ONE WEEK LATER
Ayano let out a huff as she was hunched over trying to catch her breath. Katsuki was keeping his word about not going easy on her. And while she appreciated, she also felt like she was dying.
"Don't tell me you're done already." Katsuki said frowning down at her. "We've only just begun."
Ayano sweat-dropped. Only just begun? The two of them have been at it for five hours already. She almost wanted to curse the school for also being open on the weekend for students to train. As soon as dawn hit this morning, Katsuki, who had let himself into her house the night before to sleep on her couch, jerked her out of bed and threw her clothes and all into a cold shower. He had gotten quite a few smacks for that one. But after her terrible shower and a quick breakfast, Katsuki dragged her here and started their usual warmups, which led to mock battles. She's lost every one, but she hasn't made it easy for him. She can say that with pride.
"I'm done not." Ayano said. "Just thinking."
"You're leaving yourself wide open for attack!" Katsuki snapped while sending an explosion her way.
Ayano put up a psionic wall between her and the explosion. It wasn't thick enough since it easily cracked under the pressure of the attack. She was sent flying rather high and hit the ground hard. She groaned while sitting up. She rubbed the back of her aching head. Her fatigue was making it hard for to concentrate on her quirk. She needed to find a way to last longer in drawn out battles. Especially ones with opponents that weren't going to just let her stand in one place.
'And what if they have any games that involve running a track or other endurance activities?' Ayano wondered. 'It's not all going to be battles. From what I hear the battles are at the end of the games after all other candidates are unable to continue.'
Ayano let out a gasp as another explosion sent her rolling across the ground. She came to a stop while shakily pushing herself up onto her hands and knees.
"Focus, moron!" Katsuki snapped. "Our fight isn't over."
Ayano grit her teeth while turning her head up to glare at Katsuki. If she didn't shut him up soon, she was going to lose it. She raised her hand while lifting him up into the air. She threw him at a grouping of trees, but he put his arms behind him to send out blasts hard enough to break her hold on him. He went flying towards her with his feet connecting to her side. He landed in a crouch as she rolled across the ground again. He frowned when seeing she was out of the boundary they set up for their battles.
"I win again." Katsuki said. "You're not even trying."
"Shut-up." Ayano said as she pushed herself to her knees again. "I remember you being easier to subdue."
He rolled his eyes at her while getting to his feet. He walked over to her while plopping down beside her. She moved into a sitting position as well as she let out a sigh.
"You're getting better." Katsuki said. "You're stronger than you used to be that's for sure. I don't think I've ever used my quirk this much during our fights. You'd be even better if you stopped holding back and doubting yourself, stupid."
He then rubbed his arms subconsciously as they shook slightly from overuse. He was starting to get to his own limit. He'd have to take a least a small break before continuing. Ayano looked at his arms in concern. He's been straining his quirk too much. And all she's been doing is wearing out her body, which doesn't help her quirk at all.
'If I could just move myself easily through the air like I do objects I could cut over half of the physical labor I must do down,' She thought to herself. 'Not to mention working on using my telekinesis for long periods of time while focusing it enough to act as a way of travel/flight. But how—!'
Ayano gasped as a thought came to mind. Katsuki looked down at her with a quirked brow when seeing the expression on her face.
'That could work,' She realized to herself. 'And isn't there a hero-support class at this school? I believe they make all sorts of gadgets and weapons for heroes. And I'm sure Aizawa-sensei can help me with any paperwork it might take to register any gadget I have them make for me.'
"Hey, Aya, just what the hell are you thinking about?" Katsuki asked tapping her forehead.
She snapped out of her thoughts while giving him an irritable look as she pushed his hand away from her face. She then stood up while trying to ignore how her legs felt like jelly.
"Katsuki, I'm taking a break." Ayano said firmly. "I'll be back in a bit."
She then hurried off towards the school. Well, hurried wasn't exactly it—more like wobbled towards the school.
"Hey!" Katsuki called after her. "Who said we're taking a break, Aya?!"
He was ignored by said girl, which had him growling in annoyance. He got to his feet while easily catching up to the girl. He didn't force her to stop or anything as he moved along at her slow pace.
'What the hell could she be up to now?' He wondered.
"You'll see," Ayano answered him out loud. "I have an idea. One that could turn training completely around for me. Then you'll be the one having to catch up."
Katsuki scoffed highly doubting that one, but he was intrigued. If she's this confident, she must have a really good idea to improve her quirk. The two went up the stairs to the floor that the teachers' lounge rested on. Ayano went to the lounge while knocking once on the door. It opened with her peeking her head in. As she suspected, her homeroom teacher was here as were others. Aizawa turned towards Ayano and Katsuki as the latter leaned over Ayano to look into the room as well.
