All Might stood in the viewing room with the rest of his students. They watched in anticipation as Midoriya and Uraraka made their way to the third floor using young Uraraka's quirk. He was unsure at first of his pupil's plan when he saw Bakugou approach the pair. However, his doubts were quickly erased as he witnessed his successor's actions. Young Midoriya countered Bakugou's moves before the boy could even react. All Might could see that their training had paid off, Izuku's moves were brutal and swift. He dodged and hit with purpose, effectively leading his opponent away from his partner. The hero felt pride flutter in his chest. Still, he needed to be unbiased and school his features into remaining neutral.
Yet, this didn't apply to the students that were either cheering at the monitors or starring in shock as the shy boy they met beforehand, thoroughly defeated one of the top students in the class. The boy was going straight for the win. He knocked Bakugou unconscious and proceeded to swiftly destroy the building's higher floors in a show of incredible power.
The room went dangerously quiet as they took in the destruction the short boy initiated with a single punch. They understood now how this boy earned his placement in the entrance exam.
Their awe quickly twisted to dread as they watched helplessly as the screen monitoring the exercise suddenly emitted a blinding light and turned to static.
"Hero team wins!" All Might's booming voice came through her communicator.
They won. Deku's plan worked! She released her quirk and slid to her feet. Iida was kneeling on the floor, head down in defeat. However, as soon as the exercise was declared over he quickly made his way towards her and congratulated her on her well-earned victory. Any response she was about to say was cut out by a sudden explosion resounding from the floors below them. The exercise was over. Were Midoriya and Bakugou still fighting? Worry began pooling in her guts as she remembered the animosity the blonde held towards her friend.
"Iida, I think something's wrong. The exercise is over. They shouldn't be fighting anymore. We need to stop whatever is happening downstairs."
Iida nodded in approval, concern clear in his voice when he spoke next. "We should go check it out"
"We need to get there before they really hurt each other-" She cut herself off as Iida suddenly raised a hand to his communicator, listening to whatever was said on the other end of the line.
"Yes sir, we'll investigate at once" Iida looked up and met her eyes, his gaze urgent and serious as he turned his communicator off again. "He wants us to go check on Bakugou and Midoriya, the video feed on the third floor was cut off."
Uraraka guts twisted in worry. "Okay, but you're faster. I'll catch up to you, so go on ahead," she stated, determination finally settling in and taking over the anxiety and worry she felt. She hoped Izuku was okay.
She wasted no time rushing for the nearest staircase. Iida's Quirk sent him barraging past her at breakneck speed. She cut around the edge of the stairwell, using her quirk to leap over multiple steps at once.
She tried to ignore the nausea that threatened to set in. She didn't know if it was from her quirk overuse or the dread filling her stomach.
She stumbled on the last step leading to the third floor when she heard Iida's voice, filled with panic and urgency. "-I found them, sir, Midoriya received wounds to the neck and shoulder and is bleeding heavily. I'm applying pressure on his wounds sir. Please hurry!"
She skidded into the hallway to her next left, her eyes misty and burning as a cry of shock ripped from her throat at the sight before her.
Iida was kneeling. Izuku's body; limp and unconscious, was sprawled on his knees. The boy trying to apply pressure on the teen's wounds using a ripped piece of cloth. Evidently, originating from Izuku's tattered costume.
The sight of his wounds alone made the bile rise in her throat.
Her friend's shoulder was charred, burns and splinters going all the way up to his neck. Second-degree burns and borderline third, were highlighted by the paler of his skin. Her friend was just unconscious, she had to remind herself. He wasn't dead. He just… seemed that way. She couldn't help the tears that pooled down from her eyes as these thoughts went through her head.
Bakugou stood a couple of feet away, completely still and silent. Except for the shaking in his hands.
This wasn't supposed to happen. He just felt so angry at the time. All he saw was red. He woke up and found the nerd starring at a hole in the ceiling. When did that happen? He didn't have time to think about it though. All he was thinking about was defeating the worthless nerd in front of him. He needed to put him in his place. How dare he think he could win against him. he swayed on his feet as he got up. He probably had a concussion. However, he didn't care, he had a more pressing matter at hand. He checked his gauntlets. He'd asked the support department to create them in a way that made them store his sweat throughout the fight to be able to produce a highly destructive and powerful blast.
Now was the perfect chance to test them. Izuku had his guard down. It was now or never.
Now, as he stared at the motionless and charred figure of his old friend. All he felt was regret. What was he thinking? He knew the explosion would be powerful. But this? This was horrific to see. He caused this. He wanted to be a hero. Yet, his actions were nothing short of villainous.
