Cementos wiped the sweat off his forehead after repairing the arena. "Whew. All done."
Present Mic's voice boomed through the stadium. "THANKS, CEMENTOS! BUT DON'T GET TOO COMFY—MIDORIYA AND BAKUGOU STILL HAVE MATCHES COMING UP!"
This earned snickers from both Class A and B, and Cementos shot a pointed glare at the commentator's booth. Meanwhile, Izuku shrank in his seat, rubbing the back of his neck. "Ah, man," he muttered, his face flushing in embarrassment.
Bakugou, sitting a few seats away, scoffed and stood abruptly. "Tch. Whatever," he grumbled before storming off toward his waiting room.
Uraraka, noticing Izuku's discomfort, gave his shoulder a reassuring pat. Izuku turned to her and smiled, grateful for the gesture.
"Well, you did destroy the arena—twice," Kyoka teased with a smirk, her tone deadpan.
Izuku winced, his blush deepening. "T-Technically, Monoma melted part of it before me," Hagakure added, her voice light.
Izuku sighed in relief, silently cheering at the small defense.
"Guess I'm up next," Momo said, standing from her seat. Her usual composed demeanor wavered slightly, betraying a hint of nerves.
Izuku blinked in surprise, then quickly smiled. "Good luck, Yaoyorozu!"
Her lips curved into a soft smile as she nodded. "Thank you, Midoriya." With that, she turned and walked toward the battlefield entrance.
Izuku watched her leave, his gaze lingering for a moment as her figure disappeared. He then turned back to the arena with a determined focus, ready to cheer her on.
"After Yaoyorozu's match, it's Bakugou and Sero, right?" Ojiro asked, glancing at the bracket.
Kirishima nodded, but winced sympathetically as he glanced at Sero. "Yeah… that's gonna be rough."
The group collectively turned to Sero, whose shoulders slumped at their unspoken pity. "C'mon, you guys could at least pretend I've got a chance," Sero muttered, shaking his head.
Kirishima scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Uh… you got this, dude?"
Sero groaned. "Gee, thanks for the confidence boost."
...
"OFFENSE AND DEFENSE IN ONE BODY! THE EMBODIMENT OF DARKNESS, FUMIKAGE TOKOYAMI!!"
Momo Yaozoru took a deep breath as she stepped onto the arena platform, her mind already analyzing the situation. 'How would Midoriya approach this? He's always thinking ahead, balancing offense and defense. He'd probably use Fasttrack's speed to outmaneuver Dark Shadow and finish the fight quickly.'
"VERSUS!"
"THE MISTRESS OF CREATION! ADMITTED THROUGH RECOMMENDATIONS, HER ABILITIES ARE CERTIFIED FROM THE HERO COURSE—MOMO YAOYOROZU!!"
"Begin!"
At the signal, Momo immediately started sprinting toward Tokoyami, her Creation quirk activating as she formed a sturdy shield. Across the arena Tokoyami folded his arms and his Quirk sprang to life.
Dark Shadow emerged from Tokoyami's body—a smoky, humanoid figure with glowing yellow eyes. It loomed over its master like a shadowy guardian.
"Dark Shadow, go!" Tokoyami commanded.
The creature surged forward, striking Momo's shield with incredible force. She gritted her teeth as the impact pushed her back slightly, but she held her ground. Dark Shadow's movements were swift and precise, leaving little room for error.
'Dark Shadow is connected to him. It moves independently but still follows his commands. How can I exploit that? ' she thought, rolling underneath another swipe.
Her mind flashed to Izuku. "Midoriya wouldn't hesitate—he'd test everything, even his opponent's limits, to find an opening. That's what I have to do."
She dodged another strike and kept her distance. Dark Shadow's strength increases in darkness, but it's tied to Tokoyami. I need to find a way to weaken it.'
Creating a pair of goggles, she slid them on. Then, several Russian nesting dolls appeared in her hands. 'If darkness makes Dark Shadow stronger, then light must weaken it.'
