333 - only half evil!
「 333-半分だけ悪！」
"Gooood morning, Kacchan!" Akagawa Masumi's voice shouted at the top of his lungs, his voice barely going over the volume of al Class 1-A students as they talked amongst themselves. Bakugou Katsuki instantly paused in the doorway after he heard the greeting. It was way too early for this.
"Bastard! Just what the hell do you think you're doing!? Get out of my seat, and dont ever call me that again, you hear me!?" Akagawa was yanked out of Bakugou's assigned seat and let himself flop onto the floor out of spite.
"Aw, c'mon, Blasty! I missed you so much!" Akagawa cried, latching onto Bakugou's leg.
"We only had a day off, dumbass! Get off of me!" Bakugou kicked, making Akagawa slither back onto the floor. "Why are you even here!? The tardy bell doesn't ring for another five minutes! Go be late!"
"I would if I could! But alas, Aizawa Sensei never got rid of my punishment for all my tardies! I've been here for almost an hour now, slaving away!" Akagawa leaned on his hands, propping himself up by his elbows as he laid on the floor watching as Bakugou plopped down into the seat above him.
"Whatever. Go to your seat." Bakugou demanded.
"Everyone's talking about it," Akagawa's unimpressed eyes glanced around the classroom at their classmates. "How we were all on the news. Our classmates are calling themselves celebrities. Isn't that funny? In the middle of a serious broadcast and they think people are drooling over them."
"I don't care." Bakugou states grumpily. "All that matters is that I win. I don't give a damn what the public sees."
"Leave it to Blasty to be super cool!" Akagawa giggled giddily. Bakugou rolled his eyes at the redhead before they landed onto an object he failed to notice was at his desk this entire time. He choked on air and he grimaced not even a second after landing his eyes onto it.
Akagawa held his lips together to try and stop himself from laughing. "What's the matter, Blasty? You look red, do you have a fever?"
"And just what the fuck were you planning to do with this!?" Bakugou shouted profanities, picking up the yaoi manga that was on a particularly graphic panel. Akagawa cackled loudly. That is, until he heard the pops and crackles of Bakugou's Quirk against the yaoi manga.
"W-Wait, no, it's a limited edition-!" Akagawa couldn't stop Bakugou in time before the explosion Quirk incinerated the manga cover and pages to a crisp. Akagawa watched the dust sway to the floor before him with pain in his eyes. "...It was signed by the creator and everything...a one of a kind...I worked so hard for that.. "
"Then you should've kept it at home!"
"Attention! Homeroom class is about to begin!" Iida announced, rushing into the classroom he left literally two seconds ago just to make said announcement. "Everyone stop talking and take your seats!"
"Uh, we're all sitting."
"Yeah, you're the only one standing."
As the class retorted to Iida, Akagawa remained completely still, convinced that Iida was like a dinosaur and wouldn't see him as long as he didn't move. Defeated by the remarks, Iida sulked to his seat and sat down, not noticing Akagawa on the floor under Bakugou. Akagawa snickered until he felt Bakugou kick him again.
"Go to your seat!" Bakugou demanded through gritted teeth. Akagawa frowned and crawled back to his seat two spaces behind Bakugou. Midoriya let out a surprised yelp when he saw something shuffling across the floor, convinced it was some sort of villain, until he realized it was just Akagawa. Midoriya did what he did best and decided to pretend he didn't just see that.
Akagawa made it into his seat without making anyone suspicious. Mission completed. He looked around at his classmates as they chatted with one another a bit, the room mostly quiet after Iida's announcement. Akagawa waited a bit before a thought came to mind.
He leaned into Midoriya's ear, "Hey, who's teaching class today?"
Midoriya's yelp was a bit louder than be would've liked. Bakugou turned abruptly, told them to shut up, and turned back around. Midoriya looked back at Akagawa, his mind now on the question he asked. "Uh, I'm not sure! Aizawa Sensei should be in the infirmary, so-!
"Good morning, class." A muffled voice entered the room, gaining the attention of any students who weren't already paying attention. What they saw was Aizawa covered in bandages from head to toe, two eye slits and a mouth slit was all that was visible on his head.
"Aizawa Sensei, what are you doing here!?" The entire class just about shouted at this hardworking idiot.
"Holy shit!" Akagawa exclaimed, earning a remark from Iida to be more family friendly. "It's Mummy Sensei!"
"Woah! What a pro!" Kaminari was impressed.
"Aizawa Sensei, I'm glad you're okay!" Iida exclaimed.
"You call that "okay"?" Uraraka asked in concern.