Guilt immediately swept through Katsuki as All Might arrived at the scene, cell phone already in his hand as he called for help.
As Izuku was taken away on a stretcher to be healed by Recovery Girl, Katsuki couldn't help but feel ashamed at his actions.
Izuku must have woken up several times, everything was a blur. He was lying on a soft bed, a smell of antiseptic attacking his senses and a bright light accosting his eyes as he opened them. He tilted his head to the right, he recognized the room. It was UA's infirmary. He remembered the training exercise. He won his fight against Kacchan, so why was he here?
All at once, the pieces seemed to fall into place. Kacchan attacked him after the exercise. He fired his gauntlet at him. Did he hate him that much?
He tried lifting himself up and of the bed but instantly regretted it as a sharp pain in his shoulder made itself known.
A voice startled him into opening his eyes. He hadn't noticed closing them again.
"Don't get up dear! You sustained quite some serious injuries. I'm surprised you're even awake." The short body of Recovery Girl stepped into his line of sight. "How are you feeling? Any pain?"
"Y- Yes, my shoulder hurts a little but it's manageable!" He asked tentatively, trying to suppress the dread pooling in his stomach at the thought of the day's events.
"You sustained a few first-degree burns to your neck. Those healed up quickly. Your right shoulder, on the other hand, was severely damaged. You lost forty percent of the tissue present and received second-degree burns around it. Your burns should be mostly healed, and your tissue should be all recovered, but you're going to have serious scarring once it's finished closing. Luckily there was no permanent nerve damage. You should resume full function in a week "
Izuku released the breath he hadn't realized he was holding his breath. He looks down at the bandages sticking out of his torn shirt. He finds comfort in finding that he's still wearing his costume. It would be problematic if Recovery Girl saw his scars. This was a close call.
"What happened to Ka- Bakugou?" He asked, voice low trying to hide the concern in his voice.
"He was taken to the principal's office and will most likely be expelled for his actions." The retired hero stated.
His face paled at that. "Ex- Expelled?" He straightened up his position. "He can't be expelled! He didn't mean to do it!" He argued weakly, trying to convince himself in the process.
The door to the infirmary opened. An exasperated-looking Aizawa walking in, the bags under his eyes more pronounced and looking even more tired than before… if that was possible.
"Aizawa-sensei! Please don't expel Kacchan! It wasn't his fault!" Izuku pleaded as he tried to get up from the bed. His knees buckled from under him as a sudden wave of nausea hit him. He was saved from his fall by his teacher's quick reflexes.
Aizawa steadied Izuku by the shoulders. Making sure he wouldn't fall again he finally let go.
"Midoriya you should be in bed." This kid would be the death of him. "What happens to Bakugou is entirely up to the principle."
"B- but sensei, it's okay- I'm okay. Please don't punish Kacchan! Nothing bad happened!" Izuku insisted, his word sincere and earnest. He actually believed that it was okay. That being permanently scarred and almost dying at the hands of a friend and a classmate, was okay. His own mother scarred him, every day, after all! It wasn't a big deal. Except that it was.
"Midoriya… You were attacked after the end of the exercise. Not only that, Bakugou used lethal force and permanently scarred you. it was a good thing Iida acted when he did or you'd have more than a scar on the shoulder. You almost died Midoriya. What he did was not acceptable." His teacher spoke, his eyes never leaving his, as he tried to convey the sincerity and urgency behind his every word.
"I'm sure he didn't mean to. He was unconscious, he didn't know the exercise had ended! Please give him another chance Sensei!" He argued persistently, the determination in his eyes amplifying at his every word.
This kid is amazing! He wakes up after being attacked and the first thing he wants is to help his attacker. Problem child. Aizawa let out an exasperated huff as relented to the stubborn teen. "I'll talk to Nezu and see what I can do. But you need to know one thing Midoriya. What Bakugou did was NOT okay. Get it? Problem child?"
The teen nodded his head hastily. "I- I know."
"We tried contacting your mother but there was no response" The dark-haired man inquired. "Be sure to tell her about what happened when you get home."
Izuku's guts twisted at that. His mother probably didn't care what the school had to say. She was probably pissed off, now. She made her feelings towards his choice of education crystal clear. Izuku gulped at the thought of facing her tonight.
The reaction didn't go unnoticed by his teacher.
Nezu took another sip from his second cup of green tea. Eyes never leaving the blonde teen seated in front of him. They had been sitting like that for about thirty minutes. Katsuki's nerves were about to explode. He stared at the rat? Bear? Principle and tried to calm down in fear of losing his temper in front of the rodent.
