The air in the training arena buzzed with tension as Class 3A gathered to watch their classmates face their midterm physical exam. Valerie and Katsuki stood side by side, the anticipation thick between them. As Aizawa called out for Katsuki to demonstrate his ultimate move first, Valerie felt the familiar hum of her quirk sparking just under her skin. She watched him intensely, knowing that once it was her turn, she'd need to focus to keep control.

Bakugou's move was, as expected, explosive. The sheer force of his blasts shook the arena, sending waves of heat and energy that pushed against the shielded walls. As the dust settled, Katsuki landed with ease, a smug smirk plastered across his face. He gave Valerie a sideways glance, silently daring her to top it.

"You're up," he muttered.

Valerie stepped forward, closing her eyes for a moment, centring herself. She focused on the electric pulse within, feeling the lightning build, her entire body humming with power. When her eyes opened, they glowed a bright green, and in a flash, she disappeared, zapping across the arena with her Thunder Step. Her speed left a trail of electrified air in her wake, the move so fast, it was almost imperceptible.

Cheers erupted from her classmates. "Go, Valerie!" Mina yelled.

As the midterm physical exam continued, the atmosphere in the gym grew tense. Valerie and Bakugou stood side by side, ready to face two seasoned pro heroes in a tag team battle. Their opponents: Hound Dog, the wild and ferocious pro hero with enhanced senses and animalistic strength, and Kamui Woods, the hero known for his Preemptive Binding Lacquer Chain Prison, a quirk that allowed him to control wood-like tendrils to bind and restrain enemies.

Both heroes were formidable, and everyone in Class 3A knew it. This wasn't going to be an easy fight.

As Aizawa gave the signal to begin, Hound Dog leapt toward them with incredible speed, a low growl rumbling from his chest. At the same time, Kamui Woods raised his arms, sending out a barrage of wooden tendrils straight at Valerie and Bakugou.

"Stay sharp!" Bakugou shouted as he exploded forward, aiming a blast at Hound Dog's incoming attack. The explosion hit the hero square in the chest, forcing him to stumble back, but Hound Dog was relentless. He recovered almost instantly and lunged again.

Meanwhile, Valerie dodged the wooden tendrils with her Thunder Step, blinking in and out of sight with bursts of electrified speed. Kamui Woods was quick, though, and he adjusted his attacks, spreading his tendrils in an effort to catch her.

"Don't let them corner us!" Bakugou growled, dodging a swipe from Hound Dog's claws before retaliating with another explosion. "Get ready for the team move."

Valerie nodded, feeling her heart race with both anticipation and nervous energy. She could feel the electric hum building within her, and she knew they needed to time this perfectly. As Kamui Woods managed to snag Bakugou's arm with his wooden tendrils, Valerie acted on instinct.

She zapped across the arena, her Thunder Step getting her in position. In a flash, she appeared beside Bakugou and unleashed her Electro-Sphere Shield, surrounding them both in a protective dome of crackling electricity. Kamui Woods' tendrils fizzled out upon making contact with the sphere, the energy erasing the quirk's effect. Bakugou glanced at her in surprise, briefly stunned by how effective her shield had become.

"Nice save," he muttered before shaking himself out of it. "But we're not done yet."

Valerie's heart raced, adrenaline pumping through her veins. "We need to take them out together," she said, eyes flickering with determination. "It's time."

Bakugou grinned, a wild, determined look in his eyes. "Let's show these pros what real power looks like."

As Kamui Woods and Hound Dog regrouped for another attack, Valerie and Bakugou exchanged a quick glance. This was it—their ultimate move. Valerie's quirk sparked to life, the air around her crackling with energy. Bakugou's palms glowed with the bright orange light of his explosions as the two prepared for their combination attack: Storm Surge.

With a roar, Bakugou launched himself into the air, sending a massive explosion toward the pro heroes. At the same moment, Valerie activated her Thunder Step once more, zapping across the arena to flank their opponents. As she moved, her electricity flowed through the air, converging with Bakugou's explosions to create a massive surge of power.

