Chapter 31

"Five minutes remaining kids! Better wrap it up"

Shino hardly heard the warning as she reached for the headband on Shoto's head. Ice quickly blocked her advance. She cursed but didn't back away. Instead she punched the ice wall easily shattering it with her strength. This time Shoto himself grabbed her and threw her over his shoulder. She attached a web to Iida and swung herself back onto the rider not caring about the ice climbing up both her arms. She smirked as she retrieved the keychain attached to her target and returned it to the owner. Her team stuck nearby, ready to catch her if she were to fall or be thrown out. She felt something grab onto her legs and more restrain her arms tightly.

"Ah, Shoji"

With her limbs restrained Shoto grabbed onto the headbands. Shino only smiled as he started to remove them. The ice on her arms were quickly melting away and she wasn't even a bit worried about the chance of losing her points. She knew her team had her back.

"It looks like things are taking a turn! Todoroki has hold of the untouched point of Kiddo"

That didn't last long though. She was still holding onto a keychain after all. Akio with his weapon play managed to force Shoji to let go of her arms, wielding some nun chucks expertly, while Momo dropped a small object towards them. Shino quickly wrestled Shoto for her points before flying off of them just in time. A bright flash erupted just as she detached herself from them. She sighed in relief at her close call.

"It seems I failed my goal" she muttered as she put the headbands back in place.

"You didn't lose the points though"

"Yes, but I did say I wouldn't allow anyone to lay a hand on them. And Todoroki clearly laid a hand on them" Shino looked at the boy who had recovered from the flash grenade. "I'm going back"

"Are you serious? "

"Definitely " with that Shino shot off a web attaching itself to the masculine Shoji and aimed herself straight at Shoto. The ice wall that appeared in front of her was not enough to stop her and she crashed straight into the boy topling off the others in the process.

"When do you plan on using your full power? "She asked as she punched him dead in the face, or at least tried to, but again an ice wall quickly stopped her. She groaned and broke the wall easily enough. She gripped her opponent by the collar and butted her forehead strongly against his causing him to let out a painful grunt. "When the hell do you plan on using your full power!? Stop being a emotional fool! Your power is yours, use it! "

"Shut up! You don't know anything"

Shoto fought back against her, not letting her superior strength over power him. He froze half her body determined to retrieve the headbands. Shino wasn't allowing it and broke free of the ice. She twisted them both enough to fold Shoto's arm behind him and pressure it.

"So what's holding you back? " Shino questioned keeping a tight hold of him, not even caring about how close to the ground they were. Shoto was quiet and struggled against her hold. Struggle as he may, Shino was not letting go of him. Not yet. She saw him glance to the side and she followed his gaze. An imposing figure stood with his arks folded and looking on grimly.

"Endeavor huh? " she twisted them again and threw Shoto straight to his team. A web was attached to him, pulling her along. Once Shoji took hold off his leader Shino was on top of him again. "So that's what's going on. He is a bastard isn't he? Must've worked hard for the perfect specimen. One with no weaknesses. The one who would achieve his dream for him. I couldn't imagine him being the best parent" Shino was aware of the time. One minute remaining. She saw her team out the corner of her eye and smiled slightly. "So you won't use your other halve because it's his element? I want to call you stupid, but you obviously have issues. Even so. What you have is yours, not his, but yours. This is your power and yours alone. Nothing belongs to him, not even you. Understand me when I say this. Your power is yours alone it doesn't matter where it came from what matters is that it is yours and you can do with it as you wish. You don't have to use it like he does. Use it for good. You are Shoto Todoroki and your quirk is half hot half cold! "

Shino smiled brightly and connected their foreheads intensely not even caring about the pain. She could see the emotions in Shoto's eyes and only smile brighter. She patted him on the head affectionately.

"You are not like him and you never will be. Don't bow to his will and give him power over you by weakening yourself like this" Shino pulled away getting ready to go back to her team. "And if you need someone to be there you can always count on me. Because I'm your friend and will always have your back, no matter what" Just as Shino was about to take to the sky flames erupted from Shoto's left side. Shino had to pull back to not get burned but a smile was on her face all the while. The flames were aimed at her, but she carefully dodged. The second she did she was captured in ice and Shoto quickly retrieved a headband before letting her go.

Shino found herself falling but was caught by her team. A huge smile was on her face even though she lost a headband.

"Way to go Shoto! "

"Why are you cheering for the guy who took your headband? "

"Because he finally did it. Besides it's not like he got the ten million points"

"Times up! It's time to see who our top five are"

Top five? Another change. Shino didn't pay it much mind though. She aimed her attention at the scoreboard and was proud to see her name in the first slot.

"Kiddo retains her number one spot, how impressive! "

Shino climbed off her friends giving them each a high five.

"Wooh that was fun and so awesome! "Daichi was pumping his fists way too axcited.

"In second place we have team Midoriya! "

Shino looked around for her friend and saw him celebrating with his team. Wel played.

"In third we have Yagi and his valient team! "

Sora was a grinning fool and shot Shino a thumbs up.

"In fourth we have Team Todoroki! "

The boy was avoiding Shino's eye. He was probably scolding himself for losing his grip.

"And lastly taking fifth is none other than team Bakugo! "

Katsuki was angry. Super angry. He was yelling profanities loud enough for everyone to hear. Kirishima was trying to calm him while Jiro stood aside. Surprisingly TetsuTetsu was part of their team. Shino wondered if Kirishima invited him.

Actually the same could be said for Shinso. She didn't notice him before but he was part of Shoto's team. Did he brainwash Shoto? Or did Shoto just except him?

"Alright then these five teams move on to the next round. For now we have an hour lunch break so go have a snack everyone! "

"Time for some food. I wonder where my parents are" Shino was already planning on searching for them and then going to get something to eat. She'll definitely invite Momo to tag along

"Kiddo"

Shoto was in front of her and she smiled brightly. She rested a hand on his shoulder and patted him in a very friendly manner.

"What's up pal. Way to go out there. You finally used your fire. Impressive. Impressive. You even took one of my headbands"

Shoto didn't reply to any of the praise. He just took Shino by the arm and led her to a secluded tunnel under the stadium. She raised an eyebrow when he let go of her and placed herself against a wall.

"I'm assuming you want to talk about well.. Everything "

"How did you know who my father was? "

"I'm observant " Shino shrugged.

"I have a feeling there's more to it"

"There probably is" Shino looked him in the eye. "You know what. Since I now know who your father is I'll tell you about my parents. They're heroes as well you know. They should be here, although I haven't spotted them yet"

"Go on"

"Astrape and Helios, know 'em?" Shino got the answer just by looking at Shoto's face. "Yeah, those two"

"Your quirk is entirely unrelated to any of them"

"You don't know the half of it"

"Your friends, specifically Yagi. They are all children of heroes aren't they? "

"Maybe "

"Yagi's parents are Scarlet Witch and All Might, aren't they? "

The question sounded more like a statement to Shino.

"Kinda obvious isn't it? "

"I'll have to beat him as well"

"Good luck with that" Shino looked out at the rest of the students. "I don't really get why you chose me as a rival. You clearly knew who Sora's parents were. I was certain he would be your target, but instead it ended up being me"

"I am not my father. You said so yourself. I won't go after Yagi sorely because he is the son of the man my father could never beat. I chose you because you are obviously better than me"

"I doubt I'm better than you"

"Well I think you are and I'm not changing my mind"

"Then don't, what do I care? "Shino pushed herself off the wall. "You continue to use your fire you hear me? Don't regret using it, ever" Shino punched his shoulder playfully before turning her back to him and walking off. "I'll be seeing ya Shoto"