All For Some

Chapter 43: A Heated Meeting

"Punch the wall," Izuku commanded Kirishima, pointing at the concrete wall next to them.

"Eh... why w...?"

"Do it," Izuku snapped, "punch the wall."

Kirishima was still staring wide-eyed out of confusion. He glanced at the wall before turning back to stare at Izuku. After a few seconds he turned to face the wall and raised his fist, ready, but gave another questioning glance to Izuku who nodded. Kirishima's arm hardened as he pulled his fist back.

"Wait, don't!" Izuku yelped. Kirishima blinked.

"But you told me to..."

"Yes... but don't use your quirk. I don't want to explain to dad that he needs to pay to repair UA stadium."

"Oh, sorry."

"Just do it."

Kirishma's arm returned to normal and he punched the wall softly, more like a tap just with a closed fist.

"Harder," Izuku commanded with a voice that did not allow the words to be questioned. Kirishma did as told and the second punch actually looked like a punch, but more like a friendly punch to the shoulder of a training buddy.

"Harder! Do it like you were in an actual fight."

Finally Kirishima swung his arm in a wide arch in a proper punch. It wasn't nearly as hard as he could do even without his quirk, but the sound of impact convinced Izuku it was enough for his needs. This was confirmed as Kirishima started nursing his fist with his other hand.

"Does it hurt?" Izuku asked, trying to keep the most obvious concern away from his voice for the moment.

"A bit," Kirishima answered. "I still don't get why I did that."

"Do you blame the wall for your hand hurting?"

"What? No, what do you mean?"

"Is it the wall's fault, your hand hurt punching it?"

"No, why would it... be responsible for what my punch did?"

"It isn't, and shouldn't. Remember that when you talk about your fight with Kaibara. He broke his own arm, not you. You were just the wall."

"Yeah, but..."

"No buts. You already carry around too much self-doubt... and you need to focus on your next match."

"Right," Dark Shadow whined. "You get to show what you can do beating each other up."

Dark Shadow let out another whine that sounded almost like crying.

"Is i... he okay?" Kirishima asked.

"Yes, unlike you they have something to blame themselves for." Izuku glanced at Tokoyami. "Sorry, that was..."

"The truth. Denying the shadow would not help us step out of it."

"I don't think you need to worry about it since Midoriya invited you to his place. It's going to be great, just wait and you'll see," Kirishima gave Tokoyami a thumbs up. At least he had cheered up from just a moment earlier. Tokoyami's expressions were harder to read, but he would probably have smiled if his beak bent that way.

"So," Kirishima continued, "were you in the middle of something? Todoroki's fight is about to start."

"No, we just finished," Izuku responded and gestured Tokoyami to follow, "you too should come watch rather than stand here just the two of you."

"Very well."

"I hope Todoroki wins quickly so we can get to our fight sooner," Kirishima declared as they walked.