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.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAOwTfYtE4rH
To his right was a snoring Kirishima. He was a bit banged up, but he seemed fine. But to his left was…Deku.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAmlm7gs5EQ5
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.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAkuWE4b54Tc
Now it was clear who knocked him out.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAvECw0UaAf2
Bakugo: “You!”
176Please respect copyright.PENANA81WJyqMpHc
Kiri: “Me.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANA8NSMGLXt6M
Before Bakugo could start something, the door opened to reveal Recovery Girl.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAlOHWzw2euW
Recovery Girl: “No! No fighting in my office, do you two understand?!”
176Please respect copyright.PENANA2Qo44E3LcJ
Bakugo: “Tch.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAUYs5fJDhk5
Kiri: “Fine.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAcGCl6psVBt
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.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAOCS3d1pwhj
Bakugo: “Ha, Deku was the one in danger. I won our fight!”
176Please respect copyright.PENANA6FJHMjjIMZ
Kiri: “No, you didn’t.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAXPoaF9BNx9
Bakugo: “What the fuck did you say, ghost girl!?”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAiw9aUoS9IB
Kiri: “That you’re a sore loser, bomb boy.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANANWmsgxZi6w
Bakugo: “Why you-”
176Please respect copyright.PENANA1oRqstygtF
Recovery Girl: “She’s right, you know. You might have died if not for Midoriya.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAgtgIejoo0p
Bakugo: “What the hell are you talking about!? I won our fight! I was barely damaged!”
176Please respect copyright.PENANABEuaP3uD67
Recovery Girl: “That’s because he shielded you during the clash.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAvMxOaOWTpn
His eyes became pinpricks as she said that. It…couldn’t be.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAd4HfNMqtjS
Bakugo: ‘He… what?’
176Please respect copyright.PENANAAtOVWnBQ7T
Recovery Girl: “I was also watching the battles, and a few seconds before the explosion, a green shield enveloped you.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAoKQmyh42lW
Bakugo: “No… why would he-”
176Please respect copyright.PENANARTdQlWI8O5
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-”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAa0i21Z0YR8
Recovery Girl: “Let’s not be so hasty to wish death on another, Tae. He’s still just a kid.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANA8FoYaJf60w
Kiri: “…No excuses.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAe4VRPgvAbL
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.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAouweoVf0g5
Bakugo: ‘If that’s true, then… I didn’t win. Not even close.’
176Please respect copyright.PENANAhA4SvQ0pKY
Bakugo: ‘Despite going all out, I-I… lost to… Deku!?’
176Please respect copyright.PENANAKYk6TMk4yN
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.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAEazc1ciDrI
Yet again, Deku shows concern for him when he doesn’t need it.
176Please respect copyright.PENANA6gEphwwan3
Or deserve it.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAdM7mKRm8LN
He can’t accept that stray thought, not yet. Instead, one cornerstone is crumbling.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAiIOLVtnS8D
Bakugo: ‘He’s… not a pebble anymore.’
176Please respect copyright.PENANAcnBU0qCeJn
This fact is undeniable. Deku is no longer a mere pebble but a peer, a proper obstacle in his path.
176Please respect copyright.PENANANhhCFg72Hz
But with a quirk like his, with his rate of growth, won’t their positions reverse?
176Please respect copyright.PENANAARba6R4N7Z
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.
176Please respect copyright.PENANANGmYEjJoUg
If not for Recovery Girl’s words, he would have shattered.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAbhv4XyHyV2
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.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANA0OGayS4Zpd
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.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAwi2bNHZRYS
In silence.
176Please respect copyright.PENANApI33vbEXbz
176Please respect copyright.PENANA6Lu6GFUU30
Phoenix: “Here you are, again.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANA6TkSTW4yLw
Izuku was floating in a void filled with stars and again looked up at those enormous green orbs.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAtQhX1Hjj8c
Izuku: “Haha, I guess Kacchan’s attack was stronger than I thought.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAPesgB5sYeG
Phoenix: “You weren’t damaged that badly.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANACdaoAF7qqo
Izuku: “Then… why am I here? Is there something wrong?”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAX6VaT9wy2q
Phoenix: “Not at the moment. Just a small concern.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANA4fDdEpVc0J
Izuku: “What?”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAS8MhEy1CB0
Phoenix: “Why did you defend that child?”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAR5CsudFOBb
Izuku: “Because… despite everything, I still don’t want to severely hurt Kacchan. I was… unsure if I could fully control Psi Explosion.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAkM9YwuBj7d
Phoenix: “So it’s okay for him to severely harm you?”
176Please respect copyright.PENANA0tS1jCdOa8
Izuku: “…”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAgH05yydNFT
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.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAf5olCXM9e5
Izuku: “Kacchan is not baggage! Besides, what enemy are you talking about? Is it some villain?”
