More than a dozen students stared at the arena below in a kind of horrified fascination.
"And as you can see, the battery life on my incredible Turbo Charge Power Pack allows me to continue functioning at full capacity! Combined with all my other marvellous inventions, even an ordinary girl like me can outpace those with combat training for a solid hour! And with no signs of slowing down! Imagine if you will my dear listeners, this kind of equipment in the hands of a skilled pro! Preliminary calculations suggest this equipment could improve hero efficiency and safety by upwards of fifteen percent!"
"This is the worst," Kirishima complained, head resting on his hand as he watched the 'match', his eyelids drooping from struggling to keep himself awake.
"At first it was impressive," Kaminari agreed, "But now I'd kind of rather die than watch another second of it."
"I feel bad for the other guy," Mineta sighed. In the ring, Hiryu Rin was doing his best. But his best was clearly spent half an hour ago. His ability to fire off his lizard-like scales meant for some close calls for Hatsume in the early stages of the fight but he had long since lost the capacity to do that. All that was left was madly trying to catch the girl made so slippery by her equipment. She couldn't do anything to him, but she was intent on making it clear her equipment also stopped him doing anything to her. "This has gotta be humiliating. He hasn't even gotten the chance to get a feel of those huge boobs."
Momo gave the diminutive boy a sour look, but could only sigh. "I knew it was coming and yet I'm still disappointed."
"Not to worry, Class A!" an obnoxious voice sounded from over the dividing wall between the student seating sections. Monoma grinned as he hung from the top, giving his self-determined rival class a demented stare. "Rin's not the one who should feel humiliated! To think the vaunted Class A barely even managed to fill half the spots in the finals! Guess all that reputation was just a bunch of hot air–"
Suddenly, his manic glare turned vacant as a large object chopped at his neck. "Try saying that when you get to the finals." As he dropped behind the divider, a familiar redhead looked over with a sheepish expression. "Sorry about him, he's got... Issues," she apologised before retreating back behind the wall.
"Issues. More like an annual subscription," Jiro muttered. She looked at her boyfriend. Smiled at him as he continued to watch the match in fascination, scribbling into a notebook. He continued watching right until Hatsume stepped out of the ring herself, not even letting her opponent get the dignity of defeat, or even ending the match with his own hands. "Looks like our break is over. Guess we'd better go get ready for our next matches," she said, softly laying a hand on Izuku's to get his attention.
"Huh?" the boy uttered, blinking as he was roused from his own mutterings about the 1-B student's quirk. His eyes flicked down to Kyoka's hand on his, then up to her smile. "Right. Our matches." Looking elsewhere in the stands he found his friend sat nervously, toying with the straw of her drink as she stared vacantly ahead of her. "Let's do our best, okay Uraraka?"
"Ah!" the normally cheerful but currently fretful girl jumped at hearing her name. She saw Izuku looking her way, doing his best to offer her support. "R-right."
The two left, their hands parting before they were revealed to anyone else's sight. Even with their attempted display of 'definitely not together', another couple of their classmates came to a realisation from how closely they stayed to each other.
Surprisingly, as the two left the stands, someone else arrived. Someone who absolutely was not supposed to be there. "Excuse me," the vine-haired girl pled pardon for her interruption, "I was looking for your classmate. Toru Hagakure? Have any of you seen her? It is rather urgent."
"Seeing her is an issue at the best of times," Ojiro smiled helplessly at her. "I haven't noticed her around at all since her match."
"Oh dear." The girl looked pensive. "I was afraid of that."
In the hallway outside the stands, the young couple were once again hand in hand as they made their way down to the preparation rooms at the ground floor of the stadium. They shared quiet smiles as they walked, each trying their best not to laugh awkwardly, their fingers dancing together, experimenting with the limited touch they allowed themselves in such a public place.
It was a familiar game. But one they weren't even close to growing tired of.
"Are you ready for your match?" Izuku asked, giving her hand a soft squeeze. "You're facing Kendo, right?"
"Yeah," she answered, looking away in uncertainty. "I didn't really expect to get past my last one but here I am!" she laughed nervously.
