Welp, it took me forever to work on this. Sorry it took me so long. I hope it's a good chapter. I wanted to have it done quicker but some things needed more fleshing out. Plus I had some things to handle in my life, including the death of an old family friend.

I had a couple beta readers on this and I added a lot since then, but I hope the changes added to the story and made things work out. I realized I made changes based on faulty memory, so Sero was on team Todoroki instead of Kaminari. Also Mina's battle should have been in this chapter but will instead be in the next chapter. Anyway, I hope you enjoy. I need a shower before work. See you laterz!

Reiko walked through the halls in the stadium, deciding to think about her matchup. She had time to register items ahead of the tournament and she was certain she would need some in order to optimally use her quirk. She was snapped out of her thoughts by her classmate, Nirengeki Shoda.

"Yanagi. I wanted to talk to you. You're going up against that Shinsou guy, right?"

"Yes. You have info on him?" Reiko pondered the short boy inquisitively, looking over her shoulder before turning to face him.

"Yeah. Don't answer him." Shoda said solemnly. "It's his quirk. If you answer him, he can take control. So keep silent if you can. He used it on Aoyama and Ojirou from class A as well as myself and all of team Tetsutetsu. It's a formidable power but you should be able to take care of him quickly if you don't talk to him."

"That is good advice I will keep it in mind...however I might ignore it. I have words for him that I might want to say." Reiko offered a curt nod to her classmate. "I will be careful. Thank you, Shoda."

Shoda was shaken, feeling like his words had bounced off of the ghostly girl. "Yanagi, didn't you hear me?" The blue haired boy was exasperated. This wasn't a side he was used to seeing from his classmate. They hadn't known each other that long, but she seemed more reserved and less defiant than she was being now.

"I did, Shoda. I know it is risky to not listen. I am pretty good at not talking, but I have made up my mind. Thanks for the advice. I'll win this for sure."

X

Reiko walked up to Momo, who was now casually munching on some takoyaki and taiyaki that Itsuka had brought her. The girl was able to get food on the house as a competitor but still tipped the vendors. Momo looked up as Reiko approached. The grey-haired girl bowed courteously and spoke softly. "Yaoyorozu. I am sorry my team has asked for so much, but I wanted to ask you to make something for me to register for my battle." "Oh. I see. What were you hoping for." Momo spoke as she looked at Reiko, finishing off a tray of takoyaki with the utmost of manners.

"A bouncy ball. Maybe a couple, about the size of a golf ball."

"I see. That's… a peculiar request. May I ask why though?" Momo looked at the gray-haired girl inquisitively, stroking her chin.

"My quirk allows me to levitate things with my mind. I can maybe lift half a person's weight if I push myself and I think it would help utilize my quirk better, especially later on, should I face someone with a quirk strong enough to blow apart the arena. I would rather not use anything too hard or jagged at this time, so I think those could be a good substitute."

"But what good will the balls be again? How do you know they will even knock you out of being brainwashed? It seems rather presumptuous?" Momo was perplexed still by the other girl's request. It seemed like a decent plan but was operating under assumptions that could not be verified.

"It is. But short of asking him how it works before the match, I don't have much option except preparation and blind faith. If it doesn't work, then I will probably be eliminated and look foolish. Either way, I want to make this a learning experience, if not for him, then for myself." Reiko calmly stated, looking towards the bleachers where her classmates were sitting. She felt she owed it to them in a way, not just to do her best, but to give the boy that cost them the spotlight some sort of comeuppance.

"I see. If you want, I can go with you, as the creator of the items. If you need something stronger than bouncy balls, I can create cannon balls. I was allowed to use cannons earlier and I am a walking forge of sorts."

"That might be useful but also, I may need to use it on myself in my coming battle. My opponent can brainwash. I don't know the full rules of how it works, but I need a way to snap myself out of it."

"You could just avoid talking during the battle if that is the case. I get using items to attack with but why do you need to conk yourself multiple times?" Itsuka interjected, concerned for her friend.

"I am sure your friend just wants to be careful against an unknown enemy."

"You really are smart, is my plan of attack. I also wish to give him a piece of my mind. Shoda filled me in and that just strengthened my resolve."

"Do you think that is wise? Didn't you say he can control others?"

