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.
106Please respect copyright.PENANARw3Pqwq5Jd
To his right was a snoring Kirishima. He was a bit banged up, but he seemed fine. But to his left was…Deku.
106Please respect copyright.PENANATZw00PW08b
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.
106Please respect copyright.PENANAokUazgc6Xk
Now it was clear who knocked him out.
106Please respect copyright.PENANApDOWODKovY
Bakugo: “You!”
106Please respect copyright.PENANA8Aee66Vkkc
Kiri: “Me.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAo3420nl53j
Before Bakugo could start something, the door opened to reveal Recovery Girl.
106Please respect copyright.PENANAlu0b52sPBJ
Recovery Girl: “No! No fighting in my office, do you two understand?!”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAuCDqpqJvgX
Bakugo: “Tch.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAvEQHM03QcN
Kiri: “Fine.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANADNR8cQuKWN
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.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAmGuexA2Hj1
Bakugo: “Ha, Deku was the one in danger. I won our fight!”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAFkUVTiKcWB
Kiri: “No, you didn’t.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAMZ5N5CYk9i
Bakugo: “What the fuck did you say, ghost girl!?”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAhxLQbCPc9v
Kiri: “That you’re a sore loser, bomb boy.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAqSybm1BGe4
Bakugo: “Why you-”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAdxksmy696q
Recovery Girl: “She’s right, you know. You might have died if not for Midoriya.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAo3dHgmqoGF
Bakugo: “What the hell are you talking about!? I won our fight! I was barely damaged!”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAxdMASUlCJX
Recovery Girl: “That’s because he shielded you during the clash.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAf5ugi53Noc
His eyes became pinpricks as she said that. It…couldn’t be.
106Please respect copyright.PENANAnGCkpTkYdI
Bakugo: ‘He… what?’
106Please respect copyright.PENANAzbfVdInzNu
Recovery Girl: “I was also watching the battles, and a few seconds before the explosion, a green shield enveloped you.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANANyQrQohn88
Bakugo: “No… why would he-”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAAQDlsWaRd8
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-”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAllDEjJPYpL
Recovery Girl: “Let’s not be so hasty to wish death on another, Tae. He’s still just a kid.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAVUf290srUA
Kiri: “…No excuses.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANApbF8wxBIC8
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.
106Please respect copyright.PENANAQlUxwu8aKs
Bakugo: ‘If that’s true, then… I didn’t win. Not even close.’
106Please respect copyright.PENANAzKzlr02MXA
Bakugo: ‘Despite going all out, I-I… lost to… Deku!?’
106Please respect copyright.PENANAeJ2hffLRuU
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.
106Please respect copyright.PENANAceHjVCKW9j
Yet again, Deku shows concern for him when he doesn’t need it.
106Please respect copyright.PENANAQz5LikArBf
Or deserve it.
106Please respect copyright.PENANA7wWEaCSoNa
He can’t accept that stray thought, not yet. Instead, one cornerstone is crumbling.
106Please respect copyright.PENANAGCPaJnWrNO
Bakugo: ‘He’s… not a pebble anymore.’
106Please respect copyright.PENANAPcDl1Sl9wQ
This fact is undeniable. Deku is no longer a mere pebble but a peer, a proper obstacle in his path.
106Please respect copyright.PENANAK2KcP5NUVn
But with a quirk like his, with his rate of growth, won’t their positions reverse?
106Please respect copyright.PENANA39f2pGW3eN
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.
106Please respect copyright.PENANAt0kn1AU1Vh
If not for Recovery Girl’s words, he would have shattered.
106Please respect copyright.PENANAiAISLVYGZa
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.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAwrIMRxi9Dg
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.
106Please respect copyright.PENANA1eVZMBiUPo
In silence.
106Please respect copyright.PENANAk0xEgr9XA8
106Please respect copyright.PENANARnaKEHGalm
Phoenix: “Here you are, again.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAbTKZ5iVfZc
Izuku was floating in a void filled with stars and again looked up at those enormous green orbs.
