he picks up on his increasing anger easily, and a soft laugh leaves him, barely audible. touma thinks it’s about time that his classmate use flames that are stronger than a flickering candle. his grin widens and he keeps a close eye on ryuichi’s actions— as much as he’s acting casually, he hasn’t forgotten that this IS a fight.
“ i’m implying that i want you to stop HOLDING BACK against me. it’s insulting, really! “ he doesn’t actually take it personally, he’s smart enough to put together why the other holds back, even respects him for it. it’s what a hero would do, after all. but touma knows he can handle it, his quirk is more than strong enough to withstand the heat and pressure.
and then ryuichi charges, and touma makes a quick sidestep before another row of crystals brings a divide between them. at his shout, he raises an eyebrow, fingers brush against the crystals between them and they crumble to the ground in a display of candy red dust, catching the light and giving a glittering display.
“ fight you? but this is like endurance training for me, you know. if you really want me to fight you, i’ll end this fight in a second. “ the threat isn’t empty, he knows his skills and he thinks he can predict ryuichi well enough to successfully entrap him between sharpened crystals. “ i guess, if you really want it to end so quickly, i’ll be happy to oblige. “
Ryuichi’s steps skid to a halt in the spot where Touma was mere seconds ago. His arm raises to pound on the barrier between them, but it disappears before he can, and he hesitates. ( his teeth are bared, his eyes wide and wild, the heat from his flames making his bangs stick to his forehead with sweat. the spitting image of his father. )
if you really want me to fight you, i’ll end this fight in a second.
The quirk he’s gotten isn’t amazing, though Ryuichi is sure in the right hands, a hero could easily climb to the top. But it’s his; and what is Ryuichi but a disappointing delinquent? He wants to prove them wrong — has to prove he can be better — but at the end of the day, he knows his limits. And if he can’t fight Touma at his full strength, he’ll lose.
The red lining his pupil dissipates as his fire does. Ryuichi lowers his arms.
— “ We’re done here, ” he admits, rather losing on his own terms than to be humiliated. If he excuses himself, his pride can stay somewhat intact. “ I’m hungry. ”