Once everything was wrapped up with the first round, the second round began. All Might pulled out two other teams from the box, which pitted Shoto and Ayano against Mashirao and Ayumi.
"Both teams get ready for the match." All Might said to them.
"Yes, sir!" Ayumi, Mashirao, and Shoto said.
Ayano remained in place as she looked to Katsuki who has been very uncharacteristically quiet. She could hear his jumbled thoughts. His entire world was shook, and she had no idea what to say to help him. She wasn't used to having to help Katsuki. Not like this. She was usually just the one who kept him on a leash. As controlled as possible. She's never had to try and comfort him before. And she was sure he wouldn't appreciate her comforting either, but she felt helpless just standing here doing nothing.
"Ishida," Shoto brought her from her thoughts. "Are you ready to go?"
"Yes." Ayano said while moving to follow him. "Sorry."
Shoto said nothing as he kept heading out with the villain team already ahead of them, but he didn't have to say anything. Ayano could hear what he was thinking.
'She's too shaken from that fight between her friends, which means claiming victory for our team will rest on my shoulders.' Shoto was thinking as Ayano followed after him.
She frowned with her hands clenching into fists. She wouldn't let his thoughts be true. She'll show how useful she is. She didn't say this out loud, however, since she'd prove her worth without words. They went to the next building with the villains going in first. During the five minute wait, Shoto didn't try to speak with Ayano, and she had the feeling trying to strike up a conversation wouldn't help much either. If they were going to work together, shouldn't they talk through some kind of game plan? Ayano tilted her head guessing this whole teamwork thing might not go so well with the two of them. Most likely because he already wrote her off, which did irk her if she was being honest.
"Match two!" All Might called over the speakers. "Team B will be our heroes and Team I will be the villains!"
Ayano looked up at the building while knowing she needed to keep her cool. Her worries would have to be saved for later. Right now she had to do her part to help her partner.
"Look alive, kids!" All Might said. "Show us you're the embodiment of good! Or evil! Let's go!"
The horn sounded meaning they could begin, so the heroes stepped into the building. Ayano immediately cast out her mind to listen for Mashirao and Ayumi.
'Ishida will be able to find us no matter where we move,' Mashirao was thinking. 'How do we fight someone who can read our thoughts and see our moves before we even move?'
Ayumi's thoughts did not mirror Mashirao's. In fact, she was totally calm, and willing to wait for Ayano and Shoto to come to them.
'While we will be going against two capable fighters, all I have to do is be faster,' Ayumi was thinking. 'And I'm always the fastest.'
She was confident in her team claiming victory, which Ayano couldn't blame her for. However, Ayano wasn't going to give up without a fight.
"They're on the fourth level." Ayano said as Shoto came to stand beside her. "Neither of them are moving."
"For your own safety go outside." Shoto said as he walked past Ayano.
Ayano looked at him with a quirked brow while already seeing what he had planned. However, how could he be sure his ice would be fast enough to stop Ayumi before she gets on the move? Ayano said nothing though as Shoto continued forward. She'd let him try his plan first, but she'd be sure to follow close behind afterwards in case his plans fall through.
"I'm sure our opponents plan to fight a defensive battle." Shoto said as he held up his hand, which was collecting ice to place on the wall.
The ice started to spread from his and his foot to start freezing up the entire building.
"But we've already won." Shoto said confidentially.
As the ice spread farther and faster, Ayano stepped outside to watch. This plan wasn't going to work.
Ayumi hummed to herself looking down as ice started quickly creeping through the room they were in.
"What the—?!" Mashirao explained.
"Looks like ice boy made his move." Ayumi said then looked to Mashirao. "Sorry in advance."
Before he could ask what she meant, he was grabbed and suddenly things became a blur for a split second. After that he was suddenly outside on the roof. Then before he could realize what was going on, the door to the top slammed shut behind him. Inside, Ayumi zipped through the building to get back to the weapon as the ice seemed to be moving in slow motion in comparison. She made it back to the room while grabbing the weapon. Since it was hollow she easily held it above her head while spinning at high speeds around and around. The heat caused by the spinning melted the ice, so she could set the weapon down safely without it harmed.
