Chapter 16
Once we got to the USJ, I was bored out of my mind as 18 talked about his quirk. Something about how dangerous a quirk could be and why it's important to learn how to control our quirks. Things I heard over and over growing up. But it was then that I noticed that All Might wasn't around. Wasn't he supposed to join us for this class?
It was when sensei went about explaining how the USJ worked, is when we all saw how a black dot started to grow near the middle of the crossway. As we all watch this dot grow into a black wall, it's then people start to walk out of it. What in the world was happening? While the teachers tried to stand in between us and the new group, we overheard how these villains were after All Might. "Well, you all will make a great welcoming gift for when he comes to save you."
I still was in disbelief that black smoke had somehow brought me to a place that was surrounded by rubble and debris. Which only could mean that smoke had sent us to the Collapsed Zone of the USJ. Why did it send me here? At that, I noticed some villains were just out of the building I was currently in. What should I do? What can I do? But that's when I noticed shitty hair was also in the same building as me.
Shitty hair moved closer to me, and we leaned against the wall. I tried my best to look out the window without getting noticed. "So, what are we going to do about these guys? How did they even get in here?"
"Shh." Shitty hair quickly covered his mouth, and sat back down. I tried to keep to a whisper. "My guess is that smoke guy can teleport people and things. Not only that, I saw how he had what I assume was metal plating. If we could somehow get to him, we could put an end to this." Shitty nodded his head. "How good of a fighter are you?"
"I like to think I'm pretty good."
I looked behind me before getting up and jumping out the window. As we took out one after another, I was disappointed. Here I thought villains were supposed to put up more of a fight. But this was pathetic. Deku would have been able to give me a challenge long before we even entered UA. "Wow, Bakugo. You're so strong."
I tossed one of the villains to the side after knocking him out. "These guys are just too weak." While keeping on the move, I was somewhat impressed that shitty hair was able to keep up. Or could it be that I was trying to keep up my strength for the real fight?
Even though those villains somehow got away, I couldn't stop staring at where All Might was standing. Something about it just seemed off as smoke surrounded his body. It didn't help with how Deku lay there and spoke with All Might. And when shitty hair tried to go help, he was stopped by a wall of cement. None of this made any sense.
On the trip back to the school, I couldn't help but notice that Deku nor the other teachers were with us. Most likely, they went to Recovery Girl. While on the bus, shitty hair kept trying to talk to me. But I couldn't hear him as my thoughts wandered about All Might's fight. So, is that really the strength a pro hero has?
Compared to the weaklings I had faced, that big guy was no joke. And to see All Might in action firsthand was a sight. But why does it all feel off? It doesn't help that I completely spaced out when the police were questioning us.
Once we got back to school, we grabbed our belongings and were told to go home. Even explained that we had the next day off. Taking one more look around the class, Deku was still missing. As I walked out of the class, I had second thoughts to go see if he was in the nurse's office. But something tells me I shouldn't check. Why am I so worried about that damn nerd?
When I got home, I was not surprised that it was empty. Making my way to my room, I recalled that I had my hero suit with me. Maybe I could make a few adjustments since I have it. Or at least take some notes so I can request some changes. Either way, I went to my room to drop off my book bag. With that, I grabbed my suit and made my way to our basement gym.
Since the entrance exam, I have given myself a break from being here. But after today's fight, maybe I should start again. Before putting on my suit, I decided to run a few drills. I turned off the air conditioner and started to do a few pushups to build up a sweat. As I did so, I thought more about my fight with Deku. Since I'm at it, I should also try to switch up my fighting style. Then again, why should I? All because that nerd got lucky.
After pushups, I turned back on the air conditioner and started my basic drills. From shooting out basic blasts to seeing how long I could keep myself from touching the floor. As much as I hated these drills, my first coach made it clear about mastering the basics. Now that I was able to keep a steady thrust to have me moving from one side of the gym to the other, I tried adding onto it.
The moment I raised my right arm to shoot forward, I lost my balance. "Damn it." It was still difficult to keep the same level of blast from one hand to the other. After what happened on that one mountain climbing trip, my left side had never been the same. I just hope it wasn't noticeable.
After a few more tries of using my left hand to keep me up, I decided to call it for the day. I still need both my arms to keep me airborne. Especially with how my right arm produces a stronger blast. Maybe I should practice smaller attacks with my left. With that said, I looked over to the suitcase that held my hero costume.
Maybe I could produce the same level of blast as a full tank by transferring sweat from my left hand to my right. With that idea in mind, I grabbed everything and went to the roof. I continued practicing and trying new ideas until the old hag came home. When I saw her, a different fight started altogether.
