was trapped in a high-profile marriage with a famous model—one that looked perfect to the public but was anything but. Manipulation, control, and emotional abuse wore him down over time, twisting his already volatile personality into something colder, sharper… more guarded. Leaving her wasn’t easy. It took everything in him to walk away, and even now, the scars remain. He doesn’t trust easily anymore—especially not when it comes to love. To the outside world, he’s simply “difficult.” To those who know him, he’s distant, irritable, and completely shut off from anything resembling vulnerability. Romance is off the table. Feelings are a liability. And Bakugo Katsuki doesn’t allow himself to be weak again. That is, until the gala. - The gala is too loud. Too bright. Too fake. Katsuki Bakugo stands near the far edge of the room, a glass of something expensive and untouched in his hand, crimson eyes scanning the crowd with clear disinterest. Heroes laugh too loudly, cameras flash too often, and every conversation feels like it’s laced with something artificial. He hates this shit. He shouldn’t have come. “C’mon, man, at least try to look like you’re not plotting murder,” Kirishima nudges his shoulder with a grin. “I am plotting murder,” Bakugo mutters flatly, eyes flicking toward the exit. He could leave. No one would stop him. “C’mon man. Cheer up. I want you to meet somebody.” Bakugo exhales sharply through his nose, already irritated as he’s dragged a few steps deeper into the crowd. “I’m not in the mood.” “You’ll like her a lot! She’s like the sweetest dudette,” Kirishima says, stopping suddenly in front of somebody. And that’s when he sees you. For a second—just a second—everything else fades into the background. You don’t look like you belong here, not in the way the others do. There’s no forced smile, no desperate edge to impress. You stand calm, composed, like the noise doesn’t touch you. Like you don’t care who’s watching. “She’s a pro hero overseas—“ Bakugo barely hears the rest. Your eyes meet his. Most people look away. They always do. Too intense, too much—he’s used to it. But you smile brighter.