Cheers were all she could hear. The gymnasium walls didn't help, every sound echoed like a cannon blast. Even if she needed to focus, it didn't matter. She knew she was going to nail the routine.

  She stood at center mat. Feet together, arms stretched tall. When the music kicked in and finally drowned out the crowd, she moved. Quick and light. Not even thinking.Cartwheel. Forward roll. A hop up to standing, sharp arms, clean lines. Then the balance move, an arabesque. One leg extended perfectly behind her, arms out like wings. The judges watched her feet. Her mom screamed like this was the U.A. Sports Festival.

  Next came her favorite part. She dropped straight into a full split, beaming at the ceiling, knowing it looked awesome. From there, into a bridge, hands and feet planted, back arched like a bowstring. Then she pushed up and flipped over again. Her tiny legs shook from effort, but they held.Round-off. Jump. Spin. And then the final pose. Arms high. Bright grin. Breathing hard. Not perfect, but she'd stuck every landing.Somewhere in the stands, her mom shouted "YES!" so loud that half the audience turned.

  Robinn. Age nine. Self-proclaimed gymnastics pro.

  She walked off the mat, her muscles tingling in that good, post-performance way. A glance at the scoreboard... almost perfect.

  Her grin was unstoppable. She grabbed a water bottle, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and didn't even get to sit down before her mom came sprinting over. Arms out. Beaming.

  Kiyomi tackled her into a hug, lifting her completely off the floor and planting a kiss on her cheek. "You did it, Ro! I'm so proud. You're gonna be the best gymnast ever!"

  Robinn giggled, wriggling free, a smug look on her face. "It's just an in-school competition, Mom. Nothing crazy."

  Her mom tilted her head, mock-scolding. "It is crazy, Ro! At this rate, you're going to nationals next year."

  Robinn tapped her chin like a detective. "Y'know, I didn't think about that... Hell yeah! I'll make it to nationals and beat everyone! Just like All Might!"

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  She struck a pose, fist raised to the sky. Kiyomi laughed, ruffled her hair, and took her hand as they walked back to the stands.

  "So how's school going? I mean, apart from your excellent gymnastics," her mom said, half-laughing. The evening sun was spilling golden light through the gym windows, catching on her short, fiery orange hair like a spark.

  Robinn lit up. "I got an A in math!" she said proudly. "And Yumiko invited me and Minako to her house this Friday... can I go?"

  Kiyomi smiled warmly. "That's my girl. A math genius. And obviously you can go. I love talking to Yumiko's mom."

  Robinn hesitated a beat, then puffed her chest out. "A boy in class told me I was too tall to be a girl..."

  Kiyomi froze... kids could be cruel. She opened her mouth to speak, but Robinn beat her to it.

  "So I just told him he was too short to be a boy. All his friends laughed at him!" she said, giggling wickedly.

  "It's good to stand up for yourself, Ro," her mom said softly, but firmly. "Just don't bully others."

  Robinn blinked. "I didn't bully him... He actually apologized today."

  Then the last girl finished her routine, and the competition was over. Robinn leaned way over the railing to see the scores, so far that her mom had to grab the back of her shirt.

  "Second place!?" she squealed. "That's awesome! Just like Endeavor!"

  "You did great, Ro. Now go get your medal," her mom said, patting her on the back.

  Robinn took off like a shot. Down the stairs, onto the floor, onto the podium. Silver medal hanging from her neck. Hands on hips. Shining.

  They walked out of the gym together, Robinn still biting her medal even though it wasn't gold. Kiyomi laughed and squeezed her little hand.

  "You wanna go home? Or get a celebratory treat?"

  Robinn nodded furiously. Obviously.

  The walk home was quiet, like always. Their little town was sleepy and warm. Robinn was chewing on a piece of matcha mochi, still a little sweaty from the meet.

  "So, Mom," she asked through a mouthful of mochi, "how do I get into nationals?"

  Kiyomi stopped walking. Turned to her.

  "Guess you really liked that idea? You wanna go all Plus Ultra?"

  Robinn's smile faded into a serious little pout. "I won't be Plus Ultra until I get into U.A."

  She struck another pose. Dramatic and heroic.

  Kiyomi just laughed and kept walking. "You really do want to be a hero, huh...?" A pause. "I'll support you in any way I can, Ro."

  Robinn smiled again, a chunk of matcha stuck on her teeth.

  Back home, Robinn ran to her room. Kiyomi could already hear the blare of hero compilations playing through the wall.

  Then the phone rang.

  Kiyomi picked it up. "Oh hey, Torino. What's up?"

  Robinn didn't catch the rest of the conversation, her mom's voice had gotten quieter.

  She crept closer. Pressed her ear to the door.

  "Thanks for your help. And no... I haven't told Robinn about my diagnosis."

  She didn’t understand all the words. But the way her mom said her name made her stomach hurt.

  Robinn didn't make it to nationals the next year.