One-on-One Battle
The next match didn't take more than seconds. Though Sero took the initiative to throw Todoroki off his feet and out the bounds, he was frozen less than a second later within a huge wall of ice taking up half the stage, causing a rough rumble.
Sora didn't know which one to do, gape at Todoroki's insane power which manifested literally a few inches from her face, or feel sorry for poor Sero.
" Don't... Don't you think that's a bit too much?" Sero stuttered.
" That's overkilling it," Sora trailed and Yuu nodded. Being so close to the wall made him recall the day he was frozen to unconsciousness. That made him shiver.
As expected, Midnight announced Todoroki the winner of their match.
" Sero-kun is immobilized. Todoroki-kun advances to the second round!"
All of those watching must have realized just how overwhelmed Sero was by Todoroki's unrivaled strength since calls of ' don't mind ' echoed through the stage.
" Sorry, I went overboard." They could hear Todoroki talking to Sero. " I was angry."
Yuu's eyes softened upon hearing him. " Todoroki-san... Sounds sad..." He whispered to his friend. Sora needed not to look at his aura to figure so too.
Next was Kaminari's match, and it too, ended in an instant. His opponent, Shiozaki Ibara, warded off his attack and bound him using her vines in no time, securing her place in the second round. Kaminari on the other hand was brought on a stretcher to the infirmary with a rather stupid look on his face.
" It's bad his Quirk couldn't do much against her." Whisper sighed seeing the boy disappear into the exit.
A blond head peeked over the wall between their box and Class B's. " What's that? Didn't he say he'd settle this in a second? That's strange, he was defeated in a second, wasn't he? Class A is supposed to be better than Class B, so isn't that weird?"
He started laughing off on his own before grimacing and sliding off. An orange head appeared this time with Kendo's apologizing smile. " Sorry!"
The whole of Class A stared off at her in a trance. What was that just now?
Sora laughed awkwardly at that. " Don't know why he gives me the vibes of Slytherin."
" Is it time for you to think about that now?" Yuu pointed.
" This school is cursed with weirdos," Groaned Whisper.
Everyone blinked and looked at their sides when a certain freckled boy started murmuring his analysis of the battle. Everyone was rather startled and Bakugo for once seemed to want to blow him away with an explosion.
" Midoriya-san... Likes analyzing things that much, right?" Yuu wondered.
" Too much for that matter." Sora blinked.
" Another weirdo." Whisper sighed.
" You just finished, but you're already thinking about countermeasures, huh?" Uraraka piped in.
Midoriya clapped one hand over his mouth realizing he was thinking out loud. " Oh, no! It's just, I mean, this is pretty much my hobby..."
Sora blinked. When she had twisted towards Midoriya, she realized Iida's seat was empty. " Where did Iida-kun go?"
" His match is next. Of course he would head out to the waiting room," said Whisper.
" Without us noticing? Woah, he seems like some kind of a ninja!" Sora's eyes sparkled in awe.
" Not at all... You were just too distracted," stated Yuu.
" Either way, your match is after him. Are you sure you want to stay around?" Asked Whisper.
Sora bobbed her head before looking down at the arena when both opponents entered. " I want to watch Iida's battle."
His opponent was Midoriya's teammate, Hatsume Mei from the support course. What mostly surprised them was the fact that Iida was equipped with support items himself.
Midnight pointed that it was a violation of the rules, for unlike the support course, the hero course wasn't permitted any extra equipment without petition.
" I humbly apologize." Iida bowed. " However, my heart was moved by my opponent's sportsmanship. Even though she is from the support course, she said she wanted an even match since she made it this far. She said she wanted to fight fairly. So, she gave me this equipment. I did not think I could ignore her fighting spirit!"
" Oh youth!" Midnight squealed much to their astonishment. " I'll allow it!" She stated firmly, regaining her calm.
" Huh?" Sora rubbed her eyes multiple times, which caught Yuu's attention.
" What's the matter?"
" It's just, I thought something is off with my eyes or something. Hatsume-san, she doesn't intend to attack Iida-kun at all." Sora was rather speculated about it.
" Doesn't intend to? Then why would she give him a support item?... Unless..."
