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Something was seriously starting to piss Bakugo off, but he couldn't put his finger on it. Maybe it was the cramped safe house, maybe it was being holed up with dumb, dumber, and an even dumber "adult." Maybe it was the mornings—especially the mornings—when someone inevitably made scrambled eggs that tasted like disappointment.

They'd spent the last few days putting their half-baked plan into action. Emi would leave the safe house, wandering around spots where Kazuo might show up, while one of them followed in secret. Hawks or Kirishima would go with her—always hiding just out of sight—but not Bakugo.

He wasn't dumb. He could see what was happening. Kirishima and Emi were practically glued at the hip, so caught up in their gross lovey-dovey mess that it made him want to gouge his eyes out. Even Hawks had somehow wormed his way into Emi's good graces, playing the part of the cool, older sibling like it wasn't the most cringe thing Bakugo had ever witnessed. Gross. Just gross.

But what really got under Bakugo's skin wasn't any of that. It was the sheer, mind-numbing boredom.

He wasn't here to sit on his ass. He wasn't here to play cards, crack jokes, or stare out of a dingy window while the days bled into each other. He'd come here for one thing—to blow Kazuo sky-high when the bastard finally showed his face. But Kazuo hadn't shown, and Bakugo was starting to feel like a caged animal.

So today, he'd finally had enough. Before anyone else could volunteer, he'd declared that he was going with Emi on her next scheduled outing. Not because he wanted to help her or anything. Nah. He just needed something to do. That's all. Definitely.

Now they were walking through the chilly streets of San Francisco, Bakugo's hands shoved into his pockets, his gaze fixed straight ahead.

"So, I'm guessing you're going stir-crazy, huh?" Emi's voice broke through the silence.

Bakugo's head snapped toward her, scowling instantly. "Tch. And you aren't?"

Emi shrugged, her hands stuffed into her jacket pockets as she walked beside him. "Yeah," she admitted quietly. "But don't tell Kiri that."

Her honesty caught him off guard. He'd seen her smiling alongside Kirishima and Hawks—laughing and joking around like this whole thing was some kind of fake getaway. But now, hearing her say it outright... it made something uncomfortable twist in his chest.

Emi sighed, her breath visible in the chilly air. "And before you ask—yes, I've gotten pretty good at faking a smile." she said softly.

Bakugo frowned at that, his scowl deepening. Somehow, that admission bugged him. He wasn't sure why, but it did. He'd spent so much time watching her from a distance, seeing her go through all this crap while still managing to smile. It was easy to believe she was just fine, that the bad stuff rolled off her. But now, hearing her say it was all an act? That hit differently.

"Tch. Wasn't gonna ask," he muttered, lying through his teeth.

Emi turned her head to look at him, a small, knowing smile tugging at her lips. "Liar."

"Shut up," Bakugo shot back, but there wasn't much heat behind it. She wasn't wrong, and somehow, she'd read him again. That was irritating, too. How the hell had they gotten to this point?

He looked over at her again—really looked at her this time. Despite the teasing smile, there was something in her eyes he hadn't seen before. It wasn't weakness. Nah, she was too damn tough for that. It was... exhaustion. The same kind he felt whenever the waiting got too long, whenever the next fight was just out of reach.

Maybe we're more alike than I thought, Bakugo realized, begrudgingly.

"You're a pain in the ass, y'know that?" he said, shoving his hands deeper into his pockets.

Emi's laugh was light, almost surprised, and it startled him. "Yeah," she replied, grinning slightly. "So are you."

He grumbled something unintelligible under his breath, but for the first time in days, he didn't feel so irritated. Being out here, walking alongside her, was better than stewing in his own thoughts back at the safe house. At least now he felt like he was doing something, even if it was just keeping Emi company.

"Don't get any ideas," Bakugo muttered after a while, glaring at nothing in particular. "I'm not here for you. I just needed to get out of that stupid house."

Emi hummed in response, her smile soft but knowing. "Sure, Bakugo. Whatever you say."

Her voice was light, teasing, but somehow it didn't get under his skin the way it usually would. He scowled at her anyway, just on principle.

Maybe I really have gone soft, Bakugo thought, scowling harder at the thought.

By the time they reached Pioneer Park, Bakugo wasn't as tightly wound as he had been earlier. Sure, he'd still gladly jump at the chance for a fight—he always would—but now he was stuck waiting behind a row of bushes like some kind of overqualified babysitter. Emi sat on a random bench across the grass, looking completely at ease, her legs crossed and her body relaxed like she was just out for a casual afternoon in the park.

