is that a coping mechanism?

「 それは対処メカニズムですか？」

Homeroom was silent until the door opened slowly, the rattling of the doorknob stopping the current lesson. Akagawa crept in until he realized that the entire class, including Aizawa, was staring at him.

Kirishima was first to lighten the awkward mood with laughter. "Late again, Akagawa?"

Aizawa sighed. "Do you want to write another essay? Did you even write the one I assigned you yesterday?"

"I sure did!" Akagawa exclaimed, turning toward the podium where Aizawa was as he was reaching inside of his handbag. He pulled out a piece of torn notebook paper and handed it to Aizawa. "See? I did what you asked."

"That doesn't excuse you from being late again." Aizawa sighed as he began reading his essay. He glanced at Akagawa before putting the paper on his desk in the corner. "I'll excuse you again today. I have a meeting after school. It can't be helped."

"Must be my lucky day." Akagawa chirped before heading to his seat behind Midoriya. Homeroom continued for the remaining twenty minutes or so until the rest of their classes ensued. It was so painfully normal - two entire forty minutes of nothing but lectures about math and English - it was so boring that nobody would want to hear about it. Akagawa slept through most of them anyway.

It wasn't until the very end of the day that people began getting excited about their upcoming class. Foundational Hero Studies with All Might, the Number One Pro Hero. The guy was an inspiration for a lot of the "idiots" that attended Yuuei. Especially Midoriya. Akagawa stood up for Midoriya because he was Quirkless, but now that he has a Quirk, Akagawa feels as though he can finally bully the nerd for being the Number One Fanboy. He didn't understand why everyone liked All Might so much, or any hero for that matter.

These thoughts were clouded in Akagawa's head as the class of 1-A gathered outside one of the Battle Centers, where they were told to meet for the class. All Might wasted no time in getting the class started. He began by informing the students that their lesson for today would be Fight Training. But before that they were told anything further, All Might directed their attention toward a few crates on the ground. Each had one of their classmate's names written on them. Inside were their hero costumes, which they had designed after they received their acceptance letters.

Akagawa was rather specific about his. His specifications weren't related to his Quirk, but rather, a style that he had wanted to maintain with his costume. He gave the agency no freedom in making something up for him, just like he wanted. His outfit choice was light and flexible, a bit flashy, only because of his color choice. More so than anything, he wanted something that didn't look heroic and more so a type of vigilante-like costume. If he could, he would just wear normal clothes, but the agency has a rule against casual clothing.

Each student took their crate and headed toward the downstairs locker rooms to change.

Akagawa's costume consisted of an oversized black tank top with a decal on the back of a cross. He wore black shorts with chains going from the front to the back, reaching halfway down the shorts. He had black boots with red trim and some silver as well embedded into it. He also had a few accessories. One was his belt, which contained a line of silver bullets and was decorated with a cross in the middle front. He had black gloves that almost reached his elbow and contained a fair amount of chains and clasps. He also wore a black choker with a cross. Along with silver cross earring in his left ear. He also has round red glasses with black frames for show. Finally, he chose a red cloak that hooked along with the collar bones by a chain as to not cover his arms or torso.

Nothing about the costume was really beneficial. Besides the bullets on his belt, the only thing useful about it was how light and flexible it was. The glasses and cloak were completely useless and he was sure that he would take them off whenever he got serious. Mostly, everything was just there because he thought they looked cool. He definitely looked a lot more goth and casual than everybody else, however, despite how flashy the chains and cloak were.

Bakugou, finding himself crossing paths with Akagawa, looked the male up and down before he began to snicker. At first, Akagawa was surprised that Bakugou would snicker, let alone smile, in his presence. But the more he laughed the more Akagawa found it a burden more than anything.

"Just what the hell are you supposed to be!?" Bakugou asked hysterically. "You look so emo! What're you, a Vampire fanboy!? Vampire Freak!"

"You talk like that, but your outfit isn't too far from mine. The black tank top, use of the color red, something on the face, boots..." Akagawa smirked, making Bakugou stop laughing and begin glaring. "Guess we aren't so different, you and I!"

"We're nothing alike!" Bakugou stomped off.

"Point Akagawa." Akagawa declared, satisfied.

