adjusts glasses and grins at the audience
Oh, you liked that little interlude with our favorite rabbit hero? sips coffee from my Stitch mug I must say, writing Mirko's perspective was particularly enjoyable. There's something delicious about watching a character who thinks they're above it all slowly realize they've found something special.
leans forward in chair
But let's talk about what you're really here for. That Hitomi and Izuku moment you've all been waiting for. winks You didn't think I'd leave you hanging after that explosive semifinal match, did you? Especially not after our ice princess finally embraced her fire side.
shuffles through notes covered in doodles
You know, it's funny. When I first planned this arc, I worried about balancing all these perspective shifts. But sometimes characters just... take over. Like Mirko just now - she practically wrote herself. One minute I'm trying to write a simple observation scene, the next she's practically vibrating out of her seat over our green-haired protagonist.
grins mischievously
Though can you blame her? Our boy's come a long way from that timid kid at the story's start. Speaking of growth... glances meaningfully at manuscript this next scene between Hitomi and Izuku? Let's just say some conversations change everything.
stretches and adjusts Stitch onesie
But before we dive in, I want to thank you all for hitting that bonus chapter goal. Your support means the world to me, and it makes writing these extra scenes even more special. Plus, who doesn't love a good aftermath conversation? Especially when it involves two people who've just had one hell of a fight.
picks up fresh pen
Now, shall we see what happens when fire and water meet outside the arena? When the adrenaline fades and they're left with nothing but raw honesty? smirks Trust me, you're going to want to pay attention to this one.
settles deeper into writing chair
Oh, and for those wondering about Mirko's future appearances... zips lips Let's just say our energetic bunny has plans. Big plans. But that's a story for another chapter.
pulls up blank document
Ready to see what happens next? Because I've been dying to share this scene with you all. It's one of those moments that just... chef's kiss Sometimes the quiet conversations hit harder than any explosion.
Now, let's peek in on our two fighters, shall we?
======
"ACHOO!"
My sneeze echoed through the recovery room, making both Hitomi and Recovery Girl jump. I sniffed, rubbing my nose with the back of my hand.
"Someone must be talking about you," Camie said from behind Recovery Girl.
Recovery Girl turned back to me, her expression stern beneath her visor. "As I was saying, young man, while I appreciate your chivalrous intentions, cuddling with a half-naked female student in the tunnels is hardly appropriate behavior!"
I sat on the edge of the medical bed, bandages wrapped tightly around my torso. Beside me, Hitomi perched with similar bandaging covering her ample chest, her face a careful mask of composure. The smell of antiseptic hung in the air, mingling with the lingering scent of smoke and frost from our battle.
"Sorry," I said, not sounding sorry at all. "Next time I'll just let Hitomi's chest be front-page hero news."
Camie snorted behind Recovery Girl, quickly covering it with an unconvincing cough. Recovery Girl whipped around to glare at her. Camie immediately started whistling, examining the ceiling tiles with sudden fascination.
Recovery Girl sighed, her tiny shoulders slumping. "Youth and hormones," she muttered, shaking her head. "I'm getting too old for this. I need tea."
She shuffled toward the door, pointing one gnarled finger at us before leaving. "No funny business while I'm gone. Those bandages stay on until I say otherwise."
The door clicked shut behind her, leaving the three of us alone. Silence filled the room for a beat before Camie burst into laughter.
"Oh my god, Izu," she gasped between giggles, "Your face when she was lecturing you!"
I rolled my eyes, but couldn't help the smile tugging at my lips. "Glad you find my suffering amusing."
"Always." Camie flopped into the visitor's chair, crossing her legs at the ankles. Her replacement gym uniform was pristine compared to our battered state. "Besides, it's not every day I walk in to find my boyfriend cradling another girl in his arms."
Hitomi stiffened beside me. I could feel the temperature drop several degrees around her right side.
