Before the exercise ended, Bakugo woke up in the nurse’s office. His head still hurts a bit. Whoever hit him is going to pay, but first, he needs to take stock of his location.
84Please respect copyright.PENANAwpHGgdO8oV
To his right was a snoring Kirishima. He was a bit banged up, but he seemed fine. But to his left was…Deku.
84Please respect copyright.PENANArDHlHsnDwW
He looks fine, but for whatever reason, he’s still unconscious. But for once, he’s not his focus. It was his girlfriend who was staring daggers at him.
84Please respect copyright.PENANAAmqSU7rkp2
Now it was clear who knocked him out.
84Please respect copyright.PENANAQroDwKF4wD
Bakugo: “You!”
84Please respect copyright.PENANACF0kDpBubO
Kiri: “Me.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAmVt8bvuqVR
Before Bakugo could start something, the door opened to reveal Recovery Girl.
84Please respect copyright.PENANAgpsomwpueS
Recovery Girl: “No! No fighting in my office, do you two understand?!”
84Please respect copyright.PENANA4SUJ43UTg0
Bakugo: “Tch.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANA2zUEqUlSj9
Kiri: “Fine.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAKfDJd5Wa7a
Recovery Girl: “Good grief. Instead of being ready to fight, you should be counting your blessings. You could’ve been in a far worse state.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANA9v7QIYGgA9
Bakugo: “Ha, Deku was the one in danger. I won our fight!”
84Please respect copyright.PENANABhMQj68wtr
Kiri: “No, you didn’t.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANA8T6ZD0Wv2U
Bakugo: “What the fuck did you say, ghost girl!?”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAHphXLUlJL6
Kiri: “That you’re a sore loser, bomb boy.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANArSpGZU899g
Bakugo: “Why you-”
84Please respect copyright.PENANA7S3Vlj2DAD
Recovery Girl: “She’s right, you know. You might have died if not for Midoriya.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAeukg2SyPSW
Bakugo: “What the hell are you talking about!? I won our fight! I was barely damaged!”
84Please respect copyright.PENANArCF6Xw6kNm
Recovery Girl: “That’s because he shielded you during the clash.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAW4iiXATO9B
His eyes became pinpricks as she said that. It…couldn’t be.
84Please respect copyright.PENANArcc9JPOlro
Bakugo: ‘He… what?’
84Please respect copyright.PENANATt4NFrOTLt
Recovery Girl: “I was also watching the battles, and a few seconds before the explosion, a green shield enveloped you.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAihi1K1Divf
Bakugo: “No… why would he-”
84Please respect copyright.PENANA65Bv20X9eB
Kiri: “You don’t deserve his kindness. You’re no better than a villain, lower than scum. You’re the one who deserves to di-”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAItEUAXk7Cj
Recovery Girl: “Let’s not be so hasty to wish death on another, Tae. He’s still just a kid.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAE99cHBRxMX
Kiri: “…No excuses.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAfis3VOzzW2
The fact Recovery Girl is speaking to Kiri as if she’s an adult didn’t register. Instead, it was the cold hard facts of the battle.
84Please respect copyright.PENANAIHavSv9CWS
Bakugo: ‘If that’s true, then… I didn’t win. Not even close.’
84Please respect copyright.PENANAB43EPchsyS
Bakugo: ‘Despite going all out, I-I… lost to… Deku!?’
84Please respect copyright.PENANAJiKb9jbX0O
The young boy began to hyperventilate. The world didn’t make sense anymore. Even when he’s a pebble, even when Bakugo beats on him, Deku refuses to give up or leave him be.
84Please respect copyright.PENANAeTup3wHphL
Yet again, Deku shows concern for him when he doesn’t need it.
84Please respect copyright.PENANAxQG5heaHrw
Or deserve it.
84Please respect copyright.PENANAZ7q7oGeFlY
He can’t accept that stray thought, not yet. Instead, one cornerstone is crumbling.
84Please respect copyright.PENANAYCN9QM9oa4
Bakugo: ‘He’s… not a pebble anymore.’
84Please respect copyright.PENANAZiItgCf2AG
This fact is undeniable. Deku is no longer a mere pebble but a peer, a proper obstacle in his path.
