Over the Top

by papireaz

When I died, I expected a few manga volumes. Maybe to learn what the One Piece is. Instead, I found myself in a world that I recognised, a story I had read and what's worse was that it was a story I had no interest in wanting to involve myself in! Then and again, the offer to become a Hero is far too tempting...

21. Issue 20

Yo, so here it is.

The long awaited continuation of the Sports Festival. First of all, I didn't even think that I would make it this far. But I did, so congratulations to me? But it really is unbelievable that I made it this far. So for that, thanks to everyone for reading this dumpster fire! (Kidding...)

Now the recommended song for this chapter is different from other chapters. That is because there are two recommended songs! Peace Sign, but also "Let's Go Out" by AMOYAMO aka Gintama Opening 12. Also happy New Years! Although as I write this, it is early December so... lmao?

Onto the chapter!

---

Summary:

It's only just begun.

The 'maze of life' - One where I, Sora Yamazaki, am lost.

I know, I know. I said that I wouldn't get lost, but I lied.

Please help.

I'm lost and the walls are closing on me, I think I'm dying.

But I promise you, for the low price of £109.99 all your back pains will go away just like how the readers of this story eventually go away! Sora Yamazaki? Who the f% * is that? This is a commercial to solve your back pains.

Order now!

---

I woke up, tired and hungry. Also in a lot of pain, but I'm pretty sure that was obvious. Jeez, maybe I will get problems within a few years? Ammonia? I don't even know what 'ammonia' is, let alone how to develop it.

Gah. I was so bored. Apparently I was out for about ten minutes, all before Recovery Girl patched me up along with the necessary precaution - I was more tired and so using my Quirk, that uses my energy up was not a smart idea. But I persevered. I would regain my energy a lot faster thanks to my minor healing Quirk! Now go on Quirk, do your thing and, er, heal my cells! That is how you become un-tired right?

I don't know.

I was horrible at science.

"Yo, how are you doing Susanoo?" The amused voice of Denki Kaminari illuminated my life. Quite literally, had he always had blonde hair? I just wanted to touch it and shave it bald. I snorted. Bald Kaminari, what an image. I reckon he could pull it off, if he grows a beard or something. Ha. Bald Kaminari with a beard, such an odd image but one that made me burst out laughing.

"The hell? Are you on drugs or what?" His reaction made me laugh even harder. Eventually I calmed down as he sat next to me. He was alone, which was surprising. "I heard that you might not be able to fight in the next round?"

I shook my head. "Nah, I'll be fine. Just give me some sweets, and I'll be set." As soon as I said that, Kaminari tilted his chair backwards to check if Recovery Girl was still in the room. Satisfied that he was in the clear, he dug out a bunch of sweets from his pockets before placing them on the bed. Strawberry, cola, lemon - All my favourite flavors just ripe for the picking.

"Here. Miwa and your parents say hi. They also say not to overdo it or else they will 'beat your ass' when you get home. Oh, and they also threatened to burn your room if you cough out blood again." He told me cheerfully as he stole a watermelon sweet from my pile and ate it.

"Why are you smiling?" I asked him curiously as I plopped a sweet in my mouth. Nice, apple flavor. Not the best, not the worst.

"Because Miwa said that she will give me all your manga and light novels-," I cut him off as I spat my sweet out at him, whacking him right in the middle of his forehead. Ha, karma is a bitch to him, right.

That wasn't a funny joke.

"You think I'm joking, but I'm not." He told me. "She also threatened to spread rumours around that you love 'Boys Love' and owned a massive collection if you lose a match against a 'weakling'. Don't spit another sweet at me! Injured or not, I will shock you!" I snorted at that. "You bitch, you think I can't take you on in a fight even if you are injured? I'll beat your crippled ass to next week!"

I laughed at his antics. "Relax dumbass, spitting that sweet out hurt me more than it hurt you." He looked at me, worried. Tch. I'm not some fragile 'thing', I am a man and I have my pride damn it! "I'm fine, honestly." I added. "Keep on looking at me like that and I will make sure that you won't be able to see anything ever again. That I promise." Kaminari scoffed as he pumped his chest out as if he were All Might.

"HAVE NO FEAR, FOR YOU ARE CRIPPLED AFTER I USED YOUR BODY LIKE A RAGDOLL! IT IS I, THE RAGDOLL HERO!" Kaminari said in a fake All Might impression that sounded nothing like the Hero.

"Ragdoll? Odd choice."

"An inspired choice. Also, your 'Susanoo' was cool as hell! Even Bakugo was impressed as he shouted at us to drag you outside and use that move again." Kaminari explained with a sad smile. "But then Jiro said if he interrupted you resting that she would castrate him."

I choked on thin air, she said what?

"Yeah, you missed it. I kid you not, Bakugo stormed off blushing! I think he might like that, being castrated by a girl I mean. Maybe he is a masochist? OH! That makes a ton of sense when you think about it-,"

"Ahem." Kaminari was cut off as Mineta came out from underneath my bed, wiping blood off his nose.

"Gah?! Grapist? The hell are you doing here?" Kaminari jumped out of his chair in surprise. Mineta flung himself onto my bed, being careful to not step on my legs as he cleared his throat as if he was about to say his first speech as 'Prime Minister.'

Ha.

Prime Minister Minoru Mineta. Be careful women everywhere, you never know when a surprise panty inspection might happen! 'It is to ensure that the perverts are not in power!' I could imagine him justifying it. I could also see Mineta running a dictatorship of sorts, which made me shudder. Mineta would probably cause another world war, scratch that, he most definitely would.

Standing up straight, Mineta really looked like a imposing figure. Or as imposing as he could possibly be. "I would like to be castrated, not by Jiro, but by Mount Lady." He declared. I clapped my hands as hard as I could, even faking a tear or two. "There isn't a need to thank me, not when we have an opportunity." He added with a smirk, a smirk that oozed big-brain plays.

I didn't like this.

"An opportunity?" Kaminari asked, confused as he leaned forwards.

"Go on, we are listening." I told him.

Then from underneath the covers, Mineta pulled out costumes. A lot of costumes, the one which caught my attention the most was the maid costume-,

Er…

"These," Mineta lectured us pointing towards the cheerleader costumes. "This is our chance to get the girls in our class into these! And to do a performance as well, imagine Momo's Momo's flinging around in the air? Or Mina doing some yoga in this? Hell, we even have the chance to properly study Hagakure! This is our chance, our chance to show the world that our Class has the hottest girls! All those bastards that said we would never speak to a girl because we were too weird, short and weak can be the fools for once!"

Hm. That last bit sounded oddly specific.

"I have two questions," I replied. "One, where did you get these costumes? Like, why were they underneath the bed sheets at the hospital wing?" I asked incredulously. I mean seriously, what in the fuck?!

Mineta however waved the question off. "Psh, are you telling me that you don't have costumes for girls lying around in your room in case a girl comes over?" My look answered his question. "Ugh, you are such a virgin Yamazaki." No Mineta, that is you. "Anyway, I have costumes like these stationed everywhere. In my desk in our class, my locker, both the boys and girls changing rooms, Midnight-sensei's desk-," I groaned at that, just how the hell did he manage that?

And why did Midnight-sensei encourage him?!

"-oh and I managed to convince Principal Nezu to put one in his office, and finally one here. At home there are costumes for every room. Each in different sizes. Oh and I bought them at the shop, duh! You are such an idiot sometimes Yamazaki!" Mineta finished. Kaminari clapped, it looks like he was already on board with the idea. I sighed, so then it would be up to me to stop this monstrosity from occurring...

...Right. It wasn't my responsibility. This happened in canon, I remember it vividly. So why would I want to change it? Apart from the obvious chaos that would ensue, and apart from the obvious pain I would be put in. The girls in our class were extremely crafty, I wouldn't put it past them to somehow hack into my account and leak the fact that I play idol cafe simulator games for fun.

"So, what do you think of my plan?" Mineta asked, waving the cheerleader costumes around as if they were a toy. Kaminari nodded right away, giving his thumbs up towards the project and decided to try and decide which girl got which size.

However, I was undecided.

This would make the relationship between me and the girls very frosty. Well, maybe not frosty, but tensions would definitely rise. But, tensions rising could mean that romance could be erected if I compliment one of the girls. However, they are also fifteen. But so was I. But then and again, I had memories of another life, but Sakura did say that as long as the age difference wasn't too massive, dating was allowed if you were isekai'd.

...Then and again, mentally I'm thirty two.

But fifteen.

But thirty two.

Damn it, why couldn't I have died younger? Fucking hormones. But still, I wasn't doing anything bad. I wasn't hurting them, I wasn't even the one who made the plan. That was Mineta, I was peer pressured into doing so! Yes! That was my excuse, peer pressure is a real issue plaguing people our age in society. I was about to reply and say yes, before someone barged into the room.

"Sora-sama! Sora-sama! How are you Sora-sama?!" Monoma cried. "I heard that you were hurt, and I needed to make sure that those bastards from 1A made sure to check up on you!"

Ding, ding.

I smirked at Mineta before turning to Monoma as I placed my hand on his shoulder. Yes, this would work. "Monoma- Neito. My friends-," I started pointing at Mineta and Kaminari, "-and I were thinking of asking the girls in our class to do a little performance to encourage everyone." Kaminari matched my smirk with one of his own as Mineta's eyes widened. "And so, I was wondering if you, my friend, would help convince the 1B girls to join us. This performance could even be a competition, which class has better cheerleaders. Are you in?"

Monoma's face told me everything I needed to know.

We were in business.

---

Chapter

Twenty

'LALALALA! Put your hands over your ears and pretend not to listen! LALALALALALA!'

---

I yawned. We had about forty minutes left until the start of the final round, the one versus one battle tournament. Tch, a tournament within a tournament. How unoriginal, I bet I could come up with something better. But it probably wouldn't be nearly as entertaining.

