Chapter 16: Reckoning in the Office
The air behind Aldera Elementary still crackled with tension as Mr. Tanaka marched Izuku Midoriya and Katsuki Bakugo toward the principal's office, his grip firm on Bakugo's arm. Izuku walked beside them, hands in his pockets, breath steady despite the adrenaline buzzing in his veins. Bakugo's palms smoked faintly, his scowl deep enough to carve lines into his face. He's fuming, Izuku thought, smirking inside. Good, let him stew. The yard fight and the explosions versus telekinesis had drawn a crowd, and now a handful of students trailed behind, whispering as Tanaka pushed open the office door.
Inside, Principal Sato a stout man with graying hair and a perpetually stern frown sat behind a cluttered desk, papers stacked high. He looked up, adjusting his glasses as Tanaka shoved the boys forward. "What's this now?" Sato asked, voice gruff. "Tanaka, explain."
"They were fighting out back," Tanaka said, releasing Bakugo with a huff. "Lunch break and Bakugo set off explosions, Midoriya used his Quirk telekinesis. Throwing bricks, lids, pebbles flying everywhere. I broke it up before it got worse."
Sato's frown deepened, eyes flicking between the two. "Fighting? With Quirks? You know the rules about zero tolerance for this nonsense." He leaned forward, steepling his fingers. "Midoriya, what happened?"
Izuku kept his tone even, meeting Sato's gaze. "Bakugo cornered me and he wanted a fight. I told him I wasn't scared, and he started blasting. I just blocked him and I didn't attack." Keep it clean, he thought.
"Bullshit!" Bakugo snapped, fists clenching. "He provoked me by acting all high and mighty, throwing stuff with that stupid Quirk! He's the freak here!"
"Enough," Sato barked, silencing Bakugo with a glare. "I'll hear from witnesses. You three, step in." He nodded to Hana Tanaka, Kenji Mori, and Miki Yamada, who'd lingered by the door, wide-eyed but eager. They shuffled in, Hana clutching her pencil like a lifeline.
"Tell me what you saw," Sato said, pen poised over a notepad.
Hana spoke first, voice soft but clear. "Bakugo started it, sir. He went up to Izuku behind the school, yelling about a fight and called him names, sparked his hands. Izuku didn't even move 'til Bakugo attacked."
"Yeah," Kenji added, nodding fast. "Bakugo threw the first explosion and tried to hit Izuku right off. Izuku just blocked it with a brick he didn't throw it at him or anything. Was just defending himself."
Miki crossed her arms, smirking faintly. "Bakugo's been mad since Izuku got back he kept glaring all morning. He dragged him out there to pick a fight. Izuku didn't start fight."
Sato scribbled, his frown etching deeper. "So, Bakugo initiated this unprovoked?" He glanced at Tanaka, who nodded grimly. "Alright both of your parents are coming. You two, sit." He pointed to chairs against the wall. Izuku took one, while Bakugo slumped into the other, arms folded, seething.
Half an hour later, the door swung open. Inko Midoriya rushed in, her floral blouse rumpled, face pale with worry. "Izuku! Are you okay?" she asked, hurrying to his side, hands hovering like she might hug him right there.
"I'm fine, Mom," Izuku said, offering a small smile. "Just a scuffle I didn't get hurt." She's freaking out, he thought. Gotta keep her calm.
Behind her came Bakugo's parents, Mitsuki and Masaru. Mitsuki stormed in first, blonde hair wild, a fiery glint in her eyes matching her son's. She wore a tight red top and jeans, her figure sharp and striking curves Izuku couldn't help but notice, a flicker of his old-life taste kicking in. She's got it, he thought, glancing quick while everyone focused on Sato. Hot-headed and hot, Bakugo's got her spark, alright. Masaru followed, quieter, glasses fogged, suit creased from a rushed trip.
"What's this about, Katsuki?" Mitsuki snapped, hands on hips as she loomed over her son. "Fighting again?"
Sato cleared his throat, standing. "Mrs. Midoriya, Mr. and Mrs. Bakugo, please, sit." He gestured to chairs, and they settled Inko beside Izuku, Mitsuki and Masaru flanking Bakugo. "Here's the situation," Sato began, voice firm. "During lunch, your sons clashed behind the school. Bakugo used explosions it was aggressive, unprovoked, as per witnesses. Midoriya countered with telekinesis defensive moves only. The students and Mr. Tanaka confirm Bakugo started it."
Inko gasped, hand flying to her mouth. "Izuku, you were attacked? Oh, honey—!"
"I handled it, Mom," Izuku said, patting her arm. "He came at me, I just stopped him. No big deal." She's sweet, but I'm just the victim here, he thought. Let's play this right.
Mitsuki's eyes narrowed, swiveling to Bakugo. "Katsuki, you little punk, what'd I tell you about picking fights? You're the instigator again?"
Bakugo glared at the floor, muttering, "He's been acting like he's better, that pissed me off."
"That's no excuse!" Sato cut in, slamming his desk. "Bakugo, you've got a temper and we've warned you. Explosions on school grounds? Unacceptable. And there are witnesses say Midoriya didn't provoke. He's been a target before, and you've got history. This ends now."
Masaru adjusted his glasses, voice soft. "Katsuki, we've talked about this before control yourself. You can't keep doing this."
Mitsuki exploded, leaning over Bakugo, her voice a whip. "Control? He's a damn loose cannon! Katsuki, you think you're tough starting crap? Humiliating yourself again suspended last year, now this? I'm sick of it! You're smarter than this now act like it, you brat!" She jabbed his chest, her figure tense and commanding Izuku stealing another glance, admiring the fire in her stance. She's a force, he thought, keeping it subtle. Old me would've stared the new me's got discipline.
Bakugo flinched, jaw tight, but said nothing. Sato nodded, turning to Inko. "Mrs. Midoriya, your son's clear, He only defended himself so there are no punishments. Bakugo, however for you one-week suspension, effective tomorrow. We've got enough here to pin it on him."
Inko exhaled, squeezing Izuku's hand. "Thank you, Principal Sato, I just want him safe. I'm so sorry this happened."
"No need," Sato said, waving it off. "He's fine, he handled it well, even."
Mitsuki growled, grabbing Bakugo's ear. "Apologize, Katsuki now. To Midoriya. You started this mess, you fix it."
Bakugo yanked free, glaring at Izuku, teeth gritted. "Sorry," he spat, the word venomous, eyes promising war later. Fake as hell, Izuku thought, meeting his stare coolly. Take it and choke on it, I'm winning this round.
"Good enough," Mitsuki said, hauling him up. "We're going home, you're grounded too, you little terror." She nodded to Inko. "Sorry about him, he's a handful."
"It's alright," Inko said, voice shaky but kind. "Boys will be boys, I suppose, thank goodness no one's hurt."
Masaru bowed slightly. "We'll sort him out I apologies again." He shuffled after Mitsuki, who dragged Bakugo out, her scolding echoing down the hall "Dumbass moves like that? You're better than that, Katsuki!"
Sato sighed, rubbing his temples. "Midoriya, you're free to go, keep that Quirk in check, though. No more trouble."
"Got it, sir," Izuku said, standing with Inko. No punishment. sweet, he thought, a smirk flickering inside. Bakugo's down a week, and I'm golden. Power shifts fast.
They left the office, Inko fussing over him as they headed home, the tension with Bakugo simmering hotter than ever but for now, Izuku stood tall.