"There." She said patting it as she grinned. "Safe and sound. Now,"
She looked towards the door where she could hear footsteps slowly approaching.
"Looks like it's time to have some fun." She said chuckling.
Just as Shoto stepped into the room prepared to easily take the weapon from the other team, he was hit head on by a silver blur. He grunted at the impact as he was sent flying backwards. He was going to quickly create some ice behind him to slide across to gain his bearings, but he was caught mid-air. His eyes widened a bit, and he turned his head seeing Ayano standing in the doorway with her hand raised. She then raised her other hand creating a psionic shield to try and keep the silver streak at bay. The streak hit the psionic wall causing Ayano to skid across the ground, but the wall took most of the impact, so she stayed on her feet.
"Not bad." Ayumi said as she came to halt. "I was expecting to end this quickly."
"So was I." Shoto admitted as Ayano set him down. "Looks as if we were both mistaken."
She dropped the shield as well as she moved to stand closer to her teammate.
'I underestimated her.' Shoto thought. 'That was my mistake.'
He then threw a glance at Ayano in silent thanks, which had Ayano nodding her head. She kept her eyes on Ayumi though while knowing she'd have to rely on reading Ayumi's thoughts to predict her moves. And then Ayano would have to try to be a split second faster if she wanted to stop her.
"Seems that way." Ayumi said. "Not that it matters, right? This makes things more fun!"
Then she was gone in a blur again with Ayano cursing when she couldn't react faster enough to grab Ayumi. Ayumi went for Shoto again to hit him hard. He would have been sent right into Ayano, but he caught his footing to come to a skidding stop right in front of her. He held it arm out as if shielding her as he kept his eyes on the streak that did some laps around the room a few times.
"Do you think if I can somehow slow her down that you can grab her?" Shoto asked Ayano while peeking over his shoulder.
"I can try." Ayano said. "But I think all we really need to do is trip her up a bit."
Shoto's brow quirked curiously. He went to ask Ayano what she meant, but they were separated by Ayumi who knocked Ayano out through the doorway. Ayano's eyes widened slightly as she hit the railing hard. It knocked the air out of her causing her to gasp. She slumped to the floor as the door was slammed in her face. Ayumi was smart. She was trying to keep Ayano and Shoto separated, so they couldn't strategize. However, just because walls separated them didn't mean he was out of her reach to speak with.
'Todoroki-kun, are you alright?' Ayano asked mentally as she pushed herself to her feet.
'Yes,' He replied before letting out a grunt of pain.
Ayumi must have hit him, and based on the crash that happened inside, Ayano would have to say she really, really hit him hard. They really needed to find a way to slow her down, or this fight wouldn't last long with the "villains" coming out on top. Speaking of villains, where was Mashirao?
'I have to attack now before she realizes I'm here!' His voice reached Ayano's mind.
It also gave her enough warning that she quickly crouched down to dodge the kick aimed at her body. Mashirao flew overhead then landed in his own crouch near Ayano. He winced when his feet dragged against the floor slightly, and Ayano knew that was because the ice was harming his bare feet.
"You're faster than you look." Mashirao commented.
"It's nothing, really." Ayano said modestly. "Your thoughts just gave you away in enough time for me to move."
Mashirao frowned because he had been worried about that. It was hard to sneak up on a telepath it seemed. As the two stood to face each other, Ayano took a moment to connect to Shoto's mind again.
'Todoroki-kun, it will be a few moments before I can join you,' She warned him.
He didn't give a reply, but she was sure he was a bit caught up in his fight with Ayumi. Ayano had to focus on her own fight when Mashirao moved in to throw a few punches at her long with a tail whip. The only way she could defend against them creating a psionic shield with one hand, which she used to block the blows. However, they were strong enough to push her backwards. Soon she found herself at the edge of the stairs, and she knew she had to make a move before she could take a tumble. She used her free hand to lift the capture tape from her pocket. She then sent it flying towards Mashirao.
