Angel: I was asked if I could have Ingenium be recovered in this story, but uh…I'm sorry, I can't. I apologize to the Ingenium stans, but if I suddenly heal him, that's gonna change a HUGE chunk of the second half of the season. And it would basically make the second half pointless for Ida's character arc. It's understandable if this came from someone who hasn't seen the anime. But if they have seen it, watch the entire second half again and that question if I could heal Ingenium should be answered. And if it's still not clear enough of an answer, the simple response from me would be: no, because it comes back up literally in the next episode after this one. I have nothing against Tensei, but I can't make a story change like this without it impacting the character arc Ida has soon.
Katsuki's jealousy definitely will become a running theme moving forward, so get ready for that! I don't think he cares how it makes him look lol As for the guest with the Bakugo question, I may or may not have a scene where he says something in a similar vein, but it's still a slow burn~ Writing something like that in season 2 would be moving too quickly. I'd say you'd have to wait...hmm, maybe 124 episodes from now if that's a good enough hint. I will not specify which episode I'm referring to. As for who Izuka interns with in the second half, I feel like that's too easy to answer so I won't, I'm sorry. Plus I'm pretty sure it's hinted at in the next chapter anyway. And her art talents actually do go past sketching and painting, but it's more so in season 3 than in season 2. The season 3 episodes of 13 and 20 are the specific ones to watch out, that should dive into them a little more. Oh and it also comes up again in season 5 too.
Shoto froze over the entire building during combat class. "When I was watching that ice guy...I realized I couldn't beat him in a head-to-head fight!" Izuka blinked rapidly as he meant Shoto, realizing...his pride must have been really impacted to realize all this. "And you...!" He pointed at the girl, who looked at him wide-eyed for addressing her. "You're so...! I don't even know what to call you anymore! Damn it! Damn it, damn it, damn it!" He grunted while clenching a fist, the twins only able to stare with their mouths slightly open. "Enjoy that win, Deku, mousy," He finally looked up with tears in his eyes. "You won't get another! I'm just getting stared! Got that?! I'm gonna end up the number-one hero, no matter what! You better watch out, mousy...I won't let you catch up to me either!"
"Midoriya," Shoto suddenly spoke up, looking up at the twins. "Know that I will beat you."
"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 first 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.
"I, uh...just wanna say..." Katsuki spoke up to the crowd. "I'm gonna win."
Katsuki then soared right past Shoto. "Bastard!" Katsuki shouted, Izuka glancing back as she was starting to reach them. Neither of them had noticed her yet. "Your declaration of war...was to the wrong person! And the fact that one of them was mousy...REALLY GETS MY BLOOD BOILING!" He shouted as he extended his hand to fire an explosion. Shoto thankfully dodged it in time.
"What?" Izuka glanced back in alarm from the last part, staring at Katsuki in disbelief.
"We're not done!" Katsuki declared with intense eyes from his face. Hanta looked up at him in confusion as the blond gritted his teeth. He also started knocking his fist into Eijiro's hair. "We're gonna be the indisputable champions of the game!" The only reason why he wasn't going after his other rivals from his own class right now was because he wanted to teach Neito a lesson. And not just for insulting him either.
He then gritted his teeth towards Neito, remembering how what he said affected Izuka. 'No one upsets mousy while I'm around.'
Katsuki sent out a giant explosion into the sky.
"DIE!" The angry blond screamed as he sent one last explosion at his opponent, and he fell backwards.
Katsuki sent out a huge explosion, the light so bright it could blind someone. "Stun Grenade!" Another explosion occurred, smoke coming from the arena.
"Bakugo is the winner of this match!" Midnight declared at the two.
Katsuki turned towards the crowd, glaring up at Shoto. He returned it from his spot in the stands. "That means our final fight will be between Todoroki and Bakugo!"
Shoto was in a waiting room all to himself so that the finalists would get some energy before the match. He looked at his left hand, remembering all of the trauma he went through...
"And Shoto—that child's left side sometimes looks unbearable to me," His mother confessed to someone on the phone. "All I can see is his father."
"So come at me with all you've got!" Izuku clenched a shaking fist. "It's yours!" He screamed at the top of his lungs. "Your Quirk, not his!"
Shoto's mother twitched, looking over her shoulder in terror as steam came from the pot of water.
"Todoroki-San?"
"Ah..." He turned around to see Izuka walking up to him. "Mido. I'm assuming you're here to talk about your brother, right?"
"Actually...I came to talk about you," He blinked in surprise to hear this from her. "I'm sorry if my brother got too involved with your business during your fight with him. He meant well, and...while I did agree with him, I didn't want to push the issue. And I also wanted to say that I understand what it's like to feel like you're trapped," She stared into his eyes with empathy, and not any negative emotion.
How did this happen? Shoto thought to himself. I pushed her out of my mind. I tried not to think about her. Then that fight with Midoriya and that talk with his sister... He then made his hand into a fist. Mom...and Mido reminds me so much of her in a lot of ways.
The door was then kicked open by Katsuki, who looked utterly confused to see his opponent in the room. Shoto stared at him in silence, wondering what he was doing and why.
"...Hey, what the hell are you doing in here?" Katsuki finally asked after a few seconds. "This is my space to-" He faltered as he glanced to the right to see which waiting room it was. "Crap, this is waiting room number two?"
Shoto then turned back to the table, annoying Katsuki as he thought of this as a blatant attempt to ignore him. "Alright, fine," He stormed into the room. "So I may have walked into the wrong room. But don't think that means I'm not gonna be on top of my game, you got that?!" He then raised his arm, throwing it down with an explosion. "You better bring all you got to this, Icy Hot!"
Shoto sat there in shock at this before realizing...he could get some insight about the twins. "Midoriya and Mido."
"Huh?" Katsuki raised an eyebrow in confusion, though grew just a tad more angry that Shoto brought up Izuka.
