There's something about watching a perfectly laid trap unfold that's just... satisfying. Maybe it's the way everyone's faces twist in confusion, or maybe it's the sheer thrill of knowing that I pulled it off right under their noses.

And today, I've really outdone myself. It right after a small break that we got out again... we still had to eat something and regroup after not finding a single clue about Aizawa but the others always stumbling, tripping and falling over my traps. I just used that time to create even better traps with a bit more.... spice behind them.

Bakugo: Let's go, you idiots! We're gonna crush Aizawa-sensei!

He's already leading the charge, blasting his way through the forest like a madman. The rest of the group is barely keeping up, but that's Bakugo for you—always rushing ahead, fists first, brain somewhere in the back of the line or stuck in his ass.

Oh, Bakugo. 

Always so predictable.

Never changing his way at all....

Too bad that you gonna learn that this is not the way...... 

I'm hanging back again, just out of sight, blending into the chaos. That's the trick. Let Bakugo do his thing. Let him lead everyone straight into the fire while I pull the strings from the shadows.

This trap isn't like the others. 

This one? 

This one's going to sting.

We're moving fast, and I can feel the tension rising. Everyone's on edge, expecting Aizawa to jump out at any moment. But Aizawa's not the one they should be worried about.

I silently position myself just outside the main path, where I've set everything up. It's all about timing. If you rush it, you blow your cover. But wait too long, and you miss your shot.

Kirishima: Come on, Bakugo! We gotta stick together!

Bakugo: Shut up, shitty hair! Aizawa's mine!

And that's my cue.

We're getting close to the perfect spot, the one I scouted earlier. A narrow part of the trail, with enough cover to hide a few surprises. I glance around, making sure no one's watching. Not that they would. They're all too focused on Bakugo's one-man rampage.

I slip off the path, moving quickly but quietly. In just a few seconds, I'm in position. 

Now for the fun part.

The first part of my trap is subtle, just like before. A few tripwires hidden under the brush, some loose rocks strategically placed to roll at the slightest touch. But this time? I've added a little something extra.

Sero: Uh, guys? I think we should slow down—

Too late.

Kirishima: What the—!

He's the first to stumble into the trap, his foot catching the wire. He barely has time to react before the rocks come tumbling down from the trees, knocking him to the ground.

Bakugo: Dumbass!

But Bakugo's too busy charging ahead to see the second trap—two loose branches swinging down from above, aimed perfectly at shoulder height. Sero tries to grab Bakugo and pull him back, but it's no use. The branches hit them both square in the chest, sending them tumbling backward.

 Oops. 

I totally didn't see that coming. 

Honestly....perfect...

Just don't burst out laughing now....

Don't....

But....

NO!

The rest of the group is thrown into chaos. Kirishima's trying to pull himself up, but he's winded, coughing from the impact. Sero's tangled in his own tape, and Bakugo... well, Bakugo's just pissed. As usual.

Bakugo: Who the hell did that?!

Oh I wonder who?!

He's looking around like Aizawa's going to jump out at him any second. But I'm not done yet. I slip through the shadows, closing in on them, making sure I'm unseen.

I need to time this perfectly. 

....One quick strike to catch Bakugo off guard, then I'm out before anyone realizes what happened....

Bakugo: Come out and fight, you coward!

If only you knew, Bakugo.

But your wish is my comand...

If you wish to fight a ghost then so be it!

He's distracted, looking everywhere but where I am. In one swift move, I'm behind him. I slam my elbow into his back, just hard enough to knock him forward, then disappear into the trees before he even knows what hit him.

Bakugo: What the—?!

Kirishima: Bakugo, are you okay?!

Bakugo: I'm fine! Shut up!"

He's looking around wildly now, but there's no way he's going to find me. Not when I'm already back with the group, acting as clueless as the rest of them.

And now for the grand finale.

I've led them right where I want them—into a clearing just big enough for a confrontation. A perfect spot for Aizawa to make his move. Not to mention that I had seen him nap here earlier when I did all these traps... he is waiting for us.

Bakugo: Get ready! Aizawa's close, I can feel it.

You sure about that, Bakugo?

Are your dog senses kicking in or something...

Sniffing the air.... puh... I don't know what to say.... 

Besides I KNEW IT!

You are a pomeranian.

And then, as if on cue, Aizawa drops down from the trees, his scarf already wrapping around Bakugo's arms before he can even react.

Aizawa: You should've paid more attention.

Oh really....

You don't say....

Bakugo struggles, trying to blast his way out, but Aizawa's got him locked down. The others rush forward, trying to help, but Aizawa's too quick. He ducks under Sero's tape, sweeps Kirishima's legs out from under him, and dodges Todoroki's ice blast with ease.

Todoroki: We need to retreat!

He's right. We're getting our butts handed to us, and Aizawa's not even breaking a sweat... and with we, I mean them. I am just watching and sabotaging everything by throwing rocks at their legs and arms so they miss every hit and move and are not even close to being in their top form and yet no one notice I am doing this...... how stupid are they?

Aizawa: You should've known better than to come at me head-on.

There's something in his voice. He's not gloating—Aizawa never gloats—but there's a hint of confusion. Like he's wondering how they walked right into this so easily.

I wonder why.

...I wonder how....

Should we start playing music now?

As the others try to regroup, I hang back, watching the chaos unfold. Aizawa's sharp, but even he doesn't know I've been helping him. He's too focused on the immediate threat to notice that some of the traps and attacks weren't his doing.

Aizawa: This isn't adding up...

Oh, Aizawa-sensei. If only you knew.

Iida: We need to fall back! Now!

Finally, they listen. Iida grabs Bakugo by his collar this is legendary, I swear! Todoroki creates a wall of ice to cover our retreat, and we start to pull back. But not everyone makes it out.

Kirishima's too slow, still winded from the earlier trap plus me who manages to hit his ankle with a stone while he was running, stumbled and made up with the floor. Now the floor is cheating with me and I don't know how to feel about this at all. Sero's struggling with his quirk, and Kaminari's barely able to move after Aizawa's scarf wrapped around him mid-charge.

They're out. All three of them, left behind, sitting on the sidelines with the Pussycats.

Kirishima: You guys go! We'll be fine!

Sero: Kick some ass for us!

Kaminari: Yeah... don't worry about me...

They're out of the game, and we're down three people. Not a bad start, if I do say so myself.

As we retreat, I glance back at Aizawa. He's watching us, his expression unreadable. 

He knows something's off, but he doesn't know what.

Yet.

And that's just how I want it.