空いた口に牡丹餅

aita kuchi ni botamochi

an unexpected windfall; a sudden gain

I ended up returning to the seating area alone. Izuku was part of the first match, and he was fighting Shinsou. Tenya was going to battle Todoroki, Bakugo was versing Tokoyami, and I was facing Kirishima. Sitting down in my seat, fidgeting uncomfortably, I wondered who I was supposed to cheer for. Izuku, my friend, or Shinsou… also my friend.

Tenya glanced over at me, seeming to recognize my discomfort. "Ichigo, are you nervous because Izuku is fighting your teammate from Trial Two?" He asked, nailing the problem on the head. I bit my lip, and then nodded shortly. "I don't think you need to worry," Tenya said, chopping his arm down for emphasis. "For if they are both your friends, then you can cheer for them both!"

"I g-guess," I agreed slowly. Not taking a side definitely had its appeal. I nodded to myself, approving of the idea, before turning back to Tenya. "I th-thought you d-didn't w-want me to cheer f-for other classes…?" I said questioningly.

Tenya adjusted his glasses, lenses flashing. "While that is true, I understand that beyond this competition, all of our classes are part of Yuuei Academy," he surveyed the stadium calmly. "Perhaps if everyone understood this better, Class 1-A wouldn't be held under so much scrutiny or disdain."

I stared at him disbelievingly. "S-so I'm being used t-to p-promote school unity," I shortened his speech.

"Indeed!" Tenya agreed. I sighed in defeat, returning my gaze to the battle area below. The jumbotrons had switched on, highlighting Izuku's determined eyes and Shinsou's confident swagger as they both approached the stage. I could see two tiny black dots growing closer to the concrete platform from my seat.

Present Mic once again began his introductions. "For our first battle of Round Two, it's the General Ed. kid who's stunned us all with his success, HITOSHI SHINSOU! Versus the boy who ended his first match with a flick of his finger, IZUKU MIDORIYA!" The audience cheered loudly, and I clapped for them both. This was a match I couldn't determine the outcome of, because I wasn't sure how well Izuku understood Shinsou's quirk. If Izuku had managed to glean the functions of Shinsou's quirk from the few times he'd seen it, he'd win. If he hadn't, and allowed Shinsou to antagonize him, the purple haired boy was almost guaranteed victory. "STAAAARRRT!" Present Mic screeched.

Izuku didn't even pause, flicking his finger at Shinsou from the get-go. Shinsou, in a display of genius, dropped to the floor, already prepared for Izuku's opening attack. He stood up quickly, darting inwards. I could see his mouth moving on the big-screen, trying to incite Izuku into talking back. Izuku clenched his jaw, firing off another huge wave of wind.

I grinned. "C-cool! Shinsou r-really knows w-what h-he's doing!" I chirped, bouncing in my seat, anxiety forgotten. Ochako glanced at me curiously, and I automatically started to explain. "H-he knows th-that h-he can't win, s-so h-he's using this as a ch-chance to display h-his abilities."

Ochako's mouth opened in a small "o". Then she smiled as well. "That's pretty smart of him!" She turned back to the fight.

Shinsou was continually growing closer to Izuku, trying to lure him into speaking. After his first two attacks, Izuku wasn't sacrificing anymore fingers, merely waiting for an opening. Shinsou was continuing to speak, growing closer all the while. Finally, Izuku opened his mouth to respond - and flicked his finger. Shinsou was sent flying, too late to duck. He crashed into the far wall, and Izuku stood alone in the ring cradling his three damaged fingers.

"MIDORIYA MOVES ON TO THE NEXT ROUND!" Present Mic announced, and the stadium once again burst into cheers. I watched Recovery Girl tend to the two boys on the ground, while Cementoss repaired the stage. Izuku said something to Shinsou, who reacted with surprise, and then the two shook hands. I smiled softly, hoping that meant Shinsou had solved his grudge with the heroics department.

Tenya stood up proudly. "If I may be excused, I must go prepare for my match!" He declared, leaving the viewing box. I blinked in surprise, before turning to Ochako, who had moved to glance at me as well. We both giggled at Tenya's enthusiasm.

"At l-least I w-won't m-miss this match," I whispered to her, and Ochako nodded in agreement, still chuckling.

"Hopefully it's better than the last too," she said quietly, and I remembered the playbacks of Tenya spinning like a top. I covered my mouth to keep from laughing.

A few minutes later, the big-screens stopped showing commercials, and the next match began. Todoroki looked silently determined, but not enraged like before. I sighed in relief, glad I wouldn't have to fear for Tenya's life this time around, like I had Sero.

Present Mic sounded very, very excited. "His last match might've been less than impressive, but he's still the fastest kid in our lineup, TENYA IIDA! Versus the student who's shocking performance left half our audience frozen," I heard a loud smack from over the intercom, and knew it was Mister Aizawa punishing Present Mic for his pun. "SHOUTO TODOROKI!" Present Mic finished. He left a pause for the audience to cheer, and I crossed my fingers, hoping that Tenya would win. "And now… START!"