He jumped backwards to try and avoid it, but using her telekinesis, she managed to snag him around the tail. She then wrapped it around him like a cocoon, which had him falling backwards onto the floor. He struggled on the floor trying to break the tape, but gave up since he knew he was out of the game anyway. He then looked to Ayano as she came to stand by his fallen body.
"Sorry, Ojiro-kun, but I believe you're done here." Ayano said. "I'll be sure to let you go once the time runs out."
She then went to the door that kept her from Shoto and Ayumi's fight. She knew she couldn't rush back in since Ayumi would most likely just throw her out again. However, Ayumi doesn't know what Ayano could be doing while out of sight. This gave Ayano and Shoto the perfect time to strategize without alerting their opponent. Ayano knelt down in front of the door while placing her hand on it as she reached out to Shoto again.
'Todoroki-kun, I have a plan.' Ayano informed him. 'So please listen carefully if you want to win.'
'….I'm listening,' He replied.
This had Ayano slightly grinning while knowing if they could pull this off that they'd be the winners of this exercise.
"What's Ishida doing?" Denki asked. "She's just sitting there while Todoroki is getting his butt handed to him."
It was true Shoto was having a bit of trouble. On the screens it showed him having to stay on defense to try and keep Ayumi at bay. However, she would easily zip through his defenses to hit him again and again. Though Todoroki wasn't giving up, and even if his partner was just still outside, he seemed completely calm.
"Do you think she might be communicating with Todoroki mentally?" Tsuyu asked.
"Yes, I believe so." Momo said as she watched closely. "A good move on her part. While Jinsoku did separate Ishida and Todoroki, she obviously didn't think of Ishida's telepathy. Also she had weakened her own team by moving Ojiro outside even if it was to keep him safe. The odds have moved in favor of the heroes."
All Might silently approved of her assessment because it was true. The odds did move in the favor of Team B. Now it was two against one, and it seemed as if a plan was being formed. Mina continued to watch with the rest of the class before she shuddered as she hugged herself. She let out a breath with it visible in the air.
"I think it's gotten colder, guys." She said shivering.
Others were shivering as well as the temperature seemed to drop even more and more from when Shoto had first froze the building. Even Katsuki was shivering now as he watched Ayano and Shoto work together.
"It has gotten colder." Konan said as she tried to ignore the nippy temperatures. "I believe the plan they have come up with is to see how cold they have to make it to slow Jinsoku down, or until the ice is too slippery for even her to get traction on to move. Once she slows down or trips up, they will most likely move in."
It sounded like something Ayano would do. She's always been a smart fighter. Even when she and Katsuki would butt heads. She would always go to end a fight quickly since drawn out fights weren't her forte. But if it was ever a fight that she couldn't quickly end, Ayano would play the fight like a chess game and wait for the right time to strike, so not to waste energy. She was almost as bad as Izuku and his little plans, but unlike Izuku, Ayano just needed one opening—one chance to make that one blow that'd end the entire fight.
He knew that Ayumi didn't have a chance now. Even if she was talented—more talented than even him; a thought that had Katsuki's hands clenching into fists—she wouldn't win now that Ayano's plan was put into action. Did this mean Ayano was better than him as well? Has she been holding out? Has she thought of him as weak all these years?! He grit his teeth together as Ayano's plan took hold. On the screen Ayumi's blurry form was starting be more visible as she was forced to slow down. And that moment of her speed being decreased sent her slipping across the ice Shoto created. She went sliding across the ice right into Shoto's awaiting arms.
Once his arms were firmly around her, Ayano threw the door open off its hinges while jerking her hand to the right, which pulled out the capture tape in Shoto's pocket. She wrapped it around Ayumi without tying up Shoto in the process. It was over in a second with both villains wrapped up in the capture tap as Shoto set Ayumi down carefully. Ayano then calmly walked over to the weapon, and placed her hand on the side of it.
"The hero team wins!" All Might declared the second her hand made contact.
Once his words rang out through the speakers, Shoto let out a breath while crouching down to place his hand on the ground. Heat escaped his left side, and melted all the ice in and around the building he had created with his right side. As steam rose around the teens, Ayano untied both Ayumi and Mashirao. As Ayano offered Ayumi a hand, the silver-haired youth let out a sigh.
