Sakura walked back to Class 1-A's homeroom class with her head held high in determination. All Might's words had a huge impact on her, it was just too bad their conversation was cut short since the school day was coming to an end and the pinkette needed to get back to class as well.
However, when she reached her classroom, she was surprised to see a crowd of students from different courses gathering around Class A's door. The pinkette stepped in closer, causing heads to turn her way. Instantly they formed a path for the girl to walk through.
" Eh?" Sakura silently muttered, feeling the crowd's eyes on her as she walked into the classroom to grab her stuff.
The moment she stepped into the room, she regretted even making a move. The crowd wouldn't even move for Class A to get out and head home. Instead, the group of students seem to only grow in number.
" Who are they? Why are they here?" Sakura asked Uraraka who was frowning at the crowd.
" I don't know. But I think the only reason they allowed you to come through was so that you wouldn't be able to leave after entering." The brunette answered. " What ever they have to say, they want you to be here to hear it as well."
From behind Sakura, Bakugou stepped forward and walked over to the crowd. " They're scouting out the enemies can't you tell? We're the ones who survived the villain's attack, and because of the Sports Festival.. well you get the idea you trashes."
Sakura quickly got her bag before following Bakugou's lead. " Of course, it makes complete sense why they're here now."
" Yeah, but there's no point in doing stuff like this though." Bakugou scowled deeply at the people in front of him, making them either advert their eyes or step back. " Out of my way you extras."
" Firecracker!" Sakura scolded before punching the boy lightly on the arm. " You can't go around calling people Extras just because you don't know them."
From the crowd came a sudden lazy voice with a hint of disgust. " We came to check out the famous Class A, but there isn't anything to look at. You guys are just a bunch of arrogant kids who got lucky during a villain's attack."
Soon, a boy with purple hair and a bored expression came forward with his hands stuffed into his pockets. Sakura, not liking his attitude, leaned her face into the new comer's, her eyes narrowed into a glare. " What do you know? I didn't see you out in the field fighting for your life."
" I'm from the general studies, and just like me some people enrolled into other courses cause they didn't make it into the hero course." The boy continued on as if he hadn't heard the pinkette. " But with the Sports Festival, some of us can move into the hero course. And depending on the results, some of you may also transfer out."
" Are you threatening my position as a student of Class 1-A?" Sakura asked sharply, her temper getting the better of her.
The boy help up his hand as if it would silence her, which it did for a short amount of time. " I came more with just a threat. I came here with a declaration of war."
Next to Sakura, Bakugou clenched his fist. The blonde wasn't shaking in rage nor did he have a smile on his face. Instead Bakugou was deadly calm. When someone else decided to speak up, Bakugou only walked away as if no one was even worth his time.
" Hey. Hey! Where are you going? This is all your fault people are hating on us!" Kirishima pointed out, causing Bakugou to stop mid-step.
Bakugou half way turned around to face his class. But when he looked around, his eyes lingered on a certain pinkette who only idly stared back. " It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter as long as I rise to the top of this event and everything else." And with that said, Bakugou walked away.
" That's so simple and manly!" Kirishima said after awhile, but Sakura wasn't listening, instead she too, walked away.
As Sakura walked back home, her mind was clouded with everything that had happened today. Including her talk with All Might. Bakugou was in U.A. to simply become the top hero, and although that dream was common, it coming from Bakugou was a huge deal.
Uraraka wanted to become a Hero so she could earn money and let her parents take things easily. And Midoriya once told the pinkette that Iida was from a Hero Family so it only made sense the tall boy was at U.A. as well.
" But why am I here?" The pinkette pondered as she walked into her house. However, instead of getting into her home clothes, the girl changed into work out ones instead. The sun was beginning to set by now, but Sakura made her way to the park she usual goes to when she wanted to get some training in.
The last time she was here, she met a man who turned out to be a villain. Unlike last time, the pinkette hadn't rented the park for the night. But it just so happened that no one else did either so Sakura only had to sign in with the man on patrol.
The pinkette looked around before deciding to just do some normal exercise without her Quirk. She let out a sigh as she started to jog around the park's perimeter, her mind never silent from her thoughts.
" Do I really want to be a hero?"
" Do I have the motivation like others do?"
Sakura suddenly stopped, eyes wide at her own questions to herself. Shaking her head as if it might make those thoughts go away, The girl begun to flood her mind with only the positives, including what All Might told her. With new found energy, Sakura pumped the flow of her Quirk in to legs and sped of into the night sky.
