Element

8: Run! Jump! Dodge! Twist it! Bop it!

Your POV

Everyone was training hard for the big day.

I was pushing myself beyond my limit.

While we were at school, I improved on the precision and strength of my Quirk. I tried making bigger chasms in the ground, hotter fire, stronger wind blasts, and greater dexterity of my water creations. When I wasn't at school, I worked on my general strength, stamina, speed, flexibility, and reflexes.

Kacchan and I went back to our daily sparring in the woods. 

He was getting better.

His Quirk was more controlled, and powerful. His speed had also improved greatly, as well as his reaction time.

But he still couldn't beat me.

"GET OFF ME!" Kacchan yelled, trying to force me off of him.

He was laying belly down in the dirt, and I was sitting on his back. Grabbing a fistful of his hair, I yanked up his head from off the ground, holding a sharp piece of rock to his neck.

"Just do one more thing. Try and get out of this without getting hurt."

He went still. Then, without warning, he shot a huge blast from underneath him, forcing me to roll to safety.

"HAH! I DID IT!"

"Did you?"

A drop of blood ran its way down his neck, getting lost in the folds of his shirt.

"Had I been a villain, that cut would have been way deeper."

"DAMN YOU!" He yelled. "YOU'RE SO ANNOYING!"

If you could get past the yelling, and constant insults, Kacchan was actually an amazing sparring partner. His reflexes and understanding of how his Quirk works makes him a formidable opponent, and one of the most talented in our class. I can't go easy on him, that's for sure.

"I call a rematch." He scowled, and ran at me with his palms open and out.

---------------

Before we knew it, the day of the Festival had arrived. Tension was running high in the waiting room, as everyone prepared to enter the area.

"Hey Mina, how are you feeling?" Y/N asked.

"I wish I had gotten to wear my costume! It looks so much cooler."

"Don't worry about it. You'll stand out from everybody else anyway — you're so pretty," she smiled.

"Aw, thanks Y/N! You will too, since you're absolutely gorgeous. Seriously, you need to give me some tips on how you look so good."

Y/N chuckled.

"I think I should be asking you that."

Iida burst through the doors.

"EVERYONE! GET YOUR GAME FACES ON! WE'RE ABOUT TO ENTER THE ARENA!"

"Swallow your fear...Swallow your fear...Swallow your fear..." Mineta mumbled.

"Midoriya."

The sound of a voice rarely heard immediately caught my attention. It was Todoroki, who was approaching Deku with his hands in his pockets.

"Hey, Todoroki. What's up?"

"From an objective standpoint, I think it's fairly clear that I'm stronger than you."

"Yeah..."

"However, you've got All Might in your corner helping you out. I'm not here to pry about what's going on between you two. But know that I will beat you."