Update as of September 2019: Changed some internal and characters dialogues. Added bits to Akusa and Hitoshi's meeting for characterization, but nothing too major to change the chapter's plot.
Let's Get Down to Business
Hitoshi studied the re-purposed Yuuei barrier meticulously.
No one really understood what had happened to it yesterday. Official reports claimed it was the reporter's combined effort to get a word of All Might's employment, and that they all publicly apologized for aggravating the school's operations. It was a valid explanation, but the student body wasn't satisfied with such a mundane reason. The most popular rumor online was that a villain instigated the attack. For what? No one really knew, or cared enough to figure out. They were more curious about who rather than why.
Yuuei was a hallmark in the hero industry. Majority of its graduates became the very best, and most of them return to repay the academy by teaching and nurturing the next generation of heroes. It was practically suicide to stage an attack against it. Even more so now that All Might has joined the teaching staff.
Regardless of these facts, some villain still decided to go through with it. Hitoshi figured this villain wasn't some run of the mill kind either. Whatever they did, or whatever they took, the staff was left as confused as they were.
New protocols were drafted in response to the attack and classes resumed normally the next day.
Hitoshi sensed the tension in the air as he strolled along the walkways of Yuuei's grounds towards the general building. Even though the staff assured them of their safety, it was still hard to ignore the fact that a villain broke into their school successfully.
Nothing was stolen, but Hitoshi had a feeling they took something that the heroes wouldn't notice. Something small, but important. He stayed up all night trying to figure out what it was.
Hitoshi entered the classroom a little earlier than his usual, and was surprised to see the space half empty. A couple of them, were huddled near Nusumi's table up front and were busy talking over their phones; probably trying to catch the latest developments on the investigation.
Hitoshi didn't really care, so he silently made his way to his seat, only to stop a few seats out because of the unwanted person sitting on it..
Akusa perched on his seat while he watched dozens of students mingle in the walkway through the window. He didn't seem to notice Hitoshi enter in, and continued to study the people below them while petting his cat. He had this pensive look on his face that drowned out the dangerous presence he's left in the class during his first day.
Hitoshi really didn't have enough opinions about Akusa to care about who or what he is. Granted his sudden inclusion in the roster did raise a few questions, but none that Hitoshi dared ask. He had a curious mind, but he's not that curious. Akusa's secrets are his to share, and not for Hitoshi to dig around for.
If anything, the only thing Hitoshi was only ever really curious about the scar on his face. Akusa mentioned it was from an accident, but Hitoshi can't help but feel there was more to the story than he was letting on. The scar looked too deliberate to have come from one.
Nusumi was all over that rumor mill last night too. Once they got over the attack, the topic shifted into figuring out the mystery that is Lucien Akusa. Hitoshi could really care less, but he did scroll through a few of their theories such as the 'conditions of admission' and the history of that scar. Regardless of the truth, everyone agreed that Akusa was not someone they'd consider messing with.
Fumei even warned them about getting too familiar with Akusa. Something Hitoshi thought as odd, since he thought the same of Fumei. The only difference was that, even if he told anyone about what he thought of Fumei, no one would listen because they actually liked Fumei.
He coughed loudly to get Akusa's attention, and the latter only regarded him briefly. "Hitoshi Shinsou, isn't it? To what do I owe the pleasure of being spoken to?"
Hitoshi would've asked how he knew of his name despite not being acquainted before, but he thought someone may have mentioned it in passing yesterday. "You're in my seat."
"Am I?" Akusa asked, feigning surprise. "Oh, apologies. However, it's still pretty early and I like watching people. I'm sure you wouldn't mind me taking it for a bit."
"I do," he hisses. "Get out."
Akusa waved his at Hitoshi, silently telling him that that he did not care about his opinions despite asking for it; and that he will continue to do as he pleased.
Hitoshi inhaled deeply and tried to calm himself. A familiar selfish thought in his mind urged him to give in to his impulses and use his quirk to kick Akusa out of his chair. It's his seat after all; it wouldn't be wrong to take it back with a little force.
He shook his head, refusing to entertain the idea further. He already did it with Fumei and Kureito because of his foul mood, he's not going to keep justifying his actions to break his own rule. He begrudgingly concedes, and sat down on Fumei's seat. He took out his phone and absentmindedly scrolled through his feed.
