It was another day of rigorous training for Class 1A as they pushed their Quirks to the limit, under the watchful eyes of their pro-hero mentors. The air crackled with determination as each student strived to enhance and master their unique abilities. Among them was Kurmara, facing her own set of challenges, grappling with the intricate management of her myriad Quirks. During the demanding physical exercises, Kurmara found herself juggling the demands of her Wind, Water, Strength, and Emotional Wave Quirks. With a tornado swirling around her generated by her Wind Quirk, she also had to practice applying Water to wrap around a simulated wound on her arm. All the while, she had to maintain her mobility, a challenging feat that required her complete focus. "Come on, kid! Focus! Ensure the water coverage and move quickly!" she was reminded each time her water faltered or she lagged behind. The instructors pushed her relentlessly, the urgency in their voices driving her to perform at her best. With a low groan, she took a deep breath and used her water to form a perfect wrap around the fake wound on her arm before sprinting towards Pixie-Bob, who awaited her with a critical eye.
"Pick up the pace and remember to maintain the water's integrity, or you risk infection!" the blonde hero exclaimed as Kurmara huffed. The relentless training was undoubtedly challenging, but her determination spurred her on, and she was determined to get it right. "Enough! How about demonstrating your Strength Quirk?" Tiger's booming voice echoed from behind the short student, causing her to swiftly turn to face him. "Well, I can only really use it when I'm really angry..." Kurmara hesitated. "Nonsense! You should be able to harness your strength without relying on anger. You need to focus. Now, go over to that tree and give it a solid punch! Concentrate, no anger required," Tiger insisted. Reluctantly, Kurmara approached one of the sturdy trees, staring at the wood for a moment. She then took a deep breath, exhaling slowly, and blocked out the anguished shouts from her classmates behind her as they worked on improving their Quirks. She clenched her fists and began tapping them against the tree, starting slowly and gradually increasing her speed, all while keeping her emotions in check. The pain in her knuckles intensified, but she refused to relent.
Frustration began to creep in, but she was determined not to let anger take over. I need to control my strength without any emotion, she thought, gritting her teeth as she pounded the tree. Blood stained the bark, but she pressed on. With a shout, she charged up another punch, striking so hard that she punched through the tree, sending chunks of wood flying. Tiger nodded in approval. "Quirks are meant to be controlled without the interference of emotions. That's how you avoid setbacks." Kurmara acknowledged his words with a nod, though her bloody and bruised knuckles demanded her attention. She winced as she glanced at them before using her Water Quirk to create a thin, steady wrap around her injured hands, relieving some of the pain. A smile crept across her face. "I did it," she said, looking up at Tiger. "You've mastered two of your Quirks, but there are still two more to strengthen and control," Tiger reminded her. The challenge that remained was activating her Emotional Wave Quirk without succumbing to despair, a formidable task she knew would require time and effort. This will be quite the journey, Kurmara thought with a sigh as she observed her water-wrapped hands.
She knew there was much work ahead to strengthen and control all her Quirks, and she was prepared to face it head-on. As she stood there, catching her breath, she couldn't help but notice the unwavering support of her classmates. They had been pushing themselves just as hard, facing their own challenges and setbacks. It was this camaraderie and shared determination that fueled Kurmara's resolve even further. She wasn't alone in her journey to master her Quirks; she had the support of her friends, and together, they would overcome every obstacle that came their way.
