Angel: I just wanna make it clear that Izuka isn't a performer, she likes art but not singing and dancing. That's more so Mina's thing. There is a performance much later on in the anime that Izuka will have to take part in, hint hint. She still hates crowds, remember? Izuka is not Lucila from my Owl House story (check that out btw because she's more of a performer, and it's probably the closest thing Shoto stans are going to get from this story). And even then, Izuka doesn't do anything related to music, she doesn't write songs.
Also to all of the trolls who keep cyber bullying me to either fuck myself or that I'm a bitch or nerd, I'm looking for a phrase here…oh yeah.
I don't give a shit!
Literally the last couple of episodes in the anime have affected me more than tame insults from people I don't know. Give me a reason to care because I genuinely don't and I'm struggling to find an ounce of me that gets anything out of comments from people like Number1Guy or Writer2018. Or anyone else who believes that I will have a breakdown over it because newsflash, it's never happened ever since it started.
"The UA Sports Festival is about to start. It's true that joining a famous hero agency can garner you greater experience and popularity," Mr. Aizawa thought of some of the top ten. "One chance a year. Three chances in a lifetime. No aspiring hero can afford to miss this festival. That means you better not slack off on your training."
"Yes, sir!" Most of the class said in unison. Meanwhile, Izuka placed her head into her desk with a small quiet groan.
Izuku gave a look of thought and then glanced towards his sister, giving an awkward smile.
"This sports festival: It's something that the pros—no, the entire country will be watching very closely. Think of the sports festival as your debut. You are the fledging Symbol of Peace and you are the fledging Symbol of Light. The next All Might and new hope! Izuku Midoriya, Izuka Midoriya. You must introduce yourselves to the world and proudly say I am here!"
Izuku gasped at this, Izuka's eyes widening. "But All Might, that's your catchphrase," Izuku then gave a nervous look. "Besides...what can I do?"
"And...me, a new Symbol?" Izuka clutched at her skirt. "I can't even picture it...what would that even mean for me?"
"You know how the sports festival is set up, right?" Toshinori walked over to the couch.
"Oh, yeah. Of course. Students are separated by class year, and then the support, business, general studies, and hero courses all fight against each other in a bunch of preliminary trials. Whoever makes it through the initial games face off in the finals. It's basically a big round-robin tournament," Izuku explained to Toshinori.
"Anyone who wants to be a pro vies for first place. It means that you have higher chances of being scouted, and the more pro agencies who want you, the better," Izuka fidgeted with her fingers. "So anyone will be gunning for the top three if it means they get to be pro heroes in the future...the festival will help with that."
"Right!" Toshinori pointed at the both of them. "Meaning, you'll have plenty of opportunities to sell yourself."
"I guess," Izuku murmured in doubt, causing Toshinori to send the couch and himself backwards. Izuka gasped sharply while standing up. "I'm sorry! I mean, what you're saying is absolutely correct, All Might!"
"A-Are you okay?!" Izuka peeked over the couch.
"But honestly, it's kind of hard to get excited about this after everything that just happened at the USJ," Izuku started to mutter once again. "Plus, the two of us already got the world's greatest hero teaching us, so the festival probably isn't our only hope of getting scouted by an agency. And besides, I don't know that I can stand out right now considering I did so horribly on the fitness tests and can't control One for All very well."
"Man, nobody is better at spoutin' word vomit than you, kid," Toshinori commented while still on his back.
"That's my brother for ya..." Izuka glanced back with a nervous laugh.
"Oh hey, are you okay?" Izuku peeked at him.
He then glanced up from the ground, some blood at the corner of his lip. "Some heroes always aim for the top, while others happily settle. The difference between those two mindsets has a big impact on how far you go in the real world." The twins both frowned. "I understand how you two feel. And I may even be projecting a bit of myself onto you both. However, I hope you haven't forgotten the emotions you felt back at the beach during our training."
Soon, class was over for the day and the sight that awaited Class 1-A was...surprising to say the least. There was a crowd of students in front of their door, all of them staring. Izuka slowly backed away towards her brother to hide.
"U-Um, why the heck are you all here?" Ochaco asked the crowd as they were blocking the way out.
"Do you students have some sort of business with our class?" Tenya wondered to them.
"Why are you blocking our doorway?" Minoru gave a small frown. "I won't let you hold us hostage!"
"They're scouting out the competition, idiots," Katsuki spoke up while walking past him. Minoru gave a small sound of disbelief, pointing at him. "We're the class that survived a real villain attack. They wanna see us with their own eyes."
"Let's just hope he doesn't explode anybody," Izuku gave a sheepish look.
Katsuki stopped in front of the crowd, glaring at them. "At least now you know what a future pro looks like. Now move it, extras."
Ochaco and the twins gave shocked looks for his statement. Tenya waved his arm repeatedly in a scolding way. "You can't walk around calling people extras just because you don't know who they are!"
"So this is Class 1-A," A voice from the crowd spoke. "I heard you guys were impressive...but you just sound like an ass," A boy with indigo-colored hair scooched his way up to the front. Katsuki just glared at him in silence. "Is everyone in the hero course delusional, or just you?"
Katsuki let out a growl while Izuku, Ochaco, Tenya, and Minoru shook their heads rapidly in denial. Izuka sweated nervously staring at the back of the blond's head. "How sad to come here and find a bunch of ego maniacs," The boy commented, rubbing the back of his neck. He then looked up at the students in Class 1-A. "I wanted to be in the hero course, but like many others here, I was forced to choose a different track. Such is life."
"Tch," Katsuki scoffed at him.
"I didn't cut it the first time around, but I have another chance," He then dropped his hand. "If any of us do well in the sports festival, the teachers can decide to transfer us to the hero course. Especially if one of you managed to squeak their way in even though there are already 40 of you. And they'll have to transfer people out to make room." Tenya, Izuku, and Ochaco gasped sharply at the possibility. Izuka's eyes widened, glancing to some of her classmates in worry. She looked back as the boy glanced right at her and she gulped. "Scouting the competition?" He glanced away towards the other classmates. "Maybe some of my peers are, but I'm here to let you know that, if you don't bring your very best, I'll steal your spot right from under you. Consider this a declaration of war."
Tenya, Izuku, and Ochaco all stiffened at that. Where did this guy even come from?!
