NOVEL NEXT Chapter 13: Tournament Dramatics
Chapter Text
Through observation, Sakura quickly learned that her classmates were truly enthusiastic and eccentric, each in their own ways but primarily tied to their desire to become heroes. This sports festival was one of the stepping stones to achieving that goal and was the reason they were pushing themselves and doing everything they could to stand out. Sakura just couldn't share that enthusiasm. She didn't want to be a hero in this world, she didn't even want to be in this world. So participating in the Sport's festival was more like an unnecessary chore than an opportunity. She was prepared to walk out of the ring in her first match and leave instead of becoming a spectacle, especially when she knew expectant eyes were watching her.
And yet when Hitoshi requested her to win; she didn't hesitate to say "Hell yeah," with a big smile.
Although this tournament, was like a paperweight to Sakura, it was still able to bring her back to the final stage of the chuunin exam. That time she had been in the spectator seat and it was Naruto and Sasuke who had to take the stage. She remembered the anxiety and excitement. And every time a match would take place, there was a reload of those feelings. Though when she stepped onto that stage, flames burning from the corners, she remained lost in those memories instead of focused on her first opponent. It was like knowing you were capable enough to dive to the bottom of the deep end, but being confined to the shallows.
'Alright moving onto the next round! Though she hasn't done much, she came in on top for the entrance exams, Sakura Haruno! Versus, also from the hero course the all-purpose creator! She was admitted through recommendations so her abilities are certified, Momo Yaoyorozu!"
Momo stood on the opposite side coming up the concrete stairs, a nervous glimmer in her eyes she couldn't shake, holding onto her wrist.
Being absent for the quirk assessment test, and barely showcasing any of her abilities during their training, Momo couldn't predict what the pinkette would do, what move she would make if she would even try to strike first. From what her classmates had revealed, Sakura was able to hold herself well against that bird villain who fought All Might, and she hurt the ringleader of the villains that attacked the USJ. That affirmed she was strong if not courageous.
Momo took another wide breath as her opponent stepped into the arena, unshaken. Not a care for the crowd's cheers, nor Hizashi's call out to them when they entered the arena, barely glanced Momo over, before a carefree smile graced her lips. It was soft, friendly but disturbed Momo.
'She's very focused,' Sakura thought, seeing how Momo's eyes were trembling from her observation. She was carefully sizing the kunoichi before the match even started. Momo was commendably smart, it was fitting to call her intelligence that of a genius, and her power was something that many shinobi would yearn for. Being able to produce as many weapons as they desired and so much more. Sakura was sure Tenten would have been ecstatic to hear about power like hers. However, Momo wouldn't be able to realize the difference in their fighting experience just by looking at Sakura. That type of intuition only came with the combat experience.
'She's thinking hard,' In fact, she was thinking so hard that she wasn't prepared for the teachers to call for the match to begin.
"Let the match begin!"
On her left arm, a shield appeared quickly as Momo could create. She heard Sakura was exceptionally fast, and she was expecting a preemptive strike. However, the pinkette hadn't moved yet. Taking no defensive or offensive position, giving no shift in her feet or hands, and showing no change in expression. Like trying to imitate a statue.
'Why isn't she moving?'
From the stands, class A watched their representatives go against each other. Izuku had taken out his notebook to keep records of all the student's quirks and he had been anxious for this particular match. He had already scribbled some about his classmates and class b quirks. In one section there was a blank page, with Sakura Haruno written on the wide space above the lines.
Sakura and Shouto were the hardest to collect any data on because Izuku had only been able to observe her strength once at the USJ and Shouto attacked fast he was done before you realized the air had gone cold. Which was too bad since he was going to have to fight Shouto in the second round.
Right now he was just anxious to see the pinkette in action but apparently, she wasn't quick to strike.
"Why isn't Sakura moving?" asked Uraraka.
"I don't know, but I'm getting kinda nervous. I don't think I've really seen Sakura fight," said Jiro.
Mashirao chided in, "I have. She's incredible, she took down villains like they were nothing, she barely had to move,"
"And then there's a super strength that Yaoyorozu has to watch out for," shivered Minoru. "She's got no muscles, but she broke the ground apart with one punch,"
"As expected," Tenya held his chin, "She won't be an easy opponent,"
Denki spoke, "But I barely noticed her during the last two challenges,"
"Haruno's carefully walking towards her classmate, what could she be thinking?"
