Chapter Text
It was a stupid idea.
A very, very stupid idea.
A very, very, very stupid idea that could put his decision-making skills when he was in Whey! mode to shame.
Except his brain wasn’t fried for this. No, no, no, no. He made this decision when he was fully charged with electricity, his mind extremely clear and he didn’t hesitate.
Okay, maybe his mind wasn’t extremely clear.
It all started in the common room, during a heated game of cards between Mina, Sero, Bakugou and Kirishima.
Naturally, Mina was winning and pissing everybody off in the process.
“Are you kidding me?!” Bakugou screeched when she had finished her hand, putting down her last card, effectively causing Bakugou to pick up eight while Sero whistled and Kaminari gaped.
“Told you guys,” Kirishima muttered, holding his head like he was expecting a headache.
Which in this case, came in the form of one angry blonde bomb.
She just grinned at them, with that not-so-innocent Cheshire grin, batting her eyes repeatedly, “Sorry boys, but playing cards are my secret quirk.”
“I’m convinced you were raised playing poker or something,” Kaminari snorted, while Bakugou seethed, “She destroyed you, bro.”
“Don’t be a sore loser, man,” Kirishima patted him on the shoulder, “It’s not manly.”
“That’s it!” Bakugou yelled, “Rematch. Right now, Strawberry shortcake.”
“But the game isn’t finished yet…” Sero tried to interrupt before Bakugou sent him a nasty glare and he hastily shut his mouth, “But that’s okay, we can start a new round!”
Mina’s grin only widened, causing everyone to shift uncomfortably in their seats. She had a knack for picking up on stories and details, making it next to impossible to get anything past her. She was worse than Hound Dog sometimes.
And when Mina sniffed a story, you would never hear the end of it.
“Well, that depends,” Mina mock yawned, although everyone knew she was far from tired, “I may stick around for another match…depending on how entertained I am.”
“Meaning?” Sero asked her to elaborate.
“Well, you see,” Mina’s eyes glowed with something practically sinister, “I love listening to stories. Particularly, stories about what’s going on with all of you and your love lives. Except for Kirishima because we all know how lucky he is.”
“Nice one babe,” Kirishima shot her a thumbs up.
“I would love the inside scoop to the most interesting topic there is.” Mina grinned widely, cracking her fingers before relaxing against her chair, “So, boys, it’s time for one crazy as hell bet.”
Bakugou shut his mouth, growling through his teeth.
“A bet?” Kaminari echoed.
In retrospect, he shouldn’t have answered. He should have ended the conversation right then and there.
“Cash. $200,” Her Cheshire grin widened even further, which at this point, Kaminari didn’t think was possible, “That is if you win. And I know you all need the cash, I’ve seen how much money you all spend on shoes.”
“Andddd suddenly I’m listening,” Kaminari beamed.
“What’s the catch?” Bakugou’s eyes narrowed.
Mina’s eyes twinkled with something evil, and they all suddenly felt like they had walked into some sort of trap.
“You all have to ask out the girls you like,” She declared, her gaze zeroing in on both Bakugou and Kaminari for some unknown reason.
Kaminari’s eyes popped while Bakugou grumbled, “But what if there’s no one?”
Mina shrugged, a smug expression on her face, “Then what do you have to lose? Although, I did hear about a certain blonde that you met at the provisional licensing exam…”
“What?!” Bakugou roared in surprise.
Bakugou whipped around, shooting a glare at Kirishima, who recoiled in fear, “I’m sorry man! She pulled it out of me!”
“I’ll deal with you later Dumb Hair!!” Bakugou growled.
“Sign me up,” Sero added, dropping his cards into the pile so Mina could shuffle them, “I could use the cash and there’s no one I’m crushing on.”
“In that case, count me in,” Kaminari beamed, dropping his cards into the pile, “There’s a pair of Pikachu sneakers that I’m dying to get my hands on, and I’ve got nothing to lose cuz' there’s no one I like.”
