Of Kacchako

Rematch

"Kirishima wins this round. Next pair up."

It has been about a month since the whole roses affair and Bakugo never even got a hint at who it might have been. No other notes came, neither other bouquets. The person didn't step up either.

Now Bakugo was waiting for his turn go and fight. The class was having a fight contests where everyone chose a partner to fight against in the first round. Bakugo wasn't surprised to see that most people chose someone they considered weaker than themselves, which is not a bad strategy per say. It was only human to want to secure your win and chasing a weaker opponent was the easiest way. He didn't approve, obviously, he saw it as them doubting their power subconsciously and he would never want to appear so weak.

In retrospect, his choice might have been considered to the others in his class to be of a similar motif, but he knew better. He chose her because he knew her real strength, her potential and really wanted to test her. See how much she has grown over the past year. It's true that they have had a few training fights for class, but he wanted to see her in a competition mode. See what trick she had up her sleeve that time.

He stepped forward with his head held high and his chin jutted out, his steps not faltering. Bakugo felt the straps of his new trousers flap around his with every step that he took towards the arena. He was hyperaware of his surroundings, the only sign of his nervousness.

"Bakugo." Aizawa saw him approach. "Who's your opponent?"

Before the blond could answer, a female voice answered from the crowed.

"That would be me, sir." Uraraka slipped from the crowd and made her way to stand next to Bakugo.

She gave him what he supposed was a pissed off look, with her brows scrunched, cheeks puffed and arms crossed, but to him she looked so innocent that he could only laugh.

"What's up Angel-face? Want to back out?" He teased her.

"You said we are going after Deku and Mina." She pointed her finger at him. "They were supposed to be next. Why are we going before them?" She jabbed him in the arm with each sentence.

"I don't remember saying that." He shrugged.

"You so did." She accused still jabbing him, causing another laugh to escape him.

He caught her finger in between two of his. "Angel-face." He let go and made his way to his starting position on the arena floor. He didn't need to turn to know that she was doing the same. As he stopped in his place and pivoted to face her once again, he said, "I was tired of watching all the other losers fighting. I wanted to fight."

She chuckled, "A bit impatient, aren't you, Bakugo?"

"You know you want this rematch as much as I do."

"Maybe."

"There's no 'maybe' here, Angel-face." He smirked as he saw her own mouth give him a similar smirk. Where had she learned to copy his smirk so well? It was distracting and he had to focus. "I won't accept you going easy on me like I'm some loser that can't keep up."

Uraraka's smile faltered and then fell off her face altogether. Bakugo had decided long ago that sadness is the one emotion that should never be associated with Uraraka. Her smile was dazzling and when it was gone Bakugo felt like the world wasn't right.

"You know that no one will ever underestimate you, Bakugo." She whispered, letting the March wind carry it to him. "You are too powerful for anyone to assume that they would be the winner if they fought against you."

Bakugo didn't know how to respond to the shift in the atmosphere, but Aizawa intervened with final warnings to be careful and not to damage the other too much. Their teacher was also aware of Uraraka's power and had often encouraged her to push limits and go Plus Ultra. He wasn't like the rest of the oblivious morons that surrounded them.