Chapter named after the fear of imperfection.

Chapter 10: Atelophobia!

The days after the Provisional Hero License Exam were a mess in Japan.

Due to the anxiety caused by All Might's retirement and the Heroes' new leader Endeavor, the media was appealing to the entirety of the Hero society and preying on their fears. On the other spectrum, sensing the growing insecurity in the world, there are some suspicions that state that the outcasts who don't support Heroes will rise up and take action because they think they will able to shape the way society behaves and organize amongst themselves. Organizations like the League of Villains would start to appear across the country if this turmoil kept growing.

The lack of symbols was evident.

All Might's reign had come to an end, which meant that the people now felt unsafe, unprotected, vulnerable...

The fact that ENDEAVOR was the new number one didn't help either.

Endeavor was no symbol of peace. If anything, he was a symbol of the decadent reputation of heroes and a testament to how rotten hero society was as a whole. Everyone compared him to All Might, and even if Endeavor was the number two hero, he was nowhere near close enough to be considered a symbol like All Might was. The guy wasn't cuddly, his presence wasn't calming, and the difference in their expressions...

All Might's smile brought tranquility to those he rescued.

Endeavor's cold, hateful eyes made everyone uncomfortable.

There was simply no comparison to be made.

Endeavor solved the most cases, sure, but he had a bit of a temper and he had gone overboard on many occasions. All Might not only saved people, but he made everyone feel safe and secure. All Might was powerful, recognizable, unbeatable and incredibly skilled at his job. How could Endeavor compare to someone who simply bested him at everything?

Many wannabe heroes decided that he simply couldn't. And so, with no symbol of peace in sight anymore, it suddenly was a free for all between heroes who wanted to rise in the ranks as fast as possible to see who could fill the void of power All Might had left behind.

The villains were experiencing similar changes.

All for One was a leader like no one ever was. He was a leader for those who had nothing, were selfish or simply had been left behind by this unfair society. The lord of the underworld had so much influence over so many people it was practically impossible to hide from him in Japan at one point.

To villains across the country, seeing the symbol of fear being taken down by All Might had many meanings, and none were comforting.

Much like the heroes, the villains had lost their most outstanding symbol. Another power vacuum was created when All for One was taken down, and they knew it.

It was poetic in a way.

Now that the greatest hero and the most fearsome villain were gone, the fight was passed on to the next generation to see who would rise to the top.

Who would bring peace to this crumbling world and its corrupt society?

Who would expose the truth of the frail hero world?

Dark times were ahead, and most people knew it.

People are not dumb, but most times...

We'd rather live a happy lie than face the horrid truth.

Nevertheless, some people were making the most out of their lives even if the outside world seemed unstable at the moment.

For one, now that the Forest Training Camp Incident was behind everyone's minds, things were finally starting to look normal again.

In the 1-B dorm rooms, the students were having a blast. Setsuna had quickly arranged a hastily-made party to celebrate the fact that everyone in class B had successfully earned their hero license.

The mood was lively and everyone was there. Even though Tetsutetsu's lungs had taken quite the beating after being exposed to the poisonous gas for so long, he refused to let up on anything he used to do beforehand. He still trained regularily, he still ate whatever he felt like eating, and his enthusiastic tone hadn't diminished in the slightest.

After the events on the camp, Ibara was perturbed at the sight of her friends being taken down by gas and being on the run from a hideous nomu, but Itsuka, Setsuna, Kinoko and Pony managed to snap her out of her perturbed state and open up to everyone again.

Even Monoma seemed to be in a better mood for some reason. He had refused to talk to anyone after the Forest Training Camp Incident, but that changed after the provisional license exam. No one knew if it was related to class A or not, but knowing him, it definitely was.

No one seemed to mind at the moment, though. Every student from class B was on the living room partying hard. Drinks were being spilled, songs were being played at max volume and there wasn't nearly enough food for the occasion. If any teachers had noticed the celebration at the dorms, they hadn't interrupted to let the kids have their moment. Getting through the hero license exam was no easy feat, so the fact that the whole class had managed to pass was astonishing. The living room was quite the mess by now, and the students showed no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

However, Itsuka wasn't paying attention to any of what was happening at the moment. Her gaze was fixated on her cellphone, and she had a goofy smile on her face.

Izuku was a guy that had social media accounts, but rarely used them. The fact that he took time to post a photo of his newly acquired hero license was a shock to everyone that saw it, but it was a welcomed surprise.