The class chatted with one another, admiring one another's costumes before heading outside as a class. They were finally going to begin their lesson. They were split into groups of two. Akagawa was paired with Yaoyorozu, who he had no problem with. Her Quirk was nothing less of handy, and her personality is kind, punctual, and not too annoying. Akagawa would even say she was rather cute.

"I look forward to working with you." Yaoyorozu smiled.

"Likewise," Akagawa said. "Your Quirk is really cool. Also, your ponytail is super cool looking, do you use a product? Jeez, you're so tall!"

Yaoyorozu chuckled at Akagawa's questions as she turned her attention back toward All Might, who was still instructing the class. Akagawa did the same...eventually.

They were assigned the role of villains. Sadly, Bakugou's team was also declared villains, which saddened Akagawa. He was hoping to go against Bakugou. There was nothing he wanted more than to fight that hotheaded idiot and stomp his face into the dirt just to see a defeated look in his eyes. Ah, psychotic thoughts.

Each team was escorted to the monitoring room and given earpieces to communicate with their team member and All Might if needed. They looked at the monitors, which covered every inch of inside the Battle Center building. They were told that the villains would mainly be playing defensive by protecting a core. If the heroes touch the core, heroes win. The villains get inside five minutes prior and are given restraint tape. If you are unable to beat your opponent, you can try capturing them with the tape, and they're out. Or you can use good ol' fashioned brute force to knock them out!

The first team was then announced. Midoriya and Uraraka against Bakugou and Iida. Akagawa chuckled slightly at the lineup and wondered if All Might planned this, or if Midoriya had bad luck. He watched Iida get into character as Bakugou was on full offense. He hunted down Midoriya, as Akagawa expected. Uraraka got away and headed for Iida. Soon enough, there were two different battles going on. Bakugou and Midoriya's was the only one that Akagawa cared about.

He watched Midoriya outwit Bakugou several times and Bakugou excel with his Quirk and quick thinking. Their battle got extremely heated, especially when Bakugou nearly broke down the entire building with his explosions and rocket gauntlet. Everyone begged All Might to intervene in fear of Midoriya ending up dead. Yet, in the end, Midoriya sacrificed himself to assist Uraraka, giving them the victory. Akagawa was impressed by Midoriya's new set of skills but was also heavily disappointed by how Midoriya went unconscious immediately afterward. He had no control over it whatsoever. A double-edged sword.

Midoriya was taken to the nurse as the show continued. Bakugou didn't look the same anymore, though. The moment that Midoriya won, Akagawa noticed Bakugou's change in expressions and personality. Hell, he didn't even say anything when Iida was declared the real winner because, according to Yaoyorozu, he was the only one that took it seriously.

"Oi, Blasty," he left Yaoyorozu, who was busy talking with All Might. Bakugou barely even looked up at Akagawa from the ground. "Are you sulking because Midori beat you again?"

Bakugou didn't answer.

"I hope you'll take something from this defeat," Akagawa commented. Bakugou slowly wavered his gaze up, only to narrow his eyes when he saw Akagawa smiling. "I wouldn't want to see you lose your cool in a real battle just because Midori is showing you up. I also guess this means you can't call him Deku anymore, huh?"

"Akagawa!" Yaoyorozu gained the cherry-haired male's attention. She pointed toward the screen, where their names were.

It was their turn.

Akagawa smiled at Bakugou as he turned. Once Bakugou couldn't see his face, he allowed his smile to drop and led Yaoyorozu to the battle center. Bakugou glared as he watched Akagawa leave the monitoring room.

They were against the hero team of Kaminari and Jirou. Yaoyorozu and Akagawa entered five minutes early with a plan up their sleeves. Yaoyorozu headed to the protection room and conjured a few fences within those five minutes. The fence covered the entire core, protecting it from all sides. Akagawa left her to her devices. He already had a mental map of the building and knew he would be protecting her.

He peered off at the rubble caused by Bakugou prior until he was informed that their five minutes were up and Kaminari and Jirou were on their way. Akagawa stuck close to the wall and waited at the entrance hallway corner. He was put on offense and would make sure that neither Jirou nor Kaminari even made it a foot into the protection room. Akagawa smiled to himself as he waited at the corner, unbeknownst to him that Jirou had connected her earphone jack to the wall and could hear his breathing.

