So, the so-called "Indoor Anti-Personnel Training" has begun. As for my costume… well, never mind. It is my own fault for failing to submit the paperwork. It matters not.
A more pressing issue arose immediately. Our class consists of twenty-one students, yet this exercise is conducted in pairs. That leaves one person out. To be precise, it left me out. The "spare" is relegated to watching quietly from the sidelines this time. Apparently, "observation is also a vital part of training," or some such nonsense. They claim I'll be given priority in the next session, but honestly, what rot. Isn't there supposed to be "luck in the leftovers"?
I loathe this! I want to train! I want to fight! For all I know, there might actually be someone in this class stronger than I!
Ugh, I crave a true warrior… Is there no one out there who can push me to my absolute limits?
And you, my "underling." What are you smirking at? I could curse you where you stand, you know. To think a mere boy I could crush with one hand is out there fighting while I am sidelined… I shall not forgive this. Truly, I shall not.
Lose! I hope you lose to Midoriya and Uraraka! Go on, Midoriya! Knock that brat down; I give you leave!
…And so, here I am. I'm currently stuck in a gloomy space they call the "Monitor Room," watching my classmates do battle alongside the others who haven't had their turn.
The first match is a clash between the Midoriya-Uraraka duo and the Iida-Underling pair.
"Who do you think will win?"
As I glare at the massive screen, still nursing my discontent, Tokoyami speaks to me. Honestly, what is with that outfit of yours? Why are you draped in such pitch-black cloth?
"I haven't the slightest. The stronger one will win."
I truly cannot say who will emerge victorious. If this were a battle of Cursed Techniques, perhaps, but I understand nothing of these "Quirks." I cannot predict the outcome. Of the four on screen, the only Quirk I am familiar with is the brat's.
"Explosion," he called it. His destructive power is just enough to narrowly bypass my current Cursed Energy reinforcement. I know from personal experience that it is formidable. However, if it is merely raw power, there are a hundred ways to deal with it. In his case, as long as one keeps an eye on the movement of his hands, his attacks are easy enough to dodge or parry. One only needs to be wary of his mobility in the air.
Well, Midoriya—his childhood friend—is surely well aware of that.
Conversely, the brat knows nothing of the details of Midoriya's Quirk. Nor do I, for that matter. During the fitness test, that boy unleashed staggering power at the cost of his own finger. That is the extent of my knowledge.
Therefore, assuming Midoriya's Quirk involves physical strength so great it causes self-destruction, one must build a strategy around that premise. If it were me, I would fire a Piercing Blood to test the waters before he could close the distance. If he dodges or blocks, so be it. If he tries to approach during the Convergence, even better.
While I am lost in thought, the situation develops. Midoriya and Uraraka infiltrate the building through a window, aiming to recover the "nuclear weapon." However, they encounter the brat midway, and combat erupts.
…That foolish underling. He is ignoring Uraraka entirely, fixated solely on Midoriya. He has that same look on his face he had when he challenged me. It is the face of a man with tunnel vision, blind to everything else.
Defending? Guarding an objective? In that state?
Impossible. He will be outmaneuvered and defeated.
"Honestly. He is a hopeless case."
The moment he was thrown while his opponent wasn't even using a Quirk, he should have lost. If Midoriya had been counterattacking with the intent to self-destruct, it would have ended right then and there. His movements were being read like a book.
In the end, as expected, the brat lost. He was unable to adapt to Midoriya and Uraraka's strategy. How utterly ridiculous. I feel sorry for Iida, having been dragged down by that boy's antics.
…Still. Watching others fight makes my skin crawl with the urge to move. I want to fight. Why must I be a mere spectator?
It is quite incomprehensible.
Ngh. I wanted to train too. While I've managed to grasp the basics of my classmates' Quirks and the observation itself was educational—still! It wasn't enough to just watch; I wanted to experience it firsthand. Especially Todoroki. Our compatibility is wretched, so I wanted to spar with him at least once. For a user of Blood Manipulation, ice and fire are the ultimate natural enemies. If my blood is frozen, my technique becomes useless; if he brings out fire, my blood will simply evaporate.
That is precisely why I wish to challenge him. It would be perfect training to learn how to maneuver against an ultimate disadvantage.
Hmph…
"Madoka-chan is in a grumpy mood today, isn't she?"
"Because I was the only one who didn't get to train. The numbers didn't match up."
School has let out, and I am currently walking home with Himiko. I cannot go home alone, you see. I have absolutely no inkling of which path leads to the house. Without her, I might wander for eternity and never arrive. Incidentally, Tokoyami asked for my current address after training today. Since we are in the same class this year, I expect I shall have to rely on him for various things.
"Look at you, sulking like a child… You're so cute when you're like this, Madoka-chan. Poke."
"Mmph. Do not poke my cheek."
"I couldn't help it! You were puffing them out so much."
"…Hmph. Honestly."
My cheeks are not toys. She looks so pleased with herself…
Well, I suppose seeing her smile mischievously like that isn't entirely bad. She is a hopeless girl. When it comes to me, she laughs at the smallest things. So happily, so joyfully.
…I suppose it is time to stop sulking. I shall save the training for another day.
"Here." I held out my hand.
"Ehehe. Someone's being clingy now."
"I am not!"
What does she mean, "clingy"? Himiko is the one who always wants to hold hands. Look, I'm holding my hand out, so take it already. If you don't hurry, I'm taking it back.
"What would you like for dinner tonight?"
"Anything. Your cooking is always delicious, Himiko. …In fact, I think you've become a better cook than Mother."
It's the truth. I believe her cooking has surpassed my mother's. Recently, Himiko has been doing almost all of it. She has well and truly captured my stomach. I don't mind it, though.
"I still can't beat Rinne-chan! Besides, saying 'anything' is actually pretty unhelpful, you know?"
"…Fine. Omurice."
"Okay! I'll add some tiny Salisbury steaks on the side too."
"Umu. I look forward to it."
And so, holding hands, we return home again today. Once school is over, the rest of the day belongs to her.
For better or worse, my time with Himiko has become precious to me. Indispensable.
I've been completely tainted, haven't I…? Because just now, I found myself wondering if she would give me a "nibble" again tonight.
Not that I'm expecting it. I'm not, alright? Hey, what is with that look? Why are you making that face, as if you've seen right through me?
"…The 'nibbles' come later… and I'll give you plenty, okay?"
What is with that triumphant look? I haven't lost! I haven't lost to the likes of you yet!
(Note: It appears she is currently on a total losing streak.)
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