#and these slipups like will add up in the end and just make me drift apart from ppl that i care abt

[yongseungkim]

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[likesugarandcyanide]

Invincible [Chapter 4] Game On [Katsuki Bakugou]

The next ten months is over before I can appreciate them, and the general entrance exam is today; this morning in fact. I wake up early, before the sun, and run the block. The cool, autumn weather freezes me to the bone, but I feel in high spirits. For the first time since I was little I am sure of myself. My will is stronger than before.

Ever since the sludge incident I have trained day-to-day with a balanced routine. But with the third term going, I didn’t get as much done with my emotional training as I would have liked. My quirk still needs practice, but I at least made some improvement. This morning I use the extra time to cram in a little more training.

I stand heal to toe on a narrow, handmade balance beam in the backyard, working on a method to improve my focus. The last time I did this was during the 5th grade for gym, when I was certain being a pro acrobat was the future I wanted. I gave it up, but the memories are still fresh. I doubt it’s something I can forget, like the years of track I endured for the sake of my parents. Muscle memory is a remarkable act. In this case, it helps me to keep my sense of balance while I use my thoughts to rotate the water at my fingertips.

I keep my head up as I slowly walk, focusing on shaping the water into a spiral. It’s not easy; the strain on my head is painful. My limit is only five minutes before the nosebleeds start and I waste two on stopping to collect myself. The liquid loses its shape once, but I focus and secure it. So far, so good.

The end of the beam takes but a steady minute to get to, and once I am done, I will the water to tumble. It feels good for the practice I have put in to work. But the exhaustion is another story. I wipe the sweat from my face and grab my workout gear, deciding that I should eat and probably grab a shower before I leave. But the minute I step into the house I am greeted with the burning smell of grilled fish and overcooked rice.

I curl my nose at this and move into the kitchen where my father is. He stands over the stove, light-colored bangs clipped back, cursing at the mess he made as he attempts to scrape the charred, unidentifiable clumps into the trash bin.

He turns to look at me with a shocked expression as I laugh. “Go ahead, make fun of me, but remember something, you won’t leave this room until you’ve eaten it all.” I laugh even louder at this, but my father only smiles. “This one is a waste, but I can make you another breakfast if you’re hungry.”

“No thank you. I appreciate it, but I will probably grab something small on the way out,” I reply. A big meal right before the hands-on portion of the exam doesn’t sound like an agreeable idea. Eating usually makes me feel sluggish and ready for a nap. I don’t want to risk it, but I still should eat.

As an alternative, I take an apple from the fruit basket on the countertop and begin munching on it while I watch my father clean up. It’s strange to see, because he doesn’t usually do the housework; mother does. But she has been sick a lot recently. I wonder if that has something with the reason why my father is doing this.

“Something wrong, kiddo?” His stern, gentle voice drags me from my thoughts. My guess is that he could sense the look of uncertainty I was giving to him. Still, I shake my head and go back to eating my breakfast.

“Don’t look so down,” he adds, returning to his work. “Bakugou may seem like he’s mad right now, but he does look after you. Give him some time.”

I hum in doubt. This isn’t exactly about Katsuki, but it’s good to know my father puts his trust in him. He used to be team Izuku; a memory that still makes me feel uneasy. I would rather not get into the reason with him, but I also would rather not give my father a reason to interrogate me about this. I hate that I can’t do anything to help mother, but I can’t change fate either.

There is a tightness in my chest that makes me feel like crying, but instead of tearing up, I smile and give my father a gentle smile. “I know. Thank you.”

After I have finished the apple, I take a quick shower, grab my gear, and leave the house. The train is a forty-minute ride to the next station, but I have time to rest. I’ve been thinking too much about all the bad things in my life these past few months that I never stopped to consider the large step I have taken into the future. Hours from now, I could may well be one step closer to becoming a real hero. It is game on from this point.

I smile to myself and stare out the window as the train moves through the city; my very own playing field.

Izuku looks much different than I remember. Didn’t he used to be thinner? I’m amazed by just how much effort he put into working out during the ten months before the start of the new term. His body looks ready to go, and his eyes seem to glow with a new-found strength that he didn’t have before the sludge man incident. Was this really the same frail boy from before?

His attention drifts in my direction, and I realize that I have been looking him over since I ran into him at the station. Things get awkward pretty quick. I attempt to cover up my slipup with an apology, but the nervous look on the teen’s face makes me laugh. He is still the same Izuku; new wrapper but the same old, timid boy.

“No need to be shy. You look great,” I assure him. It’s still a shock to me just how much muscle he gained since I last saw him. He looks so grown up now.

“Thank you, but measured up to the others, I feel the least bit prepared,” he admits quietly. His eyes return to scanning the school grounds as he tightens his fingers around the straps of his backpack. It’s a nervous gesture, I imagine, and I can’t blame him. I’m feeling rather anxious myself and because of this, I honestly don’t know what to say that might help ease him. I’d feel like a bad friend if I got his hopes up.

We move toward the entrance in silence. It’s a cold morning, and I regret not wearing a scarf, but I honestly assume the exam will be held in doors so I didn’t bother. On the other hand, U.A. High is nice. I have yet to see the inside, but the outside is huge. The pavilion we’re passing through is lined in the busts of every hero that ever graduated from the school, and while not many of the initiates are paying attention to them, I find comfort in knowing that so many have gone pro. It means that there’s a chance.

