Chapter 18. Break for the last stage

Tsuen gathered up the fallen strands on her forehead and braided her hair back into a ponytail. This stage turned out to be exhausting a little higher than the previous one. How the last test will take place will be even harder. Every year she turned on the broadcast of the Sports Festival and watched the participants, thinking they were tired. Having understood what it was like to get the first place, they acted aggressively and, therefore, quickly spent their strength. She was no exception around everyone and spent as much as she could.

"Is it really over?" she raised her head and her face frowned at the sight of the cowering guy. Tsuen was also upset that the three could not protect the high points, but should the commander himself take responsibility for this? Hokabe worriedly approached from the front and put his hand on Hito's shoulder.

"I'm so sorry," he breathed, refusing to show his face and ignoring a comforting gesture from a classmate, clearly not deserving of it. What kind of commander is this who broke his word, depriving them of hope to be on the ladder above? "Because of me, we didn't pass."

"It's not your fault," the girl shook her head as Hokabe patted him several times. "Next time we will definitely pass," she began to dream with hope that next year they and some of their classmates, without taking a place in the finals, would fight each other.

Hokabe nodded curtly and shook Ikawa, forcing him to rise completely. The handsome guy obeyed without his own consent. Samidare started to open his mouth, as an eternally cheerful voice rang out for a long time.

"You all worked hard! Now I will announce the first four in front of you!" Everyone held their breath. "The first place was taken by Team Tsuki!"

Tsuki scratched his head with a grin, gloomy hair and tired eyes. His already former troika looked at each other with happy sparks in their eyes.

"Akayoru's team got the second place!"

Kosen kicked the stone with unabated anger, scaring Jiju, Hayan and Naiki. "I was supposed to get that damn first place!"

"B-but we passed," the girl with trembling ears said timidly.

"Ikawa's team took the third place and Hasutaba's team took the fourth place!"

Ikawa rounded his eyes. His team lost 10 million, so how did they end up in the top three? How did they deserve such an achievement? The other teams also looked at them in surprise.

"Um, Ikawa-kun," Samidare said emotionlessly. "As soon as you wanted to take back 10 million, I had a chance to use my tongue to take some bandages from Hasutaba from behind. I acted more cautiously, but it made me worry that I would be noticed," from the back stretched out his hand with a clenched thick fist, being in this position before the announcement. "I applied some acid to take them off. So we passed," at the last one he smiled.

Haisawa and Kiiro couldn't contain their delight, especially the blonde, sharply hugging the black-haired thin man. Shocked by the good news, Hito did not move, deeply thanks to Samidare's efforts, which no one noticed. He felt too awed to move, but after a few seconds Present Mick continued.

"It's a pity, Tokura's team, that you didn't pass. You could protect this jewel like a treasure in two seconds. But, according to the rules, your points are reset. But you have two tournaments ahead of you and you won't make this mistake again!"

Ehichi, without saying a word, nodded, trying to believe in future success. Adjusting her glasses, she looked up at the student a little enviously without hatred, although he did not reach for the taken award, but he still got to the final to her surprise.

"The named first four pass to the final! Meet me here in 20 minutes after the lunch break!" Present Mick turned to Erasure Hero and the former Symbol of Peace to go for a snack. Shota, as always, sighed emotionlessly, getting used to the character from an annoying friend.

"This time, be glad I'm going to have lunch with you."

"I'm always happy," another poked his forehead with a finger. The Almighty grinned and the three disappeared through the door.

Switching to the participants climbing the stairs, Satachi squeezed between the guys to stand next to Tsuen and sprinkle her with congratulations. The two of them became close before the event, which they often spend together in their free time, sharing interests like Hito with Samidare and Yoeki.

"You're doing great, Kiiro! I was a little scared that you wouldn't pass." Satachi then hung her head because of the loss. "It's a pity that I won't be able to fight against you."

"Did you hear Present Mick? We have two more tournaments to go through. Without a doubt, I hope that you will get into one of them," Tsuen cheerfully touched her elbow to the other with a wink, also saddened not to fight with her today and imperceptibly disguised sadness under cheerfulness. It's for sure that the second and third years of study are ahead and the classes will visit the huge holy stadium a couple of times next time to show their abilities and strength of spirit. To show how strong everyone is, worthy of being heroes.