176Please respect copyright.PENANArWpPHYyZ7y
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.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAljB5Xbsjvp
Izuku: “R-Right.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANArsDJ2gDtiB
Like before, the space begins to shake and collapse.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAFD43uePmIy
It’s time to wake up.
176Please respect copyright.PENANABpksCOQM96
176Please respect copyright.PENANALtpnGTlgnI
It took all she had to stop herself. It would be so easy to pop his head open like a-
176Please respect copyright.PENANA7uMcpBLLxp
No! That’s not heroic!
176Please respect copyright.PENANA2e6MQl9Hwa
But he hurt onii-chan! MY ONII-CHAN!
176Please respect copyright.PENANAuAgUGzElMV
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.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAmIGuFTups3
Nothing else mattered.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAjHxuImh2lb
She stroked his hair and smiled. She loved him. She really did.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAYjom0bd8HX
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.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAbg2IFq02NN
She didn’t know why or what this meant. But she wanted to do it. So she slowly leaned down and closed her eyes.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAUZNTmWfLA0
Izuku: “Mmmm.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAiEA9AIRBUr
For whatever reason, Kiri quickly backed away when she heard him waking up.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAfcRt0rnw0u
Kiri: “I-Izuku?”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAwDbm0jPKql
Izuku: “Kiri, where am I? And… why are you blushing?”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAoANvECS218
Kiri: “Blushing?”
176Please respect copyright.PENANA6C8PcVuewD
Izuku: “Your face is red.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAeiP5Cu5zs7
Kiri: “I-I don’t know.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANACFYZuYkUaY
Recovery Girl: “You’re finally awake; good. Everyone is waiting for you in the classroom.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANADxgMKpEKWg
The two looked at Recovery Girl, who was sitting on a chair nearby. Whether she saw what Kiri was going to do, is unknown.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAxjWTrNCA49
Izuku: “So the exercise is over? Who won?”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAHoog0XH6JU
Recovery Girl: “Villains.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAmWbbGLEaxj
Izuku: “O-Oh.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANASrGVKoEgiS
Kiri could already feel him blaming himself. She grabbed his hand.
176Please respect copyright.PENANA4F8MTuNNcQ
Kiri: “It’s not your fault.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANASKZZ8PtO4t
Izuku: “But if I tried harder and beat Kacchan… ”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAuzqqPpQG1x
Kiri: “Doesn’t… mean you should blame yourself. You did the best you could. Exercise… a team effort. Shouldn’t… carry all the burden.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANADwpMXEEXUa
Izuku smiles at her, a sight that deepens the red in her cheeks.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAlj8j8yy5oC
Izuku: “Thank you, Kiri.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAUxc5QqssZj
She feels his thumb rub the top of her hand. She returns the smile and suppresses the urge to touch his lips again.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAzuNAUsA88I
Recovery Girl: “Aw, you two are adorable.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAuLYssOnxMR
Kiri: “Nh.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAhLVzHQPxkL
Izuku doesn’t even try to argue this time. He’ll clear it up soon, but right now he should get back to class.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAYCDEiKpYXP
Izuku: “So we’re free to go?”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAvD6GPIaJKs
Recovery Girl: “Yep, your flames did most of the work. It’s actually strange that you didn’t wake up sooner.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAU1YoEzYGBO
Izuku: “Haha, y-yeah, strange. Let’s go, Kiri.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAV9jqOz7iRV
Kiri: “Nh.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANARieML9iPo5
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.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAjGFDKrCLmC
Izuku: “You’re being very… affectionate.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANArYV1Np5ONO
Kiri: “Nh. I… like it. Do… you?”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAsbSBgu6NC0
Izuku: “I… don’t mind it. But I don’t want the misunderstanding to continue.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANADGQpUs2gij
Kiri: “…Would it…be so bad?”
176Please respect copyright.PENANA4tlChz04Hl
Izuku: “Kiri, we talked about this.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANADJvrYhh977
Kiri: “…I know. But… at home?”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAYcFqJjFbxc
Izuku sighed but accepted her proposal. There’s nothing wrong with simple affectionate gestures between siblings. What’s the worst that can happen?
176Please respect copyright.PENANAiNgTgCZvkX
Izuku: “That’s fine.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAiZuQKNwX7R
Kiri: “… Okay.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAbY1cVgV9z5
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.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAsl1a14D7W6
176Please respect copyright.PENANAkw2JfDTHvR
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.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAJrr4lV6tFf
Aizawa: “Finally here, sit down.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAdKCkuzgwX6
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.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAjmKfJau5H4
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.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAoIJV3NkAKk
Aizawa: “First, who do you all did the best in this exercise?”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAWlIvuKeheM
“Yaoyorozu!”
176Please respect copyright.PENANA4K0pD40S5f
Momo: “Achoo!”
176Please respect copyright.PENANALmwrYO9vto
The answer was immediate. So much so, that the now-sick Momo couldn’t register it right away.
176Please respect copyright.PENANA7eSkuP0WJy
Momo: “W-Wait, me?”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAp9xz1DKE4A
Jiro: “Yeah, you did great.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAOgQFfyZxx8
Ida: “A true hero we all can learn from!”