That alerted the class's attention back to the arena, where Sakura was slowly stalking towards Momo. This did trigger the dark-haired girl to prepare for a real fight. Momo was counting that Sakura's strength required her to get close to her target, so she just had to defeat her from a distance.
As she came closer, Momo felt a bead of sweat drip down her forehead. Perhaps it was the sun's rays or the calm manner that Sakura was displaying. Either way, if Sakura was showing this much confidence that she would take her time to reach Momo without bothering to run, then that was more reason to defeat her quickly.
'First a smoke screen,'
Seconds after the thought occurred, Momo acted. Throwing out her hand, producing a few sticks of smoke screens, and setting them off in Sakura's direction. The pinkette watched as the rods fell to the ground dispersing an odorless mist. As the cloud expanded over the stage, Momo created a heavy net, throwing it out as it formed to keep from experiencing the full weight of the item. It was equipped to rattle once it landed on a target when they struggled.
And that was the open window Momo hoped to climb through before it could shut. Her feet carried her into the mist where she heard the rattling sound. Trying to find a figure in the smoke. However, Momo wasn't able to find Sakura, no matter how hard she searched through.
"Smoke bombs are typically used for escapes or hiding yourself to confuse your enemies. Doesn't make sense to try and slow someone down with it, if you can't find your target in turn," Sakura's voice caused the raven-haired girl to bring her staff closer to her chest, glancing around.
However there was no surprise attack as she had expected, instead, she was left standing there as the smoke cleared, revealing Sakura standing a few steps away, holding the net in one hand giving it a shake before throwing it aside.
'I even weighted the net,' Momo wasn't able to anticipate the degree of Sakura's strength because she was yet to display it and that seemed to put her at a disadvantage. All of her classmates were showcasing everything they had to offer but Sakura was yet to lose her calm demeanor. Keeping a straight face and untroubled eyes.
'I can't hesitate now!'
When Momo came towards Sakura with her staff, preparing an attack there was still no reaction when she charged. Only right as Momo thought her strike would land did Sakura take a brief step out of the way. With too much force behind her swing, Momo's feet stuttered for a moment before she turned back and attempted to hit the pinkette, either subdue her in the ring or force her out of it. However, it was the same disappointing result no matter the tactic she tried.
'The attacks are obvious,' Sakura thought, curving her neck away from the metal staff. The taller girl was trying to force her out of the ring. Momo had an arsenal of weapons that was only limited by her ability to use her quirk but she was sticking to simplistic items and even more simplistic fighting tactics. Movements that Sakura could decipher quicker than a five-piece puzzle. It was clear Momo was becoming frustrated with her failings; even flustered that she was losing that hint of elegance to her fighting and was allowing her inexperience to shine through.
This dance lasted only for another minute before Sakura went on the offensive for the first and the last time for this match.
The shield on Momo's forearm was flung off into the air when Sakura dragged her finger up from the bottom of the iron. Now holding only her weapon of offense, Momo attempted to strike her down again with her weapon, she couldn't register what happened until she was skidding across the arena and over the edge of the line, her forehead producing a throbbing sting where the pinkette had shot her finger against.
'W-What?'
"Yaoyorozu is out of bounds, Haruno wins!"
"Wow, after a slow start Haruno surprises with a quick one flick victory!"
It was too quick. Momo thought.
The power behind using a single finger had her mind shutting off as she became unable to process her disbelief. How the match had ended was also a depressing factor. Especially when she wasn't even able to give her opponent a real fight; offering no intimidation or thrill. Momo shut her eyes hard, trying to keep herself from crying, a churning in the pit of her stomach.
'I couldn't do anything against her,'
"You'll never defeat an opponent like that," Sakura's voice broke Momo out of her head. The pinkette's silhouette hovered over her, and that was when she saw the hand outstretched towards her. "You got flustered easily, and your recovery time is slow. You need to keep a close eye on your opponent and always stay calm,"
"R-Right," Momo hesitantly took her hand, allowing Sakura to lift her off the ground but the churning feeling of embarrassment did not leave her.
..
..
..
..
"You sure took your time," stated Hitoshi when the pinkette returned to her seat in the stands.
He and Sakura had chosen to place themselves out of their classmate's view. Both of them were estranged from their classes in their own ways. Even after Hitoshi's classmates praised him after he fought Izuku, it was just the line drawn for the starting point of having any relations with them. He was still much closer to the emerald-eyed girl.
"I won didn't I?"
