"There can be no rebirth without a dark night of the soul, a total annihilation of all that you believed in and thought that you were."
-Hazrat Inayat Khan.
~
Yumi was sent to Recovery Girl's clinic.
What stopped her from going there right after the end of the tournament was the phone call she received from her parents. Once she answered, Yumi was was bombarded with their gleeful congratulations, chanting how much they were proud of their little girl. And although their words brought unbridled joy to the redhead, she couldn't help but notice the worried undertone to their voices-something she chose not to adress.
Akito and Chiharu had recognized Yumi's breakdown as soon as they'd seen it on their television, their upbeat smiles quickly falling upon noticing. It bore semblance to her reaction to the night terrors she used to get as a child, albeit they were long gone now, but the look of horror that betrayed their little girl's face was still carved into their memories.
After she hung up the tense call, she went straight to Recovery Girl's clinic to do something about her burnt forearm.
The smell of disinfectant quickly attacked Yumi's nose once she slid the door to the open, however not as aggressively as her eyes were when they landed on the scowling ash blonde.
"The fuck are you doing here?" His eyes immediately narrowed and his teeth clenched at the sight of Yumi. The Recovery hero wasn't currently present, so it was just the two in the room.
"What's it look like I'm doing? I'm seeking medical treatment like yourself." The girl retorted incredulously.
Bakugou shoved his hands into his pockets under her scrutiny and gave her a tight-lipped glare. He tried to turn his body away so he didn't have to see her face anymore, but that was not such a great idea as pain shot up his torso. He winced before turning back to the redhead, just missing the concerned flash in her eyes before it morphed back to her usual (and infuriating) neutral expression.
There was heavy tension in the room and he took a moment before deciding to voice his thoughts.
"Next time I won't lose."
"But you've already won. Are you concussed?" Yumi's eyebrows shot up her forehead, her lips half-parting in amusement as she approached him and began to wave her index finger in front of his face. "Follow my finger."
"Get that thing away from my face before I blast it off!" He rebuked out loud with his usual irritable tone, slapping her hand away.
She knew what he meant. Clearly, Bakugou wasn't satisfied until his opponents dropped dead—not literally, she hoped. Having only pushed her out of bounds with her still standing, it wasn't a win in his book, especially with the added fact that he couldn't have won in his beat up state if she'd fought on without backing down.
"Wow, someone's a sore winner." She added, in a wishful attempt to lighten the mood.
Bakugou scoffed solemnly. "You call that a win?"
Her teasing smile turned rueful when she took a good look at him and heard his thoughts simultaneously.
'My ass. You stopped fighting way before you lost. Just like that half-and-half bastard...' A dull shade of vermillion that was once shimmering with determination and authority was now without light and harbored a sort of emptiness that looked foreign to him. And another wave of guilt and shame washed over the girl when she realized what she's done.
"I pledge that I'll be number one."
Bakugou had said that, and he meant it. He set a goal for himself and went after it no matter how it looked like to everyone else. Bakugou still sought victory even when he was beat up half to death by her, his mouth spewing blood. But he still went for it. And what did she show for in return? She lost control in a desperate attempt to win, and whined about it like a child mid-fight.
It had finally made it to Yumi's head how it must've been like for Bakugou; he was finally given a true fight after having been denied of one with Todoroki, yet when he tried to thoroughly see it through, his next opponent literally backs up from it.
He's given everything to be here. So, the least she could've done was extend that courtesy to him.
'I had pledged that I wouldn't be bound by the past, but... I'm only human after all.'
"Sorry." Yumi said sotto voce.
"Ha?" He spat with annoyance. "What are you apologizing for?"
With a shrug, she shook her head almost defeatedly. "Just felt like saying it."
Bakugou's bloodshot eyes blew wide open when he understood why she said what she said. "You think it's okay for you to barge into people's heads whenever you damn well please?!" He growled as he wrapped his large hand around her smaller fist.
