Haru's POV-
My name is supposed to be bright and refreshing, but I think it's really noxious.
I try to catch my breath, but nothing comes into my lungs. I struggle for oxygen, but I can't find any. My name makes me feel as if I'm slowly dying away. It's torturous trying to find the space to breathe in all these crowds and empty spaces where only shadows roam now.
I just want it all to end or at least for the weight on my shoulders to be lifted. I want to breathe again, but if I can't find out how then I'd rather die.
"Haruka," my uncle said before I could leave for the first-year's stadium. "Do your best today."
"Thank you…," I replied, shyly tucking my hair behind my ear. I was in my normal school uniform, but with the addition of a white bandana pinned to my left arm. The bandana has a red cross on it to signify that I was one of the medical staff for the festival.
It was strange not watching the third-year's matches with my uncle this year, but of course nothing lasts forever.
There were a lot of pro heroes here today not only for scouting purposes, but also for security reasons. Ever since the attack by the League of Villains the school has upped their defenses, although there was a lot of controversy regarding the decision to hold the sports festival this year. I can see both sides of the story, but in the end if one wasn't held a lot of people would miss the opportunity to be scouted, especially in the upper classes.
There were more people than I expected there to be around the first-year's arena. Typically the third-year's arena was packed beyond capacity.
"Did you know that Endeavor's son is a first-year this year?" I overheard someone say.
Endeavor? The second greatest hero in the world…
I've never had the pleasure of meeting Endeavor despite the dinners my uncle held in our home on occasion. Something about his name always sent chills down my spine.
I should wish everyone luck…
I followed the sign leading to the participant waiting rooms.
Should I looked for Midoriya-kun and wish him luck as well? Todoroki-kun as well?
I shook my head and lightly slapped my cheeks.
That's too embarrassing!
I found class 1-B's waiting room and came inside.
"Sunny! Did you come to wish me luck?" Tokage asked me, immediately wrapping her arms around my shoulders.
"I-I had something I wanted to say…to everyone," I mumbled loud enough for her to hear.
Tokage, with the help of Kendo, rallied up the class to listen to what I had to say.
I-I didn't expect this to feel so a-awkward…
"U-Um…e-everyone worked really hard," I started, looking down as I fiddled with my fingers. "I-I know some of you a-are trying to p-prove something as w-well…"
I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up to see Kendo smiling at me. It was as if she was silently telling me that I could do this.
I averted my gaze back to my fellow classmates, most smiling to encourage me to finish.
I intertwined my fingers into one large fist as I stuttered out, "D-Do your best!" I quickly tucked my hair behind my ears, taking in the positive feedback from my classmates. "Don't get hurt, but if you do…I'll be in the infirmary ready to help. I-I'll be cheering you all on, so g-good luck!"
"That's our Guardian for you!" Tetsutetsu shouted. "I'm all fired up now!"
Monoma came up to me and ruffled my hair. "I won't need luck to show up those class 1-A people."
I think you will.
"You're too cocky," Kendo muttered, hitting Monoma upside the head.
While everyone started to mingle amongst one another I couldn't help but smile and think about how everyone in my class had such wonderful quirks. I wanted the best for them despite my lack of knowledge on the rest of the students competing in this competition.
Everyone had their own reason for competing today and not everyone will win.
As I was on my way to the infirmary I stopped in front of class 1-A's waiting room.
It would be strange for someone in class 1-B to wish class 1-A luck…right? I already told my class I would be cheering for them. Would it be traitorous to cheer for Midoriya-kun as well?
While I was in the middle of my internal debate, the door opened and Todoroki walked out.
"T-Todoroki-kun!" I stammered. "G-Good luck to you t-today."
"Hmpft." He just walked past me, registering what I said, but not replying.
Is he mad because I involuntarily touched his face twice and zoned out on him talking?
Deciding that it would cause too much of a distraction to the others, I opened the door enough to signal the closest person to come over.
It was a boy with blond hair and a black lightning-shaped streak.
"Hey cutie, the name is Kaminari Denki."
"Is…Midoriya-kun in this class?" I asked, tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear. "C-Could you call him out here…for me?"
"Oh…you're here for…Midoriya…," the boy said dejectedly. "Gimme a second…"
He closed the door as I awkwardly stood in the hall, trying to calm my nerves.
"Why did he have to say my hot girlfriend was outside? I don't have-" Midoriya stopped himself upon seeing me waiting out in the hall. "A-Asano-san! W-What are you doing here?"