The waiting was the worst part.

Bakugo's fingers twitched with pent-up energy, and he was about to start pacing when he noticed movement. His sharp eyes locked onto a figure cutting directly across the lawn, heading straight for Emi.

The guy wasn't trying to blend in. His strides were purposeful, his eyes locked on her. Either Emi hadn't noticed yet, or she was damn good at hiding it. Knowing her, it was probably the latter.

Bakugo's instincts screamed at him to jump out and tackle the guy immediately, but he clenched his fists and stayed put. He couldn't ruin this—not if it was their first real lead. Instead, he reached up to press the earpiece Hawks had handed him earlier, the faint crackling of the signal buzzing in his ear.

"Got someone incoming. Two o'clock," he muttered.

From his vantage point, he saw Emi's posture shift—just slightly. To anyone else, she still looked relaxed, but Bakugo knew better. That subtle change in her body language told him she was ready for whatever was coming.

Good, he thought. Keep it together, Emi.

But neither of them were prepared for what happened next.

The stranger suddenly dashed forward, his speed nearly blurring as he closed the distance in the blink of an eye. A speed quirk. Before Bakugo could react, the man grabbed a fistful of Emi's hair, yanking her to her feet with a brutal force that made Bakugo's stomach churn.

And then she was gone.

"No, no, no," Bakugo muttered, standing so fast his knees popped. The dread that clawed its way up his chest was unfamiliar and deeply unwelcome. His eyes scanned the park wildly, searching for any sign of her.

He pressed his earpiece again, his breaths coming in sharp, uneven bursts. "Where the hell are you?" he barked.

Nothing. No response.

"Fuck!" he growled, his hand fisting in his hair as he turned in a circle, desperate for a direction. The guy had vanished as quickly as he'd appeared, and now Bakugo was standing in an empty park with no idea where Emi had been taken.

Shit, shit, shit!

Kirishima was going to kill him.

Bakugo swallowed hard, forcing himself to focus. His fingers reached for the earpiece again, and he tried a different frequency. "Hawks! We've got a problem—Emi's been taken. Get your ass over here now!"

This time, the static gave way to Hawks' voice, sharp and alarmed. "What? Taken? Where the hell are you?"

"Pioneer Park," Bakugo snapped, already starting to move. "He grabbed her and disappeared. Speed quirk, maybe teleportation. I don't fucking know, but I'm not waiting around to find out!"

"Stay put," Hawks ordered, his tone cutting through the crackling line. "I'm on my way."

But Bakugo wasn't good at following orders—not when someone had taken her. His chest burned with anger, frustration, and something uncomfortably close to fear. Emi was tough, he knew that. But she wasn't supposed to be alone in this fight.

Gritting his teeth, Bakugo bolted toward the last place he'd seen her, scanning every corner of the park as his heart pounded in his ears. He wasn't going to let this bastard get away. Not with her.

Not on his watch.

-

Emi felt bile rise in her throat as she struggled to steady herself, her mind reeling from the sudden whirlwind of movement. Whoever this asshole was, he was fast. Too fast. But she didn't have time to lose her nerve. As soon as he stopped moving, she twisted her body, aiming a sharp leg sweep to take him down.

It was useless. He stepped back effortlessly, dodging her attack with an infuriating smugness.

"Who—who the hell are you?" she bit out through gritted teeth, still trying to regain her composure. Her vision swam slightly from the disorientation, but even through the haze, she knew she didn't recognize him.

The man grinned, his lips pulling back to reveal sharp, unnaturally jagged teeth. "I'm just the scout," he said, his voice dripping with mockery. "But I couldn't resist the chance to hear the praise if I nabbed you myself. Consider it a bonus."

Emi's chest heaved as she steadied her breathing, anger bubbling just below the surface. Fuck, this wasn't good. "Where's Kazuo?" she demanded, her movements becoming more deliberate as she found her footing. Her fists clenched tightly at her sides, and her glare was as sharp as a blade.

The man's grin widened, and there was a gleam in his eyes that made her stomach churn. "Oh, sweetheart," he cooed mockingly, "Kazuo ain't coming. He's still over in Japan, licking his wounds. But don't worry. When my bossshows up, you'll wish it was Kazuo instead."

The words hit her like a punch to the gut. Emi's breath hitched, and a cold dread crept in, threatening to drown the anger that had been fueling her. She glanced around quickly, trying to get a sense of where she was. From the faint outline of the trees and the distant hum of the city, it seemed they were still in the park.

