CreepyPuppetmaster:
I'll keep in mind when I'm switching between perspectives to make sure everyone knows who exactly I switched too. Hopefully, you'll let me know if there were still problems with knowing who was talking and the transitions. Also, I'm happy you found their exchange to be so enjoyable. I want to grow their relationship in the future a little more too.
Guest:
To answer the guest, I have to be completely honest. When I first drafted Akio's quirk It wasn't exactly fleshed out. But now I do and overtime Akio will learn more things about his quirk. Hopefully, Akio and Miyuki dialogue in the last chapter helped you get a better understanding. But the quick rundown is like Todorki quirk, a mutation, with both father and mothers quirks created the power that Akio has now. Solid growth. When Akio makes pillars or anything of the sort move I would like to think that the growth part of his quirk is always active. You'll see blatant uses of this quirk and their might have been some in the last chapter against Yaoyorozu.
"Love it, hate it and enjoy it"
My Hero Academia: Akio Takeyama
Chapter - 13
Todoroki and I we're still neck to neck. I wonder if president mic was having a field day with this. I won't let Todoroki get past me so easily. We had finally made it to solid ground. I was so happy no more dirt and sand to run on. But as I approached I saw something that almost made me stop right in my tracks.
The second obstacle was our ability to get across long platforms with just the use of a single rope. When Todoroki didn't hesitate, I realized I was at a disadvantage. He glided across the rope already thinking of a way to utilize his quirk. It forced me to pause and contemplate my choices. I can't do what Todoroki can efficiently but since I'm on solid ground; I stepped back and kept on running forward not letting fear shake me.
As long as my feet touch the ground my quirk is being activated. To the normal viewer, it would seem I was just running to my death but that's incorrect; as I took that first step off the edge, the stone grew and slid out as I ran forward and it kept on growing with each hurried step I took.
Of course, I made sure to destroy the makeshift bridges I made as I moved from the next platform to the next. That consumed time.
As I made it to each platform, I had to repeat the process and now I'm paying for my little hesitation because it left me trailing behind Todoroki by a moderate margin. A small price to pay but it's all right as long as I can catch up.
"Bastards!" I looked up behind me to see Bakugo again it looks like he became faster now all of a sudden. Not only him but everyone was catching up now. I need to remain focused as my legs eventually found purchase on the other side clearing the obstacle. I skipped up the steps and sprinted forward trying to catch up to Todoroki.
After a little bit more running, at last, I saw it the dirt further ahead was different. I couldn't help but feel uneasy about the next obstacle. Hell, even Todoroki paused.
I was shocked to catch a glimpse of exactly what our next obstacle is. " Landmine's!?" Todoroki looked back with wide eyes as he saw me gaining ground or it could've been the other contestants catching up to us. Although irritated he still tried his best to rush across as quickly as possible. I had to slow down too as my quirk had no use here.
This obstacle was made to put those in the lead at a disadvantage. I was frightened at the prospect of being blown to bits, but I needed to catch up to Todoroki. In the end, we all know who wouldn't have a hard time with this...and he came accelerating past me at full speed.
His anger was written all on his face as he rushed ahead to Todoroki. "Don't declare war to the wrong person!" It came as a shock when Bakugo had a complete chance to just blow past Todoroki right then and there and just win the race. However, he ceased or eased up just to attack Todoroki. I smiled forming an Ice shuriken in my hand as I aimed directly at a mine in between them.
They were distracted, so it was an easy move to slow them down. "Don't ignore me!" With one throw it struck a precise spot between the 2. They seem to finally take notice of the shuriken when they looked back at me flabbergasted. I smiled smugly when they tried to evade but to no avail, as the landmine went off engulfing the 2 in a pink cloud of smoke. It didn't knock them off course but pushing them back long enough of me to rush past them. Through the smoke, however, emerged Todoroki unfazed pushing ahead. Katsuki who seemed to recover from the initial shock raced to catch up with me, using his explosions to propel him. They easily caught up with me and the first thing Bakugo does is send an explosion my way. I easily knock his hand away and punch back. He ducked under the hook and Todoroki caught my arm freezing it I retaliated by grabbing his arm all to suddenly making ice form over it forcing him to release me. At this point, we just exchanged attacks against one another as we fought for dominance.
Our fighting was interrupted by a loud detonation behind us its sheer size made us halt as we turned to look at what happened. It was from the very start of the obstacle and sailing through the air pink smoke trailing behind him. The person was none other than Midoriya. He was the last person I suspected to see flying through that cloud of pink smoke.
