"See,see, Ryukyuu-san! That's my Kouhai-kun!"
Proudly claimed Nejire as she pointed at Aki, who was quickly retreating backstage after putting an unconscious Kirishima on the medic robot.
The Pro Heroines could only stared at the boy in question with a hanging-opened mouth, until Ryuko almost inaudible broke the silence.
"….It couldn't be…." She immediately turned to Rumi.
The Rabbit Heroine was gone.
"WOULD YOU LOOK AT THAT, PEOPLE! MOCHIZUKI'S CONSTANT ASSULT HAS FINALLY BROKEN KIRISHIMA'S ROCK HARDENING DEFENSE!
"Was that necessary…?"
"INDEED IT WAS! WE NOW HAVE THE NAME OF 8 CONTESTANTS THAT WILL BE MOVING ON! THE NEXT MATCH BETWEEN MIDORIYA IZUKU AND TODOROKI SHOKO WILL BEGIN IN 10 MINUTES!"
Present Mic excitingly announced the result as the robots carried an unconscious Kirishima to Recovery Girl's office, under the wide-eyes stared of class 1-A.
"…All right, someone's gotta say something so I will." Mina said. "Did that guy from 1-B actually figure out Kiri's weakness and find a way to counter it in like, under 2 minutes?"
"It seems we have greatly underestimated our sister's class strength…"
"Oh my, what's this~? Has class 1-A finally figured out that us, class 1-B, is the superior class?"
Monoma, hands hanging on the wall with head looking over at class 1-A with a smug grin, continued.
"Shiozaki-san and Mochizuki-kun are going to in 1st and 2nd place, and we'll finally show everyo-"
His ranting wasn't finished as Itsuka quickly chopped Monoma's neck, knocking him before apologizing.
"Sorry, guys! I turned away for 1 moment and he's gone. Just ignore whatever he said to you."
"Ah, Kendou-san." Momo greeted with a wave. "It's no bother. Congratulations on your classmate's win."
"Thank you, Yaoyorozu-san. Your class is advancing nicely as well."
"Yeah! That glacier girl from your class is a dangerous one!" Setsuna's head floated over as she joined the conversation, scaring the hell out of 1-A.
"Todoroki-san? Yeah, she's on a different level. I mean, I'm not saying Midoriya-kun is weak or anything, but it'll probably be an easy game for her." Hagakure voiced her opinion.
"Holy shit, that was fucking crazy!" Awase, and most likely everyone who witnessed the match, commented.
The match between Shoko and Izuku with Shoko using the same strategy, ending the match as soon as it started. However, Izuku didn't let her. Sacrificing his fingers, Izuku broke through Shoko's attack pushed her against the corner. After a shouting match between them that was inaudible to most of the audiences, Shoko lit up the whole stadium. Literally.
Activating the power that she's been keeping away her whole life, her fire, Shoko attacked, along with Izuku's. It was so powerful that Cementoss has to make walls between to stop them from accidentally killing each other. Even though minimized, the impact from the clash was so powerful that the whole stadium could felt the burning on their skin. Sadly, as relentless as he was, Izuku lost the battle. Todoroki Shoko advanced to the next round.
Ibara didn't even care to correct Awase's cussing as she and the rest just stared wide-eyes at the scene, motionless, until Aki hastily stood up snapped them out.
"Where you goin', Mochizuki?" Kuroiro asked.
"I need to check up on an idiot." Answered simply, he left.
"R-Right! I need to prepare for my next match as well." Ibara stood up and followed Aki as they both heading towards the infirmary.
"How is he?"
Aki asked as he stood in front of the infirmary door with Ibara and 4 others from 1-A, namely Asui, Iida, Mineta and Ochako.
Before anyone could answered, the door was abruptly opened, revealing a badly damaged Izuku laying on a bed with Recovery Girl wrapping his hand and a blond skeleton that Aki sometime saw wandering around UA.
"Deku-kun!" ""Midoriya-kun!""
"Ah, h-hey guys…the next match…what…" In a frail, broken, tired voice, Izuku asked.
"It seems that because of the stage's total pulverization, there's a break for repairs." Iida answered his question.
"We just had to come! We were so worried!" Uraraka said worrily.
"That was scary, Midoriya. No pro's gonna want that!" The purple midget pointed scarily at Izuku.
