【 Tranquility 】

A New Ally

When I opened my eyes, I realized I had been taken to Recovery Girl's infirmary.
"You finally woke up!" I heard her say. "How do you feel?"

I sat up on the bed and felt a bandage wrapped around my waist. "Ouch, ouch, ouch," I mumbled.
"Careful now, you hurt your back near the end of the battle. I can't heal it fully or else you'd become too weak so be careful when you move. You'll be fine soon."
"Right, thank you," I said.
Then, I noticed Bakugo standing in the room and we awkwardly stared at each other.

"Oh, Bakugo got up quite earlier than you. You did quite the amount of damage whenever you hit him and he went over his limit so I'm monitoring him until he's ready for his final match. He should be fine now, so you two should get going." Recovery girl said. "Ah...alright then," I responded, thanking the Recovery girl again before Bakugo and I left.

And then we both started awkwardly walking together...
"If I don't do as good in the final match then I'm blaming you for it." He said.
"It was a battle, of course, it's expected that we'd get hurt," I replied smoothly.
"Don't get sly!" He argued.
"I was just saying!" I argued back. "But...thanks for encouraging me. Fighting with all that power was kind of exhilarating."
"I wasn't encouraging you, just making sure I get a win I'm proud of."
"Really?"

"...Never mind. You gave me a good match like you said so I'm satisfied. I gotta get to my next match so you better watch me get the win I deserve, Kanami."

"Sure," I said. "All the best."

"Yeah, whatever." He said, walking away.
I turned and walked in another direction towards the stands. I braced myself  "Now, time to face the possibility of my classmate's judgments." I murmured with a sigh. "They probably won't be mean, they're really nice."

————

"Hey, Kanami! Your back! You did amazing!" Kirishima said, raising up his hands for a double high five. I smiled and returned it, giving him my thanks.
"You were so cool out there! I didn't expect it to rain!" Kaminari praised. "You almost beat Bakugo! How cool is that?"
"Y'know, when we were talking on the bus on the way to the USJ, Kirishima said your quirk's really strong, I can see why now. It can be really helpful in situations other than combat!" Midoriya added, scribbling into his notebook.
"Thanks, guys, I'll continue working hard!" I smiled, which was returned by the others.

I think I found somewhere I can belong.

I was skeptical if my classmates a little bit, I don't know them too well but I felt I could loosen up slightly.

I'm in a place where everyone is cheering me on instead of using passive-aggressive statements. It felt more positive.
But I'll keep my guard up.

"It's finally the last battle of the U.A. High School sports festival! The top of the first years will be decided with this one match! The finale, so to speak! From the hero course, Shoto Todoroki! Versus—also from the hero course, Katsuki Bakugo! Now—start!" Present Mic announced.

————
"Use your left! Use it, Shoto!" I heard Endeavor say. Todoroki clenched harder onto Bakugo's arm before throwing him aside. Bakugo landed safely and glared at Todoroki, asking whether he was not strong enough to make Todoroki use it.

"With the way he grabbed Todoroki's left side on purpose and times his explosions...he's been doing his research. That kid's abilities shine every time he fights." Aizawa says. "I see." Present Mic added. "Todoroki's moving well, too, but his attacks are too simple. Ever since the match with Midoriya, he's lost his touch." Aizawa commented.

"That's true, Todoroki seems slower than before." I heard Haruka remark. It was true, I wonder why he wasn't using his flames.

Bakugo angrily produced more explosions, challenging Todoroki to a fair battle.
"I want an indisputable first place! I can't get that even if I beat scum that underestimates me! There's no point of I can't get higher up than Deku. If you have no intention of winning, then don't stand in front of me! Why are you standing here, dang it!" Bakugo shouted as he charged forward.