Time Without You // kiribaku

Without You Part 8

The Banquet was pretty humble, considering the building it was held in. Yaoyorozu's mansion. She was able to buy it at a pretty good price, with her hero paycheck, and all. She had been planning this for over a month, as well.

The entire graduating class from UA. All courses, hero and otherwise, were invited. It was going to be great to see everyone again.

Katsuki made his way into the hall with a few others that crowded around him through the doors. He fiddled with his dumb mask that was itching his nose. He started to untie it, but Mina slapped his hand away from his face. "Hey! Come on. You gotta embrace the masquerade experience, Bakugou! Yaomomo put a lot of planning into this, so you better appreciate it."

Katsuki grumbled but kept the mask on. They all made their way further into the hall. Some went to the dance floor to mingle, others made their way over to the snack tables. Katsuki and Mina preferred the latter.

"Hey. You remember the plan, right?"

"Yep! As soon as the dancing starts, we'll sneak out and make our way over to the library to look for some more clues as to where Eijirou went. That villain group won't expect us because they think we'll be here. How could I forget the plan you repeated at least a gajillion times?" Mina huffed jokingly, grabbing a glass of sparkling cider from the table.

Katsuki examined the room, staring as the giant front door finally closed. He tried his best to focus, but Yaoyorozu interrupted his thoughts with the clinking of a metal knife against her glass.

"Well, it looks like everyone is here!" She exclaimed, walking up the converging stairs at the end of the hall.

"Welcome, everyone! I am very pleased to see that you all made it today! Please. Make yourself at home." She raised up a glass as some classical music began playing from a small orchestra in the corner.

People around began mingling, and catching up on things that they had missed over the few years since they graduated.

Katsuki wasn't much of a fan of small talk, so he instead took time to just walk around and examine all the groups that had formed.

Deku was with Four Eyes, Pink Cheeks, Frog-lady, Half-and-Half, and Big Hands.

Sparky was with Racoon-Eyes, Tape-Arms, and Ears.

And all the other class groups crowded together. Even if they graduated a few years ago, it seemed like they still stuck to the same groups they made in high school.

Katsuki grumbled and grabbed a glass of sparkling cider from one of the tables, taking one last glance around the room before he would leave for the library early.

There was someone talking with Ponytail.

Someone buff.

With spiky-black hair that fell and covered his forehead and part of the black eye-mask he was wearing, and down his back, covering the nice suit jacket that wrapped around him.

Katsuki swallowed the lump in his throat as he felt his feet move before his brain could register anything. He walked up, waiting as Yaoyorozu noticed him.

"Oh! Bakugou! I'm glad you could make it! I honestly thought that you wouldn't show up." She mumbled, hoping he wouldn't catch it.

He chuckled, trying his best to hide his confusion and shock at seeing Eijirou here in front of him. At a dumb masquerade party. How did Ponytail not recognize him?! That mask didn't do much to hide his face.

"Hey, Yaoyorozu, go easy on him. I heard he's got a pretty bad temper." Eijirou joked, nudging Katsuki with his elbow.

Katsuki grumbled, trying again to play off any fear or confusion he felt.