"My wellbeing is irrelevant." Aizawa silenced, walking to the podium. Surprisingly, managing to find it. "What's more important is that your fight isn't over yet." Everyone instantly went on edge, wondering what that meant. Another villain attack? Akagawa listened intently, captivated by said words. "The Yuuei Sports Festival is about to start."
"Yes!" Kirishima exclaimed while the rest of the class complained that the buildup was too intense for it to be something as generic and normal as a school festival. "Let's go kick some ass!" Kirishima cheered, only to be cut short when Kaminari pushed his face to the side.
"Wait a second—!"
"Is it really such a good idea to hold the sports festival so soon after the villains snuck inside?" Jirou interjected before Kaminari could get another word out.
"They could attack while we're all in the same place." Ojirou agreed.
"Apparently, the administration thinks this is a food way to show that the threat had been handled and that our school is as safe as ever. Plus, they're beefing up security compared to past years." Aizawa summarized. "This event is a huge opportunity for all students in Yuuei. It's not something we can cancel because of a few villains."
"What the hell is a sports festival?" Akagawa asked aloud.
"Huh?" Midoriya turned to Akagawa with a shocked expression. "Akagawa, you mean, you don't know how important this competition is?"
"I just asked what the hell it was, Midori, put two and two together." Akagawa flicked the broccoli-headed boy's ear, earning another yelp. "It's not like I ever gave a shit about Yuuei in the first place. Is this just some obstacle course tournament crap?"
"In short, yes, it is "some obstacle course tournament crap". Our sports festival is one of the most watched events in the entire world. The sports festival is the new Olympics. For anyone who cared about competition, there's only one tournament that matters. The Yuuei Sports Festival." Aizawa explained, motioning toward Akagawa.
"That's right," Yaoyorozu added. "and top heroes everywhere will be watching. This is where you get scouted."
"Scouted?" Akagawa asked, uninterested.
"That's right!" Kaminari exclaimed. "After graduating, a lot of people join pro agencies as a sidekick!"
"Yeah, but that's as far as some people go." Jirou added, almost uninterested herself. "They miss their chance to go big and remain as sidekicks." She turned to Kaminari. "Actually, that's probably where you're headed. You're kinda dumb."
Kaminari' eye twitched in sheer defeat and denial, while Akagawa only cackled and laughed at Jirou's insult.
"It's true that joining a hero agency will garner your experience and popularity," Aizawa began, ignoring Jirou's slander. "That's why the festival matters. If you wanna go pro one day, then this event could open a path for you. Once chance a year, three chances in a lifetime, no aspiring hero can afford to miss this festival. That means you better not slack off on your training."
"Yes, sir!" The class cheered with determined faces. Akagawa just sat in his seat with an unamused expression. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't the least bit curious about the event, but if was just a race to the finish line kind of event it wasn't worth participating in. Being scouted was the last thing he wanted, anyway. He doesn't want to be a hero. Heroes are annoying and think they uphold the peace when in reality they're the reason villains exist.
"Class dismissed. Except for you, Akagawa. Come chat with me in the hall." Aizawa instructed. Aizawa groaned as the rest of the class began talking with one another before homeroom ended. Akagawa trudged out of the classroom, barely even picking up his feet as he walled to demonstrate to the class his laziness and discontent.
"Listen," Aizawa shut the door behind Akagawa, who stood across from the teacher with his hands behind his head with a bored expression. "We both know you didn't come to Yuuei to be a hero. I know the Sports Festival doesn't sound fun, but it isn't a typical school festival. Students are pinned against other students, class against class, and it's everyone for themselves. Doesn't that interest you?"
Akagawa raised an eyebrow. "Are you tempting me with the chance to finally battle students from other classes?"
"Well...is it working?" Aizawa admitted.
"Well, you know my preferences, anyway, I'll give you that." Akagawa shrugged. "But! Buuut, but, but, but-! What if you did a lil' rigging, per se, and made me go against someone strong! Like...Blasty, for example!"
"Tou want to fight Bakugou more so than for training?" Aizawa questioned. "You and Bakugou seem to have something going on. Should I be concerned? You don't plan on killing him, do you?"
"Kill? No way, this is Blasty we're talkin' about." Akagawa responded. "But, Blasty is the strongest person I know. Both mentally and physically. If I can beat him, nobody stands in my way. Then, maybe one day, we can duke it out ourselves, Sensei!"
"That's your goal? What makes you think I'd allow something like that?" Aizawa crossed his arms.
Akagawa smirked. "Because you want me to become strong. You know my goal, you're smart. It's why I respect you so much, Sensei, you're my only favorite pro hero!"
"Flattery does not work on me."
"Pwease, Sensei, for you favorite student!"
