One Must Be Sacrificed

Class 1A had been excited for the match that was about to come up. Two of their classmates, two of their strongest, were going to face off against each other, and needless to say they were at the edge of their seats. Most of them had been practically jumping up from where they sat as they waited with anticipation.

"Oh man, oh man, oh man!" Gio said, "This gonna be one of the best fights thus far!"

"You're telling me!" Eijirou said, "And I don't know who to cheer for!"

"Aihara-chan? Midoriya-chan?" Tsuyu soon said, "Who do you think is gonna win? I mean in terms of power, both Reina-chan and Bakugou-chan are strong."

"Well, you're not wrong Asui-san." Izuku said, "They're both pretty good when it comes to physical strength and that of their Quirks. At this point, it could be anyone's match."

Floyd only stated with a smile, "If you ask me Reina-chan's gonna teach that Bakugou a thing or two, Ya know!"

"That just sounds biased, man" Mineta told him

"You're not just saying that because you lost to him are you?" Sero asked teasingly.

Floyd twitched at this as he said with an angry grumble, "No..."

"Wait, then are you saying it because you li--" Gio started to say, before Floyd shoved a cork in his mouth that he made from his sketchbook. "THAT'S ENOUGH OUTTA YOU MISTER!" Floyd shouted.

"WHY DID YOU PUT A CORK IN HIM!?" Mineta exclaimed.

"Shut up, Mineta." Floyd repiled.

"Talk about putting a cork in it...literally.." Tsuyu said.

"It's just a shame that Iida-kun won't be able to see it." Ochaco said.

"He said he had urgent manners to attend to." Chouko said, "Though I wonder what it could've been."

"He did seem to look troubled after he got that phone call." Fumikage said.

"I wonder if everything's alright…" Izuku said.

Floyd soon reassured them, "Don't worry, I'm sure it's gonna be okay! He's our Class President after all!"

"I suppose you're right, Aihara-san" Momo told him, "Besides, he did say he'll explain everything once he's come back."

"I guess…" Izuku said as he still looked down.

Floyd gave him a pat on the shoulder, "Hey Like I said. No worries."

"Now then… I think it's time we got down to business..." Eijirou started to say.

Most of their classmates looked at him questiongly.

"What kind of business?" Toru exclaimed.

It hadn't been long before he suddenly pulled out a white board seemingly out of nowhere as it looked to be some sort of a chart; it had a drawing of Katsuki and Reina at the very top of it.

"TO PLACE BETS OF COURSE!" Eijirou said with a smile, "WHO WILL WIN THE FIGHT!? WHO WILL MOVE ONTO THE FINALS AND HAVE A CHANCE TO TAKE THE GOLD!"

"BETS!?" Most of the class exclaimed.

"Come on man." Floyd said to him "You know that kind of stuff is illegal!"

"Oh come on Aihara, it's fun!" Eijirou said, "Besides, it's only illegal if you get caught!"

"I BET MY MONEY ON REINA!" Mineta shouted.

"Of course you would!" The class said in unison.

"Then again, this actually sounds like fun!" Mina said, before she raised her hand, "MY MONEY'S ON REI-REI!"

"I vote Bakugou!" Sero said.

"Yeah, no, I'm going with Reina on this one." Kyoka said.

"Bakugou's my guy!" Kaminari said.

"Well Aihara? What do ya say? Are you in?" Eijirou asked with a sly smile on his face.

Floyd's eyebrow twitched slightly as he gave a pout. It hadn't been long before he let out a groan, "Oh f*** it! I vote Reina-chan." He said with a sigh.

"That's the spirit, Aihara!" Eijirou told him with a smile, "You see I knew you'll pull through!"

"YOU GAVE IN THAT EASILY!?" Izuku exclaimed out of confusion.

"Wow man…" Gio said, "... That's weak…" He suddenly raised his hand making him jump, "ALL MY MONEY'S ON REINA-CHAN!"

