Shadows of the Mind

Chapter 11: Dawn Battles and Digital Wars

The first light of dawn crept over UA's training field, where Kageko stood alongside Shinso, Kirishima, and Bakugo. Their breath puffed in small clouds as they warmed up, the early chill clinging to the air. This session, initiated by Shinso, was meant to be low-key practice, but with Bakugo there, it rarely stayed that way.

Kirishima shot Kageko a playful look as he rotated his shoulders. "Yamikaze, think you can handle another round with me?" He flexed with exaggerated flair, drawing a small smirk from her.

"We'll see," Kageko replied, her tone teasing but even. She glanced at Bakugo, who stood nearby, eyes narrowing as Kirishima's laughter filled the quiet.

"Enough playing around, Hair-for-Brains. We're here to train, not flirt," Bakugo snapped, a crackle of heat in his voice. His eyes darted to Kageko, searching for any reaction, but her expression was composed as always, though her fingers twitched slightly at her side—a subtle tell only Shinso might catch.

Shinso leaned against a rail, watching the scene unfold with an amused glint in his eyes. "Tense this morning, aren't we, Bakugo?"

Bakugo shot him a glare that could burn steel. "Shut up, Shinso."

The sparring began, pairs shifting through combat drills. Kageko's movements were smooth, her shadows coiling and darting around her feet like serpents. Each step was calculated, but the session felt charged, electric even, as Bakugo's simmering frustration met Kirishima's relentless energy.

At one point, Bakugo's gaze flickered to Kageko's shadows as they pulsed irregularly, just for a moment. His brow furrowed, curiosity cutting through his anger. Kageko clenched her jaw and forced them back under control, ignoring the slight knot in her chest as Shinso's eyes met hers, a question clear in their depths.

"Everything okay?" Shinso's voice was low as they passed each other.

"Fine," Kageko answered, the word clipped but betraying a small edge of unease that she buried just as quickly.

Bakugo didn't miss the exchange, nor the flicker of tension in Kageko's eyes. The session ended with Kirishima wiping his brow and slapping Bakugo on the back. "Great work today, man! Though, maybe tone down the death glares next time," he joked, only half-serious.

Bakugo shrugged off his friend's hand, his gaze lingering on Kageko as she turned away, shadows trailing like whispers. What's her deal? he wondered, fists clenching as an unfamiliar tightness knotted in his chest once again.

The morning rush of students filled UA's halls as Class 3-A settled in for another day. Kageko took her usual seat, eyes scanning her notes even as her mind wandered back to the training session. The way her shadows had flickered, unbidden, gnawed at her thoughts. Keep it together, she reminded herself, feeling the weight of Aizawa's voice echoing in her mind: Keep moving forward, no matter what.

Present Mic's voice boomed from the front, pulling her back to the present. "Alright, kiddos! We're diving into advanced strategy today, so stay sharp!" His grin was as energetic as ever, met by groans and chuckles from the class.

Bakugo's glare was relentless, cutting across the room as if daring someone to test him. Kirishima, undeterred by the tension, leaned over. "Yamikaze, what do you think about practicing together after class again? Maybe this time I won't lose so easily."

Before Kageko could respond, Bakugo's voice sliced through, sharper than before. "Oi, isn't there anyone else you can bother, Kiri? Quit hogging all the attention."

The comment earned a few curious looks from their classmates, some sharing whispers, others stealing glances at Bakugo and Kageko. She kept her expression neutral, but inside, the familiar push and pull of annoyance and intrigue churned. Shinso's eyes met hers briefly from across the room, his gaze asking what he didn't voice aloud—You good?