Over the next few months, I got to know Bakugou better, much to his dismay. I got better at fighting and I wasn't bullied so much. My feelings for Bakugou kept growing but I kept them locked away. I could never let him know I liked him. Bakugou and I had set up a schedule, we would spar on weekends and ignore each other on school days. That was his idea and it was fine. I still got to see him without raising suspicion from Izuku. I tried to teach Izuku to fight back but he refused. I dropped it after a few weeks. If he didn't want to learn he didn't have to. I needed to focus on my own training with the UA exams less than a year away. I knew it was probably a long shot but I wanted to try anyway. It was worth a shot. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror before I headed out for school. My tail was held high, my ears were facing forward, and I was gaining muscle, I looked confident. I grinned, maybe I could actually do something in a fight. I made my way to school a smile on my face the whole way. I ran into Bakugou on the way but he ignored me.

"Bakugou," I called. I ran up to his side. "Are we still on for training tomorrow?"

He glanced at me. "I am if you are."

"Sweet. I know I've said this before but thank you for training with me. It's really helped." I smiled. "It'll help me get into UA."

Bakugou stopped. "What?"

"It'll help me get into UA. I'm trying to get into UA. Just like you." I hesitated, my tail slipped between my legs. "All Might went there. It's the best school out there."

"You can't get into UA." He growled. "You don't have what it takes."

"But it's still worth a shot. I'll never know if I don't try." I looked down. "I've wanted to be a hero since I was little. My sister got in so who says I can't."

He scoffed. "You need a quirk to get in."

"I have one. I just need someone else."

"Exactly, you have to rely on someone else for your power. You can't beat me. You need my quirk." He started walking again.

"Fine, I'll fight you tomorrow with a different quirk." I huffed.

I crossed the street and ignored Bakugou for the rest of the walk to school. I focused on my school work and hung out with Izuku.

"Hey, Koneko? Are you okay? You seem a little down." Izuku sat his pencil down. "And plus, your tail has been tucked between your legs all day."

I looked up from my homework. "Oh really? It's nothing."

"Really?"

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine." I looked back down at my work but Bakugou's words still rang in my head. "Izuku, do you think I'm strong?"

"Of course! You're amazing!"

"But I have to rely on someone. I can't fight by myself." I whispered.

"That doesn't mean you're not strong. Yes, in order to use your quirk you need someone else but you're strong on your own."

I looked up at Izuku. "Do you really mean that?"

"I've seen you train, you could even take on Kacchan." He grinned. "You're super strong."

"Thank you Izuku." I smiled and went back to my homework.

The next day I headed to Bakugou's house with a new quirk. I had cornered Kirishima before he had gotten inside and had stolen a kiss from him. I tested his quirk as I walked. I will beat Bakugou, I have to. I knocked on the Bakugou's door and almost instantly Bakugou answered.

"You're late."

"Actually, we never set up a time so I could be early." I huffed, ears twitching.

"She got you there, Katsuki." Ms. Bakugou called.

Bakugou grumbled something under his breath and walked to the backyard. I shrugged and followed him. He walked to the middle and started stretching.

"So what quirk did you copy today?" He asked.

"Hardening," I replied, activating the quirk.

"Not super flashy." He muttered.

"But it's defensive against yours," I smirked.

"Whatever, just get ready." He said.

"Alright," I took off my shirt.

"W-What are you doing?!" He sputtered.

"What can't handle a shirtless woman?" I laughed. "Relax, I don't want to ruin my shirt."

Bakugou growled and lunged at me. I yelped and jumped backward, narrowly avoiding his explosion.

"Hey! I wasn't ready!" I yelled.

"So? You think a villain would wait for you to be ready?" He hissed.

"No, but—"

"Then you should be ready!" He yelled.

I grunted as he threw explosion after explosion at me. My hardening was deteriorating fast, I couldn't hold out for very long. I ducked under another explosion and punched him in the stomach. He grunted and stumbled backward, coughing. I panted and relaxed my quirk for a moment. Bakugou straightened and lunged at me again.

"Don't drop your guard. You think just because you got one punch in doesn't mean I'm going to surrender!"

I managed to dodge his explosion and land another punch. It went back and forth until I ran out of time on my quirk. I threw my arms up to block his final punch.

"Okay, okay, I surrender," I called.

Bakugou scoffed. "Finally."

I was breathing hard. "That was fun. Thanks, Katsuki."

We both froze. I had been calling him Katsuki in my mind but now I had accidentally said it out loud. Almost immediately I tucked my tail between my legs and flattened my ears, trying to look smaller.

"What?" He growled.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. It just slipped out." I put my hands up, knowing he wouldn't hesitate to throw a punch.

But he didn't. He just stood there, frozen.

"Um, Kat—Bakugou?" I had almost done it again. "Are you okay?"

"It's fine."

"What?" I frowned.

"I said it's fine. You can call me Katsuki." He didn't look at me.

I froze. "Do—do you really mean that?"

"Yes. Now shut up before I change my mind."

"Thanks," I smiled.

"Whatever, get that stupid look off your face!" He barked.

"Why? I'm happy." My smile widened.

"You look stupid." He muttered.

"Oh come on Katsuki, you don't mean that." I fake pouted.

"Now you look even more ridiculous." He looked away.

"Fine, fine." I grabbed my shirt off the ground. "See you tomorrow?"

"Yeah," he rubbed at his forearms.

I smiled. "See you tomorrow Katsuki."

I left his house with a smile on my face, it didn't leave my face even when I got home. I was lucky enough to avoid my mother and sister. I took a quick shower then went to the kitchen for a snack. Ms. Bakugou was sitting on our living room couch when I walked in.

"Oh Ms. Bakugou, I uh didn't know you knew where we lived." I paused.

"Please, call me Mitsuki. Your mother and I are friends."

"Really? I've never seen you here before." I shifted slightly.

"I normally come when you're in school." She leaned forward. "I actually came to ask you a question."

"Me?" My ears involuntarily flattened against my head.

"Yes, you. Come here."

I walked over to the couch and sat down. She smiled slightly.

"Now, I've been watching you train with Katsuki for several months. And I've noticed your attitude towards him."

I gripped the edge of the couch. "My attitude?" I tried to sound calm.

"Yes, your attitude. You love him, don't you?"

My mind blanked. "I—What?"

"You love him, or you at least like him more than a friend." Mitsuki shrugged. "I've noticed in the way you act towards him. I don't think he's noticed yet, if he has he's never said anything."

"But I— I was so—" I couldn't form a complete sentence.

"Listen, I just wanted to tell you a few things." She sighed. "Katsuki is a brat but he needs someone to keep him in line. I think you could do that. He's terrible with words but he means well. Just be patient with him and he'll open up."

I nodded. "I know."

She smiled. "Good," she stood up. "Now tell your mom that I came over. I have to make sure Katsuki doesn't burn the house down." She gave me a wink before leaving.

I stayed on the couch for a few more minutes. Eiko walked downstairs and waved a hand in front of my face.

"Hello, earth to Koneko. You okay?"

I shook my head. "Yeah, I'm fine." I stood up. "I'll be in my room."

"Okay," Eiko shrugged and walked away.

I walked into my room and closed the door. I sat on my bed, trying to process. Did I just get Mitsuki's blessing? I laughed, Katsuki wouldn't like that. I laid back on my bed, I had Mitsuki's blessing. She thought I could handle Katsuki, even at his worse. Now if I could only confess to Katsuki, then maybe just maybe I could have a chance.