Chapter 17 - Nobody is Perfect
"Ah!" Izuku sat up suddenly, taking a quick look around to find himself still in the infirmary with Recovery Girl sitting by her desk while sorting through documents. She did look over to see him but went back to her work
"You've been out cold for only a short time if you were wondering, so your match will begin shortly so I suggest getting yourself ready," She replied to his now closing mouth, he didn't need to say anymore. Then she giggled under her breath. "You had a visitor a few minutes ago, Akame Azuru looked a little worried for you."
"She did?" "Wow, the Sky Comet Hero checked up on me? Did Yuki ask her-" His train of thought stopped upon recalling how he ended up passing out, and soon his face tinged pink while covering his mouth, finding it a little hard to breathe. "Yuki... kissed my cheek," His hand grazed the spot her lips lingered, feeling fuzzy and confused. "Was it because I said those things to Kovik? And her note, she wanted me to live for her... I must have made her worry."
Again, his mind wandered to Yuki, his own heart always raced now when she held him, ever since he finally had the moment to see her face, how beautiful she was under the mask... or did it go back further? No, he was certain he felt this strange sensation like the sun in his chest before then, he didn't need to know who she was and upon seeing her expression light up either way made his heart jump.
"I want to ask someone but All Might has never been clear on the subject... and I want to tell Yuki how I feel but I always can't find the right time or words, this is too surreal right now." Izuku groaned and rubbed his temples, slapping his cheeks before finally getting up to stretch. "I'll go now, thank you Recovery Girl."
"Yes, now remember, no more self-destructive use of your Quirk, I don't care what All Might has asked of you I won't do any more healing if it isn't an emergency, got that?" Her walk cane jabbed against his chest, causing the meek boy to lock up out of fear and nod rapidly. "Well? Off you go!"
"R-Right, thank you!" He bowed quickly and left without a word, jogging down the hallway toward his match that had him again in a state of anxiousness. "I want to find Yuki but what would I say to her? Maybe I should hold off until my match is over... besides, if what she told me is right, then I have to do my part too."
'ARE YOU SERIOUS!? ALL MIGHT'S A GHOST!?' Yuki's mask nearly fell off while she struggled to stay seated at the explanation of how Izuku had broken out of the trance, but with the news of the previous users helping him and the strange collection of strengths giving him the power to move his fingers, it made sense, though the 'All Might is a ghost' thing did nearly have her passing. 'Joke aside, you got lucky, I doubt they'll always be there to help you if it's the remnants of their souls'
He sighed, glad she was actually taking this seriously, though the idea was still leaving alot of unanswered questions. "I know it's still vague, but maybe as I develop this borrowed power I can understand more of what the other users desired too, perhaps it might have been a moment when all our desires to win aligned, no, wait, that's too obvious..." And he fully engrossed himself into a state of muttering and forgot he had been talking with someone
Rolling her eyes she flicked his nose, deciding to change the subject. 'Todoroki had a chat with you from what he told me' This made Izuku raise his head, while Yuki played with her hair, looking off toward the sky from the secluded spot they sat. 'I could see it, the spite he holds for his dad, but over what I can't say, however, I managed to convince him to try and use his fire, even if just a bit'
"What, seriously?" Izuku sat closer with a child-like surprise. "That's great! He told me he regretted breaking a promise he made not to use his left side because of his dad... most likely because he forcibly married his mom for the ability of ice." Noticing how close he was he sat back, keeping his head turned away while Yuki shrugged and tilted her back to the sky
'The power of his ice is undeniable, even I'd struggle, but he can't hope to win with half his strength, it's his Quirk, not his dad's, I don't like saying it, but if he hopes to become a hero with half his strength he's dead wrong' Izuku read her words carefully but noticed that she had written more down the page. 'I was Quirkless... but my sister wasn't and so I've seen it first-hand what it means to only use half your strength'
That wasn't what he expected to see, eyes furrowly dancing over the lines while each read had his mouth widen more with every second. "You... have a sister!?" Before another word for his endless questions of who she was could be made, Yuki gently put her fingers to his lips, and he saw it, how solemn her gaze was toward the sky she hadn't looked away from the entire time
'Not today... Nana... isn't someone I want to talk about right now'
While approaching the entry into the arena once more, Izuku felt the temperature shift sharply at the same intersection he and Kovik confronted one another, not wanting to be caught off guard again, Izuku stopped just before a flaming foot stepped out, a deathly glare fixed under a mask of flames. "Holy crap, Endeavor!?"
