Illusion

Sports Festival

Chapter 7

Dahlia; Meaning: Elegance and Dignity

I'm brought in, as usual. 30 minutes left until my turn. The crowd is probably waiting. They know me by now.

I scan the room and it's the same as always.

The dirty grey, dented lockers line 3 walls, where each of our gear is stored. We get more gear the more we win.

There are the usual brown benches lining the open room, where other kids sit. There's blood smeared on the seats. I never like sitting in them.

I make my way to my normal corner, opening my locker and getting out my shining leather pants. They must've been cleaned. Or replaced after last week's mayhem.

I pull off my exercise shorts and pull the new shorts on. I always hated these shorts, but they 'suit my image'.

Bullshit.

Pulling off my stained white tank top I toss it over to my shorts.

I grab my new shirt, a white tank top from the locker and put it on, tucking it under the shorts.

They'll give me the rest of my armor as I'm about to go out.

Dressed fully, I make my way over to the, frankly quite average bathroom. They probably don't want kids getting sick. Grabbing a handful of paper napkins, I flick the metal handle up and watch as water rushes out of the tap with a whir. I find that people like to wipe the blood off themselves.

"Here are your painkillers." One of the huge guards steps up to me, giving me a bag with a small pill in it. Akuma may be able to heal things, but the pain still lingers and gets exponentially more intense.

As his 'favorite' I find myself as some sort of fucked up poster child for the kids here.

I tuck the plastic bag into the waistband of my pants.

And I find it a good idea to plant seeds of kindness in Kurogiri's toys.

These poor kids deserve more. Every single one of them here.

I slip into the room next door to where the Experiments stay in their cages. The guards let me pass.

He has given me some sort of special clearance around this place.

Cages line the room, all a certain distance away from each other. Probably so the bitch, Kurogiri, can walk without getting shredded by these kids. They're kept in the dark, the only light coming from the doorway. Some shrink away from it, others are drawn towards it, like a moth, reaching out for it.

Or for me.

"Hey, it's me," I can hear sighs and cages creaking, some kids are still sane enough to clearly recognize me, and the others relax at the fact Kurogiri isn't here. 'Frenzy', that's what he calls it when the kids are in so much bloodlust, they no longer think like a human. Some of them seem to be in it permanently, clawing at her through the bars of their cage.

I kneel and grab the flashlight by the door.

Turning on the light, I try not to point at them each individually, sometimes it hurts their eyes or scares them.

I toss paper after paper to each cage, making sure to notice if they'd actually use it or not.

Some kids don't really know what to do, but some get some happiness out of wiping themselves off. Others...prefer to lick the blood off themselves… or whatever may be on them…

Still, it's the least I can do.

I make it to some of my favorite friends in the right corner of the room. Over here, this group, which I've heard is called the 300's, aren't as mad as others

"Hey, Spidey, it's me."

I slowly move the flashlight up and towards him so that I don't scare him.

"Hi…" His voice is weak and small, and it's sad that it's normal.

"Here's a paper towel." I whisper back to him, handing him my last paper towel.

I can see his face now, red eyes cloudy and almost guarded. His hair is brown and messy, and a bit longer than it was last time I saw him. It is still long, though.

I hold out the paper to him, and then he grabs it, pinching it between spider legs. I almost jump back in shock, but it's best to act calm in here. I put the flashlight down so that it sits on the floor and faces him, the light shines on the floor and sends long sharp shadows stretching towards the walls. These...these legs...they're new.

"How are you feeling?" I look at the shadows of the new limbs. "Do they hurt?"

"Yeah," he sniffles, "they burn, and my bones are trying to claw out of my skin." I can hear him shudder, his voice wavering and cage creaking slightly as me moves..

"Hey, it's okay." I think of the pill in the bag on my waist. "I've got something for you, it's a little pill that will help with the pain. All you have to do is swallow it."

There's silence, but I hear rustling in the cage.