Akano tried to yank her hand out of his hold, but his grip has proved to be too tight. A few angry breaths escaped through his nose, and she could feel how his palm began to become sweaty against her own. She peeped at Katsuki through her lashes, and caught his eyes gazing at her. She avoided saying anything in return because he was like a loose canon that would lash out if tested.
The green eyed girl watched as now Bakugou towered over her, he only had a couple of inches on her, but his muscular form made him look so large in comparison.
"What are you doing?" Face scrunched in confusion, she readily voiced it at his close proximity, but she actually knew that he did it to add to his intimidation.
"Listen here," Bakugou's low voice rumbled within his throat. Suddenly, his anger was gone, completely evaporated and replaced with his usual abrasive standoffishness.
"Next time, I won't give you a chance to hold back, and I'll beat you to a pulp when you do give it your all. Got that?" The annoyed look on the blonde's face deepened even more, though she thought she saw a hint of respect in his eyes as he sneered."I don't care if you're from no-name class, but I'll get indisputable victory. I'll be the the last one standing." Once he made the declaration, Katsukirecoiled back and stuffed his hands into his pockets, and slouched.
There was a lull suddenly as both teenagers inhaled. And Yumi's senses were abruptly flooded with the aroma of something akin to burnt sugar, to which she had no idea where it came from.
Just then, Akano Yumi realized with striking clarity that Bakugou Katsuki was completely unpredictable as he calmly spoke to her. It was different from his attitude towards others, and even more different than how he looked at her prior to their fight, no more riddled with condescension. It was just that... Bakugou wasn't looking down on her anymore. It seemed like this was his own little way of telling her that she was strong with his perverse way of threatening people.
Before she would have a chance to reply, Yumi and Katsuki were quickly interrupted by the entrance of the healer of a hero.
"Bakugou!" She yelled at the young boy in a reprimanding tone, frowning to see him out of bed. "I told you not to move, you might have a fractured rib! If you keep this up, I won't allow you to attend the award ceremony." Recovery Girl walked surprisingly fast for her age, ushering him to the bed, and Yumi just bemusedly watched as he argued back.
"Who cares about that, ya old hag! Besides I'm not going to that either way!"
"Seriously, what am I going to do with these reckless kids..."
*
"All of the first-year events for this year's U.A. sports festival have been completed. And now, we will begin the award ceremony!" Midnight declared as flashy, colorful fireworks bloomed in the sky. More cheers ensued as the underground podium lifted behind the special effect fog to reveal the top three first-years of this year's sports festival.
The students, which included all the freshmen, watched with mild horror and mortification as they saw Bakugou who appeared on the first place podium, chained up with a muzzle over his mouth, thrashing around like a wild animal.
'Well, if it isn't Hannibal Lector.' The myriad of emotions that passed on Akano's face from shock to confusion to a hint of amusement when she'd first seen his state was still there while she stood in second place.
"Wow..."
"What the heck?"
"He's been struggling ever since waking up."
"But man... That first place is all over the place."
Everyone in class A wanted to cover their faces from the second-hand embarrassment.
"Was this really necessary?" Yumi muttered to herself, silently wondering if it was that important to force the struggling blonde beast to accept his medal that the staff had to put him in straps and shackles. And she actually worried how the scene might affect his image in the future.
The media had planned to to rush over to to shower the ash blonde with praise, but they were immediately rebuked by his forcefully-silent fury.
As the R-Rated hero explained to the mass media with a saucy wink that Todoroki and Kirishima shared third place, Yumi's expression turned somber. On the other side of the blonde, Shouto was silent and looking deep in thought. But when he turned his head, his eyes briefly met with hers, though it was interrupted in a hurry when she averted her gaze once again, almost shamefully, and she froze vacantly. 'I talked big, telling him to accept his powers when I couldn't do the same. He must think I'm a hypocrite...' She paused for a second, contemplating why she came to care what he thought of her to begin with. A thought she chose to quickly dispose of when Midnight spoke up again.
"Now, we will award the medals! The presentation of the medals will,
of course, be by All Might!"