The match went in a very peculiar way not to say the least. Rather than a match, Sora thought it was some kind of advertisement since Hatsume focused on demonstrating her equipment at work.
" Figured so." Yuu exhaled." She wants the support companies to see her products badly."
" Iida-kun... Unfortunately became her guinea pig." Sora sweat dropped.
" Weirdos! Weirdos everywhere!" Whisper was going nuts.
In ten minutes or so, Hatsume stepped out of bounds deliberately, rather proud of herself. Iida on the other hand pulled a Bakugo and was about to lunge at her for tricking him.
Sora had vanished by that time, pulling back to the waiting room and forgetting everything she said about seeing Iida's fight.
Sora sat down on a chair in the Player Waiting Room 2, leaning her elbows on the table and intertwining her fingers. She tried hard not to worry about it but she couldn't. Her opponent wasn't an easy one. She knew that. And she can't overuse her Quirk as well.
Just as she was deep in thought, Uraraka entered, making her snap her head to the door. " Ochaco-chan?"
" Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt you." Uraraka wiggled a hand at her.
Sora smiled and shook her head, patting the seat by her side. " Sit down. You're more anxious than I'm."
" You can tell, Sora-chan," Uraraka said with a weak smile as she dropped by the white head.
" I would look worse if I had to face that guy to say the truth," Sora assured her.
" He's really intimidating," Uraraka added with an awkward smile before looking down at her hands balling around the fabric of her pants. " You know... Seeing Iida-kun and Deku-kun today... Something feels off about me..."
She placed her hand on her chest and heaved a sigh as though trying to get rid of a heavyweight. " I don't want to stay behind. I have to reach higher too. I have a reason to do my best after all."
Sora smiled at her and placed a hand on her shoulder. " You do. And you have the resolve to fight till the end for your dream. Have confidence in yourself and go all out."
Uraraka smiled gently at her. " Thank you, Sora-chan... And sorry... You ended up comforting me though your match is almost due."
" Don't mention it. I will always help out my friends." She pushed her chair backwards with a screech as she stood up. " Now excuse me. I'm not giving in to Mina-chan easily."
" Good luck." Uraraka held up a thumb at her while Sora walked off to the door, waving at her friend.
It wasn't before long that she proceeded to the arena, clambering the stairs and facing off against the pinkette while fire pillars rose by their sides, heating the air all around them.
" We're gonna keep right on going with the fifth match! No! She isn't a middle schooler, though she may seem like one! Don't let her short height and innocent face trick you, this girl is able to make you feel pain! From the hero course, it's Shirogane Sora!"
" What kind of introduction is this, Mic-sensei."
" Versus- Is something going to come out of those horns? Well? From the hero course, It's Ashido Mina."
The pinkette was stretching her arms overhead, readying herself. " Let's give it all our might, Sora!"
" Ossu!" She cried performing her usual karate salute.
" Now, why don't we get moving? Fifth match, Start!"
Ashido used her acid to skid on the ground, approaching Sora. " We've been on the same team during combat training so I know a bit about you Quirk." She secreted her acid within her hands and threw it in Sora's direction promptly, forcing her to dodge it. " I won't allow you to grow those wings of yours!"
" Not Bad," muttered Sora as she focused on avoiding the acid. She is pressing on me but also keeping her distance. She knows I'm capable of hand-to-hand combat.
" Why isn't Shirogane-san using her wings?" Midoriya asked from his seat.
" You guys didn't realize it but, Sora needs a moment to grow them," Yuu piped in. " Ashido-san is trying to press on her so she doesn't. She knows if Sora turned it into a midair battle, she will have the upper hand."
" I see," Midoriya murmured. " There's also her flexibility and all, Ashido-san is able to force Shirogane-san to a corner easily."
" Don't you get fooled, soldier." Whispered smirked, pointing his finger at Sora. " Look closely."
The girl maintained her smile as she dodged Ashido's onslaught with small movements. " Sora has a plan."
" I've got you!" Ashido cried once Sora was a foot from the bounds.
" No! Now I've got you!" Sora ducked underneath Ashido's right arm as she closed on her, grabbing it tightly while pushing the pinkette face down on the ground, her other hand pinning Ashido's left arm down while twisting her right arm hard behind her back it made her cry in pain.
