A few days after the clash, Yu's name flashed across Ace's phone. He swiped to answer, her voice laced with worry.
"Ace? Are you okay? I saw the news. You fought All Might!"
"I'm fine, Yu. Don't worry," he responded, his voice calm despite the frantic beat of his heart. "I'm still breathing."
"But you fought All Might! The Symbol of Peace! Are you crazy?"
"He wouldn't stop me, so I had to subdue him. I didn't hurt him badly, though. Trust me."
A pause.
"The Hero Commission is going nuts. They're calling for your head, you know that, right?"
"Yeah, I figured," Ace said, his gaze drifting towards the window. The sky was a brilliant blue, deceptively serene. "But I can't stop now. Too much is at stake."
"Ace…" Yu's voice softened. "Be careful. Please. I don't want to see you get hurt."
"I will, Yu. I promise. Thanks for checking in."
He ended the call, sliding the phone back into his pocket. With a sigh, Ace pushes away from the window and heads to the staircase, descending back into the café's lobby.
The aroma of roasted coffee beans and freshly baked pastries wafts through the air. Ami hums a cheerful tune as she wipes down the counter. Ozaki, Miura, and Montana are in their usual spots, engaged in a lively debate about the latest hero rankings.
Ami's humming fades as she spots Ace. She beams, that ever-present smile widening. "Ace, perfect timing! I have a question for you." She gestures toward a flyer plastered near the cash register, showcasing a dynamic image of young heroes in action.
UA Sports Festival? Ace thought.
Ami continues, "I managed to snag a couple of tickets to the U.A. Sports Festival this weekend. I was wondering if you'd like to come with me? I thought it would be a nice way for us to take a break."
Ace hesitated, glancing back at the flyer. The U.A. Sports Festival…
It was more than just a school event; it was a nationwide spectacle. U.A. High, the most prestigious hero academy in Japan, opened its doors for a display of young, raw talent. The festival served as a showcase, not only for the students, but for the entire hero community. Pro Heroes, agencies, and even corporations scouted the participants, eager to recruit the next generation. It was a pressure cooker of competition, strategy, and sheer Quirk power.
"It sounds like a lot of fun, Ami. Thanks for the invite," Ace says, cutting off the other Taros.
Ami's smile brightens. "Great! I knew you'd say yes. It's this Saturday. We can close up shop a little early and head over."
"Sounds like a plan,"
Ace says, trying to sound enthusiastic. Ami returns to her position behind the bar, resuming her cheerful humming as she arranges a display of colorful macarons. The regulars resume their debate, louder now, fueled by caffeine and opinions.
This could be interesting, Momotaros mutters in Ace's mind.
Indeed, Kintaros rumbles. A chance to observe the strength of the next generation.
I wonder if there will be any interesting people there, Urataros muses, already imagining the possibilities.
Ooh, a festival! Ryutaros says.
Ace sighed inwardly. While the Taros seemed genuinely intrigued by the prospect, he felt a different kind of anticipation. He knew what was coming. He had watched the anime, seen the highlights, the fights, the triumphs, and the tribulations.
He remembered the explosive energy of Bakugo, the awakening of Shoto, the unwavering determination of Izuku. He had only encountered Midoriya by accident. He knew that most of the students he had to watch out for were at that event. This trip could be beneficial, or it could be a waste of time.
Still, he couldn't deny the appeal of a break. The constant battles, the endless pursuit of Imagins, the weight of his responsibilities—it all took its toll. Maybe a day spent watching aspiring heroes compete was exactly what he needed. A chance to recharge, to observe without the pressure of intervention.
And besides, he hadn't spent nearly enough time with Ami lately. She had been nothing but kind, offering him a job, a place to stay, and a sense of normalcy in a world turned upside down. The least he could do was accompany her to a sports festival.
"Alright," Ace says to himself. "Let's get through today."
Saturday dawned, bright and promising, mirroring the growing buzz within Ace. He tried to focus on his duties, wiping down tables and brewing coffee, but the excitement was infectious. Even the usually stoic Kintaros seemed restless, and Ryutaros kept humming snippets of upbeat tunes. It's a festival, Ace! Let loose! Ryutaros said, his energy practically vibrating through their shared consciousness.
Ami, sensing his eagerness, allowed him to close up a little early, around 11 AM. The regulars, grumbling good-naturedly about missing their afternoon caffeine fix, wished them well. Ozaki gave a knowing wink, while Montana just nodded, fixing Ace with an unreadable stare.
"Alright, let's get going," Ami chirped, grabbing her purse. She wore a light sundress adorned with a celestial pattern, her dark hair pulled back in a simple ponytail. She looked radiant, the anticipation of the day clearly lifting her spirits.
As they stepped out of Starry, the air crackled with the atmosphere of a city on the brink of something big. The streets teemed with people, many sporting merchandise from U.A. High, All Might especially. Banners and flags fluttered from lampposts, heralding the start of the annual games.
"Wow, look at all the people," Ami commented, her eyes wide with amazement. "It's even more crowded than I expected."
"Yeah, it seems the whole city is heading that way," Ace responded, scanning the crowds.
Within Ace's mind, the Taros were practically bouncing off the walls.
This is going to be great! Ryutaros exclaimed.
We're going to see some amazing stuff! Momotaros shouted.
I wonder what skills these kids will show off Kintaros said, his curiosity piqued.
The air smells of anticipation, Urataros stated.
Ace ignored them, focusing on the press of bodies moving toward the stadium.
Amidst the bustling crowds heading towards the U.A. Sports Festival, a lone figure huddled in a shadowed corner of a side street, away from the main thoroughfare. It was a student, U.A. uniform slightly rumpled, face obscured by the downturned brim of a cap.
"Are you sure this is going to work?" he asks, his gaze darting nervously around as if expecting someone to overhear.
A voice, smooth and confident, echoes in his mind. Trust me, kid. Everything's going to work out just fine. You'll get exactly what you want.
The student hesitates, then nods, his resolve hardening. He straightens up, a newfound determination etched on his face. As he takes a step forward, a faint trickle of sand pours from his pores, unnoticed by the passing crowd.
Excellent, the voice whispers, growing louder in his head. Now, let's go make a name for ourselves.
***
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Advance chapters are in my P@|r3on - Najicablitz