"Guess I'll just have to work on my running across ice, huh?" She murmured while taking Ayano's offered had. "And I guess I'll have to come up with a new nickname for Todoroki."
"Nickname?" Shoto asked looking to Ayumi.
"Yeah, I was going to call you ice boy, but you can use heat too." Ayumi said while looking thoughtful. "Now I have to think of something else."
As Shoto looked at the speedster with a curious look, Ayano chuckled. She was just glad that was over. Now onto the bigger problem, which was Katsuki and his hurt pride. That was something she wanted to avoid, but as his friend, she couldn't. She sighed hoping he was feeling a bit better now that he had time to cool off.
After that the rest of the match up went along pretty quickly. Some ended in the matter of a couple minutes while some of them had been down to the wire. Most of the hero teams had won, but Konan and Mezo who played the villains had won and protected the weapon. They had fought against Toru and Yuga, and Konan had hit both of them before they realized what was even happening. She just let Mezo tell her where the two were going and where she could cut them off. It was all she needed and the shadows of the building to get close to end the match. She had used her paper quirk to wrap the two up in paper cocoons.
It had been really impressive really, and Ayano was sure that if Konan hadn't signed up for the entrance exam that she would have been recommended like Momo and Todoroki. Though Konan was a bit of a mystery. She had good combat skills and seemed to know how to use a sword—she did have one at her waist after all, and Mashirao did mention that Konan had been part of their kendo team at their middle school and she had also attended martial arts classes with him since they were little. Also, fighting was kind of in her blood because of who her father is.
Her father-Kurafutoshi Ryūshi-is the CEO of the national fighting rings of Japan, so she comes from a wealthy family as well. Ayano supposes Konan's father, who had once been a martial arts fighter himself, could have taught her how to fight or hired someone to, but the stealth and skill she showed in the test was not of someone who learned from a ring fighter. Mashirao had said Konan has always just been a gifted fighter, and all their lessons together alway just made her better. Ayano was sure she's just reading too much into things, but considering she can hear everyone's darkest secrets, she's learned everyone has something to hide. And it seems as if Konan does.
But Ayano pushed the mystery of Konan to the back of her mind since she had more important problems to deal with like Katsuki. Ayano, who was standing beside Hachiro, looked over at Katsuki as he remained at the back of the class with his head still down low. His thoughts were still clouded over with anger and shame for his loss. She wasn't sure how to make him feel better. A part of her just wanted to stand back and let him handle what he's feeling.
Katsuki's always been pampered and praised since they were little. To him there was no one greater than himself because people had been telling them that most of his life. However, know he's seen that there are people better than him and people who can fight on par with him. This has shattered a great chunk of the pride he's been carrying around all this time. It was something he'd have to come to terms with, and Ayano was sure that saying anything would only make matters worse.
"Gees, so much drama and it's only the second day." She murmured to herself.
If every day of school was going to be like this, she might lose her mind along the way.
"That's a wrap!" All Might declared while getting Ayano's attention. "Super work! You really stepped up to the plate, and we didn't have any major injuries except for Midoriya. You should be proud! Excellent first day of training all around."
He gave the group a thumbs up while very impressed with their work. Of course, some of them outshined the others, but all of them showed much potential.
"It's nice to hear some encouraging words after our homeroom class." Tsuyu said. "Aizawa-sensei was kind of a buzzkill."
Many of the others nodded in agreement, but Ayano didn't really mind Aizawa. He was a different kind of teacher for certain, but she thinks she'll grow to like him.
"I'm happy to bring such staggering positivity to my Alma Mater!" All Might said as he spread out his arms. "That's all for now, folks! I should go check on Young Midoriya's progress! Now watch how a pro exits! Like he has somewhere to be!"
He then took off running down the hall at amazing speeds that had most of the class gasping in awe.
"Okay, you guys!" Denki said. "Now that is a hero!"
"Aw, I'll never be able to run that fast." Mashirao said frowning.
"Super awesome." Minoru said.
