The moon hung high, casting silver light through the window as Deku held Kuri close, his mind whirling with the new truth about his powers and his heritage. The idea of being a witch, of his strength being rooted in something beyond Quirks, felt both overwhelming and enlightening. But before he could delve deeper, a soft knock on the door broke their trance.
The door creaked open, and Reiko's face peeked through, her eyes widening at the sight of Deku and Kuri so close together.
"Uh… sorry to interrupt," she said, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "I just wanted to check in on you two lovebirds."
Kuri pulled back, her face flushed, while Deku rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Reiko, we were… just talking."
"Sure you were," Reiko teased, slipping into the room. She let her gaze linger on Kuri for a moment, a look of relief flickering in her eyes. "We've all been worried, you know. It's good to see you safe, Kuri."
Deku looked at Reiko, sensing the faint glow around her that came whenever her light orb powers flickered. He'd grown used to seeing Reiko as Bakugo's match, fierce and loyal, yet also capable of calming him down in ways no one else could.
Kuri reached out and took Reiko's hand. "Thank you, Reiko. I'm sorry for worrying everyone."
Reiko nodded, squeezing her hand before turning her attention back to Deku. "And as for you… don't go disappearing like that again." Her voice softened, a hint of vulnerability slipping through. "We're all in this together. I don't want to have to chase after both of you."
Deku met her gaze, his determination returning. "I won't. I know now that I'm not alone." He reached out, placing a reassuring hand on Kuri's shoulder.
A sudden knock at the door startled them, and before anyone could respond, Bakugo's voice rang out. "Oi! Nerds, what's the hold-up? We've got training!"
The door opened to reveal Bakugo standing with arms crossed, his typical scowl in place. But his eyes softened when they met Reiko's, the roughness in his tone easing just slightly. "Don't tell me you're slacking off here."
Reiko shot him a playful glare. "We're not slacking. Just catching up on a few things."
Bakugo huffed, though his expression softened as he focused on her. "Fine. Just don't keep me waiting." He turned to Deku and Kuri, his expression shifting to something unreadable. "You two better be ready. We've got a long road ahead."
Kuri nodded, a determined gleam in her eyes. "We're ready, Bakugo."
Xxx
As they made their way to the training grounds, Reiko fell in step beside Bakugo, her presence calming his usual tension. The others noticed the slight change in his demeanor when she was around, a subtle softening that Bakugo would never admit out loud. They warmed up quickly, and soon, they were sparring in pairs, pushing their limits as they prepared for the battles ahead.
Deku and Kuri found themselves side by side, their abilities in sync, moving fluidly as they adapted to each other's rhythms. It was as if their newfound connection to One For All's magical origin deepened their bond, making their teamwork almost instinctive.
Bakugo watched them with a scowl, but Reiko noticed the faint spark of respect in his eyes. She nudged him, smirking. "Jealous?"
He scoffed, crossing his arms. "As if. They've got a long way to go if they think they're gonna keep up with me."
Reiko rolled her eyes, but there was warmth behind her gaze. "Sure, sure, Mr. Number One." She gave him a playful shove before focusing on her own training, her light orb quirk illuminating the field as she deftly moved around Bakugo, testing his reflexes and dodging his blasts.
Xxx
As the training session ended, the group gathered under the moonlit sky, exhausted but determined. Deku and Kuri exchanged a glance, feeling the weight of their newfound connection to magic. They shared a silent understanding that their journey was far from over, but they would face it together.
Reiko stood beside Bakugo, her hand brushing his as they both looked up at the stars. "We're going to win this," she said softly, her voice filled with conviction.
Bakugo grunted, a rare smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as he glanced at her. "Damn right we are."
As they all headed back to the dorms, each of them carried a renewed sense of purpose, knowing that they were bound by fate, magic, and the strength of their bonds. The battles ahead loomed large, but with each other, they knew they could face whatever came their way.