Before the exercise ended, Bakugo woke up in the nurse’s office. His head still hurts a bit. Whoever hit him is going to pay, but first, he needs to take stock of his location.
177Please respect copyright.PENANACieyG1aK6m
To his right was a snoring Kirishima. He was a bit banged up, but he seemed fine. But to his left was…Deku.
177Please respect copyright.PENANA92FW6ziOxC
He looks fine, but for whatever reason, he’s still unconscious. But for once, he’s not his focus. It was his girlfriend who was staring daggers at him.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAIs3q15DGrn
Now it was clear who knocked him out.
177Please respect copyright.PENANANmpQwFtcJD
Bakugo: “You!”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAaL2JsbbZox
Kiri: “Me.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAvLP5Sd6SDq
Before Bakugo could start something, the door opened to reveal Recovery Girl.
177Please respect copyright.PENANATApr6LBKF1
Recovery Girl: “No! No fighting in my office, do you two understand?!”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAQdZg16ZqzK
Bakugo: “Tch.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAJ8AQMQb6Dr
Kiri: “Fine.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANASSNh3BwWMX
Recovery Girl: “Good grief. Instead of being ready to fight, you should be counting your blessings. You could’ve been in a far worse state.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAHDDcv8zTR2
Bakugo: “Ha, Deku was the one in danger. I won our fight!”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAgFHpZjM6uF
Kiri: “No, you didn’t.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANA8koYJOuBPI
Bakugo: “What the fuck did you say, ghost girl!?”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAk4dQtEEcBr
Kiri: “That you’re a sore loser, bomb boy.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAwqiHnpKVXJ
Bakugo: “Why you-”
177Please respect copyright.PENANA3hiHBpx1WQ
Recovery Girl: “She’s right, you know. You might have died if not for Midoriya.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANA8wuPqk771z
Bakugo: “What the hell are you talking about!? I won our fight! I was barely damaged!”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAKw1glB8NL1
Recovery Girl: “That’s because he shielded you during the clash.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANALwNL3PDJrd
His eyes became pinpricks as she said that. It…couldn’t be.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAHb7oGUHhxj
Bakugo: ‘He… what?’
177Please respect copyright.PENANAJfJ3J88HNJ
Recovery Girl: “I was also watching the battles, and a few seconds before the explosion, a green shield enveloped you.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAkU0YqJ8LFz
Bakugo: “No… why would he-”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAIddV75KV6a
Kiri: “You don’t deserve his kindness. You’re no better than a villain, lower than scum. You’re the one who deserves to di-”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAoBQhDMnA7g
Recovery Girl: “Let’s not be so hasty to wish death on another, Tae. He’s still just a kid.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAmxJ8E4AYFn
Kiri: “…No excuses.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAHOXgqVMPHV
The fact Recovery Girl is speaking to Kiri as if she’s an adult didn’t register. Instead, it was the cold hard facts of the battle.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAD2sPlYOGot
Bakugo: ‘If that’s true, then… I didn’t win. Not even close.’
177Please respect copyright.PENANAU0UsppIy6L
Bakugo: ‘Despite going all out, I-I… lost to… Deku!?’
177Please respect copyright.PENANAjbWKIFe9Zb
The young boy began to hyperventilate. The world didn’t make sense anymore. Even when he’s a pebble, even when Bakugo beats on him, Deku refuses to give up or leave him be.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAW7hIq5JPFL
Yet again, Deku shows concern for him when he doesn’t need it.
177Please respect copyright.PENANA62EsScmRHv
Or deserve it.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAqb0590aBVH
He can’t accept that stray thought, not yet. Instead, one cornerstone is crumbling.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAxBJdlhpmcK
Bakugo: ‘He’s… not a pebble anymore.’
177Please respect copyright.PENANAHyts8FRait
This fact is undeniable. Deku is no longer a mere pebble but a peer, a proper obstacle in his path.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAqGKEHWo8vU
But with a quirk like his, with his rate of growth, won’t their positions reverse?
