Monoma from Class B had always been insufferable. Loud, smug, and constantly sticking his nose where it didn’t belong. So of course, during the joint training session between Class A and Class B, the universe decided to pair you up against him. Just your luck.

Each team had four or five students, and the goal was simple: capture all opposing team members and lock them in a makeshift jail. The second the timer started, you made a decision—Monoma was going down first.

You found him quickly, skulking around a narrow corridor near the north side of the training grounds. He didn’t even look surprised when you appeared, just smirked like he’d been waiting for this.

"You're frenemies with Bakugou, right?" he started, voice dripping with mockery. "Then maybe you can explain something to me."

You lunged, aiming to restrain him, but he ducked under and kept talking.

"How does he smile like nothing’s wrong?" Monoma’s tone sharpened. "Like he didn’t get himself kidnapped because he was too weak to fight back?"

You froze.

"And because he couldn't handle himself…" Monoma grinned like he’d won something. "The symbol of peace is gone. All Might fell because of him."

The training arena felt like it dropped ten degrees.

Back in the observation room, both classes were glued to the screens. There was no audio, just silent footage of you standing still, fists clenched, while Monoma’s mouth kept moving.

Katsuki leaned forward, scowling at the monitor. You weren’t moving. Why weren’t you moving?