Wings of Awakening

Part 31

After the intense Cavalry Battle, Izuku was looking forward to lunch with Uraraka, who eagerly awaited him near the stadium exit. But before they could head off, Todoroki approached, looking unusually serious. Izuku glanced at Uraraka apologetically.

"I'll catch up with you," he said, smiling. Uraraka nodded, giving him a thumbs-up as she went ahead.

Izuku followed Todoroki down one of the tunnels beneath the stadium, the sounds of the crowd fading as they walked deeper. He couldn't help but feel a little apprehensive—Todoroki had been acting oddly throughout the events.

"So, what did you want to talk about, Todoroki?" Izuku asked, curious.

Todoroki was silent for a moment, clearly debating something before he turned to face Izuku. "Are you... Hawks' secret love child?"

Izuku blinked, processing the question, before choking on his own spit. "W-What? Todoroki, are you serious? Hawks is barely five years older than us!" he managed, catching his breath. "My father's in America."

There was a tense silence as Todoroki seemed to take that information in. Then, with a slight frown, he said, "During the Cavalry Battle, I was forced to use my fire... I hadn't planned to."

Izuku's curiosity only grew. "I always wondered why you don't use it in training. If your quirk is half-cold, half-hot, wouldn't using both sides give you an advantage?"

Todoroki's expression darkened. "I've made a vow not to use his quirk," he replied bitterly.

Izuku tilted his head, genuinely confused. "Who?"

Todoroki's voice softened, almost a whisper. "Have you heard of quirk marriages?"

Izuku felt a chill run down his spine. "I think I've read about it online... Some people have arranged marriages to produce strong offspring, right? but it was banned a while back"

Todoroki nodded, his gaze distant. "My father, the Number 2 hero, Endeavor... He bought my mother. His goal was simple—to create a child with a quirk powerful enough to surpass All Might." He clenched his fists. "I was that child."

Izuku listened in shock as Todoroki continued, explaining the suffocating expectations, the harsh training, and the grim childhood he endured. As the story unfolded, the shadows of Todoroki's family trauma became clear.

"In my memories, my mother was always crying," Todoroki murmured. "One day, she couldn't take it anymore. She... poured boiling water on my face, saying that my right side was unsightly. I haven't seen her since." His voice grew cold. "But I don't blame her. I blame him for driving her to the edge."

Izuku felt his heart clench for Todoroki. "Todoroki... I can't say I know exactly what you're going through, but holding back your power might only hurt you more in the end. Using both sides of your quirk doesn't mean you're becoming like him."

Todoroki's gaze hardened. "I don't need his fire. I'll defeat you with only my ice." Without another word, he turned and walked away.

Watching him go, Izuku called after him. "I'll give it my all, Todoroki! I hope you'll do the same!"

As Todoroki's figure disappeared down the tunnel, Izuku felt a strange heaviness in his chest. This conversation had given him a lot to think about, and it cast a shadow over his excitement for the upcoming matches. He made his way to the cafeteria, though he barely had an appetite.

After lunch, it was announced which students would advance to the final rounds: Izuku, Uraraka, Mei, Tokoyami, Todoroki, Iida, Kaminari, Momo, Bakugo, Kirishima, Sero, Mina, Shinso, Aoyama, Shiozaki, and Tetsutetsu. Ojiro and Shoda, who had been part of Shinso's team, chose to withdraw, saying they had no memories of participating in the second event. Shiozaki and Tetsutetsu took their places.

The brackets displayed the matchups, and Izuku saw his first opponent: Shinso.

While waiting for his match, Ojiro found him in the break room. "Midoriya," he said, voice low. "I need to warn you about Shinso."

Izuku looked up, surprised. "What do you mean?"

Ojiro shifted uncomfortably. "His quirk... It's some kind of brainwashing. I don't know all the details, but if you respond to him when he speaks, you'll be under his control. I couldn't remember anything from the Cavalry Battle after he talked to me."

Izuku's eyes widened. "Brainwashing through voice commands... Thanks, Ojiro! I'll keep that in mind."

Ojiro nodded, relieved. "Good luck out there, Midoriya. Just don't respond to him, no matter what he says."

With the advice fresh in his mind, Izuku felt more prepared. As he stepped onto the stage for his first match, he looked across the arena, ready to face Shinso with renewed focus.