84Please respect copyright.PENANA6dj7ywr3dx
But with a quirk like his, with his rate of growth, won’t their positions reverse?
84Please respect copyright.PENANAbyZfniKkE1
The idea of being a pebble to the one he once disregarded and, at one time, cared for as a weak but loyal friend, it was too much.
84Please respect copyright.PENANADAGxZ42sfW
If not for Recovery Girl’s words, he would have shattered.
84Please respect copyright.PENANASD2WDBwkAL
Recovery Girl: “It would seem the exercise has concluded with the villain's victory, and everyone is returning to class. You are free to join them for the review.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAklIRuioaEg
Bakugo escaped his self-destructive spiral, but he had little strength to do much else. He got up, walked out, headed to the classroom and sat at his desk.
84Please respect copyright.PENANAmGlBkVz87q
In silence.
84Please respect copyright.PENANAdT0nx9xFOo
84Please respect copyright.PENANAPlTYS8MclH
Phoenix: “Here you are, again.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAu1q69WtPd7
Izuku was floating in a void filled with stars and again looked up at those enormous green orbs.
84Please respect copyright.PENANABNillUDUZH
Izuku: “Haha, I guess Kacchan’s attack was stronger than I thought.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAQvzkxX2r0b
Phoenix: “You weren’t damaged that badly.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAJVkzGgrIGk
Izuku: “Then… why am I here? Is there something wrong?”
84Please respect copyright.PENANACPpJxn5LPO
Phoenix: “Not at the moment. Just a small concern.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAD9VZ6Ybeus
Izuku: “What?”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAK1ClRR8Q8z
Phoenix: “Why did you defend that child?”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAl6J9rIaQw4
Izuku: “Because… despite everything, I still don’t want to severely hurt Kacchan. I was… unsure if I could fully control Psi Explosion.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAftwVex3XFT
Phoenix: “So it’s okay for him to severely harm you?”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAS9ISUcJOec
Izuku: “…”
84Please respect copyright.PENANA08mvdAocPd
Phoenix: “For what is coming, you’ll need to know which bridges to cross and which to burn. You must avoid baggage. The enemy will use it against you.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANA44LhXVGuy8
Izuku: “Kacchan is not baggage! Besides, what enemy are you talking about? Is it some villain?”
84Please respect copyright.PENANACNpjrMRPlc
Phoenix: “In a way. I foresee villains of this world will play a major role in what is come. But the future is ever shifting. You must be ready. Continue to grow strong; I’m counting on you.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAsANcCVZ4yi
Izuku: “R-Right.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAwoa4pkXf02
Like before, the space begins to shake and collapse.
84Please respect copyright.PENANAM9Orem39bp
It’s time to wake up.
84Please respect copyright.PENANAJRlJIDAcLW
84Please respect copyright.PENANAEOdbsQW1nJ
It took all she had to stop herself. It would be so easy to pop his head open like a-
84Please respect copyright.PENANAhopXS8DT87
No! That’s not heroic!
84Please respect copyright.PENANAmRZpxMV9Bx
But he hurt onii-chan! MY ONII-CHAN!
84Please respect copyright.PENANA14Nmyf1Un7
Kiri placed a hand on her forehead; it ached with some foreign emotion. But as she looked down at her beloved, it eased. As long as she was with him, and he accepted her, she would be happy.
84Please respect copyright.PENANAWxxx4MEUEH
Nothing else mattered.
84Please respect copyright.PENANAnbx5uoOTqM
She stroked his hair and smiled. She loved him. She really did.
84Please respect copyright.PENANAtKkMoYFsL7
Then that strange feeling emerged in her chest again, stronger and more positive this time. It was warm and pleasant. Her eyes wandered to his lips, and an urge to touch them with her own slipped into her mind.
84Please respect copyright.PENANAsAoD4YuZm2
She didn’t know why or what this meant. But she wanted to do it. So she slowly leaned down and closed her eyes.
84Please respect copyright.PENANAC6pi1Q7OwM
Izuku: “Mmmm.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAELBXbw8uLN
For whatever reason, Kiri quickly backed away when she heard him waking up.