Mina clicked her tongue like a disapproving mother hen, “Don’t lie to us Kaminari. We all know who you’ve got your eye on.”
Kaminari’s jaw dropped, especially when the group erupted in agreement. They had already started a side conversation when he pulled out of his stupor.
“Woah, woah, woah!” He interrupted, mimicking a time out with his hands, “I’ve got my eye on someone?? What’s that supposed to mean?!”
“Oh come on you idiot! You can’t possibly be this dense!” Bakugou rolled his eyes as if Kaminari was missing something blatantly obvious.
“Yeah bro,” Kirishima agreed, “He’s got a point. We all see the way you look at her.”
He only gaped in reply, “Wha-? Who?!”
“Come on, Kami,” Mina smirked.
“Who on earth are you talking about?!” Kaminari yelled in exhaustion, effectively silencing them all.
He shouldn’t have asked. He should have left it at that.
“Jirou,” they all replied simultaneously, without skipping a beat.
Kaminari just blinked.
“Jirou?” He repeated weakly, “You guys think I like Jirou.”
“Geez, how slow are ya Drooly?” Bakugou scoffed.
He felt his cheeks heat up as familiar, beautiful purple eyes popped up in his vision, her soft indigo hair that curled around her face elegantly. A feeling of warmth spread in his chest, a feeling he couldn’t put his finger on.
Jirou…
“I don’t-“ He croaked out, “I don’t like Jirou like that.”
The entire group chuckled in disbelief, replies of “Sure, Kaminari,” and “Whatever you say,” coming from each of them.
“Well, if it’s me vs Sparky over here, I’m in,” Bakugou smirked, his signature grin coming out, “There’s no way I’ll lose to this idiot. He can't ask her out.”
That caused Kaminari to freeze in his steps, glaring at Bakugou.
Was he insinuating Kaminari couldn’t woo Jirou? He could definitely ask her out! This was crazy! He had game! He just never thought about pursuing someone before, nonetheless Jirou. She was his best friend! And just because he thought of her and her purple eyes 90% of the time didn’t mean anything. It wasn’t because he was scared of being rejected or anything, he just…never tried.
“Hey!” Kaminari cried out, “I can ask her out! I’ve just never thought about it!”
“You mean,” Sero snickered, “You’ve never thought about dating Jirou?”
“Yes! Well, no but..” He gestured wildly, searching for a way to explain it, “It’s complicated, okay!“ He huffed.
“So, it isn’t just because you’ve been rejected by every girl on campus and you’re scared of asking her out?” Mina waggled a brow.
“Yes!”
“So if you were to pursue Jirou or any girl, she wouldn’t reject you?” Kirishima clarified, “Is that what you’re saying, dude?”
“Yes! I could get her to go out with me!” Kaminari shook his head vigorously to verify his point.
“I don’t buy it.”
Everyone’s gazes flicked to Bakugou, who crossed his arms in annoyance.
Kaminari just stared at him slacked jawed and Bakugou continued, staring him dead in the eyes, “I bet you can’t pursue Jirou and get her to go out with her. What the hell are you going to do, use cheesy pick-up lines on her and crap until you annoy her into going out with you?”
Now, Kaminari didn’t think he was stubborn.
But this was getting on his nerves. He wanted, more than anything, to prove Bakugou wrong.
He was going to woo Jirou. Because if there was anyone he wanted to spend time getting closer to, it would be Jirou.
And now he had an excuse. This wasn’t about the cash anymore.
He was going to prove Bakugou wrong. Not only could he woo a girl, but he was also going to ask out said girl.
Said girl, apparently, being Jirou.
How he came to that conclusion, he didn’t quite understand. He blamed his naturally fried brain.
So before he knew what he was saying, he blurted out, “Hell yeah I will! Just like that!”
