Chapter 3: Moonlit Confessions

"Yes Bakugo, what do you need?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper as the darkness of the forest surrounded us. Bakugo's eyes seemed to gleam with a mixture of intensity and vulnerability in the moonlight, and I could sense that whatever he was about to say was important. He took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling as he collected his thoughts. "It's just...I don't know if I can do this, Vesper," he said, his voice low and rough. "This hero thing, I mean. I've always been so sure of myself, but lately...I don't know." I felt a pang of surprise at his words. Bakugo was known for his confidence and bravado, and it was disconcerting to see him so uncertain. I reached out and put a hand on his arm, trying to offer some reassurance. "What do you mean, Bakugo? You're one of the strongest students in our class," I said, trying to sound calm and convincing. Bakugo snorted, shaking his head. "That's just it, Vesper. I'm not sure if it's just about being strong anymore. I mean, Shigaraki...he's not just some mindless villain. He's got a Quirk that's almost unbeatable, and he's got the brains to use it. And then there's the others...the ones who are actually making a difference out there." He paused, his eyes searching mine as if looking for answers. "I don't know if I can keep up, Vesper. I don't know if I'm good enough." I felt a surge of empathy for him, remembering the doubts that had plagued me after the incident with Shigaraki. "Bakugo, you're not alone in feeling this way," I said, trying to sound sincere. "We all have our doubts and fears. But the thing is, you're not just strong, you're also smart and resourceful. And you've got a Quirk that can be incredibly powerful in the right situations." Bakugo looked at me, his expression softening slightly. "You really think so, Vesper?" he asked, his voice a little quieter now. I nodded, smiling at him. "I do, Bakugo. And I'm here for you, no matter what. We'll face this together, okay?" As I spoke, I could sense a weight lifting off Bakugo's shoulders. His posture relaxed, and his eyes lost some of their intensity. He smiled at me, a small, wry smile. "Thanks, Vesper," he said, his voice a little more confident now. "Just talking to you makes me feel better." I smiled back at him, feeling a sense of camaraderie with him that I'd never felt before. "Anytime, Bakugo," I said, squeezing his arm gently. "That's what friends are for."