Chapter 12. Before starting

Two weeks passed fleetingly as the leaves in early autumn quickly fall off under the influence of the wind. Freshmen of class A devoted themselves to additional training after their studies. Everyone was engaged for himself: Kuta trained to lift heavy objects under his weight and throw from side to side, Kosen developed endurance by shooting lasers from his hands and feet and also developed the duration of high temperature at red lights, Kozumi also did not sit simply and trained to create higher ice walls, Toshi took good care of for their beetles living in it, that their number has increased by one percent. He watered them well, fed them and developed them gradually so that they would not lose their strength. His beetles are very small and they are not some kind of rhinoceros beetles that are resistant to strength exercises.

However, everyone was able to improve themselves a little. Some people could do workouts every night, while others practiced three or four times a week because they weren't that hardy. Class 1-B also did not shirk and developed their Quirks. A week ago on the weekend they decided to visit Class A and some managed to challenge that their class would win.

*A week ago.*

"Knock, knock, knock," they knocked moderately. The students turned at the sound in amazement. It seemed that no one was expected and it was almost night on the street. Who could have come so late? And who from High School let a stranger in?

"Are we really waiting for someone?" he turned his head to Buzoka and approached the door without fear. Everyone shook their heads and shrugged. No one was waiting for anyone.

"Who wants to come so late?" grumbled Shimano in pink pajamas with red polka dots, wiping her short hair with a towel after a shower.

When curly opened the door, there were a lot of heads on the threshold of the children. Are they students too?

"Hello, Class A!" the first guy with the whole tiger-like body burst in. His smile with sharp fangs and teeth made some students stand up in fright, not expecting excited behavior from him. "We are class-B and we are also studying for Heroes. I am Tori Shimugi."

"Our respects, Buzoku Toshi." Toshi politely shook the merry man's hand. Class A bowed to Class B. The guests in the minority reciprocated.

"You are aware that a sports festival is coming soon, right?" the guy in the sports green uniform with orange and white fur on the muzzle with black stripes continued. "We've come to get to know you better before such a great holiday!" he purred playfully, never ceasing to rejoice.

This guy interested Hito a little. He is as energetic, cheerful and kind as Muju or Murasaki. But Muju looks more optimistic and the long-haired one thought that they would easily become friends.

"Actually, we are here for another statement," a shaggy, black-haired guy with a heavy voice, with black tired eyes, where there are small bags under them, squeezed through. "We from the whole Class B Want to challenge you." His classmates stared at him askance, thinking, what is he talking about? They didn't come to quarrel with another Hero Class.

Asui visibly croaked at the unexpected statement. Yushita twitched his nose, diverting his vision somewhere away from the enemy's eye contact..

"Dare to challenge on my territory, eh?!" Akayoru approached with a threatening gait.

"Arrogant people like you will never make it to the finals," the guy rolled his tired eyes. "This Festival is held for future Heroes. And with such manners, you only know how to intimidate people, but you're the only one I'm not afraid of."

He was wrong. Hito, Toshi and Hihi were not afraid of him. But the Fire-breathing man was the only one who knew that this was how he showed his non-main character traits in his life. Kosen is kind inside and has shown empathy more than once. Komori and Hihi looked at each other in fright and stood behind red-eye.

"Akayoru-san, he's the only one who envies us," the blue-haired woman said, raising her head to the man who challenged himself, her gray eyes flashing with displeasure.

"This devil dares to stick his nose into other people's business and shows other devils that they are the coolest?" another barked, turning to the girl and turning back to Class B. Kango didn't step back after the beastly withering gaze. "Fuck off! We'll trample you down there like earthworms!"

The black-haired man closed his eyes for a few seconds and scratched his head. "Don't embarrass yourself," he said calmly and turned his back on them, heading for the exit.

"Hey, Tsuki-kun, should I have talked about this?" the other addressed him to his left, not standing out from the background.

Tsuki grunted and pulled the handle, opening the door. A guy with the appearance of a tiger awkwardly looked at the opposite class with a plea not to pay attention to his arrogance and apologized on behalf of his entire class.

"Don't worry, we also have such a person," Hito waved his hand. Kosen, instead of a voice response, gritted his teeth and turned away, going to his room on the first floor.

"I still haven't changed my mind about destroying you," he said half angrily that Tsuki only dared to challenge them to himself. The other class ignored him and were sympathetic to the fact that their classmate did not need tenderness. Half of them disappeared from sight and a girl with hair resembling a vine and flowers heard a familiar voice.

"Hey, Kaoba! Thank you for recommending where to buy figs!" said Hachimitsu.

"Please don't hesitate to consult me," she smiled longingly and the last one left, not forgetting to cover the exit. Tana sat down on the nearest sofa with a soothing exhalation.