The boy and Katsuki stared each other down for a few seconds. "Hey, you!" A boy with silver hair shouted from the crowd. "I'm in Class 1-B next door to you! We heard you fought some villains, and I came to see if that was true. But you're just a bunch of brats who think you're better than us!"
Crap, everyone hates our class now! The trio stared at him in bewilderment.
"Talk all you want, it'll just be more embarrassing when you're KO'd!" He hollered and Katsuki scoffed while turning away. "Don't you ignore me!"
"Dude, what are you doing?" Eijiro protested at Katsuki. "You gotta say something. It's your fault they're all hating on us, Bakugo."
"These people don't matter," Katsuki glanced over his shoulder.
"Huh?" Eijiro stared at him in confusion.
"The only thing that's important is that I beat them."
The twins both gasped at his statement, as it apparently didn't matter to Katsuki whether or not he was liked. He just wanted to beat everyone in the sports festival. A boy with combed blond hair then stepped forward with a small smirk.
"If anyone's gonna get transferred out, it should be Izuka Midoriya. I'm surprised that they're even still allowing her to compete," He stated confidently and the girl flinched in alarm.
"Huh?" Izuka blinked in confusion that she was brought into this.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Ochaco frowned in disapproval at the boy.
"This entire time we haven't even seen her Quirk for ourselves. Makes you wonder if she's faking it all just for the attention," The boy waved a finger as if he was looking down at the girl, already acting as if he was superior to her. Izuka recoiled back in alarm, her eyes wide. Her classmates all stared at the boy in shock for the bold statement.
"...What did you say...?" Izuku's eyes shook in a bit of anger, clenching a fist.
"Shut up with that crap!" Katsuki yelled with white eyes into his face.
"Mido isn't faking it! We've all seen her Quirk!" Ochaco defended the girl.
"That's right. You're unfairly judging her based on her own actions you haven't seen for yourselves," Tenya adjusted his glasses. "Our Class 1-A hasn't forgotten her efforts to save Bakugo against that sludge villain."
"Anything can be done with special effects. I'm just stating the facts here. And it's not just me. Rumors are flying around everywhere...that she used deception to get into the school. Maybe a bribe or she knows someone to manipulate into recommending her," The boy crossed his arms with a smirk. "I wouldn't put it past someone from your weak-minded class."
Izuka shook a bit, biting her lip. This was the first time she had even heard of the rumors. And it made her start to question what people really thought of her, even her own classmates...were they all just pretending to be friendly to her out of guilt? Or was she really that weak to other students? "Knock it off right now," Eijiro gave a small growl, but Izuka didn't register it. She just needed to get out of there.
She then ran off down the hall, clutching her bag next to her arm to the shock of her classmates. "Izuka!" Her brother called out in concern. She passed by Katsuki...and his eyes widened a bit. He could see a single stream of tears going down from her face, even though she had a shadow over her eyes. Denki stood up, thinking this was an opportunity to get closer to her like he tried to do with Ochaco.
"I'll comfort you-!"
"Sit down!" Katsuki glanced over his shoulder with a glare. "She'll be fine. I'll get the mouse," He then walked off calmly, a hand in his pocket. Izuku blinked in shock that he was offering to even check on Izuka. Especially given what he said not too long ago about the other students.
"Kacchan...?"
"Oh," Katsuki suddenly stopped right near the smug blond boy. "And before I forget," He then punched the student in the face, shocking everyone as he looked pissed off. The boy landed on the ground, clutching his cheek in disbelief. "I don't wanna hear that crap about mousy out of anyone's mouth again or I'll kill you!"
"Bakugo! That was unacceptable behavior!" Tenya shouted, waving his hand. "I understand your anger, but the best thing to do is to report it, not punch a student!"
Katsuki ignored him and then walked off, the boy from Class 1-B angry for this. "Hey! I'm comin' for you!"
"Ugggh," Eijiro glanced away with a single tear in his eye. He couldn't help but feel proud. "I hate that that was such a manly exit, especially considering that they're not being too nice to Mido."
"Huh?!" Denki stared at him in shock that he was praising Katsuki. "But he just punched someone!"
"You said it," Rikido rubbed his chin. "I would've done the same thing honestly."
"We have to beat them, he wasn't wrong. And prove that our classmate is not faking anything," Fumikage closed his eyes in agreement. "Although using violence on that boy might have been going too far."
"Yeah, sure, but this sucks!" Denki exclaimed in protest. "He made us everyone's enemies."
Kyoka gave a nervous look towards Momo as Shoto left. "Yeah, that's right! All of these dumb students will be gunning for us in the festival now!" Minoru shouted in agony; the last thing he wanted was to be targeted during the festival...
"Poor Mido, I had no idea those rumors were going on about her," Ochaco frowned sadly for her friend.
"Perhaps they're just trying to bring down her morale, in which case, that's unbecoming of any UA student," Tenya glared while tilting his glasses. "As Class Rep, I'll launch an investigation about these rumors on her behalf as well as report Bakugo."
Izuku continued staring to where Katsuki went off to. "You won't beat me again!" Katsuki looked up with tears in his eyes. "I'm just getting started! Got that?! I'm gonna end up the number-one hero no matter what!"
"The look in his eyes..." Izuku glanced over his shoulder to his sister. "I've never seen him so conflicted," Izuka gasped a bit. "I'm not sure why, but...maybe he understood. Even for just a moment...I could see that he could see where you were coming from."
Is that why he wants to check on Izuka over anyone else? Kacchan... He then clenched a fist while watching Katsuki continuing to walk down the hall. Maybe I'm...just an idiot.
"I'm gonna become a pro. I'll sign with a good agency and make plenty of money. Then I'll be able to..."
"As the second oldest Ida son, I strive to be..."
"That's why the festival matters," Mr. Aizawa informed the class. "If you wanna go pro one day..."
"The difference between those two mindsets has a big impact on how far you go in the real world," Toshinori looked up from the floor after having fallen on the couch.
Izuku then felt like he was elsewhere, turning around and seeing not only himself, but Izuka once they had cleared the beach. "I hope you haven't forgotten the emotions you felt back at the beach during our training."
He stared at the past selves of him and his sister, giving a determined look. As for Izuka, he'd leave that up to Katsuki. For some reason, he felt like he could somewhat trust the boy with his sister given that he always walked her home even if he didn't have to. But...maybe it was because he looked up to Katsuki growing up that he knew he wouldn't let anything happen to Izuka when he was around. And because he did save her life quite a few times now without even thinking about it.
