Playing the Hero

Chapter 14

The motivation returned for five seconds then vanished. Anyway, slight trigger warning for light violence. It is the sports festival, after all. Enjoy the lesbians!

--

The dragon girl took to the games and Vallerie opted to stay in a waiting room and rest before the tournament. She was in one of the last matches, so she probably wouldn't have to go out for a while. She could use that time to think of a battle plan.

Yaoyorozu was strong, but her quirk itself didn't hold a threatening amount of energy, and it would take time and energy to create something that did. Vallerie thought back to the moments before the Sports Festival started, Yaoyorozu had confessed to not being confident in herself. Vallerie could use that to her advantage. If Yaoyorozu was lacking in confidence, she'd probably double guess all her decisions. If Vallerie struck fast and struck first, the fight would be over in no time. But was that a good thing? The point of the Sports Festival was to give Hero students a chance to shine, to grab the attention of the Pros. Yaoyorozu was a powerful girl with a lot of potential, who was genuinely focused on being a Hero. She deserved the spotlight more than Vallerie did. But should she draw out the match and waste her energy? No, of course not. It's unfortunate she got stuck with me.

Vallerie's phone started to ring from where it was on the table. She stared at it, wondering who it could be as she picked it up. Turns out it was a facetime call, and there was only one person brave enough to request that of her. Two if she counted Teruhashi. Vallerie clicked to answer, and two bright antennae and even brighter eyes greeted her. "Hi! Hi! Hi Vallerie!" She smiled at the face that was much too close to the camera. Such a sweet girl. "Hello Kira, is there any particular reason you called today? Does Adeline have a message for me?" Sometimes, when Adeline was too busy to speak to her, she gave Kira a code that only she and Vallerie understood. Kira would relay the message and Vallerie would deal with the problem. Quickly, and quietly. The blonde girl shook her head, the screen lagging as she did. "No! We were all watching you on T.V! You looked so cool! We're calling to say good luck on your fight!"

"We?" Vallerie questioned.That was odd. Both Viktor and Adeline had things to do, shouldn't they be working? Kira turned the camera to reveal not only her brother and Adeline, but two other Soul Seekers, who should have been at work. One person with a female figure, light skin and purple hair twisted into locs, decorated with metal. Another with unruly curly hair with bulls horns sticking out of it. Chikako and Kenji Lakami. "Oh. Hello everyone! I wasn't expecting you to watch. Should you not be at work?" Chikako turned xeir head towards the screen, purple eyes slightly warmer than freezing. "No, I have called in sick, and my idiot sibling has sustained another injury, and is currently on leave." Xe obviously wasn't pleased with that fact. Kenji gave Xer a playful shove, "It's only an ankle injury! I'm fine!" They insisted. Viktor gave a polite wave, "Hello Vallerie!" Adeline poked her head out from behind Kenji's burly build. "Greetings, Vallerie. How are you feeling about the upcoming match?"

"Decent. My opponent is Momo Yaoyorozu. I should be able to win easily."

The camera was handed to Chikako, who was in the middle of the group, as Kira ran off to hunt down Koshka. Viktor spoke up from the right, "And how's your new friend doing, hmm?" Vallerie wondered why he would ask such a thing. Especially in such an odd tone. Vallerie narrowed her eyes slightly. Stupid brother, so annoying. "Teruhashi is doing fine. She is currently competing in the games, if you want to watch her."

Chikako leaned closer to the camera. "You never told us about this new friend, Vallerie." Their voice was a little too aggressive for Vallerie's liking. "I was not aware that was information I was required to give." She said with a noticeable bite. Chikako leaned back, and Kenji took the spotlight. "They didn't mean anything bad by it, Val." He said, voice soothing. "You just haven't talked to anyone new in a while. So, what are they like?" What was Teruhashi like? Well, Teruhashi was so many things, Vallerie tried to shorten the list as much as she possibly could. "She is a very headstrong and stubborn person. She is very determined, and will throw everything they have into their goals. She's a strong fighter, has a powerful quirk, well-built body and has wonderful potential. Apparently she can even wield a spear, though I have yet to assess her skill in that area. She is very good at people, which is nice because that is an area I lack in. Unfortunately she is not the best academically, but she is improving. She is also infuriatingly tall. Almost as tall as you, Kenji! Even taller if you count her horns. It's very annoying. They seem to often mistake me for an armrest."

