門前の小僧習わぬ経を読む。

Mon zen no kozō narawanu kyō wo yomu

The environment makes our characters

I didn't know how much time passed from when I first sat down and the doors opened. I opened my eyes, immediately stopping my humming, as the other girls from Class 1-A filed into the locker room. Momo and Jirou entered the room first, surrounded by an aura of gloom and doom.

I blinked in surprise at their dark aura. "Uh, g-guys? W-what's wrong?" I asked, feeling very nervous. Had something horrible happened? They looked like someone had died.

Jirou glanced at me with dark eyes. "There's going to be a cheer battle between the girls of the freshmen classes," she informed me darkly.

"R-really?!" I was first startled by the information… and then disbelieving. "Th-that can't be r-right, th-they've never done th-that b-before," I looked to Momo suspiciously. "W-who told you th-that?"

Momo was taking off her jumpsuit, still exuding a depressed air. "Mineta and Kaminari did. They said Mister Aizawa had sent them," she mumbled.

"Th-they were l-lying," I deduced, wrinkling my nose in disgust. "M-Mineta is an a-awful p-pervert, y-you shouldn't believe him s-so easily, Momo."

Ochako nodded from her own locker. "That's true. Mineta makes odd comments to us all the time."

"Even so," Momo decided, lifting her shirt to reveal her stomach. "I will make us cheer uniforms just in case. If need be, we'll be able to change into them." With a shimmer, the first cheer uniform spouted from her belly, floating to the floor.

"N-no thanks," I disagreed, shaking my head adamantly. "Even if i-it is r-required, I-I'm n-not doing it," I puffed out my cheeks and crossed my arms. "Th-those costumes are s-super i-immodest."

Asui stared at me. "Ichigo-chan, you have an obsession with modesty. Were you raised in a nunnery?" She asked blandly.

I flushed. "N-no!" I stammered out, shaking my head wildly. "N-n-not at a-all!"

Ochako laughed, holding her hands up as a placating gesture. "Icchan, it's okay, we believe you!"

I exited the locker room with the other girls, reentering the arena as the noonday break ended. The greens had been cleared out for the most part, with large rubber balls and mini tracks replacing what had originally been the cavalry field. I scanned the open area, wracking my brain for information explaining the sudden appearance of the toys. Was there something I was forgetting?

Present Mic's voice echoed throughout the stadium. "BEFORE we get started with the final event, there's good news for those who dropped out of the preliminaries!" I tilted my head, wondering how the losers were going to benefit from the next event. Then I smacked my own head, because that had been a very rude thought, and I didn't want to become like Bakago. "In the end, this is a sports festival," Present Mic continued. "So to let everyone participate, we have some recreational events in store! Just look how fired up those American cheerleaders are…!" I glanced over to the side of the arena and sighed defeatedly. The cheerleaders were blonde, blue eyed, and tall. They were so stereotypical I wanted to hit myself in the forehead again.

"Awww!" I turned to see Mineta and Kaminari looking at us girls sadly.

"They didn't do it…!" Mineta whined dramatically, eyes watering. "How did they call our bluff?"

I glared at the smaller boy heatedly. "W-we aren't s-stupid," I growled, and Mineta recoiled instantly.

Kaminari held his hands up in a gesture of surrender. "Sorry, sorry. He roped me into it," he tried to excuse himself.

Ochako narrowed her eyes at him. "Well don't let him next time then!" She ordered unforgivingly. I nodded in agreement.

"Indeed," Momo quipped, crossing her arms and adding in her own two cents. "I would appreciate not looking like a fool on international television, thank you." I gulped at the reminder. It had been easy to forget before, high on adrenaline, emotion, and the thrill of victory, but I had once again been reminded that everything we did in this competition was being broadcasted.

My eyes started to squirrel around, and I wondered if it would be okay for me to not participate in the "recreational activities." My escape plans were interrupted by Ochako's hand on my shoulder. "Icchan, you pulled some really cool acrobatics before," she observed, clearly trying to distract me. "Are you a gymnast or something?"

