"Nice work with the advertisement, Kaminari," Sero teased, flashing a grin.

Kaminari groaned as he slumped into his seat. "Unlike a certain blonde with explosions, I prefer not to hurt a defenseless girl. I'm a gentleman," he said, affecting an exaggerated English accent.

The girls collectively rolled their eyes.

"Shut up, Pikachu!" Bakugou barked, glaring daggers at the electric user. Kaminari flinched in response.

"Whatever, dude," Kaminari muttered.

"You do realize that kind of mindset is going to get your ass handed to you, right?" Kyoka said dryly, shooting him a deadpan look.

"Yeah, seriously. It's not manly to hold back just because you're fighting a girl," Kirishima chimed in with a firm nod.

Mineta leaned forward with a sly grin. "Oh, dear Kaminari, you lost your golden opportunity. She practically turned you into a human billboard. You should've turned her into your personal exhibit!"

Groans of disgust erupted across the group.

"Ew."

"Gross."

"Blech."

Tsuyu turned her disapproving gaze on Mineta. "I thought you said you'd stop being a perv," she said with a disappointed croak.

Mineta raised a finger, as if making a noble proclamation. "No, no, I said I wouldn't be a perv when our lives were in mortal danger. Outside of that? It's fair game."

The collective groans deepened, and Mina shook her head in exasperation. "You guys could really take a page from Midoriya. He actually knows how to treat a girl," she said, smiling.

Izuku blinked, feeling the sudden weight of attention. Nervous but wanting to contribute, he recalled something Kevin used to say. "Uh... Kevin always said, 'You have to treat a car like you treat a woman,'" he offered with an awkward smile.

The air in the booth froze.

Bakugou slapped a hand over his face. Kirishima muttered a prayer under his breath. Kaminari and Mineta both bit their lips, struggling not to burst into laughter. Shoji and Tokoyami silently shook their heads, as if mourning a tragedy.

The girls, meanwhile, slowly turned their heads toward Izuku, eyebrows raised in unison. A few radiated an ominous aura.

Izuku froze, feeling sweat bead on his brow. A small voice in the back of his mind whispered, I have made a grave mistake.

"...Go on," the girls said in eerie unison.

Izuku gulped. "I... No. I sense I have made mistakes of some kind," he stammered, a shiver running down his spine.

"Hey, look! The match is starting!" Ochako called out hurriedly, mercifully cutting the tension and saving Izuku from further self-inflicted disaster.

...

"You're in my way," Shoto said coldly, his tone dripping with disgust as he stopped in front of his father on the way to his match. His mismatched eyes barely glanced at Endeavor before locking forward again.

Endeavor stood firm, his imposing figure casting a shadow over Shoto. After a brief pause, he spoke, his voice laced with irritation. "You're acting disgracefully, Shoto."

Shoto's scowl deepened as he stepped to the side, intending to walk past his father without another word.

Endeavor turned slightly, following his son's movements with a burning intensity in his eyes. "If you used the power on your left side, you would've had an overwhelming victory in the obstacle course and capture the flag. Stop this childish rebellion already. You have a duty to surpass All Might. Do you understand? You're different from your siblings. You're my greatest masterpiece!"

The words made Shoto stop in his tracks. His fists clenched at his sides, his face twisting with anger. He turned his head just enough to glare at Endeavor, the sheer hatred in his gaze striking like a dagger.

"Is that all you can say, bastard?" Shoto growled, his voice low but venomous. "I will win... using only Mom's quirk! I won't use your damn power!"

Endeavor's expression remained stoic, but the tension in the air thickened. His voice softened slightly, though it carried a sharp edge. "Even if that works now, you'll soon realize the limits of that power."

Shoto said nothing more, storming away toward the arena. The roar of the crowd grew louder with every step, but his father's next words cut through the noise like a knife.

"Your battle with that Midoriya boy only have proven that."

...

"ALRIGHT, FOLKS, WE HAVE A MATCH BETWEEN TWO STUDENTS FROM PROMINENT FAMILIES! FIRST UP, THE SON OF ENDEAVOR, SHOTO TODOROKI!!"

Todoroki stepped onto the arena, ice spreading from his right side and chilling the air as he moved into position. His expression was stoic, though his eyes burned with determination.

"AND HIS OPPONENT, THE BILLIONAIRE GENIUS, BILLY BILLIONS!!"

Billy approached confidently, adjusting his high-tech gauntlets and boots with a smug grin.

"You know, Todoroki, you're living proof that quirk marriages do work," Billy began, his tone dripping with mock admiration.

Shoto's brow twitched in irritation, his patience already wearing thin.

"I mean, just look at you," Billy continued, slipping on another piece of gear. "Perfect quirk, perfect school, perfect opportunity. Honestly, I wish Yaoyorozu could see this. She's so naive, always talking about ethics and—ugh—feelings. And don't even get me started on that peasant she's been hanging around wit–"

"BEGIN!!"

The word had barely left the announcer's mouth when Shoto slammed his foot down. The ground cracked beneath him as a tidal wave of ice surged forward, consuming the arena in an instant. The temperature plummeted to arctic levels, and in one terrifying moment, a colossal glacier erupted into existence.

The ice wall soared into the sky, its jagged peaks glistening like a frozen mountain, towering above the stadium. The sheer force of the attack sent a shockwave rippling through the stands, and the audience collectively gasped in awe.

The arena fell silent as everyone stared at the glacier in stunned disbelief. The massive structure shimmered ominously under the sunlight, dwarfing the entire arena and leaving no room for escape.

"Holy crap!" Death Arms and Kamui Woods exclaimed in unison from outside the stadium, their jaws practically hitting the floor as they gawked at the glacier visible from the street.

Inside, the temperature was unbearable. Izuku and the others scrambled to back away from the overwhelming cold, their breaths visible in the frosty air. Tsuyu collapsed into a light sleep from the sudden chill, and Momo immediately created a thick blanket to cover her

...

Meanwhile, Ishida stood frozen in the stands, his eyes wide with a mix of awe and fear. His body trembled involuntarily as he stared at the mountain of ice, unable to process what he'd just seen.

"He... He's just a first-year..." Ishida muttered under his breath. "A first-year did this? No last name—just Todoroki... I can't—"

"Ishida's shaking," someone whispered nearby, their voice tinged with disbelief.

"He's Endeavor's son," someone else said, their voice breaking slightly. "But still... this—this is insane."

Ishida swallowed hard, his hands trembling as he forced a chuckle. "Man, I almost feel bad for Bakugou," he said, his voice strained. "Facing this guy in the finals? Yeah... good luck, buddy."

"Now that's real power," Naomi whispered.

...

"ER... I-I GUESS THE MATCH IS--"

Crack

The ice split with a deafening sound, startling everyone as the glacier began to fracture. Atop the icy mountain, Billy emerged from the crevice, his body trailing steam as he raised his arms to the sky, ready to launch his counterattack.

Todoroki's eyes narrowed. With a swift motion, he darted to the left, just in time to avoid Billy's powerful descent. Billy slammed his boots into the ground, sending a shockwave that rippled through the arena, cracking the floor beneath them.

"Todoroki, why all the hostility?" Billy sneered, his voice dripping with arrogance. "Look, why don't you give up and go run back to your daddy? I need to teach that peasant a lesson he won't forget."

Another burst of ice shot from Todoroki's outstretched hand, but Billy responded instantly, smashing through the freezing assault with ease.

Shoto's eyes darkened, his frustration rising. He charged forward, sending another blast of ice at Billy, but the billionaire crushed it effortlessly again, showing no sign of slowing down.

"You really piss me off." Todoroki's voice was as cold as the ice he controlled. With another roar, he fired off yet another trail of ice. Each attack shattered on impact, but Todoroki's resolve remained firm.

"You think you can just buy whoever you want?" Shoto's tone was emotionless, but the anger in his eyes betrayed him. "You think you can just take Yaoyorozu's choice away, or any woman you desire?"

Billy scoffed, but Todoroki's words cut deeper than he let on. From the hallway, Endeavor, watching the match with intensity, could hear every word. His eyes flickered with anger, his flames sparking to life, though he remained silent, watching his son's determination.

Billy, however, was too blinded by his arrogance to notice Todoroki's approach. He didn't realize Shoto was closing the distance until it was too late. With one swift motion, Todoroki grabbed Billy's gauntlet, encasing it in ice before the billionaire could react.

Billy's boots activated, and he leapt into the air, trying to gain the advantage. "What does it matter to you? I was promised her! And I always get what I want! Regardless of her feelings for that whelp! I'll beat you so badly that Yaoyorozu will beg me to stop!"

Todoroki's cold gaze didn't falter. With the flick of his wrist, he sent a trail of ice rushing upward, trapping Billy's feet as he landed. Billy's movements slowed as his legs were frozen in place. Another blast of ice quickly ensnared his other foot, then his remaining gauntlet. With each successive attack, Todoroki methodically closed in.

"Hmph." Todoroki's voice was sharp, full of contempt. "So you plan to beat Midoriya to a bloody pulp until Yaoyorozu agrees to marry you? That's the most disgusting, idiotic thing I've ever heard."

With a final, decisive movement, Todoroki shattered Billy's remaining gauntlet, leaving the billionaire vulnerable. He then pinned him down with a force that left no room for escape. Billy, struggling, could feel the weight of Todoroki's training and power pressing down on him.

His strength, honed through years of physical discipline, kept Billy from gaining any leverage.

The cold was suffocating. Billy could see his own breath as it escaped in visible clouds, a testament to the frigid air Todoroki commanded. The arena was silent, save for the crackling of ice and Billy's muffled grunts.

Even Midnight and Cementos, caught in the freezing air, were visibly uncomfortable. The audience, stunned by the shift in power, watched in stunned silence as Todoroki maintained his unyielding hold.

"You think because you have power and prestige, you can treat people like pawns for your own selfish goals?" Todoroki's eyes locked onto Billy's with an icy glare. "Everything about you disgusts me. You're no better than a parasite, using others to fuel your pathetic ambitions."

Todoroki wasn't looking at the boy beneath him instead at the hallway he existed a hardened gaze towards Endeavour.

Billy's eyes flashed with fury. "Shut up! You don't know anything about me!" His voice was a low, snarling growl, but the anger in his eyes revealed his helplessness.

Todoroki didn't reply, his gaze unwavering. Midnight stepped forward, inspecting Billy's condition, and saw that he was truly pinned.

"Billy, can you move?" Midnight asked, her voice calm, but there was no response—only a strangled groan as Billy continued to struggle beneath Shoto's unrelenting grip.

"Then I'm sorry..." Midnight raised her whip, ready to call the match in Todoroki's favor, but Billy cut her off with a furious scream.

"SHUT UP, YOU STREET WHORE! I REFUSE TO LOSE!" He kicked and thrashed desperately, but it was clear he was powerless to escape.

Midnight's expression hardened. With a crack of her whip, she declared, "Todoroki wins! Billy Billions is immovable!!"

