Turning the Tables [Shoto Todoroki X Reader]

Chapter 35: Game of chance

The air was filled with dust, and I was somewhat dazed.

I tried to shake off the disoriented feeling that hung over me, trying to get my bearings. Where was I?

I got to my feet, checking that my hat was in place. It was a miracle how it's stayed this long.

Mrs. Chigusa truly was magical.

Or, at least, her quirk was.

I scanned the dusted filled air with bleary eyes, continually blinking in an attempt to clear them.

Where was Bakugo?

The throbbing sound of my heartbeat which seemed to fill my head made it nearly impossible to think straight.

The dust in the air thinned.

"It seems like the dust is thinning! But what has happened to our two semifinalists?"

I unconsciously settled into a defensive position, ready to fight.

"Both Bakugo and (L/N) are out of bounds!"

"Who crossed first? Can we check the cameras?" There was a pause. "They were all unable to cut through the dust?! Chief umpire, what's the call?"

"It's a tie!"

My eyes met with Bakugo's, all the way across the field.

I could sense his "tch" from here.

"Well we can't move onto the finals until this has been resolved!"

~

"Check."

I hit my timer.

"Dammit! Why do you have to be so annoying, extra?!"

"I want to win."

He slid his king behind a bishop.

"Well... this is getting boring! Can you guys hurry it up down there?"

"What was tha—" He began.

"Bakugo! For the last time— chill your *ss down! Or you're going to knock over the board. And we'll have to start all over again. Again!"

He grunted.

"Chief umpire Midnight, are you sure that there's nothing else they can do?"

"We've seen them fight, let's see them strategize!"

I rolled my eyes.

Bakugo had flipped the board twice now— and he wasn't even losing when he flipped it!

This was ridiculous.

~

"We'll settle this... with... a chess match!"

There was silence from the audience.

Why chess? I groaned internally.

This was going to be a disaster.

"They won't be able to be healed until one of them wins, and the other loses!"

I sighed. "Bakugo, give me your arm."

"And why the f*ck—"

"Give it."

I took the pain back from him, and felt tear through my body, muddling my mind for a moment.

"Oh."

"Yeah, oh."

"You've been acting odd."