Hello there! It's everyone's super-high-grade, special-edition idol, Nico Midoriya. After my little run-in with the Baldy, I returned to the stands to find Ojiro and Sero both looking absolutely miserable.
I tried to cheer them up by shoving piping-hot obanyaki into their hands and saying, "Chin up, loser puppies! (Heart)," but for some reason, they just started crying. Ochaco and Tsuyu gave me a light scolding for that. I don't get it—I thought I sounded adorable.
After finishing the snack distribution, we all settled in to watch the matches. We watched the third match: Ashido vs. Tokoyami.
I was watching quietly at first, but when Ashido started fighting with a passion that defied everyone's expectations of a Tokoyami landslide, my blood started to boil. I couldn't help myself—I grabbed some pom-poms and started cheering with a bunch of girls from Class B. The Mummy-teacher yelled at me for that, too.
In the end, Tokoyami took the win, but Ashido received a huge round of applause for her performance. I'm sure she'll get plenty of internship offers. Good for you, Ashido!
The fourth match was Iida vs. Hatsume.
It was basically a televised infomercial. In a sense, Hatsume won the "business" battle, even if Iida technically won the match. The fight was so ridiculous that I caught Sero and Ojiro looking at Iida with genuine pity. I'm not going to tell him that, though; being pitied by those two would probably make him cry.
Oh, hey—Hatsume? Give me that fifth gadget you were showing off. I'll "monitor" it for you, so give it to me for free.
The fifth match was Kacchan vs. Kirishima.
It was a one-sided explosion-fest. Kacchan won. Kirishima made a smart call by trying to end it quickly given their Quirks, but he was up against Kacchan. Tactically, Kacchan was three steps ahead.
To win, Kirishima needed to close the distance instantly and force a brawl where his hardening could shine, but Kacchan didn't give him an inch. It was like his engine was already warmed up; he opened with a massive blast and followed it up with a relentless barrage from mid-range. Kirishima was completely shut out.
Well, as someone who was waving pom-poms for him, I'm glad Kacchan won... but part of me wished he'd struggled a bit more. I wanted to see him backed into a corner, only to be awakened by the cheers of me—the celestial goddess—and pull off a dramatic victory with a new special move. Such a shame.
...When I said that to Ochaco, she looked genuinely repulsed.
"Nico, don't say stuff like that. It's not a joke—he looks like he actually would awaken if you yelled at him. And if he did... I'm his next opponent! I really, really don't want that!"
Ah, right. Sorry. My bad. I forgot.
『SORRY TO KEEP YOU WAITING, EVERYBODY!! A lot has happened, but the UA Sports Festival First-Year Stage is finally moving to the second round!! The first match is about to begin! Are you ready?! I'M READY! YEAAAAAAH!!』
After Mr. Cementoss repaired the arena Kacchan had wrecked, the Radio Geezer's voice boomed through the stadium.
『Our commentator is the same cool guy as always!! The Mummy-man himself, Eraser Head!!』
『Do I really... need to be here...』
『Alright, let's bring out the athletes!!!!』
『...Listen to me.』
The Mummy-teacher really has it rough. I'm learning the harsh realities of adulthood this spring.
While I was feeling a deep sympathy for Aizawa's struggles, I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was Tsuyu, of course.
"Ribbit. Midoriya."
"What's up, Tsuyu?"
"Don't 'what's up' me. You're in the first match of the second round, aren't you? Should you really be sitting here?"
...OH! Right!
"Tee-hee!"
"It's not 'tee-hee' time! Go, before they call your name!! Do you want Aizawa-sensei to yell at you again?!"
『She passed the first round with a seed! She dominated the Obstacle Course but finished second! She crushed everyone in the Cavalry Battle and also finished second!! A dark horse with a mix of incredible and idiotic records!! The most unbridled mare of this tournament!! The self-proclaimed strongest, invincible, most beautiful girl—from the Hero Course, Nico Midoriya!!!!』
"Who are you calling self-proclaimed?! I am the strongest, invincible, most beautiful girl, you jerk!!!!"
"Don't start shouting like Bakugo! Here, I'll make you light, just go!!"
Ochaco touched me, making me feel as light as a feather. I leapt from the stands and drifted down into the center of the arena like a celestial maiden. Cheers erupted, followed by a "Nico!" chant. My aura of beauty must be undeniable. It can't be helped.
I looked at Midnight-sensei. We're basically besties, so she understood the look immediately and tossed me a microphone. I caught it stylishly with my "Pull" Quirk and brought it to my lips.