His eyes focused on Izuku while he stood nervously before the second-ranked Hero. "Ah, I was looking for you." He spoke clearly but enough to keep Izuku on edge
"Oh, uh, hi, so um, what are you doing back here?" Izuku kept his cool, stepping back to let Endeavor step out clearly, his hand motioned to him
"I watched your fight with both the brainwashing Quirk and that girl with the tremendous power, your own is impressive, to create so much wind pressure with just your fingertips, and with only a mere enhancement to your body you took down a girl who could break apart concrete with ease," His eyes never left Izuku's, and that only made it harder to stand still, the aura he produced wasn't close to Kovik it was far easier to feel the anger simmering inside. "It reminds me of another Quirk, you seem to have much in common with All Might."
He didn't show it but he was freaking out, even his eyes couldn't stop from retracting. "Oh, well I guess I never thought about it that way..." He lied but it seemed to work. Without hesitation, Izuku took his leave. "Sorry, my match with be starting soon, I should get going." "Is it possible that Endeavor knows about One For All? No, he'd probably mention it, he's someone I shouldn't let know about it and All Might's secret."
"It's my Shoto's duty to surpass All Might and be the Number One Hero," His words struck cold against Izuku's back, the final nail sinking in as the dots and reasons aligned with his and Yuki's experiences around Todoroki. "And your match with him will be a good testing ground for how much training he has left, so hit him hard, and don't disgrace yourself or him by holding back."
While he spoke as though Todoroki were just a tool, Izuku's brow had begun to furrow, remembering his encounter with Todoroki, how angry and sad he had been, the promise he swore to himself, and even how Yuki described his actions and words, all of this was directed back at Endeavor, it was all his fault for Todoroki's suffering.
"That's all I wanted to say, I apologize for bothering you." With that, Endeavor took his leave, however, Izuku did it again, and spoke with his heart more than his head
Tightening his knuckles, he held his head high. "Endeavor, I am not All Might."
"What? What are you tal-"
"And the same goes for Todoroki," He finally stared back at the raging inferno with unwavered eyes. "He may be your son, but he isn't you." Without another second wasted on the Hero before him, Izuku finally took his leave
Yuki sat down between Tokoyami and Ochaco, nervously tapping her foot as the first match of the third round began with a stream of fire spat from the corners of the arena. She knew she'd route for Izuku, but also Todoroki, what had her more worried was how Izuku would beat someone with the power over two incredible elements.
"You seem stressed? Is everything alright?" Iida's concern was met with a hasty nod, holding her fist high
"I never did ask but you knew of Midoriya's control before you fought, didn't you?" Tokoyami's inquiry had a few heads turn to the mute, she looked at him with a sly gaze, holding out a note for them all
'I broke that boy down and had him build his strength to handle a fraction of his power, so if you're looking for a name, it's Full Cowling' Receiving a few hums of acknowledgment the speaker blared and Valstrax took the lead, much to Yuki's cringing while she shriveled in her chair
"I guess being the daughter of a well-known hero isn't as great as it looks..." Ochaco smiled, having Yuki deflate beside her, so she leaned over to pat her back
~WHAT AN UPROAR! I CAN FEEL THE ANTICIPATION IN THE STADIUM AS WE MOVE ON TO THE SEMI-FINALS! FIRST UP IS THE MAN CAPABLE OF WINNING BY A SHEER LANDSLIDE, IT'S SHOTO TODOROKI VERSUS THE MAN WHO CONTINUES TO ASTOUND THE AUDIENCE AND MYSELF AT EVERY TURN, IZUKU MIDORIYA!~
They stared each other down, neither looking nervous for the fight ahead. "So here we are..." Todoroki breathed
"And only one of us can win..." Izuku added calmly. Meanwhile, the four sitting at the front decided to ponder on the fight ahead
"Tokoyami, how do you think this match will go?" Iida asked, said boy didn't take his eyes off the arena
"It depends on whether Midoriya can get in close to him." That had both girls gulp
"Yeah, that's the problem. How will Deku avoid the ice?" 'Thanks for the added stress' Finally, President Mic took over, the intense vibe emanating from both combatants was visible from Yuki's seat, so with a final sigh, she leaned forward to watch the two heroes duke it out
~WHO WILL COME OUT ON TOP!? LET THE MATCH BETWEEN TODOROKI AND MIDORIYA... BEGINNNNN!~
In a flash of emerald green, Izuku's body surged once again, sending a small wave of heat coursing over his skin. "One For All, Full Cowling, Five Percent!"
