Chapter 18
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Izuku prepared herself for the upcoming Sports Festival with a rigorous training regimen. She woke up early every morning, lacing up her running shoes as the sun barely peeked over the horizon. Today was no different. She ran a grueling 7 kilometers through the quiet streets, her breath visible in the crisp morning air. By the time she reached home, her legs felt like lead, and her clothes were soaked with sweat.
She stumbled through the front door, her thoughts solely on the hot bath awaiting her. Desperate for relief, she kicked off her shoes, unzipped her jacket, and peeled off her pants. The bathroom door creaked open as she hurriedly entered, the anticipation of warm water soothing her muscles.
With a sigh, she approached the bathtub and pulled back the curtains, revealing a tub already filled with steaming water. Izuku's tired brain didn't question the convenience. She quickly stripped off the remaining clothes and, with a sense of urgency, lowered herself into the tub.
"Ah... this is what you call ultimate relaxation," she murmured, sinking into the warmth. She closed her eyes, feeling her muscles loosen. "Nothing like a hot bath after a long run with your little si—"
"Eri?!"
Izuku's eyes snapped open, her relaxation shattered. There, sitting in the tub with her, was her adopted sister, Eri. The little girl blinked up at her with wide, innocent eyes.
"Good morning, Izuku-neechan!" Eri chirped, completely unbothered by the intrusion.
Izuku's face turned crimson, a deep sense of embarrassment washing over her. "Eri! What are you doing here?!"
Eri tilted her head, looking puzzled. "I always take a bath in the morning, remember?"
Izuku slapped a hand to her forehead, groaning. "I forgot. I was so tired, I didn't check!"
Eri giggled, splashing water playfully. "It's okay! There's plenty of room."
Izuku sighed, trying to maintain some semblance of dignity. "Alright, but next time, knock or something, okay? We need to coordinate our bath schedules."
Eri nodded eagerly. "Okay, Izuku-neechan! Can I play with my rubber ducky?"
Izuku couldn't help but smile through her embarrassment. "Sure, Eri. Hand me the soap, will you?"
Eri handed over the soap with a big grin, and the two sisters settled into an unexpectedly shared bath. The initial shock gave way to laughter as they played with the rubber ducky and made bubbles.
"So, what were you running for?" Eri asked, her eyes shining with curiosity.
Izuku splashed a bit of water her way. "I'm training for the Sports Festival. I need to be in top shape to compete."
Eri's eyes widened with admiration. "Wow, you're so cool, Izuku-neechan! Can I come and watch you?"
Izuku ruffled Eri's hair, feeling a swell of affection for her little sister. "Of course, you can, Eri. I'd love to have you there cheering me on."
As they continued to chat and play, Eri suddenly offered, "Izuku-neechan, do you want me to rub your back?"
Izuku blinked in surprise. "Huh? Oh, uh, that's really sweet of you, Eri. Sure, go ahead."
Eri's small hands gently massaged Izuku's back, her touch light but soothing. Izuku felt the tension melt away, replaced by a warmth that had nothing to do with the bathwater. Despite her embarrassment, she couldn't deny how much she enjoyed Eri's innocent gesture.
"You're really good at this, Eri," Izuku said, her voice filled with genuine appreciation.
Eri beamed with pride. "I'm glad you like it, Izuku-neechan! I want to help you relax so you can win the Sports Festival."
Izuku chuckled softly. "Thanks, Eri. With you supporting me, I feel like I can do anything."
Finally, they finished their bath, both feeling refreshed and closer than ever. As Izuku dried off and got dressed, she couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of the situation. Despite the initial shock, the morning had turned into a heartwarming and funny memory she'd cherish.
"Let's get some breakfast, Eri," she said, leading the way to the kitchen. "We've got a big day ahead."
Eri skipped happily beside her, clutching her rubber ducky. "Yay! Breakfast with Izuku-neechan!"
Izuku smiled, still slightly flushed from the embarrassment, but feeling ready to face whatever challenges the day—and the Sports Festival—might bring.
The next morning, Izuku and Eri joined their mother, Inko, at the dining table. Inko was practically vibrating with excitement, her eyes shining with pride and anxiety.
