The day of the fight arrived much quicker than I had hoped. I felt sick to my stomach, and unprepared, but more than anything I felt pure, red hot anger. Anger towards Nezu for planning a fight with a seemingly innocent, kind hearted person behind our backs. Anger towards Aizawa for suggesting a fight in the first place. I paced the room as if I were a caged animal, and stopped at the window.
Crowds were starting to gather on the front lawn. I laid my head against the cool glass in front of me, and silently hoped it would soothe the dull ache in my temples. The sound of knuckles rapping on the door startled me, and I quickly crossed the room.
"Miya."
Kaminari's voice was barely a whisper as he stepped into the room. He wrapped his arms around my shoulders, and pulled me into his chest. His scent was enough to take the breath out of my lungs. He took a step back, and his eyes widened.
"Is that your-"
His whole body seemed to freeze as he looked me up and down. I could have sworn I saw one single tear form in the corner of his eye.
"My outfit, yeah. Hatsume did a really amazing job on it." I smiled as I smoothed out a wrinkle in the fabric.
His hands stayed glued to my shoulders, and his facial expression remained unchanged.
"Kaminari, are you okay?"
I snapped my fingers in front of his face. He blinked, and shook his head.
"I'm fine. You just look ho-" he cleared his throat, "er, um, I mean you look amazing."
He blushed, and smiled weakly.
"It's a real shame Midoriya is probably going to kick my ass, and ruin my outfit."
He slipped his hand into mine, and squeezed it tightly.
"Aizawa and All Might said they'd stop the fight if it got too out of control."
I chuckled.
"Oh? What are they going to consider out of control? Midoriya beating me to a bloody pulp, or me slicing him open with one of my feathers?"
My tone turned acidic, and he looked away.
"I'm sorry. I'm just angry. Making Midoriya and I fight is wrong and it's all my fault."
He put his hand gently on the side of my face, and my heart skipped a beat.
"Don't talk like that. This isn't your fault."
"You're right," I sighed, "it's All Might's for bringing me here. If he would have just let me be with my Father then this fight wouldn't be happening."
I sat down on the edge of the bed, and he sat beside me.
"I'm glad All Might brought you here."
I wove my fingers through his, and noticed his hand was shaking slightly.
"You'd be the first to admit that." I said.
He squeezed my hand gently. A sad smile crossed his lips.
"Miya, I-"
His words stopped short, and he fidgeted where he sat.
"What is it?"
He remained silent as his eyes bore deep into mine. His facial expression looked almost as if he were trying to memorize something. His brows were furrowed, and he looked to be deep in thought. He brought his hand up, and gently brushed the side of my cheek. The electricity made it feel warm, and numb.
I smiled as he let his hand linger on my cheek, and he slowly leaned in closer to me.
"What are you-"
My chest tightened, and my vision went blurry as our lips met. My heart beat wildly as I attempted to steady my breathing. The recurring knot in my stomach tightened up as the numbness from Kaminari's electricity made me lose all feeling in my lips. He pulled back, and his breath came in short spurts. He muttered something under his breath, and I was worried his brain had been fried yet again.
He gently pressed his forehead to mine, and closed his eyes. He breathed in, held it, and breathed out.
"Miya," his voice was just above a whisper," I really like you."
I rested my head on his shoulder, and nuzzled into his neck.
"I like you, too."
"Isn't that cute?"
Mr. Aizawa's grizzly voice startled us, and we jumped up from the edge of the bed. He was leaning up against the doorframe, and a disapproving look crossed his face.
"It's time, Suzume. Let's go."
Kaminari shot me a sad glance as I crossed the room, and stood at Mr. Aizawa's side.
"Promise me you'll be okay."
"I promise." I said, holding up my pinky.
Mr. Aizawa's pace was hurried as we walked down the hallway.
"Are you ready?"
He looked back at me out of the corner of his eye.
"Well, I-"
"I already know the answer to that question. You're not. Midoriya is more advanced than you. You don't stand a chance."
I looked down at the ground as we walked.
"If this is your idea of a pep talk it's not a very good one."
He put his hand on my shoulder as we reached the locker rooms.
"Use your head, and don't overthink anything. Remember to trust your Quirk."
"Why couldn't you start with that pep talk?" I snapped.
The corner of his mouth turned upwards for a split second.
"Intimidation motivates you."
He started to turn away, and turned back towards me.
"Good luck, Suzume."
"Hoshi." I whispered.
He took a step, and froze in place.
"What did you-"
"You asked me to pick a Hero name. My Father used to tell me that my Mother would call me 'Hoshi' because I'd grow to shine brighter than anyone else."
A look of sincerity crossed his otherwise serious face as he turned around again.
"Well then. Good luck, Hoshi."
My stomach ached with nervousness as the locker room door shut behind me. Mr. Aizawa's words echoed in the back of my mind. How exactly was I supposed to trust my Quirk if I couldn't trust myself to win this fight? My wings suddenly felt heavy on my back, and I spread them out as far as they'd go.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Principal Nezu's voice rang out over a loudspeaker, "our spectacle this afternoon will begin momentarily. Please continue to have patience while both of our wonderful students finish their preparations. Thank you."
I folded my wings against my back, and readied myself to walk out to the field.
"S-Suzume?" a voice called from behind me.
I spun around on my heel, and spotted Midoriya. He was dressed in a green, and black outfit, and was wearing large white, and blue gloves.
"That's quite an outfit." I said with a facetious grin.
His face turned a dull shade of red, and he chuckled.
"Thanks. Listen, I really don't want to do this, but-"
"Nezu."
He nodded sadly, and looked away from me.
"Hey," he looked back, "it'll be okay. It's just a spar between friends, okay? You're just helping me get better at using my Quirk, that's all."
I smiled cheerfully, and held my thumb up in their air. His eyes were misty when he returned the smile.
"Thank you, Suzume." he said with a sniff.
"Attention, attention please. If both participants are fully prepared I ask that you please come out to the P.E. Grounds at once. Thank you!"
Nezu's voice echoed around the locker room, as Midoriya and I looked at each other.
"Ready?" he asked with a flash in his green eyes.
"As I'll ever be." I nodded.