The preparations for the Sports festival were ramping up. The first years of every department participating were getting themselves ready to be on he world's stage for the first time. It was going to be a major part of their lives and they could not wait. Third years were similarly preparing for their final sports festival before they graduated and headed into their post-UA lives, hopefully earing a spot at some agency or company.

Then there were the second years. This wasn't their first rodeo, nor was it their last. They knew it would be different from last year, given the fluctuating nature of the festival's events. And yet, they were emboldened. A lot had happened since that first year they were involved, and now those who couldn't quite shine before would be ready to have their moment in the sun.

Kyouka and Setsuna were no different, standing in Gym Beta for some sparring they had scheduled. One was more of a defense player, with her quirk being more suited for escape and diversion tactics. Still, she had developed her own super moves regardless. Everyone was required to before they had taken the license exam. Meanwhile, Jirou's quirk was far more versatile and suited for combat, though it was far better for listening in, which was great for surveillance and rescue.

"Alright. I'll bust mine out. Counter with yours if you can. And before you even say it, no. No "Show me yours and I'll show you mine", weirdo."

"Well if you hate fun, fine." Setsuna rolled her eyes and smirked.

"You will want to change your shirt though. I kind of bleed a bit when my arms come off, so …"

"I know your quirk, Sets. You don't have to explain it. "

Once the small talk ended, the two began sparring in earnest. Setsuna once described banter as foreplay for combat. Jirou talked about how that was gross and weird.

"I heard it from one of Present Mic's radio shows. One of his podcasts, anyway."

"Of course, you did." Jirou sighed and shook her head, getting a running start and end extending her jacks. It didn't make the best use of her quirk, but some training with Mina and a few of the other girls yielded a rather interesting move she had been saving for this occasion. After all, what was romance without surprise, and what was training without an ace up your sleeve, regardless of how effective that card really was.

Setsuna prepared to meet her girlfriend head on, not expecting to get bum rushed. It was rather unlike the punk girl to run in like a bull. She had to have been planning something sure enough, she leapt into the air and did a spin, using her jacks like whips.

Jirou was not as athletic as some of her friends. She was training for a demanding job at a top school, but she lacked some of the natural athleticism her schoolmates had. Nevertheless, the technique caught Setsuna off guard and off her feet. The lizard girl grunted as her behind slammed on the hard floor.

"Damn! Give me warning next time before you go off like a Beyblade. Or should I say Bae blade?"

"We're training for the sports Festival. We won't get much warning when competing against each other."

Jirou looked to the side. She was concerned. She loved Setsuna. She did. She didn't think she would ever love anyone as much as she loved this girl, not even Momo. However, the punk girl couldn't help but feel envious of some of her friends' relationships. Their quirks at least matched up in some way. Even two seemingly incompatible abilities like Acid and super strength ended up working well together. But growing back limbs and earphone jacks? How would those work together? What if the two were in the field and one couldn't keep up?

Jirou hated thinking this, but it was in her head the closer they got to the Festival. It was something that sort of donned on her out of nowhere one day and stuck. She knew it was ridiculous and that she would have to talk to Setsuna about it, but now seemed an inopportune time. They had gone on a double date, snuggled up recently, and even tole one another "I love you." Was she getting cold feet already? Was she worried about being slowed down? About losing her girlfriend? This whole thing was giving her a headache.

"Babe? Babe? Hey!"

Jirou snapped to, noticing a look of concern painted across Setsuna's face. As goofy, talkative, and flirty as this girl was, she showed clear worry for her partner. The hearing hero couldn't help but be grateful for that.

A few first years had been watching the girls spar, taking note of their movements. They took notes and said a few things Jirou picked up, but she paid them no mind. They were watching their upperclassmen and seemed impressed.

"look at that, Kyou. We're popular. Looks like we've come a long way, huh?"

That brought a smile to the hearing hero's face. She never really considered how far she had come, having made it to her second year, performed in front of the entire school in a rock show, and even found love.

If only the anxiety she was feeling would let that sink in properly.

X

The days had been a blur of training and preparation. It felt like most of the time was spent on that or sleeping in each other's arms. There was no declaration of war like the last time. Everyone had settled in a bit more. The general studies students had become less bitter towards 1a. Furthermore, while UA was large and not everyone knew each other that well still (especially with a new crop of students), class A had become rather well acquainted with more of its fellow classes, especially class 1B. Jirou supposed she should start referring to them as 2a and 2b but somethings just kind of stuck in your head.

The day the festival arrived, the anxiety was overwhelming. The first-year stage had begun, and everyone was watching the newest stable of students, showing off what they could do. There were a couple international students, including one from India with a water quirk and an Irish girl with a sonic scream, the latter of whom had placed second behind a boy with a quirk that allowed him to stretch and shift his body shape. Observing everything going on was like a walk down memory lane, even if the events were different Jirou watched to see what would be in store for her and the rest. She had no doubt many of her friends and classmates would stand out. Her and Setsuna didn't get past the Cavalry battle last year, but this was their chance now. Meanwhile, she had no doubt people like Momo, Izuku, and Itsuka would get ahead. There were a lot of strong and talented people at UA and they had only improved. She only hoped she could stand out. The purple-haired rocker was determined to do so. She just hoped her girlfriend could keep up. That thought made her stomach turn with guilt and disgust, as it was rather callous. Still, this was just as big an opportunity and last time and they both had to do their best. That reality didn't alleviate her conscience, but it was what it was.