“Perfect!” Mina clapped her hands, “Forget about my crazy bet, this is an even crazier bet! If Kaminari can woo Jirou and get her to go out with him, he gets the $200. Actually, make it $300, just to up the stakes. If Bakugou can get his crush to go out with him before Kaminari does, he gets the $300. Do we have a deal?”
“Do I just not-“ Sero attempted to speak but was interrupted by Bakugou.
“Hell yeah!” Bakugou agreed, never taking his eyes off of Kaminari.
“Yeah!” Kaminari repeated before his brain caught up with his actions, “Wait, what?”
Mina only cackled in reply, clicking her fingers together like she was some sort of sea witch, “It’s too late Kami! What’s done is done.”
“Oh little mermaid,” Sero chuckled.
Kaminari groaned.
He had work to do.
Jirou was a rational person.
She was always level-headed and tended to make decisions with careful consideration.
She normally handled surprises very well.
So then why the hell was her skin burning up because Kaminari dropped some stupid pick-up line??
It all started in a class that morning, when he hopped into his seat, vibrating with his usual energy.
“Good morning, Jirou!” He chirped, staring past Jirou before focusing back on her.
“How can you be so cheerful at this time of day?” Jirou grumbled, shooting him a glare.
“It’s a part of my charm. I’m always charged and full of energy,” He winked as if only she and he were in on some secret.
“Right, I forgot you’re like the walking version of Red Bull,” Jirou scoffed.
“That sounds dope,” He gave her his signature mega-watt smile, the one that signalled he was about to either say or do something extremely stupid, “I’ve got a question for you though.”
Jirou rolled her eyes, “If this is about your homework…look, I’ll help you but-“
“Kind of,” Kaminari continued to grin that idiotic smile of his and Jirou shrunk in her seat slightly.
And just as she thought he was about to leave the topic alone, he goes “Are you my French homework? Because MaDamnnnn!!”
Jirou blinked at him. Once. Twice.
“What.” She answered in bewilderment, as a blush crept onto her face.
“What?” Kaminari blinked innocently, a stupid smirk growing on his face, “And here I thought, I was the one who gets brain fried.” He put his finger to his chin as if contemplating something deep in thought, “Good thing you’re cute when your brainpower dies on you.”
Two compliments in one go.
Kaminari then turned back to the front as Mr. Aizawa unwrapped his sleeping bag and began to teach the lesson.
Jirou didn’t pay attention to anything Mr. Aizawa taught that day, the situation sinking into her brain.
What the hell just happened?
Every part of her felt numb and she couldn't seem to compute information. Did that really just...?
The class had ended and Jirou was still glued to her suit.
Jirou must have short-circuited. She couldn’t comprehend anything. Was…was Kaminari flirting with her?
That idiot…they didn’t even take French! They were Japanese for crying out loud, it wasn’t one of their language requirements!
Normally, if Kaminari made some sort of comment he would be met with an ear jack to the eye or chest or something.
But he had caught her so…off guard.
Kaminari was her best friend. They had grown pretty close over the past year, constantly being paired up for school activities and simply being able to compliment each other in terms of skills and personalities.
They were purple and yellow. Polar opposites. And somehow, they always managed to work together and had such blind faith in the other one. If Jirou told Kaminari to jump off a cliff, he would do it because he knew Jirou would be able to catch him.
Kaminari was the happy-go-lucky and bright class clown on campus and Jirou was the quiet and rocking sarcastic girl that was just a big softie once you got to know her.
But Kaminari has never, not once, tried flirting with Jirou. He’s hit on almost every girl in UA except for her. Honestly, it’s never bothered her, or at least, that’s what she told herself even though her heart would pang every time he asked someone out.
He was probably messing with her. Kaminari was a massive flirt, and even though he’s gotten much better over the year and had educated himself on how to be polite to women, he was still his stupid usual self. He even went so far as to apologize to all the girls and reprimand Mineta when needed.
That thought pulled Jirou out of her stupor, causing her to eventually pack up all her things and leave the class.