"Eh, I've seen faster." Ayumi said while already heading inside.
"Well, duh." Denki said. "You're probably the fastest person alive besides your dad, Jinsoku."
Many murmured in agreement as everyone started heading inside, so to go to the changing rooms. Ayano stood back with Katsuki as he didn't move along with the others. Once their class was ahead of them, Katsuki lifted his head with his red eyes meeting her white ones.
"If you're going to say something, say it." Katsuki said frowning. "You can mock me. I don't care."
Ayano sighed while not surprised that Katsuki thought she might try to mock him. She then turned away while starting to head inside.
"I'm not going to mock you." Ayano said. "And don't think I look down on you just because you lost one fight. Even now you are still the strongest person I know."
Katsuki stiffened at the sound of honesty in Ayano's words, and his eyes widened partially. Ayano paused to look back at him as she clasped her hands behind her back.
"Not because I think you're the most talented or anything because there are others out there with more skill than you." Ayano continued. "Like Todoroki-kun and Yaoyorozu-chan."
Katsuki's frown reappeared as he wondered what the hell Ayano was trying to say.
"The reason why I see you as the strongest is because you never give up." Ayano said. "Ever since we were kids, you never backed down from a challenge, and you always find a way to win in the end. I know that no matter what you'll win when it counts, which is why you're the strongest person I know. I don't know if my words mean much to you, but pouting around isn't doing anything for you or anyone. The Katsuki I know would just keep his head high, and move forward to better himself to prove that his boasts aren't all talk. That's all I have to say. Now let's head back. We have other classes to attend, Kacchan."
Ayano continued on while moving her hands into the jeans of her pockets. She hoped her words helped Katsuki. She wasn't good at comforting others besides Izuku, but she felt like being truthful with Katsuki was the best approach. Let's just hope it worked. As Katsuki watched her go, her words replayed in his mind.
'The strongest person she knows, huh?' He thought to himself.
Ayano let out a sigh as she followed behind Katsuki. It was evening now with school technically finished for the day. And though their classmates had stayed behind for some extra studying, Katsuki decided it was time to head home, and dragged Ayano with him since his mother was expecting her.
"Stop dragging your feet and hurry up, Aya." Katsuki called over his shoulder. "Or I'll leave you behind."
Ayano rolled her eyes thought widened her strides slightly to catch up to Katsuki. Once at his side, she shortened her strides to match his.
"If you're going to be crabby the entire way there, I might just have to leave you behind." Ayano said to him as she frowned. "You really do make a terrible traveling companion."
Katsuki shot her a glare while looking ready to rip into her, which didn't scare her a bit. However, when she stopped with her head tilted to the side, Katsuki knew she picked up on someone's thoughts. And the only person she'd stop for just by hearing their thoughts was Izuku. Katsuki frowned not even having to turn around to know that little twerp was getting close.
"Kacchan!" He heard moments later along with the sound of feet hitting the pavement. "Wait up!"
Katsuki slowly turned his head to look at Izuku, who was still pretty banged up, as Ayano sighed. She knew this wasn't going to be a pleasant conversation.
"What?" Katsuki asked with a dangerous tone.
Izuku stiffened while starting to think it might had been better to leave Katsuki alone. Though he quickly shook away that thought since he had to say what he came to say.
"I have to tell you something." Izuku said. "But only you."
He looked towards Ayano, who already knew by his thoughts what he wanted to say, but continued to pretend to be oblivious to his secret. He thought right now he was doing a good job by keeping his thoughts vague. However, it didn't help him at all since she already knew about it all. But she would keep all this to herself.
"I'll just continue on to the train station." Ayano said pointing. "I'm sure you'll catch up to me by then, Kacchan. Try not to get into a fight, boys."
She gave Katsuki's wrist a gentle squeeze before waving to Izuku. She continued on knowing that as long as Katsuki didn't complete lose it that there wouldn't be a fight. Besides, she was sure even Katsuki had enough of fighting today, and had to be emotionally exhausted. At least she hoped so.
"Those two," She murmured to herself. "They really know how to make a girl worry."