009

RISING IN THE EAST

chapter nine. a hero in training

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SAEBYEOK SAT IN HER room late at night, the dim light from her bedside lamp casting long shadows against the walls of the dormitory. Her mind wandered to her father-Shota Aizawa-and their relationship, which, while far from perfect, had always been grounded in a quiet understanding. He had been absent for much of her life, but that hadn't stopped him from making an effort when it mattered most.

She remembered the day she'd first learned she was coming to Japan. Despite their distance, Saebyeok had always hoped for something more, some kind of connection beyond the occasional letters or phone calls. And now, here she was, living at U.A., a school famous for producing the world's greatest heroes, and she was closer to her father than ever before-though their relationship still had many complexities.

The first time they had reunited at U.A. had been awkward. Saebyeok had been so nervous, unsure of how to act in front of him. Shota, in his usual quiet and reserved manner, had made the effort to talk to her, though he was never one for emotional expressions.

"Saebyeok," he'd said when they first met face-to-face at U.A., his voice low and steady, "I know we've missed a lot of time together, but I'm glad you're here."

The words had meant more than she expected. It wasn't much, but it was enough to let her know that, despite their history, he cared.

Their relationship had since grown-slowly, cautiously. He had invited her to go out with him and Eri after school a few times, though not frequent, had begun to heal old wounds. In the presence of Eri, the bond between father and daughter had become more apparent, as Shota's protective and gentle side showed itself. With Eri, Shota was different-more patient, more understanding, as he helped the young girl adjust to life.

Saebyeok admired the way Shota treated Eri with such care, how he made sure she felt safe. It reminded her of how she had always hoped he would be with her-more present, more open. Yet, she understood that their bond needed time to deepen, and that it couldn't be rushed.

The following day, the students at U.A. gathered in the training grounds for their hero training session. All Might, ever the enthusiastic instructor, had outlined the day's agenda: a series of team exercises that would test their physical abilities, quick thinking, and teamwork in a realistic, high-pressure environment.

Saebyeok had been anticipating this session, eager to show what she could do. Her quirk, Retribution, was a powerful one-capable of reflecting attacks back at her enemies with twice the force. But it was more than just a defensive quirk. She could also absorb the physical abilities of others, temporarily stealing their strength, speed, or stamina. It made her an incredibly versatile hero, but it also came with a heavy burden-her quirk relied on her ability to understand her opponents, to anticipate their moves.

She lined up with the rest of the class, scanning her surroundings as All Might walked up to the group, his usual exuberance evident despite the seriousness of the training session.

"Alright, class!" All Might said, his smile wide and infectious. "Today's training will be intense! We'll be pairing off and testing your combat skills in real-world scenarios. The goal is to simulate a villain encounter, so be prepared to think on your feet!"

Saebyeok's pulse quickened with excitement as she stood next to her classmates. They had all been working hard to improve their quirks, and she had no intention of falling behind. She was determined to show everyone what she was capable of.

All Might began calling out pairings, and Saebyeok found herself standing next to Katsuki Bakugo, her eyes meeting his for a brief moment before he turned his attention toward the training course. She knew this was going to be a challenging match, but she was ready. Bakugo's explosiveness would be a formidable test for her.

As they approached their designated training area, Saebyeok's thoughts wandered back to her quirk. Retribution was unpredictable-it responded to her surroundings, her enemies, and their emotions. The more powerful the attack, the stronger her counterstrike would be. It was a blessing and a curse.

"I don't need you to hold back, you know," Bakugo grumbled as they took their positions. His tone wasn't hostile, just blunt, as usual. "You'd be wasting my time if you do."

"I wouldn't dream of it," Saebyeok replied with a sly smile. There was a rare sense of camaraderie between them now, though Bakugo wasn't one to show his emotions openly. "Let's see if you can keep up with me, then."

The match began with a loud roar from Bakugo, who immediately unleashed a series of explosive blasts aimed at Saebyeok. Her eyes glowed a bright red as she anticipated the attack. She felt the heat of his explosions long before they reached her, sensing the power behind them. With a swift motion, she raised her arm and reflected the blasts back at him, the explosion intensifying as the force of the attack doubled in power.

Bakugo scowled, barely dodging the reflected explosion, but Saebyeok could see the hint of respect in his eyes. She wasn't holding back either.

"You think you can just dodge all my attacks?" Bakugo shouted, launching himself at her, his fists crackling with energy.

Saebyeok's heart raced as she predicted his movements, her senses sharp and honed. She absorbed his momentum, stealing a portion of his raw strength to add to her own. In the blink of an eye, she sidestepped his assault and launched herself toward him, her enhanced speed taking him by surprise. She landed a clean hit on his side, sending him stumbling back.

The class watched in awe as Saebyeok demonstrated the full range of her abilities. The way she countered every attack, the way her quirk responded to each new challenge-it was a thing of beauty, a perfect blend of defensive and offensive strategies.

But it wasn't just her power that impressed them. It was the way she fought. She didn't just rely on her quirk to win. She understood her opponents, their weaknesses, their movements. She had a strategic mind, capable of adapting to any situation. Her quirk was an extension of her intelligence, not just her physical strength.

After the match ended, All Might clapped his hands, his voice booming with pride. "Excellent work, Saebyeok! You're proving to be a true force to be reckoned with! Your understanding of the situation and your ability to adapt on the fly are beyond impressive!"

Saebyeok smiled, feeling a sense of accomplishment but also knowing there was much more work to be done. She had earned the respect of her classmates.

Later that day, after the grueling training session, the class gathered for a debrief in the common room. Saebyeok found herself sitting next to Bakugo, who had been quieter than usual after their spar. He gave her a sideways glance, his usual scowl replaced with something closer to acknowledgment.

"You're not bad, you know," he muttered, his voice gruff.

Saebyeok chuckled softly, her tone light. "You weren't so bad yourself."

The two of them shared a rare moment of mutual respect, the kind that only came after intense training and a shared understanding of what it meant to push beyond one's limits.

As the students continued to relax, Saebyeok's thoughts turned to her relationship with her father, the quiet support he had shown her throughout her time at U.A. It was clear that he was proud of her, even if his way of expressing it was through actions rather than words.

She was slowly beginning to understand that the connection she longed for didn't need to be perfect-it just needed to be real.