"Yeah. Shoda told me. It also lines up with what happened to team Tetsutetsu and the other members of team Shinsou. "

"I...this seems rather risky and unlike you. You aren't the most verbose, nor do you take risks like this. What's up, Yanagi?"

" I just want to say a few things to the guy and I need to break through his quirk when it takes me over. I know it is a bad idea and Shoda won't be happy. However, I am going with my gut here." Reiko looked up at the other girls, eyes burning with an intensity Itsuka had never seen from her before.

"Reiko… just watch your back out there. If he was able to control 5 of our classmates and two of Momo's then he won't be a pushover." Itsuka planted a hand on her friend's shoulder, her eyes filled with a mix of concern and trust. Momo noticed this and offered her support as well.

"Let's go, Yanagi. I will walk with you and create your items for you on the way. I want to hear your strategy. It might be enlightening," the raven-haired girl extended a hand to her best friend's classmate. The two girls departed for the item registration table, Itsuka watching as two of her friends interacted. Her eyes wandered to Momo's backside but she shook her head and slapped herself for even looking at Momo in such a way. However, for a brief moment, she could see a look of determination in Reiko's eyes.

X

Preparations had been made and Reiko's items had been registered. She had a purple satchel hanging from her hip, filled with the bouncy balls she requested, as well as a separate satchel for the one pound cannonball she had also asked for. Her eyes met those of her competitor as Present Mic's voice boomed over the speakers to announce the combatants.

"ALRIIIIIGHT, PARTY PEOPLE! LET'S GET OUR FIRST FIGHT UNDER WAAAAY! In one corner, the purple-haired persuader from the general studies, HITOSHI SHINSOU! In the other corner, the spooky psychic of hero class 1-B: REIKO YANAGI! THIS WILL BE AN EXCITING EXCHANGE OF ESPER ATTACKS, EVERYBODY! LEEEEEET'S GOOOOOOO!"

Next to the loud-mouthed emcee, a bandage-bound Eraserhead sighed into his mic. "Don't be so loud, Mic. You're making my ears will be a fight to pay attention to." The dark-haired man grunted.

Shinsou and Reiko stepped into the ring, facing off against each other. Their eyes met and they braced themselves for battle.

"You're in the same class as that metal buffoon and the dopey blue-berry guy, right? What a fool. Him and those 1-A kids talking about pride. It's a waste if you ask me. They made very good stepping stones." The purple-boy scoffed, his sneer meant to be somewhat antagonistic, as if to egg his opponent into speaking. Instead, she only glared at him.

"What's a matter, gray? Cat got your tongue?" He persisted. WHen that didn't work, the boy exhaled through his nose and took up a stance. His form was sloppy but he seemed to be quite steadfast in his stance.

After the fight started, Reiko went out of the gate, staying a safe distance and judging the other teen's movements. She still didn't totally grasp how the brainwashing worked, but if it was based on talking to him, she would need to keep her mouth shut for now. It wasn't exactly hard for her. And yet, she had plenty to say to the boy. His words before the match had gotten to her, but not entirely in the way he had intended. Utilizing one of the cannonballs Momo had given her, she launched it at the boy's gut, which he narrowly dodged.

Right as Shinsou was on the back foot, Reiko spoke. She knew it would open her up to being brainwashed but she had to say it. It was hanging on the tip of her tongue and she needed to get it off.

"Get over yourself." The girl gazed at the purple-haired boy, her judgement piercing through despite her calm demeanor.

"Excuse me?" Shinsou gritted his teeth. Who did this girl think she was, lecturing him? And yet, he didn't capitalize on it. There was something holding him back at first, but he pushed through, glaring back at his competition. He lunged for the girl and pinned her to the ground but was kicked off easily before she dusted herself off and laid into the boy.

"You're not the only one who wanted to get into the hero course but didn't have a combat centered quirk. You think you can fight giant robots by sending a rock at them with your mind? Or by talking to animals or planting mushrooms? But all those quirks made it in, because we worked hard. We didn't just whine about how it was unfair. We fought for our dreams. "

The bouncy ball fell onto Reiko's head, snapping her out of brainwashing and enabling her to strike. Shinsou grit his teeth and ran forward. If she was prepared for his quirk, then he had to play for endurance. However, the gray haired girl was able to run forward and use her quirk on the neckline of the boy's shirt. While he was distracted, she elbowed him in the jaw. She had learned a few moves from her oldest sister, Keiko, and was able to put it into practice here. Setsuna watched with enthusiasm. That was a move she recognized from members of Ryukyu's agency. She had no idea that one of her best friends knew moves related to one of her favorite pros.