"Now!" Todoroki's foot slid forward, sending a large flurry of ice Izuku's way, standing his ground, he brought back his foot, craning his right fist before sending it forward. Feeling the chill tickle his neck, the ice shattered, a gust of wind striking Todoroki while he remained standing. "Of course, now that he won't break his bones this won't go down as I expected it."
~WOAH! MIDORIYA WAS ABLE TO BREAK AWAY TODOROKI'S INSANE OPENING MOVE!~
While half the ice did remain, he had enough strength to counter, but it still hurt his fist to block the sheer amount of ice sent his way. Clenching his fist, he finally had his opening. Without waiting for Todoroki to act Izuku broke to the left, making a large flank toward Todoroki's left side, his body following suit with a curved glacier of ice to travel behind Izuku.
Bending at the knees his feet broke apart the ice behind him, narrowly avoiding another bombardment of ice as his fist connected with Todoroki's left bicep, shoving him across the arena while he ground his teeth, flicking his hand upward to counter. Izuku spun around, again, narrowly dodging the wave of ice as it broke apart from his feet pressed against it.
~NO WAY, HE LANDED A SOLID HIT ON TODOROKI AND MANAGED TO AVOID TWO MORE ICE BARRAGES!~
"I don't have a grasp on his fighting style nor do I have enough notes on his powers given how fast he produces ice, so, during this fight, I need to wait for my openings and breakthrough with Full Cowling," Again his eyes shot wide at the next snaking torrent of ice. He didn't have time to dodge so standing firm he readied both his fists, crossing them as All Might and Yuki had done before. The wall shadowed him and with unshaken eyes, he took a step forward. "Carolina Smash!"
The cross-chop split the ice apart, again, sending Todoroki sliding a little while leaving more ice on the floor. Izuku winced at the cuts down his arms, but he was still able to continue. "I can't keep relying on big smashes to win if I do I'll be leaving myself open to defeat. My arms are going to get hurt from striking the ice but not as badly."
"Let's continue." Todoroki didn't look phased at all, he braced himself, swinging up with an arm to try and freeze Izuku in place, he reacted quickly, flipping backward and kicking up a large chunk of ice to strike Todoroki's forehead, causing him to scowl and create a sharp wall between them, wiping the cut across his head.
From afar Yuki sat back in her seat but didn't relax as Kacchan blew off Sero's complaint about Kacchan's and Todoroki's power to continuously use large-scale attacks. "It's not as easy as you think, you morons," While blunt he was right, even Yuki had straining if her limit was exceeded, using fifty percent was risky in her own right. While looking at her hand, she could see the faint glimmer of SIVA run down her fingertips. "If you overuse your muscles you risk tearing them apart, even the Mute Bastard gets that."
Yuki looked at him bluntly. 'Your wonderous comment aside Dumb-Dumb, he's right, you need to remember that Quirks are physical abilities, so much like any physical exercise you'll risk doing more damage in the end'
"I guess you're both right when you put it that way," Kirishima's focus went back to the fight. "Wonder if that's what Midoriya thinks he's gonna beat Todoroki?"