Nezu set his cup down. Finally breaking the silence that had settled in the room.
"What do you have to say for yourself young man," The small rodent asked
"I- I don't know what got over me. I have nothing to say. Just expel me and get it over with." His fist was clenched, his knuckles white. As he tried his best to keep his voice steady and unwavering.
"Oh, we were planning on it actually. But it seems that Midoriya specifically requested that you'd get another chance." He leveled Bakugou with a look. It sent shivered down the blonde's spine despite the principal's small size.
He couldn't believe it. Deku defended him? After what he did to him? "Yes, Bakugou. The boy you scarred for life, the boy you almost killed, asked that you'd be exempted from any punishment." The rodent continued as if reading his line of thought. "Unfortunately, it isn't completely up to him. You see, his opinion will surely be taken into consideration. However, I do not allow this sort of behavior at my school. Your actions were unacceptable Bakugou Katsuki. You will be suspended for a week, effective immediately! We spoke to your parent's and they agreed to have you take anger management therapy sessions. Moreover, you will be forced to stay away from Midoriya and avoid interacting with him unless asked specifically by the boy in question." Nezu pressed a button on his desk, this action resulted in the door to his office opening wide.
Bakugou recognized the dismissal and walked away quietly. His shoulders were hunched down, his usual confident demeanor was gone.
Izuku walked through the halls, recovery had cleared him to go home. Warning him not to do any strenuous activity and advising him to take a long night of rest. She'd requested he come back in the morning to get his bandages changed. It was three o'clock. He had missed the rest of his hero fundamental training. He was excited to finally get to see what his classmates were capable of. He was cut off from his musing when a slim figure knocked into him. Luckily, he didn't fall down. Avoiding aggravating his wounds even more. Recovery girl would kill him.
He looked up at the person he had bumped into, apologies already slipping out as he hastily gathered the person's fallen belongings. His emerald eyes met the shining blue of his mentor's.
"Midoriya! My boy! I'm glad to see that you're okay! You had me worried back there, young man! I was actually going to see you now."
"All Might! I'm- I'm fine! I'm sorry for worrying you." He replied nervously, playing at the hem of his sleeve. Recovery girl had given him a new long-sleeved shirt to wear.
"I wanted to apologize to you, my boy. My shortcomings as a teacher, led to your injury. If I had been wiser I would have recognized the animosity Bakugou held towards you. We would have avoided this whole mess." The number one hero bowed deeply.
"N- No All Might! It wasn't your fault! It was an accident! You don't have to blame yourself!" He waved his hands around, trying to get the man to straighten up.
"I was in charge of your safety young Izuku. It was my responsibility to keep you safe. Please accept my apologies." The hero insisted.
"O- Okay," Izuku replied weakly, he figured arguing with his mentor was a lost cause at this point.
Izuku entered the house tentatively. He needed to go up to his room and maybe take a nap. Recovery girl's quirk has drained his energy away. Her quirk required stamina in order to accelerate the healing rate of the wounds. It was quite fascinating actually. He was so caught up in his mumbling that he didn't notice the shadowed figure waiting for him on the kitchen counter.
His mom cleared her throat, making her presence known and effectively startling her son. His heart rate instantly sped up. How could he forget about his mom? She must be mad about the phone call. Stupid. He let his guard down, he let himself believe that he was safe.
Inko studied her son for a moment. The school had disturbed her afternoon shopping outing. It wasn't enough her son had the gall to attend the school despite her wishes but they dared to contact her.
Her eyes narrowed, spotting the bandages peeking out of her son's shirt. So that's why they call her. He got injured on his first day. Pathetic
Izuku watched warily as his mother looked him over. He was frozen still, making himself as small as possible. Waiting to see what would happen next. He watched as his mother's eyes widened in realization and a grin made itself known on her features.
He hissed in pain as he felt pressure on his shoulder. Was she? No, she couldn't be that cruel. A pained cry escaped his throat, the pressure on his shoulder increasing slightly. He could feel the dampness spread on his shirt. Blood. She was using her quirk to aggravate his wounds by pressing on them.
The pressure abruptly stopped. He dropped to his knees in relief. His mother gingerly crossed the room and made her way upstairs to her bedroom. A satisfactory grin plastered on her face as she toddled past him.
He couldn't stop the tears that flowed freely from his eyes as the stressful events of the day finally caught up to him. His breathing was hard. The air in the room seemed to vanish. He was hyperventilating. His panic attack has been long overdue. He curled up on himself, trying to calm his breathing and steady his throbbing heart.
He just wanted it all to stop.