"I'm sure the scouts are expecting something flashy at least,"
Sakura shrugged, leaning back, "If the time comes, it'll happen,"
"I'm looking forward to it,"
The matches unfolded quickly, with everyone following the same dynamic of showing off their quirks in any manner they could currently achieve. There was little gauging of strength or display of patience and attrition tactics. Everyone was just rushing the other to end the match as quickly as possible and the crowd was tirelessly engulfing the spectacle with joy. Heroes were watching especially close, hunting for potential. Some were more interesting than others, like Tenya going against Mei from the support course. She had tricked him into showcasing all of her support equipment. Sakura probably laughed a little too hard for that.
But nothing left an impression on Sakura like the second match when Shouto went against Hanta.
Shouto Todoroki had a powerful quirk, he had good judgment and typically kept a calm demeanor but Sakura realized something was off about him since the beginning of the festival when he called out Izuku. That belief only solidified when it was his turn to take the stage for the tournament, against Hanta. The match was drawn to a quick conclusion not even lasting a minute; with Shouto emerging victorious but it was the execution that had the entire stadium shuddering in awe. His attack was so great that it took a while before Sakura was able to step up for her match against Momo.
An entire mountain of ice had been produced almost instantly, towering over the stadium that onlookers outside would be able to spot it.
It was excessive, unnecessary, driven by rage and sadness. That didn't make it any less impressive. Hanta had been completely frozen in place, but at least Shouto had enough mind not to freeze him head to toe, just from the neck down. But it resulted in the audience giving sympathy for Hanta, while Sakura became more concerned about Rei's son.
'He's in a really foul mood,'
Sakura didn't say anything about the rest of the matches that followed, except when it came to the last one for the round. Ochaco and Katsuki's match.
Now, Katsuki Bakugo was crude with a temper and a foul mouth, but he was talented and he had good instincts as well as a spirit that matched his explosive quirk. And when he fought Ochaco he showed it. However, a large portion of the audience didn't take too kindly to him constantly blasting Ochaco away instead of just going on the offensive and sending her out of bounds, since he was apparently proving there was such a big power gap between the classmates. Some heroes saw this as a form of mockery and bullying towards Ochaco who tried to reach him and the crowd had even booed him for it.
"How can you say you want to be a hero like that? If there's such a huge difference in your abilities, then hurry up and send her out of bounds!"
Katsuki didn't bat an eye his way, keeping a sharp focus on Ochaco, who was too busy trying to reach him to care about the implication and was once again push back with an explosion dragging across the ground.
"Stop playing with the poor girl!"
"Yeah!"
The crowd's boos were echoing instead of cheers and Sakura had to shake her head, "What a bunch of morons and these are the people who are supposed to be scouting us,"
Hitoshi kept looking up, "It's common conduct for a hero to be chivalrous,"
"What about respecting your opponent? It's insulting to be underestimated,"
Sakura held up her chin, looking at the rubble hovering above the stage. It had collected while Katsuki and Ochaco's match was going on. It was all due to Ochaco's quirk, something the girl had planned while she seemingly attacked relentlessly and was being 'taunted' by Katsuki who was none the wiser.
"And from people who have such narrow vision,"
It didn't go on long after Shouta put them in their place; even calling out the hero who had started the hysteria and telling him to leave and retire from the hero business. It would be the only time Sakura found herself on similar terms with her homeroom teacher.
The match continued without further comment but in the end, it was Katsuki who stood victorious.
Even though Ochaco did her best to defeat Katsuki with a finishing move of using the rubble that had accumulated in the air to drop his guard and give her a chance to attack, he proved to have a firmer grip on his quirk when he used it to blast away the shower of rocks. It was so powerful that it destroyed most of the rubble turning it to dust. After Ochaco wasn't able to hold herself up, overusing her quirk and ending the match.
Even then, she didn't want to give up and it moved Sakura.
"Too bad huh?" Hitoshi said.
"No," Sakura watched as Ochaco was taken away to the infirmary. She had exerted herself to the point where she couldn't walk off the stage. "She did well, and shut up those heroes in the stands,"
But that was far from the end of the Sports Festival drama because the opening match for the second round was Izuku and Shouto.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
"If I hadn't lost to Midoriya, I'd be fighting that guy," Hitoshi said, observing Shouto on the stage.
"What are you saying?"
