案ずるより産むが易し。
Anzuru yori umu ga yasashi
An attempt is sometimes easier than expected.
Quick Recap!: The Yuuei Sports Festival has begun! Class 1-A is under fire from all directions, with their spots in the heroics program on the line. But before the competition can start, Shouto Todoroki issues a challenge too Izuku Midoriya - he's going to win! Ichigo Kurosaki plans to drop out of the competition, however Izuku manages to convince her otherwise, putting their friendship in danger. Ichigo is determined to beat Izuku, and Todoroki and Bakugo aren't willing to be ignored either. The number one spot in the Sports Festival is highly coveted, and everyone is shooting for the top!
I dug my toes into the sand, ready to run forwards. I was already towards the front of the crowd, and the upcoming tunnel leading out of the arena was undaunting. I grinned victoriously, prepared to wipe the floor with this "Obstacle Race."
"STAAAAAAAAART!" Midnight yelled, and immediately every student on the field charged forwards. I was already in the lead, and with practiced smoothness I jumped into the air, using the back of the student in front of me as a springboard, landing on the shoulders of another kid in the lead and pushing off into the air, knocking my stand flat on his back. Falling into a roll, I smoothly switched back to my feet, setting a quick pace and continuing forwards. My bangs blew back, and I reached the first turn in moments.
The loud, familiar crackle of ice made me glance over my shoulder. My eyes widened when I saw the entire entryway, and the other students, coated in a thick layer of ice. Todoroki was charging on ahead, ignoring the kids whose feet he'd frozen onto the ground, jaw set and eyes burning cold.
I rounded the corner just before he could spot me, sweating nervously. I didn't have my cooling suit, so I only had around fifteen minutes of using my quirk. If I could avoid activating my it, the situation would be in my favor. Todoroki would freeze the ground under my feet if he caught up to me, forcing me to use my regeneration to escape, so getting spotted would be very bad. There was a simple solution: stay far ahead.
Immediately, my mind pointed out the big issue here. Todoroki was taller than me. He had longer legs. He would run faster.
Uh oh. I sped up my pace even more, hoping that I wouldn't exhaust myself too quickly. I darted ahead, leaving the frustrated shouts of the others students behind me.
"YOU BASTARD! WHAT THE HELL?! I CAN'T EVEN MOVE!"
"OH WOW! IN A STUNNING DISPLAY OF AGILITY, ICHIGO KUROSAKI TAKES THE LEAD! AND SHE IS - YOU GUESSED IT - A STUDENT OF THE INFAMOUS CLASS 1-A!" Present Mic kept an ongoing commentary as the competition began. He turned to Aizawa, who was sitting in the chair next to him sullenly, looking like he wanted to be anywhere but in the announcer's box. "HEY, ERASERHEAD! ISN'T SHE YOUR APPRENTICE!" Present Mic made wide gestures for Aizawa to say something, clearly trying to push the lazy hero into speaking.
Aizawa rolled his eyes. "Yeah. She's extremely talented," he grunted, hoping to appease the insane blonde hero.
Present Mic moved on. "AND THERE YOU HAVE IT FOLKS! ERASERHEAD IS A HORRIBLE TEACHER!" Aizawa twitched in irritation.
Just as I rounded the corner, I saw the first obstacle. The pathway, lined with concrete walls, widened as it led up to a makeshift battle ground. In the new opening, several large, green painted, metal robots awaited. They looked very odd, and very expensive. They would also more than likely be wrecked by the incoming students. I couldn't waste time here.
I stopped in front of the largest robot I could find, even as they gathered around me to attack. Tensing, I waited for the perfect moment. The instant the robot I was angling for slammed its arm into the dirt, I jumped. Latching onto the metal claw, I felt it jerk its arm back, and it sent me flying towards the sky. The wire my hands had latched onto within the complex piece of machinery snapped off, so I was soaring through the air with a piece of metal rope in my hands.
I flipped upside down for a moment while my arms waved, and I saw the gigantic dirt cloud that had formed where I had been standing only moments ago. It cleared just as quickly, and the ice covered robots emerged, rapidly freeing themselves from their constraints. It was too late, because Todoroki had already managed to get past them, running ahead of the other students. And his eyes were locked on me as I fell.
Summoning all of my courage, I oriented myself in the air, so I was falling towards the ground prepared for a massive belly-flop. I noticed the next obstacle. It was a large pit full of rope bridges, and I was set to land straight in the middle. From my spot in the sky, I could see the end, and the upcoming minefield.
I narrowed my eyes. I'd have to activate my quirk if I planned to land safely. I wrapped my new makeshift scarf around my chest in an "X" formation. I needed free hands, because this was going to take perfect timing. I closed my eyes, and ignited the flame in my gut. I fell into a shadow as I entered the pit, and my eyes locked onto the upcoming rope. Extending my hands, I grabbed onto the rope, completing a full spin around the rope bridge, letting go, and landing on a pillar towards the end after a neat forward flip. I felt my shoulders and arms tingle, bursts of steam marking the healing of torn muscles and shattered bones from the force of my impact.
