The Hero's Stand

22: The Sports Festival (part 3)

(Personally I found this chapter the hardest out of the whole thing so far to write. There were lots of small battles that I don't have much info on to write so ended up being a few sentences or so. I'll make it up for you all with the next two chapters. Sorry for the delay on this one.)

Sitting in the waiting room with Ururaka was quite boring. I knew who I'd be up against next and really just wanted to get on with it. There was too much on my mind about Todoroki.

"Hey Midoriya" Said a voice.

I turned to see Ojiro. He looked nervous and uneasy.

"It's rare for you to talk to me Ojiro. Something up?" I asked

"Yeah actually. Could I have a private word?"

"Okay. I'll be right back Ururaka."

We walked to a secluded area and he stopped.

"About your next opponent." He said "I wanna warn you about his quirk."

This was a surprise. I didn't know much about Hitoshi Shinso.

"Does this have something to do with you backing out of the last round?"

"I think he might be able to brainwash people. I don't actually remember anything about last round. All that I can think of is him approaching me and asking me to be on his team. When I started to answer I must've blacked out or something because I was suddenly under Shinso with two other equally confused people."

"I see. So it's activated when you answer his question?" I asked

"Maybe. It might not be but I wanna warn you. Please beat him Midoriya."

"I will now. Thanks Ojiro. I hope you'll root for me."

"I will be. Good luck Midoriya."

I walked back to Ururaka and Ojiro went to meet Kirishima in the stands.

"What did Ojiro want?"

"Just to wish me good luck. You should join him in the stands. There's an area for 1-A."

"Alright. Good luck Deku!"

She ran off too, and I was left alone in the stands. My nerves were high and I started deep breathing.

Come on Izuku! You know his quirk now. He's probably going to try and get you mad so you answer him. Either that or make you look bad.

By the time my name was called I was subconsciously crackling with Hamon. As I crossed the line separating the shade of the tunnel and the bright sun of the stadium my eye was caught by a glare and I put my hand on my forehead to cover them.

The crowd shouted at my arrival. Understandably so after last round. I noticed nobody was shouting Shinso's name, even his classmates were silent.

Present Mic's voice started up around me.

"WELCOME TO THE FIRST BATTLE OF THE FINAL ROUND OF THE U.A SPORTS FESTIVAL! THE BATTLE WILL GO ON UNTIL ONE OF THE CONTESTANTS IS UNABLE TO BATTLE OR KNOCKED OUT OF THE ARENA! WE HAVE IZUKU MIDORIYA AGAINST HITOSHI SHINSO IN THE FIRST ROUND! GOOD LUCK BOYS!"

Midnight signalled the start of the round and I walked towards Shinso.

"Big crowd isn't it Midoriya? I'm sure you're used to attention though"

What's that supposed to mean?

I stayed silent. This concerned him. He knew that if I could avoid his quirk it would all be over.

"Heroes like you in 1-A are just a bunch of lucky brats aren't you?" He continued.

"It's not going to work Shinso. I know what your quirk is"