Chapter 13: Sports Festival I – By My SideNotes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
The campus' great entrances had been opened early, and each and every person was checked for any sign of suspect activity by a number of Heroes and policemen. Tickets were stamped, IDs were checked, bags were searched.
Some would groan because of the terribly long, eternal queue, but nobody would ever dare say that Principal Nezu was taking the security matter lightly. Not when the whole top ten of the billboard of Pro Heroes was in the stadium, and not with a good half of the numbers from 11 to 200 roaming around the grounds. They'd get their chance to observe the action at their own leisure later or in precise turns, since their input would be needed soon. Nominations for internships didn't write themselves.
The Media certainly wouldn't waste the occasion to capture the reactions of some of the best that Japan could offer, especially when related to students that would soon join the Heroes' ranks by working with them. Scoops about promising new recruits, both names and sidekicks, were something the public enjoyed and ate up with ravenous hunger. And that meant a chance for some very nice bonuses.
The festival was a time when the public eye would be firmly set on the prestigious school, but for once the greatest interest wasn't set on the nearly-graduated, the third-years.
Class 1-A had met its first run-in with Villains on school grounds, and had emerged as the victor with no casualties whatsoever. They were meant to be the eye of the storm.
A colorful sequence of fireworks announced the start of U.A.'s Sports Festival, cautioning the vast number of spectators to hurry and find their seats in the stadium.
Who would win this time?
"Don't discount our fellow students. Anybody could surprise you, and they all want to get a piece of us. Find allies where you can, even outside of our small pack, unless it's explicitly said that you can't. They won't expect it, and those will be points in your favor from an outsider's viewpoint. Pros like to know that we're adaptable."
Izuku spoke firmly, wanting to get the concept across as much as possible. Thankfully most of the group would listen to a little gushing from their class representative.
"Think before you act. Beating your head on the wall isn't the only way to tear it down. Remember to ask for help if you need it, because acting like stubborn kids won't leave a great impression. And, by everything that's sacred in this world..." He moved down, reaching under the table. "Stay hydrated. Recovery Girl will kill us if we get hospitalized for that."
A couple of them laughed lightly at the small joke, breaking some of the tension. The thoughtful looks on their faces were a good sign.
"Thank you, Midobro," Eijiro grinned as Izuku threw him a water bottle.
"You're welcome. Anybody else?"
He looked around the room as he kept distributing some much-needed refreshments. They could imagine how much they'd be sweating soon, but most had their stomach closed by the anxiety.
Tenya, eyes stuck on the clock, raised his voice as he'd done twice already. "Is everybody ready?! The event-"
"-Is about to begin!" at least ten voices responded in a mocking chorus, faces as serious as possible. They didn't last three seconds, as exchanging glances was enough to make them fall into giggles.
"You know that they're gonna call us with that when we need to go, right?" Kyoka's ear jacks pointed towards the big door that led directly to the stadium.
"Of course! I was just making sure we were as ready as we could be!" Tenya explained, stiff as a board.
"Loosen up," Izuku placed a hand on his shoulder, "holding in that tension will do you no good. Do some breathing exercises instead."
"I can help you if you want," Mashirao shook his tail in their direction, "gods know I need them right now."
"Anybody wants some help stretching?" Mina called before starting to help Ochaco.
"We'll be fine with a warmup," Rikido said, already working.
Izuku watched the banter move on, as he expected someone to approach him in a moment.
"Midoriya."
- Like clockwork. -
He turned to face the heterochrome eyes of his classmate.
"Yeah, Todoroki? Something you need?"
"I recognize it, you're strong. Perhaps stronger than I am," Shoto started.
He'd changed his piece since Izuku had changed himself. Showing enough power to level a building made people think you were strong, how crazy was that?
"I can see that All Might has his eyes on you. I won't pry into why that is, but I will say one thing." Their gazes met, and Todoroki's eyes were cold and collected. "I will beat you."
They'd been through this very same dance an exaggerate number of times. Once, he'd been stiff as he answered, despite the brave face he'd put on. Now, though, that was ancient history.