Well, one pick-up line she could handle. If he did it again, she would not hesitate to poke his sorry eyes out.
Besides, the chances of Kaminari using another cheesy pick-up line on her were slim to none.
Kaminari kept using cheesy pick-up lines on her.
The second time he used a pick-up line on her, Jirou had been on her way to grab a cup of coffee.
She had been in line, chatting with Yaomomo and Mina when he approached the girls.
She had just been about to order coffee when he stepped in, a coffee cup in hand.
“I’m here! I’m here!” He panted, holding out a coffee cup to Jirou.
“Jamming-Whey?” She questioned, “What are you-?”
“It’s from that favourite coffee place of yours! You know, the one that doesn’t deliver?” He beamed, “Well, I pulled some strings and I figured you could use it!”
She smiled, “You didn’t have to do that, idiot. Thanks.” She grabbed the coffee cup from him and missed the knowing look between Mina and Yaomomo, “What’s the occasion?”
A wicked grin spread on his face, or at least as wicked as his boyish face can look, “Well, I thought they banned you from the cafeteria. You know, because you’re so sweet.”
Jirou almost dropped her coffee right then and there as another crimson blush spread to her features and her jacks rose in alarm.
“I-I’m…I’m gonna stab you with my…my…ugh!” Jirou covered her face with her free hand, “You idiot!”
He chuckled, “I’m just saying Jirou! The reason I’m so absent-minded is that I’m busy thinking of you. I’ll see ya later!”
She turned an even darker shade of red before Kaminari skipped off-yes, skipped-whistling to himself.
She didn’t even get the chance to make fun of him.
The third time he flirted with her, Jirou and Kaminari had been studying.
“And then you can simplify the equation by factoring, punch the equation into the quadratic formula and then you get x,” Jirou explained, “Any que-“ she looked up to find Kaminari fiddling with his pencil, completely distracted.
“Geez Pikachu,” Jirou massaged her temple, “At least tell me when I lose you so I don’t have to keep talking.”
“Ah,” he dropped the pencil he was currently balancing on his lips, “Sorry, sorry.”
“What’s up with you today?” Jirou asked, “You’re more distracted than normal.”
“Oh,” His eyes looked downcast, and Jirou realized she didn’t like this expression on his face, “My…um…my quirks been acting up.”
“Oh,” Jirou repeated, before putting her hand on his shoulder to encourage him to keep talking, “Is everything okay?”
“Well, I don’t know. I mean…” He swallowed, “My quirk can be a kind of pain I guess? Being charged with electricity makes me super jittery half of the time and I can’t…I can’t turn it down,” He gestured wildly, his eyes flickering between Jirou and his hands, “I'm already an insomniac because of it. There’s electricity in your body right, so I can’t exactly turn it off or else my heart would stop but I’ve been working on, like, turning it down. It’s kind of like a low buzzing in my ear and lately, it’s been acting up, so I’ve been having a hard time focusing.”
“Oh. I didn’t know,” Jirou’s jacks clicked together nervously, “Well, uh, thanks for telling me. Is there anything you can do to kind of tone down the low buzzing?” He gave her a confused look and she pointed to her ears, “My ears can start ringing when I get exposed to loud noises quickly so I get the whole 'buzzing' thing. I usually listen to like a heartbeat or something. It always calms me down. Is there anything you can do to sort of take your mind off the sound but focus on something all the same?”
Kaminari’s eyes widened in surprise before a smile lit up his features, “Oh my gosh, that could totally work! Thank you!”
Jirou flushed slightly, “Ah don’t mention it. Let me know if it works first before you go ahead and praise me.”
“Of course, it will Jirou!” He grinned, a genuine smile on his face, “You’re a genius!”
“Shut up Chargedolt,” Her jacks clicked together nervously.
“I'm not being obtuse, you're just so acute!" He snickered as Jirou went rigid.
