I'll Be There (KIRIBAKU)

32

   Training wasn't easy, but with Fatgum, and Fourth Kind's help, Kirishima managed to improve his speed and manoeuvrability. Four months was all he had to be able to perfect his movements, and whilst there is always room for improvement, Fatgum assured him that he's doing perfectly fine, and that he can win this match if he puts all his efforts in it. Kirishima, determined, believed him completely, and his confidence got even better through those months.

   When the date of the match approached, Kirishima had realised it was the day before Bakugou's birthday, and at that moment, he really wanted to celebrate it with Bakugou too. He didn't get to last year, mostly because he was also busy, but this year, Bakugou will be coming over the day before, so with hope, he'll be able to convince him to stay over so that they can celebrate it the next day.

   On the nineteenth of April, Kirishima was nervous. He had slept a full eight hours of healthy uninterrupted sleep, and then he had woken up to a full, and very healthy breakfast made by Satou. Satou hadn't only cooked for him though, so he shared breakfast with all his friends, and he couldn't be happier to be with them prior to the match. The match was in the late afternoon, so he had all the time in the world to spend time with his friends during breakfast and lunch, and then spend the afternoon with his manager, and also Amajiki, who offered to be his cutman, kindly. 

   "I'm a bit scared for you," admitted Ashido, humming as she enjoyed the food. "Like... aren't you going to get injuries worse than usual? You won't even have a headgear!" she said, frowning. "I'm not saying you shouldn't do it, I've done too much of that, but aren't you worried about getting hurt?"

   He shrugged, swallowing. "Don't know," he grinned. "I've gotten better over these past months," he assured. "I've been training a lot, and now I'm even faster!"

   "But didn't Toyomitsu say that you can finally match a professional's abilities?" asked Kyouka, raising an eyebrow. "Doesn't that make you weaker though?" she specified. "Not saying that you are weak-"

   "Nah, it's fine," he smiled. "I mean... the match I'm doing won't be with a celebrity, just another person like me who wants to get better and more popular. They won't have a name more popular than mine, so we are more equal. If you ask boxing fanatics, they won't say our names. This match won't be for the top-top, mostly the ones trying to break it to the top," he grinned. "It is still a professional match, and if Fatgum was right, then I should be more than just professional level," he shrugged. "With hope, I'll win," he sighed.

   "I doubt you won't," shrugged Sero, grinning. "I mean, who in this room has had more losses than wins? Definitely not you," he said.

   "Thanks, man," he chuckled. "But victories aren't determined until they happen, so we can assume anything," he said. "It's in a while though, so I still have time to prepare," he smiled.

   "Want to relax this morning though?" asked Kaminari. "You can hit the gym or whatever after lunch, but you have a free morning, right? Let's play games together," he smiled.

   "Sure," he smiled. "I don't have any games here though-"

   "Nah, we'll just go to my place," he grinned. 

   "Okay!" they all agreed, with the slight exception of Kyouka almost complaining that they are all going to be crowding her place again.

   The morning was simple, that way. They played Mario Kart together, alternating, and Kirishima teamed up with Ashido, and they seemed to be doing pretty well. It was all fun, until lunch arrived, and then Kirishima had to leave so he could go join Fatgum at his gym, and then practice and prepare himself. Amajiki was probably super nervous too, not having been a cutman many times. Kirishima really underestimate cutmen's jobs, but he knows that without them, he'd probably be unable to do boxing to this day.