Although the group had been excited about their impromptu training tournament at the start, they mutually decided to call it a day after their matches. Yu, Kage, and Terra were both sore from pushing their Quirks to the max, while Shion and Sachi were still arguing over who had come out on top in their match. The bickering was only getting more heated as the group walked around campus.
"C'mon, darling! We need a verdict!" Shion turned to Hiroto, looking at him with puppy-dog eyes.
"Yes, an impartial assessment of our performance would be greatly appreciated," Sachi added, elbowing Shion as she did so.
"I don't know that I can give you one," Hiroto said thoughtfully. "You both performed admirably against each other, utilising your strengths and your opponents weaknesses against each other. Really, had one thing changed at all, it could've swung either way, but as it stands-"
"Neither of us really stood out," Shion said, her face looking legitimately disappointed at the thought.
"You don't have to sugarcoat it," Sachi said, equally downcast. "It'll only serve to show us areas that need improvement."
"Actually, I was going to say that you both were equally amazing." Hiroto smiled, causing the girls faces to brighten in surprise. "Sachi, your determination and resourcefulness was quite impressive. The way you laid it all on the line with that final attack was inspiring. And Shion, your quick-thinking and stealthy tactics really put Sachi in a tough spot. Performance like that could really make the difference when dealing with a villain."
The girls' cheeks grew flush at the compliments, neither of them knowing how to respond. Finally, it was Osen who broke the silence. "H-he's right you know. This d-doesn't have to be a c-competition."
"Yeah!" Terra joined in. "We're all friends here! We want to see each other improve and get better."
Kage smiled. "Right! Even though Terra beat me, she earned it! I celebrate her victory, and that just gives me a new goal to strive for!"
"I guess that's true," Sachi said. "I may have let myself get carried away." She looked at Shion. "I apologise for letting things get so out of hand."
"Yeah, I'm sorry too," Shion said with a huff. Then her eyes got a devilish gleam. "Sorry that I didn't have my support items with me!"
"Here we go again," Tenki said monotonously as Byojo rolled his eyes.
"What are you talking about?" Sachi asked incredulously.
"I mean if I had my support items, there's no way I would've lost! You had some of yours, and you were barely holding on by a thread!"
"My Quirk tore a hole in yours!" Sachi retorted. "How would a support item have prevented that?"
As the bickering continued, Yu leaned over to Hiroto. "Speaking of support items, how are yours? They were looking pretty banged up after the USJ. Did you get them fixed."
Hiroto's face lit up as he turned to Terra. "You think Itano is done working on them?"
"Couldn't hurt to drop by!" Terra said gleefully.
"Wait, who's Itano?" Kage asked as the group headed in the direction of the support lab.
"One of the students in the support course," Terra replied as she skipped happily. "Really nice guy. Power Loader says he's crazy smart for a first-year."
"Hold on," Shion said, breaking away from her bickering. "A first-year? You entrusted your gear to an inexperienced first-year, Hiro?"
Hiroto nodded. "Power Loader vouched for him, but nobody else was willing to give him a chance to prove himself."
YOU ARE READING
Hiro Rising
Fanfiction"A young boy sets out to prove that he has what it takes to be a hero on his own, but even in an era of peace, he's about to learn that, sometimes, having people by your side is the only way to succeed."