I shook my head, trying to keep from hyperventilating. I didn't want to faint on television. "N-no, M-Mister Aizawa has b-been t-training me," I explained haltingly. "H-he s-said th-that I'd need to adjust m-my fighting s-style t-to accomodate f-for my c-capture w-weapon training."

"Would you mind showcasing a few tricks?" Ochako smiled brightly. "Like what you did after the second trial, it was awesome!"

"A-ah, sure," I agreed nervously. I took a few steps forward, raising my arms up and getting ready. I glanced back at Ochako for reassurance, and she gave me a thumbs up. I looked forward, took a deep breath, and then my world tilted as I planted my hands in the grass and kicked my legs into the air. I cartwheeled once, twice, three times, and then pushed off, flipping so that my hands didn't touch the ground.

I landed on my feet with my arms spread, and the other girls were clapping behind me. I grinned, feeling the thrill of doing acrobatic tricks kick in. I swung my arms around and flipped backwards. As soon as my toes touched, I curled up, falling into a backwards tumble before popping up into a handstand. I walked forwards on my hands, then spread my legs and swung down into a straddle.

I sent Ochako a peace sign. "Th-that good?" I asked proudly.

Ochako gave me a double thumbs up. "Awesome! Don't stop though - look, everyone's watching!" I glanced up at the jumbotrons, and blushed when I saw myself being projected. Then, I set my jaw, because this was something I was good at and I enjoyed, and I wasn't going to let stage fright ruin in for me.

Laying back, I pushed myself into a tumble, jumping to my feet and doing a series of flips and cartwheels that left my mind spinning. I laughed giddily the entire time.

I did tricks for a while, burning the anxiety from my mind with a combination of adrenaline and exhaustion. When I finally tired myself out, I excused myself, and returned to the locker rooms. I washed my face, wiping away the sweat and trying to cool down my cheeks, which were bright red.

I left the locker room a few minutes before the matches could start. The back hallways leading to the stadium were empty by then, and every step I took was loud and ringing. Climbing the stairs to the seating sector reserved for students, I carefully tucked my braids into my jumpsuit, and tried to soothe the last of my nerves.

Stepping out into the light of the seating box, I spotted the backs of Ochako and Tenya's heads. "H-hey!" I called, giving a small wave. Ochako glanced over her shoulder and grinned.

"Icchan! Sit over here, I saved you a chair!" She answered, patting the empty seat next to her. Sheepishly, I sat down, rubbing the back of my neck.

"S-sorry for being l-late," I apologized, glancing past Ochako to see Tenya. "I d-didn't m-miss anything?"

Tenya shook his head, pointing down to the arena. "You didn't. The first match is starting now," I followed his finger to the concrete stage below. My eyes widened in surprise, but then again I had been absent when they announced the match ups.

"FOR THE FIRST FIGHT, WE HAVE HITOSHI SHINSOU, A MEMBER OF THE TEAM THAT WHISKED AWAY THE TEN MILLION POINTS IN THE CAVALRY BATTLE!" Present Mic introduced loudly. I bursted into cheers, ecstatic to see Shinsou looking determined to win. The audience was roaring with excitement as well. "VERSUS! ASHIDO MINA... THE GIRL WITH PINK SKIN!" I sighed at this, shaking my head. Mister Aizawa had told me this before many times, but in moments like this, I couldn't help but agree: Present Mic was an idiot. The audience cheered regardless, but it was a little quieter and much more confused than Shinsou's introduction. "The rules are simple! If your opponent leaves the ring, can't move, or says "I give up", then the victory is yours! Don't worry about overdoing yourself, Recovery Girl is waiting at the edge of the stadium! So, leave your morals to the side and give it your all!" I winced at the comment. Leave our morals, interesting thing for a hero to say. I could hear Mister Aizawa mutter something to Present Mic over the intercom, and the Pro Hero scrambled to recover. "OF COURSE, putting the life of your opponent at risk is not permitted, if you do that you'll be disqualified immediately! Heroes should only attack without mercy against villains!"