"Right now, I'm actually a little relieved to be sitting here. He just seems different from the rest of your class,"
"Mmm, keen observation"
While the subject of attention for this match may have been Shouto; Izuku was certainly quick to make an impression. The moment the match began, Shouto struck first. Using his ice from a distance, but the strength Izuku could produce with just a flick of his finger was always enough to completely breakthrough and scatter a cold wind that put goosebumps on the skin of the audience.
Sakura examined the unrefined fighting techniques of both boys. Shouto was determined to take down Izuku from a distance, while Izuku tried not to get taken out of the ring by countering with wind pressure each turn costing him another finger.
"I don't get Midoriya's quirk," Hitoshi said, "He's got so much power but it breaks his body. They're incompatible,"
"Can't that sort of thing happen with quirks?"
"Quirks usually develop with the person," Hitoshi explained, "But it's almost like his body isn't used to his own quirk,"
That made sense, considering that quirk wasn't inherited by blood but handed to Izuku by the number one hero. The first time Izuku showed to have any sort of control over that power was at the USJ, he managed to keep from breaking his entire arm. He had a way of monitoring the output but he hadn't figured out the controls yet.
"I don't think it's just that. He isn't used to combat and Shouto's more assertive of his abilities. That's why I'm honestly leaning towards Shouto winning this match, objectively speaking,"
"Then if you win your next match, you'll be going up against that guy," Hitoshi pointed, watching Shouto change tactics, creating a bridge of ice to rush towards Izuku. Managing to get in close even after it was destroyed and almost freezing Izuku's foot when he was countered. The green-eyed boy had pulled back a fist for the first time in the match and fired off a blast of wind stronger than the previous attacks. With enough to send Shouto back to the edge of the line and far from him. Breaking his entire arm in turn.
Sakura kept a straight face, "Well Izuku's certainly not going down quietly, besides nothing's final,"
Although she knew Shouto was strong, he still stood closer to their other classmates than he did to her. Back at the USJ, he was capable enough to deal with villains on his own, but when it came to the leaders, he had been cautious and thrown off just like the others.
"This fight shouldn't last much longer, given Midoriya's injuries,"
"Yeah, but he hasn't lost that spark in his eyes yet. You'd be surprised what you can fight through, especially when you have a fire like Izuku's,"
"Weren't you just saying your bets are on Todoroki?"
"Yes, but nothing is definite in a real fight,"
The audience was buzzing like an agitated swarm. This was the greatest display of power so far and it was jaw-dropping, not just Izuku's power but the way Shouto managed to counter against it with his own despite being in the center of attention for the attack.
Shouto made what many believed would be the finishing blow, but as the ice barrage hurried towards Izuku, he pulled back one of his broken fingers and flicked, producing the overwhelming wind pressure that broke through the ice.
Hitoshi frowned, "With his broken finger, is he serious?"
Sakura leaned back, "Izuku has a fire in him right now that Shouto doesn't. It's something that could turn the tide if Shouto isn't careful,"
Izuku then said something, his voice strong, "You're trembling Todoroki. Quirks are physical abilities too, so there's a limit to how much cold your body can take isn't there? And isn't that something you could solve by using the heat from your left side?"
'His body gets affected by his quirk,' Sakura realized.
Shouto had started shaking, and his body was covered with frost. In the beginning, she thought that some physiological mutation that allowed the human body to produce quirks in the first place would create some sort of protection for the host's body. But when Sakura further researched quirks, she learned that most of them caused side effects. It looked like Shouto was no exception.
'But he could counter the effects of his quirk with his other side, so why hasn't he?'
"Everyone's fighting with everything they've got….to win and get closer to their dream…..You want to win with just half your strength?! You haven't put a single scratch on me yet you know!? Come at me with everything you've got!"
There was that fierce expression Izuku had revealed only a few rare times, but that's when his determination really shined through. It was the only time she was reminded of Naruto. His bold gaze and unwavering strength to never give up no matter what he was up against. Creating brief moments for her to draw parallels between this world and her own.
Shouto had become enraged by Izuku and had charged forward, forgoing his usual demeanor in favor of stampeding. Trying to get closer to attack, but his movements were far slower than before but with Izuku's injuries, he couldn't take any movement for granted but he was thinking more clearly and had been able to counter Shouto. Landing a punch on him for the first time and then avoiding the ice attacks despite his wounds.
Sakura admired Izuku's determination but the medic in her also warned against this sort of exertion on a body that was badly battered and broken like his. It was up to the teacher to decide whether or not a battle has been taken too far. With how Izuku was continuously abusing his damaged limbs just to stay in the ring longer, fighting through the pain of bones breaking and shattering, she thought it would have been better if the teachers had intervened. But they were allowed to continue.
