Chapter 182: A Confession in the Making

The air was electric with anticipation as Bakugo's words hung in the balance, waiting to drop like a stone into the still pond of our emotions. His eyes locked onto mine, burning with a fierce intensity that made my heart skip a beat. I could feel the weight of his gaze, like a physical force that drew me in, making it hard to breathe. "From the moment I met you," he began, his voice low and husky, "I knew you were different. You're always so... optimistic, so full of life. And it's like, it's really annoying, you know?" He scowled, trying to hide the vulnerability that peeked through his tough exterior. I smiled, my heart racing with excitement. I had a feeling that this was going to be a confession for the ages. Todoroki, who had been watching us with an intensity that made me shiver, shifted uncomfortably, his eyes darting between Bakugo and me. Bakugo took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling with the effort. "But despite all that, I... I couldn't help but be drawn to you. You're like a ray of sunshine in a world that's always so dark and gritty. And I know it sounds stupid, but I feel like I can be myself around you, like I don't have to put on this tough act all the time." Mina, who had been quietly observing the exchange, let out a squeal of excitement. "Oh my god, Bakugo's being all mushy!" she exclaimed, her voice barely above a whisper. Bakugo's face twisted into a scowl, but I could see the hint of a blush rising to his cheeks. He looked away, trying to play it cool, but I could sense the vulnerability beneath his tough exterior. I took a step closer to him, my voice barely above a whisper. "Bakugo-kun, it's okay. You don't have to be scared." He looked up at me, his eyes locking onto mine with a fierce intensity. "I'm not scared," he lied, his voice rough and husky. I smiled, my heart racing with excitement. I could see the fear and vulnerability in his eyes, and it made me want to reach out and touch him, to reassure him that everything was going to be okay. Bakugo took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling with the effort. "I just... I wanted to tell you how I feel," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I like you, Kacchan. I really like you." The room around us seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of us, suspended in a bubble of tension and uncertainty. I could feel the weight of his words, like a physical force that drew me in, making it hard to breathe. And then, in a moment that seemed to stretch on forever, I responded, my voice barely above a whisper. "I like you too, Bakugo-kun."