Chapter 34: Todoroki vs Bakugo

You were sitting in the stands next to Midoriya watching the match between Todoroki and Bakugo. You took note of the look they gave each other before the start of the match. It was the first time that there wasn't absolute contempt or loathing but a mutual respect or understanding of each other. The fight was so intense you found it hard to watch and even had to cover your eyes a few times.

"Are you OK? I know this must be hard for you to watch..." Midoriya took a quick glance at you.

You were attempting to watch the match by peeking through some of your fingers but put them down and slightly turned to Midoriya. He had a bit of concern on his face. "Yeah...I can only root for them both at this point." You reply back with a small smile.

He nods and shifts his attention back to the two boys for a while. "The way they're fighting...it seems different. Like they've put aside their differences." Midoriya pondered out loud and placed his uninjured hand that wasn't in a cast underneath his chin. So, he noticed it too... You thought, your eyes not leaving the match.

Suddenly, things got even more interesting when you saw Todoroki grab Bakugo's arm with his left hand. Your eyes widened and you gasped wondering if Todoroki would use his left to attack. You didn't know whether to feel relieved or not when Todoroki decided to toss Bakugo instead. Bakugo felt differently though you could see the anger in his crimson eyes.

"Am I not strong enough to make you use it? DIDN'T I SAY TO USE IT ON ME, ICYHOT?!" Bakugo's voice sounded deadly.

"With the way he grabbed Todoroki's left side on purpose and times his explosions...that kid's abilities shine every time he fights." Aizawa started to comment. "Todoroki's moving well, too, but his attacks are too simple. Ever since his match with Midoriya and l/n, he hasn't been the same."

"BASTARD...I'll show you what'll happen if you make a fool of me! I'LL KILL YOU!" Sparks were going off in Bakugo's hands. "I WANT AN INDISPUTABLE FIRST PLACE! I'm not y/n. You didn't make a promise to me...so don't even think about not using your left side on me!"

Todoroki's intense stare broke for second. Your concentration never left the two boys even when some of the audience and your classmates were staring at you since Bakugo mentioned your name.

"Didn't you tell her you'd give it your all?! If you have no intention of winning, then don't stand in front of me!" Bakugo charged at Todoroki. "There's no point if you're not doing it for her and yourself! So why are you standing here, damn it!"

You clutched at your heart, feeling so many emotions at once from Bakugo's words.

Todoroki hadn't moved yet. The impact of the ash blonde's words hit him hard. He recalled his fight with Midoriya when you stood up and spoke so honestly and passionately. 'SHOTO! YOU WANT TO BE A HERO, DON'T YOU? IT'S OK FOR YOU TO BECOME WHO YOU WANT TO BE! AS LONG AS YOU HAVE A FUTURE YOU FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT! REMEMBER, YOU'RE NOT BOUND BY HIS BLOOD...IT'S YOUR POWER!' They were words he would always remember. Todoroki was still unsure because he promised himself that he wouldn't use his left side to win, partly for yours and his mom's sake. Ice slowly began to coat his right side while Bakugo still ran towards him.

You shot up from your seat like you did in Todoroki's match against Midoriya. "Shoto! Do your best! REMEMBER I'LL BE HERE FOR YOU NO MATTER WHAT!"

y/n! Todoroki thought, he didn't have to look or think twice to know that that was you. He remembered you saying those last few words to him as well. He couldn't deny the sense of self-worth, confidence, and strength he got from you and hearing your voice. A sudden flame erupted on his left side, quickly melting the frost on his right.

"That damn cat girl!" Bakugo smirked, briefly looking to where you were. This wasn't supposed to be about you. Bakugo thought with a smirk still on his face before using an explosion to leap into the air before readying his Howitzer Impact attack on Todoroki.

Todoroki's had his arm outstretched to attack and his left side was in flames right before Bakugo got to him.

Here it goes... You thought, squinting and bracing yourself from their attacks.

Before you knew it, there was smoke everywhere from Bakugo's powerful and massive explosion and the sound of ice shattering. You coughed as debris and the momentum of the attack hit you even in the stands. As the arena began to clear up a bit, Present Mic started to announce the winner.

"The winner is-"

You looked desperately down to see the outcome. Your eyes spotted the ash blonde first who was lying in the middle of the arena, his eyes wide as he stared across from where he was. You were glad he seemed to be OK except for the anger that replaced the surprise in his crimson eyes. You followed his line of sight and you gasped as you saw the two toned boy out of bounds. You were horrified to see his unconscious form laying amongst the leftover pile of ice. Shoto... Your eyes furrowed as you realized he must not have used his flames after all.

