Chapter 19 - A Perfect End

"So, I have learned alot today. Had my morales put to the test, realized I may or may not be falling for my best friend, understandably so, and now..." Yuki's monologue came to a sudden end at the sharp flash in the arena

"Stun grenade!" Bakugo let off a blinding blast that felt like the sun as smoke flew higher than the stadium itself, the crowd left reeling from the attack themselves. Yuki, on the other hand, slumped, crossing off names on her list

Bakugo had Tokoyami pinned by his beak, his right continuously producing a steady light that kept Dark Shadow huddled close to its master. "...I realize I'm a horrible gambler." Defeat, pure and simple. Compared to previous matchups, Kacchan was the worst for Tokoyami, it was a bright enough day already for the poor umbral creature

~Tokoyami gives up, Bakugo's the winner of this match!~

~YOU ALL KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS. THE FINAL BOUT IS BETWEEN BAKUGO AND TODOROKI!~

Defeated, Yuki fell back on her chair, praying to some deity Todoroki will beat Dumb-Dumb, but she had no idea given their kind of Quirks. 'Kaminari, next time I suggest betting, don't listen to me' her note crumpled in her hand, leaning her head back to listen to her classmates' review of the match, Izuku was already lost to his thoughts by the time Yuki noticed

"Man, what a bummer, poor Tokoyami," Ocha expressed Yuki's woes for the cool, edgy bird.

"I totally thought the bird would win for sure," Sero replied sadly too, Kaminari being... Kaminari

Why was there a sparkle beside his eye? Is what Yuki was thinking, "Guess that means his Quirk isn't invincible after all?"

"So light is his weakness," Kirishima murmured, rubbing his nose. "Guess that explains why he tried to avoid him during the Calvery Match 'cause Bakugo's the kind of guy to exploit that."

Yuki wagged her finger knowingly, using the other to flick Izuku out of his cute trance. 'That's Bakugo for you, if you have a chink in your armor he'll break it with his bare hands' That got a few laughs, Kirishima grinning as he motioned to his bandaged body. She complied again with her note. 'Exactly ;)'

"I wonder," She pulled her gaze back to Izuku, his hadn't left the screen since the lineup. "Just how intense this match will be?"

"I'll have to take notes the next time," To break the duo's concentration was the earnest look of Iida, disappointed sure, but he made it farther than either Yuki or Izuku, something to two of them were somewhat relieved by given the lineup between an elemental and what was basically an explosive freight train

Then he started vibrating violently as the trio freaked out. 'The hell is happening!?' "Woah! What's wrong!?" Thankfully it was just his phone as they all breathed a sigh, hands on their hearts. "Oh, that's a relief." 'Man's got a strange vibration that's sure, like a damn rattle'

"Excuse me a moment," He soon left to take a call, then a voice broke the second of silence

"Sup, 1-A!" All eyes and ears spun toward the toothy smile of Jura, still bandaged up as they went on the defense with daggers in their eyes. "Woah-woah, lower the guns, ceasefire, guys."

"What are you - Yuki?" Jiro watched as the mute stood up, no notes or expression in her eyes as she skipped up to greet the optimistic man, there was a tension between them, like a solemn mountain graced by an ominous chill of steel

"What an intense stare."

The tension reached its peak, and Izuku felt almost caught in some kind of minefield, unable to move while wanting to. He was afraid something bitter was about to ensue. What came was Jura laughing while bringing his hand down to crash against Yuki's, the two pulling each other close for a pat on the back.

"Oh, good, they're just happy."

"That had me on edge the whole time! You looked like a total badass!" Jura chuckled boisterously while Yuki tipped her head, poking his chest

'And you, those crazy pillars flying everywhere! I was like, 'Oh sweet merciful God help me!'' Yuki exclaimed, hopping atop the backs of two chairs with her arms wide, acting as though two walls were closing in. 'Then the walls started crushing me and I got Saw flashbacks and - Ahh, it was amazing!'

Izuku relaxed again, happy to see the two getting along as Yuki spun right around to introduce her old friend. "Sorry if the tension between our classes has been weird, those guys really need to learn to chill out, of course, we got Kendo to reel them in when I'm not there..."