Itsuka liked the photo and had spent some minutes staring at it, thinking to herself how Izuku must have looked like when he got it.

'Izuku must have looked so adorable! He must have been either jumping up and down in joy, staring at it with wide eyes for hours or crying rivers of happy tears.' Thought Itsuka to herself with a wide, goofy grin.

It was then that Yui noticed the class president standing by herself in a corner of the room staring at her phone. Yui decided to approach Itsuka to at least make company.

Itsuka notices Yui approaching, so she quickly closes the app and goes for the first thing that makes her look not suspicious.

Yui takes a sip of her drink before staring at Itsuka with a blank expression. "Hey, Kendo."

Itsuka smiles awkwardly at her friend. "Hey, Yui! What's up?"

Yui takes another sip of her drink. "Nothing much. I just figured you'd like someone to talk to instead of spending more time alone staring at Midoriya's social media accounts."

Itsuka blushes and fights off the need to groan. "Ah... That's not true, Yui! I wasn't doing anything of the sort."

Yui keeps staring at Itsuka with a blank expression. "I saw it, Kendo. Plus, your phone is only showing advertisements of toys for pets. You obviously changed the app hastily just before I arrived."

Itsuka tries to change the subject. "Well, aren't you conversational today. You're usually the most quiet one in the class, Yui."

Yui shrugs. "I've been spending some time talking to Shoto. We've been practicing our social manners and how to get social hints and cues."

Itsuka smiles devilishly. Finally, time for some payback. "Ooh, Shoto Todoroki, huh? Why, I wonder if you're not seeing him for... other reasons..."

Yui takes another sip of her drink with the same blank expression. "Not that I know of."

Itsuka grins. "Are you sure? Because you just called him by his first name..."

Yui shakes her head. "No, I did not."

Itsuka raises an eyebrow. "Huh?"

Yui shrugs. "He said that's his hero name. As a fellow hero in training I respect the simplicity."

Itsuka mentally groans at her friend's lack of social awareness. 'Darn it, Yui... Why are you like this? It was my turn to tease someone and now it somehow got boring and awkward.'

Yui takes another sip of her drink. "Either way, he and I have been forcing ourselves to talk more."

Itsuka smiles. "That's nice, Yui. I'm happy that you're making the most out of your time with him."

The corners of Yui's mouth curve upwards a little bit, as if trying her best to smile. "Thanks, Kendo. It's also nice to see you getting so close to Midoriya."

Itsuka rolls her eyes. "It's not that deep... I mean... He and I get along fine, that's all..."

Yui's faint smile disappears. "Is that so? Then... Do you know him very well?"

Itsuka raises an eyebrow at the sudden question. "What do you mean by that?"

Yui takes another sip of her drink. "I don't want him to give you any unpleasant surprises, Kendo."

Itsuka smiles. "Oh. There's no need to worry about that, Yui! Midoriya is a good guy."

Yui nods. "I know that, but I think you should really know more about him before you date him, Kendo."

Itsuka groans. "For the last time, Yui..."

Yui points behind Itsuka, to the window. "Because if you don't, he might run off to do who knows what without you knowing about it or consenting to it."

Itsuka looks behind her to see what Yui meant, and she was taken by surprise by the sight.

On the road to the training grounds, Izuku was walking behind Bakugo. Izuku's head was hung low for some reason, as if he was either scared or ashamed of something. Meanwhile, Bakugo looked... rather pensive and calmed, although he still had a glint of anger in his eyes.

Whatever was happening, Itsuka felt like it wouldn't be good news.

"Yui... Can you take over for a bit?"

Yui nods. "Sure."

Itsuka nods. "Right. I'll see you guys later. Save some cake and soda for me!"

Itsuka had easily followed Izuku and Bakugo to ground Beta. It wasn't very hard due to the pair being deep in their own thoughts. By the time the pair had stopped, Itsuka decided to hide inside a nearby building to weigh her options.

It was Izuku and Bakugo yet again.

There was another topic Itsuka had always wanted to ask Izuku about, and that was his relationship with Bakugo, but it never seemed like quite the right time to talk about it. Somehow, it seemed like Bakugo couldn't stay away from Izuku. For all Itsuka knows, they DEFINITELY had some sort of backstory, mostly since Itsuka would never have imagined someone calling Bakugo "Kacchan", but she didn't really know anything besides that.

