Under Pressure

Chapter Ten: One on One

We have a break before our last game, which is relieving seeing as how it's going to be the most challenging one yet.

The One on One Battles, probably one of the toughest competitions we'll ever find ourselves in. Midnight showed us the bracket before releasing us. I'm the fourth fight, going against Denki. I should be able to pull through easily enough.

Deku is going against Shinso first, and I feel the need to warn him about his quirk before the match starts. So, I'm going to make this conversation with Dad fast so I can make it back in time to tell him about Shinso's quirk.

The others are all playing small side games, trying to ease their nerves or just have fun now that they're no longer in the competition. I can't allow myself to do that, though, I have to stay focused.

I'm currently on my way to meet up with my dad. When I had gotten back to our class' designated waiting room, I had a message on my phone from him asking me to meet him before they started the matches. So, here I am, walking through the eerily empty hallways under the stadium stands.

I have a feeling I know what he wants to talk about.

The first thing he'll most likely tell me is that he's proud, which is great, don't get me wrong. I like hearing him tell me how proud he is of me. I know for a fact that he's going to be a little disappointed in me, though. Regardless, I have no doubt that he'll say he's proud, whether he means it or not.

The second thing he'll probably do is chastise me for being on a calvary team with Bakugo. He's never really been a fan of the explosive type, which is odd considering how close he tries to be with Endeavor. But I already know he's going to completely hate Katsuki just because of his attitude.

The third thing he'll definitely tell me is that I better not give up without a fight during my one on one battles. He's going to tell me how important it is that I win as many rounds as I can, even if I don't win the entire thing, though I know he expects me to come out on top.

Ah, the joys of having a Pro father.

I guess Todoroki and I can relate on that aspect of life, having Pro parents isn't always what it's cracked up to be. Too much pressure, too many expectations. He's in a little worse boat, though. I couldn't fathom having to deal with Endeavor as a father, especially not after all of those nasty rumors about Todoroki's mom floating around.

As I round the corner of one of the dimly-lit corridors, my steps falter slightly when I see a shadowy figure standing at the end of it. They have their back to me, but the more steps I take closer to the still figure, the more I recognize it.

"Bakugo?" I pipe up, a few feet away now, "What are you-"

In one swift motion, the spiky blonde has me pressed against the wall, one hand covering my mouth and the other against the wall next to my head. He leans in close to me, his face mere inches from my own.

"Shut it, Mind Tricks, you're going to get me caught," he growls into my ear, causing chills to shoot down my spine.

I feel his breath fan against my neck and immediately curse myself for the blush that spreads across my face at the sudden contact. There are voices coming from just around the corner, Deku and Shoto's, and it sounds like they're talking about something serious. I send a glance to Bakugo, who is just staring at the wall, listening intently to the two boys' conversation.

Wait, have his eyelashes always been this long?

I internally groan at that thought and try to push it to the back of mind. My heart is hammering inside of my chest, my blush reaching all the way up to my ears. There are only centimeters separating Katsuki and myself, and if he had any idea how close he really was to me right now, I know he would blow a gasket. But he doesn't move, doesn't budge, as he waits patiently for the talking to be over, drinking the conversation up like tea.