Chapter 4

The students had since changed into their gym tracksuits. They were blue with white and red detailing. Led by Professor Aizawa, Class 1-A arrived at the outdoor arena. Ten white rings on the ground acted as their own mini arenas.

"Find your partner and go to a ring," Professor Aizawa instructed. "I'll be going around and checking on progress. As a reminder, these are sparring matches"—he eyed particular students, one being Katsuki—"not death matches!"

Katsuki claimed a ring and watched Ochako approach. He was calm on the outside but pumped up on the inside. If she was his soul mate, fine. He wanted to see how they fit together sparring. That mattered to him. He already knew what her magic was like, though. She needed to make physical contact. He was eager to get a firsthand experience with it. It would be refreshing compared to the other classmates he typically sparred.

"We start the second you enter, Round Face," he told her.

She stood just outside the white circle. "Why'd you pick me?" she asked.

"Actions speak louder than words."

"Don't go easy on me."

"When have I ever gone easy on anybody?" He grinned like a madman. "Show me what you got, Round Face!"

That only spurred Ochako. He wanted a fight, fine. She'd give him a fight he wouldn't forget. She charged into the ring, heading right for him. Basic spells wouldn't cut it against Katsuki. She had a plan she needed to execute.

When she was close enough, he led with a right hook just like she knew he would. Unfortunately for her, her reaction time wasn't fast enough. An explosion fired from his right palm, and she took the hit. A smokescreen cloud of dust kicked up. Crimson eyes on alert, Katsuki spotted a shape move amongst it. He stepped forward to reach Ochako but discovered it was her jacket. She had applied her magic to make it float! He grinned.

Ochako emerged from the dust behind Katsuki. He blocked her with an explosion spell and sent her backward. She hit the ground rolling, but got back on her feet. She charged again, determination burning in her eyes. He liked that look.

"Too slow!" he shouted, winding up his left arm. It was a bigger explosion than last time.

"Not done yet!" she shouted. There was still some more to go before she could pull off her plan. He wouldn't know what hit him!

She was relentless, and he was merciless. The pattern was brutal.

By now, the entire class watched. Nobody could look away. It was unsightly.

"Stop toying with her!" Tenya shouted.

"He knows her strength," Professor Aizawa said to those who cared to listen, having not looked away from the two. "His caution shows that he recognizes her as a worthy opponent."

Ochako grinned. "Almost ready. Thanks, Bakugo. Thanks for not dropping your guard."

She had her own set of weapons, thanks to Katsuki. With the constant attacks and smokescreens, she had amassed a collection. Debris curtsey of his attacks now floated above him. Not only did he now notice, but so had others in the class.

"It's a meteor storm!" Izuku shouted in awe.

With one word on Ochako's part, it headed right for Katsuki. She had him now!

Instinct guided Katsuki. He raised his left hand and braced it with his right. Channeling his magic, he focused and released a massive explosion. He remained grounded in place, but Ochako was blown back by the force.

In one attack, he had destroyed what she had gathered.

"I knew you had some kind of plan..." Katsuki said.

From the ground, Ochako looked above him as leftover, harmless debris fell from the sky. "In one attack..." she uttered.

"Close one," he muttered, flexing his left hand.

She trembled on her hands and knees. She mentally told herself to stand up. No matter how battered she was, she wasn't done yet.

Katsuki put his game face on. "Right. Time to get serious, Uraraka."

She stood but lost her footing. Time slowed down. She fell and collapsed to the ground.

Everyone stilled. An uncomfortable silence fell over the entire arena.

Katsuki didn't want to believe it. She was down for the count, and he knew she wasn't faking it.

Before Professor Aizawa could make the first move, Katsuki approached Ochako. He grabbed her tattered jacket along the way and tossed it onto his right shoulder. Stooping down, he gently picked up Ochako and left the ring behind him.

"Kacchan, where are you going with her?" Izuku practically demanded.

"The infirmary," he grunted, not bothering to look the nerd's way.

"Bakugo, see me when you're done," Professor Aizawa called after him.