Katsuki walked down the hall until he came across the girls' bathroom. Because it was Izuka, she'd wanna hide somewhere her brother couldn't get to. Or if her friends came in, they wouldn't find her. She was currently sitting on the toilet, hugging her legs while hiding her face into her arms. He then leaned against the wall, smacking his lips in thought for a few seconds. It was only a hunch, but he had a feeling he was right.
"If you think I'm gonna let you sit in there all alone, you got another thing coming. Open the damn door." He called out and Izuka looked up wide-eyed.
Bakugo-San is right outside? Why? Did Izuku send him? She looked away in disbelief. The last thing I need is for him to insult me if he sees me like this... She just felt like...she couldn't let him see her. The one person she didn't want to see her cry was the same boy who bullied her, not because he'd make fun of her. But...she already knew what he'd say if she came out right now.
When he didn't get an answer, he growled impatiently. "Damn it, mousy, I can do this all day, you know. And I know you wouldn't miss the train home." There was nothing for about a minute before Izuka silently pushed the door open a crack, peeking around the corner. She could see him glancing at her over his shoulder, and he had his usual scowl on his face. "Are you still crying?" His voice sounded...a bit more calmer.
"No..." She answered meekly while looking away.
"Damn liar," He pulled open the door to her shock and he loomed over her. "Let me see," He pushed her face up while gripping her chin. She flinched as he saw her red eyes. Izuka then pushed him away gently with both hands and he stumbled back a bit. "Hey-!"
"N-no! I-I don't...want you to see me like this. It's...it's already embarrassing enough that I reacted the way I did back there..." She looked towards the ground, not sure how she was supposed to feel that he was the one who came to check on her. Not her brother, not Momo, not even Ochaco. If anything, she would've been fine if it was anyone but him...
"Fine, fine, I won't look," He turned away with a sigh, leaning back against the wall. "Will you at least stop that, though?" He looked up in exasperation.
She sniffed while wiping away her eyes with her wrist. "Okay..."
"Good. Can I see now?" He replied nonchalantly and she flinched, looking up at him.
"I-I just told you-"
He bent down and grabbed her cheeks with both hands to examine her face. She blinked incredibly as he stared at her. "Do you really think I give a crap if you're all teary-eyed like a baby? Gimme a damn break. You're Deku's sister, after all. Don't act like I'm not used to that," He retorted while glancing at her up and down. "Move your arm before I break it."
"Mm..." She gave him a small frown and relented.
"That's what I thought. I just wanna get a good look at you," He then rubbed at her stray tears with his sleeve and she let out a small sound of alarm. "There." He had a scowl on his face though, and she couldn't tell why. If he really was forced, he'd be complaining that her brother sent him, but that didn't seem to be the case. Which meant...that he voluntarily came.
"W-Why do you care if I'm crying or not...Bakugo-San?" She turned away from his hands gently. "And why do you look so mad...?"
"I'm not-" He gritted his teeth as she had a point. She technically always made him mad, but this had nothing to do with how she was changing before his eyes. Or with how he always had to save her because of her poor reaction time in his eyes. "Ugh. It just pisses me off to see you crying, it's annoying!"
She frowned as she now felt vulnerable for making him angry as usual. And it wasn't something she needed to experience right now... "I-I'm sorry..." She placed an arm in front of her eyes to hide them.
"Don't cover it up just because I said-" He groaned while turning away briefly; he was only gonna make things worse the more angry he was getting over what happened back there. Katsuki then let out a small sigh. He then held her wrists and gently moved them away. "Geez, I didn't mean it like that. You can...cry if you still want to, I just—I hated what he said, okay? That damn extra thinks he can get away with talking to you like that," He gritted his teeth.
"You...you didn't believe him, did you?" She teared up; she really didn't want anyone in her class thinking that way about her, even Katsuki. And with knowing only some of the rumors, who knows what else there was out there for her to learn...?
"Hey, hey, hey!" He exclaimed in alarm at her crying again. "I-I didn't mean to make it worse! You don't need to be concerned about that. I get it if you wanna take a breather first. Here," He sat down next to her, leaning against the wall. She stared down at him in confusion.
"What...w-what are you doing?" Izuka asked him breathlessly.
"What does it look like, idiot? I'm offering my shoulder if you...need it or whatever," He looked away, a slight blush on his face and he didn't even know why. Maybe it was because of how he was acting, or maybe it was reminding him of when the press got onto the campus. "If I'm gonna be here, I might as well do something about it. Isn't that what...a classmate is supposed to do?"
"Um...I-I'm okay, you don't really need to do that," She waved a rapid hand. "And you're not exactly the type..."
"So what? If anyone sees, I'll kill 'em. Let me do it," He grabbed her hand tightly and before she could protest, he dragged her down to sit next to him. Katsuki then wrapped an arm around her shoulder to move her head to the side. She blinked as her cheek touched his shoulder, the top of her hair touching his cheek. "We could just...stay like this for a bit, alright? Until we have to go back at least. We can...talk if you like," He looked up ahead with his usual stare on his face.
"I-I...really don't wanna bother you-"
"You're not doing that, okay?" He closed his eyes, her hair tickling him a bit but he didn't mind that. He just...couldn't stand her crying anymore. "Just take your time, if-if that helps."
She then sighed, closing her eyes, deciding not to argue further about it. She did need to talk to someone...and if that had to be Katsuki, she couldn't really say no for much longer. "I-I can't believe they said that about me. I-I got here on my own...and yet people don't wanna believe that. I guess it's not that important to prove them wrong now that I think about it...to them, I'll...I'll always been seen as a mouse for the rest of our time here..."
"No, it is important!" Katsuki narrowed his eyes in protest and she did a double take, staring at him in bewilderment. He was the one who even came up with the name, so to hear him say this to her was...surprising to say the least. "Why do you think it isn't? That asshole can't treat you like that or any of those other idiots! Were you really planning on quitting?"
"I...I thought it would make the most sense," She played with the ends of her hair awkwardly. "Since everyone else will be proving themselves...that I'd just forfeit or not try as hard."