Akusa looked over his shoulder to study him and chuckled. "Such a disappointment."
"Excuse me?" Hitoshi blinked.
"A man with a quirk like yours would've commanded me to move," Akusa started. "You can get whatever you want, and yet here you are being pushed around by the new kid. You don't expect to be a hero with an attitude like that, do you?"
Hitoshi sprang up from his seat and glared at the other student. "You don't know me. Stop acting like you understand what it's like to have a quirk like mine."
"Oh, but I do," he purred as his eyes shimmered in dark fascination over the other. "Your's extremely unique, and yet you hide it. If it were me, I would do everything I can with it."
"Move," Hitoshi hissed, activating his quirk either way despite warning himself not to.
A cloud formed over Akusa's eyes and he stood idly by, waiting for instructions. Blanksheet mewled at her owner and gently tapped her paws at the hem of Akusa's jacket. He did not respond, and Blanksheet meowed even louder.
Hitoshi clicked his tongue as he recognized the added weight on his mind. Akusa's consciousness settled underneath his mind and showed no signs of fighting. He tightened his fists as he realized what Akusa just forced him to do.
He wanted Hitoshi to control him, and Hitoshi stupidly fell for it.
Hitoshi allowed Akusa to get into his head first, and thus allowed the latter to press all the right buttons to make him lose his own emotional control. Hitoshi hated being played for a fool and immediately broke their connection.
Akusa blinked back to his senses, and looked up at Hitoshi with a bored expression on his face. "Like I said, disappointing. I fail to see what he sees in you."
Hitoshi frowned. "Who sees what in me?"
"Oh? You haven't noticed?"
"I -" Hitoshi bit his lip before he can ask any further. He's not going to fall prey into another one of his tricks. "You know what, I don't care. Just get out of my chair."
Akusa chuckled and moved as asked. He waved a hand at Hitoshi's seat and said, "I'd think twice about the people I surround myself with if I were you. That was a nice talk, Hitoshi Shinsou. I hope we have more soon."
Hitoshi kept his eyes on Akusa as questions formed in his mind. What did he mean by that?
"Four kilometers?!" the class shouted in chorus at Awaseru-sensei who didn't look all that offended by their outcry.
"You heard me. Now start running or else I'll smack you all to do it." Sensei blew the whistle and one by one they begrudgingly paced themselves to run.
Katagiri led the class in slow, easy jogs around the court, sharing every piece of advice she can from her running experience. A few of them followed her advice, while others, like Okami, sprinted right past her.
"Come on, slow pokes! Catch me if you can!"
No one followed after her, except for Katagiri who quickly closed the five meter gap between them in a burst of competitive spirit. Frustrated by her increasing defeat, Okami transformed herself into a wolf and ran past everyone in her second lap. Katagiri called her out for cheating but kept the friendly competition going. Their display of energy somehow urged the others to keep going and simply enjoyed it.
Koharu and Tatsumaki tried to make a race off it as well, and started to throw their quirks at each other to gain the upper hand. Shirogane jogged behind Kioku, carefully spotting after her when she started to lag behind. Hitoshi stayed behind and took his time. The last time he pushed himself beyond his limits, his legs felt like lead and he had to drag them as he moved.
Hitoshi passed by Kureito, who looked more like he was brisk walking rather than running with a phone in his hand. Awaseru-sensei threw a small eraser towards the pink haired boy to get him running.
As Hitoshi turned for another lap around the court, he ran past over half of their class that have already given up from exhaustion. He didn't know whether to laugh or feel sorry for them. Wasn't this supposed to be a warm-up?
"I see no point in doing such extraneous work," Akusa suddenly scoffed beside Hitoshi, which caused the latter to look at him incredulously. "It's gratuitous. We should be doing practical activities that assess our quirks. Not whatever this is. Then again, I don't know what I expected from a retired hero scout."
The light blue haired teen side-eyed him, hoping to get a response, but Hitoshi kept his thoughts to himself, the former rushed on ahead with Blanksheet close behind.
Hitoshi watched curiously as Akusa slowed match the pace of other students in the field. Shirogane, Nusumi, and oddly enough Shiosai. Hitoshi recalled their little conversation this morning and wondered if he's trying to get them to do or say something like he did with him.
Akusa said he's not here to make friends, and yet here he was, approaching others first with his hands outstretched for mutual respect and understanding. Everything about him screamed wrong, and Hitoshi can't figure out why.
