Kapitel 10: Recovering & Resolve

"Oh, Eiji, are you alright?" Kushina hugged him tightly after they arrived at the school.

"Kushina, dear, you're hurting him more!" His father pulled her back.

"Mn, fine, I just wanted to hold my baby."

'They share his spirit. Mina chuckled, watching from the side. Then the two adults looked at her.

"Oh hi, I'm Mina Ashido, one of Eijiro's classmates," she smiled, giving her hand.

"Kirishima Rio." His father smiled and shook.

"Kirishima Kushina," his mother also said, shaking her hand.

"She waited with me till you guys arrived." Eiji smiled and stepped out of bed. Mina helped him step out.

"Thank you for staying with our son," she smiled, shaking her hand once more. It wasn't long until a medic came by and allowed him to leave with his parent's help.

Soon, they all walked out of the building together. "Hey, are you getting a ride home?" Eiji asked.

"Hm? Oh no, I was going to walk," Mina said.

"What? No, come with us. We can drop you off."

As they were walking ahead, his parents shared an interesting glance before smirking.

"I mean, if you guys don't mind," she said, turning to his parents.

"Of course, we don't mind. We were going to stop by and get ice cream, so you should tag along!" His mother smiled.

"Wait, we are?" Eiji tilted his head.

"Your mother and I were going to eat it in front of you as a punishment for making us so worried," his father added.

"Ok, then, count me in!" Mina cheered.

"Wait, I get Ice cream too, right?"

"He scared me so much when I got the call," Kushina said to Mina as they both walked further into the conversation. "I was even more scared when I saw him fight!"

"I'm getting ice cream too, right?" He looked at his father.

"Don't look at me. They have the power."

They went for ice cream, all except Eijiro. After that, they dropped Mina off at home. "Thank you for taking me for ice cream too. It was great."

"Any time, and stop by whenever you like; Eiji's either studying or training, so he had plenty of time." Kushina grinned.

'I do?' He thought.

"I will. After all, I have to teach him how to dance. See you tomorrow, Eiji," Mina cooed a bit at the end before entering her house.

He felt his face flush slightly at being called by his nickname. On the way home, he just thought about what had happened. "I like her," Kushina grinned.

"She's got an outstanding personality matching Eiji," Rio nodded as both went into a small conversation about Mina.

"I feel like I know where this is going, and..." Eiji was about to say he didn't like it. He didn't like her but shook his head, saying, Wait, that's not the point; what the hell is going on?

The rest of the night went on alright. Everyone in class 1A went to sleep relatively calmly.

-Thud

"Sigh." Mina fell back onto her bed. The night was exhausting, having to console her parents that she was fine and everything, and then talking to Ochako and Tsuyu online. Everyone felt tired.

"At least I had some fun, hihi," she giggled, remembering Eiji's pouting face. "Cute," she muttered, letting her fatigue take over.

"Achoo!" Eiji sneezed, waking up from his sleep. "I can't get a rest today."

The next day, Eijiro woke up groaning. He couldn't stretch as much with the cast on, and neither could he properly put on his uniform. He needed some help from his father in doing so and with a big breakfast of mostly bacon.

…

[Class 1A]

The class was filled and bustling with activity; everyone had something to say, and most signed Eijiro's cast.

"Alright everyone, it's time for this morning's homeroom period, so take your seats," Iida said to the class, but everyone was already sitting down.

"Morning," Aizawa walked in with his arm in a cast in the same way as Eijiro, "Calm down everyone."

"Are you alright, Aizawa sensei? Your arm is pretty bad," Midoriya asked.

"Just like a real pro, nothing stops him," Mineta smiled.

"I'm fine, and that's not of concern, as your battle is just beginning. UA's sports festival is beginning, boys and girls," he said with a flashy grin.

"Oh, right, this is a school!" Kaminari forgot.

"Despite all this, the school believes the festival should go on. We will amplify security in the unlikely situation that anything happens, but above all else, think of the great opportunity."

"The country's top heroes will watch us. It's the perfect chance to shine as potential sidekicks." Momo said to the class.

"But what if the villains attack again?" Mineta muttered worriedly.

"I doubt that'll happen since this is the most popular event and everyone will watch. Any villains that come to do anything will be a prime target for any heroes watching," Eiji answered him.

"Remember, kids, that this is your chance to get noticed by other heroes. Show the world why you are part of this class. This is a chance you can only get once a year for three chances."

"Yeah! This is our moment, guys!" Eiji yelled, pumping the air.

"Which brings me to you. There is a speech that has to be given to the one who made first place in the entrance exam, so prep up, Eijiro; you're setting the theme of the festival," he smirked.