Shinsou pushed back with outstretched, struggling to get loose and to use the momentum of Reiko's attacks to throw her out of the ring. Unfortunately, in the commotion, the brainwashing boy's hand slipped, which took Reiko by surprise. She reacted swiftly, punching her opponent out.

"Shit. Sorry, I swear. I didn't mean to-" Shinsou was stopped in his tracks by the crack of his jaw and the resulting soreness.

"I know. We're still fighting though so-" Reiko was frozen in place. Shinsou took his opportunity to control his opponent. She had proven too challenging for her own good. He wiped the blood from his nose and had her march towards the end of the ring. However she soon stopped as Shinsou rubbed his head and looked around, getting distracted as he was bonked in the head by a bouncy ball.

"What the…" It was then that the boy realized he had been hit with the same trick Reiko had tried to snap herself out of the spell of her foe. Before he could react, he felt his shoe ripped off his foot and shoved into his face, further distracting and embarrassing before he took the small cannonball to the gut, collapsing to the ground in pain.

The girl loomed over Shinsou with her hands drooping in front of her chest before kneeling down and grabbing the boy by the ankles. She span him around like an iconic Italian Plumber with a homosexual turtle dragon. WIth a thud and a skid, the battle was over for the determined purple-haired lad.

"This match's winner is Reiko Yanagi! Boy, what a fight, folks. It was an outright psychic slobberknocker!" Present Mic shouted excitedly for the crowd from the commentary box. A gray-haired woman in ninja-like garb smiled from beneath her mask as the match's winner looked up at the crowd, then back to her opponent. She reached out a hand. "I don't need your help." Shinsou hissed, wiping dirt off his face. The injuries incurred by Reiko's blows didn't sting as much as the agony of defeat.

"Ok then. Wallow in self pity. But you won't hear your adoring public." Reiko spoke calmly with a shrug and a subdued mix of sarcasm and encouragement. She lifted one of her normally limp hands in the air and pointed towards the bleachers, where several members of the general studies department were ecstatic over the fight their friend put up.

"WOOO! GOOD JOB, SHINSOU! YOU REALLY MADE US PROUD!"

Another general studies student whistled and gave a "rock on" hand gesture, crying about what a good fight he put up. The boy felt the words ring hollow at first but each cheer from his friends filled him with confidence and awe. Were his aspirations still within reach?

A few pros even whispered among themselves about what a useful quirk Shinsou had and that he would be a great sidekick if he were in the hero course. "That kid would be great for interrogating villains. He is like a walking lie-detector machine, or like a truth serum."

A female hero wearing a gas-mask and a bandana rolled her eyes. "It doesn't seem like that is how the quirk works but I appreciate the imagination. Either way, he definitely shows promise. UA made a terrible mistake keeping him in general studies."

Reiko sauntered up beside the purple-haired boy and nudged him. "Your dream isn't over yet. You're not as far away as you think. You want it? You just have to work at it. I'm happy to tutor you"

"Taking pity on me?" Shinsou grimaced, rubbing the back of his neck. After all he had done, this was where his story ended, or so he had thought. And yet, it seemed to just be opening up.

"No. You can do a good job of that yourself. You have potential is all, and I want to see how you do. Unless studying with a cute girl is too much for you?" Reiko looked over her shoulder with piercing eyes shooting right through the purple-haired boy, punctuated by her tongue sticking out like some sort of trickster spirit. It wasn't from malice or anything, however. There was almost a kindness to them, encouragement even in the face of his insults. Was she naive? No, perhaps he was the naive one here.

He shook his head. He had no idea what was going on, at least that is what it was comforting to tell himself. Shinsou was at a loss for words, as if his quirk had been turned on itself. The fact that a hero student actively wanted to get him in was too good to be true. He was too busy blushing at her apparent flirtations to give off his typical attitude. He wasn't there to make friends, he was there to make his dreams come true. And yet, deep down, he would not mind talking to her more. The boy sighed. "Fine. Deal. But don't expect me to be grateful. I'll be gunning for your spot."

