You stood nearby, watching the scene unfold as Bakugo sneered and upended a bottle of water over Izuku’s head. Cold water splashed down, soaking his messy green hair and drenching his notebook. Midoriya blinked rapidly, eyes welling with tears, but still trying to hold himself together.

“Kacchan… that’s not really hero-like—”

Before he could finish, Bakugo’s eyes narrowed. With a sudden crackle of heat, he activated his quirk and blasted the ground beneath Izuku’s feet, knocking him down hard. A sharp gasp escaped Midoriya as he hit the dirt, coughing. Laughter erupted around them from Bakugo’s friends.

“What would you know about heroes, Deku?!” Bakugo snarled, towering over him. “Give it up. It’s not like you could ever be one.”