Today was the day of the festival. So many people around, and it was making me nervous.
I wandered around looking at all the stalls. The rest of the class had disappeared and I wish at least ONE of them had stuck around to show me where to go!
"Holy crap, is that...?" I stared at three people standing in front of a stall.
"Oh, Mt. Lady!" The male server started to sweat.
I dead-panned. "Seriously? If only it was that easy for everyone..."
"Huh?"
I sucked in a breath as Death Arms turned around. Sweat appeared on his forehead as the server gave free food to Mt. Lady. Just because she shook her ass a little bit.
"This isn't real life, kid. Just some people are easily fooled." He commented, glaring at Mt. Lady, who was happy with the freeby she got.
I scratched the back of my neck. "Yea. I know what real life is like. I'll pass on that, I think."
He frowned at me as Mt. Lady and Kamui Woods stepped up next to him.
"Aren't you one of the students that's supposed to be competing today?"
I looked around. "Uh, 'supposedly' being the operative word. My classmates ditched me and I have no idea where I'm supposed to be."
I looked up to see them giving me a confused look.
"Um, I haven't been at UA long. I'm a transfer, so I don't know my way around yet."
Death Arms and Woods nodded. Mt. Lady was too busy eating to contribute to anything. Relatable.
"We could show you where to go, if you like?"
I hesitated. "I was taught never to go with strangers."
Mt. Lady laughed. "I like this girl. What's your name?"
"Uh, Kitia."
"Kitia..." She nodded. "I like it. What class are you in, Kitia?"
"1-A..."
The three of them stared at me.
"Does that mean you were at USJ?"
I shifted my feet. "Yea..."
Mt. Lady almost squealed. Why, I'm not entirely sure. She choked on her food in the process.
Woods stepped up to me. "Are you alright? I mean, mentally? That kind of thing takes it toll on people, let alone high school students..."
I stared at him, then smiled. "Never thought a pro hero would care what happened to me, in all honesty. I'm fine. In fact..." I hesitated.
"Yes?"
I smiled again, but it turned into a grin. "I got to fight a little and saw All Might bust up that Nomu."
Death Arms and Mt. Lady grinned. I couldn't tell what Woods thought.
"You fought?"
I nodded shyly. "I got to fight beside Eraserhead. Can't say I'm not still fangirling over that. Which he hates, by the way."
They all chuckled which caused me to blush a little. I'm speaking to actual, real life heroes! And it's fucking scary!
"What is your quirk?"
I looked up at Death Arms. "Huh?"
"Yea." Mt. Lady mumbled, mouth full of food. "What is your quirk?"
I put my hand behind my head and felt sweat on the back of my head.
"Uh..."
I felt a hand on my shoulder.
"Her quirk is being completely and utterly irritating as well as annoying."
I closed my eyes and spoke through my teeth. "Todoroki...I'm pretty sure those are traits, not quirks..."
"Either way, you are number one in those categories."
"I hate you so much..."
"I'm sorry Mt. Lady, Kamuri Woods, Death Arms. I'll escort this parasite to the waiting area." He bowed and clipped me until I did the same.
"Did you have to refer to me as a parasite? That's pretty low, even for you."
Todoroki glanced at me. "Just shut up and keep walking."
I sighed and followed him to the waiting rooms.
I heard my classmates before we walked in. No surprise there.
"...to wear my costume."
"To keep everything fair, we can't though."
I sighed again and walked in.
"Kitia!" Ashido grabbed me. "Where'd you disappear to?"
I narrowed my eyes and glared at everyone. "Uh, all you fucks ditched me. I got lost. I don't know my way around, remember? I had to get fucking rescued by Ice-man over there..."
"Stop whining, parasite. You're here now."
"I've decided that I hate you more than I hate Mineta." I dead-panned.
"You hate me?"
I glanced over at Mineta, who looked like he was going to cry.
"Not anymore. You've been upgraded to the person I hate the second most. Todoroki gets top spot now."
Mineta jumped up on the table and pumped his fist in the air. "Yes!"
I rolled my eyes and flopped down on a chair next to Tokoyami. Shouji was standing beside him.
Satou was sitting opposite us, twisting his hands on the table.
"I wonder what the first rounds going to be..."
"No matter what comes, we have no choice but to deal with it."
"Right."
I looked at Satou, Tokoyami and Shouji in turn.
"Uh, that's easy for you guys to say. I have to pick ONE of my quirks and only use that one the whole freaking festival! You know how hard that's going to be?!"
"Poor you. Having to pick from your many quirks to try and get through the festival. How will you fucking manage..."