Floyd shouted to him as he shook his neck, "Why you little… LOOK WHO'S F***ING TALKING!"

"Gah--Can't breathe!" Gio exclaimed, "Losing air! Choking, not breathing!"

"Floyd-san, stop it!" Izuku exclaimed as he did his best to pry his fingers away from his neck.

Momo sighed as she shook her head, "... If Iida-san were here, I'm sure you would all be scolded…"

"Hey, it's starting!" Toru said.

The crowd soon cheered loudly as the torch had lit a flame; the screens came on as well as who would be participating in the following match. Present Mic soon came over the PA.

"Thanks for waiting everybody!" Present Mic said, "We got an exciting match up for the second round of the semi-finals! Are you ready everybody?!"

The crowd yelled in unison at this response.

"Than let's waste no more time!" He said, "Stepping to the stage is a girl who has yet to show her potential! A girl who quickly became a crowd favorite! Reina Nouki of the Hero Course!!"

Reina stepped onto the stage as she had her sword and gauntlets as she waved to the crowd. Class 1-A whistled and cheered for her.

"Good luck Reina-chan!" Izuku shouted.

"Plus Ultra Reina-chan!" Ochaco cheered.

Floyd cheered, "GO FOR IT! REINA!"

Katsuki soon stepped onto the stage, as the crowd cheered for him too, though unlike Reina he didn't wave, he just had his hands in his pockets and held his usual look; despite the fact he had bandages wrapped around his hand, and nearly covering his left arm.

"And here's the boy, who's climbed his way through every event, and previous rounds!" Present Mic said, "From the same course--Katsuki Bakugou!"

Class 1-A cheered at this, as they had been louder than the crowd as usual.

"You got this bro!" Eijirou shouted.

"Good luck to you both!" Momo cheered.

"Break a leg man!" Kaminari said.

Floyd shouted from where he sat, "EAT SH-I mean--YOU BETTER DO YOUR HARDEST ASSHAT, BUT IF YOU HARM REINA TOO HARD I'LL END YOUR LIFE!"

"Is that supposed to be encouraging?" Sero asked curiously.

"Yep..Biased.." Mineta said before he was stuffed in the mouth by a cork courtesy of Floyd.

"Shut up, Mineta." Floyd told him.

The Aihara family sat in their stands as they looked to the stage anxiously. Josephine and Joji had been told about the true power of Reina's Quirk and needless to say, they were worried about what could happen during the match; Especially considering what had happened to their son.

Josephine said to her husband, "Joji… I know we're supposed to keep it on the low...but I'm scared...not just for our son this time...but Reina too.."

Joji said to her, as he gave her hand a pat, "I know...me too..."

Reina at the side of the stage, stretched and jumped in place as she had been readying herself. "Katsuki-kun is pretty good when it comes to close combat." Reina thought to herself, "It isn't just physically, it's with his Quirk too."

She looked to Katsuki across the stage as he had been stretching as well. "Despite him being my friend… I have to keep my guard up." She thought, "He'll have his guard up too, and he'll come at me with everything he has. It's not gonna be easy. I'll just have to hold my ground until I can find an opening."

"... Good luck Rei-chan."

Reina jumped at the sound of the boy's voice coming from behind her. But when she turned to look, no one had been there. She shook it off, "Keep it together." She said to herself, before she had gotten herself ready.

Nemuri soon held her whip, "Fighters ready yourselves…!"

Reina and Katsuki stood in their stances; with Katsuki's palms open, while Reian readied her sheathed sword.

"You ready for this Lollipop Head?" Katsuki said from where he stood.

"I'm as ready as I'll ever be, Mr. Number One." Reina told him with a smile.

Nemuri soon started the countdown.

"3… 2...1… BEGIN!"

Reina made the first move; as she activated her Quirk, she flew towards him with a leap, as she swung her sword. Katsuki had been quick to move as he used his Quirk to move out of her way. She found herself covered in a smoke screen as she had been forced to shut her eyes and coughed.

