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Beginning of Chapter
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The arena was buzzing with the aftershocks of Midoriya and Todoroki's clash. The crowd's cheers still rang in the air, carried by the heat that lingered even after the fire died down.
Cementoss was on the stage preparing and repairing it for what could be the 10th time, the teachers in their booth all looked at the fight brackets and spoke hushed words.
But down in the corridors, away from the roaring stadium, the atmosphere was much quieter within the locker room.
Toru Hagakure adjusted her uniform hastily, her face invisible but her nervousness obvious in her fidgeting steps. She saw Gojo standing at the exit with his back facing her, she pulled the skirt down more and covered her chest as she tried to calm wall past him.
But before she could make it past the tall blindfolded boy, a hand landed lightly on her shoulder.
"Yo."
Her entire body stiffened. She couldn't move, literally. While his grip wasn't exactly crushing, there was a weight behind it that made every instinct in her scream don't struggle.
"Relax, Hagakure... Mind if call you Toru?" Gojo said, smiling like they were just chatting as friends to whoch she nodded slowly.
He smiled then leaned down slightly, as if speaking to her privately. "I told you earlier, I can't see your body perfectly. But let's just say... I can see enough."
Her invisible throat bobbed as she swallowed nervously.
"You look pretty good, though. Don't worry about it."
Toru's cheeks heated, whether from embarrassment or flattery, she wasn't sure.
The arena speakers boomed to life again.
"NEXT MATCH! URARAKA OCHACO VS. HATSUME MEI!" Present Mic's voice rang out, hyped as ever.
Gojo's smile didn't fade. "By the way… don't mention that phone call. To anyone." His voice lowered, carrying a weight that didn't match his casual grin.
"W-Why?" she asked, her voice trembling.
He chuckled. "Hm. Lets think about it like a game. Secrets are more fun when left unshared... You don't want to ruined this game for us would you now?"
He laughed again, lighthearted on the surface, but the pressure of his hand increased just enough that she understood perfectly what he meant.
Her invisible head nodded quickly. "Got it… I-Im sorry for being nosey..."
"Good girl. Dont worry about it." He let go, and just like that, the pressure vanished. Toru stumbled slightly, rubbing her shoulder as Gojo stood straight up against the wall, watching Uraraka and Hatsume come on the stage.
Toru looked at him as she slowly walked away, wanting to run away to the safety of her other classmates.
Meanwhile...
"LET'S GOOOOO!" Present Mic howled as the two girls stepped onto the stage.
Uraraka raised her fists, determination sharp in her eyes. Opposite her, Hatsume Mei had a grin stretched from ear to ear, wearing a jetpack contraption strapped to her back and gloves bristling with gadgets.
The buzzer rang, the match began, and instantly Hatsume shot skyward, thrusters firing with a loud roar.
"WHOOOSH! She's airborne! The Support Course's very own Mei Hatsume, taking flight!" Present Mic shouted, the crowd in awe as they saw he flying.
Hastune then pulled a gun like contraption, wires coming from diffrent spots, looking as if nade with copper and steal, from the backpack and aimed it at the wide eyed Uraraka.
Uraraka dashed across the stage, dodging wildly as Hatsume fired a grappling hook that cracked the concrete where she stood a second earlier.
"Hold still, Cutie!" Hatsume shouted gleefully, launching more gadgets in a rapid-fire barrage. "I need you for a demo!"
The crowd laughed and cheered as Uraraka fought desperately to dodge, flipping and rolling, using her quirk sparingly to lighten debris and fling it towards her as makeshift cover. But the difference was obvious.
'Could I use the Sero tactic on her?' Uraraka thought as she dodged another shot from the hook, Hastume having to reel it in to fire again.
Uraraka leapt towards the grapple hook end and touched it, hoping the same plan would work. 'No… I won't lose here…'
Unfortunately, Hatsume wasnt Sero.
The line of the grapple disconnected before it affected the gun and Hastume throw a rather small orange ball, around the size of a tennis ball towards Uraraka.
At first it exploded into a blinding light, Uraraka covered her eyes and turned away from it. The crowd doing the same as the light fell down on Uraraka.
When the flash bang of a ball was over, Uraraka looked up to suddenly see a large metallic net inches from her face.
