Gotta admit, they're really trying.

I stand among the group, keeping my usual determined face on, nodding along to Bakugo's plan. He's rallying everyone—what's left of them—with that explosive enthusiasm only Bakugo can muster. Shoji's doing the heavy lifting with the strategy, and I'm just the helpful, supportive teammate.

Bakugo: This is it! We're hitting Aizawa hard, and we're not stopping until he's down for good!

Shoji: We need to move quietly, set traps of our own. He's been leading us into his territory this whole time.

Well...  If by 'his' you mean 'mine,' sure.

I can't help but feel a rush of excitement. They don't know. They still think Aizawa-sensei's the one pulling all the strings. And as long as I stay low-key, they'll keep thinking that. But it's time to have a little fun.

Shoji points at the map again, tracing a route.

Shoji: We'll split into two groups. Bakugo, you lead one, I'll take the other. Izuku, you and Uraraka can come with me.

Perfect.

Uraraka glances at me, and for a split second, I catch that spark of suspicion in her eyes. I smile at her, wide and innocent.

Me: Yeah, good idea. Let's stick together.

Bakugo: Tch, whatever, Deku. Don't slow us down.

Oh, Bakugo, if only you knew.

We move into the forest, quiet and deliberate, everyone on edge after all the losses we've taken. Shoji takes point, scouting ahead with his heightened senses, while Bakugo and his team circle around from the east, another group west and we are going all around the other side. It's a decent plan. Would've been a great plan if I wasn't here to mess it all up.

But where's the fun in letting them succeed?

As we sneak through the woods, I start setting up subtle disruptions. Nothing too obvious—just little tweaks. Like, oh, loosening the tripwire just enough so when Shoji leads the group through, he won't notice it. I glance over at him, keeping my face perfectly blank.

Shoji: This way. Stay close.

He's good, but not good enough.

The moment he steps forward, the wire snaps and a heavy net drops from the trees, yanking Shoji into the air before anyone can react.

Shoji: Wha—?!

Oops.

I step back, looking "shocked" with everyone else.

Uraraka gasps, her hand flying to her mouth as Shoji struggles to free himself. I feign panic, rushing forward like I'm going to help him.

Me: Shoji! Hang on, we'll get you down!

Shoji's tangled up, his extra arms fighting against the ropes, but before he can break free, I casually "trip" over another wire, triggering a cascade of logs that swing from the trees like a pendulum.

Man, I really outdid myself with this one.

They slam into the group, knocking several classmates out of the way like bowling pins. Koda and vgo down immediately, and Mina barely dodges, landing hard on the forest floor. I bite my lip, trying not to laugh.

Me: Watch out! The traps... they're everywhere!

Mina groans, holding her arm as she looks around, dazed. I rush to her side, pretending to help her up.

Me: Are you okay? These traps... they're insane.

She nods weakly, still reeling from the hit, but her eyes are full of confusion.

Uraraka's next to Shoji, trying to levitate the net to get him down. I catch her watching me out of the corner of her eye again, but I act like I don't notice. Instead, I help the others up, making myself as useful as possible, just a little too late to stop the traps.

Can't have her figuring me out just yet.

Meanwhile, over with Bakugo, I hear an explosion in the distance. He's triggered another trap I set for him, one that would lure him right into a pitfall covered in leaves.

Knowing him, he'll be furious. 

I stick with my group, guiding them through the chaos I've orchestrated. Uraraka's watching every move I make, but I make sure not to slip up—staying helpful, worried, concerned for our friends.

Then, with a carefully placed step, I lead us into the next trap. A subtle wire catches Mina's ankle, sending her tumbling forward, and before anyone can react, a swarm of sticky glue-covered ropes shoot out of hidden cannons. They snare her, pulling her off to the side, completely immobilized.

Another one down. Sorry, Mina.

I rush over, acting frantic. 

Me: Mina! Hang on, we'll get you out!

But it's too late. She's stuck fast, just another casualty in .... this game of mine.

Shoji's finally cut free, but his movements are slower now, cautious. I can tell he's rattled. Uraraka's the only one left who hasn't fallen for a trap yet. She's keeping her distance, watching everything closely, probably trying to figure out what's going on.

But even with her suspicions, she's not saying anything. Not yet.

Uraraka's smart. 

But she's too good-hearted to think I'd be behind this.

Still, I can feel her eyes on me. I'll have to be extra careful from here on out.

We continue moving through the woods, and one by one, the others fall. Shoji gets caught in another net after trying to avoid the traps. Ojiro is knocked out cold by a swinging log, and Koda falls into a pit I had prepared earlier.

Uraraka's the last one standing, still keeping her distance, still watching. I make sure to stay close to her, helping when necessary, but not too much. I can't let her get suspicious, not when I need her to stay in the game.

Me: We need to find Bakugo's team,....He'll be able to blast through these traps! There is no way we can get through that together...

Uraraka nods, but I can tell she's not fully convinced. I can see it in her eyes—she's starting to piece things together.

I'll have to be careful with her.

She's sharper than the rest....welll she knows me better than the rest.

But for now, I've done enough damage. The rest of them are either out cold or stuck in traps, and Bakugo's team is a wreck. As we head toward the final push, I can't help but smile inwardly.