Ren walked through the crowd with his team. Every few steps, someone would turn to stare at him before whispering to whoever was next to them.
I'm officially famous for all the wrong reasons. Well, partly my fault, I guess.
"Ren-kun, everyone's staring at you!" Ochako whispered, walking close to him. "It's like you're a celebrity now!"
"More like a circus attraction," Ren muttered, grabbing a takoyaki from one of the stalls. At least U.A. is giving us free food at every stand. All because I had to catch Inko like the gentleman I am... Sometimes I wonder why I'm so damn chivalrous.
Toru's invisible presence bounced next to him, her gym uniform swaying with enthusiasm.
"Are you kidding?! That moment was perfect! The lighting, the drama... it looked like something straight out of a movie! I bet it's all over social media already!"
Momo, walking on Ren's other side with perfect posture despite her exhaustion, adjusted the tray in her hands.
"Hagakure-san is right. The media presence at the Sports Festival ensures that any noteworthy moment spreads rapidly through news outlets and online platforms. Given the visual impact of what happened, I would estimate the image has already been shared thousands of times."
"Wonderful," Ren said flatly, loading his tray with katsudon and miso soup. "So tomorrow morning my face is gonna be plastered all over every news site in Japan next to the headline: 'Bald Student Rescues Green Haired Girl in Dramatic Princess Carry.'"
"Actually, the headline is gonna be way more dramatic than that!" Toru chirped. "Something like 'U.A.'s New Power Couple!' or... 'Love in the Arena: Sports Festival Romance Blooms in the Heat of Battle!'"
Ren almost dropped his tray.
"Sometimes I wonder how you come up with this stuff..."
"Hehe! You know I looooove teasing you!" Toru's laugh sounded light and bouncy as she leaned toward him playfully. "But I'm serious! The scene looked amazing, you two looked like main characters from a manga! Just saying!"
Ochako let out a giggle while Momo kept her composed expression, though there was definitely amusement in her eyes.
They found an empty table near the edge of the food court and sat down. Ren started eating right away, hoping the food would help restore some of his energy.
"Hey, guys..." Ochako got out, working to speak through a big mouthful of rice. "What do you all think about the tournament format? One on one matches are... ugh, totally different from the team rounds, right?"
She swallowed quickly and tightened her grip on her chopsticks with determination.
"In the team round we could all back each other up, but now... now we're on our own out there. It's a totally different kind of pressure!"
"It will definitely require a different approach," Momo replied, delicately cutting into her tonkatsu. "In the cavalry battle, we could rely on each other's strengths to cover our weaknesses. In an individual fight, there is no backup plan if something goes wrong."
"But that's what makes it exciting!" Toru exclaimed, pushing the food around her plate with her chopsticks. "It's just you against your opponent! Pure skill and strategy with no one else to rely on!"
Ren swallowed a bite of katsudon before speaking.
"The real question is who they're gonna pair us up against. If the bracket puts me against Todoroki or Bakugo in the first round, I'm basically done for."
"Don't say that!" Ochako protested, pointing at him with her chopsticks. "Remember you already beat them in the cavalry battle! Well..." she paused for a beat, scratching her cheek with one finger and laughing a little, "you technically beat them! You were super clever and figured out exactly how to handle them at the end! That's what really counts, Ren-kun!"
"That was different. I had you three backing me up and I could pull off tactics that wouldn't work in a straight fight. Against Todoroki's ice walls or Bakugo's explosions in a confined arena..." Ren shook his head. "I'd need a miracle."
"Or a very good strategy," Momo interjected. "You've demonstrated multiple times that you excel at reading situations and adapting on the fly. Don't underestimate the value of that."
Before Ren could respond, a loud explosion echoed from across the food court, followed by an even louder voice.
"QUIT MAKING THAT RACKET WITH YOUR HANDS AND SHUT UP!"
Every head in the area turned to see Mitsuki Bakugo standing in front of her son, hands on her hips and an expression of maternal fury on her face. Bakugo was sitting at a table with small explosions crackling in his palms, his face twisted with rage.
"I'M NOT MAKING ANY RACKET, YOU OLD HAG! LEAVE ME ALONE!"
"You lost because you were sloppy and he was better!" Mitsuki snapped, jabbing a finger at him. "Instead of sitting there sulking like a brat, go thank that generous bald kid for knocking you off your high horse before your own ego did more damage!"
"I DON'T HAVE TO THANK ANYONE FOR ANYTHING!"
"Oh, the hell you don't! Ren showed everyone what happens when you actually use real strategy instead of just blowing stuff up and hoping for the best!"
Bakugo slammed his fists down on the table, leaving two small craters.
"I'M GONNA DESTROY HIM IN THE FINALS! I'M GONNA BLOW THAT SMUG FACE OFF HIM!"
"There you go again with the blowing stuff up! Is that the only damn thing you know how to do?!" Mitsuki grabbed him by the ear and yanked. "Listen up, you little idiot! That kid beat you clean and fair, and you're gonna accept it with some damn dignity!"