"Ah, please…no need to be so formal with me."
"Then…H-Haruka-chan?"
That dense air I always felt suffocated in…
"I'd…rather you just call me Haru…"
"H…Haru?"
…suddenly cleared up.
Ba-bum. Ba-bum. Ba-bum.
"Haru? Haru-chan?"
I was brought back to reality when Midoriya touched my shoulder. I impulsively pulled my shoulder away from him, the blush apparent on my face.
"Sorry. D-Did I do something wrong? You looked startled…"
I shook my head. "No, it's my fault." I put my left hand over my heart and balled it into a fist. "I just wanted to say… G-Good luck, M-Midoriya-kun."
He was taken off-guard by my words and looked off to the side, failing to hide the pink flush coming onto his cheeks. "T-Thank you, Haru-chan."
"Try not to get hurt…like before…okay?" I requested, remembering back when his arms and legs were banged up.
"I-I'll try!"
An awkward silence fell between us before I decided my only escape was mentioning how I needed to go to the infirmary.
"It's starting!" I pointed over to the screen in the infirmary while Recovery Girl was taking my blood pressure at my request.
Ah, Shinso-san is also participating…
I wanted to wish him luck as well, but I could never get near him. Every time I tried to talk to him he would use his quirk on me despite how nauseated he knew it made me.
Ah, Midnight is the umpire for the first-years, huh…
To my surprise the number one student in the hero course was none other than the rude boy I had the displeasure of bumping into weeks before.
"I pledge…that I'll be number one," he announced, causing me to fall out of my seat and onto the floor.
"Is he allowed to say something like that?" I asked as the TV perfectly captured the distaste among the rest of the first-year classes.
He must be really strong to throw a target on his back like that.
The first round was an obstacle course.
So this is a test of speed…good luck, everyone!
Todoroki was beyond my expectations. His quirk appeared to be ice and he knew how to wield it well.
I guess he didn't need the luck after all…
The rude boy seemed to have some sort of fire or explosion quirk. He used it to propel himself forward.
"Ah, all those people must be from class 1-A! They're not hesitating at all..." I observed.
"The USJ incident really helped them to grow as heroes," Recovery Girl pointed out to me.
I can see why Monoma-kun is always so mad about 1-A…they're really standing out.
"Todoroki-kun looks so cool. Ah! I should be cheering for my class! But…"
They're not doing as well as I thought they would. The difference between our two classes…can it really just be by one measly experience? If our class was put in that predicament instead…would the outcome have been as ideal?
"Do you want to compete, Asano-chan?"
"N-No! I can't and won't!"
"Which is it?"
"Well for starters, it wouldn't be fair for me to come in out of nowhere when everything already started and plus I wouldn't be able to fight or use circumstances to my advantage since my quirk can only heal. Secondly, I don't want to participate in this barbaric event."
"But you'll cheer your classmates on in this barbaric event?"
"I can't change their minds…"
"I'm sure one of these years you'll participate. It looks like fun after all."
"Don't joke around like that…"
I heard explosions and looked at the screen in time to see Midoriya taking advantage of the bombs to push himself to the front. I don't think I can think on my feet like that.
This is the difference between my classmates and me. I'm not the heroic-type at all.
"Midoriya-kun won!" I shouted before realizing something crucial. "He's going to be screwed then…unless this year you gain something good from placing first…"
"Looks like a large group is coming in. Sheesh, they went overboard with the robots and the minefield," Recovery Girl complained.
"And the point value assigned to first place is…ten million!" Midnight announced.
Nope, Midoriya-kun is plain screwed…
The door to our infirmary slammed open in no time and we were put to work during the next round. I looked over from time to time to see Midoriya trying his best to evade everyone while Monoma was picking a fight with the rude boy. I even saw Shinso using his quirk on his subordinates as well as whoever he faced.
"Be more careful next time," I lectured someone from the general education course before sending them off. "Sensei, can I take a break?"
"I'll finish up here," she told me, waving me off.
"Thank you!" I shouted as I ran out of the room.
It'll be challenging to find Midoriya-kun since the break time already started…I could grab something to eat while I'm looking. Ah! I should also congratulate those from 1-B who made it to the arena battles.
As I was making my way towards the exit of the stadium I overheard two familiar voices.
Midoriya-kun and Todoroki-kun! How lucky!
