Sweet and Spicy

To Join or Not to Join

Staring at the letter in question, it didn't answer my question as to why I couldn't join the Sports Festival this year. Was it because of what happened during the USJ attack? If so, Aizawa wouldn't let us all participate if that was the case. Was it because of my popularity with my parents? No, the public would've loved to see me in my prime as my parent's prized possession. So what was the reason behind it?

"Why can't she join?" Midoriya questioned Tadami, standing right next to me.
"Because of my quirk..." I spoke.

Everyone looked at me as I held the page.

"It looks like... Principal Nezu... wants.... the festival to be fair..."
"Well, that's not fair." Mina replied, "YN, you've worked hard to be in these games."
"So what if you can't use your power?" Tsuyu agreed, "You still worked hard to be here!"
"Well, that's what the principal wants, so I think it's best to let her be."

Confused, Kirishima read the letter and noticed something was off. If Principal Nezu didn't want her to join the festival, shouldn't he inform this matter to Shota Aizawa?

"Now hold on! If Principal Nezu won't let her join, doesn't that mean you can't join either?"
"Oh, Kirishima... Don't you get it? I'm allowed because my quirk affects none of my classmates."
"What are you talking about?"
"Think about it: her quirk is Inspiration, which means she copies your quirk. Doesn't it seem odd that a person with a copycat quirk like that could be a hero?"
"What about Monoma?"
"He may have copycat, but his power doesn't end a person's life."

Hearing his last statement, I knew where this was going. How on earth did he know about this secret?? That information was left in the dark for some time. No one knew about my parent's death, not even the press. So how did he know about it and why is he bringing it up now?? Midoriya and Kirishima noticed how scared I felt as I backed away. Bakugou, who read my body language, felt irritated but said nothing about this.

"Are you alright, YN?" Midoriya asked gently.

I shut myself down as I couldn't say a word at all.
Shoto, who didn't speak earlier, walked towards Tadami.

"I don't know why you're doing this, but this shouldn't be happening here while we're in school. This should happen when you are in "
"Oh? I see. The great Endeavor's kid: too scared to face the consequences."
"That's not what I mean."
"Really? You're not scared? Let's talk about the elephant in the room: Midoriya."

Pointing towards him directly, he walked close to him.

"Why not talk about a person who got lucky enough to be at UA when he had luck on his side?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Don't play coy on all of us! We all know All Might has you in his corner!! And it doesn't help that my sweet cousin of mine has you wrapped around her finger for it!"

Grabbing my arm tightly, I winced in pain.

"Like how you did that to your own mother!!"
"Please... stop! You're hurting me!"
"Tell them, Shizuka! Tell them what happened that day!! TELL THEM!!"

In rage, he felt a hit struck across his face, knocking him to the table nearby.
Looking up, I noticed Bakugou standing in front of me.
Expecting to say thank you, I noticed how angry he was feeling.
Right now, this wasn't the best time.

"You may be her cousin, but that doesn't excuse of the abuse you're giving her."
"And why is that Bakugou?" Tadami asked, getting up from the ground. "Afraid of a little competition between her... or Midoriya?"
"You don't belong in our class. So why should you care about her ability to beat you or not? She joins or we all forfeit."

Some of the class started to whine and complain to Bakugou's decision at first, but Iida stood next to him and agreed.

"We're heroes in the making!" Iida replied. "We're not going to let one hero fall for technicality."

Hearing his additional comment, some stood around me and stared at him.
Wiping the dust from his school uniform, he turned away with disappointment.

"Fine," he replied. "Just don't say I didn't warn you. And if you do plan on fighting me, YN, just know one thing: I know your weakness."

As he was out of sight, some of the girls stood near me to calm me down as I watched Bakugou leave the room to calm himself down. What was that all about?

"Excuse me..." I replied quietly. "I need to take a breather..."

Walking out of the room, I followed Bakugou near the bathroom doors. I wanted to talk to him about it but I'm guessing it would make him angry if probed. I was about to ask him if he was okay, when the intercom spoke up from above.

"CLASS 1A, PLEASE LINE UP IN AN ORDERLY FASHION. I REPEAT: PLEASE LINE UP IN AN ORDERLY FASHION."

He turned around to see me standing there.

"What do you want?"

I stood still, unsure what to say to him.

"Look, I don't care what you saw, but just... don't let him get to you. Prove him wrong for showing what you can do better."

He starts to walk away, leaving me there unsure as to what happened.

"Thank you..." I whispered, leaving him there struck for a moment.
"What?"
"I said: thank you, Bakugou... No one's ever stood up for me before."

As I smiled happily towards him for sticking up for me, even if it wasn't intentional, his face turned bright pink for a moment. He quickly turned, without looking at me.

"Whatever."

Minutes later, as we all went out to the field, most of the classmates noticed I was there, standing there proud with my classmates. As Midnight, one of the teachers announcing the rules of the games, noticed me there as well.

"I'm told you were given instructions not to join, Ms. Fujimoto."
"As Shakespeare once said: An undiscovered country, from who's born. No traveler returns, puzzles the will, and makes us rather bear those ills we have than fly to others that we know not of? If I cannot fly forward to join the games, then my class will not do so as well."
"Ooh! That turns me on so much!! I'll allow it!"

The crowd cheers.
What events were to unfold, only time will tell.