"LET'S GET HYPED!!!!"
The roar of the crowd intensified. My star power was overflowing. As expected of a natural-born super idol! Praise me, you peasants!!
"Hey! Radio Teacher! Start the music!"
『OKAY! Let's drop a track—GACK?!』
The Radio Geezer's sudden scream silenced the stadium. I held my breath. I sensed it.
『...Midoriya. Do you really want to keep going?』
"SORRY! MY MISTAKE!!!!"
I immediately dropped into a full kowtow on the stone.
『It's dirty, get up, you idiot,』 came the pardoning words. Nico made a mistake-y! Phew... that was close. The Mummy-teacher was actually furious.
Once the atmosphere had calmed down a bit, the Radio Geezer began introducing my opponent.
『Who could have predicted this guy would make it this far?! I certainly didn't see it coming! From the General Studies course: Hitoshi Shinso!!!!』
『That was short,』 Aizawa noted.
『To be honest, I have no idea who this kid is!!』
『Don't discriminate.』
As I basked in the crowd's energy, a pathetic attempt at a provocation came from across the ring. "You've got a real stupid look on your face."
It would have been easy to snap back, but I'd done my homework. I knew about this guy. His Quirk was a mystery, but after talking to the classmates who faced him, I knew one thing: once they spoke to him, something weird happened to them.
So, I had no intention of opening my mouth.
Shinso's face twisted as he realized I wasn't biting. "Tsk... I knew I should have moved up during the Cavalry Battle. My Quirk is useless once the secret is out."
He sounded so genuinely frustrated that I actually felt a little sorry for him. So, I decided to show him a little "kindness."
I raised my index finger to my temple, spun it in a circle, and then flashed a flat palm at him. It was one of "Nico's 108 Secret Techniques": Your Head is Loopy-Coo-Coo.
A second later, I heard the sound of Shinso grinding his teeth. It was just a joke, but it seemed to be incredibly effective. Nico is confused! He's way too weak to provocation.
『Alright, let's get this started!! BEGIN!!!!』
On the signal, Shinso charged forward. He probably thought he could overpower me since I was a girl.
Hah! Sweet. Sweet, sweet, way too sweet! That's a thought process sweeter than a chocolate ganache!!
As he closed in, I drove my fist upward into his face from the lower right. A classic Right Smash.
With a dull thud, Shinso's face contorted with pain and impact. A moment later, he hit the stone floor on his back. I was actually impressed he didn't go down for the count immediately; he pushed himself back up, blood dripping from his nose. Kid's got guts.
"Dammit... I couldn't even see it! So that's your 'Pull' Quirk? Must be nice!! Being born with a Quirk that's actually useful!! Even an idiot like you—someone with nothing going for them but a face and a body—can become a star!!"
He was babbling nonsense as he lunged forward again, swaying on his feet. He wasn't even a threat, so I just countered with a Lariat.
Shinso hit the stone again.
"---Dammit!! Dammit!! If only I had a different Quirk!! If I'd been blessed with power like you, things would be different!! You people... people who have everything... you could never understand!!"
As he struggled to his feet once more, the stadium began to echo with boos. I looked around and realized the cameras and microphones had picked up his rant and broadcast it on the big screens.
I guess the crowd was mad at his foul mouth, but I found it strange that they didn't see the spirit behind his words.
"Listen to me! Look! This is me!! This is the only way I can even hope to beat you!! And yet everyone says it's wrong... what am I supposed to do?! SAY SOMETHING!! SAY SOMETHING, DAMN IT!!"
If I say something, I lose, so I stayed silent. Instead, I gave him a series of hand signals.
"Wh... what?! I don't know sign language!!"
Don't worry. Neither do I.
In my mind, I was sending him the message: Your mom has a belly button like an outie.
"Damn you! Are you making fun of me?!"
Hey, he got the gist!
As he charged in a fit of desperation, I delivered a roundhouse kick to his right ribs. As his stance crumbled, I slammed a left hook into his jaw, and while he was reeling, I finished with a second Right Smash.
That did it. His eyes went glassy. I didn't miss the opening; I grabbed his arm and used all my strength to hurl him toward the edge of the arena.
Shinso went flying through the air. I stayed in a defensive stance, expecting him to land and come back at me, but something was off. I didn't feel any more fighting spirit from him.
I watched him bounce once, twice on the ground, and then—to my utter disappointment—he simply rolled out of bounds.
...Wait.
Where was my big finish?
