Summary:
Much to his chagrin, Izuku Midoriya is forced to compete in Yuuei's Sports Festival against 2end-year students for the amusement of both Nedzu and the Author.
Beginning Notes.
Honestly, I really enjoyed writing this chapter way more compared to the last one. However, I have not had much time to work on writing the last few weeks due to a visit with my grandmother and a home remodel project. SO, hopefully I can get back to a normal schedule here soon.
"So, this is where I'll be staying?" Izuku's eyes were filled with amazement as he looked around the room. Truthfully the room wasn't overly large but did contain a desk, bed, dresser, closet, and a few other amenities.
"Yes, so long as you're comfortable here?" Nedzu looked at the child's small smile and was warmed by the kid's joy for the small things. He may not understand human emotion but maybe this child could teach him.
"I thi-think I'd like to stay here if it's alright with you...?" Izuku looked to the bear, mouse, thing for confirmation.
As of course Nedzu nodded to the boy and smiled outwardly for the first time in a long time. Truth be told he often put on a fake smile to comfort those around him, but it never came as part of a reflex.
"Yes, I'd be more than happy to have you here Midoriya." Izuku nodded and began to unpack his few things. Setting his backpack on the desk, along with the box that Nedzu had carried in.
"What's in the box… If I may inquire?" Izuku turned and looked at Nedzu and then towards the box in contemplation.
"It-it's something mom said my grandmother wanted me to have. I've… I've never opened it, but it must be important if she left me with it." Nedzu hummed, it was rather odd but felt that it wasn't his place to push the boy any further on.
"Well, I'll leave you to get settled in. If you need me, I'll be in the kitchen." And with that the bear, mouse, thing took his leave from the boy's room and went to start lunch.
"Don't I get a choice in the matter?" Izuku looked at his teacher in front of him. Power Loader's face held no room for argument nor room for questioning.
"No, Nedzu himself has made sure that you will be competing." Izuku's face filled with a look of shock and horror. He wasn't ready, he wasn't even prepared. 'I'm not ready, I didn't think I had to compete.'
As of course, most Support Department students had the choice to compete in the Sports Festival at the permission of their parents and instructor. The same as any other student in Yuuei. However, what no one had not accounted for was that a parent could consent to the student's entrance into the Sports Festival without said student's signature.
"Da-Nedzu is forcing me to participate? Can't I at least object to it?" Power Loader chuckled at his young student. Of course, Izuku didn't get a say in the matter. Who did he take Nedzu for, someone who would give up on their students? Of course not, he cared deeply for the development of his students.
"Nope, you need the practice and maybe it'd do you some good to be with fellow students even if you have to compete with 2endp-years." Ahh yes, Izuku would be forced to compete with 2end-year students since Mr. Aizawa had gotten a little upset with all 1st year students except for the Support Department and General Education.
Why was Eraser not mad at the Support Department? Well, a certain green bean had kept the department in line for the most part. Of course, the students did blow things up on occasion but for the most part, they all showed promise. And Gen Ed was where anyone who showed some sort of promise was sent.
The Gen Ed department would also be competing, but the school feared that it would be rather uninteresting and lackluster to have just the General Education kids and the three/four Support Course students competing against one another.
So, they'd merged the course with the 2end-years, which did nothing besides add to the field of combatants. If any 1st year student could beat the 2nd year heroics courses students in the final stages, then they likely had a chance of getting into the heroics course.
However, with there being no 1st-year Heroics course this time around. Most likely special training would be provided for the 2nd semester and then a transitioning phase would be taken to allow the selected students to transfer into next year's heroics courses.
Many of the Gen Ed course students and even some Support Courses students were excited and more than ready to give their all.
All except for one were shooting to join the Heroics Departments. For most, heroics was their end all be all. While Izuku had kept the flame of being a hero alive. It was fizzling as time went on. What All Might had said wrung in the boy's head.
'Find something obtainable, like a police officer or detective if you want to help.' The boy had taken it to heart, studying up on some of the laws in Japan and looking into famous detectives that were both still on the force and retired.
Most of the best detectives and most officers even had quirks. Albeit that they were not super strong; they did have some sort of quirk that could aid them. If BT could access the police forces computer system, then he could compile a list of easily identified convicts.