"Do you want me to open up the cage for you, I've got another bobby pin?" I ask him. "I can let your sister out for a little bit too."

"Yeah." he says weakly. I swear he's the sweetest thing.

I move to the front of his cage and pull the bobby pin out of my hair, sticking the end into the lock and moving it around a bit.

There's a few clangs of metal before a there's a click, and the door unlocks.

"I'm gonna go unlock your sister, ok?" I tell him, grabbing my flashlight and walking across the hall and down, to reach my little Butterfly.

"Hey Butterfly, hun, I just unlocked your brother, do you want me to get you out too?" I set the light down on the floor and I see her fingers reaching for it. "Wanna see me?" I ask, picking up the light and shine it up at my face so she can see me.

She moves towards the front of her cage and sticks her fingers through, reaching towards me once again. "Hi," she says in a soft voice, "Can I come out?"

"Yeah sweety," I say, putting down my flashlight again and messing with my bobby pin and slipping it in the lock, "Make sure you get your fingers out of the holes, so that you don't get them caught." I see her fingers disappear into darkness as she shuffles around her cage.

"Got it." the cage door swings open and I feel her figure hug me tightly, "Hey sweetheart."

I put my arms around her and hug her to softly, running my fingers up and down her back. I brush her hair back a bit and untangle a few knots lightly.

I separate from her and her sweet ruby eyes, like Seiko's, stare at me with love and curiosity.

"I'm gonna go grab your brother," I murmur.

I get up and walk towards Spidey's cage, and he's still barely getting out of his cage. I kneel down to look at him. "C'mere," I say, moving a bit closer to slip my hands under his armpits. "Do you want me to carry you?" He only whimpers and puts his head into the crook of my neck, latching onto my hip with his arms and legs.

"I know it hurts," I tell him softly, just like mom used to do, and I run my fingers through his hair. I feel his spider legs slide around my torso to grasp onto me fully, which would normally be very unsettling, it feels sweet coming from this little one.

Walking back over to Butterfly, I kneel down and sit, just like from school, and pat on my leg, Moth sits down on my right knee and Spidey slides down to sit on my left.

I pull the bag of pills off my waistband and open it, grabbing out the small pill.

"Here Spidey, sweety, lean back so you can swallow this." I put my left hand behind his head and use the other to drop the pill in his mouth. I rub his back as he swallows the pill and sits back up, and leans against me. I give him a kiss on the forehead.

"Me too!" I hear Moth whisper shout from my other side and I let out a small chuckle, giving her a kiss on the forehead as well.

They both lean into me and I sway, humming a tune that I remember from the ThunderHall.

"Etso?" I hear Moth ask as she looks up at me, pitching in after being quiet for a while. "When was the last time you saw the sun?" I hope the dark hides my shocked expression. I don't want to tell her.

It'll scare her.

"I don't know exactly, but it's been a while." I reply softly as I brush her hair with my fingers. "But I know we will all see it soon"

I'm such a liar. I know exactly how long it's been. One thousand nine hundred eighty three days. 5 years and 68 days. I remember the last real light too. The exact moment my eyes fluttered closed before I woke up here. The grass and flowers swaying in the mulch, the wind blowing breezily, as if nothing wrong was happening.

I muffled shouts of my mother and father. The sobs of Seiko and I. The sound of our neighbors wind chimes. All fading away as the sun rises.

I hug them closer to me.

I'm gonna have to leave to fight soon, but I can cherish this now.

I know I will always look for these little ones, and maybe someday I'll get the chance to set them free. I hope so much.

After a weekend of solitude, it's scarily easy to ignore Seiko. He seems to feel the same way anyways.

The train bustles with life, men and women in business attire - suits, skirts, long dresses - move in and out of trains or are sitting at benches, some carry briefcases. Some students walk around too, uniforms either crisp or baggy, school bags hanging over shoulders or grasped in hands. There are a few who look as if they've yet to put on more to their uniforms, a similar style of long pants and button up shirts that makes the outfit look boring and incomplete. Some sit, chatting or by themselves on their phones, some rush in and out of trains.

