When I came back from the apartment, I had more than my novel on my mind.

First of all, Princess decided to add to my misery and scratch me in the face after I made sure she wasn't in labor or, you know, dying, and kissed her head.

I had no idea where Dad was, so I sent him a text, telling him that I would be a minute or two late getting to class since I had to stop by Recovery Girl's office for more gauze on my face.

I was shocked that she managed to draw blood. It didn't hurt that bad.

It ended up being a little longer than a minute or two, and Dad had to change classes by the time I returned to the classroom.

So here I was. Ignoring the glances the students gave me for the added injury (on my temple, which explained the excessive amount of blood), suffering the absence of my father, trying to focus on my novel, but aso realizing that I was going to start doing things that I did not want to do-working out.

Dad texted me to stay in the class and wait for him before going home, simply for the sake of saving the steps of finding me, and I agreed.

So after Midnight's lecture on modern art, Hizashi's lesson on English prepositions and his many many attempts to drag me into the discussion, the final bell of the day rang.

I waited for the my father, as instructed, and for students to file out as I read, glad that many of them chose not to speak to me.

for the few that did, I hardly waved as I kept on reading.

After about 10 minutes of waiting and immersive reading, my father texted again.

Dad (2:52 P.M.):

I'm having trouble with some of the second year squabblers

u can head back home

I didn't particularly want to return to the lair of the demon cat, but figured that Dad didn't intend his words as a request. I sent a thumbs up and began to pack my things.

To my surprise, there were still a small number of students in the classroom. Granted, one of them was just now packing up, but the other was just sitting on his phone.

This new generation had no respect for manners. It's rude to stay after you've been dismissed unless given explicit permission by your instructor, or unless you require assistance.

I let out a huff. I hauled my backpack onto my shoulder, still reading on my phone. I took my lanyard off my neck and spun it around my hands.

I waited for the other person to leave before making my way out. I had just opened the door when I heard a gruff voice.

"Oi."

I ignored it at first, thinking it was for someone else, then I realized I was the only other person in the room.

So slowly, I turned around.

I saw the angry jock glaring at me from his desk. Actually, with his feet on the desk.

I tried not to be peeved.

"Hm?" I said.

He nonchalantely kicked his feet off the desk and sauntered up to me, looming over me in a threatening way. Unfortunately for him, I wasn't intimidated in the slightest. I've seen scarier people in the past, and I had even scarier people ready to do just about anything I asked, if I wanted.

"I don't know who the hell you think you are acting like you're smarter than me," he growled, "...Walking in like you own the place, but just know that you're nothing to me. You're just a stepping stone."

I looked up at him, confused. I stopped spinning my lanyard. I then proceeded to look him up and down, and I let out a huff of amusement.

"Maybe I am smarter than you." I almost turned away.

"Listen here, pipsqueak," he snarled, snatching my arm, "You're never gonna beat me."

I cut him off and tugged my arm out of his grip. "Get your hands off me."

What scared me most was that what had just happened didn't phase him in the slightest.

He continued. "You're never gonna be the top. Why? Because that's going to be me. And I won't let you get in my way. You'll regret it if you do."

"Hm.." I mused, "Threatening a twelve-year-old unprovoked...That's quite the move for someone enrolled in the Hero Course, wouldn't you think?"

I had more things to say, but I figured I was wasting my breath if I did.

Since I thought we were done, so I turned around to leave. I took one step and he yelled again.

"Oi! Don't turn your back on me, Pipsqueak!"

I sighed, not even turning my head to look at him. I was called short twice in a single conversation.

"What kind of a threat to I pose to you?" I asked. "I'm not even going to be a hero. I can't even enroll into U.A. until your graduating year."

Bakugo said nothing to that. He only scowled.

"It's the way you walk. You think you own the place. You think you know what you're up against, when you haven't even seen what-"

"Seen what? The Sport's Festival? The footage of the entrance exams? of he training session you almost killed Midoriya-San?"

He was taken back by the fact that I was fully aware of all three of those shows of his power.

"Don't worry. The moment you lose it and unleash such a power on me, feel free to kiss your near spotless reputation goodbye, Bakugo-San. I don't think it's what I'm up against that's the problem, I think it's what you're up against. If you don't recall, my father is your teacher. And while I may be no threat to you, I think it would be wise if you considered him one."

I watched his face change. I tried not to bask in his exression of pure anger. Of horror.

He tried to salvage it, but it was too late.

I could literally feel him fuming.

"Heh," he snickered. "a twelve-year-old, threatening a student in the hero course."

"It's no threat, Bakugo-San," I said seriously. "It's a warning."

He immediately went quiet. He finally saw it. He saw that he indeed was in a vulnerable position, whether he liked it or not. Something that I don't think he realized was that the only person who put him there was himself.

"I believe in you," I said truthfully (as if I can say it any other way), "and I don't..." I waited for the words. "I don't want to be your enemy. You have more promise than you know. I want to see that come to light. I don't want you ruining that chance for yourself."

He scoffed. "Sounds like I wouldn't have the chance to, now that you're sticking around."

He walked past me, bumping violently into me as he continued down the hall without so much as a second glance.

I sighed in exasperation, then realized that he left his backpack in the room.

Part of me wondered if he was going to come back for it or if he was too proud to.

When I saw him outside the entrance of the school less than fivev minutes later, I realized it was the latter.

So I walked back in the classroom, scooped up his bad, and made my way to my apartment.

A/N: I like this chapter literally so much-