"Izuku, I know you'll do great today," Inko said, her voice wavering slightly. "I believe in you."
Izuku smiled reassuringly at her mother. "Thanks, Mom. I'll do my best."
After a hearty breakfast, they left for the stadium in a cab. The ride was filled with a mix of nervous energy and supportive words. Inko couldn't stop talking about how proud she was, even as her worry peeked through.
In just 30 minutes, they arrived at their destination. Izuku took a deep breath, feeling the buzz of the crowd and the anticipation in the air.
"Good luck, Izuku!" Inko said, hugging her tightly. "We'll be cheering for you!"
Eri clung to her leg for a moment. "You'll win, right, Izuku-neechan?"
Izuku nodded, giving them both a confident smile. "I'll do my best. Enjoy the show!"
With that, she bade them goodbye, watching as they made their way to the gallery. She turned and headed into the stadium, her heart pounding with excitement.
Midnight was already addressing the crowd when Izuku found her classmates. The roar of the audience filled the air, making her heart race even faster. She spotted her friends and made her way over, greeted warmly by her female classmates.
"Deku-chan!" Ochako called out, waving enthusiastically. "Over here!"
Izuku joined them, her spirits lifted by their support. Just then, Kirishima approached her with a wide grin.
"Hey, Midoriya!" he said, giving her a friendly clap on the shoulder. Then he frowned, sniffing the air. "Uh, why do you smell like pineapple?"
Izuku's face turned crimson. She had just showered with a pineapple-scented soap, and now it was apparently very noticeable. She stammered, trying to explain, but her embarrassment was clear.
Bakugou, overhearing the exchange, misinterpreted the situation entirely. His eyes narrowed, and he clenched his fists, ready to blast Kirishima. "Oi, Shitty Hair! What the hell did you do to Deku?!"
Kirishima raised his hands defensively. "Whoa, whoa, chill out, Bakugou! I didn't do anything! I just noticed she smells like pineapple, that's all!"
Izuku quickly stepped between them, waving her hands. "It's fine, really! I just used a new soap this morning. No big deal!"
Bakugou glared at Kirishima for a moment longer before reluctantly backing down, still grumbling under his breath. Izuku let out a sigh of relief, grateful that the situation hadn't escalated further.
The students of Class 1-A hurried to change into their gym uniforms in preparation for the U.A. Sports Festival. Izuku, as always, waited patiently for all the girls to finish changing before she slipped into the changing room. She quickly changed into her gym uniform, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves.
Once everyone was ready, they were addressed by Midnight and instructed to gather at the stadium. Class 1-A led the way, followed closely by Classes 1-B, 1-C, 1-D, 1-E, and 1-F. As they marched in, Izuku could feel the eyes of the other students boring into them. The other classes were determined to dethrone Class 1-A, hoping to outshine them and secure the top positions.
Midnight, standing on the stage, raised her hand to quiet the crowd. "Welcome, students, to the U.A. Sports Festival!" she announced, her voice filled with energy. "Now, to kick things off, we will have a speech from the top scorer of the entrance exam… Izuku Midoriya!"
Izuku's heart plummeted. She had completely forgotten about the speech! Her mind raced as she made her way to the stage, her classmates giving her encouraging nods and thumbs-ups.
Izuku made her way to the podium, her heart pounding in her chest. She had completely forgotten about having to give a speech and now found herself facing a sea of students and spectators. Her mind raced, trying to grasp the right words to say.
"Uh, um, h-hello everyone," she began, her voice trembling. The crowd was silent for a moment, then bursts of laughter erupted.
"Is she really the top scorer? She looks like she should be in kindergarten!"
"Hey, isn't this the girl who always stammers? This is going to be good."
Izuku's face flushed with embarrassment, her small stature making her feel even more out of place. She glanced at her classmates, seeing the supportive faces of her friends. But the jeers and laughter from the other students were overwhelming.
"Go back to preschool, Midoriya!" someone shouted from the crowd, followed by more laughter.
Just as Izuku felt like she was about to crumble, she heard a voice from the crowd. "Come on, Deku! You can do it!" It was Ochako, her voice filled with encouragement.