Katsuki went to attack her from behind though despite her being blinded by the smoke she felt the change in the air as she quickly dodged an attack from Katsuki catching his arm in mid-air. She elbowed him in the stomach before she flipped him over forcing him to land on his back, causing Katsuki to cry out in agony, and Class 1-A to flinch at this.

"She got him!" Izuku exclaimed.

"Holy crap, that reaction time!" Gio yelled.

"She's fast!" Ochaco said.

"Nice one Reina-chan!" Chouko cheered.

Katsuki was able to recover and caught Reina by surprise when he managed to trip her and she fell onto the floor with a grunt. She blocked a kick from him as he stood up, and flipped back, countering him in the process making him stumble.

He recovered though and couldn't help but smile as he wiped the fresh blood from his mouth.

"You're fighting me seriously huh…?" Katsuki said with a grin, "... That's good Reina!"

Reina smiled back, "You should know me by now, I always keep my promises!"

Katsuki chuckled, " Well than, let's make it more interesting than--!"

Katsuki moved from where he was with the help of his Quirk; he flew towards her quick, as she went to counter with her sheathed blade; though he caught her by surprise as he grabbed her wrist, and blasted the sword out of her hands.

It flew off the stage and out of the ring, taking the whole crowd back and Class 1-A

"--LET'S SEE HOW YOU DO WITHOUT YOUR SWORD TO HELP YA!" Katsuki shouted before he threw a kick. Reina was able to block the attack, and went to counter, though he just managed to dodge a punch from her. Just as Katsuki was about to use his Quirk, Reina activated her own as she pushed herself away just an explosion he created.

"Well, that was a cheap shot…" Reina said, impressed as she fixed herself, "... Even though it was clever."

"He actually got rid of her sword!" Gio exclaimed, "Not even Mahi could come up with that!"

"I find that offensive!" Kuriruzu shouted just across from them.

Floyd shouted, "That's cheating man!"

"Technically it ain't bro." Eijirou said before he was smacked on the head by Floyd.

Reina readied herself with her gauntlets as Katsuki came at her again. She used her Quirk to jump out of the way before she pulled herself towards him, kicking him in the chest with both of her feet causing the both of them to fly. She pushed him into the ground, cracking the floor a bit as she jumped off of him, making the crowd cheer loudly.

Though just as she did, Katsuki grabbed her by the ankle before dragging her back onto the floor, causing her to hit the floor face first.

"Ooooh!" Most of class 1A and B exclaimed.

"That oughta sting!" Tetsutetsu commented.

"DUDE! SERIOUSLY?!" Floyd shouted.

"This is a no holds battle after all, Aihara-chan." Tsuyu told him.

"Yeah neither one of them is backing down." Izuku said, "Reina-chan and Kaa-chan are really giving their all."

Floyd's eyebrow twitched slightly as he said, "yeah.."

The fight continued on, as Reina managed to recover from the attack. She felt Katsuki going to pin her, but she acted fast; She returned the favor as she kicked him right in the face causing him to stumble.

"GAH--WHY YOU--!"

Katsuki went to use his Quirk, causing her to flip back and get behind him with the help of her Quirk, before she delivered a kick to the face making him fall on his side. Despite this he was quick to stand back up on his feet before he charged once more as they had been going in a pattern at this point; occasionally they would use their Quirks or engage in hand to hand combat. The two would either land a hit on each other or nearly as they attacked.

"I'm surprised!" Ochaco said, "Reina-chan is going head on with Bakugou-kun without fear! That's so cool…"

"Yeah, it's just like back in the training grounds." Kaminari said.

"Well they have known each other since middle school, so it is to be expected after all." Chouko said with a smile.

"Her taste runs in THAT direction too…" Mineta said as he started to drool. In the next second an anvil fell on his head, courtesy of Floyd and Momo.

"You're the worst." Momo said, glaring at him.

"Seriously Man.." Floyd added as he shook his head, "Know your limits."