The combination of Bakugou's explosive blasts and Valerie's lightning created a vortex of energy that seemed to ripple through the very foundation of the gym. The air crackled with electricity, and shockwaves from the attack reverberated through the arena, shaking the ground beneath their feet.

Kamui Woods and Hound Dog barely had time to react as the Storm Surge hit them with full force. The sheer power of the attack sent both heroes flying across the gym, crashing into the walls with a thud. The shockwaves from the combined energy shook the entire gymnasium, sending equipment rattling and dust flying.

For a moment, everything was still. The gym was silent, save for the crackling of leftover electricity in the air. Valerie and Bakugou stood in the center of the arena, breathing heavily, but victorious.

The class erupted in cheers, impressed by the display of power and teamwork. Even Aizawa, who was usually stoic, had a faint look of pride on his face.

"Damn, that was intense!" Kirishima shouted from the stands. "You guys rocked it!"

"Ten seconds," Valerie panted, looking over at Bakugou with a grin. "Looks like you owe me a trip to the arcade."

Bakugou smirked, wiping sweat from his brow. "Six seconds, you mean." He extended his hand to her, the gesture rough but filled with respect. "We're not done yet. Let's keep pushing."

Valerie hesitated for a second before taking his hand, her heart skipping a beat at the contact. "Deal."

As they shook hands, the energy between them was undeniable. Their teamwork had become seamless, and their bond was stronger than ever.

But for Valerie, it was more than just respect and camaraderie. There was something else, something deeper—something that made her heart race every time she was near him.

----

Mina and Kirishima sat in the common area of the dorms, their heads close together as they whispered about their favourite topic of late—Valerie and Bakugou. Both of them had noticed the growing tension between the two, and it was starting to become unbearable. Kirishima leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms as he let out a sigh.

"Man, Bakugou's a ticking time bomb when it comes to his feelings," Kirishima muttered, his sharp teeth showing as he chewed on the end of a pencil. "He's never been good at expressing himself, and Valerie... I mean, she's patient, but she deserves better than him snapping at her."

Mina leaned forward, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "You're totally right. They need to admit their feelings before Bakugou does something stupid and pushes her away. He's already gotten better at controlling himself around her, but it's like... he doesn't even know what he's feeling!"

Kirishima nodded, still deep in thought. "Yeah, but how do we get them to face it? If we just shove them together, Bakugou's likely to explode—literally."

Mina grinned, tapping her chin as she considered. "What if we get them to hang out somewhere Bakugou feels more comfortable? Like, somewhere that boosts his confidence?"

Kirishima raised an eyebrow. "You think that'll help?"

"Totally! Bakugou's always fired up when he's got a challenge in front of him, right? What better way for him to feel in control and comfortable than something he's really good at? Like that arcade! Didn't they make a bet after their training?"

Kirishima's eyes widened as the idea took root. "You're right! They bet on who would win during that last exam... Valerie owes him an arcade session. That's the perfect excuse to get them alone without it feeling forced."

Mina clapped her hands together, her grin growing wider. "Exactly! We just need to nudge them in that direction. It's not too suspicious, and Bakugou might feel more confident to talk about his feelings while doing something competitive. That way, it's not all awkward emotions; he's in his element."

Kirishima frowned slightly, concern crossing his face. "Yeah, but even if he's more comfortable, Bakugou's still Bakugou. He's not exactly known for being smooth with his words. He could just blow up and say something dumb, and then Valerie would be hurt. I mean, I don't want to pressure him too much."

Mina's expression softened, and she placed a hand on Kirishima's arm. "That's why we're here, Eijiro. We won't push them too far. Just enough to give them a little nudge. I think Valerie likes him too, and if we give Bakugou a way to express himself that's not all about emotions, maybe he'll surprise us."

Kirishima still seemed uncertain, running a hand through his spiky red hair. "I don't know, Mina. What if it backfires? Bakugou's been pretty weird lately. It's like he doesn't even know how to deal with his feelings for her, and I don't want to be the reason he screws it up."