I watched in horror as Midoriya sailed past us through the air and into first place. No! Bakugo and Todoroki must have already realized as they wasted no time in running after him using their quirks to catch up. Todoroki slid forward on his ice and I had no choice but to use that ice to move faster through the obstacle. Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!
In the end, we all had been outwitted by the most intelligent person in the class. Izuku Midoriya, I forced a smile as he descended upon Todoroki, Bakugo, and I. He put his two feet right on each of their shoulders and slammed his shield down immediately the bombs erupted upon us sending him forward at the same time intercepting us. I didn't want to let up and push through the smoke past Bakugo and Todoroki. They were no slowpokes either.
I cleared the minefield and I could hear the cheers and cries from the arena spectators as they waited anxiously for the winner of the first game. But I knew I was out of gas the moment I saw Todoroki race past me to claim second and Bakugo rush past me a second later. I tried to run faster but my body was out of energy as green vines came whipping as someone jumped right beside me we both stepped out onto the green field at the same moment.
"Oh, what's this! Do we have a possible tie here folks for 4th place!" I hunched over and started breathing hard. Crap that obstacle race took more out of me then I thought.
…
Damn, I was so close. So close.
...
/Mt Lady P.O.V/
"Yes!" I jumped up in a celebratory cheer as Akio finally made it out of the tunnel. I grasped Kamui by the shoulders and started shaking him in excitement.
"Did you see that? Did you see that? My-" I stopped when I realized I almost made the biggest mistake. Kamui woods looked like he was annoyed as he crossed his arms and waited patiently.
"Uh...those kids...were amazing right?" I improvised laughing it off albeit a bit nervous. Kamui just shakes his head.
"Yeah, we saw...those first years have a lot of potentials wouldn't you say?" He turned to Death Arms and I turned back to the screen with a smile.
Look how much you've grown Akio. From those little stubby arms when you were a baby. From walking to running. I...regret not being there to see him grow into the young man he is today.
/Akio P.O.V/
"Akio!" My eyes widened as I looked up towards the crowd confused as to who would call out my name.
"Uncy Aki! Over here!" I could somehow discern that the voice came from the sea of cheers to my left. I scanned the crowd slowly in that direction. I almost glossed over them but swiftly returned my gaze to see Miyuki in her hero outfit as she waved and I returned the favor.
But she pointed up to the little girl sitting on her shoulders as she held a sign - which almost made me go pale - above her head was the most embarrassing sign that may or may not have said I'm better than every other contestant. "Uncy Aki is better than all of us...huh?" I turned swiftly to the voice heat rushing to my cheeks as a familiar face was squinting reading the sign with mild interest.
My face lit up in recognition as I remembered briefly seeing her during the opening ceremony when class 1-b was walking. "Is that your niece?" She gave me a warm smile as she looked at me.
I smiled a little proud. "Yeah...uh Sorry about the sign." I rubbed the back of my head a little nervous. The vine haired girl chuckled and shook her head.
"The sign is harmless. It's funnier than anything." My friendly attitude disappeared and was replaced with a glare.
Her smile didn't change as she glanced at me. "Funny? What exactly do you mean by that?"
"I didn't mean to offend you!" I raised an eyebrow as she put held her hand to her chest. "I just mean that you don't seem so powerful is all."
…
I smiled. "No offense taken." I'll just have to trash you when I get the chance.
"Now before we hand out the results let's check out who got 4th place! Special thanks to our ultra-slow mo camera!"
I turned and looked up at the screen suddenly. The camera to my surprise is a quite high definition one. I watched as the camera slowly played the exact moment my feet were about to hit the ground.
Then came her vines wrapping and her body coming a second later into the shot. It was very close but in the end, by just a few seconds I had claimed purchase on the grassy ground before she did.
"There you have it Akio Take from the hero class 1-A is your 4th place winner!" The crowd actually erupted into cheers at that and I actually felt proud. That was at least one victory.
I turned back to the vine haired girl who seems to be complacent with the results. "Good job." She congratulated me with a smile before walking away.
"Yeah…" I looked back up to the screen to catch glimpse of everyone from my class advancing to the next round. Tsuyu managed to claim the 16th place is it bad to say I expected better? I almost started laughing when I realized Aoyama barely made it at last place. Kara had made it into the next round barely herself coming just before Aoyama. I walked over to the group of students who advanced as I listened to what the next round was supposed to be from Midnight.
