Having finished my "technical" first match, I was currently wasting away in the waiting room with nothing but time on my hands.
You're probably thinking, If you've got so much time, why not go outside? Well, unfortunately, I couldn't. The Mummy-teacher had placed me under a strict travel ban. My allowed movement range was basically a straight line between this room and the restroom. When I asked what would happen if I "accidentally" wandered into other waiting rooms, he gave me a one-word answer: "Prepare."
I was literally trembling.
Still, boredom is boredom. I tried practicing handstands, playing mobile games, and even predicting this year's "Buzzword of the Year" awards, but I hit my limit pretty fast.
So, I decided to just call someone. He told me I couldn't go anywhere, but he never said anything about having people come to me. Checkmate, Mummy-teacher!
"Ah, hey. Is this Kacchan?"
『Don't call me right before a match!! Are you an absolute moron?!』
How cruel. My heart was practically breaking.
"Anyway—"
『Don't you dare ignore me!! ...Fine, what is it?!』
"I'm bored. Come over and play with me."
『ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?! Why the hell should I be your entertainment right before my match, you shitty brat?!』
Kacchan was barking like a mad dog. Even so, the fact that he didn't hang up was very "Kacchan" of him. He complains, but he listens. He's just a little noisy about it.
As I listened to Kacchan's "Loser Dog" howling over the phone, I was trying to think of what to say next when there was a knock at the door. I figured someone was coming by to give me some encouragement, but right now Todoroki's match—the biggest highlight of the festival—was in full swing. There was no way anyone would miss that.
That meant it probably wasn't anyone from our class... actually, wait. There was one person who might show up.
"It's Ochaco, right? Come in!"
『Huh?! Round-Face—?』
I hung up on Kacchan and waited. A moment later, Ochaco entered the room, looking much gloomier than usual.
"Sorry for dropping in. Oh... were you talking to someone?"
"Don't worry about it. I was just on the phone with Kacchan."
"Ah, with Bakugo. Honestly, even at a time like this, he still makes time for you. Seriously... why don't you two just start dating already?"
I couldn't quite catch the last part of what she said, but when I asked her to repeat it, she shut me down instantly. I had a feeling she said something important, and it was going to bug me all day. But seeing her face, I knew she wasn't going to budge, so I decided to let it go.
Don't think it'll be this easy next time, Ochaco!
"Sigh... I feel like coming to see you was a mistake, Nico. I mean, technically, you're on Bakugo's side anyway."
Oh? Not true! Right now, I am 100% on Team Ochaco.
To prove my loyalty, I dropped into the starting stance for a hand-clapping game. Seeing me, Ochaco gave a small smile and took my hands. By the time we finished our little routine, some of the life had returned to her face.
"Ahahaha! Geez, Nico, you're way too forceful! But I do feel a little better. Thanks."
"You're welcome, Ochaco. If that's all it takes, I'll do it a million times for you."
"A million is too many! My arms would fall off, and I'd get bored!"
Ochaco giggled. The darkness that had been hanging over her when she walked in was gone. I watched her with a smile, but then her expression turned serious. She looked like she had something important to say, so I zipped my lip and waited.
"Hey, Nico... I need you to listen to something. Okay?"
"Yeah. I'm listening."
"Haha, a straight answer. Thanks."
I sat down and listened as Ochaco poured her heart out. She told me she was aiming to be a hero for the money. That her parents' business wasn't doing well. And then, she talked about her upcoming fight with Kacchan.
"I didn't think I should be telling you this... but I really wanted you to hear it. Sorry for bringing up such heavy stuff."
"It's fine. I was bored anyway."
"No, thank you. I really do feel a lot lighter now."
She took a deep breath and slowly stood up. Looking up at the ceiling, she spoke again.
"Watching you today... I realized something. You're the kind of person who's meant to be a hero, Nico."
"Ochaco?"
"I was happy that my friend was so amazing. I was proud of you. But... I also felt a little ashamed."
