Dragon's Heart, Hero's Will

Chapter 5: One Battle Ends, Another Begins

The day after the USJ attack, the atmosphere in Class 1-A is thick with tension. Kirishima sits at his desk, shoulders slumped, still weighed down by the guilt from his rampage. His classmates are chatting around him, the conversation lingering on the villains they faced, but Kirishima can’t shake the memory of what happened—of how his dragon quirk took over and how he almost hurt Bakugou.

His mind keeps replaying it—his claws gripping Bakugou, the overwhelming urge to protect his omega. He’ll never forgive me if he finds out what that really meant.

At the front of the room, Tenya calls for everyone’s attention, telling them to be seated. Kirishima shifts uncomfortably in his chair, trying to force his thoughts elsewhere. The classroom door opens, and to everyone’s shock, Aizawa-Sensei walks in, his entire body bandaged from head to toe.

“Good morning,” Aizawa says, his voice calm despite his injuries. “Don’t worry about me. The battle has only just begun for all of you. Your next challenge is the U.A. Sports Festival.”

Kirishima’s breath catches in his throat. The Sports Festival. Another chance to prove himself. But the fear creeps in again. What if I lose control again?

As class ends, Kirishima tries to slip out quietly, but the exit is blocked. A crowd of students from other classes stands in the hallway, eyeing Class 1-A with intense curiosity. Katsuki, never one to back down, strides to the front of the group, his usual scowl firmly in place.

“They’re sizing us up,” Katsuki says, his voice dripping with disdain. “They want to see the class that took on real villains.”

Kirishima can feel the tension rising. The students from the other classes start to murmur, some openly glaring at them. One of the students steps forward, his expression smug.

“You may have fought villains, but the Sports Festival is a different story,” he says. “Students from the General Department can transfer to the Hero Course if they perform well. So consider this a declaration of war.”

Before Kirishima can react, another student from Class 1-B chimes in, his voice loud and mocking. “Don’t embarrass yourselves at the Sports Festival, Class 1-A. We’ll be watching.”

Katsuki bristles at the comment, stepping forward as if to fight. But before he can do anything rash, Kirishima reaches out, grabbing his arm. “Let’s just get out of here.”

Katsuki huffs, glaring at the crowd before turning on his heel and storming off. Kirishima follows, his heart still racing. Bakugou’s always so angry. Always so ready to fight. How does he control it so easily?

As they walk, Kirishima can’t help but feel the familiar stir of his dragon instincts. He wants to be by Katsuki’s side, to protect him. But the guilt from before keeps holding him back. I can’t lose control again. Not now.

---

Training for the Festival

Over the next two weeks, Class 1-A prepares for the Sports Festival. Every day, Kirishima throws himself into training, pushing his body to the limit. He hardens his skin, practicing his punches, his defenses. But no matter how hard he works, the fear of losing control lingers.

His mind keeps drifting back to Bakugou. He watches him from a distance during training, the way he attacks everything with relentless energy, as if nothing can stop him. Katsuki’s so strong, so sure of himself. How does he do it?

One afternoon, after another grueling session, Kirishima finds himself alone in the locker room. His body aches, his muscles sore from hours of training. But it’s not the physical pain that bothers him. It’s the weight in his chest, the ever-present guilt.

The door to the locker room opens, and Bakugou walks in, his usual scowl in place. He glances at Kirishima, then tosses his towel onto the bench. “You better be ready for the festival,” Bakugou mutters, his voice rough but not as sharp as usual. “We’re not losing to those extras.”

Kirishima forces a smile. “Yeah. I’m ready.”

But he’s not. Not really. The fear is still there, gnawing at him. What if he loses control during the festival? What if his dragon instincts take over again? And what if, this time, he can’t stop himself?

---

The Day of the Festival

The day of the U.A. Sports Festival arrives, and Class 1-A stands in the waiting room, the tension thick in the air. The event is being broadcast live, and the pressure is palpable. Kirishima tries to keep calm, but his heart is pounding in his chest. This is it. Don’t mess up. Don’t lose control.

He glances at Bakugou, who stands near the front, his expression unreadable. When their eyes meet, Bakugou gives him a sharp nod, a silent reminder that they’re in this together. Kirishima’s heart skips a beat, the dragon stirring in his chest. Stay in control. Don’t let it show.

The doors to the arena open, and Class 1-A walks out to the Freshmen Stage. The roar of the crowd is deafening, but all Kirishima can think about is keeping his quirk in check.

Midnight, the chief referee, announces that the player representative is none other than Katsuki Bakugou. Kirishima watches as Bakugou walks toward the stage, his usual confident stride in place.

When Bakugou takes the microphone, his voice is firm, unapologetic. “I’m going to take first place.”

The crowd erupts in murmurs and jeers, but Bakugou doesn’t flinch. His declaration is met with anger and disbelief from the other classes, but he doesn’t care. Kirishima, standing beside him, can’t help but feel a swell of pride. That’s Bakugou. Strong, determined, and always aiming for the top.

As they prepare for the first event—the Obstacle Race—Kirishima takes a deep breath, trying to calm the storm inside him. I have to stay in control. For the team. For Bakugou.