Chapter Text
– Kacchan! –
The blond kid turned over his friend, they had spent the whole afternoon together playing, never addressing the fact that it would probably be their last afternoon together.
– We will see each other right? –
Katsuki woke up from his plane nap.
He was a bit confused, he often could remember his dreams, but this time it was all foggy, like if it was a distant memory that slipped through his fingertips, then he realized Kirishima was offering him a water bottle.
– Hey Bro, you haven't drank anything for a while, so here take it. –
Katsuki took the water and drank from it, he looked at Kirishima and sighed.
– Spit it out –
And then Kirishima let out a free small laugh.
– It's just I'm excited! It will be our first performance in an English speaking country – The red head made a pause, a blush spread through his cheeks and the smile got wider– And we're the opening act for my girlfriend's band! –
Katsuki rolled his eyes – First of all, it's also Icyhot's big brother, pet project band, so probably they aren't a big deal as your girlfriend claims them to be. – Kirishima was going to argue but Bakugou made a hand moment for him to wait.
– But I'm glad you're finally going to see her – and he gave his friend one of his rare but warmest smiles he had to offer.
Kirishima returned the smile.
–Remember to be careful and not to have your small little romance leaked, you know Kai will get mad if he discovers we are not following the contract –
The smile on Kirishima fell as he groaned, tugging a bit of his hair.
— Dude, you don't have to remind me! It has been so stressful to keep everything a secret! –
Katsuki rarely felt sympathy for anyone, but being in a boyband with other talented people you kinda start to, even if you don't want to admit it, care about your band members.
So he fell sorry for Kirishima, back in Japan was a rule that you couldn't date while you had an idol status, basically to let the fans thirst about you in peace, it was a marketing strategy that as time passed and boybands came and went, became a undisputed rule, Katsuki didn't mind as he has a clear goal: to get his group up to the top and remain there until the end of times.
He was going to try and comfort Kirishima a bit more, but they were interrupted.
– Kirishima-kun, take your seat please, we're going to land soon – Hari, second in command and the one assigned to watch them 24/7 was telling the members of the group to take seats.
The members did as told and one by one were taking their seats.
Out of the eight members of the group half of them were fluent in English, Katsuki, Shoto, Tenya and to his dismay even Denki.
Hitoshi, Neito and Hanta were fluent in other languages but not in English.
And for some sappy reasons, Kirishima was fluent in Japanese sign language.
Even if the band could sing in English it took a while for them to land an opportunity. An opportunity to break it into countries with the European and the American public.
Kai refused to make deals with any other managers or event organizers that weren't aware of how the idols in Japan were managed, as he put a heavy emphasis on keeping an image that curates the public back home even if they were performing overseas.
However the opportunity came when Icyhot's big brother told him that his manager was looking for a group as an opening act for another band in the same company.
Their manager wanted a band, preferably Japanese, to try and open the first concert of the tour, with the possibility of opening for them the rest of the shows if they could charm their public.
Katsuki at first was pissed at being cataloged just as an opening act, they recently broke the top 5 chart in Japan and they certainly didn't need other losers to open their shows.
But Kai accepted because apparently that manager used to be a huge deal in Japan back in the day. That was until for unknown personal reasons he had to transfer his business to the states and start from the bottom. Leaving supposedly an empire behind. In which people like Kai took advantage of and filled in the shoes that were absent.
Katsuki didn't know about this manager situation until recently, so he hadn't had time to deepen his research.
Honestly with the strict schedules of different types of rehearsals and some extra he's taking to be always in his topnotch, he didn't have much free time to spare.
He didn't even have time to research about the group they were opening for. He knew the gist through Eijirou and his girlfriend. But as far as he was concerned they were just another metal band filled with a bunch of old dudes that thought having some young women as members from Japan made the band be "woke" and "Inclusive".
As if the world wasn't filled with enough metal bands.
Sooner than later, their landing was done without any further incident. Everyone took their things and they were being guided through the airport. Katsuki thought they were going to go straight to the hotel, but to his misfortune a welcome party was waiting for them.