"He said the same thing. And Mido...while her sentiments weren't entirely the same, I could tell that she wants me to fight with my best." Even if she didn't directly say this, her expressions told him enough. He then raised his left hand to stare at it. "That fool. Instead of trying to win the match himself, he focused on breaking my walls. Mido would've done the same thing, I have no doubt about that," He then glanced up at Katsuki. "You three were childhood friends, right? Were they like that when you were kids? So helpful?"
Katsuki flinched, his eyes twitching at this. He could think of a few instances... "Kacchan...!" Izuku flinched a bit while shedding tears, a fearful smile of his own on his face. "I couldn't just stand there and watch you die!" He admitted while Izuka closed her eyes.
"And...no matter what I feel towards someone...that doesn't mean I shouldn't help them..." A bit later, she fired her shooting star as she hit her target, causing the sludge around the spot to dissipate.
Katsuki looked up in shock to see the twins. Izuku extended out his hand while Izuka pulled out a small towel from one of her pockets. She then bent down to offer it to him. "Are you alright? Are you hurt?" Izuku asked in concern.
"Here...you can use this to dry off," Izuka held out the towel further, not stuttering for the first time around him because she was concerned about his well-being. She still didn't like him, but ignoring him in need wasn't something she could do.
The blond boy then clenched a shaking fist. It was always Midoriya twins this, Midoriya twins that. He was starting to get sick of hearing about them for today. "What does he have to do with any of this...?" He kicked over the table. "It's all between you and me now. Focus on the match," He stared at Shoto with an intense anger. "That's the only thing I give a damn about. Whatever your family problems are, whatever you're feeling...none of that crap matters, just make sure you don't hold back. Use your flames on me," He then stormed off towards the door. "I want everyone to know I beat you at your best."
Shoto stared at him and Katsuki then stopped. He looked over his shoulder. "And one more thing. If I hear you speak that girl's name again or see you with her, you're dead, you hear me? Stay away from her."
Before Shoto could even retort that they shared the same class, Katsuki slammed the door hard. He then turned away, thinking of what just happened.
Katsuki walked down the hall, a sadistic grin on his face. Let's see him try and use his powers against me when I'm bombing every inch of the stadium. I don't know what's going on between him and mo—ugh, her, but he better think twice before talking to her again. I'll show the world, her, what a champion looks like.
He then slowly came to a stop of what he just thought. What the hell am I doing over someone who's so behind? She may have put up a decent fight, but she's still nowhere near surpassing me. And yet when I see her with any other guy, I just get so pissed. He then let out a growl. I don't know how she does it with those dopey...actually a bit cute eyes, that hair, and how her art isn't actually half bad. I keep telling myself to focus on this Sports Festival, and yet she keeps breaking that all over again. He closed his eyes, clenching a fist. Whatever. There's no time for that now.
The Sports Festival continued to be broadcasted to everyone as the match between Shoto and Katsuki was about to start. The rest of Class 1-A watched closely, since they all knew that this could go either way. Both boys were among the strongest in the class in terms of Quirk control...
The flames appeared on the arena as the crowd cheered. "Welcome to the final battle of the UA High School Sports Festival! In just a moment here, we'll see which first years come out on top!" Present Mic spun around in his chair with a grin. "Yes, it all comes down to this, folks! From the hero course, Shoto Todoroki. Versus his classmate, Katsuki Bakugo!"
Toshinori watched closely just like the rest of their classmates. He, Endeavor, and the Midoriyas both kept their eyes on both boys. "Now begin!"
Immediately Shoto pressed his hand against the ground to make a huge ice flow appear between him and Katsuki. The blond readied his hands and then swung back and forth, fire coming from his hands. "Damn it!" He growled as he kept this up, never once stopping even when the ice completely surrounded him. Izuka opened her mouth in a bit of shock at Katsuki and just how...fierce he looked, and for some reason, her heart felt like it was gonna burst out. She then flinched in shock, wondering what the hell she was thinking. She whined, holding her flushed cheeks while looking up ahead.
What is this feeling right now? And why did it happen because of Bakugo-San? It's just like when he saved me during the press scare, and I don't know why...
"Hm?" Izuku glanced at her briefly. "You okay, sis?"
"Uhh, yeah, I'm just really hot right now, ha ha ha..." She waved a hand in front of her red face nervously. Maybe it's that sickness Izuku gets around Uraraka-Chan sometimes. I'll have to ask someone about it sometime.
Minoru gave a suspicious look and then gave a knowing grin. He wanted to get some payback for Katsuki constantly getting him to stop admiring Izuka. "I think I know what's going on. Bakugo's been pretty soft on you lately, Mido. In fact, I heard that he and Todoroki are fighting over you."
"Huh?" She blinked in confusion, glancing back to him. "Because of how I did in the Sports Festival...?" She gave a baffled look; the conversation she overheard with the two during the obstacle race came back to mind. But Shoto didn't even say anything about her, Katsuki was the one who started the whole thing. And the reason to have it be her placement would be a bit of a stretch...
"I don't think you should be getting in their business," Tsuyu slapped Minoru's face with her tongue.
"She's right, and Mido's been through enough gossip," Ochaco glanced back with a small frown, Momo silently nodding in agreement. "Where did you even hear about it anyway?"
"I don't reveal my sources!" Minoru protested at the brunette.
Izuku blinked and then looked at his confused sister, giving a sheepish smile. He knew what his classmate meant, but Izuka did not. And he didn't really think that last claim had any merit to it either. Shoto and Izuka barely even knew each other on friendly terms. When it came to Katsuki however, he couldn't really say the same sentiment.
Her and Kacchan, huh? I can't say it doesn't freak me out a little, but...I'm not gonna pretend that he doesn't care about her on some level.
Back on the arena, Shoto had just finished his ice attack, and Katsuki was nowhere to be seen. "Todoroki starts with a crazy ice blast! Bakugo seems to have been completely buried!" Endeavor stared at the arena with wide eyes. "Is it possible we've already got a winner down there?"