“You…you idiot!” She turned crimson once more, a sight he was becoming very familiar with, “This is algebra, not geometry!”
He stifled a laugh, “In that case, I bet you can replace my x and not ask y.”
Jirou gaped and he just casually flipped through his math textbook as if nothing happened.
“So you were saying something about hitting the quad…?”
It went like this for a few days. Every time he would see her, he would do something chivalrous like carry her bag or buy her lunch then use a cheesy pick-up line on her. And every time she would promise to stab him with her jacks but never got around to it because he always caught her off guard.
It came to a point where Jirou had elected to start dodging him, dragging Momo through longer routes from their dorms to class and using her jacks to listen for him, earning a cocked brow from Momo every time.
Somehow, the stupid electric Pokémon would always find her and kept using lines on her, like a stupid jack-in-the-box.
That was why when Jirou had been walking past the common room, where everyone was all but gathered together playing a heated match of Mario Kart which involved a confused Todoroki, a screaming Bakugou and a worried Midoriya and Kirishima, she was on edge.
So when someone tapped her on the shoulder she all but jumped out of her skin.
“Woah, sorry Jirou!” Mina apologized, a grin on her face, “I didn’t mean to scare you. I was just wondering if you were going to play.”
Jirou calmed her rapidly beating heart, “I’m okay. I was actually planning to head up to my room and-“
“Booooo!” Mina grinned, “Let loose a little! We’re all having fun together.”
“I don’t know Mina…” Jirou murmured and her gaze fell over the crowd once more, before settling on a pair of happy, golden eyes.
“We’re just playing Mario kart! And then we’re gonna watch a movie. Come onnnnn Jirou~” Mina whined, tugging her by the hand towards the crowd, “Come hang out with us.”
Jirou relented, the whining selling her, “Fine. But two rounds of Mario kart and then I’m out!”
“Yay!” Mina cheered before taking her seat, sitting in Kirishima’s lap and leaning against him.
Uraraka was sitting next to Midoriya who had just been knocked into 6th place, clutching his arms tightly as she cheered him on while he flushed. They were sitting next to Momo, who was attempting to teach Todoroki how to play as he clicked his controller slowly. He was in 12th place and showed no signs of improving. Iida was reprimanding Mineta and Hagakure was in deep conversation with Ojiro and Koda. Meanwhile, Bakugou was standing on the couch, furiously hitting his controller while Kirishima cheered him on and Mina and Sero were betting on who would win.
“Who’s the character that keeps pulling me out with a fishing rod?” Todoroki questioned in confusion.
“See, he shows up because-“ Momo started, trying to help him but was interrupted when Kaminari yelled, “His name is Laikitu you uncultured swine!!”
“Now die, Kaminari! DIE!” Bakugou screamed.
With all the seats taken, the only available place was…
Was right next to one Denki Kaminari, who was in the first place, with Bakugou following suit, his eyes glued to the screen.
She instantly regretted appeasing Mina.
This was ridiculous. This was Kaminari for crying out loud! And just because he decided to be stupid and cute and use pick-up lines on her didn’t mean she had to get so flustered. Jirou wasn’t a coward and she sure as hell wouldn’t let Kaminari, of all people, mess with her.
She could do this! She puffed out her chest, mentally preparing herself before striding over to Kaminari and taking her seat right next to him. It didn’t bother her in the slightest that the couch was so crowded and she was pressed right into his side. Nope. Not at all.
This was fine.
Actually, maybe she could make a run for the exit and apologize to Mina profusely later and make it up to her by-
“Hey Jirou,” Kaminari greeted, eyes glued to the screen, reaching the end of his third lap, “I’m glad you stuck around to watch…me…WIN!” He cheered, throwing up his controller victoriously.
Immediately, the entire common room erupted into chaos. There were simultaneous cheers and grumbles of disappointment. Bakugou cursed in what sounded like 50 different languages, Sero held his hand out for his cash while Mina grumbled under her breath, Kirishima rubbing her back.