Ochako glanced at me, eyes glimmering with amusement. "Present Mic is having a little trouble, huh?" she commented. I giggled, nodding in agreement. Present Mic was a bit of an airhead, and he was showing his true colors proudly right now.

"WITHOUT FURTHER ADO," Present Mic announced. "LET THE BATTLE BEGIN!"

I tensed, leaning forward to watch as Ashido charged towards Shinsou. I should be rooting for because she was my classmaet, but Shinsou had been my teammate last trial, and if I was honest, I really, really wanted him to succeed.

Ashido charged forward, using her acid to increase her speed. The corrosive liquid allowed her to skate across the concrete, toes digging into the cement as she sped forwards.

Shinsou didn't move as Ashido grew closer and closer to him, his hands still resting in his pockets. I frowned in confusion. What was he doing? Then, I saw the faintest glimmer of movement, as he said something the audience couldn't hear. Ashido glared at him, mouth opening - and froze.

I grinned triumphantly. "H-he did it!" I chirped, buzzing with happiness.

Mina turned around slowly, each step she took dragging, until she shuffled past the boundary of the battle area. Shinsou smirked, and I could see his victorious expression on the big screens lining the arena. I cheered joyfully with the rest of the audience as Shinsou was declared the winner of his match.

Tenya stared at me, aghast. "Ichigo?! What are you doing?! You should be cheering on your classmate!"

"I kn-know, but," I smiled at Tenya brightly, closing my eyes as I did so. "Shinsou was m-my teammate t-too, s-so I can ch-cheer him on, r-right?" Tenya gaped at me.

Ochako thumped me on the back. "That's right, Icchan! Jeez, how are you so nice all the time?"

I looked at her oddly. "I-I'm not?" I answered confusedly, wondering how she got the impression I was nice all the time. Had my sarcasm not persuaded her otherwise?

"AND NOW, FOR OUR SECOND MATCH! THE KID WHO WIPED AWAY THE COMPETITION IN THE FIRST TRIAL, IZUKU MIDORIYA! VERSUS THE IRON BULWARK WHO LED THE WAY TO VICTORY DURING THE SECOND TRIAL, TETSUTETSU TETSUTETSU…!" Present Mic shouted, adding shortly thereafter, "Yes, that's his real name!"

I laughed, seeing Tetsutetsu pounding his metallic fists together and glare up at the announcer's box. "Don't make fun of me!" He screamed furiously, waving his fists at Present Mic.

"Ah, right! On with the match!" Present Mic declared hurriedly. "BEGIN!"

Tetsutetsu didn't even have time to charge Izuku. Izuku simply flicked his finger in Tetsutetsu direction, and sent the other boy flying via air pressure. He crashed into the arena's far-side wall heavily, the impact creating a web of cracks and dents in the arena's wall and floor.

I clapped, cheering for Izuku's victory, but more quietly than I had for Shinsou's. I was proud of my friend, but for my teammate... Izuku had been a horrible match for Tetsutetsu, he was probably feeling ridiculously frustrated. I watched Recovery Girl approach Tetsutetsu's fallen form sadly, wondering how many times I would get stuck watching my friends fight in this competition.

Fighting wasn't something I enjoyed. I liked winning, yes, but hurting others to get there wasn't my style. Before I had ever considered being a hero, I wanted to be a doctor. Helping people was my dream, and this competition was the anathema of everything I stood for.

But Izuku was right, I thought, turning my gaze away from Tetsutetsu to see Izuku approaching Recovery Girl, holding his shattered finger delicately. Everyone was shooting for the top today, and it would be wrong of me to hold back.

Tenya rose from him seat. "If you will excuse me, I must go prepare for my match now!" He declared, glasses flashing. He then marched out of the viewing box and down the stairs.

I turned to Ochako curiously. "S-speaking of th-that, Ocha-chan, who am I f-fighting?" I questioned, clutching my pants tightly.

Ochako jolted. "Oh right! You missed that. Your teammate from the last round - Ibara Shiozaki, I think - drew your name, so she'll be your opponent!"