Mineta, Kaminari and Monoma had already left trying to find every girl that they knew and hopefully convince them to take part of the plan. They even managed to get others like Sero and even Midoriya involved, distracting the latter from what happened during the previous round.

Damn it.

It made me feel guilty, guilty that I stole his opportunity away from him. That I stole his chance to shine, his chance to show the world who the next big hero would be. Sure, he put up an impressive performance in the first and second rounds, using Full Cowling was no joke, but he could have won the tournament if I hadn't stolen his place!

"Yamazaki... do you have a spare moment?" I was discharged from the hospital wing and was making my way towards the cafeteria as Shoto Todoroki stopped me. I admit, I nearly screamed out for help as the pale boy seemingly appeared in front of me.

No, I wasn't afraid of ghosts... maybe a little bit.

"Uhm, yeah I have time. What do ya' want?" I asked, scratching the back of my head nervously. Man, I hoped it wasn't what I thought it was. As much as I respected Shoto Todoroki I truly didn't care about his sob story – Mostly because I didn't factor into it. Rather it wasn't my place to help him, nor was it my place to impose my judgements on his family situation. If he needed help, then of course I would help him. But he was Shoto Todoroki, and he dealt with it on his own in canon.

It wasn't my responsibility.

Even if I knocked Midoriya out.

I hadn't, nor could I, change entire character arcs. Well in this case not 'character arcs' rather the way people like Todoroki developed throughout their entire life. I wasn't the best person at hand to deal with delicate situations since I tended to just go to the crux of the problem, which in this case was the entire Todoroki family. Yikes, just thinking about helping the boy over that can of worms made me absolutely cringe in horror. Not only would I be dealing with Endeavour, but I'd also be dealing with Touya Todoroki... Dabi.

That left a bad taste in my mouth, a murdering psychopath masquerading as serving 'justice'. Yet Touya's current situation, it all led back to the one dysfunctional relationship that created the household. Enji Todoroki and his wife had arguably the most hilarious and downright funny relationship I had even witnessed, how you manage to raise up a villain is beyond words.

And sure, I say this in hindsight, but damn, I have seen a hitman stuck as a baby do a better job at raising kids.

"You seem distracted."

"Yeah, I am. Tell me, does this free time you wish to steal from me have anything to do with that scar on the left side on your face? Maybe even something to do with the left side of your dual Quirk?" I asked. I had to know, because if he wanted to speak to me about the weather, I didn't just want to turn him away. But if the conversation was going to be like the one I had in mind, I wasn't going to listen.

Why did I have to be responsible for his story?

However, his eyes revealed enough, widening slightly as he pursed his lips. Seems like I was dead-on with my question as I whistled a song from a video soundtrack softly. Hm, was this from Metal Gear Solid, or from Persona? Meh, at this point that damned song was stuck in my head. It was just another relic from the past, something not worth remembering.

"Listen Todoroki," I said looking up at him. "I don't care about what you have to say to me. If it's about your family life, about how shit it is, and that is why you are 'going to beat me using your ice' you can forget it. We both have better things to do with our time, so I just want to make this clear. If you won't use all of your Quirk you won't win as easily as you would think, hell maybe you won't even win at all, even if that's a stretch."

He opened his mouth to say something, but I just shook my head at him. "Todoroki, if you want to beat me, then beat me. Talk is cheap, you want to fight then let's go all out. I won't hold anything back. It isn't my responsibility to lecture you, nor do I particularly want to. You do whatever you want, and I'll do whatever I want. That's all." I muttered, scowling slightly.

If only I hadn't knocked Midoriya out, then I wouldn't be in this position.

"I never said it was your responsibility," He replied. "I never even intended to run into you, but here you are preaching to me about something you know very little about." I scoffed at that. "Yamazaki, I don't care if you try your hardest. There isn't even a guarantee that we will fight, unless you know something about the third event that I don't then that's different. Do whatever you want, if anything fighting that hard only to lose will make it sting even more. If anything, it will show him that my ice is strong. Unbelievably so, and that it is all I need."

I smirked at him. "Cocky. God only knows who will win now, if one even exists. Well if we do fight, I'll be sure to kick your ass. If you don't want to use your fire then that's fine, it'll make things easier for me. But I do have a question for you, if the situation arises for you to use your fire what will happen then? What if someone's life is on the line? Just curious."

"Don't you know curiosity killed the cat?"

"I'm allergic to cats." I replied. Todoroki didn't reply. "Ya' know, half n' half is a pretty good nickname. Better than 'shitty cloud watcher,' and it fits your personality better. You are half stuck in doing what you want, always afraid to take the full step. Well, it's better for me if you don't use your fire. I'll be able to beat you easier, so please don't use your fire."

And with that I left the boy deep in thought as I made my way to the cafeteria. Jeez, that was sort of' heavy. It's not like I didn't care about him, rather I didn't care to solve this problem – Cause' it's a family thing.

If he asked me for help, I would help. But he would not, because he didn't need my help as he had no help in canon and was fine. Once again, my genius strikes again! Still, the boy only needed a push in the right direction in order to thrive. In that way he sort of reminded me of myself, I wonder what I'd be doing if my teacher didn't give me a good kick on my backside.

I probably would have failed to get into the Hero course. Or, I'd have gotten in but I would be alone. Alone still pretending like I was different from everyone around me, being withdrawn and trying to not be friends with them. Just like Todoroki. Huh, maybe we had a lot more in common than I thought. But it wasn't my responsibility for what would happen regarding him.

I took a left down the staircase as I made my way to the cafeteria. Maybe I should have invited Todoroki? He looked sort of hungry, he could so with a snack or two. Some ice cream?

He was his own person.

And so was I.

There wasn't a need to meddle with things-,

Bump.

Argh, shit I think I just bit my tongue?! Ow, what the fuck-,

"Aizawa-sensei? What are you doing here?" I asked in surprise. Aizawa had just been walking around the building without a care in the world, and he looked much more distracted compared to me. As if he had just found out something shocking, or disturbing like a friend came back from the dead to haunt him. Or even as a villain like in a soap opera.

Maybe he laughed at one of Present Mic's jokes? That would be worthy enough to bring shame upon your entire family, and then some. Did he need help to commit seppuku? God damnit Aizawa-sensei, don't die on me here! Not when you promised to teach me so much more cool shit! Like how to beat people up with a scarf! How to glare at people to make them squeal!

And not when I haven't impressed you yet!

"...Yamazaki. What are you doing here?" He asked dangerously. "I thought the protocol was that students stay in the cafeteria after each round. The cafeteria is on the other side of school, did you take the stairway to the left, instead of the one on the right?" I nodded. "It's been nearly a month, have you not learned how to traverse the school? Is that why your punctuality is horrible? Because if it is then that is shocking. Next time take the staircase on the right."

Ouch. That stung.

"I admit sir, I had no idea about the staircase on the left brining me to the cafeteria. I always went around block two, which now that I think about it seems silly. That's like a long route, no, a super-long route!"

He nodded. "Yes, I am aware. I have worked at this school for many years, and I also attended it once as well. But I suppose since you are here, I might as well ask you a question." Suddenly, the mood shifted. While Aizawa wasn't cheerful before, but he seemed amused. Tensing up, I momentarily took a step backwards in fear as his face was unreadable.

He was downright pissed now. "You used that Quirk, didn't you?"

"And so what if I did?!" I responded. "So what if I did? I wasn't that hurt. It wasn't like I sacrificed my body, or even more life now did I." Aizawa's expression tightened as he walked towards me, each step more heavy than the last. He grabbed my shoulders as he peered down at me, from this angle I could see how tired the man actually was. Years upon of years of being a Hero had taken a toll on Aizawa-sensei.

He had seen some horrible shit.

"After we specifically agreed not to use it because of how dangerous it was, you still used it. You fool! Completely irrational, do you truly not value your life? Because if I don't get a good answer, not only will I be pulling you out of the tournament, but also out of the school!" He snapped. "Did you honestly think I wouldn't understand how your arm breaking, and you seemingly using a powerful attack correlate? Do you honestly think that I am that daft Yamazaki, that my eyes are just for show? Because that is what it feels like, that you think this is some joke. That your life is okay to be forfeit, that you, a mere teenager, can take the world on?"

I...

Aizawa wasn't done. "Are you trying to run away from your responsibility? Because where is the kid that told me he was going to protect everyone he wants. Where is he? Maybe people treated you differently because you were a 'genius'. A prodigy for your age, but that isn't true. You may be academically smart, and maybe your emotional intelligence is much more advanced compared to your contemporaries, but face it. Face your reality, if you die that's it. Life isn't something you can play with like this, it isn't fair on your friends nor your family. Did you know that I had to console your adoptive parents while you were in the hospital wing?"

"No, I-," I replied, taking a step back. But that was-, I was fine. Why couldn't they see that?! I won, I won, wasn't that what mattered? Not how I got the win. Sure it didn't feel like a win, sure I felt empty but I still won. I still made it to the next round. It was a hell of a lot better than before, I worked hard and it was a team effort that ultimately gave our team the win.

You have to make sacrifices for your teammates, that's natural.

"Then explain to me, explain how you did one of the stupidest things imaginable?! Would you really throw away your hard work for a cheap win? For something that quite frankly wasn't necessary? Listen kid, winning isn't all that. You showed enough with your performance in the first round, you impressed a lot of people. Wasn't your goal here to just get your name out there? This isn't you talking; this is your selfishness and ego talking."

"I know." I replied. "I know, I know. I messed up. But like, what else could I have done? Fight? Fight and lose, my entire team were counting on me! I chose the plans, I had everyone's hopes on my shoulders! So, what, I should have just given up? Let everyone down because of the 'risk' which I had under control! And as my teacher, shouldn't you be encouraging me to win?!" I shouted at him.