Shoto released his hold and stepped back, his breathing calm, though the chill in the air remained thick. He adjusted his shoulders, his face as cold and stoic as ever, before turning and walking toward the hallway.

His father's gaze followed him, but no words passed between them.

...

Kyouka sat there, her body trembling slightly as she watched Todoroki's overwhelming display of power. A deep unease settled in her chest. She knew Todoroki was intimidating, but seeing him release such devastating attacks sent a chill down her spine. Her earjacks, while a part of her, felt so much less reliable in comparison to Todoroki's raw force. Without her boots, she could already tell this match would be a one-sided affair if she were ever to face him.

"Todoroki is pretty intimidating, huh?" Kaminari muttered, shivering as much from fear as from the cold in the air.

"Y-Yeah, I mean, he basically froze an entire side of the field in one move!" Kirishima added, still awestruck.

"He looks... sad, more than intimidating." Izuku thought to himself, studying Todoroki's cold exterior. Despite the sheer power Todoroki displayed, Izuku couldn't shake the feeling that there was something deeper troubling him—something hidden beneath his icy façade.

"I mean, I feel sorry for whatever poor soul is going up against him. No offense, but their chances are nearly zero—"

Before Kirishima could finish his sentence, he, Kaminari, and Mineta were all hit in the head by a book. Momo's expression was stern as she stood, her finger raised in reprimand as she gestured to the still-shivering Kyouka. The three boys froze, immediately realizing what they'd done and clamped their mouths shut.

Kyouka, still visibly shaken, looked down at the floor, embarrassed by the attention. Sensing her discomfort, Momo, ever the calming presence, placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

Kyouka blinked, the warmth of Momo's touch snapping her out of her anxious thoughts. She looked up at Momo and gave a small, appreciative smile, nodding as a gesture of gratitude.

Izuku turned around, offering Kyouka a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, you just have to give your best."

Kyouka rolled her eyes, crossing her arms in frustration. "Easy for you to say," she muttered. "This is going to be such a one-sided fight."

Izuku rubbed his hands nervously, trying to find the right words. He then remembered what Kyouka had said earlier. "Uh... Didn't you say that what makes you a true hero is standing up for what you believe in?"

Kyouka's face flushed a deep red as she looked at him in disbelief. "Shut up! Don't throw my words back at me!"

Momo, who had been quietly observing, nodded thoughtfully. "It won't matter if you win or lose—"

"Lose, but go on," Kyouka said with a slight smirk, still hugging her knees to her chest.

"But the fact that you stood your ground is what truly matters," Momo continued, her voice warm and encouraging. "That's an admirable quality, and I'm sure the pros will take notice."

Kyouka slowly let go of her knees and sat up, her shoulders relaxing. "Thanks..." she said quietly, the warmth of Momo's words slowly melting her anxiety.

"Next, we have Class A vs. B," Kirishima announced, cupping his face with his hands in excitement.

Mina glanced at the brackets, her eyes lighting up when she saw her match was next. She jumped to her feet. "Well, guess it's my turn! It'll probably take them a while to melt all that ice, so I'll get ready!" she said, her voice full of energy.

She leaped out of her seat, then paused, glancing back at the bracket. "After my fight, there's two more matches before Kendo and Midoriya..." Her voice faltered slightly as she looked down, clearly deflated. "Never mind..." she muttered before walking off.

Izuku noticed her downcast expression and turned to Uraraka. "Hey, did it seem like Mina was kind of sad just now?"

The other girls quickly realized why Mina was upset, but none of them were ready to spill the beans. They didn't want to be the ones to say, "Hey Midoriya, we all totally like you, pick one," especially when some were still unsure about their feelings.

Uraraka, on the other hand, wasn't ready to confess yet, and some of the girls, like Kyoka, assumed Izuku wouldn't like them or find them attractive.

"Nope, didn't notice a thing," Uraraka said, perhaps a little too quickly.

Momo and Kyoka shook their heads, while Tsuyu, who was asleep on Hagakure's lap, mumbled something incomprehensible, also shaking her head.

Izuku gave a confused shrug, but Kirishima, watching the exchange, thought it was a bit weird that no one pointed out how clearly upset Mina had been.

...

"Wait, she wasn't? They didn't notice a thing?" Kirishima thought to himself, his brow furrowed in confusion. "I know I'm not the best at picking up on how people are feeling, but… maybe it's something personal?"

The ice that had surrounded the arena was finally clearing up, and the next match was about to begin. Ojiro broke the silence. "So, how do you think this match will go?"

"Mina's up against Kamakiri from Class 1-B..." Izuku said, flipping through his notebook. He glanced up at the clearing field, trying to gather his thoughts. "W-Well, I don't know much about Kamakiri's quirk, but from what I've seen, he can erupt blades from his body. Mina will have to get in close, but…"

Ojiro interrupted, finishing Izuku's sentence. "She might get stabbed and turned into a shish kebab."

"Y-Yeah..." Izuku mumbled, his thoughts racing. He could already imagine how dangerous this fight might be for Mina.

"My money's on Ashido," Toru chimed in confidently. "Her acid can dissolve Kamakiri's blades, and with her agility, I don't see why she should lose."

"Kamaki-ri! Shred her clothes, expose her pink skin completely!" Mineta yelled, raising his fist in the air, his perverted grin plastered across his face.

The girls from Class B all exchanged disgusted looks, collectively thinking, "Wow, he really is the worst."

"You pervert!" Kyouka shouted at the short-haired boy, her voice filled with indignation as she glared at Mineta.

Izuku winced, feeling uncomfortable with Mineta's comment, but the rest of the group stayed focused on the upcoming match, the tension palpable as the arena continued to clear.

...

""AND FOR OUR NEXT MATCH, WE HAVE A SHOWDOWN BETWEEN CLASS A AND CLASS B! FROM CLASS A, THE ACID QUEEN HERSELF, MINA ASHIDO!!"

Mina strutted confidently into the arena, her usual bright smile plastered on her face as she pointed towards her opponent. "I'm gonna kick your butt, Kamakiri!"

"AND FROM CLASS B, HE'S QUIRK AS SHARP AS HE LOOKS, TOGARU KAMAKIRI!!"

Togaru walked into the arena, his eyes focused, his body tensing as he stretched his limbs. "I can't lose. Monoma will never stop b*ing if I do." He cracked his knuckles, the anticipation of the match building within him.

"Sorry, porcupine, but I can't lose either." Mina grinned, her stance ready.

"BEGIN!!" Midnight's whip cracked through the air, signaling the start of the match.

Mina wasted no time, her agility taking over as she dashed toward Kamakiri, her acid quickly spreading ahead of her to create a slippery, fast track. She aimed to get in close, knowing full well the range of Kamakiri's deadly blades, but she was confident in her speed.

Kamakiri stood motionless, a dark grin playing at his lips. Without warning, blades erupted from his arms, his back, and even his legs—sword-like protrusions of steel extending from his body with an unnerving precision. Mina's eyes widened as the first set of blades shot toward her.

I've got this! she thought, leaning backward with perfect flexibility as a blade narrowly missed her, slicing through the air where her head had been moments before.

She didn't waste a second, rolling to the side to avoid the next round of blades, her body agile as ever. Her acid trail created a smooth surface, allowing her to move at a blistering pace. Kamakiri's next blade shot out, cutting through the air with a whistling sound. Mina sidestepped, flipping gracefully over another incoming attack.

But Kamakiri was relentless. His blades exploded from his body in a flurry of sharp strikes, each one faster and more precise than the last. As Mina neared, she miscalculated the trajectory of the next blade.

Shit!

Before she could react, a large blade erupted from his forearm and stabbed straight into her shoulder, puncturing her skin with a sickening sound. The pain shot through her body like fire, but she didn't scream. Her breath hitched, her vision blurring for a split second as the sharp steel held her in place.

"Gah!!" The silent scream escaped her lips, her shoulder impaled by the blade, but she refused to give up.

The audience gasped as the shock of the hit reverberated across the stadium, some holding their breath as Mina fought to stay on her feet. Her hands clenched into fists, blood dripping from the wound.

...

Class 1-A watched in shock and horror as Mina was stabbed right through her shoulder, blood dripping steadily onto the arena floor.

"Mina!" Izuku shouted, his voice laced with panic.

"Oh no, Mina!" Hagakure cried out, her voice trembling with concern.

Momo's hands flew to her mouth in shock, her eyes wide in disbelief.

Uraraka gripped Izuku's hand tightly, her fingers digging into his skin as her heart pounded in her chest. Izuku, himself, looked horrified, his face pale as he watched his friend bleed. Kirishima stared in disbelief, his own stomach churning. Mina had been one of his longest friends, and seeing her in pain was more than he could handle.

Izuku's heart raced as he saw the blood dripping from Mina's wound. His mind froze—he wanted to rush down and get her to Recovery Girl immediately. He squeezed Uraraka's hand tightly, fighting to stay calm. "C'mon, Mina! You've got this! Win!"

--

"KAMAKIRI HAS STABBED ASHIDO!! TALK ABOUT DRAWING FIRST BLOOD!!"

Kamakiri, his stance unwavering, looked at Mina with a mixture of coldness and hesitation. "Yield," he said, his voice clipped. "I don't want to lose, but I also don't want to hurt you more than I already have."

Mina, her breathing sharp from the pain, slowly pulled herself off the blade, her hands clutching her bleeding shoulder. The agony shot through her, but she refused to show weakness. Ignoring the sting in her arm, she bolted forward toward Kamakiri.

He didn't hesitate—more blades erupted from his body, cutting through the air with a dangerous hiss. But Mina was already in motion, her flexibility allowing her to lean back just in time to avoid the first blade.

She rolled to the side, avoiding another swipe, before skating across the arena using her acid, closing the distance between them.

The next blade came at her, but she didn't dodge this time. Instead, she leapt into the air, twisting her body, her acid melting the blade as it approached.

Kamakiri's eyes widened as his weapon dissolved before his eyes, but Mina was already on the attack, charging forward with even more speed.

Some of her clothes were burned by the heat from the acid, but she kept moving, a flurry of action as she launched another glob of acid straight toward him. Kamakiri was forced to sidestep, the acid hissing as it burned the ground where he'd been standing.

"Dammit!" Kamakiri swore, frustration in his voice. He lashed out with more blades, but Mina dodged with a fluidity that seemed almost effortless.

She repeated her earlier maneuver, melting the next set of blades as they came toward her, then she closed the distance, slamming a surge of acid onto his skin. He winced, the burn causing him to stagger back.

She wasn't done. Mina threw herself at Kamakiri, her fists launching toward him with relentless precision, landing punch after punch in the spots where her acid had already burned through his armor.

He grunted in pain, struggling to keep his ground as she twirled him around and threw him into the air, using her acid to melt the blades trying to stop his descent.

Kamakiri landed, but before he could steady himself, Mina was on him again. She threw another stream of acid at his chest, the liquid sizzling as it burned through his clothing and skin. He screamed in agony, but Mina didn't give him any time to recover.