There's traffic everywhere, people coming from the entrances up and down, leading to booths to buy tickets or for any other reason. The movement of the crowd also brings people to stand by the wall and look at the maps to find their way. Another stream of people leads to the food courts, where people pick up various snacks. I could go for mochi, but I've just had breakfast anyway.

Breakfast was difficult, to add, as Seiko and I sit right across from each other, and it was hell keeping my head down the whole time.

I shudder at the thought.

Celeste must have been so confused.

I feel a rather rough brush against my arm and Seiko is off towards the trains, signalling our departure. But some part of me feels he's just trying to run away.

I look up at him from behind, hoping he would turn around and look in my eyes.

I'm sorry, Sei.

He keeps walking, and I'm stuck looking at gray and red hair

We get on the train and find a spot standing in a corner between the seats and doors. Seiko settles into the corner and I stand in front of him.

This feeling all to familiar, standing silently by a tall figure, staring straight forward.

Don't look. Don't think. Don't move. Don't feel.

Yeah, that fucking mantra.

I tend to disobey the second rule a lot.

The rest were easy.

My mind buzzes, a constant thought, and some part of me screams to say something.

The damage has already been done. He hates you now and there's no fixing it.

Right?

Correct.

Right.

The train ride is silent.

I sit down and take in the class' chatter, about 'the news'.

Kirishima, on my right, turns to Kaminari on his right and Jiro behind them. "Did you see the news."

"Yeah, but man," Kaminari sighs and leans back in his chair, "All the channels made a big deal out of it."

"I was surprised," Kirishima responds.

"Can you blame them?" Jiro pitches in, twisting her earphone jacks in her fingers. "The hero course that keeps pumping out heroes was attacked."

"Who knows what would've happened if the teachers hadn't come when they did." Sero says, leaning forward in his desk.

"Stop that, Sero! Just thinking about it makes me wet myself!" Mineta shouts from his seat, tears in his eyes.

"Shut up, scum!" Bakugou screams from his seat.

I can't help but scoff, but it seems everyone's attention is on me now.

Maybe if I talked before nobody would bother me now.

"Akaria was pretty epic," Kirishima looks at me from his neighboring seat. "She was so badass!"

"Just call me Etso - makes it easier with Seiko"

"Oh, alright!" Kirishima says, any weariness taken over by cheer.

"And what I did at USJ was nothing."All the guys at USJ were lackeys, low ranks, except for the big guys that I've seen before.

I've seen worse.

"Nothing!" Kaminari practically screams from his seat, "You took out SO many villains! You were hopping around and taking them out one after another" Kaminari moves his arms about, making motions of punching and swiping.

"So honorable!" Kirishima adds, putting his hand to his heart.

I see Seiko shrink in his seat at the end of the row.

"And man! All Might was so cool too." Ochako bounces in her seat

Then Iida comes running into the classroom.

"Everyone! Morning homeroom is about to start!" He holds his arms out wide, "Stop talking and take your seats!"

"We're already in our seats." The line breaks the silence, "You're the only one that's not."

Iida runs to his seat and practically withers, shaking. "Shoot!"

"Don't worry about it," Ochako offers from his side.

Mina leans onto the side of her chair towards Tsuyu, who catches her when her chair almost falls over, "Tsuyu, who is going to be teaching homeroom today?"

"Well, Aizawa-sensei is supposed to be in the hospital recovering from his injuries," Tsuyu says.

The door slides open.

"Morning." And there he is, Aizawa himself, standing in the doorway, covered in bandages.

"Aizawa-sensei! You're back too soon!" A lot of students scream, and I almost cover my ears.

But seriously, there's a lot of bandages. He's like a fucking mummy. His arms are thick with the white cloth and held close to his body.

That must be hell to change out of. I wonder how long those took to put on?

