Chapter Thirty-Nine

For better or worse, merely announcing that Izuku had won wasn't the end of things. " Alright everyone, let's take forty-five minutes to clear the field of ice, again, and then we'll have our closing ceremonies!" Present Mic announced.

I suppressed a yawn, still tired out from Recovery Girl's healing, as I leaned back, glad that everything was almost over. Even in the time I'd been watching, the pain of my injuries had faded to a dull ache, though drawing down on OfA quickly made them hurt again, but it was a manageable pain, like a freshly stubbed toe, and the fact that I was still sparking slightly, while no one had commented on it, wasn't likely to pass muster when we were on the field again without fighting.

Down on said field, Cementoss, Power Loader, and Thirteen were quickly disassembling the field. Cementoss was shifting what remained of the arena to let the Support teacher remove the four flame generators at the corners of the field, and was ferrying the ice over to be better dissolved by Thirteen.

Momo stood, clapping her hands to get her classmate's attention. "Okay everyone, let's make our way down for the closing ceremony!"

"Ugh, you just want to go down 'cause you won," Minetta muttered, and Yaoyorozu's smile stiffened slightly.

"In point of fact I did not, and I am speaking as your class president. Vice president?" she asked, looking down at me.

Right, that's me, I thought, not having had to do much, if anything, because of the position I'd been voted into. Groaning a little, I stood. "I'm still sore as shit," I told the boy, Momo shooting me a reproachful glance at my swearing, "And I don't think I'm the only one," I added, with a nod to Sero and Kirishima, who, while they'd both recovered from their fights, had found their way to their seats and then hadn't left since they'd returned. "Also, where's Ida?"

I had a sneaking suspicion, but there was no way I could've known. Part of me wondered if I could've done something to stop his brother's meeting with Stain, that I might not be a 'true hero' if I didn't stop everything bad from happening, but I'd already started to throw things off. My intel was no longer reliable, and, if I could step in and stop Stain, I would, but I couldn't. To put it simply, I wasn't strong enough, and today had shown it.

My Body Defense might be a hard-counter for his power, assuming I could still handle a highly skilled swordsman who wouldn't hesitate to gut me like a fish, but I'd decided to live in this world, and part of that was, where I could, following this world's rules. Fighting with Villains while using my Quirk was something that, even if I wanted to, wasn't something I was supposed to do.

Was it passing along the responsibility? Yeah, a bit. But to believe that I, and I alone, could direct the path of the future would be the height of arrogance. Say I did warn Ida's brother, either he wouldn't listen to me because I was just a student, or he wouldn't because I kept myself anonymous, and even if everything did work out I'd be asked a lot of very pointed questions, including why, if I had access to this intel, I hadn't stopped the Hero Killer sooner.

And, more than that, Ida's brother wasn't a hero that'd happened to stumble across Stain, or had otherwise been unprepared. No, the man was an adult, a professional hero, and was actively hunting the Villain in question. Did I wish it went as badly as it did? Hell no. Was I in any way responsible for what happened, even though I had knowledge of one probably future? Same answer.

Mina's poke brought me out of my thoughts, and glancing at her, she looked concerned. "Just tired," I told her, bringing up hands to slap my cheeks, waking me up. Looking around, most of our class was already headed for the door. "Um, Ida?" I asked again.

"Family thing," my girlfriend told me. "You sure you're okay?"

I nodded, adding quietly, "Though I wouldn't say no if you helped me home. I'm not kidding here, I'm dead on my feet. I've got a few more minutes of performance in me, then I'm done."

"Performance?" she asked, not understanding.

I toggled OfA, and stood up straight, stating quietly, but with confidence and as if I could do the entire Festival all over again, "Do not worry, for I am here!" Then I pulled the power back, letting my shoulders drop, and shuddering slightly as I fended off the waves of tiredness. " Like that. I'm good for the closing ceremony, then I'm going to crash. Hell, I'm gonna need you to make sure I don't fall asleep in the class meeting after this."

"I. . . okay, you can count on me!" Mina replied, still looking a bit concerned, but putting on a performance of her own to cover whatever else she was feeling. Trudging up the stairs, then down hall after hall, we all made our way towards the waiting room, my girlfriend making sure to keep pace with me.