At the last top step, Hito stopped because someone's hand stopped him. To the touch, it was both soft and light, without interfering with the feeling.

"For such a persistent person like you deserves respect," Ehichi said with honor, already meeting with the face of an opponent of almost the same height. Her smile made her face nicer than a restrained frown. without making a fool of yourself. "Although you couldn't get 10 million, but you acted aggressively that I couldn't resist in my position."

Another student smiled long at her praise and softening, able not only to criticize, but also to make compliments at the most appropriate moment. "Thank you, Tokuro?"

The girl nodded for the correct pronunciation of the surname and walked past, taking off her belt. Kudamono narrowed his eyes gently from behind, without suspicion. 20 minutes of lunch break will be enough to recuperate. Now even the students had the remnants of strength to think that everyone was waiting for what words Mine with the definition of opponents for everyone.

\*\*\*

Later, the broadcast went off for a while with a cheerful pixelated face Present Mick about the announcement to return 20 minutes after lunch. An ash-gray guy, sitting on a bench, put down his phone and enjoyed the soft wind in a spacious park, where you can run freely and breathe in the fresh scent of sakura, the petals of which flew off in a blissful dance.

"You're fresher today, bzzz," a second guy with a bee's head, brown-gold fur on his wrists and neck, and four wings on his back said nearby. "I told you my honey would get you back on your feet faster."

"I had no doubt about it," the other did not take his eyes off the cheerful and playing catch-up children. How good it is to be outside after a cold that arose due to a downpour, and that he did not have time to get home in time. His friend's homemade honey cured him quickly, but before applying the medicine there were the slightest doubts about the rapid healing effect. "Staying at home for a week is crazy. The teacher will kill me if I incorrectly answer her question about heroes."

"There's no way Pinkie would do that," Bee-head snorted with a chuckle. Their teacher, Ashido Mina, is full of kindness, but can easily scold him. Won't she tell him off if he repeated the materials? "You didn't forget to study at home, did you?"

"This is the most important thing for becoming a hero," green-eyed nodded. "It's more pleasant than a book to watch a sports festival," he decided to translate the topic. Books were also an interesting hobby, but they were inferior to his other interesting activity, like cycling.

"I'm not arguing," the sophomore confirmed. "These guys are great. Last time we also drew admiring glances at us, bzzz," cheerfully moved his wings.

"Yeah," the other looked at the time and five minutes had passed since the broadcast stopped. He was a little upset that they stopped for a break. What's there to complain about, it continues now. The guy wanted to wait for the return as soon as possible and continue to watch the actions of the girl with an Icy Quirk. It was he who was interested in her strength and strength. Bee's friend does not yet know about his attachment to her, and, someday, the gray-haired one will brag to him about the magnificent abilities of the freshman.

\*\*\*

"How did I wait for the moment to be in the arena!" with his head raised and his fists clenched in front of him, Kuta said with radiance. "Do you feel it too?"

"This happens once in a lifetime. Of course we've been waiting for this for a long time," Kozumi also replied cheerfully. "I can imagine how proud our parents are of us." She loved to dream of the most wonderful moments when parents smile at their children and tell them that they are great and will become the greatest people who want to be. Be it a hero, an actor, a singer - there are many good professions where you can become famous in the country. Her father is the only person who raised a beautiful and capable daughter. Hasutaba is grateful that he is proud of her. Perhaps mom is looking down from heaven and is also proud of her own daughter.

Mina on stage asked for silence and when the group calmed down, the heroine took a white box

"As soon as your strength is restored, I will determine a pair for you by lot with whom to fight. We don't mind if one of you refuses the contest. There will be a replacement for you then."

Hito looked around. None of the 16 students wanted to leave the field. His eyes instantly stopped on a man with four arms and legs, and eyes, forcing him to abruptly stop breathing from fright. Without making a mistake, he belongs to Class B and was on Tsuki's team. It's disrespectful for a black-haired man to be scared of his appearance, but he can't get used to it quickly if he looks almost like a spider. The reason to beware of it is the fear of spiders since childhood. He understands that he has outgrown the period, but somehow, he has not fought not to be afraid of these eight-legged, even if it is an ordinary, harmless, indoor and small spider. Now he has a feeling of shame in his stomach, it's stupid to be scared, like him, of a future defender.

