CH4 Get Fit or Get Out!

The next day I went to class, just like normal, but something was off. Everybody seemed faceless. Void of anything. Nobody was overly chipper or moody. Everybody had the same bland, happy emotion. Then, at the drop of a pin, they all turned towards me. Masks appeared on their faces, all the same twisted smile. They stared at me, smiling. Then, one by one, they shook violently as they removed their masks. Nothing but darkness came from under the masks. It swirled and combined, and from that darkness he rose. Like Satan coming up from Hell, he emerged from the cluster of shadow faces. "NO!" I screamed as I bolted upright from my cot, sweat pouring down my face. "Are you alright Imagi-san?" Recovery Girl asked. "Yeah! Just a nightmare…" I drifted. "Well you are all better from yesterday. So you can return to class if you're feeling up to it." "Thank you Recovery Girl." I bow as I get up to leave. "Oh, and one more thing…" She trailed. "Please don't over do it with your quirk. I know you had a rough day, but from that much blood loss, on a regular basis…" She paused with a sigh. "You might not be so lucky next time." I clench my teeth and scowl at myself as I walk out towards class 1-B.

Class was easy, going over the history of quirks as we knew them, and how being able to control them is important. The day ticks by and i remember what Bakugo had said to me. "You could use more combat training… You can't always depend on your quirk alone… You may as well give up on being a hero…" ''I'll show him! '' I thought as I headed up to the rooftop of 1-A's building while the sun started to set. I open the door to the roof, looking around to find Bakugo. I see him facing the south side of the building, facing towards the setting sun. "You actually came." He chuffed, surprised I'd shown up. "Of course I did. I'm serious Bakugo-san!" "Alright then…" He paused, shifting towards me in a defensive stance. "Come at me!"

I lunged for him as he had commanded. I was aiming a punch for his gut, but out of nowhere he grabbed my arm and flipped me over. "Uwahhh!" I screamed as I landed with a thud. "Lesson 1…" Bakugo started. "Never just charge in, even if it seems like you'll have the upper hand." He turned. "Again!" I got up and looked for a weak point. As I was lost in thought and overanalyzing, Bakugo charged for me. "Kyaahhh!" He took me to the ground and pinned me. "Lesson 2…" I struggled as he spoke. "Never create an opening for your opponent." He released me and got up. "Again!" We continued this song and dance for a few more minutes as he pinned me down again. "Are you sure you're taking this seriously?" "Yes! I am!" I barked back, fire in my eyes. "Ok then…" He said as he released me. "We will pick this up tomorrow. Rest and find the one thing that will drive you to continue fighting." Bakugo finishes as he exits the rooftop. "Find the one thing that will drive me…" I mumbled to myself. As the words sunk in, a cold shiver ran down my spine. I knew who to think of to keep me motivated!

The next day came and went as the previous had. Bakugo came up to the rooftop of the 1-A building. As he walked through the threshold of the door, I lept onto him. Rolling to a stop, I pinned him to the ground. "HA! Gotcha!" I smirked in confidence. "For now…" Bakugo said flatly. He grabbed me and flung me over him. "Augh!" I coughed in pain. "Lesson 3…" He held my arms pinned behind me as I attempted to wriggle free. "Always securely pin an opponent's arms to avoid being overtaken." I struggled some more, but then gave up. He got off and helped me up. "I'm impressed you thought of that though." He added. He held his arms up in defense. "Now, let's try some hand-to-hand combat." He looked me over. "Come at me." I held my arms up, fists clenched, and threw a punch. He blocked it swiftly. I went in for another, he blocked it again. I looked at his stance, trying to see an opening. I threw another jab, blocked. I tried again, blocked again, but I immediately countered with a kick. He was knocked back. "Well well, the little birdy is finally trying to fly." Bakugo smirked under his breath. "Again!" I ready myself, as Bakugo gives me a tap on my arm with his fist. I pivot and rotate in the opposite direction to land a shovel hook into his side. He coughs and yells "AGAIN!" We keep sparring like this for over an hour. "Ok, that's it for today!" Bakugo clapped his hands together. He then walks off without another word.

The day passes as the others had before it. Bakugo arrives at the rooftop to find me training alone. "Hiyahh!" I kick. "Houughh!" I punch, sweat glistening off of my skin. Bakugo admires my enthusiasm. "Haahhugh!" I thrust me knee into the air. Bakugo starts clapping. "Nice form!" He smiles and it catches me off guard. "Now let's put that training to work!" He flies towards me as I cross my arms to block. He throws a left hook. I grab it, shift my weight and fling him over me. He lands flat on his back. "Hugh!" He coughs. I land my elbow into his stomach. He grabs and pins me. "Gonna have to try harder!" He groans, wiping a small amount of blood from the corner of his mouth. I wrap my leg around his, catch him off guard and twist his arm. I roll out of the pin and jump to my feet. I crouch waiting on Bakugo. He raises and charges for me, as I roll to knock him down again. I get up, with fire in my eyes and soul, burning my stare into Bakugo. We fight for nearly 2 hours, constantly overtaking each other. The sun sets and it starts to get too dark to see. We are both pouring with sweat. "Give up?" I prod Bakugo. "NEVER!" He huffedly replies. "But it's getting too dark to see…" "You have fire powers! Use em!" "It's an Explosion quirk!" "Yeah whatever!" We clash, bracing each others blows with our arms. ''She has gotten much stronger, and more driven… I wonder what's so important to cause her to fight harder. '' Bakugo thinks to himself. ''I have to keep fighting! I have to prove I'm strong enough to beat him this time!" I chant to myself.

We fight fiercely, as I charge in to land what could be a fatal blow. Out of habit and instinct, Bakugo throws out a blast. "Augh!" It thrusts me back off the roof flying. Bakugo launches himself after me. "I got you Yume!" He shouts. Bakugo grabs me and with one arm lifts us into a nearby tree. He sets me on a large branch, close to the trunk. He hangs onto another branch and pulls himself up. "You ok?" Bakugo asks, his face betraying him, the look of worry spreading. "I'm fine…." I blush. "Th-thank you…" I say softly. "That's enough for today." Bakugo says. He softly climbs down the tree and burns little steps for me into the trunk. "It may be hot still, so be careful." He warns. He drops off and starts to walk away. "Wait!" I call, climbing down after him with thundering speed. "Aiyee!" I squeal as I press my foot into the smoldering wood. I lose my footing and fall. "I got ya!" Bakugo swoops in again to catch me. I land in his arms, which are still so strong, even after catching me before. "You're ok right? Yume?" Bakugo asks kindly. "Y-yes…" I reply sheepishly, blushing a bit. He lets my legs down so I can stand. "Ok, it's late. That's more than enough for today." He walks off without another word. I sit there in shock for a bit, trying to mull over what just happened. Then I decide it's time to go back to the dorms and just sleep. Tomorrow will be a new day.