"You're too much of a pro!" Kaminari says, almost horrified.

Iida's hand shoots up, "So you're alright, Mr. Aizawa."

"Can you really call that alright?" Ochako asks, voice almost wavering as Aizawa limps towards the center of the room.

"My well being doesn't matter," he states bluntly, moving behind the podium. "More importantly, the fight is not yet over."

The words practically stab me in the heart.

Very, very correct, but I wonder if he knows to what extent? Does he know about me?

Probably.

I can hear murmurs around the class, a faint echo of 'fight' from Bakugou next to me.

I see Aizawa peek through the bandages on his face.

"The UA sports festival is drawing near."

"That's a super-normal school event!" my classmates yell.

I feel out of place; I never really went to anything like that. 'Normal school event.'

"The sports festival!" Kirishima roars. I really want to cover my ears. "That's so normal!"

"Wait, Wait," Kaminari pushes his hand into Kirishima's face.

"Is it okay to have a sports festival so soon after the villains snuck inside?" Jiro asks, weary.

"What if there's another attack or something?" Sero asks.

"Apparently," Aizawa begins. "They think of it as U.A. showing that our crisis management system is as solid as a rock by holding the event. Security will also be strengthened to five times that of previous years." He continues, "Above all, our sports festival is a huge chance. It's not an event to be canceled because of a few villains."

I hear Mineta complaining in the background. He's starting to get annoying.

"Our sports festival is one of Japan's biggest events." Aizawa continues, "In the past, the Olympics were called the festival of sports, and the whole country was crazy about them. As you know, with reductions in scale and population, they're now a shell of their former glory. And now, what has taken place of those Olympics, is the U.A. Sports Festival!"

I hear murmurs of heroes scouting the festival for upcoming heroes to be sidekicks.

Jiro and Kaminari talk to my right, but I mostly ponder the idea.

It's a good thing my quirk is good for a ton of situations. I have that as an advantage.

I glance over at Bakugou next to me and think of my classmates.

My quirk can have very many advantages, while others like Bakugou can be at a disadvantage at times. Sometimes quirks can be too specific, or other just not suited for the task. I'm lucky. My quirk is very useful.

I clench my fist. Just as they said, I'm strong. I want to prove myself.

For me.

Never for you. Never, ever for you.

For who then? You do so much without reason.

For…

Celeste and Akane

I'll win for Celeste and Akane! How I did I not think of them?! I'll make them proud! I have to do something for them! I'll smile from the podium for them, how much they've done for me.

I straighten up. For Celeste and Akane.

"Of course," Aizawa continues. "Joining a more popular hero agency will get you more experience and popularity. Time is limited. If you expect to go pro, the path to your future will open up at this event."

"One chance a year - a total of three chances. No aspiring heroes can avoid missing this event. If you understand that, then don't slack off on your preparations."

"Yessir." We all call out. I can hear my voice loud and determined.

"Homeroom is dismissed."

After the rest of classes, the lunch bell rings, and I grab my lunch out of my bag, a bento box in a special bag fit for it.

Kirishima stands in excitement. "Despite everything that's happened, I'm starting to get really excited!"

All my classmates cheer in delight, getting pumped.

I drop my lunch on my desk and pack up all my notes and pencils from class.

"Your lucky, Shoji, your brawn stands out on its own," Kaminari comments while he sits on his desk.

"There's no point if I can't show my usefulness," he says, holding out his determined fist.

"Everyone is so into it," Midoriya comments

"So you're not? We have enrolled here to become heroes." Iida stands quickly, stretching out tall, "So of course we'd get fired up!"

"Iida, you have a unique way of getting fired up." Tsuyu comments, "It's weird."

"Midoriya, you don't feel the same?" Iida bends down and points.

"Of course I do!" Midoriya comments back. Seiko stands up and joins them. "But something's up with Urara-…" Midoriya says slowly, thinking.

"Deku, Iida, Etso, Seiko." I look behind me to see what exactly is going on.