"They seem really happy together..." Izuku's body jolted slightly as she shook his head, deciding it best to focus on the match ahead. "No, stop, you're making it sound like... what am I thinking?" He peered over his shoulder, seeing the constant bliss in her mask's eyes, even that was enough to put his mind at ease. "Yuki's always been there for everyone, even though she's been through so much, seeing her this way is enough for me,"

"You look really tense, Deku?" Ochaco blurted out, his face lighting up while his arms froze above his head

"O-o-oh, sorry! Just that-" He immediately reverted to tapping his index fingers bashful. "-All this tension lately is just got me overthinking alot of details, and the final match could end so many ways that my head's spinning." He laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head

Ochaco smiled too, scratching her cheek. "Yeah, Kacchan's... certainly not one to take lightly in a fight, and Todoroki, those ice attacks not to mention his fire he's almost unbeatable," Yet Izuku frowned slightly, ever since their match Todoroki looked completely lost, had he and Yuki gone too far and push him off his game? Changing the outcome wouldn't matter now, only what they can do from this moment forward

"Hey there, um... Deku, was it?" Izuku was broken from his trance as Jura slapped his forehead. "Ah, wait no it's Midoriya, sorry, guess your friends call ya that."

"N-no it's fine!" He anxious replied, smiling. "Uraraka calls me that."

"Alright, well, I wanted to level with you, man," Jura's confident smile faltered slightly. "Thanks, really I mean it, for being there for her I mean."

The three of them turned to see Yuki rubbing off more bets, cartoonish tears falling from under her mask as Kaminari held her arms away from the board, Jiro patting her back with a wary smile. Yuki then flopped to the ground, arms rose high as the word 'NO' stretched across both lenses.

"Believe me, I get the feeling you guys have," They turned to look at his straight face. "The things she's been through heh, when I found out about it I... really just wanted to hold onto her, keep her safe from the world, ya know? I've always been a defensive type, guess my Quirk is perfect," His smile wavered. "Wish I was there when it really counted, but fate don't wait for no one,"

He held out his fist for Izuku's deep expression. The times he caught even a fragment of Yuki's past, he wanted nothing more than to, in no other sense of the word, save her from it, to tell her it was behind her, that she could move forward. This wasn't as simple, her life was complicated, and her experiences have permanently scarred her. He understood the feeling, which is why, like Jura, he'd stand by her when she needed it most, not cage her as she's been for years.

"All of us look out for each other, no matter our differences," He bumped his fist off of Jura's, the boy lifting it high

"Knew you were a good person the day I met ya! The way you protected her was so cool!"

'Yes, I was there, bud' The note floated between them, both boys jumping as Ochaco giggled at Yuki's sharp look. 'You realize my hearing is extremely sharp, and while I appreciate the sentimentality, I have survived rather well, thank you'

Before either could answer, she yanked Jura down into the seat to her left, Izuku to her right. 'Now stop getting all emotional and lets see some blood!' Her fists pumped the sky, and the two boys shared a humorous look for their iron-willed friend

The fires of bitter rivalry roared onto the stage, the crowd, the whole of Japan was in an uproar. Valstrax took the lead, much to Yuki's chagrin as she rubbed her mask's eyes heavily.

~ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT, LET'S HEAR SOME NOISE PEOPLE FOR THE BIG FINALE!~

~IN JUST A MOMENT WE'LL SEE JUST WHICH OF THE FIRST YEARS WILL COME OUT ON TOP! YES, IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THIS FOLKS!~

~INTRODUCING THE ICY-HOT FROM THE HERO COURSE, SHOTO TODOROKI! VERSUS HIS CLASSMATE AND EXPLOSIVES EXPERT, KATSUKI BAKUGO!~

The tension returned almost immediately. Eyes and ears taut as a calm wave of fire pulled and pushed between them. Bakugo's almost psychotic visage faced Todoroki's emotionless, solemn stare. Unseen words were spoken, and their hearts were on fire, or one was, the other lost in a sea of reflection vast and empty.

~BEGIN-!~

Not a moment the words left Mic's mouth did a glacier of ice rumble across the arena, plunging the stadium into a deep freeze as the ice jutted forward in a flash cold-snap, Bakugo's furious voice lost in the elements.