Familiar laughter boomed from the very top of the stadium as the silhouette of All Might appeared before the crowd. Immediately, the mass was thrown into a frenzy of awes and cheets at Japan's number one hero and the famous Symbol of Peace. Only he would be able to elicit such a response, and no matter how many time he'd done this trademark entrance, it was loved by all. Of course, it was Yumi's first time seeing it in real life, though.
All Might jumped and flipped over in front of the students, arriving with the flashiest superhero landing possible.
"Now then, All Might, please present
the medals, starting with third place."
Energized, the hero strolled towards Todoroki with an impressive stance. As she watched, Akano couldn't get over how well he carried himself and made such an impactful impression, even by just awarding medals.
After giving him a speech and went in for a congratulatory hug, the blonde hero nodded and moved on to non-other than her.
"Truly amazing, Young Akano," He said as he hung the shining silver medal around her neck. "You're the embodiment of Plus Ultra."
Yumi gave him a courteous nod before craning her head to get a good look at the grinning man. "You're exaggerating, All Might, but thank you."
To anyone else, it might have seemed like she was feigning modesty, but she actually wanted to say that comparing her to the school's motto was wildly inaccurate. Those words in specific she felt like she didn't deserve at the given moment.
"Not at all. You've proven that with hard work, a youngling like yourself can surpass even the top in the heroics course and prove that she belongs there." All Might asserted.
'Hard work?'
All Might noticed how her eyes glazed over after he spoke, and so he rushed in to add in an enquiry. "To my knowledge, you hadn't applied at the beginning, may I ask why?"
"To be honest, I didn't think I was good enough..." She trailed off, prompting the tall hero to raise his eyebrows as he he listened intently.
When she said that she wasn't good enough, she didn't mean it in a physical sense. Jean honestly believed that heroes should be like the buoyant man before her. Righteous and unwavering, just and powerful. With an emotional strength that supported those in need of comfort. 'Like someone I knew... Like Scott.'
Even now, she could feel the safe presence of the Number One Hero that is All Might, finally getting what all the fuss around him was about. His bright, kind-hearted smile was like a protective spell that warded off any weakness that may lie within. She guessed that was the power of the Symbol of Peace, after all.
'I want to be like that, too...'
"-But after encouragement I've received from the people closest to me and after fighting, I've finally come to realize that I should give it my all."
And with her answer, he nodded in satisfaction.
"I see. There's nothing like the support of our loved ones to give us a nudge in the right direction." All Might replied softly before going in for a hug and patted her back encouragingly. "I'm sure you'll make a fine hero one day. Well, then congratulations!"
"Thank you..." Like the pillar of strength and warmth that he stood for, the hero brought a small smile to her face. A sense of familiar reassurance hit her as she leaned in, her eyes finally glinting with hope for the future.
"Now then, Young Bakugou! This is too much. Good job doing what you said you would during the player pledge!"
Afterwards, All Might went to remove the muzzle on Bakugou's face, only for the boy to explode in an angry rant of not wanting this medal. He looked absolutely livid and Yumi wondered how someone can even produce such a haunting face.
It was amazing, All Might thought.
"In this world where people are
constantly being compared publicly, there are not many who can keep aiming for the top of an unchanging scale. For now, take this medal, okay?" All Might presented the shimmering gold medal proudly to Bakugou. "Think of it as a 'wound' so you never forget!"
"I said I don't want it!"
"Now, now."
"I told you, I don't want it!"
"Here!"
The hero managed to...almost successfully hang the medal between Bakugou's clenched teeth and turned back to the rest of the observing classes with a bright smile. His hand reached out to them in an almost promising manner.
"Well, they were the winners this time! Anyone here could have ended up on these podiums. It's just as you saw. Competing! Improving each other! And climbing even further! The next generation of heroes is definitely sprouting!" As he spoke, Akano's eyes wandered through the rows of first years with them eventually landing on Shinsou's stoic face. The purple haired boy seemed to sense her staring at him, but when she sent him a small smile, he just simply turned his focus back to the Number One Hero.
"So, I just have one more thing to say!" All Might encouraged with his index finger pointing to the sky. "Everyone, please say it with me! Ready, go-!"