Setsuna had gotten far in her first festival. Not far enough, but she almost had the chance to progress to the final event, had her team not conceded to team Tetsutetsu. In fairness, they deserved it more. Still, the lizard girl didn't know what events would be involved this year. It changed annually, and every even helped develop various skills and concepts the next generation would need. It would test what they learned, in a way, whatever those events ended up being. After the first segment had ended and the winners from the first years were decided, it was time for the second years to do their thing, Setsuna could feel her spine tingle. She didn't have the most useful quirk. It was no explosion or big fist or earphone jacks, but she had come this far.

The Lizard girl looked at Jirou and placed a hand on the girl's shoulder. The trademark smile came on, shaky though it was on closer inspection.

"Hey. You ready to rock and roll?" she grinned, giving a wink and a thumbs-up.

As often as Jirou would roll her eyes and stick her tongue out, she tended to enjoy the green-haired girl's humor. However, the amateur musician seemed more engrossed in other things. Setsuna was pensive herself but didn't want to overwhelm her girlfriend. This was a big event for everyone, them included. It was important to stay focused. However, she didn't want to be in it to win it. Not on her own. It wasn't worth it if Jirou wasn't there alongside her. And right now, it felt like she was a million miles away.

"Kyouka…I'm nervous too. I'm sorry if I said anything earlier but hey. We're a team, right?"

Jirou sighed. She didn't want to be worried about this. She just wanted to have fun and give it her all. She hated worrying Setsuna. She supposed she would just brush it off for now and bring it up when they were preparing. She didn't know what to say, but the ceremony for year two was about to start soon.

"Yeah. We are. We'll do this."

Jirou held her girlfriend's hand. The knot in her stomach was still there but it subsided as Setsuna squeezed. Whatever happened, the two would do it together. Still, Jirou couldn't help but worry how ling that would be for.

She was brought back to attention by Midnight announcing the first event. She had seen the first years compete, so it was assumed that the events would be the same. Still, the purple-haired hero student listened carefully.

"The first event will be Color Tag! Throughout the starting area, there are 100 colored tags scattered about. Each person must hold onto one in order to advance. The competing classes will have to fight amongst themselves for them. Those left holding tags by the time the buzzer rings will proceed to the next event. Those that don't will be eliminated and have to watch from the sidelines. Also, don't get greedy, as we have measures in place for naughty players who wish to hoard tags. You have thirty minutes, so don't go too slow~. Is everyone Ready?"

Jirou thought to herself. She knew Izuku would likely progress, as would Bakugou, Todoroki, Momo, ad the rest. Any other couples would be simultaneously competing against each other and making sure their partner could advance. Jirou would do the same. Still, the "Everyone for themselves" nature did make her mind drift back to her previous worries. She could grab a tag and defend off easily. Setsuna might have more trouble with her more limited quirk, no matter how skilled and creative she could be with it.

"Set."

Jirou shook it off again and prepared to run, clenching her fists in preparation. A warm hand grabbed hold of hers, followed by warmer reassurances of "Let's do our best, k?" Jirou looked at her girlfriend but barely had a chance to nod.

"Go!"

The hunt for tags was frantic. Right out of the gate, the usual frontrunners were in the lead. Mina had used her slime to slide towards a tag and ward off anyone looking to take it with a head spin attack. Izuku, Kirishima, Iida, Shinsou, Ibara, Bakugou, and Todoroki all grabbed tags within the first minute or so. Momo grabbed one too, followed by Itsuka, who had gone for the same tag at first. Jirou saw firsthand that alliances weren't impossible here. She supposed that would be the focus of at least one of the events. She did her best to get her head in the game and enjoy the white noise of the commentary blaring over the speakers and the sounds of her schoolmates fighting tooth and nail to progress.

"Got one!" Setsuna's voice rang out cheerfully nearby as she stood atop a mound, carefully pocketing her green tag in her uniform to keep it safe. Upon closer inspection, the mound had sticky purple hair and was facedown in the dirt. It was Mineta. Jirou could pick up something about it not being fair and that this wasn't how his dreams normally went.

"You shouldn't just announce that you got a tag when we're still competing. Someone could hear and."

"Relax, Jack attack. I have it right…"

Setsuna's relaxed smile turned to a look of panic and worry as she felt for her tag. She could have sworn it was right there in her pocket, but it wasn't. Had it fallen out. The lizard girl recalled every step of her actions until it dawned on her how warm, wet, and slippery her pocket had felt.

"Thanks for advertising. Ribbit." Tsuyu chimed in as she hopped away, the tag on her tongue.

"Hey! Get back here, Femme Kermit! That's mine!"