Aizawa snarled at me. "Win? I want all of my students to win. To win using their own skills, to win in a way they are proud of." He hissed. "You could have died and you are playing it off, you are pretending like it isn't a big deal. Like how that glint in your eyes as your blood was pouring out of your body shone brighter than ever before; you enjoy the thrill of fighting. You enjoy being close to death? You enjoy sacrificing your health and safety for a 'cool' attack, don't you?"

No. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no-,

I didn't.

But I couldn't deny it. That one part of me that enjoyed the thrill of fighting, of nearly dying. I couldn't deny that side of me, that side of me that shit talked, that only thought about myself. But that wasn't me, that wasn't the real me! Aizawa knew that, so then what was the point of his lecture? That I should give up now?! That I should just let everyone to die at the hands of Zero.

"What would you have done in my shoes?!" I asked angrily. "I don't have the best Quirk. And certainly not a good enough Quirk to beat Bakugo in a fight, not a fair one! I just made the odds more even, made it so my team had a fighting chance! Is there anything wrong with that? So, what if my arm broke, it was healed within minutes! I was fine, completely fine so why is everyone getting on my fucking case? No one gave a shit when I nearly died at the USJ, so why does it matter now? I know my limits, and I'm now healed-,"

Aizawa scoffed, interrupting me. "Healed? It drains your stamina; you are lucky you have enough to walk. Or what, are you relying on your 'healing Quirk' to solve that issue for you? When will you start relying not on some random Quirk that you didn't know existed until a few weeks ago compared to the Quirk that you have been training your entire life? Or does that scare you, working for something? Because as far as I can see, all you do is try plans that can either lead to great success or failure for you, and that isn't being a hero. You can take your gambles somewhere else, away from my students."

I gritted my teeth. His students? And what about me, did I just suddenly not count. Huh?! "I work a lot on trying to be the best I can! But even I know my limits, I can't just go 'Beyond Plus Ultra' without getting hurt. I did what I did, but I wouldn't take it back at all! In fact, I would do it again, even in a different team! So, spare me with you lecture-,"

I was suddenly tied up. It was uncharacteristic for Aizawa to get angry, and yet he did. He used his wraps to tie me up, scowling while doing so. Jeez, the fuck crawled up his ass?! And why the fuck does he have to take it out on me as if I was the reason?!

"I said give me an answer." Tch, why was he demanding an answer from me?! It was obvious, I didn't want to fucking lose! Why would I want to lose, why would I want my weaknesses to be the reason our team lost? I didn't want that kind of pressure; I didn't want to feel that guilty.

Kaminari, Jiro and Tokage all wanted to make it to the next round.

So, shouldn't I have used all my Quirks? Why shouldn't I have used my 'Gambler's Quirk' when I needed to use it? If I didn't how could I look at them and comfort them after we lost, how could I stand there and say 'We tried our hardest' when I know that I didn't!

It was as simple as that.

And I wanted to win. I was a loser, both in this life and in my last. I never won, it was always 'better luck next time.' But no one tried to help me improve, no one tried to do anything to try and make me a winner. No one helped me in training to be a better player at football, no one tried to help me so I could get higher grades that 'befitted a student of my capabilities.'

And no one did anything in this life either.

Not for a good few years at least.

I was left to my own devices once again, I was left to do whatever was needed because I was the genius. Because I could solve complex maths problems, or could analyse historical extracts at a much younger age than I realistically should have. Because I could comprehend the world in a much more adult lens; and that was because I was one. Sure, seventeen years of age isn't exactly mind-blowing, but I was thirty-fucking-two nearing thirty three.

I was as old as Aizawa mentally wasn't I?!

Why shouldn't I win. Why shouldn't I win the tournament and show the world who I really am? Why should I just give up, just be a loser because it's the easy path. Because it's the path that is the safest, the path that ultimately will lead to ruin. Nothing worth anything in life is easy, so if I had to sacrifice my arm, if I had to sacrifice my legs or even more to win.

To be a winner.

Why shouldn't I?!

Was that really that bad of me to want to win? Was it really that bad for me to try and win, to try and actually do something? Because previously I would have just given up before even trying. Because it was the easy way, because it would have been easier to blame others better than me. Because of course the world is against me, why wouldn't it feel that way?!

Why do I have to change because it's the safest way?!

Why did Aizawa decide to make a big deal about this, much more than was necessary? Was he that pissed off at some random bullshit? Yeah well, I didn't give a flying fuck-,

"Calm down. Put your Quirk away, now." He ordered. My, what? The floating blue cloud that was wrapping around my body tightly, ready to latch upon Aizawa and choke him to death awaited my instructions. The problem was I don't remember ever calling my Quirk out, nor do I recall being pissed enough to want to kill Aizawa in cold blood. I felt sick as I turned to face Aizawa, who's eyes were firmly resolved to do something.

He wasn't using his Quirk, which would have been the easier thing to do. He wanted me to learn. I was rash, I was stupid and more importantly I was a teenager. I let my emotions, wherever they came from, to get control over me. Not that I wasn't a emotional person, because I was, but this time it felt different. Like it was a foreign influence that had taken over my body, but at the same time it was me.

I ordered my Nimbus to disappear as the wraps tightened around me started to become loose. I was able to wiggle my way out of it, glancing at Aizawa who still seemed like something was on his mind, but much more relaxed. His posture seemed more relaxed as he went back to slouching, his face had that same look on it as always. But it was his eyes that betrayed his true emotions.

"So, will you explain, or do you want me to expel you?"

Grk. At least give me some time to provide you with a good excuse.

"Well, I wanted to win. I wanted to win for everyone, and for myself. I know it was wrong of me to use it, but I had to. For that I apologise, and I'll try to not use it in the next round. But no matter how strong I become without using it, there will always be someone stronger than me." Zero, Shigaraki and All for One.

Hell, there were even more from just my class alone. Using just my Nimbus wasn't going to cut it eventually, I just wasn't that strong. I didn't have an unlimited amount of Nimbus, and every time I lose focus my Nimbus disappears in an instance. It wasn't like it had any fire power, sure I could make some cool things but they were limited, and sure I could adapt to nearly situation it still took a lot of energy out of me.

"But," I added before Aizawa could interrupt me, "That doesn't mean I should abuse it. Because eventually... Eventually I could gamble my life. And I don't want to die, but that doesn't mean I want others to die. If someone in front of me could be saved by me sacrificing myself, then isn't that something to take pride in?"

Aizawa didn't reply. If anything, he seemed to be stuck in the past. Like he was seeing a ghost. "Promise me Yamazaki, promise me that you won't use it recklessly. I've seen so many people over the years die doing something stupid, I don't think I'll be able to keep you away from that cursed Quirk. Not without expelling you, and even then it won't stop you, so next time you think about using this I want you to remember this. Remember about the people that care about you a lot, and if you still overdo it then I'll be there to beat some sense into you. That's what it means to be a hero, to take responsibility."

I grinned at him. Of course I was going to remember them, and I wasn't going to overdo it, not like I did during the second round. That Susanoo... Even when everyone told me to let it go I didn't, was it my own desire to win, or something else at this point it doesn't matter. I wasn't going to allow it to take over me, I wasn't going to allow it to make me do something I didn't wish to do. If I ever needed to use that damned Quirk, I was going to do under my own terms, I wasn't going to gamble recklessly and I'd deal with the responsibility of whatever happened to me.

"You got it sensei!"

Without saying a word, he turned to leave me alone in the corridor, something which confused me immensely.

Still, I had other things to worry about.

Like what the hell I was going to have for lunch!

---

"Hey, can you pass me the ketchup?" I asked. Kaminari snorted as he did so, pointing at the barbecue sauce bottle beside him, as if to mock me that I was 'choosing the inferior sauce' or something. He watched me pour it over my chips and started to gag violently, as if he was about to vomit violently. Rolling my eyes, I threw a chip with ketchup on top at him.

I was lucky enough that it got in his mouth as he started to choke to his death opposite me."Hey?! You nearly killed me?"

"Relax, it was just some chips with ketchup."

"Exactly!"

Kaminari growled, throwing one of his chips at me. "Yeah, well I hate ketchup! Barbecue sauce is so much better, but you are too stupid to realise!" I rolled my eyes at that. Was he being for real? What a child, who cares what sauce is 'better' just eat the damn thing!

"Tch. Who cares?" I replied throwing another chip, this time landing on his plate by accident. The ketchup overtook the barbecue sauce, ultimately beating the battle. Kaminari grew more and more stressed, shouting at the barbecue sauce on his plate to win.

It didn't.

"Aww man! What the hell is wrong with barbecue sauce?" He complained.

"Apart from it not being very nutritious for you, what else would you want from a condiment?" Yaoyorozu replied sitting down at our table with Jiro by her side. Yaoyorozu had a rather big lunch, one that would make a Shonen protagonist blush as she tore into it without hesitation.

It amazed me that she was able to eat so much in such a small amount of time in a dignified manner. Jiro had a light salad, and by light, I mean about as much as you could put on before it started to be called unhealthy. Seriously, what the hell was it with the woman around me breaking any and all preconceptions I had about the other gender?

I mean to be fair, we had Mineta. The girls in our class probably gave up on their dream of a 'gentleman' after meeting Mineta for the first time. Ha, I imagined Mineta suddenly six feet tall in a suit as he drove an expensive car around, picking up girls everywhere he went with ease because of his kindness.

Pfft, as if that'll ever happen.

More chance of it raining pure gold. Well, I imagine if it did rain pure gold the economy would collapse. Hyperinflation or some similar shit, economics was a boring subject ya' know. Maths and history were the only two subjects that I was actually good at, and they were also the only two subjects that interested me.

Still, we were eating food.

During our lunch break.

