All For Some

Chapter 36: The Sports Festival

Izuku stepped out of the car some distance from the UA gates. The lines of people waiting to get in went far further than that. Hitoshi whistled next to Izuku.

"I knew it was going to be big, but I've never actually seen the sports festival in person."

"Hard to imagine people being so interested in a high school competition," Izuku said.

Tenya hummed. "It is one of the largest sports events in the country, and it is where many famous heroes have appeared in public for the first time."

"And punched their classmates in public for people's entertainment," Izuku added. "Then there are those from other courses who just got dragged in to make the hero students look better."

"You punch us almost daily," Hitoshi pointed out.

"That's not for entertainment," Izuku said.

"Are you sure about that?"

Izuku looked at the ground quiet for a long moment. He understood and wouldn't mind partaking in the joke, but really... The entertainment was the joke. Izuku looked at Hitoshi completely serious.

"Yes."

"Right," Hitoshi said. "You are feeling more serious today."

Izuku looked around at the crowds they were passing while heading towards the entryway reserved for students. He could already see some eyes following him. He was having relatively good luck with his classmates, but...

Hitoshi sighed.

"It could be a long day. I'm nervous myself. I've never brainwashed anyone in public like this, with so many people watching."

"Toshi, a few months ago you hesitated brainwashing me even when I asked for it, you've come a long way, but yeah. I'd be lying if I pretended not to be nervous."

"I wish I could say you don't need to," Tenya said. "Unfortunately, I don't know any way to cheer you up."

"Hey! Midoriya, Ida, Shinso," Kirishima called from behind them with a wide smile on his face, "are you exited for the festival?"

Both Izuku and Hitoshi smiled as they glanced back at the approaching redhead.

"Sure are," Hitoshi responded. "You seem to barely contain your own excitement. Maybe your quirk could help with that."

"Heh, that's a new one."

"Good, I have to remember it," Hitoshi softly punched Kirishima's shoulder.

"So," Izuku started, "are you ready to punch other students for people's entertainment?"

"Eh?" Kirishima stared at Izuku, confused.

"Never mind. Just make sure you do well. I want some good opponents in the finals."

"Right back at you. This time I'm not going to just take hits. Just... try to leave my limbs attached."

"If you don't shatter all my bones. The guy mowing my lawn is still complaining about the rocks spread in the grass after your... demonstration."

"Heh, sorry about that."

"Don't worry about it. It was my lack of preparation. Focus on the competition..."

Izuku's voice waned away as he encountered more stern and fearful stares that were following him even more openly than before. They were just outside security checkpoints set up at the gate and even with a separate path for the students they had to pass the densest crowd waiting to get inside. Unfortunately, that included a lot of media. One of the reporters looking at Izuku even seemed familiar to him.