While Izuku's heart for the longest of time had wished to be nothing more than a hero. It seemed near impossible and so the flame of heroic action was slowly glowing less and less. Only the embers and lightest of flames still burned within him.
"Kid? Are you there? Power Loader to Midoriya. Are you there." The boy shook his head, eyes blinking back to reality. The large, suited man huffing out a laugh at the boys mumbling.
"Did I mumble that?'' Asked Izuku, looking at the man in front of him. And of course, Power Loader obliged the boy much to the chagrin of the other Support Department students. They had a running joke about Midoriya's mumbling problem.
As of course light-hearted but Emiyo did have a 400 yen bet that Izuku would have 5 mumbling episodes by the end of the week. On the other hand, Arakan had bet 500 that it would be closer to 8. And it was Thursday. They had made the bet that very morning.
"Yea, you've been mumbling a lot lately kid, anything wrong?" Power Loader quirked his head at the boy, trying to gauge what the boy was trying to process in his mind.
Izuku had been mumbling more often, mainly BT's fault if Izuku had anything to say about the matter, but he was mumbling far more often.
He'd started doing it after BT had become more vocal with him. Going from in times of crisis to small questions and aid to everyday conversations on what needs to be worked on and what they'd practice that night.
Izuku had nearly strong-armed the robot into allowing him to run the simulation during school hours. Stating that 'English is not that important BT, plus you could always teach me if I struggle.' However, no matter how much Izuku tried the A.I. never budged.
"Yea, ever-everything's fine. Never better even." Izuku gave a false smile to the man and sighed, they'd been talking about the Sports Festival right… Right.
"Anyway, Nedzu thinks the Sports Festival will be a great way for you to show off some of your inventions. I mean look at this, it's amazing!" Power Loader held up a wrist-mounted grappling hook that could function similarly to Eraserheads capture scarf to subdue villains.
BT had originally mentioned the idea and with some suggestions from Midoriya. The two had settled on the current design. Sleek, easy to counsel, and durable. In testing, the grappling hook had even been able to subdue BT for a matter of seconds.
The high tensile woven titanium alloy was extremely expensive and hard to come by but thanks to some grants that Nedzu had helped Izuku apply to. He'd been able to fund most of the projects.
Izuku's original project, or otherwise known as the helmet, had been completely redesigned from the ground up. Or more so from BT's official Blueprints rather than on the fly adaptation. Izuku had been given the chance to create his own modeling for the helmet, along with a breathing apparatus, a proper H.U.D., and proper casting for integral things.
He'd even managed to make a com system that could intercept communications from outgoing signals from all over the city.
Its design was for the most part finished but every now and again Izuku would feel the need to improve upon the helmet's design. Along with improving on the suit he'd fabricated as well, it was his second project, the first one they'd started as a class.
It was to be completed after class and be finished for the first quarter report cards. As of course, by that time the design was finished for the project. However, it was still within a rough but sufficeable state.
As of course, other projects had been worked on and built by Izuku. Yet, without a 1st year heroics course, making support items was not a common occurrence. Most of the 2nd years and 3rd years seemed to flock towards those of their same grade.
Which led Power Loader to create random tasks for the 1st year students rather than having their projects be support items for actual people.
Truth be told, Power Loader had wished they still had the 1st years for the simple fact that he was having to make several different work packets and projects on the fly for his students. It was far easier for a random heroics course student to come in and request something than him having to make up a random problem.
While most students struggled at the start with coming up with designs that had no bases to go off of. Izuku loved the freedom that his 1st year at Yuuei had given him. If BT felt something was needed to help him become a hero.
Then it was a simple process of making it, while of course projects did take time. Knowing that thanks to funding and the vast amount of time that was provided by weird circumstances. Izuku had been able to progress far quicker than BT had originally intended. Having most of his suit and weapons built by the first semester.
"You're doing it again… Izuku snap out of it." Yelled his Support Department teacher. The man had lost his usual happy attitude and shook his head. 'This kid gets lost so easily…' Gripping his face and shaking his head, Power Loader turned back to the rest of his classroom and began to tell them the good news...