" I'm going to become a Hero with a title!" The girl shouted against the wind, her face split in to a huge grin before she burst out into laughter of delight.
For the next two weeks, the pinkette spent her time at the park late at night or would often take a run along side the beach line. All Might never showed up to help her train, nor did he help out Midoriya, meaning he wanted them to make it on their own.
For her healing ability, the pinkette encouraged her class to go all out in the training, reassuring them she will heal them later. At some point, the girl registered as a temporary intern at a near by hospital. And two days in, she was already helping out on the operating table.
Her training also consisted of weightlifting on a cliff and swims in the deeper part of the ocean. And when Sakura felt that it wasn't enough to get her stronger, she would request for the school to release a couple of their bigger robots for her.
Speaking of school, Both Sakura and Uraraka took over ground beta along side each other as partners. With Uraraka's zero gravity and Sakura's inhuman strength, their Quirks complimented each other perfectly.
So when the two weeks of preparation was over, both the girls found themselves thrilled and nervous at the same time. And no one could blame them, the festival was one where mixed emotion could be discovered and where winners were found.
The press crowded around the school as expected. Dozens of booths were set up, each full of merchandise or snacks for the audience. Class 1-A however, were all anxiously waiting in their waiting room that was assigned to them. Sakura nervously fidgeted with the hem of her P.E. uniform, eyes darting from one side of the room to another.
" Stay still Bubblegum, your fidgeting is bothering me." Bakugou commented, covering the girl's hand so she would stop.
Sakura huffed in anger. " Not everyone's as confident as you. Wait, I mean arrogant." At this, the pinkette nudged the boy with her hand, trying to see if he was going to get angry at the insult. However, Bakugou only rolled his eyes at her action and expectation.
" Is everyone ready?" Iida asked, suddenly appearing through the door. " We'll be going out soon."
Just as Sakura was about to stretch out her nerves, Todoroki approached her, his eyes glancing at her and Midoriya one at a time. Curiously the pinkette stood up straighter, offering a soft smile at the boy. " Is there something you want, Todoroki?"
" Looking at things objectively, if you and I were to compete in a one on one battle, either of us could come out first." Todoroki said in his stoic tone. " But I can't say the same for Midoriya. However, both of you share the interest of All Might."
Sakura tilted her head to the right, trying to see if Midoriya knew where Todoroki was coming from and what the boy was trying to say. " I don't know what you mean. All Might and I have known each other for years ago, nothing else."
" I don't care, but I thought you should know that I'm going to beat you, both you and Midoriya." Todoroki replied.
Although the pinkette didn't know what he meant by saying All Might had his eyes on her and Midoriya, she knew a challenge when she sees one. " Are you challenging me? If so, I accept, winner takes all, including first place."
" Another declaration of war? And it's coming from the two top students in the class too." Kaminari grinned.
But it seemed either Todoroki didn't hear or he didn't care as he made his way out of the room. But just as he was about to step out, Midoriya spoke up, causing everyone stare at him. " Everyone, even those from other courses are aiming for the top. I'm going to give it my all as well."
And as if that settled it, everyone started to walk out of the room, even Mineta who seemed the most nervous of all. As they neared the entrance to the arena, the class could already here the introduction of their entering.
Confidently, Sakura took a step into the light, her step firm and her hands clenched into fists by her side. Instantly, the pinkette searched the seats of U.A.'s staff, trying to find All Might. When she saw him, her eyes flashed blue before it flashed green.
This was her signal to him, even without a title for now, she was going to make sure she was seen. She was going to make sure the pros who were watching would see her skills even if she still lacked what others from her class already had: a motivating dream.
After she was sure All Might had noticed her, the girl took the time to look around her surrounding. Her eyes widened in excitement, and where were all the nerves that were there a few minutes ago, she had no clue where they had gone.
" And here they are! The new stars that overcame an enemy attack with their hearts of steel!" Present Mic introduced loudly, his face projected on the many screens of the arena. " Hero course, Class 1-A!"
Next to Sakura, Uraraka quietly squealed happily. " There's so many people! It's making me excited!"
Up ahead, Present Mic continued on with his introduction for all the courses, including Class 1-B. Swiftly the courses all met up in the middle of the arena, and although they were right next to each other, they did not mix in with one another.