Back in the ring, Todoroki let out a shaky breath, not liking the continuous back and forth match. Izuku waited for openings and used his increased speed to push him toward the edge of the platform, although his arms were bruised and cut he remained as determined to win as Todoroki. "You think endurance is how you'll win, then I'll end this quickly!"
Again, more destructive walls of ice sailed Izuku's way, but the more he broke, the more cuts and bruises started to break through Full Cowling, but the arena was starting to become a tundra with the ice still covering the ground. With another punch to the underside of the ice, it ceased its movement, however, above, Todoroki ran up and over the shelf, slamming his fist down where Izuku was, he froze his arm, then from there sent a trail after him, eventually snagging his leg in a layer of ice.
"Crap! I've been locked!" Izuku panicked, seeing Todoroki prepare another wave of ice with his arm. Without any real back-up plan, Izuku bent forward, feeling the heat gather in his legs, a moment later he pulled back with all his might, the power behind his flip combined with the pressure of the ice sent his own hail of ice bullets toward Todoroki, causing him to gasp as chunks slammed and cut his body
There was a moment of silence between them, Todoroki coughed while looking down at his own lacerated arms, closing his fists slowly to brace the pain. Izuku stood tall again, panting a little from overuse of his stamina but he wouldn't let that stop him, not now.
"That was smart, using my own ice as a projectile to stop my next attack..." Todoroki breathed, frost dotting his body while shoving ice off his chest. Izuku felt worn down but Todoroki looked almost unfazed himself. "What's the matter? Are you worn out just from defending against my attacks?" Izuku glared back but said nothing, his eyes locked to Todoroki's arm
"He's shaking... is he reaching some kind of limit?" Taking a few steps forward, Izuku only had one other idea, and thanks to Todoroki it might give him the edge in their battle of endurance. "I... have to keep fighting..."
"I'm sorry about this... but thanks for drawing it out..." Slowly, his gaze landed on his father, seeing the raging flames begin to flicker dangerously in the air around him. "Look at him, he's furious I'm not using his power." Todoroki turned his eyes to Izuku once more and saw him visibly grind his teeth. "Why is he getting worked up?"
His next words drowned out in Izuku's ears, having played the same line over and over in his head, how Todoroki would reject his father's power. It made his blood boil over how narrowminded the most powerful, smart, and reasonable person he knew could possibly be so blind to the reality of his own situation.
~TODOROKI CONTINUES HIS OVERWHELMING ATTACKS! COULD THIS BE HIS FINISHING MOVE!?~
The attack loomed and finally, Izuku snapped, leaping high into the air with a piercing glare sent Todoroki's way as the ice cliff passed right below his feet. "I'm not done yet!" With a powerful heel to the ice, Izuku dislodged a large amount from the wall, breaking it down and creating a powerful plume of mist to rise around them both as the ice pulled the draft down on Todoroki. "You're trembling, Todoroki..."
He didn't have time to react to a gut punch that sent him flying from the cloud, seeing the green bolts illuminate through the cloud, green energy tracing Izuku's pupils as he flew from the smoke, his fist colliding with a protrusion of ice between them, the shockwave blinding Todoroki while that same fist collided with his side, slamming him against the remains of his previous shelf of ice.
"It's easy to forget that Quirks are physical abilities, and that means there's a limit to the cold your body can take, right?" Izuku saw his reaction, he had figured out his weakness. Standing firm, Izuku held onto a shard of ice in his hand, using it to numb the cuts on his palm. "I get it, usually you'd make up for the drop in temperature by using the heat from your left side, but you refuse to do that now." Todoroki scowled
"Listen, we're all giving it our all, even those that lost pushed themselves to make it this far, to try to win, to make our dreams a reality, to become Number One!" Izuku called out, crushing the ice in his charged hand. "You think you can win with half your strength!? Look at me, Todoroki, I may be worn down but you haven't landed a real hit on me yet! So come at me with all you got!"
That had him harden his scowl, hand releasing mist. "What are you trying to do, Midoriya? You want my fire? What, did my monster of a father bribe you or something?" That was the drop of a pin, a rush of ice tracing his sprint. "Now I'm mad!"