Kirishima shouted, "Yeah, Midoriya! Show them what you've got!"
Even Bakugou, her rival, joined in, albeit reluctantly. "Don't screw this up, Deku!"
Their support gave her the strength she needed. Taking a deep breath, Izuku steadied herself. She knew she couldn't let them down.
"Um, as I said before, my name is Izuku Midoriya," she began again, this time with more confidence. "I'm from Class 1-A. It's true that I might not look like much, and I know some of you think I don't belong here."
The crowd quieted down, sensing a change in her demeanor.
"But," she continued, her voice growing stronger, "the U.A. Sports Festival is about more than just appearances. It's about showing our strengths, our determination, and our spirit as future heroes. We all have dreams, and we're all here because we want to become the best heroes we can be."
She looked around, making eye contact with as many students as possible. "It doesn't matter what we look like or where we come from. What matters is our drive, our passion, and our willingness to give it our all."
The murmurs in the crowd began to quiet, replaced by attentive silence. Izuku's classmates watched with wide eyes, feeling pride and admiration for their friend.
"Let's use this festival to prove to ourselves and to each other that we have what it takes," Izuku said, her voice filled with determination. "Let's make this Sports Festival unforgettable!"
As she finished, there was a moment of stunned silence before the crowd erupted into applause. Even the students who had jeered at her earlier were now clapping, impressed by her resilience and powerful words.
Izuku stepped back from the podium, her heart still racing but filled with a sense of accomplishment. She had faced her fear and turned the situation around. Her classmates greeted her with cheers and pats on the back.
"You did great, Midoriya," Momo said, smiling warmly.
Kirishima grinned, "That was manly!"
Bakugou gave her a grudging nod of approval. "Not bad, Deku. Just don't mess up the rest of the day."
Izuku laughed, feeling lighter and more confident. She was ready to give it her all at the Sports Festival, and with her friends by her side, she knew she could face any challenge that came her way.
Midnight stood at the center of the stadium, the giant screen behind her displaying a large wheel with various game options listed around its edge. The tension in the air was palpable as every student held their breath, eyes fixed on the spinning wheel. The crowd watched in anticipation, a collective hush falling over the entire arena.
"Alright, everyone! It's time to decide our first event!" Midnight announced, her voice echoing through the stadium. She gave the wheel a firm spin, and it began to rotate rapidly, the colors and names blurring together in a dizzying display.
Izuku felt her heart race as she watched the wheel spin. Her classmates around her were equally tense, each hoping for an event that would play to their strengths.
The wheel slowed down, the pointer clicking over each option with a suspenseful rhythm. "Come on, come on," Kaminari muttered under his breath.
"Please be something good," Ochako whispered, her fingers crossed.
The wheel continued to slow, passing over "Cavalry Battle," "Obstacle Course," "Tug of War," and "Combat Training." The pointer crept closer to its final destination, ticking slower and slower.
"Obstacle Course! Obstacle Course!" Mina chanted excitedly.
Finally, with a last, slow click, the wheel stopped. The pointer landed squarely on "Obstacle Course."
"Yes!" several students cheered in unison, while others groaned in apprehension. The obstacle course was known for its grueling challenges and unexpected twists.
Midnight smiled, her whip cracking in excitement. "Ladies and gentlemen, the first event of the U.A. Sports Festival will be the Obstacle Course Race!"
The crowd erupted into applause and cheers. The students began to buzz with nervous energy and excitement, discussing strategies and preparing themselves mentally for the challenge ahead.
Izuku took a deep breath, her nerves calming as she focused on the task at hand. She had trained hard for this moment and was determined to give it her all.
"Alright, everyone, to your starting positions!" Midnight instructed, her voice full of enthusiasm. "May the best hero-in-training win!"
The students of Class 1-A, along with their competitors from the other classes, moved to the starting line, ready to prove their mettle in the first event of the Sports Festival. Izuku felt a surge of determination. She was ready to face whatever challenges the obstacle course had in store for her.
Izuku stood at the starting line, feeling the adrenaline surge through her veins. Beside her, her classmates were equally tense, each preparing to launch themselves into the race. Todoroki stood to her left, his eyes cold and focused, clearly seeing her as his primary competition.