All Itsuka had seen Bakugo do was act like he was the strongest in the world and shove Izuku to the side. It was really getting on her nerves, yet Izuku seemed to be fine with it for some reason.

Itsuka hid behind a wall, taking ocasional glances from a window beside her to the couple of boys, who were currently talking in front of a very disheveled-looking building. Why there of all places? Did that building have a special meaning to either of them?

She couldn't hear much of what they were saying, but the conversation looked rather tense. Izuku looked very nervous, and Bakugo...

Bakugo looked awfully serious and subdued, and that was somehow even more unsettling than seeing him angry or acting smug.

Then, Bakugo stretched his arms while Izuku began to step back briefly.

Itsuka was confused for a moment, but Izuku confirmed what was going on.

"Come on, Kacchan! Stop, this isn't smart!"

Bakugo simply propelled himself towards Izuku and extended his hand to set off an explosion upon impact.

Izuku barely dodged the explosion, but his leg was slightly injured.

It looked like they were about to fight.

Itsuka couldn't believe it.

They actually decided to do this the night of the provisional license exam?! Did something happen? Or did she miss something?

Bakugo snarls and shouts, not getting Itsuka to hear him clearly. "You know what's your problem? You're always overthinking things! JUST FIGHT ME!"

Bakugo propels himself towards Izuku, and Izuku keeps dodging the continuous explosions. Itsuka keeps watching the fight, worried for Izuku, angry at Bakugo and torn on whether she should intervene or not.

Izuku keeps trying to talk. "We don't have to hurt each other! You were right to look up to All Might! I know how much he meant to you when we were growin-"

Bakugo launches himself at Izuku again, interrupting him.

Izuku dodges and looks at Bakugo with a small frown, starting to feel frustrated. "I told you to wait!"

Itsuka takes a look at Izuku's movements and notices that he's implementing moves she'd taught him on their training sessions. Although, Izuku seemed to be putting more effort and focus into his legs.

Was this the so-called "Shoot Style" Izuku had mentioned once or twice before?

Bakugo growls. "STOP RUNNING! COME HERE AND FIGHT ME! YOU..."

Bakugo propels himself towards Izuku again, and Izuku barely dodges. "You were always right behind me! No matter how much I tried to get rid of you, you kept coming back! We both admired him, so WHY-?!"

Bakugo launches himself at Izuku again, but Izuku deflects Bakugo's arm before he could set another explosion off. "Kacchan, listen to me!"

However, Bakugo kicks Izuku in the chin.

Bakugo's eyes were glowing red with anger. "WHY?!"

Bakugo aims his arms towards Izuku, but Izuku kicks upwards, deflecting Bakugo's explosion into the air. Bakugo keeps shouting. "TELL ME!"

Bakugo stumbles back and falls on his back.

On instinct, Izuku deactivates One for All and goes over to him to extend his hand to him, offering help. "Are you oka-?"

Bakugo glares at Izuku, slapping his hand away. "Don't you DARE worry about me!

Itsuka has had enough.

She lets out a deep sigh before walking to the door, wanting to scold the two boys for fighting like this after curfew.

But then...

Bakugo gets up while looking down to the floor angrily. "ATTACK ME! WHY WON'T YOU FIGHT BACK?! Why...?!"

Bakugo's voice becomes wobbly and shaky, as if he's on the verge of a breakdown. "WHY DID I HAVE TO END UP CHASING AFTER SOMEONE WHO HAS SO FAR BEHIND ME?!"

Izuku and Itsuka stop on their tracks, their eyes widening at Bakugo's sudden display of raw emotions.

Bakugo keeps looking down. "WHY... did a small fry like you get strong... and become the number one hero's sidekick...? His favorite... You got so much better... And I... I... I DESTROYED ALL MIGHT!"

Izuku and Itsuka gasp.

Bakugo looks at Izuku with tears in the corners of his eyes. "I admired him so much... BUT IT'S BECAUSE OF ME THAT HE LOST HIS POWERS! It's just like that blonde idiot from the other class said... If I had been stronger... If I hadn't been kidnapped by villains... It wouldn't have happened. All Might knows it's my fault but he hasn't said anything... But everyone must know! I CAN'T GET IT OUT OF MY HEAD! IT'S LIKE IT'S CONSTANTLY PLAYING ON LOOP! SO WHAT THE HELL AM I SUPPOSED TO DO?!"