And we all qualified for the final round. Was it just me, or did the food suddenly go bad? No, I couldn't be anxious. Fighting my friends? Pfft, as if that'll happen. What was it... A one in sixteenth chance? I liked those odds.

"So, what do you think the final round will involve?" Yaoyorozu asked. Oh right, they had no idea that it was a fight to the death, one on one, testosterone filled event. Oh, how I envied her, knowing what fights were going to take place scared me.

Bakugo, Todoroki and Midoriya-,

Oh right. I knocked Midoriya out of the competition completely, I was swept up in the competitiveness to the point where I didn't even realise that my actions had consequences.

"Sora? You seem out of it. You alright?" I smiled at Kaminari. It was a fake smile, because if I was being honest, I was terrified. I had just changed canon, sure Zero did the same but this was different.

Midoriya is the main character, the protagonist. He was the core of 1A, and if I started to just mess with things, that would prove disastrous. My knowledge of the future would become meaningless.

But changing canon also meant that I eliminated Zero's advantage. We would be fighting on equal ground; he couldn't manipulate events to his favour, nor could I read and respond back with my own attacks.

We would be fighting in the dark, which eliminated Zero's threat. If his knowledge for the future was compromised than he would have to say goodbye to the League of Villains lest they kill him for not being useful.

And yet changing canon completely also meant there was no guarantee of anything. It could mean the deaths of thousands, of not millions if All For One wins against us, it would lead to the collapse of our society as we know it.

I wasn't trying to be an edgy kid, nor was I trying to be a messiah.

I just wanted to live my life and be a hero to make Miwa happy, to live my life and cheer on my friends as we grow up. To live the life that I always wanted with no strings attached.

It wasn't 'freedom' per-se, but it was close enough for me.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little pale at the thought of the next round." I lied. "I mean what if it's some eating contest or anything? I think that you would win that round Yaoyorozu."

Our class president frowned at me. "That wasn't a nice thing to say." I shrugged my shoulders.

"Oh, come on princess, it was just a joke. Speaking of, President Mic and Aizawa-sensei's commentary is hilarious. Man, I wish I had my phone-," I paused mid-sentence. Oh fuck, my phone?!

Reaching into my pocket, I felt it.

"Sora-,"

I pulled my phone out, hoping that it was fine. Hoping that my phone would still work because I was idiotic enough to forget to hand my phone over to Midnight. And yet, looking at the cracked screen, the bent shape of the phone and the fact that my sim card was sticking out intact made me cry in anguish.

Hinata and Gekko were going to kill me.

They were paying five thousand Yen a month for my phone, and now I had gone and broken it. At least the sim card seemed fine, which was the least of my worries considering that my phone was completely broken.

"Dude... I'm sorry for your loss." Kaminari patted my shoulder sadly, he too understood what I was going through.

"...Oh fuck." Jiro swore looking at my phone. "That is fucked, you are fucked!" She yelled also patting my shoulder. "If you need a place to stay tonight, I have a guest bedroom."

Thank you, Jiro.

"Ahem." Yaoyorozu looked like she was trying to hold laughter in as she drew the attention away from my phone and onto herself. "That looks like a standard Bi-Phone, right? Well, my father owns a lot of shares in Brapple so I can get you a replacement phone by the end of the day. Free of charge of course, just next time be extra careful where you place your phone."

I launched myself of my seat onto Yaoyorozu, hugging her as she sat their stunned. Haha, I win today! "Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!" I repeated many times over.

My life wasn't going to be prematurely ended today!

"Yamazaki... what are you doing to her?" Mineta stood next to us, mouth wide open as he looked to be on the verge of tears, pointing his small fingers at me accusingly.

"What the hell man, I thought it was 'bros before hoes' you damned traitor! I trusted you, I promised not to tell anyone about the fact that you like super kinky porn-" Now that was a lie. "-I also promised not to tell anyone that you keep a pair of your sister's panties underneath your bed-" That was another lie.

No one believed Mineta as we just ignored him.

"Oh, come on. Do you not believe me?" Mineta cried.

"Yes." Jiro replied. "I have been to Sora's room more times that I can count, I think I would remember if he had a shrine dedicated to being a weirdo. Plus, I've seen his search history, while it's kinky it isn't super kinky."

Huh?

"Uhm Jiro, when did you have the chance to look at my search history?"

"Last time I came round. You went to go get snacks, and I tried to type in the name of the band which I was trying to tell you about and I was met with 'French maid gets fucked' and 'Woman pays rent with a hand job.' I saw a lot of maid porn, which makes me wonder why you dislike Monoma calling you Sora-sama."

Heh, I gulped nervously.

The truth was that I didn't want Monoma, a guy, to call me Sora-sama. If it was literally anyone else, especially a hot girl, I probably would have fallen in love immediately.

And I was caught red handed.

"Ah, about that. Uhm... It was Miwa! Yes, Miwa uses my computer for, er, porn!" I lied. No one believed me. "Oh, come on, she reads yaoi stuff in the living room! She's a literal degenerate."

Jiro nodded at that. "He is telling the truth here. Miwa loves to send explicit yaoi material in our group chat."

"Group chat?" I asked. "I haven't seen her post that shit in our group chat?"

"Girls only, you aren't allowed."

"How come no one told me this?"

"Because you aren't a girl dumbass."

"I'll never forgive your transgressions against me!"

Jiro grew more angrier by the second, eventually throwing her spoon towards my head. "STOP PLAYING DUMB! I KNOW YOU HAVE A PRIVATE GROUP CHAT AS WELL!" She shouted.

"Well," I started pointing at my now broken phone. "Not anymore. But I only had two, the one everyone from our middle school and one with Kaminari and Mineta. That is, it."

"Ha! So, there was a secret one after all!" She sounded proud of herself, like she had solved an age-old mystery or something. Rolling my eyes at her, I flicked a fry towards her and grinned when it hit her forehead.

"Wait, wait – Hold up!" Kaminari said. "Jiro, you just said that you have been to his room many times before. Does that mean you two are-,"

"Fucking like rabbits?" Mineta finished sadly. Even Yaoyorozu was invested as she leaned forward, studying both of us. I looked at Jiro, then back at myself, before looking at Jiro once again.

We were both lost for words, dumbfounded. I opened my mouth, but no words came out. Jiro looked to be the same as she blushed furiously and stared at the floor.

"I-, no?" I replied.

"...No? What does that mean?!" Kaminari asked.

"Well, we aren't fucking like rabbits!"

"But your tone of voice suggested that you wouldn't mind doing so." Yaoyorozu replied. "Plus, Jiro seems to be struggling to say anything coherent, which also suggests the same thing as her cheeks seem to be blushing profoundly. To an almost comical degree, if I were you Jiro I would go to Recovery Girl and get it sorted out. It could be a major health issue, or just a crush."

"YOAYOROZU!" Jiro yelled. "No, we are just friends! How could you-, It would be the same if they said that just because we meet up after school sometimes that we are dating!"

"A yuri relationship in our class?! You two girls are dating?" Mineta asked grinning. I had to kick him in the shins, lightly of course.

"Keep your fetishes private, grapist." I reminded him. But I had to admit, thinking about Jiro and Yaoyorozu kissing did, er, make me feel something. It also made me feel... jealous? I didn't know what other words to describe the emotion. Nah, what would I be jealous of? I would be happy that Jiro found someone good for her, especially with a nice girl like Yaoyorozu.

Kaminari 'humped' as he pointed his finger accusingly at me. "Sora Yamazaki, are you telling me that you have never thought about raw-dogging Jiro!" The girl who was mentioned muttered something incomprehensible as she blushed even further. I had no defence as I just sat on my chair, mute. I mean what else could I really say without incriminating me even more. To say that I found her unattractive was a lie, but to say that I had a crush on her and dreamed about her every night was also a lie.

Well not a lie, simply half true. Yes, I dreamed about Jiro, along with everyone that I knew. Not in a sexual way, just us living our lives normally. Going to work, going to a bar to get plastered, having a party etc. Sometimes it felt like there was a higher being trying to force Jiro and I into a relationship, which if true sucked immensely. We were just friends. However, if Jiro wore a maid costume in front of me, I wouldn't know what would happen.

Maids, my only weakness.

"Ah! Sora-sama!" Monoma yelled. "The preparations are ready!" I smirked at the blonde boy. Seems like in our absence we forgot about our plan, a plan to make the world look at us and scream 'YOU ARE THE MASTER!' Hahaha, I quickly threw my previous thoughts out through the metaphorical window. Operation: Cheerleader-sama was a go! The world wouldn't know what hit them once we were done with them.

"Preparations?" Yaoyorozu asked confused.

"I see, good job Monoma," I replied giving him a thumbs up. "Ladies, Aizawa-sensei told me that we all need to celebrate our classes by 'having a cheerleader battle' between classes."

Jiro and Yaoyorozu looked at me gobsmacked. Now, was this a lie? Yes. However, it was a necessary lie. I needed some time on my own, away from everyone as they did something else. As much as I had fun with everyone, as much as this calmed me down, Aizawa's speech to me still was stuck in my mind. Midoriya's dejected face, Todoroki exclaiming that he was going to beat me with half of his Quirk.

I-,

I needed to think. I needed a few moments all alone, without Jiro, Kaminari, Yaoyorozu or Mineta. Without anyone to distract me, without anyone to try and change my thoughts. I needed to figure this out on my own, what was my responsibility? If I went up against strong opponents, should I just give up because of my second Quirk? Or should I try to win?

Should I try to make Todoroki use his flames, even if it means that I'll lose? What about Shinso, should I try and help him? I empathised with him immensely, and yet I wasn't Midoriya. Even if I fought against Shinso, was it really my responsibility to try and help him get through his issues? Because what was it to me, to Sora Yamazaki, who barely knew the guy?

But that was for later.

As for the now, I had to convince the girls to follow through with the plan. A promise is a promise after all.

