Chapter 33 – Ranking and Break
The crowd, like all the students, were waiting for the ranking. Everyone is waiting for the results of the battle.
«And now, in first place is the Team Todoroki, followed by the Team Bakugou…» Present Mic began.
The various groups were split between those who managed to take the bandanas and those who lost theirs. However, only Izuku noticed something different within the group that no one else saw.
«In third place. Team Tets- wait, Team Shinsou?! But when did they succeed?!» Present Mic asked in shock, then immediately recovered, «And in fourth place...»
Maybe I asked too much of her. Izuku thought, sighing, as he placed his hand on his helmet to make sure it was securely fastened to the armour belt.
Izuku stepped forward, jumping off the stage beside Midnight. As soon as his foot hit the ground, he gripped his spear in his right hand and sprang forward. Covering roughly a hundred meters in a few steps, Izuku rotated 180° to slow down. He arrived just in time, catching an exhausted Melissa with his left arm before she could collapse, as she was unbalanced by fatigue and about to lose consciousness.
Melissa's face was covered in sweat and red from fatigue; her breathing was laboured, and she could barely keep her eyes open.
«Wow! Nice catch!!» Present Mic exclaimed, noticing Izuku's sudden performance.
Everyone turned to Izuku, incredulous and stunned at how quickly he had covered the distance. Some girls in the audience clicked their tongues when they saw Melissa draped across his arm, her head resting against his armoured chest.
Izuku glanced back at the cabin where the two professors sat, noticing the boisterous Hero standing and giving him a thumbs-up. In response, Izuku curled his lip slightly in irritation, made a brief sound, and gestured with his head, signalling for the Hero to continue the performance.
«You did well, Shield-san.» Izuku returned to his upright position «Now rest.»
With what little energy she had left, Melissa smiled and raised her left arm, showing that she was holding three bandanas, totalling exactly 850 points.
«Do you think that's enough… to get into the third game, Midoriya-san?»
«Don't think about the competition, stupid.» he chuckled «But it seems it’s enough.»
«Ahem! I was saying: Team Shield is in fourth place!» Present Mic exclaimed, after clearing his throat.
«Congratulations on making it to the third game.» Izuku said, satisfied.
Melissa's smile grew wider until it seemed to glow. She relaxed. Then they heard a lovely yelp from the girl's stomach. Her clever blue eyes widened, and her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Izuku burst out laughing.
«After all, you used every single neuron in your brain.» Izuku said, calming himself «Now there's a lunch break and the recreational sports competitions. Take advantage of it to eat and rest. You deserved it.»
«Y-yes…... AH!» Melissa's eyes widened after finally realising she was in Izuku's arms «W-well, thanks for catching me… but, c-could you put me down… p-please?» her face was a deep, steaming red
«Hm? Oh! Certainly.»
«T-thank you.» Melissa said, covering her face in embarrassment
«Shield-san.» Shoto called her, catching their attention «Can I speak to you privately?»
Shoto is a moderately tall, well-built young man. He is rather muscular for his age. He has short hair with bangs, split down the middle to avoid obscuring his vision. His hair is evenly divided: white on the right, red on the left. His left iris is turquoise, and the right is dark grey. He has a burn scar on the left side of his face, extending from the hairline to the middle of his cheek.
«Huh? Oh, sure.» Melissa replied, still surprised.
As Shoto and Melissa walked away from the arena, Izuku took the opposite direction. He was determined to enjoy at least a minute of the festival, the first he attended after two and a half millennia of vigil. Festivals also existed in the Imperium, but they were all religious; no festivals, just meditations and days of prayer. Only the Forge Worlds were an exception, as their factories and industries continued to produce weapons, ammunition, armour, and titans necessary for the imperial war effort.
Feeling observed, he turned and saw a medium-height girl with an athletic build. Her skin was a light pink, and her eyes were square-shaped with black sclera and yellow irises. She had remarkably long eyelashes. Short, soft, unruly pink hair, slightly darker than her skin, framed her face. Two thin, pale yellow horns protruded from her head, hooked squarely and inclined diagonally toward opposite sides.