"I didn't expect Class B to come to us with such formality."

"We didn't need others, but their classmate wasn't very happy to see us," Yushita wrinkled at the sight of the black-haired man's appearance. "It's like he's been in the grave for a long time."

"Judge not by appearance," Mahoro snorted, mechanically brushing her hair. "But on the other hand, I didn't like him either."

"But the other guys weren't that bad," Kuta said. "This guy with the appearance of a tiger looked more sociable."

"Whatever it is, they will still be our enemies," Toshi muttered. His glasses lenses flashed as he tilted his head down. "But... you're about to hear something disapproving... we will also be opponents to each other."

Buzoku's words were true. At the Sports Festival, all U.A. classes will struggle to take first place, relying on themselves. It's like the Olympic Games, where one participant has to take his prize place.

"It still won't stop us from ruining a good relationship," Hasutaba said. "No matter who wins, we are Class A, we will all come out victorious."

Her speech encouraged the guys more. Hito himself felt the filling of confidence in his chest. It doesn't matter how he comes out. The main thing here is not victory, but participation. If they lose, the participants will always come out as winners. That's what the light pink-haired one had. The guy silently supported what was said from the girl. The fact that Ikawa has recently met her, he liked Kozuma's supportive personality, which awakens the strength of the spirit and forces others to go fight against their own doubts. And it doesn't stop thinking the guy has a good opinion about her.

*Now.*

*Waiting Room No. 1.*

"Oh, guys, I'm so worried!" Jimi walked in circles and managed to climb the wall while using a Quirk, remaining standing on the ceiling. "Why can't I calm down?"

"You can't lose your temper at such an event. Just think of something relaxing," Komori advised. "But before that, you'd better get off," she took a few steps away.

Jimi excused herself and went downstairs. Hito was also more excited this time. All students will be shown on TV broadcasts and other sources of gadgets, and they will be watched by the Pro Heroes themselves. Even his brothers, mother, grandmother and grandfather will be watching him. He doesn't want to screw up, everyone doesn't want to screw up. His classmates also want to show what they are capable of. If they manage to attract the attention of Professionals, then they will end up with light at the end of the tunnel in a mild sense and will find themselves in paradise with pleasure to cooperate with adults.

"Ikawa-kun," Kozumi called out, approaching the table where Hito, Samidare, Hokabe and Ari were sitting. Hito raised his head and pinned up his hair.

"Yes, Hasutaba-san?" he asked with interest.

"Of course you're a good guy, but don't think about my opinion that you're the main opponent," the girl corrected her bangs in embarrassment. "Simple... you are very brave, strong, brave... and there are a lot of good things in you," she lowered her eyes to the tile floor.

Others, like Ikawa, stared in incomprehension. Kosen, sitting with Kuta and Mahoro, was also interested in her chatter.

"What do you mean, Hasutaba?" Akahi approached cautiously.

Kozumi exhaled. She never felt excited in front of the first guy she spoke to directly. "Come on, Kozumi, just say it, Ikawa won't be offended." Boldly looking at Hito again, she continued. "You are the first guy who interested me with your powerful strength. But not only that. As I said, bravery, kindness, intelligence, interesting chatter, well, I will not delay."

Hito rolled his eyes a little. He didn't pay attention that Kozumi is the first girl interested in him and she correctly interpreted his personality. Her description was approved with a slight nod. But one thing is not clear, what does she mean?

"Ikawa-kun, I want you to become my opponent. I want to fight you!" with a slight release, the girl put her feet shoulder-width apart, lifted her chin and placed her hands on her waist.

Mahoro stared the most in shock and she jumped out of her seat with a roar.

"Are you serious now? Isn't this too much?"

"Yes, I'm serious," Kozumi nodded. "Of course, I have a good opinion of you, Ikawa, but now that the Sports Festival has come, I want to fight with you. But I don't mind if you refuse the challenge," clasped her hands behind her back.

Hito lowered his head in thought, resting his hand on his cheek. *"Hasutaba-san is a good girl. She is positive, cheerful, kind, likes to cheer up other people, but at the same time she is more resistant in strength, given her physical form,"* he shot his eyes at her again. *"She also impressed my attention on the Quirk test. But I also don't mind fighting with her myself, like with Kosen. Knowing him,"* he now rushed at his best friend, removing his hand, "he would have gone next to challenge me after the conversation." Hito stood up. "Okay, I accept your challenge," and left the table.

Kudamono clapped his eyebrows in surprise, not exchanging anxious glances with anyone.

"Accepted," sang enough. "Don't be afraid to use full force on me. I am not afraid of physical application. And I won't fall for your protest," she said seriously now.

The guy nodded uncertainly, but obediently.

