英语小说网

Tadashi came home the next day and stapled an SFIT poster over one of Hiro's bot-fighting posters. It announced SFIT's annual Tech Showcase -- those entrants with the best tech would win admission to the school.

Hiro read it and looked at Tadashi in disbelief.

Hiro stared at the poster, smiling. "Trust me, it will be," he said, knowing this was his big chance. He rolled his chair to his desk and confidently set about designing the most awesome tech project SFIT had ever seen.

"You come up with something that blows Callaghan away and you're in," Tadashi said. "But it's gotta be great."

Hours later, all he had to show for his time were crumpled pieces of paper scattered all over the room. "Nothing. No ideas. Useless, empty brain," Hiro said as he banged his head against the top of his desk.

Tadashi looked over from where he was sitting on his bed. "Wow. Washed up at fourteen. So sad."

Tadashi went over and picked Hiro up, flipped him over, and held him upside down by his ankles. Hiro screamed.

"I got nothing," Hiro complained. "I'm done. Dead end. I'm never getting in."

In the past, Hiro had used the garage as a lab for building his battle bots. It had everything he needed to create his new vision: multiple computer terminals, 3-D printers, the works. Hiro sat down, cracked his knuckles, and got to work.

"What?"

"Shake things up!" Tadashi said. "Use that big brain of yours to think your way out."

Months passed. Hiro worked day and night. Aunt Cass checked on him and made sure he was fed. Even Tadashi's friends from SFIT peeked in to see what this obsessed kid was doing. But Tadashi knew that whatever his brother was inventing would be great! Finally, the day of the showcase arrived.

"There are no dead ends, Hiro," Tadashi told him. Hanging upside down, Hiro noticed his battle bot on the floor. Suddenly, what he needed to do became crystal clear. He reached over and grabbed his bot, and when Tadashi let him down, he bolted out to the garage.

The showcase hall at SFIT was jammed with judges, presenters, and several tech-industry representatives searching for new talent. All around the hall, kids held unrecognizable glass, steel, and plastic objects. They fidgeted with their projects and made last-minute adjustments.

"Hey, you're talking to an ex-bot-fighter," Hiro said, jabbing at the air with his fist. "Takes a lot more than this to rattle me."

"How you feeling?" Tadashi asked Hiro.

"Oh, you're on! Everybody say 'Hiro!' " Honey said as she took another selfie with Hiro and the gang.

A spotlight hit the stage. The announcer said, "Next presenter, Hiro Hamada."

Honey gave him a warm smile. "Relax," she said. "Your tech is amazing. Tell him, Go Go."

Go Go looked at Hiro. "Stop whining. Woman up."

Fred laughed and pointed to his chest. "Worry not, little fellow. Freddie wore his lucky Megazon shirt! Worn by the creator of Megazon himself."

Wasabi frowned. "Smells terrible."

"I know, right?" said Fred. "The creator died in this shirt… Adds to the value."

Wasabi nodded. "What do you need, Hiro? Deodorant? Breath mint? Fresh pair of underpants? I come prepared."

"Guys, really. I'm chill," Hiro said.

Wasabi nearly gagged at the thought.

"Do good science!" Fred cheered as he walked off with the rest of their friends. They wanted spots in the front row of the audience for Hiro's presentation.

"Yup, he's nervous," Go Go said decisively.

Hiro followed his brother's advice, smiled, and walked onto the stage.

"Just take a breath -- you got this," Tadashi said with a squeeze of Hiro's shoulder.

Hiro had a worried look in his eyes. "I really want to go here."

Alone with his brother, Tadashi noticed that Hiro's confidence seemed to have vanished. "Hey, what's going on, huh? What happened to Mr. Battle Bot?"