"Commencing Team J match!"
The announcement echoed through the old training building.
Kirishima grinned like a kid about to open his birthday present.
"Alright! Time to see what we're made of, Akira!"
I sighed, leaning against the fake bomb prop.
"You realize we're the villains, right? Technically we're supposed to lose."
"Villains don't give up!" he shouted, flexing his arms.
"Manly spirit, bro!"
I sighed again.
Honestly, I didn't even care about winning.
But letting him get beaten to a pulp didn't sit right either.
The building creaked.
Then, a soft thump-thump echoed from the hallway.
They're here.
I peeked around the corner and saw them.
Fumikage Tokoyami — the guy with a bird's head and an ominous shadow creature swirling around him.
And beside him, Tsuyu Asui, crouched low and calm, her big eyes staring ahead like a frog about to pounce.
"Enemy confirmed," Tokoyami's deep voice rumbled.
"Ribbit. Let's go," Tsuyu croaked.
Kirishima cracked his knuckles.
"Alright, we take 'em down, yeah?"
I hesitated.
I could take a hit, sure.
Thanks to my Phoenix powers — well, "quirk" as everyone thought — I was tough and healed fast.
But if I fought too seriously, someone might notice something weird. And I wasn't in the mood to get expelled on my second day.
"Don't go overboard, Red Riot," I muttered.
(Yeah — Kirishima still hadn't picked his hero name yet, but I was totally calling dibs on that one later. Felt right.)
The moment of tension snapped when Dark Shadow lunged forward.
"Prepare yourself!" Tokoyami shouted.
Kirishima dashed up to intercept, his skin hardening like rock.
"BRING IT!"
Clash!
Fist met shadow in a burst of force.
The whole hallway shook.
I sighed, stepped out from cover, and raised my palm. A swirl of blue-gold flame danced at my fingertips.
"Alright, let's keep it flashy," I muttered.
I shot a small wave of phoenix flames toward Tokoyami, making sure it was non-lethal.
The burst forced him back, Dark Shadow recoiling from the light.
"Tch… intense," Tokoyami grunted.
Tsuyu leapt over the chaos, aiming straight for the bomb.
Smart move.
Too bad I saw it coming.
As she landed, I dashed in front of her, coating myself in shimmering flames.
"Sorry, Asui," I said.
"You're not getting this."
"Ribbit. Impressive quirk," she admitted, launching a kick.
I blocked it with my arm — it hurt, sure, but my flames healed the burn marks instantly.
I grinned.
"Tougher than you look."
She leapt back.
Kirishima, meanwhile, headbutted Dark Shadow back, then gave me a thumbs-up.
"We got this, bro!"
I sighed.
I swear, I'm not even trying to be a villain right now…
Dark Shadow regrouped.
"Your fire is troublesome, Itsuki," Tokoyami admitted.
"But darkness never yields to light."
"Cool line, man," I said, raising my hands.
"But no hard feelings."
I blasted another burst of phoenix flame.
Tokoyami shielded himself with Dark Shadow, but the light was too much — the shadow retreated on instinct.
"They're open, now!" Kirishima charged.
In a burst of movement, we both lunged forward.
Kirishima grabbed Tokoyami while I zipped toward Tsuyu and lightly tapped her shoulder.
"Tag."
A buzzer sounded.
"TEAM J, VILLAINS, WIN!"
The speakers echoed.
I blinked.
Wait, what? We won?
Kirishima whooped, giving me a hard slap on the back.
"We did it, partner! Manliest villains ever!"
I coughed.
"Yeah… sure… hooray for crime, I guess."
Tokoyami and Tsuyu both recovered quickly.
Tsuyu gave me a small smile.
"You're strong, Itsuki. Ribbit."
"Uh, thanks," I said awkwardly.
As we headed out of the building, I groaned internally.
The rumor mill was gonna eat this up.
First villain boss rumors, now a decisive villain match win.
Perfect.
Could my life get any weirder?
…Actually, knowing my luck, yes.