Eria

"Oi, can you move?" asked Bakugou as he looked down at me.

Are you dumb? I would have told him that if I had the strength to speak.

"Dumbass here just tried to kill me, now she can't move. And to think you saved me back then..." Bakugou grumbled to himself. He pulled up my limp body and carried me bridal-style in his arms.

I need a goddamn stretcher, not you! Put me down!

"We'll take a 15 minute break to repair the stage... again. Please have a good rest and wait for the final match between Todoroki Shouto and Bakugou Katsuki!" Present Mic announced.

...... Repair the stage?

I craned my neck and looked behind. The stage was a complete wreckage. It was shattered into rubble all over the place.

What the heck happened?!

"You don't remember anything, do you?" said Bakugou calmly. "You tried to kill me."

I... what?!

Bakugou rolled his eyes. "I'll cut it short, dumbass."

***

Bakugou

"You yield?" asked Bakugou abruptly. "If not, I'll kick your ass right now."

"Shut up..." said Takasaki. Her eyes glared at him determinedly. "I'm still standing, aren't I? So... give me all you got."

Dumbass. Don't cry if you're dead.

Bakugou clicked his tongue and propelled himself in the air, using his explosions to spin himself. He evolved into a huge black tornado made from his explosions' smoke and charged at her. It was his quirk at its full power.

She won't able to dodge this or parry this without her quirk.

"Howitzer Impact!" Bakugou released the largest explosion yet mercilessly at the weakened Takasaki. The explosion blew up in flames and the impact pushed him away. Bakugou landed on the ground safely and waited for the smoke to ebb. His eyes focused at where Takasaki stood, hoping to see a defeated figure lying still on the ground.

The crowd went silent, anticipating.

She won't die that easily anyway. She—

Bakugou slightly gasped at the sight before him.

Standing amidst the smoke, Takasaki Eria was unharmed. Her hair was painted white; her eyes were glowing red. A pair of malicious bat-like leathery wings sprouted from her back. Her golden horns gleamed under the sun. Sharp talons replaced her human hands while scales covered her forearms.

The person standing before Bakugou was no longer the sane Takasaki Eria he knew. He could tell from the aura she emanated.

Takasaki's red eyes watched Bakugou silently. It sent chills down his spine—it was the intent to kill.

"Oi, Takasaki," called Bakugou. But she didn't reply.

Danger lingered in the air and he could smell it. Bakugou heightened his senses, preparing himself for the upcoming battle. Takasaki charged at him and reached him in a blink of an eye. He barely avoided her talons as he propelled himself high in the air.

Even in the air was not safe. Without giving him time to breathe, Takasaki had appeared behind him, grabbed him by his arm and threw him to the ground. Quickly Bakugou used his explosions to cushion his landing and rolled away from his landing spot, right where Takasaki had just punched the ground. The floor of the stadium shattered as a miniature earthquake shook the place.

Bakugou released a huge explosion at her, resisting the pain in his arms from the repercussion. Of course, it would not hurt her but it was a way for him to escape safely. Amidst the smoke, a hand stretched out and grabbed him by his neck. Before Bakugou realise, Takasaki had pinned him to the ground with ridiculous strength.

Bakugou gasped as he lost the air in his lungs from the impact. He looked right into the girl's crazed eyes. They had the similar colour of his, but lethal with bloodlust.

She's... going to kill me.

Takasaki released her grip on his neck and poised to punch his face.

Crap.

"TAKASAKI! STOP!" A voice from the stadium shouted loud and clear.

Takasaki's punch stopped right before it touched Bakugou's face. He was relieved to be alive.

"Taka...saki?" muttered Bakugou carefully. Her eyes slowly cleared as it turned from red into its usual azure colour.

Takasaki's hair turned back into purple as she collapsed to the ground next to him. Her demonic features disappeared.

Bakugou was confused. He failed to comprehend how he won and how he was still alive.

***

Eria

I pushed myself from Bakugou and landed my limp body onto the cold hard floor painfully.

I tried to... kill Bakugou?

I finally stood on my feet and moved away from Bakugou.

"Oi, stop moving! You're—" Bakugou shouted.

"Stay away from me!" I shouted back.

I tried to kill Bakugou.

