Heartbeat (Todoroki X Bakugo X Reader X Midoriya)

Chapter 21

I thought the whole stadium went silent, but I guess it's what they call, 'being in the moment', and at that moment, my whole focus was on Bakugo, who's gaze seemed to burn right in my core.

Midnight rose her arm, then brought it down.

"Start!"

Fear and adrenaline flashed through me as Bakugo charged, his palms outstretched and red eyes narrowed. I barely managed to dodge his fist, which ended up punching the concrete, and backed away. I racked my brain for plans and tactics, though when fear and pressure take control of your mind, it's hard to do any thinking.

I gritted my teeth and hovered my hands over my waist, wondering when I should use my weapons. Another attack I dodged, though my ears were beginning to ring from the explosions. Maybe that's why he's yelling half of the time.

An idea formed in my head. Thanks to Urarakas battle with Bakugo, I worked up an idea for a smokescreen.

'This is gonna hurt...'

This time I charged at Bakugo, not keeping low like Uraraka but racing head-on. He took a step back before striking a blow like an uppercut, sending me several meters away. My clothes were streaked with soot, and I felt hot, though it was easy getting back up and charging at him again. Strike by strike, explosion by explosion, I completed step one of my plan. Create a smokescreen.

I was a bit worn out, though still had lots of energy to use. The smoke was thick enough to be non-transparent, and fortunately, it covered at least half of the stage. This was the opportunity to use my weapons. I narrowed my eyes and tiptoed through the smokescreen, keeping my senses peeled for any sounds that might be from Bakugo. I lifted the hem of my shirt just enough to expose my belt of weapons. I stopped when I didn't recognize some of the guns. A few were different shapes and colours, one specifically which I pulled out.

'Grappling gun?'

I turned the gun over so that I can see the nozzle, and sure enough, there was a hook that was foldable. I didn't have time to test it. I glanced around when I realized footsteps were cautiously nearing me. I pulled out my pistol- full with BB bullets- and crouched down, keeping my eyes in the direction of the footsteps.

"(Y/N), I know where you are. Stop hiding and fight already, goddammit!"

I neared Bakugo, still crouching down. I was able to make out a figure through the smokescreen. I fired a bullet and ran on the opposite side, making sure I had a clear view of his silhouette before firing another one and running on the opposite side, trying to make the least noise and to throw off my position for a sneak attack.

"(Y/N), I can see the smoke whirling around whenever you move. You didn't really think this through." I didn't have time to do anything, because a shot of his Quirk blasted myself and the smokescreen away. I wafted and coughed away the remaining smoke.

'He really isn't going to go easy on me.'

Before I could get back up, he shot another explosion which sent me rolling on my side, getting pieces and chunks of concrete to dig into my skin. I was a few meters away from the border, though managed to get back up before another attack came my way. This time, I dodged. Plan B came to mind, one that involved hand-to-hand combat only, and of course, getting hurt.

I continued charging and endured with the pain over, and over again. I figured mine and his constant movements waved the smoke away because it was cleared the moment it came. My goal wasn't to create a smokescreen but to do the same thing with my other opponent. Get them to their limits. I know Bakugo's hands start to cramp up when he uses his Quirk too much, which will create an opening for me to attack.