𝐈𝐓 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐀 𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐄 | 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧 | ✓

𝔏𝔞𝔰𝔢𝔯 𝔗𝔞𝔤

"Laser tag! Fuck yeah!"

Shinso flinched at the hot-headed blond yelling and pumping his fist in the air. He barely knew anyone from Class A, but Bakugo's explosive attitude was legendary among the school.

"We're gonna fucking crush those Class B extras!" he shouted.

That was another annoying thing about Bakugo that Shinso remembered — he called everyone 'extras', or other oh-so-lovingly-personalised nicknames. Like how he'd dubbed Shinso 'Eyebags' when he was told he'd be joining Class A's team for Laser Tag.

"Woohoo! Let's go!" Ashido was hyper.

Class A was so loud.

They were strapping into their Laser Tag vests while one of the staff members was going over the rules (which no one was listening to).

Shinso picked up his laser gun and glanced over at Class B's team. Monoma was doubled over laughing manically at something Hatsume was saying. Shinso wished he could join their team, but he couldn't be too picky about getting to hang out with a group of friends.

At that moment, Monoma glanced over to Shinso. The purple-haired boy lifted his fingers in a wave.

Monoma mouthed at him, We'll crush your team.

Bring it, he mouthed back.

"Alright, team A, please assume your starting positions," Iida said, pushing his glasses even further up his nose. "Remember to follow the rules, to only hit on the vests, and be careful about pointing the infrared lasers at your comrades' eyes, as it can be harmful. Also—"

"Get the stick outta your ass, Four-eyes, and just let us fucking crush their lame asses!"

Iida sighed at Bakugo's foul manners.

The staff member directed them to the indoor Laser Tag room, which was a dark maze of shapes to duck and weave around, lit up by luminescent neon designs.

"On your marks, get set... go!"

Shinso instantly dropped low onto the floor. He'd never played before, but in a moment of weakness, he'd used a computer in the U.A library and watched a few youtube videos of Laser Tag strategies. What he'd gained? Stay low and stealthy.

He crept along the ground like a crab, his back to a protruding wall in the middle of the room.

Pony Tsunotori rounded the corner and spotted him. She froze, and in her hesitation Shinso shot her down.

He kept moving.

"FUCK! TAKE THAT!" Bakugo shouted from the other side of the room as he shot down Komori, Tetsutetsu, and Kodai all together. He was undeniably good at anything he put his mind to, Shinso would give him that. At least he wasn't all talk and no action.

Shinso heard Monoma's shriek of anguish at his classmates getting knocked down so early in the game.

He crouched down and peeked between two blocks to watch as Bakugo and Sero knocked out Hatsume together.

Hatsume laughed. "I was the perfect diversion!"

"What the fu—"

"Surprise!" Monoma and Kendo leapt out together and hit Bakugo and Sero square in the chest.

"SHIT! Damn you, Copycat!"

Shinso let out a tiny gasping laugh. Oops. I was supposed to be hiding. He clamped his hands over his mouth.

"Did you hear that?" Monoma whipped around.

Shinso cursed himself mentally.

"Sounded like it was from over there. Let's split up," Kendo said.

Okay, now would be a good time to make a run for it, Shinso told himself.

He straightened up from his crouch and started moving, keeping as low to the ground as he could while ducking around obstacles quickly.

He ducked over to the back wall of the room to catch his breath. Doing a 180-degree sweep of his vision, he couldn't see anyone nearby. He straightened up fully. His back was killing him from being hunched for so long.

"Hitoshi."

Shinso glanced up in alarm. Monoma stood across from him, laser gun hanging by his side.

"Found you," he whispered smugly.

Shinso reflexively lifted his laser gun to hit his opponent, but in one swift move Monoma stepped close to him and pressed his body against the taller boy's. He pulled Shinso closer by the nape of his neck and kissed him passionately.

Shinso was so surprised that he dropped his gun, hearing it clatter to the ground. For a minute, he forgot how to function. Move your lips back. Right.

Monoma stepped away and grinned smugly.

Then he shot Shinso.

He smirked. "Sorry, but I play to win."

Dirty tricks, Shinso thought, staring dumbstruck after the blond as he walked away confidently.

Monoma didn't look back. I play to win. And I'll win my money soon enough.