Izuku and Itsuka take a moment to reflect on Bakugo's words.

They know what he means.

He must have been blaming himself for All Might's retirement, obsessing over it... Perhaps even more than Izuku did.

However, one set of words caught Itsuka's attention.

Bakugo said "Just like that blonde idiot from the other class said".

There were only two blondes in her class and only one of them had so much hatred in his soul for class A to resort to those kinds of low blows.

Now Monoma's sudden mood improvement made sense.

Itsuka clenched her teeth in anger and indignation. Didn't Monoma know what Bakugo had gone through? Wasn't getting kidnapped by villains and seeing his idol retire enough? Did Monoma just hate class A THAT much?

One thing was clear, though.

Once Itsuka got back, she'd give Monoma the ass-kicking of a lifetime for all the bullshit she had allowed him to get away with.

Itsuka looked back to the boys, and noticed that Izuku was getting ready once again.

Izuku stands his ground with a determined glare. "If we're doing this, I'm going all out! I refuse to be your punching bag, Kacchan!"

Then, it all became clear to Itsuka.

This fight wasn't what she originally thought was going to be.

Right now, it didn't really matter who won or lost. Izuku and Itsuka were the only ones who knew how Bakugo felt. Perhaps this was one way for Bakugo to blow off steam.

Bakugo immediately propelled himself towards Izuku again, and Izuku dodges yet again. However, Bakugo quickly propels himself behind Izuku and grabs him by the shirt, throwing him against a nearby lamp post.

Izuku grunts as his back hits the hard metal. "Agh!"

Bakugo snarls. "I thought you weren't gonna be my punching bag, Deku!"

Izuku smiles. "I'm not, but we're both faster... I guess we've both grown stronger."

Bakugo launches himself at Izuku again. "WHAT ARE YOU SMILING AT?! I bet you got some plan up your sleeve... THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS I HATE THE MOST ABOUT YOU!"

Bakugo sets off another explosion at Izuku's feet. Izuku barely dodges, but he takes most of the explosion in the chest.

Bakugo snarls. "NO MATTER HOW MUCH I BEAT YOU UP, YOU KEEP COMING BACK! IT'S OBVIOUS YOU'VE ALWAYS LOOKED DOWN ON ME, EVEN WHEN WE WERE KIDS!"

Izuku lands on the ground with a flabbergasted expression. "W... Wha... What?"

Bakugo glares at Izuku. "IF YOU THINK YOU'LL SURPASS ME EVEN WITH THAT NEW POWER OF YOURS YOU BETTER THINK AGAIN, DEKU!"

Izuku falls silent for a moment. "Wait... Is... Is THAT what you actually believed? All this time...? Kacchan... Just think about it... You've beaten me up since we were kids... You always ganged up on me with your friends... You've always belittled me in front of everyone at middle school, even the teachers... And we're not even counting what you told me at the beginning of the last year in middle school... If I really looked down on you I wouldn't want anything to do with you anymore."

Izuku clenches his fists and looks at Bakugo with a soft glare. "And yet, I'm still here. I noticed things all these years you couldn't because I had NOTHING at first. Sure, there were things I hated about you, but I could look past that and see how amazing you were! You got SO MUCH going for you that I didn't have! All Might was my hero, but you were the one ACTUALLY IN MY LIFE!"

Izuku charges up One for All and dashes at Bakugo, who crosses his arms to block the incoming attack. Izuku kicks Bakugo's arms, leaving a very red burnt mark on them. "I thought you were incredible, Kacchan! I WANTED TO SEE WHAT YOU'D BECOME! THAT'S THE REASON I KEPT CHASING AFTER YOU!"

Itsuka suddenly realizes everything that's been going on between Izuku and Bakugo.

While she didn't know the exact details, it was clear what was their relationship like. They had known each other for a long time, but Bakugo had always wanted to prove himself as the best, wanting to be unbeatable just like All Might.

On the other hand, Izuku was a quirkless kid who also admired All Might and had always stuck with Bakugo no matter what happened.

Bakugo must have taken Izuku's constant praises as sarcastic comments or false compliments, assuming that Izuku believed himself to be superior all this time.

What Izuku REALLY felt was genuine admiration for Bakugo, despite his poor treatment.

Itsuka still felt angry at Bakugo, though. That was no excuse to treat Izuku like garbage.