There was barely a second before ice raced out from under Todoroki's foot, shooting towards Tenya, who barely managed to dart away. Tenya raced towards Todoroki, trying to reach the heterochromatic boy before he could ice over half the arena again. Todoroki followed Tenya's path, crouching down and touch his hand to the ground. Another wall of ice formed, trapping Tenya in between.

The cameras focused in on Tenya determined face as he spun, shouting out something I could easily lip-read. "RECIPRO BURST!" The entire stadium gasped as he shot across the battle area, reaching Todoroki in seconds. Before his opponent could react, Tenya was dragging Todoroki towards the edge, speeding across the concrete. Unfortunately, he suddenly stopped, and the jumobtrons highlighted his mufflers, which were frozen over. Ice rapidly grew up his legs and body, and Tenya was quickly immobilized.

"TODOROKI WINS!" Present Mic screamed, and the audience erupted. I could hear whistling, shouting, clapping and stomping.

Ochako looked over at me with wide eyes. "Tenya went so fast," she said in awe. "He was like, zoom! and then he was gone." She waved her arms around to emphasize what she was saying.

I nodded, also very surprised. "Y-yeah, th-that was very impressive. It's t-too bad h-he didn't win, b-but…" I turned towards the Pro Hero sitting area. The gathered professionals also looked stunned. "H-he certainly impressed a l-lot of p-people." I paused for a moment, watching Cementoss clean up, before jumping to my feet. I ran past Ochako, blurting out, "SorryIhavetogomymatchisnow!"

Sitting in the shadowed hall leading to the arena again, I found myself feeling far less anxious than I had before. Kirishima had to be one of the friendliest, most easy going people I'd ever known - he wouldn't hold any grudges against me for this. I would hesitate to call us friends, but we were good acquaintances. He would fight well, I would do my best, and whichever of us was stronger would win. I had yet to beat Izuku, so it would need to be me. A soft announcement prompted me to walk outside again, and I exited the tunnel, feeling much more prepared than before.

"It's time for out third match!" Present Mic shouted, once again sounding very hyped. "The girl who walks off injuries that would kill most grown men, ICHIGO KUROSAKI! Versus the boy with skin as hard as rock and a right hook to match, EIJIROU KIRISHIMA!"

I stared Kirishima down from across the arena, and he looked disturbingly solemn. I squirmed, wondering if I had been wrong… and then he grinned lopsidedly, offering me a thumbs up. "No hard feelings, right?" He asked.

"R-right!" I agreed, grinning back at him. I slid my feet into position, already readying myself. This was going to be a hand-to-hand fight. I wouldn't be able to drag Kirishima like I had Shiozaki, even with all of my training, because his hardening quirk would make him far too heavy for me to carry. I'd need to lure him to the edge, and trip or trick him into stepping over the boundary. He was strong too, one hit and I would risk being sent out of bounds. So this would largely be a fight testing my ability to dodge, while leading him along.

Present Mic raised his arms, sunglasses flashing. "START!"

I smiled cheerfully, and tucked my arms behind my head, sitting back on my heels casually. Kirishima was many things, but fast wasn't one of them, and I had learned how to annoy people from the best (thank you, Shinsou). "H-how's the weather over th-there?" I called cheekily.

Kirishima grinned in disbelief. "You're really going to make me go all the way over there?!" He shouted back.

"Yup!" I confirmed, hearing the audience start to murmur. My eyes briefly scanned the student seating area, and I spotted Ochako and Izuku laughing so hard their bodies shook. My vision then narrowed in on Kirishima again.

He shook his head, clenching his fists. "Alright!" He yelled. "Let's go!" He charged forwards, skin hardening, and with every step he took the pavement cracked. My eyes widened, and in an instant I recovered from my casual pose, feet sliding so I was lower to the ground, arms spread. I had no intentions of even attempting to block Kirishima's attacks.

The second Kirishima threw the first punch, I was on the ground, flipping onto my hands and pushing up to land on my feet again. I immediately fell into a backbend, ducking another punch, and then was forced into a roll to avoid a rock-hard kick. I stood up a few inches away from the boundary.

"Y-you'll have t-to t-try harder," I said happily, smiling and regaining control of my breathing. This wasn't even close to the training Mister Aizawa had put me through. Compared to dodging Eraserhead, Kirishima was slow. But the stakes were higher now.

Kirishima grinned back. "I can do that!" He barked, darting inwards and aiming a jab towards my sternum. I fought every fighting instinct I had, and slipped under his punch, stepping past his extended leg and moving to sweep his feet out from under him. Kirishima's eyes widened, and he stepped back to evade me automatically. I grinned, realizing that despite Kirishima's natural armor, his balance was not improved by his quirk, and rammed myself into his side before his foot could touch down again.

