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CHAPTER 08: After the Storm

The tension in the training room still hung in the air long after the battle ended. You could feel the weight of everything pressing down on you—the aftermath of the explosive clash between Bakugo and Midoriya, the subtle disappointment in your own performance, and the unspoken words left hanging between your team. It was a lot to take in, but there was no time to process it now.

You glanced over at Bakugo, who stood a few feet away, his hands shoved deep into his pockets as he glared at the ground. His usual fiery demeanor was simmering just below the surface, and you could practically see the storm brewing inside him. Midoriya had bested him in the battle, even if it wasn’t a full victory, and Bakugo wasn’t the type to let something like that go easily.

"That was an intense match," Uraraka said, breaking the silence as she approached you with a smile. "You did great out there, Mizushima!"

You gave her a small smile in return, but the words didn’t really sink in. Did you really do great? The whole time, it felt like you were just barely holding on, struggling to keep your quirk under control while Bakugo charged ahead. Every time you’d tried to help, it felt like your efforts weren’t enough, or worse, were a hindrance.

"Thanks, Uraraka," you said quietly. "But I think I still have a long way to go."

She tilted her head, her expression softening. "We all do. We’re still at the beginning of our training. Don’t worry—everyone’s growing at their own pace."

You appreciated her kindness, but the frustration inside you wouldn’t go away. Bakugo’s harsh words echoed in your mind: "Stay out of the way, Waterworks!" He hadn’t wanted your help, and deep down, you feared he was right. You hadn’t been able to keep up with him, and you couldn’t even assist Midoriya properly.

Midoriya, who had already put himself in harm's way, always trying to protect others, had ended up doing most of the work. You wondered what he thought of your performance.

---

As the students regrouped and the exercise came to an end, All Might stepped forward with his usual enthusiasm. "Excellent work today, everyone! You’ve all shown great potential in this exercise, but remember, heroes are always learning! Your real growth starts now!"

The class buzzed with excitement as they left the training room, some congratulating each other on their performance, others discussing the match-ups. You followed quietly, trying to process everything that had happened.

"Mizushima!" Midoriya’s voice called from behind you. You turned to see him jogging up to you, his familiar, earnest smile in place despite the exhaustion on his face.

"Midoriya," you said, nodding in acknowledgment. You wondered if he would mention how you struggled to keep up with Bakugo. Would he sugarcoat it, like Uraraka, or would he be honest?

"That was a really tough match," Midoriya began, rubbing the back of his neck, "but you did really well! You were trying to control the water under such pressure, and I saw how hard you worked out there."

You felt a flicker of warmth at his praise, but still, you couldn’t shake the frustration. "I don’t know, Midoriya. It felt like I was just in the way the whole time. Bakugo didn’t want me there, and I couldn’t even manage to stop you when I tried."

Midoriya’s smile faltered slightly, his green eyes full of understanding. "Everyone struggles, especially early on. But remember—control takes time. You’ve got an incredible quirk, and with practice, I know you’ll master it. Don’t let one battle get you down."