…
I was still in shock that All Might knew a detective. But after we all talked and I was allowed to leave, I wondered what I was going to do. Besides feeling horrible that All Might had to push himself during that villain attack. But how did they know he was going to be there? Not to mention how powerful that one guy was. As these thoughts raced through my head, I tried my best to make my way to the station.
That's when a car began to pull beside me. "Hey, kid." I watched as the car's window, which was on my side, came down all the way. I then saw it was that detective again. "Do you need a ride home?" Even though I just met him, do I trust him? He's part of law enforcement, I should trust him. But I quickly shook my head and continued walking. That's when I couldn't help but notice that the car slowly followed me. "You sure, kid? You took a beating."
I tried to smile as I looked at him. "I'm sure, detective. Thank you for the offer." With that, I watched as he rolled up his windows and drove off. I then pulled out my foldable skateboard and rode the rest of the way to the station. Once I got home, I saw how mom was in the kitchen. When she saw me, she opened her mouth as if to speak but quickly closed it. She then went back to cooking.
As I ate dinner, I couldn't help but notice that mom kept away from looking at me. That was until she took a second serving of rice. "The school called." I watched as tears started to build at the corners of her eyes. "So, your class fought against villains?" I just nodded as I tried to stomach my meal. Somehow, I wasn't able to taste anything. In fact, the urge to vomit was strong, but I tried to keep food down. "Is this going to happen offend?"
"I'm not sure." With that, her tears finally ran down her face. What am I supposed to say to calm her down? Is there anything I could say? "We at least have All Might to keep us safe. In fact, all the teachers are amazing heroes. So, there's nothing to worry about."
But instead of making her smile, mom cried even harder. "From what the reports states, those villains were after All Might. So how would you be safe if you're in a school that has someone villains are targeting? At that, they already attacked once. Who's to say they won't keep trying? That school isn't safe for my baby." Damn it. Just as I was about to say something, I watched as mom pulled out her phone. "I'm getting you out of there."
Without thinking or realizing it, I had taken the phone away from her. "You can't do that. I finally got into the school of my dreams. You're not taking this away from me."
Mom tried to get her phone back, but I didn't let her. "As your mother, I can't allow you to be in danger!"
Hearing those words brought back that tight pain in my chest. "Oh yeah! Then where were you when my 3rd grade teacher kicked me? Where were you when I got jumped in 4th grade and was sent to the hospital for a broken rib?" The look she gave me just made me angrier. "You want to know who came to check if I was ok? Nobody! So, shut up about being a mom!" I then threw my mom's phone, and it broke when it came in contact with the kitchen wall. "You were never there! So why are you even trying now?"
As I locked my door, I couldn't stop screaming. Even when no sound came out, the pain just kept growing. How am I supposed to feel? I finally got into UA, and she wanted to take me out all because of a few injuries. What does a few broken bones have to do with anything? These are nothing compared to the years of being beaten by everyone.
The only thing I could feel was the burning sensation of tears running down my face. It was hard to breathe as I just stood there. My shoulders felt so heavy as my chest ached. What am I supposed to do? "FUCK!" I suddenly fell to my knees as I tried to hold myself.
When I finally stopped shaking and was able to breathe, I sat on my bed. I looked at my All Might figures, and thoughts about throwing everything out crossed my mind. What was the point? It just wasn't worth it. As I started to get up, I happened to spot this one All Might figure. It was the figure Kacchan gave me after we became friends. I couldn't help but smile as the memory of that day ran in my head.
After we came back from the park, Kacchan gave me this figure. I was so happy how we had matching figures. And when I got home, mom had thrown it in the trash. Tears began to fall as I recalled digging in the trash can to get my gift back. It was the first time she told me to stop bringing junk home.
Wiping away my tears, I held the figure close to my chest. "Kacchan." With a deep breath, I somehow was able to relax. I then placed the All Might figure back down. After another few more deep breaths, I walked out of my room and spotted mom in the hallway. It was then I noticed that there was something in her hand. As I tried to see what it was, I was surprised to see it was electronic parts. "What happened, mom?"
She looked up at me and had tears running down her face. "You threw my phone at the wall. Are you ok, baby?"
"I did what?" Why would I ever do something like that? "Are you ok, mom? I'm so sorry." I felt my own tears making themselves known. "Did I hurt her you?" She shook her head.
"Are you sure you want to stay at UA?" I nodded my head. Why did she ask that? "Can you promise me that you'll take better care of yourself?"
"Of course, mom. Why wouldn't I?"