106Please respect copyright.PENANAcfAkLM8hYe
Izuku: “Haha, I guess Kacchan’s attack was stronger than I thought.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANA1NgPJukpba
Phoenix: “You weren’t damaged that badly.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAzWMPXln4f4
Izuku: “Then… why am I here? Is there something wrong?”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAOa0AUNMMi9
Phoenix: “Not at the moment. Just a small concern.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAlcbkcsxUju
Izuku: “What?”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAC01J19SBRL
Phoenix: “Why did you defend that child?”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAalfDupy6vO
Izuku: “Because… despite everything, I still don’t want to severely hurt Kacchan. I was… unsure if I could fully control Psi Explosion.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAMikEoY3cu2
Phoenix: “So it’s okay for him to severely harm you?”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAQ2iZuFtvj7
Izuku: “…”
106Please respect copyright.PENANA3vHKPrHesg
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.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAJGzKcdVgPp
Izuku: “Kacchan is not baggage! Besides, what enemy are you talking about? Is it some villain?”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAzwHf1o4l9u
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.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAhAozpZU4tb
Izuku: “R-Right.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAZ5DG4YpOpX
Like before, the space begins to shake and collapse.
106Please respect copyright.PENANAo6Wjl1IRMv
It’s time to wake up.
106Please respect copyright.PENANAMDV5rmvzK7
106Please respect copyright.PENANADcArbAziWr
It took all she had to stop herself. It would be so easy to pop his head open like a-
106Please respect copyright.PENANAw6BOJOjkus
No! That’s not heroic!
106Please respect copyright.PENANAlD7bSqHdYE
But he hurt onii-chan! MY ONII-CHAN!
106Please respect copyright.PENANA8e58TY6XwF
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.
106Please respect copyright.PENANAnITjmOP22p
Nothing else mattered.
106Please respect copyright.PENANATTJ8RobtUT
She stroked his hair and smiled. She loved him. She really did.
106Please respect copyright.PENANAOVGlXbHtSD
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.
106Please respect copyright.PENANApV0F5wiQZV
She didn’t know why or what this meant. But she wanted to do it. So she slowly leaned down and closed her eyes.
106Please respect copyright.PENANAe2rRbZDpzl
Izuku: “Mmmm.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANATFBkO2gXUb
For whatever reason, Kiri quickly backed away when she heard him waking up.
106Please respect copyright.PENANA9vesH3n2g8
Kiri: “I-Izuku?”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAsRZuL2gkIW
Izuku: “Kiri, where am I? And… why are you blushing?”
106Please respect copyright.PENANA2IypZvAILl
Kiri: “Blushing?”
106Please respect copyright.PENANA0pXICa8Hzh
Izuku: “Your face is red.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANA9eHOJwIAOI
Kiri: “I-I don’t know.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAHUFb2fdz8i
Recovery Girl: “You’re finally awake; good. Everyone is waiting for you in the classroom.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANA0v327NnTXy
The two looked at Recovery Girl, who was sitting on a chair nearby. Whether she saw what Kiri was going to do, is unknown.
106Please respect copyright.PENANApl1hLJ4zux
Izuku: “So the exercise is over? Who won?”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAPHqni2Jbs6
Recovery Girl: “Villains.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAM2TZNCGRRr
Izuku: “O-Oh.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAvOhGHtfB8K
Kiri could already feel him blaming himself. She grabbed his hand.
106Please respect copyright.PENANANJ40fwfCEB
Kiri: “It’s not your fault.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAkq66Y5so9J
Izuku: “But if I tried harder and beat Kacchan… ”
106Please respect copyright.PENANADEBwRREfi8
Kiri: “Doesn’t… mean you should blame yourself. You did the best you could. Exercise… a team effort. Shouldn’t… carry all the burden.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAo5YAlXxpmu
Izuku smiles at her, a sight that deepens the red in her cheeks.