When my feet touched the ground, I jerked my head backwards. Todoroki was still about thirty feet away from the second obstacle, but he was glaring at me solidly, and quickly gaining ground.
"Th-that's not good," I mumbled. I had no time to lose. Running towards the rope in front of me, I pulled off a similar maneuver, using the ropes to twirl my body through the air, my quirk compensating for the force and aggressiveness of my actions. Within a minute's time, I reached the other side of the chasm. Peeking backwards again, I saw Todoroki at the edge of the course, clearly formulating a way to speed past the ropes.
I took off, bolting towards the minefield I knew was coming up. My eyes scanned the ground, searching for the first signs of a planted bomb. After about another hundred feet from from the rope bridges, I spotted the first patch of densely packed dirt. I sidestepped it, only to see another. Stopping abruptly, I scanned the area around me, and realized that this minefield was more "mine" than "field." A less traditional set up, but effective all the same. It placed those in the lead at a disadvantage. If I tried to run all the way through and ignore the mines, I'd create a safe path for those behind me, allowing them to easily catch up.
Crossing my fingers, I trusted in the footwork Mister Aizawa had drilled me with, and set a slightly faster pace than I was comfortable with. I carefully carved my way towards the end of the minefield, eyes locked on the ground.
Then I felt ice form on my shoulder. I glanced over my shoulder and gasped. "Oh!" Todoroki was right behind me, glaring at the back of my head. He was easily getting closer to me. As I had first thought, his longer legs allowed him to move faster.
Another wave of ice spread across my ankles. Todoroki was ignoring the fact he was making a path for those behind him, prioritizing slowing me down. I huffed in irritation, ripping my feet from the ice with bursts of steam. As soon as I took my next step, however, I found my feet wrapped up in ice all over again.
"You won't get away that easily," Todoroki huffed, sliding up next to me. The ice allowed him to speed up as it slowed me down.
My eyes widened. I couldn't let him pass me! I planted my hands on the ground in safe spots, turning my legs in a full circle. Todoroki jumped up to dodge, and I used my wire to grab his ankle, snapping him back towards the ground. He landed sideways, triggering one of the mines. With a loud boom and burst of purple steam, I temporarily incapacitated him. I contorted my body so I landed on my feet and pulled ahead again, slower than before.
"WHOOO BOY! SHOUTO TODOROKI IS CHALLENGING KUROSAKI FOR FIRST PLACE! BUT SHE MANAGES TO CATCH THE DROP ON HIM! THOSE ARE SOME FAMILIAR MOVES THERE! ERASERHEAD, CARE TO COMMENT?!" Present Mic tried to get Aizawa involved again with commentary about his student.
"I've been training Kurosaki in my fighting style," Aizawa explained apathetically. "She's using the wire as a substitute for my signature weapon."
Present Mic spread his arms, sunglasses flashing. "TALK ABOUT RESOURCEFULNESS! KUROSAKI REALLY IS IMPRESSIVE!"
I puffed for air, feeling frustrated with my own body. "D-damn," I muttered, unable to force myself to go faster. The effects of my too-fast pace were beginning to set in.
The sound of ice hissing behind me made me tense. A quick glimpse of Todoroki set my teeth on edge. His heterochromatic eyes burned with hatred, and the ice path forming behind him was jagged, obviously affected by his growing temper. Not only had I foiled his attempt to pass me, but I had done so by making him look stupid.
Not good. Not good at all.
Todoroki pulled up to my side again, aiming a punch at my head. I ducked, aiming a kick to his side, which he blocked with his forearm. Ice began to spread across my leg, so I jerked it back, protecting my head by punching towards Todoroki's gut. We continued to exchange blows, with him trying to encumber my footsteps with ice as I tried to pull ahead again.
"HAHHAH! IT DON'T MEAN A THING TO ME!" Todoroki and I stopped fighting look back. Bakugo was flying forwards, explosions rocketing him over the surface of the ground, his eyes burning with fury. "HALF AND HALF BASTARD! ICHIMI! I'M GONNA FUCKIN WIN!" He zoomed past both Todoroki and I, aiming for the end of the minefield.
Ignoring Todoroki, because we both had a common enemy now, I grabbed my wire and threw it, using a move Mister Aizawa was rather fond of. Hooking the metal rope around Bakugo hand, I jerked it, sending his flying off kilter and making him crash into the ground. The subsequent momentum yanked me forwards, allowing me to pull ahead again.
I didn't look back, continuing to press my small lead. I heard Bakugo's scream of rage as he returned to the race, but I charged forwards regardless. This was it! I did deserve to be a hero! I was going to win this thing and prove it!
BOOOOOOM! I couldn't help the reflexive glance over my shoulder at the unbelievably loud explosion. My eyes widened at the size of the purple plume of smoke. "W-what?" I panted, scanning the area for whatever had caused the ridiculously large explosion. A small blot, rapidly growing larger, caught my eye.