– Hello Chrono-Kun, are these your boys? – A really tall man with white hair and a dark trench coat asked.
–Hello Shigaraki, it's a pleasure to finally meet a titan of the industry like yourself. – was Hari's response.
The tall man was accompanied by other people, Katsuki guessed it was people he represented as he could recognize Icyhot's big brother and his vocalist.
– That's such an old nonsense, now I only manage those few bands I think are worth my time. – Hari just nodded.
– I assume that you're going to join us on our way to the hotel? –
– Actually we wanted to invite all of you to dinner but I'm afraid that Tomura and Black whip are required to go somewhere else, they have an issue they can't unfortunately miss. –
Said guys made a bow and didn't even stop to say a few words. The tallest one with an awful hoodie and a half gas mask kept looking at his watch every 5 seconds.
Katsuki already hated the guy, believing himself so important that can't even say anything.
Prick.
As soon as they were given green light to leave the prick grabbed Tomura's hand and waved goodbye before disappearing for the night.
– Good news is that the rest of the crew can stay to give you a proper welcome, so without further ado let's go and have dinner all together.
Katsuki glanced quickly at them and sighed.
Great, instead of dealing with his jetlagged ass he will have to interact with these clowns.
Katsuki was beyond tired, he wanted nothing more than rest.
The only consolation he had now, was the fact that the nightmare of dinner was over and he already checked in at his hotel room.
He was pissed because the only healthy option that was similar to his diet, was vegan. Worst of all, he wasn't even sure if what he ate counted because maybe he wasn't getting the nutrients that he needed from those dishes. But as people often say, better be safe than sorry.
He was also pissed, he's been grumpier than usual because his body was a swiss clock, it already had an established routine, so he wasn't happy when he couldn't complete it.
Bakugou did a mental calculation and he was sure for the next 3 days, everything was going to suck ass and be a pain in the balls.
He opened the bathroom door and saw that his room had a bathtub, perfect, he could soak the tiredness off his body with this thing. He obviously preferred using the hot springs back at home, but beggars can't be choosers.
He closed the door and started arranging his stuff in his closet, this room was going to be his home for the next few weeks.
The next weeks were brutal.
Kai had joined a few days later after their arrival to the states.They were given a room for rehearsals and practice the new choreography for the new single the band wanted to release. Chrono and Chisaki thought it would be a great idea to release new material in this tour, nevermind they haven't even been formally included yet beside the first concert.
So they had made a whole new choreography taking in consideration the scenario as well as other things they could use, such as pyrotechnics and laser lights.
Apparently it's something that Black Smash, the metal band they were opening for, included in their shows. Katsuki had to admit that he was impressed by the type of production this band had.
However he was angry at the vocalist who happens to be the leader of Black Smash. An asshole whose stage name is Black Whip, the same asshole who didn't even greet Katsuki on his first day.
While Katsuki and the members of Dynamite Explosive Riot were working their asses off and sweating blood in the multiple rehearsals they daily had. Black Whip was absent doing who knows what. Even the few times Black Smash and D.E.R shared the room and did a rehearsal together, all the members were there except for this asshole.
Katsuki couldn't tolerate his unprofessionalism. If these were the standards on the states for the artists, then they didn't deserve to have the success they seemed to have. As far as Katsuki knows, this band had a huge fan base.
Katsuki knew in this industry you couldn't be where you are without your fans. So he dedicated his body and soul to practice and sing in order to give a great show. His fans were his number one priority as a popular idol. It didn't mean that he changed his abrasive personality, but he put a lot of effort and dedication into his shows for his fans.
So in his books Black whip wasn't even worth Katsuki's time to be researched.
He ignored him the few times they had crossed paths in the hallways and he would keep ignoring him for the rest of Katsuki's life even if he decided to actually show up to practice.
– If you keep frowning like that, your face is going to get stuck for the rest of your life. – Mina, the keyboardist and Kiri's girlfriend, said to interrupt his thoughts.