84Please respect copyright.PENANAs6Fmsv3Ai3
Kiri: “I-Izuku?”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAe0nKroynrV
Izuku: “Kiri, where am I? And… why are you blushing?”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAak9995hJVp
Kiri: “Blushing?”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAkNyVUqzmLE
Izuku: “Your face is red.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANApMUy3Nq0eq
Kiri: “I-I don’t know.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANA4xKR5EHgzJ
Recovery Girl: “You’re finally awake; good. Everyone is waiting for you in the classroom.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAfHaqM9oIm0
The two looked at Recovery Girl, who was sitting on a chair nearby. Whether she saw what Kiri was going to do, is unknown.
84Please respect copyright.PENANAqaWGZQ0AJ8
Izuku: “So the exercise is over? Who won?”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAZTupvJjt6I
Recovery Girl: “Villains.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAevhIFmKFy8
Izuku: “O-Oh.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAr6YFpT5wMA
Kiri could already feel him blaming himself. She grabbed his hand.
84Please respect copyright.PENANAxbzIjFjgZR
Kiri: “It’s not your fault.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANArBWXdZxlzy
Izuku: “But if I tried harder and beat Kacchan… ”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAOIH32UjQAV
Kiri: “Doesn’t… mean you should blame yourself. You did the best you could. Exercise… a team effort. Shouldn’t… carry all the burden.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAYjoBQP6eLU
Izuku smiles at her, a sight that deepens the red in her cheeks.
84Please respect copyright.PENANAnRe6zrtFy7
Izuku: “Thank you, Kiri.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAgrsm8EELOB
She feels his thumb rub the top of her hand. She returns the smile and suppresses the urge to touch his lips again.
84Please respect copyright.PENANAui7uyKzzSg
Recovery Girl: “Aw, you two are adorable.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANANzBOtX8R5N
Kiri: “Nh.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAz17stwG9Yt
Izuku doesn’t even try to argue this time. He’ll clear it up soon, but right now he should get back to class.
84Please respect copyright.PENANAp4TxhXcbj5
Izuku: “So we’re free to go?”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAP4ZSqXCPTY
Recovery Girl: “Yep, your flames did most of the work. It’s actually strange that you didn’t wake up sooner.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAYK36UjccmB
Izuku: “Haha, y-yeah, strange. Let’s go, Kiri.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAM4D5mhmTe7
Kiri: “Nh.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAqaVU11UfFH
The two left the office and began the short walk back to class. All the while, Kiri held onto Izuku’s hand. But, she wanted more. So she leaned her head on his shoulder, nuzzling it.
84Please respect copyright.PENANAMKEUrT7IVb
Izuku: “You’re being very… affectionate.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAD4jQzjC99b
Kiri: “Nh. I… like it. Do… you?”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAy8Sl2N4rW4
Izuku: “I… don’t mind it. But I don’t want the misunderstanding to continue.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANA7HAdGtFewJ
Kiri: “…Would it…be so bad?”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAIF4uBxNvMA
Izuku: “Kiri, we talked about this.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAnZrNiUScvy
Kiri: “…I know. But… at home?”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAZnfNt6HJmi
Izuku sighed but accepted her proposal. There’s nothing wrong with simple affectionate gestures between siblings. What’s the worst that can happen?
84Please respect copyright.PENANA2sp4FbiZEi
Izuku: “That’s fine.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANA03KdolhzCF
Kiri: “… Okay.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAaNIzFVYxzs
She can accept that, for now. So she removes her hand and head from her beloved onii-chan. The warmth was gone but only for a while. The school day was almost over after all.
84Please respect copyright.PENANAclWhaz6DKV
84Please respect copyright.PENANAgRn7h433tf
After remembering to change back into their school uniforms, the duo opened the door to the classroom. Everyone was sitting down except for Aizawa, who seemed ready to leave.
84Please respect copyright.PENANAh2e4tBBSkk
Aizawa: “Finally here, sit down.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANA80jHamq3NO
Izuku could tell some people wanted to talk to him. Either about the epic fight or just because they were worried. But Aizawa’s presence shut that stuff down; he wanted to get this done and go to sleep.
