Shouto will be the first to admit to being confused as to why the girls are wearing cheerleading outfits. He is able to piece together that it had something to with Kaminari and Mineta, but beyond that he just couldn't understand it. They did seem rather upset by it though.
He also is confused when Ojiro and one of class B's students back out of the final round. They had made it, hadn't they? Why would they pass up this opportunity to show themselves off.
Following that he pays just enough attention to the rest of Midnight's announcements to learn who would be going up against who in the first round of the next stage of the sports festival.
It looks as though he'll be going against Sero, and following that, most likely he'll face Midoriya in the second round.
This will certainly be interesting.
Katsuki settles into a seat in the section of the stands reserved for their class. Deku is up first against some extra from general studies.
And how the fuck did some loser who couldn't even make it into a hero course manage to make it this far in the sports festival?
It isn't until the fight starts that Katsuki realizes something is very wrong.
Deku had run straight at his opponent, the two exchanging words. They were too far for Katsuki to actually hear them, but whatever was said has Deku stopping in his tracks before slowly turning and walking toward the edge of the arena.
"What the hell! Deku, what the hell do you think you're doing!" What is this guys quirk?
Just as Deku is about to step over the line there is a blast of air and Katsuki realizes that he must have used his quirk to stop himself.
Even so the nerd is bent over just inside the boundary, panting heavily and clutching at his hand.
The fight doesn't last long after that and as soon as Deku's won Bakugou is getting up and making his way down to the infirmary. If that idiot hurt himself with his quirk again, he grits his teeth.
He makes it just in time to see Deku reaching for the door, his other hand cradled gently to his chest.
"Kacchan!"
"What the hell was that?" Katsuki stomps over, grabbing Deku's hand and inspecting the injury. "I thought you had better control now."
"I, I do, it's just I needed to snap myself out of his brainwashing and well it was a struggle to really do anything for myself in that moment."
Katsuki heaves a sigh and lays his forehead against Deku's shoulder.
"Whatever, let's get you inside so you can get this fixed."
The rest of the first round fights went by quickly, leaving Izuku on the edge of his seat for a few. Especially Kacchan's fight against Uraraka.
Even so it is almost time for his fight with Todoroki, they're just repairing the ring and letting Kirishima and Tetsutetsu determine the outcome of their draw earlier.
"You're the one going up against My Shouto next, are you not?"
Endeavor looms over Izuku, staring the smaller down and shooting a shock of fear through him.
Why does he know this man?
"You have a strong quirk." The flame hero eyes Izuku as if assessing him. "He's going through a rebellious phase right now, refusing to use his left side. I could make things easier for you if you were to convince him to use it."
Izuku's jaw clenches and his fist curls up, digging his nails into his palms.
"It's something to consider." He walks past Izuku, not paying him any more mind.
"I'm not AllMight."
Endeavor stops and looks over his shoulder to see Izuku facing him.
"That much is obvious."
"And Todoroki isn't you, he's his own person."
Izuku turns to head away, striding purposefully from the hero. It doesn't matter to him any more whether or not Todoroki is is other soulmate, he can't leave this man to win. So certain of himself and in his own power.
Izuku clenches his fist in front of himself, determination burning in his green eyes as he steps out of the tunnel into the field around the arena. Present Mic is hyping the crowd as he steps up to stand opposite Todoroki. He has to win and he has to make Todoroki use his fire. It is the only way to drive home the point.