Everyone on the camera was smiling now, even Adeline. Vallerie internally rolled her eyes at their sappy expressions. It was not that big of a deal. Chikako was the one to speak, voice softer than before. "You seem to like her, I'm glad. Is there any chance we could meet her eventually?" Vallerie was about to reply when a knock sounded on the door. Speak of the devil and he shall come. Teruhashi was standing in the doorway, signature smile on their face. "Hey! It looks like we share a waiting room." Vallerie looked back at her phone, ready to say goodbye when Viktor yelled, "HI TERUHASHI! IT'S ME! VAL'S BROTHER! VIKTOR!" Vallerie glared at the screen, there was no need to do that! The two other Soul Seekers spoke up, "Is that Teruhashi?" asked Kenji, "May we see her? Just tell her we're family friends." spoke Chikako.

Teruhashi looked between the phone and Vallerie, unsure of what to do. Vallerie sighed and waved her over. "It's just some family friends, other Soul Seekers. They called to check up on me and then started to ask about you. Forgive them for being curious. It's not often I make new friends." Teruhashi pulled out the seat next to her and scooted closer. "It's fine. I'm always up for meeting new people!" She waved at the camera. "Hi!" The four on the screen waved back and various greetings were exchanged. Vallerie gave another introduction. "Family, this is Maho Teruhashi. Teruhashi, meet Chikako and Kenji Lekami."

"It's wonderful to meet you, Teruhashi!" Kenji beamed at the camera, "So, how did you and Vallerie meet?"

They talked about their first meeting, the Saturday they officially were introduced, the spar, and they asked Teruhashi questions. Lots of them.  What was her favourite colour? Did she have any siblings or pets? Why was she at U.A? What was her quirk? Has Vallerie said anything about the leprechauns yet? Vallerie was worried Teruhashi was going to become uncomfortable, but the only emotion she got from the girl was happiness.  After the two got to be introduced to Teruhashi, Adeline got a text that cut everything short. "Apologies, Vallerie, we must cut the call short. This is urgent, Viktor, with me." Viktor gave a wave goodbye and hung up the call. Vallerie put down the phone, Teruhashi seemed to be in high spirits, but Vallerie apologised anyway. "Sorry about them. They mean well, but they can be very intense."

"Don't apologize! I told you, I like talking to people." Teruhashi explained once again. Vallerie sighed, "Yes, I know. Why you enjoy such a torturous thing is something I'll never understand."

The cheers from the crowd started to breach the building, and Vallerie resisted the urge to scream at them. Teruhashi put a hand on her forearm, "The tournament's starting! Wanna watch it with me?" Vallerie would rather die. She would not be able to handle the cheering that close right now. Truthfully, she had barely handled the sound of Teruhashi talking to the others on the call. Vallerie pulled her arm away. "No, thank you. I can't deal with that kind of noise right now." Upon seeing Teruhashi's disappointed face, they apologised again. "Sorry."

"It's alright, you want to just sit and talk then? I'd be good with that too." Oh, Teruhashi. Asking for things she just couldn't give right now. Vallerie struggled to get her words out, "I don't think I can do that either." Her voice was practically a whisper. "Apologies, I'm just too... tired to talk right now." Vallerie was no longer looking at the girl beside her, instead she counted the specks of dirt on the table. "That's okay too. I understand." Teruhashi's voice was mellow and soothing, waves of calm washed over Vallerie at those words. "Thanks." They got up and went to grab their headphones they had stored in a locker. They turned on noise cancelling and burrowed their face in their arms while Teruhashi pulled out her phone. Now that Vallerie had been given a second to breathe, it was like all the tiredness and overwhelm of the day came crashing back in, and she just couldn't do anything right now. She could feel the exhaustion in her bones, in the way her eyelids drooped. Surely Teruhashi wouldn't mind if she took a little nap. Just a few minutes.

—

I hope you all enjoyed chapter 14! Who knows when the next one will be out! I hope you enjoy the art of Maho falling faster than a comet as well.