"Not digging the way you're rubbing the salt in." Tsuyu tongue-slapped him before Aki could do the same, with a sword.
"But it's true, isn't it!?"
"Alright, youngsters! It's fine that you are worry about your friend, but he's being prepared for surgery!"
"SURGERY!?" Everyone screamed.
"W-Wait, Aki-kun…..need to….talk…."
Aki raised an eyebrow as he approached Izuku's left side of the bed while Recovery Girl pushed the rest out.
"…You feeling okay?" Aki asked although already knew the answer looking at Izuku's battered arms.
"Peachy, hehe…L-Look, Aki-kun,I know you're m-mad at me for being reckless, but I just…. had to. Todoroki-san…. she looked….so sad. I-I butted my nose in….and ended up like this…. I'm sorry…"
"Look, it's alright. Just…focus on getting well soon, alright." Aki soft patted Izuku's head as he stood up.
"Todoroki-san…. she hated her own Quirk. I-I made her used it despite of her situation…b-but I knew she still felt conflicted about using it…I know t-this is a lot to ask but please, Aki-kun.
Help her."
Izuku pleaded as Aki walked out of the room and closed the door.
"…So, he's the kid you kept telling me about. He really cares about you, huh?"
"Toshinori! When I said get out, I meant everyone! The girl needs surgery!"
"R-Right away, Shuzenji-san!"
Aki decided to stay inside his waiting room and watched the rest of the matches before his. Ibara's match started soon after. Sadly, the vine girl lost after getting pushed out of the ring by Iida. His speed proved to fast for Ibara's vine to stop him in his track, Iida Tenya proceeded to the semi-final.
Mina Vs. Bakugou was a total outmatched. Despite her speed, Mina couldn't avoid any of Bakugou's Explosion and quickly surrendered after. Bakugou Katsuki moved onto the semi-final.
Currently sitting in the waiting room, Aki lost in his own thought.
'Tokoyami's Quirk, Dark Shadow, is a sentinent type. Although it follows Tokoyami's orders, maybe it could act on its own merit, which is more troublesome. Melee range combat, no known weakness. It would be like fighting two persons at the same time.'
His planning wasn't long though, as his name was announced.
"Ready? Go!"
Midnight's cue sent Aki dashed straight at Tokoyami's position with Shadowrush. Aki's plan was trying to overwhelm Tokoyami and defeated him before he could spawn Dark Shadow. He, however, underestimated Tokoyami as just before the sword could hit his neck, Dark Shadow popped out and blocked it. Seeing his plan failed, Aki stepped on Dark Shadow's head and jumped back to where he was.
Tokoyami cycled to the left, shade side of the stadium and launched Dark Shadow at Aki. Swiftly ducked the attack, Aki switched to the shuriken, threw one at Black Shadow's eye, the other one at Tokoyami before running at him with a Chasing Slice. The raven head boy dodged the shuriken, but was hit at full-force by the slice that came afterwards as it knocked him down on the ground. Trying to seize the opportunity, the young Shinobi attempted to knock Tokoyami out there, but instead his collar was held back by Dark Shadow before the creature yanked him backwards to distance him from its host.
The sudden loss of balance broke Aki's constant assault pacing, creating a gap for Tokoyami to strike back. Not giving his opponent time to rest, Tokoyami launched Dark Shadow at Aki for a full-on assault, locking Aki into a defense state as the boy could only deflected and dodged Dark Shadow's attack. However, Aki slipped up. His deflection failed as he was too focused on Dark Shadow and ended up ignoring Tokoyami. It was too late when he realized his mistake when Tokoyami ran up and kicked Aki's left, breaking his posture, leaving him opened for Dark Shadow to punch him in the stomach.
The punch almost knocked Aki out, but the black hair boy regained his posture, threw Firecrackers at Tokoyami before jumping away from the raven boy.
"LOOKS LIKE TOKOYAMI HAS PUT MOCHIZUKI IN A TOUGH SPOT! SERIOUSLY, SHOUTA, YOUR STUDENTS ARE SCARY!"
"Tokoyami is one of the strongest when it comes to melee combat, but his opponent is quite a fighter, too."
Back to the fight, Aki and Tokoyami is currently watching each other, waiting for the other to move.
