Krouse also keeps his suspicion that Deku wouldn't try to rope someone into throwing a bucket of water they were already holding on him if he was on fire to himself. That's not ironic. It's just kind of sad, like a wet, lost, muddy kitten.

"I know you weren't." Another of his easily dismissive little waves, like Deku's anxiety is so much loose floating dust. "And I don't really need anything besides maybe those books, if you find them. I've got my apartment and the convenience store. What else could I want?"

A long list of things, approximately none of which he'll be sharing with a hero any time soon. As for needs, there's only one, and Deku doesn't have the power to meet it.

"Trust me. There are plenty of people who need your help more than I do. You're not going to have a problem filling your time."

It took a while, but he finally managed to round back to an honest opinion. He could practically be proud of himself, if he cared. He's more interested in the approaching treeline, and the prospect of turning the overly helpful hero loose on the unsuspecting populace - after he takes a break for that shower, hopefully.