Chapter 45: Speech - The Beginning of the Festivals

Today was the Sports Festival day. The only class we had was with our Homeroom teacher. No Japanese nor Math was good. But I was a bit disappointed that there is no Modern History and Arts Class.

I was at UA, sitting with my classmates. Most of them seemed to be in a very high spirit.

"I can't wait to kick A-1 guys."

"I hope that they don't disappoint me." Tetsutetsu cracked his fists as his body turned into steel.

"Hehehe…" Monoma Neito let an evil smirk, "Pony, let me teach you something nice to say to our competitors in Japanese."

"No, you are going to lie at me again." Pony took a step back. "It was lucky that Angel San was an understanding person. I won't fall for your troll again."

No way would she trust Monoma after I had given her the right translation that day. It was like, trick me once, shame on you. Trick me twice, shame on me.

"I'm not lying… I want redemption." Neito smiled again.

"Really?" Pony seemed to be almost believing him.

Kendo was about to move from our place, to give Neito a knock on his head. But I held her from her arm and said, "I got this." Then I sent Star Platinum to chop genteelly on Neito's neck.

"Ouch… Lee…" Neito rolled on the ground while holding his neck. A gentle slap from the Stand isn't as gentle by human's standards.

"Wish I had an ability like yours." Itsuka chuckled.

Then, our homeroom teacher came.

He was wearing a formal suit instead of the heroic outfit that he uses while teaching. But he still posed at us.

"Okay brats. I have seen that you have done a good job so far. Despite the rumours that compare you to the others, I'm here to assure you that your improvement is second to none. No matter what happens, I will– I will be p-p Proud of you." His sound was a bit emotional. He then turned his face, giving his back to us. Was he crying? I bet he was after his motivational speech. I guess there is a little shy person under all of those his muscles away. Posing again after he faced us again, he said something about how we brats should make it to the first and then he walked out through the door.

Very soon, we were on our way to the locker rooms. In the Festivals, we were required to have our gym's outfit. The blue clothes with UA letters. On the way, we passed by other classes and I had noticed that people from other departments went to see A1. Since they were the ones who had engaged with real villains, everyone seemed to be curious.

These were students who failed the heroic tests and went to other departments. To them, Sports Festival was their chance to be reviewed and join the heroic classes.

There was that Bakugo, yelling as always. What a kid. Does he realise that his attitude would bring him to troubles as always?

I shrugged my shoulder as I passed by the crowd. But then my ear picked up a whisper.

"Hey, isn't that…"

"Yes, the one from class B1 who interfered in USJ incident."

One of them spotted me. The lights were on me. What a pain.

"They say that he was the one to report the villains' attack."

"But I heard he had bled badly. He almost died. Probably he couldn't handle the villains anyway."

Someone tried to whisper. But he was loud enough for me to hear. I wished that I could use my fist to put some common sense in their head. But I was too lazy to do that to someone who doesn't know even how to whisper.

I guess that the news that I, alone, have dealt with most of them, not to mention the leaders of villains, didn't spread correctly.

Because there were no rewards in USJ incident, except that I got stronger, I was satisfied with what I got without having some credit. So I didn't complain at all.

"That's not true…." Someone from class A1 wanted to say something. He was a red-haired guy, but he was shut up by his classmates. A pink girl with horns I think. "Shh…" Then Bakugo shut the door.

***

Now, we were in the locker room, changing our outfits before going to the Festivals.

"How do you feel when everyone is taking you lightly?" Neito asked

"Does it matter?" I replied at Monoma's question.

"I guess Lee doesn't care about it." The lipless guy, Juzo, said. "As long as you win and get spotted, who cares about rumours?"

"Well, it's just a matter of lights," I said and finished dressing. I'm only here for that sports car.

"You're not competitive," Monoma said. "I guess I'll play on the others' morals."

"MM, I'm excited. Let's win this." Yosetsu Awase said. He was a lean man, with long hair spiked up. "I don't want to lose to anyone. Many heroes would be spotting us. I wonder who'll choose me" He wasn't as social as others, but in stations like this, he becomes talkative.

"Well good sir, Yosetsu," said Jurota Shishida, patting his glasses. "It depends on the odds and the situation."

Jurota Shishida was a guy with average height, 174 cm. he had brown fur covering him, except for his brown face, neck-length hair, and muscled built. Although he's a respectful guy, I wouldn't underestimate him, as his Quirk allows him to turn into a beast. And he was one of the strongest in our class

Very soon we left the locker room and went in busses with the others. We were still inside the school's property, as we went to one big stadium.

On the way, I spotted many journalists. They were excited about the events, the same for the others who came to watch their kids. Since citizens and parents were allowed to come, the security was at a high level during the festivals. Only after verifying the ID one can enters. As I made my way, I could understand why most of the people in my class were upset. As it seems, not only the other departments were taking all of the light, but everyone, even these people.

Looking at Kendo, the class repressive, lowering her head and sigh in defeat, I thought it's time for me to step in. Maybe If I could make it to the finals and helped some guys, it would be good a bit for their morals. Still, I don't care very much, as I'm going to take the first place anyway.

Anyway, it was a good chance to test my new power-up.

'Well, I'm going to win anyway. Rumours and morals. Different world, but same story.'

"What are you thinking of." Asked Kendo.

"Nothing," I snapped out of my thoughts and smiled.

"I know your face… you're planning for something for sure."

"Who knows," I shrugged my shoulders. "I'll get a new car, where do you think we should go."

That was a motivation that mom put for me to get the first place.

"Well… what a surprise. When were you planning to tell me?"

"Now."

"Hmmm… we should go to Tokyo, you know, to."

"Drift?"

"Yes, why else would someone go there?" She smiled as I understood her intent.

"You are one girl of her kind." I smiled as well.

Kendo's hand swept to her hair as her eyes were on the plaza, "Let's be silent. The staff has arrived."

We were now in a big stadium. Around us were many people sitting to watch. Almost thousands in number.

All of the students from every department were gathered in a group, and we were looking at the high plaza, to see who is coming.

A beautiful tall figure swayed her hips. Her clothes were tight, and her chest jiggled. Some students showed excitement, same for the audience.

I never expected that Midnight would be the referee… and why is she holding that whip.

The commentary voice hit our ears. I think it was Present Mic, the Voice Hero.

Midnight, after some opening words, said, "As for the Presentive of The Festivals, it would be Lee Angel."

I could hear some complaints here and there. I was surprised at first. But as soon as I heard someone saying, "It's natural, he classed the first at the entrance exam." I quickly understood why, and just shrugged my shoulder.

"Lee, come here and say a few words."

I frowned since I have to get to the plaza. But that wasn't unnatural. I remembered that I had seen the festivals on TV before. Some navy haired girl made a speech. All I could remember about that was, cute that I laughed.

But does everyone want me to do these works? First, class president, and now they wanted me to make a speech.

Faking a cough, I said, "Alright guys. Do your best; don't get in my way, don't raise your expectations, and your feelings would be still safe."

I said that with good intent, since I didn't want them to think themselves going to take the number one spot. It would be bad if they had too many expectations to hit by a wall called harsh truth.

Although my speech made some uproars because it was short, I didn't care. I then went to my place with the rest.

Holding the mic, Midnight pointed to the edge of the stadium.

Big gates were opened, and a big screen lit up for the audience.

"Time for the first event…"