Work Text:
There had been many conflicting emotions with the arrival of the Sports Festival. It was the big event that closed out the school year; to show everyone how far UA’s students have come since the start of the year. Many saw it as the Hero Olympics, although the students were classified as civilians due to their lack of Provisional Licence , but it was intended to show the public their future heroes; the ones who would replace their predecessors in their jobs in everything Heroics. It was unfair to the other courses, Business and Support that weren’t exactly equipped to deal with the physical challenges, thus tending to draw more attention to the Heroics course than anyone else.
Shouta was unamused at the concept of the festival. He, like every other student, had watched the Sports Festival when they were younger. Shouta planned on going Underground, unlike his fellow classmates who were intent on becoming Limelight heroes. Hizashi and Oboro were two of the many hoping to chase the spotlight profession; but not for the want of money and fame as many of the Hero students wished for.
Hizashi was more excited for the fights; he didn’t truly care about winning, seeing it as more of a happy bonus. He had the terrible habit of exclaiming his own commentary about the Sports Festival, overexaggerating his movements and words as if he was announcing his thoughts instead of participating in the very Sports Festival he was talking about .
Oboro had similar feelings; although he did wish to make the podium. After the terribly humiliating show in front of the entire UA student body, Oboro couldn’t help but to want to prove his worth as a hero. So, Oboro bullheaded the first and second event; a parkour course and laser tag. Luckily for the cloud-user, he was extremely well versed with parkour, and ended up helping Hizashi, who was far less experienced, with completing the course. Shouta breezed past them, and Oboro stuck his tongue out playfully. Shouta rolled his eyes fondly.
When the second course rolled around; Oboro was partially convinced that these tasks were chosen in his favor. It wasn’t a big secret that Oboro often dragged Shouta and Hizashi to the arcade after school and forced them to play Laser tag with him at least twice a week. Thus, although one student, unknown to Oboro’s friend group, had managed to win the hundred-thousand points, Shouta had waited at the top, not wanting to win the first course. The other boy hadn’t hesitated to fly past him and win, all of the 1-A students who had managed to pass, and thus a few of the 1-B, were wary of Oboro’s team consisting of himself, Hizashi, Shouta, and Tensei; given that Nemuri had been flocked with women when the announcement to create teams had been called out. She seemed quite happy despite her current predicament, so they didn’t bother asking if she’d want to join their team, given that it was only groups of four.
So, given his lengthy previous experience, as well as Shouta and Hizashi’s, thanks to his insistence that the two joined him, they were more than assured they’d make the leaderboard. Shouta had resigned to winning, or coming in second place for the second course. Oboro had led their movements as if they were partaking in a war, being overly cautious to ensure that they weren’t hit. Oboro had the tendency to double, or triple shoot his targets to ensure that he really had hit them. He was terribly cautious with laser tag, but far less concerned with his own life. It was interesting, if not extremely concerning for Hizashi.
After a dramatic face off with Sekijirou, one of the last teams, and definitely the most threatening one left, they had successfully pelted the entire team in their sensors and effectively dominated the second course. Now, the one thing that had always gone unchanged during the Sports Festivals; one on one battles. Shouta’s extroverted friends were hyped , they were terribly excited. The first bracket went by with no trouble, although Tensei had terribly overestimated his own speed and flung himself out of bounds before skirting up the walls and flipping onto the floor, in a groaning mound. Shouta had been teasing him since he’d sat down beside him in the bleachers. Shouta had purposefully lost his first match, fighting sluggishly and allowing himself to be pushed out of bounds. He hadn’t showcased his quirk once; and although Oboro had called him overly superstitious, it was better safe than sorry. Shouta hoped his future self was happy with his foresight, although it came offhandedly from Oboro before he immediately backpedaled, wanting for Shouta to use his quirk.
Oboro and Sekijirou were the first to fight in the second bracket. Oboro entered the arena bouncing eagerly on his feet, light as air while Sekijirou regarded him hesitantly. He looked almost worried to hurt Oboro, which caused the cloud-user to narrow his eyes and slowly stop his bouncing as the announcer’s introduction to the round came to an end. Oboro bounded forward with shocking speed, utilizing his clouds to lighten his movements and allow him to glide on the floor. Sekijirou attempted to run to the side, likely hoping to recreate Tensei’s unfortunate loss, but Oboro skirted suddenly, roundhouse kicking Sekijirou and bringing him down to the floor. The Alpha tucked into a roll at the last second. Sekijirou’s claws flicked out. Oboro turned to face the white-haired student.
