Brave Heart ((TENYA IIDA X OC))

Chapter 21

The fight between Midoriya and Todoroki ended with a quite literal explosion, and once the dust cleared, Todoroki was named the winner.

I sat quietly until Bakugou was summoned to the arena, and when I heard his name from the stagehand, I turned over my shoulder. He had his usual cocky grin on his face, and just by that I could tell that he was looking forward to this fight. He chanced a glance at me before exiting, and when he did I rose my thumb high enough for him to see it.

Bakugou nodded, returned the gesture curtly, and left the bleachers. I turned back to the arena once the blond disappeared down the hall just as Cementoss was fixing the rink that Midoriya and Todoroki has thoroughly destroyed.

"That green haired kid is really something," Hattori said after a few minutes of prolonged silence. "And to think he's a stuttering crybaby."

"Midoriya isn't a crybaby." I defended, though Hattori only gave me a doubtful look.

"I've only been enrolled at U.A. for a few weeks and I've already seen the kid cry more times than I can count on my fingers."

I rolled my eyes. "You're over exaggerating. And stop calling him a kid, you two are the same age."

"I have a right to," she justified, turning back toward the new fighting stage. "Kids cry all the time, don't they?"

I didn't reply to that as I followed her gaze.

"With this," Present Mic announced over the intercom. "The final match will be between Todoroki and Bakugou!"

"That's quite an interesting match up," Karafuru said, turning to us as she leaned forward in her seat. "Who do you thinks gonna win?"

"Obviously half-n-half!" Hattori declared, flexing and slapping a hand on her bicep. "That guy has mad skills, there's no doubt he'll win."

"No," I disagreed, narrowing my eyes. "Katsuki has a good chance."

"You're just saying that cause he's your friend." Hattori countered, pursing her lips.

"No," I shook my head again. "I say that because I know what Katsuki is capable of."

Hattori hummed doubtfully at that, but let the topic go nonetheless. "Then how bout you, Bubbles?"

"Hm," Karafuru pressed a delicate finger to her lips as she thought. "They're both really strong, I wouldn't be surprised if it ended in a tie."

That statement made me think; she wasn't wrong when it came to their unwavering amount of strength and power, so this match may very well end in a draw, but there was something strange about Todoroki at the end of his fight with Midoriya. He looked as if he was enlightened, but that that light dwindled once his adrenaline died off. He looked sad to me, and that look was enough to get me to doubt his chances against Bakugou. Would he use his fire? I doubted it.

"It's finally the last battle of the U.A. High School Sports Festival! The top of the first years will be decided with this one match!" Present Mic declared suddenly as Todoroki and Bakugou made their way onto the stage. "The final, so to speak! From the hero course, Todoroki Shoto, versus, also from the hero course, Bakugou Katsuki! Now, start!"

At the OK signal, Todoroki slapped his palm against the ground and released an icicle barricade blooming up and toward Bakugou from the cement beneath him. Predictably, the blond used his explosions against the ice shooting towards him, though it didn't seem to be enough to stop it from encasing him entirely.

"Todoroki gets a blow in right away!" Present Mic instigated. "Is he trying to avoid close combat with Bakugou?! Has the winner been decided already?!"