Izuku was riding a large piece of metal, and growing much, much closer with every second. With his current trajectory, he'd pass me. Gritting my teeth, I leaned forwards and gave everything I had into getting another burst of speed. I wasn't going to lose to him!
"WHO'S IN THE LEAD? BAKUGO, KUROSAKI, AND TODOROKI ARE ALL NECK AND NECK! LOOKS LIKE THEY'RE ABOUT TO PASS THROUGH THE FINAL GATE!" Present Mic narrated, watching the various cameras in the announcer's box. Aizawa was observing the ongoing struggle with interest, smirking when he saw Ichigo use her makeshift-scarf to once again foil another kid's attempt to pass her.
A large explosion made both of their eyes flicker to the top screen. Present Mic was quick to react.
"CLASS A'S MIDORIYA MOUNTS HIS CHARGE, AND WOW DOES HE EVER!" The Pro Hero screamed. "HE'S SHOOTING FOR THE LEAD… HE'S GOING… HE OVERTOOK THEM! HE OVERTOOK THEM!"
My grip on my wire tightened as Todoroki and Bakugo ran past me, using their quirks to gain speed faster than I ever could. The two shot past me, clearly focusing on Izuku. Gritting my teeth, I hopped onto the trail Todoroki was leaving, hoping that I would be able to compensate. Izuku's landing would be rough, and might give me the chance to steal back first place.
As Izuku plummeted, Todoroki and Bakugo were right by him, side by side. My eyes widened at the clear strategical error there, knowing exactly what I would do in that situation, given such a clear opportunity. Izuku reached the same conclusion, feet landing squarely on the two boys backs, and swinging his metal plate around for a second try.
The explosion catapulted Izuku forward again, leaving him flying towards the final gate. I could hear the crowd roar as he won the first competition. I wanted to scream in frustration, but focused on what I could do now. Todoroki was pulling ahead again, but Bakugo was still in my reach.
With a quick toss of my wire, I wrapped the metal rope around Bakugo's neck and planted my feet on the ice, skidding forwards. I swung across the smooth surface of the ice like a pendulum, letting go of my wire just as I reached full swing. Bakugo's explosions were useful, yes, but with a smooth surface and a wire, it was an opportunity to ski ahead.
"ICHIMI!" Bakugo yelled, hatred burning in his eyes. I grinned as I passed him, holding up a peace sign, unable to resist one final stab at his overinflated ego.
Sliding over the ice, my feet moved back and forth unsteadily. Feeling very out of control, I waited until I was right behind Todoroki to push off the icy path, heels digging into the dirt as I ran beside him. There was a second where I thought I could make it - and then my footsteps faltered. I tripped, landing in a roll and popping back up to my feet, but Todoroki was already long gone. I wouldn't have another chance.
I finished in third place, mere seconds after Todoroki. Bakugo came in fourth moments later. Glaring at Izuku's back heatedly, I clenched and unclenched my fists. I could hear more people enter the arena behind me, but I was far to furious to care. Present Mic's screaming about Izuku incredible rise to first place only further grated on my nerves.
In a show of anger I would normally have suppressed, I turned my back on the center, tromping off towards the side lines and sitting down in the grass, legs spread out in front of me. I exhaled heavily, looking up through the opening in the arena roof towards the calm, clear sky. I noticed the curls of steam rising up around me, and bit my lip. Scanning the people around me, I checked that no one was looking, deactivated my quirk.
My shoulders and arms felt like they were shattering and burning all at once. My ankles stung. I bit my lip, trying to keep from screaming. Tears welled in my eyes, I shut them to block out the light… and then it was over.
I sighed in relief, falling back onto the grass in relief. I had forgotten that tidbit - the longer I used my quirk, the longer the crash lasted. I had only used my quirk for about five minutes, so the crash only lasted fifty seconds.
A shadow fell over my vision. "Hey, Ichigo."
I gulped, opening my eyes to see Ochako standing over me, expression solemn. I frowned, not wanting to talk to her right now. "W-what is it?" I demanded grumpily, turning my head so I wouldn't have to look at her.
"I - Your fight with Izuku - I don't think -" She started, trying to say something coherent and failing.
I held up my hand. "It d-doesn't matter. If h-he th-thinks I c-can't become a h-hero - that I'm n-not taking th-this s-seriously, I'll have to p-prove him wrong," I glanced to Ochako, who looked lost. She wanted to end the argument, but Izuku had made his expectations clear. I hated when people demanded things from me, I had spent too much of my life catering to the whims of others.
"But, Ichigo-!" Ochako tried to speak again.
"No," I interrupted, pushing myself up to my feet. "If h-he w-wants to r-reconcile or w-whatever, m-maybe I'll c-consider it l-later. R-right now," I scanned the field, which was rapidly filling up with students again. "I h-have to p-prove th-this. It isn't j-just f-for me anymore."