"Shut the fuck up, Cold-flame! You of all people should get me!"
Todoroki grunted and turned away. I clenched my fists under the table. I so wanted to punch him in the head.
The door to the waiting room flew open, making me jump a little.
"Fuck sake, Iida!"
"Is everyone ready? We'll be entering soon."
I slumped. "Great..."
"You'll be fine. I suggest you use one of your lower quirks."
I looked at Tokoyami, frowning. "Lower quirk?"
Shouji nodded. "You can fight, so use your Reveal quirk."
I tapped my chin. "That might work, but all depends on what we're going to have to do..." I shrugged. "I suppose you're right, Toko. We'll just have to deal with it. I'm no different."
He looked at me. "'Toko'?"
I sweat-dropped. "Uh, sorry. That wasn't meant to come out."
He went to say something, but I poked him and pointed to Todoroki.
"Midoriya."
"Todoroki? What is it?"
"Looking at things objectively, I think I'm stronger than you."
"Huh? Yea."
Todoroki is such a dick...I hate you so much, dude.
"But All Might has his eye on you, doesn't he? I'm not trying to pry, but I'm going to beat you."
I stared at Todoroki. What he said wasn't that bad. Not really. It was more the way he said it, plus the look he gave. I wanted to punch that look right off his high and mighty face.
Kirishima went up to him and touched his shoulder. "Hey, hey. Why are you picking a fight all of a sudden?"
"We're not here to play at being friends. So what does it matter." Todoroki shoved Kirishima's hand away and went to walk away.
I slammed my hand down on the table and stood up.
"That's it! I've had enough of you, you fucking cold fuck! We all know damn well what this festival is about, so don't think you can go around threatening people and being an out-right cunt! It's one thing to be a dick to me, I just got here. This lot have been here from the start dealing with your broody shit!" I narrowed my eyes. "I have no interest in this festival, everyone knows that, but after this whole thing is over, you better bet your ass that I'm going to fuck you up and take you down a peg or two." I glanced at Bakugo. "Sorry, man. You're going to have to wait." I looked at Todoroki again. "You're extremely lucky I don't punch you in the face right here and now."
I felt myself shaking. The anger and adrenaline caused my arms and legs to shake on the inside, but I knew on the outside it just looked like I was statue staring at Todoroki like I was going to kill him.
I felt strong hands on my shoulders push me back down into my chair. Tokoyami grabbed my wrists and held them. I didn't take my eyes off Todoroki. I wanted him to know I was dead-set serious.
"Todoroki..."
Todoroki and I stared at each for another minute, before he turned to Midoriya.
"I don't know what you're thinking when you say you'll beat me, but of course you're better than me. I think you're capable than most people. Looking at it objectively..."
Kirishima was standing in front of Midoriya, waving his hands.
"Midoriya, you probably shouldn't be talking so negatively..."
"But, the students from the other courses are aiming for the top with everything they've got. I can't afford to fall behind. I'll be going for it with everything I have, too."
I sighed. This was way too much tension.
"Look." Everyone looked at me. "As much as I say I don't want anything to do with this festival..." I looked around at everyone. "And as much as I really do hate you, Todoroki, I'm not going to allow anyone in this class to get transferred out." I looked at Bakugo and grinned. "Not by any 'extra', right Go-Go?"
"I told you. Don't fucking call me that!" But I caught his smirk before he turned around.
I smiled and turned to Todoroki. "So, you better not get beaten by some ditz, you hear me? You better keep that winning mindset."
I thought I saw a small smile, but then it was gone.
"Hey!"
I nearly jumped out of my skin. "Goddamn Present Mic!" I muttered. "Anyone would think he's part of 1-A, with how loud he is."
"Pay attention, audience! Mass media! This year's school rodeo of adolescence that you all love-"
I face-palmed. "Think before you speak, dude. That honestly sounded creepy as all hell."
"-the UA sports festival, is about to begin! Are you ready?!"
I thought about Tomura and Kurogiri, effectively blocking out that loud man.
I had told them that Nezu wanted me to compete. They weren't happy about it, but I said I had no choice. That wasn't entirely true, though. Principal Nezu didn't say I had to compete.
"What quirk will you be using?"
"Reveal."
"Reveal?"
"Oh, uh. A fr-classmate come up with the name of my quirk that allows me to reveal other peoples quirks."
"Why that one, sis? It seems pointless if you want to beat everyone."
Why were you getting into it all of a sudden?
"Because I can fight. Nobody will beat me at that."
"Try not to get too much media attention. We don't need the trouble."
