Rise up

~22~

The ground rumbles as the other top contestants and I rise from under the ground. We each are standing on podiums that have a number corresponding with our ranking. Bakugo in first place in the middle, me in second place on his right, and Tokoyami and Todoroki sharing third on the other side of Bakugo.

As we are entirely above ground, Midnight begins the award ceremony, "Of Course there is only one person worthy of distributing the awards." She gestures toward the top of the arena, where a silhouette can be seen.

The telling traits make it easy to guess that the silhouette belongs to the Number One Hero. All Might lets out a hearty laugh before jumping into the light and towards us. The crowd cheers louder than during any of the previous matches.

Midnight follows All Might as he walks to the third-place participants first. He grabs one medal at a time before handing it to each of the boys, along with some words of encouragement. Once Todoroki and Tokoyami each have their awards, All Might heads to my podium.

"Young Takami," All Might says as he reaches to grab the silver medal from Midnight, "You fought well," He leans in, offering a hug and pats my back before giving me my own advice, "I was shocked to see you trying to forfeit, and I'm unsure why you would but remember Young Takami, never give up on the things you want and always keep fighting."

"Thank you, All Might." I say as he lets go of me to move on, "I'll remember that next time."

Once Bakugo has received his medal along with advice from All Might, the ceremony continues. The Number One Hero gives encouragement and praise to all those contestants in the Sports Festival before we are dismissed. All of the classes head back to their homerooms to chat with their teachers before the day is over.

~*~

After listening to a short speech from Aizawa, we were sent on our way with the next two days off from school. He also informed us that each of us will have a list of heroes who would like to offer us an internship when we come back to school. I glance away from Mina, who is going on about the internships, to see Bakugo exit the classroom.

"Hey, Mina," I look back over at her standing from my seat, "I'll catch up with you later. We should plan to hang out on one of our days off."

"Yeah, for sure! See you later, Y/N." She waves me off excitedly as I exit the classroom.

I make my way down the quiet hallways in search of the explosive blonde. Before I find him, I've already exited the building, and he is making his way out of the gates.

"Sparky! Wait up!" I call out, and Bakugo stops in his tracks, not turning around. I jog the short distance to catch up to him. "So, what is it you want from the bet?"

He begins walking again as I take my place next to him. He glances at me, already staring at him, and then turns back, furrowing his brows, "I want you to explain what you meant at the Sports Festival. You know your non-stupid reason for forfeiting."

"If I told you I'd have to kill you, "I let out a small snort as he whips his head back in my direction, "I'm kidding. I wouldn't have to kill you, but you're not supposed to know part of it."

"Whatever, don't tell me. I don't care." He grumbles, stomping ahead of me.

I sigh, "It will be easier if I just tell you from the beginning."

Bakugo stops his footsteps and turns to see me walking away. I walk over to a park bench a little ways from the sidewalk and sit down. I pat the spot next to me, and the boy takes his place before I continue.

"I was five years old, living in America with my parents. Everything was pretty normal, and my parents were great. My parents were pretty young and had their share of problems but would do anything for me. Then the Head of the Hero Commission of Japan came to us, her name is Esther. Also, the person I hate most in the world." I grit my teeth at the mention of her name, "Anyways, She found me because Hawks, my cousin, was such a prodigy in her Hero Program. Esther assumed I would be a great addition to her program.