𝔱𝔴𝔬

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ord count: 979

"Deku."

Kacchan approaches me. A menacing smirk dances over his lips; I recognise that look. That's the look he gets before he beats someone up.

Like a lion about to kill its prey.

"H-hi, K-k-kacchan." We're outside the school's gates. On the plus side, there's plenty of students milling around, so he can't hurt me too bad, not with witnesses around. He's more likely to go for a verbal attack.

He clamps a hand over my shoulder. Using his quirk, but not enough for someone to notice and stop him. I can feel the burn stinging me.

"How did you get into U.A., nerd?!" he demands. He says it with enough force to scare me, but he's not shouting, not with everyone around us. Is he... going easy on me?

"I-i have a q-quirk, now, K-kacchan." I can hear five-year-old me saying, Just like you, Kacchan!

Kacchan shakes his head and bears his teeth in a threatening grin. "Impossible, Deku. You'll never get a quirk — you're useless."

"B-but I g-got one!"

"Liar, Deku. Stop fucking kidding yourself."

I still my shaking voice. "Kacchan. You're not the only one who can become a hero."

I feel the sting of his palm on my cheek, hear the loud crack it makes. It shocks me — not because I didn't expect him to be physically violent, but because a slap seems like such a superficial thing, like schoolgirls fighting over who gets which pair of shoes.

"Don't talk to me like that, damn nerd" he hisses. "You don't stand a chance." He turns to leave, but I grab hime by his blazer's sleeve.

"Kacchan!"

"WHAT?" he snaps

"I— why are you like this? I'm trying to be n-nice to you. W-why do you push everyone away? I'm trying to help you," I cry.

Kacchan wrenches himself out of my grip. "You don't fucking know me! I don't need people to help me. I'll be the number one hero, and I'll do it all on my own."

*time skip brought to you by Aizawa's cats*

Bakugo POV

"Listen up!" All Might thunders with his instructions. "Here's the deal — the 'villians' will be hiding a nuclear weapon in the hideout. The heroes have to go and find it! Your partners will be decided by drawing lots."

Our class today is a stimulation to test us with an indoor battle — 'heroes' against 'villains'. I'm gonna win it.

"Bakugo."

I whip my head around. Ugh, it's that stuck-up elitist. Iida, or whatever. "Yeah, four eyes!?"

Annoyance flashes over his face. "We're teammates. I expect respectful behaviour from you."

What is he, my fucking teacher? "DON'T TALK TO ME LIKE THAT! I'LL BLOW YOU TO BITS!"

He sighs. "That is exactly what I expected from you, Bakugo."

God, this guy is fucking irritating. Too bad we're teammates, or I'd blast him outta here.

"Our first match!" All Might announces. "The villains are... team D." I smirk. Fuck yeah. "And the heroes... team A."

Fuck no. It's that ditzy round-face... and Deku. That damn nerd!

"Okay villains, to your base, heroes, get ready," All Might instructs.

I stomp off through the corridors of the concrete training building. Stupid Deku. Why is he always in my way!? I'm gonna hurt him so bad.

"Bakugo, I think we should discuss a strategy to maximise our chances of winning."

"Yeah, whatever, four eyes," I say while adjusting my earpiece that allows me to communicate with him and All Might.

"START!" All Might yells, probably damaging my fucking eardrums forever.

"Bakugo, you stay here, while I—"

I ignore him and leave the mock-nuclear weapon. I sneak through the corridors.

"Bakugo! Leaving your teammate is unacceptable!" Iida lectures in my earpiece. I mutter a "Fuck you," and turn it off.

Just before taking the next turn, I hear Deku's stupid red shoes squeaking on the linoleum floor. Perfect.

"DIIIIIIIIIIIIIE!" I scream, running out to attack him. I raise my right arm to blast him.

He grabs my forearm and spins me off course. I crash into the hard, unforgiving wall. Wha... did he just read my damn moves?! "What the HELL, Deku!?"

He's panting hard. "Kacchan... you... always lead... with... a right hook."

"DAMN NERD!! I'll mess you up just enough to not get disqualified!!" I rage. I push myself up and lunge at him again.

"Go, Uraraka!" Deku urges Pink Cheeks. She disappears in a flash.

I activate my quirk and launch explosions at him. he retaliates with a smash, using his quirk — his fucking quirk!!! — and knocks me back again. But he's already broken his finger in the attack. "ARGH!"

I lunge again and again, until Deku only has one finger left to use. "I'm gonna kill you, fucking nerd!" I yell.

"My costume's designed to collect my nitroglycerin sweat..." my voice is hoarse. "And save it for one big attack!" I'm so close to finishing him off. Time for the big finale.

All Might's voice comes through my headset. "Young Bakugo, I demand you stop this at once. You are forbidden to kill a classmate!"

I smirk. "It wont kill him if it's a direct hit! Just one attack, TO END THIS!"

I pull the grenade pin and launch it at him. "Bye bye, nerd."

"DETROIT... SMASH!" Deku shrieks. He manages to form a fist, and shoves a forceful punch at my explosion.

"NO!" I howl, but I'm thrown back by the force. My head cracks on the hard on the floor as I fall. I struggle to look up, and through all the smoke and rubble, I see Deku, his clothes half torn off, still standing, with both arms broken.

I do my best to get up. "It's... not... over.. yet!"

"Uraraka has captured the weapon. The hero team wins!" All Might proclaims.

His words are like a knife to my heart.

I...

I lost.