*First-Person POV – Sasaki Kenjiro*
---
The rest of the battles blur together.
Kirishima and Kaminari versus Ashido and Mineta. Tokoyami and Asui against Hagakure and Ojiro. Each match plays out like a poorly scripted rerun—predictable, boring.
I watch with half-lidded eyes, arms crossed, as All Might wraps up the final match with his usual booming enthusiasm.
"EXCELLENT WORK, YOUNG HEROES! YOU'VE ALL SHOWN GREAT PROMISE TODAY!"
The class cheers, but my attention drifts to Bakugou. He's been unnaturally quiet since my match, his usual explosive temper replaced with something darker—something simmering.
All Might dismisses us, making a hasty retreat before his time limit runs out. The moment he's gone, the classroom erupts into chatter.
"Midoriya! That countermove you used against Bakugou was insane!" Kirishima slaps Izuku on the back hard enough to make him stumble.
"Y-yeah! And your teamwork with Uraraka was so smooth!" Ashido adds, bouncing on her toes.
Midoriya flushes, rubbing his neck. "I-it was nothing, really—"
"Nothing?!" Kaminari throws an arm around his shoulders. "Dude, you styled on the angriest guy in class! That's, like, legendary!"
I lean against my desk, watching the spectacle. Midoriya's eyes keep darting to Bakugou's empty seat, his smile faltering.
Uraraka notices too. "He left already," she says quietly. "Right after the trials ended."
Midoriya's jaw tightens. "I… I need to talk to him."
Without another word, he bolts for the door.
"Tch. Predictable."
I push off the desk and follow.
I don't bother hiding my presence as I trail Midoriya through the halls. He's too focused to notice anyway, his muttering a steady stream of anxious planning.
"Kacchan's probably at the training grounds—no, maybe the roof—he always goes there when—"
He finds Bakugou outside, near the school's rear courtyard. The explosive blond is sitting on a bench, his back to us, shoulders hunched.
Midoriya hesitates. Then—
"K-Kacchan…"
Bakugou doesn't turn. "Fuck off, Deku."
Midoriya flinches but doesn't back down. "I… I need to tell you something."
"Here we go," I think, lingering in the shadows of the hallway. "The big reveal."
Midoriya takes a deep breath. "My Quirk… it wasn't mine at first. Someone gave it to me."
Silence.
Then—
Bakugou laughs. It's a harsh, broken sound. "You expect me to believe that shit?" He finally turns, and for the first time since I've known him, his eyes aren't just angry—they're lost. "First you lie about being Quirkless, now this? What's next, Deku? You gonna tell me you're All Might's secret love child?"
Midoriya's fists clench. "I'm not lying! I was Quirkless! But someone—"
"I DON'T CARE!" Bakugou's voice cracks, his palms sparking weakly. "You—you—"
His hands drop.
And then, to my genuine surprise—
Bakugou Katsuki cries.
It's not loud. Not dramatic. Just silent, furious tears streaking down his face as he glares at the ground.
"I hate this," he spits. "I hate you. I hate that icy bastard. I hate that fucking mochi freak." His voice drops to a whisper. "And I hate that I'm weak."
Midoriya looks like he's been punched. "Kacchan, you're not—"
"SHUT UP!" Bakugou swipes at his face, smearing the tears away. "You don't get it. None of you get it. All Might—that hypocrite—he praised you. Momo said you were better. And him—" He jerks his chin toward where I'm standing, finally noticing me. "He didn't even try."
I don't deny it.
Bakugou's fists shake. "I won't lose again. Not to you. Not to anyone."
He shoves past Midoriya, shoulder-checking him hard enough to make him stumble.
"Kacchan, wait—!"
"Fuck. Off."
And just like that, he's gone.
Midoriya sags, his breath coming in short gasps. "I… I messed up…"
I step out of the shadows. "No. You didn't."
He whirls, eyes wide. "S-Sasaki?! How long have you—?"
"Long enough." I glance in the direction Bakugou stormed off. "He needed to hear that."
Midoriya swallows hard. "But he didn't believe me."
"He will."
After that, we find All Might—skinny All Might—standing at the school gates, watching Bakugou stomp away.
Midoriya gasps. "All Might?! What are you—?"
All Might holds up a hand. "I… wanted to speak with Young Bakugou. But it seems I've missed my chance."
I snort. "He's not in the mood for pep talks."
All Might's gaze shifts to me, his sunken eyes sharper than they have any right to be. "You fought well today, Young Sasaki. Too well, some might say."
I meet his stare. "Not my fault your standards are low."
Midoriya looks like he might pass out from the sheer disrespect, but All Might just sighs.
"Regardless… Young Bakugou will need guidance. As will both of you." He straightens, coughing into his fist. "This world isn't kind to those who stand at the top. Remember that."
With that cryptic warning, he shuffles off, leaving us standing there.
Midoriya turns to me, his expression equal parts awe and fear. "Sasaki… how are you so strong?"
I smirk. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
---
As I walk home, my thoughts drift to the future.
Season 3.
That's where my meta-knowledge ends. The USJ attack, the Sports Festival, Stain, the Kamino Ward battle—I know those like the back of my hand. But beyond that?
Nothing.
No forewarning about Overhaul. No intel on the Paranormal Liberation Front. No clue how this story really ends.
It's equal parts terrifying and exhilarating.
Bakugou's breakdown today proved one thing: canon isn't set in stone. I've already changed things just by existing. Midoriya's stronger, Bakugou's more unhinged, and Todoroki?
Todoroki got humiliated in front of the entire class.
I flex my hand, watching as the skin shifts from flesh to mochi and back.
Good.
Let them adapt.
Let them struggle.
Because when the real villains come knocking?
I'll be ready.