Bakugo reels back from Izuku's kick before looking at Izuku with an angry glare. "You bastard... YOU... YOU PASSED ME!"

Izuku and Bakugo charge at each other.

Izuku's leg and Bakugo's hand collide, making them both stumble back for a moment.

The two boys immediately charge at each other again, letting out primal roars of anger and frustration, now fully embracing all their pent-up emotions for one another.

Itsuka had to take cover behind the wall instead of the window by this point. The strong gusts of wind sent by Izuku's attacks combined with Bakugo's explosions were destroying the fake city around them, cracking the windows and making some small buildings tremble. It was hard for her to believe how much the boys felt for each other. If they were letting out everything they thought about one another, then they must've had a lot of stuff suppressed.

Izuku and Bakugo stumble back yet again. Izuku charges at Bakugo, now looking more fired up than before, which astonishes Itsuka. "IS THAT ALL YOU'VE GOT?!"

Bakugo charges at Izuku as well, with his teeth clenched. "RRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAGHHHHH!"

Izuku goes for a faint kick in the air, and when Bakugo prepares to block his leg, Izuku punches him in the face.

But...

Bakugo looks at Izuku with pure, unmatched anger. "I... WON'T LOSE TO YOU!"

Bakugo grabs Izuku by the shirt and kicks him in the stomach, flipping their positions. Once Izuku is below him, Bakugo uses his free hand to create one huge explosion in order to send them both crashing to the floor.

When the dust settles, Itsuka sees the result of this fight.

Both boys are beaten up, bruised and panting heavily, but Bakugo is pining Izuku to the floor with his leg and keeping his hand on Izuku's face.

Bakugo clenches his teeth, panting and speaking in a shaky tone. "That's it, we're done here... I won... You... You lost... How... How DARE you lose... You have All Might's power, and even after using it... Even after making it your own... You still somehow managed to lose to me..."

Then, the boys hear a voice behind them. "Stop this right now, both of you."

Bakugo lets go of Izuku and looks behind him. Bakugo almost gasps in surprise. "All Might..."

Izuku coughs before sitting on the floor. "W... When did you get here...?"

All Might's voice is gentle and calming. "I'm sorry... I should have noticed you weren't alright, young Bakugo..."

Bakugo looks away from All Might. "It's too late... All Might... Why...? Why did you pick Deku?"

All Might keeps walking towards his students with a serious yet soft expression. "He was powerless, yet more heroic than anyone else. I knew you're strong, that much was obvious. You were someone who could already fight, so I decided that he should have a chance to stand in the ring."

Bakugo's voice becomes shaky and wobbly. "But... Now you know I'm weak... I wanted to be like you, which meant to be as strong as possible... But... Look what I did to you... Because I'm not good enough..."

All Might stops right beside Bakugo and embraces him in a warm, apologetic hug. "This is NOT your fault, young Bakugo... I was always going to lose my power... You couldn't do anything to change that. You ARE strong... but I focused too much on your physical strength and overlooked what was important... This isn't your fault, none of it is... I apologize... Sometimes I forget that you're still children..."

Itsuka feels tears forming on her eyes.

She never would have thought she'd feel sorry for Bakugo, yet here she was. The way Bakugo blamed himself for All Might's retirement, the way he had been keeping everything to himself, the way he wanted to stand out... Everything was too familiar to Itsuka. Even if Bakugo was a smug jerk most of the time, he was still a person like the rest of them. He had dreams, goals, ambitions, fears, insecurities and anxieties. Perhaps he hid them so well that everyone just assumed he had none.

Itsuka lets out a small sigh and wipes the tears in her eyes.

Bakugo lets go of All Might abruptly. All Might looks at him with a solemn expression. "After being a hero for so many years you learn a few things... Striving to be the best like you, young Bakugo, and caring about people and rescuing those in need like you, young Midoriya. Both of those feelings are necessary in a hero, otherwise they'll never be able to truly represent justice... Perhaps that's why you admire his strength so much, young Midoriya. And I know that's why you've always feared his heart and spirit, young Bakugo. Now that you've laid your feelings on the table... Maybe you can understand each other."

Izuku and Bakugo give each other a side glance with doubtful eyes, and yet, there's a small hint of curiosity and a tiny spark of hope in them.

Itsuka notices it too, and she smiles fondly.