"The second round of the U. A sports festival is…" The hologram again begins to spin like the slot machines from casinos. "A cavalry battle with the top 42 from the qualifier!" My interest is now piqued, a cavalry battle? How is this going to work?
"Those at the top will suffer more. You'll hear this many times as you attend U.A." Midnight started with an all-knowing smile. It seems this festival has gotten even more interesting. "This is what it means to go plus ultra. Izuku Midoriya who placed first in the qualifier is worth ten million points!" With that announcement, I already knew it was the death of Izuku as a whole.
The pressure is on now Izuku. How will you respond? I'm very interested to know the answer.
"Now then, I will explain the rules of the cavalry battle. The time limit is 15 minutes." I looked back up at the hologram to see a funny picture of All might being carried by the other teachers, "Each team is worth the total of its member's points."
"The riders will wear a headband with that number. Teams will try to grab each other's headbands until time runs out and try to keep them as long as they can." Midnight continued to explain as the hologram changed visuals once more, this time All might had Headbands covering almost his whole face.
"Stolen headbands must be worn from the neck up. So the more you steal the harder it will be to manage them!" I see that does make the competition a bit more challenging. But people could also use that to their advantage. If someone is looking for one specific headband like the 1 million the holder could use 4 other headbands to cover it up could make it hard for other teams to obtain the right headband.
"And the most important thing is that even if your headband gets stolen, or if your team falls, you're not out!" Midnight clarifies as everyone nods in understanding. That means to never give up.
Midnight points at us. "During the game, it'll be a cruel fight where you can use your quirks. But it is still a cavalry battle. You'll get a red card for attacks that are trying to make people fall on purpose! You'll be removed immediately." Midnight explains with a warning. That's fair. The screen suddenly changes to a timer.
"Now, you have fifteen minutes to build your teams. Start!"
...
I stood dumbfounded as everyone around me had begun walking and talking. For the first time, I panicked. I looked around frantically trying to find some of the better players in this game. I immediately caught sight of Todoroki and jogged over to him. It seemed he already had his team made up of Yaoyorozu, Kaminari, and Lida. I stopped and my shoulders slumped as I missed a definite big opportunity. If there was a person likely and cunning enough to take Midoriya million headband it would be him. I looked around as almost everyone was in pairs already. I clutched my hand whom the hell am I going to team up with?!
"Hey hey..." I looked behind me to see Kara. "She was with a girl with horns and a boy with bird like features. I turned to her with a small smile. "Monoma doesn't want me to team up with any of class A but I don't really care. I care about winning. With you on my team we can definitely turn the tables on this game what do you say?" I shrugged hoping to find a much stronger team but this will most definitely suffice.
"Well, that depends on the team you have in mind."
She pointed to the girl left her. "She will be my front horse...actually quite literally. She may not look like it but she's definitely strong and sturdy her ability allows to ram someone with a lot of strength. You will be on my left but you should be able to cover the whole team. Especially with my lasers, I can condition people not to mess with us especially from long distance."
"But how exactly will we push for headbands?" My question made Kara put a finger to her chin and think." She pointed at me. My lips lightly curved into a smile. She got that right I'm the perfect dose of offense and defense when I'm on the ground.
"You can create a trap and stop enemies in their tracks with your earth quirk making it a little easier for us to get close and snatch the headbands." I frowned and what if they can get out of it...what if they can defend from all our attacks from that one position. "We need to be able to get the headbands not just from close range but far away in case we can't get close enough...sorry I'm going to have to decline Kara." She sighed and spun on her heel.
"Whatever we'll do without."
Once they left I sighed in defeat...maybe I should have taken her offer. I looked around it seemed that almost everyone has there teams set already.
"Hey, Akio!" I could feel someone looming over me. I turned and looked up to see Mineta and almost jumped back in astonishment at how high he was but calmed down when I realized the person carrying him in a shield of his arms is Shoji.
…
I smiled as Tsuyu head popped up out from behind Mineta. I could actually work with this. "So...what's the plan?" Mineta scratches the side of his face a little nervous as he laughs.
"Uh well, I just thought that since you're one of the stronger quirk users in our class I thought I acquire you but I didn't really come up with a sound strategy." I analyzed the position they were in. With Mezo tentacle's covering them it was the perfect cover for offense and defense as it prevents from our headband being taken easily. It'll allow Mineta a safe place to still throw his balls that would almost certainly immobilize enemies. Tsuyu quirk can work just fine too as her tongue is like a whip and releases at a fast speed. An easy way to catch some teams off guard and take their headbands from a distance easily when we immobilize them.