~TODOROKI STARTS WITH A CRAAAZY ICE BLAST! BAKUGO SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY BURIED! IS IT POSSIBLE WE ALREADY GOT A WINNER DOWN THERE!?~

~GIVEN WHAT I'VE SEEN, DOUBTFUL, THAT BLONDIE HAS A RAGE THAT PUTS OUR SUN TO SHAME...~

Izuku agreed, leaning forward alongside Yuki, "This isn't like when he attacked Sero, the ice just now is more controlled." She nodded along with him, however, there was a different energy in the air surrounding their half-and-half friend. "He's being cautious."

There was a distant ring of explosions coming from within the ice, Todoroki steeled himself, he wasn't certain his attack would finish Bakugo off easily. He'd have planned ahead for this but his mind kept blotting out any strategies, shaking his head, he kept on target as the ice blew part in at the base, forcing his footing back.

Both Sero and Kaminari sounded vexed, "He tunneled through the ice like some kind of mole man!?" "These two are insane!"

"You got some pretty powerful attacks," Bakugo growled, his hands melting the ice he pried his body free of, Todoroki stood firm, frost licking his forearm while he lunged forward, Bakugo doing the same. "But you're a bad aim!" He fired off one shot to throw himself away from Todoroki. "Try harder!"

Again, his mind was clouded as Bakugo snagged his shoulder and hair, stomping down onto the ground while pulling Todoroki high. "Are you underestimating me!? IDIOT!" His roar snapped Todoroki out of it in time to catch himself on a sheet of ice, surfing across a frozen wave to counter the throw

~TALK ABOUT SURF'S UP AS TODOROKI EVADES BEING THROWN OUT OF THE RING! I KINDA WANNA TRY IT...~

Bakugo reached for the edge of the wave, catching Todoroki as he came closing in fast for a counterattack, the blonde screaming as he unleashed an explosion, however, Todoroki parried the blow by grabbing him by the arm, time at a standstill as he felt himself consider the idea of using his fire to put one of Bakugo's arms out of commission.

However, a voice of spite made him decide otherwise, the look of surprise in their eyes. "...Do it, Shoto!"

Todoroki held on tight then tossed Bakugo far enough away that now he was against the massive wall of ice. Bakugo tisked, eyes trembling with a rage unlike any normal person could muster. "Stop screwing around... what, you think I'm not worthy of your fire?" His whole expression was fury at a millimeter tipping point, the whole glass fractured in his eyes

~Bakugo timed his explosion to avoid being caught by Todoroki's left side, he's done his research, his aptitude for this becomes more apparent with every fight~

~INTRESTING~

"..." Valstrax said nothing, she knew why. The fight with Midoriya was proof he was holding back because of Endeavor, she'd admit she knew very little of their history but from personal experience with the hero she knew the path Todoroki was on, and the one her daughter and her best friend had changed is causing conflict in Todoroki. "This won't end well..."

~Todoroki is doing well so far, but his attacks are too simple, it almost seems like he lost his spark after his match with Midoriya~

He couldn't deny it, slowly, the doubt was corrupting his focus. What would have been a match won with sheer versatile might was now a poor imitation. His nerve was unsteady, his mind clouded, and his heart unsure of who he was anymore, the choices he's made were all conflicting with newer ideals.

An explosion drew his lost eyes to rage incarnate. "You bastard. I'll tell you what will happen if you make a fool out of me! I'll kill you!" That struck a chord finally, Bakugo's obsession with a true triumph fueling his muscles with raw strength. "I don't want there to be any doubt that I'm the best student at the festival, that's only possible if you come at me as hard as you can!"

"There's no point to winning if you don't come at me with the same power you used against, Deku, or even that Mute Bastard if she wasn't so weak to lose to him!" Bakugo bellowed for all the world to hear. "If you don't want to win this then why are you even here!?" He ran for Todoroki, murder in his eyes. "Show everyone you're trying to DESTROY ME!"

Todoroki remained frozen in place, his mind's eye bringing back all he's heard, all the words spoken to him today by so many points of view. 'I wanted to... I'll be a hero!'. "I'm sorry, Bakugo, ever since Midoriya, Yuki I'm unsure whether or not I did the right thing." Ice crawled over his skin, his body beginning to slow down under the visible haze that blackened his mind. "What my left side means to me."

"Come on Todoroki!" Izuku's voice cried from afar, and his lowered hand stopped, holding out to the last of his fighting spirit. His eyes caught sight of him and Yuki standing tall, the mute pumping her fists up into the air one after the other, flames animated by SIVA above her head. "Don't give up, do your best!"

