Bakugo's flashback
The Exam Begins: The Nobody
The morning of the UA entrance exam was chaos incarnate. The crowd of hopeful students, each radiating nervous energy, gathered in the shadow of UA's towering gates. The air buzzed with a mix of sweat, adrenaline, and muted excitement, their ambitions blending into a single, overwhelming pulse. The metallic scent of the polished training grounds seemed sharper under the sunlight, a forewarning of the test that would decide their futures.
Katsuki Bakugo stood at the front of the throng, arms crossed and scowl deepening by the second. He barely registered the noise around him. The extras, as he called them, were all irrelevant—background noise in his destined rise to greatness. UA would see him for what he was: the best. A future number-one hero.
His red eyes scanned the crowd with disdain, briefly resting on each face before discarding them. A lanky kid. Useless. A girl who was muttering to herself. Weak. His lip curled as his gaze landed on a plain-looking girl standing near the back of the group.
Dark hair. Neutral expression. Her uniform hung on her thin frame like she hadn't bothered to fit it properly. She stood with her arms loosely at her sides, neither fidgeting nor chatting nervously like the others. If anything, she seemed to fade into the background entirely.
Bakugo smirked, his fiery confidence rising to the surface. What a joke. Someone like her actually thinks she belongs here? He turned away, already dismissing her from his thoughts.
The First Encounter: Her Switch Flips
Bakugo's Flashback
The UA entrance exams were supposed to be Bakugo Katsuki's stage. He'd imagined it a hundred times before that day—the roar of his explosions shaking the ground, the awestruck faces of his peers as he single-handedly dominated the field, his name carved into their memories as the indisputable best. It was his time to shine, to prove to everyone—including himself—that he was destined for greatness.
The training ground buzzed with nervous energy, a mass of aspiring heroes jostling and muttering as they waited for the gates to open. Bakugo stood at the front of the crowd, his arms crossed and his jaw set. His blood simmered with adrenaline and impatience as he scanned the faces around him. Extras. All of them. None of them mattered.
Until he saw her.
She wasn't remarkable at first glance. A plain face, dark hair tucked neatly behind her ears, and a standard UA training uniform. But there was something about her that made Bakugo's instincts prickle—a quiet intensity in her sharp gaze, the way she carried herself with calm precision amidst the chaotic crowd. She didn't fidget or chatter nervously like the rest of the extras. She stood still, waiting, her arms at her sides and her head held high.
She didn't look at him. She didn't look at anyone.
"Who the hell does she think she is?" Bakugo muttered under his breath, his teeth clenching.
When the gates finally rumbled open and Present Mic's voice roared across the training ground, the students surged forward like a flood.
"GO!" the pro hero shouted. "Time to show us what you've got, future heroes!"
The students surged forward like a flood, scattering into the simulated cityscape in search of the robotic villains that would determine their scores. Bakugo shot off like a rocket, his explosions propelling him into the air as he zeroed in on the nearest targets. His adrenaline spiked with every hit, the thrill of destruction washing over him in waves.
"BOOM!" he shouted, obliterating a robot with a single, precise blast. The metal debris scattered, and he laughed, already moving on to the next.
Bakugo blasted himself into the air, his explosions cracking through the air with thunderous force. He darted through the simulated cityscape with practiced precision, each detonation propelling him closer to the scattered robotic villains.
"Die!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the concrete jungle as he obliterated his first target. The explosion lit up the streets, debris raining down like confetti. He landed with a grin, already searching for his next target.
"Easy," he muttered to himself, his palms sparking with anticipation.
It wasn't until he rounded the next corner that he saw her again.
The plain girl.
He didn't notice her at first.
She was standing in the middle of the street, her head tilted slightly as she stared down a group of five robots. Their glowing red eyes locked onto her, their mechanical limbs clicking as they advanced. Bakugo slowed, curiosity tugging at him despite himself.
She's gonna get crushed, he thought with a sneer. Serves her right for showing up unprepared.
The robots lunged.
And she moved.
