"Get those thumb daggers in the air. It's almost time for the last round! But before that, good new for everyone who didn't the finals. Since this is a sports festival, we've prepared some super fun side games everyone can participate in. We even brought in cheerleaders from America to get your blood pumping. Hold up…"

I flushed. Kaminari lied to us.

"What are they doing?"

"Looks like Class 1-A is going full on fan service."

"What you tricked us? You're gonna regret this!" Yaoyorozu yelled at Kaminari, she fell to her knees. "Why did I fall for his stupid scheme? I even used my quirk to make these outfits."

Jirou threw her pompoms down. "Ugh, I hate him."

"Well we do have a little time before the final starts and I do kinda like these uniforms." Hagakure waved her pompoms in the air. "How bout we just roll with it!"

"Are you crazy?!" Jirou yelled.

"Wow, Tooru, you've got skills." Tsu commented.

"I'm gonna leave." I muttered.

"Have fun competing in these little side games everyone! After they're over, the sixteen students from the top four teams will be duking it out one-on-one in a tournament style fighting competition. I promise you're not going to want to miss these epic matchups."

I slipped into the side entrance. I sighed and closed my eyes, leaning against the wall.

"Hey,"

I sat up and opened my eyes. Katsuki walked closer.

"Katsuki,"

"You good?" He looked me up and down.

"I mean clothing wise I'm fine. Pride wise, not so much." I looked down. "Kaminari tricked us."

"I saw. You want me to beat him up?"

I laughed lightly. "No, I can do that if I really want to." I looked towards the stadium. "I guess we should get back out there."

"Yeah," he didn't make a move.

We sat in silence for a few moments longer. I sighed.

"I'll go first." I started out.

"Wait," Katsuki grabbed my arm.

I looked back at him. "What?"

"Take this," he looked away and held out his jacket.

"Katsu, I don't need it. I'm fine, really."

His ears turned red. "Just take it."

I smiled and took the jacket. I slipped it on, it was warm and smelled like him. "Thanks."

"Whatever." He didn't meet my gaze and walked out of the hallway.

I watched him go. I held the jacket closer to my body, taking a deep breath. His scent calmed me down. I walked back into the stadium with the rest of the class.

"Hey Koneko!" Mina grinned then gasped. "Is that Bakugou's jacket?"

"Uh what?" I flushed, ears laid back. "N-no,"

"It is!" She squealed. "Kiri, do you see this?" She grabbed Kirishima's arm.

"Yes, yes, I see it. So what? What if she just got cold?" Kiri managed to pry himself away.

"But Bakugou gave her his jacket! That means he cares!"

I glanced over at Katsuki. He was scowling.

"Um Mina, I think he heard you." I nudged her.

"I'd shut your mouth pinky or I'll shut it for you." Katsuki growled.

Mina snapped her mouth shut.

"Smart move pinky." Katsuki looked away.

I tugged his jacket closer. Having his scent completely envelop me made me so happy and calm. I glanced over at Katsuki, I really loved him. I smiled, tail flicking in contentment.

"You seem to really like the jacket." Mina nudged me.

"What?" I flushed. "I mean it's warm."

"Come closer and draw lots to see who you're up against." Midnight called.

We all stepped a little closer.

"Then enjoy the pleasure of the recreational games before we start. The sixteen finalists have the option of participating in those activities or sitting out to prepare for battle. I'm sure you all want to conserve your stamina. I'll start with the first place team—"

"Um, excuse me," Ojiro raised his hand. "Sorry but I'm withdrawing."

"Ojiro?" I cocked my head.

"But this is a rare chance for you to get scouted." Iida said.

"It wouldn't be right. I barely remember anything from the calvary battle until the very end of it. I think it was that guy's quirk." Ojiro rubbed his head. "I know this is a great opportunity, I wish I could take advantage of it but my conscience won't let me."

"Just think about this." Izuku stepped in.

"I have, okay?" Ojiro cut him off. "Everyone gave their all in round two. But I was just someone's puppet. No way, I don't wanna advance if I don't even know how I got here. It wouldn't be fair."

"You're making way too much of this!" Hagakure waved her pompoms. "Just kill it in the finals and prove you should be here."

"Yeah what she said. I didn't do much in the battle either." Mina said.

Ojiro covered his face. "That's not it. I'm talking about my pride here. I refuse to give that up. Also why are all the girls dressed like cheerleaders?"

I flushed and looked away. It was my fault Ojiro was quitting. I should have intervened.

"Nirengeki Shoda from Class 1-B." The other boy walked up. "I think I should withdraw for the exact same reason. Regardless of how strong I am, this isn't how I wanted to get here. It would go against the values of the festival to advance without earning my spot."

"Listen to these guys, they're so manly." Kirishima sounded tearful. I glanced over, he was.

"Well now here's another weird turn of events." Mic said.

"We'll have to see what Midnight has to say about all this. She's the one in charge." Aizawa replied.

It was silent as we all looked up at Midnight. My stomach felt queasy.

"This sort of talk is incredibly naive my boys." She cracked her whip. "That turns me on. Shoda, Ojiro, you are withdrawn."

I stepped closer to Ojiro. "I'm sorry."

"Now let's see, we'll have to move up two students from the fifth place calvary team so we have enough contestants." Midnight continued.

"We were frozen most of the time. Honestly we barely did anything in the calvary battle. Right? Girls?" An orange haired girl spoke up. "You should choose from the group that kept fighting the whole time, Team Testsutetsu."