Akagawa heard a faint sound of static and swiftly created energy to jump, and then released energy outside his body to make a quick platform to stand atop of as electricity surged through the floor and walls. Kaminari and Jirou ran through the hallways toward Akagawa's location. Kaminari stopped before the room, peering around the corner and seeing nothing nor anyone there.

"Kaminari!" Jirou inhaled swiftly, turning her heel as her earphone jack heard footsteps behind her. Kaminari turned to see Jirou using her elbows to shield herself from a scythe made out of solid red energy, handled by a grinning Akagawa.

"Get out of the way!" Kaminari exclaimed, knowing that he wasn't able to shoot electricity without hitting his teammate. As Jirou went to leap back out of the way, Akagawa turned his scythe so that the blade wrapped behind Jirou's waist, keeping her in front of Akagawa.

"You should be more considerate!" Akagawa exclaimed. "Your teammate is very trapped here, Pikachu!"

Akagawa paused as a clicking sound echoed from Jirou. She had plugged her earphone into the jack on her boots. Akagawa kept one hand outward to keep his scythe solidified and opened the other, creating a red rope that shot straight toward Jirou just as a screeching bass resonated through the building unbearably loud. Kaminari was too busy holding his ears to notice when Jirou was abruptly stopped by a red rope pulling the earphone out of the jack.

"How!?" Jirou exclaimed as her earphone rolled back up to her ear, the rope attached only wrapping her earphone to the rest of her ear. Akagawa made sure to get her other ear with the same rope, extending onto its length. He promptly then extended it over her shoulders, wrists, and knees. She was completely restrained. She was too shocked and unknowing of what to do to begin to try and stop herself from being captured.

"Damn, I was still able to hear some of that," Akagawa said, pulling his cherry hair back to reveal earbuds in his ears. He took them out and pulled out his phone, pausing the music that was playing previously. "You really didn't think I'd come in here without some sort of ear protection, did you? It was difficult to tell what, but I knew your Quirk has something to do with hearing. Your Quirk is super cool, Jirou! A-plus!"

Jirou gritted her teeth at Akagawa's enthusiasm.

"Could you warn a guy next time!?" Kaminari shouted, grabbing Jirou and Akagawa's attention to the crying male.

"Oops," Jirou said flatly, slightly rolling her eyes.

"Well, what about you, Pikachu? Wanna fight one-on-one? Your partner is out of the game!" Akagawa exclaimed cheerily. "You don't want to surrender, do you? There's no honor or fun in that! Only shame!"

Before Akagawa could do anything else, Kaminari flew past Jirou, extending his electrical hand toward Akagawa. Akagawa inhaled as he felt some of the sparks burn his exposed arms before he could react. Akagawa was knocked against the wall, and when he looked back up to see Kaminari, he saw he was attempting to untie Jirou.

"Jeez, guess I got a bit too cocky." Akagawa groaned and picked up his dropped scythe.

"What the-!? What gives!?" Kaminari exclaimed as the rope wasn't even budging off the girl's skin.

"You won't be able to do that," Akagawa stated, his palm still open. "That rope is made out of energy from my body, nobody else can interact with it. At least not when you want it to do the opposite of what I want it to do. Unless you're Aizawa, anyway, that rope is staying on her. And please don't pry it, you might end up making it go tighter. That could stop her circulation, y'know."

Kaminari paused, thinking.

"Shit!" He shouted, making a break for it. Akagawa grinned a smile that looked so sadistic to all those that witnessed it. Akagawa set Jirou gently down onto the ground in an upright sitting position and began tying her with the given restraint tape so that he could release his energy rope on her. Once she was tied up everywhere she needed to be, Akagawa released the rope and felt as the energy returned to his body.

"It's been fun!" Akagawa told Jirou before activating his adrenaline and running straight toward the main room with his scythe hanging over his shoulder. He looked between the hallways and pondered which one Kaminari must've taken. Akagawa sighed in frustration and decided to take the west hallway. He walked down it for a while until he turned a corner and heard a sizzling sound.

Akagawa was quick to conjure a red energy shield that covered his torso. Kaminari frowned at that, but the bolts were unstoppable at that point. Suddenly, both Akagawa and Kaminari were surprised when the shield evaporated into smoke, making Akagawa stumble back on his feet.

