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"Mina Ashido come up to the box."
The voice came over the loudspeaker, broadcasted over the meet. Mina, who had been standing on the field having just finished her race, turned to Kirishima, a puzzled look on her face. The other boy only shrugged.
"You should go see what it's about. I'm sure it's something good."
"Or you're in trouble." Kaminari teased, passing by. Mina nudged him but he only laughed. Kirishima gave her a sympathetic smile and followed after Kaminari to the starting line to get lined up for the 3200. With a sigh, she crossed the track and headed into the crowd of parents and students. She had to fight her way up to the bleachers, but made it to the top, hesitating before the door to the box.
Why would the announcer call me up here? She frowned. Maybe Kirishima was right. She'd heard of kids being called up to the box before. It was rare but not unheard of, and usually because coaches wanted to recruit them to run at their schools.
Kaminari's words troubled her, but she hadn't done anything wrong. After all, I placed first in the 800 overall. I don't think I can do much better than that.
Mind made up, she pushed the door open and stepped inside. The space was small but not cramped. Two men sat at the table. One had a pair of sunglasses on and was screeching into the microphone, narrating the boys 3200 race which had just gone off. The other turned to face her as she entered. He had scruffy black hair and a worn scarf around his neck. He stood and made his way over to her.
"Mina Ashido, you're a good runner. 2:35 in the girls 800 is remarkable for a girl your age and at this level of competition. You're in your third year of junior high, correct?"
She nodded, unsure. Who was this man? And how exactly did he know her name and time? Well, scratch that. He was the announcer so that made sense. But why call her up to the box?
His face broke into a grin.
"If you're coming to UA for high school, you should join the cross country team."
"No."
The man seemed taken aback at her sudden answer.
"I'm a sprinter. I don't do distances. And you don't even know if I'm going to UA." She pointed out. Which was a lie, yes. She had her mind set on that school and had already been accepted even. But that didn't mean she'd give him the satisfaction of knowing.
"Oh man Aizawa, you just got shot down." The other announcer laughed. The man, Aizawa, fixed him in a glare.
"Mic, your microphone is still on." He growled.
"Whoops! Sorry about that folks! Back to the race!" The man laughed, turning his attention back to the runners below on the track.
"Look, I can't make you join the team. But just consider it, alright? Coach Aizawa." She shook his hand and nodded, but already knew that she wouldn't accept his offer.
After all, I'm a sprinter.
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"So what fall sport are you gonna sign up for?"
Mina was walking down the hall, Kaminari beside her. The two were headed to their last period, Mathematics.
"I don't think I'm gonna play a fall sport."
"Then sign up for the cross country team!" Kaminari cheered. Mina's expression soured, and she glared at him. "Come on! I'm doing it, and you're a runner, too."
"There's a big difference between half a mile and three." Mina pointed out as they entered the classroom and took their seats towards the back. Kaminari twisted around in his seat to face her.
"If you practice and build up your endurance, you'd be amazing! Plus girls and boys practice together, which means we'd get to hang out more."
"Kaminari, I'm not a distance runner."
He frowned, but at that moment, the bell rung signaling the start of class and end of their conversation.
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"Mina, you're amazing!" Momo congratulated her after the 800.
"Thanks, Momo." Mina gave her a bright smile, flattered by the upperclassmen's praise. High school races were a big change from the smaller middle school meets, and while she hadn't placed first like she used to, she was still up there. Plus her time had improved a bit from all the training and practices with Coach Aizawa and the team.
"You're a really good runner. Would you consider doing any of the longer distances?"
Warnings bells went off in Mina's head at the question.
"I don't really do any distances over 800 meters."
"Oh...Alright. I just wanted to see what you'd think, since I know of some sprinters who can carry their speed over in the greater distances." Momo explained. I think you'd make for a great distance runner, is what Mina heard. She prepared to explain how she was a sprinter, not a distance runner, and would prefer to keep it that way when the announcer's voice cut in, loud and echoey.
"First call girls 3200."
Momo looked up at the sudden announcement before turning back to Mina and giving her a small smile and pat on the shoulder.
"Let me know if you change your mind." With that, she headed over to the start to get checked in. Mina clenched her fist, nails digging into her skin.
Why is everyone so determined to convince me to run longer distances?
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"I'm worried about the team next year." Momo sighed. Iida, Tsuyu and her were seated around their table at study hall. The three had been chosen for captains, along with Kirishima who would be a second year.
"I'm sure there will be new first year girls." Tsuyu piped up.
"I know...I'm just worried. There's only four of us, and we need five to compete. But even if we get a few first years, it's better to have at least seven or eight, even nine, girls total. What if someone gets hurt, or goes down during a race?"
"Perhaps we should try recruiting kids who will be second and third years next year as well?" Iida offered, looking up from the notes he was studying.
"Maybe..." Momo sighed. The bell rung, and the three gathered up their books and supplies, heading down the hallway together.