"Yes, yes, I know. Now get the hell out of your seats and into costumes because we have a competition to win!"

---

As everyone else got hyped up for the 'cheerleader' battle between 1A and 1B, I snuck off towards the empty classrooms. Entering our homeroom, I sat down on top of my desk, overlooking the classroom. It was eerily calm, and sure it was an empty classroom, I could still hear the loud cheers even from the remote classroom. I sighed heavily as I ran my hand through my hair, this wasn't like me.

My headache was still killing me, and to top it off my arm ached so I decided to close my eyes for a few minutes. Leaning back, I raised my legs and put them over my chair, swinging them slightly as my right hand tapped against the wood of the table rhythmically. The truth was that I wasn't afraid of deviating from canon, rather I was wary of what it would lead to.

The unknown was many people's fears, yet it wasn't mine. My fear was simple, losing the people that mattered to me the most. Losing the cheers that pushed me further, losing what truly made me, well, me. Wasn't it my responsibility to make sure people were safe, as a hero that was my duty. And I wanted to make sure that my friends and family were also safe, that they were happy.

But if I interfered with their happiness, with how someone like Todoroki or even Midoriya developed emotionally, wouldn't they turn out differently from canon? They would become different people entirely-, Hell they were different people already! Their interactions with me were different compared to their canon counterparts, and that's because Sora Yamazaki didn't exist in canon.

Knowing my bad luck, I would probably take Midoirya's path for the final round, meaning I would face Hitoshi Shinso, and if I won eventually Shoto Todoroki. Shinso was one matter, Todoroki would be nigh impossible to beat with how I was now. It would take a lot of me abusing my 'Gamblers Quirk' to even scrape something that looks like a win, let alone actually beat him. He had everything going for him, a brilliant Quirk paired with sharp instincts and an intelligent understanding of how to read opponents.

In contrast, I was completely outclassed in everything. To say I was a 'poor man's Todoroki' would be an exaggeration, even that wouldn't be enough of a description to explain the difference between us. Even with using only half of his Quirk, he would still beat me easily. The only think I had was to gamble something away in the hopes of getting enough power to beat his ice, but if he managed to use his flames then I would lose even if I did gamble to gain power.

'Gamble to gain power' makes me sound like a bad guy. Heh, I needed a new name for that Quirk. Sacrifices-done-cheap? Pain-2-power? Your-worse-nightmare? Naming something was hard I decided as I got up from the desk and walked around the class. Aizawa's desk was locked tight. Without the lights on, as well as no students inside, it made the classroom feel haunted. Maybe it was?! No, no Yamazaki. Ghosts aren't real, they can't harm you!

"Ha." I found myself laughing. I didn't know why, but I found myself laughing heavily. I was leaning over Midoriya's desk to keep me from falling over on the floor, my sides started to hurt. The desk was locked, and for some reason I found it inexplicably funny. Whatever secrets lay inside would forever be hidden, unless I used my Quirk to make a crowbar and open it.

It was a chain of events.

And then my laughter turned into tears. They ran down my face as I couldn't calm myself down, hiccuping slightly as I leaned my head against the wall lightly and started to wipe my tears away. Was this it? All I was reduced to? Just a crybaby that can't make his own damn mind up? No, that was what I always had been. An indecisive bastard that thought they were more important than they actually where.

Why?!

Why the hell did I have to make that decision. To either stick to canon, or to change everything completely. It felt like whatever choice I made would lead to regrets, yet it was still mine to make. How do I make a decision which I won't later regret?

Was this a cruel joke?

If Midoriya couldn't save Shinso, if he couldn't save Todoroki in this timeline than what the hell would happen to the future? If Todoroki never learns to look at his flames as not his father's Quirk, but his own, how does that bode for the future? No not even the future, how does he deal with his trauma? Midoriya helped him right then, how could I even compare?

I didn't want to do this.

I didn't want to teach them the lessons Midoriya taught them, because I wasn't Midoriya. I couldn't relate to the helplessness Shinso felt, I could only relate to his hatred for those more fortunate than him. Because I wasn't a 'villain' for being bad at football, I was just not picked. I just wasn't given the chance to prove myself because the team put those more gifted ahead of me, and my own selfishness took that personally.

I couldn't help Todoroki remember his want to be a hero, to separate himself from his father's shadow because I could only relate to his pettiness. To his desire to stick it to Endeavour, because that was who I was. I was a petty person, I died a petty seventeen-year-old without ever living life fully. I was petty even now, even mentally older than people in my class I still acted like a kid.

And I was supposed to now lecture other people 'my age'? I was supposed to use the supposed 'kindness' in my heart to save them? I wasn't a hero, I wanted nothing to do with saving random civilians unlike Midoriya or Uraraka. I wanted to protect those I cared about, I wanted that and only that. I was too weak to ask for anything more, but even then how could I protect people?

How the hell was I going to pull this off?

I wasn't Midoriya.

I was Sora Yamazaki. I was just a fool way in over my head. I still hadn't learnt, not truly. I wanted to run away from my responsibility, because I wanted the easy way. That was why I used my second Quirk, that curse, because it was easier to use it and blame it on that rather than take the loss on my chin. Because I was selfish, because I'd rather sacrifice myself and win rather than lose and learn.

I was afraid.

I was always afraid.

Afraid of what exactly? Loosing? Of being a loser? Of feeling like shit? Because that hurt less, because that was more safe to me rather than sacrificing my body, sacrificing my mind or even my life. Sighing in frustration, I threw a chair across the room. Luckily it didn't break, but my mood worsened. I wanted nothing to do with this, but I had to take responsibility.

Because if I didn't, I'd be even more of a bigger piece of shit than I already am. No doubt Zero's mind would be tied up right about now, they were probably trying to figure out my 'plan'. My 'plan' to fight them like I promised, my 'plan' to beat them and protect 1A from the villains. Didn't they 'start a war' with me? What was going to be my first move? I was out of time.

News flash! I had none!

Which was exactly why... Exactly why I felt so horrible. I felt like I was in the wrong for trying to live my life, for trying to change canon. I felt like I was the villain and that I needed to be corrected. Why should I try to play God for my own selfishness? Because my own self worth led to me using a Quirk that could kill me, because I deemed protecting those that I cared about important enough to stake my own life on it.

I was wrong. How the hell could I be a pretender in this situation and play the victim? I put myself here. I wanted to be more important then I was, I wanted to be a 'winner' and this is what I had to show for it. My mind felt split, like two people within me were fighting for control. And yet I still couldn't admit it, I didn't want to admit it. Because I was a hypocrite.

I was wrong.

Even if I accepted that the people here were like me, isn't there something else? Something else that I tried to not focus on. Something else I didn't want to accept, or rather something that I wasn't realised that I hadn't let go. I still had one connection to my previous life, I still had myself. My memories, who I was and my experiences. I still didn't want to accept that this was now my reality.

I was wrong. Completely and utterly wrong, what a fool I was! I didn't need to be like Izuku Midoriya, because I wasn't him! I wasn't the holder of One For All. I didn't have nearly as good as heart as he did. I wasn't hopelessly optimistic, I didn't have the heart of a hero. I was selfish, egotistical and brash. I was the opposite of him, and at times I hated myself.

And that was fine.

Saving Shinso from his hatred was something I wanted to do. Because no one saved me from my own dislike of those better than me, because no one gave me a fair shot so that hatred festered. I wouldn't allow Shinso to go down that path, just because Midoriya couldn't save him in the way he could have been saved means that I have to take responsibility.

Take responsibility for a friend. Damn the timeline to hell, damn his 'character arc.' Even if it changed his character completely from how he should have been, because this wasn't a canon timeline. At this point sticking to canon didn't matter, because my entire existence contradicted canon's existence completely, I already changed since I had met Jiro, ever since I had applied to get into the Hero Course and got in that was when canon had irreparably changed. Why the hell was I debating if what I was doing was 'right' or 'wrong'.

I didn't need to save them like Midoriya, I needed to save them as Sora Yamazaki. And I'd do the same to Todoroki, I'd make him use his flames. I'd change him, because that was my responsibility. As a friend. Even if it led to something different, even if it led to regrets, I would stick with it. Heh, I would do what I want, what I felt like was needed. I would protect everyone that I wanted, because that was my dream.

I would cheer on everyone and be cheered on by them as I face Shinso and Todoroki off in the tournament.

Fuck sticking to canon.

I wasn't living in a story to just manipulate events in my favour, I was with people with their own feelings. And I couldn't afford to go back to how I was, because even if I couldn't use my knowledge, that wasn't the weapon which I used the most. That wasn't my strength at all, because I wasn't viewing the people around me like trash like Zero was, manipulating them to do what they want.

It wasn't my Quirk either.

It was me. It was my ability to be me, to let go of my regret. Because I made mistakes, many mistakes, and I would continue to make mistakes. But I'd move past them, because I made them. I'd pick myself up and get over it, I'd continue to live my life. It was my responsibility to live my own life, playing into canon's hands and playing it safe, that was even more selfish.

Nothing in life is easy. Especially things that you care about, and I was an idiot to try and believe so. To believe that I could run away from it because it wasn't my place, because someone else had 'that role' in canon. I was acting like Zero; a coward. Even if Todoroki doesn't need to use his fire, I would still make him use it. I would make him use it so he bloody learns that his responsibility as a hero outweighs his pettiness.

That his desire to stick it to Endeavour, to anger his father doesn't mean more to him than being a hero. Because even if he was forced to come to UA, he still wants to be a hero. I knew that. If I ignored that because Midoriya did it before then I would be a shit friend. I was indecisive because I didn't want to change canon, but with Zero and potentially many more out and about?

Fuck canon.

I was going to live my life the way I wanted to live it. And I'd take responsibility for what happened, I wasn't going to shirk away from it. I wasn't going to run away from it because I felt like it wasn't my place, because they would do the same to me. My friends would interfere in my life if I needed help, no they already have. Jiro, Kaminari, Yaoyorozu and Mineta.

