The roar of the crowd filled the stadium, a mix of excitement and anticipation as the next match was announced: Izuku Mori versus Shoto Todoroki. I stood calmly at the edge of the arena, my eyes fixed on Shoto across from me. I knew that this fight would draw even more attention to me, and I wasn't interested in revealing too much about my capabilities.
As we stepped into the ring, Shoto's expression was a mixture of focus and determination. The half-cold, half-hot hero-in-training was a formidable opponent, and I could sense the tension in the air. Shoto's dual quirk was powerful and unpredictable, but I had already made my decision. I would lose this match, but I would do it in a way that didn't arouse suspicion.
The buzzer sounded, signaling the start of the match. Shoto wasted no time, launching a massive wave of ice toward me. I dodged it effortlessly, my movements precise and calculated. I continued to avoid Shoto's attacks, making it look like I was struggling just enough to keep the fight interesting.
"He's fast," Shoto muttered, launching another barrage of ice. "But why isn't he attacking?"
I pretended to be on the defensive, narrowly avoiding each strike. I could see the confusion in Shoto's eyes, the internal conflict about using both sides of his quirk. I knew that Shoto was holding back, just as I was.
As the fight progressed, I saw my opportunity. Shoto unleashed a powerful blast of fire, and I purposefully misjudged my dodge, allowing the flames to graze my side. I let out a grunt of pain, staggering slightly to make it look convincing. The crowd gasped, and the intensity of the fight seemed to ramp up a notch.
I continued to evade Shoto's attacks, but my movements became more sluggish, my defenses weaker. I let Shoto land a few hits, carefully controlling the damage to avoid serious injury while making it look realistic. Each hit I took added to the illusion of a hard-fought battle.
"Why won't you fight back?" Shoto demanded, his voice tinged with frustration and confusion.
I didn't answer, instead focusing on my next move. I saw the opening I had been waiting for. Shoto launched a massive wave of ice, and I pretended to stumble, allowing the ice to envelop my legs and immobilize me.
The crowd roared in approval as Shoto advanced, preparing to deliver the final blow. I made one last effort to break free, struggling against the ice, but my movements were slow and deliberate. Shoto's fist, encased in flame, struck me in the chest, and I fell to the ground, the ice shattering around me.
The referee called the match, declaring Shoto the winner. The crowd erupted in applause, but I remained on the ground, catching my breath and making sure my defeat looked genuine. Shoto stood over me, a mixture of relief and confusion on his face.
"You could have fought back," Shoto said quietly, offering a hand to help me up.
I took his hand and stood, wincing slightly for effect. "I gave it my best shot," I replied, my voice calm and measured. "You were just better."
Shoto nodded, though it was clear he was still trying to understand what had just happened. I walked off the field, my expression as composed as ever. I knew I had played my part well, and the attention would now be on Shoto's victory rather than my own abilities.
As I left the arena, I felt a sense of relief. I had managed to avoid revealing too much about myself while still putting on a convincing performance. The whispers and speculations about my quirk would continue, but for now, I was content to remain an enigma.
Back in the waiting area, I watched the remaining matches with detached interest however I did go out to watch the final.
Teacher Pov
The UA Sports Festival continued with its usual fanfare, but the teachers in the observation room were focused on the recently concluded match between Izuku Mori and Shoto Todoroki. The room was filled with murmurs and hushed discussions, the outcome of the match sparking curiosity among the faculty.
"That was quite the match," Aizawa, also known as Eraser Head, remarked, his voice carrying a hint of curiosity. "Mori showed incredible skill, but something about it didn't sit right."
Midnight, the R-Rated Hero, nodded in agreement. "Mori looked like he didn't want to fight. He had plenty of opportunities to counterattack but chose not to."
Present Mic, ever the lively commentator, added, " No one has seen his quirk in action. It's almost like he's deliberately hiding it."
Cementoss, the calm and analytical hero, leaned back in his chair. "You have to wonder why someone with that much skill would avoid showing their quirk. It's unusual, especially in a setting like this where students are expected to demonstrate their full abilities."
"Perhaps he's afraid of revealing too much," Vlad King suggested, his eyes narrowed in thought. "Or maybe his quirk is dangerous, and he's trying to protect others."