"I'd like to see you try." Reiko let out a smile, a sight very rare to those she wasn't close to. It had an unearthly mischief to it that sent shivers up Shinsou's spine. Was his heart racing? Red filled his cheeks as he looked away, trying to hide it. His face was still sore from his shoe rocketing straight into his face, as well as the punch delivered straight to his nose. Perhaps he could chalk it up to that.

"Yanagi, I told you not to answer him!" Shoda shouted in concern at his friend and classmate as he rushed up to her. "That...that was so cool though. I have to admit it was satisfying to hear you tell him off. I get him wanting to be a hero, but we all worked our hardest and, while folks like me are lucky, not everyone is. That didn't stop them though." Reiko stared blankly at Shoda, unnerving him slightly before she ruffled his hair and smiled softly.

"Hey. Think of it like a battle shonen. I had to teach him humility. I'll keep an eye on him from now on, k?"

"H-Hey! Cut it out! You're embarrassing me! And this isn't a shonen though." The shorter boy blustered as his face turned red. Reiko merely waved her hand and looked back to SHinsou, who rolled his eyes.

"Are you going to apologize to my friend or should I ruffle your hair too, beanpole?" Reiko smirked. SHinsou blushed again, averting his gaze and trying to come off as cool and aloof.

"I won't apologize for doing my best. He was competition for my spot in the hero course. I did what I had to do." The boy deadpanned. Reiko sighed in response and deadpanned back.

"Guess these hands and your hair are going to get acquainted then, unless your face would rather fill in."

From the sidelines, the other students watched, with Reiko's teammates taking particular notice of the exchange going on, as the formerly intimidating Shinsou now recoiling from Reiko and offering a reluctant apology to Shoda, complete with a bow.

"Hah, Yanagi has a type! Nice'' Setsuna teased as she let out a giggle. Itsuka couldn't help but shrug and roll her eyes but she had noticed the same thing. Her brother Sora would have made a joke about "love blooming on the battlefield" from one of his favorite video game series, but he was probably with the other pros, scouting possible interns or even future sidekicks. She wondered if he would scoop her up, or perhaps one of her classmates. She wouldn't put it past her big bro.

"How about you, Kendou? Do you have a type? I mean, besides rich and pretty," Setsuna winked. Kinoko, who had wandered over while still wearing her cheerleader costume that Momo made her, was enticed by this topic and the thought of Romance.

"Kendou is in love?"

X

The battles raged on, with Todoroki from 1-A completely cecimating his classmate and teammate, Sero Hanta. It was a quick and decisive battle, with Todoroki barely breaking a sweat and not even bothering to use his fire side. Kaminari, from team Bakugou, went up against Izuku Midoriya.

Itsuka kept her eye on the fight. Momo wasn't quite sure how to feel about the boy, especially because his quirk was so bizarre and would damage him anytime he used it. Itsuka, however, took note. While not as studious as Momo, she could still tell the boy had a brain to match the power of his quirk, if not some very odd proclivities, such as muttering to himself often. It was charming in an odd sort of way. It almost reminded her of Momo. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Setsuna watching the fight with full investment, with no jokes or innuendoes.

"So I don't think you ever told me how you know Midoriya. Looks like Momo and I aren't the only ones who knew each other before UA."

"What? Noooo. Just...he looks cool. His hair is green like mine...Not buying it huh?"

Itsuka shook her head and raised an eyebrow. It was hard not to notice, even when Setsuna's quirk was well suited for not being noticed. Assuming she snuck off a hand or a finger and not half her head. "We… We go way back. The thing is? I don't think ol' bone hurting juice there remembers me. He seems just as awkward around girls as he used to be. Same old Midoriya. Wish I could have been there more."

"You could say that. He probably won't recognize me. I, um...looked a bit different back then." The green-haired girl tugged on her shirt-collar, grimacing slightly at a topic she was unsure on how to broach.

"Oh yeah. You had a ganguro phase, right?" Itsuka perked up, recalling a conversation she and Setsuna had had during lunch one time.

"I mean, yeah. I was a gal for a year or two but… Hey. Is it cool if we talk about this later? It's probably not the best time to discuss this kind of thing right now." Setsuna smiled bashfully, shifting her eyes from her redheaded friend to the battle.