" Hoo! Shirogane pins Ashido down on the ground!"
" Quick reflexes, enhanced strength and knowledge of martial arts..." Ojiro blinked at the white head. " ... It's quite amazing."
" That one hurts." Yuu winced just thinking about how much pain Ashido was in.
" Mina-chan, give up!"
" Like I would! I secrete acid from every inch of my body!"
Sora winced, feeling the searing pain of burning on her palms as Ashido produced the liquid around her wrists where Sora was grasping her. Sora however pulled Ashido's right arm harder, making her grunt.
" You forgot! I can withstand it more than normal humans! Give up Mina-chan! Don't force me to hurt you more!"
Ashido groaned from the pain in her right arm before stuttering. " I... Give up..."
Sora breathed out, letting go of the other girl. Midnight waved her whip in Sora's direction. " Ashido-san gives up! Shirogane-san proceeds to the next round!"
" I didn't know Shirogane-san was knowledgeable of martial arts." Midoriya blinked.
" Her family has a small dojo. Learning to defend themselves is a tradition it seems." Pointed Whisper.
" That was rough Sora." Ashido stood up while holding her shoulder. " I thought you would snap my arm out. You're really relentless."
" Mina-chan too..." Sora was cradling her burned hands.
Ashido cackled weakly at their state. " We're beaten up already. Let's have Recovery Girl fix us."
Sora nodded her head in approval.
Sora returned to her seat just as Kirishima and Tetsutetsu's match was about to end. She noted upon first glance that they were pretty evenly matched.
" How are your hands?" Yuu asked, looking down at her bandages.
" Oh, they're fine. They're stinging a bit that's all. More importantly..." She looked at the empty three seats by her side. " Iida-kun and Midoriya-kun?"
" They went to talk to Uraraka," Whisper stated. "Don't you two want to go?"
Sora contemplated on it for a moment and then shook her head. " Nah, it's fine. I don't want to overwhelm her just when her match is about to start." She directed her look back at Kirishima and Tetsutetsu as they fell to the ground rather beaten up. " Plus, there's nothing left to say for her. Ochaco-chan wants to get past this match... On her own."
Whisper and Yuu stared at the girl's beaming face slightly confused before Midnight announced that the match ended in a draw and that the winner will be determined by a contest when both players recover.
Just as the two invalids were taken away and the screen showed the opponents of the next match, Iida and Midoriya assumed their seats once again, rather anxious.
" Next might be the most disturbing match-up," said Asui.
Jiro rubbed her arms, feeling chills all over her back. " I almost don't want to watch..."
" Ochaco-chan..."
Uraraka finally stepped out of the exit and marched to the arena.
" The eighth and last match of the first round! He was kind of famous in middle school! This isn't the face of a regular person! From the hero course, It's Bakugo Katsuki Versus- She's the one I'm rooting for! From the hero course, it's Uraraka Ochaco!"
There was a deafening silence on the stage. Even though the voices of spectators rose high, neither Sora nor any of the three seated next to her could hear them. Their sole focus was Uraraka.
Sora could hear Bakugo telling her to forfeit while she had the chance.
" Midoriya-kun..." Iida's voice sounded as he turned to their friend. " What was the strategy you were going to tell Uraraka-kun earlier for her to use against Bakugo-kun?"
The green head took out his notes. " It wasn't much, really. Kacchan's strong. In a real close combat fight, he has almost no openings, and the more he moves, the more he sweats, making his Explosion Quirk stronger."
" If you say it like this it seems like there is no way to beat him!" Whisper grunted.
" That's just how strong of a person Kacchan is," Midoriya trailed. " He can use the blasts from his explosions to move around in the air, but if Uraraka-san touches Kacchan and uses her Quirk to make him float, then she would have the upper hand. That's why... The first thing Uraraka-san should do is..."
" Eighth match, start!"
Uraraka leaned forward and sprang at her opponent.
" ... A swift attack." Midoriya continued. " All right! That's good. Even if it's an accident, as long as she can touch him, she can make him float!"
" Bakugo-kun won't want Uraraka-kun to get close to him," Iida piped in.
" That's why, Kacchan won't want to evade. He'll want to counterattack!"