"What the...?" Akagawa winced. "Well, damn."

Kaminari gritted his teeth and turned to make a break down toward the stairs, where the protection room was. Akagawa smirked and poured more energy toward his adrenaline and ran straight after Kaminari, using his energy to conjure his scythe again. He frowned as he slowed down after conjuring it, realizing now that the energy from the destroyed shield didn't return to him. Still, he was faster than Kaminari.

"You're too slow, Pikachu!" Akagawa exclaimed with a wide smile, catching up to Kaminari as they reached the stairs. Just as Kaminari was about to tumble down them, Akagawa swung his scythe so that the blade curved around his torso, stopping them just above the stairs. "Careful, you could've broken your neck had you of fallen!" Akagawa's fake concerned expression twisted into a wicked grin to Kaminari's face.

Kaminari glared at Akagawa and pointed his hand toward the male, activating his Quirk. Akagawa swung his scythe and jumped into the air, his feet barely above the handle of the scythe as it flipped around underneath him. Kaminari was sent flying across towards the wall. Akagawa grimaced as he felt burns on his arms again, and even a few sparks burn through his clothes. Akagawa heard Kaminari attempt to run past Akagawa to the stairs. Akagawa turned and attempted to swing at the male, who abruptly pushed Akagawa down the stairs with him before he could react.

The two fell down the stairs in a tumble. Yaoyorozu was on guard, hearing the noises that they made as they hit each step. Once grounded, Akagawa was quick to pin Kaminari down once the stinging pain wore off and they came to a stop. Kaminari used his Quirk directly onto Akagawa's wrists when he regained sense and looked up at the male. Akagawa had released his scythe, which landed somewhere else, and instead used that energy to give himself adrenaline. It numbed the pain that shot through his body, his arms sporting first degree burns at this point.

And, to all those that were watching in the monitoring room, the scariest part about this fight was the excited smile that was plastered onto Akagawa's face as the electricity burned his skin.

Kaminari was at a loss as the white tape made its way around his shoulders and wrists by Yaoyorozu while Akagawa used his strength to keep Kaminari pinned. Yaoyorozu finished and All Might entered their earpieces, declaring the villains the winners. Jirou and Kaminari were untied and the four made their way back to the monitoring room. They were congratulated on their win before the next set went. Kaminari also apologized for the overuse of electrocution; Kaminari also seemed... dumber. Extremely dumber. He must've fired some brain cells.

Recovery Girl went to the monitoring room to patch Akagawa's burns since he refused to leave the monitoring room out of stubbornness of wanting to watch the rest of the rounds. She patched his abdomen, shoulder, and arms with a cream that he would need to apply every day for a bit.

At the end of the day, Midoriya was the only one that went to the nurse's office. Everyone changed back into their uniforms, some having to give their hero costumes back to All Might so that the studio could repair them. Everyone returned to the classroom and socialized for a bit, aside from the introverts, who left for home. Akagawa returned to the classroom after changing and headed toward his schoolbag back in the classroom.

Akagawa kept an eye on Bakugou the entire time. He wanted to bully him as usual, since his reactions are the best but knew that this probably wasn't the best time. He was definitely upset, and Akagawa didn't feel like dealing with emotional issues. He watched as Bakugou entered the classroom, grabbed his bag, and immediately left. Kirishima, standing beside Akagawa, noticed Bakugou as well.

"Guess he's taking his loss hard," Kirishima said. Akagawa slung his handbag straps around his shoulders and began heading toward the door. "You, too, Akagawa?"

"Yeah, we haven't had a chance to talk about my grudge yet." Kaminari joked, earning a misplaced smile from Akagawa. He was back to his old self now, it seemed.

"I have some business to take care of," Akagawa said and promptly left through the door. He wanted to talk to Bakugou. He wanted to see why losing hurt him so badly. It didn't seem like his ego was the reason why he was hurting, so what else was it? He looked outside the glass panes in the hallways and noticed that the sun was setting an orange color, like the orange in sherbert ice cream. Now he was wanting sherbert.