"Tch."

xXx

Ochako finally came to, discovering she was on a cot in the medical wing. All was peaceful.

"How was your nap?" Katsuki asked from where he sat on a chair beside the cot. He hadn't changed out of his gym clothes.

Brown eyes met crimson. "Bakugo? What are you doing here?"

"What's it look like I'm doing?" he huffed.

"Are you hurt too?"

"If you think I'm hurt, you need your vision checked."

She slowly sat up, gauging how her body was.

"How do you feel?" Katsuki asked.

"Sore." She looked him over. "You on the other hand...You're just too strong. I couldn't even put a scratch on you!"

"You had a meteor shower rain down on me," he matter-of-factly pointed out.

"Yeah, but you blasted it all away." She grinned. "Guess I just gotta try harder next time!"

He shot her a reserved smirk. "I'll look forward to our next spar, Cheeks."

Her heart squeezed. She hadn't seen this expression before. It was different than his signature smirk.

Katsuki stood, shoving hands in his pockets. "I'll tell go tell—"

Just then, the door to the infirmary opened. Katsuki and Ochako looked to see it was Professor Aizawa. Surprise sparked in the professor's eyes as he looked at Katsuki. "You're still here." It wasn't a question.

He shrugged, attempting to brush it off. "She just woke up. I was on my way to tell Miss Shuzenji."

Professor Aizawa took note of the bandage on Ochako's cheek. "Although I appreciate the enthusiasm you both displayed, next time"—his eyes flickered over to Katsuki—"keep the destruction toned down."

Next time. He had acknowledged them.

With that, Professor Aizawa promptly turned around to leave. "Don't forget to return to class."

Ochako and Katsuki watched the door shut behind him. His name bubbled out of her. "Bakugo?"

He half-turned to completely face her, not saying anything.

"Why'd you pick me?"

"Why not?"

Her face scrunched together. "What kind of answer is that?"

"My kinda answer."

She puffed her cheeks out in dismay. They were so round.

"Anyway, I'll go tell Miss Shuzenji you're awake. She'll probably clear you." He turned to leave.

"Thank you, Bakugo," Ochako said.

His movement briefly paused. He continued to head for the door and stole a peek over his shoulder. "Welcome," he grunted before he faced forward. Without another word, he left the infirmary.

Even after he was gone, Ochako didn't look away from the door. She had much to learn about her soul mate. This felt like a step forward for their relationship—Wait. Relationship! Why did that word come to mind? It wasn't like they were officially together or anything! They both were still adjusting to the reality that they were soul mates.

Keeping her pinkies extended, as not to accidentally channel her magic, she lightly slapped her pink cheeks. "Get it together, Ochako," she told herself.

xXx

By the time lunch rolled around, the dining hall was filled with students. Katsuki was at a table of the four guys from the self-proclaimed Bakusquad he was hopelessly stuck with. Eijiro was also a part of it.

Denki Kaminari was five foot six and had a slim build. Golden blond hair had a streak of black in the shape of a lightning bolt on the left side of his head. He had a bright shade of golden eyes.

Hanta Sero was the tallest of the boys in the Bakusquad. Black hair reached his chin, and bangs fell above his eyebrows. His eyes were dark. Unbeknownst to him, he was the only guy at the table who wasn't able to confirm who his soul mate was.

The three wouldn't stop bothering Katsuki. They hadn't shut up about his sparring match, and it was starting to piss him off. What happened in that ring was between him and Ochako.

"You could have seriously hurt Uraraka," Hanta said.

Katsuki didn't bother to waste his breath. These extras wouldn't get it. He kept his eyes on his plate of food.

"She held out longer than I thought," Eijiro admitted. "Don't get me wrong, though; I was scared for her. But wow, talk about manly!"

"I don't think manly is a good word to describe it," Hanta said.

"Did you not see the same spar I did? Uraraka was manly! She handed spell after spell!"

"No, really, nice job blowing up that frail little girl," Denki said.

Katsuki tilted his chin up and narrowed his gaze at Denki. "Nothing frail about her," he said without hesitation.

xXx

A/N: I wanted to show what happened at the sports festival with a twist!

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