I accidentally deleted the first chapter 31, so I had to write it again since I didn't save it anywhere T^T

As soon as the match ended, Izuku got up and left the stands. After Kirishima's tiebreaker with Tetsutetsu his match against Todoroki would start. He wanted to talk to Uraraka before that happened.

He headed for the prep-room in a thoughtful silence. He was proud of Uraraka, really. Despite being thrown off by her self-sacrificing plan, he was proud that she never gave up. She was blown back every time she got close to Kacchan but she always got back up. She was determined and Izuku was happy for her.

Izuku was drawn away from his thoughts when he heard footsteps coming from around a corner. When he turned his head, he met Kacchan's blazing gaze as the ash blonde made it up some stairs.

"Stupid Deku, the hell you want?" He all but growled.

The greenette flinched slightly. After his earlier flashback, when it came to his childhood friend he was a bit more on edge. He forced himself to calm down. 'I'm up next so I'm heading to the prep-room,' he signed. 'Congrats on your win.'

After that, Izuku continued forward, quicker this time, but Kacchan barked behind him.

"You suggested that, didn't you. That dumb plan of Pink Cheeks'?" Kacchan glared. "You caused me a lot of trouble out there..."

Izuku turned around, stopping in place. 'I didn't do anything. All of that out there... was Uraraka. She did everything she could to beat you. So if it really was a lot of trouble for you,' Izuku's lips stretched into a thin line. 'then that was her messing with you.'

Kacchan growled again, the sound deep and resonating off the corridor walls. Izuku turned back around and walked toward the prep-room.

When he got to the room, he could see Uraraka sitting at the foldable table through the door's window. When he got inside, she immediately perked up and turned to him with a sheepish smile.

"Deku! Aha, I guess I lost out there, huh?" She said, rubbing the back of her head.

Izuku stared at her, surprised. He had honestly expected her to be sad or disappointed, not all smiley. But then again, when he saw her through the window, she did seem out of it.

"I got carried away at the end when I thought I could win," she sighed. "Oh well."

Izuku walked up to her, taking out his notepad as he did so. 'Are you hurt?' Uraraka read the the kanji over and faced him with another smile. "Nah, I'm good! I'm healing bit by bit so my energy doesn't get drained. Just these little scratches left."

Then she pouted. "But darn! Bakugou's just too strong! I couldn't even touch him!" She shook her fist in the air. "Guess I just gotta try harder next time!"

Izuku watched her with furrowed brows. 'You okay?'

She nodded. "Yeah, somehow." Uraraka's phone beeped, signaling that she received a text message. She looked down at her phone for a moment before turning to Izuku with a smile. "I mean, you're always looking ahead, Deku. You're always ready for the next challenge. I lost, but I don't wanna lose again."

Izuku lifted his pen to write something down but Present Mic's voice suddenly blared through the speakers.

'And— OOOH!! After their draw, Kirishima has won!' A beat of silence and then... 'That's what I call sportsmanship, folks! Now that we have our lineup for the second round, let's get started!'

Uraraka shot up from her seat, pushing her chair behind her. "Ack! I'm sorry! You wasted your prep time talking to me!"

Izuku waved his hands to show that it was alright. He moved to the door and Uraraka smiled softly. "Good luck! I'm rooting for you!"

With a nod and smile, Izuku left the room and closed the door behind him. When he was just a few meters down the hall, he heard quiet sniffling echoing around the space. He turned around with a worried look before continuing forward.

"Of course she wasn't okay— those smiles were fake," he thought. He'd seen enough of those smiles on his face to know. At least she was letting it out now.

Her encouragement rang in his ears as he got closer to the arena. He was going up against Todoroki, one of the strongest in his class, and he knew it was going to be anything but easy. He was prepared to give it his all and win.

Izuku stepped down the corridor with a determined grin on his lips when a large figure blocked his path. He looked up and his face blanched.

"Ah, there you are," Endeavor said, his voice deep and laced with power. Izuku stared up at him with wide eyes. He was faintly aware of the shaking of his hands.

As the Number Two Hero stood in front of him, Izuku couldn't help but compare him to Toshinori. In his muscle-form, All Might and Endeavor were physically the same, both tall and buff. They were both heroes who protected the public, but they were different.

All Might was the embodiment of strength and kindness and protection. He was the Number One Hero who always came to save the day and brought hope and joy to people's hearts. Endeavor was strong too, second to only All Might, and he was an amazing hero who defeated many villains and saved many people, but he didn't give off the same vibes All Might did. He was cold and aggressive and he never interacted with his fans. He never smiled and he always dismissed others.

Since Endeavor was the Number Two Hero, Izuku had, of course, written about him in his journal. He admired the man's strength and abilities and looked up to him, but after meeting him in person, Izuku couldn't help but be intimidated.

Endeavor looked him over for a moment before grunting.

"My son, Shouto. You're fighting him this round, aren't you," he said. "From what I've noticed so far, you haven't used your quirk at all. So when you're out there against Shouto, make sure to use it."

Izuku's hand clenched into a fist.

"Shouto's destiny is to surpass All Might. I want you to be a challenge he has to overcome in order to do so. He will not grow stronger if he wins easily; like his last round. So use your quirk, boy, and put up a good fight against him. My son will meet the goals I've set for him, understand?"

Izuku grit his teeth, remembering what Todoroki told him before. His brows furrowed and his head tilted downwards. His closed fists shook.

"Not even a nod, I see. Fine then," Endeavor said, moving past Izuku and walking in the opposite direction of the arena. "That's all I have to say. Sorry for being blunt."

"I've vowed to never use my left side to upset him. To get revenge. I would never use that rotten man's quirk." Todoroki finally looked up and Izuku flinched at the ice in his eyes. "By rising to the top without using it, I'll have denied him everything." Todoroki's words echoed in his ears.

Izuku closed his eyes and let out a long, quiet breath.

"Todoroki... is strong, and I admire him."

Endeavor turned at the small voice and regarded him with a raised brow.

"He's been through so much... and he's suffered a lot," Izuku turned to face the man, his bangs covering his eyes "Todoroki's got his own dreams and goals. He's his own person." He looked up and met Endeavor's gaze, his own eyes swirling with anger. "Todoroki is not you. Leave him alone."

With that, Izuku turned and walked down the hall, the words hanging in the air. Endeavor stared at his back, eyes wide from the confrontation, before his face took on a thoughtful look and he too left the corridor.

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