Bakugou had the chance to meet her and they became friends fast enough to make him regret his decision to say hi to her.
– It's no one of your business, I was born this way. –
Mina let out a laugh and with a smirk she asked – Is this your way to come out to me? By reciting Lady Gaga? – and unfortunately for Bakugou, he couldn't hide the instant blush that spread through his face up to his ears, so he did what he did best. He lashed out – Mind your own business raccoon eyes! I'm not even interested in that sort of crap, and If I did I would probably be heterosexual! –
Mina exploded in a burst of laughter.
Katsuki was going to kill her!
He was mentally apologizing to Kirishima but he had to get his revenge, he started to tickle her roughly making her lose her breath. That was until a ping from her phone rang.
Bakugou recluntally let her go. She checked her messages and smiled.
– Whipping boy is coming to the rehearsal today! – she was so happy about that asshole that Bakugou's mood soured instantly.
– I don't know what's the deal with that Idiot, he's so unprofessional for showing up almost a month later after the rehearsals started. —
– Who? Black Whip? – Mina asked incredulous of someone trash talking Midoriya.
Bakugo just raised a brow – Who else? –
– Blasty, don't be so mean to our cinnamon roll! He's just busy at the moment, besides, he plays the guitar and sings, he doesn't move around that much, not unlike you and your boys. – Mina tried to explain but Bakugou was not having it.
If he could play violin, sing, dance and rap in the same song, then that lazy fucker could do more for his fans.
Then Mina smiled.
– Just give him a chance, watch him practice and sing and then everything will make sense! –
Katsuki grunted and rolled his eyes. He already saw Dark shadow, Earphone Jack, Alien Queen and Tentacole play together, and they were all right, in fact they were pretty awesome. So in his opinion they didn't need an irresponsible asshole to slow them down. But he couldn't deny he was curious.
– Fine, go and do your thing –
Mina squealed, hugged him and with a warm smile she said between giggles –You won't regret it! – she waved her goodbye.
– Yeah yeah, go and get to your place so you can play with your nerds. –
Mina went to her mark and accommodated her keyboard.
D.E.R was taking a small break, so one by one the rest of the members returned to the practice hall while Black smash took their places.
Ejirou was holding two water bottles, one for Ashido probably. Shouto was talking to Tenya and taking their places on the other side of Katsuki while Hitoshi, Neito, Denki and Hanta were behind them.
Denki was the one to ask – Are we going to practice or…? – to which Shouto beat Katsuki to answer.
– Izuku is going to finally join the band so they're the ones who are going to practice, Aoyama was the one to tell me about it –
Aoyama was the one who helped the band with their makeup and outfits, as Mina would paint her body pink and wear black sclera contacts lenses and horns. It was all for her Alien Queen persona.
– That's right, I saw Melissa on my way back here and told me the band is going to live stream this practice so she had to hurry to set everything —
In Katsuki's mind, the name of Izuku rang a bell, but before he could pinpoint why, he saw Black whip arriving at his mark with his guitar in hand.
Immediately everything went quiet.
He saw Melissa managing some drone to probably make a zoom at Black whip.
The lights were dimmed, leaving only one focusing on the lead singer, Katsuki still had his doubts but then Black whip raised a fist captivating everyone's attention he started to doubt if his judgment had been accurate.
All of Katsuki's attention was only in Back whip and only him, he had this alluring aura that you just couldn't take your eyes off him. And the fucker knew it! Because he took a large pause to put his fist down and start singing acapella.
His voice was so smooth, no, that wasn't right, velvet. Black whip had such a velvet voice that was enough to hypnotize you and distract you.
And as quick as it started was gone. But then suddenly his fist was up again but this time it didn't took as long to go down and at that same exact moment he went from a velvet clean voice to a raw, almost strained screamo that set into motion like failing dominos for the rest of the members to play heavy metal with Black whip as their leader, main guitarist and vocalist.
