Chapter Text
It was finally the third round of the sports festival, but all Shouto could feel was disdain.
Why his father still bothered to show his face, dare to try and 'encourage' him, was beyond him. He'd be winning without his power anyways.
He had made it to the second round of the one on one fights through his mother's ice alone, and he wasn't going to be stopped now. It didn't matter that it was All Might's son he was facing, he'd prove to his father he didn't need him
As soon as Midnight yelled 'Start!', Shouto sent a large iceberg at the broccoli kid, hoping to end this fast and easy, like with the tape kid.
Shouto didn't mean to create so much ice against the poor kid, he was just too caught up in memories. Which was most definitely a mistake Endeavor would have exploited against him in training. Jokes on him though, Shouto had never been fully present for those sessions. He had better things to worry about, like when he'd have his next dose of cold soba.
Wait, no.
He guessed he had to grudgingly concede to Endeavor. Shouto was so caught up in thoughts that he almost missed the fact that his opponent had destroyed the ice.
With the snap of one (1) finger.
Shouto blinked. Well, to be fair, this was the son of the Hero of Peace himself, no matter how much he had denied it, he should have expected a little more challenge.
Shouto sent more waves after him, and one by one they were blown away. Not easily it seemed, as Midoriya's fingers bruised and swelled, rendering them useless after each wave.
Surprisingly, though he looked determined, Shouto could also see a glimmer of humour and mischievousness hidden there.
Shouto was only growing frustrated though, his body developing a chill. He was past the point of caring, he only wanted to win and prove that he surpassed his father.
He had also missed the broccoli's monologue.
Oops.
Well, maybe if he talked a bit he could warm up a little? Yeah that's a good plan. Sadly he didn't exactly nurture his social skills on those training mats.
So he said the first thing he could think of. "I don't care who your dad is, but I am going to defeat you without using Endeavour's power."
He wasn't entirely sure he had said it loud enough, he never practiced projecting his voice often. Thankfully, or as he'll soon find out not thankfully, it seemed the other boy managed to hear him.
A devilish smirk had taken over his face now, and Shouto knew that whatever came out of that mouth next would prove to be his doom.
"You know, I bet your fire is really pretty. Just. Like. You."
Shouto froze up completely, almost literally since he was close to over using his quirk. While he may look frozen however, his mind was racing faster than it ever had before. There were definitely stuttered thoughts, and he could almost swear he could smell his brain smoking.
He was never in his entire, short, existence taught how to handle this situation.
The broccoli knew this and pushed forward, "What, are you too chicken to take a simple bet?"
What Shouto was taught, was to never back down from a challenge.
His brain went into overdrive, instinct taking over completely while a tiny voice he hoped was only inside his head raged I'll show you who's pretty! and promptly combusted.
In the end he couldn't really recall what had happened at the end of that bout. At this point, he thought, it didn't really matter who won, so long as he proved he was pretty.
He did recall waking up in a cot in the infirmary, his opponent beside him.
Before they both passed out, Shouto could have sworn he heard a muttered I was right.