With a fluid motion, she uppercut him, sending him reeling back before launching a powerful roundhouse kick to his face.

Kamakiri staggered, clutching his broken nose, blood trickling from it. He glared at her, but there was no fire in his eyes anymore. She was too much for him.

Mina stood over him, her breathing heavy but steady, placing her hands on his shoulder.

Her expression softened, but her words were firm. "This should just hurt. It won't leave any permanent damage."

Kamakiri's eyes widened in shock as pain surged through his body from her grip, the sizzling sound of his skin searing under her touch. His whole body trembled as the agony spread through him, his voice breaking as he screamed in pain.

"Give up," Mina said, sweat beading on her forehead as she fought to catch her breath.

"I… surrender…" Kamakiri gritted out, his voice strained with defeat.

Mina released her hands from his shoulder, her chest rising and falling with each labored breath. The moment she did, Midnight's voice rang out, loud and clear.

"Togaru Kamakiri has surrendered! Mina Ashido wins!!"

The crowd erupted into applause, the intensity of the fight leaving them breathless.

...

Class 1-A erupted into cheers as Mina was announced the winner.

"Good job, Mina!!" Hagakure yelled, waving her arms wildly.

"Way to go, Ashido!" Kirishima shouted, throwing his fist up in the air. "You totally crushed it!"

"You did great!" Uraraka called out, a wide smile on her face.

Izuku, standing among his classmates, wasn't as loud, but he offered a proud thumbs up to Mina.

Class B, although a little disappointed, made sure to cheer for their classmate.

"You did great!" Kendo shouted, giving Kamakiri an encouraging smile.

"You were awesome out there!" Shoda added, grinning at the outcome.

"Class 1-A only got lucky!" Setsuna teased, a playful glint in her eyes as she glanced at the victorious Ashido.

Kodai and Yangai raised a sign that said "Way to go," while both of them offered supportive smiles.

--

As Mina and Kamakiri were placed on stretchers, Mina winced slightly from the pain, but her expression was bright, despite her injuries.

"Hey, sorry for stabbing you," Kamakiri said, his voice somewhat awkward but sincere.

Mina turned her head toward him, flashing a wide smile. "No worries, dude! It's all part of the fun, right? Sorry for burning you, though." She chuckled, trying to ease the tension.

"Yeah, well, I guess both of us got a little carried away," Kamakiri said with a slight laugh, the pain in his body still lingering but lighter now. "I just couldn't hold back when I know my quirk can slice someone clean in half. It's hard not to be a little... lethal, you know?"

Mina grinned, her eyes twinkling. "Lethal, huh? I get it. Your quirk's intense, but we gotta work with what we got!" Her tone was light, trying to keep the atmosphere friendly despite the battle.

Kamakiri let out a short snort of laughter, then glanced over at her. "Yeah... I guess we do."

...

"AND WITH THAT, CLASS A TAKES THE LEAD IN THE RIVALRY!! NEXT UP, HITOSHI SHINSO FROM THE GENERAL COURSE!"

The crowd turned their attention as Shinso stood from the general course stands and calmly made his way toward the arena.

"AND ON THE OTHER SIDE, WE HAVE THE MASTER OF HARDNESS, GUARANTEED TO MAKE ANY WOMAN—"

"Don't you dare finish that sentence!" Aizawa's voice cut through, followed by a loud bang.

"ACK!" The sound of someone tumbling to the floor echoed across the stadium.

"..."

Moments later, the microphone crackled as it was hastily adjusted.

"..."

"Eijiro Kirishima is his opponent. Just start already," Aizawa grumbled, his irritation palpable.

"What happened to Mic!?" the stadium collectively murmured in confusion.

As if ignoring the chaos, Kirishima walked confidently out of the tunnel, meeting Shinso, who approached from the opposite side, both now standing in the arena.

Kirishima hardened his skin, his arms bulking up like weapons, and smirked. "Listen up, Gen Ed. Like hell, I'm gonna lose to you!"

Shinso folded his arms, his expression calm. "No offense, dude, but your quirk's not exactly versatile. You're kind of predictable."

"Oh, we'll see about that!"

"BEGIN!"

At the signal, Kirishima charged forward, fist cocked back, his battle cry echoing. Shinso ran straight at him, his expression focused.

'I just need him to hit me a few times. Keep up the act until I get my opening,' Shinso thought, planning his strategy.

"You're friends with that raccoon-eyed freak, right?" Shinso taunted, just as Kirishima's fist slammed into his midsection. The impact knocked the air out of him, sending him staggering and wheezing.

"Don't call my friend that," Kirishima growled, his voice low with warning.

Shinso wheezed, clutching his side but managed to gasp, "Don't... call who... Raccoon Eyes?"

Kirishima, fueled by anger, went for a decisive blow, but Shinso rolled to the side, dodging just in time. As Kirishima's arm extended, Shinso grabbed it, smirking through the pain.

"You let that explosion jackass call her that all the time. What kind of friend does that?" Shinso sneered.

"Shut up—" Kirishima started, but then his body froze mid-motion, his eyes going blank.

Shinso straightened, his smirk widening. "Walk out of bounds."

Kirishima, under Shinso's control, turned around without resistance and walked obediently out of the ring, the crowd gasping as the match ended abruptly.

...

A handful of Class 1-A and 1-B students had gathered outside Recovery Girl's office, hoping to check on Mina and Kamakiri after their intense match. The small hallway quickly became crowded, voices overlapping as they tried to peek inside.

"There's way too many of you! Get out!" Recovery Girl barked, her tone leaving no room for argument. Behind her, Nurse White reinforced the order, ushering the students out with firm resolve.

"Hey, c'mon, old lady! Let us see our friends!" Setsuna protested, only for Recovery Girl to grab her cane and swing it with surprising accuracy.

A chorus of "Ow!" and "Hey, that hurts!" erupted as students scrambled to avoid the blows.

When her sharp gaze landed on Izuku, he gulped audibly, backing away with his hands raised in surrender. "N-No need for that, ma'am! I-I'll leave right now!" he stammered, retreating toward the hallway.

Eventually, all the students were herded out, leaving the door firmly closed behind them.

"Please give Kamakiri my blessing," Ibara said softly, bowing before walking off toward her waiting room with a serene yet worried expression.

"Tell Kamakiri he was super manly!" Tetsutetsu added, giving a thumbs-up before jogging away, his boisterous energy cutting through the tension.

Izuku lingered near the door with Hagakure, both glancing back at it in concern.

"I'm sure Mina's fine. She's tougher than she looks," Hagakure said, trying to reassure the green-haired boy, though her voice betrayed a hint of worry.

"Y-Yeah, but still…" Izuku muttered, his brow furrowed.

The two reluctantly made their way back toward their seats, their unease lingering. As they were about to sit down, a loud announcement boomed through the stadium speakers, freezing them mid-motion.

"KIRISHIMA HAS WALKED OUT OF BOUNDS! HITOSHI SHINSO WINS!!"

Gasps rippled through the crowd, and Izuku whipped his head toward the arena, his expression a mix of shock and disbelief.

"N-No way. Kirishima lost?" Uraraka said, her voice rising in surprise as she leaned forward in her seat.

Hagakure clutched at her invisible chest. "He's one of our strongest fighters! How could this happen?"

Izuku dashed to get a better look. In the arena, Kirishima stood just beyond the boundary line, staring down at it in confusion. Realization hit him, and his shoulders slumped in disappointment as the announcer declared Shinso's victory.

"The match wasn't even five minutes, and he lost?" Sero muttered, his brows knit together as his gaze flicked to the retreating figure of Hitoshi Shinso.

Aoyama's hands fidgeted nervously, his golden belt shimmering. "Je suis un peu nerveux," he murmured in French before straightening up and flipping his hair dramatically. "But fear not! This foe will still fall to my dazzling charm!"

Kyoka folded her arms, shaking her head. "H-How did this even happen?" she asked, her tone a mix of curiosity and disbelief.

Ojiro, who had been quietly analyzing the match, spoke up. "It looked like Kirishima went for a punch and managed to land a solid hit, but Shinso grabbed his exposed forearm and then... Kirishima just walked out of bounds. Like he was in a trance."

"Aw, man! How the heck are we supposed to beat someone we can't even touch?" Kaminari groaned, throwing his hands up.

Meanwhile, Monoma sat perched in the Class 1-B section, his smug smirk visible even from a distance. "I told you my plan would work, Shinso," he muttered to himself. "They all think it's just your quirk requiring touch. They won't even think to keep their mouths shut. You'll get everything you need without lifting a finger."

Back in the stands, Izuku narrowed his eyes at the arena, his analytical mind racing. "What's really going on here?" he murmured to himself.

...

Mina lay in her bed at Recovery Girl's office, staring at the ceiling, her body still aching from the earlier match. When she heard the announcement, her eyes widened. "Kirishima lost?" she whispered, disbelief evident in her tone.

--

"No way… Kirishima lost?" Tetsutetsu muttered from the stands, his shock mirroring the rest of the audience.

--

"Ha! Not even five minutes, and he lost!" Monoma crowed loudly, a smug grin on his face. "Oh well, guess Class A is all talk! I thought you were supposed to be better than our class—"

Monoma froze mid-taunt as Midoriya cracked his knuckles, his usually kind demeanor replaced with an intimidating glare. Kendo, who had been moments away from physically silencing Monoma herself, stopped in surprise as he gulped and sat back down, shielding his manhood with both hands.

"Y'know," Kaminari said, leaning back with a smirk, "I felt bad about how Midoriya busted your balls earlier, but now? Nope. Any sympathy just went straight out the window." He mimicked tossing something away for emphasis.

Snickers erupted from both classes, though most tried to stifle their laughter. Monoma's face burned red as he scowled in embarrassment.

"Midoriya, I cannot condone such uncouth behavior!" Iida chastised, chopping the air with fervor. "A strike to one's scrotum is an unforgivable act!"

"Unforgivable, sure," Izuku replied with a sheepish shrug. "But, uh… effective. And to be fair, it's not like I came up with it on my own."

"Wait," Kaminari said, clutching his knees in mock fear. "Someone taught you that?!"

"What kind of deplorable person would teach such a heinous move?" Iida demanded, chopping even faster now.

Monoma crossed his arms, scoffing. "Whoever it was must be a sadistic lunatic. Probably some twisted—"

"Kendo," Izuku interrupted, glancing pointedly at the girl.

Monoma turned pale, his smug expression vanishing as his eyes went wide. Slowly, he turned his head toward Kendo, who was cracking her knuckles with an unamused smile.

The guys nearby instinctively leaned away from her, clutching themselves in subtle fear.

"She gave me a… very personal demonstration," Izuku added, visibly shivering at the memory.

The girls turned to Kendo with wide eyes, their disbelief palpable. Kodai, her usual calm broken, lightly slapped Kendo's arm.

"Ow!" Kendo protested, rubbing the spot.

"Hmph!" Kodai huffed, crossing her arms in a pout.

"He's fine!" Kendo defended herself, shooting Izuku a glare.