'So he can fight while controlling Dark Shadow. 1 more punch like that and I'm out. Gotta find his weakness. Nightjar Jar Slash Reversal would leave me wide for attack. Ichimonji, too…'
Aki ran towards Tokoyami and started his assault with Shadowrush again, but with a bet. Drawing his sword back, Aki dashed towards Tokoyami and launched in the air. But instead of jumping away like before, he threw a Firecracker and landed, before performing Floating Passage.
Surprisingly, it works. The bright, loud explosion of Firecrackers made Dark Shadow and Tokoyami flinched, leaving them opened for Aki to attack before they jumped away from the assault.
'Firecracker seems to work. Good enough.'
Aki started to run towards his opponent again. When they were right in front of each other, Aki threw 2 Firecrackers, 1 at Tokoyami and 1 at Dark Shadow. When the owner and his Quirk have to use their hands to cover their eyes, Aki stroked with Spiral Cloud Passage. Remembering Nejire's teaching, the boy relaxed himself, and danced.
Each slash was sent along with spiraling shockwaves, air slices. Tokoyami blocked the slashes, but the air slices and shockwaves couldn't be blocked as it hit him, gradually losing his guard before the last slash broke his posture. Seeing that Tokoyami dropped his guard, Aki vaulted over behind the boy, grabbed his collar and threw him out of the ring.
"T-Tokoyami was thrown out of the ring! Mochizuki Aki advances to next round!"
The crowed started clapping and cheering after Midnight's announcement as Aki helped Tokoyami to stand up.
"Thank you, Mochizuki-san. Though I must ask, how did you find out about my weakness?" Tokoyami asked.
"Well, I noticed you always tried to remain in the shade, and you flinched when I threw only a small amount of Firecracker so I figured you must be somehow weaker under light."
"I guess I have been depending on my Quirk too much. Good luck on your next match against Bakugou, Mochizuki-san. You'll need it."
"Hoh? An interesting one we have here."
An old man chuckled, looking at the replay on the big screen hanging on the stadium. He was wearing a white kimono underneath a blue, jacket-like garb and a red tengu mask lying on his lap.
"I assume this is the boy you've been telling me about, Emma."
Sitting next to him was Emma. A calm expression on her face when she answered.
"Yes. His name is Mochizuki Aki, and he's Wolf's student. And, he holds the power of the Dragon's Blood."
"Sekiro's student with his power? Is he his and yo-"
"He's not our son, if that's what you mean, Isshin-sama. Besides,"
Emma's expression slightly showed a tiny hint of fear.
"It says in the document that Tomoe-sama is currently his legal guardian."
Isshin's eyes slightly widen at the information before he let out a loud, amused laugh.
The young Shinobi slightly bowed down as he thanked Recovery Girl before leaving the nurse's office. The gut punch Tokoyami did on him left a nasty bruise before Recovery Girl treated him. As he was walking back to his classmate, someone from behind yelled and stopped him.
"You! Stop!"
A rough, feminine voice stopped him in his track. Turning around, a pair of white, fluffy rabbit ears was the first thing that caught his attention before he turned his attention to its owner. A slightly tanned woman with red eyes glared at him with disbelief and….. joy in her eyes? She questioned him as she panted.
"Are,- Are you Mochizuki Aki?"
"Y-Yes, ma'am…?"
"Do- Do you….remember me..?"
Aki slightly furrowed his eyebrows at the question. He recognized the woman. She's the Rabbit Hero, Miruko. Everybody knows who she is. But Aki didn't remember interacting with her before, not even saw her in person until now.
"…Should I be? I-I'm sorry, but I believe this is the first time we've meet…"
Just as Miruko was about to say something, the P.A system cut her off.
"Would Mochizuki Aki report to Ready Room Number 1 for his next match?"
Hearing his name being called, Aki turned to Miruko and said.
"I- I've got to go now, Miruko-san. Do you need me for something?"
"….Nah, nothing too important, kiddo. Go out there and break a leg."
Aki headed towards the Ready Room hesitantly, leaving Miruko behind. If he had turned around, he would have seen the Heroine looked at him, her eyes full of longing, sadness and relief, before she took off.
"Deku-kun! You're back from your surgery!"
Ochako called out to Izuku, who was being wrapped in bandages as he walked towards her.
"I see the surgery went well, Midoriya-chan. How are you feeling?"
"I- I'm alright now, Asui-san. Recovery Girl was very thorough and kind. Although she did hit me with her cane…"
"That's fine, I guess. And, call me Tsuyu."