Far behind them, Ochako stands, kneeling and very determined, "Let's do our best at the sports festival!" She says in an almost a dark voice.

"Uraraka, your face!" Midoriya exclaims, nervous as he hops back.

"Everyone! I am going to do my best!" Ochako practically screams, letting out a Bakugou-like aura.

"Yeah!"

She turns to the other direction, facing Kirishima, Sero, and Tokoyami.

"I'm going to do my best!" she yells at them.

"Yeah..." they yell back, raising their fists, but they seem a little weary.

"What's wrong? Your personality is all over the place."

I'll deny the little smile on my face till the grave.

I stand up from my seat and make my way towards the lunchroom, walking with Midoriya, Ochako, Iida, and Seiko.

Seiko is on the other side of us while I stand next to Ochako.

"Uraraka?" Midoriya asks from Iida's side.

"Yes?"

"Why did you come to U.A. and decide to be a pro-hero?"

"Huh? Um.. because… for finance."

"For money! You came here for money!?"

She stands innocently and scratches the back of her head.

I can get that, I would've done it for mom, and Celeste too.

"To boil it down simply, yes." Ochako says, fidgeting, "Sorry! It's such an unwholesome reason! You four have such admirable reasons it's embarrassing..." she says frantically.

I'm not so sure about that, Ochako, I'm here because of Seiko. It's a pretty crappy reason that you want to be a hero just to save your brother, only to fucking hurt him. I bet someone with a kinder heart should've been here instead.

"Why? How is having a goal to support your livelihood not admirable?"

"Right, but it's unexpected," Midoriya comments.

Ochako sighs, hands still on her face, "My family owns a construction company, but we haven't got any work at all so we're flat out broke." She runs her hands through her hair.

"This isn't really something to tell other people, though…

"Construction?" Iida comments, hand on his chin.

"With her quirk, if she gets licensed, then it'd bring costs down, right?"

"Yeah! They wouldn't even need equipment!" Seiko comments from Iida's side joining the conversation at last.

"Right! That's what I told my dad when I was little!" Ochako jumps in excitement. "But…" She leans to the side, then grabs her skirt tightly, "I'll definitely become a hero and make money and let my parents take it easy."

I smile slightly at her, but my eyes burn behind the pride of having a kind-hearted friend.

One who'd also take such a dangerous job too, to save others as well, because there are more paying jobs than being a hero.

It must be nice, having them still, to hug and hold.

The familiar smell of mint fills my mind and I slam my eyes closed before recreating my face into something stoic.

"Bravo! Uraraka, Bravo!" Iida comments, fully ripping me from my thoughts, clapping.

Her face breaks out into a smile.

I see Seiko blinking fast. I know he's trying to hold back tears.

My heart feels too heavy and my eyes burn more.

Go away.

Then there's a loud, unmistakable, laugh.

All Might.

"Young Midoriya is here!"

We all stare in shock.

"All Might!?" Midoriya asks, "What's the matter?"

"Lunch!" He pulls out a lunch container that looks comically small next to All Might's huge frame. It's light blue with bunnies and is practically laughable seeing All Might holding it.

"He's like a schoolgirl!" Ochako laughs.

"How about it?"

Iida and Seiko nod to him, telling him to go off, and I slightly nudge him towards All Might, my hand pushing him forwards lightly.

He looks to me and I nudge my head towards All Might.

He's kinda ripped, isn't he.

"I'd love to!" He chirps, waving to us in goodbye and running after him.

Who am I kidding, he's hella ripped.

Midoriya runs off towards All Might and his office, and the four of us continue off towards lunch.

His smile flashes in my mind.

He's cute, isn't he?

I go find us some seats while the three of them walk into the lunch line.

Well, those thoughts are new huh.

Seiko refused the lunch from me after he didn't make it with me last night.

It hurt, it really did, but Celeste decided to take it instead.

She's kind like that.