"Really?" He gave her a look of disbelief. "You were gonna let people beat you so that they'd get it easy? And you think that's okay? Or letting them think that you're not better than them that you'll let yourself get transferred out?!"
Izuka gave a whimper of fear and he realized he might be taking it too far. Even though yes, what that boy said was still getting on his nerves. His blood was boiling just thinking about it again. He grunted while looking away. And just when he wanted to get answers out of her regarding All Might…
"Damn it...I'm not blaming you because of something that they said. It's just...it's not your fault. I'm just really pissed at them for saying all that crap about you to your face!" He gritted his teeth angrily. "And for whoever thinks that I'd let that shit happen on my watch! You haven't proven how much you don't hold back yet, so why do it now? I don't care what anyone says, if you don't try hard enough, I'll kill you! You need to let them see that...you're not actually a mouse. That's why you're here, right?"
Izuka blinked while looking up at him, feeling...inspired by his words. He was still pissed, but telling her this apparently was something he felt he needed to do. Despite everything he did to her and her brother... "Bakugo-San..." She murmured softly, not knowing whether or not to thank him or point out that he started the mousy thing.
He flinched from hearing her voice clearly for the first time since they met and then tried to let his cheeks not get warm. This side of him was rare, and yet he only let Izuka see it for some reason. Those stupid eyes of hers keep doing something to me. It's...it's...actually, in the right light, her eyes could be...a little cute. He flinched again from thinking that and scoffed. "Damn it all," He muttered at her having an effect on him like this and it made him kind of mad that it did. He sighed to hide it though, and pulled out a paper from his bag, along with a pen. "Here's what you're gonna do. You're gonna write a list of everyone who had and will make you act like this," He handed her the materials to her confusion.
"Why?"
"I need to know who to...have a nice little chat with," Katsuki seethed a little and she gasped as she knew what he meant.
"N-No! You can't do that," She protested and it annoyed him that she went back to stammering. "T-They'll think that you're defending me because we're in the same class..."
"I don't give a damn! They need some sense kicked into them, and if I have to do that, fine. And you already had to go through this, so you shouldn't have to prove yourself. I'll do it, they'll have a good reason to shut up. And I hate anyone who thinks they're gonna get away with this. Honestly, this is getting me even more pissed off. And to have to see you crying because they think you're weak is pathetic!" He growled out while gritting his teeth and she frowned. This feeling of relying on him to talk about it...it was quite strange that out of all people, he was the only one she felt like she could talk to right now. She thought about the times he saved her and when he insisted on walking her home, and then the times she stood up to him...their current relationship was definitely odd.
"Bakugo-San..." She whispered while staring into his eyes, feeling her cheeks flush from his declaration. He wouldn't even care about her getting stronger, he'd focus on himself. But...maybe deep down, there was a different side that didn't have to be so crude or egotistical that only she had seen.
He himself snapped out of it and looked away, not wanting to get lost in her eyes again. "Are...are you okay now?" He mustered out while closing his eyes.
"Y-Yeah..." She answered while rubbing at her face. "Yeah, I'll be fine..."
"You better not believe anything they said either, you got that?!" He pointed down at her with a snarl, standing up. "And you better not hold back during the Sports Festival. I still have to destroy you in front of everyone, so don't come at me with your lowest!" He then stormed off, a hand in his pocket. She could only stare in confusion that his usual side was back.
"Okay...?" The girl muttered, wondering what just happened...
At Dagoba Municipal Beach Park, Izuku was running across the sand. The UA Sports Festival is in two weeks. The whole thing'll be live on TV.
Part of me is still terrified, but...something in me awoken after what Bakugo-San said. It was like...I wanted to be out there, to prove those who believed I didn't belong that I did still have a chance. Who would've known that he was the one to bring out a fighting side in me?
Izuka ran down the steps leading to the beach out of breath, seeing her brother running. Thanks to what happened after class, she ended up being late.
There's no doubt that whoever impresses the audience will have a much better chance of becoming a pro hero one day.
Lots of pro heroes had participated in a Sports Festival before they went on to become who they were today.
Izuku turned around to see his sister running up and waving. He smiled and they ran off together to do their laps around the beach.
We won't know what the games will be until the first day. They could basically throw any sort of trial at us. And so, we have to prepare for all possibilities.
Izuku then did push-ups in his room. Izuka was reading a book in hers, having borrowed several from the library.
I started to read books about planets, space, and the galaxy to help me prepare. I wanted to learn something new like I did with my shield if I was gonna prove people wrong about me. Granted, two weeks is a short timespan, but that's why I have to work harder than I have before.
The next morning, Izuka practiced not only her aim, but also her control of her shield. Her hair was in a ponytail as Toshinori and Izuku watched her. Both of them stared at her, upset about the rumors as the twins had told the man at this point what happened. And he greatly encouraged Izuka's strategy of coming up with a new move to impress the crowd.
Tenya ran laps himself with his engine Quirk, letting out a yell as he passed by UA. Tsuyu jumped out of the pool, having caught a fish with her tongue. Mezo pumped weights while Toru struggled with pull-ups. At Ground Beta, Mashirao trained his jumping skills. Hanta fired at a pole to get himself up into the air. He then fired the tape again.
In the USJ, Ochaco floated several things into the air. "Let's do this!" Mina grinned while jumping past her.
"Release!" The brunette pressed her fingers together. Mina tossed some acid at the rocks, splitting them in half. A laser then fired off, the girls shocked to see Yuga standing nearby. They didn't even know he was there...and then they flinched as a stray rock fell on his head.
Koji sat on a field, surrounded by animals. Rikido yelled while pumping the air, his classmate alarmed by all the animals moving away from him.
Eijiro hardened his skin while falling and landing on the ground. "YEAH!" He cried out as he stood up perfectly fine.
An explosion then went off in the forest near the school. Katsuki sweated and then grinned widely. "Yeah!"
Denki fired off a bunch of electricity, a dumb look on his face. Fumikage was in the PE field at night, several lights flashing on Dark Shadow. "It's too much light!" Dark Shadow cried out, though Fumikage was trying to test his Quirk's endurance.
Kyoka spun a few darts with her ears, tossing them at the dart board.
Minoru...was not training, he was practicing his winning speech. "Thank you all!"
Momo was studying in her room.
Shoto punched the air in his living room, panting.