"Since he couldn't surpass All Might, he moved onto his next plan," Todoroki said just as I appeared at the other end of the hall. I quickly hid back around the corner without getting noticed, taking in the private situation between the two boys.
That was close. I almost interrupted their conversation…it looks serious…
"What are you talking about, Todoroki-kun? What are you trying to tell me?" Midoriya asked just as the rude boy appeared.
"What the h-"
I quickly covered his mouth, trying to signal with my lips for him to be quiet. He didn't seem happy, as usual, and threw me back against the wall. I covered my mouth to muffle the yelp that escaped my lips as he peeked around the corner.
What's this guy's deal?!
"You've heard of quirk marriages, right?"
Quirk marriages…?
"That thing that became a problem for the second and third generation after superpowers appeared. Choosing a spouse only based on strengthening your own quirk and passing it onto your children thus forcing people into marriage."
I looked down at the ground as I leaned against the wall with my arms crossed. The rude guy doing the same, but with his hands in his pockets across from me.
"The old-fashioned way of thinking brought about a lack of ethics. He is a man with both accomplishments and money. He won over my mother's relatives and got a hold of my mother's quirk. He is trying to fulfill his own desire by raising me to be a hero to surpass All Might."
That's…horrible…marrying for power rather than love...
"It's so annoying. I won't become the tool of scum like that. In my memories, my mother is always crying. Your left side is unsightly, my mother said as she poured boiling water on me. Basically, I picked a fight with you to show him what I can do, without using my damn old man's own quirk."
"No…I'll reject him completely by winning first place without using it."
I was speechless, not that I needed to speak.
Todoroki's father seemed like someone I wouldn't get along with. A hero doing whatever he pleased just for power. No, it seems like he's more power-hungry just to be number one. He has already gained his fortune, but he greedily reached out his hand for more fame than he already had and now Todoroki is the one paying for it.
I wonder which pro hero is his father…?
"You're leaving?" I asked the rude boy as he turned to leave, ignoring my question.
I sighed, "I shouldn't have asked." I peeked around the corner again to see the two boys were gone.
Where did they go?
I made my way down the hall to the exit when I noticed the two boys not that far outside. I wasn't close enough to hear what they were saying so I waited until one of them walked away, signaling that the conversation was over.
The one who eventually left first was Todoroki, which was good on my part because I don't know what face I'll have if I were to talk to him after eavesdropping on his backstory.
"Midoriya-kun!" I shouted, waving at him as I walked over.
"H-Haru-chan?" he said, surprised to see me as I observed his posture relax. "What are you doing here?"
I shouldn't say I was looking for him. That might sound creepy.
"I'm on a break right now. I was just heading to get something to eat. Do…Do you want to join me?"
"S-Sure!"
I smiled, about to grab his hand. Luckily, I caught myself and spun on my heel. "Let's go."
We passed by multiple stands, trying to figure out what to eat.
"Maybe we should just eat in the cafeteria…," Midoriya suggested as I looked around wearily before giving up.
"Yeah…let's do that."
Midoriya's POV-
Haru looked down as we made our way to the cafeteria to eat. I wish I knew why, but I figured it was best not to press on it. She might think I'm creepy since we barely knew one another.
"Before I forget, congrats on getting first in the scavenger hunt and getting into the final event from the cavalry match!" she said as soon as we sat down across from one another.
"Y-You saw all that?" I stuttered, remembering my failure to regain my bandana at the end of the cavalry match.
She nodded, "Of course! We have it live in the infirmary. I would have never thought of using the mines the way you did."
"I-I was just lucky is all."
"You had a hunch and it paid off well for you."
"Aha, well…"
"And the ending for the cavalry match had me on my toes!" It was amusing to see her beaming excitement. "I wish there was a few more seconds so I could see the collision between your team, Todoroki-kun's, and that…um…very proud guy."
"That's Kacchan," I told her. "He has…a unique personality."
"I've noticed…I ran into him a couple of times this year."
"Sunny?" I turned to see a tall, dark haired girl making her way towards us.
"T-Tokage-san," Haru stuttered nervously. "W-What are you doing here?"
"I should be asking you that! I thought you were going to eat with us. We tried calling you, but you weren't answering."
"You know I don't use my phone much…," Haru said, reaching into her pocket to pull out an outdated pink flip-phone with a rice ball charm. "Ah, it was on silent, sorry…"
"I worry about you," the girl sighed before she took notice of me. "You two know each other?"
