Red in Different Shades

9. Victors and Losers

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Edited 13.MARCH.2022

Edited 06.OCT.2024

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Niwa grabbed Mina's shoulder, her knees buckling under the weight of her suppressed laughter. She expected him to say something dumb, but this? He'd just hit a new record! All around them, students erupted with frustrated shouts and insults.

Bakugou turned to the first-year students, giving them a thumbs-down. "At least be a good, bouncy step for me to jump off of," he sneered, fueling the crowd's outrage. He gave them all a thumbs down which only fired up the crowd even more. 

Niwa wiped the tears from her eyes and tried to even out her giggles. She watched the boy return to the crowd of students with a fire of raw determination hidden behind his frown. Niwa pulled herself off of Mina, the pink girl seemed to be trapped in her own thoughts.

Niwa skipped past Bakugou's path causing the boy to pause briefly before aiming that scowl briefly at her, 

"Now THAT was a declaration of war." She said.

This guy... was way too damn fun to have around. The other students weren't just yelling at Bakugou anymore—they were screaming at all of Class 1-A.

Exciting... and infuriating. Her amusement flickered out like a snuffed flame, leaving only the heat of irritation simmering in its place.

She wasn't some steppingstone for Bakugou—or anyone else. Not from her class, and definitely not from any other. The need to prove that burned at her nerves, igniting an itch she couldn't ignore.

"Now, let's get started right away!" Midnight announced, "The first game is what you call a qualifier. Every year, many drink their tears here! Now here is the first game!" As she spoke loudly over the microphone, a holographic screen appeared behind her.

"Obstacle race?" Niwa grinned. Perfect, absolutely perfect.

"All eleven classes will participate in the race. The course will be the outer circumference of this stadium – about four kilometres!"

Not a bad length for a race. It would definitely weed out the uninteresting participants.

"Our school's selling point is freedom! As long as you stay on the course, it doesn't matter what you do." Midnight said seductively. These words sent the crowd wild with cheers of approval. 

Anything goes, huh? Niwa thought, then that means Quirks obviously, fighting each other, sabotage and teamwork are all on the table.

"Now! Take your places, everyone!" Midnight announced, pointing to the largest tunnel off behind them. The group walked over to the entrance and Niwa looked at the tunnel. Wouldn't something like that be a bit narrow? One green light faded.

How should she go about this? She could just take off, but then she would run the risks that being in the front would have. In an obstacle race, the leader is always at the biggest disadvantage. But fuck it, if she was going to race, she was going to at least leave one specific blond in the fucking dust. He deserved it. The second light faded as a thought crossed her mind. Actually...

Her gaze slid over to Bakugou and Todoroki. A cold, vindictive feeling settled in her blood.

Niwa took a final deep breath. When her eyes opened, her focus sharpened, clear as glass.

"Start!"

Niwa held her ground as the leaders of the crowd surged into the narrow tunnel ahead.

"Okay! Here's the play-by-play!" Present Mic announced over the speakers, "Are you ready to do the commentary, Mummy Man?"