Izuku could sympathise with her shaken confidence. She had been riding high after the cavalry battle because it was an event that played to her strengths to an extent. Grabbing things was far easier with what were effectively entirely flexible, extendable extra limbs. But the finals? They weren't always one-on-one, no equipment fights. But because that was the event this year, it was a scenario that played against Kyoka's strengths. With just a little equipment, literally any kind of speaker system, her combat strength skyrocketed. With none being allowed except for support students, she was left fighting students at their full strength while she couldn't really tap into hers.
Kendo would be at her best. Kyoka was hamstrung from the start.
Even so, "You're right. Sato had the advantage in your last fight but you found a way to overcome it." It was a bit gruesome but that was what happened when someone got pushed into a corner. "I believe you can do it again." He gave her hand a much firmer squeeze, getting her attention so she would see his reassuring, encouraging smile.
She couldn't hold back her blush. He was too nice sometimes. It was hard to handle. "H-How about you?" she asked, changing the subject. "You ready to face Ochako?"
"I... I guess," his answer came out in a sigh. "It's awkward."
"Because she likes you?" Kyoka asked without accusation. He looked at her, his brow slightly furrowed in confusion. "You thought I didn't notice?"
"... No," he admitted. "You made it pretty clear you noticed after the cavalry battle."
His girlfriend let out a mildly frustrated breath. "Look, Izuku, just give her your best, okay? That's the best thing for everyone. Don't hold back like you did on that ghost girl."
"What? I didn't–" His denial died on his lips at the look Kyoka was giving him. He could pretend he was being cautious not just bodying her within the first five seconds but he knew it wasn't true just as much as she did. "It... She went with Class B's plan to hold back in the first event. I figured she deserved a chance to show off."
"I'm just glad you didn't lose for her sake. Pretty sure I'm not the jealous type but something like that would make a girl wonder, you know?" It didn't matter how teasing her tone was, Izuku still shook from fear of upsetting his first girlfriend. "Ochako got a chance to strut her stuff in all three events. The only thing she's owed is a real contest, so don't hold back, okay?"
"You're right," he agreed, some of his worries being cleared away by her support. "Thanks. I'll just be glad when all of this is over."
"So we can go on another date?" Kyoka asked with a smirk.
Izuku's face burned. "That wasn't the reason but it is now."
"Well," she spoke with a smirk, turning the handle on the prep room door and pulling him inside, "Just so you don't slack off..." She pressed herself against him, pushing him against a wall as she stole a kiss, only to be given a far fiercer one in return. "Let's call this incentive," she told him between kisses, taking his hand and running it up her chest over her clothes. "There's more where this came from, so long as you keep giving it your all." Pulling his hand away from her breast, she winked at him. "Even if it's me you see at the final."
"You give the best encouragement."
"I'll bet. Now get lost. I need to get my head back in the game."
-(-)-
"What's up sports fans! Can I get a 'YEAHHHHHH'?!"
"No one's going to give you a 'yeahhhhh'."
"I WILL TAKE IT! Thanks, Eraserhead! If you're just joining us at home, let's get you up to speed! The first year competition is now down to its final event and the first round is OVER! With a new record longest match of sixty-seven minutes and fourteen seconds, Hiryu Rin from Class 1-B is our eighth and final quarter finalist! So now we go right on back to the top of the bracket as we kick off the second round! The hidden gem of Class 1-A! Blink and you'll miss her, keep your eyes peeled and you'll probably still miss her! It's the invisible girl Toru Hagakure! Uhh... She... She is in the ring, right? Okay, Midnight confirms she's there! All right!"
"And her opponent! He sure doesn't look like much but that didn't stop him from ending one of Class 1-B's top students' hopes without a fight! The enigmatic general studies course student showing just how far they can go! It's Hi-to-shi Shinso!"
For once, Shinso found himself unable to glare at his opponent like she owed him something. Being unable to see her meant the best he could do was try to menace the entrance and hope he was looking in the right general direction.
"Fighters ready?" Midnight asked, getting a nod from Shinso. "Ah, Hagakure, vocal confirmation please?"
"Oh, right, sorry! I'm ready!" said the empty space in the ring.
"Then–"
"You know–"
"BEGIN!"
"I find myself wondering. How did someone like you," Shinso continued, only to take a punch to the stomach he couldn't see. He grabbed at the air, hoping to halt whatever the invisible girl might try. "How did you manage to pass the entrance exam?" he asked through gritted teeth. No response, forcing him to continue. "Your quirk isn't built for fighting, same as mine. The deck was stacked against us, so how did you pass?"
