Chapter 59: Chapter 59: UA Sports Festival (III)
A little earlier, Shoto, after easily passing the second stage, was about to reach the third. From where he was, he could easily hear the comment of Present Mic.
"THE LEAD PACK IS A STEP AHEAD, BUT BELOW THEM, EVERYONE'S CLUMPED TOGETHER!!"
He didn't need to be told that, he could nearly feel them breathing behind him. That was how much pressure he was currently under.
'I never thought that it would be that hard.'
Initially, he was convinced that he would win with a large margin. Now he could only lament at how much he had underestimated his classmates. Still, this didn't matter. This was only an upset.
He began to slow down and finally stopped once he came face to face with a large field.
'A minefield?'
And he wasn't wrong as Present Mic announced the answer,"AND NOW WE COME TO THE HIDDEN FINAL BARRIER!! IT'S TRUE FORM IS NONE OTHER THAN...THE MINEFIELD OUT OF RAMBO 3!"
'As I thought.'
"IT'S SET UP SO THAT IF YOU LOOK CAREFULLY, YOU CAN SEE WHERE THE LANDMINES ARE PLACED!! STRAIN YOUR EYES AND FEET!!"
Present Mic laughed a little before continuing,"IN ANY CASE, THEY'RE LANDMINES! THEY'RE NOT OVERLY LETHAL, BUT THEY BANG BIG AND BRIGHT, SO YOU'LL DEFINITELY KNOCK A STOOL OR TWO LOOSE!"
'I see, this is an obstacle trying to make those in front be at a disadvantage, allowing the people behind a chance for them to catch up.'
It was then he heard two screams, both shouting the similar things.
"THIS DOESN'T AFFECT ME!" This obviously came from Katsuki, who continued blasting himself forward without pause.
Shido, who was watching this, thought that Katsuki might have gotten used to explosions from young, so he wasn't really scared. 'Really, what a home field advantage.'
The other came from Present Mic who was commentating,"HEY HEY HEY, THE REST OF THE PACK IS ALSO SPEEDING UP!!"
The situation was clear. Due to the mines, the previously large gulf was closed as more and more people joined the front pack. What's more, the three in the lead were constantly trying to hinder each other. Still, this didn't stop them from clearing the minefield and giving their all for the last leg of the race.
The stadium was basically boiling. People were wondering who would win.
"Right now, the first person back in the stadium is....Midoriya Izuku! Following closely behind him by less than a second are Todoroki Shoto and Bakugo Katsuki!"
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Following the race, the next battle was a human calvary battle. Because Izuku had a ten million point bounty on his head, no one really wanted to be part of his team. In the end, Ochaco, Fumikage and Hatsume Mei from the support department decided to join him.
Izuku managed to defend his headband, earning the right to move on to the next event for himself and his team along with Katsuki's, Shoto's and Shinsou's 'team'.
"The first four teams will move on to the final event...Now, step forward!!!" Midnight announced the results before Present Mic continued for her,"The event will continue after an hour for lunch break! See you then!!! Hey, Eraserhead, let's go get some food!"
After the announcement, the recess bell sounded and people began to slowly stream out of the stadium and began to walk toward the different stands outside.
The sports festival was truly a festival in all the senses of the word. As such, a jovial atmosphere filled the road as people walked and laughed together.
Although almost everyone had a happy expression on their faces, it wasn't the case for some people. A little further than most people, three people huddled with a serious expression on their faces. They consisted of two men and a young girl with black hair.
"So?" The girl asked.
"So what?" The first man asked back in confusion.
"What do you think?"
"Tsk, just wait till the end of the sports festival first then we'll decide."
"Moo..fine." The girl pouted a little before grinning madly,"That boy though...I want his blood so badly."
Lust could be seen in her eyes as she went into her little fantasy.
"I wonder what he'll sound like...what his blood tastes like..."