"R-Right! H-How are the matches?"
"Iida-chan lost. He managed to dodge Todoroki-chan's first attack and almost threw her out, but she froze his engine and iced him up. I believe next match is between Bakugou and that guy from 1-B, Mochizuki."
"Man, that's a tough one. I dunno who to cheer for. I mean Bakugou-kun is strong but Aki-kun is good as well!" Ochako chimed in.
"Y-Yeah! Aki-kun won't lose!"
"…I've been meaning to ask this. I know Midoriya-chan knew Mochizuki-san before they came to UA, but you seem to know him too, Ochako-chan."
Suddenly, Ochako felt like she was hiding from a very hot killer. She was anxious and scared, but couldn't find the strength to stop her cheeks from going redder and redder by seconds. And, it didn't help that she felt threatened by Tsuyu's blank expression and Izuku's cautious, curious and threatening(?) glare. She spluttered out random explanation.
"Uhhh- well- you see…uhhhh…he and I are…uh…..we are….."
Luckily, Present Mic announcement saved her.
"Todoroki Shoko is already one step in as the 1st year Sport Festival Champion! This coming match will decide who will be challenging her for the throne! LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, GIVE IT UP FOR BAKUGOU KATSUKI AND MOCHIZUKI AKI!"
"H-Hey, look! The match is starting!"
Ochako attempt at diverting the conversation seems to work as Izuku and Tsuyu stopped questioning her and looked at the two contestants, although they still have the wary look on their faces, especially Izuku who looked more cautious than ever.
Midnight repeated the rules for the two students as she lifted her whip up high. After she finished, Bakugou said.
"I'm going to say to you the same thing I said to Round Cheeks and Racoon Eyes; I'm not going to play nice and hold back, so you better give up now, Fish Eyes."
"…..Fish Eyes!? What the fu- I don't have fis- Midnight-sensei, tell him I don't have eyes that look like fish!"
"Well…..you have that look of someone who's….dead inside? I'm not sure, but it kinda looks dead, kid."
"Yeah, well, 'Dead Eyes' still sound cooler than 'Fish Eyes'…..I think we went off topic here. I'm not going to surrender, Bakugou."
"Tch, then don't fucking complain when I put you in the fucking hospital."
"Are you two ready?"
Midnight signaled as the two students got into fighting stance. Bakugou slight bent down and leaned forward, tiny explosions popping in his hands. Aki draw his sword out, right leg behind left leg, left hand holding the bottom of the sword handle while right hand holding the top, pointing at Bakugou. They both nodded.
Midnight whipped down the ground and yelling "Start!" loudly. Bakugou's right hand immediately glowed up and swinged at Aki, but before any explosion could come out of it, a shuriken stabbed straight into his palm. Bakugou let out a quiet yelp of pain and tried to remove the shuriken from his palm, but Aki ran towards him with a Chasing Slice so he has to block with both arms.
Aki's plan was simple. Do not give Bakugou even 1 moment to retaliate. Constantly attacking him until his guard broke and finished him. After watching his matches, Aki saw that Bakugou always started with a big, right-hook explosion straight at his target first to gain the upper-handed, so Aki has to use it against him and the shuriken allows Aki to be the aggressive one in the fight. After Bakugou has blocked his Chasing Slice, Aki continued to attack with Floating Passage, a 5-slash combo.
Bakugou seemed to receive a lot of damage, but the Explosion user did not falter. Seeing an opening, Bakugou used his left elbow to hit Aki in the chest and pushed the Shinobi away, before blasting an explosion straight at him with his left palm. The slight opening allowed Bakugou to remove the shuriken from his right palm. He growled in pain as he yanked the shuriken out as he shouted while looking at Aki dead in the eye.
"You're fucking death, Fish Eyes!"
Bakugou used Explosions to launch himself at Aki and kick him in the face, but was blocked by the wooden katana. Seeing his opponent in the air, Aki sheathed his sword, jumped up on the air with High Monk as he kicked Bakugou down to the ground. When both landed on the ground, Aki performed a follow-up 2 right kicks at Bakugou's shoulder, 2 slashes to break the blonde's attempt to block before kick him straight at his chest, kicking the boy down to the ground. Bakugou the attempted to create some opening by flying away, but the opening he created was allowing Aki to strike a Deathblow on him. The moment Bakugou jumped, Aki ran straight below Bakugou and jumped beneath him, grabbed his collar, spun him around before hit him straight at his head with the wooden katana. A move he combined from High Monk and his trainings with Nejire, Anti-air Deathblow. Aki loosen his grip on Bakugou's collar, leaving the boy stumbled on the ground before he struggled to stand up.