She might not be on the best terms with Bakugo, but she couldn't deny that his drive and need to be the best was unbeatable, and from all the time she had spent with Izuku she could tell that his heart always felt the need to save others. Their feelings are crude because they lack one another.

All Might continues speaking. "If you can do that, I have no doubt that you'll become the greatest heroes in no time, winning and saving people at the same time."

A moment of silence passes.

Bakugo looks down before sitting on the floor. "Damn it... That's not what I wanted to hear... Deku... You had the greatest hero lay the ground work for you... Don't you dare lose again..."

Izuku gives his friend a sad glance before replying in a more firm tone. "I'll work harder... So that I can beat you."

Bakugo sighs. "Alright... Now talk. Who knows about you two?"

Itsuka feels a small twinge of fear at Bakugo's question. Should she come out and explain that she knows about One for All too?

Itsuka takes a moment to think before deciding to stay hidden for now.

If she came out at this instant, she'd probably be in trouble with All Might, as he'd probably think that she had bad intentions. Plus, it was Izuku's quirk now, and he was the one that told her about it. If anything, Izuku was the one who'd have the last say on whether or not letting All Might know that she knows about One for All.

All Might answers calmly. "Recovery Girl and Principal Nezu do. As far as students go... only you."

Bakugo groans. "And you don't want this to get out because that would be bad... Don't worry, your secret's safe with me... I won't tell anyone what's going on... Unlike Deku here, I can keep my mouth shut. This'll stay between us."

Izuku sighs. "Thanks, Kaachan."

Izuku feels a pang of guilt on his chest for telling Itsuka about it.

All Might smiles softly. "I don't deserve this... I should be on my hands and knees begging you to keep this secret for me... Yet here you are being considerate... Thank you..."

Bakugo huffs. "I'm not doing this for you... It'd just be a real pain if this got out and messed shit up."

All Might sighs. "Now that it's come to this, I can explain what's been happening between me and young Midoriya. It's only fair..."

And so, All Might told Bakugo the whole backstory about the great power known as One for All being passed down through generations in order to be used against great evil. About how he used this power to become the symbol of peace. About how he was gravely injured, which limited his strength. And finally, how he chose his successor.

Itsuka had listened through it all as well, finding out about Izuku's encounter with the sludge villain, his one-year training with All Might before inheriting his quirk and some details she didn't know about.

When All Might finishes his story, Bakugo sighs. "If this got out people would be confused and start to wonder where the power is. You're a dumbass, Deku... What were you thinking when you first told me about it after the Simulation Training?"

Izuku sighs.

All Might looks at Bakugo again. "I've already said it, but I want to make it clear. It was my choice to use the last of my abilities. None of this is your fault."

Bakugo simply looks down silently for a moment. "This still doesn't change what I have to do. Things aren't gonna be the same, Deku. You've been watching me and everyone around you, absorbing what you learn to become stronger... Well, I can do the exact same thing and keep getting better myself. I'll go higher than even you, chosen one."

Izuku looks down. "Right..."

Bakugo scoffs.

Izuku looks at Bakugo with a small smile. "Then I guess I'll just have to be better than that."

Bakugo raises an eyebrow. "You what?"

Izuku puts up his fists. "I'll have to go higher than you."

Bakugo snarls. "DAMN IT, NERD! I JUST SAID I WAS GOING TO BE THE ONE THAT SURPASSED YOU!"

Izuku stares at Bakugo with a goofy smirk. "I know! And now I'm saying that I'll go beyond that level!"

Bakugo growls. "WHAT?!"

All Might and Itsuka chuckle. They both know that Izuku and Bakugo have now become proper rivals, in a way that they weren't before.

Itsuka decides to go back to the dorms. She probably could have stayed and listened to their conversation some more, but it felt like there was nothing else to see here, since the fight ended with a positive outcome. Plus, she'd heard everything she needed to hear and she didn't want to be caught after curfew.

Though, Itsuka knew that Monoma was going to pay for the absolutely disgusting low blow he had thrown at Bakugo.

"Going away so soon?"

Itsuka freezes when she hears an unknown male voice behind her. Before Itsuka can turn around, she feels a hand on her head.

"Gotcha."

The floor below Itsuka breaks, and she sees and feels herself falling into an infinite void of nothingness.

All Might and his students turn around to head to the dorms, but in that instant, an alarm sounds throughout the entire campus.

