𝚄𝚗𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚙𝚙𝚊𝚋𝚕𝚎 𝙵𝚒𝚛𝚎 [MHA Fanfiction] I

CHAPTER 026

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✎ℂℍ𝔸ℙ 𝟘𝟚𝟞: 𝐂𝐀𝐕𝐀𝐋𝐑𝐘 𝐁𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐋𝐄

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𝐊𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐤𝐨 𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐲, 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 falling as she bent forward slightly, resting her hands on her hips. The warmth of the sun bathed her skin, a stark contrast to the adrenaline coursing through her veins. The fire surrounding her had flickered out, leaving behind the faintest glow of heat in her muscles. She closed her eyes for a brief moment, allowing herself to relish the feeling of the sun's rays against her.

She slowly raised her head, her chest still rising and falling with the remnants of exhaustion, but her smirk couldn't be more triumphant. Her eyes fluttered shut as she let the moment wash over her. She had done it. She had won.

The crowd's noise, the distant commentary of Present Mic, and the pounding footsteps of her competitors behind her all faded into the background. For that brief moment, nothing else mattered. Just the taste of victory on her lips.

Heh. I fucking won. I beat both of you. Kimiko couldn't help but chuckle under her breath. And it feels so damn good it makes her want to laugh in exhilaration.

The redhead slowly opened her eyes and glanced to her side, spotting Midoriya bent over with his hands on his knees, still catching his breath. His face was flushed, and sweat dripped from his forehead, but despite his exhaustion, there was a look of determination in his eyes. She could see it—the same fire that pushed him forward, just as her flames had pushed her.

Straightening up, she walked toward him and stopped a few inches beside him, one hand resting on her hip. "Congrats on your winning, Midoriya. Guess you're still full of surprises, huh?" Kimiko said, hands on her hips, her smirk returning. 

He turned toward her, straightening himself as he offered a weak chuckle. "Hehe, thanks, Kimiko-san. You were pretty amazing too. You stayed on top since the beginning of the race!"

"I believe I was too, indeed." She dramatically brushed her ponytail to the side. "But I gotta admit, that was one crazy stunt you pulled back there," she teased, raising an eyebrow. "Using the minefield to catapult yourself? That's either pure genius... or you're just a total maniac."

Midoriya blushed, rubbing the back of his neck, looking sheepish. "I-I wasn't sure it would work," he stammered. "I just... thought it was my only chance to catch up. A-And I don't know if you saw it, but I didn't plan anything for my landing." He then scratched the back of his head, looking elsewhere. "I guess I was lucky."

The redhead chuckled, stepping a little closer, eyes glinting with playful mischief. "Only you, Midoriya, would think, 'Hey, let's blow myself up to win a race,'" she said, mimicking his voice and shaking her head. "Seriously, are you trying to give everyone heart attacks? I've already told you that you'll have to deal with me if you pull a stunt like that again."

Izuku's eyes widened in alarm, and his hands immediately moved frantically in front of him, as if trying to shield himself from her teasing. "No, no! I swear, I wasn't trying to—" he stammered, shaking his head so fast it was almost a blur. "I-I didn't mean to scare anyone!"

Kimiko let out a laugh, unable to hold it back. Let's just say that she was in a really good mood after that race. "Relax dude, I'm just messing with you. But you know," she began, her tone teasing but thoughtful, "it might have given me an idea for a move of my own."