"Not the point," Kodai shot back, her tone stern.

"And you'd inflict that kind of pain on others? For shame, Midoriya! For shame!" Iida declared, earning scattered laughter from the group.

--

As the laughter subsided, the defeated Kirishima returned to the stands, his head hanging low. A heavy sigh escaped him as he dropped into his seat.

"Hey, Kirishima! Don't sweat it!" Sero said, clapping a hand on his shoulder. "The guy just got lucky, that's all!"

"Y-Yeah! You were super manly out there, dude!" Kaminari chimed in, trying to lift his friend's spirits.

"And next year, you can totally get your payback!" Mineta added, standing up and punching the air. "Give him a knuckle-hardened sandwich before he even gets the chance to use his quirk!"

Even the usually quiet Koda gave Kirishima a thumbs-up of encouragement.

Kirishima smiled faintly, some of the weight on his shoulders lifting. "Thanks, guys. I appreciate it."

"Don't let the loss get to you," Izuku said with an encouraging nod. "You did great out there. Now it's just a matter of learning from it."

"Indeed," Tokoyami said, crossing his arms, his voice calm and assured. "Learn from defeat so that history does not repeat itself."

Dark Shadow emerged with an enthusiastic grin. "What Fumi's trying to say is, we'll beat him up for you!" It gave Kirishima a playful thumbs-up.

The group chuckled as Kirishima settled into his seat, his spirits visibly improved.

...

"NEXT UP, WE HAVE THE BOY OF STEEL, TETSUTETSU TETSUTETSU FROM CLASS B!" Present Mic announced, his voice booming across the arena as the crowd erupted in cheers.

Kirishima joined the cheers for Tetsutetsu, pumping his fist in support, while Class B enthusiastically backed their own as well as Ibara Shiozaki, the next competitor.

"AND NOW, THE ASSASSIN OF CLASS B! PRETTY THINGS HAVE THORNS, YOU KNOW! FROM THE HERO COURSE, IT'S IBARA SHIOZAKI!" Present Mic continued as Ibara gracefully entered the arena, her vines coiling lightly around her shoulders.

Ibara paused, bowing politely before speaking into the mic. "Pardon the interruption, but I must protest. What do you mean by 'assassin'? I have come here to compete honorably, not to harm my opponent."

"I-I'M SORRY!" Present Mic stammered, flustered, but Ibara wasn't finished.

"In truth, I enrolled in U.A. High School not to pursue any malicious intent, but to bring salvation and guidance to those in need," she explained, raising a hand. A mysterious ray of sunlight illuminated her as if the heavens themselves approved of her words.

"I SAID, I'M SORRY! MY BAD! PLEASE FORGIVE ME, BIG GUY!" Present Mic pleaded, looking skyward with mock desperation.

"She's not a saint, you know," Aizawa deadpanned from the announcer's box.

Present Mic rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Right… forgot for a second there with the whole divine light thing."

Ibara offered a serene smile and bowed once more. "Your understanding is appreciated. May we all compete with righteousness in our hearts."

"Alright, let's get this started!" Midnight declared, cracking her whip. "BEGIN!"

The crowd roared again as Tetsutetsu immediately coated his body in gleaming steel and charged forward like a freight train.

Ibara raised her hands, her vines springing to life in an intricate web. "If I allow myself to be caught, I risk defeat," Tetsutetsu thought as he dodged to the left, narrowly avoiding the initial wave of vines.

But Ibara's control over her Quirk was masterful. The vines didn't stop, instead chasing Tetsutetsu relentlessly. Before he could react, the ground beneath him rumbled, and a second set of vines burst upward, cutting off his escape.

"Aw, crap!" Tetsutetsu thought, his movements faltering as the vines wrapped around his legs and arms, tightening with surprising strength. He gritted his teeth, straining against their hold, but the more he struggled, the tighter they became.

Realizing the risk of him breaking free, Ibara swiftly extended her vines and launched him off the platform in a single fluid motion.

"TETSUTETSU TETSUTETSU IS OUT OF BOUNDS! IBARA SHIOZAKI WINS!" Present Mic announced, the crowd erupting in applause.

...

"Aw, man, Tetsutetsu lost? That sucks, I was really rooting for him!" Kirishima groaned, slumping back in his seat.

"But he still put up a good fight," Sero added, trying to cheer him up.

"Aw, man, I was hoping to see that angelic babe get her clothes ripped off!" Mineta blurted out with a drooling grin.

There was a collective pause as everyone stared at him in disgust.

"How exactly would that even happen?" Kyoka asked, one eyebrow twitching in irritation. "I mean, Tetsutetsu doesn't have claws or anything sharp."

"Well, he could pin her down and—"

"Don't. Finish. That. Sentence." Kyoka's voice was dangerously low, her earphone jacks snapping like a whip.

"Ugh, you're one seriously sick bastard, y'know that?" Sero said, leaning away from Mineta in obvious revulsion.

"Whatever." Mineta waved them off as if their reactions were trivial.

Kyoka rolled her eyes before scanning the group and noticing someone was missing. "Wait… where's Midoriya?"

"Oh, he left a few minutes ago," Uraraka said casually, pointing toward the exit.

Kyoka frowned. "Huh. Guess he wasn't interested in sticking around for Mineta's pervy commentary either."

A Few Minutes Earlier...

Izuku stood up alongside Itsuka as their match was about to begin. They both walked down the hallway towards their waiting rooms.

As they walked, Itsuka couldn't help but steal glances at him, her thoughts drifting to the others.

"So they also have feelings for him..." Itsuka thought, her heart stirring with a mix of confusion and determination. She could sense the unspoken tension among the girls, but she also understood why it had to remain unspoken for now. It wasn't the right time.

Her footsteps slowed slightly as she processed her own feelings. "Maybe I should just tell him... No, no, if I tell him now, it'll just get in his head," she thought, biting her lip. 'I need to fight him without him overthinking about a girl liking him. This match has to be about strength, not feelings.'

Izuku, sensing her shift in demeanor, turned to her with a concerned look. "Hey, Kendo, you alright?" he asked.

Itsuka's face flushed slightly, caught off guard by the question. She quickly cleared her throat. "Y-Yeah, I'm okay!" she said, her voice a little higher than usual. "J-Just a little nervous about the fight," she added, scratching her head awkwardly.

Izuku raised an eyebrow, not entirely convinced. "You sure? You're usually more confident," he said.

Itsuka sighed, rolling her shoulders as if to shake off the weight on her mind. "I guess I just have a few things on my mind," she admitted. She slapped her cheeks lightly, trying to refocus. "But regardless, I need to focus! No way I'm gonna lose to you," she said with a determined smile. "Though..." She paused, turning to face him. "I'll try not to make it too painful."

Izuku blinked in surprise before grinning. "I think I should be saying that," he replied.

Itsuka couldn't help but laugh at the playful exchange. "Oh? Overconfident, are we?" she teased with a smirk.

"I-I'm not overconfident! It's just that I've been training, and I know you're strong," Izuku said, quickly falling into his usual rambling mode. "But, you know, I don't underestimate you! You've got so much potential, and you've really grown strong, Kendo, I—"

Itsuka snorted, interrupting his nervous rambling. "Don't worry, I'll make sure when I kick your ass, it's painless," she said, her playful tone masking the nervousness beneath.

Izuku looked at her, wide-eyed, his face slightly red. He opened his mouth to say something, but the words caught in his throat. The silence between them felt heavier now, and he could sense the shift in their interaction.

Itsuka turned away, her heart pounding. She bit her lip, then blurted out, her voice a little quieter than usual, "Hey, um... How do you feel about calling me by my first name?" She could feel her face turn crimson as she tried to avoid his gaze.

Izuku froze, his eyes widening as he processed what she had said. His face mirrored hers in color, and he stood frozen for a moment, not sure how to respond. "Y-Your first name?" he repeated, his voice cracking slightly.

"Yeah, you know, like how everyone else does?" Itsuka quickly added, her nerves spiking. "If it's uncomfortable or... I mean, it's totally fine if you don't want to—"

"I-I'd like that," Izuku said, his heart racing. His face was a deep shade of red, and he could barely meet her eyes.

"I mean, Itsuka... it feels more natural, right?" He gave a small nod. "I'd like that a lot."

Itsuka's heart fluttered at the sound of her name coming from his lips. She turned quickly to hide her smile, the warmth spreading through her chest.

"Well, don't come crying when I beat you, okay?" she said with a teasing tone, trying to cover up her sudden rush of emotions.

Izuku, still flustered, nodded quickly, his face a mix of determination and embarrassment. "I won't!" he replied with a grin, though he couldn't stop the flush on his face. "Good luck out there, Itsuka."

...

"HE'S VERSATILE AND POWERFUL! AND HE'S ALREADY TAKEN DOWN A CLASS B STUDENT IN A NUT-CRACKING DEFEAT!"

The announcement was met with a few chuckles from Class A, as Monoma's face turned a deep shade of red in embarrassment.

"WILL HIS WINNING STREAK CONTINUE!? FROM THE HERO COURSE, IT'S IZUKU MIDORIYA!!"

Izuku walked out to the roar of the crowd, his heart racing but his expression calm.

...

"Show her what you've got, Midoriya!" Kirishima shouted, his voice full of encouragement.

"Take this and—" Mineta was about to say something perverted, but Sero quickly wrapped him up in tape. "No, we don't need any of your pervert rants about ripping clothes!" Sero quipped, shaking his head.

"VERSUS—!"

Mic pointed dramatically to the other side of the arena.

"THE BIG SISTER WHO KEEPS CLASS B IN CHECK! FROM THE HERO COURSE, ITSUKA KENDO!!"

"Good luck, Kendo!" Setsuna cheered.

"Win it, Kendo!" Tetsutetsu yelled enthusiastically.

"Don't lose," Kodai added, her tone unsure as she looked between Izuku and Itsuka, unsure who she was rooting for.

"SHOW THIS CLASS A MONSTER WHO'S BOSS AND SHATTER HIS SCROTUM! STOMP HIM UNTIL HE CAN'T FEEL HIS PELVIS!!" Monoma screamed, shaking his fist like an old man telling kids to get off his lawn.

"That attack really hit you hard, didn't it?" Tsuburaba teased with a grin.

"Quiet," Monoma muttered under his breath, clearly embarrassed.

"THESE TWO WERE ON THE SAME TEAM BEFORE, BUT WILL THEY BE ABLE TO FIGHT AGAINST EACH OTHER NOW!? LET'S FIND OUT!"

...

Izuku and Itsuka met in the arena, their eyes locking. Izuku wasn't sure why, but he felt butterflies in his stomach, a strange nervousness creeping up on him. Before he could analyze it further, Itsuka smirked at him. He instinctively returned it.

"So, we're finally here..." Izuku said, trying to keep his voice steady despite the flutter in his chest.

"Yeah, may the best fighter win," Itsuka replied, her smirk widening. Izuku couldn't help but feel the confidence in her tone.