Suddenly, fire came from Izuka's hand and formed into a flame. Her eyes slowly widened as Toshinori and Izuku gasped in surprise. She smiled happily at this new development.
Days passed. All the training made time go by quickly. Before we knew it, it was the morning of the festival.
Believe it or not, what Bakugo-San said focused me so much that I didn't even think about facing the crowd...mostly. I was still not happy about it, but within those days...I just didn't even care. As long as I focused on my goal of what I wanted to accomplish...then the crowd wouldn't be an issue for me.
Inko stood behind her children as they were about to leave for UA. "Kids, please be careful and don't get hurt," She pleaded with the twins.
"We won't," Izuku remarked, without looking back at her.
"I'll record the whole festival in HD!" She informed and the two smiled at her.
"Thanks, Mom...for all your support. It's what I really needed after the...rumors," Izuka glanced away a bit awkwardly. They had died down a little, but sometimes, she'd hear people whispering about her. And she would just show them her Quirk and end it there. But...she wanted to save it for the festival, so that everyone would know. She wouldn't be surprised if the boy who even told her was the one who started them...even All Might was determined to put an end to them himself, though she begged him not to and that she'd handle it.
Inko frowned at the reminder but then clenched her fists. "Do your best, you two. And Izuka...I'll always be rooting for you!" Izuka blinked at her mother in surprise. "I should've encouraged you to let people see the real you like Izuku tried to...and now look at you, about to show them that you're as real as your peers!"
She gave a small smile and they nodded at her. "Okay, we're off." The two opened the front door and Izuka paused for a second. She placed a hand on Izuku's shoulder before they could leave. The girl then turned around and ran into her mother for a hug. Inko smiled and hugged her back. Izuku grinned and joined in too.
My mom...my brother...they've always been there for me. And that...that's what I'll need to help me get past the festival. Even if I don't win...this is more than enough for me.
The school was in excitement as fireworks went off. A bunch of press were outside trying to get in. Unlike last time, the barrier didn't activate. "This security line is huge. What's the deal?" A female reporter complained, sagging her arms.
"A bunch of villains did just break in. Of course the school's being stricter this year," Another reporter informed her, looking up at the fireworks. "Some people think they shouldn't be holding the festival, considering what happened."
"Perfect!" The female reporter gave a wide grin. "Nothing brings ratings up like a little controversy! Plus, everybody will tune in to see Class 1-A!"
As people were stepping in, they were getting food and checking out the stands. "I'm always psyched to see the third years since they've got the most experience with their Quirks," A man spoke up from the crowd. "Plus, it's their last chance to show their worth."
"Nah, this time, it's all about those powerful first years. I can't wait."
"Hey, did you hear that Endeavor's son is one of the first-year students?" A woman asked as someone was selling masks of All Might, Endeavor, and Present Mic. "Can you imagine?"
"No way, seriously?" People were walking towards the stadium designated for the first years.
"Man, the stands for the first years are gonna be packed!"
"I'll take one order to go, please," Mt. Lady stated to someone selling buns.
"Whoa! Mt. Lady, is it really you?" The man asked in awe, and she was surrounded by both Death Arms and Kamui Woods.
"And hold the salt, will you?" She asked with a small smile.
"Of course! That's gonna be ten bucks."
"Uh!" She flinched as she felt like she didn't need to pay. She then shook her hips a little, feigning innocence. "Um...oh no, my money's in another costume..."
"So hot!" And of course, the vendor fell for it as he blushed, smoke coming from his nostrils. "This is on the house!"
"Aren't you a dear?" She gave a devious smile.
"Have you no sense of shame?" Kamui Woods wondered while he and Death Arms crossed their arms, ashamed towards her. They then started walking around the festival. "I was hoping I'd get to do some scouting while I was here."
"Yeah, too bad we're stuck working security this time," Death Arms looked over his shoulder. Mt. Lady enjoyed her free treat from up front.
"Looks like they called in pro heroes from all over to guard this thing. Quite a show."
Inside the stadium, Class 1-A had a waiting room reserved for themselves. "Aw, man," Mina looked down at her gym uniform in disappointment. "I was totally hoping I could wear my costume."
"At least everyone'll be in uniforms," Mashirao stated while stretching his arms. "That'll keep things fair, right?"
"I wonder what they have in store for us in the first round," Rikido played with his fingers a bit nervously.
"No matter what they've prepared, we must persevere," Fumikage closed his eyes.
"Right," Mezo nodded in agreement.
Tenya then opened the door. "Everyone, get your game faces on! We're entering the arena soon!" He announced to the whole room.
"Swallow your fear, swallow your fear, swallow your fear," Minoru chanted to himself. Tenya then turned to Izuka sitting with Ochaco. She was looking towards her phone, as even some rumors about her were going around on social media. More specifically, the video about her against the sludge villain had some new negative comments.
There's no way that's real.
She probably had that given to her by one of the heroes as a distraction.
I used to go to middle school with her, she's actually Quirkless.
"Mido," She glanced up from being addressed, breaking her concentration. "How are you faring with the rumors...? I've heard some of them myself on my way here. They're disgraceful, saying that you don't belong in UA and that you shouldn't be in this festival...I should report them-"
"I-it's okay," Izuka waved a nervous hand. "I'm...not really in the position to get anyone in trouble for things like that." He blinked at her in surprise and she turned away, looking at the table. "If this...if this is the only way to prove them wrong...then I'll face a whole crowd of people. I'll be...really anxious, but if it'll help, then who am I to turn away from that?"
"Yeah, that's right!" Ochaco encouraged while pumping a fist. Izuka turned to her in confusion. "You're gonna fight for your worth, Mido, and I'll be cheering you on the whole time!"
"I'll support you as well," Momo walked up to the girl and she smiled a little from her friends.
"Yeah! We've never doubted your Quirk for a second, Mido!" Mina cheered as some people nodded in agreement. Izuka's eyes slowly widened and then almost teared up in happiness.
"Y-You're gonna...make me cry, you guys..." She giggled a little while wiping them. Katsuki just stared at her, as it was definitely much different from how she was when she first even heard about the rumors. He then turned away, his arms crossed.
If she doesn't try hard enough, I'll kill that mouse.
"You've always got me too," Izuku placed his hand on his sister's back with a smile.
"Midoriya," Shoto suddenly spoke up, getting the attention of the boy. He stared at the twins in silence.
