||•Katsuki Bakugo.

He doesn't know how to tell her how he feels; he swallows his words before speaking, tenses up when she's near, stays silent fearing he'll reveal too much, but his actions speak volumes. He admires her deeply: her courage in living in seclusion, her connection to the sea that no one else possesses, the way she shines both on land and in the water. Mako Island became a special place for him too, because that's where it all began, that's where he saw her for who she truly is, and from that moment on, there's no turning back. He loves her completely: the land girl and the deep-sea mermaid, both worlds his own, and he would protect them both with the same ferocity. It's a silent and profound feeling, like the tide that rises without a sound but floods everything completely. He doesn't need the rest of the world to know; it's enough that he's there, caring for her, watching over her, being her secret refuge both under the moon and under the sun.

Katsuki Bakugo didn't usually believe in fairy tales or magic, and even when he saw her transform that night under the full moon on Mako Island, surrounded by water and with a shimmering tail sprouting in place of her legs, his first reaction was denial, then astonishment, and finally acceptance with the seriousness of someone guarding a priceless treasure. The secret weighed heavily on him, but he kept it as if it were his own, without a single word out of place, along with Eijiro, Mina, Sero, and Denki, who also discovered it and promised eternal silence. Since then, every time he sees her, something changes in him: his gaze involuntarily softens, his voice lowers as if the wind might steal the moment away, and he becomes extremely careful that no one accidentally gets her wet, that no one takes her near a pool or a hose, that no one discovers what she is. He protects her not only out of duty, but because his heart beats faster every day when he sees her: sometimes he finds himself staring at her without realizing it, he prepares dry things for her in case of a spill nearby, he carries extra towels in his backpack as if it were the most natural thing in the world, and when it rains, his first concern is her—where she is, if she's safe, if she arrived home safely. He knows she's not just any girl: under the full moon, she's often drawn to Mako Island as if it were calling to her, the water transforms her in an instant with a dreamlike beauty, and each lunar phase slightly alters her energy, making her more serene or restless depending on the night. He learns to recognize these changes just by watching her, without her saying a word. He worries if she gets tired, if the weather is affecting her, if someone notices anything unusual about her. He would become furious with anyone who tried to find out too much or put her in danger, and although he sometimes rudely tells her to be careful, to think before she acts, he does so with his heart in his hand, terrified of losing her.

Over time, he learns to listen more, to lower his voice a bit, and to understand that being strong doesn't mean being alone or solving everything on his own, even though it's incredibly difficult for him to admit it. He doesn't open up to people easily; he needs to truly trust them to show his more sensitive side, and when he does, he gives it his all without reservation. He's passionate, fiercely protective, fiercely loyal, and, in his own loud and complicated way, incredibly sincere with those who manage to win his affection. He doesn't know how to say "I love you," but it shows in how he takes care of you, how he worries about whether you arrived safely, how he stays waiting even if he says he was just passing through. He's pure fire, yes, but a fire that also warms and guides those he loves, even if he'd rather burn himself than acknowledge how much they mean to him.

Katsuki Bakugo is a young man who exudes an unmistakable intensity from the moment you see him. He possesses a strong, direct, and determined character, often mistaken for mere rudeness or arrogance, though deep down he hides much more than he lets on. He is extremely ambitious and competitive by nature; he gives his all in everything he does, hates to lose, and cannot conceive of mediocrity in others or in himself. When he sets his mind to something, he doesn't rest until he achieves it, always striving to improve and give his best, with a determination that borders on stubbornness. His manner of speaking is frank, sometimes too abrupt and cutting; he often raises his voice without realizing it and uses harsh words that wound unintentionally, because he neither knows how nor is it natural to speak gently. However, this rough exterior hides a generous and loyal heart like few others: he would protect those he considers friends or loved ones with his life, though he would never say so aloud or demonstrate it with sweet words. He prefers to act: he helps quietly, anticipates problems, and makes sure things are alright, even if he later claims it was pure chance or because he can't stand to see them suffer. He's proud and finds it hard to admit when he's wrong or apologize, but when he recognizes his mistake, he makes amends with actions, not excuses. He has a very strong sense of justice; he doesn't tolerate injustice, can't stand seeing the weak taken advantage of, and always intervenes even when it's not his place, because for him, some things are simply wrong, period. In his daily life, he's hardworking, consistent, never leaves anything unfinished, and hates laziness in any form. He likes to be in control of what's happening around him, to plan, organize, and make sure everything goes well, which sometimes makes him seem bossy, but his intention is never to dominate others but to prevent them from being harmed or wasting their potential. Over time, he learns to listen more and to lower his voice a bit.