106Please respect copyright.PENANAXGjRbC4VDm
Izuku: “Thank you, Kiri.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAQFidKaLqvq
She feels his thumb rub the top of her hand. She returns the smile and suppresses the urge to touch his lips again.
106Please respect copyright.PENANAHCS4giHdkd
Recovery Girl: “Aw, you two are adorable.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAkjJw1szsLn
Kiri: “Nh.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANA2E9gpKJNUM
Izuku doesn’t even try to argue this time. He’ll clear it up soon, but right now he should get back to class.
106Please respect copyright.PENANAbpxLYQPDJY
Izuku: “So we’re free to go?”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAhWZUGbDRz2
Recovery Girl: “Yep, your flames did most of the work. It’s actually strange that you didn’t wake up sooner.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAW8reHmaIza
Izuku: “Haha, y-yeah, strange. Let’s go, Kiri.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANA9TjC4jZH8M
Kiri: “Nh.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAA9tOvjjJdU
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.
106Please respect copyright.PENANAinBe8PjLdw
Izuku: “You’re being very… affectionate.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAKnksrJBaNf
Kiri: “Nh. I… like it. Do… you?”
106Please respect copyright.PENANApEYZI2ABlm
Izuku: “I… don’t mind it. But I don’t want the misunderstanding to continue.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAgFw70zy4Xj
Kiri: “…Would it…be so bad?”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAiqgWhgL7Vp
Izuku: “Kiri, we talked about this.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANA61tFLu4D5c
Kiri: “…I know. But… at home?”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAGDnkjzzZMh
Izuku sighed but accepted her proposal. There’s nothing wrong with simple affectionate gestures between siblings. What’s the worst that can happen?
106Please respect copyright.PENANAYuuWu4LuIL
Izuku: “That’s fine.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAlyRrUe71kG
Kiri: “… Okay.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAMDKf1talj4
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.
106Please respect copyright.PENANA2sxcAY6cQ8
106Please respect copyright.PENANArKGnIy6XAi
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.
106Please respect copyright.PENANA2gLSouwTAQ
Aizawa: “Finally here, sit down.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAubgxwepfXp
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.
106Please respect copyright.PENANAhLvbUd8U3V
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.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAZe7OczmrrK
Aizawa: “First, who do you all did the best in this exercise?”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAGSJ7g04Mpt
“Yaoyorozu!”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAqkusjSHJJP
Momo: “Achoo!”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAZVGhl2TQjp
The answer was immediate. So much so, that the now-sick Momo couldn’t register it right away.
106Please respect copyright.PENANAQl5ENoV8AD
Momo: “W-Wait, me?”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAb0m76eP4bJ
Jiro: “Yeah, you did great.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANA2lM73kp1Ih
Ida: “A true hero we all can learn from!”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAqvd4GR7DIz
Mina: “You were so cool, Yaomomo.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAOfsvva4Tg2
Momo: “But I… lost. How could I have the highest marks? I think Todoroki deserves it more.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAg2WhNX3i7Q
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.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANA7JM1sUX9A7
Momo: “I… don’t know what to say.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAVJHdfPRxzN
Izuku: “He’s right; you even came up with the plan. It didn’t work because I… messed up.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAueTCdmxvEY
Sero & Uraraka: “We did too.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANA5rpRIMPlsn
Izuku: “But the plan was solid. You were the most heroic person in the field. Don’t doubt that.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANA5EW63cn8O1
Momo: “T-Thank you, Midoriya. I appreciate it.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAVwwXtVTUNt
He gives him a sweet smile that nearly makes the poor boy blush. But the moment was interrupted by Aizawa.
106Please respect copyright.PENANAi8B1wT1KPf
Aizawa: “Speaking of mess ups, Midoriya and Bakugo.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANANl7jFo6x9n
The two stiffened up when their names were called.
106Please respect copyright.PENANA3Uh2WGxxLn
Aizawa: “Everyone, except maybe Tae, who was more interested in training Kirishima,-”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAyVXfpk8CzJ
Kirishima: “Thanks by the way.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAcOuGprS0rC
Kiri: “Nh.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAtBL0e69avT
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.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANA7i1puPK4GR
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?”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAbMpbKOvua9
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.