"As you all know, Yuuei does not have any 1st year heroics course students this year. With that fact being said, you will all still be allowed to participate in the Sports Festival, however, Principal Nedzu has advised that we combine the 1st and 2nd year courses into one Sports Festival so that there is a greater sample size for pros. Y'all along with the General Education class will be allowed to do a work study under pro heroes if you are scouted. The principal fears that if there were three festivals, the 1st year festivals would be far less watched due to the absence of Heroics Course Students." To which, all the students nodded, understanding that they'd have to face 2nd year students. And that ultimately the move was less about ratings and more so about giving the 1st year students a chance to be scouted.
"Alright class dismissed. Go home, get some rest, and maybe start prepping for the festival. A training guide can do wonders. Good luck to you, my problem children." Power Loader once again smiled at his nephew as the boy took his leave.
"I can't believe Nedzu would sign me up for the Sport Festival. I've never shown any interest in heroics. Hell, I don't even talk to the man half the ti-" Izuku was interrupted by a voice.
"Midoriya! Did you just get out of class? Have you heard the news? You've got to be so excited about it. We get to compete against one another!" A bubbly blue-haired girl appeared in front of Izuku. Her smile wide as ever, and her face showing no malice or hate for anyone or anything.
"Hey Hado." Izuku greeted the overly rambunctious girl, her smile diminishing only slightly at not getting the answers she wanted.
"Aww Midori, what's wrong. You seem upset about something. Is it one of your projects? No, no, no it has to be about something else. What is it!?" The girl continued to ask questions and Izuku couldn't help but slightly smile back at her.
"It's nothing Hado, I just wasn't expecting to compete in the Sport Festival. You know my quirk isn't very powerful." Hado smile diminished even further, how dare her friend think badly of himself!
"Nonsense Izuku, your quirk is amazing just look at all the things you've made. You even helped improve my costume!" Izuku smiled, he had been able to improvise a much stronger elastic suit for the girl as a bit of a thank you gift for not letting him fall face first into concrete on his first day.
"It was nothing really…" Izuku scratched the back of his neck as Nejire continued to convince the boy he was wrong. And how it was super nice and really great that he'd helped her. She felt special because no one else had been able to get the boy's support items. 0-0
"Are you bothering him again, Nejire?" Mirio walked up beside the two, his signature smile shining as always on his face. Looking as if it belongs more than anything to be there.
"Of course not, Izuku loves my questions. Don't you Izuku?" The girl moved closer to Izuku, trying to gauge his reaction and judging by his slightly reddened face, her tactics had worked.
"Su-Sure, I don't mind at all." Izuku stammered as he tried to get the words out. Was he supposed to feel like this? Like he belonged, no… it wasn't about Mirio, it was Nejire in particular.
"Anyways… Me and Tamaki are going to that new sushi place today and we thought we'd invite you two if you're interested." Before Izuku could even answer he was being dragged by Neiire who'd voluntold him that he was in fact going.
"Come on Izuku, it'll be great. We can try out all the new food and then we could all go to the arcade, or the beach, or even that little dessert shop a few blocks down!" Izuku sighed, he had accepted that he was now adopted by extroverts.
"I guess I know how Amajiki feels now." The two 2end -years gave their 1st year a knowing look. They loved him though and that's all that matters.
Later that Night.
Izuku sat in bed, tired from the day's outing with his so-called friends. It'd truthfully been great; they'd all enjoyed themselves and had a great time walking on the boardwalk and even trying out some of the sushi. However, a realization had hit Izuku.
"Wait... I don't... I do-don't have a…" His brain went crazy trying to accept the newfound feeling or more so the feeling that'd been bubbling under the surface since the start of the year.
'You do in fact show signs of heightened oxytocin.' Came the voice of Izuku's oh so favorited sarcastic b*tch A.I. (Sorry BT, I love you)
'I-I like Nejire… Like, like-like Nejire…' Ahh yes, the male brain is always a bit sluggish, but it gets there in the end. Give it time, signs, and possibly a bit too much contact.
The Sports Festival came faster than anyone would ever expect. Izuku had been training, the same as he'd always done. Along with designing the final parts to his suit. All that was left for Izuku to do was work on a few of the requested projects from the 2nd years.
