Chapter 111: Invisible ToruAuthor: Geraint
While Toru was wiping Ichika's injuries, she heard that her team was next for the battle trial.
"Looks like it's your turn, Toru."
"You should go to the infirmary and get your injuries treated, Ichika-kun! You're really reckless for not dodging on purpose!"
"Hahaha! I just wanted to feel how strong he's become—"
"Ichika-kun!"
Toru's tone turned serious, making Ichika feel guilty for worrying her.
"Sorry, I won't do it again."
Everyone in the class noticed the large scars on Ichika's body.
"Yagi, where did you get those scars?" Iida asked.
"Oh, these? I was stabbed by a villain boss wielding a chainsaw several years ago."
"Seriously?!"
"You can confirm it with All Might. I was with him during that raid. Endeavor and other Pro Heroes were there too. That's why training like this is important. Most Pro Hero missions involve raiding villain hideouts. One mistake and you end up like me—if you're lucky to survive. Otherwise, you end up dead."
Sweat dripped from Iida's forehead as nerves kicked in—but he steeled himself with determination.
Shouto clenched his fist, silently realizing the gap in their experiences.
Izuku remembered that All Might had an injury in his stomach… and Ichika once told him it happened on that same day.
Toru and Aoyama left the monitoring room alongside their opponents, Satou and Koda, as the trial began.
Toru managed to sneak into the building, using her invisibility quirk to its fullest. She reached the payload's location without being noticed.
Satou and Koda were guarding it carefully, but they didn't detect her at all.
"I made it!"
Toru secured the payload silently, leaving the two boys stunned and depressed at the sheer unfairness of it.
Meanwhile, Aoyama hesitated at the entrance, completely unsure of what to do. He was practically useless this round.
"Winner: Hero Team!" All Might announced.
"Eh? That's it?" Ichika sounded disappointed at the lack of action.
"At least she won the trial—unlike you," Momo quipped.
"Nice, Toru!" Himiko cheered.
The next battle was between Hero Team G: Todoroki Shouto and Midoriya Izuku vs. Villain Team K: Asui Tsuyu and Sero Hanta.
With a cold expression, Shouto touched the ground outside the building.
"Huh? Todoroki-kun?"
"Move."
He froze the entire building in an instant, shocking Izuku.
They entered and found Tsuyu and Sero shivering, completely frozen in place. They secured the payload easily—Izuku looked disappointed that he didn't even get to help.
"Winner: Hero Team!"
Afterward, Shouto melted the ice with his right hand.
Next was Hero Team A: Uraraka and Iida vs. Villain Team J: Ashido Mina and Shoji Mezo.
Once the match started, Iida took the trial very seriously. He asked Uraraka to activate her quirk on him, and then sprinted along the surface of the building. He entered through the top floor and used his Retro Boost to burst through the defense and secure the payload before the villains could react.
"Winner: Hero Team!"
Uraraka and Iida shared a high-five.
"Yay! We did it, Iida-kun!"
"Yeah," Iida smiled, nodding proudly.
The final match of the day:Hero Team F: Kirishima and Tokoyamivs.Villain Team H: Ichika and Kyouka
"We're going against them. I guess we don't have much choice," Kirishima said with a grin.
Fumikage stayed silent.
Kyouka looked nervous, then glanced at her partner.
"Huh?"
She spotted a figure clad in intimidating black armor.
Heavy breathing...
"Ichika-kun…" Toru was speechless.
"That armor again? You look more like a villain than a hero," Momo complained.
"Wait! That armor is forbidden!" All Might pointed at him.
"Eh…" Ichika sounded disappointed but removed it, having no choice once the teacher forbade it.
When the battle began, Ichika and Kyouka guarded the payload on the top floor, waiting for their opponents.
"Why aren't you wearing anything?! You've been naked since our last trial!" Kyouka scolded.
"I'm fine. It's easier to move this way." Ichika flexed his arm.
"There's a girl here, you know!"
"Huh? Where? I wanna meet her!" Ichika looked around innocently.
"Damn you!" Kyouka shouted, fuming.
Ichika grinned and stepped closer, making her back into the payload. He placed his hand against it, leaning toward her. Her face turned red.
"Hey!"
"You want me to see you as a girl, right? Well, here I am. You look adorable, Kyouka."
"What?" She was stunned—especially that he knew her name.
"You've been messing with me this whole time!"
"Hehehe... Sorry. I wanted to see how you'd react."
"Damn it!"
"You're a fan of Fujiwara Ichika, right? That means you're a fan of me."
"Huh?! How did you know that?"
"You don't remember me?"
"I only know you as a singer!"
"You were bragging about being a hardcore fan of my songs outside Family Mart. I think it was the day—or maybe the week—before the live performance. You even said your parents were performers too."
Kyouka froze, pale and pointing at him. She remembered.
"You…"
"Yep. That was me. And I missed the part where that's my problem."
"I said all that stuff—and you heard it?!"
"It was kinda cringey hearing it in person, but I appreciated the support."
"Ugh…"
"You want my autograph?"
"Knowing you now? I don't want it."
"That's upsetting…"
"HEY, YOU TWO! Focus on the activity! Stop fooling around—especially YOU, Ichika!" All Might's voice boomed.
"Sorry!"
A few minutes later, Kyouka used her earphone jack to scout.
"Ichika, they're here!"
"Roger!"
He stepped forward and took a stance.
Kirishima and Fumikage arrived.
"I'll take Yagi. You go after Monjiro."
Kirishima's body hardened like jagged stone.
"Yeah. Leave Kentaro to me. Dark Shadow!"
Fumikage summoned a dark monster from his body and sent it at Kyouka.
"This is your fault, Ichika! They keep getting my name wrong!"
"ORA!"
Bam!
Ichika suddenly vanished and reappeared, kicking Dark Shadow away and sending it back to Fumikage.
"Hahaha! Since I always forget your last name, I'll just call you by your first—Kyouka?"
"No! We're not that close!"
"Eh? Even though we live in the same dorm, Santaro?"
"That's not even close! Don't make it worse!"
"Fine, fine. Just make sure we win this trial."
"Hehe… Leave it to me, Princess."
"Don't call me that! You're making fun of me!"
"Stop getting distracted!" Kirishima shouted, rushing forward with crossed arms.
"You're too obvious."
Bam!
Ichika's lightning-fast left jab hit Kirishima hard. Though Kirishima blocked, the force knocked him down.
"Kirishima!" Fumikage called out.
Kirishima stood, dazed. "That punch... it felt like getting hit by a truck!"
Blood dripped from his nose.
Fumikage frowned. "This guy's no joke. We need to be careful."
(To be continued...)A/N: I'll fix my mistakes.