"Ishida, Bakugo, do you two need something?" Aizawa questioned them.
"Yes, sensei," Ayano said while stepping into the room. "I was wondering if the support classes were here today as well."
Aizawa's brow quirked in question as Katsuki leaned against the doorframe with his hands stuffed in his pockets.
"Yes," Aizawa answered. "What do you need with the support classes?"
"I believe I have found a way to work around my lack in physical power." Ayano said. "As I learned in the fitness test you gave us, Sensei, I lacked greatly in any of the tests I was forced to do without my quirk like running, or high-paced jump steps, etc. While I can't change the fact my body is and always will be physically weaker than others, I can use my quirk to my advantage to cover my obvious weaknesses. Now, if I was able to lift myself up in a form of pseudo-flying, I would have been able to do better on the fitness test, yes?"
Aizawa tilted his head to the side as he listened to Ayano tell him her little theory.
"Yes, I believe your scores would have drastically increased if that were possible for you." Aizawa said. "However, you can't lift yourself, so how do you think you can remedy the problem?"
Katsuki wanted to know as well. All their lives, she has never once tried to remedy the fact she can't fly or move around like he does. She's been fight keeping her feet on the ground.
'Where is this new drive coming from?' He thought.
Unlike before, Ayano didn't answer his mental question as she kept her sole attention on Aizawa. The others teachers—Present Mic, Midnight, Ectoplasm, and Cementoss—listened in as well as they paused in their work.
"While I can't lift my physical body, I can lift something big enough for me to stand on." Ayano said. "By taking a ride on something my telekinesis can lift, I can—in theory—reach this form of pseudo-flying. If I am able to control this enough, I will manage to take a lot of actual physical labor out of battling and other physical activities. Thus, saving my energy, which will in turn allow me to do hero work longer and last in drawn out battles."
"Hmm, that sounds like a solid theory." Aizawa admitted. "I'm guessing you're hoping someone from the support class could make you something you could use and carry around with you easily when it's not needed."
Ayano nodded her head in confirmation as Katsuki was realizing where she was going with this. She really could improve training and technique if this pans out. Of course, it was a bit risky to try something this knew before the festival. However, if it pans out as she plans, she'll before more of a threat to him when the time comes. Instead of being upset, Katsuki smirked.
'She'll be a challenge,' Katsuki thought.
Aizawa looked over to Midnight as he turned in his chair to look directly at the R-rated hero.
"Midnight, it's not too late to fill out the forms she'll need to okay this for the festival, is it?" He asked her.
Ayano hoped not. If everything works out, she'll be able to better her chances of doing good in this festival.
"No, it's not too late." Midnight said smiling. "I can get you the forms together while you go down to the support classrooms. By the time you finish there, they'll be here ready for you."
"Thank-you, Midnight-sensei, Aizawa-sensei." Ayano said bowing her head to them.
Midnight said she was welcome before going to get the forms together. Ayano went to leave with Katsuki when Aizawa called her back. She turned to look at her sensei.
"What gave you this idea, Ishida?" Aizawa asked.
Ayano blinked before thinking back to that time at the U.S.J when she had used some rumble to propel herself over to help Izuku. It had been a split moment decision. One that might not have worked, but she was glad that it had.
"From the U.S.J incident, sit." Ayano replied. "I used some rubble to send myself flying to help Izuku when he was in danger. I made the choice without putting much thought into it. It had been reckless and nearly had gotten myself in trouble when I lost control and crashed into the villain. But even if it didn't end as I had wanted it then, I'll train hard before the festival to make it work. I won't give up until I made up for my weaknesses."
Aizawa narrowed his eyes slightly at Ayano as she looked at him with a burning determination in her eyes. She's changed. Before—while she hadn't been happy with her score—had excepted it. She had settled with it. Just like how she's been settling with her limitations all her life. But now, it was different. She was done being okay with not being the best.
She wants to push forward to close the gap Katsuki and Izuku have made between the three of them. He thought this might happen. He had seen the three's dynamic that first day of the assessment test. Ayano had been used to being in the middle. Not as strong as Katsuki, but stronger than Izuku meaning she could look out for him. But she saw that she soon became the one in the back of the group, and she isn't going to stand for it. She was ready to push towards the top.
"I see." Aizawa said. "Then go on. Tell Power Loader I sent you when you get to his classroom. He should be able to fit you with one of his students who can help you."
"Thank-you, sensei." Ayano said dipping her head to him.
She then left while grabbing Katsuki's hand to pull him along. He barked at her to slow down even as he went along with her fast pace.
"She's making some real progress." Ectoplasm said. "She had done well in the practical exam to get into the school, but her weaknesses had been apparent. Now she's figuring out ways to make up for their weaknesses to make her a better hero."
