The classroom was already loud.
Bakugo's voice cut through it like an explosion that didn't need a quirk.
"HEY! WHY'S THE TRANSFER GETTING THE FRONT SEAT?!"
Ren paused mid-step.
Aizawa hadn't even looked up from his sleeping bag.
"Because I put him there."
Bakugo slammed his desk. "TCH—"
Ren calmly took the seat anyway.
That alone was enough to irritate Bakugo.
Midoriya leaned over. "Kacchan, that's Ren Oshimiya. He's the dual-branch transfer."
Bakugo sneered. "So?"
"So he's… kind of a big deal."
Bakugo turned his glare fully on Ren now.
Ren met it—neutral, unbothered, quiet.
That was worse.
"You got a problem?" Bakugo snapped.
Ren blinked once. "Do I?"
Bakugo stood up. "You look like you do."
Ren tilted his head slightly. "You're loud. That's not the same thing."
The room froze.
Kirishima whispered, "Ooooh."
Bakugo's palms sparked.
Aizawa sighed. "Bakugo. Sit."
Bakugo didn't.
"You think because you're some fancy transfer—"
"I think," Ren interrupted calmly, "that you're mistaking noise for strength."
The sparks stopped.
Not because Bakugo calmed down.
Because something else filled the room.
Not visible.
Not aggressive.
But heavy.
Maki, observing from the back with a few Jujutsu students, narrowed her eyes.
"…That's pressure," she muttered.
Itadori swallowed. "He's not even doing anything."
Bakugo felt it too.
Like pushing against water that wasn't there.
"You—" Bakugo growled, teeth clenched. "What the hell are you doing?!"
Ren frowned slightly.
"…Sorry."
The pressure eased.
Bakugo staggered half a step back.
Silence.
Aizawa finally opened one eye.
"Oshimiya," he said flatly, "keep whatever that was locked down."
Ren nodded immediately. "Yes, sir."
Bakugo's chest rose and fell.
"You think you're better than me," he said quietly now.
Ren stood, turned to face him fully.
"No," he said honestly.
"I think you work hard."
Bakugo flinched.
"And I think," Ren continued, "that scares you—because you don't want anyone else to work harder.
"
For a second, Bakugo looked like he might explode.
Then he grinned.
"Good," Bakugo said. "Then fight me."
Ren shook his head. "Not yet."
Bakugo laughed sharply. "Tch. Coward."
Ren met his eyes one last time.
"When I fight you," he said calmly, "it won't be to prove anything."
Bakugo's grin widened.
"Then hurry up," he said. "I'll be waiting."
From the doorway, Gojo watched—amused.
"Oho," he whispered. "This class is gonna be fun."