He didn't realize it, but his movements had slowed due to the frost, Izuku saw this and now had his opening. Todoroki would go in for a close-range attack and immobilize him, however, if it had been before learning Full Cowling, it might have been risky, but Izuku had an advantage in close quarters all thanks to Yuki and Kacchan.
Yuki put her hands together, carefully viewing the match while feeling her heart explode with anxious anticipation for each move. "He hasn't used his fire at all... dammit, Todoroki, does your father really blind you with rage that much? Izuku, please, you're the only one I know who can reach him now..."
"In close quarters there's no way he'll be able to dodge me," With a kick, Todoroki leapt up high. Izuku pegged on, Todoroki too. "The instant I lifted my right foot! He's coming!"
"Not yet... I'm not done..." Izuku brought a solid punch to his gut, sending the boy flying over the sheet of ice he created, from there he bent his wrist, flicking a thin wall toward the vacant air, to his shocked stare Izuku spun around the wall, his left hand slapped against Todoroki's face, with his right locked to his wrist while using his left foot to press down on the frosty arm
With a powerful lunge, he slammed Todoroki into the ground, locking Todoroki in a similar manner to how Yuki caught Izuku. The ice didn't travel at all as quickly, and if Todoroki tried to freeze Izuku he'd lock himself too. Todoroki tried to move but found himself unable to, he glared up at Izuku, struggling against the cold and firm lock. "Why are you trying so hard? What the hell are you trying to prove?"
"I want to live up to people's expectations, I want to be able to smile while doing something good for them, I want to be a Pro!" He snapped, glaring right back at Todoroki while he felt his body tremble from fatigue yet his heart kept pounding, throwing every ounce of adrenaline into his muscles. "I'll do whatever it takes to be a hero!"
Todoroki seemed lost in his own thoughts after that, giving Izuku enough time to grab and slam him back into the ground, he knew Todoroki wouldn't give up so he had to force him to. Twisting his arm behind his back he kept his arm away from Todoroki's hand, pressing his leg against his knees.
"I'm giving it my all, just like you should be!" At this, Todoroki snapped, cracking his head against Izuku's nose and disorientating him enough to allow Todoroki to move a few meters away. "Dammit, I lost my nerve and the advantage!"
"There is no way I can know what you've gone through or why you're here, your life has been so much different than mine, but right now quit screwing around!" Izuku snapped without missing a beat, seeing the look of spite mingle with surprise and confusion. "If you want to reject your father, fine, but you don't have the right to be Number One if you're not going to use your full power!"
There was a blip of hesitation in his eyes, this left him open to Izuku's next two punches. "That's why I'll win this, I'll surpass you!" His fist crashed against his chest, throwing Todoroki back farther, shattering the frost off his body as it continued to spread without restraint. It was time to end it here and now. "You can't hope to win with half your strength-!"
Yuki sat up a little, having lost herself in the fight, Izuku spoke loud and clear, and her words echoed in his own.
"It's your Quirk, not his!" Shoto's eyes finally came back to life in that single instance, as the memories faded away with only a soft, warm voice to sink into his mind
"I didn't realize... how much I had forgotten..." In only a short few seconds, his eyes finally stopped shaking, his body ceased its trembling while a large, wild inferno consumed his whole left side, melting the ice while casting the whole arena in a fierce, orange glow that had captivated the audience. "You're helping your opponent...? You fool... even though you want to win this... now which one of us is screwing around?"
Izuku's energy rejuvenated at the sight of fire and ice meshing together in a display of wondrous light and force, but Todoroki was no longer frowning, his eyes were bright and his toothy grin had Izuku finally speak out with more confidence. "It's what Yuki would do if she was standing here instead... she'd want to save a friend no matter the cost, and so I'll carry out her wish here and now!"
He sighed at that, how straightforward Yuki had been to him even during the race, she was kind and even now, his face finally cracked a real, genuine grin. "I see... then let's give it our all... because I too... want to be a hero!"
Off to their left, Endeavor bellowed out his self-centered pride in Todoroki, how he will surpass him and that he was now living up to the reason he was created. However, neither Izuku nor Todoroki heeded his words, both too focused, too clear of mind to be weighed down by anyone else, their eyes were solely on the enemy before them. Izuku had only one shot at this, the second Todoroki attacked would be the finishing act.
