19

                                    

                                          
Kaminari POV
I ran out of the place we were staying at. Breathlessly from the amount of air I haven't inhaled, I stopped. I could feel my eyes blurring, and my heart pounding from that unexpected declaration.
Why would he like someone like me? The thought clawed at my heart. I'm just the guy who shocks himself when he tries to use his quirk, the one who stumbles through training sessions and laughs it off. I'm not the strong hero everyone expects. I'm the guy who often feels like a burden, who trips over his own feet when it counts the most.
No...
The realization hit me like a punch to the gut. He only came to like me because he found out I'm his soulmate. It's not genuine; it's just impulsivity. What kind of love is born from fate and not from feelings?
"Get a grip, Kaminari!" I muttered under my breath, rubbing my temples as if I could massage the confusion out of my mind. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't silence the storm inside me. Nervousness? No
It was terror.
I felt the ground shift beneath me, and for a moment, I thought I might collapse. My hands trembled as I rested beside the tree near me, trying to steady myself. My heart was a chaotic mess of longing and despair, battling against the suffocating weight of doubt.
What if he regrets it? What if he realizes he doesn't really love me? I squeezed my eyes shut, fighting back tears that threatened to spill over. The thought of losing him, of him looking at me with pity or disappointment, felt like a blade twisting in my gut.
"Why can't I just be enough?" I whispered, my voice cracking in the silence. The cool breeze felt like it was mocking me, whispering secrets I couldn't grasp. I sank to the ground, with my breaths becoming unsteady.
What if I pushed him away?
No, I already am pushing him away.
I covered my face with my hands, my breath hitching as I struggled to contain this chaotic display of emotions. The fear of being vulnerable gnawed at me, reminding me of all the times I felt unworthy.
A part of me wanted to reach out to him, to explain how I felt, to ask him why he chose me. But another part screamed at me to run, to hide, to protect both him and myself from the potential heartbreak. 
Suddenly, I heard footsteps approaching. I looked up to see Kirishima standing there, his expression a mix of concern and determination. "Kaminari!" he called, and my heart sank further. I wanted to run away again, yet, it felt as if my body didn't want me to.
"Why did you run?" he asked breathlessly, his voice soft yet firm. Even with the messy hair of his, and those tired looking eyes, he's still so breathtaking...
I could feel the tears prickling at the corners of my eyes. "I don't know, Kirishima! I don't know what I feel!" My voice was laced with panic, and I hated how vulnerable I sounded. "What if this is all just because of that soulmate thing? What if you don't really love me? What if I'm just... some kind of mistake?"
Kirishima's face fell, and I saw the hurt flash in his eyes. "Kaminari, please. Look at me." He stepped closer, and I could see the sincerity etched in his features. "I know what I said. I mean it. I love you. This isn't just about fate or destiny; it's about you. It's about us."
"But how can you be so sure?" I choked out, the tears finally spilling down my cheeks. "W-what if you just think you love me because of this stupid connection?"
Kirishima sighs, "No! I love you, Kaminari! It doesn't matter if we are soulmates or not! Because I love you for who you are!!" He declared loudly, making my heart ache even more.