They could all feel the tension in the air as most stopped what they were doing to observe the exchange. He stopped Denki and Eijiro from speaking up by raising a hand in their direction, without moving his eyes away. His mouth, an emotionless poker-face-worthy line, transformed into a grin of pride.
"You're welcome to try," he answered, letting his voice cut the silence that had taken root in the room.
Then he turned, because Shoto wasn't the only one who clearly needed a reminder of the reasons they were participating.
"You're all welcome to try."
As words left his mouth, his gaze moved from left to right and back, taking in all of his classmates.
"I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I am aiming for the top."
The sharp glint in Yuga's eyes, enhanced by a thin smile of one that wanted to shine.
The clear veins visible on Rikido's tightening fists as he cracked his knuckles.
"As things are now, I don't believe anybody here can stop me. Nobody in any course can."
The quiet concentration held by Mashirao, his perfect temper controlled by practice.
The tight hold of Hanta's hands on his elbows, weapon always at a touch's distance.
"But I really, really want you all to prove me wrong. I want you to surprise me and take me down from my high horse."
The slight movement on Fumikage's feathers as he kept his hermetic poise.
The way Toru's clothes' slight movements hinted at a need to get down to the action.
"You've cited All Might, and I'll say you're right. He has his eyes on me. But do you all know what All Might is, as the lonesome Symbol of Peace?"
The curiosity in Tsuyu's orbs, her hunched form now more akin to the start of a pounce.
The appendages that turned into sharp smiles on the tips of Mezo's numerous tentacles.
"He's a pillar no one can reach. None can stand on his level; be they friend or foe. But what happens when the Symbol disappears? Would you feel as safe with the current Number 2? Or with anybody else in the top ten?"
The perky smirk Mina masked her insecurity with, a finger playing with her locks.
The unbreakable high spirit held by Eijiro's shark-like smile and flexed muscles.
"No, you wouldn't. And that's a problem for me. We don't need an unreachable ideal that lets the majority sit on their asses because there is one doing the hard work for them."
The content smile on Koji's face, his hands occupied by feeding a small bird.
The clearness in Minoru's gaze as his mind raced to stay a step ahead.
"I don't want to be like All Might. I want to be better. And to be better, I need rivals. Friends who will push me to do my best as I push them to be their very best. And I don't want to settle for anything less than the best there is."
The movement of Kyoka's jacks, twisting on her fingertips as she listened intently.
The tiny but present charge in the air surrounding Denki, buzzing with excitement.
"That's why U.A. is the best choice. Why you all are the best companions I could ask for. I've said that I believe you all will make the cut. I lied. I believe you all should destroy it. Break your limits and every damn expectation our teachers have set on us."
The seriousness under Tenya's glasses, his crossed arms holding his back up proudly.
The determination growing on Ochaco's face as her confidence settled.
"I know you're capable of doing that. You're capable of showing to the world why we are the Hero Course, as nobody else was this worthy of it. You're capable of making the Pros feel threatened, as their high-ranking positions won't be safe for long. You're capable of standing by my side, because I will be the next Number 1, and I want you all there."
The respect that Momo never hid, her analyzing gaze nodding along with every phrase.
The low growl of Katsuki's throat, an inferno raging under his skin.
"I want you to know that this is a challenge. From me to you. From 1-A to the rest of the world. Let's show them why Villains have already started to fear us."
The fire that had lighted under the ice in Shoto, a hope for something greater.
"Show me what you can do."
"You're on! We'll destroy this festival!" Eijiro shouted, raising his fist in the air.
"YEAH!" a collective shout rung, coming from the loudest students (except Bakugo, who hadn't spoken a word).
The sign over the exit lighted in that moment, telling them it was time to go.
"Come on, we've got an entrance to make."
He reapproached Shoto as they moved out, fixing his gaze on his. "Give me everything you've got. I'll fight you without holding anything back."
The other teen slowly unclenched his jaw, reciprocating the burning look. "Right."
He smirked at his friend's conciseness, but poked him one more time as he passed by his side. For his sake, as always.
"Keeping your left half hidden won't do you any favors. Let's talk about it later."
Having said his piece, Izuku stepped forward, guiding his class into the field by staying right in the front. Their eyes weren't only on his back. They had started walking by his side.