Itsuka was confused at first but nodded and smiled. Her friend was right. Whatever matters these were, they were best discussed at another time. Besides, the redhead had a few ideas, given how uncharacteristically private Setsuna could be when changing. Sure she would talk happily, but she tended to change in a bathroom stall or use her quirk to split parts of her body off. The green-haired boy darted around like a crazed chicken as his opponent went all out with his electrical powers. Izuku screamed and grunted but tried to get through with minimal damage. He finally managed to get a win by bum rushing Kaminari and pushing him out of the ring when he burnt himself out. Setsuna let out a sigh of relief and smiled. She couldn't help but cheer, which surprised some of Izuku's classmates, such as the brunette on his team and the pink girl that was on team Bakugou.

X

Momo stood steadfast. She had this. Dark Shadow was weaker during the day, correct? She recalled either Midoriya or Tokoyami himself mentioning that. This would be doable. While it was a strong quirk, she knew that she could break through. Keeping up the assault and therefore placing Tokoyami on the back foot was her best option, she wagered. It was too good a strategy not to work.

"I hope Tokoyami doesn't take offense if I compare this to a knight facing a dragon from one of my favorite books, but the situation certainly does evoke that right now," the dark-haired girl thought to herself. She created some flashbangs within Matryoshka dolls, hoping to exploit a weakness in her admittedly imposing opponent.

Throwing out the Flashbangs , Momo started the battle off, ready to clinch it before things could go sour. However, Tokoyami managed to recall Dark Shadow before the flashes could go off, shielding his eyes and managing to dodge before Momo could land a significant hit. He then sent out Dark Shadow like some sort of spring-loaded ebony snake. Momo was sent onto the backfoot, having to create a shield. She was pushed back significantly, unable to keep up with the speed of the sentient Quirk. Despite a valiant effort, Momo was barely able to respond, soon being driven out of the ring.

It took several minutes for it to sink in before she could feel her confidence disintegrate and her heart shatter into pieces. Was this really the best she could do? Was she ineffectual, cursed to sit on the sidelines or be in the background despite all the promise she had been told she possessed? So many questions swirled around in her head that her body moved on its own towards the interior of the stadium. Tears welled in her eyes as she went to lick her wounds, something that did not go unnoticed. Itsuka followed her friend into the building and decided to try her best to calm her.

Momo felt that her grandfather would have probably been disappointed. And what about Itsuka? They had promised each other they would meet in the final event and test their skills against each other. She had broken her promise due to her own failures.

"Hey, need company?" Momo barely looked up as Itsuka took a seat beside her. The redhead could see tears on her friend's cheeks. She wanted so badly to reach out and wipe them away, but was the timing right?

"Itsuka...I'm sorry. I wasn't good enough and I broke my promise, especially after teaming up with Todoroki instead of you." Momo barely looked up, her face hidden in shame. SHe wanted to be alone, but at the same time, needed a friend. Her normally sharp mind was now addled with worry and self doubt and needed to process everything. It had happened so fast.

"Still hung up on that? Hey, this isn't the end of the world, right? One loss doesn't mean you aren't worth it. You made it this far because you are a wonderful person. Your skills, your intelligence, your heart, they all make you who you are. "

Momo was largely silent, drinking everything in. She wanted to feel better. She knew Itsuka wanted to help and that, perhaps, she was right. And yet, she couldn't help but still feel horrible.

"Thank you, Itsuka. You are very sweet. I just don't know if I am worthy of being recommended if I couldn't even clear my first fight despite knowing what I had to do." Momo sighed. She offered a weak smile but it was evident she still needed time. The tone became silent and sorrowful. Moments passed without either girl speaking, neither knowing what else to say. Before Itsuka could say anything, her name was called.

"Itsuka Kendou, please report to the ring for your match against Eijirou Kirishima. It is about to start." Called the voice of Present Mic, echoing through the halls.

"Welp, I'm up. Wish me luck." Itsuka got up, stretching as she limbered up for the fight. She looked at Momo, her eyes sparkling with sympathy. She still didn't have all the answers Momo sought in her time of weakness, but she did have one she could offer. "And Momo?"

"Yes?" The other girl looked up, tears now dried after having time to settle down into her depression.

