Chapter 18: U.A. Sports Festival – Part 2

The air in the stadium was electric, buzzing with the cheers of thousands of spectators and the crackle of anticipation. Cloud sat with his arms crossed, his sharp blue eyes trained on the arena below. Bakugou stood proudly on the podium, his expression as fierce as ever.

"I'm gonna win. That's it."

Bakugou's declaration cut through the noise, his voice brimming with raw confidence.

The stadium went silent for a moment before erupting into a mixture of laughter and jeers. His fellow students groaned and rolled their eyes, unimpressed by the blunt, arrogant speech.

Cloud, however, smirked and raised his hands in a slow, deliberate clap.

Clap.

Clap.

Clap.

Ryuko Tsuchikawa, seated beside him, turned with a surprised look.

"Seriously? You're clapping for that? No 'Go beyond, Plus Ultra!' or some inspiring speech—just 'I'm gonna win'?"

Cloud's smirk didn't fade.

"Why should he say more? He's going to win. That's enough."

Ryuko chuckled, brushing her hair back.

"You really think that hothead can pull it off?"

Cloud's eyes narrowed slightly, focused on Bakugou as the boy stepped back into the crowd.

"Confidence and capability are different things. But he's got both. Watch him."

The First Event: Obstacle Race

The sultry voice of Midnight echoed through the stadium.

"Alright, students! The first event of the U.A. Sports Festival is the Obstacle Race!"

She extended her whip in a dramatic gesture.

"A nearly 4-kilometer race around the stadium, full of surprises and danger! Only the strongest will come out on top!"

The students gathered at the massive starting gate. Cloud's sharp gaze was glued to Bakugou, analyzing his stance, his focus.

Ryuko leaned closer, eyeing the boy with mild interest.

"So, Explosion Boy's gonna blow his way to victory, huh?"

Cloud shook his head slightly.

"No. Look at him. He could blast through the crowd and take the lead, but he's not. He knows it's smarter to wait. His explosions could hurt the others. He's holding back."

Ryuko tilted her head.

"Huh. Not bad for a loudmouth."

Cloud said nothing, silently noting Bakugou's control.

"GO!"

The gates burst open, and the students surged forward in a chaotic wave. Bakugou leaped high into the air, small bursts of explosions propelling him above the crowd but not harming anyone.

Cloud smirked.

"Good."

However, his eyes caught something odd. A boy with a grape-like head—Minoru Mineta—was clinging tightly to the back of a black-haired girl riding a… moped?

Cloud's brow furrowed.

"…Was that there before?"

Ryuko squinted.

"Wait, is that Yaoyorozu Momo? She made a moped?!"

Cloud's mind pieced it together.

"Creation quirk. Clever. And that… kid… latched onto her like a parasite."

Ryuko laughed.

"Smart or creepy. Maybe both."

Cloud turned his attention back to the main runners, focusing on Bakugou.

The Race Unfolds

The crowd roared as the first obstacle loomed ahead: a massive corridor filled with towering robotic villains, remnants from the entrance exams.

Bakugou didn't hesitate. Explosions cracked in the air as he weaved through the mechanical giants, dodging and blasting parts apart with precision.

Cloud's expression remained stoic but approving.

"He's aggressive but controlled. Good."

However, someone else caught his attention.

The green-haired boy—Izuku Midoriya.

Cloud watched as Midoriya navigated the chaos, analyzing every obstacle, every movement.

When the minefield appeared as the final challenge, Cloud leaned forward slightly.

He watched as Midoriya paused, scanned the landscape, and made his move.

With a calculated leap, Midoriya grabbed a discarded metal plate and slammed it down on one of the mines. The explosion rocketed him skyward, sending him soaring past the others.

Cloud's eyes narrowed.

"He used the explosion for momentum... smart."

Present Mic's voice rang out, ecstatic.

"And would you look at that! Izuku Midoriya takes the lead with some serious brainpower! Using the minefield as a launchpad! Incredible!"

Midoriya crashed across the finish line, victorious.

Cloud leaned back, his expression unreadable.

Ryuko leaned closer with a smirk.

"Not your guy, huh?"

Cloud exhaled through his nose.

"He's smart. Smarter than most. But..." Cloud's gaze flicked to Bakugou crossing the line shortly after, his face twisted in frustration.

"He overthinks. Bakugou fights. There's a difference."

Still, Cloud raised a hand and gave a few slow claps for Midoriya.

"He earned it."

A Haunting Presence

The stadium buzzed with energy as people moved around for the next event. Cloud stood, stretching his limbs as he made his way toward the food stalls. The scent of roasted meat and fried snacks filled the air.

He scanned the options.

Takoyaki. Ramen. Fried squid.

His hand moved to his pocket for his wallet when—

"…Everyone here will die."

Cloud's breath hitched.

The crowd around him blurred, the colors dulling into shades of grey.

There, standing among the faceless masses, was Sephiroth.

Silver hair cascading down his back. Cold, merciless eyes locked onto Cloud's.

A chilling smile curved his lips.

"This world is fragile. I will break it, just like the last."

Cloud's hand instinctively shot to his back—

Nothing.

His fingers grasped air where the Buster Sword should've been.

"Damn it!"

He took a step forward, but the figure remained still.

Cold. Silent. Waiting.

Cloud's breath grew ragged.

"No... he's not real."

He clenched his fists, nails digging into his palms.

The illusion flickered.

Sephiroth's form wavered like smoke, dissolving into nothingness.

The crowd's noise returned. Laughter, footsteps, the sizzle of food.

Cloud exhaled slowly, the tension draining from his body.

"Not here. Not now."

He shook his head, brushing the image away.

Still, the cold lingered in his chest.

Cloud stuffed his hands into his pockets, scanning the stalls once more.

"Food first."

But his sharp eyes drifted across the crowd, wary.

Sephiroth might not have been real this time.

But Cloud knew better than to ignore ghosts.