Izuka narrowed her eyes a little at the ice. Todoroki-San may have used a more subtle attack, but...knowing Bakugo-San, he wouldn't let something like this stop him. Especially when his goals are clear.
"This isn't like when he attacked Sero," Izuku pointed out while Ochaco was in shock. "The ice just now was more controlled. He's being cautious."
Explosions then came from the ice, but they were muffled. Shoto kept his eyes forward.
"What's that terrifying sound?" Minoru couldn't help but wonder.
"It's gotta be Bakugo's doing," Tsuyu theorized, a bit fearful herself.
The ice started to crack before an explosion occurred in the center, revealing Katsuki himself. Shoto jumped backwards as ice flew in front of him.
Minoru, Denki, and Hanta gave looks of both terror and shock. "He used his explosions to tunnel through the ice like some kinda mole man!" The latter exclaimed at this, baffled.
"These two are insane," Denki commented, though very put off.
Shoto stared at his opponent, who growled while touching some ice in front of him. "You've got some pretty powerful attacks," He spoke as smoke came from his hands. Shoto then lunged forward with a glare. Katsuki used two explosions to break himself out, charging forward. "But you're a bad aim!" Shoto reached out his hand to attack, only for the blond to fire off another explosion to soar out of the way. "Try harder!"
Shoto gave a wide-eyed look before Katsuki, still in mid-air, grabbed the boy's forehead and shoulder. "He dodged his right side with a blast!" Izuku exclaimed while his sister's eyes opened wide.
"Awesome..." Ochaco murmured in awe.
"Believe what you want. If no one sees you after today, they're all idiots. And besides, you don't owe me anything. All you have to do is watch me be number one while you still have a long way to go before beating anyone, let alone me," Katsuki spoke to Izuka with his hands in his pockets.
Katsuki Bakugo...in the right light...he's not a bad person. Or at least, that's what I want to believe since his attitude sucks sometimes. Yet...looking at this fight right now, he...actually looks really handsome. Izuka yelped quietly, hiding her face with her hands and sliding down in her seat for thinking that. She still peeked behind an eye though since she still wanted to watch.
"Are you underestimating me?" Katsuki soared and landed on his feet. "IDIOT!" He then threw Shoto across the arena. He thew up his right arm to make ice appear behind him. He landed on the ice and used it to slide back around, heading for Katsuki.
"Todoroki surfs an ice wave to avoid going out of bounds. Looks like fun!"
Katsuki watched as Shoto circled around him, leaping out of the way. He let out a scream while leaping, extending a hand. Katsuki's arm had fire coming from it as Shoto grabbed it. Endeavor gave a knowing grin. "Use your left side," He spoke as the two opponents stared at each other intensely. "Do it, Shoto!" His voice was muffled, but his son still heard it. And yet...Shoto gripped his opponent's arm and threw him to the side. Katsuki growled as he slid to a stop. He looked up as Shoto slid to land a few feet away.
"Stop screwing around," He growled in anger, a furious look on his face as he wiped the side of it. "What, do you think I'm not worthy of your fire?"
"Bakugo timed his explosions and grabbed Todoroki's left side on purpose. He's done his research," Mr. Aizawa suddenly spoke up, getting Present Mic's attention. "His aptitude for this becomes more apparent with every fight."
"Interesting!" Present Mic nodded along.
What her teacher said caused Izuka to gasp a little, staring at the two. Is this because of what happened with Izuku that Bakugo-San's so insistent on Todoroki-San using his flames on him...? And maybe this could explain why they're allegedly fighting over me since Todoroki-San was declaring war on me earlier...
Flames sparked from Katsuki's hand. "Todoroki's doing well so far, but his attacks are too simple." Shoto slowly looked up at the blond. "It almost seems like he lost his spark after the match with Midoriya."
This caused Katsuki's flames to get bigger once he heard this. If this was the truth, he was definitely not having it during this battle. "You bastard! I'll tell you what'll happen if you make a fool outta me. I'll kill you!" Shoto gasped sharply at him. "I don't want there to be any doubt that I'm the best student at the festival! That's only possible if you come at me as hard as you can! There's no point if you don't fight me with the same power you used against Deku. Even his sister didn't hold back against me and she didn't use her Quirk for years!" Shoto, the twins, and Ochaco all stared at him with shaking eyes for his declaration that he was this set on winning... "If you don't wanna win this, why are you even here?!" He then raced forward. "Show everyone you're trying to destroy me!" He screamed with intense red eyes.
Shoto could only stare at him while thinking back to what happened earlier with Izuku. "I want it too. I'll be a hero!" He looked towards the ground, as...he just couldn't do it again. He had no idea of what to do with his left side anymore. Despite what Izuku told him, years of his father's abuse was still in him. I'm sorry, Bakugo. Since I fought Midoriya, I'm unsure of so much. Whether or not I did the right thing. What my left side means to me. He then thought of Izuka waving to him after wishing him luck. Mido is just like my mom. If she continued to see my left side, would she think it's unbearable too? His hand then faltered...
"Come on, Todoroki!" He gasped as he heard Izuku's own voice. "Don't give up!" He got onto his feet. "Do your best!"
"He's right!" Izuka stood up bravely, clenching her fists. "You may have a lot of emotions in your head right now...but you've gotta show everyone your potential!"
He flinched and looked at the two wide-eyed. Midoriya...Mido...
"That stupid nerd," Katsuki grinned while glancing back at Izuku. Although he did let out a little growl towards Izuka. "And his sister's still supporting Icy hot? Damn that bastard..." He then used his explosions to launch himself into the air. Shoto's body shook as heat melted the ice from his body and he looked up at Katsuki, fire appearing from the left side of his face. Hell yeah. That's it! Katsuki spun around while releasing explosions. If you're gonna face me, you can't half-ass it! Smoke came around him like a cyclone as he headed for Shoto. Try everything you can to defeat me! Don't you dare hold back!