"Keep your eye out. I am dedicating this match to you." Itsuka offered a smile, breathing through her nose. She would fight not just for herself, but for Momo. Their childhood together flashed before their eyes, seeming to culminate in this moment, at least to a degree.

Itsuka walked away, still unsure, but doing her best to be strong for her friend. Momo was left alone to stew in her thoughts. After her friend departed, the black-haired girl got up and prepared to head to the bleachers. She whispered to herself.

"Good luck, Itsy. And thank you."

X

Itsuka stepped up to the arena, her mind clouded by sorrow at not being able to face Momo but moreso, not knowing how to comfort her friend. She had done so before, sure.

However, even now, she didn't have the right words. Perhaps, then, it was through action that she could provide comfort.

The torches at the corners of the arena flickered and swayed their flames in the breeze as Itsuka and Kirishima looked at eachother, trying to prepare themselves. They stared each other down, neither speaking a word. Drums beat in their minds, like the rush of blood in their hearts. Even the loud voice of Present Mic was muted by the determination pumping through veins and the voice of Momo in her head. She was brought out of it, however, by Midnight announcing the beginning of the was now time to focus on the battle at hand and strategies for winning.

"This guy seems like Tetsutetsu. Maybe I can use similar strategies." Itsuka winced and released Kirishima as his rough form cut the palms of her hands. She fell back and decided to strategize. However, Kirishima was on the offensive.

"You going to cower in the corner, Kendou or are you gonna bring your A Game?" the red haired boy grinned as he rushed towards Itsuka, moving fast to get her out of the ring.

"I'm not cowering. You scratched me good. I need to patch up my hands so I can keep going. That's the Can-Do spirit." Kirishima's eyes lit up as he witnessed the girl take off her UA gym shirt, revealing a black tank top. Momo blushed and averted her eyes while in the stands. Itsuka didn't notice, however, and looked to Cementoss.

"I know this might get me in trouble and send a bad message as class president, so forgive me." The pro was confused by the girl's words before she tore her gym shirt up and used it as wrappings for her hand. Cementoss looked on with concern but allowed it. Uniforms were going to get damaged.

"It seems you're a nasty one to grab onto with that quirk of yours. I am going to need to handle you with care. Use that hardening of yours, because I can't hold back now." Kirishima rushed forward, readying his fists. He was getting pumped but he still had to hold back. If it was that Tetsutetsu guy, he could go all out. They had similar quirks after all. But Kendou wasn't exactly able to make herself any sturdier. She couldn't exactly give an all-out punch without potentially knocking out a few teeth.

"I might have to hold back a little. You aren't exactly as hard as me or your pal with the steel quirk."

"Perhaps not, but you heard me, spikes. Let's do this." Kendou took a deep breath and went into a fighting stance, balancing on one leg and thrusting out an arm for balance. She made a "C'mere" gesture , prompting her opponent to strike first.

"Hot damn. I hate to sound like Kaminari but this girl is incredible. I would ask her out for a burger but-" The toothy redhead looked on at Momo, who was unsure who to cheer on: her classmate or her friend. Kirishima closed his eyes and grinned. He couldn't do that to his classmate. It was downright unmanly. This fight was enough to get his heart pumping.

"Alright, Kendou! Bloody Knuckles it is!" Both teens ran towards each other, winding up their best punches. The crowd was clinging to their seats, reluctant to tear their eyes away. Itsuka's fist enlarged and knocked Kirishima back. The boy had little time to block and skidded across the floor of the arena.

"Sorry. I think my knuckles might have yours beat. Let's try again." Kirishima tried again with a right hook. This time it was caught by Itsuka. Her hand overpowered his and she twisted it around "I picked paper this time. This game of janken is mine." Kirishima powered through and broke away, gritting his teeth.

"Not bad. I choose scissors then." the shark-toothed boy roared with a smile, sharpening his hands as Itsuka narrowly dodged. They traded blows in a breathtaking display, neither one backing down. Even when bruised and bloodied, Itsuka kept up her assault, doing her best to get her opponent out of the ring. If she couldn't wear him out or knock him out, she would sure as hell get him out of the ring. Spectators recognized some MMA moves from a former contender, as well as some variations on moves from up-and coming pro, King Yeti. Kirishima managed to land a blow on Itsuka's face, sending her back. His eyes widened. Manliness was not tied to gender.