"We met a couple of times," I explained as Haru pushed some buttons on her phone.
The girl hooked her arm around Haru's shoulders and put her mouth to her ear. "Are you trying to make Kaibara jealous?"
She tried to whisper, but it wasn't soft enough for me not to hear. I watched in confusion as Haru's cheeks lit up and she pushed her friend away. "I-It's not like that!"
"Who's Kaibara?" I asked.
"Sunny's boyfriend," the girl replied.
B-Boyfriend?
"S-She's lying! I-I don't have a boyfriend…I don't even have a crush on anyone…"
I felt relieved to hear that while the tall girl made clicking noises.
"Sunny, if the others see you hanging around this class 1-A guy they'll get mad."
"They can't tell me who to spend my time with…"
"Wait…Haru-chan, what class are you in?" I asked.
Haru and her friend stared at one another before turning to me, dumbfounded. "Class 1-B."
"Y-You're a first year?!" I shouted.
"W-Wasn't it obvious?" Haru asked.
Now that I think of it, it would make a lot of sense why she was hanging around the first-year's stadium. Class 1-B was the class that didn't like mine though.
Does Haru-chan hate my class too?
I looked back at her to see her trying to make her classmate leave.
"Sorry about her…she…tends to go off about anything… She's really nice though!"
"Does…your class hate mine?"
"Well…a few people in my class do…but the rest of us don't really care. The few that are mad just wish they had the same attention put on them. Everyone in school talked about the USJ incident and not to mention the news coverages about it. Tokage-san doesn't hate your class either...though that doesn't mean our classes can't be competitive. There are only two hero classes in the first-year after all."
"That's a relief. After Kacchan's speech I thought all of the first-years hated us."
"Oh no, the disdain there was real."
"Eh?!"
"He stirred up a fire. He basically challenged everyone to try and stop him while hinting that everyone else was weak. Who wouldn't be mad?"
"H-He said that all on his own though!"
"I get it," she laughed. "Don't worry too much about class politics."
After we ate I walked her back to the infirmary and made my way back to the field where the final event was to be announced.
Haru's POV-
"Shinso-san…his quirk must have a different effect on everyone," I mumbled to myself, watching as someone from class 1-A withdrew from the competition.
Even Shoda from my class wanted to withdraw.
Shoda-san is too humble…
Even Kendo's team gave up their chance to claim the openings in the final event. Kendo nominated Tetsutetsu's team which meant Tetsutetsu and Shiozaki were going to participate.
"Ah! N-No way…M-Midoriya-kun…against…Shinso-san…," I mumbled looking at the brackets.
"Why do you sound so worried?" Recovery Girl asked me.
"…I'm more uneasy… You see, Shinso-san's quirk is mind control and once you're under his control you're stuck…unless you're hit by something out of his control, like if someone bumped into you or a bird pooped on you."
"That's a powerful quirk."
"…yes, but he can only activate it if someone verbally responds to him… I've been on the receiving end of that quirk enough to know this much about it…"
Will Midoriya-kun be alright…against Shinso-san? Just one word from him and he's done for…
"The recreational games started," Recovery Girl said, pulling my attention away from my thoughts. "You could have participated, you know."
"…not this again…"
We worked through the recreational games and before I knew it Shinso and Midoriya's match started.
"Bring on the injuries because we're got our very own Recovery Girl and Asano Haruka from class 1-B waiting on standby!" Present Mic announced as a new picture showed up on the viewing screen.
"W-What?!" I shouted in shock from the momentary limelight I was given. The picture taken of me appeared to be a candid when I was in the middle of laughing. I couldn't remember where I even was in the photo or what I was laughing at.
"Put your morals and ethics aside for a moment, but of course, anything life-threatening is crap! It's not allowed! Heroes should only use their fists to catch villains!" Present Mic said.
"I'll stop things if they go too far," Cementoss said, finishing his cement throne.
"Why are they endorsing injuries?" I spat out, annoyed that we were being taken for granted.
"How else will they get better?" Recovery Girl asked me.
Is there another way?
"Sometimes you just need to accept things the way they are," she told me.
I frowned and turned my attention back to the screen to see Midoriya already caught up in Shinso's quirk. It wasn't hard to tell from Midoriya's blank expression and frozen posture despite the match having already started; there was also Present Mic's play-by-play.
