Technical Support

Chapter 18

Not because she didn't know that part. She had already deduced that from the battle training. She was surprised that Midoriya was revealing this to Bakugou. A piece of information so secretive that he did not tell even her or his own mother about.

Ayano sighed and her eyebrows furrowed. It seemed that she had a long way to go before she caught up to Bakugou. He really was amazing.

She was snapped out of her thoughts with Bakugou's shouting. "I...lost to you today!! And as if that weren't enough...that icy bastard! No way I can measure up to him either!!! Ponytail girl said it all, really...and even Ayano! Even Ayano...she...she!!! Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!" He started to furiously swing his arms at his side. "Why?!! You too...Deku!!!"

"From here on, I...!! From here on, y'hear me?!! I'm gonna beat you all!!!"

Ayano continued to stand with her back against the pillar. Her arms were lifeless, entire body limp. She was nearly sliding down the pillar with how loose her body was, the straps of her bag slowly falling off her shoulder. Her eyes stared off into space, her lips set into a thin line. Her ears perked at the distinct sound of Bakugou's sniffling.

"I fear that at that point, he may not know how to take that. He'll realize that he isn't some big fish in a small pond. The pond is much bigger than he thinks and there is much bigger prey than him. I have no idea how he'll react, but I doubt that this will bode well."

This wasn't how she thought he would react at all. Not by a longshot.

If anything, she believed his superiority and inferiority complex would have completely taken over him. In a sense, it had, but he was still in control somehow.

Today's events didn't bring him down. It only brought him up.

Had he really listened to what she said? Was he really repenting? Was he serious about it all? She couldn't stand his actions today, using her costume in the way that he had.

Right now though...right now...he was just like when they were younger.

"I'm gonna become the number one hero someday!"

That confidence. That determination. That perseverance. That charisma.

It was all there. It was all there, and even more.

It was something he had that she could never turn away from. Not when they were younger, and not now.

"I really don't think that I can do much for him like you believe. If I could, I wouldn't be worrying about this. The only thing I can do for him is support him as I have in the past..." She looked at her invention sitting on the table. "...and even then, it really isn't much."

Ayano bit her lip, nearly drawing blood. She looked into her bag, pulling out the stack of papers she received from Junk Master. She laid the pile flat on her palms, letting the weight of it and her actions sink in. She rubbed a hand over her face in frustration. Was this really the right choice?

Her decision was made when she heard his voice again. "Get off me, All Might. I can't walk. Needless to say, I'll be a hero who surpasses even you!!" Ayano chuckled quietly, feeling a sting in the back of her eyes that she hadn't felt in a long time. She quickly composed herself before anything came from it.

Ayano shoved the papers back into her bag when she noticed that there was a peculiar partition between the stack. She smiled, making a mental note to thank her homeroom teacher.

Bakugou finally made it to where she was standing. Noticing her, he turned away, furiously drying his tears. He mumbled into his arm, "I'll show you, too. I'll become the best hero even without your costume!" She gently smiled at him, although he was too busy rubbing at his eyes to see.

He was right. He didn't need her...but he sure as hell could benefit from her help. "The only thing I can do for him is support him as I have in the past."

As long as he was dead set on his goal from back then, she would be there. As long as he never wavered from his ideals, she would be there. As long as he would never change, she would be there.

She slowly walked towards him, handing him a stack of papers. Bakugou grit his teeth in frustration, thinking that those were the forms about him losing the rights to the costume. He saw the heading through his blurry vision.

Section IV, Clause 27 of the Support Items Act

He wasn't exactly of the right state of mind, but he was sure that she had mentioned Clause 26 and not Clause 27.

"Section IV, Clause 27 of the Support Items Act. In the event that a hero or user of the support item has redeemed themselves in the eyes of the support department or individual support item creator...the person in question may gain back rights to the support item under supervision of the creator." Bakugou's head shot up to look at Ayano. She turned her head slightly to the right, just avoiding his eyes for some reason.

"In other words...I am placing you on probation..." His eyes were wide, the tears stopping from the shock. He was about to say something, but he grit his teeth.

There were two emotions swirling in his eyes. Relief and frustration.

He was relieved. She had not fully forgiven him, but she had also not fully given up on him. Somehow. Someway. She still believed he could become a hero.

Yet, he felt like he didn't earn it. He didn't earn it at all. There should be no reason why she was forgiving him at all. He wanted this and he didn't want it at the same time. He wanted a definite confirmation from her. He wanted her unconditional, indisputable, and complete support.

Ayano saw how hard he was clutching at the papers. "You are allowed to keep the grenades, but I am confiscating one bracer. I will also be receiving reports from your teachers on your behavior to ensure that you are using my costume for its intended purpose."

When he still didn't look back up at her, she also looked down with slight sadness in her eyes. "I have no use for such a costume..." She quietly and slowly started out. "...It was meant for a great hero, not an inventor. It would be far more useful in your hands."

Bakugou raised his head, seeing Ayano about an arms-length away from him. Her head tilted down and to the side, causing her fringe to fall forward.

There was the slightest hint of pink upon her cheeks.

He was happy, but still frustrated. He relented, mumbling. "I told you that I don't need your costume or your help..." She looked at him while he was rubbing at his cheeks to remove the dry tear marks. "...But if you don't need it...I guess I could...hold onto it for you."

Ayano released a single breath of laughter, smiling at the words he used to say so often as a child. "You really haven't changed at all..." She laughed to herself again at the irony of her words.

Bakugou's eyes didn't leave her features for a second, incredible relief filling his own. Her smile was back and the glower that he feared was no longer there.

Noticing his stare, she tried covering for herself. "You're still such a crybaby, even now."

"SHUT UP!!!"