A Culture of Impunity

As I lay sprawled on the ground, the rough stones digging into my back and the tickling sensation of the grass against my skin only added to my misery. My ears rang, and my face throbbed in pain, a constant reminder of Bakugou's brutal outburst. The injustice of it all swirled in my mind like a maelstrom - how could he just use his Quirk willy-nilly, blasting people he didn't like into oblivion? It wasn't just about bullying or being a bad guy; it was about the law. I recalled the stories I'd heard about the authorities cracking down on Quirk usage, especially for those who weren't licensed. Todoroki, Iida, and Midoriya, despite being heroes in training, were held to such high standards that even their actions in self-defense were scrutinized. But Bakugou? He seemed to operate above the law, as if his wealthy and influential family made him untouchable. This wasn't just about me or our little park confrontation; it was about a pattern of behavior that had been allowed to continue unchecked. My thoughts, a jumbled mix of pain, anger, and confusion, swirled together in a vortex, making it hard to focus. Yet, amidst all this chaos, one question stood out: how did Izuku endure it for so long? Was it a trait unique to anime characters, this ability to withstand pain and humiliation? Or was Izuku just that strong? The ringing in my ears began to subside, replaced by the sound of Bakugou's muffled laughter, growing louder with each passing moment. I felt the ground shift as he approached, his footsteps heavy and deliberate. I tried to move, to scramble away, but my body seemed rooted to the spot, unable to respond. Bakugou loomed over me, his figure blocking out the sunlight. His fingers, crackling with electricity, cast a menacing shadow on the ground beside me. I tried to speak, to beg him to stop, but all that came out was a strangled gasp. Panic set in, my heart racing with fear as I stared up at him, helpless and vulnerable. For what felt like an eternity, Bakugou simply stood there, his eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and contempt. I could almost see the wheels turning in his head, weighing his options, deciding what to do next. The air seemed to vibrate with tension, the only sound the distant chirping of birds and the heavy, oppressive silence between us. Then, without warning, Bakugou reached out, his hand closing around my wrist like a vice. I winced, expecting another blast of his Quirk, but instead, he just pulled me up, his grip unyielding. I stumbled, my legs wobbly beneath me, as he dragged me closer, our faces inches apart. "You're not going to give up, are you?" he sneered, his hot breath washing over me. "You're not going to let me walk all over you." My mind reeled, a mixture of fear and defiance warring within me. I knew I had to respond, to stand up for myself, but the words caught in my throat, refusing to come out. Bakugou's grip tightened, his eyes flashing with a challenge, and for a moment, I thought I saw something else there, something that looked almost like... anticipation. And then, everything went black.