BEGIN!!

- Location: Japan, Heinrich family's personal arena

[POV: Third-Person]

"BEGIN!" The referee declared as both Jihye and Henri assumed their stances.

"Stop!" Jihye commanded, fully activating her quirk on Henri. Jihye then advanced slowly toward the paralyzed Henri. "That was ea-" Jihye's statement was interrupted as Henri's cat glove nearly landed a hit on her.

"Did you think I wouldn't have planned for your voice?" Henri's ears were adorned with some kind of ear pods. The briefcase she carried started glowing blue as it shifted.

"Of course you did... you know my quirk better than anyone," Jihye said as she approached calmly.

"Better watch your steps." As Henri spoke, the ground where Jihye stood erupted in electricity, and Jihye barely managed to escape. Jihye then accelerated, sprinting towards Henri.

"Stupid decision!" Henri retorted as the briefcase on her hand extended to cover her entire arm. "Repulsion Gauntlet Model: Neko Giga partial!" Her voice echoed through the entire arena.

BOOM!!

Upon contact, Jihye and Henri's fists collided, pushing them both back. "I didn't expect you to take that attack head-on! How are you so strong?" Henri exclaimed in shock, as her last punch was forceful enough to pierce through a wall.

"Most of my body is composed of quirk cells, remember? I've secretly been training my body without telling you," Jihye revealed as she advanced.

"ALARM!" Henri jumped away suddenly, evading an unseen assault. "I made something for you too, Mary! Aerosensors Model: Dragonflies!" Henri announced as drones soared above the entire arena, scanning for concealed movements.

"I was hoping you'd get hit by that..." Jihye admitted as she accelerated once more.

"You think you're the only one with special moves?" Jihye leaped toward Henri.

"Vanishing Tiger!" At Jihye's words, Henri braced herself, anticipating Jihye's attack.

"ALARM!" Henri swiftly moved, dodging as if she evaded an attack. "GUH!" Henri exclaimed as an invisible fist struck her stomach. Observing this, Jihye promptly landed and sprinted toward Henri.

"Vanishing Tiger Renewal!" She announced, executing a high kick aimed at Henri. Henri blocked the kick with her metal-covered arm, but while she blocked one side, an unseen kick connected from the other.

"D-damn!" Henri exclaimed as she was propelled upwards. "Jet Boots Model: Hermes!" Henri activated her jet boots, causing all the drones to converge around her. "It seems the sensors won't help against simultaneous attacks..."

"I'll have to confront you directly!" Henri declared, the drones reconfiguring around her. "Just kidding!" Henri stuck out her tongue, attempting to mock Jihye, while the drones transformed into an array of guns.

Seeing nearly twenty guns trained on her, Jihye couldn't help but gulp. "You want to surrender?" Henri asked, sporting a smug grin.

"Really? Do you want to win like this?" Jihye questioned, sweat forming on her forehead. "I'm willing to do whatever it takes to bring you with me, to UA!" Henri stated, resolute.

Seconds ticked by as they locked eyes, anticipating each other's next move.

"Hey, Henri? Do you remember that powder bottle?" Jihye asked, seemingly floating in the air.

SWOOSH!

Jihye abruptly shot toward Henri as if propelled. "D-damn!" Henri exclaimed as Jihye seized her, causing both of them to crash to the ground with a resounding thud.

...

Henri lay on the ground, while Jihye stood over her. "I called your bluff... you were never going to shoot me in the first place, were you?" Jihye whispered to Henri as she stood up and walked away.

"Why?" Henri asked, tears streaming down her face. Jihye looked back at her, taken aback by Henri's emotional response. Seeing her cry like that, Jihye hurriedly moved forward to embrace her.

Henri's eyes widened as Jihye hugged her. "I'm sorry... for hurting you like this," Jihye murmured. Those words only brought forth more tears. "I never said I wouldn't come with you if I win, did I?" Jihye reassured as she wiped Henri's tears away.

"I never said I wouldn't spend time with you again..." Jihye continued, placing her forehead against Henri's.

"And nothing could ever make me hate you, no matter what you do... even if the entire world is against you... I will never hate you, Henri," Jihye declared as she gently touched Henri's cheek.

Henri's cheeks turned red as her blue eyes locked onto Jihye's deep, dark gaze.

...

The arena's entrance finally opened, and everyone rushed in to check if they were okay. Kei hurriedly approached, concerned about their well-being.

"Jihy—" Everyone suddenly froze as Jihye signaled them to be quiet with a gesture. "Shhh." Jihye sat down, and Henri fell asleep comfortably in her lap.