[40] The Heart of a Hero

[Izuku Midoriya's POV]

As the fourth match came to its anticlimactic end, I laughed. Mei Hatsume had just pulled off the most audacious advertising stunt in the history of the sports festival. Poor Iida looked like he'd been put through the wringer.

"Well," I said, leaning back in my seat, "that was certainly... something."

Beside me, Jiro snorted. "That's one way to put it. I don't think I've ever seen someone use a tournament match as a commercial before."

Kaminari, who had rejoined us after his own brief stint in the arena, shook his head ruefully. "I gotta hand it to her, that girl knows how to make an impression."

I hummed thoughtfully, my mind already dissecting the match. "Her gear was impressive, though. Those hydraulic attachments, the jet pack... she's got a real knack for innovation."

Momo nodded, her eyes bright with interest. "The potential applications for hero work are fascinating. Imagine how much more effective rescue operations could be with equipment like that."

"True," I agreed. "But it's not just about the tech itself. It's about how you use it, how you integrate it into your fighting style."

Kirishima leaned forward, his brow furrowed. "What do you mean, Midoriya?"

I gestured to the screen, where a replay of the match was showing. "Look at Iida. He's fast, but he's also predictable. He relies too much on straightforward charges, on the raw speed of his quirk."

Tokoyami cocked his head, his dark gaze thoughtful. "And you think Hatsume's gear could help with that?"

"Potentially," I said. "But only if he learns to adapt, to use the gear to enhance his natural abilities rather than relying on it as a crutch."

Momo looked at me. "You've really thought about this, haven't you?"

I shrugged. "What can I say? I'm always looking for ways to improve, to push past my limits."

Suddenly, Momo stiffened, her eyes widening. "Oh! Speaking of pushing limits, it's almost time for my match!"

Momo versus Tokoyami... it was sure to be an incredible battle.

A few weeks ago, I'd have bet on Tokoyami overwhelming her with Dark Shadow's relentless assault. But now? Momo had grown, sharpened her skills during our one-on-one sessions.

"Good luck out there," I said, catching her eye. "Remember what we practiced."

Momo nodded, a determined glint in her eye. "Thanks, Midoriya. I won't let you down."

As she headed for the exit, I turned to Tokoyami. "Hey, give her hell out there. Should be one hell of a match."

Tokoyami inclined his head, his expression unreadable. "Indeed. I expect nothing less than the fiercest of battles from Yaoyorozu."

I leaned back in my seat, a small smile playing on my lips. This was going to be interesting. Momo's creativity against Tokoyami's raw power. Light versus shadow.

"Who do you think's gonna take it?" Kirishima asked, leaning over.

I shrugged, keeping my thoughts to myself. "We'll just have to wait and see."

The truth was, I had my suspicions. But it was more fun to let things play out, to see how my predictions stacked up against reality. Plus, there was always the chance of a surprise. That's what made these matches so damn exciting.

[Momo Yaoyorozu's POV]

Entering the tunnel I took a deep breath, trying to center myself. Instinctively, my thoughts turned to Izuku, to the countless hours we'd spent training together. His words, his guidance, had become a beacon guiding me through the choppy waters of self-doubt.

I remembered one session in particular, a spar that had left me frustrated and disheartened.

"Momo," Izuku had said, his voice gentle but firm. "You're one of the smartest people I know. But in a fight, you can't always rely on perfect planning."

I had looked at him, my brow furrowed. "But my quirk... I need to be able to think, to create the right tools for the job."

He had smiled then, that warm, reassuring smile that never failed to make my heart flutter. "And you will. But you can't get bogged down in the details. Focus on a few key things, things you can create without hesitation. Use those to your advantage."

It had been a revelation. And as I continued to train with Izuku, to absorb his insights and strategies, I had felt myself growing. Not just in skill, but in confidence, in the unshakable belief that I could handle whatever challenges came my way.

Now, facing the prospect of battling Tokoyami, I felt that confidence surge within me. Tokoyami was a formidable opponent, his Dark Shadow quirk a force to be reckoned with. But I had watched him fight, had analyzed his strengths and weaknesses.

And thanks to Izuku, I was starting to see things in a new light.

Dark Shadow... it was powerful, yes. But it had a crucial vulnerability. A weakness to bright light.

Suddenly, a plan began to form in my mind. A flash bang grenade, designed to emit a blinding burst of light. It would be tricky to create, requiring a delicate balance of chemicals and components. But if I could pull it off...

I could disorient Dark Shadow, break Tokoyami's focus. And in that moment of confusion, I could press my advantage.

My tonfas. I had been practicing with them religiously under Izuku's watchful eye. They would be my ace in the hole.

I stepped forward, my head held high. In my mind's eye, I could see Izuku's face, could hear his voice.

No overthinking. No second-guessing.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" Present Mic's voice boomed, echoing through the stadium. "Are you ready for our next explosive match-up?"

The crowd cheered, a tsunami of noise that sent a shiver down my spine.

"In the red corner, we have the mistress of creation, the prodigy of Class 1-A - Momo Yaoyorozu!"

"And in the blue corner, the shadow warrior, the dark knight of the hero course - Fumikage Tokoyami!"

Across the battlefield, Tokoyami stood impassive, his dark gaze fixed on me.