From where I was sitting, I couldn't see her face, but I could hear her voice trembling. I didn't point it out. I knew she was reaching for something important.
"I was ashamed of myself. Watching you work so hard to come up with strategies to win during the Cavalry Battle... seeing you fight with everything you had until the very end. I felt ashamed because I realized I hadn't thought about anything. I just relied on you to put the team together. I relied on everyone."
"I'm the one who wants to be a hero. But in that moment, all I could think about was leaning on someone else."
She whispered a small "Sorry" and wiped her eyes.
To be fair, her Quirk was a massive part of our success, and she did plenty, but it seemed she couldn't see it that way. I could have tried to explain that to her, but I knew it wouldn't fix the underlying problem in her heart. So, I kept my mouth shut. Right now, the best thing I could do was just be there for her.
"When I was a kid, I looked up to heroes," she continued. "But I didn't look up to the ones who fought; I looked up to the rescue heroes. The ones who could clear debris in an instant and save people who were crying. That's why I was so happy when I found out my Quirk could do exactly that. I thought I could finally help people like them."
"I studied hard. I trained my body and my Quirk. But... I didn't understand what it really meant to be a hero."
Ochaco turned to look at me. Her eyes were sharp, full of resolve.
"I want to be a hero. I want to be the kind of hero who isn't ashamed to stand beside you, Nico. So... I'm sorry. But I'm going to go beat Bakugo."
She wasn't saying it out of overconfidence. Her face was twitching, and her hands were shaking. I knew how scary Kacchan could be as an opponent, so I understood exactly how she felt. Honestly, I thought she was incredible in that moment.
"...Kacchan is really strong, you know?"
"Fufu. See? I knew you were on his side. But thanks. Thanks for being on my side, just for right now."
Ochaco gave me a thumbs-up. "I'll see you in the finals!"
I gave her a thumbs-up right back.
"If Kacchan loses, I'll be the one to console him, so don't hold back! Go win! You have my permission!"
"Yeah! I'm going!!"
She put on a brave face and marched out of the room. I picked up my phone and hit Kacchan's name again. He picked up on the second ring, sounding as aggressive as ever.
『YOU!! You call me and then hang up whenever you feel like it?! DAMN IT!!』
"Ah... yeah. Sorry."
My simple apology seemed to deflate his anger a little.
『...Tsk! What about Round-Face, huh?! If you're gonna tell me to go easy on her, I'm hanging up!!』
"No, that's not it. Hey, Kacchan."
『WHAT?!』
"...Please fight her with everything you've got."
He let out another "Tsk."
『I was gonna do that anyway. No one who hangs out with you is 'normal.' I'm not gonna let my guard down. I'm gonna crush her with everything I've got.』
"Yeah. Thank you."
As long as he was being serious, it was fine. Kacchan is the type of fighter who adjusts to his opponent. With Ochaco's current skill level, he probably only needed to use a fraction of his power to win. If she caught him off guard, she might surprise him once, but that would be the limit. Kacchan isn't soft.
I don't think she can't win, but against a serious Kacchan, the odds are definitely not in her favor.
I was about to hang up when Kacchan stopped me. "Hey."
That was rare. I put the phone back to my ear. "What is it?"
『Shut up... Don't you dare walk into Round-Face's room wearing a face like that.』
What a strange thing to say. There was no way he could see my face over the phone.
"Did we accidentally switch to a video call? Ahaha."
『I don't need to see you to know, you idiot. Don't make phone calls that just make you feel miserable. She's your friend, isn't she? Stop overthinking it and just worry about her like a normal person.』
"...Yeah. Thanks, Kacchan."
A little while later, while I was stretching for my own match, I heard the sound of countless explosions and the roar of the crowd. And then, I heard the final, massive blast that signaled the end.
I went to the sink and washed my face, making sure I was ready for whenever Ochaco came back. No matter what the result was, I was going to greet her with a smile.
***
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