Mina smiled knowingly. "That's why you're going to talk to him. You're his best friend, and if anyone can get through to Bakugou, it's you. Just ask him straight up if he likes Valerie. Maybe he needs to admit it to himself first."

Kirishima groaned. "Why do I feel like I'm walking into a minefield?"

Mina gave him a playful nudge. "Because you are! But don't worry, you're Red Riot. You can handle this!"

---

Later that afternoon, Kirishima found Bakugou in the gym, going through his usual routine of explosive punches and kicks. His sweat-drenched face showed the usual determination, but Kirishima could tell something was off. His punches seemed a little too aggressive, his movements a bit more agitated than usual.

Taking a deep breath, Kirishima approached his best friend cautiously. "Yo, Bakugou. Got a minute?"

Bakugou didn't even look up, sending another blast of sweat flying as he pounded his fists into the air. "What do you want, Shitty Hair?"

Kirishima chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, uh... I've been meaning to ask you something. About... Valerie."

That caught Bakugou's attention. His movements stilled for a second, and he finally turned to face Kirishima, his crimson eyes narrowing slightly. "What about her?"

Kirishima shuffled awkwardly. He knew this was going to be delicate, but there was no going back now. "I've noticed you've been kinda... different around her lately. You guys work great together, but... is there something more going on?"

Bakugou's scowl deepened. "What the hell are you talking about?"

Kirishima decided to rip the Band-Aid off. "Do you like her, man?"

For a moment, there was only the sound of Bakugou's breathing, heavy and uneven. His fists clenched at his sides, and Kirishima could practically see the internal battle raging behind his eyes. Finally, Bakugou let out a low growl, looking away.

"I don't know," he admitted, his voice quiet and uncharacteristically vulnerable. "I don't get it. She's annoying sometimes, but... I don't hate being around her. She pushes me to be better, and when I'm with her, it's... different."

Kirishima's eyebrows shot up in surprise. It wasn't a full confession, but it was more than he'd expected. "So, you do like her?"

Bakugou's face flushed red as he crossed his arms defensively. "Tch. I don't know what I feel, okay? It pisses me off that I can't figure it out. And how the hell am I supposed to tell her? She'll probably think I'm some idiot or something."

Kirishima smiled, patting Bakugou on the shoulder. "Dude, she's not gonna think that. Valerie's smart, and she gets you. If anyone can handle your... uh, unique personality, it's her. You just gotta find a way to tell her without exploding."

Bakugou glared at him. "Easier said than done, Shitty Hair."

Kirishima laughed. "Look, we've got the perfect opportunity. Remember that arcade bet you guys made? Take her out there, have some fun, and just... be yourself. If the moment feels right, tell her. And if not, no pressure."

Bakugou's expression softened slightly, though he still looked unsure. "You think I won't screw it up?"

Kirishima grinned. "You've got this, man. Just don't overthink it. And hey, if it doesn't work out, we'll still hit up the arcade. But I think you're gonna surprise yourself."

Bakugou stood in silence for a moment, his fists unclenching as he let out a slow breath. "Fine. I'll give it a shot. But if you say anything to anyone, I'll blow your face off."

Kirishima laughed again, clapping him on the back. "Your secret's safe with me, bro. Now go get the girl."

As Kirishima left the gym, he couldn't help but feel a little bit proud. For all his bluster and fire, Bakugou was taking the first step toward something real. And Kirishima would be there to make sure he didn't screw it up.

Now, all they had to do was get Valerie to that arcade. And if Mina had anything to say about it, that part would be easy.

---

Valerie was sitting on her bed, scrolling through her phone, when the door to her room suddenly burst open. She jumped, startled by the unexpected intrusion, only to see Mina standing in the doorway with a grin that could only mean one thing—trouble.

"Valerie!" Mina practically sang as she bounced into the room, hands on her hips. "You and Bakugou. Spill. Now."

Valerie blinked, caught completely off guard. "What are you talking about?" she asked, trying to play it cool.