She fell on her back, the net pinning her down, she tried using her Quirk until she saw the spikes at the edges of the net digging into the ground.
"Uraraka Ochako, can you move and fight?" Midnight asked from the stands, Uraraka struggling to get up before shaking her head as she stopped squirming.
"THEN THE WINNER IS, HATSUME MEI!" Present Mic announced as the end of the battle had arrived.
The crowd erupted, impressed that a "quirkless" Support student had just outmaneuvered a hero course contender.
Uraraka was helped out the netting by Hatsume, who pulled it off her then turned to the crowd and raising her arms to the air, basking in their cheers as she thought she had done more than enough demos.
Uraraka on the other hand walked off the stage, bitting her lip and a small smile as she walked towards the hallway leading to their locker. Her glassy eyes gave away to those who noticed how she felt, and only hoped she wouldn't let it beat her down.
She continued walking, looking down at the ground below her feet before she bumped into whay seemed like a wall
Uraraka looked up and saw Satoru standing there with a smile, before she realised what happened. "Ah Gojo! Im so sorry–"
"Don't worry Uraraka, no harm done." He said as he stood there and let out a chuckle.
"O-okay... so um... You… saw that match, huh?" She forced a laugh, rubbing her arm as she looked to the side.
"Sure did," he replied casually, hands in his pockets.
She nodded, trying to keep her voice steady. "It was fun though. I gave it my best…"
But her voice cracked, her eyes shimmering as the dam was cracking already
Without a word, Gojo reached forward, pulling her into a one armed hug. His other hand ruffled her hair gently. "You did great out there. Seriously. You've got guts."
Uraraka froze, cheeks burning red as her hands instinctively pressed against his chest. His voice was calm, comforting, so casual yet sincere it nearly undid her composure as she tried holding back sobs.
"Stand tall, Ochaco. You're gonna shine brighter later. First time for everything."
She swallowed hard, nodding against him as her blush deepened
Meanwhile, as the two were having their conversation, a few people seeing it, the next match was called.
"ON STAGE TENYA IIDA! KATSUKI BAKUGO!"
The crowd cheered as Bakugo stormed out, explosions cracking in his palms. He stood on the stage, mind already working to figure out the best way to deal with him.
'He's fast. Speed. With my explosions I can use his own speed against him.' He gave a grin as took a stance, ready for Iida to show up.
But after a minute, only one stood in the ring.
Midnight checked her clipboard and turned towards Aizawa who was on the phone. He took the microphone and ended the call.
"…It appears Iida Tenya has withdrawn due to urgent family matters. By rule of forfeit, the winner is… Katsuki Bakugo." Aizawa said with a blank tone.
A wave of mixed reactions washed over the crowd, applause, boos, mutters of disappointment.
Bakugo stood frozen, fists clenched so tight his palms shook.
'This isn't how I win. They'll think I didn't earn it. They'll think I'm weak. Like hell I'm weak... But how can I prove it now...'
He glanced toward the hallway, where Gojo stood leaning against the wall, chatting easily with a red-faced Uraraka as if the match didn't even exist.
'Even that smug bastard's not taking this seriously. Does he think I don't deserve it?!'
A few explosions went off in his hand, the crowd noticing as Present Mic decided to take advantage of this opportunity.
"IT LOOKS LIKE SOMEBODYS A LITTLE ANGRY. DONT WORRY BAKUGO MY BOY, YOUR FIGHT WILL BE COMING UP SOON!" He shouted, using this to hype up the atmosphere.
The crowd cheered a few seconds after, some still muttered words of disappointment.
Bakugo's teeth ground together as he stormed offstage, rage simmering beneath his skin. His hatred for the free victory boiling inside him.
Present Mic's voice boomed again as the new matchups appeared on the giant screen.
"AND NOW, ROUND THREE IS SET! ONTO THE SEMI FINALS!"
The names glowed brightly in the brackets.
Hatsume Mei vs Katsuki Bakugo
Satoru Gojo vs Shoto Todoroki
The crowd roared, the anticipation electric.
Back in the hallway, Gojo tilted his head, blindfold hiding eyes that glittered with amusement. Uraraka was still red beside him, clutching her fists as if trying to hide her nerves.
Gojo's smirk widened.
"Shoto Todoroki, huh? Finally… something that might be fun."
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End of Chapter
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