One Green-haired girl gave chase after another, leaving Jirou to sigh and shake her head. It was time for her to focus up as she reached searched for another tag. Sure enough, she found a purple one tied to a tree, next to what looked like a small jeep or something. It was a metallic shape that the 2a student paid little mind to as she grabbed her tag. Various quirks and abilities were being shown off, with some support students utilizing their skills as well. Mei Hatsume laughed maniacally as she grabbed s tag for herself and kept out of the way of others looking to take it for themselves.

As Jirou grabbed the tag with her jacks, she was side checked by a familiar blonde boy.

"Oops! My apologies, mon ami. I shall take that lovely tag for myAAAIIII"

"Sorry dude. Not today." Another blonde chimed in, grabbing the tag for himself as he used his classmate for a step stool.

"Not freaking cool, Jamming-whey!" Jirou shouted, shooting a jack into his side before reaching with the other to nab the precious tag.

It was an utter free for all, with most tags switching hands at least once. 20 minutes had elapsed like this, with the hearing hero coming up short. She had hoped her girlfriend was faring better, but they had lost each other in the chaos. She thought about grabbing two tags. It was advised not to hoard the tings, as that would break the game and leave a lot of people out. However, nabbing one for her partner wasn't a bad strategy.

Jirou decided that she would aim for two just in case. At least this way, the two could progress to the next round together. A team up could have worked, as she had noticed Momo and Itsuka standing back to back and defending each other's tags while Izuku and Mina would take turns doing the same based on the situation. However, such a strategy required Setsuna, and Jirou couldn't see her in the large crowd of competitors, many whom she still couldn't name. Again, UA was a large school.

"What a pain." The punk girl sighed as she ran towards the crowd, hoping to gain both a tag and to find her lizard girl. She had found a tag once or twice, only to have it stolen from her or grabbed before she could even obtain it.

X

Meanwhile, Setsuna was having a worse go. She was saving her quirk for later use, or at least trying to. She remembered talking to her "fellow green bean", Izuku Midoriya, once about how he saved his for the second stage to avoid breaking himself too much. Given how the 2B girl lost blood anytime a limb came off, she tried exercising similar caution. She ad energy and agility from taking dance lessons as a kid and from years of exploration. She credited her family with that. Her mom was a paleontologist, her sister a herpetologist, and her dad was a doctor. It was only natural for the girl to be driven and enthusiastic. Still, one tended to get disheartened and contemplative when you could grow limbs back while others could generate tornadoes or shoot fire from their hands. As "sick and awesome" as she would describe her quirk, it was hardly as useful for combat or rescue. Still, she had made the best of it and would have to do so now, while the country watched. Furthermore, she was closer to the goal post than before and now, she wasn't alone. Nit that she ever let that on. The girl preferred not to get too enthusiastic, despite her flirtations. She doubted her track record in love and was happy with her friends.

Still, Setsuna knew that, even if she was worried about what the future held for her as a hero, or for her relationship with Jirou, she would put her best foot forward, and grow it back if anything went south. A scene caught her eye as, once more everyone in classes A and B seemed to have tags. Still, with the chaos occurring and the world watching, the laid-back lizard girl figured she might as well make a gambit. Like her favorite animal as a child, the velociraptor (she was still heartbroken that Jurassic Park was inaccurate, but she would cope), Setsuna saw a chance and rocketed an arm off, knocking two general department students into each other and claiming their tags. The girl couldn't help but smile. Not only because of her small victory, but for the satisfaction of how she earned the tags. It was like the nights she would play pool with Jirou, followed by a round of darts. The latter wasn't her strong suit, but her aunt had taught her billiards when she was eight. It took a few tries of not licking the balls because they "looked like big skittles", but Setsuna got it in the end.

As the lizard girl grabbed the two tags, however, a noise rang out from the direction of a tree, followed by another. Four humanoid-sized robots roared to life, taking measures to keep things fair. She wasn't sure why they were waking up for her and not for other couples, but she supposed she could ask UA's IT department about it later.

"Oh, come on!" she groaned as she pocketed the tags and assumed a stance. The lizard girl still couldn't remember how she had dealt with the giant robots at her entrance exam or at her first sports festival, but these couldn't be too hard if she somehow managed to take bigger ones down a year ago, with less training.

Setsuna made a bee-line for wherever her girlfriend was and decided she would give the girl one of the tags. If she already had one, then great. Someone else could have her extra. It was odd to think that one with a more versatile quirk would need her help, but heroes were always prepared for that inevitability. They didn't back down unless it was a reasonable tactical move, and they sure as hell didn't leave their girlfriends hanging. It felt like a blur as she let out her best roar and started punching robots. If her hand broke, the pain would be temporary. She could just replace it, after all. Recovery girl would probably chastise her for the blood loss.

"Just what I need. Two reckless green-haired kids who injure themselves. Just because it grows back doesn't mean you can be so rash, young lady."

Setsuna could hear it now. That was something she would deal with when she had to. For now, the game was still on.

"Hold on, Kyouka! I'm a-comin'!"

The green-haired girl ran like her clothes had caught fire until she found Jirou. Unfortunately, it was too late.

"Time's up! The first stage is over! Everyone prepare to have your tags collected"

The first round of eliminations would take place any moment as the officials came to check for tags.