Shoto raised his left arm, fire completely engulfing it as Katsuki had a wide grin on his face. He headed straight for his opponent, who thought about his father...and the look on his mother's face before she burned him. And that was enough to make him drop his arm...as he still couldn't do it. "Howitzer...Impact!" Katsuki screamed while spinning, touching the ice with his hand. A huge explosion covered the arena, in turn breaking the ice and sending out a powerful wind.
"Whoa-ho-ho! Bakugo combined speed and rotation with a huge blast like he used against Uraraka! He turned himself into a human missile!" Present Mic pointed forward while Endeavor gritted his teeth. "Todoroki didn't fire off the flame attack that wowed us in his match with Midoriya! So what has become of our two top competitors?"
Smoke filled the arena once again and Katsuki was revealed to be on the ground. He looked up and then gasped in confusion. He then realized what happened, especially since he didn't have a scratch on him. "You decided not to use your fire?!" He then looked up to see that his attack had sent Shoto out of bounds. He was laying on a bed of ice, now unconscious. And this broke Katsuki because he felt that this...this wasn't earned. "No..." His whole body shook as he stood up, slowly walking over. "Hey..." He continued this pace until he sprinted across. "Hey!" He then gripped Shoto's shirt, pulling him up. "You stop messing around! This isn't a real win for me unless you try harder! It can't end this way!" His voice broke a little.
Izuka covered her mouth, her eyes shaking as...she couldn't help but sympathize with him. Given how he had seen Shoto focus on her and Izuku, it made sense that he wanted that kind of rivalry with Shoto. But to see him not use the same tactic on Izuku...it was honestly a little heartbreaking to see him believe that he shouldn't have won this.
"Now get up!" He flinched as smoke filled the area around him. "No..." He then fell unconscious, as Midnight had used her Quirk to make him pass out. Izuku gasped, his eyes sad for Katsuki as well. Midnight then approached the blond, raising a hand.
"Todoroki is out of bounds. That means...Bakugo is the winner!"
The crowd erupted in cheers. "And with that, the final match is finally over! The first-year champion of the UA Sports Festival is...Katsuki Bakugo from Class 1-A!"
"Bakugo-San..." Izuka whispered a bit sadly for him.
Puffs of air went off above the stadium. In the center, everyone who competed was standing on the field. "The first-year students have completed all of the events for the UA Sports Festival. Now it's time to relax and enjoy the awards ceremony," Midnight announced to everyone, the crowd cheering as sparklers and fireworks went off. Smoke appeared right behind Midnight as a podium was brought up...revealing a very angry Katsuki chained up...
"Whoa..." Minoru murmured in fear of him. He was sitting on Mezo's shoulders, since he was the tallest one in the class.
"What the heck?" Kyoka asked with a small frown. Katsuki was screaming and shaking as he wanted to be released, but that wasn't going to happen until he calmed down. And that...would take a while. He even had a muzzle over his face.
"He's been goin' nuts ever since he woke up," Eijiro explained to his class, who were put off by this. They had definitely seen him angry before, but never to this extent. "Man, Bakugo. Pull yourself together." Katsuki was surrounded by Shoto and Fumikage, the latter staring at him. Shoto paid him no mind, though he did have bandages over his left arm.
"He's acting like a feral animal," Fumikage commented at his classmate's behavior.
Katsuki let out another angry scream. Well, to be fair, he must think that he got cheated out of a win Izuka gave a sheepish expression, hiding next to her brother. She then stared up ahead at the blond. And that's twice now that I've actually defended his behavior. Maybe it's because I can see his perspective more than anyone in our class since I'm one of two people he grew up with...
The angry boy didn't let up at all, Shoto looking at the grass with a small frown. Midnight then glanced at the camera crew taking photos. "Tenya Ida actually shares the third-place award with Tokoyami. But unfortunately, he had to leave for family reasons. Gotta love those familial bonds," She struck a rather suggestive pose while winking.
Fumikage flinched while looking at her wide-eyed. "Must you really?"
"Too bad Ida couldn't be here," Tsuyu commented with a small frown. "He was so excited."
"...Yeah," Izuku agreed with a small nod, frowning. Izuka's eyes saddened by the memory of what happened right before Ida had left.
"Uraraka. Midoriya. Mido," He spoke up to his friends in the seating area for their class. "I know that this is sudden, but I have to leave now. A villain got my older brother."
All of them gasped sharply. "Wait, you're saying Ingenium is hurt?" Izuku wondered in concern.
"Yes."
"Oh no, Ida-San...I'm so sorry," Izuka frowned, a fist clenched in front of her chest. "That must've been why you couldn't reach him earlier..."
"Do they think he's gonna be okay?" Ochaco wondered and Tenya closed his eyes, looking nerve-wracked.
"I don't know many details yet. That's why...I have to go right away..."
Izuku gave a small frown to himself, remembering how fond Tenya was of his brother. Not unlike how he admired his older sister's drive to be her own hero. "Ingenium is an unmatched commander who honors the hero code. As the second oldest Ida son, I strive to be just like him." The boy then closed his eyes hopefully.
Ingenium...please be all right. For Ida's sake...you have to be!
Tenya was currently on a train heading over to the hospital. He looked out the window the entire time...
Izuka glanced towards the crowd of students, and saw Neito...as well as his healing injury. She narrowed her eyes a bit as she examined it closer, wondering how he got it. She wasn't keeping an eye on him during the cavalry battle, but if he had gotten the injury during that, she wouldn't even be looking at it if it was fresh...but it wasn't. "Huh...? That mark on him...that looks like it came from a punch. And it's almost healed, so it's definitely not new either..."
Izuku turned to her as he faintly heard her mumble. "Hey, something wrong?" He blinked at his sister.
"Little brother, did something happen with Monoma-San? He looks like he got a nasty punch recently," She turned to him curiously, and he froze. Ochaco blinked and turned to the twins, a bit surprised at her deduction.
"Huh? Deku, you never told her?" She couldn't help but ask, since it did seem kinda important to tell her.
"Oh...well, no," He rubbed the back of his neck. "I had almost forgotten all about it with everything going on lately. And at the time, I didn't think reminding her of the rumors was a good idea."
