Chapter Sixteen

The blush never left her face. [Y/N] was in the sideline of the arena, choosing to be a part of the audience instead playing with the other students before Finals. Most of the time her attention was on Monoma—running around, triggering Class A whenever he can...and either getting chopped or being pulled by his ear from Kendo. Her fingers hover over the black diamonds between her knuckles with pursed lips, tension, concern, and agitation pooling in her. It didn't mix well with the embarrassment and giddiness from the vendor's comment.

God, curse these feelings. Freaking stupid. A loud, obnoxious laugh broke through the game. Monoma was pointing shameless at someone—definitely from the rivaling class. blond hair like Monoma's but more yellowish than his, and had a unique, black lightning-bolt pattern in one side. Kaminari from what [Y/N] remembered, battling against Shiozaki soon. Speaking of [Y/N] found Shoda along with the tailman she later learned his name was Ojiro among the body of students. They were in their respective groups, catching a glimpse of the two initiating a small friendly talk sometimes. It was a surprise for everyone when Ojiro voluntary withdraws for the finals, followed by Shoda. It was worse than [Y/N] had thought about Shinso. He was good at using his Quirk, the official game hasn't even started yet he already obtained two victories. Admittedly she was worried for Midoriya. How can he break himself if he ever got his mind in Shinso's hands?

[Y/N] breathed deeply. So much to think, so much to be distracted. She needed to focus, distribute what she knows about her opponent throughout the previous games. She turned her direction towards the girls of Class A who were on a different sideline.

...

Fucking boys. [Y/N] wasn't aware that U.A had a cheer team. The colors of the uniforms were honestly off. Cute and bright, but completely opposite of dark, neutral colors of their official school and P.E uniforms. Also, those poor girls...fooled by those two degenerates. Kaminari honestly deserved the laugh. She doesn't know the other boy's name, but it was satisfying when got rolled over by one of the big red balls that were being pushed around a makeshift racetrack. The uniforms were created by a Quirk rather than provided by the staffs, the same Quirk that made those cannons during the obstacle race.

Momo Yaoyorozu. Pretty and born with an amazing power. She could practically create anything without limits, [Y/N] may not witness yet how Yaoyorozu fights, but her main weapon would be her intelligence. She needed to be practical before creating something, and specific somehow...like in the calvary. [Y/N] had no idea why Yaoyorozu created a blanket, but when Kaminari ignited his sparks, the said cloth protected the rest of the team while he electrified those who were around them. [Y/N] also noticed Yaoyorozu needed her skin to be free in order to create. Perhaps with her arms she can create something strong enough to be used against [Y/N] once their battle starts.

She might create a cannon again...[Y/N] wondered, observing Yaoyorozu. Though...could that be her Quirk's limit? The bigger the object is, equals the amount of energy that will drain from her?

"Ah, [Y/N]!" An incoherent sound came out of her. It was ugly, awkward, and humiliating. She whipped her head, only to be greeted by a shocked Iida.

"Apologies! I did not mean to startle you!" He blurted, immediately straightening his posture then with a firm hand he continued. "I only wanted to ensure that you are prepared for your match." [Y/N] blinked when Iida smiled. "I saw you not participating in the recreational games. If you do not mind, would you like to accompany me for a drink? It is important to remain properly hydrated before the match."

The invitation made [Y/N] raised her eyebrows, but she returned the smile. "Better than standing in the sideline."

The two went inside the stadium, Iida leading [Y/N] to the closest vending machine that he can find. Other than the awaited tournament, the two converse about their respective tournaments later then later changing the subject into something light. [Y/N] had gotten to know more about Iida—born in a family line of heroes, owning an agency in Tokyo and his brother, Tensei Iida, currently holding the Pro Hero "Ingenium" name.

"You must be really proud of him; a lot of people see him as a role model." [Y/N] awed. She then shared about her family in return—father in retirement and mother working from home. She even told Iida about her home country, reminiscing at the sights and memories that she made with the people she bonded with before the sudden move.