"You've been staring at Akusa the entire day," Fumei said from behind. "Something happen?"
Hitoshi glanced down at the smaller teen and shrugged. "Not really, and what do you care?"
"Oh, come on. That guys been a thorn in my side since he arrived, and you definitely know something."
"Really?" Hitoshi faked surprise. "You don't say."
"I'm serious," Fumei insisted. "I don't like him asking around like that."
"Why? He asked you too?"
"A bit, yeah," he said. "I thought after yesterday he'd avoid me. Tough luck, he just got more interested. He's been asking people random questions. It's not helping his case really. Did he talk to you?"
Hitoshi hummed, not quite answering the question.
"What did he say?"
"None of your business."
Fumei frowned. "Right, I'll be off then. I've got an itch to scratch." He clapped Hitoshi's shoulder then sprinted ahead towards Akusa. He broke past the new student with a sly grin on his face, and said something that seemed to get a rise out of the latter.
Akusa chased after him, and when he caught up, Fumei would sprint ahead again. Blanksheet tried to match their pace until she grew tired and just laid down on the track.
Nusumi picked her up as she rounded the track, and carried the cat over her shoulders. The poor feline meowed for rescue at her owner that was too busy indulging the blond's challenge.
"Fumei's really trying to get everyone involved huh?" Tenmei said as he slowed to jog beside Hitoshi.
What is it with people and starting small talk while running?
"It's suffocating."
"Maybe," Tenmei laughed, "but you can't deny that his methods work. I mean, look at you!"
"What about me?"
"I can talk to you no problem now!"
Hitoshi rolled his eyes. "Anyone can do that. You're all just too scared to do it first."
"Can you blame us? You're not exactly the most approachable type. You also said that you don't want to make friends. That can be a bit… intimidating for most."
"Ah," Hitoshi hummed, "so I did make that clear. Then why don't you run off and leave me alone?"
"You're our classmate Shinsou. Even if you say that, we can't let you be alone all year. That's no way for a teenager to live! And in Yuuei of all places!"
"Quit running like turtles, you two!" Nusumi jumped, and Blanksheet meowed in distress as she twirled. "Six more to goooo!"
Hitoshi grumbled at the reminder, and Tenmei excused himself to save Blanksheet from his friend.
Thirty minutes later, everyone was sprawled on the floor, gasping for air and massaging aching limbs. Only Katagiri and Okami seemed fine as they cooled down with slow stretches and controlled breathing.
"Alright weaklings," Awaseru-sensei clapped. "Time for the real workout."
"That wasn't the workout!?" Hadesu hair flashed pink as he cried, horrified.
"Absolutely not!" Awaseru-sensei laughed. "That was just something to wake up the muscles for the real thing. I'm dividing the class into two today. First group will be with Katagiri–" he handed a clipboard with instructions to Katagiri who read them over "– and the other group, the hero kids, with me. We're doing individual matches in preparation for the festival."
"WHAT!" the remainder of the class burst in offense.
"That's not fair!" Fukuro shouted as her feather like hair ruffled up in protest. "How come they get to be all hero and we dont!"
Awaseru-sensei scratched the back of his head. "I know what I said, and I stand by my word. However, today's exercise is a preliminary for the hero aspirants to show me what they can do in combat. Please don't take this the wrong way."
"But Sensei, won't it be better to assess the class as a whole?" Tenmei asked.
"Yes, and I have," Awaseru-sensei nodded. "That was what the quirk test was for. However, today I wanted to focus on those that are decided on their goals. I promise I will give you the choice to join future exercises or not, but for now, we will follow this arrangement. Understand?"
They nodded, and Sensei smiled. "Thank you. Now, I want all the hero aspirants with me on this side, and the rest of you on the other."
Katagiri pulled Tenmei's sleeve when he refused to move. "Let's finish this early so we can watch them okay?"
Tenmei narrowed his eyes at the other group before sighing to himself. He rounded up the remaining class members and barked orders for a clean and orderly exercise.
"As for you lot," Awaseru-sensei started. "I'll be pairing you into predetermined match-ups. These are not random so don't complain to me about it being unfair. I assigned you against the other because of similar strengths, and, or weaknesses. While I trust my quirk's assessment with my life, it does not dictate to me the appropriate approach to train all of you. This exercise will help me do that. As always, give it your Plus Ultra."