Midoriya turned around and began to walk towards the edge of the boundary as I grabbed a nearby pillow and held it close in suspense.
Come on…it doesn't matter how hard…something…anything, please stop Midoriya-kun!
"Look!" Recovery Girl yelled after I hid my face behind the pillow.
"What?" I asked, peeking over the pillow to see a gust of wind blowing dust everywhere. As the dust settled it was clear to see Midoriya functioning normally. "H-He broke the trance?!" There was no time to question it as I started shouting cheers at the monitor.
Midoriya's POV-
"Say something," Shinso ordered as I held my left wrist in my right hand, doing my best to ignore the pain. I pushed my lips tighter together, making sure to constantly remind myself not to speak. "You can produce that much power just by moving your fingers? I'm jealous."
I felt the same way in the past.
I ran for him.
"Thanks to my quirk, I've been behind from the start. Someone who's been blessed like you can't understand, can you?"
I do understand…but it's true…I've been blessed.
"Someone like you who was born with the ideal quirk! Someone who could reach your goal!"
I've been blessed by others… That's why!
I rammed into Shinso, pushing him back with my left arm and right hand.
"Say something!" Shinso punched me in the face.
I can't…
I quickly recovered from the impact and continued to push him farther back.
…lose either!
He punched my already injured hand. I couldn't help but release a pained sound as I stumbled past him.
"You've got to be kidding!" I turned back around in time to see Shinso leap toward me, using his own momentum against me. "You get out!"
Painfully using my injured hand, I grabbed his arm and tossed him over my shoulder and thus over the boundary line. "I can't lose!"
"Shinso-kun is out of bounds!" Midnight announced, throwing up her arm. "Midoriya-kun advances to round two!"
I couldn't believe I won, but the excitement I should have been feeling was overshadowed by the concern I had at Shinso's words of blessed people not being able to understand what he has been through.
But maybe I understood more than he realizes.
"Shinso-kun, why do you want to be a hero?" I asked.
"You can't help the things you long for," he told me before he made his way off the stage.
I felt the same way before I inherited One For All, but no matter what I say right now…
"Depending on the results, they'll consider our transfer into the hero course. Remember that. Even if it didn't work this time, I definitely won't give up. I'll get into the hero course, get certified, and I'll definitely become a better hero than you guys!" Shinso declared.
"Yeah!" I said in agreement before I was once against caught by his quirk.
Even though the match is over, why is he…?
He let out a soft laugh before releasing me. "People are usually wary when they talk to me, though… At this rate, someone'll trip you up in no time. At least…don't lose in an unseemly way."
Shinso-kun…
"I won't!" That's how I got caught for the third time today.
Haru's POV-
I was called out of the infirmary by Shinso and he led me out to an empty hall where we wouldn't be disturbed.
"…sor-"
I cut him off and shouted, "G-Good job!" He was surprised, but listened to me. "You worked really hard out there and I'm sure you definitely…you definitely got noticed by pro heroes! You'll get into the hero course before you know it!" I braced myself for him to use his quirk on me, but it never came. "Shinso…san?"
He had a hand covering his face for some reason. "…you're an idiot just like him…"
"Him…?" I questioned. "Ah! You mean Midoriya-kun?"
"You both know the risks and I can never tell if you're plain stupid or not."
"…I'm not stupid…," I mumbled, leaning against the wall as I averted my gaze to the floor. "If everyone stopped talking to you…it'd be lonely, right? I'm sorry…if I made you feel lonely after I left."
"Why are you apologizing?" he muttered.
I laughed, "Maybe in a weird way I helped you hone your quirk better by trying to approach you these past few weeks…"
"Ah…sorry…you must have been inconvenienced a lot…"
"My stomach is alright. I'm a fast healer," I responded. "That's what I wanted to explain to you all those times. Why was I able to promote to the hero course while you were unable? I'm sure you're curious."
"Your performance must have been amazing enough for a promotion."
I shook my head. "Two days into the term? We both know how unfair the practical portion of the entrance exam was for people with non-physical quirks."
"Then how did you do it?"
"…my uncle is the principle of U.A."
"Are you trying to tell me you only moved up because of connections?"
"Yes…and no… I would have been moved up eventually, but my uncle's influence just speeded up the process. Most of the time I spend during their hero training is in the infirmary with Recovery Girl so I wouldn't say I'm taking a genuine hero course."