" All right then!" Present Mic concluded with the usual high pitch in his voice. " Time for the player pledge!"
Up front, Midnight stood on the stage, demanding for some silence as she waved her whip around. " Presenting the students is Katsuki Bakugou from Hero Course Class 1-A!"
Sakura glanced at the boy in front of her, not expecting it to be him considering how there was over forty students presented. However, Bakugou looked on uncaringly as he made his way up to the stage along side Midnight who moved out of the way so the boy could use the microphone.
" I pledge..." Bakugou started off lazily. "...That I'll be number one."
The reaction was instant. Other courses booed the boy, raising their hand so people could see their up side down thumbs. Class A themselves complained about Bakugou's action among each other, knowing full well that Bakugou was the main reason why their class was hated on so much.
Bakugou stepped back down, ignoring the shouts aimed at him. As he passed Sakura, the pinkette brushed her shoulder against his, causing him to look at her at the corner of his eyes. He gave her a smirk while the pinkette smiled at him softly.
" Nice going Firecracker." The girl whispered at him, loud enough for the boy to hear but soft enough that no one else heard.
" Only the best." Bakugou returned as he walked away with his hands stiffed into his pockets.
Bakugou's little comment to the audience and courses was soon forgotten when Midnight picked up the microphone to announce the first game. " Now lets get started right away! The first game is what you call a qualifier, and here it is!"
The screen behind Midnight started to spin, and at one point it came to a complete halt, showing off two words: Obstacle Race. As Midnight explained how the race was going to happen, Sakura's eyes sparked green with power. In advance she started to guide her Quirk into her legs for a boost of power incase she needed to take off for a head start.
" Take your places everyone!" Midnight advise. Three lights on the exit tunnel started to go down one by one until only the last one was still on. And just as it faded out, Midnight cracked her whip. "... And start!"
Quickly everyone made a run for it. Sakura pulled on ahead of her classmates, her legs nimble and light as she weaved through the other students. However, since the pinkette had started at the way back, once they had enter the tunnel she was squished against other students.
She just had to get past one more layer of students and she would be ale to move around in the open more freely, but if she was to use her Quirk to push the other students away, she might end up injuring them in the process.
Suddenly Sakura felt the temperature go down and she was left shivering. She looked down to see her feet covered in ice that went up to her ankle. Surprised, Sakura looked up to see Todoroki rushing ahead, using the fact that he could have everyone stuck in place for some time to his advantage.
Quickly Sakura smashed the ice with her clenched fist and ran after Todoroki. Instead of the ice slowing her down, with each step the pinkette took, the ice beneath her feet broke away from the impact of her feet hitting against it.
" Todoroki!" Sakura shouted after the boy, her voice loud and clear against the frost in the air and her face split into a grin. " Wait up!"
The boy ignored the pinkette's antics and continued to run. At some point, Sakura was able to reach Todoroki so they were running along side each other, neck and neck. However, just as it seem the two was about to lose the group behind them, massive metal parts stopped them from running on ahead.
Wide eyed, Sakura looked up to see duplicates of the robots she went up against for the entrance exam. Before the pinkette could make a move, Todoroki was already one step ahead of her. Instantly he froze the ground to which the ice climbed up onto the robots, stopping it in its track.
Soon after, Todoroki passes the bots between its leg, leaving Sakura to follow after him. But just as the pinkette started to pass though as well, she heard a cracking noice above her. Instantly her head looked up, trying to find where the sound was coming from.
However, it didn't take long for the girl to see the falling pieces of ice coming towards her from above. And it also didn't take long before Sakura had her fist pointed upward with a rush of force supporting it. As the block of ice fell over her head and landed on her fist, it immediately broke into thirty smaller pieces, flying in all directions.
Before deciding to just weave through the rest of the falling ice, Sakura decided to also leave a small little present for the rest of the contestants. Finding a clear area for the time being, Sakura raised her fist up before allowing it to come crashing down onto the ground, creating a small shake in the area.
The action caused the ground to split into different large pieces of earth, making the ground uneven and hard for the other contestants to walk or fight smoothly on it. For the students who weren't on the ground yet due to loss of balance, they tumbled against each other and eventual fell.
Grinning at her handy work, the pinkette turned her back on the others and continued to run along the path, eager to meet the next challenge. Nothing was going to stand in her way of taking the title of first place, Sakura was sure of that much.