"Your student representative is... from Class 1-A, Midoriya Izuku!" Midnight announced from the stage.
"That's amazing!" Ochaco almost jumped by his side.
"A deserved position," Tenya nodded along.
"Must be because he placed first in the entrance exam," Hanta pondered.
A girl from the General Department huffed. "The Hero Course exam, you mean."
Momo sent her a sidelong glance. "He accomplished a perfect score in the written part too."
"Ugly thing envy, isn't it?" Toru and Mina giggled as the stranger turned the other way.
"Come on, get going!" Kyoka's jacks pushed him forward a bit less than gently.
Izuku climbed to the top of the platform, taking in the familiar sight of thousands of people with their eyes focused solely on him. Civilians and Heroes alike held their breaths as he spoke.
"The Athlete's Oath:
In the name of all the competitors, I promise that we shall take part in this Sports Festival, respecting and abiding by the rules that govern it, in the true spirit of sportsmanship and heroism, for the glory of sport and the honor of our classes."
Izuku always thought that, if something was worth doing, it was worth doing it well. Even reciting a text word-by-word on behalf of some that wouldn't really get its meaning.
- Now, for the best part, - he thought as his smile grew wider and his arms opened up, as if to take in every last gaze on him.
"I'll also add that I expect everybody here to do their very best, independently from their belonging to one class or the other. My classmates already know, but I'll now extend my words to all of you.
This is a challenge. I'll reach the first place, and I welcome you all to stop me, if you can.
Make no mistake, I'm not underestimating any of you, and I'm not overconfident. Do you very best, because I will. I won't step back, so come at me with everything you have. And if you forget it in a moment of doubt, remember:
I am here."
The speech had been slowly gathering murmurs and surprised looks, but those final words made the entire stadium break out into a storm of exclamations. The public's reaction reached every point of the scale: From laughter to cries, from interest to scorn, from those who applauded his bravery to those who wished to strangle him for using All Might's signature phrase like that.
More than three quarters of the student body shouted along with the audience.
"Don't get cocky Class A!" "We'll make you eat those words!" "Who do you think you are?!"
"He's really done it now," Mashirao sighed.
"Eh, and they haven't even heard the first one," Denki smirked.
"I'm pumped up!" Eijiro cracked his knuckles.
"He's cool even when making an enemy of the entire student body," Mina shook her head.
"You're not scared for him?" Rikido, arms crossed, asked.
Some laughed, some shrugged, some sighed more.
"You really should try training with him, ribbit." Tsuyu said matter-of-factly.
Seeing the other's confusion, Minoru caught his attention and answered. "They're the ones that should be scared."
Izuku, slowly stepping down, just kept that bright smile going.
The door was opening, and the countdown had already started. The gate was too narrow to let everybody through at once. Shoto could play it smart and get rid of the competition here, even if most of his classmates wouldn't fall for it.
He took a look around. The rabble from non-hero departments wasn't fit enough to pose a threat. He would have been able to outclass each of them even without his Quirk. His course-companions could show some ingenuity, but he wouldn't lose. As for Midoriya... Why was he standing so far back?
With a final ding and Present Mic's shout, the race begun.
It wasn't hard for him to get in the lead. The corridor froze not a second later, taking with it the majority of the bottom-feeders.
His classmates were replying to his own move by showing stubbornness and technique, effectively leaving everybody else in the dust.
Shoto looked up, seeing tens of metal construct rise from their waiting positions.
- Must be the Zero-pointers. Wish they could have prepared something more threatening... -
He froze the first enemies with a swift move, rushing ahead between their legs.
Some students behind him were stupidly thinking of taking advantage of his power, but he didn't get to open his mouth to warn them. He noticed a shadow moving on the sand, one without a visible owner.
His senses screamed at him to move, letting him roll away just in time to avoid the crash of one of his frozen statues.
- So early!? What-? -
Then Shoto saw him: Midoriya, practically flying from one robot to another, flinging himself forward while surrounded by strikes of green lightning. He was making mountains of metal collapse on each other with each movement. The teen was effectively destroying all the bigger threats, leaving only the smaller ones that any worthy student should have been able to deal with. Was there a metal plate tied on his back?
