I'm better.

You're your worst enemy.

"No interruptions," she continued, "simply just listen."

He looked at her defeatedly, nodding his head.

"You misunderstood so much," she began, sitting up, "me, AllMight, Midoriya, and even yourself."

Bakugo's expression hardened and he clicked his tongue, "Tch." His eyes looked at the ground.

"I never not try when I fight you," she began, "I do the best I can. I have never underestimated you ever. I don't think I'm better," she took a beat and shook her head, "I'm not better. I will not become the number one hero of all time like AllMight, that's not something I want." She furrowed her brows at him, "but you're wrong."

The eyebrows on his face rose in shock, "I'm wrong? " He made a face of disapproval, "what the hell was she talking about? "

She lifted up her fingers while she listed, "The way you look up to AllMight is good. Wanting to be the best no matter what is admirable; especially the standard you set yourself to. But, your methods are wrong." She looked at him angrily, "Midoriya never looked down on you, just like I haven't; you are."

Bakugo's hands were clenched so hard it pierced through his palms, "Am I? " he looked at her with confused anger. He swallowed hard, realizing, "... I've already admitted it ..."

She pointed her finger at him, "You think we're better."

A muscle in his chest compressed hard while his heart skipped a beat, "What is she saying? " he looked at her, seething, "I think she's better? Or that damn nerd? Or is she saying I know already? I—I don't want to hear this crap." His arms shook slightly as he listened.

"And if you didn't think so, then why would it cross your mind that we're pitying you? That's what I mean. You're your worst enemy." She looked at him matter-of-factly, "you want to not be wrong; to be the best is so strong that it's tainted your other senses, the way you think and come to conclusions. It's clouded your judgment."

Bakugo stared at her; his expression filled with loathing. He took a quick breath in and clenched his fists. His nostrils flared slightly as his breathing became quicker. Tsuki sat up in the bed and held her hand out to him. He looked at it and glared at her hard.

"I—I don't want your sympathy," he spat, swatting her hand away.

She frowned at him, "I'm not giving you my sympathy," her expression changed, "guess he's not someone I can talk to gently." She looked at him. "It's just hard sometimes, when you learn everything you've thought and believed for so long is a lie."

He stared at her; his lip quivering, "Shut up." His voice cracked, "This is just a stupid stepping stone to me becoming number one."

She looked at him and tilted her head, "How is this any different from before?"

He looked at her and froze, "What?" He suddenly got overwhelmed with embarrassment, "What are you saying?"

"Your reaction," she said calmly, "you don't even want help. That's your problem, Katsuki. Your issues are so deeply rooted that it comes down to your character."

He made a noise of frustration, "ARE YOU SAYING I CAN'T BECOME NUMBER ONE?" He hovered over her, "YOU THINK YOU'RE BETTER!"

"Yes," she spat, "the way you are now ... good luck cracking the top fucking ten!"

Bakugo flinched slightly at her tone.

"IS THAT WHAT YOU NEED?" she yelled, "a screaming match? Then will it stick? No, Katsuki, you won't be shit the way you are now." Her voice cracked slightly, "YOU NEED TO BE BETTER. YOUR BEST now is not enough." She pointed at him; her eyebrows twitched as she looked at him, "you won't get better if you don't ACTIVELY strive to be better ..."

Bakugo swallowed hard, looking at her, "Did she want me to be better? " he looked at her confused, "did she want me to be better than her? To surpass her? Is that why she's training with me? "

"I can't do it," she continued, "AllMight and Midoriya can't fight forever, Katsuki. It has to be you."

His heart skipped a beat, "Does she know about One for All? " He grabbed at the end of his shirt and looked at her confused, "you—you want me to be ... number one?"

She laughed at him, a red tear streaking her cheek, "Of course I do. I know you will be." She smiled at him, "It's that I think you can't. You just need to wake up. If you do ... it'll be right in front of you."

He stared at her; his heart rate increasing. He felt, pleased, "I don't need you to tell me that." He looked away from her to hide the blush that overtook his face.

A clink sounded from her rings; she put her hands together. She smiled, looking at him, "I think he actually took that well." She blinked, feeling tired, "I hope I never have to again."

Bakugo turned to look at her, "Thank you."

Tsuki's eyes widened; her heart skipped a beat, "Oh my God." She smiled at him, "Anytime."

...