Shrine Maiden [BNHA]

Chapter Sixteen

~Erina's POV~

The stadium was packed! There were more people in the stands than I'd seen anywhere else. It was worse than that one time I'd gone with Midoriya to a midnight release for some new All Might thing he'd dragged me to when we were in middle school. I felt a comforting warmth around my wrist where my beads resided and unconsciously gripped my wrist with my opposite hand. I felt a phantom sensation of someone holding me close and kissing the top of my head, it was strange yet comforting. Present Mic was already talking us up, I was worried it was going to make us into even bigger targets than we already were.

Kirishima looked over at me as he noticed me gripping my beads tightly. "Feeling okay?"

I eased my grip on my beads and offered him a smile, "yeah, you?"

He glanced around the stands packed with people, "after Present Mic talked us up so much, I'm feeling a little nervous."

I spotted Bakugo a few paces ahead of us his back stiff, his fists clenched, he was tense with anticipation, I could practically feel the excitement from him. "I'm not worried." He joined our conversation, "makes me wanna win this thing even more."

Kirishima and I exchanged wary looks as we followed Bakugo and the rest of our class to the center of the field to stand before a raised platform for the introductory speech. Tokoyami, Kaminari and Sero joined us. There was a loud collective swooning sound from the majority of the men and some of the women in the stands as the chief empire for us first years stepped onto the platform, the R-rated hero, Midnight. Her costume left little to the imagination, it was skin tight and very risqué.

"Uh, someone should talk to Ms. Midnight about what she's wearing." Kirishima noted with a slight redness to his cheeks as he avoided looking at the stage causing me to giggle quietly.

Kaminari nodded his agreement. "Yeah, that costume should come with a warning."

"Is that really appropriate apparel for a high school game?" Tokoyami piped up uncomfortably.

I couldn't help but laugh at how awkward they were all being. Midnight called for everyone to be quiet with a crack of her whip before calling Bakugo up to the stage to say something. The general course students grumbled bitterly and cast scornful looks in our direction.

"Jeez, they really hate us." Sero shrank a little on my opposite side.

"Yeah, we've got Bakugo to thank for that." Kaminari pointed.

Bakugo approached the microphone and everyone held their breath wondering what he was going to say to piss everyone off. After a brief pause, he spoke, "I just wanna say, I'm gonna win."

I sighed, "Bakago."

Kirishima and Sero picked up on what I had said and started cracking up as the rest of our class started yelling at Bakugo. Tenya tried to admonish him but it didn't have the desired effect. Now, all of our peers were scowling at us, even those who hadn't been before. If they weren't targeting us before, they were now. Everyone of our peers wanted to take us down now. Bakugo calmly walked off the stage and shoulder checked Midoriya as he returned to his spot ahead of me. His crimson eyes flicked in my direction. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at him.

"Don't be so sure, Bakago, I'm pretty sure I can put you in your place." I smirked.

His lips twitched slightly, "bring it on, loser." It didn't have the usual bite to it. Something was different about him; he hadn't said what he'd said to be a jerk. He was pushing himself.