177Please respect copyright.PENANAEJLP8VUNje
The idea of being a pebble to the one he once disregarded and, at one time, cared for as a weak but loyal friend, it was too much.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAoddQ2cU6UD
If not for Recovery Girl’s words, he would have shattered.
177Please respect copyright.PENANANiEY8YSCPa
Recovery Girl: “It would seem the exercise has concluded with the villain's victory, and everyone is returning to class. You are free to join them for the review.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAg25wFMBaS7
Bakugo escaped his self-destructive spiral, but he had little strength to do much else. He got up, walked out, headed to the classroom and sat at his desk.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAhTHGs1oV9A
In silence.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAasbJ0kEr0O
177Please respect copyright.PENANAkBjneTsFza
Phoenix: “Here you are, again.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANA3S7CzFXZQe
Izuku was floating in a void filled with stars and again looked up at those enormous green orbs.
177Please respect copyright.PENANATnuhjkFqLg
Izuku: “Haha, I guess Kacchan’s attack was stronger than I thought.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAXf1VZmqT4Z
Phoenix: “You weren’t damaged that badly.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANA3WPuxATjl0
Izuku: “Then… why am I here? Is there something wrong?”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAdS37TmcXQV
Phoenix: “Not at the moment. Just a small concern.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAG8mP2juZSD
Izuku: “What?”
177Please respect copyright.PENANALtvPz4XNdO
Phoenix: “Why did you defend that child?”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAlHWJBo6VA1
Izuku: “Because… despite everything, I still don’t want to severely hurt Kacchan. I was… unsure if I could fully control Psi Explosion.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAyWzDYBqSIT
Phoenix: “So it’s okay for him to severely harm you?”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAYsteIKqCX5
Izuku: “…”
177Please respect copyright.PENANA9sKMap5qOn
Phoenix: “For what is coming, you’ll need to know which bridges to cross and which to burn. You must avoid baggage. The enemy will use it against you.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAdUZwortLDD
Izuku: “Kacchan is not baggage! Besides, what enemy are you talking about? Is it some villain?”
177Please respect copyright.PENANARJeL0HrEPt
Phoenix: “In a way. I foresee villains of this world will play a major role in what is come. But the future is ever shifting. You must be ready. Continue to grow strong; I’m counting on you.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAj6Yind4Sq5
Izuku: “R-Right.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAScgwe8zTF9
Like before, the space begins to shake and collapse.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAkEPC8edmtx
It’s time to wake up.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAS1NW1eoaH7
177Please respect copyright.PENANACqmELFI6xT
It took all she had to stop herself. It would be so easy to pop his head open like a-
177Please respect copyright.PENANAhZV1lhANGp
No! That’s not heroic!
177Please respect copyright.PENANA5b1DwfyqzG
But he hurt onii-chan! MY ONII-CHAN!
177Please respect copyright.PENANAtp8lxYZAVt
Kiri placed a hand on her forehead; it ached with some foreign emotion. But as she looked down at her beloved, it eased. As long as she was with him, and he accepted her, she would be happy.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAEPEvtP2p98
Nothing else mattered.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAnKSX7DMS4j
She stroked his hair and smiled. She loved him. She really did.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAkREHHJtXF9
Then that strange feeling emerged in her chest again, stronger and more positive this time. It was warm and pleasant. Her eyes wandered to his lips, and an urge to touch them with her own slipped into her mind.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAkqYn2AiFYC
She didn’t know why or what this meant. But she wanted to do it. So she slowly leaned down and closed her eyes.
177Please respect copyright.PENANANz2wABQZF2
Izuku: “Mmmm.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANA5vS4xmeHY4
For whatever reason, Kiri quickly backed away when she heard him waking up.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAF2sNQFv1Jy
Kiri: “I-Izuku?”
