~BNHA~ Everything That I Am

Chapter 43

The training yard hummed with energy, the distant sounds of others sparring blending into a low buzz at the edge of Izuku's awareness. His focus was on Shoto, standing across from him, steam rising faintly from his shoulders where the heat of his fire clashed with the chill of his ice.

Izuku shifted his weight, testing the balance in his stance, his gloves already damp with sweat. His sharp green eyes tracked Shoto's movements, taking in the subtle details—the way his right hand flexed slightly before an attack, the faint hesitation when his left side moved to activate his fire. 'He's favoring his ice', Izuku noted, the thought clicking into place.

Shoto struck first, his left foot sliding forward as he launched a jagged arc of ice toward Izuku. The chill bit at the air, and Izuku dodged to the side, feeling the faint sting of frost graze his arm. He didn't have time to reset; Shoto was already moving, closing the distance with a sweeping kick.

Izuku ducked, the force of the kick sending a sharp gust of wind past his ears. He spun low, planting one hand on the ground as he pivoted and aimed a sweeping kick of his own at Shoto's legs. Shoto blocked with a quick barrier of ice, but Izuku was already shifting his weight, using the momentum to leap over the barrier and strike from above.

"Impressive," Shoto muttered, raising a hand to release a burst of flames toward Izuku's midair form. But the attack was off by a fraction—too slow, too uncertain. Izuku twisted midair, Blackwhip snapping out from his arm like a coiled serpent to anchor him to a nearby training dummy. He swung himself clear of the flames and landed lightly on his feet.

"Your fire's sloppy," Izuku said, breathing hard but keeping his tone even. He saw the flicker of frustration in Shoto's eyes before the other boy dropped back into a guarded stance.

"You're quick to critique," Shoto shot back, his voice steady but tight. He stepped forward, ice crackling beneath his feet as he formed a trail toward Izuku. "But you're right."

Izuku blinked, surprised by the blunt admission. Shoto surged forward again, this time alternating his attacks—ice to force Izuku back, a flicker of flame to cover his approach. Izuku's muscles burned as he twisted and ducked, his mind racing to keep up with the rhythm. He's unpredictable with his ice, but his fire... it's almost like he doesn't trust it.

Seizing an opening, Izuku darted in close, his fist sparking with One for All's energy as he feinted left before aiming a blow at Shoto's right side. Shoto's eyes widened, and for a split second, his fire flared instinctively—hot and bright, forcing Izuku to veer off course.

Izuku gritted his teeth, the heat prickling his skin. "Why do you keep hesitating with your fire?" he asked, his voice edged with curiosity but softened by concern.

Shoto froze for a moment, his stance faltering. He straightened, letting out a slow breath that misted in the air. "Because I'm not used to relying on it," he admitted, his tone clipped but layered with something heavier. "I spent years rejecting it because of him—my father. But now..."

Izuku caught the slight tremble in Shoto's hand before it clenched into a fist. "Now, none of that matters. My family's gone. Dabi made sure of that." The name left his lips like a curse, venomous and raw. "I don't care about my father anymore. The only thing I care about is stopping him. I'll use whatever I have—ice or fire—to take him down."

There was a fire in Shoto's gaze now, sharper than the flames he wielded. Izuku felt a pang of sympathy, the weight of Shoto's loss pressing into the space between them.

"I understand," Izuku said quietly, his voice steady despite the ache in his chest. He stepped back into his stance, raising his fists. "Then let's make sure you're ready."