"Like–!"
Shinso smiled with satisfaction as he felt the grip of her hand on his shoulder slacken. "Honestly, it doesn't matter to me anymore. With a performance like this I'm a shoo-in for the hero course now. Do me a favour. Let go of me and get out of the ring."
He felt the first happen. He didn't need to see the second. He walked confidently to the middle of the ring and waited a good twenty seconds, then released his control.
"Wait, what?! How did I–?!"
"Toru Hagakure is out of bounds! Hitoshi Shinso moves on to the semi-finals!"
Hands in his pockets, Shinso calmly strolled back to the competitor entrance, satisfied at completing his objective for this contest.
-(-)-
"Folks, it's time for the second bout of the quarter finals and we've got two dames who dare to dream! From Class 1-B, she's the big sister everyone always wanted! Always ready to cheer on her friends or give them a big helping hand! Itsuka Kendo!"
"Big sister? Really? Could you be a little less weird about–?"
"And her opponent! After pushing past the first round with sheer grit and determination you better not count this little lady out! Otherwise you might get jacked up! Kyoka Jiro of Class 1-A!"
Jiro shook out her limbs, jumped on the spot a few times, trying to psych herself up for what promised to be another hard bout. Her earjacks were completely retracted. Even worse than her first fight, her quirk might prove a complete liability against someone whose quirk could be described as extreme grabbing power. She had imagined the redhead grabbing the cables with her giant hands and yanking on them. The result... Would not be pretty.
The image of that potential horror stood across from her, wearing a charming smile. "No hard feelings, right?" Kendo asked.
It probably wasn't meant that way, but Jiro couldn't help but feel it came off as a little condescending. That the other girl thought she had this match in the bag. "Right," she agreed with a tense frown, the natural shape of her eyes making her look more angry than she really was. "No hard feelings."
"Fighters ready?" Midnight called, getting nods from both students. "Begin!"
Kyoka had two options going into the fight. Either she could stay away. She would be ceding the advantage but one big smack from a big hand could spank her right out of the ring. The alternative was to rush. To get in close to Kendo immediately. It would risk that big slap, but if she could get in close and stay close then those giant hands would be useless.
She hesitated in indecision for a split second. But it looked like so did Kendo. Her quirk stayed dormant. Kyoka took it as encouragement, rushed forward, prepared to dodge as Kendo's hands came up in a ready stance.
If the punk girl had been more experienced in fights, she might have realised. If she had learned anything about her opponent she would have known. But she hadn't. And so she ran forward, putting her head directly between the lion's jaws.
Kendo's stance wasn't in preparation for using her quirk. It was a ready stance. A martial arts stance. With a quirk based entirely around her hands it was only sensible a hero hopeful would capitalise on it with martial training. Jiro had been expecting attacks from giant hands, and so was entirely unsuspecting when ordinary hands struck her abdomen and clavicle at once, knocking the breath out of her. Then for the foot to come around and slam into her arm. The punk tumbled sideways, chased down by her redheaded opponent. Only then, with her opponent completely disoriented and winded, did Kendo bring out the big hands.
Kyoka was coughing, struggling to rise to her hands and knees when first one, then two giant palms slammed down on her back, pinning her to the arena floor. "Hurk!" she grunted in pain as she was crushed under the weight and strength of Kendo's extremities. "Dammit...!"
"Like I said," Kendo repeated softly as she carefully picked Jiro up in a two handed grip, arms pinned to her sides, "No hard feelings." With careful observation in case the smaller girl might try something, she began walking to the edge of the ring.
Jiro struggled. Fought. Even knowing it was futile to outmuscle such a quirk she had to try something. But it was useless. Unless she came up with something quick, she was done. She looked around frantically. Kendo's hands were busy. She could do what she did to Sato, but Kendo would see it coming. She would let go, but that would mean being grabbed in a more painful and potentially debilitating manner than even this. Permanent damage wasn't a fair trade for winning a tournament. She needed something else.
The edge they were heading towards. It was the one nearest the referee's podium.
Where the audio equipment was.
It wasn't a great option but at least it was an option! She waited an instant more, the edge of the ring getting dangerously close, before launching her left jack out behind her at the audio system where the receiver for Midnight's microphone was plugged in. her own cable wrapped around it, yanked it out, then jacked herself into the sound system for the entire stadium.