"You are not my favorite student-"
"Fine, fine! Here's an ultimatum!" Akagawa caved. "Get me that battle with Blasty, and I'll be on time for school for the rest of the semester!"
Aizawa paused. "Hmm...a good bargain." He nodded. "For someone I thought was a complete moron, you know how to negotiate when you want to."
"A backhanded compliment..."
"I'll see what I can do." Aizawa said. He opened the classroom door, signaling conversation was over, until he turned back to Akagawa. "But if you are late even a minute before the end of semester, you're in big trouble."
Akagawa smiled and nodded.
Akagawa was sat at the lunch table with a manga in hand. He read silently to himself until a tray slammed down next to him as per daily routine, and Bakugou plopped down into the seat next to him, as per daily routine.
"Sit further away from me." Bakugou demanded.
"You're the one that chose to sit directly beside me, you move." Akagawa stretched his fingertips across his chest. "I was here first."
"I thought I burned that damn manga!" Bakugou complained, reaching for it, only to be too slow as Akagawa pulled it to his chest.
"This is a different one!" Akagawa exclaimed in defense. Bakugou used his Quirk slightly, only burning Akagawa's finger and causing him to let go of the manga. Bakugou threw it across the table and Akagawa watched as it bounced on the floor. "At least you didn't burn it..." he said as he retrieved the manga.
"Why the hell did you bring it to lunch, anyway, pervert?" Bakugou began digging into his curry with chopsticks.
"Jokes on you, I read it for the plot." Akagawa smirked. "Makes the intimacy that much better."
Bakugou grimaced. "Pervert."
"Anyway, where's Kiri? I need my lunch!" Akagawa groaned, feeling like his stomach was about to turn inside out. Akagawa began talking about his eating habits, all the while Bakugou was stuffing his face to try his damndest to finish eating and leave. Bakugou was about to act out murder until the rest of the gang finally made it to the lunch table.
"Sorry for the wait!" Kirishima smiled, handing an extra tray of curry in front of Akagawa. Akagawa had literal stars in his eyes at that moment, making Bakugou sigh in relief and Kirishima smile with a sense of manliness.
"Sweet!" Akagawa wasted no time in stuffing his face full. The group began having a conversation. They talked about the upcoming festival and about various hero agencies that they wanted to be scouted by.
"What do you think, Akagawa?" Sero inquired.
Akagawa tilted his head to the side, rice covering the sides of his mouth. "Hah?"
"Hero agencies. Which do you want to be scouted by?"
"I thought it was common knowledge that I don't want to become a pro hero." Akagawa said, only to receive weird looks from everyone besides Bakugou. Akagawa rephrased. "Don't care, not interested."
"Huh?" Kaminari raided a brow. "No offense, but why are you at Yuuei Academy then?"
"Power. Resources." Akagawa shrugged. "The chance to ruin Blasty's high school years. That's about it."
"But—" Kirishima began.
"Ah, ah, ah," Akagawa silenced. "Just smile, nod, and accept it. I never wanted to be a hero. And I'm not stupid enough to be a villain, so don't worry there. It's personal."
"I know you don't care about Yuuei affairs, but competition is right up your alley, isn't it, Akagawa?" Sero asked, almost as if he was trying to tempt Akagawa to participate.
Akagawa paused for a moment. "If Quirks are involved...it should keep my interest. If you're wanting me to participate, I'd usually say that you're out of luck, but...let's just say, I do expect great things from this festival, so I'm in!"
"Then, you're only participating in the festival to fight then?" Bakugou asked, only to laugh when Akagawa nodded. "I hope you get disqualified before the matches even start!"
"Aw, does Blasty not want to fight me? Too chiken?"
"Ha, as if! I wish you could get to fight me, then you'll know that when I win, you never had a chance to begin with!"
Akagawa smiled, ear to ear, almost a delicate smile. "Then I'll definitely train twice as hard just for you!"
"Tch, you're gonna need it!" Bakugou retorted.
After a few more talks about hero agencies and previous sports festivals, the bell rang again and it was time for Class 1-A to reconvene at the classroom and await their next subject to bore them to death. They stopped by the snack machine and got sodas and junk food before heading to the classroom.
"Hey, what's going on?" Kirishima questioned as they came toward their classroom. Standing outside were thirty - no, fifty-something students, just staring into the classroom. Even one of them had their phones up and were recording.
"The fuck is this?" Akagawa grimaced.
"Why the heck are you all here!?" They heard Uraraka shout out nervously, the copious amounts of little rats outside the door both too noisy and nerve wrecking for her. Bakugou shoved through the crowd, allowing a path for his followers to enter the classroom. On the way past the kid recording, Akagawa couldn't help but jab his arm, making him drop his phone.
