[38] Silence
Present Mic. His voice was a force of nature that swept through the stadium like a tidal wave.
"Our students have fought tooth and nail to make it this far, and now it's time to see who has the guts, the grit, and the sheer guts to claim the top spot!"
The crowd roared in response, a sound that shook the very foundations of the earth. This was my moment. My chance to show the world the beginning of a new era.
"Young Midoriya."
The voice was like a rumble of distant thunder, a sound that resonated in my bones. I turned, my eyes meeting the electric blue of All Might's gaze.
"All Might," I acknowledged. "Come to give me a pep talk?"
He chuckled. "Do you need one?"
I shrugged, the movement loose and easy. "Nah. I'm feeling pretty good about my chances. Can't allow the Symbol of Peace's successor to lose in the first round, now can I?"
"I knew I chose well with you, young Midoriya," he said, his voice soft with pride. "You have the heart of a true hero."
I allowed my expression to soften slightly, playing the part of the grateful protégé. "I won't let you down, All Might. I'll make you proud."
"You already have, my boy," he said, his voice warm with genuine affection. "You already have."
As he turned to leave, I called out, "All Might?"
He paused, looking back at me.
"Watch closely," I said. "You might just learn something new about your successor today."
With a final nod, he turned and strode away, his cape billowing behind him. I watched him go, my resolve hardening into something unbreakable.
Failure was not an option.
"Our first match is sure to be a showstopper!" Present Mic's voice boomed, cutting through the anticipatory hush that had fallen over the stadium. "In one corner, we have the rising star of the hero course, the green-haired wonder who's taken this festival by storm - Izuku Midoriya!"
The crowd erupted as I stepped forward, out of the shadows and into the blinding brilliance of the arena.
I could feel the weight of a thousand eyes upon me, could hear the rustle and murmur of countless voices. But I let it wash over me, through me, my focus narrowing to a single, unbreakable point.
"And in the other corner," Present Mic continued, his voice dripping with dramatic flair, "we have the dark horse from general studies, the enigma with a quirk that's stumped even the most astute observers - Hitoshi Shinso!"
Another roar from the crowd, this one edged with a curiousity. Shinso was a mystery, a puzzle waiting to be solved. Too bad I was one of the only hero course students with a cheat sheet.
What an unlucky matchup.
As I stood across from Shinso, the tension in the air was palpable. The crowd's cheers faded into a low hum, the world narrowing down to this moment, this opponent.
Cementoss' voice cut through, a grave reminder of the stakes at hand. "If the battle gets too dangerous, I will step in to stop it."
I nodded, my gaze never leaving Shinso's. I understood the weight of that statement, the responsibility that came with the power we wielded. Across from me, Shinso inclined his head, a gesture of acknowledgment, of acceptance.
Midnight stepped forward, her voice ringing out clear and sharp. "Competitors ready?"
I shifted my stance. Ready was an understatement.
"Go!"
The word had barely left Midnight's lips before Shinso started, his face twisted into a sneer.
"So, I guess the Hero Course students just give up, huh?" He taunted, his voice dripping with disdain. "That monkey was going on and on about pride earlier, but I just think he's an idiot for wasting this chance."
I remained silent, my expression impassive. I knew his game, knew the trap he was trying to lay. And I wouldn't fall for it.
Shinso's eyes narrowed, a flicker of frustration crossing his features. "What's the matter, Midoriya? Too good to talk to me? Too busy basking in the glory of your powerful quirk? Or if I was some hot groupie, would I have a better chance for a response then?"
Slowly, I raised a hand, pressing a finger to my lips in a universal gesture of silence.
Shinso's eyes widened, realization dawning. He knew that I had remembered the key to his quirk. And in that moment, I saw a flash of something in his gaze - fear, uncertainty, the knowledge that his usual tricks wouldn't work here.
But to his credit, he didn't falter. He actually launched himself at me, fists clenched and eyes blazing.
I was ready for him. I sidestepped his charge with a fluidity that sent a ripple of gasps through the crowd.
As Shinso stumbled past, I pivoted, my leg connecting solidly with his stomach. I felt the impact reverberate up my body and heard the whoosh of air leaving his lungs in a pained gasp.
He doubled over, coughing and spluttering, his face rapidly turning an alarming shade of red. For a moment, I thought he might crumple completely. But he clung to consciousness, his knuckles white as he braced himself on his knees.
I turned to Midnight, a silent question in my eyes. Was this the end?