"Tell me what?" Izuka tilted her head in confusion.
"When you left the classroom after Monoma upset you, Bakugo let him have it," Tsuyu spoke up and Izuka recoiled back in shock. Almost all of the not-so-negative opinions she had about him had gone right out the window.
"Wait, you're telling me that Bakugo-San hit him?!" She looked at her classmates wide-eyed.
"Yeah, we were shocked too. Ida told Mr. Aizawa and he got hit with a punishment that he had to wait after the Sports Festival to do. He has to clean the hero course classrooms for a week after school," Denki informed while staring up ahead. The girl turned back to Katsuki with a deep frown. Neito may have been a jerk, and she wasn't gonna pretend like he was an entirely good person. But that didn't mean Katsuki had to hurt him...especially because it had to do with her. Why else would he do it? And she didn't want him to have gotten in trouble over something that she got upset over.
Bakugo-San...what exactly goes through your head...?
"Now, let's break out the hardware," Midnight announced, snapping Izuka out of it for now. She definitely wasn't going to forget what she just learned... "Of course, there's only one person worthy of distributing the awards."
A figure laughed while standing on the stadium. The whole crowd cheered as they immediately recognized who it was. "All Might's up there!"
"Citizens!" He then jumped off into the sky. "I am here with the medals!"
"The number one hero!" Midnight waved a hand as he landed right next to her. He glanced to the teacher, who gave an apologetic look. "Ruined that, didn't I?"
"This group of first-years is so lucky! I can't believe they've got the best hero teaching them," Someone spoke from the crowd.
Midnight smiled while holding the medals. "So now that you're here, All Might, why don't you start the presentation?"
The crowd cheered again as All Might let out a laugh standing in front of Fumikage. "Young Tokoyami. Congratulations," He put the third-place medal over the student's neck. "You showed great strength out there."
"Your words humble me, sir," Fumikage spoke up and All Might hugged him.
"However...you've more training to do if you're going to be able to fight against different kinds of villains. You're not going to be able to rely on your Quirk in every battle you face," He stepped away from the boy, who stared at his medal.
"Yes, sir..."
All Might grinned while holding up the second place medal. "Young Todoroki. Congratulations!" Shoto silently accepted his medal. "I'm assuming there's a reason you didn't use your left side. Though it cost you the final."
"Midoriya opened my eyes during our match...but then I started to doubt myself. Even his sister attempted to help me," He confessed to the hero. Izuka glanced at her brother curiously. "I think I now understand a little about why you're so interested in him and Mido. I want to be the kind of hero you are...but my path isn't as clear as I thought it was. I have a lot to think about," He then looked up at All Might. "And I still need to settle things with someone. Very soon. I have Mido to thank for inspiring me to do so."
Izuka blinked in shock and then gave a small smile. "I'LL KILL YOU!" Katsuki muffled out, wanting to send out an explosion at Shoto right now. Izuka recoiled back in alarm with her eyes wide, wondering what set him off that time.
All Might gave a nervous expression to Katsuki but then nodded at Shoto. "I've never seen that sort of look on your face before," Like Fumikage, he also gave Shoto a hug. "I won't ask for details, but trust yourself. I'm sure you'll work things out," He patted the boy on the back.
"Right..."
"And now, Young Bakugo," He then gave an awkward sound at Katsuki's current state. "This is a little much," He reached out to take off the muzzle. "Well, you did what you said you'd do in the pledge. You're true to your word."
"All Might..." Katsuki growled out, and All Might's smile dropped a little. "Winning first place this way..." He gave one of the most terrifying looks that anyone had ever seen. "Doesn't prove that I'm the best one here! Even if the world considers me the winner, I refuse to accept it like this!"
Look at that face! All Might thought in shock before clearing his throat. "In a world where we're constantly being compared to one another. There are very few who can keep their eyes focused on the top sport. You're one of them." This did nothing to ease the boy, though. Still scary!
I think it's safe to say he's never gonna let this go... Izuka looked away nervously while scratching her cheek.
Nevertheless, All Might held up the medal to Katsuki. "Please accept this medal. Even if you have to think of it as a scar. Something you'll never forget."
"I don't want that piece of garbage!" Katsuki immediately denied it.
"Come on, now," All Might put it around his face, pulling down gently.
"Get that trash offa me, you idiot!" All Might managed to get it around his mouth, turning around with a big smile.
"Here they are! The winners of this year's sports festival! But listen closely. Any of you first-years could have ended up standing on these podiums. Think about what you've done today. You've challenged each other, learned, and climbed even closer onwards your goals of being pros. I think the next generation of heroes is proving to be our most promising one yet," He then pointed a finger to the sky. "So I have one more thing to say. I want to hear everyone yell it with me. You know what it is! Thanks everyone for your hard work!"
"Plus Ultra!" The audience shouted instead, upsetting them. "What?! That was the perfect time to say Plus Ultra, All Might!"
"Oh, well, yeah I guess, but everyone did such a good job!" All Might protested to the boos he was getting.
The sun started to set after the award ceremony was over.
Your friend can also be a worthy opponent. The Sports Festival showed us that. We learned a lot about each other...and ourselves.
Even if you treat a friend like an opponent...that doesn't mean you still can't support their efforts. Uraraka-Chan, Yaoyorozu-Chan and I knew that whole-heartedly. I even managed to see some people I didn't like in a different perspective...for the most part.
"Nice work," Mr. Aizawa told his class. "You have the next two days of school off to recuperate—all except Bakugo. He stays here to fulfill his punishment like we discussed," He gave Katsuki a small glare, the boy still in chains with the medal in his mouth. Once he heard what the teacher said, he huffed angrily. Izuka briefly glanced at him, still trying to get over that, but she couldn't. It hadn't left her mind ever since she learned about it.
I guess he's not gonna let Bakugo-San free until he has to clean later, huh? Izuka gave a nervous expression. He even had his school uniform tie on, something that she knew he always hated wearing. Putting them on alone frustrated him, and she knew that because of how he dressed.