«Ashido-san.» Izuku called her, doubtful «What can I do for you?»
«Shield-san caught your attention, huh?» she asked, eyes gleaming with mischief «What’s really up between you two? Aren’t you worried Todoroki-san might steal her from you~?»
«Steal her from me?» Izuku asked, raising his left eyebrow «Ashido-san, I advise you to get that fantasy out of your mind. We're not in that kind of relationship.»
«Eeeeh? But her reaction was totally obvious!» she protested, clearly disappointed.
«Would you have reacted any differently? Wouldn't you feel awkward being carried like a baby in front of everyone?» he said with a sigh.
«Well… I can't deny it…» Ashido scratched her head, her face slightly darker.
«Also, I don't think Todoroki-san asked her to speak privately for any sentimental reason.» Izuku moved towards the exit.
*****
Sigh. Young people and their messed-up hormones generate a chemical attraction based mainly on the appearance of the other and the need to continue the species. Izuku thought, sighing, as he wandered among the banquets near the arena.
Mina's romantic questions reminded him of his mother's interrogations about his possible relationships, sending shivers running down his spine.
Izuku is not a fool and thinks he is good enough at reading other people's body language. He certainly didn't miss the sudden acceleration of the heartbeats, the increase in temperature, or the shyness shown not only by Melissa but also by Professor Midnight, even though the latter has greater control over her own feelings. However, these reactions have become apparent with a frequency more unique than rare in the short time since he returned. So, it has no value per se.
He does not wish to deny them those natural reactions, as he is sure they are brief. The idea of a love affair does not appeal to him, since no member of the Ten-Thousand has ever had one during their ten millennia on Sacred Terra, not even within the Order. Thanks to ascension, candidates become physically attractive, so even among his sisters in the Adeptus Custodes, there are beauties who would make the most beautiful women in his universe envious.
He knew he was attractive by human standards and expected the kinds of reactions he often noticed when people saw him for the first time. However, this was not the case when he patrolled the Imperial Palace or during the Talon Sorties. In the 41st millennium, mortals saw the Custodes as mythical figures, reverentially fearing or even worshipping them as demigods. Thankfully, that concept doesn't exist in his home universe. There, people simply call him a handsome giant man, and that's all.
His tour of the stalls was intense. He couldn't see everything in an hour. Journalists followed him, hoping for an interview, but they never caught up. Even in his regalia, he stayed stealthy and could go unnoticed despite his size.
As he approached the arena to resume his role as supporting referee, he saw a tall young woman leaning against the entrance. She had fair skin, a curvy build, deep magenta eyes, long eyelashes, and cream blonde hair to her waist. Her outfit suggested she was a Professional Heroine. When she saw Izuku, her magenta eyes lit up—not just with a predator's glint, but with insatiable greed.
Another nuisance. He thought of seeing those eyes.
When he was practically on the entrance threshold of the arena, the woman moved, blocking his path, with a sweet smile on her lips and a look that would make the men's hearts beat.
«I should pass by, miss…»
«Nice to meet you, Izuku Midoriya.» Her tone was smooth, inviting. «I’m Mt. Lady. But you can call me Yu.» she finished with a wink.
«...Yu-dono-»
«Don't be so cold.» she advanced, voice low, leaning forward. «Just call me Yu.»
Mt. Lady 's pose was typical of a seductress, intent on showing off her body to make a man give in to doing what she wanted. Tactics that would normally work against a man or a teenager.
Izuku's left lip had a nervous tic, due to the discomfort caused by the woman's obvious intentions, while the grip on "Mercy" became firmer. He was starting to catalogue Mt. Lady not as a threat but as a source of trouble… enormous trouble.
«As I said…» he began, trying to maintain a neutral tone «I should pass.»