"Amazing...!" Izuku awed at the spectacle of fire and ice that continuously grew around Todoroki
"Why are you smiling?" Todoroki was no longer smiling and instead stared back at Izuku fiercely, causing him to lose his grin. "With those injuries... in this hopeless situation... you must be crazy. Don't blame me for what happens next."
Izuku steeled his nerves, pushing his body to max out his five percent, although he did lose a little control while the green flow of light built around his body, tearing at his sleeves. "I told you before, you haven't landed a real hit on me yet, so come at me with everything you got, Todoroki!"
The wind pressure built around Izuku while Todoroki's body became nearly engulfed by his ice and fire. In a split second, the largest array of ice columns sprouted from his foot, leaving hardly any room to avoid the towering wall of ice that sailed Izuku's way. "I only have one shot!" Izuku pushed himself high above the ice, sliding down the length of the collapsing structure while avoiding the cracks and holes that appeared, the ice suddenly beginning to evapourate in a surge of heat. "I need to get in close!"
Todoroki raised his left hand, palm completely orange while a nova of fire turned the ice to nothing, the air beginning to react to the sudden cooling and rising temperature. "I see now, Midoriya... thank you." His hand finally unleashed the built-up embers, despite the concrete wall coming between them both, both unleashed their final blows
The contact of wind and fire against concrete was tremendous, the air erupting into a large dome of orange light, followed by a sharp flash of blue and green, the second after a hail of debris and wind obliterated the arena, nearly blasting the crowd away alongside the rubble.
~WHAT HAPPENED JUST NOW? WHAT THE HECK IS UP WITH YOUR STUDENTS?~
Eraser Head hardly looked phased, even while Valstrax clung to his back, wiping the sweat off her brow, President Mic was on the floor beside her. Even with the extinguishing smoke, Valstrax blinked as Eraser Head continued without question.
~The air around the ring had been furrowly cooled down then rapidly expanded when heated up~
"Jesus... Yuki, you got some crazy friends, I'm jealous." Valstrax hummed, pulling President Mic to his seat again
~WAIT, THAT'S WHAT CAUSED THE EXPLOSION, HOW HOT DID THAT FIRE GET!? GEEZ I CAN'T SEE A THING, IS THE MATCH STILL GOING ON OR WHAT!?~
Back where Class 1-A sat in overwhelming shock over the battle, Yuki's eyes scanned the arena, or what was left, and found Todoroki still standing, albeit with a large number of injuries and a solid gash on his right arm. But what worried her more was the lack of another person still in the ring.
Lifesign | Found | Unconscious
Ignoring the announcement that Todoroki had won, Yuki leapt up and over the stand, jogging around to where Izuku fell to the ground, his jacket was burnt, leaving on his cuts and bruises exposed while, much to Yuki shock and relief, hadn't broken any bones this time, though that last attack she was sure he used one hundred percent. Did he control it subconsciously?
Sitting down next to him she checked his vitals, finding nothing abnormal other than fatigue and his injuries taking a tole, though his back had severe bruising from the impact. The med-bots were already coming over with Midnight, the crowd cheered for both fighters while Yuki held Izuku in her arms softly, awaiting the bots' arrival. However, someone else approached.
"If not for that wall I doubt he would have been unscathed... or myself," Yuki's gaze met Todoroki's, seeing him still trying to catch his breath while the two locked eyes. "I... wanted to say thank you, for our talks despite both of you digging into things that are none of your business."
Yuki's eyes quirked, a note appearing between them as Todoroki grabbed it with his good arm. 'Part of being a Hero is meddling where you don't belong, a Pro told me that, and while I understand, I will always be here to listen' Yuki twirled her finger under Izuku's arm for him to flick the page, and his eyes shifted a little, looking far less lost. 'Afterall, friends do that sort of thing, Shoto :)'
He took a long pause to read over her words, finally deciding to put the note in his pocket while giving her a genuine look of gratitude. "I suppose..." His eyes trailed off toward the tunnel, an orange glow faintly flickered from the shadows. "I should confront him," For a final time he locked his eyes to Yuki, nodding his head, she copied, seeing him leave without a word
"He'll be alright," Yuki lowered her head to Izuku, placing him on the medical bed while following the bots. "Right now I need to deal with you. Idiot, You always cease to amaze me."