They tried to cheer me up.

I was too wrapped up in my own little world to understand. Which meant I was a fool, no I already knew that. I had a lot of growing still left to do, but as I got up from the floor and walked towards the door, I couldn't help but smile. I finally had a goal, something to work towards. It wasn't much, compared to everyone else's I was a little embarrassed to say it, but I was still proud of it nonetheless.

I was going to build it. A world where I could live my life freely, with everyone that I care about. So that even they can act freely, so that even they can be their true selves, and I wasn't going to let anyone stop me. Not Zero, not the League of Villains nor my own weakness. That was my dream, childish it may sound. That was my goal, because it wasn't just 'protecting those that I cared about,' that was a given.

I wanted to save them as well.

I wanted, well...

I wanted to have a carefree tomorrow.

---

Heh, I bet my friends thought of me as a weirdo.

Which I was.

I rushed out of the room, running towards the stadium. Hopefully I'd manage to get a glimpse of Jiro in a cheerleader outfit. Maybe even Yaoyorozu's Momo's flying around when doing a dance. That would be the dream, hopefully they had a camera. If Kaminari and Mineta weren't recording it I'd be pissed and hate them for life, hell I'd consider dumping their bodies in the river.

Hm, that's a thought.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Todoroki walking down the hallway with the same cold expression he had on his face as always.

"Yo!" I called out. His attention turned towards me as I ran past him. "Todoroki when we fight, use your fire! If not, I'll be pissed! I know I said otherwise, but I don't care about it anymore. Use your fire, or else I'll beat you into using it. Also remember it's your Quirk and not your dad's or some shit. I'll explain it in more detail when we probably fight, see ya' later!"

I turned left once more and rushed down the staircase, jumping a few stairs like an excited kid. This time I saw Shinso, on his phone playing a random game with pretty anime girls. Huh, what a guy. Tapping his shoulder, I winked at him cheekily. He has some good taste, a shame it's a mobile game from a series that I hate, but the game itself is actually decent.

Maybe when we are done with our rivalry, I can invite him to play a game or two.

"Listen, you and I are going to have the greatest fight of all time. So don't sweat it, I'll get you into the Hero course no problem!" I yelled at him before sprinting towards the stadium.

Luckily, I made it in time. The 1A girls were doing their performance as I snuck up on Kaminari and Mineta who were recording the whole thing.

"Hope I'm not late." I spoke. Mineta jumped up slightly, before growling in my direction.

"Where were you? We nearly had the event cancelled! They didn't believe Kaminari and I and thought your sudden disappearance was fishy!" I rubbed the back of my head apologetically.

"Hehe, sorry about that. I was just clearing some shit, ya' know?"

"No, I don't know. At first, I thought you went to 'take a cold shower' or something along those lines, but Kaminari convinced me otherwise."

"Because Kaminari is a good friend."

"Hey! I'm a good friend too! I used my second phone to record Jiro's performance for you!"

I sighed at that. "Why would that make you a good friend?"

"Because you like Jiro?"

"No. I don't, which makes you a bad friend for not knowing who I actually like."

Mineta hummed thoughtfully. "So then, who do you like? Yaoyorozu's mine, I like her a lot."

"You like her tits."

"Same thing." Mineta replied.

I shook my head. "No, no. They are two completely different things; you lust over her which is different from love."

Mineta rolled his eyes. "I'm sorry Doctor Love. Any other observations?" Flicking his ear, I grinned as he dropped the phone.

"I prefer the term, the CEO of Love."

Scowling, Mineta flipped me off. "You just ruined the joke Sora. Back me up Kaminari, tell this piece of cloud that the joke was ruined!"

The blonde boy shrugged his shoulders. "Hate to admit it, but the grapist has a point. You did ruin a good joke."

"Oh, fuck off! Both of you wouldn't know a good joke even if it hit you in the face!" I replied.

"So then... who do you like?" Kaminari asked curiously. Grinning, I pulled both of them close to me.

"Everyone. Romance is dead, I'm a firm believer in the power of friendship!" I joked.

"Gay." Mineta called out.

"Sora, you make me cringe. How can you say something like that with a straight face and mean it?!" Kaminari asked, taking a step away from me. "Mineta stay away from Sora, you might catch his disease!"

I laughed at their antics.

"Come off it, or else I'll kill you both and dumb your bodies in the river."

"HA! You always joke about killing us, but we all know that without Mineta, and I you would be a lost puppy Yamazaki!"

"Is that a crack about my height?!" I seethed in anger. No way did he just compare me to a puppy?!

Kaminari didn't reply, only choosing to shrug his shoulders. I rolled my eyes at him, shoving him lightly as I dragged him towards the girls.

"Unfortunately, Mineta, you didn't get to the final round. Useless, how the hell did Kaminari get in, but you didn't? Embarrassing really." Mineta stuck his tongue out at me.

"Bah, it's just a tournament! This final round seems like it'll be long. Plus, I get to sit next to Asui! She promised to sit next to me to watch the event, and maybe I can 'help her' get over her loss."

I held back laughter. Asui probably chose to be sat next to Mineta to prevent him from doing something that would embarrass 1A as a whole. The fact that the purple haired boy hadn't picked that up yet made me laugh.

Waving goodbye to Mineta, Kaminari and I went to the girls. They had just finished their performance, and even if I only managed to watch the last few minutes of it, I was impressed.

"So, Sora, what did ya' think?" Mina asked me.

"It was good. Really good, I had no doubt that your beat 1B. Not that they were any good anyways." I replied.

Hagakure jumped up and down. Or what I thought was jumping up and down, being invisible sure was confusing to track. I mean I knew she was there, but my eyes just registered a floating costume. She had some serious assets, if only I could see her face. Man, if she had a cute face that would totally seal the deal for me, an invisible hot girl as your romantic partner?

Imagine the amount of public sex you could get away with-,

Ahem.

Midnight grabbed the microphone and nodded at the booth where Aizawa and Present Mic were located in. I could see Aizawa's glare directed towards me, it seems like our conversation wasn't very productive.

Well, can conversations even be productive? I don't think so. Bah, this shit was so confusing. Still, I owed it to him to not use that, Quirk. And I wasn't going to, or I was going to try not to use it, because I had something else.

My bokuto and my new 'style'. Truth be told, it wouldn't be as useful in a small arena with no walls, but I could still adapt it to make it work. But it would depend on the opponent, and that was tricky.

"Attention, attention! Welcome to the start of the final round of the annual UA Sports Festival! The staff at UA would like to thank you all for your support, and what is even more impressive is that the amount of people in attendance today has broken our previous record!" Midnight said pointing towards the large screen.

"Now, onto the final round! It will be a tournament where participants compete in one-on-one battles, the winner moving onto the next round! The conditions for winning a match are as follows: knocking out your opponent, rendering them unable to move or getting them to step out of bounds and or surrender!" She explained. "Naturally, if the battle becomes too heated, we will step in. And if it ends in a draw, then a tie-breaker match will occur! Now, onto the matchups, which will be decided by random!"

I wasn't surprised as my name came out first. And so did my opponent, the tall purple haired boy named Hitoshi Shinso. I was looking forward to it, and by it I meant beating him.

And saving him.

But mostly beating him. Because the best lessons involved losing, pain and... something else I couldn't quite remember.

The next matchup was interesting, however.

Todoroki versus Sero. When I said it was interesting, it truly was in a sense. How fast would it take for Todoroki to demolish Sero, and his entire family? A few seconds? One? Two? Place your bets, place your bets!

Next was Kaminari versus the 1B guy Todoroki had on his team, Kaibara. Admittedly, I didn't know much about Kaibara other than the fact that he was a 'driller' and would be perfect for construction work. But hopefully, Kaminari had it in the bag. If I did make it to the semi-finals, hopefully I could fight Kaminari in them. Then I'd be able to finally get my payback on him-,

After that was Tenya Iida versus Ken. Ken was one of the guys in Shinso's team, and he looked out of place to say the least. His Quirk looked like the ability to attach strings on objects, so maybe he could string Iida up or something? But no, Ken cried out in anguish as Iida nodded at him determined to win. Ken was fucked to say the least, and I did feel sorry for him.

The next matchup was Jiro versus Mina. I was hoping for a win by Jiro, not because I disliked Mina, but because well... I couldn't exactly describe it. I just wanted to see Jiro win. It would be neat to see.

Tokage versus Sakamoto, another one of Shinso's teammates was announced. This time, the poor boy squirmed under Tokage's pressure. Oh boy, that was going to be a fun one to watch. She would crack him like a nut cracker, it would be a slaughter. Hehehe, seeing her manic grin even filled me with fear. God bless your soul Sakamoto, hopefully you will be fine. If not, better luck next time.

Then the second to last match was Yaoyorozu versus Kirishima. Huh, that honestly could go to either person. Yaoyorozu was a monster when it came to creativity with her Quirk, and Kirishima was a monster when it came to endurance. It would be a fight of attrition, and I for one was looking forward to watching it. But, it did seem kind of boring on paper. And drawn out.

And finally, the matchup that personally made me laugh the most. Kei, a meek boy who was the final person in Shinso's team, versus Katsuki Bakugo. Kei looked like he was ready to just pass out right then and there, yelling out for help.

I felt sorry for him.

I also felt sorry for Bakugo, who grew angrier by the second over the fact that he got such a shit match to start things off with. But hey, in about fifteen minutes I was going to start things off against Shinso.

No pressure, right?

---

The waiting area for the next match was a small room. I mean I didn't expect a king-sized bed with maids (Even though it would have been worth it) but I didn't expect it to look so run down. Was UA struggling financially? If they were then it was a shame, because this place lacked any luxury to make it distinguishable between a room in a school and a cheap motel room a criminal would use to hide from the police.