"Do you have some sort of business with our class?" Iida inquired, to no real response from the crowd.
"They're scouting out the competition, idiots." Bakugou groaned with little emotion in his voice. "We're the class that survived a real villain attack. They wanna see us with their own eyes."
"Let's just hope he doesn't explode anybody." Midoriya smiled nervously, mumbling to Akagawa, who stood to the side so that the crowd couldn't see his face. He was surprised, however, when Bakugou walked back to the crowd after just coming into the classroom.
"At least now you know what a future pro looks like. Now, move it, extras!"
Instantly, Iida, Midoriya, and Uraraka got onto Bakugou for calling the students "extras". Akagawa chuckled and watched Bakugou go back inside the room. A voice from the crowd then began to speak up.
"So, this is Class 1-A. I heard you guys were impressive. But you just sound like an ass." It was a purple-haired kid, and the instant he started talking, Bakugou stopped and turned back around to face him. "If everyone in this class delusional or just you?"
While Uraraka, Midoriya, and Iida began shaking their heads frantically Akagawa only cackled silently, the only indication that he was laughing being his shoulders going up and down quickly with each laugh he made. Yep, this guy was as good as dead. Bakugou raised his head back, a sign that he was pissed.
"Huh?"
The guy pushed his way into the doorway. "How sad to come here and find a bunch of egomaniacs." He scratched the back of his neck and looked between the five students. "I wanted to be in the hero course. But like many others here I was forced to choose a different track. Such as life."
Bakugou wasn't pissed too much anymore, but extremely annoyed. He almost looked sorry for the poor bastard. "Tch."
"I didn't cut it the first time around. But I have another chance. If any of us do well in the Sports Festival, the teachers can decide to transfer us to the hero course. And they'll have to transfer people out to make room. "Scouting the competition". Maybe some of my peers are. But I'm here to let you know that if you don't bring your very best, I'll steal your spot right from under you. Consider this a declaration of war."
He and Bakugou had a staring contest, just glaring into one another's souls. Akagawa waited patiently before he decided to do anything to rash. He liked the show, after all. He popped some chocolate into his mouth to enjoy the show with. After petty arguing, Akagawa hung around Bakugou's arm.
"You know," Akagawa smirked. "We really couldn't care about your predicament. There's a reason why we're where we are, and why you're where you are. If anything, your threat makes us more determined! The strong outshine the weak! Weaklings should just die!"
"Hey, you!" A silver haired male shouted. "I'm from Class 1-B next door to you! We heard you fought some villains and I came to see if that was true! But you're just a bunch of brats who think you're better than us!"
"Crap, everyone hates our class now!" Midoriya and Uraraka mumbled.
"Talk all you want, it'll just be more embarrassing when you're K.O'd!" The silver haired male continued to shout as Bakugou began walking away, shaking Akagawa off his arm in the process. "Don't you ignore me!"
"Dude, where are you going?" Kirishima asked. "You've gotta say something! It's your fault they're all hating on us, Bakugou!"
"These people don't matter." Bakugou said, making Kirishima raise an eyebrow. "The only thing that's important is that I beat them."
"Hey, I'm coming for you, damn bastard!" The male shouted again as Bakugou pushed through the crowd and exited the classroom, leaving Akagawa beside Midoriya, who looked inspired by speech, for some reason. Akagawa glanced at his classmates with a resting innocent smile, wondering what they all thought.
Kirishima clenched his fist. "That's so simple and manly!"
"You said it." Satou said, while Kaminari looked at them as if they were all out of their minds.
"We have to beat them. He wasn't wrong." Tokoyami added.
"Hang on, don't be tricked!" Kaminari exclaimed. "He made us everyone's enemies!"
"Hey, they started it." Akagawa commented, grinning ear-to-ear as if he just saw a kitten. "It isn't like we came to their classroom and started gawking like idiots. They want a fight, so let's give 'em one, ya pansies!"
Akagawa flashed a toothy grin, making his classmates both grimace and yet show signs of defeat, knowing that he was ultimately right, but still didn't appreciate the insult mixed in.
The Yuuei Sports Festival was in two weeks. It'll be broadcasted live on TV all over the world. Those who aspired to be pro heroes trained non-stop, which was just about everybody participating. Everyone had been preparing to try their very best. Akagawa, although he would never admit it, knew he would have to be in top peak condition for his fight with Bakugou, and did training when he could.
And, finally, it wasn't long at all when the day came. When two weeks had passed.
And the Yuuei Sports Festival was here.