177Please respect copyright.PENANArbFc0tNmNW
Izuku: “Kiri, where am I? And… why are you blushing?”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAjfqC60OEKJ
Kiri: “Blushing?”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAnR5G53GsBO
Izuku: “Your face is red.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAuZVOxXVTvr
Kiri: “I-I don’t know.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAOGzp7Q8h7i
Recovery Girl: “You’re finally awake; good. Everyone is waiting for you in the classroom.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAFqwmYqivB2
The two looked at Recovery Girl, who was sitting on a chair nearby. Whether she saw what Kiri was going to do, is unknown.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAtKPLlMQHQk
Izuku: “So the exercise is over? Who won?”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAE9pcAmyRVf
Recovery Girl: “Villains.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAp3T08JEN1S
Izuku: “O-Oh.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANANcri76MBz4
Kiri could already feel him blaming himself. She grabbed his hand.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAOgwLjXessZ
Kiri: “It’s not your fault.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAlk93NbKc4U
Izuku: “But if I tried harder and beat Kacchan… ”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAi3gNhAR7Ou
Kiri: “Doesn’t… mean you should blame yourself. You did the best you could. Exercise… a team effort. Shouldn’t… carry all the burden.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANASEUGrN8wZi
Izuku smiles at her, a sight that deepens the red in her cheeks.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAAtwQW2uOop
Izuku: “Thank you, Kiri.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANADIDcw1cOkQ
She feels his thumb rub the top of her hand. She returns the smile and suppresses the urge to touch his lips again.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAs67Fmo9qfV
Recovery Girl: “Aw, you two are adorable.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAsercEe9eCQ
Kiri: “Nh.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAiuHbSjeL8g
Izuku doesn’t even try to argue this time. He’ll clear it up soon, but right now he should get back to class.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAzzMqrtgXkT
Izuku: “So we’re free to go?”
177Please respect copyright.PENANASuVMkUdjdB
Recovery Girl: “Yep, your flames did most of the work. It’s actually strange that you didn’t wake up sooner.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAzsm2b7MDvH
Izuku: “Haha, y-yeah, strange. Let’s go, Kiri.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAv5k6dKRE62
Kiri: “Nh.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAr4kwM9oHqe
The two left the office and began the short walk back to class. All the while, Kiri held onto Izuku’s hand. But, she wanted more. So she leaned her head on his shoulder, nuzzling it.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAjaqelsLpWG
Izuku: “You’re being very… affectionate.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAa0YmCksm07
Kiri: “Nh. I… like it. Do… you?”
177Please respect copyright.PENANA9JGM1ylooV
Izuku: “I… don’t mind it. But I don’t want the misunderstanding to continue.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAJMkNbR47Z4
Kiri: “…Would it…be so bad?”
177Please respect copyright.PENANACY0IGWUZwE
Izuku: “Kiri, we talked about this.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAwBRMTpeC2l
Kiri: “…I know. But… at home?”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAGwKOAH60cY
Izuku sighed but accepted her proposal. There’s nothing wrong with simple affectionate gestures between siblings. What’s the worst that can happen?
177Please respect copyright.PENANAlAEEjNW1z0
Izuku: “That’s fine.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAjlzmiGWK7S
Kiri: “… Okay.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANArgAgfChoYs
She can accept that, for now. So she removes her hand and head from her beloved onii-chan. The warmth was gone but only for a while. The school day was almost over after all.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAVr4eNLzWX3
177Please respect copyright.PENANAsalrH1ovDs
After remembering to change back into their school uniforms, the duo opened the door to the classroom. Everyone was sitting down except for Aizawa, who seemed ready to leave.
177Please respect copyright.PENANARY144Acqb0
Aizawa: “Finally here, sit down.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAGLTI0TbW1p
Izuku could tell some people wanted to talk to him. Either about the epic fight or just because they were worried. But Aizawa’s presence shut that stuff down; he wanted to get this done and go to sleep.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAb9h9CPUIlB
Aizawa: “I saw the footage and took the liberty of looking at all of your evaluations. You can look at them at your own time, but there are some things to discuss.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAeUBbfsgFPT
Aizawa: “First, who do you all did the best in this exercise?”