Shoto didn't waste a second more watching the action unfold. He had a first place to recover.
"Would you look at that! Midoriya's staying true to his words and is keeping the lead! But how will he deal with the second obstacle?" Mic commented, making the tension rise.
Everybody's eyes were stuck on the giant screens as the video shifted to frame the dark pit that interrupted the road, and the perilous tightropes that separated the students from their doom.
"Is Izuku going to be ok?"
Shota felt the girl's hands grab his shirt tighter. Eri's eyes hadn't moved from the one screen constantly showing the feed from cameras pointed at the first contestant since her green-haired savior had surpassed Todoroki.
- Of course she would be scared for him. Come on, Problem Child, get a move on. -
The girl had saved his ears from staying in the same booth as Zashi during the festival. He owed her way more than some reassurances.
"He's doing good," the teacher reassured. "And he's going to be fine."
"Really?"
"Oh my! Did Midoriya make his calculations wrong? He's heading directly into the void!"
He glanced nervously at Mic's booth. - Dammit Zashi, I'm trying to do my job here! -
Shota expected to hear Eri whimper, since Izuku had apparently decided to throw himself in the pit, but the sound that came from her was drastically different than he'd expected.
"Oh!"
And she wasn't the only one. An echo of questioning shouts and doubtful words were filling the stadium.
Shota moved his sight on the screen again, just to see that the kid had kicked the air to gather more thrust, landing without a care on the column in the middle of the obstacle. From there, instead of jumping to the stars again, he simply started running of the rope ahead of him.
"Is the kid serious?" "How the hell did he do that?" "He's making a fool of the competition!" "But look at his balance!" "That was incredible!" "What's he gonna do next?!"
"Go Izuku!" Eri shouted merrily, her doubts now dissolved.
Shota just sighed and raised a hand to call one of the Business Department kids. The girl deserved a treat, and he definitely needed something to bite on to stop gritting his teeth.
- Fucking Peppermint! Fucking Deku! -
Katsuki blasted forward, his last explosion sending him over the last meters of the pit and right to Todoroki's side.
But the damn iced strawberry wasn't his target. He didn't matter! That damn Deku had somehow managed to get ahead!
The last stretch of the run was before them, and hearing the cockatoo's screaming it was a fucking minefield.
Katsuki grinned as his shoulder crashed against Todoroki's.
- You won't bring me down with blasts you fuckers! I'll- the fuck?! -
Just as they turned on the last curve, the two got to see the boy in first place.
Midoriya was standing on a tiny hill of dirt, with his arms crossed, with his back on the finish line. He was clearly looking in their direction. He had been waiting for them.
Katsuki could see Icy-Hot get more focused after a moment of confusion, his arm ready to launch that power of his. He wouldn't be outclassed!
"DEEEKUUU!"
Katsuki and Shoto rushed the greenette, who kept waiting there for a good five second more, letting them inch closer and closer.
Then the bastard pressed his right foot firmly on the ground, and everything got fucking white for a moment. Katsuki found himself blasted away and eating the dirt a good ten meters back. The mountain of filth the shitheel had been standing on was covering a pile of mines!
The blonde got back up and looked forward, catching the tail of Izuku's descent as he jumped off a metal plate and on the other side of the minefield, looking very satisfied with the ploy.
Katsuki spit the dust out of his mouth and started running again.
- When did you get this good, Deku?! -
Izuku stepped through the goal and into the stadium's daylight, being showered by the audience's roar of approval. He didn't stop until he got right into the middle of the arena.
"And here we have it! True to his word up to this point, a powerhouse to be recognized!" Mic's voice filled the air, growing in volume as his Quirk moved on his words. "The first one to reach the finish line is none other than MIDORIYA IZUKU!"
Izuku looked over to the teachers' seats, seeing Shota, giving him an approving nod, and Eri, smiling radiantly and waving as fast as she could. Just below them, between Thirteen and Vlad, was All Might.
His mentor met his eyes smiling as he raised his left fist in the air.
- Was this enough of a 'I am here', Dad? -