Machina

9.Sports Festival Battle

Whoo baby, it's a long one!

Tai yawned as he walked onto the stage. "I shouldn't have taken a nap, now I'm all tired."

"You seem awfully relaxed," Shinso remarked as he walked on stage. "Is the high and mighty member of class A not worried because I'm from Gen Ed?"

Tai gave him a confused look as he glanced around, opening his mouth to say something before closing it. 'The fuck is his deal,' he thought. 'He must've come out the womb swinging, cause I don't remember doing anything to piss him off.'

"From the hero course, it's Taiyo Rifutooooo! And his opponent, from General Studies, Hitoshi Shinsooooo! The rules are simple, force your opponent out of bounds, or immobilize them! You can also win if your opponent surrenders!"

"We also win if our opponent surrenders, huh. This is as much a competition of strength as it is a test of wills."

Still, Tai didn't say anything back. "Ready!? Start!!!" Tai took off running immediately, closing the gap between him and Shinso quickly.

"What are you not going to say anything, are you looking down on me because I'm in General Studies," Shinso shouted as he sloppily threw a punch.

Tai nimbly moved out of the way and grabbed Shinso's arm before pivoting and started throwing him over his shoulder, opening up a portal midair. "Why would I look down on you, regardless of what department you're from, you made it to the finals. I just didn't talk because my people skills aren't that great, and you-" Tai opened his mouth to continue but stopped as his expression went limp.

"Stop," Shinso shouted in desperation, and Tai stopped the throw, stopping awkwardly with Shinso held up, before he lost his balance and fell with Shinso on top of him. As they both came crashing down, Shinso felt his control over Tai slip as the fall snapped him out of it.

"Oy vey, eh, bugger off," Tai absentmindedly said as he pushed Shinso off of him, opening up a portal and rolling him out of bounds. "Now what in the hay was that," Tai asked in a country accent.

"Now that was a fast battle," Mic shouted. "Rifuto quickly countered Shinso's attack, but seemed to trip up on the delivery before just rolling his opponent away!"

"Dammit," Shinso muttered. "I was so close, I was able to use my quirk, but I still lost, and with just a push. Must be nice having a quirk like that, plenty of power and rare to boot, meanwhile, with my quirk, I've been behind from the very start. But I can't expect someone as blessed as you to understand, can I?"

"Well, I wouldn't put it like that," Tai whispered before speaking up as he gave Shinso an understanding look. "I get it now... I think. Your quirk, some kind of control or somethin'. Let me guess, had to deal with some kinda villain stigma?" Tai walked over to Shinso and held out his hand. "Look, I'm not one of those people who're all high and mighty because of their quirk, or think a quirk is all that matters. If I was, I'd be trying to hang out with the explosive pomeranian and the peppermint, not the quirkless kid or miss zoom eyes."

Shinso silently regarded him for a few moments before taking the offered hand and Tai helped him stand back up. "What sportsmanship between these two," Mic shouted.

"It doesn't really matter, I still lost."

"But, you were able to make it all the way to the finals. That's a lot better than several hero students, and I happen to know of a teacher who'd be more than willing to give you a shot. But hey, if you people are giving you a hard time because of your quirk, you're more than welcome to come hang out with me and the two gearheads."

"Whatever."

"Hey Shinso," a student from the stands called out. "Good job!"

"Yeah man, you're the star of Gen Ed!"