"This is the first time I've seen a girl challenge a guy," Kosen grinned and decided to approach the two. "Since that's the case, Hito, you know my answer, and you," you flashed red eyes at Kozumi from top to bottom. "Considering that you have a strong Ice Quirk, I had my eye on you during the Battle Trial and then I thought that you were my second opponent."

"The first means Ikawa-kun?" the pale-skinned turned to the other. "Despite the fact that you have been friends for a long time?"

Akayoru nodded, though reluctantly. "Don't think that I will spare you. You are not only my main opponents, this concerns you all," he looked at the group with a sharp wave of his head. "I'll take this first and I won't let some weirdos like you overtake me," an exposed fist clenched under his face. "

"You can't make decisions so fast!" said Ari. "We don't know what will be waiting for us there."

"Shut up! I'm more confident than you are of winning!" the tall one growled. "You are all minor characters to me! With the Quirk of the Laser, I will surpass everyone, even the number one Hero!"

"That's enough," Ikawa stood in front of him, putting his hand on his shoulder. "I'm sure you can become a Hero of the top ten."

Kosen calmed down more at this gesture, but he had to remove the smaller hand from the eyes of others.

"That's what I understand real friendship, I respect you!" smiled Kuta.

"Shut up!" light brown shouted. "But don't forget my words, everyone!"

\*\*\*

*Hito's house.*

"It will start very soon, Kinetsu," the brown-haired man with a little gray hair and blue eyes turned around. "You will have time to wipe the dust when our grandson finishes the performance!"

"I have already finished!" a white-haired woman also with blue eyes and a slightly young face, not like an elderly one, put a rag. She sat down next to the youngest grandson, as another was sitting to his right. "You still can't wait for me, Kouchi!"

"Because our Hito is going to perform at a Sports Festival now, and you're going to miss everything," the man replied like a child with displeasure.

"A couple more minutes before the broadcast, Grandpa," Joshi smiled calmly and sweetly. "You also behaved when Izuku was shown on TV."

"I can't get rid of such excitement," Kouchi firmly ruffled his brown and white hair. He did not object to the gesture.

"You didn't see how worried he was before your mom's performance," Kinetsu chuckled.

"I'm a little late! I didn't want to miss her event during the Mizua years! It was important to her, as it is now for Hito!"

Both grinned. They were also worried about how Hito would perform for the first time

*"I'll be on TV too,"* the boy thought. The TV was showing a countdown timer report before the start of the show. Ten seconds left. *"Come on, Hito, you can win,"* he exhaled confidently.

\*\*\*

*Endeavour Agency.*

"It's about to start now," a green-haired young man in a green suit was shaking excitedly. "This is his first Sports Festival!"

"What's there to worry about! This is a regular event! Unlike you, he's not as soft," the spiky-haired blond man in the black mask grumbled."

"But it's still so exciting," swallowed another, continuing to stare at the TV screen, where he was calculating the return report. Izuku was also more worried when he first entered the threshold of the Sports Festival. He used to worry and be on important events, fearing that he might do something wrong, as he was afraid to make a joint in front of the camera when confirmations were held.

"You're proud of him, despite the excitement," spoke red-red hair, with gray and turquoise eyes. "But you still need to calm down," sent a slight smile.

"Y-yeap..." Izuku stammered.

"It's all started!" shrieked a joyful woman with yellow-green curly hair in the image of fire. "Let your brother show his hot side!"

\*\*\*

*White Lily Agency.*

"It will start soon," a snow-white blue-eyed woman in a Heroic costume in a blue kimono with dark outlines and protectors on her shoulders, elbows and knees, with dark boots and a light belt at the waist said aloud. She slowly fingered her hands. This is the first Festival of her son, who has a Fiery Breath. Her wards, gathered at the common table, will also be watching him.

"I can't wait to see the freshmen's performance," said the ivy-covered Hero. "It doesn't change every year not to stop looking at it,"

"Yes, Ivy."

Ivy from the side noticed nervousness in Heroine number two.

"I'm sure your son will perform excellently."

White Lily tried to believe his words. Her adopted son performed perfectly for the first time for a long time in her opinion and the opinion of the family, despite the fact that Izuku did not make it to the semifinals. "Me too," she smiled and didn't say anything else. Her Hito will also perform excellently if she does not ascend to the podium.

\*\*\*

"Are you ready to watch?" an unknown person was looking at the TV screen in complete darkness, sitting on a dusty scratched orange sofa, which did not seem so much brighter. Two women and two men approached him.

"As never before," the gray-haired man stretched, leaning his hands on the back of the furniture.

The woman calmed her animals on her head and sat down on the edge, resting her hand and crossing her legs.

*"Show me what you're made of, Heroes,"* she bared her fangs ominously.