"Akio...you okay?" I snap out of my trance I look back up at the 3. "Not bad Mineta. Do you want me to take the reigns? You'll be in charge of taking care of the headband as my quirk works best with me on the ground." Mineta nods in approval as I slap my hands together and put my game face on. "Now listen closely…"
...
/ a Few moments later/
The sound buzzer hit my ears -just in time too- as we turned our attention back to Midnight. Who was stretching? "Now then, it's about time to get started!"
"Ready set go!" I jump on top of Mezo tentacle arms immediately and stand tall. Chaos ensues as Izuku team is attacked. My eyes focus hard as I try my best to lead this team to victory.
600 points we have 600 points.
We stood on standby as I watched closely the events unfold. Tetsutetsu if I may recall was the first to attack. Their front quirk user was able to create some type of quicksand about Midoriya's team but due to the support items, he was able to fly out of harm's way.
Toru team must not have realized as my eyes darted over to the escaping figure of class 1-B renegade blonde as he swung their teams' headband in his finger. I did also catch Jiro from Hagakure team try to strike Midoriya in the air, but it was definitely no use against Tokoyami dark shadow.
That settles it, "Midoriya team is not a priority we need to find other teams with high value! Let's go!" Shoji turned away from Midoriya as I searched the field for our first victim. I barely saw it as I quickly jumped off keeping a hold on shoji as I touched the ground.
I can't believe it Kara had decided to strike first as her lasers shot out quick. I felt the pain right away in my cheeks as I touched it. I recoiled in pain from the slight burn received. "Incoming impact!" I could hear shoji stress as I again got out of my trance.
There with her horns, she rammed into Shoji with the power comparable of that as a car but somehow shoji was able to hold on. "Nice!" Shoji was really a good choice in defense. I Put my leg forward trapping them in the ground.
"Tsuyu now!" Her tongue lashed out and Kara who wasn't able to react appropriately in time as her headband was taken straight off her head.
670 points!
"Damn it Akio!" She cursed as her eyes glowed a dark red and that immediately spelled danger for us. I held onto Shoji for dear life as nothing but instincts kicked in for him and he got the memo to run as fast as he could. I somehow pulled myself on top again as I looked back at the destruction that was taking place behind us. A red powerful laser beam was racing behind us and almost catching up. I panicked as I knew my ice quirk would just evaporate on impact. And I have to be touching the ground to use my solid growth quirk.
But right at the last minute like a miracle, it seemed to get smaller and evaporate as Kara eventually ran out of juice. We kept on running until we knew the coast was clear and took a moment to pause. We need to figure out what to do next. Should I play the keep away game for the remainder of the time or try to get greedy?
"No! No!" Mineta screamed making me completely tense.
"Our headband it's gone!" My eyes widened in disbelief as I cursed under my breath. I keep losing focus from what I'm supposed to do. Ended up costing us our valuable headband. I frantically scanned the area around us but it was futile with the multitude of teams running around it was hard to pinpoint who exactly took our headband. They're long gone by now anyway.
"When did you lose it?" Tsuyu asked and Menita just lets out a distressed scream. "Well, at least they left us one headband." Tsuyu pointed out. We still have 70 points but damn my whole plan is crumbling apart now! Think...think!
"Akio!? Akio!? W-What should we do!?"
"Akio?" Shoji called as my brows furrowed the hardest it ever had before and I felt a fire rise in my stomach. "We're going to find them and place in the next round." I dropped to the ground still holding on to Shoji as I yelled the angriest scream I could muster. A platform of stone was formed from the solid ground below me as we went high into the air.
"Indiscriminate shock! 1.3 million volts!" The ground below us was electrocuted, but my pillar keeping us suspended in the air was enough to keep us out of harm's way. Todoroki froze the ground a second later and I knew this was bad. Instead of Kaminari lightning traveling up our pillar, it was Todoroki ice.
He's smart...but not smart enough, "Shoji you know what we got to do right?" He nods as he crouches and takes a leap of faith from the pillar down onto the frozen ground below us.
"Mineta now!" A bunch of Mineta balls is thrown onto the ice below us as Shouji descends from is jump I brace for impact. His feet landed on Mineta balls leaving us stuck, but most importantly not injuring us or breaking the ice below us leaving the teams trapped. I drop down to the ground and freeze over the ground again this time encasing Mineta's balls too. I form an Ice sword in one hand and with one swift strike break Mineta's ball apart.