Aki then launched at Bakugou with Shadowfall, attempting to end the match. Aki, however, underestimated Bakugou. The guy wasn't top 1 in the Entrance Exam just because he has a strong Quirk. Despite how he usually acted around his peers, Bakugou was a smart, observative fighters with unhuman tenacity.
The moment Aki's katana hit Bakugou's chest, the Explosion user took the pain, grabbed the sword and threw it along with its user. Aki was startled he lost his grip on his katana, and was pushed down to the ground, leaving him wide open to Bakugou's unforgiven blast in the face.
The crowd stared anxiously at the smokescreen created by Bakugou's Explosion. Some waiting for Aki to jump back up and continue fighting, others hoping Bakugou was the winner. What shocked them, was that when the smokescreen faded, Aki was nowhere to be seen.
Then, black feathers started to appear from behind Bakugou. The Explosion user noticed, but was too late. Aki appeared from behind him, half-burnt, grabbed his collar and threw him down to the ground before jumping away.
Both contestants were still glaring at each other from across the ring, but neither of them in any state to fight. Bakugou holding his stomach with his left hand, his right hand curled up into a fist as he slammed it on the ground, struggling to stand up while blood dripping out of his mouth. Aki wasn't any better. The left side of his face was slightly burnt with his left eye closed, his left hand holding the broken elbow of his right hand, and he looked like he was using all the power he had left trying to remain standing.
"Stand…. down, Bakugou. You're…in no state….to fight." Aki struggled to breathe out those words.
"Shut…the fuck up, extra…. I, do not, need your sympathy!" Bakugou was no better.
Seeing that neither was going to give up, Midnight prepared her sleeping gas. She loves the children's vigor and determination, but as a teacher, she has to stop them in case they killed themselves or each other.
The two contestants limped toward each other. Aki's katana was thrown out of the ring and Bakugou couldn't use anymore explosion, but the thought of giving up has crossed neither of their stubborn heads. When both of them were face-to-face, they threw their fist at the other one's face. Bakugou's famous right hook hit Aki straight in the face, but the young Shinobi retaliate with a left elbow to Bakugou's nose. The two started punching at each other like their opponent was a punching bag. The 'street' brawl only ended when both of them headbutted each other and fell unconscious, much to the surprise of everyone who was watching.
"Both contestants are unconscious, so I guess it's a…tie? We'll discuss on who'll be facing Todoroki Shoko, but first we'll need to attend to our students' wounds!"
Midnight announced as she hurried off to carry Aki to the medic bots while Cementoss carried Bakugou.
"How are they, Shuzenji-san?"
Recovery Girl turned her head at the mention of her name and saw Kan running towards her. The man stopped as he arrived at the door, worry expression on his face as he kept glancing at the door into the infirmary and the nurse.
"Thankfully, both of their injuries weren't anything my Quirk can't handle. I managed to heal Mochizuki-kun before the burnt left scars on his face, although he still has to wear the bandages on his face for the next few days. He's conscious, but still a little out of it. Bakugou is fine as well, although he won't be able to use his Quirk for the next few days because of the cut on his palms. Emma is tending to them as we speak."
"Then I guess we have decided on who'll be facing Todoroki-san in the final!"
Nezu then popped out of Kan's back like a Jack-In-The-Box with his usual maniac laugh, much to Shuzenji's annoyance.
"Isn't it too… I don't know, unfair? Mochizuki-kun just woke up with a bunch of injuries, and we are telling him to face Endeavor's child."
"That's why we are evening the odds for him! We only allow him to use the practice sword, which is technically 'nerfing' him. How about we allow him to use his katana?"
"That's too dangerous!"
"Think about it, Kan-kun. They are learning to be heroes. Soon enough, they'll be facing much more dangerous arsenal from the enemies. A katana won't be the worst they'll encounter. Besides, asking him to go up against Todoroki-san with a wooden sword is much worse. But, we'll leave it to him to decide whether he want to participate in the next match. He'll come in second place with Bakugou-san even if he decided to back down."