The bright and excited smile on Kaminari’s face caused Jirou to break out into laughter and cheer for him as well, all the tension from prior drifting away. She was simply happy to be in his company and when he shot her a fond and happy smile, she felt her heart somersault in her chest.
“You must be my good luck charm, Jirou!” He grinned, “I was cutting it close before. But now we know who the real Mario kart champion is.” He pointed to himself, a cocky smirk on his face.
“Rematch Drooly!” Bakugou seethed.
Jirou snorted, letting a giggle slip out, “Sure, Kaminari, you’re the Mario kart champion here.”
Kaminari raised a brow, mirth in his eyes, “What, you think you could do better?”
Jirou stood up, prodding him with her jacks and staring him dead in the eyes, “Are you challenging me, Kaminari?”
They were mere centimetres apart now, both in each other’s personal space and they weren’t sure if the room was hot from their competitiveness or simply the proximity. Their noses brushed and he felt a tingle run up his spine.
“Hell yeah I am,” He smirked, “You’re on, Jirou.”
“Give me the controller, Bakugou,” Jirou grinned, never taking her eyes off Kaminari's and her voice dangerously low.
They both took their seats, while the crowd erupted in hysterics as Kaminari set up a new match.
“Crush him, Ears,” Bakugou grumbled.
“It would be my genuine pleasure,” she quoted and Kaminari did a double-take.
“Was that a Marvel reference?” Kaminari’s eyes lit up like a Christmas tree.
Jirou shrugged, “I’ll tell you after I destroy you.”
Jirou selected Shy Guy and Kaminari went for Yoshi.
“150cc?” Kaminari questioned and Jirou scoffed, “Do you expect us to play in 50cc like children?”
“Ok, ok, ok, ok, I like the way you think Jirou,” Kaminari nodded in approval, mimicking Jake Peralta.
She furrowed her brows, “Was that a Brooklyn 99 reference?”
She loved Brooklyn 99.
He must have known that because he gave her a cocky grin that she wanted to wipe off his face, “I’ll tell you after I destroy you.”
The match started with both of them neck and neck before Jirou quickly slipped into first place and stayed there. Meanwhile, Kaminari was fighting for second, facing off against Donkey Kong and Toad.
Kaminari kept frantically clicking his controller, leaning on the edge of his seat similar to everyone else in the class watching the match. Jirou simply rested against the couch, effortlessly trying and somehow dominating the game.
It wasn’t long before Jirou finished the game in first place.
Everyone just stared at the screen as Jirou watched everyone’s priceless and stunned reactions.
“Hell yeah Ears!” Bakugou cheered, causing the entire class to burst into hoots and hollers, “That’s a real Mario kart champion if I ever saw one!”
Kaminari was simply sitting there in shock and felt, rather than see, Jirou bury herself into the couch, a soft blush coating her features from the praise she was receiving.
He let out a puff of amazement before running a hand through his hair, “She is the chosen one!” He whispered.
Jirou chuckled, sticking out her tongue, “Nah, I’m just better than you, Jamming-Whey.”
“You wound me!” He put his hands to his chest in a stabbing motion dramatically, “After that match, I hand over my crown to you, the amazing Kyouka Jirou!” He pretended to bow down to her.
And she let out a breathy laugh, a beautiful, melodious laugh that he would like to hear every day for the rest of his life. Actually, he would like to make her laugh like that for the rest of his life.
“Sure, Pikachu. I’ll be the Queen of Mario kart,” She gave him a soft smile and he almost had a seizure, because the butterflies and warmth in his chest were definitely not normal.
And he wasn’t sure Recovery Girl had a cure for that.
“As long as you’re my Queen,” He winked, earning a jab in the chest and the satisfaction of watching a blush coat her cheeks.
That was the moment that Denki Kaminari realized that he was totally, and utterly screwed.