"All I hear is that you were blessed enough to get a wonderful quirk and an easy ticket into U.A."
"T-That's not it! Ugh! I don't know how to explain this in a way that won't make you hate me…and I'm really frustrated about it!"
"Just tell me!"
"Promise me you won't be mad! Or at least just hear me out…"
"I'll decide what I do."
I sighed and thought of where I should start.
"I've never felt blessed, Shinso-san. Maybe I sound ungrateful to you…but I never asked to be born like this… I didn't ask for this life… I never had a choice in what I wanted. Do you think any of this is what I wanted?"
"What are you trying to say…?"
"Everyone has their own story…their own reason for being here, but they all have one thing in common. And that's their goal of becoming a pro hero."
"…"
I felt a tightening sensation in my chest. "I…never wanted to come to U.A., but I'm here…because it's what my uncle wants. You must still think I'm blessed and just can't be thankful for what I have. Well what about what I don't have?" I pushed myself off the wall and stared at Shinso dead in the eyes. "My family was torn apart and do you know why?" Shinso stepped back as I stepped forward. "It's because of those damn heroes of ours."
"What are you…trying to say…?"
"My family is gone…because of heroes. Because of their greed for fame and fortune. Their endless pursuit for power…somewhere along the way…they all lose their humanity. I don't want to be a hero, but I won't rebel against my uncle's wishes…because he raised me in the place of my parents…"
"You make it sound like you're going to be-"
"A villain? What's so scary about a recovery quirk? No, I just wanted a normal life, but fate wasn't kind to me."
"Why…did you want to tell me all this…?"
"I saw a bit of myself in you… I guess I foolishly thought I could breathe a little better if I told someone here…but every second I'm here…it's like I'm drowning."
"…you won't become a pro hero…"
"I don't want to. I already told you I have no choice."
"No, you will never become a hero."
"Shinso-san…?"
"You'll never become one if your heart isn't in it!"
After missing the next two matches due to Shinso treating me to dango and shaved ice to make up for the tears that fell after he yelled at me, I headed back to the infirmary.
"Did something happen?" Recovery Girl asked after I settled back into my seat.
"I had something I needed to get off my chest…"
I didn't know you needed heart to become a hero…could have fooled me.
"Someone from your class won the last round while you were gone."
"R-Really? Who?"
"Shiozaki Ibara."
"That's great news!" I said before I noticed we had a patient in one of the beds. From the looks of it he was a giggling fool with his thumbs sticking up as he laid in bed. "Is he…alright?"
"He just exceeded his wattage limit. Some rest will do him good," Recovery Girl told me.
So some quirks have their own recovery regimen that even regeneration can't fix…
"I have a lot to learn still…" I mumbled under my breath.
No…I need to get better at this…
The next match was between a boy from class 1-A and a girl from the support course. She seemed to be using this match to sell herself to scouts.
I feel sorry for that boy…it looks like she's toying with him just to get exposure…
After ten more minutes of her advertisements, she stepped out of bounds and the next match went underway. Both were from the hero course, but the fight wasn't as exciting as I hoped it would be. Nothing was that different in the next match either. It didn't take long for a winner to be decided.
"It looks like Tetsutetsu is fighting himself," I laughed. I handed some tea to the blond fellow from class 1-A. "Who do you think will win?"
"My class of course!" he responded.
"I want to say my class will win…but…it looks like this will end up being who can hold out the longest," I said wearily. "What's your name? I just realized I never asked you before and yet you were nice enough to call Midoriya-kun for me."
"I already…" He shook his head and flashed me a big grin. "Kaminari Denki."
"Asano Haruka. Fill free to call me Haru," I responded.
"I'm really surprised." I looked at him, waiting for him to finish his thought. "I didn't think Midoriya would find a girlfriend before me."
There was silence between us before I spoke up first. "Midoriya-kun has a girlfriend?" I frowned, putting my hand around my chin. "Makes sense…he's a really…really nice guy."
Why am I so sad?
"Wait…you're not…his girlfriend?"
"…ME?! W-Why w-w-w…would you think s-something like t-that…?" I fiddled with my fingers nervously as my face heated up. "I-I'm going to open the window! It's g-getting stuffy in h-here!"
"I didn't think this match would end in a draw," I said as the robots brought in Tetsutetsu and the red-haired boy. On the screen now was the rude boy and a brown-haired girl. I've been curious about seeing more of his quirk since the cavalry match.
