After the failed attack at the USJ, Mato had remained quite silent and hadn't received any news from any of the villains.
He was wearing a simple outfit: baggy, grey pants, a green hoodie, and his usual grey scarf. He lay on his bed, his gaze seemingly vague on the ceiling.
Tch... since that day, I haven't received a single message from anyone. Not even from All For One.
Speaking of the devil, Mato's phone rang. He checked the name:
"Dabi."
Mato answered the call.
"About time you called me," he said.
"I didn't call you to say hi," said Dabi. "Go outside. Toga and I have got something to tell you."
"Fine, wait for me."
Mato closed the call. Just when Mato got out of his bed, Izuku entered the room.
"Hey, Hideki!" he exclaimed. "Where are you going?"
"Nowhere," said Mato. "I just need some fresh air."
"Oh, I see..." Izuku whispered.
"I'll be back in a while," Mato hurried up outside the room. "If you hear me talk, I'm speaking to myself."
I wonder what's on his mind... thought Izuku, watching Mato leave.
__________
Mato went outside the house. It was late at night.
Where the hell is he...
Suddenly, the boy heard a sound coming from the bushes. He decided to follow it. Mato was led to the backyard of Izuku's house. After a short time, the bush moved, and what came out of it was a really liked surprise by Mato.
"Mato-kunnnnnn!"
Toga jumped right into Mato's arms, knocking him off balance and making him roll on the floor.
"I've missed you so much, Mato-kun!~" Toga said, hugging Mato tight. Shortly after, Dabi emerged from the bushes as well.
"She missed you," he said, brushing some leaves away from his body. "And I missed you too."
"Yeah, as if someone as cold as you is missing someone," Mato snorted, trying to push Toga away. However, upon further consideration, he wanted her to stay.
"I don't know what's gotten into her," said Dabi. "But the last few days she's been talking about you all the time."
Mato blushed.
R-really? Has she been talking about me? So she really likes me!
"That's right, Mato-kun..." said Toga. "I've been missing you... and your blood."
Oh, this explains everything...
"Fine, be quick and take it," Mato sighed as he broke the hug.
"Spill the beans, Dabi," said the boy, as Toga began to drink his blood. "What did you come to tell me?"
"As you should know," Dabi began to explain, "in a short timespan, U. A. will have a Sports Festival. All you have to do is win to earn your classmates' respect and trust. It doesn't matter how you win, as long as you win."
"Is that all?" Mato asked, tilting his head. Toga rested her head on his shoulder, clearly tired.
"Yeah," Dabi confirmed, scratching his burned chin. "That's all."
"It's pretty simple then," said Mato. "Or at least, it seems so."
"Don't underestimate those students," said Dabi. "They're the same ones who kicked our asses a few days ago."
"Don't remind me..." whispered Mato, lowering his gaze and getting up.
"Mato-kun..." Toga hummed. "If you win this festival, I'll stop asking you for your blood."
"You don't have to," Mato scratched the back of his head. "If you like it, I'm willing to give it to you."
"Oh, Mato-kun, you're so sweet..." Toga moaned, hugging Mato from behind. "I'm starting to think you like me..."
Dabi slapped his forehead.
Unbelievable... she still doesn't get he's totally into her...
"How's your time at U. A. going?" the villain with the burned skin asked.
"Pretty normal," said Mato. "Nobody suspects me yet. Winning this festival will be a piece of cake."
"Let's hope so," said Dabi. "We'll watch you on the TV in the basement. Don't fail us."
Mato smirked. "I won't."
__________
The Day of the Sports Festival
At school, Mato was leaning against the wall, eating his daily meal. He was in the waiting room of Class 1-B, as the Sports Festival was about to begin.
"You'll see," Tetsutetsu declared. "I'm going to beat you all."
"But if I don't..." the boy turned to Mato. "Then I'll root for you, brother."
"Same for me," said Setsuna. "You're the best in our class. If everyone gets eliminated and you're the last one standing, you'll be rooted by us."
"What do I get if I win?" Mato asked, rubbing his cheek.
"Our respect," Togaru Kamakiri said. "And our trust."
"Don't I already have both of them?" Mato took another bite of his meal.
"Only the respect," Neito Monoma spoke up. "Even if not mine."
"I don't care about your respect, Monoma," Mato sighed. "And for the record, I don't respect you either."
"I hope we end up against each other in the Sports Festival, Shirakawa," said Monoma. "I'll enjoy beating you up."
"Calm down, guys," Itsuka interrupted. "Don't mind him, Hideki-kun."
"Of course I don't," snorted Mato, annoyed. "You'll see who's the best student of Class 1-B."
No wonder they don't get along, thought Setsuna. They're constantly fighting to be the best student in the class.
Itsuka grabbed Mato's hand and dragged him away.
"I can't stand him..." Mato whispered, leaning against a distant wall.
"Don't let your anger overwhelm you, Hideki-kun," Itsuka said with a concerned tone. "You're better than this."
"I know," Mato lowered his head. "If I'm up against Monoma, I'll crush him ruthlessly."
"Please, do it," Itsuka said. "I can't stand him either."
"Hey, lovebirds!" Kosei Tsubaraba shouted. "Come here, we're about to begin."
"Shut up, Tsubaraba!" yelled Itsuka, blushing. "We're not lovebirds!"
Unfortunately...
Mato walked towards the rest of the class. Tetsutetsu playfully punched him on the arm.
"Good luck, Hid."
"Good luck, Tets."
"ENTER, CLASS 1-B!" Present Mic shouted.
The class entered the pitch.
I gotta represent them all...
"I feel famous!" Tetsutetsu flexed his muscles.
"You're not," said Mato, slightly smiling. "I am."
"Representing the students is Class 1-B's... Hideki Shirakawa!"
"Let 'em know who Class 1-B is," said Setsuna, clapping him on the shoulder. Mato reached the mic.
He took a deep breath.
"There's only one thing I must say."
He cleared his throat.
"It doesn't matter who stands before me. I will defeat them."
Mato pointed his finger at Monoma.
"I throw down the gauntlet, Monoma. Today will decide who is the best in our class."
Monoma narrowed his eyes in an annoyed expression.
"Today, we of Class 1-B will show you that we are not the wimps you all think we are. We exist, and we are worthy of becoming heroes one day. Anyone who wants to challenge me, please do so to my face. All I'll say is this: I can't promise you I'll win, but I'll give my all to live up to my name."
He pointed himself.
"Hideki Shirakawa, remember the name."
Chapter 10 - End