Heroes of Tomorrow

Part 53~Big Moment

"Good news," Jiro announced. "We got in contact with Midoriya. Apparently, he ran into some trouble, but he'll be here soon."

"Great." Akiko let out a sigh as Kirishima walked forward.

"I know this isn't what you want to hear, but do you think Midoriya could take my place. I have a bad feeling I want to check on."

"Now?" Akiko frowned as she sighed. "Okay. This is what the backup is for. I should be able to do your part. Koda, you still good with the program?"

Koda nodded, giving her a thumbs up.

"Thank you!" Kirishima bowed deeply. "I know this could have been better timed, but I really think this is important!"

"Just make sure you stay safe with whatever you're doing." Akiko paused as she sighed. "And now I'm going to have to wear a different outfit." Akiko shook her head as Kirishima chuckled.

"Thank you so much!"

"Alright, everyone! Let's do this!" Akiko tried to pump herself up as Uzu chuckled.

"I think she's more nervous than anyone."

~~~

"There's way more people here than I thought there'd be," Hagakure cried as Sato nodded.

"At least everyone sounds like they're in a good mood."

Akiko took a deep breath as the clock ran out. It was 10. Akiko motioned to Koda as they pulled back the curtains.

Jiro stood front stage, the first to be seen. The crowd cheered excitedly as they waited.

Mirio stood with Eri in his arms, showing her the stage. "How's this? Can you see, okay?"

"Yeah," Eri mumbled as her eyes locked onto Midoriya, smiling in the front line.

The lights dimmed as Bakugo screamed. "Now! Start, dammit! Get ready, UA. Our sound is gonna kill you!"

The drum set exploded as the lights switched on. The music began as the dance crew started dancing. Behind them, the animation played, showing the colourful drawings.

"Thanks for comin' out today," Jiro screamed before she began to sing. "What am I to be? What is my calling? I gave up giving up. I'm ready to go! The future's left unseen. It all depends on me. Put it on the line to follow my dream."

Kirishima looked around the lighting, trying to spot Naka amongst the chaos.

"Tired all my life. I've tried to find something that makes me hold on and never let go. Ooooh!"

The projection changed, showing the students completing the complicated dance moves and making it look like they were causing the animation to change under their movements. Akiko grinned. The timing was right.

"Hero too! I am a hero too. My heart is set, and I won't back down. Hero too. Strength doesn't make a hero. True heroes stand up for what they believe. So wait and see."

Izuku rushed forward, catching Aoyama and throwing him high in the air. The light burst out, shining the audience in the colours. Ojiro caught him, helping him stand up and continue. Midoriya rushed off the stage as Eri gaped, a frown forming on her face in confusion.

"What do they think of me? What do they think I'll be? I could not care less. I don't want to know!"

Kirishima grinned as he finally spotted Naka, climbing closer and closer. "Naka, we need to talk!"

"Am I doing right? Am I satisfied? I wanna live my life like it's meant to be."

"Listen, I know you're planning on doing something. I have no idea why, but you need to stop being an idiot." Kirishima reached out for Naka, and his eyes widened.

"Tried all my life. I've tried to find. Something that makes me hold on."

Bakugo hit the drums harshly as the ice stretched across the gym. Momo held out her arm as the part poppers exploded. Akiko rushed forward, using her quirk to shave off fine ice. Izuku pulled Aoyama around the gym as his lights beamed out.

"My heart is set, and I won't back down. Hero too. Strength doesn't make a hero. True heroes stand up for what they believe."

Naka shook his head, stepping away from Kirishima. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"So wait and see. People will just for no reason at all. Yeah, they might try to say your dream's dumb. Don't listen."

"Don't lie to me, Naka. I know you've been low for so long, and you've been pushing us away, but I don't want you to do anything you'll regret." Kirishima reached out for Naka, as he shook his head again.

"They may look down on me and count me out. I'm going my own way. They may look down on me and count me out. I'm a hero! I've got music!"

"You don't understand. You can't understand." Naka pulled away as Kirishima blinked in worry.

"Hero too. I am a hero too. My heart is set, and I won't back down. Hero too. Strength doesn't make a hero. True heroes stand up for what they believe."

"Please, Naka. Just talk to me. We're worried about you."

"Yeah, I'll be!"

Naka kept his head down. "No, you aren't. Everyone hates me."

"Hero too! I am a hero too! My heart is set, and I won't back down!"

Tsu swung Uraraka around as she gave the crowd a high five, raising them from the crowd and letting them float.

"Hero too. Strength doesn't make a hero. True heroes stand up for what they believe. So wait and see."

Mirio smiled as Eri beamed, her wide grin brightening the area. She was happy.

"I have met so many heroes in my life. Give me strength and courage to survive."

Akiko frowned as she stopped, glancing back. Something was nagging her.

"Gave me the power to smile every day. Now it's my turn."

Kirishima let out a scream, it barely sounding against the crowd, as Naka stepped off the ledge.

"To be the one! To make you smi-" She couldn't finish when she saw Naka from the ceiling.

Akiko jumped from her spot, digging her vines into the ice to catch herself. She reached out, her vines bursting forward and wrapping around Naka as she let out a cry. She threw him up as she crashed into the ground, her vines ripped from the ice. Midoriya shot from his place, catching Naka and landing safely.

The crowd stared in shock as Uzu let out a cry. "Shit! Akiko! She's bleeding! Someone get Recovery Girl!"

Akiko lay motionless, the blood pouring out of her head.