176Please respect copyright.PENANA00sN7Knvly
Mina: “You were so cool, Yaomomo.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAgCkTs80rmg
Momo: “But I… lost. How could I have the highest marks? I think Todoroki deserves it more.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAjIxPhg5FZ6
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.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAvCvqnihVBh
Momo: “I… don’t know what to say.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAz9hzoD1Sel
Izuku: “He’s right; you even came up with the plan. It didn’t work because I… messed up.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAvccKet3bDt
Sero & Uraraka: “We did too.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAAyHS9i04I3
Izuku: “But the plan was solid. You were the most heroic person in the field. Don’t doubt that.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANA3McNy1Sjm8
Momo: “T-Thank you, Midoriya. I appreciate it.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAalQPNGYUAc
He gives him a sweet smile that nearly makes the poor boy blush. But the moment was interrupted by Aizawa.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAyPMZZhyev6
Aizawa: “Speaking of mess ups, Midoriya and Bakugo.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAdMmKLD4KRY
The two stiffened up when their names were called.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAUdYI1tR7jB
Aizawa: “Everyone, except maybe Tae, who was more interested in training Kirishima,-”
176Please respect copyright.PENANA7hyAb1OBN8
Kirishima: “Thanks by the way.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAd3KzTnGHbX
Kiri: “Nh.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAuQQCkp25if
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.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANA0MZksYeMhj
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?”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAREqwo4jIbw
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.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAquKopyg5uU
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.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAsI5K6GYO25
Jiro: ‘Don’t know about Bakugo. He was clearly the aggressor in that fight.’
176Please respect copyright.PENANAj8Dt02Iy2d
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.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANABCnuYmpBqo
They nodded once more.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAbHZQAJoj5F
Aizawa: “Good, now, I’m tired. Class dismissed.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAtN7fBIGKMq
The class dispersed mostly silently, the somber atmosphere discouraging any jovial antics.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAvT8Y5OWhIu
But before leaving, Izuku does what he has to do. He goes to Jiro and bows.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAc4V936Dgrd
Izuku: “I’m sorry! There is no excuse; I should have noticed you or kept the collateral damage to a minimum. I’m sorry!”
176Please respect copyright.PENANABw9K6NZqm7
Jiro: “Dude, it’s fine. Just be more careful next time, okay?”
176Please respect copyright.PENANA1aHMevC1bq
Izuku: “Of course! I won’t let something like that happen again. See you tomorrow, Jiro.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAxNCsocz8CW
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.
176Please respect copyright.PENANA4vo2VPrSd5
He didn’t notice Kiri furrowing her brows, feeling her beloved depressing thoughts.
176Please respect copyright.PENANARnMGmTJb3a
176Please respect copyright.PENANAFvMaO5TJHz
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.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAa9dipdxOKG
The idea that he doesn’t matter anymore. That he is the pebble instead. He couldn’t stand it!
176Please respect copyright.PENANA4V18hQOGjV
Bakugo: “Deku!”
176Please respect copyright.PENANALe01MSXJRK
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.
176Please respect copyright.PENANA6jQkj1V04V
Izuku: “Kacchan.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAGE3LU5cz0e
They stared each other down for a moment before Bakugo broke down first.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAoSwXoji6au
Bakugo: “Why?”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAG7z9ZUKmKe
Izuku: “What?”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAuHY6SNfPje
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!?”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAoiO2X1XkAp
For the first time, Izuku snapped. Good thing everyone else was already gone, because he has words.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAx1CN1bPGFr
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!”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAuOIktCKQyu
Bakugo was stunned. Deku, scared little Deku, the one who always followed behind him, said something like that.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAcBjlFMIeDL
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.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAMe99ZIAF0F
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.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAImvezfVn2O
Izuku: “That’s what has changed, Kacchan, I’m not weak anymore. I’m not a quirkless pebble.”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAIAy9kJa4xG
Bakugo: “You-”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAcgVz7eZdSQ
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!”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAiQSpLSDzbV
Bakugo: “Huh?! You’ll beat me for real?! Today, you did beat me, ass-clown!! But…that doesn’t change anything!”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAsHhHGIS3mt
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!”
176Please respect copyright.PENANAgYRTQG37pZ
Bakugo stormed off, making sure to hide the tears coming out of his eyes.
176Please respect copyright.PENANADlI03BLNHK
Deku looks on and… smiles. For an instant, the Kacchan he admired returned. The symbol of victory and indomitable will.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAwiUZpq6HAZ
He won’t forgive Kacchan for everything he has done to him. But everyone deserves a second chance, right?
176Please respect copyright.PENANAfskvoUCgkJ
After all, they are finally on the same level playing field.
176Please respect copyright.PENANArgdZikasAl
But not everyone feels the same; Kiri watched the scene and felt… disgust.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAlYyKPoz6Rz
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