In an instant, something in her posture shifted. Her loose stance disappeared, her body snapping into a precise, predatory alignment. She dodged the first robot's strike with a movement so fluid it was almost unnatural, her body twisting in a way that seemed to defy the limits of bone and muscle.
Her hand brushed against a piece of rubble, and Bakugo watched, stunned, as it shrank in her palm. The chunk of concrete, no bigger than a pebble now, was hurled with devastating force. It expanded midair, slamming into the robot's chest and tearing through its metal plating like paper.
"What the hell?" Bakugo muttered, his smirk faltering.
The second robot lunged, but she sidestepped it effortlessly, her movements eerily smooth. She placed her hand on its arm, and the metal warped with a grotesque screech, bending at an impossible angle. The robot collapsed, sparking and twitching as it hit the ground.
Yui Kodai moved like water. Smooth, effortless, unyielding. She stepped forward, her hand brushing against a nearby piece of rubble, and her quirk activated. The chunk of metal shrank in an instant, its density altering before their eyes. She tossed it like it was weightless, and when it struck the fourth robot, it expanded midair, punching through its armor with devastating force.
The robot lunged, but Yui sidestepped it, her movements precise and calculated. She touched its arm, and the metal warped, bending at an impossible angle. The robot crumpled to the ground, rendered useless.
Bakugo froze, watching as she dismantled the remaining robots with surgical efficiency. Her expression never changed, her eyes sharp and unflinching.
"What the—" Bakugo's words died in his throat. His fists clenched, the heat of his palms barely enough to quell the storm brewing in his chest. She hadn't just taken out the robots. She'd made it look easy.
Too easy.
She dispatched them with calculated efficiency, her expression never changing. No fear. No hesitation.
When the last robot crumbled to the pavement, she straightened, brushing dust from her hands. Her dark eyes briefly scanned her surroundings before she turned and walked away, as if the carnage she'd just caused was an afterthought.
Bakugo stood frozen, his fists clenched and his breath caught in his throat. Who the hell is she?
The Zero Pointer
By the time the Zero Pointer appeared, Bakugo had pushed her from his mind. He had destroyed half a dozen robots since then, his confidence swelling with each one. He wasn't just passing this test—he was dominating it. He was going to make UA his playground.
Then the ground shook.
The deafening whir of machinery filled the air as the Zero Pointer loomed over the cityscape, its massive frame blotting out the sun. Students screamed and scattered, their earlier bravado vanishing like smoke in the face of the mechanical behemoth.. Bakugo grinned, sparks crackling in his palms.
"Finally," he muttered. "Something worth blowing up."
The ground trembled as the massive robot emerged, its towering frame casting a shadow over the battlefield.
Bakugo grinned. This was his chance. If he could take it down, no one would question his superiority. He launched himself forward, explosions cracking like thunder as he propelled himself toward the machine's head.
He launched himself forward, explosions propelling him into the air. His blood roared with adrenaline as he closed the distance, aiming for the robot's head.
And then he saw her again.
Yui Kodai stood directly in its path. She didn't move. She didn't flinch. The shadow of the Zero Pointer loomed over her, its massive arm raised to strike.
"What the hell is she doing?" Bakugo growled. "Run, idiot!"
But she didn't run.
She placed her hand on the ground, and something shifted. The rubble around her began to warp, shrinking and expanding in chaotic waves. She raised a hand, and the altered debris shot toward the Zero Pointer like bullets. The first piece struck its leg, the metal caving inward with a sickening crunch. The second hit its torso, warping the internal mechanisms.
Yui was standing in its path, her posture calm and unyielding. She didn't run. She didn't hesitate. Her hand brushed against the ground, and something changed. The rubble around her began to shift, shrinking and expanding as she manipulated its density. In one smooth motion, she hurled a shard of altered metal at the Zero Pointer. It struck its other leg, and the entire limb warped and collapsed, sending the giant robot crashing to the ground.