177Please respect copyright.PENANA4t16SXwiWo
“Yaoyorozu!”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAs0mjCFkaw1
Momo: “Achoo!”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAUEo1wuDRYA
The answer was immediate. So much so, that the now-sick Momo couldn’t register it right away.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAfSDO4jGN93
Momo: “W-Wait, me?”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAQepi0cxIWl
Jiro: “Yeah, you did great.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAZW9yjlRHjG
Ida: “A true hero we all can learn from!”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAFnhpSsAZru
Mina: “You were so cool, Yaomomo.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAXYpPSeZYRF
Momo: “But I… lost. How could I have the highest marks? I think Todoroki deserves it more.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANA1t7TcfpazA
Aizawa: “Yes, but you demonstrated the traits every hero should have. Prioritizing the safety of the citizens and a strong will. Even when the odds were against you, you fought on anyway.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAHC2e7JFDJA
Momo: “I… don’t know what to say.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAHCOM70QuIl
Izuku: “He’s right; you even came up with the plan. It didn’t work because I… messed up.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAAO8M27gX2V
Sero & Uraraka: “We did too.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANATkmFtkrVh9
Izuku: “But the plan was solid. You were the most heroic person in the field. Don’t doubt that.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANA51NdGdNjvf
Momo: “T-Thank you, Midoriya. I appreciate it.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANASBaD5XPn7K
He gives him a sweet smile that nearly makes the poor boy blush. But the moment was interrupted by Aizawa.
177Please respect copyright.PENANA7DzMeWpEU7
Aizawa: “Speaking of mess ups, Midoriya and Bakugo.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAaLlbYJRw2A
The two stiffened up when their names were called.
177Please respect copyright.PENANA33A0XtI1MI
Aizawa: “Everyone, except maybe Tae, who was more interested in training Kirishima,-”
177Please respect copyright.PENANA57yYRzvjIa
Kirishima: “Thanks by the way.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANATtvKAUcacw
Kiri: “Nh.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANApLRHC5giTO
Aizawa: “-Understood the spirit of exercise. But you two clearly have unresolved issues. We won’t ask you to get along, but it has no place in hero work.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAATLQB1fG8B
Aizawa: “During your overly destructive battle, you almost hurt one of your classmates. If it weren’t for Kaminari, Jiro could have been seriously hurt or even killed. Do you understand?”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAvmItSX9ufu
The two could only nod; Izuku couldn’t even look in the direction of Jiro. More than anything, he felt shame that he failed to be the hero he swore to be.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAFy16RwDSdy
As for Jiro, she felt a bit upset at both of them. But she won’t hold it against Izuku; he seems like a good guy who just made a mistake.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAc3rNpEpPh3
Jiro: ‘Don’t know about Bakugo. He was clearly the aggressor in that fight.’
177Please respect copyright.PENANApWaBupqZQ0
Aizawa: “I expect better from both of you. This isn’t a schoolyard fight anymore; this is the real world. Take better care to keep track of your surroundings.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAieSXInTmPD
They nodded once more.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAeGYnEmf9Oi
Aizawa: “Good, now, I’m tired. Class dismissed.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANATtVZBPA4oV
The class dispersed mostly silently, the somber atmosphere discouraging any jovial antics.
177Please respect copyright.PENANADvC0sA6zeX
But before leaving, Izuku does what he has to do. He goes to Jiro and bows.
177Please respect copyright.PENANARER9DjjogJ
Izuku: “I’m sorry! There is no excuse; I should have noticed you or kept the collateral damage to a minimum. I’m sorry!”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAZymlyDWrQy
Jiro: “Dude, it’s fine. Just be more careful next time, okay?”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAwhD2PvzXy2
Izuku: “Of course! I won’t let something like that happen again. See you tomorrow, Jiro.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAcZgO8QjPFm
With that done, Izuku ran back to Kiri, who was waiting for him nearby. Didn’t erase the guilt, only motivated him further to do better. So others won’t be burdened by his existence, never again.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAdCT49YvdUV
He didn’t notice Kiri furrowing her brows, feeling her beloved depressing thoughts.