Plopping down in a chair, the world seemed to stutter for a moment, as I was poked in the ribs, everyone in different positions then they'd been before. " It's time," Mina whispered, and I nodded, thankful, standing, feeling a little better.

Looking around, Miss Midnight was at the door with an expectant look, Momo standing beside her. Heading over to the two of them, the woman turned and walked out, both of us following, going. . . somewhere.

"Feeling better, Denki?" Yaoyorozu asked, glancing over at me. "Your bruises have vanished."

I blinked, not having realized I was even bruised at all. "Recovery Girl must've known I was going to heal by the time I needed to go back out," I mused, nodding to Momo. "And yeah, I am. Thanks."

"Ah, young love, blooming on the battlefield," Ms. Midnight cooed, glancing back over her shoulder at us, and winking.

"We were friends before today," I replied, deadpan, even as the girl beside me blushed.

The pro shot back without missing a beat, "Friends, or something more?"

"I, he, we," Yaoyorozu stuttered, turning even redder.

I just chuckled, "Maybe lay off the banter a bit, teach? Momo isn't quite up to that point, and doesn't have your. . . experience to shrug it off yet."

The older woman's step twitched, and the salacious smile was replaced with an annoyed one. "My experience?" she repeated, as warning sirens suddenly started going off in my cotton stuffed head.

But I knew better than to show fear. If I looked more like Midoriya, I might be able to play cute and naïve, but looking as adult as I did, that path was closed to me. I tried to remember how old Midnight was, just remembering something about a 'Christmas cake', and ran with that. "Well, you went to UA, and you have six years of experience being a Pro," I shrugged. "Despite what her costume might suggest, Ms. Yaoyorozu here was thinking of practicality, not perversion potential, and isn't used to that kind of thing."

". . . . How old do you think I am?" Midnight asked, pausing to look at me fully.

I shrugged again, "I don't know. Twenty-five?"

The older woman looked at me, likely trying to spot the lie, but I honestly had no clue. Finally, she nodded. "You're forgiven," she decided, turning around with a hair flip and sashaying down the stairs, as we followed. "Yaoyorozu," she announced, changing the subject, the girl next to me jumping a little. "The way you handled Ida. It was impressive."

"Oh, thank you, ma'am!" she replied, glancing over my way. "If I hadn't trained with Denki, I wouldn't've been able to react in time."

As we walked down another set of stairs, now below ground level, the pro started to say something, before shifting and directing her question my way. "Been getting hands on with your classmate, Kaminari?"

"Absolutely," I replied without shame, mouth on autopilot to reply in kind to whatever was sent my way. "It's rather enjoyable. Getting the blood pumping, pushing yourself to the limit. The only downside of my Regen is that I tend to tire her out too quick, but Mina and her take turns, and everyone is sore afterwards, but absolutely satisfied."

"Denki!" Momo hissed, incredibly embarrassed, and I winced, realizing what I'd just said, and wondering if I'd went too far.

Midnight, however, just laughed, smiling broadly and honestly, before it dropped to her normal seductive look. " Kinky. And talking like that, you say she isn't used to some teasing?"

"What?" I asked in turn, confused, and still dead tired. "No? I don't talk like that when we're sparring! She might take it wrong, and I don't want to hurt her feelings."

"She is right here," Momo stated, stopping, offended. "And, what do you mean 'take it wrong', Kaminari?"

As I tried to figure out how to phrase it, not prepared for this conversation at all, Ms. Midnight stepped in, both of us having stopped along with my friend. "He means, as deliciously illicit as it might be, he's not interested in me. Correct?" she stated glancing my way.

I nodded earnestly. "If I was five years older and, you know, not your student, then maybe. Also, if I wasn't with someone already."

A spark of interest danced in the pro's eyes as she turned back to the younger girl, "But if he came on half as hard as we're being with each other, he's worried you'd either be offended, or you'd take him too seriously." Stepping closer, Ms. Midnight seemed to slide up to the student, a finger gently holding up her single bang of hair. "A maiden's heart is a delicate thing, and that young man seems to know that. If I were you, I'd hold on tight, and not let go," she smiled.

"But, but, we're just friends! And he's with-" Momo stuttered, cutting herself off, and I cleared my throat, giving the older woman a significant look.

