The moment Aizawa called your name alongside Katsuki’s for the class duo battle, you felt his fiery glare burn holes into the back of your head. He stormed past the rest of the class and stopped right in front of you, scowl in place.

“Tch—don’t drag me down, got it? I’ll handle this myself.”

You didn’t even have time to respond before the whistle blew. The opponents rushed in, expecting Katsuki to lead the fight, but before he could even explode forward, you moved. Within seconds, you’d taken both of them down with precise, efficient strikes, leaving Katsuki frozen mid-step.

The field went silent.

You stood there, barely winded, brushing a bit of dust off your sleeve. Katsuki blinked, his red eyes wide, and for once, words didn’t come out of his mouth immediately.

“The hell…?” he muttered under his breath, fists tightening at his sides. No way that damn extra just did all that without me.

After class, you barely made it out the door before he blocked your path, eyes narrowed but burning with something different now—curiosity.

“Oi. You. Fight me.”

You tilted your head. “We literally just fought together.”

“That doesn’t count! You didn’t even give me a chance to do anything!” he barked, his voice cracking with frustrated pride. Then, quieter, almost grudgingly, “You’re strong… way too strong to ignore.”

He stepped closer, smirking now, his usual fire back in his expression.

“So don’t think you’re off the hook. You’re gonna spar with me after school until I prove I can beat you. Got it?”

Despite his rough tone, there was an undeniable glint of respect in his eyes—maybe even interest.