I looked down at my palms that shook horribly. I could imagine Bakugou's blood staining my hands.

"I need to... I'm so sorry," I said as I ran off even though I was depleted of energy. I ignored Bakugou's shouts and kept on running.

It was my worst fear coming true. I lost control and almost killed a person.

What should I do?

What CAN I do?

Paralysed by fear, my legs buckled and I fell to the ground. I couldn't stop shaking. My head throbbed as my heart thudded painfully. The air surrounding felt ice-cold and my hands were freezing, as if the blood within me have stopped flowing. I brought my knees to my chest, balling up against the wall.

I was scared. Horrified.

"Takasaki," said a soft voice. I looked up with tears leaking from my eyes like an open faucet.

"Todoroki..."

"Are you okay?" Though barely visible, Todoroki's face showed concern.

"I'm... fine," I croaked. It felt like I was going to puke when I spoke.

Todoroki sat down beside me; his face relaxed as he leaned his back against the cool wall. "You know when you said I'm a bad liar, you're pretty much the same."

I wiped away my tears. "I'm not fine. I..."

"I have no idea what to say to you to make you feel better. But I hope my presence could help. Remember when you said you could just listen to me and not talk at all? I can do that too. I'll be there whenever you need to talk," said Todoroki. A small smile crept onto his face as he reminisced.

We stayed silent for a while. I took the time to calm myself down and kept those horrifying thoughts at bay. Even though Todoroki hadn't spoke anything since, his presence did calm me. My heartbeat slowed down while the warmth returned to my body.

"Remember when I said you don't have to be afraid because you're not Lucifer?"

I looked at him and nodded.

"You're still not him. You're still Takasaki Eria. So don't worry," said Todoroki calmly.

"But I... I tried to kill Bakugou..." I stuttered as I remembered the horror in his eyes.

"But you didn't. You stopped when I shouted."

"You... you're the one who shouted?"

He blinked. "I figured it's probably the only way to stop you."

Tears of gratitude welled up in me. I was the one trying to save you, but in the end you saved me instead.

"You just... lack of control over your powers, that's all. This is all I can say. You're right. I'm not the expressive kind," sighed Todoroki.

"It's more than enough..." tears flowed down my cheeks uncontrollably. "THANK YOU TODOROKI!" Snot and tear mixed up on my face, making me look ugly.

Thank you for believing in me.

"Stop crying," he chided softly. But a small smile found its way onto his blank face. "You're ugly when you're crying."

A laugh escaped from my throat. "You're nice when you're not out freezing people."

He scoffed a little.

"How are you feeling?" I asked him back.

His eyes widened in surprise. "I'm... not really fine."

I stayed silent.

"I... I'm not sure what should I do." Todoroki looked at his left hand.

I sighed. "Looks like we're just two peas in a pod, huh?"

"At least I'm not the one who's crying."

"Hey!" I lightly punched his arm. "Todoroki, if you believed in me, I believe in you too. I think you'll find a way to make peace with yourself."

"Thank you. And Midoriya too. Even though I won, it seems like he defeated me instead." Todoroki's eyebrows creased as he fell into deep thought. I could tell he was still perplexed and did not know what to do best.

"Before you leave, can I get a hug?"

Though a little reluctant, the boy came nearer and hugged me. His warmth soothed me and casted away my remaining fears. I squeezed him tighter while he rested his forehead on my shoulder.

"Thank you. I needed that too, I guess." Todoroki smiled slightly.

"Good luck in the finals. Kick Bakugou's ass for me. Just focus on winning, okay?"

Todoroki nodded and left, even though his back still looked sad to me.

"Oi! Demon girl!"

Ah crap Bakugou.

I resisted from running away and faced Bakugou boldly.

"I see you still alive and kicking. Aren't you half dead?" asked Bakugou grumpily. His eyebrows creased and his red eyes burnt with anger. "Why the fuck are you running off?"

"Sorry, Bakugou. And... sorry again for trying to kill you back there. I lost control. I promise it won't happen again," I said, hoping it would soothe his anger.

"I'm not fucking angry at you for trying to murder me and failed. Just...... don't.... never mind."

"Don't what?" I cocked my eyebrow.

"None of your business."

"By the way, you need to thank Todoroki. He saved your life back there," I said.

"What the fuck?!"