"Stop screwing around!"
Izuku wasn't backing down and Shouto was putting up a fight, but he still didn't have that same drive that Izuku exhibited. Sakura felt that there was a connection between his recent behavior and his current actions. Understanding that Shouto was under unique circumstances from what Rei had told him, Sakura only knew what had happened based on her story. She hadn't been in contact with Shouto since the incident. And Sakura learned from her friend's difficult childhoods how their parents shaped them.
'So what exactly happened to you, Shouto?'
"It's your power isn't it!?" Izuku's cries broke Sakura from her thoughts and apparently whatever restrains was on Shouto. Because not only had a fire been lit under his eyes, he had literally ignited himself, flames bursting from his left side while the frost on his right melted.
"I want….to be a hero too!"
The heat was intense, but what captivated Sakura's attention was that for the first time, she caught Shouto with a wide, strained smile. The pieces were almost coming together, but there were still parts missing that kept Sakura from forming a clear picture as the outsider of this. That is until a booming voice called out from the crowds.
"SHOUTO!" He was a man dressed in flames, his hair a deep red mimicking Shouto's or rather Shouto's was mimicking his, as this person was older, with a build that would be cast over only by All Might. The number two Hero Endeavor or rather Enji Todoroki.
'So he was here,' And he was ranting with excitement, going down the stairs as if he wanted to get closer to the ring, closer to the flames his son was emitting for the first time. "Have you finally accepted yourself?! It all starts here for you! With my blood, you will surpass me! You will fulfill my desire!"
Sakura rubbed her neck like something was pushing down. Of course, it was the number two hero and the man who had driven his wife to the point of instability with his obsession. Sakura heard that Enji had projected his ideals and desires onto Shouto, who was the only one of his children to be able to harness ice and flames, subjecting Shouto to harsh training since he was five despite Rei's objections. Putting further strain on a family that had been harshly arranged by Enji's own hands.
At this moment, however, Shouto wasn't paying attention to his father. Instead, his eyes were fully focused on the obstacle in front of him. That was unfortunately Izuku.
What happened next was a massive blur of hot and cold, mixing together to create an intense pressure that pushed against a pure force as Izuku and Shouto charged at each other without restraint or consideration for themselves. It was a blaze of colors that captivated and terrified, enough to finally alert the teachers to intervene, but their attempts were in vain as they managed to reach each other and create an impact that broke apart the stage and created a force great enough to touch the entire stadium.
"What the!?" Hitoshi couldn't even get the words out as he tried to keep his eyes open, but there was too much wind. There was even smoke erupting from the top, like a volcano altering onlookers outside.
"That was intense," Sakura breathed.
"What the heck?" Hizashi's strained voice came from the booth, "What's up with you class Eraser? I can't see anything, who won the match?"
When the dust cleared, so were the results of the match. Standing alone in the damaged arena, albeit a little disoriented, was Shouto. While Izuku had been knocked clear out of bounds, his body falling limp against the wall, as he finally gave in to his injury.
'Still, this is admirable,' Sakura thought.
"Midoriya is out of bounds, Todoroki wins!"
Hitoshi was still starring awestruck at the stage when he spoke, "You were right, he won,"
Sakura was already getting out of her seat and moving up the stairs.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
"Oh, Sakura!" Ochaco called, spotting the pinkette down the hall, closing in on the nurse's office. She turned around acknowledging her classmates. Ochaco was with Tsuyu, Minoru and Tenya. "Are you coming to see Deku too?"
Sakura nodded, "Izuku's injuries were extensive, so I'm going to see if I can lend a hand to Chiyo-san,"
While Chiyo's quirk allowed her to stimulate a person's healing ability, it was at the expense of their stamina; something Izuku shouldn't have a lot of after that battle with Shouto.
"Aren't you going to prepare for your match?" Tsuyu pointed out.
"The stage still has to be repaired, and this is more important," Sakura shrugged. Her next opponent was going to be Fumikage Tokoyami, but she was more concerned about looking in on Izuku's condition.
Ochaco, Tenya, Tsuyu, Sakura, and Minoru arrived at the door of the nurse's office where Chiyo would be tending to him. When they burst in, there was Izuku already wrapped in bandages, both arms tightly wound around his chest. Being looked over by Chiyo and Toshinori in his weaker form. Ochaco greeted the hero politely like a stranger, unaware of his identity. Sakura almost smiled.