* * *
After enduring hours of relentless training and painstakingly tending to her wounded hands, Kurmara longed for a moment of solitude. The bustling training camp had exacted its toll, leaving her with a strong desire to retreat to a peaceful setting where she could refine her newfound abilities. Seizing a brief break, she quietly slipped away from the group, her aim to find a secluded spot in the forest where she could hone her skills undisturbed. Unbeknownst to her, fate had other plans in store. As Kurmara ventured deeper into the woods, her senses heightened, and the atmosphere shifted, filling her with a sense of anticipation. What she didn't realize was that Bakugou, driven by his own ambition and unyielding need for improvement, had also stumbled upon this hidden gem of solitude. Upon reaching the spot she had earmarked for her private practice, Kurmara was taken aback to find Bakugou already occupying the space. He stood facing her as she emerged from the trees and bushes, his explosive presence and perpetual scowl giving her pause. "What the hell are you doing here, Odd-Eyes?" Bakugou demanded irritably, the derogatory nickname stinging her. Startled, Kurmara stammered, "I... I didn't expect you to be here."
Bakugou's eyes narrowed as he crossed his arms. "What, you think you own this part of the woods now?" Kurmara quickly shook her head, eager to de-escalate the situation. "No, I just didn't anticipate you being here. I didn't take you for the type to wander off alone." "Tch, like I care what you anticipate. Get lost." Feeling a mix of fear and frustration from their previous encounters, Kurmara turned to leave, wanting to put as much distance between them as possible. However, she heard him mutter something under his breath, causing her to pause and turn back out of curiosity. "What did you say?" she asked, prompting an eye roll from Bakugou. "What, you have bad hearing now?" Kurmara huffed and walked over to stand a short distance away from him. "I'll just ignore that." "Whatever. I said, are you just going to walk away and forget what I told you?" Bakugou sneered, stepping closer to her which made her raise a brow. A smirk formed on his face as he continued, "Remember how I told you we'd have a rematch? Well, now's the perfect time." Kurmara's eyes widened in disbelief. "No way! We're here to train, not to fight." And I'm too scared of you to go against you. She thought but she refused to say that out loud.
Bakugou's voice dripped with arrogance as he replied, "Too bad. You made me look like a damn fool in front of everyone. What, you can't handle it without an audience?" Annoyed by his taunts, Kurmara's determination resurfaced, and she locked eyes with him, her resolve unwavering. "I don't need an audience," Bakugou smirked confidently. "Then let's settle this right now." Their standoff ignited a fierce determination within both of them as they prepared for their impromptu rematch, the tension palpable in the air. Kurmara showcased her agility, deftly dodging Bakugou's powerful punches and explosive bursts. She seemed to have the upper hand, evading his attacks with calculated precision. However, in a split second, Bakugou unleashed his Quirk, launching a devastating explosion toward Kurmara. Caught off guard, she was sent hurtling backward, crashing onto her back with a groan of pain. The impact jolted through her body, momentarily immobilizing her. Bakugou couldn't help but taunt her. "Hah! What's the matter? Can't handle my power?" Struggling to rise, Kurmara gritted her teeth and dusted herself off. "I just didn't expect you to use your Quirk." Bakugou scoffed, his confidence unshaken. "What, did you think I was gonna make it easy on you?"
A sly smile curved on Kurmara's lips as she pushed herself up. She shook her head, a newfound determination gleaming in her eyes. "No, now I know what I can do too." Her response momentarily surprised Bakugou, but he quickly regained his composure, his competitive spirit reigniting. The stage was set for a fierce battle between the two, each determined to push their limits and prove their strength. As the tension between Kurmara and Bakugou continued to mount, their surroundings seemed to blur into a chaotic backdrop, each step they took echoing with the weight of their unresolved conflict. Aizawa's presence lingered nearby, watching over the confrontation with a vigilant eye. Kurmara couldn't let Bakugou's challenge go unanswered. She clenched her fists, summoning her Quirks to her aid. Her eyes glowed with determination as she focused her Wind Quirk to create a protective barrier around herself, the air around her shimmering and distorting. Bakugou, on the other hand, smirked as he ignited his explosive Quirk, causing sparks to crackle at his fingertips. "You think hiding behind some wind will save you?" he taunted. Without a word, Bakugou launched himself forward with explosive speed, his body a blur as he closed the gap between them in an instant.