"Amazing thinking from Akio team but with less than 5 minutes remaining how will his team respond!?" I smirk knowing my plan is quite insane as we rush over to Kendo's team and take her last two headbands. Her eyes widen as she looks at me and I just shrug my shoulders as I pass her.
"Damn you!" I reach my hand inside to Mineta who takes the headbands for safekeeping.
"What are we going to do? We don't have enough time to search for more easier targets." Mineta states worry lacing his voice. I could hear Tsuyu hum in agreement. I looked at the scoreboard seeing that we were in 4th place with about 590 points from Kendo and Kara headbands. But anything can change in an instant. Not like anyone can get through my impenetrable defense, however.
I smile. This whole field is like a playground to me...well not the whole field that is exaggerated a little bit. Tetsutetsu team has a lot of points and so does Monoma which is a little scary as that means any of the zero point teams can rise past us as long as they get enough points from either team.
"And there you have it, folks! Team Bakugo seizes two headbands to move to third place!" The scoreboard suddenly changes as I realize we were pushed down to 5th place keeping us out of the top 4. I realized that Monoma had to be running now and Bakugo was definitely going after him but as far as I know I don't want to get in between that. Especially if he does get all those points we'll be back in the top 4.
We need those hundred and thirty-five points and speak of the devil Rin team was coming straight at us.
"Akio!"
"I know!" I faced forward out towards the field watching Tetsutetsu and Rin team face off for a moment, but the bad thing is that they were racing towards each other. There's one way this can end! "Shoji, Mineta, Tsuyu you know what to do aim for Rin headband!" I yell and with a battle cry, we activate all offensive mode as Mineta jumps into the air as he throws a bunch of balls cutting off Rin's team suddenly as they get stuck. In that same moment, Tsuyu tongue spurts out and snatches their headband right from her neck. Yes, that will raise our team to about - "Hey behind you!" I turned around stunned and so did Tsuyu as she held the headband in her tongue.
"What?" Shoji and Mineta yell suddenly as they turn back.
It was Shinso rushing behind us. "It's the-" Tsuyu began but immediately froze. Everyone else froze too. As he came upon us he had a wicked smile. "Why don't you hand that to me?" I looked up as Tsuyu tongue as it moved without restraint towards Shinso open hand.
"See...what I was saying is coming to fruition?" I looked at him angrily as I got ready to strike back.
"Bastard! what are you-" My anger was immediately caught in my throat as I was silenced. My mind all of a sudden felt foggy as If I wasn't in control anymore. I wanted to realize why!? Why now!? I tried to force myself to move but it was no use.
Shinso rode up beside us tieing the headband to his neck all the while giving me a condescending smile. "What am I doing?" He finished my thought chuckling to himself, "Showing you what happens when you let your guard down." He started to laugh and I wanted nothing but to spit in his face.
His group started to stroll away. "Well good luck and before I forget," He looks back at us and smirks. "Why don't you all slap yourself for me. " With my free hand I raise it and smack myself across the face and at that, I blinked feeling the pain rushing to my face as I was finally able to get my bearings back.
"What happened to us!? We couldn't do anything!" I looked up at Mineta and Tsuyu to see that they were shaking her head as if she had a headache.
W-what just happened?
"Look we only have 7 seconds left!" I grabbed onto Shoji hard. "Get ready I only have one last trick up my sleeve!" Shoji turned to Todoroki circle of ice knowing full well that's what we were aiming for.
I gritted my teeth...it's the only choice we have at placing now! I closed my eyes knowing this would push my body to the limit. But I have no time to lose! I looked up at the wall of ice determined.
/Heroes Conference Room/ - Mt Lady P.O.V
"With just eleven seconds left, there's an angry retrieval here too!"
"Ahh but look Midoriya hasn't retrieved the 1 million points!" I listened intently to the play by play broadcast. My hands tightened around each other under the table as I waited in anticipation for the end.
"And look!" My eyes widened as I saw Akio team just stop, in their tracks as they gave a headband away. "What are they doing?" My fist tightened as his team points dropped from 715 back to 590. Those points would have definitely kept them in 4th place.
"It had to be one of those kid's quirk." Kamui began, "It's the only reasonable answer I can give for what just happened." Everyone in the room agreed and I nodded solemnly. There's now only one thing they can do to stay in the game.
I looked down at the table and closed my eyes. I prayed and hoped my son stayed in the top 4.
