Melting his Icy Heart [Todoroki Shouto x Soulmate!OC]

Ch 23: Recognition

"Alright, everybody! Now, for the final match of the first round, we have a famous since he was in Middle School, it's Bakugo Katsuki from the Hero Course! Versus, the one I'm rooting for, Uraraka Ochaco, also from the Hero Course!"

"START!!"

Uraraka was the first to attack as she ran to the blond boy, who only stood there waiting for her to come closer. He was pulling his hand back, preparing to launch an attack of his own once the girl comes close enough.

If Uraraka manages to touch him, she will be able to win. Bakugo might not have known who she was earlier but I have no doubt he's since learned about her quirk and how it works. He will no doubt evade her touch but still attack her with his explosions.

And that he did, as soon as the girl got close enough he blasted her away with his explosion. But she did not give up as she continued and even managed to trick Bakugo by using her jacket as decoy. Unfortunately, she wasn't able to touch him before Bakugo turned around, sending her flying back with yet another explosion. The brown-haired girl rolled along the ground a few times before she came to a stop and stood up. She had bruises all over her body but still didn't give up.

Bakugo has good reflexes to attack her that fast even as he got tricked. Her only way to win is to tire him out but he seems to be fast AND strong.

The crowds' cheers began to quiet down, instead turning into quiet whispers and looks of disapproval.

Why are they looking at him like that?

Akari ignored the looks of the crowd and focused back on the battle, Uraraka kept dashing towards Bakugo, only to be blasted back by yet another explosion. Akari began to worry that her brown-haired classmate had run out of strategies and was planning to keep doing the same until she managed to touch him.

That was until Shouto muttered to her, "Look up."

She did so and widened her eyes when she saw that up in the sky, plenty of chunks from the ground were floating up in the air.

So that's her strategy! She keeps giving him low attacks to keep Bakugo's focus on the ground. That way he's not gonna notice all the chunks up in the air! Once she sends them his way even if he's able to destroy them, she should take advantage that his focus will be in the chunks and use that opening to touch him. It's a good idea but it's still risky, if he decides to look up or sees one going up that will destroy her whole plan as it has to do with the element of surprise.

However, not many people had noticed the flying chucks and began to shout their complaints, saying how Bakugo was just toying with her, some were even demanding the fight be stopped immediately. Many started booing the blond male, disappointed in his actions, even going as far as to call him a villain. Akari could not believe people were doing that, as she glared at the people.

Bakugo is fighting fair and square, he does not deserve that.

"The one who just said he was toying with her – are you a pro? How many years of experience? Because if that's what you're taking from this, then there's no point in watching any further. You can leave." Aizawa spoke up, for the first time since the festival began saying more than just a sentence or two. "She has come this far and he recognizes her strength which is why he's being cautious. There's no room for carelessness or holding back here."

At her teacher's words, the whole crowd was silenced. Many looked ashamed and embarrassed of themselves for saying that type of thing. Akari looked in his direction and smiled.

Thank you, Aizawa-sensei! Someone had to talk some sense into them.

Uraraka seemed to get tired as her attacks started getting sloppier and sloppier, it seemed she had reached her boiling point. After exchanging a few words with Bakugo, the girl released all the rocks in the air, shouting as she started running towards the boy, who was looking up in shock. Akari had her eyes glued to the battle as she anxiously awaited the outcome. Bakugo raised a hand and with a single huge explosion blew up every last chunk in the air, leaving only some tiny rocks raining down on the ring. The whole stadium went completely silent. Everyone was just staring in shock at what had been dozens of big chunks, now only reduced to dust. The first to react was Present Mic as he soon began to shout boisterously.