All Might, in his skeletal form, watched the replay of the match on the screen. His expression was unreadable, but inside, he felt a pang of guilt and curiosity. Izuku Mori had shown incredible potential and composure, traits that reminded him of himself in his younger days. But there was a coldness to Mori, a calculated distance that All Might couldn't ignore.
"Izuku Mori is clearly talented," All Might finally said, his voice steady. "But there's more to him than meets the eye. We need to understand his motivations and why he's holding back."
The teachers nodded in agreement, each of them pondering the mystery of Izuku Mori. His calm demeanor, strategic thinking, and refusal to show his quirk were unlike anything they had seen before. It was clear that Mori was a student with many layers, and they were only beginning to scratch the surface.
Recovery Girl, who had been quietly listening, spoke up. "It's not just about his quirk. His physical conditioning and combat skills are exceptional. He's been training intensely, but without a clear understanding of his quirk, we can't fully assess his potential."
Snipe, the gun-slinging hero, leaned forward. "We need to keep a closer watch on him. Maybe during training exercises or other assessments, we can learn more about his abilities and motivations."
Aizawa agreed. "I'll make sure to observe him closely. If he's hiding something, we need to find out what it is and why. It's our responsibility to ensure all our students are on the right path."
As the discussion continued, the teachers' curiosity about Izuku Mori only grew. They were determined to uncover the truth about this enigmatic student and understand the reasons behind his actions. For now, they would watch and wait, knowing that eventually, Mori's secrets would come to light.
In the meantime, they turned their attention back to the ongoing matches, each of them silently resolving to keep a closer eye on Izuku Mori.
big 3 pov
The UA Sports Festival was in full swing, and the Big 3—Mirio Togata, Tamaki Amajiki, and Nejire Hado—watched intently from the VIP section. Each match was a testament to the students' hard work and determination, but one student, in particular, had caught their attention: Izuku Mori.
Nejire, with her characteristic energy, leaned forward, her eyes fixed on the arena. "Did you see Mori's match against Todoroki? He's incredible! But something doesn't add up. He was doing so well how can he just lose like that?"
Mirio nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah, it's odd. He has the skills and the strategy, but he was holding back. "
Tamaki, quieter and more reserved, added, "It's not just his quirk. He's different from the others."
Nejire's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "He's so calm and composed, almost too much for someone our age."
Mirio glanced at her, his eyes narrowing in thought. "Maybe he's been through something tough. It's not uncommon for people to build walls after facing hardships."
Tamaki shifted uncomfortably. "Whatever it is, it's making him stand out. The teachers are probably noticing it too, probably the opposite of his goal.."
As they discussed, the next match began, but their thoughts kept drifting back to Mori. There was something compelling about his enigmatic presence, something that made them want to understand him better.
"Do you think he's dangerous?" Nejire asked, her voice tinged with concern.
Mirio shook his head. "I don't think he's dangerous, but he's definitely keeping something hidden. We need to get to know him better."
Tamaki nodded, though his expression remained cautious. "We have to be careful. If he doesn't want to reveal his quirk, there might be a good reason."
Nejire sighed, her curiosity unsated. "I guess we'll just have to keep an eye on him. He's bound to show his true colors eventually."
Mirio smiled reassuringly. "Yeah, we'll figure it out. For now, let's focus on the matches and support the other students."
Despite their resolve to enjoy the festival, the Big 3 couldn't shake the feeling that Izuku Mori was a puzzle they needed to solve. His actions, or lack thereof, during the match with Todoroki had only deepened their curiosity.
As the day went on, they watched other students with renewed interest, but their thoughts kept returning to Mori. His calm, almost cold demeanor was a stark contrast to the vibrant energy of the Sports Festival, making him an anomaly in the sea of enthusiastic competitors.
"We'll talk to him after the festival," Mirio said decisively. "Maybe we can find out more about him and why he's so guarded."
Nejire and Tamaki agreed, their curiosity and concern about Izuku Mori growing stronger with each passing moment. For now, they would observe, but they were determined to uncover the truth behind the mysterious student who had captivated their attention.