Chapter 20 - Roaring Sports Festival

Hawks had been nothing but kind during your day together, a mix of charm and genuine curiosity making the experience unexpectedly enjoyable. From bustling cityscapes to quiet shrines tucked away in nature, he'd shown you as many sights as his tight schedule allowed. Before parting ways, he had handed you a small slip of paper with his number scrawled across it, a lopsided grin on his face. "Call me anytime, Dragon Hero," he had said with a wink.

Now, the bustling energy of the U.A. Sports Festival loomed on the horizon, the tension palpable as everyone prepared for the event. You sat cross-legged on the floor of the classroom, clad in your P.E. uniform like the rest of your classmates. The room buzzed with chatter and the rustling of anticipation, but your focus was split. Uraraka was animatedly talking beside you, her usual bubbly energy spilling over into every word, but your attention drifted when you heard Todoroki's voice.

"Midoriya," he said firmly, his tone calm yet heavy with purpose. You turned your head, your gaze sharpening as you spotted him crouched in front of Izuku.

Todoroki's mismatched eyes locked onto your green-haired classmate's face, his expression unreadable but intense. Izuku, always polite, met his gaze with a mixture of confusion and curiosity. Around them, a hush began to fall as other students noticed the interaction, the undercurrent of challenge hanging in the air.

Your brows furrowed, and your hands curled into fists, the fabric of your uniform tightening under your grip. 'What's going on?' you wondered, unease coiling in your chest. It wasn't like Todoroki to seek someone out like this, especially not so publicly. And why Izuku?

A small flicker of irritation burned inside you, though you tried to smother it. You liked Todoroki—you respected his quiet determination, his strength. But seeing him confront Izuku, your Izuku, stirred a protective instinct you hadn't expected. You told yourself it was just concern. After all, Todoroki was Endeavor's son, and everyone knew the kind of pressure that came with being raised under a hero like him. Still, the idea of him challenging Izuku didn't sit right with you.

Uraraka nudged your arm lightly, snapping you back to the moment. "Y/N, are you okay?" she asked, her tone laced with concern as she followed your gaze.

You forced a small smile, relaxing your fists. "Yeah, I'm fine," you said, though your voice lacked its usual warmth.

She tilted her head, unconvinced, but didn't press further. Meanwhile, Todoroki spoke again, his words soft yet firm enough for the tension to ripple outward.

"Midoriya," he said, his voice cutting through the murmurs of the room, "I'll be upfront. I'm going to win the Sports Festival, and I don't plan on using his power to do it."

Your frown deepened as you studied his expression, his quiet defiance speaking volumes. Izuku's eyes widened slightly, the gears turning in his head as he processed the statement.

You clenched your jaw, a swirl of emotions churning within you—worry for Izuku, conflicted feelings about Todoroki, and the undeniable weight of the upcoming festival pressing down on all of you.

'This isn't just a competition,' you thought, your slitted eyes narrowing as you observed the exchange. 'This is personal—for both of them.'

As the classroom buzzed faintly once more, you shifted your focus inward, steeling yourself for the trials ahead. Whatever this budding rivalry meant, one thing was certain: you wouldn't let anyone outshine you on the field.

Todoroki's gaze shifted to you, his expression steady but resolute, like a glacier edging into uncertain waters. "And it concerns you too, L/N," he said, his voice calm yet edged with challenge. "You might be a dragon, but you won't beat me."

The air seemed to still at his words, the murmurs in the room dying down as everyone's attention turned to the exchange. A slow, deliberate smile spread across your ruby lips, your slitted eyes glinting with a flicker of fire. Rising to your full height, you towered over both Todoroki and Izuku, your presence commanding the room.

Izuku, sensing the shift in atmosphere, took a step back, his wide eyes darting between the two of you. The heat between you and Todoroki was palpable, and he knew better than to get in the way.

Leaning in close, you brought your face just inches from Todoroki's, your breath hot against his cool composure. The faint scent of embers and ozone clung to you, unmistakable and uniquely yours. His mismatched eyes widened slightly as your breath washed over his skin, and a faint crimson spread across his cheeks.

"You think I care about getting first place in this confused little sports festival, do you, ice cone?" you scoffed, your voice low and sultry, laced with disdain. Your warm breath brushed his ear as you tilted your head, your words a challenge and a tease all at once.

