I fly through the air, across the stage, and into a curved wall of shadows I instinctively throw up. Fuck. Mistakes were made. Mistakes were very much made. The second I opened my mouth, I was doomed - really should've seen this coming.
I slam into the wall and fall to the floor, winded, embarrassed, filled with regret. The explosion hit me at close range right in the centre of my chest. As well as the fact that my gym top has - once again - been destroyed, my entire front is scorched, still burning, and bleeding.
As I slowly stand, I see Aizawa restraining Bakugo, hair flared up, with both Aizawa and All Might scolding him.
"Bakugo!"
"This is meant to be a Quirkless fight!"
"That was not only against the rules, but a complete overreaction! Apologise at once!"
"And for God's sake, calm down! I'm getting a serious case of dry eye over here, dammit!"
After regaining my breath and composure, I half walk, half stagger back to them. "No, it's fine, I deserved that. Lesson learnt." I hold out my hand to Bakugo, who is biting savagely against Aizawa's scarf. "We cool?"
Bakugo seems to calm down slightly, or at least, makes his rage internal. Aizawa releases him from the scarf, but does stop using his Quirk, and Bakugo leers at me. I can hear Kirishima from the sidelines sobbing slightly.
"So, honourable…"
"Well done, Kurono, that is very responsible of you."
...
There's a second of contemplation in Bakugo's head before he also (reluctantly) extends his hand. "Fine, sure, whate-"
Hahaha, what an idiot.
Before he - or anyone else - can react, I shoot the largest pillar I can put of my hand at Bakugo. Given the lack of momentum, it's only about as wide as a beer barrel, but there's still a lot of force behind it. It shoots into Bakugo, sending him flying, and even after Aizawa erases my Quirk, Bakugo already has enough force to continue flying through the air before slamming into the side of the gym.
"Oops."
"Kurono!"
"What?! He did it to me! Now we're even and can carry on as normal."
Aizawa sighs angrily, before looking to All Might, who shrugs with a nervous smile unhelpfully.
Bakugo takes a moment to regain his breath before coming back. His expression - yes, it's angry - is also one of recognition. "Fine. We're equal. Let's just get this over with."
"Fabulous."
We return to our places, a lot more exhausted than we were previously. Despite his body looking tired, Bakugo's spirit shows no sign of breaking.
"Don't think I'm gonna go easy on you because you're a girl," he growls. "Especially after a stunt like that."
Finally. I laugh, "Bakugo, you don't need to tell me this. I'd be pissed if you were going to go easy on me - especially after taunting you like that - because I'm a girl. I'm a little pissed you even stated that as a reason." His expression changes as I adjust my stance, ready to attack. "I speak for all us girls here, we don't want to be treated like frail little dolls. Sure, we like chivalry, but don't you dare look at us like we're not as strong! Every day is a battle, a fight for the respect you guys already get! I could go into a very long rant here, but the fact is, we don't all want to be looked at in the way Mineta does, with no regard for us as people or our abilities. We want people to look at us the way you looked at me just before we started - with unprejudiced, deserved respect!" I run towards Bakugo and jump into the air, bringing down a punch. "There is no shame in losing to a girl, especially when that girl is more likely to kill than you are." The punch lands. "Especially when that girl is me."
Bakugo catches my arm before I can bring it back and grins darkly. "Duly noted, but I won't be losing."
Any ground I gained is lost as Bakugo forces me backwards, throwing punch after punch. I just about manage to block them, amazed by his stamina. I'm being a bit defensive here, and have thrown very few attacks since this match has started, it's embarrassing. I hadn't realised until now, but I can feel blood trickle from my temple and right cheek. But my opponent isn't looking so great either.
As Bakugo attacks, I shout suddenly, taking him a little by surprise. There is just enough hesitation to jab him twice in the chest, throwing off his timing. As he recoils, I flick my hand up into his face, my fingers flicking out across his eyes. He steps back and shuts his eyes reflexively, and I use this short amount of time to whip off what remains of my top and wrap it across his face. I'd prefer to do this with my Quirk or my cape, but this will have to do.
The clothing wraps around his head as I jump up into the air. I then kick down onto his chest and his imbalance leads to him falling to the floor. He claws at the top, his legs kicking out wildly; I jump over him and place a foot on his face.
"Do you yield?" I shift my foot, pulling the fabric tighter across his face. "I don't particularly want to suffocate you."
"Fmmnphck mmrrphff!" A barely coherent 'fuck off' comes from Bakugo as he suddenly grabs my foot and pulls it out from underneath me. I get up as quick as I can, but by this time, Bakugo has already returned to his feet and is pulling off my top from around his face.
"Not a chance, Blondie!"
My opponent throws two more punches. I dodge backwards with each one, starting to feel a little alarmed. But on the third, I manage to catch his arm just in time and, as I do, I collapse onto the floor. I roll onto my back, dragging Bakugo down with me, and just as he falls, I kick my leg up into him. He flies over my head, tumbles across the floor before skidding to his feet.
I stand, pick up my shirt and put it back on.
"Oh no, don't you turn your back on me again! YOU HEAR ME?!"
I turn back to him and put my hands in my pockets, a blank expression on my face.
"Kurono wins!"
"What?!" It takes Bakugo a moment as he looks around furiously, before realising he's about half a foot out of bounds. "WHAT?!"
I feel it's best to stay quiet.
"No, NO! I SHOULD BE THE WINNER! I DON'T LOSE!"
All Might walks up to Bakugo as I stagger back to my seat. Everyone is notably quiet. "Young Bakugo, as Kurono rightly stated, there is no shame in losing. You fought valiantly and with a lot of skill. You should be proud. There is much to learn from thi-"
"SHUT UP, ALL MIGHT! I DON'T NEED YOUR PITY!"
"Bakugo, stop acting like a spoilt brat and calm down," Aizawa says scornfully. "Take a moment to the side if you need to."
Instead, the rest of us shuffle over to the other side of the hall while we leave Bakugo to calm himself best he can.
In this time, the class shakes itself out of its silence and suddenly bursts into excitement. Everyone is suddenly crowding around me, smiling and shouting. I beat Bakugo!
Damn, I'm good.
All Might closes off the session with a speech about hard work, honour and heroics. This is then followed by Aizawa who brings everyone out of being starstruck and back to reality by saying how part of our 'improvement programme' will be openly analysing everyone else's performances. That's fun, criticism from the entire class all at once.
As we walk back, Aizawa calls me over.
"Yes, Mr Aizawa!" I smile, now buzzing after my accomplishment has set in.
"Don't let this go to your head, kid, remember you had a big advantage in this. If this was with Quirks, I would've been a completely different story."
"Yeah, I know…"
"Anyway, what I want to say isn't particularly important, but…" He gives a small - minuscule - smile. "Well done. I'm impressed."
Greetings and salutations. How are we all? Well? I hope so.
Yes, I am fully aware Kurono has been doing a lot of winning lately, but don't you worry, what comes up must come down. Our friends, Self Doubt and Anxiety will be making an appearance soon, don't you worry your little socks.
And that's before the Internship Arc...
Thank you all for reading, please feel free to leave a review, it would be very much appreciated, and I hope you all have a wonderful day!