"Hey guys, what about the other matches?" Izuku asked, his voice strained with pain.
"They're taking time to repair to the stage," Tenya told him.
Minoru pointed shakingly to Izuku, "Your match was terrifying Midoriya, what kind of pro is going to want a sidekick that hurts himself?"
Sakura backhanded him, "Shut up, it wasn't that bad,"
"Don't rub salt in his wounds," agreed Tsuyu.
"Not that bad! He blew up the stage!"
"That was on account of Shouto and Izuku's attacks colliding, the heat and wind pressure caused the explosive force,"
"How is that not bad!?"
Chiyo huffed and waved her arms at them, "You're all being too noisy! I know you're worried but I have to perform surgery,"
"SURGERY!?" Izuku's classmates exclaimed as Chiyo started guiding them to the door, cutting the visit short.
"Out you all go now,"
"Actually," Sakura interjected, "I thought his injuries might be severe, so I was wondering if I could stay and help? I know that his bones are probably in fragments and will have to be removed before you can heal them so-
"I'm sorry, I know your quirk allows you to heal, but I cannot permit a student to assist in such delicate surgery,"
"I know what to do," Sakura had experience with these types of surgeries before studying under Tsunade and working in the hospital.
Chiyo paused, pursing her lip. "No, it's not allowed. Even if you were just using your quirk, you don't have clearance for that, never mind being allowed to assist in a medical operation. These are the rules,"
'Of course,' With her fists clenched, Sakura didn't fight with the nurse. The law and education systems in this world did not work to her advantage, and that's the reason she had been disregarding them so often. 'Shinobi must endure,' But even Sakura didn't know how much longer she was going to be able to endure this world and its antics. Not after what she's been through in hers.
"Fine," Sakura said with a sour taste in her mouth before leaving without waiting for her classmates. When they followed, she was somehow already out of sight.
Since she was unable to help with Izuku's treatment, Sakura headed to the waiting room until her match started. When she turned the corner, she met Shouto walking back, now in new gym clothes after burning half the material with his quirk. He was ready to step past her without acknowledgment, but she interjected in front.
"Hey, are you alright?" When she was met with the stony silence and glare, she talked further. "That was a great match, but you and Izuku went a bit overboard. But your…dad was really rooting for you huh?"
Shouto didn't take her kindly after that question, his eyes seemed to be set aflame with anger shining through.
"Move,"
'Thought so,' Sakura heard about the Todoroki family from Rei, and she did not paint her husband in a great light. Apparently, she wasn't the only one. He had intended to use his wife for her quirk and his children to surpass All Might. It was an incredible story, but not that original.
Rivalry could be dangerous and plant deep seeds of madness in people. Naruto and Sasuke weren't exactly gracious towards each other even though they had to work together. Time had allowed them to develop a healthier relationship, but that was shattered when Sasuke became consumed by his desire for revenge and they all became entangled by it. And Sakura wasn't looking to repeat the process with someone else, she was just fishing for her own curiosity.
"I'm not trying to pry-
"Then shut up and get out of my way," Shouto went to move again, but Sakura refused to step to the side.
"I just want to talk to you,"
"Don't get in my-
"You lost control," Shouto's jaw tightened at the pinkettes statement. Sakura folded her arms, "You're attitudes been rancid since before the Sports Festival, you targeted Izuku for some reason even though he's done nothing to you. Then you go unleashing a hell blaze on stage, with fire you didn't even use at the USJ,"
"What do you want me to say so that this conversation will end?" Shouto's fists clenched, furry still sketched on his face, his lips pulled back almost in a snarl at the pinkette who he felt was digging her nose in. Shouto hadn't even acted out like this when his father came to see him after his match with Izuku. The man had such a pleased expression the first time since Shouto had started defying him by not using his left side and, it made his stomach churn, yet he hadn't become this enraged as he was right now. Perhaps that's because his father related to his turmoil, and conflict. And Shouto had pulled Izuku through that door when he told him about his past but Sakura was not in that circle and that's why he felt she had no right to attempt to understand him.
Sakura took a step closer, placing a hand on Shouto's shoulder, "I want to know what's wrong, because you look lost right now, and like you're in a lot of pain."
He slapped her hand away harshly as he could, stepping away and bumping her shoulder, "Don't talk like you know me,"
Sakura let out a breath of silence and walked in the opposite direction because she knew well enough by now when it was time to take a step back.
"See you on stage,"