" Had she realized that?" Yuu squinted at her running figure.
" You can do it, Ochaco-chan!"
However, Bakugo blasted her away with a low explosion. Everyone recoiled at how strong it was.
Using the smoke screen caused by the explosion, Uraraka sent her vest flying at Bakugo. While he focused on it, thinking it was her, she aimed for a sneaking attack from behind.
Still, Bakugo was faster, blowing her up in the air.
Their faces frowned in wary of what may happen to the girl who was still getting blown away by every motion. The fume covering the field increased with each blast, making it hard to see.
Come on Ochaco-chan! I trust you! I know you can pull it! Do your best!
" Not yet!" Uraraka yelled but was pelted away by a burst of air, sending debris up in the air. Sora's eyes widened slightly when she glimpsed something. " I see..."
Uraraka kept charging at Bakugo, but could do nothing against his overwhelming power.
Other spectators started complaining, telling the blond off for toying with the girl and not pushing her out of bounds. Sounds of booing spread through the stage as the pro heroes disapproved of his ways.
" He doesn't know how to hold back," Whisper grunted, still eyes focused on the boy.
Present Mic was about to agree with the crowd before he got elbowed in the jaw by Aizawa as he grabbed the microphone.
" Was that a pro saying he's playing around? How many years have you been a pro?" His words shut the booing around the stadium. " If you're saying that with a straight face, there's no point in you watching anymore, so go home! Go home, and look into changing careers!"
" Aizawa-sensei...?" Midoriya blinked at their teacher's words.
" He's got a point, you know," Whisper told them all, earning glances from the whole of class A.
" Bakugo is being careful because he's acknowledged the strength of his opponent who has made it this far. It's because he's doing everything he can to win that he can't go easy on her or let his guard down."
" You're no soldier if you can't tell that much, " Whisper muttered. " Because she came at him with all her might he retorted back relentlessly. There is no meaning in holding back. Both of them are standing there because they know that very well. They're ready to bear wounds and injuries so they stood there unwaveringly."
" So... Bakugo-san..." Yuu began.
" Acknowledged Ochaco-chan's strength," Sora smiled. " Well, it's fortunate he did so."
" Sora?" Yuu blinked at her.
" I'm surprised the pros didn't notice it. Ochaco-chan lowered herself for a reason."
" Now that you mention it, Uraraka-kun kept her body close to the ground as she attacked." Iida tapped his chin.
Midoriya's eyes widened as he realized it. " She kept Kacchan's attacks concentrated towards the ground, which means..."
Everyone looked up as Sora and Whisper smiled. " She was waiting for the right moment."
Above the stadium, they could see thousands of debris floating overhead, waiting to be released and fall down.
" I'm gonna win!" She shouted as she released her Quirk. The debris as if being left by an invisible hand, came cascading down upon the blond.
" She had a desperate plan like that up her sleeve?!" Midoriya jumped to his feet.
Uraraka rushed at Bakugo, opting for an opening when he tried to either avoid or counterattack. However, the strong explosion he let out was enough to blow her off her feet and shove her back to the ground while decimating the falling rubbles.
" Ochaco-chan..." Sora clapped her hands over her mouth, realizing the girl's plan went downhill with that one shot.
Still, the brunette stubbornly struggled on her feet, waddling as she tried to keep her balance. She twisted to face him, however, her body gave in at the last moment and she fell back on the ground.
" Uraraka-kun..."
" She passed her limit a long time ago..."
" She still... Wants to fight though..." It was hard, seeing her friend crawling on the ground, trying to get her body to listen to her.
Midnight interfered, checking on Uraraka. " Uraraka-san's out of commission. Bakugo-kun advances to the second round!" She announced.
" Ochaco-chan..." It was all she could not to cry as Uraraka was transferred out, a sore expression on her face.
" Ochaco-chan!" Sora burst through the door of the waiting room rather frantically. She was surprised when Recovery Girl told her Uraraka had left as soon as she finished healing her.
" Sora-cha-" she was cut off as Sora pulled her into a tight hug.
" You were amazing Ochaco-chan! Your plan and everything! You were amazing!"
" Sora, you will kill her!" Yuu cried out when he realized Uraraka wasn't breathing.