"Oh, I will," Izuku answered, a playful challenge in his voice. His words seemed to surprise Itsuka, but she didn't back down. There was something about seeing him exude confidence that made her smile a little.

"Are you both ready?" Midnight asked, her voice carrying through the arena as she glanced from one fighter to the other.

Kendo's expression shifted to a more serious one as she settled into a focused stance, her palms open and her posture straight, prepared for whatever Izuku would throw at her.

Izuku mirrored her stance, bending his knees slightly, his fists clenched tight as he focused. He could feel the weight of the match—this wasn't just a spar; this was a fight for pride.

Midnight cracked her whip, and the fight was on. In an instant, Izuku activated Full Cowl, the surge of power lifting him off the ground as he bolted toward Itsuka. She reacted quickly, enlarging her hands to meet his speed.

With a quick sidestep, Izuku slid between her legs, using the momentum to launch himself into the air. His leg came down hard, aiming for her face. The kick connected, sending Itsuka stumbling back, but she regained her balance immediately, a fierce glint in her eyes.

"Er... I guess not," Itsuka muttered to herself, sweat trickling down her forehead.

She swiped her enlarged fists at him, but Izuku was already flipping in the air, evading her attack with precision. As he descended, Itsuka shrank her hand, and with the force of a speeding truck, she slammed her fist toward him. Izuku reacted instinctively, raising his arms to shield himself. The impact rattled his bones as he was sent crashing to the ground, but he quickly rolled to his feet, eyes determined.

Kendo advanced again, her movements calculated as she threw a punch. Izuku blocked, his arms vibrating from the force, and he immediately countered, throwing a jab that sent Kendo skidding back.

'He's faster, stronger, and his battle IQ is insane!' Kendo thought to herself as she steadied herself, adjusting her strategy. Izuku's blows were relentless, every strike a precision tool aimed at breaking through her defenses.

Her palms were burning from the repeated blocks, and she could feel the pressure of his strength.

Kendo shrank her fist, her mind racing. She knew she had to land a decisive blow, but Izuku's speed kept throwing her off. In a split second, she leapt forward, catching him off-guard with a quick jab to his ribs. But Izuku was already in motion, leaping into the air, his feet connecting with the side of her head. The blow rattled her, but she shook it off, moving with lightning speed to strike at his chest.

Izuku staggered back as Kendo caught his fist mid-swing, her grip firm despite the pain in her side. With a quick pivot, she drove her knee into his stomach, knocking the wind out of him.

Izuku gasped, retreating a few steps. Kendo clutched her stomach, the pain shooting through her, but she steeled herself. 'I can't lose here... not like this," she thought, determination coursing through her veins. "I can't even keep up... and if what Uraraka said is true... he's still at 8%!'

Kendo charged again, sending a powerful flying kick toward Izuku. He dodged just in time, narrowly avoiding her foot.

In one smooth motion, Kendo enlarged her hand, attempting to catch him mid-air. Izuku's reflexes kicked in as he shot both feet out, knocking her hand away and breaking free from her grasp.

His energy flared, and he exploded forward with the force of a freight train, landing a powerful blow to her midsection. Kendo staggered back, her body bruised from the impact. Before she could recover, Izuku swept her leg from under her, bringing her crashing to the floor.

In a flash, he had her pinned beneath him, his hands pressing down on her arms as she struggled to push him off.

Both fighters were breathing heavily, their bodies bruised and battered. Kendo's eyes narrowed, staring up at him with defiance, despite the pain in her chest.

"Yield," Izuku said between labored breaths, his voice steady despite his exhaustion.

...

"Oh no, Kendo!" Uraraka gasped, her eyes wide with disbelief as she watched the fight unfold.

"Midoriya is incredible! His movements are so fast!" Iida exclaimed, his voice filled with awe. "Plus that strength... it's like he's his own transformation!"

Class B exchanged nervous glances, clearly taken aback by the display of power.

--

Kendo's face twisted in determination as she felt Izuku's grip weaken slightly. "Izuku, you should know me better than that," she growled, her voice sharp with defiance.

Izuku gritted his teeth, feeling his strength start to wane. His body was aching, and despite the Full Cowl activation, it wasn't enough. "She's not going down easily..." he thought, frustration creeping in. His muscles screamed for relief, but he refused to let up.

With a desperate surge of power, Izuku's energy flared once again, pushing his Full Cowl even higher. The familiar green crackling energy enveloped him, and he put everything into his strength, but Kendo wasn't backing down. In fact, she seemed to be getting stronger with each passing second. Her body trembled with raw power, and the ground beneath her feet cracked as her fists grew larger.

Midnight's gaze narrowed as she saw Izuku's struggle, her whip poised but hesitating. Kendo's power was undeniable now, her hands tightening and releasing, like the buildup of an unstoppable force.

"I'm not giving up!" Kendo shouted, her voice cutting through the arena. Her resolve was palpable, and the intensity of her voice was matched only by the sheer strength emanating from her.

Izuku's eyes widened in shock as he realized what was happening. "Is she getting stronger?" he muttered, awe creeping into his tone.

Kendo gave one final push, her foot smashing into Izuku's chest and launching him into the air. Izuku coughed, the air knocked out of him as he struggled to regain his balance. His vision blurred for a moment, but Kendo wasn't about to let him recover.

In a flash, Kendo was on her feet, her instincts taking over like a finely tuned machine. She shot into the air with a powerful leap, the ground beneath her feet cracking with the force of her takeoff. A shockwave rippled through the arena as she ascended, her hands clenched into massive fists.

Izuku tried to shield himself, but the sheer speed and power of Kendo's assault were too much. As she reached him, her fists slammed together with terrifying force, enlarging in mid-air as she brought them down toward him like a hammer. Izuku's heart raced as he realized the magnitude of the attack.

His hands flew into a defensive position, trying to shield himself, but the force was overwhelming. Kendo's fists crashed down on him with a deafening

BOOM.

The impact sending a shockwave through the arena. Izuku felt his body hit the ground like a bullet, his bones rattling from the sheer power of her blow. A cloud of dust exploded upward, masking the aftermath of the devastating attack.

--

Classes 1-A and 1-B stood frozen, their eyes wide in disbelief. The ground where Izuku had crashed into was now nothing but a crater, the arena trembling from the intensity of the collision.

Bakugou, who had been watching from the sidelines with his usual intense gaze, couldn't help but widen his eyes in surprise. His hand instinctively went to his forehead as he stared at the dust cloud. "Tch… she's got some serious power…"

Class 1-B's reaction was just as shocked. Monoma's jaw dropped, while Tetsutetsu's eyes were fixed on the cloud of dust, his body stiff. "She—she did that?"

The audience was eerily silent for a moment before an uproar of gasps filled the air. Everyone, from the students to the teachers, could only stare, mouths agape, at the sheer force Kendo had just displayed.

And in the VIP box, Miruko's eyes gleamed with pure excitement. She could barely contain herself as she grinned, her teeth flashing in the dim light. "This is where the fun begins!"

...

Kendo descended back to the arena floor with a thunderous THUD, the impact from her landing cracking the ground beneath her feet.

"HOLY CRAP! WHERE THE HELL DID THAT CRAZY STRENGTH COME FROM?!" Present Mic's voice echoed across the stadium. "WHAT THE HELL IS UP WITH THESE FIRST YEARS?!"

Kendo herself looked down at her hands, panting heavily. She was momentarily stunned by what she had just done. Her knuckles ached, and her chest heaved with each breath.

'Did I really just…?' she thought, amazed at the sheer power she had unleashed.

But the momentary quiet was shattered when a vibrant green light erupted from the crater where Izuku had landed. A flash of energy crackled outward, sending faint tremors through the stadium. All eyes turned toward the swirling dust cloud, anticipation thick in the air.

The audience leaned forward, straining to see what was emerging. The glowing green light dimmed. Then, Present Mic's voice exploded through the speakers.

"OH, YOU KNOW THIS FORM!! THE FOUR-ARMED CHAMPION!!

The stadium went silent, breaths held collectively as the towering figure began to pull itself free from the rubble. Slowly, a massive 12-foot titan emerged, brushing off chunks of stone like they were dust.

Mt. Lady's cheeks flushed crimson. Her lips parted in stunned disbelief. "N-No way… that's…"

The dust cloud rippled and cleared as a tremendous shockwave burst outward, scattering debris and forcing the audience to shield their eyes. Itsuka stumbled back slightly, her arms raised to brace against the wave of pressure. Even the pro heroes watching in their VIP box flinched from the winds.

Endeavor's eyes narrowed. His fiery aura flickered faintly in response as he gripped the armrest of his seat. "That wind pressure… it's reminiscent of him," he muttered, his mind flashing back to memories of battles with All Might.

When the dust finally cleared, there he stood—Four Arms, Izuku's towering alien form, in all its intimidating glory. His four muscular arms flexed as he cracked each knuckle, the sound echoing like small explosions. Red electricity danced across his body, sparking faintly from his shoulders. A smug grin tugged at his lips, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

"You're right, Itsuka," he said, his voice deep and confident. "I know you won't give up. But you should know…" He clenched all four of his fists, his eyes gleaming with determination. "I don't give up either."

Itsuka's heart skipped a beat. Seeing him use one of his strongest forms was both terrifying and exhilarating. A smirk played on her lips despite herself. "He's incredible…" she thought, steeling her resolve.

Four Arms shifted into a fighting stance, his movements surprisingly controlled for such a massive form. He took a deep breath, lowering the energy output from One For All just slightly. "Two percent…" he muttered to himself. 'All Might said I should be careful using One For All with Four Arms… but I can't hold back now.'

--

The crowd remained eerily quiet. The awe of the scene before them rendered them speechless. Not a single cheer rose from the stadium, just stunned silence.

Present Mic, feeling the tension in the air, tried to rally the audience. "UH, I KNOW KENDO'S STRENGTH WAS BREATHTAKING, BUT WHY IS EVERYONE SO QUIET?! C'MON, CHEER THESE KIDS ON!!"

Aizawa glanced at Present Mic, his usual deadpan expression tinged with subtle amusement. "You remember how Midoriya entered this competition, right?"

"Y-Yeah? What about it?" Present Mic asked, confused.

"Well," Aizawa began, leaning closer, "Midoriya was registered quirkless. Since he couldn't officially enter with a quirk, he signed up as Four Arms' manager."

"I still don't see the problem."

Aizawa sighed, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Apparently, during those matches, a lot of female pros—and some males—started becoming… interested in Four Arms."

Mic blinked. "Wait. You mean they—oh no…" His face paled as realization dawned. "They had no idea he was… uhm… 15?"

"Yep," Aizawa replied bluntly.

Mic coughed awkwardly into the microphone, his usual boisterous demeanor faltering. "Ahem… so… uh… this is awkward…"

--

Death Arms and Kamui Woods were barely holding it together, their snickers resembling schoolboys gossiping over a juicy secret. Mt. Lady, meanwhile, sat frozen, her face a brilliant shade of crimson as she processed the revelation.

"So, uh—" Kamui Woods began, trying to contain his amusement.

