Bakugo's POV

This is bullsht.

Every muscle in my body burns, my knuckles still aching from the last punch I threw. My breath comes in ragged, frustrated gasps as I glare at the safe base, or what's left of it. Most of Class 1A is down—again. Another failure. Another humiliating defeat.

Me: That bastard...

Aizawa. It's got to be him. He's been running circles around us this whole damn game, outsmarting every plan, every strategy we've thrown at him. I clench my fists, the urge to blow something up bubbling up inside me.

No. 

Not something. 

Him.

The more I think about it, the more it pisses me off. I've been busting my ass trying to get us back on track, but every time we get close, someone screws up, or we fall into another one of Aizawa's traps. The guy's a genius, sure, but this? This is too perfect. Too seamless. There's no way he's doing this all on his own. I've been trained by that guy. I know his limits.

But what if it's not just him?

The thought creeps in, unwanted but persistent. I glance around the clearing, my eyes landing on the remaining stragglers from Class 1A. A lot of them are out, but the ones still standing are trying to regroup. Then, my gaze settles on him.

Izuku. Standing there, looking all innocent, like he hasn't been getting his hands dirty in all of this. But something's been bugging me for a while now. Izuku's always been a bit too... smart for his own good. And lately? He's been playing things a little too clean, too quiet. That's not the nerd I know.

Could he be...? 

Nah, that's insane. 

But... what if?

My scowl deepens as I watch him. He's been slipping under the radar, suggesting tactics that keep backfiring, making it seem like bad luck or poor execution. But is it?

Me: Deku.

I growl his name under my breath, the gears in my head turning. I've been blaming Aizawa this whole time, but what if he's been the one pulling the strings? What if Deku's been screwing us over from the inside?

Me: You better not be playing me, you damn nerd.

I storm over, my fists sparking with tiny explosions as I approach. This whole thing stinks, and I'm going to get to the bottom of it. First, Aizawa. Then, if my hunch is right, Deku's next.

Game over, nerd. 

One way or another.

Screw subtlety.

Without another thought, I launch myself at Izuku, explosions crackling in my palms as I close the distance.

Me: Deku!

His eyes widen for a split second—too slow to dodge, just like I planned. I swing my fist right at him, expecting to feel the familiar crunch of impact.

But it doesn't land.

At the last second, Izuku twists, ducking under my punch with a move that's almost too smooth. He barely looks surprised—just like he knew I was coming. And that just pisses me off more.

Me: You sneaky little—

I twist mid-air, sending another blast in his direction. The explosion erupts, smoke and debris flying everywhere, but when it clears, Izuku's already moved. He's standing a few feet away, panting slightly but otherwise... calm.

Calm? 

How the hell is he calm?

Me: What's your game, Deku?

My voice is sharp, accusatory, as I glare at him. He just stands there, hands up in a don't-shoot gesture, trying to look all innocent, but I'm not buying it.

Izuku: What are you talking about, Kacchan?

That tone. That fake clueless tone. My blood boils.

Me: Don't play dumb with me! You've been messing with us this whole time, haven't you? Sabotaging everything from the inside!

Izuku blinks, all wide-eyed innocence. Too wide. Too fake.

Izuku: I-I don't know what you mean, Kacchan. We've all been—

Me: Cut the crap!

I charge again, this time faster, more aggressive. He dodges, barely, but it's not fast enough to avoid the blast that follows. The ground shakes as my explosion hits, and this time I see him stumble. Good.

Got you now.

But when I get close again, he's already recovering, looking more focused now, like he's stopped pretending. He doesn't strike back, though. He just keeps evading, watching me, like he's waiting for something. And that infuriates me.

Me: What's the matter, Deku? Afraid to fight me head-on?

I throw another punch, this one aimed right for his face. He leans back, dodging by an inch, and I feel my knuckles graze his cheek. But still no retaliation.

Izuku: Kacchan, this isn't the time for—

Me: Shut up! You think I don't see it? You've been in on this whole thing with Aizawa, haven't you?

Izuku's eyes narrow, just a flicker of something there. But before I can press him more, I feel something shift in the air.

Wait... where's the rest of the team?

My attention flicks around for a second, realizing that we've drifted far from the others. It's just me and Izuku now. He stands there, watching me like a cat toying with a mouse, and I hate it.

Me: You've been playing us, haven't you?

Izuku doesn't answer. Just smiles. And it's not the smile I know. It's something... darker.

Oh hell no.

I grit my teeth and lunge at him one last time, my entire body blazing with explosions. If he won't admit it, I'll beat the truth out of him.

Izuku sidesteps again, but this time, he doesn't completely dodge. My explosion catches the edge of his sleeve, sending him sprawling back, finally looking less composed.

Me: Gotcha!

I rush in, but just as I'm about to land the final hit—

CRACK!

The ground beneath us gives way. A trap. I barely have time to react as I tumble down into a pit, dirt and debris falling around me.

What the—!?

I scramble to my feet, looking up just in time to see Izuku standing at the edge of the pit, looking down at me with that same calm, calculating expression.

Izuku: Kacchan... it's not what you think.

Me: Like hell it isn't!

I'm about to blast my way out when I see his hand move, quickly triggering a switch. The ground around me locks in place, and I realize with a sickening feeling that I'm stuck.

Damn it...

Izuku: I didn't want it to come to this.

Me: You little—

Before I can finish my sentence, another explosion goes off nearby. Not mine. I twist around, hearing the commotion above. The rest of the team—what's left of them—are fighting off something else. They've walked into another trap.

Me: Deku...

Izuku glances toward the chaos, then back at me. For a moment, he looks... sad. But then that calculating expression returns.

Izuku: This is all for the game, Kacchan. I'm just making it more interesting.

And then, just like that, he's gone. Darting off into the shadows, leaving me stuck in this damn hole, my anger burning hotter than ever.

You're not getting away with this, Deku. 

Not by a long shot.