Mina didn't have it. She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes playfully. "Oh, come on! You think I haven't noticed? The way you two have been acting around each other? The training sessions? The fact that you ran off together after movie night?" She flopped down onto Valerie's bed, legs swinging over the edge. "So, what's the deal?"

Valerie felt her face heat up, her mind racing. She hadn't thought anyone had picked up on the tension between her and Bakugou. But of course, it was Mina. She always noticed things like this. Valerie bit her lip, debating how much to reveal.

"There's... nothing really going on," Valerie said cautiously, but Mina raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced.

"Yeah, right," Mina teased, leaning in closer. "So, you're telling me that you don't have feelings for Bakugou? 'Cause I've seen the way you look at him."

Valerie's eyes widened in surprise. Was it that obvious? She felt her heart pound in her chest, unsure of how to respond. "I—I don't know," she stammered. "I mean, maybe I do... like him. But I don't even know if he feels the same way."

Mina's grin grew wider, her eyes practically sparkling with excitement. "Oh, girl, this is huge!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands together. "I knew it! I just knew it! So, what are you gonna do about it?"

Valerie looked down at her hands, feeling suddenly vulnerable. "I don't know, Mina. Bakugou's... not exactly the easiest person to read. What if he doesn't feel the same? What if I tell him and he laughs in my face?"

Mina shook her head firmly. "Trust me, Bakugou's not gonna laugh at you. He's just... Bakugou. The guy's a mess when it comes to emotions, but if you like him, you've gotta tell him. Otherwise, you'll never know."

Valerie hesitated. "But how? I don't even know where to start."

Mina tapped her chin, deep in thought, before a lightbulb seemed to go off in her head. "Well, aren't you two going to the arcade soon because of that bet?"

Valerie nodded slowly. "Yeah, we made a bet during our exam."

Mina snapped her fingers. "Perfect! The arcade is the best place to talk to him. It's where he's comfortable, in his element. You'll both be having fun, so it'll be way easier to bring it up without it getting super awkward."

Valerie's heart fluttered at the idea, but also filled with nerves. "You really think that's a good idea?"

"Absolutely!" Mina insisted, her enthusiasm infectious. "Bakugou's always more relaxed when he's doing something competitive. Plus, he's a little more vulnerable after that last fight. He probably doesn't even realize how much he likes you yet."

Valerie felt a small smile tug at her lips. The thought of telling Bakugou how she felt was terrifying, but there was a part of her that wanted to be brave. She'd faced tougher battles, after all. How hard could confessing her feelings be?

Mina squealed with excitement, clearly over the moon about the prospect of Valerie making a move. "This is gonna be amazing! Oh my gosh, what are you gonna wear?"

Valerie blinked, caught off guard by the sudden change in topic. "Uh, I haven't really thought about it—"

But Mina was already halfway to Valerie's wardrobe, digging through her clothes with a determined look on her face. "You need something that says, 'I'm chill, but also, look at me!' Maybe something with a little edge... ooh, what about this?" She pulled out a short, tight dress, holding it up for Valerie to see.

Valerie immediately shook her head, eyes wide. "No way. I'm not wearing that."

Mina pouted. "Come on! You'll look so cute!"

Valerie crossed her arms and gave Mina a look. "I'm more comfortable in jeans and a T-shirt. Besides, Bakugou's not really the type to care about stuff like that."

Mina sighed dramatically but relented, tossing the dress back into the closet. "Fine, fine. But at least wear something nice. It's basically a date!"

Valerie's stomach did a nervous flip at the word "date." Was it really a date? Could it be? She didn't know, but the thought of spending time alone with Bakugou, away from the pressures of school and training, was both exhilarating and terrifying.

"Okay," Valerie said, taking a deep breath. "I'll tell him. But if this goes horribly wrong, I'm blaming you."

Mina winked. "You won't regret it, trust me. Now, let's get you ready to knock Bakugou's socks off!"

Valerie rolled her eyes, but she couldn't help but feel a bit of excitement bubbling up. Maybe Mina was right. Maybe the arcade was the perfect place to finally face her feelings—and maybe, just maybe, Bakugou would feel the same.

****

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