84Please respect copyright.PENANAVn5JORYPG5
Aizawa: “I saw the footage and took the liberty of looking at all of your evaluations. You can look at them at your own time, but there are some things to discuss.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANArOc2X6C0iZ
Aizawa: “First, who do you all did the best in this exercise?”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAQJEMwODI0C
“Yaoyorozu!”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAbKXR0PhPHV
Momo: “Achoo!”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAlxwMeDzHxQ
The answer was immediate. So much so, that the now-sick Momo couldn’t register it right away.
84Please respect copyright.PENANAoGAaRdfyMb
Momo: “W-Wait, me?”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAdodCQX5NKq
Jiro: “Yeah, you did great.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAbzwfuWfho4
Ida: “A true hero we all can learn from!”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAD7PNF7ypzk
Mina: “You were so cool, Yaomomo.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAiPbQcJq9T4
Momo: “But I… lost. How could I have the highest marks? I think Todoroki deserves it more.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANALK3smcZalj
Aizawa: “Yes, but you demonstrated the traits every hero should have. Prioritizing the safety of the citizens and a strong will. Even when the odds were against you, you fought on anyway.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAqVT61LkQRt
Momo: “I… don’t know what to say.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAlgYnFGe7hc
Izuku: “He’s right; you even came up with the plan. It didn’t work because I… messed up.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAUOp1L4L7Kt
Sero & Uraraka: “We did too.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAfkjQUrwosv
Izuku: “But the plan was solid. You were the most heroic person in the field. Don’t doubt that.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAjTZQ0G2zkM
Momo: “T-Thank you, Midoriya. I appreciate it.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANA37lMMhLjGE
He gives him a sweet smile that nearly makes the poor boy blush. But the moment was interrupted by Aizawa.
84Please respect copyright.PENANAyFaOWEB4WD
Aizawa: “Speaking of mess ups, Midoriya and Bakugo.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAmaMqturWTA
The two stiffened up when their names were called.
84Please respect copyright.PENANAZucd48SE6A
Aizawa: “Everyone, except maybe Tae, who was more interested in training Kirishima,-”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAyD4WeuB1vV
Kirishima: “Thanks by the way.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAUl3Rz7wDF7
Kiri: “Nh.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAx3cTgT81HS
Aizawa: “-Understood the spirit of exercise. But you two clearly have unresolved issues. We won’t ask you to get along, but it has no place in hero work.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANACNYFh1x6Ps
Aizawa: “During your overly destructive battle, you almost hurt one of your classmates. If it weren’t for Kaminari, Jiro could have been seriously hurt or even killed. Do you understand?”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAAoSfe3rWtZ
The two could only nod; Izuku couldn’t even look in the direction of Jiro. More than anything, he felt shame that he failed to be the hero he swore to be.
84Please respect copyright.PENANA7VcDe0zVDL
As for Jiro, she felt a bit upset at both of them. But she won’t hold it against Izuku; he seems like a good guy who just made a mistake.
84Please respect copyright.PENANAfJBed32pwA
Jiro: ‘Don’t know about Bakugo. He was clearly the aggressor in that fight.’
84Please respect copyright.PENANApdhbIsoi6E
Aizawa: “I expect better from both of you. This isn’t a schoolyard fight anymore; this is the real world. Take better care to keep track of your surroundings.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAVNXRfss5Um
They nodded once more.
84Please respect copyright.PENANAyLUkkxHTbM
Aizawa: “Good, now, I’m tired. Class dismissed.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANA84jBiaDyXM
The class dispersed mostly silently, the somber atmosphere discouraging any jovial antics.
84Please respect copyright.PENANAn0OV1AzjNa
But before leaving, Izuku does what he has to do. He goes to Jiro and bows.
84Please respect copyright.PENANAU4GHbntCq6
Izuku: “I’m sorry! There is no excuse; I should have noticed you or kept the collateral damage to a minimum. I’m sorry!”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAj65pZi6xin
Jiro: “Dude, it’s fine. Just be more careful next time, okay?”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAuHlJobTGoz
Izuku: “Of course! I won’t let something like that happen again. See you tomorrow, Jiro.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAuGcpuOFP6M
With that done, Izuku ran back to Kiri, who was waiting for him nearby. Didn’t erase the guilt, only motivated him further to do better. So others won’t be burdened by his existence, never again.