"Come on Aihara, cut me some slack!" Mineta complained.

"Shut up, Mineta." Floyd replied as he stuffed inkballs in his mouth.

Izuku watched the fight closely, as Reina used her Quirk maneuver, as he had been studying her movements.

"As I thought, she's using her Quirk as a defense." Izuku thought to himself, "The only time she uses it to attack is when she charges. She's saving her energy just in case she finds herself in a corner. That's smart--Kaa-chan probably realizes it too, but…"

Izuku couldn't help but think back to before during Floyd and Katsuki's match, when her Quirk had been affecting her then; he looked concerned as he watched Reina fight.

"... Please, just let nothing bad happen…" He said to himself softly.

Josephine and Joji watched from where they sat with their family. As expected, Lena, Aaron, Sachihiro and the twins had been cheering Reina on.

Lena cheered, "Yeah Reina-chan! KICK HIS ASS!"

"YOU GOT THIS GIRL!!" Aaron shouted.

"SHOW PISSY BRAINS WHO'S BOSS!" Hana yelled.

"KICK HIM IN THE NADS!" Eliot added.

Joji and Josephine couldn't help but be shocked. Josephine chuckled nervously as she said "opps.."

"We're gonna have a talk about the kids' language later.." Joji told his wife.

Sachihiro slapped the twins as he said, "Language."

"Other than that Joji.." Josephine couldn't help but sigh, as she looked to Reina, "I'm worried about Reina-chan… It's nice that she's improving her Quirk.."

"But at the same time...after what dad, Toshinari and Aizawa told us.." Joji added. "I fear it'll lead to that.."

"At any rate. If it leads to this" Josephine said to her husband, "We have to stop her..we can't let history repeat again… Like it did back in that amusement park...and in America."

At one point in the fight, Katsuki used his stun grenade again; though as he activated his Quirk, she quickly turned her back towards him, as there had been a flash of light. The minute it disappeared, she used her Quirk to make herself fly towards him, before she gave a spin kick. Katsuki quickly moved before he countered, giving her an uppercut.

She nearly tripped on herself, though had been quick to recover.

"Damn… He's a lot tougher than I thought!" Reina said to herself as she wiped the dirt from her face, and caught her breath, "... This definitely isn't like training that's for sure…" She looked ahead as she went through the options in her head, as she thought to herself, "...I don't have a lot of time left. And I can't exactly use it to make him fly out of the stage. If he did that, he would use his Quirk and force me at my limit. That means I only have one option. If I can find a way to pin him, then I'll win this."

"WE'RE NOT DONE HERE REINA!" She heard Katsuki shout, "I KNOW YOU GOT MORE IN YOU! SO COME AT ME!"

Reina chuckled, "Careful what you wish for… MR. NUMBER ONE!"

The two of them went to charge with their Quirks; though as they did, Reina had been taken back when she heard a familiar sound.

The sound of a ring.

"Rei-chan."

Reina had been taken back when she saw a familiar man, with a hand covering his face suddenly appear in front of him as her eyes widened. The minute she blinked she found herself tripping on herself as she rolled onto the floor, nearly out of the ring.

Katsuki managed to stop himself as he turned to her.

Class 1A had been taken back by this as well as Class 1B.

"Whoa, what just happened?" Mina said.

"She tripped?!" Izuku said, surprised.

"Hey, that ain't like Reina to do that!" Floyd added.

"Yeah, she ain't that clumsy!" Gio said.

Reina immediately scrambled to her feet and looked to where he had seen him. The man she knew as Shigaraki…

… Wasn't there.

"What--What was that?!" She exclaimed in her thoughts.

"Hey!" Katsuki soon called out; she saw the look on his face, he was pissed, "What the hell Lollipop!? Did you miss me on purpose!?"

"N-No! I didn't, I swear!" She shouted back before she looked off to the side, "... At least, I don't think I did…"

Katsuki noticed the look on her face; it was almost as if she had been looking for someone. Though before he could ask, Reina shook her head as she turned to him, "I'm fine! Let's just continue the fight!"