Being squeamish about hitting girls (especially when his friend Mina was one of the manliest people he knew) was ridiculous. Manliness knew no gender. And yet he felt like he went too hard on someone who couldn't take a fist shaped rock to the face like he could.. And yet he was shocked by how brutal his punch was, especially as he saw blood.

"Oh damn! Sorry, Kendou, I-" Kirishima was sent flying by two giant firsts together, nearly getting knocked out of the ring. The fists shrank back to normal as Itsuka wiped the blood off her face, licked it off her fingers and spat it on the ground. It was probably a bit uncouth but if she had to be on the stage, she might as well have her Bruce Lee moment. Besides, maybe she could inspire Momo and be what she needed right now.

"Two for flinching, Kirishima. Come on." The ponytailed girl grinned, bouncing lightly in place, eager to go. Kirishima smiled back. He was so worried he was going too hard, but to know that his opponent could take it made him want to not hold back. There was still that little voice telling him to be careful, but the boy felt like it would be just as unmanly not to give his opponent a good match. Itsuka went for her patented "Kendou chop" but her opponent hardened his neck just in time.

"Looking to knock me out? I'm kind of disappointed. You're gonna need to try harder than that, Kendou!"

"Well then I will have to get the upper hand another way."

Meanwhile, in the bleachers, the crowd was lively. 1-A and 1-B alike were particularly animated in their reactions. "Wait...was that a hand pun?"

The battle raged on like a sort of dance. Not an elegant one like ballet, however. It was more like a mix of traditional Japanese dancing and slam dancing you would find at a heavy metal show. Itsuka's quark might have involved her fists, but her footwork could not be ignored. Several martial arts heroes in the crowd took note.

It was like a clash of fists and fire, stone and bone that captivated nearly everyone. Their blows told dueling stories of determined warriors, neither connected by anything more by tier will to win and to do their best. The final punctuation was a strong and speedy left hook, only to be countered by a toss into the arena wall. Kirishima gasped as he instinctively hardened, leaving cracks into structure and shaking some people out of their seats.

Setsuna cheered and punched the air, feeling excited by her friend's decisive and triumphant victory after such a close match. Even members of 1-A couldn't help but stand up.

Momo sighed, wanting to be happy for Itsuka but still being consumed by guilt over not being able to face her friend in the ring. It was pitiful, to her, that she couldn't even feel joy for her friend who dedicated a fight to her, all because she was too busy feeling sorry for herself. She averted her eyes in self disgust but her focus was grabbed when she heard her name.

"Momo! That was for you! I know who you are and you will be an amazing hero! Don't let one failure get you down! I am still waiting on the match!" Momo blushed and looked away, but couldn't help but smile. She felt blessed to have such a good friend. Her heart sped up as her eyes locked with Itsuka's. There was distance between them, but they saw each other clearly. Time stood still and it was as if the entirety of the stadium had disappeared, leaving the two old friends. They were snapped out of their mutual gaze by Midnight ushering Itsuka off so that the next fight could begin.

Momo cheered and clapped, feeling her excitement break through her depression. She still wished she had done so much better, and couldn't help but still feel like she wasn't good enough. However, in this moment, she was happy for Itsuka. What made her happier was that the other girl had not only dedicated a victory to her but that she was still eager to face Momo at a later date.

"After a brief break to repair the arena wall, our next competitors will step into the arena. Mina Ashido and Setsuna Tokage, please take half an hour to prepare. Your match is next."

Mina limbered up, doing Yoga poses and jumping around while Setsuna did calisthenics and danced around, preparing for her fight. This would be an interesting fight, to be sure. Itsuka looked at her friend and decided to keep an eye on the match. Her mind went back to her earlier conversation with Setsuna. She wondered what the girl meant about her past and would have to ask about it later.

Itsuka was brought back out of her thoughts by a plastic rose landing in her hand, as if she was anticipating it in her heart. She looked up and saw the source of the fake flower. Momo waved and held her hands together. Itsuka smiled brightly and ran towards her friend, only to be grabbed by the shoulder. She was shocked by the gesture and looked over to see Monoma.

"Kendou, I would like to speak with you."