177Please respect copyright.PENANA9tkqNCxkkH
177Please respect copyright.PENANAvw8ZOoB06J
Bakugo was walking out of the school lifelessly. But as he sees Deku and Kiri walk ahead of him, ignoring him, it brought it all back.
177Please respect copyright.PENANANfrkoLq6dz
The idea that he doesn’t matter anymore. That he is the pebble instead. He couldn’t stand it!
177Please respect copyright.PENANA8nfd0ygDCp
Bakugo: “Deku!”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAr88yJwN2ky
Kiri turned around and glared at Bakugo. It was one filled with so much bloodlust, that even Bakugo had to take a step back. But it faded instantly when Deku gently pushed her aside to face him.
177Please respect copyright.PENANApJ8seGIjzy
Izuku: “Kacchan.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAhSsLJSenYO
They stared each other down for a moment before Bakugo broke down first.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAJdHNXGrQ1n
Bakugo: “Why?”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAFTEbE7YghT
Izuku: “What?”
177Please respect copyright.PENANA6kTjHvHlV4
Bakugo: “Why did you protect me, damn it!? Do you think I’m weak? Do you think I couldn’t handle your attack?! Do you think so little of me!?”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAQaYTp7V9vp
For the first time, Izuku snapped. Good thing everyone else was already gone, because he has words.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAQC3ir1P38Z
Izuku: “And what if I do?! You’ve looked down on me for years, all because I didn’t have a quirk. Well, guess what? I have one now; I was a late bloomer, and my quirk is powerful! I have every right to think less of you!”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAY43t1qeo3q
Bakugo was stunned. Deku, scared little Deku, the one who always followed behind him, said something like that.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAPSeMEcE9jf
Izuku: “But… that’s not who I am. I don’t think you’re less than me, I’m not you. I know you’re not weak; you’re still one of the strongest people I know. But I shielded you because, even now, I don’t want to severely hurt you.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAwzRPTylDgZ
Bakugo wants to scoff, to say that Deku couldn’t hurt him that badly. But something is stuck in his throat; that lie couldn’t emerge.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAlLwMAc1uB1
Izuku: “That’s what has changed, Kacchan, I’m not weak anymore. I’m not a quirkless pebble.”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAiI7C4qIjtR
Bakugo: “You-”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAMcwghNoYRu
Izuku: “But that doesn’t mean you’re below me either. We’re both after the same dream, right?! Being the number 1 hero! And next time, I’ll beat you for real to prove I can be number 1!”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAohO5KEECVn
Bakugo: “Huh?! You’ll beat me for real?! Today, you did beat me, ass-clown!! But…that doesn’t change anything!”
177Please respect copyright.PENANAfPEd1BZf1k
Bakugo: “You’re listening?! From here on out, I’ll never lose to you again! I’m gonna be the number 1 hero, not you! I’ll even surpass All Might! Just watch me!”
177Please respect copyright.PENANALzhJ3ciUdh
Bakugo stormed off, making sure to hide the tears coming out of his eyes.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAIHBoovQHKV
Deku looks on and… smiles. For an instant, the Kacchan he admired returned. The symbol of victory and indomitable will.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAPe4Lyl47Dk
He won’t forgive Kacchan for everything he has done to him. But everyone deserves a second chance, right?
177Please respect copyright.PENANAJfXfQxUegB
After all, they are finally on the same level playing field.
177Please respect copyright.PENANA9UnkuGSfuv
But not everyone feels the same; Kiri watched the scene and felt… disgust.
177Please respect copyright.PENANAsPt9U8czQ4
How could her beloved onii-chan still care for that lowlife?! Regardless of what he thinks, she will deal with the problem if it acts up again.
ns216.73.216.25da2