The stadium fell silent. Then, Midnight-sensei pointed her hand at me.
"Nico Midoriya moves on to the semifinals!!"
WHERE WAS MY BIG FINISH?!
Wait... is that it? It's over? Really? Truly?
I asked the Mummy-teacher over the mic, and he just told me: 『It's over, go back to the waiting room, you idiot.』
Apparently, my first match was officially over.
Wha... what... WHAAAAA?! I don't accept this outcome!!
***
『Man, that Shinso kid is amazing! He could get away with anything with a Quirk like that.』
Everyone thinks of the villainous uses first.
『I hope he never uses it on me.』
Of course. I'd feel the same.
『Haha, I get that a lot.』
***
When I opened my eyes, I wasn't in the roaring stadium anymore. I was looking at a quiet, white ceiling. My head was spinning. I sat up, rubbing my temples, and realized I was in the infirmary. I'd lost.
"Oh, you're awake?"
I looked up to see Recovery Girl.
"Yes... ma'am."
"Does anything hurt? You took a pretty nasty hit to the head. Any numbness?"
I moved my hands and feet, checking my senses. Aside from a dull ache in my head, I seemed fine.
"I'm okay."
"Good. Let me know if that changes."
"I will. Thank you."
"My, my. You're a polite one, aren't you? No wonder she got so angry on your behalf."
She? I didn't know what she was talking about.
"Are you still aiming to be a hero?" Recovery Girl asked.
"I... yes. I think so."
"You don't need to be so hesitant. It's good to have a dream. Keep at it."
Her words stung. I didn't have the strength or the Quirk to back it up.
"Don't make a face like that," she said gently. "It ruins a handsome young man's features."
"Handsome? Haha... that's a first..."
Drip. I saw something hit the sheets. Then more drops followed, sliding down my cheeks. I touched my face and realized I was crying.
"Does it hurt somewhere?"
My throat tightened at the concern in her voice. "No... it's not that. It doesn't hurt. I just... I don't know why I'm..."
I hadn't planned on saying anything. The words just spilled out.
"Recovery Girl... I can't be a hero, can I? Not with a Quirk like mine. I'm weak, and I said all those awful things in front of everyone... but I wanted to be one. I really wanted to be a hero. But I... I'm just..."
"That girl said you had guts."
I looked up at Recovery Girl.
"You probably don't remember, but when they were carrying you out on the stretcher, the crowd was booing quite a bit."
"I... yeah. I guess that's only natural for someone like me."
"The person who snapped back at them first was Midoriya—the girl you fought."
"Huh...?"
Recovery Girl turned on a nearby TV. She rewound a recording and hit play. It was the scene where I was being carried out. The insults and jeers from the crowd were sharp; they cut right through me. It was hard to watch myself look so pathetic.
But then...
『SHUT UP, ALL OF YOU!』
Nico's voice blared through the speakers. The camera panted over to her.
『QUIT YOUR YAPPING!! The only people allowed to complain are the ones who can stay standing after taking a serious punch from me!! YOU IDIOTS!! You want a piece of this?! Come on! Get down here! Help me make a show of this, damn it!』
I couldn't help but let out a small laugh. She was being completely ridiculous. Honestly, I'd expected her to say something profound, but she was just being... her.
『You should be praising him! He actually got back up after taking my best shot! The kid's got guts! He endured my "Super-Ultra-Punch"! Do you think my punches are weak?! Don't look down on me! ---What? Foul language? I already said my piece in sign language!』
"So that was an insult..." I muttered. I'd been right.
"Well, that's as far as it goes," Recovery Girl said. "Eraser Head dragged her away while the commercials were playing."
"Is she just an idiot?" I asked.
"She probably is. But... it seemed like she actually respected you. She even came by to check on you a moment ago."
"She did?"
I waited for the rest, but Recovery Girl just sighed.
"She said, and I quote: 'I'm here to mock the wimpy loser puppy!' Honestly, that girl needs to learn some tact. I chased her out."
"Haha..."
That was brutal. But for some reason, it made me happier than any sympathy could have. We weren't even friends, but she'd gone out of her way to say that.
"...She did leave one message for you, though. 'Go train that body and try again, kid.' I don't know if you'll ever be a hero... but remember this. There's at least one person out there who thinks you can be."
My eyes welled up again.
"There are people who will take your resolve seriously. Do better next time."
"...I will."
I still couldn't see the starting line. But that day, for the first time, I felt like I could finally see a shadow of it in the distance.
***
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