"Or we could try and get the other kids who participate in track to join the team." Iida said. He paused as the trio passed by Kirishima and Mina walking together in the opposite direction. "Ah Mina!"
"Iida, you already know she doesn't want to run distance. She's made up her mind, we really shouldn't keep asking her." Momo tried to stop him, but the boy was already headed towards the two of them. With a sigh, she let him go, not bothering to stick around to see how it turned out. She didn't want to be late for class.
And besides, she already knew what Mina's answer would be.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ochako entered study hall, clutching her books to her chest. Deku wasn't in this period with her, and neither was anyone else she knew of. It was only the first day, after all, and she barely knew anyone yet asides from him and a few others. She looked around to see if there was anyone she recognized and caught sight of three kids who had been at the cross country meeting. She started to walk over towards them, figuring that since they were teammates and all, it'd be alright for her to. As she drew nearer, she heard the blond one complaining about something, the words cross country and Ashido being thrown around.
"Ashido?" Ochako asked, pulling up a chair next to Kaminari, Jirou and Sero. The three second years looked startled at the sudden interruption to their conversation, but Sero gave her a small smile.
"Yep. Mina Ashido. She's a friend in our year. She runs sprints in track - anything from the 200 to 800 depending on the season - but the 800 is where she really shines. Though she won't do more than that."
"Oh! I know who she is already." Ochako nodded, clapping her hands together. "I remember seeing her run in junior high. But I was confused because you said something about her and cross country, and I didn't see her anywhere at the introductory meeting." The three second years exchanged glances. Sero nodded, and Kaminari took a deep breath.
"She doesn't. We've been trying to get her to join cross country forever." Kaminari groaned. "If you hadn't joined, the girls would've been in big trouble." A mischievous grin spread on his face, and he winked. Ochako tilted her head, puzzled by his sudden change in attitude. Jirou, however, shot him a disapproving glare.
"Don't flirt with the first year."
He held up his hands, a shocked and slightly scared look on his face.
"Ok, ok! Don't hurt me, I swear I wasn't. Although how come Kirishima gets to flirt with that new angry first year?" He muttered under his breath. Jirou jabbed him in the side, causing him to cry out in pain.
"Don't mind him." She turned to Ochako, offering her a small apologetic smile.
"Hey guys!" Mina waved, making her way over to the table. "Midnight kept us after the bell. Again." She froze as her gaze rested on Ochako. The smaller girl blushed under her gaze. "Who's this?"
"Ochako. She's a first year. And she joined cross country!" Kaminari exclaimed.
"Nice. Good luck, then. And I hope to see you in track." Mina smiled at her.
"S-Same!" Ochako stammered. "I...was wondering, though, why don't you run cross country?"
Kaminari bit his lip, looking from Ochako to Mina. Sero on the other hand turned his gaze down to the table. Jirou simply put her earbuds in, tuning herself out of the conversation. Mina was silent for a moment.
"I...I mean that I used to compete against you in the 800 in junior high. I wasn't very good, plus the year under you, so you probably don't remember me, but you were amazing!" Ochako exclaimed. Her hands had curled into fists, and she shook them up and down out of excitement. Mina held back a small laugh. It was cute.
"Thanks. I still run and train during the off season, don't worry. I just simply don't see the need to run cross country being a sprinter and all." Mina explained.
"But you'd help the team so much! It didn't seem like there were any other girls there besides the five of us, and if something happened, we'd need a sixth person to fill the empty spot. Plus, you're so fast! What if...What if I challenge you to a race, and if I beat you, you'll join!"
Sero looked terrified and buried his head in his hands. Kaminari almost burst out laughing until Mina silenced him with a poisonous glare. She turned back to Ochako, her eyes softening.
"Alright."
"Alright?" Kaminari repeated, disbelieving. Sero shot up and clamped a hand over his mouth.
"R-Really?" Ochako gasped. A bright smile spread across her face. Her gaze hardened, and she clenched her fist. "I'm going to beat you and convince you to join."
"Do your best." Mina teased.
Kaminari tugged on Jirou's sleeve. She shot him an annoyed glance, but tugged out one of her earbuds.
"What?" She hissed.
"Is the first year crazy?"
Jirou looked from Mina to Ochako. The two girls had both sat down. Ochako was talking animatedly, waving her arms around and gesturing with her hands while Mina laughed. Amusement sparkled on her eyes.
"Nah. On the contrary, I think she's already convinced her." She moved to put her earbud back in but Kaminari grabbed her wrist. She yanked it away. "What?"
"I thought you said no flirting with the first years?"
"That rule only applies to you. I trust Mina, and I'm more scared for Kirishima than that scary loud kid." She shoved her earbud back in before he could protest or say anything else. Sero patted Kaminari on the back.
"You always have me."
"Thanks..." Kaminari grumbled. He glanced over at Mina and Ochako. A small smile tugged at his lips. "Well, hopefully this kid can convince her. If Mina joins the team, I have the feeling things are going to get very interesting..."