She met my gaze, then looked to Shinso, her expression unreadable. "Shinso, do you yield?"
For a long, tense moment, there was no response. Then, slowly, Shinso straightened. His face was pale, his breathing labored, but his eyes... his eyes burned with a fierce, unyielding determination.
"No," he rasped. "I don't yield. Not now, not ever."
He had guts, I'd give him that. But guts alone wouldn't win this fight.
He came again, a flurry of punches that would have overwhelmed a non-fighter. But to me, it was like watching a movie in slow motion. I saw every twitch of his muscles, every shift in his balance. And I responded accordingly.
I wove between his strikes, my body bending and flowing like water. Not a single blow landed, each one whistling harmlessly past as I danced just out of reach.
I could see the frustration mounting in Shinso's eyes, the desperation creeping into his movements. He was throwing everything he had at me, but it wasn't enough. It would never be enough.
Slowly, I began to press my advantage. I darted in, my fists and feet finding their marks with surgical precision. Each blow was a statement, a declaration of dominance.
Shinso staggered under the onslaught, his defenses crumbling. I could see the realization dawning in his eyes, the bitter acknowledgment of defeat. But still, he fought on, pride and stubbornness driving him forward even as his body betrayed him.
It was almost pitiful, in a way. The way he clung to hope, to the delusion that he could somehow turn the tide. But I wouldn't let him suffer long.
With a final, decisive blow, I sent Shinso flying backwards, his body arcing through the air like a rag doll. He hit the ground hard, skidding and rolling until he came to a stop outside of the ring's edge.
Midnight's hand fell, her voice ringing out clear and decisive. "Hitoshi Shinso has been knocked out of bounds! Izuku Midoriya is the winner!"
The crowd erupted, but I barely heard it. My focus was on Shinso, on the way his shoulders slumped, his head bowed in defeat.
I approached him, my hand outstretched. He looked up, wariness and shame warring in his expression. But after a moment, he reached out, grasping my hand and allowing me to pull him to his feet.
"Like I said before, you've got potential, Shinso," I said, my voice low enough that only he could hear. "Your quirk... it's powerful."
Shinso's eyes widened slightly, surprise replacing some of the bitterness. "What are you talking about, Midoriya? I lost. I couldn't even touch you."
I shook my head, releasing his hand. "This was just one battle. Your quirk isn't suited for straightforward combat, but that doesn't make it any less valuable. In fact, I'd argue it makes it more valuable in certain situations."
"Yeah? Like what?"
"Hostage situations, negotiations, covert operations," I listed off, ticking them on my fingers. "Your quirk could end conflicts before they even begin. That's not something to be underestimated."
Shinso's posture straightened slightly. "You really think so?"
I nodded. "I do. In fact, I'd love for you to work alongside me someday."
Shinso's eyebrows shot up. "Work alongside me? You're the top student in the hero course. Why would you want to work with someone from general studies?"
"Because I recognize talent when I see it," I said simply. "And I believe in using every tool at my disposal. Your quirk, your mind... they're tools that shouldn't go to waste."
I paused, considering my next words carefully. This was a crucial moment, one that could shape the future in ways even I couldn't fully predict.
"I'm going to recommend you to Aizawa-sensei," I said finally. "He's always on the lookout for students with potential, especially those with quirks that aren't traditionally 'heroic'. I think you'd benefit from his guidance."
Shinso stared at me, disbelief written across his features. "You'd do that? Why?"
I met his gaze steadily. "Because I believe in you, Shinso. And I believe in what you could become."
For a long moment, Shinso was silent. Then, slowly, a smaile spread across his face. It was small, barely there, but it was genuine.
"Thanks, Midoriya," he said quietly. "I... I appreciate that."
I nodded, clapping him on the shoulder. "Don't mention it. Just keep working hard. I expect to see you in the hero course soon."
As we walked off the field together, I could feel the weight of countless eyes on us. The crowd was still cheering, but there was a different quality to it now. They had expected a battle, a show of strength. Instead, they had witnessed something else entirely.
I glanced at Shinso out of the corner of my eye. He walked with his head held high, a new determination in his stride. I had given him hope, a chance at the future he had always dreamed of.
And in doing so, I had fully secured a powerful ally for myself.
As we reached the tunnel leading back to the waiting rooms, I turned to Shinso one last time. "Good luck, Shinso. I'll be watching your progress."
He nodded. "Thanks again, Midoriya. I won't let you down."