"Shut up, Kurogiri."
I looked up as Ashido nudged me. "Time to go."
I shuddered as the crowd roared. "Kill me now."
We all walked out into the stadium, towards the giant square patch of dirt in the center. I tried not to look too much at the crowd. It felt so uncomfortable feeling so many eyes on us.
"There's so many people..."
I glanced at Midoriya. "Why do you think I almost didn't turn up..."
"Will we be able to give our best performance being watched by so many people?"
I looked down as Iida spoke. My stomach churned. "I have no doubt you'll be fine, Tenya Iida."
"We'll see. This is also part of the training required to become a hero."
I heard other people in the class talking as well.
"Man, he's going overboard with the praise. I'm getting nervous. Aren't you, Bakugo?"
"No, I'm just getting more fired up!"
I rolled my eyes. Of course you are. I put my hands over my ears as Present Mic started up again.
"They haven't been getting as much airtime, but this class is also full of talent! Hero course, class 1-B!"
I shook my head. Shouldn't introduce them as 'not as much airtime'. That's just rubbing salt in the wounds, dude.
"Next up, general studies classes C, D and E! Support course classes F, G and H! And Business course classes I, J and K! All of UA's first year's are here now!"
I saw Midnight walk up onto a stage and wait until all the classes were inside the square thing.
I saw more than a few boys start drooling as they looked at her.
I frowned. "What are they..." I looked up at the crowd and felt my face go blank. All the men up there were doing the same thing.
"Tsk. Idiots." I crossed my arms and shook my head. I blinked and quickly unfolded my arms again. Dammit, Toko. I'm now absorbing your mannerisms!
"What is Ms. Midnight wearing?"
I looked past Kaminari to Kirishima. "I don't understand. She's covered. I mean, I've seen worse."
They both looked at me. "Imagination."
I widened my eyes in realization. "Oh. Wow. Ok, then."
"That's an R-rated hero for you."
I turned to Tokoyami as he spoke too. "Is it ok for her to be at a high school even though she's R-rated?"
I shrugged. "Apparently."
"Yes!"
I rolled my eyes at Mineta. "Of course you would think so."
"Quiet, everyone!" Midnight flicked a whip.
I blinked up at her. "Why does she have a whip?" I cast a sideways look at Mineta. "Never-mind. I don't want to know."
"Representing the students is Katsuki Bakugo from class 1-A."
My jaw dropped. "Now THAT should not be allowed..."
I saw Tokoyami scratch his cheek out the corner of my eye.
"I'm inclined to agree with you there."
Kaminari, Mineta and even Kirishima nodded in agreement.
"I can hear you!"
"I'm well aware, Go-Go."
Bakugo glanced over his shoulder at me and glared, then started walking towards the stage.
I sweat-dropped. "I'm in big trouble later."
"What? It's Kacchan?"
"That guy did finish first in the entrance exam."
I heard someone else talking, but I decided I would watch Bakugo carefully. There is no way he wasn't going to come out with some comment or other.
"I pledge-"
That you're a complete and utter douche.
"-that I'll win and be number one."
Scratch that. You're a complete and utter dick.
The entire class 1-A started freaking out. I sighed and shook my head.
"Guys. Media, remember?"
Then everyone else started. I face-palmed. So glad that I'm not looking to get any heroes attention.
"Why are you doing something so disgraceful?!"
"Iida, dude, it's Bakugo. It's what he does..." Like nobody was expecting Bakugo to say Bakugo-like comments.
"At least become a nice, bouncy step for me to jump off."
I clapped my hand over my mouth. There he goes. Bakugo being Bakugo. I'll be surprised if a pro asks for him now.
He stepped down from the stage, completely straight faced. I have to admire him for that. I could barely stop myself laughing.
"Right. Now, let's get started! The first game is what you call a qualifier! Now, here is the first game!"
I jumped as a screen appeared behind Midnight. I felt bodies around me and looked around to see Tokoyami, Ashido and Shouji. These three had become uberly protective of me, apparently.
"This year it's..."
I looked up at the screen as it clicked over.
"...this!"
"Obstacle race?" I grinned and looked at Tokoyami.
He sighed. "You might have a good chance at this one."
"Maybe, but I'm also not very fast. We'll just have to see, I guess."
"All eleven classes will participate in this race. The course will be outside of the stadium, about four kilometres."
I tapped my chin. Could I hold out for 4km? I shrugged. Shouldn't be too hard. Right?
"As long as you stay on the course, it doesn't matter what you do."
I tried to hide my grin. Alright, Midnight. It doesn't matter? Cool.
