Chapter 21

As we got to Ground Beta, we learned that we were doing the same training exercise as the second day of class. But this time, I was paired up with Todoroki. While the villain team was Kirishima and Uraraka. Somehow, I felt this was going to be an interesting team-up. From the few times I've seen Kirishima and Todoroki use their quirks, I might have an advantage. The only downside was that I wasn't sure how Todoroki worked in a team.

Once the villain team went to set up, I tried to speak with Todoroki. But he just ignored me. In fact, when I tried walking up to him on his left side there was no reaction. That was until I was in his face. It's then I noticed how he stepped back and ice formed where he once stood. Even a small amount of flames came off his face until he looked at me. Was he blinded on his left side? I should try to keep to his right if I'm coming from behind him.

There was something else I noticed. His left eye had a slight delay when he looked around him. Maybe I don't have the advantage I thought I did. It's possible that he reacts to moments. This could explain why he used the ice part of his quirk to keep everything in place. I would have to pay attention when he does that so I don't accidentally get frozen. I wonder how he deals with the fire half of his quirk.

Once we were allowed into the building, I watched as Todoroki went in first. We didn't really talk out a plan, but I'll let him take the lead. It'll be best for now since I need to watch out for his ice. I wonder what was the range of his attacks.

The moment we were on the second floor, I could hear something nearby. But just as I thought, Todoroki started to freeze everything in our path. I quickly jumped between the walls as the ice neared me. "Watch it." He didn't even react as he kept moving forward. I needed to find a way to use his quirk to my advantage. But I'll keep watch for now. While he was on the move, I tried to break some of the ice as quickly as could and put the pieces in my PE tracksuit pockets. I have a feeling I might need this.

Again, I followed close behind as Todoroki froze everything in his path. I just had to keep knocking down doors to be able to delay the ice from touching me. Which gave me enough of an opening to step on places that were already covered in ice. It was like this all the way until we reached the 3rd floor. I then faintly saw something on the ceiling. I took the ice from my pocket, which I was surprised didn't melt. What type of ice was this? I asked Todoroki later. Hopefully, he'll tell me; but I have my doubts. I quickly shook my head before throwing the ice. Whatever that was on the ceiling didn't fall, but it did move when hit with the ice. Which only meant two things.

"Todoroki, cover me!" I started to run before him.

"Cover you?" What kind of question was that? But I didn't have much time to think about it before debris started to fall on us. What was I going to do? Maybe if I… I quickly kicked the ice wall that was next to me and used it as a shield. To my surprise, the ice held strong against the debris. What type of ice is this? Or is it because it's a quirk that it would have different properties compared to natural ice? Yet telling from how fast it freezes everything it comes in contact with, it could easily be a mix of dry ice. Or a form of liquid nitrogen. If so, that could explain why metal takes longer to react.

I looked back to Todoroki, who was covering his head with his arms. The debris probably took him by surprise as well. Using my makeshift shield, I rushed back to Todoroki. Staying on his right side, I put the shield over us. "You think you can cover both of us until we find either Uraraka or the villain base?" He looked at me for a moment. Maybe I need to word things differently. "Can you keep ice over us as we try to reach the others?"

Todoroki nodded before having ice go across me to the wall. When it reached the wall, ice shot above us. I then put down the block of ice I held. It definitely reacts just like liquid nitrogen, but he can control where the ice starts and ends. Or maybe it's limited to starting wherever he was and touches. While only extending to as far as he can see. I wonder if his right eye is what he uses to determine direction. His right eye does react faster than his left. "Do you think Uraraka is nearby?"

I blinked a few times before looking at Todoroki. "Based on how everything fell on us when we got here." I looked at the amount of debris and saw some indentions on the walls. Is that where the debris came from? "I say she's probably around the corner. Or had started running away the moment she released everything. But I'm not sure if she went to the right or left. Since the markers on the wall could be trying to trick us into going in the wrong direction. There's also a chance that she ran or is still close by."

"You talk too much." I looked at Todoroki before he started running ahead of me. He at least kept ice forming as a cover as he went off. I watched as he made a right, but something felt off about this. So, instead of following him, I went left. He then spoke over the intercom. "Where are you?"

"You try to find Uraraka. I'm going after Kirishima."

"Then what was the point of using my ice to cover our heads?"