As of course support items couldn't be used in the Festival by Heroics course students, but his father had specifically asked that Izuku make something for Togata. Mainly a support item that would cover him when he phased his body.
Izuku had agreed to the request because he along with the rest of the Sports Festival attendees would greatly appreciate the action.
The process of making a pair of boxers and a Yuuei tracksuit wasn't very difficult. However, blending the cotton and nylon with Mirio's DNA was rather tedious. It required multiple samples of Togata's hair and BT copying the sequence.
Once everything was copied, Izuku had to add a solution of the blonde's DNA and other particles into the cotton and hope that everything adhered to the cotton properly.
Then it was a simple matter of cleaning and testing the suit with Mirio. Which had gone well enough for the track suit to be approved. Mainly because the boy's suit had stayed on his body. Yuuei would thank Izuku tremendously for the work.
He also worked on a few other projects for the Sports Festival for those who had specific necessities like Mirio. Another person had a fire quirk that engulfed their entire body so they needed a suit that could withstand heavy heating. And of course, the green bean was more than happy to help.
But, with the improvements to several gym uniforms and improvements to his own projects Izuku and the classes of Yuuei were ready for the Sports Festival.
The day of the Sports Festival came, and with it came Izuku's chance to prove to the world he was here. The Sports Festival started like any other, Present Mic was the announcer like any other year. Along with Eraserhead who'd been forced into the booth last minute as Vlad unfortunately had something to attend to.
"Welcome to Yuuei's annual Sports Festival folks! This year is a little different, as you all may know Yuuei does not have a 1st year Heroics Course thanks to my co-host." Eraserhead rolled his eyes at the man next to him.
"And thanks to Eraserhead, the remaining first year courses will have to compete against the 2nd years. So, pay close attention to the improvements of the second years and to the first-year course. A lot is being asked of them but I'm sure they will give their all!" Present Mic was yelling by the end of his speech.
'The Sports Festival always starts with an Obstacle Race around the stadium. So, I'll have to at least come in 40th place. I don't need to try my absolute hardest, I just need to make the top 50.' Izuku mauled over his plan as Present Mic began to list the rules for the first race.
"Hey, hey, Izuku? Are you ready? I'm so excited!" The bubbly second year broke the boy out of his thoughts. Izuku looked up from the ground, a small smile falling across the boy's own face.
"Yea, I think I am." Izuku replied, his voice somewhat shaky as he doubted himself once again. He still didn't want to be a hero; he didn't want to be like… Like the people who'd looked down upon him and yet here he was. Being forced into the role of a hero.
"On your marks…Go!" Once again there was no real start to one of Yuuei's competitions. Midnight had followed Present Mic's lead from the entrance exam and just yelled out for the kids to start and it had caught some kids off guard.
However, Izuku was used to the antics and was more than ready for the pro to skip parts of the preparations. Izuku ran out as soon as Midnight said for the students to go. He along with a few of the first years were at the front of the pack.
Nejire was using her energy beams to hover over much of the crowd. Mirio was sprinting down the course with great speed and Tamaki had… well he wasn't doing so hot.
The boy was deathly afraid of crowds and the Sports Festival was never his strong suit in the first place.
Izuku ran as best and as fast as he could. However, there were several students who were faster than him. Mainly because of their quirks being speed related. However, Izuku's body had grown and was much bigger than before. Now standing at around 185cm Izuku was the tallest Support Department student.
With the increased strength and length Izuku was able to run far faster than those without speed enhancement quirks. Mirio was one of the only ones to keep up with him, but he was also rather tall for his age.
"Wow folks! The second years are off to a great start with Hado Nejire leading the pack in the air and Nobutoshi Shun in second place! Both students are leading the way as other 2nd years students follow closely! However, one 1st year Support Department student is in 6th place. Izuku Midoriya leads the 1st years so far folks. This year is shaping up to be a real show!" Eraserhead rolled his eyes at Present Mic. The man was just way too loud.
The course continued as several students began to slow down while others began to excel. The giant robots had nearly been a problem but one of the fire users from 2-A had blown away most of the robots with some difficulty.
Izuku had been able to use his grappling hook for the chasm. Hado had floated straight over it and Miriro has struggled the same as many others.