"Of course, what else could I be referring to?" Ms. Midnight smiled, sauntering away, dragging a nail along my chest as she passed me. "Come on, students. You wouldn't want to be late to the climax of the festival."

"I'm pretty sure that was Midoriya's fight with Todoroki," I mused, as I followed her, Momo falling in step with me, thoughtful.

The pro shook her head. "Your performance was plenty impressive as well. I'd even say you swept me off my feet."

"Yeah, the shockwave at the end was kinda nuts," I nodded, getting a moue of disappointment as I sidestepped the teasing entirely. "Shattered my arm, but RG does good work."

"Wait, you what?" Momo asked, looking at me in shock, but we turned the corner, seeing Deku and Todoroki waiting outside an industrial looking doorway.

Izuku perked up, seeing us. "Kaminari, Yaoyorozu! You're both looking better!"

I wondered exactly what I looked like before, but still smiled. "Hey there, Champion. You sure aren't."

The boy, arms and legs bandaged, though thankfully without any casts or slings, smiled, one wrapped hand going behind his head, chagrined. "Yeah. Recovery Girl was really angry with me."

"There's a difference between rough play and blood play, Midoriya," Ms. Midnight purred. "Learn it."

"Blood-" Momo started echo in confusion, stopping as I shook my head. "oh."

Striding past the boys, the Pro opened the door, revealing machinery and three increasingly taller pillars, all of them with stairs leading up to them. A quick explanation had us standing at our places, the stairs retracted into the pillars themselves. Yaoyorozu was standing next to me on the lowest platform as the teacher hurried off, to announce us up top.

We waited, silent, Midoriya fidgeting a little as I made sure to balance my stance, waiting, eyes half closed, ready to go 'on stage' when needed. Hearing Miss Midnight's muffled voice from above, accompanied by cheering, I cycled OfA for a moment, bringing me back up to full, as I took in and released a deep breath, ready.

The machinery around us whirred to life, the area over our heads opening to reveal a smoke cloud shot through with confetti, and the platforms under our feet started to rise. Momo reflexively grabbed onto me for support, before just as quickly letting go, as we were lifted up to the field proper, the smoke quickly dispersing and revealing the entire first year class arrayed in front of us, a bevy of news crews and photographers behind them, the rapid-fire clacking of their cameras an off-beat staccato patter in the background.

Standing tall and firm, even as my muscles, bones, tendons, and everything else made their complaints known to my nerves, I looked around, nodding to the crowd, and then the cameras in the back.

"As usual, asking the two losing semi-finalists to fight each other after the injuries they sustained would be a bit too much, no matter how titillating that might be to watch, so we have two third-place winners," Ms. Midnight announced. "Aren't they quite a pair."

My friend dropped her head, muttering, "She never stops, does she. Why isn't she like this in class?"

Still smiling, I nudged the girl with my elbow. "I think she's only like that one-on-one. Look up and happy for the cameras, Momo. If I can, you can."

Ever the open book, she glanced at me in concern, and likely noticed the slight shaking of my muscles, before nodding, a determined look on her face, smiling beatifically and copying me in giving the crowds, our fellow students, and the cameras the appropriate amount of attention.

Glancing over, Shoto was doing his arms down, 'I'm too deep in thought to pay attention' side look, while Midoriya was looking around, wide eyed, as if he still couldn't believe he'd won, and I was just glad he hadn't started crying tears of joy, as, if the anime was anything like reality, I didn't want the impromptu shower.

"Now let's break out the hardware!" Midnight announced, gesturing to the back of the arena, handcuff bracelet jangling. "Of course there's only one person worthy of distributing the awards!"

A brash, boisterous laugh echoed across the arena, as a familiar rabbit-eared shadow rose up in the back. Running forward, and somersaulting down he announced, "Citizens, I am here with the metals!" at the exact same time Midnight announced, "All Might is the Number One Hero!"

The result was kind of a jumbled mess.

Oh god, we've got two primo-donna's, I couldn't help but think, biting back a laugh.

Then, there was a long few seconds of awkward silence.

"Ruined that, didn't I?" Midnight asked, hands clasped in apology, clearly embarrassed.

You know, she's kind of cute that way, my brain noted, and I promptly told it to shut the hell up, as I didn't need that kind of drama in my life.