"Because I noticed that Uraraka quirk would make things out of reach for your normal attacks. At least this way, you can be protected until you find her."

"Forget that. I'm going after Kirishima." The intercom went silent. Well, if Todoroki thinks he can get there before me, he had another thing coming. Forget trying to win this as a team. I started to pick up the pace as I remembered how these buildings were usually set up. The staircase should be around the corner.

When the staircase entrance came into view, I noticed there was debris over it. Nice try, Uraraka, but you can't get me with this twice. Jumping between the narrow walls, I was able to get to the same level as the debris. I kicked them out of my way before landing and shoulder ramming into the door. I took a quick look around and saw nobody was there. So, I took 4 steps at a time as I rushed upstairs.

I made it to the 5th floor when I saw more floating debris. Was I getting close? Are they setting a trap? I looked around before getting near the door. I then noticed there was a window. I opened it and started climbing the outside wall to get to the other window. Compared to the wall of my apartment building, there were larger gaps between the bricks. Which made doing this much easier.

Once back inside the building, I saw patches of floating debris. How was I going to get through this without cover? But at least I can assume I was on the right floor. As I looked at the debris, I started to see a pattern. They all lined up between the walls, but the windows had nothing above them. I could try to run right under and hope that I could outrun everything as it falls. Or maybe climbing from the outside is a safer bet to winning this. But that leaves me with the issue of taking that route would cost me time. It might be worth it if I'm careful.

Which means only one thing. But I'll take the risk of running under the debris. I couldn't help but smile as I ran while everything started to come down. I was somehow faster than the falling debris, and I didn't get hit. I eventually came across a door that had nothing around it. So, I tapped the intercom. "What's your location, Todoroki?" There was no answer. Before I could ask again, he just showed up across from me.

We leaned against the wall before the door. I put up my fingers and started counting down from three. Todoroki nodded at me before I got to one. With that, I rammed the door down with my left shoulder, and we came to face with Uraraka and Kirishima. At that, Uraraka was near the bomb. Kirishima punched his fists together while standing before us. I watched as his skin started to harden. But I have no time to try to figure out his quirk.

I quickly picked up the door that I just knocked down. All in time for when Todoroki started to spread out his ice. Uraraka made the bomb float. Kirishima was stuck in place. Was he just slow to react, or was Todoroki's ice faster? Not like Todoroki doesn't give any sign of what he's about to do. He tends to step forward when he wants to cover just the floor with ice. But when attacking, he used his hands. I'm starting to really think more of his moves rely heavily on what he can see.

Without a moment to spare, I jumped in time and was able to use the door as a skateboard to ride the ice to Uraraka. From the corner of my left eye, I saw Kirishima try to catch me. But I was out of reach. Using my body weight, I started heading towards one of the pillars that was on my right. When I got about halfway, I took out the rest of the ice from my pocket and threw it at Uraraka. Which forced her to shield her face. Once I was behind the pillar, I got the capture tape out of my pocket.

I then brought myself to a pillar that was slightly off to the side. I brace myself against the front of that pillar before using my right foot to push me forward. I moved towards Uraraka, and the moment I was a foot away, I jumped off the door and barely caught Uraraka's left foot. But I somehow did it, bring her and the bomb down. With the bomb still being affected by her quirk, it landed gently on the door, making the door stop sliding. And I managed to pin Uraraka's foot before Todoroki ice reached us. The speakers then came alive with the sounds of All Might. "Hero team won this match." With that said, it's then that Todoroki used his flames to melt the ice. Maybe it's best I don't talk to him for now.

While we walked back to the rest of the class, Uraraka walked alongside me. "That was just amazing, Deku." I looked over to her and noticed she was really close. My face started to burn, and I quickly looked away. "It was so cool with how you used the door as a board."

"Thank you." It was then I felt her hugging my arm. The way it felt like my arm was being pressed against two water balloons made me really uncomfortable. But do I push away or deal with it? It didn't help with her arms holding me. This was nothing like my mom's hugs since I always brace for those. And at times, I'm usually numb to them. But a hug from Uraraka gave me the strongest urge to escape. I tried my best to sound polite. "Can you let me go?"