Maybe that was the point?

Argh, I just wanted to go to sleep. Not out of fear, rather just tiredness. Relying on my minor healing Quirk to kick in to regenerate some stamina wasn't a bright idea looking back, after all it was a minor Quirk.

And does it even affect stamina? Man, I needed to test all my Quirks and figure them out or something, because not knowing anything and going of guesses and hunches was a pain.

Still, I had five minutes before the inevitable matchup. I wonder what must be going through Shinso's mind right now? I mean sure I was going to beat him, but I was also going to serve a nice dish of learning from yours truly. I suppose I was going to elevate my status as an 'anime-sense' even further, giving a redemption arc for my wayward student. Hm, that sounds kind of cool in a weird way, like I was Kakashi, and he was Sasuke? Ah, but Naruto saved Sasuke, so that doesn't make sense.

Eh, that wasn't the point.

The point was that I was slightly hungry. Those sweets Kaminari had given me didn't fill me nearly as much as I would have thought, and I spent more time throwing my fries around rather than eat them. Something that made me very angry in retrospect.

Three minutes.

Might as well get there early, maybe even show off a little? I had a semi-plan, and by that, I mean that I had some ideas that were going to be used in different ways that hopefully led to something that resembled a plan. It was either that or wing it. Technically, I was winging it, but I just didn't want to face the facts. No one wants to admit that they are wrong, because everyone wants to think that they are right to boost their own ego.

How fragile.

And no, I wasn't being an utter hypocrite, so pipe down inner me! Sighing, I dragged my bokuto across the floor. The noise was unpleasant, but maybe it would make a cool entrance theme song? But this wasn't wrestling, this was just a Sports Festival for school. Then and again, Aizawa-sensei and everyone else had basically lectured us that this was more than just a simple festival.

Our futures were on the line here, so having a theme song could be beneficial for building my image?

Sure, dragging a wooden sword on the ground wasn't musically pleasing, but it was unique enough that anyone could guess where it comes from. Eh, I'll leave the marketing team to sort that shit out. I just wanted to fight. And save Shinso with the only way that I know, shouting and fighting someone until they give up and accept my ideals!

Primitive? Sure.

Crude? Immensely.

But if it worked, it worked. Why try to change something that was already perfect, or close to perfection, that was a recipe for a disaster. Entering the ring was a nauseous process, everyone's eyes were literally on me. And so, I did the one thing that I knew how to do best, gripping my sword tightly I waved at the camera and gave a smile. It wasn't a pleasant smile, since I wasn't a particularly good smiler. I was told my smile looked like a 'mafia boss's' smile, which was an interesting comparison to say the least.

"The first competitor, the most consistent student in this tournament with a Quirk that allows him to control his own personal cloud! Give it up for the incredible Sora Yamazaki from Class 1A!" Present Mic shouted. Smirking, I stood next to Midnight who winked at me. Oh man, I would totally fuck her right now if she asked. God damnit, why was she so hot? And then she bit her lip seductively, an action that would fuel so many of my dreams from now on.

Having a hot teacher was so unfair.

"The other contender, this time the dark horse of the tournament! Constantly surprising everyone's expectations of what it means to be a general studies student! Give it up for, Shinso Hitoshi!" He appeared to be calm, but even I could see the excitement in his eyes. We were about to fight, and we both knew how much it meant to each other. Hitoshi wanted to show the world that he was a hero, that he was better than me.

And by me, I meant those with 'gifted Quirks'. His Quirk, Brainwashing, wasn't exactly perfectly suited for the hero exams. And he wanted to beat me to prove that point, that he should have been placed in the hero course even with a Quirk that isn't exactly useful in battle.

But I was going to show him.

I was going to show him the opposite, and I was going to make sure that the lesson I was about to teach him would stick for the rest of his life. Because that was my nindo, my ninja way – Believe it!

"I expect a clean fight between the two of you, got it?" Midnight asked us. We both nodded, I clutched by bokuto tightly as he clenched his fists. "All right. Ready? Start!"

Shinso didn't hesitate in lunging towards me, throwing a mean right hook. If it wasn't for the fact that I pivoted my body towards the left, I would have been knocked to the ground right away. Shinso wasn't wasting any time as he tried to kick me this time. It was a good effort, but he couldn't block my strike in time as I used my right leg to kick him in the stomach.

Stunned, he couldn't do anything as I tackled him to the ground and punched him. Over and over again. That was until he managed to throw me off him rather easily.

Muttering angrily, he charged me once again. This time however, he tried to swipe my legs out from under me, and if it wasn't for my bokuto I probably would have fallen for his trick. Using the wooden sword as a pole I swung around it, an action that slightly fractured the bokuto because of my own weight, but it allowed me to kick the other boy in the face.

He scowled at me as I smirked at him. This was easy, I bet he didn't expect for me to do that? I admit it was hard, and it took a lot of practice, but it was cool as hell. What I didn't expect though was for him to take of his left shoe and throw it at me. I couldn't do anything as it hit me across the face. Tch, that was bloody good. Getting back up, I threw my bokuto on the floor.

It wouldn't help me here, because this was just a straight up brawl.

Every punch he threw, I returned with equal force. A punch to the face, no problem, I responded with a punch to his face. We kept doing this for about a minute as I managed to latch onto his left arm and throw him onto the floor using all of my body weight. It wasn't as effective as I wanted however as I also threw myself onto the floor which hurt like a bitch. But also, because Shinso was bigger than me, he had longer reach and could afford to keep me at a distance.

I cursed myself for being a little on the short side as I did the one thing a man never is supposed to do. By that I mean I kicked him in the balls as hard as I could. Was it dirty? Sure. But I couldn't stop him from doing the same to me as his right leg shot towards my private area.

Argh.

That was hell.

"Why...aren't you using your Quirk?" He asked me. I didn't reply, it was an obvious trap. I mean a question really? Instead, I just pointed towards him, and then pointed towards me. But that only served to confuse him even more. Argh, sign language was hard, okay?

"You aren't using yours." I replied. Luckily, his Quirk didn't activate.

"Because you already know my Quirk. What's the point?" He muttered.

"Yeah, well if I used my Quirk, it would be unfair dumbass. It would end your miserable run in the tournament as quickly as it started." I explained. "You want to prove yourself? Well, here I am, me versus you. No Quirks, just a plain old fist fight. If you win, you get to take my position in 1A."

His eyes shot up at that. "Why the hell would you do something like that. I don't need your pity, nor some fucked up way of saying that I can't beat you. I will beat you." He replied, standing up.

"Heh. Pity? I couldn't give a shit about pity; no, I'm making a point Shinso. You want my position, then come and get it." I told him as I lifted myself off from the ground.

He was stronger than me in terms of physicality. That much was obvious, and so when he came rushing towards me, I did the one thing that popped up in my mind.

And that was run. I used both my legs to run away as fast as I could.

"Huh?! What is this, not only are the two combatants just fighting each other, but Yamazaki is now running away! What do you think about this Eraserhead?" Present Mic narrated.

"...Well, I don't know what to say myself." Aizawa-sensei replied. I smirked at that as I stopped running, I was right towards the edge. If I failed here, it was game over for me.

"Have you stopped running you coward?" Shinso sneered. "Because all you fucking hero course kids are the same, all you do is think that you are better than everyone because you have a good Quirk!"

I laughed at that. "The fact that you still believe that Shinso proves to me that you don't deserve to be in the hero course."

"Oh, fuck off. What would you know?" He angrily replied. "I bet everything in your life was handed to you, just like your Quirk! Are you just trying to mock me? Because I have a shitty Quirk, because if you are it's not fucking funny! I'm furious, first you help me like I'm some charity case in the second round and now you aren't taking me seriously? Piss off."

I shook my head. He was angry, and I couldn't blame him. I was dragging this out, and I wasn't using my Quirk. Damn, I was even bleeding from my nose. I have to admit, Shinso threw some good punches.

But this was the end of the match.

"Oh? That's fine if you think that. I won't try and convince you otherwise, but just answer me this. Did you even attempt the physical exam for the hero course? The one with the robots."

Shinso growled. "Why would I? I was destined to lose. I have a villains Quirk, a useless Quirk in the face of robots. What would my Brainwashing do in the face of someone that can explode things from their hands. i was destined to lose, so why would I even bother to try?" He sounded just like me a few years back. Heh, what goes around comes back or some other tripe.

I smirked at that. "Yeah, you didn't even try, so get of that fucking high horse you hypocrite. You didn't even try, and yet you still blame others that are 'luckier' then you. Stop with the pity party and man the fuck up, the reason you didn't get in..." I paused as I thought for what to say next. Pointing right at him, I made him even more furious. "The reason you didn't get in was because of your own weak nature. Next time, put in the work and try." Shinso couldn't hold it in any longer as he charged me.

But his moves were predictable. It was me who constantly got into fights during middle school, me who was known as the delinquent. I was the guy who gave up on football because I thought I would never get good enough, because there would always be people better than me.

Those monsters that I hated.

It was me who fought against Mina and Aoyama in the battle trail, it was me who fought against the villains at the USJ. It was me who fought Zero, and eventually won. Even if I had help, I still fought.

I still learned.

It was me who these past few weeks had been sparring with Aizawa nearly every day, it was me who was trying to get better. I was still learning, still trying even if my Quirk wasn't the best.

Even if I had an extra Quirk which inhibited me more than it helped, I still didn't give up. I didn't just give up before I even tried because the odds were stacked against me.

And so Shinso's weak punch was nothing as I sidestepped it and pushed him out of the arena for good. Sure, I was lazy at times, but I worked hard. And even if that wasn't enough, I tried my hardest. Shinso couldn't say the same about himself, and that was the point I was trying to make. I wasn't a prodigy, and I wasn't exactly a hard worker. But I worked harder than Shinso ever did, and that was why he lost.