THU-THUMP! THU-THUMP! THU-THUMP!
The entire audience, the referee, Cementoss, the announcers, all covered their ears to close out the deafening thumping of Jiro's heartbeat amplified on every speaker in the stadium.
All. Including Kendo. Her grip loosened enough that Jiro fell through the gap between her hands, landed just inside the edge of the ring, not that the ref would have been aware enough to call it otherwise.
Jiro didn't waste her chance. She moved, stayed low as she circled behind Kendo while she was distracted. It was hers! She did it! She won!
Was her last thought before she felt a great palm slam into her side and throw her fifty feet. Her jack unplugged from the sound system as its origin point moved further away than the length of the cable. Completely unconscious, she tumbled senselessly across the ring then out and onto the grass.
Her microphone still unplugged, Midnight declared Kendo the winner.
"Woah, that was really loud!"
"You of all people don't get to talk."
"Get to talk?! I have to talk, Eraserhead! Better yet, I have to yell! THAT WAS SIIIIIICK! Once again Kyoka Jiro pulls out some last minute magic but tragically it wasn't enough to secure the win! Congratulations to Itsuka Kendo for moving on to the semi finals of this first year sports festival tournament!" The repetition was necessary. The audience at home and in the stands didn't get to hear the match being called, after all.
"It's a shame. Jiro went into this final event with a massive disadvantage. We change the rules every year so as many students as possible get a chance to compete with an advantage at least once. This year the rules are rough on those who rely on support gear to bring the best of their quirks to bear. Even so, Jiro managed to tough it out this far. It's commendable."
"Aww, you getting sappy on me, Eraserhead?!"
"That said, even if her gambit had paid off, the judges would have had to rule on whether it was legal. A part of her did touch down outside the ring for her to do it after all."
"Harsh! So harsh!"
-(-)-
Jiro walked unsteadily into the 1-A seating section. "Hey guys."
"Kyoka!" Momo exclaimed, standing to help the smaller girl into a seat. "Are you feeling alright?! That last hit looked quite powerful!"
"Yeah, I'll be fine," the perpetually drowsy-looking but in this case actually drowsy girl answered. "Recovery Girl fixed me up. I didn't miss Izuku's match, did I?"
"No, it's about to start."
An unwelcome voice decided to join the conversation. A blond head of hair peeking over the divide. "Well well! Look at the loser from Class– GAH! Kendo! Ah!" What was certainly going to be a taunt quickly turned to pleading interspersed with loud slapping sounds. "Ah! Gah! Stop it! Ah!"
"You do not get to kick someone when they're down over my win, got that you insecure little pest?!"
"I get it, I get it, I'm sorry!"
"Anyone believe he's actually sorry?" Kaminari asked, receiving only shaking heads from those who saw fit to answer.
"Here we go sports fans!"
Kyoka gasped. "It's starting!" Her tiredness forgotten, she moved forward with a smile to the edge of the stands to get as close as she could.
"She may look like an adorable little cream puff, but in the last round she proved it wasn't just her opponent with claws! If you aren't careful she can toss you out of this world! From Class 1-A, it's Ochako Uraraka!"
"Please don't call my students cream puffs."
"And her opponent, he also looks like an adorable little cream puff but there's power in those puff punches!"
"I hate you."
"It's Izuku Midoriya from Class 1-A!"
"Yeahhhhhh!" Kyoka cheered. "Go Izuku!"
"Man, I've never seen her this enthusiastic," Kirishima grinned.
"Wonder why that is," Kaminari smirked beside him.
Mineta added his own two cents. "Sploosh."
"Dude, gross."
"Are the fighters ready?"
Ochako's shaky resolve seemed to firm in exactly that moment as her stance widened, her arms spread, giving a sure nod.
Izuku had all the resolve he needed from the girl he just heard cheering for him louder than anyone else. He too, nodded, with a smile.
"Begin!"
-(-)-
A/N: And... That's the last backlog chapter for this story. Sad trombone. Wah-wah. This story is an item on the weekly poll I run on great sinister P website that must remain unnamed. I'd give more explicit hints but I don't want to, ahem, patronise anyone. Eh? Eh?
So, you know, if you like what I do and especially if you want to see more of this story, maybe consider heading on over and consider being a Super Cool Person.
The capitals are important, I think.