"Hey, Todoroki, what's up?" Izuku looked at him in confusion. Katsuki and Izuka looked towards them attentively as well. Ochaco let out a confused gasp as everyone was looking at the two now.
"From an objective standpoint, I think it's fairly clear that I'm stronger than you or Mido."
"Uh!" Izuku flinched as his sister blinked, looking at him wide-eyed. She had no idea where this came from all of a sudden, and neither did her brother for that matter. "Um...yeah," He nodded a bit.
"However...you and your sister have got All Might in your corner, helping you both out." The two gasped as they didn't even know that he noticed. When in fact, he only heard Tenya and Ochaco talking. Izuka bit her lip as technically, he wasn't wrong. "I'm not here to pry about what's going on between you three...but know that I will beat you."
Izuku let out another gasp, Shoto staring him down. "T-Todoroki-San..." Izuka murmured in a bit of disbelief. He hadn't really spoken to either of them much until now, so she didn't know if this had to do with his father or something else...Endeavor was the number 2 hero, after all.
"What's with all these declarations of war lately?" Denki couldn't help but wonder as Eijiro stood up and walked over.
"Yeah, what's the big deal?" Eijiro placed a hand on Shoto's shoulder. "Why are you pickin' a fight all of a sudden? Hasn't Mido been through enough with what people are saying about her? And right before we get started-"
"We're not here to be each other's friends," Shoto moved the boy's hand away. He then turned around and walked away. "Don't forget, this isn't a team effort, rumors or not."
Izuku looked to the floor with a frown, Izuka opening her mouth a little from how blunt he was being. "Wait a sec, Todoroki. I don't know what's going through your head or why you think you'd need to tell me or my sister that you'll beat us. And yeah, of course you're better than us. In fact, you probably have way more potential than anyone in the hero course. That's why you got in so easily."
"Even if..." Izuka gulped while standing up. "Even if you believe the rumors about me...I have a small feeling of why...why you felt the need to tell us all of this," She stared at him curiously and he flinched, wondering if she figured it out. "I'm not...I'm not gonna air out your business...that's on you, T-Todoroki-San. Yes, maybe...maybe I'm not strong. But...but you have to realize that...I don't mind being seen like that right now."
"Guys, maybe you're both being a little hard on yourselves, and us," Eijiro tried to calm the tension.
"No, he's right, you guys," Izuku stated in determination. "All the other courses—they're coming for us with everything they've got," He thought of that purple-haired boy.
"I want...for myself and my sister to be the world's greatest heroes!"
He slowly put down his arms, as his motivations...weren't all that different from everyone in his class. It was slowly hitting him...just how important all of this really was. "We're all gonna have to fight to stand out." Shoto turned to him expectantly. The boy opened his eyes to stare down his new rival. "And I'll be aiming for the top too."
"Whether you consider me strong or not...I will not let you stop me from my purpose in this festival," Izuka said while clenching a fist. "I'll show everyone...that I won't let myself be weak...not to you or anyone who believes that they can take me down."
Katsuki's eyes widened at her speaking so clearly again, Shoto alarmed by this as well from how...brave she looked. "...Fine."
Katsuki scoffed in anger towards the three. The twins stared down Shoto, and the blond clenched an angry fist towards Izuka's gaze at Shoto. For some reason, it was starting to piss him off with how they were looking at each other...she never once declared Katsuki as someone to beat with that look on her face.
Present Mic appeared on a screen. "Hey! Make some noise, all you rabid sports fans! Get those cameras prepped, media hordes!" The crowds cheered while a limited amount of press were filming; they had to knock down the amount of press. "This year we're bringing you some of the hottest performances in sports festival history, guaranteed! I've only got one question before we start this show: Are you ready?! Let me hear ya scream as our students make their way to the main stage!"
Inko waited in anticipation and as promised, she was filming. "Come on, Izuku, Izuka!" She said anxiously and in encouragement. Several teachers were already in the crowd as well in their own seats. Toshinori was waiting for the twins as well, remembering what he told them.
"You must introduce yourselves to the world, and proudly say I am here!"
Izuku stepped out first, followed by his classmates as the sun shined down on him. "All Might...I won't let you down!" Izuku declared to himself as Izuka gulped from behind him. She closed her eyes to let out a breath and then slowly stepped to the side. Toshinori blinked in alarm as she glanced around, taking it all in.
"I'll go far in the sports festival...and make you and my brother proud!" Izuka pumped a fist in determination.
Fireworks popped over the stadium. "Welcome back to the UA Sports Festival!" Present Mic announced to the full stadium. "Where up-and-coming heroes leave everything on the field as they fight for the chance to achieve worldwide fame and celebrity! This first group are no strangers to the spotlight! You know them for withstanding a villain attack—the dazzling students lighting up your TVs with solid gold skills. The hero course students of Class 1-A!"
They stepped out onto the grass, Izuka looking very stiff, but not as anxious as she usually looked when in a big crowd. She walked behind her brother so that not too much attention was on her. Izuku looked a bit nervous himself looking at just how many people had come to see them.
"Um...I didn't know there'd be so many people..." He gave a nervous smile near Tenya.
"I hope we're still able to give our best performances, even though all these eyes are watching us. I suppose it's just another aspect of being a hero we all have to learn to get used to," Tenya stated to the boy.
"You're...you're making it worse..." Izuka muttered to herself while looking away. If she wasn't trying to prove herself worthy, she'd turn around and leave...
"Present Mic sure did talk us up a lot," Eijiro sweated a little glancing up at the announcer booth. "Kinda makes me nervous. How you feelin', man?" He looked up towards Katsuki walking in front of him.
"I'm not worried," Katsuki looked up with a smirk. "Makes me wanna win this thing even more."
"They haven't been getting nearly as much screentime, but this next group is still chock full of talent!" Present Mic continued as another group of students stepped out from the left. "Welcome hero course Class 1-B!"
Immediately, Izuka recognized one of them as the boy who yelled at Katsuki and introduced himself being from that class. But she also saw that boy who told her about the rumors and she gasped a little. So that boy over there...he's in Class 1-B?
Another familiar face that stepped out was the purple-haired boy who talked to Katsuki. "Next up, general studies classes C, D, and E!" A group of students wearing gear then walked out next. "Support classes F, G, and H! And finally, business classes I, J, and K! Give it up for all of UA's first-year contestants!"