After what happened... [Y/N] shook her head when Midnight interrupted through the speakers, announcing the remaining minutes before the first official fight. Both went back to the main area, then up the stairs where it leads to the upper seats reserved for the students. There was no mention of the tournament when they walked, the mutual pressure weighed the silence. Another pair of footsteps was descending, making [Y/N] and Iida look up in curiosity.

Shinso stopped at the landing tread that connected the rest of the stairway when he spotted them.

"Oh, it's you." He never wavered his gaze from [Y/N], ignoring Iida completely. There was no hostility from the tired boy, but she kept her guard up. "Relax. I'm not going to do anything."

[Y/N] narrowed her eyes. Shinso and Midoriya were the first competitors that'll battle, and comparing their Quirks, it was hard for her to predict which will have the upper hand. If fast enough, either Midoriya can risk an injury to send Shinso out or the latter pushing him to answer.

Iida called her name, undecided until [Y/N] spoke for his choice. "You go on ahead, Iida."

"...You'll be using Ojiro against him, aren't you." It came out quiet, uneven. Shinso confirmed her conclusion with a slow grin. It was a good move, perhaps with enough downgrading Midoriya would speak to defend his classmate and finally succumbing into his opponent's control Quirk.

"I'm surprise you're not in that other class." His comment made [Y/N] hum in confusion. She replied but only halfway when all of a sudden, the orange-flavored tin can that Iida had treated her fell from her hand. Its contents spilled on to the floor then down the stairs as it rolled away with each clatter.

Everything was...dull in an instant. Her vision was a little blurry, the sounds all muffled except for a faint ringing. There was no pain—like headaches and sharp pressures didn't exist. She felt like she was floating but only in one place, as if she was waiting for the air to drift her to the direction where they wanted to go. [Y/N] tried to move but her feet remained glued to the ground while her hands rested on her sides.

The hell?! A small relief etched in her when she realized she could still think under the state of command. Shinso, on the other hand, huffed in amusement at the girl's situation. It irked [Y/N], but there was nothing she could do about it at this point.

Shinso had a new shirt provided by the school. Not a single sight of tear on one of the ends, as if the calvary battle never occurred. And yet he had the voice to say. "To make things even. It was your plan to use my uniform as a bargain to stay in the game."

His voice was clear in [Y/N]'s head. It was disturbing, making her try to reclaim her full consciousness. Her thoughts scrambled to meet with her body but there was no use. Her limbs still felt light under his trance. Is this the neutral effect when he isn't giving an order yet?

"Relax, like I said; I'm not going to do anything." [Y/N] should've kept her mouth shut. With one word her shoulders slumped, and she felt her chest heaved a calming breath. It didn't help her mind at all. Shinso might've caught on up to that, but what could he do? He was just making sure [Y/N] won't say something stupid like that Class A student he faced before the Sports Festival.

"You get to choose what kind of department that you've always wanted once you decided to go to U.A." Shinso shifted his weight. "And students are randomized in each class. No matter what points you received in the tests as long as you passed."

"But not everyone gets what they wanted." The silence after spoke for him. [Y/N] knew were this was going, but she can't find the reason why she was involved. Yes, she's in the Hero Course, but in the class where Shinso declared his statement. "Kind of a shame, actually. It'll be more challenging for me if you're in Class A [L/N]. The plan you came up with during the calvary battle was clever. And you know how to use your Quirk in more ways than one. I didn't expect someone from Class B to think that far ahead."

Her face twitched. [Y/N] sensed it—between her brows, urging to show confusion. Shinso's amusement didn't waver, there was a teasing tilt in his tone now instead of ridicule. She tried to shift again, no avail as her thoughts flared with even more questions and a defensive stand about her classmates. Shinso grinned again with no intent behind. "Can't wait to see how far you push once it's your turn to entertain the crowd."

Shinso finally let go of [Y/N] after he was far enough from her in the stairs, not leaving a glance of what kind of face she had now that she experienced what Shoda had been through.