::Linger:: (Kirishima × Male! OC)

7. The Chariot

Not one week after i was discharged from the hospital, the Sports Festival loomed over us like a rain cloud. I managed to train a bit on my own and also with the help of Midnight and Present Mic. They helped me get my strength back up, and i even managed to find out a bit about the sports festival. Present Mic really is the worst at keeping a secret. I found out that the first step to winning would be an obstacle race.
I'm excited about the festival sure! But above all.. I'm afraid. I know I know.. I'm supposed to be a "man", so that means that i am never supposed to speak of fear, but the truth is.. Everyone is afraid of something. So call me less of a man, i don't care. Being scared isn't a crime.
I run my hands through my hair as i stare at myself in the mirror. The bruises on my porcelain skin have long since vanished, but the faint dark circles below my eyes have remained. My ruby eyes were a bit dull for comfort. But the longer i stared i realized.. That the person staring back.. Was me. I wasn't the same nervous kid from middle school. I was stronger, taller, more weather torn and wise than i ever thought i could be.
"Linny, its time to go sweetheart!" Nemuri calls out from the living room.
I glance once more at my reflection before i turned off the light and left the bathroom. "Alright." i call back as i walk into the living room.
Nemuri is already clad in her hero costume, and wearing her signature smirk but when she see's me; her gaze softens. "Are you ready?"
I nod my head after a moments hesitation. "...yeah.. I'm ready for everything."

I'm not ready for anything. I think anxiously as i step into the stadium. The crowd goes wild as all the students find their way to there classes. Class 1-A is announced and the crowds cheers are pumped up from about a 7, to an 11/10. It seems like 1-A is a favorite this year, especially after the U.S.J. happened.
I am nervous, a anxious wreck of a man... And it only gets worse when i see them. Classmates from my middle school sit up in the audience and they all have their gazes fixed on me.
"Hey! If it isn't Snow White!" a boy with a pointed nose points at me an jeers.
A girl suddenly starts laughing from the seat behind him, "oh man, heya Ye old Glitchy Bitch! How's it hanging?!"
Several of them begin to hurl insults at me, everything from 'asshole' to 'queer.'
But i forced myself to bite my tongue. I can't let their comments get to me.
Well.. That was until a high heel made contact with the back of my head.
I hurriedly turn and the girl that threw it shrugs with an innocent smile, "oops~ I'm sorry, i didn't see you there!"
I ignore the wet feeling that has taken over the back of my scalp and force myself to walk forward.
"Still a weak little runt! No wonder he still doesn't have a girlfriend!" another boy calls out.
"Oh Lin~!"
I turn to see the queen of 1-A walking towards me with a kind smile. Momo Yaoyorozu.
She swiftly pulls me into a hug and whispers softly to me, "just go with it."
I subtly nod and break into a calm grin, "oh, hey baby."
She grins brightly to me and then up to my former classmates, "who are your friends, handsome?"
"They aren't my friends. But I'll introduce you to them anyways." I smile back at her. "This is my beautiful girlfriend, Momo Yaoyorozu."
They stutter in annoyance before glaring in opposite directions.
Momo grabs the shoe and tosses it back up to the stands. "Oh sweetie, you dropped your Dollar Store shoe!"
We turn and walk back towards our class. Only when I am a safe distance away do I shakily exhale. "... Thanks for that."
"Anything for a friend, Chiba- san." She nudges my arm softly. "They were saying some upsetting things."
"Well... They weren't entirely wrong with the Queer part though." I mumble.
Yaoyorozu raises an eyebrow, "oh?"
"Yeah. Just.. Keep it a secret okay?" I request.
"From one Queer to another, you have my word." She winks as she walks off to stand next to that girl Jiro.
I blink in surprise before realization slaps me across the face. Momo likes Kioka Jiro. What a stunning development.. I'm not the only one!
Aoyama bumps into my shoulder and sighs in disappointment. ".. Oh mon Dieu... Oh no.. This won't end well.."
I raise my eyebrow, "what won't..?"
He gestures to the stage with his chin. "That."
"Oh my god..." My eyes widen as Bakugou walks up to the stage and to the microphone.
He clears his throat, "I'd like to start off by saying, I'm gonna beat all of you." He turns on his heel and walks off the stage. The rest of the students start booing him and he looks as cool as a cucumber.
Oh fuck oh fuck oh fuck oh fuck oh fuck. I find myself up on the stage in front of the mic. "Uh yes, hi everyone." I begin anxiously. I look up and spot my cousin in the stands with his wide grin on his face. He sends me a thumbs up. "I'd like to apologize for my classmate first. My name is Lin Chiba, the second, entirely impromptu, representitive of class 1-A. I'm usually not a people person, but I just think that what he said was no way to start a festival. So saying that.. Good luck, and try your best to go plus ultra!"
The crowd goes wild and the sound is deafening. I have a struggle getting off the stage.