Saving Me [Monoma x Reader]

26. Sports Festival: Race!!

Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in, breathe out. Okay, this is the day I've been training for. I've gotta give it my all..!

Bits and pieces from a week ago flashed through my mind, and I could feel myself losing focus, but I shook my head, refusing to give in.

C'mon, [Y/N]! This isn't the time to get distracted.

Ever since that Saturday when I had that ridiculous outing with Monoma, I hadn't seen him since. Not a single sighting or peep from him. On one hand, I was relieved because I was able to train and focus for the last week before the sports festival. On the other, I would be lying if I said I didn't wonder what exactly he was up to. Did he want me to seek him out? Was he trying to mess with my head?

I shook my skull again.

You'll see him at the festival. And when you do, beat him down. Show him that you're here to become a hero and that you won't take crap from anyone. Not anymore.

"[L/N]."

Class 1-A had its own waiting room where we stretched and prepared for the day's events. As I sat on one of the benches, I turned to look over my shoulder at the one who had called out to me, though I already knew who it was.

"Todoroki."

"..."

"..."

We've had our fair share of awkward moments when we silently stared at each other, but this time, our quiet gazes were locked on purpose. We didn't need any words to communicate our intentions of rivalry to one another within those seconds that ticked by. The thickness of the air around us did all talking.

Todoroki gave a curt nod of his head and a cold grunt before turning on his heel to exit the room. "See you out there."

He had his back to me as he walked away, but I couldn't let him have the last word. "I... don't think you will," I spoke quietly, yet calmly as my eyes drifted to my hands. With palms open and facing upward, I slowly balled them into fists. The smallest of smiles curled onto my lips, and I tilted my head to gaze into the back of Todoroki's skull. "You won't even see me coming."

The me from the first day of school wouldn't have dared to have even thought about making such a declaration, but after all of the crap I went through since my first day at U.A., I think it was fair to say that I grew a bit more of a backbone with a dash of confidence, especially after my last week of training.

Words would only get me so far, though, and I was sure that Todoroki also knew this, judging from the way that he paused only momentarily in his tracks before continuing out of the waiting room without another word.

Today was the day I had to walk the walk. I had to defeat Todoroki and Bakugo. I had to be the best.

Dad... I love you with all of my heart, but wherever you are, I hope you're watching because... I'm not going to be like you.

I'm going to pass you.

I think subconsciously I might have felt the change within me, but it wasn't until that very instant when our class stepped out onto that field with applause and sunshine raining down upon us that I had finally grasped onto my own beliefs and dreams, that I wasn't just clinging onto my father's legacy anymore.

I'm going to become the Number One Hero. I'll be the strongest, and I'll always give it my all, because when things are looking grim and all hope is lost, I want to be the one to raise people up. Not just the weak, but my family, my friends, and the other heroes that I'll work with, too. But to raise other people up, I have to raise myself up first. I have to stand firmly on my own two feet.