The impact sent a shockwave through the area, knocking Bakugo out of the air. Bakugo was thrown off course, his trajectory spiraling as the force of the impact hit him. He landed hard, skidding across the ground as dust and debris filled the air. When the smoke cleared, he saw her standing over the Zero Pointer, her silhouette sharp against the haze, her expression calm and unyielding.
She turned and looked directly at him for the first time.
"Don't just stand there," she said, her voice calm but edged with steel. "Do something useful."
Bakugo's blood boiled.
"You're welcome," she said, her voice cutting through the silence.
The Alley: A Monster Unleashed
Bakugo followed her after the exam. His pride demanded it. She had humiliated him. She had outdone him in every way, and worst of all, she had acted like it didn't matter. Like he didn't matter.
His ego was bruised, his chest tight with anger and humiliation. No one made him feel like that. No one. She had outdone him in every way, and worst of all, she'd made it look effortless. He needed to reestablish control, to remind her—and himself—that he was the best.
He found her in an alley a few blocks away from the testing grounds, leaning casually against the wall with her arms crossed. Her posture was relaxed, but something about her stillness made the air feel colder.
She looked up as he approached, her sharp eyes narrowing slightly.
"What do you want?" she asked, her voice neutral.
Bakugo's hands ignited, sparks flaring. "You think you're better than me?" he snarled. "You think you can just show me up and walk away?"
She tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable. "Yes."
His vision blurred with rage. "Shut up!" he roared, lunging toward her. "I don't need your help, and I don't need some extra looking down on me! You think your better than me huh bitch!"
Yui didn't move. "I don't think," she said calmly. "I know."
His vision blurred with rage. "Shut up!" he shouted, lunging toward her with his explosions flaring.
He swung his arm, his explosions aimed directly at her face.
And then everything went wrong.
Her hand shot out, grabbing his wrist mid-attack. Her grip was iron, her fingers digging into his skin with enough force to make him wince.
"Let go!" he demanded, his voice cracking.
But she didn't let go. Instead, she tightened her grip, her eyes darkening with something dangerous. "You're pathetic," she said, her voice low and venomous. "And you don't even realize it."
Bakugo tried to yank his arm free, but she twisted it, sending pain shooting through his shoulder. He yelled out, his explosions flaring again, but Yui didn't flinch.
For a moment, Bakugo thought he'd stopped moving, but then he realized—she was holding him in place. His explosion fizzled out against her palm, the heat dissipating as if it had never existed.
"Let go!" he demanded, panic creeping into his voice.
Her head tilted further, her eyes narrowing. "You think you're strong?" she asked, her voice soft but venomous. "You're not even close."
Her other hand shot out, grabbing his shoulder. Bakugo's eyes widened as she twisted his arm, forcing him to his knees. Pain shot through his body, and he gritted his teeth, trying to resist.
"You're weak," she said, her voice low and icy. "And you don't even know it."
Bakugo roared, his explosions flaring to life again. The blast struck her face, the heat and force enough to send most people flying.
She didn't move.
When the smoke cleared, her face was gone. Burned away, the flesh beneath exposed in raw, horrifying detail. But even as he stared, the damage began to repair itself. The skin knitted back together, seamless and smooth, as if nothing had happened.
She smiled.
Bakugo's blood turned to ice.
The Alley: A Monster Unleashed (Continued)
The alley was silent but alive. The shadows writhed on the brick walls, twisting and bending like predators waiting for the kill. The dim streetlight flickered, buzzing faintly, its weak light casting jagged shapes across the ground. The air was suffocating, thick with a cold weight that pressed against Bakugo's chest like a vice.
Yui stood before him, her face eerily calm, a porcelain mask over something darker. Her body, though still, seemed to hum with restrained violence, like a bowstring pulled too tight. The regeneration of her face was complete now, not a single burn or blemish left behind. If anything, her features seemed sharper, more vivid, as though they'd been carved from stone.
Bakugo remained on his knees, his body trembling despite the heat of his quirk sparking in his palms. He gritted his teeth, refusing to let the fear show on his face, but it was there, clawing at his insides. His voice cracked when he spoke, breaking the suffocating silence.