But that wasn't what scared her. It was the man's words—my boss.

No. No, no, no.

Her chest tightened as the pieces began to fall into place. Her mind raced, clinging to the hope that she was wrong, that this wasn't what it sounded like.

"Not Dabi," she whispered under her breath, her voice trembling. "Please, god, not him."

The man's grin turned wicked, his sharp teeth glinting in the sunlight. "Oh, you've already figured it out. Smart girl," he sneered, circling her slowly. "Heard he burned you pretty good last time. Can't wait to see what he'll do this time—especially since you hurt his ego by escaping that little warehouse stunt."

Emi's pulse raced as her mind flooded with memories of her last encounter with Dabi: the heat of the flames, the searing pain, and the pure malice in his cold blue eyes. Her hands curled into fists, her nails biting into her palms as she fought to keep the fear at bay.

She couldn't let this guy see her panic.

"Tell your boss to bring it," she spat, her voice sharp despite the tremor in her hands. "Because I'm not running this time."

The man barked out a laugh, clearly entertained by her defiance. "Feisty. I like that. Too bad it won't mean much when he gets here."

Emi's mind raced as she calculated her next move. She couldn't wait for help. She couldn't sit around and let Dabi show up, not after everything she'd been through. She had to act—now.

Steeling herself, she let her rage surge to the surface, drowning out the fear. She had one shot at this, and she wasn't about to let it slip away.

The man's laugh still echoed in Emi's ears as she gritted her teeth, her entire body tensing. Feisty. She'd show him feisty. Her chest burned with a mix of fear and anger, but the latter was winning now. She had no choice—if she waited, it would be over before she could even blink.

Her eyes darted around the park, taking in her surroundings. The park was a sprawling expanse of grass, dirt, and trees. Plenty of material to work with. The edge of a brick-lined walking path caught her eye.

That'll do.

"Come on then," Emi taunted as she bent her knees slightly, pressing one hand into the brick at her feet. "If you're so damn fast, why don't you come at me?"

The man's grin widened, his confidence pouring off him like oil. "Oh, you don't have to ask me twice."

In the blink of an eye, he shot toward her, the ground kicking up behind him as his speed quirk blurred his figure. But Emi was ready.

At the last second, just before he reached her, she activated her quirk. Her skin hardened and transformed, pulling the substance from the very path that wound through the park. The brick crept up her body like armor, leaving her heavy but unbreakable.

The man struck her full force with what was probably meant to be a knockout blow, but instead, his fist hit the hardened brick with a sickening crack. He reeled back with a sharp hiss, cradling his hand.

"What the hell—?!" he snarled, glaring at her.

Emi smirked, her voice low and defiant. "You're not the only one with tricks, asshole."

She lunged forward, her fist swinging like a hammer. The stranger barely had time to dodge, but his speed saved him again—he slipped to the side in a blur. Emi's fist connected with the ground where he'd been, the impact leaving a crater in the dirt and sending clumps of earth flying.

"Nice try," he sneered, circling her. "But you can't hit what you can't catch."

Emi's eyes tracked him carefully as he darted around her, his movements erratic and unpredictable. She needed to slow him down—she couldn't fight his speed head-on. If I can get him to trip...

"You think I need to catch you?" she taunted, her voice echoing into the space around them.

The man sneered, clearly unimpressed. "What, you're just gonna stand there?"

Emi grinned, narrowing her eyes. "Something like that."

He took the bait. In another burst of speed, he shot straight toward her, aiming to strike her from behind. But Emi had counted on that. She slammed her fist into the dirt at her feet, channeling her quirk downward. The force rippled through the ground, sending jagged brick spikes shooting up in every direction around her like a small explosion.

The speedster skidded to a halt, his eyes widening as he realized he couldn't avoid the spikes in time. One caught his leg, grazing him just enough to throw off his balance.

She'd have to praise Hawks later for all the grueling quirk training he'd been putting her through. This new trick was handy, that was for sure.

"Got you," Emi muttered.

She lunged toward him, every movement deliberate now. Her body was heavy, but she wasn't slow anymore—not when she could see the way his rhythm had faltered. She swung her fist again, and this time, it connected.

Her punch struck him in the ribs, the impact sending him tumbling back across the grass with a strangled cry. He hit the ground hard, rolling to a stop as he clutched his side. Emi didn't let up, stomping forward with determination.

