"Ok so...she's pretty new to the agency and her japanese is decent but not perfect," Mina explains as she walks down the hallway beside Bakugou.
Bakugou shrugs, "So what? We barely speak it so we can be 'universal' anyway. All that matters is she's good at her job."
Mina huffs and rolls her eyes, "Yes I'm aware. And she is. I wouldn't have hired her if she wasn't. She's punctual, organized and..." Mina trails off, giving Bakugou a side eye.
He stops, he knows that tone. "And what?" he asks raising an eyebrow.
"Well, like I said She's really good at her job and part of that means being very umm... well observant. Also, she's a little shy so... will you be nice? You promised you'd be nice," Mina sayin a tone that reminds Bakugou of his mother.
"Yes Mina for fucks sake I'll be nice. What's with all the warning? Is she butt ugly or somethin'?"
Small footsteps echo down the hall as you approach. You're not butt ugly, thank god, but as Bakugou watches you approach he can't understand why Mina was so...weird about him meeting you. That is until you start speaking.
You stand before him and bow low with respect, your eyes glued to his shoes. "Dynamight, I'm very pleased to meet you and look forward to working with you. I hope to make the paperwork process of the prohero world move as smoothly as possible."
There isn't much to say honestly. He shrugs, politely thanks you, and flatly welcomes you to the agency.
When you stand back up straight however, your eyes lock with his and for a split second a wave of something moves through your body and onto him. He can't describe it really but it feels familiar. Your eyes widen and somehow he thinks maybe you've just felt something similar.
"Oh...", you breathe in a voice that is barely audible but to him is crystal fucking clear. You blink then and he watches the realization that you've been staring wash across your face and morph into embarrassment.
"Sorry...guess I'm a little starstruck," you reply with a sheepish chuckle.
"That's alright! Happens to the best of us,! Mina chimes in and Bakugou suddenly remembers Mina's been there the whole time.
For once, Bakugou is at a loss for words. He's been on his own self journey to be able to identify his own feelings and deal with the consequences of those feelings but he still runs into moments where it all still feels unfamiliar.
Bakugou can't put his finger on it, but he feels like there's some sort of kinship between the two of you. Like how wolves form packs, a natural instinct to gather and hunt together, an unseen force drawing you both to each other. He can't put a name to the feeling quite yet, but he can pinpoint a time he felt like this before.
With Kirishima the kin and friendship felt instantaneous. Back then, Bakugou knew he would be one of his people. It was probably the first time he'd ever felt that way. You'd think he'd be used to the feeling by now. You'd think he'd be used to people stumbling into his life and shaking it up for the better.
But... no matter how similar it feels to meeting Kirishima, Bakugou notices a distinct difference in this interaction. An acceptance, an immediate comfort perhaps, or maybe even a 'I think we may be the same.'
Somehow, Bakugou knows you're internal thought process must be along the same lines as his. He notices the crease between your eyebrows as you laugh off Mina's comment and try to get back into your professional mind.
Your eyes flicker back up to him and this time you smile like a customer service rep. Though Bakugou notices something else, something more behind your eyes.
"I look forward to working with you Dynamight, and if you'll allow me to be frank, I do hope we may be able to be friends as well."