You watched as Bakugo slowly picked himself up from the ground and ran towards Todoroki. "Oi...oi!" Once he got to Todoroki's body, Bakugo lifted him up by his shirt and was shaking him. "Stop screwing around! Didn't I tell you that there was no point, damn it?! To get first place like this! Like this?! You didn't give it your all!" Bakugo yelled, his voice cracking. It honestly tore you up inside to hear him like this. He didn't get to continue though because he passed out due to Midnight stepping in and activating her Somnambulist Quirk.

"Todoroki is out of bounds! Which means, Bakugo wins!" Midnight declared. You hated having to see both their unconscious forms lying there but you were relieved that the tournament for the U.A. Sports Festival was officially over now.

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It was about an hour or so after when Midnight put her hand out towards the stage. "And now, we will begin the award ceremony!"

More fireworks, confetti, and cheers from the crowd went off right before you, Todoroki, and Bakugo rose up on podiums from underneath the stage. Obviously, you were in third, Todoroki in second, and Bakugo in first place. Everyone was shocked to see Bakugo chained up and restrained against a block of cement from Cementoss, even his mouth was covered. You looked up at him with a sweat drop since you heard was still struggling and fighting ever since he woke up.

"Bakugo...even though you don't think you deserve the win...I don't see you any differently. I still believe in you." You said just quietly enough for only Bakugo to hear and not the reporters and cameramen who were in front of you guys.

He glanced down at you and stopped his struggling only while you were talking. He continued fighting his restraints again right after. Your eyes wandered over to the other side of Bakugo to where Todoroki was standing. Todoroki was looking down, he had a disheartened look on his face. I wish I could cheer him up. You thought. You were snapped out of your thoughts when All Might landed in front of you guys to award the medals.

"Young l/n, congratulations. You sure have become strong..." All Might put the bronze medal around your neck and hugged you. "Your mother...and even Blaze...must be so proud of you..." He whispered so that only you could hear. Your eyes widened at him mentioning your parents. "But you shouldn't just rely on your fire quirk, you should work on your cat quirk as well so you'll have more options when you fight. Remember, your fiery spirit is one of your best qualities but don't let your personal feelings and emotions take control all the time." All Might tried to release you but you squeezed him tighter as you cried into his chest.

It just felt so incredible to be recognized and acknowledged by the Hero you've looked up to for so long. Though he didn't know you that well personally, he seemed to know and understand everything you were going through, on and off the arena.

"Thank you, All Might." You wiped your tears with the back of your hand as you finally let go of him.

He moved on to awarding Todoroki his silver medal. "I assume there is a reason you did not use your left side in the final?" All Might noticed Todoroki take the slightest glance in your direction.

"I made a promise to someone...and to myself so I became unsure. I wanted to become a Hero like you. But I didn't think it would be right for me to be the only one to break away. There is still something I must settle."

All Might smiled and nodded at Todoroki. You saw Todoroki's expression had lightened. "The look on your face is completely different than before." All Might hugged Todoroki. "She's a lovely girl. I won't ask about the details. I'm sure that you will be able to do what you need to do." All Might whispered.

"Yes." Todoroki agreed but he was slightly surprised that All Might had caught on and mentioned you.

"Now then, young Bakugo! This is too much." All Might said while he stood in front of Bakugo and removed the muzzle covering Bakugo's mouth.

"First place like this...is not worth anything! Despite what even that furball says! Even if the world recognizes it, if I don't recognize it myself, then it's trash!" Bakugo barked out and you glared at him.

All Might shot you a glance first since he figured Bakugo was talking about you. "But I'm sure whatever she told you, she's probably right." All Might said in a low voice so you couldn't hear. "Take this medal, OK? Think of it as a 'wound', so you never forget!"

"WHAT? I SAID I DIDN'T WANT IT!"

"Now, now."

"I TOLD YOU, I DON'T WANT IT!" Bakugo contorted his face in several different ways just to avoid All Might from putting the medal on him.

"Here." All Might just landed on leaving the medal hanging from his mouth. You couldn't help but laugh. All Might went up to speak in front of everyone one last time. "It's just as you saw. Competing! Improving each other! And climbing even further! The next generation of Heroes is definitely sprouting!" All Might's gaze lingered on you, Todoroki, and Bakugo. You three demonstrated this to him the most and even he was inspired by you guys.

A/N: OOF the end of the sports festival arc. I didn't mean for it to go on for this many chapters but I think this arc really made y/n, Bakugo, and Todoroki develop and grow as characters. But it's only bound to get even more interesting from here! So thanks for reading, please continue to favorite and follow. It really means a lot!