"What the hell are you?" he spat, but the bravado in his voice was paper-thin, brittle enough to shatter with a whisper.
Yui tilted her head slightly, the movement too precise, too deliberate, like a predator studying its prey. Her eyes gleamed faintly in the dim light, twin orbs of something ancient and cruel.
"Does it matter?" she said softly, her voice smooth and cold, like ice cracking underfoot. "You're not in a position to ask questions."
Her words slithered through the air, wrapping around Bakugo like chains. He tried to stand, to force his legs to move, but his body refused to obey. He was paralyzed, trapped under the weight of her gaze. It wasn't just fear—it was something primal, something deep in his bones screaming at him to run, to get away before she decided to stop playing.
Yui crouched down slowly, her movements almost serpentine, her shadow stretching and twisting unnaturally behind her. Her face was close to his now, her breath cold against his skin.
"You think you're strong," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, yet it echoed in the narrow alley like thunder. "You think power is loud, explosive, messy." Her eyes flicked to the faint sparks still sputtering in his palms, a faint smirk curling her lips. "But true power is quiet. It doesn't scream—it whispers. It waits. And when it strikes, it leaves nothing behind."
Bakugo's breath hitched, his heartbeat thundering in his ears. He wanted to retort, to tell her to shove it, but the words stuck in his throat, suffocated by the weight of her presence.
And then she moved.
Inhuman Grace
It was so fast he almost didn't see it. One moment she was crouched in front of him, and the next, her hand was wrapped around his throat. Her grip wasn't tight—she didn't need it to be. The sheer cold emanating from her touch froze him in place, his explosions dying in his palms as though snuffed out by her will alone.
She lifted him effortlessly, his feet dangling inches off the ground. Her strength was monstrous, unnatural, her body bending and twisting in ways that defied logic. Her spine arched as she leaned closer, her face inches from his, her smile widening.
"You asked what I am," she murmured, her voice dripping with something sinister. "I could show you."
Bakugo struggled, clawing at her hand, but it was like trying to break free from iron shackles. Her fingers didn't budge, her arm didn't waver. She tilted her head again, watching him with the detached curiosity of a scientist studying a specimen.
"No," she said after a moment, as though answering her own question. "You wouldn't survive."
And then she threw him.
The Crash
The force of her throw was unimaginable. Bakugo's body slammed into the alley wall with a sickening crunch, the impact sending shockwaves through the brickwork. He crumpled to the ground, gasping for air, his vision swimming. Pain radiated through his ribs, sharp and unforgiving, but the adrenaline surging through his veins drowned it out.
He pushed himself to his knees, coughing violently, but before he could fully rise, she was there again. Her movements were impossibly fluid, her body seeming to fold and stretch as though the laws of physics were mere suggestions. She loomed over him, her shadow swallowing his form.
"This is what happens when you overstep," she said, her tone almost casual, as though she were discussing the weather. "This is what happens when you forget your place."
She raised her foot and drove it into his chest, pinning him to the ground. The pressure was unbearable, his lungs screaming for air as her weight crushed him.
"You're loud, Bakugo," she said, her voice soft but carrying a venomous edge. "But loud doesn't scare me. Loud doesn't mean anything."
The Decision
For a moment, the world seemed to stop. Yui stared down at him, her eyes dark and unreadable, her expression cold and calculating. Bakugo could feel it—the weight of her deliberation, the question she was silently asking herself.
Do I let him live?
Her fingers flexed at her sides, the slight motion sending shivers down his spine. Her gaze shifted slightly, as though imagining the possibilities, and the faintest hint of a smile touched her lips.
But then she stepped back, her foot lifting from his chest. Bakugo gasped, air flooding his lungs in desperate gulps as he lay motionless on the ground.
"You're lucky," Yui said, her tone almost bored. "I have no interest in cleaning up a mess tonight."
She crouched down again, her face close to his, her eyes burning with quiet fury. "But if you ever try to cross me again…" She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper that sent chills down his spine. "I'll show you what happens when I stop holding back."