With that, Nezu climbed down from Kan's back and opened the door into the infirmary.
Only to see Bakugou growling, cussing at Aki while being tied to the bed by Emma. The boy who was being cuss at, was scrolling his phone like nothing was going on. Only when the presence of the 3 staffs were being known did the shenanigans stopped.
"I see you two have already kicking and…cussing! Nonetheless, allow me to congratulate both of you for your stand at the second-place! No-"
"Huh!? What the fuck does that mean!?"
Bakugou interrupted Nezu with an angry look on his face.
"I understand you may not be happy with this result, Bakugou-san, but both of you fainted at the same time."
"That's not what I fucking meant! I knew Fish Eyes wasn't at his best! Give him his fucking katana and we'll do this again! I want a win, not a tie! Especially when my opponent isn't trying his fucking best!"
"I highly advice you against that, young one. Your right palm was pierced through by a shuriken so for the next few days you won't be able to use your Quirk. It'll be fine when school start again though."
"I DON'T FUCKING CARE! I ONLY NEED 1 HAND TO KILL THAT BASTARD! I-"
Bakugou's ranting was cut through as he slowly nodding off, struggling to keep his eyes opened, before he fell down to the bed and snored.
"It seems the pills have finally settled in his system. Please continue, principal." Emma gently put her fingers close to Bakugou's nose and said, much to the concern of the people surrounding before Nezu picked up from when he was interrupted.
"Now, Mochizuki-san, do you think you can go up against Todoroki-san?"
The student in question furrowed his eyebrows at the sudden question. He thought the final match was probably called off due to both contestants are in no condition to fight, but apparently, they wanted to keep going. Nezu seems to understand Aki's concern, so he continued.
"You and Bakugou-san are technically qualified to fight Todoroki-san since both of you are tie. However, Bakugou-san is currently incapacitated to fight, so we offer you a chance to. You are free to decline this offer, by the way, since this won't affect your standings as a top 2. Just keep in mind that you still have a shot at winning this event."
Aki twirled his bang as he dove deep in thought. On one hand, the offer was tempting. He still can fight, just not as agile and swiftly as before. On the other hand, he has seen what Todoroki-san is capable of. There is no way to win with just a wooden sword, nonetheless with only one eye still operating.
Nezu, as usual, managed to decipher what the other person was thinking. He explained.
"I understand you're are doubting your chances at winning. That's why, to even the odds, we'll let you use your katana."
Aki's ears seem to perk up at the offer. With a katana, he might still have a slim chance to win. Without a further thought, he answered.
"I accept. I'll fight Todoroki-san in the final!"
"You sure, Mochizuki-kun?" Kan voiced his concern. "I understand this is important, but it's not wise to push yourself too far, especially when you just have a fight like that."
"I'm sure, sensei! Besides, it's not like I'm going to die out there."
Kan looked at the fire in Aki's eyes, and sigh. But he couldn't help but showing a pride smile on his face seeing his student's determination.
"Wonderful!" Nezu exclaimed as he clapped his paw together. "Oh, I almost forget! Mochizuki-san, someone I know give you this, saying that you'll understand after you read it."
He then gave Aki a carefully rolled up scroll with the word 'ASHINA' written on it and left.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE HAVE AN EXCITING NEWS TO TELL YOU ALL! IT SEEMS THAT CONTESTANT MOCHIZUKI AKI IS WELL ENOUGH TO FIGHT IN THE NEXT ROUND! BUT, WE AGREED TO GIVE HIM TIME TO REST UP, SO THE FINAL MATCH WILL BE STARTING IN AN HOUR! STAY TUNE UNTIL THEN!"
Present Mic's announcement seems to be the blessing piece of news that class 1-B has been waiting for. After Aki match with Bakugou, they wanted to storm the infirmary to check up on their friend but Itsuka forbid them, saying that they need to let Aki rest, which they reluctantly agree. Half an hour passed and still no news of him. Setsuna was close to 'fuck it' and sneaked off to check up on Aki, but seeing Itsuka trying to act strong even though the girl was damn near to run off to the infirmary, Setsuna could only sat down and waited.
"The popcorn here is so damn good! It's like the sweetness is just right. Not too much or too less, just right!"