"Kendo!" The silver haired boy exclaimed.

"I'm not doing this as a favor." Kendo replied. "It's just fair."

"Seriously you guys…Thank you!"

I winced at how loud he screamed. After a few moments of debate Tetsutetsu and a green haired girl were chosen.

"And so Tetsutetsu and Shiozaki have advanced to the final. Take a look at the bracket my dears. These are your opponents."

I looked up at the screen. I was against Mina, I glanced over at her. I could take her right?

"Just because you're my friend doesn't mean I'll go easy on you." Mina grinned.

"I know that. I won't go easy on you either." I tried not to let my voice shake.

"Uraraka? Who the hell's that?" Katsuki muttered beside me.

Normally I would have corrected him but my nerves were too jumbled. Katsuki glanced over at me.

"Okay! Lets press pause for a momentary interlude. Before the battles begin, it's time for some pulse pounding side games!"

I quickly left the stadium. I needed to get away. There were too many thoughts in my head. My breathing was faster, my chest felt tight, my stomach was still nauseous. I practically ran to the locker rooms. It was empty when I got there. I sighed and quickly changed clothes. I held Katsuki's jacket up to my nose and took a deep breath. It calmed me a little. I stepped out of the locker room, Katsuki was waiting for me. I smiled.

"Here's your jacket, thanks for letting me use it." I handed him his jacket.

"Don't mention it." Katsuki took the jacket back, slipping it over his shoulders.

"Are you going to play the side games?" I glanced towards the arena.

"No, are you?" Katsuki glanced at me.

"No, I need some time to think." I shook my head. "I'll probably head out to the woods."

"I can come—"

"No!" I cut him off. "No, I just… I just need some time to think. Alone."

Katsuki looked surprised. "Alright."

I nodded, stared at him a moment longer then left. If he was alone with me I wouldn't be able to concentrate. My mind need a distraction, one that wasn't Katsuki. Ever since my panic attacks he had been closer. He was constantly at my side and of course on my mind. He never left my mind. I touched my lips. Our kiss two weeks ago felt like a lifetime away. I missed his touch, I wanted to have him by my side more. I turned back and froze. What was I doing? I just told him, no yelled at him, that I wanted to be alone and now I running back for him? I sighed, I hated how clingy I could be. I hated it but it hurt to leave him. I walked quickly back to the locker rooms. I stopped in surprise, Katsuki was still there, sitting on the floor.

"Katsu,"

"There you are," Katsuki looked up at me.

I sat down beside him. "I changed my mind…I could use some company."

"I knew it." He chuckled.

"Yeah, yeah." I fell silent.

"What's on your mind?"

I sighed. "Everything."

"Nightmares?"

"No, not that I guess. At least not right now." I swallowed. "It's the battle."

"Are you nervous? We could train if you want." Katsuki started to stand up.

"I'm not nervous." I shook my head. "I feel bad for Ojiro."

"Tail man? Why? He withdrew, you didn't have anything to do with it."

"But I did! I was on his team. I should have noticed that Ojiro was brainwashed! I should have said something. I just didn't think he would withdraw. I didn't think it would cause problems."

"It's not your fault." His voice was soft. "You didn't know."

"But I should have!" I yelled.

"Koneko," Katsuki touched my shoulder. "Listen to me, it's not your fault."

"What if it is?" I looked up at him.

"It's not. Look if you're so worried about it go talk to him."

I gasped. "I couldn't do that!"

"Why not?" He raised an eyebrow at me.

"What if he confirms that it was my fault?" I whispered.

"He won't."

"How do you know?"

"Cause if he does I will punch him so hard he'll change his answer."

I laughed weakly. "Don't punch him."

"Then go talk to him."

I sighed. "Alright…only if you come with me."

He groaned. "Fine,"

He got up and offered me his hand. I smiled and took it. He pulled me up and held me close a moment. I took a deep breath, reveling in his embrace. He stepped back, almost reluctantly.

"Come on, let's go find him."

I nodded, following Katsuki back to the stadium. We checked the waiting rooms for the upcoming games. We opened the last door and there was Izuku and Ojiro. Izuku looked panicked. I froze, could I actually ask him? Katsuki shoved me forwards.

"Ask."

"Hey Koneko, what's up?" Izuku managed a smile.

"I—I came to apologize to Ojiro." I looked down.

"Apologize? For what?" Ojiro frowned.

"For making you withdraw." My tail flicked anxiously.

"You didn't make me withdraw."

"But I didn't say anything. I let Shinso brainwash you."

Ojiro shook his head. "That doesn't mean you made me withdraw. That was my own choice."

"But—" I started to protest.

"Chino, you didn't make me withdraw." Ojiro cut me off. "But if you're here you can help. Explain Shinso's quirk."

"Well if you answer his question he can brainwash you. I don't know how to break it though." I fiddled with my gloves.

"That's more information than I had. Thank you." Ojiro smiled.

"I'm glad I could help." I smiled back.

I left the room, leaving them to strategize. Katsuki followed close behind.

"See I told you," he smirked.

"I know, I know." I sighed.

"Come on, you said you wanted to go to the woods. So let's go." He walked back towards the woods.

I smiled and followed him closely. I bumped his shoulder as I got close.

"Thanks for being here."

Katsuki looked over at me. "I'll be here whenever you need me."