"Oh," I mumbled, eyes widening. My grip on my pants weakened as my resolve lessened. "O-okay then." I stood up abruptly. "S-sorry, I have t-to g-go!" I turned and rushed down the stairs, fleeing into the halls. I turned without a destination in mind, hoping to find somewhere to hide from my own thoughts. I didn't want to fight someone I was beginning to see as a friend, and I definitely didn't want to steal away her opportunity to get a good apprenticeship! Yet at the same time, I wanted to prove myself, not only to Izuku and Mister Aizawa, but everyone watching! Even her, although she wouldn't recognize me. The grey walls and bleak lighting of the arena halls blurred together as I picked up speed.

I turned a corner and crashed into someone. "Gyah!" I squeaked, falling backwards. My training kicked in, and I hit the ground in a backwards tumble, popping back up to my feet. I saw Izuku's shocked face, and bowed immediately. "S-sorry, I should've p-paid m-more attention t-to where I was g-going!" I apologized, then tried to rush past him. "E-excuse me!"

Izuku reached out for me as I tried to run by. "Wait, Ichigo!" I froze, looking over my shoulder at him nervously. "Are you okay?" He asked in a concerned tone. I stared at the floor guiltily, wondering how I could be so easy to read.

"I-it's j-just," I started, then paused, and sighed sadly. "I'm f-fighting Shiozaki in th-the arena, b-but she w-was m-my teammate before…"

Izuku visibly swallowed. "Oh," he acknowledged quietly. I nodded meekly, feeling even worse. Izuku opened his mouth, hesitated, and then spoke. "Y-you know, I talked to somebody before this competition started, and he told me that this competition was a test. Heroes have to fight each other too, for popularity," he began. My mind instantly started whirring, and I wondered if Izuku meant the mysterious, skeletal blonde from before. Was he a guidance counselor? "I don't think Shiozaki would appreciate it if you threw the match - n-not that you wouldn't t-take it seriously! - but if you didn't give your all, and she won, I think it would look worse than you winning an honest fight." Izuku met my eyes, and held up his fist. "This competition is our chance to tell the world we're here! If you respect Shiozaki, give your all and try to beat her!"

I considered this for a moment. I don't think I would've thrown the match, but hadn't I, to an extent? I hadn't made any attempts to create a plan to win. I had just run away from Ochako the first chance I got. I gulped, and nodded.

"Y-yeah, I guess you're right," I agreed haltingly. I thought about it for a moment, then smiled shakily. "H-hey, I th-think I h-have a p-plan t-to win. Want t-to help me with it?"

Izuku grinned, clearly approving of my choice. "Sure!" he cheered, pointing up at the ceiling. "But why don't we go get our seats before we miss Tenya's match? We can strategize up there." I smiled back at him, more confidently this time, and walked back towards the seating box again. Izuku was very good at encouraging people, I realized. He was almost as good a cheer squad as Bakago.

Despite our best intentions, Izuku and I arrived a few moments too late to see Tenya's battle. Ochako, through a storm of laughter, managed to explain how Mei Hatsume, the pink haired support girl from Izuku's team in the second trial, had used Tenya as a human billboard. The "battle" had largely been a demonstration of her inventions, until the girl had accidentally landed herself out of the ring.

Sitting in between Izuku and Ochako, I couldn't help the little snort that escaped me when I saw the replays of the match on the jumbo-trons. That snort turned into a wave of giggles and more snorts, as I tried to stop laughing but couldn't as Hatsume practically spun Tenya like a top around the battlefield on screen.

Ochako stared at me balefully, and I glanced at her curiously as my giggles subsided. "W-what is it?" I asked innocently.

"You are disgustingly cute," Ochako said seriously, and Izuku bobbed his head in agreement, also wide eyed. "I can't even look at you." This only caused me to start giggling again, but fortunately I didn't snort anymore.