"Well, while seeing you back here is proving to be a regular occurrence I guess I won't be mad given your minor injuries, that being said, your injuries should be healed up in a day or so," Recovery Girl informed the three, blessing them with relief while Yuki sat down, stretching wide while looking to Izuku, but she couldn't find his gaze, given how he kept his head low, a frown fixed to his lips
She could answer it clearly as All Might. Izuku was disappointed, despite aiding in Todoroki mentally, and in turn, gaining a friend, hopefully, Izuku had lost the match by a landslide, Yuki could tell right away it was eating at him slowly, the thoughts of failure toward All Might, his own teacher and hero, and probably to Yuki herself, but if there was one thing she knew for certain, nothing in the whole world could ever convince her that Izuku, the first real friend she had in years, was a failure.
"Kid... Midoriya," His head shifted slightly to listen to All Might's words, himself choosing them carefully and with consideration, then again, he had little to say after his performance, both against Todoroki and Yuki
Izuku bit his lip, trying his best to bottle up his nerves. "I'm sorry... I couldn't do what you asked of me..." His voice remained low and hollow, eyes still hidden under his bangs, he couldn't bear to look at either of them, not after the guilt piled up uncontrollably. "If I just shut up, never said anything I might have been able to beat him... but I..."
All Might's soft gaze turned to Yuki, seeing her hand hesitate to reach for her friend's, the look of uncertainty was enough to pull All Might into his own state of sorrow. He hadn't realized how far he pushed them both, his own student had nearly suffered serious damage if not for Yuki and all he did was push them on. He was proud of them both but ashamed of himself.
"You got Todoroki to realize something very important about himself," He answered the silence, seeing Izuku ground his teeth for a moment, hands balled up
"I guess so... in his previous match, he looked so sad, I wanted to figure out why instead I should have been focused, I made a bigger mistake though," His eyes wouldn't stop wavering in vain to shed tears, Izuku did all he could to suppress them as each word strained in his voice. "Whenever we were fighting I was just... so frustrated, I couldn't see the bigger picture or what it would take to win... I'm sorry..."
"It is true that the match didn't go as we planned, and realizing where you went wrong won't change that," All Might began. "But listen, meddling where you don't technically have to is the essence of being a hero," Slowly, an earnest smile crossed his face. "You didn't fail, both of you already exceeded my expectations and continue to do so... you'll become finer heroes than anyone else in this world,"
Izuku couldn't take it, even while Yuki slowly curled her fingers around his own, he could barely look at either of their comforting looks, Yuki's mask sitting over her left temple to display her pink cheeks and a bright grin of pride. Tears slowly fell from his eyes, as All Might chuckled once under his breath. Had it not been for either of them, his own dream would have never come to pass, without Yuki... he could have never received another reason to fight for.
"Today, you showed the world how bright of a hero would will become, Young Midoriya."
A mellow silence fell between them, while Yuki fidgeted in her seat, leaning over with a nervous pout while pulling out a note. She had to ask Izuku something important, and... personal, about herself. It was then her left ear blared with a familiar warning, she immediately withdrew her hand from Izuku, eyes wide while flicking her mask back over her face. A millisecond later and the door flew open. Yuki sighed, having lost the moment to ask Izuku.