Katsuki still had his concerns but eventually shook it off with the click of his tongue, before he stood ready, just as Reina sent herself flying towards him. He immediately reacted as he used his Quirk; this time he took her by surprise with a stun grenade.

"CRAP!"

She shielded her eyes as she skidded to a halt. She started to punch in front of her, doing the same as she turned.

"Where is he!? Where is he!?"

It hadn't been long before the ring came again, as she let out a groan.

"Again!?"

Suddenly, she felt something grab her hand forcing her to open her eyes. But when she did… Her eyes widened in horror at the sight.

"Hey there, pretty woman~"

It had been the Villain she had encountered earlier that day; the smell of thinner reeked off of her, as she looked to have a demonic grin. Her body shook, as she spoke to her again, her face had been close to hers, "Why are you scared? Don't be. I'll take you to a place that's special..." She saw her hold a syringe in her hand, "... Somewhere… Better…"

She suddenly felt a sharp sting go across her cheek as she fell to the ground hard; Katsuki had managed to get a hit on her. Though he just looked surprised as he expected her to block it.

"She slipped up?" Katsuki thought as he looked at his hand, "That can't be right. She had her guard up from the start of this. She would've countered it, or at the very least block it. But she didn't…"

He looked up and saw her staggering slightly as she stood, "What the hell is going on…?"

Reina managed to recover from the hit as she looked to her wrist, where the Villain had grabbed her; It felt real, is what she thought to herself as she shivered slightly.

She immediately shook her head, giving herself a good slap. "Keep it together! Keep it together!" She told herself, before she charged Katsuki head on again.

Katsuki started to block her attacks as she started to punch and kick at him, before he pushed her back with the help of his Quirk; she had been sent flying nearly out the stage though she managed to stop herself with the help of her own.

As she recovered she had been taken back by the sound of a familiar giggle. She picked up her head, as she saw the Villain again, holding a paintball gun.

She said to her, as she armed it with her Quirk, pointing it towards her, making the young teen freeze.

"Now hold still…" She told her, "This will only hurt… A LOT!"

Reina quickly moved just as she pulled the trigger; but as she did, she heard the sound of an explosion ring through her ears, nearly blowing her off of her feet. She quickly recovered as she saw that the Villain was no longer there and instead Katsuki stood in her place.

"What in the world?" She said to herself softly, as she stood up.

"GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF THE DAMN CLOUDS!" Katsuki shouted as he rocketed towards her again. This time Reina had been able to block his attack as she had been nearly pushed back again.

"I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON, BUT YOU GOTTA GET WITH THE PROGRAM!" He yelled at her, before Reina back flipped, countering him in the process. He spit out some blood out of his mouth, as he recovered.

"STOP THINKING ABOUT EVERYTHING ELSE!" He told her, "AND FOCUS ON WHAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW!"

He came at her again and again, as this time she barely managed to block him.

"FIGHT ME!" He yelled.

He used his Quirk, though Reina forced his arm upward, forcing his explosion in the air.

"FIGHT FOR YOURSELF!" He shouted.

He managed to trip her; though instead of falling onto her back, she managed to get herself off the floor recovering from the attack, before she got him in the leg causing him to stumble; though he kept himself steady.

"FIGHT LIKE YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT!" He exclaimed, "BE A HERO AND FIND A WAY TO WIN!"

Reina's eyes widened slightly at this as she saw his eyes had been written with worry about her, despite the fact he gave his usual expression. She just couldn't believe it. Even though they were in a match, even though they were fighting to win…

...He still wanted to help her.

"Katsuki-kun…"

The ringing soon came again, causing her to grasp her head; flashes of images went through her head before she had been taken back by the sound of a voice.

"Rei-chan…"

She flinched at the name, but the voice didn't belong to the boy. The voice came over her shoulder, as she heard the sound of scratching.