"Why?" I looked to my shoulder and saw she was inched from my face. In a panic, I pulled her arm off me and ran to catch up to Todoroki. Now my skin felt like something was clawing all over, and I didn't like it. Even though I don't get why I didn't like the feeling of her hugging me, I really don't want to experience that again. Now that I think about it, besides my mom, nobody has ever hugged me. At best, I just really don't like to be touched. Maybe that's it. I simply didn't like the fact I was hugged without knowing it was coming.

When we reached the others, All Might and Aizawa-sensei went over our match. Besides going on and on about me and Todoroki needs to get better at teamwork, it just sounded like a jumble mess. Not my fault Todoroki wanted to do his own thing. So, I simply did the same. We got the results that we needed. And I didn't have to use my quirk. So, isn't this a win?

…

Once the teams were announced and who my team was up against, I had a sickening feeling. From how the last team training exercise went and the few times I've seen Deku in action, I was scared. The way he's able to notice the smallest detail and make a plan around it is intense. But maybe I was giving him too much credit. Maybe he won't do the same as he did when we went against Bakugo and Ida. Yet I can't be too careful.

I was at least grateful that Kirishima listened to my plan and made debris on our way to the base. Once we were all set, I headed back out to try to stop the hero team. From what I could gather, those two weren't working as a team. So, maybe it would work better if I get them to fight each other, so I can knock one of them out. But to my horror, Deku was on my tail. Which means I have to deal with plan B.

I did the best I could to run back to the base. While making sure I touched all the debris I came across. It wasn't long until I was back in the room with Kirishima. "Get ready. I don't know how far behind they are. But we shouldn't take any chances."

"It can't be that bad." I watched as Kirishima hardened his skin the moment the hero team showed up. I still was in disbelief at how we lost. At that, it was surprising to watch Deku use a door the way he did. He's so impressive. Besides being awfully cute, he was also very smart. I wonder if I could be that impressive.

As we walked back to join the class, I stood next to Deku. "It was so cool with how you used the door as a board."

"Thank you." The way Deku's face turned red was very funny. It was almost cute, in a way. I have seen him turn this red before when talking to me. I wonder if that's how all boys are when they speak to girls. Or maybe it was a sign that he liked me. Then again, I could be reading too much into it. But based on all those gossip magazines I read about high school romance, this could be something that I missed.

What should I do if it's just like the magazines? What did that one article say about how to tell if a boy liked you? OH! That's right! Something about sharing a hug. I slowly got closer before wrapping my arms around Deku's shoulders in a hug. At that, Deku's face, neck, and ears all turned red. He even placed a hand over my left arm. Was he trying to hug me back? I can't believe this is happening. He looks so cute.

But why was he frowning? Isn't this what boys like when they like a girl? "Can you let me go?"

That was surprising. "Why?" It was when he looked over at me that I realized how close I was to his face. My face suddenly was on fire. Wait! This wasn't part of what that article talked about. I don't think I'm ready for my first kiss. Especially not when we're dealing with class. I braced myself for what I thought would happen next, only to be shocked that Deku pulled away from me.

What just happened? Wasn't he going to kiss me? I watched in shock as Deku ran over to where Todoroki and Kirishima were. Maybe he also didn't want to kiss me because we were still in class. That just had to be it. It could easily be that he was just as embarrassed as me. That had to be it.

And when we reached the rest of the class, I happened to notice I was being stared at by Bakugo. Why was he staring at me? Especially when he straightened himself up while glaring at me. What on earth could that mean? The only time he ever gave me that stare was last week when he made Deku sit back down to eat. Oh. OH! I think I know why he was glaring now. He must have noticed me and Deku.

But then I had a thought. Why did he care about what I did around Deku? At that, Deku was his own person. Bakugo should just keep his nose out of other people's business. Then I recalled another one of my magazines saying something about some boys becoming aggressive towards the girls they like. Maybe he was jealous that I didn't give him the same treatment. That just had to be it. But he's so mean and so unlikeable. I watched him keep glaring at me as he walked passed me. When he was just moments from leaving out the door, I stuck my tongue at him. "What the hell!" Sero quickly grabbed Bakugo and dragged him to get ready for their match.

"What was that all about? Ribbit."

I looked to my right and saw that Asui was next to me. "Oh, nothing. I hope Bakugo fails today."

"Why would you say something like that? Ribbit."

Looking at the door before looking over to Deku, I couldn't help but feel mad. I don't like Bakugo. He's not as nice as Deku. "Bakugo is such a jerk."