Izuku suddenly stops and nervously covers his mouth with the palm of his hand. He looks like he’s about ready to hurl. I want to help him stay calm, but before I can open my mouth to speak, a voice interrupts me.

“Move aside, Deku.” Katsuki stands behind us, glaring at the teen. His eyes move over to me briefly, but they don’t lose their intense stare. I remember the words my father left with me, and try not to seem troubled by it. He’ll come around, eventually. Even so, his arrogance brings me to feel in doubt with this.

Would it have been different if we’d have broken up that day? I doubt it. Katsuki is himself after all. He spits an insult at Izuku and quickly shoves passed him, but not before he seizes my wrist and pulls me to him. I squeak in surprise, crying out his name as he drags me away.

The blonde gives me the impression that he is annoyed. By what, I’m not sure of, but he’s being insensible with how he is dealing with it. It’s annoying, and his heated grip stings.

“You’re hurting me,” I hiss.

Katsuki immediately lets go, choosing to shove his tightened fists into the pockets of his baggy pants. He is unusually quiet, leaning his body slightly forward as he walks. I am quick to notice that he is listening for something. As we are close to the entrance of the school, I hear it. Katsuki’s name is mentioned amongst a group of male students.

I hear them make mention of the sludge incident and nearly freeze up. I see now; Katsuki is being pitied. Has it been like this for him since day one? I can’t imagine how annoyed he feels. He must hate it. His shivering body suggests bad things to come if he doesn’t calm down. The method he uses on me doesn’t work as well on him, however.

My fingers gently slide around the curve of his arm, luring him close enough that I can lean my cheek against his shoulder. “Thank you for the date last weekend,” I bring up.

Our backs are to them and inside the door before he responds. “That wasn’t a date, idiot. We hiked up a hill, and last time I checked, that’s not considered a date.”

I hum in disapproval. “That’s not exactly true. It doesn’t have to be noteworthy to be considered a date. The point is that we spent time alone together.”

“Whatever floats your boat,” he snorts. I laugh at this; typical Katsuki.

He and I remain silent, walking arm in arm as he leads us through a crown of examinees into the school’s auditorium. The room is massive, but it’s nearly filled beyond capacity. A wave of nervousness fills me. I clutch the teen’s arm and allow him to locate our seats – middle role and directly to the front of the stage. Once we sit, I notice Izuku stumble in. I wave him over and he takes the seat to the left of us. There isn’t much said between the three of us, however, and I realize there is no need for it. The exam is close to beginning.

All of a sudden, the rest of the chatter in the room is drown out. “Welcome one and all to my live show! Everybody say heeeey!” I recognize this loud and direct voice from the radio as belonging to Present Mic. He is an inspiration. I clap enthusiastically, but Katsuki grabs my wrist and pulls my hand into his lap.

“Tone it down a notch, you damned nerd. You’re doing that in my ear,” he snaps.

I quietly apologize. He knows I can’t help it.

The auditorium is silent as the grave as Present Mic continues on, explaining the low-down on the how the exam will be conducted. Each of the examinees are given a card with their picture, name, and battle center on it – labeled A through G. I am in E, but in addition to this are instructions of what each of us will encounter during the ten-minute practice run. While Katsuki is talking to Izuku I steal a glance at his card. He is in center A. I am both sad and relieved that I won’t be joining him; the latter because I would rather not be shown up by him. He’s too good – I admit to that. As I see it, I have no other option but to avoid the area traps – Present Mic explained them to us since an examinee asked about them. They rampage when crowded, but more than that, area traps cost no points. It would be a waste of time to try and fight them, and so I make a vow to avoid them and stack points by taking out the smaller targets. Piece of cake. I can do this.

I come up with a quick exchange, and tug on Katsuki’s hand to get his attention. Once I have it, I lean close to him, feeling my face heat up. “Make a bet with me. Please!” He huffs in annoyance, but doesn’t tell me no. I take this as a sign to continue. “If I score high in the practical exam, I want you to take me on a real date,” I whisper. It’s not like he’d have to go out of his way to impress me.

His eyes soften, but just as quick he narrows them. “Whatever, but if you don’t and you fail, I want you to never mention this damn hero business again.”

I almost disagree, but I understand the necessity of his demands. Katsuki is already against me attending, so this deal going south would be his best attempt to keep me from trying to be a pro hero. He would still more than likely take me on the date, however. I may have bit off more than I could chew. At least I can say I gave it a shot if I fail. “You have a deal,” I agree.

A presentation on school precepts begins on the overhead projector and as much as I try to pay attention I can’t. I am nervous. Suddenly, however my hand stings. Katsuki purposefully burns me. I pull my hand from his, giving it a shake.

“The hell was that for?”

“Focus, or you won’t be getting that date,” he growls. I see. He is trying to stir me up, keep me in the game.

But still, did he have to burn me? He is such a jerk. But he’s right, I do want that date. The uneasiness can wait, I have a game to win. Once, the presentation is over, we part. I follow the cluster of examinees that are in center E to the dressing rooms, before we are ushered out onto the field. I have no idea the struggles I am about to face.