"Well, then. First up, we have Tatsumaki and Okami." The two exchanged looks and nod in silent understanding. "I paired you to test each other's stamina. This match will be five minutes long, so learn to be resourceful and be smart with your already limited strength."
"Next, Fumei and Akusa." The blond whistled in mild fascination, while Akusa turned his precarious stare at the former. If looks could kill, Fumei was as good as dead. "Since both of you don't intend to be heroes yet claim to be better than the rest, I want you to be each other's obstacle. Push each other to the limit. Fumei, consider this as your audition piece. If I'm impressed, then I may consider asking your help to manage the others."
Fumei nodded, determined, while Akusa raised a curious brow.
"Then we'll have Nusumi and Shinsou."
Nusumi bumped elbows with Hitoshi, who grumbled in annoyance, as the former wished them luck. Hitoshi wasn't threatened by her, he just didn't like how unpredictable she and her quirk are combined.
"Both of you have quirks that most consider as 'invisible' emitter types. They can be easily mismanaged, and one of you already does." Nusumi stuck her tongue out. "The other already has a good grasp on it. This match was done so you can learn from each other. Spontaneity and control."
Hitoshi narrowed his eyes. Sensei just commended his control over his own quirk, but at the same time, criticized him for lacking spontaneity with it. He wanted Hitoshi to learn how to be unpredictable, was that it?
"Last up is Koharu and Fumei."
"Again?" Tatsumaki asked.
"Yes, again," Sensei said. "We have an odd number of participants, so someone had to repeat."
"And that person is Fumei?" Hitoshi asked.
"I can handle myself just fine, Toshi –" Fumei grinned. "Besides I have a set to rest and watch you absolutely get lobbied by Nusumi."
"Get wrecked Shinsou!" Nusumi roared and clapped hand with Fumei's own.
"Aside from that," Awaseru-sensei said dismissively. "This match was made to test Koharu's speed in creating portals against Fumei's own prowess in creating plates under the sunlight."
Koharu clenched his gloved hands in heavy thought, until Fumei clapped his arm. "Don't think too much about it," he said. "Overthinking it would just lessen the challenge for me you know?"
"Alright, let's get this show on the road," Sensei said.
"Tatsumaki and Okami, to the field. You have 5 minutes to force your opponent out of the field, or immobilize them for three seconds," Awaseru-sensei said. "There will be injuries, but don't overdo it. Recovery Girl will have my head if I send another kid her way."
The last part seemed unnecessary, but Hitoshi thought it best not to dwell on it too much. This was an exercise, not a battlefield. The most he expected them to get are some bruises and light cuts that Kamimura can heal on her own.
Tatsumaki blew some hair hanging on his face as he swung his arms at the ready. On the other end of the field, Okami stretched her limbs. "Don't hold back on me," he said with a smirk.
"As if. This'll be a breeze for me."
Fumei settled down beside Hitoshi, much to the latter's dismay and rolled up his tracksuit. "Who do you think will win?"
Hitoshi didn't answer, and instead let the fight speak for himself. The timer started, and Tatsumaki spun his arms around in a small ring in front of him. Air gathered around his wrists to form a small vortex that pushed strong winds out with every rotation made.
Tatsumaki gritted his teeth as the winds force pushed him back. Much like his previous display of strength, his wind tornado like winds lacked a proper form to keep him balanced. It looked dangerously unstable, and even he had trouble controlling it's intensity as its power grew by the second.
Okami bent herself closer to the ground to prevent herself from being tossed around by the winds, and broke into a run around him.
Tatsumaki dragged his winds behind her, and with a shout, increased the rotation in his arms. The winds shook within the arena and sent a gust of strong air at Okami's feet. She tripped at the force, but caught herself in a forward roll and was back to sprinting.
"I'm not falling for that!" she shouted and brought her hands up. "Stop hiding behind your winds and fight me like a man! Fist to fist, buddy!"
Tatsumaki's eye twitched. "Come get me you mutt!"
Okami grinned, and her yellow colored eyes seemed to glow brighter as fanged canines grew on her teeth. She ran forward, meeting Tatsumaki head on as the latter thrust a fisted hand on her face. Okami dodged it and tackles the boy down. She wrapped her legs around his own, and pushed Tatsumaki's face down to the ground.