"MIDORIYA!" Ochaco, Asui, Iida, and Jiro called out. Scaring All Might so badly he spat blood between his teeth, all while Yuki paled for a moment, realizing none of them knew who All Might was when he looked to have a foot in the grave
"Scared the crap out of me..." He murmured while Ochaco walked up beside All Might, smiling at Yuki who waved
"Are you okay?" Ochaco asked, earning a smile and thumbs up from Izuku, while Ochaco met All Might's nervous look. "Oh, it's nice to meet you, sir." She bobbed her head, and All Might gave a shaky wave and smile
"Oh, yeah..." He froze at the blunt glare from Yuki. Of all the responses, that was the best he had? Seriously? His face screamed at her, 'What am I supposed to do?' and Yuki shook her head, playing with a dormant cluster in her hand
"Hey you guys, shouldn't you be watching the matches?" Izuku inquired so Iida spoke up
"The stage was far too damaged, they're making repairs now during a short break." Iida was then shoved aside by Jiro who looked between Yuki and Izuku
"Seriously, I thought Yuki's match against that Jero-guy was nuts but that chaos you and Todoroki displayed... even I'm glad I'm not still fighting." Jiro shuddered, while Asui nodded beside her with a ribbit, clearly, Yuki and her bestie maaaay have gone overboard in their fights, oh well, she knew her Mom had it all recorded in HD back home so Yuki couldn't wait to see how brutal it was
"Now-now, I know you're all worried but he is utterly exhausted and needs time to rest, all of you are much too noisy!" Recovery Girl ushered the lot out, all while a dozen questions flew against Yuki's forehead while she offered a short wave again as the door closed, allowing her to sigh and pull back her mask, rubbing her eyes with a yawn
"Man, have I really been running on empty too?" Yuki rubbed her cheek, leaning back on her chair. After a second to stretch Yuki grabbed Izuku by the collar and glared daggers at him, all while his cold sweat trickled down his face
'Have you any idea what stress you put me through!? I appreciate you helping Todoroki but when that final attack struck and I saw you counter with One For All I thought you pushed yourself too far again! You stupid, stupid, stupid, idiot!' Her note slapped against his face, while Yuki fought back a few tears with her teeth knitted tightly.
"I-I know! I didn't mean to nearly use it at One Hundred Percent, honest! I might have pushed past my limit a bit, and breaking the ice was hard, but I d-didn't mean to make you worry!" Izuku panicked in the face of his friend ready to knock his lights out, while his face grew pale at her dangerous gaze starting to falter
'I... I was so angry... because I couldn't do a thing...' And now Yuki hated SIVA for putting that out there, but as her thoughts ran so did the annoying A.I inside of her. 'I get it, I really do, you are strong, you'd do anything for your friends, even if it cost you something, anything... but when I saw you against the wall... I... I was... so scared I...'
"Yuki..." Izuku stopped trembling in her grasp, suddenly feeling the weight of her body press to his tightly, her arms locking him in place while her head sunk against his chest. It took alot not to go completely crimson at her typical nature, as well as All Might and Recovery Girl's expressions of relief and interest over them both. However, he couldn't stop his own arms softly wrapping around Yuki's waist, pulling her in close while his own eyelids grew heavy
"I'm sorry I worried you," "I have my own promise to protect you too," "No matter what happens, I'll still be here," "Because I... I can't live without you too." He felt her hold tighten as his smile returned, the pain in his arms and body not feeling quite as unbearable when he felt her warmth radiate across him
All Might had left a while ago, with only a number of matches left before the finale would begin, Recovery Girl continued to work away, checking up on her only two patients who slept soundly behind her. While she found All Might's pressure on the two teens to be hectic at times, she couldn't help but smile at how far his two students had gone. She knew once the final match was announced she'd wake them, for now, Recovery Girl left them to their slumber and recovery.
Izuku was fast asleep with his right arm looped around Yuki's waist, his other resting by his side, mouth ajar. Yuki was no different, having her mask nestled between them both while her head snuggled under Izuku's neck, her own mouth catching flies as her arms remained tightly linked to Izuku's body. Both had the cover thrown over them as the two finally got the rest they deserved.
To Be Continued...
Nearing the end of the Sports Festival arc, and while Todoroki still won the fight I had been given it my own personal touch, and of course, another little moment between the two besties. I hope you enjoyed, seeya in the next chapter, Plus Ultra!
Next Chapter: Imperfect Scars
While the day goes on, Yuki feels her mind wander back to a simpler time. Meanwhile, someone else is sharing those same woes in a vastly different light.