Todoroki stiffened under your proximity, his body betraying him as the blush deepened on his usually stoic face. His fingers twitched slightly at his sides, and he swallowed hard, his icy demeanor cracking just enough for you to see the uncertainty beneath. Around the room, a ripple of murmurs stirred, your boldness sparking awe, envy, and a hint of jealousy in your classmates.

Your tail swished lazily behind you, a subtle yet deliberate display of confidence. Pulling back just enough to look him squarely in the eyes, you smirked. "I'm not here to play your games, Todoroki. If you want to chase first place, go ahead—but don't drag me into your little rivalry."

Todoroki held your gaze, his jaw tightening as he regained some of his composure. "This isn't about games," he said quietly, his voice tinged with defiance. "It's about proving something—to myself."

The weight in his words gave you pause, and for a brief moment, you saw the flicker of vulnerability behind his cool exterior. But you refused to let it soften your stance entirely.

"Prove whatever you want, Todoroki," you replied, stepping back with an air of finality. "Just don't get in my way."

As you turned on your heel and walked back to Uraraka, your wings shifted slightly, brushing the air with a faint rustle. The room buzzed with tension as Todoroki remained rooted in place, his expression unreadable as he watched you leave.

Izuku, still standing nearby, gave Todoroki a nervous smile. "Uh... she can be pretty intense, huh?" he offered, hoping to break the awkward silence.

Todoroki didn't respond immediately. His gaze lingered on your retreating form, his flushed cheeks slowly fading. 'She's not like anyone I've met before,' he thought, a strange mix of admiration and irritation bubbling within him.

He clenched his fists, steeling himself. Whatever challenges lay ahead, the Dragon Hero wasn't one he could ignore.

◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥

"AND WE HAVE OUR FIRST-YEAR CONTESTANTS FROM CLASS 1-A, WHO HAVE FACED EVIL AND COME OUT UNMATCHED! I GIVE YOU CLASS 1-A!" Present Mic's booming voice echoed through the stadium, igniting cheers and applause from the audience.

You walked onto the grand stage with your classmates, the roar of the crowd vibrating through the air. The sheer size of the stadium was overwhelming, a sea of faces stretching endlessly around you. But there was no time to dwell on it—the spotlight was on you now. You glanced around, taking in the determined expressions of your classmates. This was the moment everyone had been waiting for.

Other freshman classes soon followed, filing in with their own energy, though none quite matched the aura of Class 1-A. The anticipation in the air was palpable as Midnight, the Chief Referee for the Festival, took her place at the podium, exuding confidence and flair. Her voice rang out clearly: "Let us begin with the student pledge! Representing this year's competitors, Katsuki Bakugo!"

Your gaze shifted to Bakugo as he strode forward, his trademark scowl firmly in place. The crowd watched him intently, their curiosity tinged with apprehension. You blinked, a small smirk tugging at your lips. 'This ought to go well,' you thought dryly, folding your arms as you prepared for whatever came next.

Bakugo reached the microphone, his fiery gaze sweeping over the contestants and the audience alike. He paused, letting the tension build, and then spoke with his usual blunt confidence: "I just wanna say," he began, his voice steady and unshaken, "I'm gonna win."

A heavy silence fell over the stadium, stretching for a long, drawn-out moment. The crowd seemed stunned, processing the audacity of his declaration. And then, as if on cue, the boos erupted, a cacophony of disapproval raining down from the stands. Some laughed, others jeered, but all eyes remained fixed on Bakugo.

"Well, that was tough," Ojiro muttered under his breath, his tail flicking slightly in discomfort.

You let out a quiet hum, your tail curling and twitching behind you as your wings fluffed slightly, betraying your intrigue. "He's not kidding around, though," you said softly, your voice low enough for only those nearby to hear. "He means it. Bakugo isn't going to back down anymore."

Ojiro gave you a sideways glance, his brow furrowed. "I know he's serious, but couldn't he have at least tried to be... I don't know, diplomatic?"

You shrugged, a faint smile pulling at your lips. "That's not his style. Besides, sometimes raw determination is more powerful than polished words."

Bakugo, seemingly unfazed by the crowd's reaction, stepped back into the lineup with his usual defiance, his crimson eyes burning with intensity. He didn't care what anyone thought—the declaration wasn't for the crowd; it was for himself and his competitors.