"I get the feeling we're just here to make the hero students look better," One of the purple-haired boy's classmates commented.
"I can't wait for this to be over with..."
A female teacher raised her flogger-style whip in the air. "Now, the introductory speech!"
"Whoa!" A few of the male pro heroes admired her. "This year's chief umpire for the first years is the R-Rated Hero, Midnight!" She grinned while flipping her hair, causing the men to be even more enamored with her.
"Amazing..."
"Seriously, the other years don't know what they're missing."
Some of the boys in the first years were blushing themselves looking at her. Eijiro glanced up at some of the pro heroes nervously as they might get too distracted by Midnight's...choice of a hero costume. "Uh, someone should talk to Ms. Midnight about what she's wearing."
"Yeah," Denki nodded in agreement. "That costume should come with a warning."
"Is that really appropriate apparel for a high school game?" Fumikage wondered as he wasn't blushing.
Minoru of course gave a thumbs up of approval. Izuka placed a hand on her forehead with a small sigh. Considering how he had already admired half of the girls in his own class, it shouldn't be too surprising... "Silence, everyone!" Midnight spoke out to the crowd, flicking her whip to the side. "And for the student pledge, we have Katsuki Bakugo!"
Several of his own classmates looked at him in shock when his name was called. He wasn't fazed whatsoever as he silently walked towards the stage. "Uhh..." Izuku stared at him wide-eyed. "He's the first-year rep?"
"I guess that hot-head did finish first in the entrance tests," Hanta pointed out while Izuka blinked.
Something tells me that this won't end great, especially since he's technically representing our own class too, not just the whole first-year of UA... Izuka closed her eyes with a nervous expression, her eyebrow twitching. That day where he bragged he could take on all of his middle school classmates was coming to mind...
One of the general studies students sighed in annoyance, glancing towards the hero courses. "Only for the hero course exams."
"Oh, right," Izuku gave her a small frown for her dismissal.
"That girl obviously hates us," Hanta glanced at the student.
"Yeah, and we've got Bakugo to thank for them not liking our class," Denki muttered as the same girl earlier leaned in towards her classmate.
"Hey, isn't that her? The one who's not really a UA student? I heard one of her classmates hit one of the hero course students from Class 1-B."
Izuka flinched as her eyes widened. It was bad enough she was getting all of these wild assumptions about her, but now they were bringing in one of her classmates into it? She glanced at the girl, who was looking at her with narrowed eyes. Izuka grunted and closed her eyes while Izuku's hand shook in rage.
"When will they knock it off?" He gritted his teeth, walking over. "I'm gonna say something to her."
"Izuku, no!" His sister grabbed his wrist tightly, pulling him back over. "It'll be okay. Once I prove my Quirk, that should lessen the rumors. I'll talk to Principal Nezu after the festival if it makes you feel better."
"Okay...good," He nodded at her sharply. She then realized what that girl said.
"Hey...what was she talking about? Who got hit?" The girl tilted her head in confusion.
"Oh," Izuku blinked in realization that she never saw Katsuki hit that boy. "Well...I'll tell you later."
Katsuki finally reached the stage, everyone staring at him intensely. Everyone was dead silent and Izuku gulped, as none of them knew what he was gonna tell them. "...I just wanna say..." He finally spoke up seconds later. "I'm gonna win."
His classmates looked at him in disbelief and shock. I knew he'd say something like that!
"What did he say?!" All of the first-year students started booing Katsuki.
"Class 1-A is so full of themselves!"
"Get him off the stage!"
Tenya popped up towards the front, waving his arm rapidly. "Why would you be so disrespectful? You're representing us all!"
"Not my fault the rest of you are just stepping stones to my victory," Katsuki retorted while giving a thumbs down.
"I'm gonna crush this overconfident jerk!" The boy from Class 1-B clenched a fist. "I can't wait to knock him down a size!"
Izuku gave a small frown at the blond. Izuka sighed heavily, rubbing a temple at her classmate's behavior. I don't think it is overconfidence. The old Kacchan would have laughed while saying that, making it a joke. He watched as Katsuki stepped off the stage. Tenya was scolding him still, but the angry blond didn't listen. He stared right into Izuka's eyes and she gasped, flinching as it felt like in just those few moments, they were the only two people in the world. He then walked right between the twins. This is him pushing himself. He then shouldered past them, but Izuka's felt a bit more lighter. Izuku then gave a slightly annoyed look. And turning all the rest of us into targets at the same time.
Sometimes I wonder if I'm even talking to the same person when we're alone Izuka stared after Katsuki. Yeah, he sometimes still says and does stuff that's not great with me around, but...it was like he was more calm when no one else was around. Like...like he didn't have to be so angry with me, and if he felt like he was, he would try to not be like that for my sake. Him shouldering me just now was the most recent thing he's done to me that would be something the old Kacchan would do. Maybe it's got to do with his focus on the festival...
She then snapped out of it, shaking her head rapidly. Thinking about Katsuki wasn't what she was supposed to be doing right now. She had to place priority on the festival just like him if she wanted to prove the naysayers about her wrong.
"Without further ado, it's time for us to get started!" Midnight announced into the microphone.
"UA really doesn't believe in letting us catch a breath, huh?" Ochaco wondered to Tsuyu.
"This is where you begin feeling the pain! The first fateful game of the festival!" She raised her whip as a screen appeared behind her. Something spun around like a slot machine. "What could it be?" It finally landed on obstacle race. "Ta-dah!"
"So it's gonna be an obstacle course," Izuku murmured in thought.
"All 11 classes will participate in this treacherous contest. The track is four kilometers around the outside of the stadium," Midnight raised her whip in the air again. "I don't wanna restrain anyone, at least in this game," She then chuckled a bit, licking her lips. "As long as you don't leave the course, you're free to do whatever your heart desires!" The crowd then cheered. "Now then...take your places, contestants!" A green light flashed from the exit, and everyone stared while preparing themselves.
All Might...
"You must introduce yourselves to the world, and proudly say I am here!"
I have to be smart about this. I'm still not able to control One for All yet, so I have to be careful when I use it.
Izuka clenched a determined fist, remembering about her new ability with fire. She had a good sense of how to use it, but in this obstacle race, it wouldn't fit. But she knew that she'd find a purpose for it later. The first light went out as Izuku narrowed his eyes.