"SORRY TO KEEP YOU WAITING FOLKS! NEXT UP, IT'S THESE TWO!" Present Mic bellowed, and I automatically switched my gaze down to the arena, where two more tiny figures were entering the arena. "He's turned in an excellent performance to make it this far, and yet, what's with that plain jane expression!? Hanta Sero of the heroics department!" The Pro Hero introduced. On the jumbotron, I could see Sero stretch his arms, looking eager for his fight. "VERSUS!" Present Mic continued. "The son of the hero Endeavor, the kid with split right down the middle, Shouto Todoroki!" The camera switched over to Todoroki, and my eyes widened. Todoroki looked majorly pissed. I felt slightly fearful for Sero, wondering how badly he was going to lose this match. Because Sero losing wasn't in question here - it was whether or not he'd be able to walk away from this match at the end.

I leaned towards Izuku. "U-uh, are you g-getting th-the same vibes I-I am?" I whispered. Izuku nodded slowly, eyes also wide and glued to the arena below. I gulped, turning back to the arena. "G-great…"

"START!" Present Mic howled, and I watched in detached horror as Sero attacked immediately, tape shooting from his elbows and wrapping around Todoroki. I could see Sero heave the bound Todoroki with all of his strength, trying to throw the heterochromatic boy from the arena before he could counter attack.

Present Mic was quick to add commentary. "A lightning-quick surprise attack aiming for a ring-out! Almost without a doubt the best choice he could have made! Give it your all, Sero!" Present Mic cheered.

I stared at Todoroki's limp form and disagreed. No, I thought fearfully, Sero should've given up from the start.

Todoroki's foot barely brushed the ground, and in an instant, I was blown back by a rush of cold air. An icy glacier, high enough to climb up the arena and out of the roof, was covering the other side of the stadium. Todoroki froze the tape as well, easily shattering his bonds. At the foot of the glacier, my eyes were stuck on Sero's shaking form, entirely immobilized. He was covered in frost and already trembling from the cold.

"SERO HANTA IS UNABLE TO MOVE!" Present Mic screamed, sounding slightly shocked himself. "TODOROKI WINS!"

Todoroki approached the ice, and the camera's focused on the back of his head, as he melted away the icey mass he'd created. I could hear Izuku inhale sharply beside me in realization, but I was just felt angry.

Trembling from the cold, icy hell Todoroki had just created, I glared at the heterochromatic boy's back. I was seething with rage, I could feel the fury bubbling in my gut. This kid was a brat, I thought. He had someone who loved him watching him right now, and he was willing to act like this? Did he think of anything beyond his own rage? I followed Todoroki's form as he left the arena, willing him to feel my anger.

"U-uh, Ichigo?" I looked over to Izuku, who was staring at me oddly. "Y-you want to tell me your plan now?"

I exhaled slowly, forcing myself to relax. "Ah, s-sure," I agreed. "S-so this is w-what I want t-to d-do…" I explained the basis of my strategy to Izuku as Cementoss fixed the arena, and tried to erase thoughts of Todoroki from my mind.

That'd only make me angrier.

A/N Not sure if this chapter turned out as well as I wanted it to. So, Ichigo is going to fight Shiozaki next chapter! Wonder how she'll manage to win... after all, she needs to fight Bakugo, right? To explain Ichigo's dislike - and even bitter hatred - of Todoroki: please consider her backstory! I write this from Ichigo's point of view, so the story telling is based on her perception.

Ichigo is an orphan. She never knew either of her parents, and her grandmother's inability to acknowledge her as her own person heavily damaged Ichigo's sense of self-esteem, which is why she stutters so badly (explanation given!). Because of this, Ichigo never really had people to tell her that they are proud of her. If Ichigo could ask her dead parents any question, it would probably be "Are you proud of me?"

Todoroki, despite his situation with his father, clearly still cares about his mother, and Ichigo assumes the same holds true about his mother caring for him. Therefore, Todoroki acting like a monster on television, despite the fact his mother was watching, is a direct affront to Ichigo. Ichigo will never get to know if her parents are proud of who she is, and Todoroki is willing to risk his mother's opinion of him? It's insulting to her, and she sees it as Todoroki being ungrateful.

Is that fair, or accurate? Probably not, but Ichigo isn't being fair right now. Ichigo is angry, and she sees Todoroki throwing away everything she's ever wanted. She's human, and deeply hurt, so she can't see past her own anger, just as Todoroki can't see past his.