"I'm s-so glad Hiro's not here t-to see me like th-this," Yu said, pacing nervously back and forth in the entrance corridor. Tenki watched on with Byojo floating worriedly overhead.
"It's just another match, Yu. You've done well so far, so just give it your best shot."
"B-but I had a chance in the other f-fights. This is Sabi. Since day one, I h-haven't been able to stand up to him." Yu froze, staring out at the light from the stadium. "I'm no match for him."
Byojo let out a crack of thunder as Tenki walked decisively up to her friend. "Sabi is a bully that preys on the weak. The only thing driving him right now is his disdain for Hiroto. You're already better than him."
"T-Tenki?"
"You've been training hard and improving. During the USJ, you stood your ground against an actual villain, helping me and the rest of our team hold out until help arrives. You have a good heart and care about people." For a brief moment, Tenki's stoic face seemed different. There was a twinkle in her eyes and the slightest hint of an upward turn to the corner of her lips. Byojo, on the other hand, was ecstatic, beaming bigger and brighter than ever before, a determined smile on his face. "Whether you win or lose, you've already beaten him where it matters."
"I-I . . . y-you really th-think all that?"
Tenki gave a firm nod. "And I think you can win."
"Will our next contestants please enter the ring?" Mount Lady called out.
"That's your cue," Tenki said. "You can do this, Yu."
Yu looked toward the entrance, and then let out a nervous laugh. "I didn't want anyone to see me like this," he turned back to Tenki and smiled, "but I'm really glad you were here for me, Tenki."
"N-no problem," she replied as she watched him walk down the corridor. As soon as Yu had entered the arena, Tenki felt someone else standing behind her. "Thank you for letting me accompany him alone, Hiroto."
"Of course," Hiroto said as he walked up beside her. "I'm just glad Yu has someone else who cares about his well being as much as I do."
Tenki was quiet for a moment. "Do you think he can win?"
Hiroto took a deep breath. "Sabi is going to be a tough opponent, so it's hard to say. But win or lose, we'll be here for him."
Tenki nodded as she walked to the end of the corridor to watch the match. "Right."
--
"For our next semifinal matchup! We have Yu Arata vs Sabi Kizuato!" Present Mic boomed. "Will Kizuato be able to get his point across, or will Arata give him the cold shoulder? Let's find out!" An audible groan from Mr. Aizawa could be heard in the background.
As Yu walked up to the platform and laid eyes on his opponent, he felt his nervousness return. Flashbacks of Sabi towering over him on the first day and hunting him down during training caused his body to shake involuntarily.
"Trembling already? You're pathetic." Sabi spat. "Let's make this quick."
"Whether you win or lose, you've already beaten him where it matters." Tenki's encouragement pierced through the doubt in his mind. Yu ignored the taunts, took a deep breath, and readied himself for the battle to come.
"And begin!" Mount Lady yelled.
Immediately, Yu sent out waves of ice in an attempt to put Sabi on the defensive. Yu's eyes widened as shining metal sliced through the frozen wall, shattering it into a million pieces as Sabi burst through. With an unrestrained ferocity, Sabi lunged at Yu, grabbing his arm and pulling him into a crushing gut punch. While the wind was knocked out of him, Yu felt Sabi's hand grab the back of his head and slam his face into his knee. With one fluid motion, Sabi flung Yu behind him, sending him skidding to a stop just barely within the bounds of the ring.
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."