***

I knew Todoroki was still not himself the moment the match began.

Bakugou looked infuriated as usual, though it seemed he was angry at Todoroki instead. He kept attacking Todoroki, hoping to make the latter use his flames. But Todoroki insisted on using his ice.

That idiot is going to lose.

"Todoroki! Don't lose! Do your best!" Midoriya shouted with me simultaneously. We exchanged looks as we were the only ones who know what Todoroki was going through.

Finally, flames erupted from Todoroki's left side as he prepared to take on Bakugou's strong move. However......

In the last second, Todoroki put out his flames and took the full brunt of the attack. He lost while Bakugou won. Bakugou did not accept this victory at all as he yelled at the unconscious Todoroki. He was put into sleep by Midnight.

After some time, the award ceremony was held. I held third place along with Iida, who had left due to family emergency. Todoroki, in second place, looked gloomy as ever while Bakugou was chained to a pillar and struggled to get free because he still could not accept his victory.

What a wonderful sight. If only I have my camera.

All Might appeared to award us our medals. "Congratulations, Young Takasaki. I believe in your strength and your ability to control your quirk better," he said with the grin forever plastered on his face.

I hope so too.

All Might gave Todoroki a hug, encouraging him to do what he needed to do. At last, All Might forced the medal onto Bakugou, who complained angrily. His angry face could be a living meme.

After a long and tiring day, we gathered back in our class where Eraserhead briefed us about our upcoming internship. We have no school for the next two days so we could relax and rest ourselves.

"I hope Iida's brother is doing okay," muttered Ochako.

"Me too," I said. Ingenium was a fine hero. It was sad to hear he was attacked by a vicious villain.

"Iida has always looked up at his brother. I just hope Iida doesn't take it too hard on himself," added Midoriya.

We nodded. Suddenly, my attention was caught by the passing gloom Todoroki, who glanced at me and Midoriya before he left for home.

"I gotta go," I said and I chased up to Todoroki.

The boy glanced at me when I walked beside him. "Are you okay?" I asked.

He shook his head.

We walked silently as I waited for him to talk.

"I want to see my mother," Todoroki abruptly spoke. "She's in a hospital. My damn old man put her there after what she did to me. I... haven't her seen her since."

"Just do what you feel right. I support you," I said, smiling.

"Do you think......she would want to see me?" Todoroki instinctively touched his scar.

"I think all mothers love their children. She would want to see you. She would be glad to see you again."

"Hmm."

We stopped at a pedestrian crossing, waiting for the light to turn green. "How are you feeling?"

I knew he was going to ask. "I'm not fine too," I admitted. "I'm still struggling with my options. My quirk... I don't even understand it at all. How would I control it? What if I lost control again? What if I..."

... killed someone?

"You won't. I'll be there to stop you," he said. "Whatever it takes."

I looked at him. "Why?"

"Because...... isn't this what friends do?"

Tears started to well in my eyes.

"Then... freeze me," I said. "Whenever I lost control, freeze me with all the ice you got. I think ice might be able to stop me."

"You think?" he asked incredulously.

"Better than nothing, pal."

"In return...... would you... be there whenever I need someone? I don't want to... face my problems alone anymore. Knowing you and Midoriya tried to save back there, it really helped a lot. It feels nice to have people supporting me."

I widened my eyes in surprise. He just spoke heartfelt words to me even though he was a cold distant person before. Midoriya must have changed him a lot.

That son of bitch. I chuckled.

"Is that...... so funny?" Todoroki asked, looking a little hurt.

"No, it's just... I like the current you. It's your true self."

Todoroki looked confused.

"Anyway, we're just two peas in a pod. You need me, I need you. We just upgraded our friendship to a whole new level!" I lifted my pinky at him. "I promise to be there when you need me. And even though you don't need me but I know you actually do, I will still be there. You're going to regret having me. I'm going to be so clingy and irritating you would probably freeze me whenever you see me." I laughed.

"On second thought, I take back what I said."

"HEY!"

A genuine smile lit up his handsome face. "I promise to stop you when you lose control. I believe that you can control your quirk one day."

Todoroki!

I was going to cry from how much faith he has in me.

Todoroki hooked my pinky with his. "I promise to keep my promise."

"And I promise to keep mine."