"Nejire Hado still holds the lead as Izuku Midoriya has now taken second place! That first year Support Course student is showing great promise, folks!" Present Mic smiled in the booth; he was so proud of the school's kid.
"He's doing fairly well for a first year considering his odds. However, knowing him he's probably going to do something rather brazen." Present Mic nodded, the kid had a habit of risking limbs, while he'd only ever hurt himself once in the Support Labs, and that was a fluke accident caused by BT… Sure.
"Sir, be careful there are landmines ahead." Izuku smiled as the robot warned him. He'd already planned something for this exact course. Izuku smiled as he pressed a button on his wrist.
Izuku had asked permission before the start of the Sports Festival if he could use his support items. As of course the process for approval was rather lengthy but Nedzu had seen to it that the boy's stuff was approved.
Izuku wouldn't be allowed to use most of his suit until the third test if he made it. However, the grappling hook and one other design was approved for the first round.
"Alright BT, activate the boosters!" Izuku smiled as the rockets that were strapped to his feet ignited and shot him into the air. They'd been developed in the sim and tested over and over again by Izuku. He'd gotten used to the feel of them and even though he struggled originally with controlled flight...
"What is that! Izuku Midoriya has taken to the air with what looks to be some sort of propulsion device! He's flying over obstacles rather than navigating the mines! Eraser, are you seeing this!" Eraser smiled as the boy flew over the course.
"Yea, he's a part of the support course and Nedzu personally approved all of his projects for the Festival." The crowd themselves went wild as the boy flew through the air, shock and aww as the boy outpaced even the 2end year Heroics Course students.
"Hado!" Izuku yelled as he flew closer to the girl. He could see the girl getting tired and the smile that was held on his face dimmed slightly.
"Midory?" She asked as the boy got closer, a smile growing on her own face. "What are you wearing, did you make it! You're not beating me Izuzu!" The girl pushed harder as the twirly beams began to spiral fast from his hands and legs.
It was a close race, neck and neck as the two students raced one another. Izuku pushed the thrusters as much as he could. However, as the two friends got closer to the entrance the boosters began to sputter and fade. He'd run out of fuel as the two raced through the entrance.
The darkness faded and two students came through. Hado and Izuku both stumbling into the stadium. Equally paced as they fell to the ground. Huffing and puffing as their legs gave way and smiles growing wide, laughing at one another.
"I can't believe it folks. Hado Neijire and Izuku Midoriya come through the entrance at the same time! Can you believe this!" Present Mic began to shake Eraserhead.
"It is quite amazing; however, I do worry that they've exhausted themselves so early. They need to learn to pace themselves." Present Mic let go a small, exasperated sigh at the man, the festival was supposed to be fun.
Authoors Notes
Well here's the first part of our Sports Festival and while it truly is not a focuse or of importance to the future. I do feel that it is necessary for world building and progression. I do hope you all enjoyed and thank you for reading.
Fun fact - Oxytocin - associated with empathy, trust, sexual activity, and relationship-building
WolfWhiteFire - When it comes to All For One and stealing the quirk 'Titanbond' I at least see it as gaining the role as pilot of BT. The one who holds the quirk holds the power so to say. However, gaining the use of the actual titan takes time, a bond, and great physical and mental strength. BT's AI would for the most part, be usable from the start however nothing else. As far as forming connections, Izuku's main connection would be the big three, most of the faculty of U.A., a few pro hero's, and the support department. There is no 1-A or 1-B heroics classes since Eraser got a little upset. Hopefully that answered your question and feel free to ask more anytime. This is the second time I've had to write this response thanks to Fanfics weird copy/paste rules.
WolfWhiteFire - Not according to the wiki? "Bravo-Tango-Seven-Two-Seven-Four, often simply referred to as BT-7274 or BT"
crazybeebee - We will get a chance to see more training as time goes on. Similar to how I've done Nedzu's little snippets I'll do BT in the same fashion. Showing different times where the two focused on certain strategies and things. For now though, I'm trying to keep each chapter to a max of '3' so called parts. Most of the weapons from the game are likely unavailable for Izuku and replaced by real life counter parts if possible... Mainly because ammo and the guns themselves would likely need to be outsourced from the quirk. The only gun really ability is the pistol in the SERE kit which is because of reasons...