84Please respect copyright.PENANAQySz9a0Rki
He didn’t notice Kiri furrowing her brows, feeling her beloved depressing thoughts.
84Please respect copyright.PENANAYu6SWP5TJh
84Please respect copyright.PENANAhrG5guTFgu
Bakugo was walking out of the school lifelessly. But as he sees Deku and Kiri walk ahead of him, ignoring him, it brought it all back.
84Please respect copyright.PENANALpOAonokcK
The idea that he doesn’t matter anymore. That he is the pebble instead. He couldn’t stand it!
84Please respect copyright.PENANAx07YTGQWtl
Bakugo: “Deku!”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAfqvxSfagin
Kiri turned around and glared at Bakugo. It was one filled with so much bloodlust, that even Bakugo had to take a step back. But it faded instantly when Deku gently pushed her aside to face him.
84Please respect copyright.PENANA5SIzJWNwuP
Izuku: “Kacchan.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAsKw7hZndLR
They stared each other down for a moment before Bakugo broke down first.
84Please respect copyright.PENANAZsgwDhI2mH
Bakugo: “Why?”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAuvPspBGrfp
Izuku: “What?”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAqI2jsOsFG5
Bakugo: “Why did you protect me, damn it!? Do you think I’m weak? Do you think I couldn’t handle your attack?! Do you think so little of me!?”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAMk9WsFZ99n
For the first time, Izuku snapped. Good thing everyone else was already gone, because he has words.
84Please respect copyright.PENANAb0luaFhGPj
Izuku: “And what if I do?! You’ve looked down on me for years, all because I didn’t have a quirk. Well, guess what? I have one now; I was a late bloomer, and my quirk is powerful! I have every right to think less of you!”
84Please respect copyright.PENANALMp7MPy1Xy
Bakugo was stunned. Deku, scared little Deku, the one who always followed behind him, said something like that.
84Please respect copyright.PENANA12eCwdYgAU
Izuku: “But… that’s not who I am. I don’t think you’re less than me, I’m not you. I know you’re not weak; you’re still one of the strongest people I know. But I shielded you because, even now, I don’t want to severely hurt you.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAF7j7NIv7q8
Bakugo wants to scoff, to say that Deku couldn’t hurt him that badly. But something is stuck in his throat; that lie couldn’t emerge.
84Please respect copyright.PENANA7aZiCXJBjt
Izuku: “That’s what has changed, Kacchan, I’m not weak anymore. I’m not a quirkless pebble.”
84Please respect copyright.PENANA7psjgQwVEl
Bakugo: “You-”
84Please respect copyright.PENANAiiGrIRboHB
Izuku: “But that doesn’t mean you’re below me either. We’re both after the same dream, right?! Being the number 1 hero! And next time, I’ll beat you for real to prove I can be number 1!”
84Please respect copyright.PENANA51NHaDtyDU
Bakugo: “Huh?! You’ll beat me for real?! Today, you did beat me, ass-clown!! But…that doesn’t change anything!”
84Please respect copyright.PENANA7pcV5BJypU
Bakugo: “You’re listening?! From here on out, I’ll never lose to you again! I’m gonna be the number 1 hero, not you! I’ll even surpass All Might! Just watch me!”
84Please respect copyright.PENANARKdyzM8fLV
Bakugo stormed off, making sure to hide the tears coming out of his eyes.
84Please respect copyright.PENANAftxHGyQHBa
Deku looks on and… smiles. For an instant, the Kacchan he admired returned. The symbol of victory and indomitable will.
84Please respect copyright.PENANA4M4bziVUBs
He won’t forgive Kacchan for everything he has done to him. But everyone deserves a second chance, right?
84Please respect copyright.PENANAKWTy15s7ZO
After all, they are finally on the same level playing field.
84Please respect copyright.PENANAUh1fob6wri
But not everyone feels the same; Kiri watched the scene and felt… disgust.
84Please respect copyright.PENANAvUEBp8A2el
How could her beloved onii-chan still care for that lowlife?! Regardless of what he thinks, she will deal with the problem if it acts up again.
ns3.145.151.244da2