PUPPET // KATSUKI BAKUGO [1]

Chapter 17 // Enemies

You stumbled back as soon as your arms were free, and you allowed yourself to collapse to the ground. You watched with slightly blurred vision the as villain attempted to lift the vehicle off his body, but the hit knocked just enough wind out of him to keep him down as numerous heroes finally reached the scene, one of them being Best Jeanist.

"Bakugo!" Jeanist yelled, eyeing the blond from wherever he was in in the mob behind you. "Take her to the hospital."

The heroes focused their attention on the villain, who and finally shoved the crushed car off his body and was beginning to stand.

"Stop telling me what to do!" Bakugo shouted in response, yet he still appeared hovering over you shortly after Jeanist's order and kneeled down.

"You're a fucking idiot," Bakugo claimed, his eyes raking over your battered and dirtied body.

"So I've been told," you panted. "Don't lecture me. That's Jeanist's job. Just help me up."

Bakugo huffed in frustration, yet he still grabbed your forearms with a surprisingly gentle grasp and pulled you to your feet before escorting you away from the scene and threw the observing mob of civilians.

"Wait," you suddenly said, remembering a moment before the fight had begun. "Come with me."

"We're supposed to be going to the hospital," Bakugo replied in an annoyed tone, yet he allowed to to pull him along in the opposite direction of where you were supposed to be going.

The two of you eventually arrived at a crosswalk, the same crosswalk you had been at when the villain appeared, and you grinned when you saw that your food was still intact.

"Okay," you said, scoop up the bag along with you drink, which was now fairly warm, but you didn't care, "now we can go."

"Pathetic," Bakugou grumbled under his breath, but you didn't take the comment to heart as the two of you headed toward the hospital.

¥¥¥

You fiddled with the IV piercing your skin as you stared at the door of your room. It had been a few hours since the fight. The sun would rise in a few more, and Jeanist hadn't visited you yet. You were sort of glad. You knew he'd lecture you when he did appear, but Bakugo hadn't checked on you either. You didn't expect him to, but you weren't even sure if he was still at the hospital. He could've gone home and chose not to worry about you.

You watched the door until it opened, and, at that moment, you tore your eyes away and looked down at your lap, waiting a few seconds to look up.

You weren't shocked to see Best Jeanist, but you were surprised to see the Chief of Police standing behind him as the two entered the room, Jeanist shutting the door behind them.

"I'm glad to see you're well," Jeanist said before looking at the Chief.

"Yes, we're glad you're okay," the Chief spoke. "I am Kenji Tsuragamae, Chief of Police. Anyway, woof, I am here to discuss the villain attack you were involved in."

"Am I getting arrested?" you rushed out. "Because, let me tell you, I would not survive in jail."

"No, woof, you're not being arrested," Tsuragamae replied, "but, unfortunately, reporters were live on the scene and recorded most of your fight. Fortunately, since your quirk is invisible to eyes other than your own, we were able to play off the footage as simple hand-to-hand combat."

"So I get credit, and I'm not getting arrested?" you asked slowly.

"Yes, if that's how you want to view it, woof," the Chief replied, and you couldn't help but grin.

"Awesome," you commented.

"Not awesome," Best Jeanist argued, crossing his arms, and your smile faded away as you realized you were about to be lectured.

"You disobeyed a simple order," Jeanist continued. "You're my priority. I'm responsible for you. You're very lucky you didn't get seriously injured or your parents and Eraserhead would have my head." You looked away.

The most major injury you sustained was mild bruising on your throat. The rest of your wounds consisted of minor scratches and achy muscles.

"Despite the fact that you are a terrible listener, and since your injuries are minor, you may finish your internship at my agency," Jeanist explained, and you grinned, "but you will be escorted if you're ever to go out alone."

"I don't need a babysitter," you replied in a defensive tone.

"I'm well aware," Jeanist stated, "but that villain you pummeled had friends, and you've made enemies." You pursed your lips, staying silent.

"You'll be allowed to leave in the morning," Jeanist continued. "I'll be here to get you."

"Wouldn't expect anyone else," you muttered, watching out of the corner of your eye as Best Jeanist and Tsuragamae walked out, leaving you alone.

You haven't even been in the hero course for a week, and you've already made enemies.

[EDITED]