She straightened, her movements smooth and precise, and turned to walk away. Her shadow stretched long behind her, twisting unnaturally as she disappeared into the darkness of the alley.
The Aftermath
Bakugo lay there for what felt like an eternity, the cold of the alley seeping into his bones. His body ached, his pride shattered, but more than anything, his mind raced with a single, unshakable thought.
She's not human.
The sound of her voice lingered in his ears, a ghostly whisper that refused to leave. He clenched his fists, the faint sparks of his quirk flickering weakly, but it brought him no comfort. For the first time in his life, Katsuki Bakugo felt powerless.
And it terrified him.
(Flashback End)
The Alley: A Monster's Grip
The streets were quieter than usual, yet Katsuki Bakugo's mind was louder than it had been in years. His steps were quick but uneven, his breath shallow and sharp. He kept looking over his shoulder, expecting her to be there—expecting her to step out from the shadows with that same predatory smirk, the same glint in her sharp, merciless eyes.
The cold of the alley still clung to him like frostbite, seeping into his bones no matter how fast he walked. The flickering streetlights, the empty sidewalks, the occasional rustling of leaves—everything felt like it was watching him, waiting to strike.
Yui Kodai wasn't human. She couldn't be.
He wiped at his face with his sleeve, trying to clear the sweat beading on his forehead. The air felt heavier now, oppressive, each breath tasting faintly metallic, like blood on his tongue. No amount of bravado could extinguish the dread curling in his stomach like smoke.
The empty streets felt oppressive, the night wrapping around him like a suffocating blanket. Every sound made him flinch—the distant wail of a siren, the faint rustle of leaves, the echo of his own footsteps. He couldn't stop looking over his shoulder, half-expecting to see her there, her sharp eyes glowing faintly in the dark, her inhuman movements folding her into the shadows.
He shook his head, gritting his teeth. "She's not here," he muttered to himself, his voice hoarse. "She's not following me."
But the words felt hollow. He could still feel her grip on his wrist, the iron strength of her fingers. He could still see her face, perfectly regenerated after he'd blasted it away. No normal person could do that. No normal hero.
"She's not normal," he whispered, his breath hitching. "She's a monster."
His legs moved faster, his pace almost a jog as he neared his home. The warm light spilling from the windows should have felt comforting, but it didn't. Not tonight. Not after what he'd seen.
The Weight of Shadows
When he finally reached his house, it felt smaller than usual, the familiar porchlight casting an eerie glow over the yard. He didn't hesitate as he shoved the door open and stepped inside, his shoulders rigid. The warmth of the house pressed against him, a sharp contrast to the icy grip of the night outside, but it did nothing to soothe him.
The silence in the house was deafening. No sounds from the television in the living room, no clatter of dishes in the kitchen. He didn't bother greeting his parents or pretending he was fine. He stormed up the stairs, his movements jerky and erratic, like a puppet with tangled strings.
His room offered no sanctuary. The walls, covered in posters of heroes he once idolized, seemed to close in on him as he sat on the edge of his bed, his hands gripping the edge so tightly his knuckles turned white.
He squeezed his eyes shut, but the darkness only made it worse.
She was there.
In his mind's eye, Yui loomed over him, her form unnaturally elongated, her face twisting into something monstrous. He could see her sharp eyes glowing faintly in the shadows, her cold smile widening as she leaned closer, whispering words that dug into his skin like claws.
"You're weak."
The Nightmare
Bakugo didn't realize he had fallen asleep until the dream began.
The alley was darker this time, the streetlights long since extinguished. The shadows weren't just deep—they were alive, writhing and twisting like living things. The air was damp and cold, the smell of rust and decay clawing at his senses. He could hear his footsteps echoing on the cracked pavement, each step hesitant and wrong, like he was walking toward something he couldn't see.
And then he saw her.
Yui Kodai stood at the far end of the alley, her figure barely visible in the dim light. She was still, almost statuesque, her head tilted slightly as she watched him. Her silence was deafening, the kind of quiet that made your heartbeat feel like thunder in your ears.