Kaminari had left once he got his strength back so now it was just Recovery Girl, me, and two injured boys.
"He really doesn't hold back...he started to look like a real villain…," I mumbled as I was patching up the poor girl's cheek. "There." I pulled out a small jar from my pocket and handed her a few gummy bears.
"What are-"
"They're gummies that Recovery Girl taught me how to make. They don't take up as much stamina as healing you with a quirk would." I rolled my chair back to grab a small flashlight and my clipboard as she ate the gummies. "Your injuries aren't severe so we shouldn't use more of your stamina than we need to."
I stood up and carefully tilted up her chin. "Stare straight forward for me please." I turn on the flashlight and shined it in both of her eyes to make sure there wasn't any brain damage. Once I was satisfied, I turn off the light and scribbled some things down on her chart. "Uraraka-chan, does it still hurt anywhere? You're not lightheaded or anything?"
I need to get better at remembering the names of patients.
She shook her head. "No, everything feels alright now. Thank you!"
"You're free to go whenever you like," I told her. "It looks like they're having the make-up match after they rebuild the stage."
She quickly made her leave and the infirmary was once again silent aside from the buzz of the TV.
"Good job, Asano-chan. You were able to determine the best course of action for her treatment," Recovery Girl applauded.
"Everyone has been coming in with minor injuries, so it's not that bad… If it's something I can't do, you end up coming in to save the day… I'm pretty useless huh…"
"Don't say that."
I looked at my shaking hands as I thought about using my own quirk to help others. "You were right…I could have hurt Midoriya-kun back then when I used my quirk so irresponsibly…but…my hands weren't shaking for some reason. Being around him…makes me feel like I'm having fresh air for the first time in forever… I'm not making any sense, but that's what I feel…I think…"
She smiled as if she knew something I didn't, but before I could interrogate her she spoke. "Do you want to see Midoriya-kun before his match? He came in with two broken fingers while you were gone."
"H-He broke his fingers? I didn't even notice on the screen…," I bit my finger in thought, debating on whether or not I should look for him.
He's fine now since Recovery Girl treated him…but…
"E-Excuse me!"
I let my feet move on their own as I ran down all the halls, looking for any signs of the green-haired boy.
Maybe he's in the waiting room or he's on standby in the tunnel…I don't have time to check both places!
I took a gamble and ran down to the tunnels that led to the stadium. In the distance, I saw a figure standing in wait for their cue to enter.
"Midoriya-kun!" I shouted as I slowed my pace down to a stop in front of him.
"H-Haru-chan? W-Why are you here?" he asked in a panic, his arms also flailing around. "D-Did s-something happen?"
I grabbed his left hand and carefully examined the two bandaged fingers. He seemed flustered at my actions before he realized my gaze. "Does it still hurt?"
"I can barely f-EEL IT!" he shouted the last part as I nonchalantly added pressure to his injury. "Don't do something like that, Haru-chan..." He held his hand protectively to his chest as tears pooled up in the corners of his eyes.
"Recovery Girl told me you broke two of your fingers…don't be reckless okay…?" I said, pulling out a small jar from my pocket. "Eat two of these before your match. They won't fully heal your fingers, but you shouldn't feel as much pain when moving them around."
"T-Thank you," he said, popping two in his mouth.
I awkwardly wrapped one arm around myself as I looked down at the ground, my bangs hiding my eyes from his view. "D-Don't forget…what I said earlier…alright?"
"E-Earlier…?" I waited for him to see if he remembered. "Ah! Don't worry Haru-chan, I'll do my best to make sure I don't get hurt like last time!"
"Promise?" I peeked my head up at him enough to see his face.
"…promise."
He hesitated…maybe I shouldn't expect much from him…but as long as he doesn't come back with nearly all his limbs broken… I won't scold him too much.
"Good luck then," I said, holding up my hand in the air as I pulled a reassuring smile on my face for him.
"Thank you," he replied, smiling back at me as his hand reached over to clap against my own.
Present Mic began his spiel and Midoriya turned to enter the stadium.
I held my hands together as I watched his retreating back. The stinging sensation from giving him a high-five was still resonating throughout my hand as the air around me grew thicker.
Once he made his way up the steps I jogged back to the infirmary, determined to watch the match closely from start to finish.
I haven't known either Midoriya or Todoroki for very long, and I wanted to cheer for both, but if I needed to choose just one then I'd cheer for Midoriya.