That was why he was pushed out of the ring very easily.

Because I didn't give up. Just because I knew his Quirk, didn't mean that he shouldn't have just not used it at all. That was his first mistake because I was a chatty person, and as I was declared the winner, he realised it as well. Raising my hand excitedly, Midnight bounced up and down as she yelled, "And the winner of the first round! The aspiring young hero, Sora Yamazaki!" I could see 1A in the stands, cheering me on as I smiled at them.

Ha, this felt good.

Shinso however, continued to stay laid down on the ground. He looked up at the sky sadly, as if he was about to cry. I couldn't blame him exactly, after coming this far and losing to someone that you wanted to beat. And loosing to them when you had the advantage, losing to them because of your own weakness, that would hurt anyone, and it hurt Shinso even more.

It frustrated him a lot. It would frustrate me, and it did frustrate me. I used to be in the same boat as him, feeling angry at my own inability to play the sport which I loved at a professional level, no matter how hard I worked, even if I had an advantage - There would still be others better than me. But I learned better, and so would he now. I was going to help him, like my captain helped me.

Helping him up, I patted him on the back.

"You did good." I told him despite the loud cheers throughout the stadium.

"I'm sorry?" He asked confused. "You just beat me without using your Quirk, you completely outclassed me you little shit. Your punches and kicks hurt, and you are telling me I did good? I lost, don't sugarcoat it to be nice."

I laughed at that. "True, true. But you tried to beat me, even if you didn't try your absolute hardest. Next time, aim for my weak spots. I love a good conversation in between battle, catch me of guard and you will definitely win. Plus that kick in balls hurt, next time we fight aim for it as hard as you can and I'll be out for good."

"Why are you telling me how to beat you?" He asked.

"Because," I started, giving him a thumbs up. "You wanna' hate us? Fair enough. But only do so after you tried your hardest, do so until you have no regrets. I bet right now you are thinking what you could have done better in order to beat me, no?"

He nodded.

"Next time we fight, I want both of us to walk away without having any of those thoughts. Because only then, when you have nothing else left to give do you truly have the right to hate those that are more gifted than you." I replied.

He looked thoughtful for a minute as he matched my smirk. "You are a crazy bastard; you know that right? Were you trying to teach me a lesson the entire time during the battle?"

I nodded. "Yep! Surprised you didn't catch on until now. Still, hopefully you understand now. If you want to make it into the hero course, you have to try your hardest. Don't just give up, even if it seems impossible."

"...But even if I did go to the hero exam, how would I have managed to get in. Even if I tried my hardest." I shrugged my shoulders. I didn't have an answer to that, and my plan wasn't foolproof. Shinso and I's situations were completely, despite the small similarities. But, I wouldn't budge. I still grew from my experience, and so would he, because that was all there was to it.

"Maybe not. Maybe you would have tried to get in after working hard and failing. But maybe, maybe someone might have seen you and your Quirk and seen your potential, maybe they would have argued for you to join the heroics course for that alone." I answered.

"And how do you know this?" He asked me.

I smirked at the purple haired boy, rubbing the back of my head slightly embarrassed. "I don't." I replied.

"So, let me get this straight, you lectured me over something that you don't even know could have happened yourself?" He asked me incredulously. I laughed nervously, because he was right, and I had no real comeback.

Fuck, I was in a pickle.

"Well, I was lecturing you for, uhm, life? Yeah, I was giving you a life lecture! Uhm, next time just work hard and try your hardest, don't just give up before you even try because you think it won't work. That's it!" I explained.

"...Right. Okay, and say I do take your advice. What then?" He asked me. Hah, this was easy. Walking in front of him, I headed towards the exit before turning towards him and giving him a smirk.

"After that, come and fight me. I'll gladly stake my spot in 1A just to prove a point to you, any time of day. So don't be shy, okay?" I told him. Shinso matched my smirk.

"Got it, you crazy son of a bitch. Loud and clear. That seat in 1A is going to be sweet when I sit there, just don't hate me too much." Shinso replied. I waved goodbye to him as I went back inside.

Damn, my nose was hurting.

Fucking nosebleeds.

But still, I was happy. No, I was elated. Because I did it, I beat and saved Shinso, and not in the same way Midoriya did it. No, I did it with my own off-brand way! The Sora Yamazaki way!

---

I was on my way to Recovery Gir's office as I realised something. A name for my wooden sword! If I just named, it 'Bokuto' wouldn't that be cool? Ya' know, because I named a wooden sword after what it is, a wooden sword.

Like the bokuto, Bokuto!

No?

Fuck. Oh, and I also left my bokuto in the ring. Argh, I was too far away to go back and retrieve it. Plus, I'd feel stupid. Todoroki vs Sero was next, and I didn't to watch it to understand what would happen. I was going to be fighting Todoroki next, and that made me both excited and scared. So, I left my Bokuto there, so that for my next match I would pick it up from the ground and use it.

As if it was intentional, making me a certified badass. The truth was that I forgot it, but no one really needs to know the truth. After all, I'm a certified badass now. Whistling, I made my way to the hospital wing.

"Going somewhere?" A voice asked me. I turned around to be greeted by Setsuna Tokage, who was leaning against the wall with her arms crossed. "Didn't you promise me that we would have a talk after the calvary battle?"

Oh, right yeah. Heh, I totally forgot about that.

"Sure Tokage. I remember it, why? Wanna' talk now?" I asked. She nodded as she opened the door closest to her, revealing that it was empty. Huh. Spooky, well she probably had the door opened beforehand or something.

"Get in." She ordered.

I did so, as she closed the door right after I entered, locking it shut for good measure. Huh, that was weird. Was she planning on killing me?! God damnit, let me out! LET ME OUT! Taking the nearest seat, I sighed as I sat down. Damn, that fight with Shinso was a good one. I couldn't remember the last time a fist fight had left me feeling excited, hopefully the purple haired boy came to challenge me again soon enough.

"So, what is that you want to talk about?" I asked the dark green haired girl.

"There it is. Playing dumb, yet again. It's one of the many things that I hate about you, so stop acting stupid. You should know by now." She sneered at me. I blinked owlishly at her, no I didn't know, that was why I was asking.

"Your tone isn't helping me here. Just explain, because I truly have no idea what the hell you are on about." I responded angrily. "Stop being such an unhelpful bitch and explain why you hate me for once. Then we can move on to what this conversation is about."

Rolling her eyes Tokage leaned on the wall. "Does the name 'Doctor Ai Misaki' ring any bells?" She asked.

"Ai Misaki?" I repeated. "No, I don't think I've ever met someone called that. Why?"

"Because she is my mother." Tokage answered.

Snorting, I shrugged my shoulders. "How the hell does that relate to you hating me? Are you on your period or something?" She didn't reply, only chose to raise her eyebrows.

"If you let me finish, then I'll explain." She eventually said. "As I was saying, Ai Misaki was my mother. She was a doctor, a brilliant scientist at that. But she died when I was two. She was murdered, and I remember it as clear as day."

"Two?" I asked. "You can remember stuff from when you were two? That's a bit odd. And even then, we are the same age. What, do you think that at two I murdered your mother?" I added. I mean sure, I remembered stuff from when I was two, but that was something entirely different.

Tokage nodded. "No, I never said that. But yes, it is odd. Almost as odd as you Sora Yamazaki. I mean really, who really is Sora Yamazaki?" She asked. My brows furrowed, the hell did that mean. Sora Yamazaki is Sora Yamazaki, there isn't anything more to it than that. "I see that you are confused, so then let me rephrase. What is Sora Yamazaki?" She modified.

"A boy?" I offered.

"Wrong answer."

"A student?"

"Wrong yet again."

Tch. What kinda' question was this? Sora Yamazaki is Sora Yamazaki; he is a boy and is a student in the UA Hero course. How can I be anything other than such? This was stupid, a waste of time.

"The correct answer is an anomaly." She answered. "Sora Yamazaki shouldn't exist, and yet he does. He has taken the place of Rikido Sato in the Hero course and has been living out his life ever since. That is what Sora Yamazaki is."

She then stood up from the wall and stared directly into my eyes. "Sora Yamazaki isn't supposed to be here, because Sora Yamazaki isn't a character in canon. In My Hero Academia, and so the fact that he is here, changes everything. From how 1A acts, to the relationships that take place within the classroom. Even more so, he changes the way they develop."

Slowly, she unbuttoned her top as she revealed to me her left shoulder blade. And tattooed there, no, what was burnt onto her skin was a number. The number twelve in roman numerals, and in black to boot. It shone brightly, and I made the connection as soon as it hit me. My eyes widened in shock, no way, she couldn't be-,

"You see Sora Yamazaki; you and I are extremely similar. We both have lived previous lives, and so when we died, we wound up here of all places. So, tell me, why the hell are you in UA, and what do you want?"

---

Happy New Years! As I'm writing this on the 8th of January, it turns out I have covid. So far it's been fine, but meh ya' never know. On another side-note fights with friends are painful. Personal issues really can hamper my writing, and editing this on the day it's supposed to come out really made me tired. Hopefully for the next chapter everything will be fine :)

This was a long chapter.

Next chapter will be even longer, and will cover a lot of things. Already written it, so all that is left is to edit it and shit. Updates could slow down, school work is getting more and more hard and so I'm happy that I always write chapters weeks in advance. So if there is a delay, it's only because some has happened that prevents me from updating the chapter, not that I haven't written it.

Review, review! Please do review! Next chapter can't come soon enough I suppose. Part 3/5 done for the sports festival, hopefully within two chapters everything will be done so we can move onto Stain.

No questions this week, but next chapter I will definitely be answering all your questions! Especially ones concerning Tokage :) Hopefully you all liked that twist. Twist, my very first plot twist. Yay?

Next time:

Two sides of the same coin?!