"One!" she counted, and Tatsumaki flailed his arms beneath her. "Two!"
Tatsumaki's arm trembled, and Okami immediately jumped back once she sensed the winds pick up around her. A large spiral of wind burst towards the ceiling, and Tatsumaki stood up as Okami retreated. "I'm not going down that easy."
"You just did, pal. Next time, you're staying down."
Okami jumped forward, her body shifting into a large grey wolf as she did and Tatsumaki was forced to defend himself. He pointed an arm towards her and rotated it enough to shoot short bursts of air towards Okami's feet to trip her up.
Okami jumped over each hit, missing the spinning blasts that seemed to suck gravel towards its center and growled. Those things can trap her in place if she wasn't careful. She approached him in a crooked dash, making it harder for Tatsumaki to land a direct hit.
Tatsumaki yelled in frustration and clapped his hands together. He spun in a circle, and swung his arms with him. Winds circled him and he pushed the small tornado that formed with his turn towards his opponent. Okami whimpered as the winds dragged her back to where she started, and Tatsumaki immediately followed by creating another strong, unsteady flow of air to push her out.
Okami growled, and dragged out her claws to hold onto the ground. She folded her hind legs and managed to find a balance to fight through Tatsumaki's winds. She started to move slowly, with her chest pressed very close to the ground, and her ears and tail tucked inside to avoid increasing her already low air resistance.
Tatsumaki noted her advance and rolled his arms more. The winds grew more chaotic before him, and indirectly disturbed the air stuck within the gym's walls. Nusumi screamed as her light weight body was lifted into the air.
Akusa nonchalantly grabbed unto her tracksuit and anchored her shadow with his. Nusumi looked confused at seeing her shadow interlocked with Akusa's but nonetheless beamed at his silent act of kindness. She pushed herself closer to his space and tried to spark conversation.
Akusa's eye twitched and he stood up to move. Blanksheet made a soft noise as he left, while Nusumi pouted. He did not break their shadows connection however.
He sat behind Hitoshi, who at first tried not to think too much about it until Akusa opened a can of soda. Hitoshi looked over his shoulder to remind him of the rules, but Akusa's eyes were already on him and aware of what he was going to say.
Hitoshi returned his attention to the fight and zipped up his tracksuit as the winds continued to rage around them.
Tatsumaki matched Okami's approach with slow, steady steps, careful not to lose his balance as his arms shook out new cyclical rings of air at his opponent. He stumbled on a small uneven patch of ground which abruptly ended his restless attack.
He saw black circles form around his eyes and he swayed on his own weight as his head felt lighter.
Okami sensed her chance and shifted her from a grey wolf and into a coyote. She hobbled out of Tatsumaki's direct line of attack and ran in a circle towards him. She managed tackle Tatsumaki back down again and they rolled around in the dirt trying to get the better of the other.
She chomped her canines on Tatsumaki's left arm to immobilize him, and the latter screamed. He kicked her in the stomach in sheer panic, and scrambled as far away as he can from her. He gripped his bleeding arm close to his chest and cried, "What the fuck?! She bit me! That has to be illegal!"
"I said you'd get hurt!" Sensei shouted to remind him. "She's only using what she has against you, now do the same. Three minutes!"
Okami shook her body as she stood on all fours. She glared at Tatsumaki, who frowned and shifted his stance to protect his wounded arm. It hurt, but it didn't hurt that much. It was just left in a condition that prevented him to use it to create stronger vortexes.
Okami made a low guttural growl and Tatsumaki shot another brief cyclical wind towards her. The attack completely missed its mark, and Okami grinned. She could already taste her victory. Tatsumaki kept on attacking her with unsteady bursts of wind that was landed nowhere near as close to her fast approaching run.
She noted how each attack seemed to drain more of Tatsumaki's already diminishing power supply and decided to make her final stand. She howled loudly, and skipped over one of Tatsumaki's winds. She vaulted high up into the air, making Tatsumaki gape at the height she just reached.
Tatsumaki stumbled back as he raised his good arm and vibrated his wrists enough to generate a steady stream of air. The winds responded a little too slowly given his exhaustion, and Okami tried to pin him down with her added weight as a coyote. However, she suddenly shifted out of her canine form and into her human one and fumbled in the air.