" Your wounds?" Sora asked once she saw the plaster applied to her jaw.
" Most of them are healed, but I will have to keep this for the rest of the day." She pointed at the plaster. " Bakugo-kun was really tough."
" That's because-" Whisper was cut off when the door opened by Midoriya. He gaped at the brunette girl there.
" Uraraka... San..."
" Man, I lost..." She scrubbed her head seeing him. " I got carried away at the end thinking I could do it, dang it."
" Uraraka-san, what about your injuries? Are you okay?"
" Yeah, Recovery Girl took care of me. It was only moderate healing so it wouldn't drain my stamina, so I've still got scratches and stuff though. Man, but that Bakugo-kun was really strong! He totally got me. I need to work harder too!" She snapped when she realized everyone was staring at her.
" Are you... All right?" Midoriya was rather wary.
" Well, as long as she is frustrated that much, I think she is." Whisper sweated.
" I'm fine! Better than expected!" Her phone vibrated but she ignored it. " I mean, you immediately started looking ahead, Deku-kun, and just because I lost doesn't mean I can lose."
" That's-" He snapped when Sora held on the brim of his sleeve.
" Midoriya-kun, I think we should get going. You're up next right."
" Eh, ah, right," he trailed.
" We'll head out first then," said Yuu.
" Deku-kun, sorry. You weren't able to prepare at all since I was here..." Uraraka uttered.
" No, I'm fine."
She smiled at him. " I'll be there to watch you soon okay? Good luck."
" Thanks."
And they trudged out. Whisper lingered for a moment before turning to the brunette. " I'm pretty sure the delinquent acknowledged your strength, Uraraka. There's nothing to feel sorry about. Your performance was good."
And he caught up with the rest just as Mic announced Kirishima's advance to the next round.
Sora stole a glance at the boy as he wiped away his tears. He must have known how his friend felt too. Sora wanted them to get out as soon so to give her some time alone and also for her to call her parents.
Just around the corner, a man covered in flames emerged into sight, a sullen expression on his face.
" Endeavor?!" Midoriya squeaked.
" Oh there you are." Endeavor rounded on the boy.
" The N.2 hero..." Yuu murmured.
Sora blinked at what he just said. What does he need from Midoriya-kun?
The man's light blue eyes swept through Yuu and Sora, stopping for a pretty longer period on the girl. " I hope you two won't mind leaving us alone for a moment?"
Yuu and Sora exchanged looks then nodded and trudged away, leaving a befuddled Midoriya to face the pro hero. What Endeavor didn't know was that they were able to listen to their conversation for a while.
" I'm worried," said Sora while they awaited the arrival of the two players. Uraraka had joined them a moment after they had settled, eyes all puffed out, mostly because she was crying hard.
It wasn't long before Midoriya and Todoroki advanced to the newly repaired stage. Both faced each other, determined and resolved to fight to the very end.
" Todoroki-san..."
What intense aura they have. Sora gulped, realizing neither of them was going to hold back regardless of the cost.
" Start!"
Todoroki started off with a path of freezing ice while Midoriya smashed it down with a strong wind pressure from his finger. It traveled all the way back to Todorki who had manifested a chunk of ice behind him so not to get blown back.
It was the same for around three rounds before Todorki rushed off on a steep of ice that doubled as a cover. While Midoriya tore it apart, thinking it was the same as before, he was surprised by Todoroki closing by overhead.
He jumped out of the way before the other boy could freeze him with a punch, however, Todorki's ice instantly chased him, grasping his left foot.
A burst of air erupted as Midoriya swung his left arm, pushing Todoroki away from him. Still, it wasn't enough to get him out of the bounds.
Everyone else in the stadium was marveling over Todoroki's strength, saying it was nothing less expected from the son of the N.2 hero.
Hearing all their murmurs, Yuu felt his chest crunching. They don't acknowledge him for who he is.
" He's trembling," Sora whispered to her friend, taking his attention back to the match.
Yuu thought back to their combat training, to his breath that seemed like a mist. At first, he thought it was because of how cold the building was... But seeing it again and again... Yuu wanted to slap himself for not noticing.