I could see the moment Kirishima understood what I had done, as he toppled backwards, his quirk working against him and making him fall faster. I had duped him into stepping back, to evade a sweep I wasn't strong enough to pull off. The second his foot had left the ground, I knocked him over while he was standing on one leg. Kirishima landed out of bounds on his back, eyes wide.

I paused for a moment, before giggling breathlessly. Laying a hand on my chest, feeling my rapidly fluttering heart, I gasped for air. Turning to Kirishima, I offered my hand. "G-good match!" I complimented.

Kirishima took my hand, grinning good-naturedly. "Yeah, good fight," he agreed. I yanked on his arm, and was forced to take a full step backwards. Around us, the audience erupted into applause as I helped Kirishima to his feet. Kirishima let go of my hand, cracking his knuckles. He extended his fist. "We should do this again sometime!"

I bumped my fist against his. "S-sure!" I agreed, before starting for the tunnel. I was a sweaty mess, my hands were scratched from all the maneuvering I'd done on the concrete, and adrenaline was pumping through my veins. I felt exhilarated and triumphant. I barely noticed the steam that curled between my fingers as I entered the shady tunnel again, still grinning from ear to ear.

I had actually liked fighting, for once.

I decided to visit another spot in the stands, before returning to the student seating. Climbing the stairs up to the nosebleed section, I noticed the wide eyes I received as I walked past. It felt odd to be in the spotlight. More than a few kids pointed at me as I went by, chattering excitedly. I remembered watching the sports festival when I was a kid, idolizing all the people I saw on television. It was nostalgic and awkward to be in their place, with people looking up to me.

Recognizing the seating area I'd been told about, I walked through the doorway. I was in the nosebleeds now, and the arena looked shockingly tiny from up here. Scanning the heads, I identified a familiar sunhat.

"M-Missus Yukihime!" I called, waving widely. The old woman turned around, aged face smiling brightly. She waved me over, and I darted down the stairs. Reaching her seating row, I glanced at the little girl sitting near the edge. She didn't realize I was there, eyes firmly fixed on the battle area below, where Bakugo was duking it out with Tokoyami.

I shifted awkwardly. "Excuse me? Can I get past you?" I asked politely. I didn't stutter this time either, which I now recognized as a pattern. I didn't stutter when talking to children much younger than me.

She glanced up at me curiously, and then her eyes lit up in recognition, expanding to the size of dinner plates. She looked to the tall woman next to her, who had the same red hair and blue eyes. "Mommy! Mommy! Look, it's the girl who was on fire!" She said excitedly. Her mother turned around patiently, clearly ready to apologize for her daughter's mistake, before recognizing me as well.

I rubbed the back of my neck sheepishly, blushing at the attention. "S-sorry," I muttered. "C-can I get b-by you?"

"Of course!" The woman agreed instantly, standing up and stepping out of my way. I nodded in thanks, trying to move past her, when tiny hands grasped my sleeve.

I glanced down at the little girl, who's blue eyes were shining eagerly. "Can you sign my hat?" She begged eagerly.

"Uh…" I looked to the girl's mother, wondering if I should really be giving out my autograph.

The mother turned to her daughter sternly. "Now, you can't go demanding autographs from people Michi! It's not polite!"

"I-I don't mind," I interjected, giggling at the awed look in the little girl's eyes. "I-If it's alright w-with you," I acquiesced, and the woman nodded wordlessly. I kneeled down, facing the little girl. "Do you have a pen?" I asked. She nodded frantically, holding up a red marker. I could see the stains on her hands, and wondered if she had been coloring. Snatching the hat off of her head, I held up the brim, and quickly, clearly scrawled my name out in kanji, taking the time to draw a tiny, cartoon strawberry next to my name. I placed the hat back on her head. "There. It was nice to meet you…" I paused, unsure of the girl's name.

"Michi Kayame!" The girl told me. "Thank you, Miss Kurosaki!" She grinned, mouth stained blue from cotton candy.

I giggled, continuing. "It was nice meeting you, Michi-chan," I faced her mother, and bowed my head. "It w-was nice to meet you t-too, Miss Kayame." The woman nodded, and I slipped past them, evading other people's feet and wide eyes, before plopping down in the only empty seat next to Missus Yukihime. I placed my hands to my cheeks, knowing they were hot as coals.

Missus Yukihime grinned in amusement at my red face. "That was very nice of you," she commented, and I felt my cheeks become hotter. I stammered out something unintelligible, and Missus Yukihime laughed. I ducked my head, hiding behind my bangs. Finally, she stopped laughing. "There's someone sitting there, you know," she told me.

"I'll m-move when they c-come back," I said stubbornly. After a pregnant pause, I asked, "D-do you have a h-hairbrush?"

Missus Yukihime chuckled, reaching into her bag. "I do, actually. Your hair certainly needs fixing - you're a mess!" I giggled with her this time, taking the hairbrush. Missus Yukihime was exactly the break I needed from the thrill of the competition. Undoing my braids, I listened to Missus Yukihime's commentary on my classmates' and my fights, brushing my hair and unwinding the anticipation in my gut.

I had reached round three.