Lightning in the Ashes (Katsuki Bakugou x OC Fem)

Chapter 4: Sparks and Shadows

The end of yesterday's training session left a thick tension in the air. Katsuki Bakugou was still fuming from his loss to Valerie. His pride had taken a hit, and it gnawed at him. Throughout the day, he kept his eyes on her, his frustration bubbling beneath the surface. Every time their paths crossed, he'd make snide remarks, hoping to provoke her.

Valerie, for the most part, remained calm. She didn't rise to his bait, much to Katsuki's growing irritation. But when they all gathered in the common area after class, Bakugou finally hit a nerve.

"You think you're so great, don't you?" he started. Valerie rolled her eyes as she continued to read Izuku's notes about his observation of her quirk. The sound of tiny explosions filled the room, Kirishima stood, "Calm down bro, she's been here 3 days. Let her settle in, not only did she join a new school, but she arrived in a different country." 

Bakuhou scoffed before raising his palms "Bet your parents shipped you off here 'cause you were too much to handle, huh? they couldn't handle your silence and pathetic attitude with no drive to fight!"

The words seemed to echo through the room, and a collective gasp followed. The class froze, their eyes darting between Valerie and Bakugou. Valerie's normally calm expression darkened. Denki stalked towards Valerie, 

"Val... Don't-" 

Slowly, she stood ignoring Denki and walked toward Bakugou, her dark green eyes flickering to their glow with barely contained rage. The air in the room grew thick, electricity practically crackling as she approached him. Bakugou crossed his arms, expecting another verbal spat, but something about her silence unsettled him.

When she stood face-to-face with him, Valerie didn't shout. She didn't argue. Instead, she raised her hand and slapped him hard across the face.

The echo of the slap thundered across the classroom. Denki faltered before stepping back...

"Don't you EVER mention my parents again," she said, her voice dangerously low, venom dripping from each word.

Bakugou stumbled back slightly, shocked more by her reaction than the physical hit. The entire class held its breath, waiting for the explosion that surely would follow. But just as Katsuki opened his mouth to retaliate, Aizawa appeared, stepping between them with a sharp, authoritative gaze his quirk stopping Bakugou's explosives.

"Enough," he ordered, voice cold. His capture weapon flicked forward, curling around the two of them. "Both of you. Out. Now."

Aizawa didn't wait for a response before dragging Valerie and Bakugou to the front of the room,  the rest of the class froze in stunned silence. No one moved for a few seconds, processing what had just happened.

Aizawa stood between Bakugou and Valerie. The class watched anxiously as their homeroom teacher addressed the situation, his voice calm but firm.

"Bakugou," Aizawa started, his gaze shifting toward the explosive blond, "you need to learn when to keep your mouth shut."

Bakugou clicked his tongue, arms crossed, but didn't interrupt. Aizawa's words hit like a weight, and he could feel the eyes of the class on him.

"I understand your drive to be the best," Aizawa continued. "But that doesn't give you the right to tear others down, especially when you don't know their story. Your pride doesn't justify hurting people."

Bakugou's scowl deepened, but there was something in his expression—maybe a flicker of guilt, barely noticeable to the untrained eye.

"Now, I want you to go to the gym and wait for me there. You're not getting out of this without consequences." Aizawa pointed toward the door, his tone leaving no room for argument.