"Not. One. Word." Mt. Lady's voice was low and dangerous, her clenched fists trembling with barely restrained fury. "Or I'll turn you into mulch."

Kamui Woods backed off, hands raised in surrender, but Death Arms couldn't resist. "So that's what she meant by 'a little young.'"

Mt. Lady groaned, burying her face in her hands. "I can already see her stupid, smug grin!" She let out a frustrated growl before muttering under her breath, "I-I can't believe I have a crush on a teenager!"

--

In the stands, the reaction couldn't have been more different.

"Four Arms is Midoriya?" one spectator whispered.

The realization spread like wildfire among the male heroes and fans. They exchanged glances, nodding in silent agreement. Then, as one, they erupted, fists pumping into the air as the entire stadium roared with excitement.

"YEAH!!!"

"GO FOUR ARMS!!!"

"DON'T LOSE TO HER!! WIN!!!!"

"GIVE US A FIGHT WE'LL NEVER FORGET!!!"

"DON'T YOU DARE LOSE, KID!" Miruko's voice boomed above the chaos, her intensity unmatched.

...

Class 1-A and 1-B weren't as celebratory. Watching the fight unfold, an uneasy tension spread among them.

"He's actually using Four Arms?" Kaminari asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

"Isn't that… a bit overkill?" Mineta squeaked, visibly trembling.

Everyone recalled the USJ he's strength was unmistakable. They barely could take on the Nomu one punch had taken out most of the classes, but Four Arms. He tanked them and delivered just terrifying blows. Knowing Kendo would be going up against such terrifying strength was honestly terrifying.

...

The crowd's cheers reached a fever pitch as Four Arms stood tall, his massive frame radiating power. He flexed all four arms, the sound of his knuckles cracking reverberating through the arena. Opposite him, Kendo wiped blood from her lip, her stance unwavering.

Four Arms activated Full Cowl at a modest '2%.' The crackling green lightning danced along his crimson skin. 'Her strength is no joke,' he thought, eyeing Kendo. 'I need to make sure I don't go too far.'

The moment he charged, the ground beneath him shattered. Kendo braced herself, her hands enlarging just in time to meet his first strike. Their fists collided with an ear-splitting boom, sending shockwaves rippling through the arena. Kendo skidded backward, digging her heels into the ground to stop her momentum.

"Damn it, he's still stronger!" Kendo thought, her arms trembling from the impact.

Four Arms didn't give her time to recover. He leapt high into the air, all four fists raised to bring down a devastating blow. Kendo rolled to the side as his fists slammed into the ground, creating a massive crater and a shockwave that sent her tumbling.

Fueled by determination, Kendo surged forward, landing a solid punch on his jaw. Four Arms staggered slightly but quickly retaliated, his fist slamming into her stomach.

Kendo's eyes widened as the force lifted her off the ground, blood escaping her mouth in a spray. The punch left a shockwave that rippled through the stadium, silencing the crowd momentarily.

'Crap!' Four Arms thought, his eyes widening. 'Did I go too far?'

But as Kendo soared through the air, she gritted her teeth, twisting her body to regain control. A memory flashed in her mind—training sessions with Midoriya. She smirked.

She clapped her hands together mid-air, unleashing a massive thunderclap. The shockwave tore through the arena, momentarily disorienting Four Arms as he braced against the force.

Before he could recover, Kendo descended, her hands swelling to maximum size. With a ferocious yell, she clapped her palms against either side of Four Arms' head. The resounding boom echoed across the arena, and the towering fighter staggered, his balance thrown off.

But Four Arms wasn't done. Through the disorientation, he lunged forward, lowering his massive head.

Kendo's eyes widened. "Oh no—!"

His head slammed into her chest like a battering ram, sending her flying. She crashed into the arena wall with a thunderous impact, cracks spiderwebbing through the concrete.

...

"Holy crap!" Kirishima yelled, his voice a mix of awe and disbelief. "I can feel those blows from here!"

"Midoriya's going too far!" Mineta wailed, clutching his head. "He's gonna kill her!"

"No," Bakugou said sharply, his eyes glued to the match. "She's tougher than you think."

"He's giving his all to beat her," he added, his voice low but firm.

"They've been training together," Uraraka said, gripping the edge of her seat. Though worry filled her eyes, there was a spark of pride in her voice. "He knows she won't go down without a fight."

...

Kendo was on her legs, swaying unsteadily. "I can't feel my hands..." she murmured, looking at Four Arms, her vision blurry and her body trembling from exhaustion. She wiped the blood from her face, but her movements were sluggish and strained. Her feet wobbled, threatening to give out beneath her as the world around her spun.

Four Arms, equally battered and bruised, could sense her weakening state. His own balance was thrown off, his legs unsteady from the relentless battle. Yet, there was no retreat in his mind. Both of them, locked in a final, desperate clash, were determined to push beyond their limits.

They charged toward each other with everything they had left. The air crackled with tension as their steps pounded against the arena floor. A final, explosive collision of power erupted in the center of the battlefield. The impact was like a thunderclap, sending shockwaves through the arena that kicked up a massive cloud of dust. The sound of the collision was deafening, like the very ground itself had cracked open.

Midnight, caught off guard by the sheer force, stumbled back, hands instinctively reaching to shield her eyes from the dust storm that enveloped the arena.

"HEY, HEY! I CAN'T SEE! HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO COMMENTATE IF I CAN'T SEE?!"

As the dust began to settle, the crowd held their breath, waiting for the outcome. Through the haze, a figure emerged—Izuku Midoriya, back in his human form, his chest heaving with exhaustion.

His body was covered in bruises and cuts, blood streaking across his arms and face, a testament to the brutality of the battle.

He was still holding Kendo in his arms, her limp form cradled against his chest in a bridal carry. Her eyes were closed, and she was unconscious, her body barely responsive.

Izuku staggered forward, his breath ragged as he struggled to maintain his footing.

Midnight, still wiping her eyes from the dust, saw the scene unfold and immediately raised her voice to announce the result. "There! Itsuka Kendo is unconscious! Izuku Midoriya wins!!"

The crowd erupted into a deafening roar of excitement. The sheer intensity of the match had left everyone in awe.

...

Here's the rewritten version based on your context:

--

Class 1-A cheered in excitement after the battle.

"Now that was a battle!" Kirishima exclaimed, his grin wide.

"Yeah, who knew Kendo could pack so much power?" Kaminari added, his eyes still wide in awe.

"A muscle babe that could break me like a twig..." Mineta gulped nervously. "So hot and terrifying... I'm sad and glad that I'm not in 1-B."

"Because you'd be red paste?" Sero teased, raising an eyebrow.

"Because I'd be red paste—wait, what?!" Mineta stammered, his face turning pale.

"Sorry, dude, but whatever you did to piss off Kendo, I'm happy to stay out of it," Sero replied, smirking. "I don't wanna witness your murder."

"You guys wouldn't actually let any of the girls end me, would you?" Mineta pleaded, looking around.

The boys of both classes looked at him, but none answered. They just turned their gazes away, clearly uncomfortable with the thought.

"Seriously?!" Mineta shouted.

However, the girls of Class 1-A and 1-B were eerily quiet, their expressions unreadable. They weren't paying attention to the boys at all, their focus elsewhere.

"So, she's probably going to do it, huh?" Hagakure murmured, a thoughtful look on her invisible face.

"Yep," Uraraka said, a slight tremor in her voice. She tried to steady herself but couldn't hide her nerves.

"Right after they heal the wounds," Tsuyu added quietly, her gaze distant.

The girls collectively fell silent for a moment before a few of them stood up, heading towards the bathroom.

"I have to go to the bathroom," Uraraka said, voice shaky.

A chorus of agreement followed from the other girls. "Yeah, us too," Momo said, and the others nodded.

The boys exchanged confused glances, unsure of what was going on.

"A-All of you?" Shoji asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Uh... yeah," Uraraka said, her face a little red.

"At the same time?" Iida asked, now thoroughly perplexed.

"Uh... yes?" Hagakure replied, her tone slightly awkward.

There was a moment of stunned silence, before the boys just shrugged.

"Alright," they said collectively, still baffled but willing to let it go.

Setsuna facepalmed in exasperation. "This is ridiculous," she muttered under her breath, though her tone hinted at some underlying concern.

...

Kendo was placed on a stretcher, the robots carefully taking her away. Izuku stood there, looking somewhat guilty, his gaze focused on the ground.

"She'll be fine," Midnight reassured him, her voice gentle, but Izuku just looked down, unconvinced.

"You know, I'm sure she wouldn't have given up no matter what," Midnight continued, her tone softening. "You showed her respect and fought as an equal. And you didn't like hurting her. I'm sure you don't like hurting anyone."

Izuku nodded slowly, his expression conflicted. "No, not really," he admitted quietly.

"And that's what will make you a great hero," Midnight said with a warm smile. "A compassionate heart is far better than powerful fists."

Izuku couldn't help but smile a little at her words, though his guilt still lingered.

Just then, Cementos approached, looking somewhat irritable, his brow furrowed and his stance tense.

"I suspect that every time you step onto the arena, you're going to end up destroying it, huh?" he asked, his voice tinged with frustration.

Izuku and Midnight both glanced at the destroyed arena, the damage still evident.

"Uh... probably," Izuku replied honestly, his shoulders sagging slightly.

Cementos glared at him for a moment before sighing dramatically. "Nezu is paying me extra for this..." he muttered, almost begrudgingly.

Izuku chuckled sheepishly, but the tension in the air still remained.

With that, Izuku turned to head toward Recovery Girl, still feeling the weight of the battle on his shoulders.

...

SMACK SMACK SMACK

"Ow! Ow! Ow! Okay, I'm sorry!"

"You reckless boy! You broke this girl's bones! I expect this nonsense from that explosion-loving brat, but not from you!" Recovery Girl scolded, each smack of her syringe punctuating her words.

Kendo, watching from the sidelines, couldn't help but sweat-drop at the sight. "No wonder he's scared of her," she muttered under her breath.

But before she could dwell on it too long, Recovery Girl turned her attention to her, raising her syringe ominously. Kendo's eyes widened in fear, and she gulped.

SMACK THWACK !SMACK

"Ow! Okay, I'm sorry! Please stop!" Kendo whimpered, trying to shield herself from the barrage of smacks.

"You broke three of his ribs, Kendo! And you gave him a concussion!" Recovery Girl chided, her voice firm as Kendo flinched back in fear.

Izuku watched the scene, sweat beading down his forehead, a nervous chuckle escaping his lips. "So that's what it looks like from someone else's perspective, huh?" he commented, sweat-dropped at how frightening Recovery Girl seemed as she scolded Kendo.

Nurse White, who had been quietly observing the scene, finally placed a hand gently on both Izuku and Kendo's hands, offering them a bit of healing energy to help them recover their stamina. He wiped his brow, leaning back against the bed. "Whew. That was intense," he sighed, looking at the two students, clearly worn out from all the action.