"Little sick girl." The second man looked at her in disgust, but the girl didn't seem to mind. In fact, she totally ignored the two men as she spaced out.
"Alright, let's break up here. Don't want people to get suspicious of us."
"How would we be seen as suspicious? But fine, I'm gonna explore the place myself."
Without saying anything else, the first man walked off by himself. Seeing that the two of them were left, the second man's face scrunched up in disgust before walking off himself, leaving the daydreaming girl behind.
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"Yoshinon, go accompany Eri to the stands, I'll follow All Might for a while."
"No problem. Eri! Let's go get some apples!" Yoshinon turned towards Eri and said.
Eri was a little surprised but accepted it nonetheless,"Sure, but what about Shido?"
"He's following All Might to some place. Perhaps to meet with someone." Yoshinon replied to her as he hopped onto her shoulders,"Let's go! The apples are not going to wait for anybody!"
Eri giggled at Yoshinon's words before walking to the stands.
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"It's been far too long! We haven't talked since our little chat ten years ago, right? I just thought I'd give you a shout since I saw you."
Following Endeavor to the stairs leading downstairs, All Might placed both of his hands on his waist and said.
Hearing the voice, Endeavor turned around and found All Might standing at the top of the stairs.
"I see. Are you satisfied, then? Now, leave me. You can take your tea to some other damned place. I'm hitting the john, so be gone!"
"Why so cold, En. Dea. Vor san~?" A slightly childish boy's voice rang out from the shadows. Endeavor found himself face to face with Shido, who had half his body coming out from the walls.
"Phantom. And why are you here?" Endeavor replied, emphasising on each syllabus, his tone laced with venom. He wasn't too happy to see Shido. If there was one person he hated more than All Might in this world, it would be this damned enigma.
"So mean~Anyways, I was following All Might to see where he was going, and since he was finding you, I decided to show myself."
"You were following me?"
"Yep. So sorry if I invaded your privacy, but I'm curious, you know? I had a feeling that you were going to talk to someone, and it turned out to be my 'friend'."
Shido apologised for stalking him, but his face didn't show that he was very sincere.
"Sigh, whatever. It's not very important anyways. As I was saying, your son, young Todoroki was able to make such a great showing even without using half of his power. You must have taught him quite well."
"Taught? More like torturing his own son." Shido whispered under his breath. However, since the place was an indoor, quiet area, it was very easily heard.
Glaring at Shido, he asked All Might,"What are you getting at?"
"I mean it, I want to know. I'm dying for your how-to on raising the next gen!"
"...? You think I'll teach you anything?" Seeing that All Might was having an easy-going attitude, he continued,"You'll never quit that easy-breezy little attitude of yours, will you? How perfectly annoying..."
"My bad..."
"Just remember, you fool. That someday I'll have made him a hero that shall surpass you. That is the very reason...I made that boy."
"...What..." All Might seemed shocked at Endeavor's words.
"The ridiculous cretin is going through his rebellious phase right now. But he will surpass you...I'll make him...!"
There was silence for a while as they looked at each other. However, when the tension between them was rising, Shido's voice rang out again.
"Now, now, even if Shoto surpasses All Might, I'm still here, you know?"
"Shut up, Phantom. A 'hero' who hasn't even graduated a hero school isn't a hero. All that makes you is a vigilante. A revered vigilante, but still a vigilante nonetheless. When adults are talking, children should be at the side playing with their toys."
"My, your words sure are harsh. By the way, when you say 'adults' and 'children', do you refer to their age, or their power? Cause the only way you're superior to me is by age."
Shido merely chuckled at Endeavor's words, not concerning himself with his insults at him before leaning in even closer,"I'm stronger than you, and maybe that's why you are so angry?"
Seeing Endeavor's facial expression turning even angrier than before, he continued,"Or...are you jealous~?"
"Shido! That's enough." All Might decided to intervene before things got too heated up. Literally because Endeavor's flames were rising higher than ever.