The person who was the cause of all the worry and tension in the air just casually walk in with a pack of popcorn in his hand and bandages wrapped around the left side of his face, covering his eyes. That same person looking… uncharacteristically happy and cheerful, unlike his usual meek and shy behavior. It's like he was…. high.
"Mochi-kun!? Are you al- are you high?"
"I wouldn't call it being high, rather being excited over such a god-sent meal! Try it, Set! Or not. More for me!"
"Yeah, you're high as a kite. Ibara-chan, help me restrain him."
-15 minutes after Aki being restrained-
"Who knows you would get sugar high just from eating popcorn?"
"…. People always said I turn into a crackhead after I ate too much sugar. Still can't figure out why…"
Aki embarrassingly scratched the back of his head as Ibara freed him from her vines. Sugar-high Aki is surprisingly strong, so it takes the combine effort of Tetsutetsu, Itsuka and Ibara to tied him into a sit. They had to sit through him rambling on and on about food for 15 minutes before the shinobi snapped out of his sugar high.
"Now that that…. unexpected event is finally over, I have to inquire, are you feeling fine, Mochizuki-kun?"
Reiko raised a question that's been floating in 1-B's head as she stared at his left-bandages eye.
"Good enough to fight, I guess. Recovery Girl said I shouldn't push too hard, but she gave me a pass nonetheless."
"Are you sure? You and that arrogant asshole from 1-A fight was pretty intense. It sucks that us, 1-B won't be claiming the 1st place but your well-being is more important."
Monoma's statement made everyone stared at him like he grew a second head. They have known this Copycat for only one month, and they all knew his unexplainable grudge towards 1-A. He saying that was scarily weird yet, heartwarming in a way.
"Originally, I wouldn't. But the staff sees fit to allow me to use my katana, so there maybe is a slim chance that I could beat her. Not that I'm confident about the odds... Besides, someone asked me to beat some sense into her."
"Wait, wait! I got a question!"
Kuroiro caught the attention of the group as he slightly raising his voice. Aki turned towards his direction as he speaks.
"In your fight against Bakugou, when he blasted that explosion while you're on the ground, I was pretty sure you were a goner. Yet, you vanished from smoke and reappeared from the darkness. What was that all about?"
His question seems to be everyone's as well. They all stared at him, waiting before Aki stuttered out an answer as he rolled up his left sleeve, revealing his prosthetic arm.
"W- Well, it's called Mist Raven. B- Basically, if I use it when someone attack me, I'll warp to an opening and s- strike."
"... Not gonna lie that sounds cool AND O.P as hell."
"I- I have to use just right as the attack hit me though, and it probably won't work against Todoroki-san's Ice and Fire..."
"Urgh, her Ice is already strong and now we learnt that she can use Fire as well. It's like there no chance against her!" Kaibara muttered under his breath, but loud enough that everyone could heard it.
"You have any plan against her, Mochizuki-kun?" Kendou asked worriedly.
"... Probably. It's a long-shot at best, but worth a try." Aki mumbled as his gaze narrowed.
"15 MINUTES UNTIL THE BIG FIGHT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! READY YOUR POPCORN AND DRINKS! OH, AND WOULD TODOROKI SHOKO AND MOCHIZUKI AKI REPORT TO THEIR RESPECTIVE ROOM?"
"That soon?" Ibara let out a long sigh as she waved goodbye to her classmates who was leaving.
"Well, it took us 15 minutes to restrain him from his sugar high. Not that I'm complaining though! Confident Aki is my new favorite~" Setsuna licked her lips as she looked over at Aki.
"Mm, 100% would fuck." Yui added.
The whole class stared at Yui while the girl in question just tilted her head, looking back at them questionably. The silence was only broke when Setsuna and the whole class screamed at the same time with blushing faces.
"WHAT THE FU-"
A/N: I'm back! After disappearing for a month :)
Hope you all like the chapter! I'm trying my best with the action-describing, so bear with me please. I hope it will get better 'cause there will be a lot more action scene...
Anyway, anyone who has played Sekiro would have probably figured out what the 'Ashina' scroll is. Spoiler alert, it's a Combat Arts!
Next chapter spoiler:
The ice shattered in front of Shoko's eyes. Her supposed-to-be-frozen opponents pointed his katana at her and spoke.
"I don't care how many walls you're going to create or how many nonsenses you've told yourself! I'm going to take them down even if I have to die over and over again!"