Dragon's Heart, Hero's Will

Chapter 36: Round 4

As the fourth round begins, Team Bakugou faces off against Team Tokage. Bakugou, ever confident and determined, steps forward with his usual fierce resolve. Internally, he’s eager to show his progress—not just to his classmates but to Kirishima especially. The training match is a perfect opportunity to demonstrate how far he’s come since their early days together.

Monoma's voice drones through the arena, praising Tokage as one of U.A.'s recommended students, and Kirishima can't help but roll his eyes. He knows Bakugou is the real threat here, and deep down, he’s more than a little excited to watch him in action. There's that familiar rush whenever Bakugou steps up—the way his presence dominates the battlefield, his raw power undeniable. It stirs something in Kirishima, a mix of admiration and... something else.

As the teams prepare, Vlad King taunts Class 1-A over the mic, claiming Class 1-B has the advantage. Kirishima and Kaminari, never ones to back down, loudly boo him. Kirishima’s dragon quirk stirs at the thought of Bakugou proving Vlad wrong. He knows Bakugou won't take those comments lightly—and neither will he. Aizawa's calm voice cuts through, instructing his class to cut it out, but it’s too late—Kirishima can already feel the excitement bubbling inside him. Watching Bakugou dominate the match will be a thrill, he’s sure of it.

Bakugou's plan is simple but bold. He takes charge, ready to lead his team to victory. Kirishima, watching from the sidelines, can't help but feel his heart race as he listens to Bakugou confidently bark out orders. Even though they're on different teams today, that same intensity—the fire that makes Bakugou who he is—always gets to Kirishima. And, hell, Bakugou looks damn good in his winter costume too. The tightness of the shirt accentuates his pecs and the definition of his muscles, and Kirishima’s eyes linger for a second too long. Damn, keep it together, Eijiro.

As the match begins, Bakugou charges ahead, his team trailing behind him. Kirishima leans forward, eyes glued to the screen, barely able to contain his excitement. He watches Bakugou tear through the battlefield with a combination of raw power and precision. The way he commands the field—it’s nothing short of exhilarating. Kirishima knows Bakugou's always been strong, but this... this is different. He's grown, not just in strength but in strategy, in teamwork. And, as much as he hates to admit it, Kirishima finds himself even more drawn to him because of it.

Kirishima watches as Setsuna ambushes Bakugou with her Lizard Tail Splitter quirk, splitting her body into multiple pieces. Bakugou doesn’t flinch, blasting his way through her disjointed attacks with ease. Kirishima smirks to himself, impressed by Bakugou’s calm under pressure. The explosions light up the screen, and Kirishima can’t help but feel the familiar thrum of his dragon quirk reacting to the chaos. It’s like the more Bakugou fights, the more his dragon wants to break free. He can almost feel his quirk pushing against him, desperate to transform, to fight alongside him. But he reins it in.

When Togaru tries to get the drop on Kyoka, Bakugou appears out of nowhere, blasting him back without a second thought. Kirishima’s chest swells with pride. Even in the heat of battle, Bakugou’s looking out for his team. It’s a side of him that most people don’t get to see—a side Kirishima admires more than he’ll ever admit. He watches as Bakugou takes charge, making quick work of Class 1-B’s defenses. Every movement is calculated, every blast perfectly timed. It’s like watching a master at work, and Kirishima can’t tear his eyes away.

Bakugou’s voice echoes through the training ground. “We’re getting a flawless victory! No casualties!”

The confidence in Bakugou’s voice sends a shiver down Kirishima’s spine. He knows Bakugou means every word, and there’s a part of him that desperately wants to be out there with him, fighting by his side like they’ve done countless times before. He wants to be the one Bakugou relies on, the one he turns to in the heat of battle. But for now, all he can do is watch, heart pounding in his chest as Bakugou leads his team to victory.

As the match nears its end, Bakugou’s final takedown of Setsuna is nothing short of impressive. He catches her off-guard with a Zero Distance Stun Grenade, sealing the win for his team. Kirishima feels the tension in his chest ease, pride swelling as Bakugou is announced the victor. Class 1-A erupts into cheers, praising Bakugou for his flawless strategy and execution.

Kirishima finds himself grinning, unable to hold back. Bakugou might act like a lone wolf, but today, he’s proven just how much he’s grown. He’s a leader now, and damn if that doesn’t make him even more attractive in Kirishima’s eyes.

But as the excitement dies down, Kirishima’s dragon quirk simmers beneath the surface. The battle may be over, but the tension between them is still there, stronger than ever. Bakugou catches his eye from across the room, and for a moment, their gazes lock. Kirishima’s heart skips a beat, the unspoken bond between them hanging heavy in the air. Neither of them says a word, but they both know—it’s only a matter of time before something gives.