She crashed into Tatsumaki, who cried in similar surprise as they rolled around in the dirt again.
Tatsumaki forced her down with his arms, despite Okami's struggles. He hissed through the pain of his bleeding arm. The blood was beginning to clot, but his clothes clung too close to his skin, that every movement tore off the scab. It itched, and he wanted it all to stop.
Okami screamed as she pushed Tatsumaki off her. She managed to free one arm under his weight then punched him hard. Tatsumaki fell back, then Okami kicked him off. She quickly scrambled to her feet, swaying for a moment, as her own limit caught up.
"Two minutes!"
Okami rushed forward again with her fists up and punched wildly at her opponent. Some landed, while some didn't because of how unsteady Tatsumaki's own balance was becoming. Tatsumaki tripped on his feet, and flapped his arms around. It resulted in an unplanned gust of wind between them that sent Okami flying a few meters away from him.
Okami forced herself into transforming again, but struggled to even change the appearance of her eyes. She cursed her own stamina and bolted for Tatsumaki instead. She yelled out a battle cry as she approached, while Tatsumaki held his position.
Tatsumaki closed his eyes and evened out his breaths. The winds seemed to still inside the gym and was silently sucked towards him. He placed one foot behind him and bent forward, taking on a familiar angle that everyone except for Hitoshi and Akusa recognized.
"Everyone down!" Fumei shouted as an eight foot tall wall of wind burst around the green haired boy.
People ran for cover and dropped to the ground to avoid being sucked into the tornado Tatsumaki was creating. It raged like its own small storm inside the gym with every step Tatsumaki made towards Okami. Tatsumaki glowed a similar shade of his hair and the winds covered him up completely.
Okami dropped on her back as the winds tried to suck her in, and tried to retreat. Unfortunately, the tornado was stronger than herself and caught her in its spin. Okami screamed as she twisted around the outer circles and was flung high up in the air.
The winds suddenly disappeared, and Okami fell on the ground chest first, with her legs crossing the boundary. The time went off to signal the end of the match, and Sensei blew his whistle. "Match end! The point goes to Miss Okami!"
Okami pushed herself up in shock. "I… won?"
"Yes, Miss Okami, you won."
"But I... Tatsumaki pushed me out?"
"That would count as a loss, yes," Sensei nodded, "but Tatsumaki shot himself out first." He directed her attention towards the green haired boy who was slumped unconscious at a nearby wall.
Okami blinked, trying to process the situation before a chuckle rose from her throat. "What a twist ending!"
Hitoshi applauded Okami's fight with the others as she bowed. Their fight was messy, and was nowhere near as refined as trained heroes spar against each other; but Hitoshi can't deny the intensity behind it. They were both amazing, and Hitoshi wondered if he can do something like that too in the near future.
Awaseru-sensei excused Okami for a moment to relay his thoughts before he dismissed her to Kamimura. He then turned to the rest of the hero group and said, "Fumei, Akusa, you can start warming up."
Akusa stepped down from his seat and passed by Fumei on his way to the field. They held their eyes for a while before he took of his mask.
Fumei's eyes widened, surprised by the gesture, while Hitoshi found himself looking away. He didn't really know why, but he felt like he was intruding on something personal if he stared too long. As curious as he was, Hitoshi is not the type to ask.
"So serious, that guy," the blond chuckled. He turned to Hitoshi again and asked, "Alright, no escaping me this time. Who'd you think is going to win?"
"Akusa would," Hitoshi answered just to spite him.
"Honestly," Fumei said, "Me too."
Hitoshi blinked and turned to Fumei with concern. Did he really think he can't beat Akusa? He's seen Fumei in the zone first hand, and that was not the words of someone who was confident in what they can do.
Fumei noted the confusion on his face and clapped his back. "Don't worry, don't worry. I'll make sure it's ingrained in Akusa head that this playground is mine."
A/N: Aw man I love writing fight scenes! I never thought I'd love Okami as much I do now, but she's so fun to write. I'm not sure if I'm doing her character justice but her pun game is so strong I can't keep up. It's like constantly trying to find the best-worst pun to use in a situation. Tatsumaki gets healed by Kamimura count: 2
Next up! An entire chapter dedicated to Akusa and Fumei sparring and perhaps try not to kill each other with their ego. PUT IN YOUR BETS ON WHO'SE GOING TO WIN FOLKS!