"Tch. Fine. See you around, flamey." Shido bid him goodbye before turning his head to All Might.
"And All Might, he's the last person you would ever go to when asking for advice on raising the next generation." Shido advised him before sinking back to the shadows.
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"Shido! Where have you been?"
As soon as Shido appeared, Eri rushed up to him and hugged him before asking.
Reciprocating her hug, he replied,"I was having a friendly chat with Endeavor and Uncle Toshinori."
"Endeavor? You mean that number two hero who always has a frown on his face?"
"Yep! But enough of me. What have you guys been doing?"
"We've been wandering around the place and trying out every food we came across. The food is pretty good. For something that is not an apple, that it." This time, Yoshinon replied as he hopped back on Shido's left hand.
"Really? Did you buy anything for me?"
"Of course! Here are some chocolate-covered apples, candy-syrup apples, rainbow sprinkles on honey apples, and of course, the Cinnamon Caramel Apple Energy Balls." As Eri replied, she shoved each paper box containing the respective apple dishes she called out into his arms.
Shido was speechless. There was no doubt that he liked apples, but this...was too much.
He wanted to eat lunch, but all he got were candy apples, sweet apples, and saucy apples. It wasn't enough for lunch...
"Um...as much as I like apples, don't you think it's too much?"
"Really? I think it's fine though?" Eri smiled brightly as she waited for Shido to eat the various apple dishes she had bought for him.
Seeing Eri's expectant gaze and wide smile, he just sighed and started eating. Even if it's not very nutritious, skipping one meal wasn't a big deal. At most he would just eat extra for dinner later.
However, just as he was about to take a bite, someone called him.
"Itsuka-sensei! Itsuka-sensei!"
Turning around, he saw Momo and Kyoka running towards them.
"Huh? Yaoyorozu-san and Jiro-san. What can I do for you?"
"Um...the thing is...wait. Who is this girl?" Momo was about to start when she spotted a girl beside her sensei.
"You must be Yaoyorozu onee-san! Shido told me a lot about you! And you must be Jiro onee-san. Your quirk is quite suited for music! I've heard some of your songs and they were great!"
The two blushed at her compliments and felt a heartthrob when they heard her call them 'onee-san'.
"Thank you, but I didn't quite catch your name there."
"Oh, my name is Eri! Itsuka Eri!"
It was the first time she had introduced herself with a surname, and that surprised Shido.
"Wait. Since when did -"
But before Shido could question her, the girls cut in,"So you must be his sister! How cute!"
Without waiting for them to say anything, they quickly carried Eri in their arms and started to cuddle her.
Eri didn't seem to mind it and just enjoyed their hugs and cuddling.
Shido waited patiently at the side for five minutes, but when they didn't seem like they were going to stop anytime soon, he faked a cough.
"Cough, cough!" Seeing that it got their attention, he went on,"So what was the matter that you wanted to ask me just now?"
"Thank you for reminding us! Just now Mineta and Kaminari told us that all the girls need to go do the cheering battle."
"Furthermore, they even said that it was a message directly from Aizawa-sensei. Is it true?" Kyoka added.
Hearing their words, Shido was confused.
"Huh? This is the first time I'm hearing about it. Are you sure you heard it correctly?"
"I was right! Damn the two perverts! I'm going to teach them a lesson later!" Kyoka didn't look too happy, and her earphone jacks started hovering around like tentacles.
[A/N: I don't have any other better comparison than tentacles, so don't mind it.]
"Al...right then. Good luck later on. You're going to need it later."
"Thank you. It was nice to meet you Eri-chan! See you later." The two hurriedly bid farewell before leaving to beat some people up.
Did Shido feel sorry for them? Not really. After all, every effect has it's cause, everything that happened has a reason for it. And in this case, it was their own fault.
In any case, after this minor incident, Shido and Eri decided to enjoy the rest of the lunch break before the next event started by eating more apples.
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