"I'm sure the pros who watched the festival will wanna recruit some of you. We'll look over the draft forms and update you when you return. Get some rest. You still have a lot of training."
"Yes, sir!" Most of the class responded to him. Izuku stayed silent as he glanced behind him.
After that...the atmosphere around the school started to change.
Tenya was excused from class for the time being because of his brother, so he was absent. Izuka glanced back at the empty desk, sighing to herself. Both of them just hoped that everything would be okay...
Even though it was gradual at first.
I myself had started to change too...even some of my relationships with others. Whether or not it was for the best, I couldn't really say.
Tenya was at Hosu General Hospital, bowing to the receptionist gratefully. He then ran down the hall, the nurse standing up. "Please don't run in the hallways!" She called out, but he didn't follow this order for once. He panted as he ran up the stairs. Once he found the right hallway, he saw his mother sitting near a door.
"Mom?!"
She then stood up in worry. "Oh, Tenya!"
"How is Tensei doing?" He asked her in immediate urgency. He opened the door with a panicked look on his face. "Brother!"
"Tenya, keep your voice down and put on a mask!" Mrs. Ida urged, wearing a mask herself. She held his shoulder as he gasped sharply. He stared up ahead at Tensei, who looked to be in bad shape as the doctor stepped away.
"The anesthesia's worn off, but he's still in and out," He informed the two of them. "If the surgery had happened any later...I don't know if he would have made it."
Tensei opened his eyes a few seconds later. "Little brother...is that you...?" He asked out of breath. Mrs. Ida sobbed near the door as Tenya approached him slowly.
"Tensei. You're gonna be fine!" He said while trying to keep his composure. He gripped the sides of the hospital bed, trying to stay hopeful for his older brother.
"Sorry...I'm supposed to be someone you can look up to and respect, but look at me..." Tears appeared in Tenya's eyes staring at him. He remembered talking to his brother and admiring him so much as Ingenium... "Tenya...little brother...I'm so sorry. I failed you..." It was after this that Tenya started to openly sob for how much he wanted to keep having hope...to be like his brother...
"TENSEI!" He cried out in agony while Stain walked down a dark alleyway.
Katsuki was grumbling while mopping the classroom floor. Everything had been moved to the sides so that he'd have space to clean up. He had to clean every inch of the two classrooms for the week, and his mom was definitely not happy about it. He hadn't calmed down much after what happened at the Sports Festival either...
Someone peeked into the door, only a little bit so he couldn't see who it was. Izuka stared at him cleaning with a small frown. I still don't get it. Why would he risk getting in trouble over me of all people? To him, I'm barely above an extra. And I'm the sister of someone he's hated for years, so why did he do it? She closed her eyes and then let out a deep breath. This was definitely not going to be a fun discussion.
"I know you're there," Katsuki remarked and she flinched in alarm. "Face me and stop being a coward or get the hell outta here."
Rude Her lips puffed up in a pout at the first part before she opened the door. "Why...why did you hit Monoma-San?" She asked after a few seconds.
He slowly stopped after hearing her voice, glancing over his shoulder as he didn't know it was her, he just knew it was someone watching him. The boy gritted his teeth from the question as this was the last thing he wanted to talk about after his half-assed win. He then turned back, going back to his cleaning. "The hell is this, an interrogation? Get lost."
"You don't get to do that when you did the same to me about my brother," She frowned, pointing at herself. "You're gonna pretend...that it didn't happen? They told me all about it. Why would...why would you do that to him?"
He looked up in alarm, wondering if she was seriously defending him here. And if she was, it was definitely not helping his current mood. "Don't act stupid! He-" He whipped around as he realized he was mopping the floor. Looking down, he saw that she wasn't actually touching it, she was still in the doorway. He then grunted and continued to mop. "The guy had it coming. He's just some idiot wanting to talk us down. We're not taking that the way they want us to."
"A-Apologize to him."
He gave a shocked sound while looking up at her as she was serious. An angry glare was on her face as well. Almost all of the tension they had in their past came crawling back as neither of them spoke for what was an eternity. "...What the hell?" He asked in disbelief after recollecting himself. "Why would I do something that idiotic? If you really think I would, you're out of your mind."
"Apologize to him...By tomorrow," She demanded again in a tone that suggested that she wouldn't let this slide at all.
"Why don't you make me?" He retorted back and she faltered, staring at him. And that was because both of them knew there was nothing she could do to change his mind. "Yeah, that's what I thought. So stay out of my damn business. Wait here for me or don't, I don't give a damn."
Izuka gave a sound of disbelief at his behavior and then turned herself around. "You're such a tyrant, especially when you were up there with your medal," She grumbled, but he heard her anyway. He lifted his head up, gritting his teeth as she took her bags and was about to leave. Suddenly she heard footsteps storming up to her and before she could run off, he grabbed her arm and pinned it against the wall. "Hey!" She struggled to get free as he loomed over her.
"I can't stand you sometimes, you know that?" He ignored her attempt as he had an intense look on his face. "Don't get ahead of yourself and act like you know me. The hell you don't. Listen here, I don't care what you or anyone else thinks of me. If you think I'm stupid enough to apologize for something that guy deserves, you're damn wrong," He pinned her arm harder so she would stop moving and she looked up at him. She froze upon seeing his face as he leaned in to be at eye level with her. "Don't forget that I'm the one who comes out on top here. Everyone else, they're nothing. Nobody can catch up to me, not even you right now. Got that?"
She stared at him while panting in fear. This side of him was just as terrifying as he was when he was getting his medal...he was so intimidating, and those red eyes of his definitely didn't help. She then gulped as her heart was racing faster than she thought possible.
"You're scared of me? That's a new one," Katsuki remarked since he knew by now that he definitely scared her less and less. "If anyone thinks that they can treat you like garbage, spewing crap that isn't true, they're dead. Plain and simple. I'm gonna be the best, while all you do is watch. So what the hell are you doing defending people like him and talking to icy hot?"