Akio...you've got this.
"W-What's this!? Akio Team is coming in extremely cold!" My eyes snapped open as I looked back up at the screen. To see almost a blur as the camera wasn't fast enough to keep up with Akio. The moment they moved to an overhead view there was a big explosion as the ice broke apart in the field. We could still see however as there he was...right behind that icyhot boy!
"Woah that kid's good!"
"Definitely!"
Akio!
We all broke through the ice a second later my body temperature dropping at a rapid speed. I need to act fast. But we were in the advantage of catching Todoroki in his blind spot. Behind them.
Yaoyorozu turned around as her eyes widened in realization. "Behind us! I've got it!" I immediately put out my right hand making Ice form with all my willpower.
"I will get to the next round! Even if it means destroying my body! I promised them and myself!" I will not fail here. Not when I'm so close.
Yaoyorozu created a big wall that sprouted from behind her covering Todoroki. Shoji spun and with that increased velocity it impacted Yaoyorozu wall. For all, it was worth it was a valiant attempt but I was stronger. She looked back eyes wide as her wall broke apart.
I could see the purple pixels illuminate from her body as she produced something at the last minute.
"Tsuyu!" At my command, Tsuyu tongue lashed out at Yaoyorozu keeping her preoccupied. Todoroki looked back too late as I again clenched my fist and pulled back ice forming about my hand.
"5 seconds left!"
"Did you forget Todoroki I'm the one you should be worried about!" All my emotions spilled into this one attack as my hand struck forward and found purchase on one of Todoroki headbands. "My quirk allows me to make things grow and shrink at will Idiot!" The ice staff cut through Todoroki headband as I made for it contract back into my hand.
It's right there! Right there!
…
Out of nowhere, a black sickle hit the shaft of my ice breaking it apart. Right there my hopes and dreams were cut right through quite literally. My eyes widened in horror as my ice broke apart only a few feet from my hand.
No! This can't be happening! My hand outstretched hoping for a miracle But I found my muscles tense up as small spots of ice started to form on my hand. "NO!"
My scream filled the air as Mineta flew past me a second later. Tsuyu tongue wrapped around him as his arms were outstretched trying to catch the falling headband before it touched the ground. "I'm going to get it!" My eyes looked at the attempt sadly as I knew it was over.
"Times Up!" Mineta flew over the headband rolling across the ground as we failed - failed to procure the headband that would have got us an undisputable 4th place to carry us onto the next round - our attempt. "That's the end of the second round, the cavalry battle!"
I let go of shoji a second later looking up at the scoreboard. My eyes widened as I looked over where the headband was.
"Now, let's take a look at the top 4 teams right away!" I walked over to the headband. "In first place is team Todoroki!" The headband was laid over on its points side and though pained I crouched down to pick up the headband. "In second place team Bakugo!" My hands trembled as I fought to hold my emotions back. "In third place, Tetsute-Huh? What, it's team Shinso?! When did you come from behind?!" I turned the headband over and immediately wanted to fall to my knees but decided against it.
"In fourth place, Team Midoriya!"
In fourth place, team Midoriya! The announcement was a pained echo in my head.
...
"With that plan! We're definitely going to win!" Mineta jumped in joy as I smiled at him. I looked to Tsuyu to see she was nodding in approval. "It's a very solid plan." Shoji nodded in agreement.
"I know you all want to go to the next round, so I promise…" I paused to put a hand over my heart, "To get you all to the next round even if it means breaking every bone in my body."
Mineta, Tsuyu, and Shoji looked at each other and put their hands out. "Come on!" I put my hand over there's with a smile. "We all promise the same to you Akio." Tsuyu says with a big smile on her face. "Let's go, team!" Everyone and I raised our hands in the air.
"Let's do this!" Even as I said that in the back of my head what I was worried about more, was being able to meet my mother.
...
The headband was 165 points with this we would have surpassed Midoriya team and got the 4th place spot to qualify for the next round. But right at the end, we were denied that privilege by Todoroki.
I took a couple of deep breaths and let the headband drop from my hand. I tried my best, that's what I should be most proud of...but my best wasn't enough to claim victory.
"These four teams will advance to the final round!"
"Now we'll take an hour's break! For lunch before we start the afternoon festivities!" Mineta came up to me a second later but he was completely distraught. Mineta is taking our failure hard. I crouched and patted his back and pointed at the others. "Let's join them." He nodded weakly and we walk together towards them.
It's still not enough - my best is still not good enough.