"You're fast," she called out, her voice hard and steady. "But you're not invincible. You work for Dabi? You go back and tell him I'm not afraid of him!"

The man staggered to his feet, blood smeared at the corner of his mouth, but his speed was slower now, and the confidence in his expression had shattered. "You're—crazy," he coughed, doubling over slightly. "You really think you can fight him?"

Emi's voice was sharp as a blade. "I don't think. I know."

The man didn't wait for another round. Instead, he turned and darted away, his movements unsteady but still fast enough to put distance between them. Emi watched him vanish into the night, her breaths coming in sharp, heavy bursts. Her armor cracked and crumbled away, falling from her body like broken shards as she released her quirk.

Her knees wobbled slightly, but she didn't let herself fall. Instead, she stood tall, scanning the dark park for any sign of his return. Her mind was a chaotic mix of adrenaline and dread. And then, heavy footsteps.

"Emi!"

Her head snapped toward the sound of Kirishima's voice, relief flooding through her chest like a wave. She turned just in time to see him sprinting toward her, his face pale with worry. Hawks was right behind him, his wings half-spread and his sharp eyes scanning their surroundings for any sign of trouble, while Bakugo stormed forward, fists clenched and crackling faintly with sparks.

Kirishima reached her first, his hands gripping her shoulders as he looked her over frantically. "Are you okay? What happened?" His voice was tight, his crimson eyes darting across her face, looking for injuries.

"I'm fine," Emi said quickly, though her voice came out shaky. "He's gone. I... I fought him off."

Bakugo skidded to a halt beside them, his face twisted into an angry scowl. "You fought him off?! What the hell were you thinking, dumbass?! You could've been—" He stopped himself, his eyes flicking to the destroyed ground and the stone spikes still jutting out of the earth. His expression faltered for a split second. "...You did all this?"

Emi nodded, her shoulders trembling slightly now that the fight was over. "It's not all fun and games with Hawks. We've been doing some quirk training in our downtime, learning what else I can do."

Kirishima's hands tightened on her shoulders as he drew her into a hug, pulling her against his chest. "Don't scare me like that again," he murmured, his voice soft but strained. "I thought we lost you again."

Emi blinked in surprise, the warmth of his arms breaking through the lingering chill in her bones. She melted into him, letting herself lean on him just for a moment. "I'm okay, Kiri. Really."

Hawks came to a stop a few feet away, his gaze cool and calculating as he surveyed the scene. "Looks like you gave him hell, kid," he said, his voice even but with a hint of admiration. "Speed quirks are no joke, but you held your own. That's impressive."

"Doesn't matter," Emi said quietly, pulling back from Kirishima just enough to look up at them all. Her voice was steady now, though her fists still trembled at her sides. "He wasn't here on his own. He said his boss is coming for me."

The words seemed to suck the air out of the space around them. Hawks' eyes narrowed, his wings flexing slightly. "His boss?"

Emi swallowed hard, her gaze dropping to the shattered ground beneath her feet. "It's him. Dabi."

Bakugo swore loudly, the sparks at his palms flaring as he turned away, fists shaking. "Damn it. I knew this was going to get worse."

Kirishima stiffened beside her, his expression darkening as he instinctively shifted closer to Emi, his hand lingering at her back as though to shield her. "Then we'll be ready," he said firmly.

Hawks' expression grew serious, his usual calm demeanor replaced with something sharper. "We need to move. If Dabi's sent that guy, this place is compromised. We regroup, figure out our next move, and fast."

The weight of his words settled over the group, but before anyone else could speak, Emi straightened, determination cutting through the lingering exhaustion in her voice. "Then we go back."

Kirishima blinked, turning to her. "Back where?"

"To school," Emi said firmly, looking at each of them in turn. "Back to U.A."

Bakugo spun on his heel, his scowl deepening. "What? Are you serious? We've been trying to draw this bastard out, and now you want to run back to school like this was a vacation?"

"It's not running," Emi shot back, her voice unwavering despite Bakugo's glare. "It's smart. If Dabi's coming here, that means he knows where we are. We've lost the upper hand. Kazuo's obviously not coming, and we've spent too much time away as it is. At least back at the school, it wouldn't just be the four of us stuck in some ratty old safe house."

Kirishima watched her carefully, the fire in her eyes chasing away the fear he'd seen earlier. She wasn't running—she was rallying. His chest swelled with pride. "She's right," he said, stepping up beside her.

Hawks gave a low whistle, his wings twitching. "Well, you heard her. Let's pack it up. We're heading home."

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