"Yeah, what lit the fire under her all of a sudden?" Present Mic asked. "While she's been a good student, I never noticed her to have such determination."
"She has two people, who are very important to her, to catch up to." Aizawa said simply. "She refuses to be left behind, so she's going to push forward until she's ahead of them."
Ectoplasm and Present Mic exchanged a glance. People might say Aizawa is a cold, uncaring teacher, but he sure knew how to read them. Even if only being their teacher a short time, he seemed to understand each and every one of his students perfectly.
Ayano and Katsuki arrived outside the support classroom while heading right in since the doors were wide open. Inside a few students were scattered about working on different projects. Near the main desk was Power Loader. He looked up at their arrival.
"Hero course first years?" He acknowledged. "What brings you to the support class?"
"Aizawa-sensei sent us, sir." Ayano said. "I need some equipment for the upcoming Sports Festival. I thought if anyone could help me it'd be a member of the support class."
Power Loader hummed while getting down from his chair to move over to the two students.
"And is Midnight getting the proper paper work ready for you?" Power Loader questioned.
Ayano nodded her head in confirmation. Power Loader nodded as well then gestured for Ayano and Katsuki to follow him.
"What kind of equipment are you looking for?" Power Loader questioned.
Ayano explained to him what she had told Aizawa—the short version at least—and Power Loader listened attentively as she spoke. Katsuki just walked behind the two as Ayano was explaining she needed the gadget to be something easily to transport around on her person and easy to activate for quick maneuvering situations.
"An interesting request." Power Loader said. "But I have a student who can help you."
They stopped at a rather disorganized section of the room with metal parts and gadgets littering the floor and workbench in front of them.
"Hey, Hatsume." Power Loader called out. "I have a student here who needs an upgrade."
At first nothing moved, but then some girl popped out of the pile of gadgets sending them flying everywhere. Ayano and Katsuki both jumped as the girl turned her golden eyes on the pair of them.
"Did someone say upgrade?!" She questioned with a big grin on her face.
"Yeah, this girl from the hero course needs a gadget that can get her off the ground." Power Loader said gesturing to Ayano.
The girl, who was covered in grease and grim, jumped out of the pile of junk to get right in Ayano's face. Ayano sweat-dropped while backing right up into Katsuki's chest to put some distance between her and the girl. It didn't help since the girl only got closer.
"You wanna fly, huh?" The girl asked. "Well, I've got plenty of super cool babies that might just be the right fit for you!"
Before Ayano could get even a work in, the girl had her strapped in some large, metal boots that were a bit too heavy. Ayano had trouble even lifting one foot.
"Here try these!" The girl said then hit a button.
Ayano let out a squeal of surprise as she was sent airborne. She flailed around a bit while not liking these boots at all. She then grunted when her head met the ceiling.
"Cool, aren't they?" The girl asked. "They were designed by yours truly. The name is Hatsume Mei! I'm the prodigy of the support course."
She said this proudly with her chest puffed out and a large grin on her face. While Ayano wasn't happy with her current situation, she knew if Mei was this confident in her skills that she had to be the right person to help Ayano. But first…Ayano needed down.
"Hatsume-chan, this really wasn't what I had in mind." Ayano said. "I don't need something that can fly on its down. I'm a telekinetic. I just can't lift myself, so I need something I can lift while being able to balance on—to help me move with more agility and to preserve energy."
"Oh, that sounds interesting." Mei said while hitting another button.
Ayano let out another squeal she dropped down this time, and Katsuki's eyes widened when seeing she was heading for the ground—hard.
"Dammit!" He cursed while quickly moving to catch her.
He grunted at the impact but managed to keep on his feet as he caught Ayano in his arms.
"What the hell is wrong with you?!" Katsuki snapped at Mei. "There had to be an easier way to set her down!"
"Sorry, still working on the landing." Mei brushed it off—clearly not sorry.
Katsuki growled at her as he set Ayano on her two feet. However, she was soon literally being lifted by Mei, which had her eyes widening. She was set down on the work bench with Mei pulling those ridiculous boots off of Ayano's feet. Mei then pulled off Ayano's other shoes and socks to get a look at Ayano's feet.
"So, you need something to stand on to lift for pseudo-flying purposes." Mei said as she measured Ayano's feet. "While you can lift it, it'd probably be best to put a booster on it to increase your speed when you wish and have a safety feature in case you are forced to stop using your telekinesis. To make it easy for transport and easy access, I believe placing this device on your boots would be best."
She continued to list of various things she could do as she moved onto Ayano's boots, which were part of her hero costume. Ayano's been wearing them for training since they'll be wat she wears when out on the job. Even if they aren't athletic wear.
