As Osen and Sachi headed back to the stands, Terra silently watched Hiroto, a flood of thoughts entering into her mind as he turned back towards her. "Me and Hiro-kun are alone . . . wait . . . what does he wanna talk to me about?! Focus Terra! You can't act weird! Don't let him think you're weird. Don't jump to conclusions. You've got a match coming up, so you can't-"
"Terra?" Hiroto called out waving his hand in front of his best friend's face.
"Yeah? Yeah! I'm here! What's up, Hiro-kun?" she replied in a panicked tone, her cheeks slightly red.
"Are you okay? You seem . . . off . . . somehow."
"Oh? Nah, I'm okay. Ready to kick some butt!" Terra grinned, trying to keep her composure.
Hiroto narrowed his eyes as he examined her. "Terra, I'm your best friend. You know you can tell me if something's on your mind." Hiroto gave her a smile, the smile that had made her heart skip so many times she had lost count.
"You! You're on my mind! All the time! You're so kind and caring and handsome and adorable and I this might be my only chance to tell you-"
"It's about the match, isn't it?" Hiroto's face turned down the corridor. "I can relate. So many unknown students, unknown Quirks, unknown opponents . . . it can be overwhelming."
The flurry of emotions in Terra's mind settled down as she looked at Hiroto's face. "He's worried too. He's taking this seriously, not that I would expect anything less. This is important to him, and I can't distract him from it right now." She sighed and nodded in response to Hiroto's statement. "Perfect situation, wrong time."
"I don't know much about your opponent, but I know you'll win, Terra."
Terra let out an ironic chuckle. "That's not like you, predicting the outcome without having all the facts."
"Don't need them." Hiroto shrugged. "You're the most energetic, determined person I know. No matter what the challenge, you're going to keep pushing yourself until you overcome it. You're an unstoppable force of enthusiasm. It's exhausting." He grinned as Terra jabbed his arm.
"Oh, come one, Hiro-kun. You know you love me," she winked and stuck out her tongue, followed swiftly by her face turning beet-red as her brain realised what she had just said.
Fortunately, Hiroto didn't seem to notice as he rubbed his arm and smiled. "I wouldn't have you any other way."
"Alright alright alright!" Present Mic boomed. "Let's keep the good times rolling! Next contestants, to the ring!"
"Well, that's my cue!" Terra said quickly. She turned toward the entrance, hoping to hide her face. However, before she could dash off, she felt a firm hand on her shoulder. She turned to see Hiroto looking at her intently.
"You've got this, Terra. I wanna see you move to the next round. If you ever start doubting yourself, know that I'm in the stands, cheering you on, and I believe in you."
Hiroto placed a hand on Terra's shoulder making the speedster freeze in place " you've got this Terra I believe in you one hundred percent and if you're feeling nervous look for me in the bleachers I wanna see you in the next round."
Terra's cheeks began to redden even more as a smile spread across her face. "He's so cute! So handsome! I wish I could tell him right now! But now's not the time." She shook her head and put a determined smile on her face. "I won't let you down, Hiro-kun!"
"You never do," Hiroto grinned as Terra turned and dashed down the corridor, into the blinding light of the stadium.
"Okay, boys and girls, if the last round was too same-y, have we got a matchup for you! From Class 1-A, one of the Cavalry Battle champions: Terra Atoresa! And from Class 1-B: Doko Mademo!"
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."