Recovery Girl softened slightly, though still holding her syringe, turning her attention to Nurse White. "Oh, deary, these kids have been so violent," she said with a soft sigh. "Sorry about that, Nurse White. I think you've overused your quirk a bit today."

Nurse White waved her concern off with a tired smile. "I'm okay, Chiyo," he reassured her, clearly not bothered by the strain, though his exhaustion was visible.

Kendo, finally recovering from the shock of her reprimanding, grabbed Izuku's arm, gently pulling him away from the bed. "Come on, Midoriya," she said, her voice light as she began to drag him toward the door. "I think we should leave these two alone."

...

Izuku and Itsuka began walking side by side, the silence between them heavy but not unpleasant. Itsuka's hands were clasped tightly together in front of her, her heart pounding so hard it felt like it might leap out of her chest.

Izuku glanced at her, noticing her flushed cheeks and the slightly dazed look in her teal eyes. "We should head back to the stands," he suggested, his voice casual. "I kinda want to see Tokoyami and Yaoyorozu's match."

His words only made Itsuka's face turn a deeper shade of crimson. She bit her lip, her heart racing even faster. She glanced at him, her gaze lingering on his kind green eyes before she abruptly stopped walking.

Izuku, realizing she wasn't beside him anymore, paused and turned around. "Itsuka?" he asked, her name rolling off his tongue with ease.

Hearing him call her name made her heart flutter, any lingering doubt or hesitation melting away. Steeling herself, she grabbed his arm gently, her head bowed, her face flushed a deep red. "Come with me," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Izuku's eyes widened in surprise. He had never seen Itsuka so flustered before. Her trembling form and the fact that she couldn't even meet his gaze caused his own face to heat up. He could swear he could hear the rapid rhythm of her heartbeat.

"A-ah, sure..." he stammered, his voice shaky. Together, they began walking again, the world around them seeming to slow as the tension between them grew. Itsuka brushed her hair back nervously, her resolve firm despite her overwhelming nerves.

Unbeknownst to them, from around a corner, a group of girls peeked out, their faces equally flushed. They exchanged nervous glances, their hearts pounding with a mixture of anticipation and anxiety.

"Should we really be doing this?" Kyoka whispered, her voice laced with guilt.

"This wasn't my idea," Yui muttered, her tone flat but her expression slightly pink.

"Yeah, but..." Ochako trailed off, unable to find the right words.

"Shh! They'll hear us if you keep talking," Momo scolded in a harsh whisper, pulling them back further into the corner.

"This is most uncouth," Ibara said, her cheeks dusted pink with embarrassment. "Barging in on such a private moment..."

"Oh, don't act so righteous! You're here too," Setsuna teased, smirking as Ibara's blush deepened.

"Why are we even doing this?" Pony asked, clearly flustered.

"I just wanted to see some romance!" Mina admitted with an excited grin, though the slight crack in her voice betrayed her nerves. Toru nodded quickly in agreement, though her wide eyes suggested the same half-truth.

Ochako fidgeted, her fingers curling into her pajama pants. "I... I just wanted to... make sure he's okay," she said softly, but her voice lacked conviction.

Tsuyu, always the blunt one, chimed in. "We just wanted to see what would happen. Let's not pretend otherwise."

The girls fell silent after that, all of them feeling their hearts clench as they watched Itsuka guide Izuku further down the hallway.

...

Itsuka closed the door behind her, sealing off the empty waiting room. Her heart pounded so loudly in her chest she feared Izuku might hear it. Across the room, Izuku stood nervously, fidgeting with his hands, unsure of what to expect.

"S-So... what did you want to talk about?" Izuku asked, his voice hesitant.

Itsuka's face flushed red as she tried to gather her thoughts. "So... um... I've been thinking about... it's..." She paused, struggling to find the right words before stepping closer to him. Her teal eyes briefly met his before she looked away, her voice trembling.

"You're always so dedicated, always working so hard... it's one of the things I..." She hesitated, her hands balling into fists before she continued. "...admire... respect..."

Izuku smiled softly at her words, feeling a small wave of relief. But her next words caught him completely off guard.

"...and like about you," she finished, her face turning a deep shade of red.

Izuku froze, his face heating up as her words sank in. His heart raced, his mind spinning in all directions. He couldn't look away from her, his wide eyes searching hers for any hint of doubt or hesitation. But there was none.

Itsuka noticed his stunned expression and let out a nervous chuckle, scratching the back of her head. "I'm not really good at this..." she muttered, looking at him with a mixture of shyness and determination.

Izuku gulped, unsure of how to process what she was saying. "I-Itsuka... where are you going with this?" he asked, his voice shaky.

Itsuka inhaled deeply, willing her nerves to settle. "I've been trying to figure out how to say this, and every time I try, it comes out wrong. But... I know I need to say it, or I'll regret it forever." She clenched her fists tightly, her resolve firming.

"I like you, Izuku Midoriya!" Itsuka declared, her voice ringing out clear and earnest.

Izuku's eyes widened in shock, his mind reeling. Behind the door, the girls who had followed them held their breath, their expressions mirroring his disbelief. She actually said it.

Izuku's thoughts spun wildly. She couldn't mean she likes me in that way... could she? He shook his head slightly, trying to ground himself. His face burned with embarrassment as he stammered, "I-I like you too, Itsuka..."

For a moment, her heart soared—until his next words made her expression falter.

"You're an amazing friend—"

"I don't mean it that way!" Itsuka interrupted, her voice raising slightly in frustration. She stepped closer to him, her teal eyes locking onto his. "I like like you! Not just as a friend. I... I really like you!"

Her confession hung in the air, thick with emotion. Izuku stared at her, his mind blank except for the pounding of his heart. He wasn't sure how to respond.

Behind the door, the girls exchanged uneasy glances. Kyoka fidgeted with her earphone jacks, biting her lip.

Momo folded her arms tightly across her chest, her usually calm demeanor cracking.

Ochako looked down, her hands trembling slightly, while Mina tried to keep her usual smile but couldn't quite manage it.

Even Tsuyu's normally stoic expression showed a flicker of something deeper as she whispered, "She's serious..."

...

Izuku tried to process her words, his eyes wide with shock. "W-What?!" he stammered, his heart pounding so hard it felt like it might leap out of his chest. He instinctively took a step back, his mind scrambling to make sense of the confession. "Y-You... you like me?!"

The weight of her words settled heavily on him, and for a moment, he couldn't speak. His thoughts drifted to memories of Aldera, of times when he'd dared to hope, only to have those hopes dashed. He knew Itsuka wasn't like that—she was kind, genuine—but that uncertainty, that doubt, still lingered like a shadow in his mind.

"Why...?" Izuku finally asked, his voice trembling as he looked at her, confusion and vulnerability etched across his face. "Why would you like me?"

He glanced away, his hand rubbing the back of his neck as he struggled to continue. "I mean... I'm not confident. I'm boring, plain... I stutter all the time, and I can barely even talk to a girl without making a fool of myself..." His words trailed off as he looked back at her, his emerald eyes filled with uncertainty.

"I... why would you like me?" Izuku repeated, his voice barely above a whisper, the question hanging heavily in the air.

...

The girls listening outside felt their hearts sink, their expressions reflecting his pain as they clenched their chests.

'That's really how he sees himself...?' Ochako thought, her hands trembling.

From the other side of the wall, Momo placed a hand over her heart. "Izuku..." she murmured, a lump forming in her throat.

Setsuna, trying to keep her usual bravado, bit her lip, feeling uncharacteristically solemn. 'He really doesn't see it, does he?'

...

Inside the room, Itsuka stepped forward, determination lighting up her teal eyes. She took Izuku's trembling hands and placed them gently over her chest.

"Wh-What are you doing?!" Izuku stammered, his entire face flushing as he tried to pull away.

"Just... feel it," Itsuka said, her voice steady but soft.

Confused, Izuku hesitated before opening his eyes. His gaze widened when he felt her heart pounding beneath his palms—strong, fast, and unrelenting. It was like a drum echoing in a chamber.

"You feel that?" Itsuka asked, her voice trembling slightly. "My heart... it's going crazy. Every time I'm around you, this is what happens. It's not just today, Izuku—it's always like this."

Izuku's blush deepened as he stared at her, the rhythm of her heartbeat almost overwhelming.

"You wanna know why I like you so much?" Itsuka continued, her voice full of sincerity. "You're... just so amazing."

Izuku flinched, the echoes of past insults battling against her words. "Amazing...?"

"You are," she said with a warm smile. "I love how kind you are. Even when people call you a coward or a wimp, you never lash out. You don't feel the need to show off or prove them wrong, and that... that's something special."

Izuku's chest tightened, her words washing over him like a tide, slowly drowning out the voices of doubt.

"When we're together, you make me laugh. You make me smile, and honestly, I don't even know how you do it," Itsuka added with a soft laugh, her own cheeks burning. "You just... you're you, Izuku. And I wouldn't want you any other way."

Izuku felt a lump in his throat, unsure of how to respond.

Itsuka stepped closer, her voice quieter now. "You're one of the bravest, kindest, dorkiest, doofuses I've ever met... and, well, that's why I fell for you."

Her words struck him like a thunderbolt, his mind spinning. "D-Dorkiest...?" he muttered, flustered.

She laughed nervously, her gaze softening. "Do you remember how we first met?"

Izuku blinked, recalling the memory. "Y-Yeah... I got my butt handed to me, and... you had to step in to save me."

"That's part of what I love about you," Itsuka said, her heart racing as she used the word love again.

Izuku froze, his breath catching in his throat.

"My grandpa used to say, 'It's easy for the strong to fight for what's right, but the truly strong are those who stand up even when they're weak, knowing they might lose. That's the real measure of courage.'" Itsuka said, her eyes soft as she looked at Izuku.

Izuku's eyes widened, his chest tightening as her words resonated deeply.

Itsuka smiled softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "That's why I love you, Izuku Midoriya."

Izuku stared at her, his mind a whirlwind of emotions. He couldn't bring himself to look her in the eyes, his gaze shifting to the floor as he stammered, "Itsuka... I... I mean... are you sure—"

Before he could finish, Itsuka stepped forward, closing the gap between them, and silenced him with a kiss.

...

Izuku's eyes widened as Itsuka's lips pressed softly against his, the warmth of the moment catching him completely off guard. The softness, the closeness—it was overwhelming. His heart pounded in his chest, drowning out any doubts or insecurities, if only for a moment.

The world around him seemed to vanish as they stood there, the same height, their breaths mingling in the quiet space. Itsuka wrapped her arms gently around his neck, pulling him closer, her heart racing as much as his.

Izuku's mind went blank, overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment. For as long as he could remember, it felt like the weight of the world was pressing down on his shoulders. The expectations, the responsibility—sometimes, it all made him feel like a burden to those around him. But now...

Now, in Itsuka's arms, he felt that weight begin to lift. The constant voice of doubt in his head quieted, replaced by the warmth of her touch and the sincerity in her actions.

Slowly, hesitantly, he lifted his arms, wrapping them around her as if afraid she might disappear. His eyes closed, and for once, the overwhelming pressure faded.