As he was walking, he bumped into somebody. He didn't even have to see who it was once he heard the pitched yelp. Akagawa saw Midoriya sporting a cast on his arm, stumbling back a bit with his eyes shut tightly from impact. His clothes and face were still a bit scratched up. He also looked extremely tired. Akagawa gave another misplaced smile once the male finally opened his eyes again.

"My bad. I wasn't looking where I was going. Hey, why didn't Recovery Girl heal your arm?" Akagawa pointed to the cast.

"It's fine!" Midoriya exclaimed. "It's because of my stamina."

"I see. Did I hurt it by bumping into you? Here, have some chocolate, it soothes pain." Akagawa said and began searching through his bag.

"Ah, no! That's okay, Akagawa! Really-!" Midoriya protested, only for Akagawa to shove a candy bar into Midoriya's chest.

"Just take it," Akagawa demanded flatly, causing Midoriya to wrap his fingers around the chocolate bar, Akagawa's flat and emotionless voice frightening him more so than hid seductively sweet and cruel normal voice did.

"O-Okay, thanks..." Midoriya trailed.

"Well, see you later," Akagawa said and made his exit. Midoriya pondered what the deal with Akagawa was before he entered the classroom, doing his best not to ponder about it or else he'd go insane. Akagawa ended up outside, watching Bakugou walk down the path to the school entrance. He looked off to the right of the entrance to see a small lounge area. It had a table, two chairs, and a vending machine.

Akagawa looked back and forth from the vending machine to Bakugou. Finally, Akagawa sulked toward the vending machine, digging through his slack pockets for loose change. After finding a few quarters and putting them into the machine, he managed to get some Pocky and turned back toward Bakugou, only to see a sprinting Midoriya. Akagawa quickly his behind the chair and table, thankful that Midoriya didn't notice him already.

"Kacchan!" Midoriya called out. Bakugou paused, to Akagawa's surprise. Surely, he would beat the shit out of Midoriya now.

"What?" Bakugou demanded.

Midoriya looked down. "Th...There's one thing I feel like I have to tell you. My Quirk is something I received from someone else."

"Huh?" Bakugou looked back.

"I can't say who I got it from, though! I won't say...but it's like a story out of comic books, except it's true. On top of that, I still can't control it properly. It's just a borrowed power that I haven't made my own yet. That's why...I tried to beat you without using it. But, in the end, I couldn't win and had to rely on it."

Bakugou began shaking with anger the more that Midoriya kept talking. Sweat was beginning to roll down Bakugou's face and it was clear that he was about to lose his composure.

"I've still got a long way to go. That's why...that's why...one day, I will make this Quirk my own and beat you with my own power!" Midoriya inhaled sharply once he saw Bakugou's suddenly speechless face.

"What the hell is that? "Borrowed power"? You're talking nonsense." Bakugou said lowly, his ominous aura returning. "What are you trying to do, make me out to be more of a fool than you already have? Huh? What are you trying to say? Today, I lost to you..." Bakugou began shaking again. "That's all it was...that's all...! As I watched the ice guy, I thought, "I can't bear him"! Damn it! I ended up agreeing with what that ponytail girl said! I even let that Vampire Freak get to me!"

Midoriya was speechless as Bakugou lifted his face, revealing a snarling mouth and narrowed eyebrows. Yet, the most surprising part of his expression was the tears forming in his wide and angry eyes. "I'm just...I'm just getting started! You hear? Here, I will become number one!"

With one last pained look and angry stare, Bakugou turned and headed back toward the entrance. Midoriya didn't try to stop him again.

"You won't beat me again, bastard!" Bakugou wiped his tears, his back now turned to Midoriya. Suddenly, All Might appeared, grasping Bakugou's shoulders enthusiastically. He began to give Bakugou a pep talk of encouragement until Bakugou faced the pro and declared that he would surpass All Might without any help at all. Due to Bakugou's assertiveness and sensitivity at the same time, All Might awkwardly let Bakugou go.

"Young Midoriya! What were you talking about with Young Bakugou?" All Might questioned, making Midoriya panic.

"Um, we were, uh...!"

"Hmm...I'm so curious. Why don't you tell me in detail?"

"U-Um, a-actually...!" Midoriya yelped as a cracking sound startled him and his private conversation with All Might. The two looked to see Akagawa nonchalantly walk between them. "A-Akagawa!?"

