This time I will protect them I won't be a coward

184

Denki swallowed hard, his mind screaming for him to act, to move, to escape this nightmarish encounter. But something in Shigaraki’s gaze held him captive, a vortex of darkness that he couldn’t pull himself out of.

Denki’s breath caught in his throat as Shigaraki loomed mere steps away, the villain's presence suffocating, heavy with malice.

Each shallow gasp felt like fire in his chest, and panic took hold. His eyes darted frantically—his mind racing, his instincts screaming.

His quirk surged within him, begging to be unleashed, yet fear paralyzed him. What if I attack and he disintegrates me first? The thought clawed at him, stealing his courage.

For a fleeting moment, time seemed frozen—the world muted except for the pounding of his heartbeat. Then, cutting through the haze of dread, a familiar voice broke the silence.

“Kaminari-kun!”

Denki flinched, his head snapping toward the sound. Relief washed over him like a wave as he saw Midoriya charging toward him, worry etched into every feature.

Denki’s mind struggled to process the sight—his friend, his beacon of hope, had arrived just when he thought he might crumble.

Midoriya skidded to a halt, his chest heaving, his breaths heavy with concern and frustration. “Kaminari!” he exclaimed, his voice tinged with anger. “What are you thinking, wandering off from Nighteye’s agency?! You know how dangerous it is out here!”

Denki’s lips parted, but no words came. Instead, he turned his gaze back to where Shigaraki had stood moments before.

“Shigaraki…” he whispered, searching the area with wide, frantic eyes. But the villain was gone, as though swallowed by the air itself.

Denki’s mind reeled.

Had Shigaraki used some teleportation quirk? Or had he simply disappeared upon hearing Midoriya call out his name?

His trembling hands clenched at his sides as confusion mingled with lingering fear.

Midoriya’s voice cut through his thoughts again, this time sharper, more exasperated.

“Kaminari! Hey! Are you even listening?”

Denki’s gaze flicked back to his friend, grounding him in the present.

He blinked, finally registering the change in Midoriya’s appearance. This wasn’t the timid, unsure boy he had first known.

Midoriya now looked bold and confident, his UA uniform hugging a stronger, more muscular build.

Even his posture radiated an authority Denki had not seen before. But in that moment, none of it mattered. The concern in Midoriya’s eyes outweighed everything else.

“Let’s head back to the train station,” Denki murmured, his voice low and unsteady.

Without waiting for Midoriya’s response, he stepped past him, his movements stiff and guarded.

Midoriya stood motionless for a moment, watching Denki retreat. Something felt off—like Kaminari was hiding something. But now wasn’t the time to pry.

With a soft sigh, he followed his friend, his mind swirling with unanswered questions.

The walk to the train station was anything but peaceful. The streets were alive with noise and chaos.

A circus troupe had taken to the roads, their performers drawing an ever-growing crowd.

Children laughed and clapped as jugglers tossed flaming torches skyward, while acrobats flipped and spun in daring displays of agility.

The colorful costumes and rhythmic music added to the cacophony, creating a spectacle that spilled into every corner.

Amid the throng, Midoriya and Denki found themselves separated.

The crowd surged like a tide, pulling them apart despite their attempts to stay close.

“Deku?!” Denki called out, his voice drowned by the laughter and cheers of onlookers.

He pushed against the tide, craning his neck in search of green hair among the sea of faces.

His search was abruptly interrupted when something red floated into his vision. He blinked, startled as a bright balloon brushed against his face, momentarily obscuring his view.

The absurdity of the moment struck him—amid the chaos and tension, here was a simple, carefree object blocking his path.

For a brief second, he stood frozen, his panic giving way to something almost surreal.