...

Outside the room, Kyoka blushed deeply, listening in with her earphone jacks. She stammered, her face heating up. "I-I think they're kissing."

The rest of the girls gasped silently, their eyes wide as they peeked around the corner. Hands flew to their mouths, and cheeks flushed a deep crimson.

Mina's hands tightened into small fists, a bittersweet smile forming on her face. "G-good for them," she whispered, her voice faltering slightly.

"Yeah," Toru added softly, though her invisible form trembled faintly.

Ochako placed a hand on her chest, her expression unreadable as she looked away, memories of her own fleeting moments with Izuku playing in her mind.

From the back, Momo, Ibara, and Tsuyu shared quiet glances, their emotions a mix of joy for Itsuka and quiet, unspoken pain for themselves.

Inside, Izuku and Itsuka slowly broke apart, their breaths mingling as they stood just inches apart. Itsuka's teal eyes gleamed as she gazed at him, her voice soft yet firm.

"So," she began, a small smirk tugging at her lips. "Still think I don't love you?"

Izuku's face burned red, his heart racing faster than ever as he struggled to form a coherent response.

"I-I…" was all he managed before her teasing smile softened, and she rested her forehead against his, waiting patiently for him to find the words.

"I...I..." Izuku stammered, his face flushed. "I don't think anyone's ever told me something like that before."

Itsuka's teasing demeanor faltered slightly as she bit her lip. Her thoughts briefly drifted to the other girls—her friends—who she knew harbored feelings for him too. She wanted to know how he truly felt, but the weight of their emotions loomed over her. Letting out a quiet sigh, she steeled herself.

"Itsuka, I-I…" he started hesitantly.

"I don't want your answer!" Itsuka blurted out, startling him.

"Wait, what?" Izuku blinked, confusion etched on his face."I thought you liked me..."

"I do and I want to be with you..."Itsuka said."Is just..."

"If you're about to tell me you like me or that you like someone else... just don't!" Itsuka's voice softened, her eyes sincere as they met his. "I couldn't hold my feelings in anymore, but…

"... I don't want anyone to get hurt because of me."

From their hidden spot nearby, the girls eavesdropping widened their eyes, a mixture of relief and guilt washing over them.

"Please..."Itsuka pleaded.

"I… I don't really get it," Izuku admitted, scratching the back of his neck, his cheeks still flushed, "but… okay. If that's what you want, I'll respect it."

Itsuka exhaled slowly, her arms still resting lightly on his shoulders. She gave a small smile and swayed her ponytail. "Though… if you ever feel like telling me how you feel—or even just want to hang out, just the two of us…"

Izuku's face turned even redder, and he gave a shy nod.

The eavesdropping girls sighed in relief, though the tension between them lingered.

Itsuka's smirk returned as she glanced at him. "But… I have to ask. How was your first kiss?"

Izuku froze, his expression shifting to guilt.

"U-uhm, well…" he started nervously.

Itsuka raised a brow, catching his tone. "Wait a second… that wasn't your first kiss, was it?"

Izuku shook his head sheepishly.

"Eh?!" Itsuka gaped. "Then who was it?! Don't tell me it was Naomi! She's the worst!"

Izuku's eyes widened, and he quickly waved his hands. "No, no, it wasn't her! Naomi would never—she said the thought of kissing me made her want to puke."

Itsuka frowned, her lips pursed. "That girl's horrible," she muttered before softening her tone. "If it makes you feel better, kissing you just made me want to kiss you more."

Izuku's face practically steamed at her words. "R-really?! I-I really liked kissing you too! It felt… really nice. And, uh… y-you were really soft, and—"

Itsuka let out a laugh as he launched into a nervous muttering spree, her heart fluttering at his flustered sincerity. "So, I take it I wasn't half-bad?"

Izuku nodded earnestly. "Not bad at all!"

Itsuka snorted, her playful grin returning. "Good to know. But Izuku, no offense—if I ever see Naomi, I might actually break her nose."

Izuku blinked at her, then laughed nervously. "P-pretty good joke," he said, though his smile faltered when Itsuka didn't immediately deny it.

"Y-you're joking, right? Right, Kendo?"

She turned away with a mischievous grin. "Anyway, I think I'll start calling you Izuku from now on. We've known each other long enough, don't you think?"

"Are you trying to distract me from the fact that you're planning on breaking her nose?"

"Who was your first kiss, anyway?" Itsuka asked casually as they continued walking.

Izuku hesitated before sighing. "Well… technically, it was Uraraka. It was an accident, though."

The girls, still listening in, all turned to Ochako, whose face turned a deep red as she froze in place like a deer caught in headlights.

"Wait, accident? How do you accidentally kiss someone?!" Itsuka asked, raising a skeptical brow.

"Uh… it's a little complicated," Izuku muttered sheepishly.

...

Izuku and Itsuka eventually made their way back to the Class 1-A seating booths. The first thing the pair noticed was that all the girls were missing.

"Uh... Where are the girls?" Izuku asked, glancing around the nearly empty section.

"Oh, they went to the bathroom," Kirishima replied casually.

Izuku and Itsuka exchanged a confused look. "All of them?"

"Yeah."

"At the same time?" they asked in unison, Itsuka's expression shifting from confusion to irritation as a blush crept onto her cheeks.

Izuku shrugged, scratching the back of his neck as he sat down. Meanwhile, Itsuka clenched her fists and spun on her heel, her determination set. She stormed off, her ponytail swishing behind her as she headed toward the restrooms.

The girls froze under her sharp gaze as she entered the hallway.

"H-Hey, Itsuka…" Ochako muttered nervously, trying to look anywhere but directly at her.

"W-Well, uh…" Mina stammered, her cheerful grin faltering as she avoided eye contact.

Kyoka flinched under Itsuka's glare and immediately tried to sneak away, only for her escape to be blocked as Toru turned invisible and ducked out of sight. Ibara lowered her head, bowing in shame as her vine-like hair drooped in solidarity.

"You were listening?!" Itsuka hissed, her voice a mix of embarrassment and frustration.

They all flinched like children caught with their hands in the cookie jar, bowing their heads simultaneously. "We're sorry!" they chorused, their voices overlapping.

Itsuka's face flushed red as she crossed her arms. She opened her mouth to yell, but the sight of their genuine remorse made her pause. Letting out a long sigh, she rubbed her temples. "I-It's fine… Whatever…" she mumbled, her own embarrassment clear as she tried to compose herself.

The girls exchanged glances, unsure if they were off the hook.

"But just so you know," Itsuka added, her tone firm as she pointed a finger at them, "don't take this as me being soft or anything. I'm not letting him go that easily." Her cheeks burned, but her eyes were resolute.

The girls stiffened, their faces a mix of guilt and surprise.

Itsuka rolled her eyes, her expression a mixture of amusement and annoyance. "Just saying, you're all way too obvious," she remarked with a smirk, crossing her arms.

The girls froze, their faces flushing bright red as they glanced at each other. The air grew heavy with awkward tension.

"I-I don't know what you're talking about," Mina stammered, her voice cracking slightly, her hands nervously adjusting her hair.

"Yeah, totally no idea," Toru added quickly, her voice high-pitched and filled with uncertainty as she floated nervously in the air.

The rest of the girls murmured similar denials, but none of them could mask the visible blushes creeping onto their faces.

Itsuka smirked knowingly, her gaze sweeping over the group. "Uh-huh, sure. Just try to keep it cool, alright?" She shook her head, turning to leave, but then she froze mid-step, her back still to them.

Mina couldn't resist, and with a teasing grin, called out, "So… how was it? The kiss?"

Itsuka's face immediately turned a deep shade of red as she whirled around, glaring over her shoulder. "Not another word!" she snapped, her blush on her cheeks now rivaling the color of her hair.

Mina laughed nervously, raising her hands in mock surrender. "Okay, okay! Jeez, no need to chop me!" she said.

The girls exchanged glances, trying to stifle their giggles as they watched Itsuka walk away, still flushed and muttering to herself.

...

Izuku sat down, unable to stop the smile from spreading across his face. No matter how hard he tried to suppress it, the warmth in his chest broke through, tugging at his lips in a grin reminiscent of the day he got into U.A. or the moment All Might told him he could be a hero. And now, as Itsuka returned with the rest of the girls, that same feeling surged again, only stronger, brighter.

The girls, seated nearby, couldn't help but notice the happiness radiating off him. It stirred something in each of them—a soft ache in their hearts. Ochako, with a permanent blush on her cheeks, nervously took a seat next to him, her gaze lingering on his smile.

She hesitated for a moment before offering him a small piece of caramel chocolate. "Here," she said, voice barely above a whisper.

Izuku blinked, clearly caught off guard. "W-What?"

Ochako gave him a curious look. "Hmm? You look surprised."

He tilted his head slightly, eyes still wide. "You never share sweets with anyone. No candy, no mochi, not even a little bite of anything sweet."

Ochako flushed, looking away. "I-I share!" she stammered, her cheeks turning a deeper shade of crimson.

Izuku chuckled awkwardly. "Okay..."

She held out the piece to him, and his eyes widened when he saw that it already had a bite taken out of it. "An indirect kiss?!"

Ochako's eyes went wide. "I-It's not like that!"

He blinked, slightly flustered but amused, before taking a cautious bite of the chocolate. "Well, if I'm going to be honest… it's pretty good," he said with a smile. The words were almost enough to make her heart skip a beat.

Before he could say anything else, Ochako rested her head gently on his shoulder, her blush deepening.

Izuku froze for a moment, not sure how to process this new level of closeness, but then his own cheeks flushed as he settled into the moment.

As if on cue, Kyoka, who had taken a seat on his other side, wrapped her earphone jacks around his wrist. She glanced at him, her usual calm expression softening just slightly. "Don't get too comfortable," she teased quietly, her tone light but playful.

...

Meanwhile, in a secluded corner, Nezu stared at the Plumber's badge in his paws, his gaze unreadable, unblinking. His mind was elsewhere, fixated on the troubling information it represented.

Thirteen, sensing his distraction, tilted her head and spoke softly, "Nezu, you seem lost in thought."

"Four days," Nezu muttered, barely acknowledging her, his voice tinged with worry. "Tetrax hasn't reported back for four days. Not a single word."

A heavy silence fell over the room. The teachers exchanged concerned glances, their attention turning to Izuku, whose bright, content smile stood in stark contrast to the dread beginning to settle over the group.

"And what's worse," Nezu continued, his tone darkening, "Vilgax sightings have become far more frequent across the galaxy. Seems we may have to prepare for the worst."

The words lingered in the air, thick with tension. The teachers couldn't shake the feeling that something dangerous was looming, but as they watched Izuku, who seemed to be smiling like never before—his cheeks flushed, his happiness contagious—the weight of their responsibilities pressed down even harder.

All Might's gaze softened as he watched the boy, but a deep sense of guilt settled in his chest, knowing the looming threat Izuku might one day face.

"Young Midoriya..."

...

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