"Todoroki-San?" Izuka finally spoke up again, wondering why he came up when this had nothing to do with him. "This isn't about him, this is about you punching another student because of rumors! I didn't ask you to do that."
"Oh, trying to change the subject?" He growled a little.
"If you punching a student because of me is none of my business, then whatever happens with me and Todoroki-San isn't yours," She held her head up high.
"Huh?!" He looked at her wide-eyed, and was slowly starting to get more pissed. "Damn it, mo—uh!" He flinched as he realized the first part of what she said. "I didn't hit that extra because of you! He was just in my way. Don't you dare say that to me again," He gritted his teeth. "I'm gonna show these damn people I'm above them. And having one of the most..." He struggled to come up with the right word to say. "You in front of me, only proves that I'm meant to be the best. And I'll remind you of that really well if I have to."
He released her finally and she watched him storm past her. She then squeezed her eyes shut in frustration, holding her head as she let out an agonized yell. "You-arrrgh!" She stormed off with her bags as she was gonna head home herself for once. The girl grumbled while walking down the hall, as she couldn't believe how much of an idiot he was being. And the nerve to bring up Shoto when he was someone who didn't need to get caught up in...whatever was going on with her and Katsuki. She didn't even know how to describe it, as she didn't know lots of times what was going on with her and the blond. It was like one day he inspired her, the next he was making her dislike him just like she did growing up.
"Don't you dare leave without me!"
She flinched, glancing backwards to see Katsuki in the entryway. He was panting as he had sprinted here without a second thought. Her face faltered as she stared into his eyes, and he did the same with her. There was a brief silence between the both of them before her mouth closed, turning away. She shouldn't have gotten angry with him about it—okay, maybe not entirely since she didn't want him to get into trouble, but she did piss him off with everything she just said.
If Izuku were here, he'd do what I'm about to say...unfortunately.
Izuka then sighed, closing her eyes and looking up ahead. "...I'm sorry," She finally spoke up and he blinked at her words. "I crossed lines I shouldn't have when...when it wasn't my business between you and Monoma-San."
"I don't remember asking for your forgiveness, and I don't want it," He retorted as he walked down the steps, a hand in his pocket while holding his bag. She then glanced up at him with a small frown as he kept his eyes up ahead. "I don't regret a damn thing. You shouldn't either. It's actually fun when you give me a challenge for once. Now come on."
"Uh?" She stared at him in confusion as he walked. "B-But-"
"Are you coming or what?" He glanced back in annoyance and she recoiled back in alarm. She then ran after him, walking by his right side. There was still the elephant in the room, though. Izuka looked up at the moon as they walked, deciding to just ask.
"...Is it true that you can't stand me?" She wondered and he gave a sound of shock, glancing at her. "I know we've had our problems, but...a part of me wanted to think that we were at least being civil sometimes..."
"Mm..." He turned back forward, looking up at the moon himself. "...I...think you're at least manageable enough to hang around. Don't get me wrong, you're a pain in the ass...but you're also good company. So don't let anything I say get to your head. And what I said stays between us, ya got that?"
She blinked and then gave a small smile. The animosity she would've had in middle school seemed to be almost completely gone now. "Right back at you...Bakugo-San."
"Hah," He gave a small grin for the retort. "Ya damn nerd...what about Four-Eyes? Are you gonna defend him too?"
"He's my friend," She argued as nicely as she could. "And...besides, he has enough problems to deal with other than you wanting to hurting him," She looked up towards the sky, her eyes softening. She felt like if Izuku had been hurt by a villain, she'd be worried sick too just like Tenya was. The blond stared at her, noting her expression. He could tell that something about Tenya was on her mind, hopefully not in the same way as Shoto...
"Not that I care..." He glanced away briefly, a hand in his pocket. "But you know why he was gone?"
"I can't just tell you, I don't know if he wants people to learn about it just yet," She sighed a little bit, closing her eyes.
"...So then I'll pretend I didn't hear it. I won't say anything."
She gasped while turning to him wide-eyed. Just like that, he agreed that he wasn't going to spread Tenya's business around...was it because she had that concern? Because she knew that Katsuki couldn't care less about Tenya given how they didn't get along very well.
"Are you gonna tell me or not?!" He glared down at her and she snapped out of it.
"...His brother Ingenium got caught by a villain. He's in recovery, but that's all I know. That's why Ida-San wasn't in class earlier either."
Katsuki glanced down at her in silence as she looked towards the ground, frowning. "And you feel like you relate to him, huh? So some villain got a lame-ass hero. They wouldn't last two seconds around me."
"Ack!" Her hair stood on end. "You know, you could be a little nicer about this...!"
"You're the one who opened her mouth!" He retorted back in annoyance and she sighed, reminding herself to never expect any sympathy out of him again.
Still...it's nice to be able to talk like this and not worry about our negative feelings for a change...even if we were at each other's throats like 5 minutes ago...
The next day, the sun was shining down at the Todoroki residence. "Shoto, where are you going?" Fuyumi, his older sister, asked as he was about to leave.
"The hospital," He answered his sister simply.
"What?" She questioned in alarm. "Hold on, why? You can't just visit. Not without telling Dad, right?"
"Whatever," He finished putting on his shoes and opened the door.
"But why go now?" She stared after him with a small frown. "Why see her after all this time?"
He didn't answer and he stepped out the door. He looked over his shoulder. "I'll be back," He then closed it without another word.
He walked down the street, hands in his pockets. "It went bam and blew him away!" A little boy exclaimed nearby.
"Hm? That's amazing!" His mother complimented in support.
"It was so cool, Mom! Bam! Crash!"
The mother smiled gently with a small laugh as they walked past Shoto. "Sounds like you had a good time."
"Yeah!" The little boy laughed.
"Mom...I feel like I'm going crazy," Mrs. Todoroki's voice echoed in his mind again. "I can't take it anymore. Every day, the children seem more like him. And Shoto...that child's left side sometimes looks unbearable to me. All I can see is his father. I can't raise him anymore. I want to run away from this life..."