He gulped, seeing Aizawa smile.

"No matter, I'm still hyped! Give it all your effort, guys; stand out and show yourselves to the pros!" Eiji pumped the air again.

"Yeah!"

"Everyone's so pumped."

"Of course, they are Midoriya. We've entered UA to become heroes, so it only makes sense," Iida Said, quivering with excitement.

"Iida's got a unique way of showing his excitement," Tsuyu pointed out.

Ochako, who was quiet, showed her fierce face and said, "Deku, Iida... Let's crush it! The sports festival!"

'She's fired up,' everyone said.

...

It was break time for lunch. Allmight came to him and Midoriya, asking to eat together. Thanks, Allmight, but no thanks. "I want to be left to my thoughts."

"Oh, alright, are you sure you seem to be in deep thought. Maybe I could give you some advice?"

"Maybe later, if you don't mind, see you, Midoriya." They fist-bumped as he left.

Eiji spent his time walking around the school. His mind was grinding like gears.

'The sports festival, becoming number 1, can I do these things?' This was the small lingering doubt that lived in his mind, just as his spirit was stronger than ever before and so were his fears.

He was human, doubting himself, knowing Allmight, the number one hero, would choose a successor with power so great, "How Can I compete?" He even thought about the two weeks ahead.

He was sure if he came up against Bakugo, he could win. Todoroki was a different matter. His spirit wouldn't take him using half his power, but even then, Todoroki could just freeze him whole.

"Hey, Eiji!" Mina's voice entered his ears.

"Ha! How long were you there? And why are you using my first name?" He hadn't noticed the girl sneaking up on him. She had called out to him for a while.

And more, he wanted to understand why she called him by his first name.

"What's wrong? You've got this look on your face like something's eating at you and can I not call you that, I thought we were close," she said, intrigued.

"Close… yeah I guess, I don't mind and it's nothing," he said, hoping to drop the subject.

-Staaaaare~

"I'm fine... I'm just second-guessing myself. I'll be fine."

Mina's smile dropped as she looked at him. It only lasted a second before she smacked him on the back. "What's the big deal? The next number-one hero shouldn't be so gloomy. Are you going back to your depressed self again?"

She laughed and purposely mentioned the number one hero to see his reaction. "If you're getting cold feet, I can get it but don't chicken out or set yourself up for something low. I mean, come on, you said you were going to be unstoppable! That's No. 1 Shit right there!"

"I mean, look at you!"

"Haha yeah, I know-"

"No, seriously, look at you! You scored first in the entrance exam. You prove one doesn't need talent but raw willpower to get to the top! It's okay to doubt yourself sometimes or freeze up."

"But it's a problem when you stop smiling and give up. And if you do, then I'll tell everyone what kind of wuss you were before." She hummed, crossing her arms.

It was normal to doubt oneself and one's ability and skill when faced with hard odds. It was human. With a deep breath, he smacked his face. The last lingering bit of doubt about not being enough left his spirit.

'What's wrong with me? I can't falter! I'll train harder than anyone ever trained; chosen or not, overpowered quirk or not, I will fight my way to the top! To become No. 1!'

He breathed out, his spirit resolved and shining even brighter, near the two Allmight listened from the corner. He was worried about him and wanted to check up on him.

'I see he must've doubted his capabilities to become number 1 when knowing Midoriya was chosen as my successor... I feared he would feel disheartened, but I guess it was nothing to worry about,' Allmight thought, his smile getting bigger.

He watched Eiji smile, his eyes burning with passion.

"Phew, thanks, Ashido. I don't know how you knew, but I needed to hear that." He flashed a toothy grin.

"Any time you need me to pat your back, I'll be there. And feel free to call me by my first name too." She grinned, flushing, and the bell rang a few moments later.

"Not what I was thanking you for, but alright… Mina and I don't feel your hits anyway."

"Gasp! No way! Then how about these pink fury fists!" She barraged him with light punches, giggling as they made their way back.

...

The rest of the day went on as usual, with the occasional light chatter.

"So Kirishima, have you decided on your speech for the sports festival? If not, then I have some suggestions," Iida said, showing a book's worth of paper.

"That's a few?" Ochako awed at the stack.

"I already have one, but I'll look. There's nothing wrong with that."

Other than that, classes went on as usual, and when it was time to leave, he walked up to Midoriya.

"Hey, Midoriya, Are you free on the weekends?"

"Uh oh y-yeah I am! Why?"

"We're going to train. We've got two weeks until the festival, so I'm going to help you master your quirk," he smiled, slamming his fists.