That means...my sister and I have to go beyond. The second light then went out. Toshinori clutched his hands together, staring at the twins. The two of us hope you're watching, All Might! The last light then went out.
"BEGIN!" Midnight shouted and everyone raced for the exit.
"And we're off to a racing start!" Present Mic grinned while Mr. Aizawa was sitting next to him. "How 'bout some color commentary, Mummy Man?"
"How did you talk me into this?" The man turned to him, as his voice was still muffled thanks to the bandages.
"What should we be paying attention to in the early stages of the race?"
"The doorway," The homeroom teacher simply remarked.
"Hey, hey!"
All of the students were pushing to get out and have a head start. It was almost like what happened with the press all over again. "This is too narrow!"
Izuku yelped as he was getting his face shoved by other students. Minoru gasped for air as his cheeks were squished together, he could barely breathe. Izuku looked up towards the door that led outside.
I get it, they're testing us—seeing how we get through.
Izuka felt uncomfortable as she felt like her personal space was getting too invaded by the shoving students.
This is the first obstacle. Shoto narrowed his eyes before sending out a huge ice blast towards outside. It froze the entire entrance over as he ran off by himself. "Apologies," He called out as he left. All of the students were left with their feet frozen to the ground.
"Ow! No fair!"
"So cold!"
Yuga lifted himself into the air using his belly button laser. Momo elevated herself using a beam from her own hand. Katsuki used his explosions from his own hands to get pass. "Here I come!" Eijiro shouted while Izuka made her shoes warm up with a bit of fire. She then stomped her foot a little so a shooting star would appear underneath her feet. It shot her up into the air, her hair flying above her head. Some of her own classmates looked up at her in shock while some other classmates from other classes stared at her in disapproval.
"Nice trick, Todoroki!" Momo narrowed his eyes and he looked back to see Katsuki queuing up an explosion.
"I won't let you get away so easily!" He declared, moving his arms behind him as Izuka soared past him. He flinched in alarm while looking at her, narrowing his eyes and gritting his teeth. "You icy-hot bastard and mouse!" He then sent himself flying with his explosions.
Izuka glanced back at him in shock. Oh no, he's back to that again? I guess that means he's already getting fired up...
Mashirao had jumped above the ice. "You froze me in place once before, it won't happen again!" He grinned while Fumikage flew past him using Dark Shadow.
Mina yelped who forming acid at her feet. "Close one!" She slid it against the ice, struggling to keep her balance. Izuku and Minoru tried not to slip themselves. The former looked up at his sister with a small smile on his face.
"Good, she's starting off strong."
"Gotta wait for the right time to show off my Quirk!" Ochaco stated in determination while walking. Meanwhile, the purple-haired boy for some reason was being carried over some people's shoulders. And some of them had weird expressions in their eyes.
"So they are good at using their powers, huh?"
"I didn't expect so many people to dodge that," Shoto commented while glancing behind him. "Especially those from other classes."
He then heard a noise, gasping as he looked up. Minoru had launched himself up into the air and was throwing some of his sticky balls onto the ice. He then started jumping on them like it was nothing, launching himself into the air. "You think you're so cool, but I've outsmarted you! Ha! How pathetic, Todoroki! Eat this!" He headed right towards Shoto. "My special attack!" He took out one of his sticky balls. "Gra-" A robot slammed into him from the side, alarming Izuku as he came to a stop. The shorter boy yelled as he was sent flying, rolling out of control.
"Are you okay?!" Izuku called out after him.
He then heard a noise and whipped around in shock to see more of the robots. "Target acquired. Terminate them."
"It's those robots...from the entrance exam!" Izuku recognized them immediately.
"Ooh! Enemies have shown up out of nowhere!" Present Mic gave a big grin. "I bet we're in for a treat here! A test of strength and cunning!" Shoto gritted his teeth while stepping back. "It's a robo inferno!"
Denki slid to a stop, his eyes wide in utter shock. The other students had stopped and looked up as well. "Are those the zero point villains from the practical test?!" They definitely looked more menacing than last time.
"Seriously?"
"This is what they meant by obstacles?"
Shoto glared up at the robots. Being one of the students that got recommendations, he never had to face them himself until now. "So this is what the other students faced in their entrance exams."
"Where'd the school even get the funding for these things?" Momo couldn't help but wonder.
One of them charged in, and Shoto simply took a step forward. "They obviously went through a lot of trouble, but I wish they'd prepared something a little more difficult," His hand was surrounded by ice as he touched the ground, freezing the ground around him. It then hit the approaching robot. "Especially since my dear-old dad is watching," He said that with a bit of resentment, though. He then moved up his arm to completely freeze the robots in place, flakes flying behind him. He let out a breath of cold air, taking a second to look at what he had done. He stood up and then ran past a robot.
"Dude, he stopped the robots!" Some of the students were covered in the frost Shoto left behind.
"Look, between their legs! We can get through!" Another one called out.
"Careful now," Shoto looked over his shoulder; he wouldn't just give them a way to pass. The robots then started to move again. "I froze them while they were off their balance," The robots then started to break free from the ice as they started to fall. "On purpose." This then gave him the lead as the robots created a huge dust cloud.
"That's Todoroki from Class 1-A pulling ahead to an early lead with a devastating display! Amazing! He's one we should watch, it almost seems unfair! Thoughts?" Present Mic smiled widely at Mr. Aizawa.
"His attack was both offensive and defensive," The teacher simply remarked.
"No wonder he was let in on recommendations! He'd never even fought those Robo Infernos before, but they didn't stand a chance against his chart-topping moves!"
The robots started to approach the other students. Izuku grunted while stepping back a bit. Izuka clenched a fist in front of her heart. Standing around like this wasn't going to help them progress. Gotta hurry!
"No, you can't beat those, my children," Inko started in fear while watching. "Get outta there! Please, just run away for me, babies!" Tears pooled in her eyes at the thought of either of them getting hurt.
The two of us have to get past these robots, while looking out for other obstacles.
He then thought of the first time he faced them during the entrance exam. 'Holy crap, we're gonna die! Why won't my feet move?' He slid his feet backwards, an already different reaction from when he first faced them. Izuka blinked at him and then clenched her fists. Come on, think! What do I do?