Her fear that day was something that could never escape his mind. He had no idea what she was going through until he heard it for himself. She always showed him her kindness...but Endeavor had essentially shattered it. He stared up at the hospital his mother was placed in.
Ever since that day...I thought the sight of me would cause my mother nothing but pain. So I never visited. He then stepped towards the doors. But we will always be bound to each other. As he spoke his mother's name, the nurses were shocked to see him. Not only because he had never showed, but because they knew who he was. By blood. By our history with my father. That's why... He then stood in front of her door, not knowing what to expect. If I'm ever going to use this body and these powers to become a hero...if I'm going to give it everything I have...
He reached out to the handle, though he did hesitate. He still didn't know if this would change anything within his mother...He lowered his hand with a small sigh.
"It's okay to use your power...to become who you want to be."
"I wish you luck, Todoroki-San," Izuka waved with a small smile.
These words were enough to get him to open the door slowly.
If I'm going to become the hero I want to be... He saw his mother sitting in front of the window. I need to see her. There's so much we need to talk about. He stepped in and closed the door, never talking his eyes off of the woman. Neither of them had the courage to speak.
"...Hello, Mom."
She flinched at his voice, slowly turning around and seeing her son. She stared at him in surprise as his mouth twitched. I'll rescue her from this place. No matter what. That's my first step to getting back on track...it's what I have to do.
Ochaco was on the phone with Izuka. "What am I gonna have for lunch today? Something cheap," She mused while walking down the street.
"I know a place that sells really good mochi for cheap, Uraraka-Chan," Izuka spoke up softly, getting the brunette's attention. "I think it's nearby your place, actually. I sometimes stop there if I ever get hungry walking home."
"Mochi does sound good right about now," Ochaco smiled in agreement.
"...Uraraka-Chan." She blinked at Izuka saying her name seriously. "I just...wanted to tell you...that I'm glad you're my first real friend. Growing up, I didn't have any female friends I could be comfortable with. They all would just pick on me or ignore me. So...I'm really grateful to you. You've always been there for me and...well, I wish I could repay you in some way."
Ochaco gave a small smile. "Aw, Mido, you don't need to thank me or repay me. I'm glad that you came to Class 1-A with your brother. Let's continue being good friends, okay?"
"Right. Well, I'll let you go, Uraraka-Chan. I've got something to do."
"Okay. Bye," Ochaco smiled as she hung up. She then used her key in the lock, but the door was oddly already opened. She then slowly found herself in darkness. That's weird. It's not locked.
"OCHACO!" Both of her parents screamed while crawling to their daughter, though they were in shadow, so she couldn't see them properly. Ochaco gave a loud shriek of fear looking at them. The two then stood up with smiles.
"There you are!"
"Dad? Mom?" She asked in confusion. "What are you guys doing here?!" She figured that they'd be at work as usual, so seeing them here was surprising.
"We came to throw you a party," Her mother revealed with a smile, pushing one of Ochaco's bulging eyes back in place.
"We had to come after watching our daughter make such an awesome effort on TV!" Her father revealed with a small smile.
"Wait, what? But what about work—did you come on the bullet train? When?! How?!" Ochaco was hyperventilating and then brightened up happily. "I can't believe you're here...!"
"It's all thanks to your friend, she's such a sweet girl," Her mother stepped away and Ochaco gasped in surprise. Izuka was standing there awkwardly with a nervous smile. "She pulled some strings to get us the day off today!"
More like I asked All Might to drop me off at their company. Their employees just happened to plead with them to take the day off once they saw him and learned what I had planned... Izuka gave a sheepish grin.
"Mido...!" Ochaco raced to hug the girl happily. "Thank you so much!"
"You deserve it, Uraraka-Chan," Izuka gave a bright smile, the parents smiling at her too.
"Seven! Isn't that crazy?" Inko exclaimed to her son at their apartment.
"Well, yeah," He was attempting to eat, but with his injured hand, it was hard getting used to.
"That's how many times I passed out after the cavalry battle," She held up seven fingers. "I'm pretty sure the last two were because of dehydration."
"Kinda sounds like you were way more heroic than I was out there," He remarked, though didn't look up at her.
She gave him a blank look. "Don't mock your mother," She deadpanned a little. "Suddenly finding out you had a power like that—I'm glad you have a Quirk, but did it have to be so dangerous? I could honestly say the same about your sister."
"Yeah, it's the weirdest thing," He explained to his mother while waving an arm. "Apparently it's not medically impossible or anything like that, I'm just a late bloomer, and anyway, now I have a Quirk of my own and Izuka's decided to use hers-"
"Babies, I'm so happy for you!" Inko cried out happily, a wave of tears falling from her eyes.
"Mom..." Izuka held up her hands in an attempt to calm her.
"Of course I'll keep supporting you both. But I am still your mother, so I'm going to worry, too."
He gave a small frown, remembering what Recovery Girl said to him, his sister, and Toshinori during the Sports Festival... "Mm-hm..." He nodded in silence.
I keep putting everything I have into achieving my dreams. But I can't forget that there are people who are concerned about me. If I want to be a hero who smiles while living up to everyone's expectations...I can't give up. He then looked at his bandaged hand. I need to figure out how to use One for All and make it my own. And then...maybe I'll finally be able to say it. I am here.
"So...do you wanna watch the festival recording once your sister's home?" Inko asked in excitement. "It's in HD!"
"How about we watch it by ourselves later," Izuku suggested nervously, not sure if he wanted his mother to pass out from re-watching it. And Izuka probably didn't want the reminder of the crowds so soon either.
Everything was quiet at the Bakugo residence before a familiar voice started screaming. "DIE! Stupid weakling mouth germs!" He brushed his teeth in irritation, still not over what happened at the Sports Festival.
"Katsuki, you can't wake up at noon and start yelling!" His mother screamed from somewhere in the house.