As Midnight resumed speaking, laying out the rules for the first event, you couldn't help but steal a glance at the other classes. Some students were grinning, others whispering among themselves, likely underestimating Bakugo's bravado—or perhaps all of Class 1-A. You straightened your posture, your tail flicking again in anticipation. If they thought Bakugo was bold, they hadn't seen anything yet.

'Let them doubt us,' you thought, your eyes narrowing as you glanced across the stage. 'They'll see soon enough what we're capable of.'

The Sports Festival had officially begun, and with it, the first sparks of competition ignited in the air.

◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥

After the so-called pledge, Midnight's voice cuts through the tension in the air, announcing that the preliminaries of the Festival will be a 4-kilometer Obstacle Race, winding its way around the stadium. A collective murmur spreads among the participants before the race kicks off, the tension palpable. The moment the signal goes off, everyone surges forward, but the bottleneck at the narrow stadium door quickly becomes their first hurdle. A tangled mass of bodies forms in the small corridor, and chaos ensues.

Shoto, ever the strategist, spots the issue in an instant. With a flick of his hand, he freezes the entire pathway, creating an ice bridge over the trapped crowd. Without missing a beat, he charges ahead, the chill of his ice like a harbinger of his swift departure. Meanwhile, you hesitate for a moment, your wings fluttering slightly as you consider using them for a shortcut. But then a thought crosses your mind: No unfair advantages. So, with a grin, you opt for a different tactic. You leap onto the heads of the competitors around you, hopping and dodging, all while hearing exasperated cries of "Hey!" and "Oi!" as you make your way forward.

Landing gracefully atop a purple-haired boy, you feel the weight of your footfall before he grunts, clearly startled. "What's the deal?" he mumbles, eyes narrowed with a mix of surprise and annoyance. You look down at him, a teasing smile tugging at your lips, your tail swishing playfully against his arm. "Hey there," you purr, your voice light and mischievous, before vaulting off of him and pushing ahead. There's no need to rush—not when you have the speed of a dragon in your veins. Instead, you maintain a steady pace, effortlessly dodging the scattered competitors in your path.

Suddenly, a massive shadow looms over the course, and a hulking villain bot rises from the sand. The other students stop in their tracks, but not you. With a confident smirk, you raise your hand and fire a concentrated purple beam of energy. The blast tears through the bot with ease, leaving it in shambles, its mechanical limbs falling apart like they were nothing more than sand. "AND EVERYONE'S FAVORITE DRAGON LADY STRIKES AGAIN, EASILY CUTTING THE FIRST ROBOT APART WITH HER MASSIVE ENERGY BEAM. WHAT CAN'T THIS WOMAN DO?" Present Mic's voice echoes across the stadium, his enthusiasm filling the air. You can't help but smirk at the praise as you casually dodge a counterattack from another bot.

At that moment, Shoto—calm, composed, and always looking for a challenge—launches his own attack. He freezes another villain bot, solidifying its joints in an instant before it tumbles, unbalanced, into the path of the remaining competitors. The crowd goes wild as he strides beneath the frozen, toppling bot, a testament to his strength and poise.

Meanwhile, you take to the skies. With your wings unfurled, you soar above the chaos, your energy blasts raining down with precise accuracy, each shot cutting down a robot with ease. The wind rushes past you as you glide effortlessly, barely touching the ground, while your purple energy streaks through the air, taking out the last few mechanical foes.

"IT IS INCREDIBLE THAT CLASS 1-A'S STRONGEST STUDENTS ARE IN THE LEAD, SHOTO TODOROKI AND Y/N L/N. EACH OF THEM IS POWERFUL! WOW, THIS IS SO FUN TO WATCH!" Present Mic's voice booms again, drawing the crowd's attention to you and Shoto as you both push ahead with unparalleled skill. You can feel the eyes of every student on you, but it doesn't faze you. You're not here just to win; you're here to prove that when you put your heart and energy into something, nothing can stand in your way.

You dodge yet another blast, watching as Shoto freezes the ground beneath him, skating along the icy path with precision. You give a wink to the crowd, then shoot forward, cutting through the course like a streak of lightning. It's clear now: this is your race to win.