" 'Quirks are also physical abilities', huh," he quoted Bakugo's words. " I should have known. He doesn't show it but, his body gets affected by his Quirk as well."
" He gets cold?" Sora asked in astonishment. " Then if he continues like this..."
" His right side will freeze," Whisper added.
" It could be solved easily by the heat from his left, however..."
" He would rather lose than use it." Sora's hands balled.
Todoroki launched another wave of ice at Midoriya, with his broken fingers and arm, there was little to what he could do. However, he startled them all when he managed to produce a strong air pressure by using his broken finger again and almost pelted Todoroki out.
It was hard for everyone to hear what the players were saying down in the arena unless you count their shouting. Only Sora and Yuu could hear the full conversation.
" Did he just... Provoke him?" Sora wondered.
Yuu shook his head. " No..."
Todoroki rushed at the green head, yet, they could see his movement slowed down. When he jumped, Midoriya lunged at him, kicking him in the gut. Yet, Todoroki managed to put ice on Midoriya's left hand. It was something unnoticeable, but Yuu and Whisper knew what it was for almost immediately.
" If he didn't do that, that reckless soldier would use his broken arm if he felt it needed. " Whisper pointed.
" Really? Even though in a match?" Uraraka blinked in surprise.
" As I thought... Deep down, Todorki-san is a kind person..." Yuu muttered.
Todoroki's breath was getting more and more rugged due to the frost. Even his ice was slower and smaller than when they started off. Todoroki approached, trying to freeze Midoriya from up close but he was pushed back by a strong gale as he snapped another broken finger.
" That idiot! What is he thinking of, using his already damaged fingers?" Whisper groaned.
As the fight raged on, nobody could take their eyes off them.
" Shouldn't they be stopped?" Iida waved his arms around. " It will be dangerous if they keep up!"
" It would be better if they choose the winner with a contest like what happened with me," Kirishima added.
It was clear the teachers were keeping a close watch on them, apparently thinking along the same line.
" Midoriya-san... Is determined to win despite the agony," Sora muttered, seeing the tears welling up in the green eyes with each strike.
" He won't stop. That kid set his mind on a goal, and he won't stop until reaching it," Whisper stated, unable to take his eyes off the curly head. He didn't hate his guts.
" Midoriya-san... Is really awesome..." Murmured Yuu.
When he no longer can move his fingers, he resorted to pressing them against the side of his mouth to be able to produce a strong impact. The ice covering Todoroki's body increased before Midoriya punched him again, sending him flying near the white line.
" It's your power, isn't it?!" Midoriya shouted at him.
Yuu and Sora's eyes widened as they heard that.
" That's your Quirk, Yuu. That's your own power. Something only you can decide whether it's useless or not. We couldn't choose our Quirks, but we can choose how to use them. Don't let others choose for you."
Uncle...
The heat wave that followed Midoriya's words was so strong it could be felt from their box.
" The fire is here..." Complained Uraraka.
" He used it!" Iida exclaimed.
" He made him use his left!" Sora wasn't less surprised.
" He... Saved him..." Yuu stared at the green head. " Though he knows what that means."
" Shoto!" Everyone was able to hear the N.2 shout back then. Fired up was the perfect description for him back then as he walked to the very front. Yuu listened to him telling his son what he has to do and couldn't help feeling frustrated. It was the same as his parents, though they kept telling him what he couldn't do.
Todoroki on the other hand seemed to ignore him. Whether or not he actually heard him was yet a question. Todoroki created a huge field of ice while Midoriya formed a strong gale around him with his power pressure.
Ice flung at the green head but he managed to sail over it, trying to get close. Todoroki then proceeded to heat the place with his flames, defrosting the ice he had just made. It was then they heard Todoroki thanking Midoriya before Midnight and Cementess stopped them.
Five walls of concrete rose from the stage, blocking off both attacks. They were broken to smithereens as debris flew off in every direction by a strong explosion. Everyone covered themselves, yet, how they were unharmed was unanswered.
When the strong wind died, they dared to peek out. Midoriya was thrown out of the arena and into the wall. He stood still for a moment before falling to the ground while Todoroki stood there with half his shirt burned off.
" M-Midoriya-kun is out of bounds..." Midnight trailed. " Todoroki-kun advances to the third round!"