He grit his teeth, the ice ceased its infectious grasp gently. "Midoriya! Yuki!" A fire bubbled, then burned as Bakugo propelled himself high with a fiery blast, arms bent for a startling attack. A fire raged and unleashed with a great deal of power across his left side

Between him and his flames, Bakugo fired consecutive blasts, kicking up a powerful tornado across his body, the powerful whirlwind crackling with unstable sweat particles with every turn, his spirit finally on fire too at the sight of Todoroki giving his all to win. Deep down if not for the nerd and mute he despised it may never have occurred.

Todoroki was ready to end this, here and now with one blow! His mind scattered memories, dark, twisted, full of sorrow in that single breath of fresh air. And his spirit, his fire... died. And a different kind of inferno consumed him with a haymaker that disintegrated the ice in a heartbeat.

~WOAH HAHA! BAKUGO COMBINES SPEED AND ROTATION FOR A DEVASTATING BLAST LIKE HE USED AGAINST URARAKA! HE TURNED HIMSELF INTO A HUMAN MISSLE! TODOROKI DIDN'T FIRE OF HIS FLAME ATTACK LIKE HE DID WITH MIDORIYA, SO WHAT HAS BECOME OF OUR TWO TOP COMPETITORS!?~

The smoke was intense so it took a few seconds for the majority to clear, but by then the results had be finalized. Bakugo was stumbling toward Todoroki. Yuki's eyes became downcast, and Izuku's remained frozen in place. He was out cold, resting in the remains of the ice as Bakugo realized he was out of bounds.

"Hey!" He yelled, sprinting toward the unconscious boy, pulling him up with his hand raised out of anger. Bakugo won, but because Todoroki never truly fought and paid the price of his uneasiness. "You - stop messing around! This isn't a real win unless you try harder!" His eyes were filled with unparalleled levels of fury and spite, but his voice couldn't accept he won easier than most. "I can't win this way so get up!" By then, Midnight had already unleashed her Quirk, knocking Bakugo out soon after under the effects of the pink mist

"A bittersweet ending, how ironic." Was all Yuki had to think about as she dipped her head against the railing with a long sigh

Yuki had only ever seen glimpses of the Festival thanks in part to her Mom teaching her with examples from her younger years, but not once did she ever imagine the drama that would inevitably ensue. From promises between herself and Izuku, to learning of Todoroki's background, and watching Ocha duke it out with Bakugo, down to revelations such as Kovik's brief presence and her Mom's embarrassing comments.

Then there was what occurred mere moments ago, something that tugged at her worried heart for Iida. His announcement fresh in her mind as she anxiously gazed to Izuku, he too wore his worry under a calm exterior, but it was eating away at them both. His older brother was attacked by a villain, and no matter how hard she prayed or how illogical it may be, her mind, her very soul screamed a single name she dared not think of.

"Please, for Iida's sake, please be okay, Ingenium," Then her thoughts crossed with the briefest slithers of rage.

~The First Year students have completed all of the events for the UA Sports Festival! Now it's time to relax and enjoy the award ceremony!~ Midnight declared while Yuki herself found that to be hilarious since she couldn't tell if that was directed at the audience or her friends who slogged through hell and high water

Fireworks covered the sky above, and while a great time her hand subconsciously wrapped around Izuku's tentatively, feeling his reciprocate with a squeeze as she felt her heart return to normal. What came next... was something. From the mist, the podiums rose. And despite Tokoyami taking Iida's place for him and the still ever-present uncertainty on Todoroki's features, it was the number one spot that had the whole class uncomfortable, Yuki just snapped a picture.

"What the heck...?" Jiro blurted out. Bakugo was currently chained and locked by the hands, a muzzle clamped to his mouth as he seethed with unbridled fury. Izuku never knew Kacchan to get this angry so this was first, even by his standards when typically around the blonde

"He's been going nuts ever since he woke up," Kirishima sighed, rubbing his temple. "Man, Bakugo, pull yourself together..." He, in fact, did not

~Tenya Iida actually shares third place with Tokoyami, but unfortunately, he had to leave for family reasons~ Then Midnight winked at the crowd of photographers and students, primarily toward her mute student who shivered. ~Gotta love those familial bonds~

"Too bad Iida couldn't be here he was so excited," Asui pointed out, however, the truth was only known between three, and none of them felt it was their place to say why not yet until they heard back from him

"Yeah..." Izuku sighed, head low while his mind raced with the horrible news

"Uraraka, Midoriya, Azuru, I know this is sudden but I have to leave now," Iida declared to the trio with a solemn look on Iida's face. That glint his eyes... Izuku had seen it before in Yuki's too many times, it was wary, clouded even. "A villain got my older brother."