“Fight me like you mean it, Kan! Don’t tell me you’re too scared to go all out on an Omega, little guy!” It had the intended effect. Shouta grinned as Sekijirou growled, using his claws to dig into his left arm, causing him to stiffen from the pain before he ripped it down his forearm. A warning flashed on UA’s live broadcasting stream, a reminder of possible extreme violence among other things before it returned to normal. Oboro responded to Sekijirou’s extreme utilization of his quirk with a feral, untamed grin. He lowered himself to the ground, his clouds loosely encompassing the entire arena, lowering the visibility for all watching. It was only the two cameras inside the arena that got occasional flashes of Oboro and Sekijirou brawling; with Oboro digging his claws into the Alpha’s wounds and jumping on him, as well as using his clouds to absorb his blood before he was able to utilize it. Between Sekijirou’s brute strength and Oboro’s sheer determination and agility, it was a terribly close and drawn out match. The audience was on their toes, many out of their seats leaning over the protective barrier in an attempt to get a better look at the fight. Each time one of them became visible out of the clouds, the crowd would “ooh” or release incomprehensible screams.
Oboro’s goggles were no doubt granting him an extraordinary advantage; allowing him to see past the misty clouds and to locate Sekijirou with the heat sensors he’d implemented. The fight was far longer compared to others, with Sekijirou beginning to exploit his Alpha voice, although it had no effect on Oboro. After the initial usage of Sekijirou’s Alpha voice, Oboro had made the great decision to lower his clouds. He wanted the crowd, the world to see him as he won this.
Sekijirou barked out another command, “ Surrender, Omega! ” But Oboro merely grinned, pure excitement flashing through his eyes as he ran for Sekijirou once more. He simply wouldn’t surrender, and had enough speed to avoid Oboro’s attempts at pushing him out of bounds. The crowd was worked up, wondering how he was ignoring Sekijirou’s Alpha commands, while others were shocked at an Omega being in the Heroics Course. Oboro rose to the bait when Sekijirou attempted his Alpha voice once more.
“How about you surrender, little Alpha! ” The weight of his words was as heavy as Sekijirou’s. A revelation fell over everyone in the stadium as Sekijirou’s body jerked, disobeying his wishes as he fell to the floor and laid there motionlessly. The announcer hesitantly began counting to ten, clearly drawing out the countdown in hopes that Sekijiro would stand back up. He didn’t. Oboro’s win was announced, and there was silence in the crowd before a noticeable, random amount of crowd members began to scream cheers for the Omega Heroics student; the other Omegas in the crowd. Oboro waved and grinned unashamedly as Sekijirou slowly stood up once Oboro had remembered to release the command. He stared at the cloud-user, no doubt confused out of his mind, while Oboro bounced up to him, shaking his hand swiftly and chirping “good match, man!” Before taking his leave. Sekijirou left after, although he looked dizzy and confused, not from the blood loss.
Hizashi, Shouta, Tensei, and Nemuri were waiting in his hall when Oboro walked back in after his win. Nemuri squealed, jumping forward and hugging him tightly before pulling away from him, shaking his shoulders, “Shirakumo! That was so badass! How did you do that?! I thought only Alphas could use the command!” She suddenly stepped away from Oboro as Tensei took her place, hugging Oboro and announcing his begrudged excitement for the cloud-user’s win.
“Try it again, on me Shirakumo!” Nemuri exclaimed. Hizashi hugged Oboro and expressed shock similar to Nemuri’s. Shouta slowly walked up to the Omega and cast a glance at Nemuri, vibrating with anticipation, before hesitantly encompassing Oboro in a hug. He hugged him tightly before pulling away, giving him a small smile for his efforts. “You did good. That was a long fight, but anyone else here would’ve been done for facing him.” Hizashi and Tensei grumbled at the implications that they would’ve lost. The Omega beamed and hugged Shouta once more, lifting him off the ground and squeezing him tightly. Shouta groaned in pain when the hug popped his tense back.
“Thank you guys! That was such a neat fight, Kan was really strong but he stood no chance! Hehe, I hope he went to Recovery Girl for that arm wound, though…” Nemuri deflated when she realized Oboro wouldn’t adhere to her request, she stepped forward towards him and Oboro looked at her, hesitating for only a moment before speaking.
“ Alpha, drop to the floor .” All three of them slammed down. Hizashi yelped, his quirk pinching everyone’s ears painfully at the sheer volume. Hizashi smiled sheepishly in apology. Oboro scratched the back of his head, releasing his command as Shouta, Tensei, and Nemuri slowly picked themselves up off the floor.
“Oops… sorry, I probably should’ve specified in my command!” Nemuri didn’t seem to notice the apology to the other two. She grabbed Oboro’s shoulders, shaking him furiously, “That’s so fucking cool Shirakumo!! Like, Holy shit that’s so hot!!” She shrieked with an aggressive blush overtaking her face. Shouta yanked her back, and Tensei held her there.
“We should leave this hallway before the next match starts.” Oboro perked up, “You’re right! Let’s go! And– uh, sorry about that command Shouta, Tensei!”
“It’s alright.”
“All good, Shirakumo!”