"Yo." Akagawa gave a lazy peace sign. "I'm heading home now. I stopped in the lounge for Pocky. Is there something you need?"

"N-No, sorry..." Midoriya trailed.

"Hmm..." All Might trailed. "You got that from the staff room, didn't you?

"Maybe?"

"The staff room is forbidden for students, Young Akagawa!"

"Yeah," Akagawa peered off into the distance. "I guess it is. Sorry, I'm in a bit of a hurry. I'll see you guys tomorrow."

"Bye, Akagawa!"

"Uh, good day, Young Akagawa!" All Might called after the boy before giving a confused glance toward Midoriya, who only shared the same expression while wondering if Akagawa heard anything of what just went down.

"Hey, Blasty, wait up!" A vein popped out of Bakugou's forehead as the annoying voice caught up to him, red sneakers dancing beside his strides in the corner of his eye. Bakugou looked over at the cherry blur of swirls before quickly wiping away his stray tears and glaring into emerald eyes.

"Go away."

"I don't really want to talk," Akagawa spoke softly, making Bakugou question his intentions. Akagawa then began walking normally beside Bakugou, his hands behind his back as he took calm and soft steps. "I just wanted to walk with you in silence."

Bakugou huffed and focused his sights in front. "Fuck off."

Bakugou didn't say anything, however, as Akagawa followed him anyway. For a while, it was peaceful. Walking silently, listening to the night bugs begin their nightly routines as the orange sky and sun resorted just above the horizon of tall buildings, hills, and tree lines. Behind the two, the darkness was more apparent. They watched as the lampposts around them flicked on one by one.

"So..." Akagawa began. Bakugou sighed deeply.

"What happened to silence?"

"I just...I mean, about fighting you..." Bakugou gave a hum as he glanced over at Akagawa. "I was thinking I shouldn't go along with it."

"Huh?" Bakugou paused, dragging out each letter, making Akagawa stop and look at Bakugou behind him. "What, do you not think I'm worth it, bastard!? Or, are you too scared!?"

Akagawa chuckled. "I'm sure you have plenty of rivals, being one of the best of the best in the hero course! I'm afraid that there won't be any room for me in all of them. Plus, you'd beat me anyway. There's no denying that-"

"What a load of bullshit. Just admit that you're too scared and leave it at that! Stop using twenty words where four will suffice." Bakugou demanded. "And who even said that those extras are worth my time?"

"Eh? You mean...fighting me isn't a waste of time?" Akagawa peered at Bakugou, who narrowed his eyes and darted his eyes toward Akagawa defensively.

"I never said that! It most certainly will be, Vampire Freak!" Bakugou clenched his fist to show his assertiveness. "But it's better than fighting some random fuckin' kid! I've wanted to beat the shit out of you since I met you!"

"How flattering!" Akagawa exclaimed, earning a snarl from Bakugou, who brushed shoulders aggressively with Akagawa on his pursuit to continue walking down the sidewalk.

"Shut the fuck up, you nuisance!"

Akagawa only giggled slightly and followed beside Bakugou. As it was silent between the two again, Bakugou heard the rustling of a bag and then plastic, promptly before a red rectangular shape entered his vision. From the corner of his eye, he saw a chocolate bar being pushed into his bubble. He glared, eyelids half-lidded, glaring into grinning eyes.

"I don't want your fuckin' chocolate," Bakugou said.

"It soothes the nerves. After all...I saw you crying." Akagawa said, causing Bakugou to immediately growl with wide eyes and jab his fingers into Akagawa's shoulders and pulling Akagawa close as to intimidate him.

"You didn't see anything! You're obviously fuckin' mistaken! As if I would ever cry!" Bakugou spat before pushing Akagawa away. Akagawa watched as Bakugou began to stomp away. He stopped for a second and spoke without so much as a glance at the other. "Don't ever spread bullshit lies like that again."

After he spoke those softer words, he stormed off. Akagawa sighed and picked up the unopened candy bar he had dropped when Bakugou pushed him. He pulled out his phone and earbuds and began walking back the way they came, now getting a bit irritated at how much farther he went than he needed to. His road was probably a good few minutes back.

"Damn, I'm gonna be late."