The news dropped like an anvil, Yuki's eyes dilated, her fingers twitched while Uraraka shared his shocked expression, "Wait, you're saying Ingenium is hurt?"

"Yes," Immediate and worried

"Do they think he's going to be okay?" That question was what worried them most of all, but with his eyes closed, posture straight it was hard to tell if even Iida believed in that notion

"I don't know many details yet, that's why I have to go right away - huh?" Yuki's hand grasped his forearm, her eyes flickering with pain, a note handed to him gently

'Go, you need to make sure he's okay, and... if -, be there for him no matter what' Her fingers were shaking, but she looked to be holding herself back, that alone, the severity, it weighed so heavily on Izuku's chest now. However, the message gave Iida a small, hopeful smile

"I will, thank you, Azuru."

While the ceremony went on without much issue, bar All Might's abrupt entrance, from Yuki's perspective it seemed that Todoroki was at ease, in a strange... Todoroki way? She wasn't a mind-reader, but he looked a little more focused. However, while many things rested in her mind, and tomorrow... tomorrow would be hard, she had one pressing issue.

Letting go of Izuku's hand, she bolted from her spot and past Midnight as All Might removed Bakugo's face clamp, and the very words 'Angry' started to appear across his devil-like expression, she downright feared he'd start breathing fire or shoot lasers from his eyeballs. Even All Might looked taken back by the appearance.

"...Winning first place this way... DOESN'T PROVE I'M THE BEST ONE HERE, EVEN IF THE WORLD CONSIDERS ME THE WINNER I REFUSE TO ACCEPT IT LIKE - MFRPH!?" In that frame of furious anger, Bakugo immediately had his mouth gagged by Yuki strapping the muzzle back on his face, his eyes burning holes against her mask while she stepped back, wiping her forehead

'Whatever you do. DO NOT take that mask off' She shoved the note against All Might's chest, patting his arm while stumbling back

He chuckled, himself sweating on the inside. "You saved me yet again, Young Azuru, thank you!" He held a thumb up while she waved back, slumping against Izuku's side with a shiver

"That was so scary~! Protect me my cinnamon roll~!"

Rage | Unfiltered | Angery

Later that day, somewhat rested and back in class, they had spent their brief moment away from the stadium to finally reflect a little on their standings. Yuki knew she was getting stronger, however her goals at the start ultimately befuddled her motive, and maybe it was the reason she lost to Izuku, not because she didn't want him to lose, but rather, to make up for her loss she went beyond any limit she had previously bolstered SIVA too, and it ultimately caused a backlash.

For Izuku, he realized he had made large strides, though his anterior motive in helping Todoroki cost him the finals, this still didn't deter his path. Now, he had to learn to master Five Percent, like Yuki, it would be a start line to improve, to go up even a percentage at a time if he had to.

"Nice work, you have the next two days of school off to recuperate." Mummy Aizawa elaborated on the days ahead, eyes peering from under his bandages. "I'm sure the Pros who watched the Festival will want to recruit some of you, will look over the drafts and forms when you return. Get some rest, you still have alot of training to do."

"Yes, Sir!"

Yuki's mind wandered, while visibly she hadn't changed, she had alot to think about, many things to plan for tomorrow and the day after. It was going to be a rough two days so while the Festival was at an end, her struggles weren't over just yet.

"Tomorrow..." She cupped her hands together, and her heart broke. "...Tomorrow I'll see you again..."

To Be Continued...

And so we're at the end of the Festival Arc, but no codenames yet! We got two chapters, one... very powerful chapter coming up and it won't be easy. I hope you enjoyed, seeya in the next chapter, Plus Ultra!

Next Chapter: I'm Not as Perfect

During their time relaxing, Yuki's bittersweet day arrives. She'll brave another month, another fateful day with a shattered heart.

A/N: Not many changes from the original story but things will start to swing in motion with Yuki's appearance soon. Kovik is on the move, Stain is coming up and I'm excited!