The crowd laughed a little, and the tension eased, as Midnight, just a little hurriedly, got the tray containing our awards, letting the Symbol of Peace take the lead, stating "So now that you're here All Might, why don't you start the presentation?"

Stepping up to us, on stairs that re-extended out from the pillars, All Might regarded us with a confident, yet still warm, smile. "You two certainly proved your worth today," he stated, and I noted that, while still deep, his voice was neither booming, nor was it being broadcast to the stands. "Congratulations."

Yaoyorozu looked up at the large man with awe and gratitude for a moment, before she looked down, unsure. "If we had fought, I wouldn't be here," she noted. "Denki's the real third place winner."

I couldn't help but roll my eyes, having been over this with her before. Did she think I was lying? "With the way the Arena was set up, sure, but give you an hour to set up the field, and do so in more realistic settings, and I'm pretty damn certain I'd lose, Momo," I told her.

She still looked doubtful, but Toshinori nodded, if anything smiling wider. "Young Kaminari is right, young lady. The fact that, limited as you were, you still made it to the Semi-Finals is something you should take pride in. It's something that I am proud of you for, as I am of your handling of young Mr. Bradley, Kaminari. That was well done, even if you went a bit overboard with young Midoriya."

Not even needing for us to lean over, he put the bronze medals over our heads, before leaning in and pulling us both in for a hug, which was. . . awkward, but weirdly nice in a paternal way. "You both have your strengths, and your weaknesses, but have no doubt that you both deserve to be where you are. That said, you should keep going, to handle ever greater challenges.

"I will," Momo said, getting a little choked up, while I just nodded, quipping with a smile, "Go beyond, Plus Ultra!"

All Might chuckled. "Indeed."

Stepping down, he moved over to Shoto, stating, just loud enough for us to barely hear, "Young Todoroki, congratulations." Placing the pendant over the dour looking boy's neck, he continued, "I'm sure there's a reason you didn't use your left side, there at the end."

"Ashido, and Kaminari, and then during the final match with Midoriya," he admitted at the unspoken question. "They helped open my eyes, but, in that last moment, I doubted myself. I think I understand a little why you're interested in them. Especially Midoriya. If he wants to be the kind of hero you are, and not. . . then, maybe I want that too. But. . . I can't just pretend. . . And I need to settle things with someone, very soon," he declared, eyes focused, but not hard, as he looked up at the Symbol of Peace.

All Might just nodded understandingly, "I've never seen that look in your eyes before." Moving in for the hug, I strained to hear as he continued, "I won't ask for details, but trust yourself, I'm sure you'll work things out. And you decide the path you walk, not anyone who's. . . shadow you might stand in. Shine brightly, and there will be no shadows on you at all."

"I. . . yes," Shoto murmured, as All Might pulled back, taking the gold, and walking up to a wide-eyed Midoriya.

"Midoriya, my young man. You truly came out, with a smile on your face, and said to the world 'I am here!'" The large man smiled down at his protégé.

Deku, eyes watery, looked up as All Might put the gold around his neck. "You're, you're proud of me?"

"Of course I'm proud of you," Toshinori reassured the boy, going in for the hug. "Even if you hadn't won, as long as you gave it your best shot, I would be. To win it all? You really are walking in my footsteps."

And there we go, I noted, a little amused, as I stepped to the side to avoid the spray. Actually is a thing that happens. Huh.

Stepping back, All Might turned towards the others, one hand outstretched, and when he spoke, his booming voice was carried to the entire arena. "Here they are, the winners of this year's sports festival! But listen closely! Any of you first years could've ended up standing on these podiums. Think about what you've done today: you've challenged each other, learned, and climbed even closer towards your goals of being Pros. I think the next generation of heroes is proving to be the most promising one yet!"

Holding a finger high, the Symbol of Peace yelled, "So I have one more thing to say! I want to hear everyone with me! UA is, Plus Ultra!"

Everyone cheered, and Midoriya held a fist in the air, along with half the crowd, and Mina gave me a wide, happy smile. Grinning, back at her, and at Mei who was standing with her, I couldn't help but reach over and take Momo's hand in mine, holding it up to show that we'd done this, we'd, if not won this, then all four of us had come damn close, and we'd done so together!

AN: As always, the next three chapters are up on !