He swung a powerful punch, aiming directly at Kurmara's barrier. Kurmara held her ground, her Wind Quirk absorbing the force of Bakugou's punch with a resounding shockwave. She gritted her teeth against the strain, but her determination refused to waver. "I won't back down," she muttered under her breath. As Bakugou continued his relentless assault, Kurmara knew she had to find an opening. She focused her Water Quirk and sent a stream of water shooting toward Bakugou, aiming to disrupt his balance. But Bakugou, ever the agile combatant, propelled himself into the air with a powerful explosion, evading the attack with ease. He descended toward Kurmara with a calculated strike, his fist crackling with explosive energy. Kurmara barely managed to raise her Wind barrier in time to deflect the blow, but the impact sent her skidding backward, struggling to maintain her footing. The two combatants circled each other, their breaths heavy and labored. It was clear that neither was willing to yield. Bakugou's frustration simmered just beneath the surface, while Kurmara's determination burned brighter with each passing moment.
Aizawa, watching from the sidelines, couldn't help but admire their determination and tenacity. He knew that this confrontation was a crucial test for both of them, a test of not only their Quirks but also their resolve. The battle raged on, each clash of Quirks and fists pushing both Kurmara and Bakugou to their limits. The surrounding forest seemed to hold its breath as the two students fought, their destinies intertwined in this moment of fierce determination and unwavering pride. Once the two stood opposite each other, their bodies weary from the intense combat, tension filled the air. Kurmara broke the silence, her voice laced with defiance. "Had enough yet? Or can you stand getting beat by a girl?" Bakugou scowled at her words, his pride stung. He let out a frustrated yell, confusing the teen girl for a moment. He then declared that they were done and turned to walk away. But before he could take another step, she swiftly used her water Quirk to splash him, catching him off guard. As Bakugou turned back to face her, he was met with her anger. "So that's it? You're just done?" She demanded, her voice filled with frustration. Bakugou walked over to her, his expression hardened.
"Yeah, and so what? I don't have to waste my time fighting with some idiot." Kurmara's eyes burned with intensity as she shot back, "Idiot?! You're one to talk with the way you've been treating me since school started!" The tension between them escalated, and emotions ran high. Bakugou turned around to walk away again, but Kurmara couldn't contain her frustration any longer. She shouted after him, "I just don't get why you hate me! I never did anything to you!" In a swift motion, Bakugou spun around, his glare piercing. He grabbed her face in his hand roughly and forced Kurmara to look up at him, their eyes locked in a battle of wills. Before any words could be exchanged between them, Aizawa emerged, his presence breaking the charged atmosphere. "What are you two doing out here?" He calmly asked, interrupting the intense confrontation. The sudden interruption gave Kurmara and Bakugou a momentary respite, their heated exchange put on hold. They both knew that their conflict was far from resolved, but for now, they had no choice but to answer their teacher's inquiry. Bakugou, without uttering a word, simply walked past their teacher, leaving Kurmara to let out a frustrated groan.
She watched him disappear into the distance before reluctantly turning her attention back to Aizawa. Aizawa observed Kurmara for a moment, his gaze steady. "I saw what just happened," he said, his voice calm and collected. "Don't worry about Bakugou. He's got his own way of dealing with things." Kurmara sighed, feeling a mix of annoyance and disappointment. She knew that reconciling with Bakugou wouldn't be easy, but the confrontation had only fueled her determination. She nodded in response to Aizawa's words, acknowledging his understanding. "Now, go wash up and head back inside," Aizawa instructed, his tone firm yet caring. "We'll address this situation later. Right now, focus on taking care of yourself and your injuries. I'm sure you reopened your wounds." Kurmara nodded once again, appreciating Aizawa's guidance. She turned to return to the facility, the weight of the encounter lingering in her thoughts. As she walked, she couldn't help but wonder how this ongoing conflict with Bakugou would eventually play out, and what it meant for their dynamic within Class 1A.