"PLUS ULTRA!"
"-Thanks for your hard work!"
"Whaaaaaaat?! It should've been 'Plus Ultra' there, All Might!"
*
*
'It really was a whirlwind'
Yumi was laying on her bed, thinking back to the eventful festival as she enjoyed her day off. She allowed herself to enjoy the ozone and sweet summer rain that breezed through her open windows, before the thundering storm clouds had a chance to dominate the sky.
After the award ceremony was over, each student went back to their class. Even Yumi was reunited with her fellow classmates in 1-C after the brief interview with one of the reporters. When she had come back, the redhead was showered with praise from her peers and homeroom teacher, cheering that she was the pride of their class. She had accepted their compliments half-heartedly with small smiles and nods of her head, somehow uncomfortable deep within. But what added to her distress was how silent and distant Shinso was towards her, only muttering a quick 'congrats' before completely ignoring her.
"Yumi!"
Her mother's voice echoed from the living room into her own, successfully bringing her out of her pondering, her body shooting up to a sitting position.
"Could you come here for a second?" Chiharu added.
Complying, the telepath jumped off her bed and made her way towards them. "Yes?" She asked, a bit of worry spiking when she saw her father frozen as he held his phone in hand, while her mother sat beside him.
"Your father just got off the phone." Her mother declared, her tone displayed out of usual seriousness.
"Who was it? Is everything okay?"
"Hmm? Oh, everything is fine!" Akito replied, waving his hands dismissively when he realized how his daughter grew to panic at his reaction to the conversation he just had. "It's from U.A.,they said they need you at school today."
Yumi's nose scrunched in confusion and she tilted her head in question. "Why? Today is off."
"They said it's...urgent." She noticed how her father fumbled over with his words, and the grown man struggled to maintain a poker face as he went to get his car keys. "Come on, I'll drive you. I need some alone time with my Yumi."
Sending her red-haired father a suspecting look, Yumi chose not to question him and she relently shrugged. "Oh, okay... I'll go get dressed, I guess?"
"Wanna go grab ice-cream afterwards?" He beamed, as if a light bulb was illuminating over his head. "It'll be your reward for placing second on the sports festival!"
"Wasn't the feast you threw when I got back enough?" The youngest of the Akano's giggled, an embarrassed blush returning to her cheek as she remembered the way her parents ecstatically greeted her the moment she stepped inside the house. Confetti and a huge banner that said "CONGRATULATIONS" had first met her sight, and it was then coupled with their dinner table furnished with all of her favorite dishes.
She had resisted the urge to cry out of joy, but she failed once she realized that they must've prepared all of that beforehand. Even before they knew that she would make it to the top three, Akito and Chiharu had believed that she would.
Clearing her throat, she shifted her wide grin into a teasing one, her eyes turning playful. "Plus, it's raining and the weather is chilly, are you dumb?"
"So cold," Akito pouted, his shoulders drooping, but he knew his daughter was just playing around. "Like the ice-cream you won't be having!" He added, eliciting a chuckle from his two favorite ladies.
A/N:-
Hi everyone I've missed you all. First of all, I would like to thank you all for your support of this story. And secondly, I would like to apologize for being absent yet again after announcing my return Unfortunately, I've caught the novel Corona virus about 3 weeks ago, and I've suffered at its hands. Seriously, I wouldn't wish it upon my worst enemy. I'd developed pneumonia and even had to get hospitalized because I'm asthmatic. Breathing had never been so difficult before. But I've thankfully have gotten over it. For those of you out there, please be careful!
I'm sorry to say this yet again, but the next update might be slower because I'm moving Seriously, it feels like it's always one thing after another... I hope you all can understand.
Anywho, there is this wonderfully drawn scene of Akano talking to Todoroki back in Chapter 18-part 2 done by my friend, the awesome Kureha-chan! Words can't describe how grateful I am for this goodness! ️
You can see it more clearly on my Tumblr page right here:Pic
I hope you enjoyed the chapter!