17 Rising Spirits

'I'm actually in the finals,' Eiji thought to himself in the waiting room. He was trying to pump himself up for the upcoming battle.

They were facing the ring, so in about five minutes, he would be called out. He breathed in and out repeatedly. 'I'm thrilled but also nervous.'

He wondered how his parents were reacting.

...

"Our baby is going to make it! You heard that, heroes! You better want him as your sidekick before Allmight tries to take him!"

Kushina was yelling at the surrounding people. The heroes were too far away, so the adults and other viewers were the ones to listen.

'She's proud of him alright,' similar thoughts entered people's minds, 'but can't she quiet down? These thoughts also came into their minds, but none had the balls to say anything.

As for Rio, his father, he crossed his arms, pride welling up inside of him. He looked to the other fathers, sharing small nods as a sign of recognition and praise.

If Eijiro won, he felt like he could slap Endeavour. He felt like it didn't mean he would. He wasn't insane.

...

'I still have the secret move I've been practising just in case,' he thought to himself, pacing back and forth.

"Eijiro?" Mina peered her head into the room and walked in with Midoriya Iida and Ochako. "How are you feeling?"

"Haha great! Well, I'm also nervous. I've got butterflies in my stomach and all."

"I believe in you, Eijiro!"

"It's possible that if you can get close to Todoroki, avoiding his ice, then you could possibly overwhelm him with your physical prowess. So long as he doesn't use his fire." Iida said, chopping his hands down.

"I think we're trying to be supportive, Iida," Ochako said. "Like Midoriya said, you've got this!"

Hehe, thanks. I hope it's not much, but can you guys give me some time to breathe?" He gave a hearty smile.

The others shared a look. Mina was about to say no, but Izuku nodded and left, and she asked reluctantly, "Will he be alright?" Ochako asked.

In the next moment, a shout came from the room: "YEAH!"

"Hihi, I think he'll be fine," Mina huffed. "Come on, let's get to the stands. He'll be called out any minute now."

In the room, Eiji slammed his cheeks, pumping himself up. He was going to win! But before he was called, he ran around the stadium.

Todoroki was just sitting down, looking at his left side, contemplating himself, when he heard footsteps. He sighed, expecting his father.

"Eijiro?"

"Huff, we need to talk before we're called out. I want to say a few things."

Todoroki, not sure where he was going, stayed silent. "I know Midoriya got through to you first, and I can only imagine how hard it was for you to take that step and use your left side."

"Got to me first? Do you mean to say you would've tried to make me use my left side as well? What is wrong with both of you?"

"It was more about helping you accept who you are; you are not your father's creation; you are your own man, and you took the first step to become one. I know it's hard for me to ask you to use your left side, so I won't."

"I know you can't get over something haunting you that easily from experience. But I want you to know I'm not holding back, and I don't want you to either. Use your Ice, fire, or not. I want you to come at it with no regrets."

He gave a toothy smile, raising his fist. "Ahaha, I should get going now anyway. Speeches aren't my forte, so I'll leave now. Just think about what I said, and if you ever need any help, just call me."

Eiji bowed slightly and was ready to bolt back to his side.

"Wait," he stopped and turned back, "you and Izuku, are you both headstrong or something? Why go so far for someone you barely know?"

His question surprised Eiji. He hummed, trying to put some thought into it. "Why not? I know it sounds lame, but it's what heroes do—butting their heads in when someone is down."

He shrugged and left Todoroki to his thoughts. By the time he made it to his side, Mina was waiting for him.

"Where were you!? I thought you chickened out and ran!" she yelled.

"I went to talk to Todoroki." He answered with a plain face.

"Hah, I can't believe I was worried about you."

"Is that why you came? I just needed to hype myself up. But, uh, thanks for coming. I appreciate it." He chuckled, rubbing the back of his head.

"Yeah, whatever I'll leave you be since you're fine, she said, avoiding eye contact as she tried to leave.

"Actually, could you stay? Till I get called, I mean," he said.

Mina nodded, sitting behind him and leaning on his back. She played with his hair, wrapping herself in it. Neither said anything; they were just enjoying the other's presence.

"Thank you for your support before my fight with Bakugo."

"Mn. Your hair is enormous. I can wrap myself around like a blanket," she said, rubbing it.

He was expecting something like "No problem, I'll keep supporting you," but her comment on his hair made him chuckle.

"Yeah, I'm planning on cutting it at some point, actually, to remake my hero costume like an extra layer of armour."

"Aw, can I braid it before, though?"

"Braid? I mean, after I win, sure, you can do whatever I'll be cutting anyway."

"You're still going to keep your horns, right?" She asked, "Ha, of course!" He turned to her with a smile. He couldn't see it, but Mina flushed slightly.

'You've changed, huh? She smiled, leaning more into his back. 'I like this you. Wait." She paused her thoughts because she had never held feelings of love for anyone. Let alone interest of any sort.

She is a romantic of sorts and holds a lot of interest in the love lives of other people, being obnoxiously curious and intrusive about them.

She always viewed any instance of a pairing as proof of a relationship, as she does with Midoriya and Ochako.

But it was the first time the thought of pairing herself with someone came to mind, and Eijiro no less.

'Am I interested in it? Him?" Her face was about to turn a new shade of punk, but before she could process that thought,

"It's finally time for the final round! Todoroki Shoto! Eijirio Kirishima! Make your way to the battleground!"

Hearing Present Mic's voice, both stood up. She patted Eiji down. Why was she so jumpy?

It was as if someone walked in to see her doing something embarrassing. But she rarely got embarrassed or did anything embarrassing.

"R-right out you go! Good luck! I'll be shouting your name from the stands!" She said it quickly and bolted out of the room.

"Uh, alright, I'll just put that in the back of my mind." Eiji resolved himself and walked out until the sun hit his eyes.

...

"Alright folks, it's time for the big show! The clash of titans is the battle of the gods!"

["You're putting too much hype into the students fighting each other."]

Eiji chuckled, looking across at Todoroki. "Eijiro, I thought about what you said, and I have my decision. Right here, it's just you and me. And I will become number one."

-FWOOSH!

Todoroki took a stance. Flames on his left side erupted, and ice came from his right.

'Hehe, I'm in danger,' he thought, going blast-proof from the start and Flexi hardening beneath.

["And Todoroki's going all out from the start!"]

Midnight, seeing the readiness between the two, nodded, "Begin!"

Both kicked off the ground as Eiji ran and Todoroki slid with his ice. As they came close to each other, Eiji reeled his fist and Todoroki swung his arm!