I settle in my seat and open the lid.

I don't find myself hungry. But somehow I find a way to eat it, ignoring when Iida, Ochako, and Seiko sit down.

It's almost as if I have to concentrate on eating every single bite.

I've never thought of a guy as cute before, huh...

But somehow I find a way.

I'll beat you if you don't eat the food.

Not anymore, but they did. It's healthy anyway.

Somehow I'm not as happy as I was in homeroom.

I wonder why, hmm, maybe because of the voice that loves residing in my head.

I'll do it for you, Celeste.

I'll make some mint tea later.

After lunch, we return to classes, and once they're finished, we open the door to find a large group of people gathered by the class door.

Midoriya, Ochako, Iida, and Seiko all stand, staring at the door in surprise. Mineta runs up, yelling. "What are they doing here?! We can't get out!"

Bakugou walks up. "Scouting the enemy, small fry," he says, walking past towards the group. "There's no point in doing that. Get out of my way, extras!"

"Stop calling people extras just because you don't know them!" Iida yells, the group by the door horrified with Bakugou's actions.

"I came to see what the famous Class A was like." Someone walks through the group. "But it seems you're pretty arrogant. Are all the students in the hero course like this?"

My time to step in.

As Bakugou scowls and the four behind him shake their heads frantically, I step up.

The guy and I stand face to face, his eyebags raging and purple hair fluffy and curly atop his head. He's taller than me and I curse it.

If only I were wearing heels...

"There are quite a few of people who enrolled in the general studies or other courses because they didn't make it into the hero course." The guy looks down at me, into my eyes, and then looks behind me towards Bakugou. "Did you know that?"

"Sounds like that makes sense," I say, trying to stay calm. I don't want any fighting.

"This festival could give us the chance," he tilts his head, "to see who could be transferred into the hero course. And it seems they might transfer people out. I came, at least, to say, that even if you are in the hero course, if you get too carried away, I'll sweep your feet out from under you. I came with a declaration of war," he finishes, sounding almost dangerous.

I can deal with that. "What is your name?" I ask.

He looks slightly surprised, but I'm sure nobody else noticed.

"Shinsou Hitoshi."

"My name is Akaria Etso," I respond, calmly, a grin on my face. "I'll see you on the battlefield. Be on your A game - I won't underestimate anyone." I say, smug. "Unlike some people." I look behind me and Bakugou fumes. "But, make sure you don't judge me, too. Now excuse me, I've got work to do. I'm not one to slack."

Slipping between the group and out of the classroom, people stare at me with wide eyes. I swing my hips and hair when I walk, the eye-catching walk that tells people you mean business. I would hope I've mastered it by now.

I skirt swings perfectly, and my shoes clack, almost as if I'm in heels. My back is as straight as a streetlight. My shoulders up and my face looking a hint determined.

My appearance at every moment is perfectly crafted, always.

Mission successful. Let's hope this guy doesn't have some crazy quirk. I've made my impression.

I hear clamor behind me, but I've still got some eyes on me. I gotta keep up the act.

They'll be surprised when I either punch their lights or pass them in the blink of an eye.

This is my battlefield. I've got the advantage, and I'm sure I also have the most experience.

I'm starting to get pumped. I can be all out, and use everything I've learned.

Finally. Everything.

Everything.

ITS BEEN SO LONG, but I've brought a 5000 word chapter so I hope you accept the gift.

But Alas, I am back and ready to start writing again! I am starting to get things done again! The school year will be finishing soon so I'm actually going to start really going and getting into the story and what I'm excited for. I've had this story in my head and being thought through for over a year, so its a bit hard to go back and write what I thought about so long ago when my thinking is so far ahead. I've got SO MUCH PLANNED! MAYBE MORE ANGST, MAYBE MORE HAPPINESS! Who's excited for the sports festival, because I know I am. Another big development for our lovely twins? Some badass battles? How about both?! I guess you guys will have to find out!

Next time, Clove