"OW! LET GO OF ME, YOU CRAZY WOMAN!"
Ren watched the scene with amusement.
Sigh... My cute, fiery Mitsuki. That explosive woman has me totally hooked.
"Should we... do something?" Ochako asked nervously.
"Nope," Ren replied, taking another bite of his food. "That's a family matter and has nothing to do with us... Besides, I'd rather not catch a stray hit."
"Poor Bakugo-kun," Momo murmured. "Though I suppose his mother is right about his attitude."
"His mom is terrifying," Toru whispered. "Way scarier than Bakugo himself."
The commotion finally died down when Mitsuki forced Bakugo to sit properly and eat while she kept lecturing him about sportsmanship and strategy.
Ren turned his attention back to his own food, trying to ignore the occasional glares Bakugo shot in his direction.
In the stadium's medical area, Recovery Girl was finishing her examination of Inko's legs. The small old woman clicked her tongue at the sight of the bruises and minor muscle tears.
"Overexertion of One For All without proper conditioning," she said. "You're lucky it isn't worse, young lady. A couple more uses at that intensity and you would have shredded your legs completely."
"I'm sorry, Recovery Girl," Inko said quietly, sitting on the examination table with her legs stretched out. "I just... I couldn't let everyone down. We worked so hard to hold onto those points..."
"I understand the pressure, but your body has its limits, young lady." Recovery Girl leaned in and gave Inko a quick kiss on the forehead, activating her Quirk. The bruises began to fade as the healing effect kicked in. "There. You'll be sore for a while, but the damage is repaired. Try not to push yourself so hard in the tournament matches."
"I'll try."
"You'd better." Recovery Girl gathered her supplies and headed toward the tent's entrance. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have several other students who need attention. Half the cavalry battle participants have injuries they thought they could just walk off."
She left, leaving Inko alone with All Might, who had been standing silently in the corner the whole time.
The moment Recovery Girl was gone, All Might's serious expression broke into a wide grin.
"YOUNG MIDORIYA!! YOU WERE SIMPLY... SPECTACULAR OUT THERE!!"
Inko's face turned red instantly.
"I w-wasn't magnificent! I could barely hold onto the points! If Ren-kun hadn't helped me at the end, I would have lost everything!"
"BUT THE FACT IS, YOU DIDN'T!!" All Might stepped forward in a heroic pose, radiating overwhelming energy. "YOU PUSHED BEYOND YOUR LIMITS AND DEFENDED THAT FIRST PLACE WITH EVERY OUNCE OF YOUR SOUL! THAT DETERMINATION, THAT REFUSAL TO GIVE UP... IT IS THE UNDENIABLE PROOF THAT YOU HAVE THE HEART OF A TRUE HERO!"
"But the way I won was..." Inko buried her face in her hands. "Everyone saw him catch me like that! It's so embarrassing! The whole country watched me get carried like some helpless princess!"
All Might's booming laugh filled the room.
"HA HA HA HA!! YOUNG MIDORIYA, THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING SHAMEFUL ABOUT ACCEPTING A HELPING HAND WHEN THE MOMENT CALLS FOR IT! YOUNG HAYASHI SAW A CLASSMATE IN TROUBLE AND ACTED WITHOUT HESITATION! THAT, MY YOUNG SUCCESSOR, IS PRECISELY WHAT HEROES DO FOR EACH OTHER!"
"I know, but..."
"LISTEN CAREFULLY!" All Might's voice grew deeper and more solemn, though it kept its warmth. "THE ROAD TO VICTORY MAY HAVE TAKEN A TURN... AN UNCONVENTIONAL ONE, YES! BUT YOUR TRIUMPH LOSES NOT A SINGLE OUNCE OF ITS SHINE! YOU HAVE SHOWN OVERWHELMING STRENGTH AND, ABOVE ALL, THE ABILITY TO INSPIRE YOUR ALLIES TO PROTECT YOU EVEN WHEN THE ODDS WERE STACKED AGAINST YOU!"
He placed a large, firm hand on her shoulder, his eyes glowing with paternal intensity.
"I AM TRULY PROUD OF YOU, YOUNG MIDORIYA! NOT JUST FOR WINNING. TODAY YOU SHOWED THE WHOLE COUNTRY THAT YOU HAVE THE HEART AND THE WILL TO CARRY ONE FOR ALL INTO A NEW TOMORROW... AND BEYOND! PLUS ULTRA!!"
Inko looked up at him, her eyes shining with unshed tears.
"Thank you, All Might. That... that means a lot to me."
"Now then!" All Might straightened up, his grin returning. "Focus on recovering your strength! The tournament matches will start soon, and I have full faith that you will keep showing the world what you're capable of!"
"I will! I won't let you down!"
"I know you won't."
Back in the food court, Ren had finished most of his meal when a commotion near one of the stands caught his attention. Inko had just arrived with her team, and the whole area seemed to pause as people turned to look.