106Please respect copyright.PENANAJZ48PKyJVF
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.
106Please respect copyright.PENANAgj20sqmg3c
Jiro: ‘Don’t know about Bakugo. He was clearly the aggressor in that fight.’
106Please respect copyright.PENANAWLbqZZsvkI
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.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAUqLRHXk9iD
They nodded once more.
106Please respect copyright.PENANA21gBylnffk
Aizawa: “Good, now, I’m tired. Class dismissed.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAsLfNXoThz3
The class dispersed mostly silently, the somber atmosphere discouraging any jovial antics.
106Please respect copyright.PENANAtzzw3Ls10g
But before leaving, Izuku does what he has to do. He goes to Jiro and bows.
106Please respect copyright.PENANAZyqbrXMBqq
Izuku: “I’m sorry! There is no excuse; I should have noticed you or kept the collateral damage to a minimum. I’m sorry!”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAaOFwEpd5nU
Jiro: “Dude, it’s fine. Just be more careful next time, okay?”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAYwYRZKZiAs
Izuku: “Of course! I won’t let something like that happen again. See you tomorrow, Jiro.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAVrXr6rpn8o
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.
106Please respect copyright.PENANAhsccwHLdFx
He didn’t notice Kiri furrowing her brows, feeling her beloved depressing thoughts.
106Please respect copyright.PENANAJG7ior48gR
106Please respect copyright.PENANAlYTYhUnHlA
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.
106Please respect copyright.PENANATi1lnZ5sqH
The idea that he doesn’t matter anymore. That he is the pebble instead. He couldn’t stand it!
106Please respect copyright.PENANAXlEddDHHVk
Bakugo: “Deku!”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAztSBYaWBnc
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.
106Please respect copyright.PENANA1UZY9s4jFd
Izuku: “Kacchan.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAS79JTMY9Fu
They stared each other down for a moment before Bakugo broke down first.
106Please respect copyright.PENANA0Yj1NqSmNh
Bakugo: “Why?”
106Please respect copyright.PENANASxk6s8Q0hT
Izuku: “What?”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAuZAqxdQNMo
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!?”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAkr1uUM64Dt
For the first time, Izuku snapped. Good thing everyone else was already gone, because he has words.
106Please respect copyright.PENANAIZvyXk7xLG
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!”
106Please respect copyright.PENANA8jNl2y5SG2
Bakugo was stunned. Deku, scared little Deku, the one who always followed behind him, said something like that.
106Please respect copyright.PENANA9xDKe3sPfQ
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.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAHRxHziE9MB
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.
106Please respect copyright.PENANAryRuweIeCq
Izuku: “That’s what has changed, Kacchan, I’m not weak anymore. I’m not a quirkless pebble.”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAgjLQM4Ve2s
Bakugo: “You-”
106Please respect copyright.PENANA0RDDkt1oHa
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!”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAW3E4n3VLVp
Bakugo: “Huh?! You’ll beat me for real?! Today, you did beat me, ass-clown!! But…that doesn’t change anything!”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAX1xRwiRkfT
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!”
106Please respect copyright.PENANAURMqtmgnxF
Bakugo stormed off, making sure to hide the tears coming out of his eyes.
106Please respect copyright.PENANATRRVPY9BId
Deku looks on and… smiles. For an instant, the Kacchan he admired returned. The symbol of victory and indomitable will.
106Please respect copyright.PENANAL0uSf5IwXq
He won’t forgive Kacchan for everything he has done to him. But everyone deserves a second chance, right?
106Please respect copyright.PENANAm4xtZ2m3QU
After all, they are finally on the same level playing field.
106Please respect copyright.PENANAhyV6laO06z
But not everyone feels the same; Kiri watched the scene and felt… disgust.
106Please respect copyright.PENANA77TMTJgJX8
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.
ns3.144.98.87da2