Idol Hero | BNHA

Chapter 16

The two weeks before the sports festival went by quickly. Noriko had been really busy during the two weeks between training for the festival and keeping up with regular work, along with the new upcoming performance. It had been a lot, but she felt prepared as she sat in the waiting room with the rest of her class before the festival.

"Everyone, get your game faces on! We're entering the area soon!" Iida announced, walking into the room.

Noriko took a few deep breaths, nerves starting to get to her. She could care less about all of the people watching her, that was something she was used to. But the actual events scared her. She didn't want to mess up early and not go anywhere. She needed to make it past the preliminary rounds no matter what.

"Midoriya," Todoroki said, pulling Noriko out of her thoughts as he walked up to Midoriya.

"Hey, Todoroki. What's up?" Midoriya asked.

"From an objective standpoint, I think it's fairly clear that I'm stronger than you," Todoroki started suddenly. Noriko sat up a little straighter and started at Todoroki. "However, you've got All Might in your corner helping you out. I'm not here to pry about what's going on between you two. But know that I will beat you."

"What's with all these declarations of war lately?" Kaminari questioned.

"Yeah," Kirishima agreed, standing up from his seat and walking over to Todoroki. "Why are you pickin' a fight all of a sudden? And right before we get started?"

"We're not here to be each other's friends. Don't forget, this isn't a team effort." Todoroki said, walking towards the door. Noriko narrowed her eyes at Todoroki. The few times she's talked to him, he didn't seem like he wanted nothing to do with his classmates. Sure, he was quiet, but to Noriko, it seemed like that was all it was. When she talked to him, he didn't give her any looks that indicated he wanted her to leave. And he was keeping her secret, so she knew he couldn't be that bad of a person.

"Wait a sec, Todoroki," Midoriya said, causing Todoroki to stop. "I don't know what's going through your head or why you think you'd need to tell me that you'll beat than me. Yeah, of course you're better than me. In fact, you probably have way more potential than anyone else in the hero course. That's why you got in so easily."

"Midoriya, maybe you're being a little hard on yourself," Kirishima said. "And us."

"No, he's right, you guys. All the other courses are coming for us with all they've got. We're all gonna have to fight to stand out." Midoriya said to the class, then he looked at Todoroki. "And I'll be aiming for the top, too."

Todoroki glared at Midoriya, "Fine."

Noriko let out a long sigh. That's one way to get me hyped up for this event.

* * *

"Hey! Make some noise rabid sports fans! Get those cameras prepped, media hordes! This year we're bringing you some of the hottest performances in sports festival history, guaranteed!" Present Mic shouted over the speaker getting the crowd excited. "I've only got one question before we start this show. Are you ready? Let me hear ya' scream as our students make their way to the main stage!"

"This first group is no stranger to the spotlight! You know them for withstanding a villain attack. The dazzling students lighting up your TVs with solid gold skills. The hero course students of class 1-A!"

Noriko walked with her classmates out of the tunnel and into the field as the class was introduced. She smiled as the crowd cheered and was tempted to wave to them like she would during a concert, but held it back.

"Uh, I didn't know there'd be so many people," Midoriya said nervously.

"I hope we're still able to give it our best even though all these eyes watching us," Iida added. "I suppose this is just another aspect of being a hero we all need to get used to."

"I've never struggled in front of crowds," Noriko said, moving up so she was walking beside Midoriya. "You'll probably get used to it soon."

Midoriya gave her a nervous smile as Present Mic went on to introduce all of the other classes. They all walked to the middle of the field and she ended up standing near Todoroki in the crowd of students.

"Now, for the introductory speech!" Midnight announced. "For the student pledge, we have Katsuki Bakugo!"

No. What? Why? He's just gonna make the other classes hate us more. Noriko thought as she watched Bakugo walk onto the stage and to the microphone.

"I just wanna say," Bakugo started, with a small pause, "I'm gonna win."

Instantly, all of the students started to boo him. They were all yelling about how overconfident he was and that they would beat him. Noriko watched him walk down from the stage and sighed.

"What's his problem," she muttered, earning a glance from Todoroki. She sighed again as Midnight continued.

"Without further ado, it's time for us to get started! This is where you begin feeling the pain! The first fateful game of the festival!" Midnight waved her whip around as a screen showed up behind her with names of possible events flashing by until it stopped on one. "What could it be? Ta-dah!"

The screen showed the words 'obstacle course'. Noriko looked from it to Midnight again as she explained. "All of the classes will participate in this treacherous contest. The track is four kilometers around the outside of the stadium. I don't wanna restrain anyone, at least in this game. So you can do whatever your heart desires - as long as you don't leave the course. Now then, take your places contestants."

Noriko followed the crowd of students over to the starting line. She thought about pushing her way to the front but decided against it. She was already in the middle of the group and knew it probably wouldn't do her much good to struggle to the front before the event even started.

Noriko took a few deep breaths as the countdown started. Her heart started to speed up as the three green lights at the top of the gate slowly started to go dark. Then, the last light went out.

"Begin!"

-Author Note-

So, the sports festival has started. I honestly don't really like writing this arc. Especially the cavalry battle. I hate writing that. It's such a dumb event. But it doesn't matter, the sports festival is here and whatever. If these following chapters take a dip in quality it's because I'm just trying to get through this part. I'm gonna do my best to make sure the chapters are still good, but if they aren't, you now know why.

Well, that's all. I just wanted to complain about the sports festival. Have a great day!

-Starlight