"Poor Midoriya-san," Ochako murmured sympathetically. "She already had the pressure of carrying ten million points, and now she's got that whole princess carry moment following her around too."
Ren watched as Inko kept her head down, her face still flushed while Mina chatted away beside her. Their eyes met across the food court for a fraction of a second before Inko quickly looked away, her blush deepening.
Yeah, this is gonna be awkward for a while.
"Ren-kun," Toru's voice dropped to a whisper, "you should go talk to her."
"What? No. Why would I do that?"
"Because you scooped her up in your arms like a lovestruck guy and you haven't said a single word to her since! You at least owe her a real conversation!"
"She said thanks and I said you're welcome. That's a complete conversation."
"That is NOT a complete conversation!" Toru insisted, grabbing Ren's arm with her hand. "Come on, just go say hi! Wish her good luck in the tournament or something!"
"Hagakure-san is right," Momo added. "Leaving the situation unaddressed could create unnecessary tension, especially if you end up facing each other in the tournament."
Ren opened his mouth to argue, but Toru was already pulling him out of his seat.
"No excuses! Go talk to her! We'll make sure Ochako doesn't eat your food!"
"Hey! I w-wouldn't do something like that!"
Before Ren could protest any further, he found himself being shoved across the food court toward where Inko's group was sitting at a stand. He shot a furious glare back at his table, but Toru just gave him an encouraging thumbs up.
I'm gonna kill that invisible girl later.
Ren walked up to Inko's table with his hands in his pockets, trying to look casual despite feeling like every pair of eyes in the area was on him.
"Hey, Inko."
Inko's head snapped up so fast Ren worried she might have broken her neck. Her green eyes went wide and her face turned crimson instantly.
"R-Ren-kun! H-hi! Hey! I mean... w-what brings you over here?!"
Mina's grin was wicked.
"Ooooh! I wonder what could possibly bring him over here, huh, Inko-chan?" Mina let out a mischievous giggle as she gave her a playful elbow. "Maybe he's just dying to carry you around again for a bit? You know, the whole 'knight to the rescue' thing!"
"MINA-CHAN!!"
"Whaaaat?!" Mina raised her hands with fake innocence, though her wide grin didn't fade. "Don't look at me like that! I'm just saying out loud what everyooooone is thinking right now! Hehe!"
Tsuyu watched the interaction calmly while Jiro smirked behind her water bottle.
Ren decided to ignore Mina's comment completely, making a mental note of which girls to give a silent orgasm to in the future.
"Just wanted to say you did a good job holding onto the ten million. Took a lot of guts, especially with Bakugo and Todoroki chasing you down the whole time."
"O-oh! Thank you!" Inko stammered, fidgeting nervously with her chopsticks. "But I should be thanking you! If you hadn't... hadn't done what you did at the end, I probably would have lost it all!"
"You would've figured something out. You always do."
The words came out more sincere than Ren had meant them to, and he watched Inko's blush deepen even further.
"I... I don't know about that..." she murmured, staring at her food. "But still, thank you. For helping me even though we were competing against each other."
An awkward silence settled over the table. Mina looked ready to burst out with some kind of comment, but Tsuyu's hand on her arm kept her quiet.
Ren cleared his throat.
"Anyway, good luck in the tournament. Try not to let the pressure get to you."
"You too, Ren-kun! I mean... you were amazing in the cavalry battle, so I'm sure you'll do great in the finals too!"
Ren gave a small nod and turned to walk back to his table, very aware of Mina's barely contained giggles and Jiro's knowing look behind him.
The moment he sat down, Toru practically pounced on him.
"Well?! How'd it go?! What did you say?! What did she say?!"
"We exchanged about thirty words of polite conversation and now it's over. Happy?"
"That's it?! You didn't ask her out or anything?!"
"Why the hell would I ask her out?! We barely know each other!"
"What you did is basically a marriage proposal... but in super exciting romcom version! It was like the climax of one of those shojo manga that makes you scream at the screen! So romantic!!"
"That is not how real life works, you perverted invisible girl."
"At least," Momo said, "you've addressed the immediate awkwardness. That should make any future interactions less tense."
"Or way more awkward, depending on how she takes it," Ren muttered, going back to his katsudon.
The announcement system came to life and Midnight's sultry voice rang out across the entire food court.
"Attention, my dear competitors! The lunch break ends in ten minutes! Please move those gorgeous bodies of yours over to the main Arena! We're about to reveal the tournament bracket and the fate of your upcoming matches! Don't keep me waiting... you wouldn't want me to be the one who has to come find you for being late, would you? The climax of the festival is about to begin!"
The food court immediately erupted into excited chatter. Some students started devouring the rest of their food, while others abandoned their trays entirely and headed for the exit.
Ren finished his last bite of katsudon and stood up, followed by his team.
"Ready?" Ochako asked.
"As ready as I'm gonna be," Ren replied, rolling his shoulders. "Let's go see who we're up against."
*********
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