"Ready... set..." Present Mic's voice boomed through the stadium.
The starting gun fired, and the students took off in their own unique ways.
Todoroki immediately created a path of ice beneath his feet, gliding forward with incredible speed. Bakugou used his explosions to propel himself through the air, leaving bursts of smoke and fire in his wake. Iida's engines roared to life, and he sprinted ahead with mechanical precision.
From Class 1-B, Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu hardened his body and charged forward like a human bulldozer. Kendo used her enlarged hands to clear obstacles, while Monoma attempted to copy the quirks of those around him to gain an edge. Mei Hatsume from the Support Course zoomed ahead on her latest invention, a pair of high-tech boots that allowed her to hover just above the ground.
Gigantic 0-pointers, massive robots used in the entrance exam, appeared on the course, their imposing forms creating additional hazards. The robots swung their arms and fired projectiles, adding an extra layer of difficulty for the students.
Izuku activated her Float quirk and One For All, using the combined power to lift herself into the air. She floated above the chaos, dodging the 0-pointers' attacks with ease. With a burst of energy, she shot forward like a rocket, flying over the obstacles and the other competitors.
Within seconds, she was back in the stadium, having completed the course in a mere 20 seconds. She landed gracefully at the finish line, her heart pounding with exhilaration.
The crowd erupted into a mixture of cheers and shouts. Some students began to protest loudly from their spots, claiming it was cheating and should not have been allowed. The voices of dissent grew louder, but Present Mic quickly addressed the issue through the speakers.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the use of quirks is entirely within the rules of the Sports Festival!" he announced. "Izuku Midoriya's performance is completely legitimate!"
Eraser Head's calm voice followed. "That's correct. All quirks are allowed, as long as they don't endanger others or break the rules of the event."
Izuku waited at the finish line, watching as her classmates began to arrive. Todoroki was the next to cross, his ice path speeding him through the course efficiently. Bakugou followed, his explosions propelling him forward with raw power. Iida arrived shortly after, his engines still firing as he ran at top speed.
One by one, the other students completed the course. Kirishima came through with his hardened body, Mineta used his sticky balls to swing across gaps, and Momo created various tools to help her navigate the obstacles. Hatsume's gadgets allowed her to finish with an impressive time, despite the chaos.
As her friends gathered around, Izuku couldn't help but feel a mix of pride and relief. She had done it—she had faced the first challenge and come out on top. Now, she would wait for the next event, ready to give it her all once again.
As the students gathered after the completion of the Obstacle Course Race, Midnight stood center stage, her whip in hand and a mischievous glint in her eye. "Alright, everyone, it's time for the second challenge! We'll be spinning the wheel to determine what comes next!"
The enormous wheel of events, adorned with various potential challenges, began to spin. The entire stadium held its breath, eyes glued to the wheel as it spun faster and faster. Present Mic's excited commentary only heightened the tension.
Finally, the wheel began to slow down, the clicking sound becoming more deliberate as it passed each event option. When it stopped, the arrow pointed decisively at "Cavalry Battle."
The crowd erupted in excitement, and the students exchanged glances, already beginning to strategize. Midnight's voice cut through the noise. "For the Cavalry Battle, the person who came in first during the Obstacle Course Race will be branded with a special point value."
A giant screen lit up, displaying a massive "10,000,000" above Izuku's head. Gasps echoed through the stadium as everyone turned their hungry eyes toward her. This meant that capturing Izuku's headband would instantly place any team in the lead.
Izuku felt the weight of every gaze on her, but instead of fear, she felt a surge of determination. She was from the future and knew exactly what to expect. This time, she was ready.
"Izuku Midoriya now holds 10 million points!" Midnight continued. "Form your teams of two to four people. Each team must strategize to capture as many headbands as possible, and of course, protect their own!"
As students began to form their teams, Izuku quickly scanned the crowd, knowing she needed to choose her allies wisely. She saw her classmates eyeing her, some with friendly determination, others with competitive hunger.
"Just like All Might said," she told herself. "Plus Ultra!"
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TBC
Next: The Cavalry Battles!