A gentle nip brought Midoriya back to the present. He gave a small smile to Zelda and stroked her back. He cleared his throat and looked at Todoroki.
"No, Todoroki-san. All Might is not my mother. It's just a coincidence." Todoroki tilted her head in confusion. Midoriya refused to acknowledge how…cute…she looked doing that.
"I was so sure…"
"…Well, if that's all you need from me-."
"Maybe you are not blood related, but you have a connection to her. Your power is the same as hers-almost as if you were her. And that's the reason that I will beat you."
Midoriya furrowed his brow in confusion. "Did I do something to make you hate me, or…?"
"I'm the daughter of Endeavor, the Number Two Heroine. She is the rival to All Might. When I defeat you in the festival, using only my right side, it would make her finally see that I never need or want my fire." Midoriya tilted his head.
Todoroki sighed, "My mother is obsessed with beating All Might. Obsessed to the point that she wanted her children to have the perfect power. With her money and influence, she managed to buy my father from his family. My father, like all males, was quirkless…but my mother noticed that the women in his family had ice quirks. The perfect opposing forces in nature, working together…"
Midoriya felt the earth go under him.
"My mother didn't…doesn't…love my father. She physically and mentally abused him…to the point that my right side…the side that was the spitting image of my mother…disgusted him. In a fit of rage, he grabbed a kettle and poured burning water on my face."
Midoriya's mouth opened in shock, not speaking. How could he? What kind of mother…kind of Heroine…would do something like that to her own family?! Push her own husband to the breaking point?!
Zelda growled, angry for Todoroki. The sages were tense, postures filled with anger. Midoriya felt his eyes filling with tears.
"I-."
Todoroki held up a hand, eyes blank. "I didn't tell you that to pity me. I'm just telling you my goal."
She walked away, not saying anything.
"…I'm going to give it my all, Todoroki-san." She paused, looking back at him. He was giving her a determined look, Zelda perched on his shoulder. "Despite your past and you wanting to only use your right side, don't think I'm going to let you win that easily."
She looked at him blankly for a few minutes before giving him a nod.
…..
Around the corner, Kacchan looked down at the ground, lost in thought. She heard about marriages like that, but to think it was one of her own classmates…it gave her an uncomfortable feeling.
…..
"Alright everyone! Welcome to the next event of the Sports Festival: The Calvary Battle!" The students listened intently to Present Mic. "I will let Midnight explain the rules of the game!" Midnight stood up on the stage, cocking her hip in a sultry manner.
Midoriya felt his face turn blood-red as he covered it with his hands. Some of the girls looked at him in pity while others were glaring bloody murder at the Pro on stage. A certain blonde in 1-B was looking between Midoriya and Midnight, blue eyes blazing with jealousy and fury.
"Hello ladies…and sweetie." She gave a wink to Midoriya making him squeak and hide further into himself. She chuckled and began addressing the crowd.
"Here are the rules: The students will form teams, with up to four members in each team. You will all be in a horse configuration: the student on top can not touch the ground, no matter what. If that happens, you will be disqualified. These headbands that you will be given cannot be worn anywhere below the neck."
Kaminari raised her hand, "Why are the headbands so important?"
Midnight smiled, "The headbands sum up the amount of points that you received in the obstacle course. The last person gets five points, while the winner gets 10 million points."
Midoriya felt the eyes before he saw them. He trembled in fear at the bloodthirst he received from all the girls. Midnight laughed softly, "All right girls, try not to overpower the boy."
Midoriya felt that wasn't exactly necessary, but at least the girls weren't looking at him like he was a piece of meat anymore. He took in his customary deep breath and straightened up, gazing at Midnight with full attention. It seemed like he impressed her because she gave him a nod with a soft smile.
"You're allowed to use your quirks, but anyone using them with intent to harm will be disqualified. Now, begin choosing your team members. I will call you when the time's up."
All the girls began scattering, already picking members of their teams. Midoriya noticed that not a lot of people came up to him, but he kind of understood.
I won the obstacle course. Everyone will be gunning for me. It doesn't help that I'm a boy too. They probably think I'll lose the headband after 3 minutes…
"Hey Midoriya!" Midoriya looked up to see Uraraka and Monoma run up to him. "Hi, what's up?"
Uraraka beamed, "We wanted to team up with you!" Midoriya smiled, but looked a little confused.
"I understand you wanting to Uraraka, but why you, Monoma-san? I-not that I don't want you here, but…I thought you didn't like our class...?"
The pigtailed girl let out a 'hmph' and crossed her arms. "I thought I told you to call me Nokina. A-Anyway, I'm joining you for me. You have the most points because you won, so we're automatically winning." Midoriya blinked.
"But everyone will be trying to get us. Will you be comfortable with that?" Monoma smirked.
"Of course. With my quirk, it will be easy." Midoriyas' green eyes filled with interest. "R-really? What's your quirk?"
Monoma chuckled, "My quirk is called 'Copy'. I just touch someone and I can copy their quirk for five minutes. I'm trying to increase it little by little, but it's still taking some time. Watch." She raised her hand, about to touch him.
Wait, no! She'll get hurt!
Midoriya immediately moved his hand, causing her and Uraraka to stare in confusion. "Sorry, Monoma-san. But, my quirk, well…my body had to be a certain way for it to appear safely and you…well, the backlash would hurt you badly. Your quirk is amazing though!"
His smile, blushed cheeks, and shiny eyes caused Monoma to look down on the ground, blushing subtly. Uraraka squinted her eyes suspiciously.
"Do you want to ask someone else to join us, or…"
"Excuse me?" The three turned to see Jiro who was looking at them hesitantly. "Can I be a part of your team?"
Midoriya nodded, smiling at her. "Sure! Nice to have you!" The purple-haired girl gave him a small smile as a sharp 'crack' of a whip echoed throughout the arena.