"... You don't remember me… Do you…?"

Reina had been about to turn to the sound of the voice, though was snapped back in reality when she found herself blocking Katsuki's attack.

"What did I tell you Lollipop Head!?" He shouted again, "Stay focused!"

As the fight continued on, Class 1A as well as some of 1B couldn't help but look worried. They watched as Reina fought, though they noticed that she had been acting strangely.

"Floyd-san.." Izuku said to Floyd.

"Yeah..I'm worried too..something ain't adding up with Reina." Floyd repiled. "She worked so hard for this..yet...with the way she's fighting..it's like she's not herself..She's relying too much on defense rather than offensive.."

"Now that you mention it--" Gio said, as he gave it a thought, "--She has been trying to get away from Bakugou for most of the match."

"Wow, Aihara-san. I never knew you knew so much about these things.." Mina told him.

"Call it a hunch.." Floyd told them. "It's like my Grandparents said. 'A Sword can do so many things...There is so much a shield can do too. But overtime, both will break and crumble..and at any rate you'll leave yourself wide open for an attack.' "

"I don't understand...is everything alright with Reina-san?" Pony asked.

"I-I don't know....First, Midoriya and that Todoroki dude nearly killed each other...then Floyd went berserk..Now Reina.." Kuriruzu said with worry. "Seriously, what's going on with Class 1-A?"

Monoma said with a slight chuckle, "Seems like the mighty Class 1-A has fallen at last.."

He was soon met with another one of Kuriruzu's needles as Monoma began to cough up blood.

"Getting REAL tired of your shit today, Monoma.." Kuriruzu said in a pissed off tone. "Lay off!"

"Wow, Mahi. You're defending them?" He asked.

"Damn right I am!" She said, "Don't make me put another quill in you, Jackass!"

"So the beast is baring her fangs huh?" Monoma asked before getting backhanded by Kendo.

"You're the beast." Kendo said, as she crossed her arms.

"Not you too, Kendo." Monoma groaned.

The Aihara family watched the fight continue onward, though noticed pretty much that Reina looked a little off as she went to charge at Katsuki. Lena said, as she turned to her brother and parents, "Hey..You guys notice Reina-chan right?"

Aaron had added, "Come to think of it… She's running rather than fighting.."

"Oh no...Jo.." Joji asked his wife. "Is this.."

"Yeah...What Dad, Toshi and Aizawa told us about--" Josephine replied as she shook. "--The side effect of Reina-chan's Quirk.."

Reina managed to distance herself as they both started to catch their breath. She knew she went to attack, though her body unconsciously moved on its own and she found herself running. She found her body shaking a little as the ring had gotten a bit louder; images of Shigaraki and the Villain appeared in her line of vision, only to disappear again as she hit her head.

"Stop it."

She moved from Katsuki again as he used his Quirk; As she went to charge the Villain stood in front of her with her paintball gun. She went right through her, just as she attacked back.

"Stop it."

Katsuki kicked her off of her, though managed to steady herself on the ground. As she threw a punch, her fist went through the body of Shigaraki.

"Stop it!"

She turned but barely managed to counter Katsuki's Quirk, making her fly once more; she flipped back as she stopped herself from flying out of the ring, before she stood.

"It's not real! It's not real! Neither of you are here!"

Katsuki kept on going at her, with Reina counter attacking or dodging, until finally, she went on the offensive.

"I have to win this! I have to get to the top!"

She went to charge but as she did--

"--Rei-chan."

The world around her started to slow down as she found herself within a familiar purple void; at the end of it stood Shigaraki as he had his hand out to her, as if he was reaching out.

"... Make no mistake… The next time I see you… I'll bring you back where you belong!"

She soon felt a presence behind her as her body froze; when she looked over her shoulder, she saw the Villain with the paintball gun as she aimed for her head. She laughed before saying in a demonic tone of voice, "Here comes the airplane~!"

And thus she took the shot.