In order not to continue looking at the chubby guy, who did not notice the gaze, turned away, focusing on the continuing words.

"No one wants to protest?" the pink-skinned one asked. Everyone refused to doubt with confidence in their thoughts, allowing her to continue: "Great! Because we have decided on your couple!" she moved away from the students, showing a table with the names of teenagers with whom to defend their honor. The scheme consisted of four rounds, the last one which determined the final winner.

1. Muju Kuta vs Kusari Chiashi
2. Murasaki Hayan vs Kaoba Himeku
3. Akayoru Kosen vs Hachimitsu Naiki
4. Tsuki Karasura vs Kudamono Yanfu
5. Ikawa Hito vs Buzoku Toshi
6. Hasutaba Kozumi vs Kiiro Tsuen
7. Haisawa Hokabe vs Inui Jiju
8. Asui Samidare vs Osogake Hokara

*"In the first round I will be against Buzoku, and in the second, if possible, against Hasutaba,"* thinks Ikawa and slightly turned his head to the left to the front of the light pink-haired woman. *"If the fight with her takes place, then this round will be more difficult than with Kiiro,"* turned back, scratched the bridge of his nose with his head down. *"If this goes on, then I need to try hard. But I don't mind fighting with her,"* he grinned and raised his head, remembering Kozumi's words to fight one on one. She mentioned that there is no need to spare the use of full force. Ikawa was surprised by such a statement, and if the girl wants to use full force on her, then the guy will reluctantly have to agree, because suddenly he accidentally injures her.

*"If only my fight with Ikawa would take place..."* Hasutaba thought with emotion, promising even before the performance. The student will not violate this expressed challenge and deeply hopes for the victory of the black-haired one in the first round.

"Let's enjoy the festival already!" shouted the blond man with the combed-back hair, "But first... let's give you a little rest!"

As soon as the Voice Hero said a small sentence, giant balls rolled out onto the field: half harmless in that they are rubber, and half - can forcefully shove a person off balance. Some students headed to their respective waiting rooms to set up the spirit and calm the excitement, preferring not to be crushed in the massive and rubbery roundels.

In the waiting room No. 1 Ari took out of his locker a vibrating phone with Beethoven's classical music "Moonlight Sanata". The ant-head relaxed at the name of the contact "Mom" with a smiley face in the form of a heart and pressed, leaning the device against the ear hole.

"Hi, Mom."

*"Hi, Yoeki!"* the voice began to speak joyfully. *"How are you?"*

"It's okay," the guy sat down at the table. Although things did not reach good grades: he did not pass the last stage. His parents said today about watching him and he is not stupid to think that they saw everything. "Really... I didn't pass," he breathed out in disappointment.

*"That's not the point, son,"* the woman continued. *"Your father and I know that you didn't qualify for the tournament. It's enough for us to admire such a good hero. The main thing is that you had fun?"*

Yoeki put his finger to his cheek for reflection. He really had a great time in the company's neighborhood and thanked everyone with warm trepidation when he failed at the last one. So, the student answered the question with consent.

"Then, enjoy watching your friends. When you come, we will celebrate your victory

"Even so..." another was surprised, but he was interrupted.

*"I told you that it doesn't matter to us whether you passed or not, you came out the winner for us,"* she said a little chastised.

The guy almost cried from maternal love and quickly, soundlessly sighed, exhaled. He is grateful for Mom and dad's support, for their love and warm protection.

"Thank you. It means a lot to me."

There was a giggle on the phone. *"Go back to the podium. You don't want to watch the fights, do you?"*

"Yes! Before the connection?"

His mother repeated the words and both said goodbye to each other. The guy was the first to disconnect and proudly put the phone to his heart. He didn't upset his parents. After the Festival, he would quickly be at home to celebrate the victory, which was enough for two to see his son on TV.