The next few duels passed in rapid succession, at least in Izuku's mind. Ida won his next match, and as did Bakugo, to no one's surprise. What was surprising, however, was how difficult Bakugo's match turned out to be.

That hero with the Hardening quirk . . . Ejiro, was it? Izuku stared at the ceiling, his fingers shaking as they clutched onto two cans of cold beverages fresh from a vending machine, although he wasn't entirely certain which drink he had bought. He was less of a disappointment than the others.

Present Mic's voice came over the speakers, expressing excitement for the next match, and Izuku snapped out of his reverie, sinking to one knee and placing the cans on the ground. Let's see . . . His fingers hovered over the small pouch he had attached to his belt under his school uniform, trembling noticeably. It's this one. He picked out a small dart filled with yellow liquid. Swiftly, he shoved it into the lid of one of the cans, leaving a hole so tiny no one would notice unless they were looking for it.

The vial now empty, he placed the device back into his pouch and stood, holding both of the cans firmly once more, or as well as he could given the state of his hands. Picking up his pace, he trotted back to his friends, who stood near the entrance of the arena, each of them seeming tense.

He announced his presence with, "Sorry I took so long!" They each jumped at the words, spinning around to face him.

"Gah, Izuku, you scared us!" Uraraka laughed and waved her hand, her face flushing bright red in embarrassment.

"Indeed. I did not hear your approach." Ida held out his hand for the can Izuku offered him, and Shinso did the same, opting not to say anything about his sudden appearance.

"Sorry." He chuckled, shooting them all his most dazzling grin. "You guys must be tired. Drink these before your match. It'll help you stay alert." Izuku watched his two friends guzzle down the drinks, his smile unwavering. Once finished, they each handed the empty cans back to him, and Izuku promised to throw them away as Present Mic once again spoke through the speakers, demanding their presence in the arena right away.

Out of time, Ida and Shinso ran into the arena to the answering cheers of the spectators. Izuku's grin slowly released, and he scowled as he located the nearest trashcan, tossing the cans inside with more force than was necessary.

"What are you thinking about?" Uraraka asked from his left, and Izuku jumped.

I forgot she was still here. Izuku shrugged, softening his expression. "I'm just not sure who's going to win. Worse yet, I don't know who to root for."

"How about we root for them both?" Uraraka smiled pleasantly before she moved forward to hook Izuku's arm with her own. "Come on, let's go back to our seats."

Uhhh . . . "Yeah, sure." Izuku followed Uraraka's lead, not sure what to make of her actions. The only person I've ever seen act like this is Toga, but . . . I don't know, Uraraka doesn't seem like a bloodthirsty maniac.

They reached their seats, and Uraraka released his arm as they sat next to each other, eyes on their two friends in the ring. "No matter who wins, I'll still be proud of them both," she declared, her voice full of vigor.

"Oh, yeah . . . sure, me too." Then again, I'm sure I don't look like a bloodthirsty maniac either. He adjusted his feet and placed his elbows on his legs, allowing his hands to hang in the air between his knees. I don't really feel like one either right now. He tilted his neck, hearing a loud crack as his bones shifted. Shinso better win this tournament.

Present Mic began the match with a shout, and the two contestants lunged toward each other, exchanging blows rapidly, with Ida mostly on the defensive. Izuku leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. Something was off with the way Ida was moving. It was unnatural, strange even.

"Pfft," he muttered, barely catching the laugh before it erupted in full force. I thought this might happen.

"What?" Uraraka asked, bumping him gently with her shoulder. "What's funny?"

"Ah, sorry." Izuku straightened and shrugged. "Ida is avoiding looking at Shinso. He must think that Shinso's quirk relies on eye contact."

"Does it not?" Uraraka bit her lip, her eyebrows lowering over her eyes.

Shaking his head, Izuku replied with, "I guess you'll just have to wait and see." This is great. Since Ida won't look at Shinso, it gives him an advantage. Shinso might've been able to win this entirely on his own after all.

"Looks like Ida is charging up his signature attack!" Present Mic yelled, the words sending a jolt of adrenaline through Izuku's chest, and his head swiveled back toward the arena. "Will Shinso be able to dodge in time?"

Izuku's eyes narrowed as Ida rushed toward Shinso, his engines backfiring loud enough to hear from all the way in the back of the stands. His movements, while still fast, were slower than they had been in his last match. The difference was hardly noticeable to the spectators, but it was enough.

Ida's foot brushed against Shinso's side, sending him to the ground as Ida flew past him. Shifting his weight forward, Ida slid to a halt some few feet away, having missed his only chance at a direct blow. Almost immediately, Shinso jumped to his feet, and Ida waved his arms, his engines clearly stalled from the charged attack. Shinso slammed into Ida and began to push him toward the edge of the rink, and, despite Ida's best attempts to get Shinso away from him, eventually Ida's heel passed over the line, and Cementoss called the battle in favor of Shinso.

I knew I made a good call to drug him. Izuku nodded, too exhausted to even smile as the two friends shook each other's hands on the edge of the rink. The effects will wear off in a half-hour, and everyone will be none the wiser. Now, on to more important matters. He stood abruptly, and Uraraka followed his lead, shooting him a questioning glance.

"You can wait here," Izuku encouraged, shooting her a bright smile, although he was sure it looked strained. "I'm sure Ida will be here soon to sit with you, and I'll return shortly. I just need to go talk to Shinso about his match with Bakugo."

Uraraka's lips pursed together. "What are you going to tell him?"

"How to win." Izuku laughed softly. "Trust me, no one knows Bakugo's fighting style better than me."

Uraraka's eyes fell to the floor, but she nodded and sat back down, allowing Izuku to shuffle past her and exit the stands. He set his sights on the meeting room where he and Shinso had decided to convene should he win against Ida, his head and heart pounding.

This is it, Shinso. The last match. Izuku breathed out slowly, wishing the action would alleviate the ache that emanated from his chest. It's entirely up to you now.

Don't screw it up.

—

No three month long hiatuses I said. And lo and behold, TWO months later I arrive with a new chapter! See, I'm not a liar!

Okay yeah, I know. Listen, I'm not making any more promises, because it appears I'm painfully bad at keeping them. Just know I will eventually finish this story, even if it takes me forever. So stick around for even cooler plot-lines, and especially the final wrap-up of the Sports Festival!

Sally

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