I go back to the table and sit upon its face while turning my full attention to the TV screen just as Present Mic says, "It's the first match of the second round! These two heroes in training have both been frontrunners in the Sports Festival! It's Midoriya-Versus, Todoroki! But which of these rivals will advance to the next round? Begin!"
My two friends face off and I say quietly under my breath, "Good luck. Izuku. Todoroki. I don't know who I want to win but both of you do your best." I had long since noticed since the two of them won their first matches and me mine that I wouldn't face either one unless one of them made it to the final and me with them. I see Todoroki say something but I can't see what it is because of the angle of the camera.
Todoroki like always makes a preemptive strike with his ice and I wondered if Izuku would end up making him use his fire by the way he always hits the right buttons. I'm surprised to see Izuku break one of his fingers to block Todoroki's incoming attack. By the look on Todoroki's face I can see that he is surprised at the immediate result but he isn't surprised that Izuku used it as well. I see that Todoroki used his ice to avoid being pushed out of the ring. Smart.
Present Mic says, "Wow! Midoriya's managed to break Todoroki's insane opening move!"
Again and again the same thing happens and I'm starting to wish one of them would finally finish the match. I let my attention instead focus on my breathing to calm me from anger trying to rise within me as well as many other feelings while also concentrating to catch the commentary unable to watch my friends attack each other.
Present Mic says, "He countered again!"
After a while of a pause Present Mic says, "Todoroki withstood Midoriya's power and is now rushing his classmate! I force myself not to look remembering how it affected me when Bakugo and Izuku went after each other and I didn't have Todoroki with me to stop me from using my Quirk and destroying everything if I lost control of my emotions.
Present Mic says, "Whoa! Todoroki continues his overwhelming attacks! Could this be his finishing move?" I look up and I see that Izuku is talking to Todoroki and by Todoroki's face he is hitting his buttons...a famous Midoriya move...he used it against me all those years ago because I kept ignoring him and that was how we became friends because he forced me to break realizing I needed friends especiall with Todoroki being taken from me after I was taken from my aunt.
Thanks to the angle I can now read Todoroki's lips as he says, "Midoriya...What are you trying to do here? You mant my fire? What, did my monster of a dad bribe you or something?" He charges as I read, "Now I'm mad."
I watch stunned as Izuku punches Todoroki in the stomach as Present Mic says, "A solid punch! That's the kind of action I like to see!" I watch in astoundment as Todoroki freezes Izuku's broken arm before being flung back by Izuku. I'm able to see the blood dotting the ground and I'm worried but I can't take my eyes off the screen even though I know I should. They both get up again. Todoroki tries an ice attack again but I'm seeing that it's slowing down a lot and seeing the frost covering the right side of his body I know why. Present Mic is screaming but I'm not able to focus on it and I'm fighting against myself to run out there and end their fight.
I watch as Izuku punches Todoroki while Todoroki looks lost in a memory. I all the sudden wonder what he was remembering. I read Izuku's lips as he says, "I wanna line up to people's expectations. I wanna be able to smile while doing something good for them. I wanna be a pro! Whatever it takes to be a hero!" He lands the punch as Izuku says, "That's why I'll give it my all just like you should be! There's no way I can know what you've gone through, or why you're even here. Your life has been so much different than mine, but right now...stop screwing around! If you wanna reject your father, fine, but you don't have the right to be number one if you aren't going to use your full power." He goes into a memory but he looks like he is actually still paying attention to his immediate surroundings though.
I read Todoroki as he says, "Shut up." I see he is really getting angry by the frost that is starting to cover the whole of his right side. I feel like I can't breathe but I can't look away.
Izuku says, "That's why I'm going to win this! I'll surpass you!" Izuku hits him in the stomach again.
The look on Todoroki's face makes me tear up and want to hug him but I know I can't.
I see Izuku say, "It's yours! Your Quirk, not his!"
Todoroki looks surprised and then his left side admits flames for the first time against someone other than me and I jump up screaming, "Go, Shoto! Fuck your father! Become who you want to be!"
Present Mic gasps and says, "Is that...?"
Through the flames I see Todoroki say, "You're helping your opponent. You fool. Even though you wanna win this battle. Now which one of us is screwing around? I want it, too. I'll be a hero!" The smile on Todoroki's face makes me beam all the brighter because it had been a long time since I had seen a true smile from him at anyone other than me.
Present Mic says, "Huh? Endeavor suddenly shouts words of...encouragement? What a doting father."
All of the sudden Todoroki uses his ice to create a diversion and then in an instant his fire melts it and Izuku is jumping at him ready to attack but both Cementoss and Midnight use their Quirks to stop their fighting. Seeing this I run out of the waiting room and to the entrance of the arena and stop there watching with bated breath as the powers combined send the arena treambling and shaking from the display causing the arena to break apart.
Thinking quickly as I see Midnight go flying back I run forward and grab her before surrounding both her and I in ice forming a full dome to keep both of us from going anywhere or getting hurt.
I hear Cementoss say, "Having a great power doesn't mean you'll be a good hero. But these two are amazing."
Present Mic says, "What happened just now? What the heck is up with your students?"
Mr. Aizawa says, "The air around the ring had been thoroughly cooled down, and then rapidly expanded when heated up."
Present Mic says, "Wait, that's what caused the explosion? How hot did that fire get? Jeez, I can't see a thing! Is the match still going on, or what, huh?"
I stick my right hand to the middle of the dome and allow Midnight to stand up through the hole as she grunts. She says to me, "Thanks, Cara. Don't know where you came from but thanks."
Everyone gasps as the smoke starts to clear. Izuku falls way out of bounds. Midnight says, "There. Midoriya is...out of bounds! Todoroki wins! He advances to the third round!"
The crowd cheers as Present Mic all of the sudden says, "Wait, when did Cara get there?" Though no one answers him.
