TWO POWERS (Todoroki Shoto x Reader)

Chapter 13: Brewing

"Quirks do tend to get more powerful generation by generation. And of course there's the father."

"Ah, yes," she happily agrees, "but he is quirkless." She finishes bandaging Aizawa back up and concludes, "Your healing is progressing very well. I'd love to sit and chat more, but I do have a line of other patients I need to see."

"Of course. Thank you."

As Aizawa is about to exit the room, Dr Tsukauchi says one last thing, "Thank you, Mr Aizawa. You have reminded me that I haven't been home for a long time. I think I should go."

Aizawa, sensing some sort of trouble, slightly bows and exits the office, failing to mention the sports festival on purpose.

*.☽ .*

The morning of the sports festival your dad offers to give you a ride to the venue. You agree. Saving the outfit change for later, you sit in the front seat in your civilian clothes and start scrolling your social media feed like a regular teenager. Surprisingly, your dad wants to talk to you instead. You put your phone in your bag.

"Are you nervous?" he asks.

You look at him. He is staring straight at the road. You do the same.

"Not really. I've felt a lot better about using One For All, so I'm not going to hold back."

"So you plan to show everyone what you're capable of?"

"Yeah."

"I'm glad to have you back, Sunshine," he says. You can hear the smile in his voice.

You hesitate for a second before admitting, "And also, dad, I can't seem to use mom's quirk. But I'll figure it out. I just didn't have the time. But don't tell mom! She might freak out."

"Got it. Good luck out there!"

The car stops in front of the school. You thank him, push the car door open and wave your dad goodbye before you are once again stopped by a news reporter.

"Hey, you, you're from class 1-A right? How are you feeling before your first sports festival?"

You peer behind her, seeing that people have set up food and souvenir stalls. You were asked to show up early, you now realize that you should have come even earlier. It's already buzzing with people.

"How am I feeling..." you think out loud, bringing your attention back to the woman and camera in front of you. "I feel like if I don't start going now, I'll be late," you say in jest. "A big thank you to everyone for coming! I hope you enjoy the show!" you say as you look at the camera and wave.

You finish with a small bow to the reporter lady and she seems happy to have finally gotten some material. Then you start making your way through the crowds. You get stuck behind the cue for a popular stall. Looking at your watch, you do have some time, so you decide to look around before you overhear a different sort of conversation.

"Oh, check this out! It just dropped!"

The boy turns his phone to his friend..

"Wow, no way! I wonder what All Might will say about this!"

Tsk, you click your tongue. Another stupid theory about All Might. You thought those had died down. A little annoyed, you make your way through the countless stalls and people and finally make it to the huge cylinder-shaped stadium.

People are already lining up to get inside but you celebrate as you realize that there is a separate entrance for the students and invited guests. The waiting room for class 1-A is a regular room with some tables and chairs put in the middle, lined with benches and a few locker-type cupboards. Most of your class is already there in their P.E uniforms, so you rush to the locker room to change into yours too.

Once you're done, people are already mentally preparing themselves to go out in front of the crowds. With you nearly making it to the right place in time, you start to feel a little squeamish as well. But there's still a few minutes left. These last few minutes feel the longest.

Iida makes a dramatic entrance. "Everybody, get your game faces on! We're entering the arena soon!"

Everybody looks at him for a second and then goes back to being nervous. You shudder.

"Here, the teachers asked me to give this to you," Iida continues but this time only addressing you.

You take and unfold the paper, reading the words You will be asked to give a pledge on behalf of the students. -Aizawa

You thank Iida and pocket the paper. It's not something you need to think long about.

*.☽ .*

People are cheering. Too loud, in your opinion. Why are they so excited anyway?

You and all the other first class students are standing in the middle of the huge stadium. You look around at all the people that came to see and cheer for you. Well, after all the media coverage you got due to the USJ incident you conclude it was inevitable. Students from other classes must have assumed the audience's favoritism, judging by their dead expressions.

Besides Present Mic's live commentary, it appears that Midnight will be the on-site host today. She is armed with a whip for some reason.

"Silence! And for the student pledge we have... Y/N Tsukauchi!"

As people turn to look at you, you smile and start making your way to the platform where there is a microphone waiting for you. You do your best not to react to the crowds and get yourself onto the stage with dignity.

Standing on the platform, you are facing the side where the most important heroes and guests are sitting. You inevitably have to look in that direction, but you don't want to see. Fixing your eyes on an emergency exit sign, you declare, "I pledge not to hold back anymore and give it my all."

Taking a diagonal step back from the microphone, you do a customary bow. Your peers behind you are clapping, the people in front of you are cheering. You had just promised them a show.