"It wasn't like that," she said, her voice cool and measured. "Midoriya was simply preventing a... compromising situation."
"Relax, ice queen." Camie waved her hand dismissively. "I'm teasing. I saw the end of that match. It was intense."
The tension eased from Hitomi's shoulders, though the air around her remained chilly. I shifted slightly, creating a small gap between us on the bed.
"Speaking of the match," Camie continued, leaning forward with her elbows on her knees, "Calling Endeavor an 'old geezer' while fighting his daughter? Bold move, Izu."
I grimaced, remembering the moment. "Not my most tactical decision."
"Are you kidding? It was amazing!" Camie's eyes lit up. "His face turned redder than his flames. Pretty sure he would've barbecued you on the spot if there weren't cameras everywhere."
"He deserved it," Hitomi said quietly. The ice crystals forming at her fingertips betrayed the emotion behind her calm facade.
I glanced at her, taking in the subtle tells of her discomfort—the slight furrow between her brows, the tightness around her eyes, the rigid set of her shoulders. Using her fire again had clearly shaken something loose inside her, something she was still trying to process.
"You were incredible out there," I told her, my voice low and sincere.
Hitomi looked down at her hands, one palm slightly reddened from heat, the other pale with cold. "It felt strange. Natural and unnatural at the same time."
"That's how growth feels sometimes," I said. "Like your body knows what to do before your mind catches up."
She nodded slowly, a small smile touching her lips. "Yes. Exactly like that."
Camie watched our exchange with unusual quietness, her normally expressive face thoughtful. After a moment, she cleared her throat.
"So, Hitomi," she said, her tone casual but her eyes sharp. "About our conversation earlier... got an answer?"
Hitomi's head snapped up, her heterochromatic eyes widening slightly. She glanced at me, then back to Camie, color rising steadily in her cheeks. The temperature around her fluctuated wildly—hot then cold, cold then hot—as if her quirk was responding to her emotional state.
Finally, she took a deep breath and said, "Yes."
Just that single word, but it carried a weight that transformed the atmosphere in the room. Camie's face broke into a brilliant smile, while Hitomi's blush deepened to match the red side of her hair.
I looked between them, completely lost. "What conversation? What are you two talking about?"
"Girl stuff," Camie replied immediately, still grinning. "Don't worry about it."
Hitomi avoided my eyes, suddenly finding the bandages on her arms fascinating. The temperature around her stabilized, though the color in her cheeks remained.
Before I could press further, the door swung open, and Recovery Girl returned with a steaming mug of tea. She eyed us suspiciously, as if expecting to find us engaged in some form of misconduct.
"Good, you're all still decent," she said, sipping her tea. "Now, let's discuss your injuries."
She shuffled over to a small desk and picked up a clipboard. "Midoriya, you have three cracked ribs, second-degree burns on your chest and arms, mild frostbite on your extremities, and significant muscle strain throughout your body." She peered at me over her glasses. "In other words, another typical day for you."
I had the decency to look sheepish. "It was a tough fight."
"Hmph." She turned to Hitomi. "Todoroki, you have a mild concussion, exhaustion from quirk overuse, and various contusions from impact. Both of you are lucky the match ended when it did. Another minute and you might have done permanent damage to yourselves."
She set down her clipboard with a pointed clack. "I can heal the worst of it, but you'll both need rest."
I knew better than to argue with Recovery Girl. She might look like a sweet old lady, but she ruled her domain with absolute authority. Even All Might knew better than to cross her.
"Yes, ma'am," I conceded.
She nodded, satisfied with my surrender. "Good. Now, I'll heal the major injuries, but you'll still feel sore and tired. That's the price of my quirk."
She approached me first, her lips extending to plant a kiss on my forehead. The familiar warmth of her healing quirk spread through my body, mending broken bones and damaged tissue. As always, exhaustion followed immediately, a heaviness settling into my limbs.
She moved to Hitomi next, repeating the process. Hitomi's eyes widened slightly at the sensation before drooping with the same fatigue that weighed on me.
