Forever and Always - SHOTOXOC (Eng Ver.)

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Here we go.
Shoto is about to clash with Deku and the tension can be cut with a knife.
I struggle to sit because of the anxiety I feel so I start torturing my nails and walking up and down the stairs.

"You're making me sick to my stomach." Denki stands up and stops me by the shoulders.
"Calm down." He takes me by the hand and leads me to the front where Izuku was previously sitting.
Ochako, who has recovered, is watching us.
"Sit here. And try to be quiet, okay?"

I nod without saying anything as the blond man returns to his seat.
I have a strange feeling about this fight especially after what they said to each other and with what happened.
The start is given and Shoto immediately goes on the attack using ice. An icy sheet full of spikes charged toward Deku starts from his foot. An icy blast also reaches toward all the stands filling me with chills.

The green-haired boy responds and, using his finger, destroys the ice wave.
They continue like this for three more attacks and by now Midoriya's fingers and arm are totally destroyed. I sit on the edge of the chair continuing to move my leg.

Shoto is reaching his limit, I realize.
We have trained together so many times that I fully understand when he uses ice for too long.
"You're shaking, Todoroki!" Then Deku noticed it too.
"You could balance the temperature with heat from your left side, am I right?"
What is that boy getting at?
"Everyone has given their best and you want to make it by using half of your powers! Know that you couldn't hurt me enough to scare me."

We are all shocked by his words, and I most of all know how true they are.
"BRING IT ON BY PUTTING YOUR ALL INTO IT!"
He shouts with all his voice and it comes through loud and clear to us as well.
I get up from my chair approaching the balustrade now unable to stand still.

Shoto is fuming with anger while Deku seems more convinced than ever in what he is saying.
They both move at the same time running at each other.
Izuku's arm begins to glow as he throws a punch in Todoroki's stomach.
Shoto rolls back a couple of meters before getting up again ready to attack.
Midoriya is now exhausted. His arms are completely destroyed. Why does he continue? What keeps him going?

They keep fighting, taking each other to the limit.
They cannot continue like this.
"Everything you do, just to rebel against your father, makes me laugh! Your power and your own life just on a whim!
THAT'S WHY I WILL DEFEAT YOU."
Shoto's right side is almost totally frozen and I know very well that it will not last long.
Deku hits him again and the two-toned man falls backward.

I begin to cry from the emotions that are overwhelming me from within.
Everything he went through in his childhood, his traumas and training to exhaustion.
The times he would come to my house crying and bruised just for comfort.
It's not fair that he got the better of his life.

"SHOTO!" I shout with all my voice.
I lean over the balustrade and feel arms holding me from behind to prevent me from falling.
"YOU ARE NOT LIKE HIM! YOU NEVER WERE! YOU DON'T HAVE TO PROVE ANYTHING TO ANYONE ICYHOT!"
Most people turn toward me but I don't care.

Shoto turns to look at me as tears continue to stream down my face.
His eyes are wide and he looks just as scared as when he was a child.
"Mei is right! IT'S YOUR POWER NOT HIS! WHAT YOU WANT TO DO, DO IT!"
Deku shouts back and finally something snaps in him.

A huge blaze starts from the center of the ring and propels itself across the arena.
I am dragged backward to avoid getting burned.
He is using it.
He is using fire. We manage to make him realize it. Endeavor shouts his name saying that he has finally accepted his fate.

The man. I am not distracted by him bringing all my attention back to the fight again.
I wipe my tears with my sleeve before slumping back against the stands.
Now there is nothing left to stop him.

They are both destroyed and preparing for what will now be their final attack.
Shoto launches an ice attack as Izuku, with frightening speed, manages to leap over it and leap toward him.
The two-toned man raises his arm upward, activating his left side, and nothing more is understood.

A huge explosion comes to life throughout the arena.
I hold on tightly to the handrail as a very strong wind blows everywhere.
Nothing but smoke and dust can be seen from the center of the ring.

Did his heat mixed with ice create all this? Possibly.
The smoke slowly begins to disappear.
And Shoto is standing in the middle of the ring.
Half of his uniform is completely burned and I can't take my eyes off him.
"TODOROKI MOVES ON TO THE THIRD ROUND!"
Without waiting any longer, I turn around and start running toward the arena exit.

I run down the stairs trying to manage to catch up with Shoto as quickly as possible.
I enter the last corridor where I see Endeavor heading in the same direction as me.
I overtake him with bated breath pushing him to the side.

He will not ruin this moment for Shoto.
Finally his figure appears from the end of the corridor and he looks up to see me.
He is clearly tired but the shadow of a smile forms on his face.
I smile too and with one last burst I throw myself into his arms.
The two-toned boy catches me on the fly and holds me tightly to him.
He hides his face in my neck while his arms are around my waist.

I gently caress his head.
"I'm proud of you. "I whisper in his ear.
The boy responds by holding me even tighter in his arms.
"Didn't you say 'I will do my own thing'?"
His father's voice interrupts the beautiful moment we were sharing.
"You finally managed to get rid of your rebellious phase. Now you are perfect! A complete version of me!"

"Mei. Wait for me in a waiting room. I'll be right there."
I nod at Shoto's words before walking away from both of them.
I head to one of the rooms and when I enter I find Mina there.
"Hey Mei." She says, hopping toward me.
"After Bakugo and Kirishima, we'll be the ones facing each other."

"That's true. But know that I'm ready to win." I tell her, giving her a wink.
"Oh I know it well. I saw your fight with Momo. You are really good."
I blush at her compliments.

The door behind us opens and we turn around at the same time.
Shoto stares at us from the doorway not expecting to find Mina here as well.
"Well I guess I'll be going. See you in the ring then."
Ashido nods at me before leaving the room.
My best friend doesn't say a word and goes to sit down.
It's time to clear the air!