Katsuki had gotten himself ready for Reina's attack, but had been startled when Reina let out a scream as she had fallen on her side, landing just near his feet. Most of the crowd gasped as Class 1A and B had been put into shock. The rest of the Aihara family just looked surprised at this.

"Rei-Rei!?" Mina exclaimed.

"What's happening!?" Kyoka exclaimed.

"Reina-chan!" Izuku exclaimed with worry as he stood.

Floyd stared at the stage wide-eyed as he exclaimed, "Holy shit--REINA!"

Lena exclaimed, "Oh My God! Someone call an ambulance!"

"What's happening to her?!" Aaron shouted.

Joji and Josephine had been the only ones that knew what had been happening as they looked at one another. "Do you think it's--!" Josephine started to say.

Joji had finished for her, "--I think so."

The crowd had been taken back when feed on the television had been cut, leaving them to ponder and wonder what was happening.

Katsuki looked to Reina as she had thrashed on the floor, clutching her head as she screamed in agony. It hadn't been long before Nemuri and Ken ran to the stage, as she was by her side.

"Reina-chan!" He heard her say, "Reina-chan! Listen to me! You're in a nightmare, you have to wake up now!"

"Reina-chan, come on!" Ken told her, "Listen to our voices, you have to wake up!"

It hadn't been long before Katsuki was taken by surprise, by a sight he didn't think he would see; When Reina let out another scream Nemuri and found themself freezing, and he saw that in the next second, they had been gasping for air and started to reach for their throat.

Immediately, Katsuki took action as he ran towards her; he slid on the floor, stopping at her side, as Nemuri fell on her back.

"Reina!" He said, as he shook her, "Reina snap out of it! You're hurting them!"

As Reina opened her eyes he saw the familiar shade of gold, as she looked terrified as she turned on her side struggling to breath. He felt a familiar sensation go through his body as his side began to ache. The hair on her head started to lose its color, as a streak of it began to turn black.

The scene before him had been familiar as he looked around and to the Heroes, the Pros on the ground struggling to breath. He knew what was going to happen next. He knew what was coming, and it couldn't help but scare him.

Not because of what the girl before him could do…

...But because of what would come after.

All he knew was, he didn't want to lose her… Not again.

But what could he do?

As far as he saw, he could tell words didn't get through to her. He didn't know what else he could do. Though it hadn't been long before one solution came to his head as he looked to his hand. He shook slightly, at this as he clenched his hand; He didn't like it, but… He didn't have much of a choice now.

He took Reina by the jacket as she looked to him, still terrified as she looked to be in tears; her nose had started to bleed.

"... Reina… I'm sorry…"

Just like that he threw his fist across her face and in just one hit, her body had gone limp; the color of her hair had come back just as Nemuri and Ken caught their breath. "Are you alright?" Ken asked Nemuri.

"Yeah…" She said as she coughed, "... Yeah I'm alright… Reina-chan--"

The two of them had been taken back when they saw Reina in Katsuki's arms; He was holding her close as his eyes had been hidden by the shadow of his bangs. He held her tightly as his arms shook a little. He bit his bottom lip as he had been trying to prevent himself from crying.

Class 1A had been in shock as the feed on the large televisions came back on.

"What just happened?" Gio asked.

"I couldn't tell…" Momo said.

"Re--Reina-chan…" Izuku said as he looked fearfully..

Floyd said as his body shook, "i-is s-she..?"

"N-n-n-o Aihara-chan...s-she's a-alive is she?" Tsuyu asked.

"y-yeah...Rei-Rei is a-alive and kicking!" Mina added.

Nemuri went over to Reina and quickly checked her over after she recovered. She sighed with relief when she saw she had still been breathing. She soon stood up and said to a very confused audience.

"Reina Nouki has been knocked out." Nemuri told the crowd, "The winner and finalist is Katsuki Bakugou!"

And honestly… That was something Katsuki didn't want to hear. Throughout the entire sports festival from the semifinal to this...

Nothing was going his way.