Cherry Bomb

Aftermath

As I gazed out ahead of me and caught sight of the mud puddle, relief rushed over me. He was a decoy. We're safe. "It was just another one of Twice's doubles. Patchwork wasn't even here."

I blinked. Then Asuga was in front of me, lunging where the fake-Dabi had just been standing with gritted teeth and hands curled into claws.

I immediately circled an arm around her waist and pulled her back. That's enough fighting for today. "Stop."

I understood her anger. Her frustration. I'd felt the same after being kidnapped. Like I was useless. A burden to the people around me. Inferior.

Helpless.

I looked up at the sky. It was filled with smoke and blue fire. My legs itched to run in that direction and raise my fists to fight. There was nothing I wanted more. But it was reckless to fight with an injury. Instead of being helpful, I'd just get in the way.

Then there was Asuga. The thrashing, snarling, screaming idiot I held as I walked across the field.

She was running on pure adrenaline right now. Once it wore off, her body would start to shut down if she didn't get properly hydrated. Her burns. The places where his outfit fused to her skin...they all needed treatment as soon as possible.

We have to get underground.

I sighed as a lump rose to my throat. Save people to win.

"COOOOWAAAARRRDDD!" Asuga cried at the top of her lungs. But the word ended in a broken sob.

"Stop," I demanded absently. I stared blankly, lost in thought once I made it into a tunnel.

My heart dropped when she'd jumped in front of me, aiming her palm forward like she was pointing a gun. Partly because she could've died. But also...

There had been a moment, however brief, when I doubted her. When I thought she'd attack Patchwork with the intent of taking his life. And I hated myself for it.

I'd thought...Dabi was right. The second she could, Asuga seized her chance and went in for the kill.

But Dabi lit his fire first.

My jaw tightened as I marched forward. She didn't fight to attack...she fought to protect. Dabi had been wrong. She didn't belong with the villains. Asuga still had a long way to go. Longer than me. Or even Deku.

But she was a hero.

And now I owe her my life.

I'd called her crazy. A moron. But while she cried and screamed, finally allowing herself to mourn everything she'd lost, I couldn't stop hearing her words on loop in my head.

Don't worry, senpai.

Nothing will happen to you.

I'M NOT LETTING THIS BASTARD TAKE ANYONE ELSE FROM ME! EVER AGAAAAAAAIN!

I'm not letting him take anyone from me ever again.

Don't worry, senpai.

Nothing will happen to you.

Don't worry, senpai.

Nothing will happen -

I'M NOT LETTING THIS BASTARD TAKE ANYONE ELSE FROM ME! EVER AGAIIIN!

Nothing will happen to you.

I'm not letting him take someone from me ever again.

Dammit, why won't it stop? I thought as I silently suffered.