Izuku looks around in a panic. "W-W-What's going on?"

All Might's eyes open wide. "That's... the security systems! But... That's impossible! U.A is impenetrable now! We got the best tech experts to work on our security systems and sensors, not to mention that we have the best technological resources in the country at our disposal! There should be no way an outsider could have broken in without getting detected!"

Bakugo looks around. "Tch. Is the League of Losers behind this?"

All Might looks at his students briefly with a serious expression. "Let's head back to the dorms! QUICKLY!"

From one day to the other, U.A's reputation had suffered yet another grave blow.

A student was missing, and it was none other than class B's president, Itsuka Kendo.

The press were already starting to gang up on U.A, and the teachers were at a loss for words. The cameras and security bots had caught two students fighting, sure, but that was the last thing on anyone's minds at the moment, since there was no actual footage of an outsider breaking into U.A anywhere.

However, there was a slight exception.

One camera had managed to get footage of three unknown individuals walking around campus. They were far from the camera and had their backs turned, which made it impossible to see who it was. This only added to the mystery of the case, since every other camera hadn't captured anything unusual on tape. It was as if these individuals had managed to bypass EVERY security measure at U.A except for this one.

Were they careless at the last second?

Or...

Did they want to be seen on camera?

Either way, U.A was now being questioned by the public yet again. There were cracks on their perfection that were starting to show, and the public commented on it as soon as they picked up on them. What's worse is that it was yet another student that U.A had failed to protect.

And the students themselves?

The joy class B felt for getting their provisional hero licenses was cut short abruptly by the news. The dorms, which were once filled with laughter and cheer, now were filled with stress, anxiety and sadness.

However, these were two students that had been handling the news worse than everyone else.

Yui Kodai was never one to show much emotions, yet this was something she couldn't just process like everything else. After all, SHE was the one who pointed Itsuka towards Izuku and Bakugo. If she hadn't, perhaps Itsuka would still be with everyone.

Yui had spent most of the morning locked in her room. She didn't come out except when she had to go to the bathroom, and the few students who saw her could definitely see that she was hurting, even though she still wore the same blank expression as ever.

As the afternoon came, All Might, Endeavor, Aizawa and Vlad King came to the class B dorms to talk to the students. Many told their teachers that Yui was the last person who spoke to Itsuka before she exited the dorms on her own.

When the heroes spoke to Yui, she had been constantly blaming herself for Itsuka's disappearance. Yui told the heroes that Itsuka went after Izuku and Bakugo out of curiosity since they weren't in their dorms past curfew.

As for the reactions to Izuku and Bakugo's fight, they had been a little toned down.

Aizawa's first impulse was to expel Izuku and Bakugo at once with no takebacks, but All Might had convinced him otherwise. All Might told Aizawa that Izuku and Bakugo had fought because of his failure as a teacher in the first place, and that the news of their fight shouldn't reach the students or they'd be cast aside by their classmates. If word got out that Izuku and Bakugo had fought and Itsuka went missing as a result, everyone would blame them for her disappearance.

In the end, Izuku and Bakugo recieved one day of house arrest for motives that were forbidden to talk about with their classmates.

As for them, Izuku was the other person who couldn't handle the news well.

Aizawa had given him and Bakugo the biggest sitting down of their entire lives, telling them that all they did was cause problems, chaos and disarray and that Itsuka had most likely gone off on her own to make sure they were both okay.

After Aizawa left the room, Izuku tried his hardest not to cry, but he couldn't help himself.

Itsuka was gone, and it was all because of him.

Bakugo looked beside him, and he saw Izuku starting to sob. "Why are you crying, nerd?"

Izuku sniffles back some tears and speaks through a chokes sob. "I... I... I can't get off the feeling that this was my fault, Kacchan... Itsuka is gone because of me..."

Bakugo scoffs. "That's another thing I hate about you, Deku. You're always taking things too personally because of your overthinking. You can't put the blame of this shit on your shoulders."

Izuku tries to calm down. "But... Itsuka went off because-"

Bakugo interrupts Izuku and stares at him with an angry yet determined glare. "Because I wanted to fight you. If anyone's at fault for this, it's me. I promise she'll be back, nerd. The bastards who took orange hair will pay for this and more."

Izuku takes a moment to collect himself before nodding. "Yeah... Yeah, alright..."

Has anyone seen Itsuka? I can't find her...