"You're late," she said softly, her voice slicing through the air like a knife.
Bakugo tried to speak, but the words caught in his throat. His hands sparked weakly, but the explosions died before they could even form.
Yui stepped forward, her movements smooth and deliberate, like a predator stalking its prey. The darkness seemed to move with her, swallowing the alley as she approached. Her shadow stretched unnaturally behind her, twisting and bending in ways that made no sense.
"I warned you," she said, her voice calm but laced with malice. "But you didn't listen."
He tried to move, to step back, but his legs felt like they were made of lead. The air around him thickened, suffocating him as she drew closer. Her face came into focus, and the sight of it made his stomach drop. It was wrong—too perfect, too smooth, as though her features had been carved from porcelain. But her eyes burned, sharp and unrelenting, and her smile…
Her smile was a weapon.
"Do you know what happens to people like you?" she asked, crouching down in front of him. Her head tilted further, her neck twisting at an angle that made Bakugo's stomach churn. "People who forget their place?"
Her hand shot out, grabbing his wrist. He gasped as her grip tightened, the pressure unbearable. He could hear his bones creaking under the strain, but he couldn't fight back. He couldn't even scream.
"You break," she whispered, her voice low and venomous. "And then you're forgotten."
Her other hand reached for his throat, her fingers cold and unyielding as they wrapped around his neck. His vision blurred, the edges of the world darkening as her grip tightened. He could feel her breath against his ear, cold and sharp like the edge of a blade.
"Do you want me to show you?" she murmured.
And then she smiled wider, her teeth gleaming in the dark.
Her face filled his vision, her sharp eyes boring into his soul as her hand wrapped around his throat. He felt her fingers tighten, her grip unyielding, and the world spun around him like violent cyclones.
He tried to move, to run, but his legs wouldn't obey. His body was frozen, his breaths shallow and frantic as she advanced. Her movements were wrong, her limbs bending at unnatural angles, her spine twisting as though it were made of rubber. Her shadow stretched and writhed behind her, growing larger and darker until it swallowed the alley whole.
"Stay back!" he shouted, his voice breaking. His hands ignited, explosions flaring to life, but they fizzled out the moment they left his palms. The light died, leaving him alone in the darkness with her.
She smiled.
And then she lunged.
The Awakening
Bakugo woke with a jolt, his heart pounding against his ribs like a trapped animal. His hands shot to his throat, his fingers trembling as they searched for the grip that wasn't there. The room was quiet, but his breaths came fast and shallow, each one a desperate gasp for air.
"It was a dream," he whispered, his voice shaking. "Just a dream."
But it didn't feel like one. His skin still prickled with the cold of her touch, his wrist still ached where she had grabbed him. He could still see her face, her smile burned into his mind like an afterimage.
He swung his legs over the side of the bed, his bare feet hitting the cold floor with a soft thud. The faint glow of his bedside lamp did little to chase away the shadows clinging to the corners of the room. Every creak of the floorboards, every flicker of movement in the corner of his eye made his pulse spike.
His hands clenched into fists, his nails digging into his palms. He wanted to scream, to lash out, to destroy something—anything—that could make him feel in control again. But the fear sat heavy in his chest, an immovable weight that refused to budge.
The Past: A Mystery
He hadn't felt this way in years. Not since him.
The thought hit him like a sucker punch, stealing the breath from his lungs. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to push it away, but it was there, lurking in the corners of his mind.
Him.
The figure from his past who had left scars deeper than any physical wound. The one who had first shown him what it meant to be powerless. The one who had made him realize that strength alone wasn't always enough.
Yui reminded him of that. The same calculated movements. The same overwhelming presence. The same suffocating sense of inevitability.
Bakugo's nails dug deeper into his palms, the faint sparks of his quirk flickering weakly. "I won't let this happen again," he muttered, his voice low and strained. "I won't let anyone make me feel like this again."
But even as he said it, the words felt hollow.
The shadows in his room loomed larger, pressing in around him as though they knew better.