Rise up

~12~

It's the day of the festival, and I'm sitting in the waiting room with headphones zoned out. This morning Keigo cooked his favorite, chicken and waffles, then sent me off wishing me good luck. He had promised he would try to make it to support me, but I wouldn't hold it against him if he couldn't find the time to stop by.

I had been in my head focused on how I would win an event where I didn't even know what the challenges would be. I'm holding a staring contest with the wall directly across the table I'm sitting at when a hand waving in front of my face snaps me back to reality.

I slip a headphone out to hear Mina's words, "Hey, Ida just announced it's starting soon, let's go."

I nod, standing from my seat, beginning to follow the girl out of the room. That's when I notice a shaking Midoriya listening to whatever Todoroki is telling him.

"-I'm stronger than you. You may have All Might in your corner but know I will still beat you." I hear the dual-haired boy challenge, then he turns to march out of the room, only to be stopped by Kirishima. At this point, Mina has left me, and all of my attention is now on the boys threatening each other.

"Hey, Todoroki, calm down, man. why are you picking a fight all of a sudden and right before the festival?." Todoroki recoils from Kirishima's touch and scowls at his words. The friendly redhead looks hurt by the cold boy's actions, especially when Todoroki replies, "We aren't here to make friends. Don't forget this isn't a team effort."

With his last words, Todoroki begins to trudge toward the exit of the waiting room. I believed that it was the end of the tension-filled conversation, so I turned to leave also, only to be surprised by the nervous green-haired boy speaking up.

"I'm not sure why you feel the need to tell me you will beat me, and yeah, you are better than me," My eyes widen at Midoriya, shocked that he had the courage to stand up for himself, "In fact, you probably have the most potential of anyone in the hero course."

Midoriya's last choice of words causes me to ball up my fist. I'm irked that the boy is discrediting all the hard work everyone in our class has been putting in. "Hmph, You guys focus too hard on one opponent, and the rest of us will swoop in and snatch first place from you." I roll my eyes, already stepping out the door, "Like stealing candy from a baby."

I place my headphones back in, making my way down the hallway heading for the entrance tunnel, and notice a person following me. I ignore them, believing it may be Todoroki trying to have the last word in or Midoriya ready to apologize profusely. The unknown person's identity is revealed when I feel a coarse hand run through the feathers of my wings.

"Bakugo!" I jump away from the boy, ripping my headphones out, startled by his actions. "What are you doing?" I scowl at him in hopes he can tell how affected I am by a small action.

"You wouldn't fucking answer when I called. I was just getting your attention." He starts walking down the tunnel and seems annoyed, as if I should have already known the answer to my question. "I just wanted to say even though I'll be taking first, you better not let any of these extras beat you. I plan on being the one to top you, Little Birdie." He stops turning to me, so I have a full view of the cockiest grin plastered on his face.

I smirk right back, shaking my head at the overconfident boy. Taking a step towards him causing me to have to look up slightly to hold eye contact . "I bet that would be magnificent, but I'm not the type to just sit back and let that happen,"  Inching closer, I bring my mouth impossibly close to his ear, "Katsuki~."

I step away from the now flustered time bomb, walking backward down the tunnel. I hear Present Mic beginning the festival's announcement, but I shoot the boy a small wave before I turn to step forward. I then discover that Bakugo is now functioning again when I hear the sound of small explosions approaching me.