"Oooh, so many ideas!" Mei squealed as she twirled around before looking straight at Ayano. "Come back early tomorrow! I should have quite a few things ready for you to try out!"
"Thank-you, Hatsume-chan." Ayano said as she jumped down.
"Just remember yours truly when you use my super cool baby once it's done." Mei said grinning. "I'm going to be big someday, ya know. Soon pros from all around will be using products designed by me—Hatsume Mei!"
Ayano's lips twitched up in amusement—thinking Mei was an interesting character. Sure, she was a bit over-the-top, but Ayano didn't mind too much. Katsuki on the other hand was getting very annoyed with the girl as his brow twitched repeatedly.
"I'll need to keep your boots of course for fitting purposes." Mei continued. "I hope you have another pair."
"I do," Ayano said nodding. "We'll leave you to it then. I'll be sure to be back tomorrow—bright and early."
The two girls said their goodbyes, and once Ayano thanked Power Loader for his help as well, she and Katsuki left. Ayano's bare feet gently slapped against the tile as she walked. Today was a good day. And if this device of Mei works out for her, her training was going to be turned completely around.
Ayano let out a yawn as she cooked over her stove. It was nearly seven at night now, and while it wasn't exactly that late, she was exhausted. She and Katsuki had left the school around five to return to her apartment. He decided to stay another and was currently taking a shower. Ayano had taken one earlier and was now trying to finish dinner for the both of them. She decided on sukiyaki tonight and plenty of it. Katsuki it a teenage boy after all and they happen to eat a lot.
She had her ingredients all laid out to the side to cut for later as she was preparing the sauce for the dish. She was letting the sake she had added boil out the alcohol at the moment while also adding in half a cup of mirin. As they boiled, Katsuki walked out of the hall leading to the bedrooms and bathroom with a towel around his neck. Ayano thought he'd go into the living room to watch TV, but he came into the kitchen instead.
"What are you making?" He asked curiously as he went over to the fridge.
He grabbed a bottle of water from before sitting down at the small table placed in the kitchen.
"Sukiyaki." Ayano replied as she added in the soy sauce into the pot then the sugar. "I also have made white rice and namasu as side dishes. This will be a large pot of sukiyaki too, so make sure to eat up."
Katsuki's brow quirked as Ayano continued to cook dinner for the both of them. She added a pinch of kobu dashi as well for more flavoring since she knew Katsuki liked his with a bit of kick.
'Wasn't that a lot of food for just the two of us?' Katsuki thought.
He took a drink of his water as a comfortable silence fell between the two. Once the sauce was done, Ayano took it off to the side to place in a separate bowl. She pulled out another pot of water to boil the shirataki noodles to get rid of the smell. As they boiled, she set out a cutting board for the vegetables she needed for the dish. She got out a knife to start cutting the syungiku into appropriate bite-sized pieces. Katsuki watched her while frowning at her technique.
'She's going to end up cutting herself,' He thought as he stood.
He went over to her making her turn to look at him with a quirked brow and a slight frown.
"I think I can handle this without harming myself." She said.
"Are you kidding?" He scoffed. "You've been cooking for yourself all this time, and you still can't cut vegetables worth a shit. Move over."
He took the knife from her to start on the vegetables, which had her frowning at him. However, she decided to leave him be since he was good at using a knife. She went back to her noodles to stir them around the pot with her chopsticks. It didn't take long to finish boiling, so she quickly placed them in a strainer.
Once they were strained out, she passed them over to Katsuki, so he could cut the noodles up as well. As he was finishing up the noodles and vegetables, Ayano got out a plan, which the meat would be fried in before the rest of the ingredients are added. The two of them worked together to finish dinner and soon they were sitting down at the table ready to eat. Ayano brought her hands together giving thanks for the food before breaking her chopsticks apart. Both teens dug into their dinner.
As Ayano ate, she almost wanted to chuckle. She hasn't felt this mundane in a while. And it was nice having someone enjoy dinner with her. Last night Katsuki had come in after he had eaten dinner at home and just made himself a place on the couch to sleep. Tonight, they ate together, and as silly as it sounded, it made Ayano happy. She very rarely gets to eat dinner with others—not in her home at least. It brought her a sense of peace—something she hasn't really felt since her last dinner with Ko.
She could get used to this feeling again. Though—she wished Katsuki had better table manners. She looked at said youth with a deadpanned expression as he ripped into the meat in front of him like an animal. She's pretty sure he only does this to annoy her. As she continued to watch Katsuki, she lost her frown. Even with his bad manners it was nice to have him around. She let out a chuckle shaking her head before returning to her own meal. She should just enjoy this semblance of peace while she has it. Tomorrow will definitely be a different story.