And then everything made sense, just as Pinky said. Katsuki was impressed because Black whip definitely knew what he was doing. He gave such an amazing show and it wasn't even the real deal, as this was just a practice. For a brief moment they both locked eyes, even if he was wearing a complete gas mask, he could feel his penetrating gaze over him. Just as if Black Whip was performing only for him, as if they were the only ones in the room. For some unknown reason the blond felt flustered like never before, he felt special, admired, hot and bothered. He cleared his throat, breaking eye contact with the singer.
When he calmed down from that sudden rush of adrenaline, obviously it was adrenaline in his veins the previous sensation the singer evoked in Katsuki, he couldn't help but to eat his previous words and swallow his pride and admit that the fucker was amazing. Katsuki felt a bit dumb for judging him before time, it didn't totally excuse the idiot from being so absent in practices but at least he was a good artist. He could admit that much.
Black Smash played two more songs before ending the stream and taking a break. Katsuki was so impressed that he couldn't wait to finally greet the fucker and maybe know him a little bit better.
And no, he was not definitely fangirling over the bastard, he was just excited to finally meet someone as good as Katsuki himself.
Melissa and Aoyama congratulated the band first and then Black whip tackled Iida and Todoroki at the same time while Mina hugged Kirishima and Jirou fist bumped Denki.
Katsuki got closer and could catch friendly greetings between Black whip, Icyhot and glasses. He was almost the same height as Tenya and maybe a bit chubby or maybe those were his muscles, Katsuki wasn't sure because he was wearing a teal hoodie and joggers a few sizes bigger to really be able to tell.
He took his full gas mask off, which was part of his artistic persona, turning over to greet the rest of D.E.R. ignoring Katsuki completely. Now, normally this act would have Katsuki fuming and screaming profanities by how rude he was treated but he was frozen on his spot.
Because even by having just a glimpse he could recognize those freckles and green eyes together at any given time.
– Kacchan! –
The blond kid turned over his friend, they had spent the whole afternoon together playing, never addressing the fact that it would probably be their last afternoon together.
– We will see each other right? –
Why the hell did Izuku have to ruin everything by asking something they both knew the answer to?
Everything was going fine, if he just pretended that Izuku will be waiting for him tomorrow morning to go together to school as usual, then Katsuki didn't had to face today the reality of a goodbye to someone dear to him, someone who's leaving him behind to deal with the aftermath of his broken heart, broken dreams of becoming singers together and by getting his best friend taken away without a chance to stop his family from leaving.
So he lashed out all his frustration to his poor dear Izuku. He shoved him so hard that they both ended on the ground. He started to hit his best friend while the other boy tried to make him stop dodging his fists and holding his wrists. –You're the one who is leaving! And you don't care!!– Katsuki wanted to stop but he felt his chest hurt, his tears roll, his voice breaking and he wasn't sure how to deal with any of this. He could hear Izuku trying to reassure Katsuki that they could still be friends and that just made him angrier.
He was accepted to UA. Next year he will have to attend classes there and they were really strict with their teachings, Katsuki wouldn't have a chance to spend with neighbors and stuff normal kids did, that's why in order to remain together he and Deku would join UA music school together. But now Deku was leaving. And he still had the nerve to tell Katsuki lies. Izuku was not moving to another city, he was moving to another damn country! And not even one close to Japan but to mother fucking USA!.
He got up and with his deadliest glare he shouted — Don't you ever talk to me again! I hate you and can't wait for you to leave already! You're just a pebble in my shoe you stupid Deku! – He turned as fast as he could so he didn't have to watch Deku break and he ran as fast as his legs let him, hearing the unmistakably cries of his name of the lips of best friend in the distance.
The memory was unblocked from the depths of Katsuki's mind, and he felt like he went back in time and was that small lonely kid all over again. The one who lost his best friend, the one who couldn't deal with all those overwhelming emotions, letting them consume him and dictate his actions.
So without any second thought he charged towards Izuku, his Deku and punched him square in the chest. In return Izuku by inertia hooked the shit out of Katsuki and knocked him out.
"Huh? When did Deku learn to fight back?" Was Katsuki's last thought before losing consciousness.