"There," Recovery Girl said, stepping back. "The worst is fixed, but those bandages stay on until tomorrow. Your bodies need time to adjust."
She gathered her supplies, tucking them into a small medical bag. "I'll be checking on other students. Try not to destroy anything while I'm gone." She gave us one last meaningful look before departing.
The door had barely closed behind her when Camie spoke up. "So... who's your next opponent, Izu?"
I leaned back against the wall, grateful for its support as fatigue pulled at me. "Depends on who wins the Bakugo versus Yaoyorozu match."
"My money's on Bakugo," Camie said, stretching her arms above her head. "No offense to Yaomomo, but that guy's a monster in combat."
"Don't underestimate Yaoyorozu," Hitomi said, surprising us both. "She's been training extensively. Her combat has improved significantly."
I nodded. "Hitomi's right. Bakugo's raw power is incredible, but Yaoyorozu's tactical mind might give her the edge she needs."
"Guess we'll find out soon enough," Camie said, checking the time on her phone. "Their match starts in twenty minutes."
A comfortable silence fell between us. I closed my eyes, feeling the aftermath of Recovery Girl's quirk working through my system. The pain had receded to a dull ache, but exhaustion weighed on me.
"You should rest," Hitomi said quietly.
I opened my eyes to find her watching me, concern evident in her mismatched gaze. The sight still caught me off guard—Hitomi Todoroki, the ice queen of Class 1-A, showing open worry for someone else.
"I'm fine," I assured her, straightening my posture with effort. "Just the usual Recovery Girl hangover."
"Fam, you look like death warmed over." Camie's playful tone had shifted to something firmer. "You need rest."
"I've fought in worse condition." The words came out more defensive than intended.
The temperature dropped sharply. I turned to find Hitomi fixing me with an arctic stare, her right side practically radiating frost.
"That," she said, each word precise as an icicle, "is not the compelling argument you think it is."
"She's got you there, Izu." Camie stood, stretching languidly before stalking toward the bed. "Want to know what I think?"
"Not particularly."
"I think you're being stubborn because you're worried about missing something important." She planted herself directly in front of me, hands on hips. "Which is, like, totally on brand for you, but also completely unnecessary when you have two perfectly capable people right here who can wake you up before the match."
I glanced between them – Camie's determined stance and Hitomi's unrelenting stare. Damn, I was being double teamed.
"Twenty minutes isn't long enough for meaningful rest," I argued.
"The match doesn't start for twenty minutes," Hitomi corrected. "Accounting for introductions, positioning, and general ceremony, the actual combat won't begin for at least thirty-five minutes."
Damn. Should have known better than to try out-logicking Todoroki.
"Plus," Camie added, her smile turning dangerous, "if you don't rest voluntarily, I'll just create an illusion of the match anyway. You'll never know if what you're watching is real."
My eyes narrowed. "You wouldn't."
"Try me." She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I'll make Bakugo break dance while Yaomomo creates nothing but rubber ducks. You'll spend the whole finals wondering if it actually happened."
A snort of laughter escaped Hitomi before she could suppress it. The sound seemed to surprise her as much as us, her eyes widening slightly as she covered her mouth.
I looked between them again, reassessing. They'd clearly reached some sort of agreement during their earlier cryptic exchange. Whatever rivalry or tension had existed between them had transformed into something else – something that currently spelled trouble for me.
"Fine," I conceded, recognizing a losing battle. "But you have to promise to wake me up before their match starts. The real match," I added, glaring at Camie.
"Cross my heart." Camie made an X motion over her chest, then glanced at Hitomi. "We'll both make sure you don't miss it. Right, Ice Queen?"
Hitomi nodded, her expression serious despite the lingering amusement in her eyes. "You have my word."
"Sweet dreams, Izu."
Just a short rest, I thought as consciousness slipped away.
They better wake me up...