"Begin!" Midnight's voice cracked like a whip.

Instantly, Dark Shadow surged forward, a strike that caught me off guard. I barely managed to dodge, feeling the rush of air as the shadowy claw grazed my cheek.

My hands were moving, my quirk sparking to life. The flash bang grenade took shape in my palm, but before I could activate it, Dark Shadow was on me again.

This time, I wasn't fast enough. The shadow slammed into my chest, sending me skidding backwards. I gasped, the breath driven from my lungs.

Tokoyami pressed his advantage, Dark Shadow lashing out in a relentless assault. I was forced back, step by step, trying to find an opening.

There! A split-second window. I activated the grenade, tossing it high into the air.

The flash was blinding, a burst of light that seared my retinas. I heard the hiss of pain from Dark Shadow as it recoiled.

But the respite was short-lived. Tokoyami recovered quickly, his training and instincts kicking in. Dark Shadow lashed out, a counter-attack that caught me in the shoulder, spinning me around.

My tonfas were in my hands, extensions of my own body. I met Dark Shadow's next strike head-on, the clash reverberating up my arms.

We traded blows, a dance of shadow and light. Each time, I used my tonfas to deflect Dark Shadow's attacks, but I could feel myself tiring.

I needed to find a way to turn the tide.

Izuku's words echoed in my mind. Focus on your strengths. Adapt and create.

I let Dark Shadow get close, let it commit to an all-out attack. Then, at the last second, I dropped low, rolling beneath the shadowy mass.

In that moment of overextension, I struck. A tonfa to the back of the knee, a swift elbow to the ribs. Tokoyami stumbled, his balance broken.

I pressed my advantage, a flash bang in one hand, a tonfa in the other. The grenade bought me a precious second of disorientation, a window to land a solid blow across Tokoyami's jaw.

He reeled back, Dark Shadow swirling around him in a frantic defense. But I could see the toll the fight had taken, could sense the shadow's weakening form.

One last push. One final gambit.

I charged forward, tonfas at the ready. Dark Shadow met me head-on, a clash of wills and strength.

We struggled, locked in a stalemate. But I had one last trick up my sleeve.

A flashbang, my last one, pressed against Dark Shadow's form. I closed my eyes, and activated it.

The burst of light was searing, overwhelming. Dark Shadow recoiled with a shriek and in that moment of vulnerability, I struck. A tonfa to the chest, a sweeping kick. Tokoyami toppled, rolling towards the edge of the ring.

I lunged, ready to end it. But Tokoyami was already moving, Dark Shadow surging back to life in a desperate counter.

We clashed at the boundary line and for a heart-stopping moment, I thought I had miscalculated, thought I had let victory slip through my fingers.

But then, I felt Tokoyami's resistance give way. We tumbled over the line, hitting the ground almost at the same time.

"Both fighters are out of bounds!" Midnight's voice rang out. "But since Yaoyorozu touched the ground last, she is the winner!"

The crowd erupted, a deafening roar that seemed to shake the very foundations of the earth. But I barely heard them. My heart was pounding, my breath coming in ragged gasps.

I'd won. I'd actually beaten Tokoyami.

Slowly, I pushed myself up, wincing at the protest from my battered body. Tokoyami was already on his feet, offering me a hand. I took it gratefully, stumbling a bit as he pulled me up.

"That was... impressive, Yaoyorozu," he said, his usually stoic face showing a hint of respect. "Your strategy was most unexpected."

I managed a smile, still catching my breath. "Thanks, Tokoyami. You were incredible out there. I thought Dark Shadow had me a few times."

"Perhaps next time. You've grown stronger, Yaoyorozu. It seems your training with Midoriya has paid off."

At the mention of Izuku's name, my heart did a little flip. Almost unconsciously, my eyes drifted up to the Class 1-A viewing area. And there he was.

Izuku stood at the railing, his green eyes locked on mine. His face... I'd never seen him smile like that before. It was radiant, beaming with pride and joy.

In that moment, something clicked into place. All the hours we'd spent training together, all the late-night study sessions, all the times he'd pushed me to be better, to believe in myself...

I smiled back at him, feeling a warmth spread through my chest that had nothing to do with the exertion of the fight. This was it. This was what I'd been feeling, what I'd been dancing around for weeks.

Izuku Midoriya was the one for me.

"Yaoyorozu?" Tokoyami's voice snapped me back to reality. "Are you alright?"

I blinked, realizing I'd been staring up at the stands for who knows how long. "Oh! Yes, sorry. Just... taking it all in, I guess."

Tokoyami nodded sagely. "Indeed. The first taste of victory can be quite overwhelming."

As we made our way off the field, I caught sight of Izuku again. He was talking with our classmates, no doubt breaking down every moment of the match. Even from here, I could see the intelligence in his eyes, the way his hands moved as he spoke.

That was Izuku, always analyzing, always learning. It was one of the things I lo-

My step faltered. Was I really ready to use that word, even in my own thoughts?

"You okay?" Recovery Girl asked as I entered her tent. "That was quite a match out there."

I nodded, sitting down on the exam table. "Just a few bruises, I think. Nothing too serious."

As she began her examination, my mind drifted back to Izuku. To that smile, to all the little moments that had led us here.

I knew what I felt. And maybe, just maybe, he felt it too.