The dolls popped open, each releasing a burst of searing light. The arena glowed with brilliance, forcing Tokoyami to shield his eyes. Dark Shadow recoiled, shrinking and writhing in visible discomfort.
Momo's eyes widened. "Light... That's it!"
Seizing the moment, she dashed forward. Tokoyami struggled to regain his vision as Momo slammed her shield into his side. The force sent him staggering back.
Dark Shadow attempted to block her, but its form was unstable, shrinking further with each flash. With calculated precision, Momo created a metal staff and swept Tokoyami's legs out from under him, sending him crashing to the ground.
Before he could react, she pinned him down, her knee pressed against his chest. In her hand was a small trigger connected to another set of flash bombs surrounding them.
"Surrender," Momo said firmly, her voice steady despite the adrenaline rushing through her veins.
Tokoyami squinted at her, trying to summon Dark Shadow. "Dark Shadow—"
Another flash erupted beside them, forcing the creature to retreat entirely. Tokoyami winced, knowing he had no chance to recover.
"...I yield," he muttered reluctantly, his voice laced with frustration.
As the crowd roared in approval, Momo stood and extended her hand to help him up.
...
"Tokoyami has surrendered! Yaoyorozu wins!" Midnight announced, her voice booming across the stadium. The crowd erupted into cheers, celebrating Momo's victory.
In the stands, Ishida scowled, his fists clenched tightly as he glared at Momo, while Naomi remained silent, her gaze fixed elsewhere.
Midoriya smiled down at Momo as she exited the arena, brushing her hair back as she surveyed the remnants of her creations—flashbangs and other tools now being cleared away by cleanup robots.
"Looks like I'm up against Yaoyorozu next," Midoriya murmured with a small sigh, already running through possible strategies.
"Do you have a plan?" Iida asked, his tone sharp with curiosity and concern.
Ojiro nodded. "Her Quirk's almost as versatile as yours, Midoriya. You'll need to be careful."
"And unlike yours, her Quirk doesn't randomly screw her over," Kyoka added dryly, a teasing smirk tugging at her lips.
Midoriya groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. "Don't remind me."
"Why does that happen, anyway?" Yanagi asked from the Class B section, leaning slightly forward to catch his attention. Her thoughtful expression piqued everyone's interest.
"It's weird," she continued, her voice calm but curious. "Has anyone else had their Quirk act up like that? Like it has a mind of its own?"
Midoriya flipped open the Omnitrix, scrolling through the available forms with a slight frown. "I have no idea. What's the point of having a dial if it just picks for me half the time anyway?"
"And it's been worse today," Iida noted, crossing his arms in a manner that suggested he'd already been thinking about this. "Using Fasttrack in a confined arena nearly cost you your match against Monoma."
"True," Yanagi agreed, tilting her head. "But you have to admit, it was still impressive. The way you skidded to a halt created a sonic boom that almost knocked him off his feet. If you could control that better, it could be a weapon in itself."
Iida adjusted his glasses, his analytical mind visibly ticking. "If timed correctly, you could halt just short of an opponent. The resulting shockwave might disorient them, disrupt their balance, or even create an opening for a decisive blow."
Midoriya's eyes lit up, and he immediately started scribbling in his notebook, muttering under his breath as he did. "If I calculate the velocity change… match it with a mid-air pivot to redirect the force... no, no—maybe if I factor in wind resistance—"
The group stared at him with a mix of exasperation and amusement.
"There he goes again," Mina said with a grin, leaning back in her seat.
"It's basically his art form," Toru chimed in, her voice light and amused.
Yui's gaze lingered on Midoriya as he muttered furiously, her expression unreadable. Finally, she spoke, almost to herself, "Cute."
As if on cue, Tokoyami and Yaoyorozu reappeared at the entrance to the stands. Momo offered a polite nod to her classmates, though her gaze briefly caught Midoriya's as he furiously jotted down notes.
A small smile touched her lips before she turned away, her usual composure returning.
Meanwhile, Tokoyami quietly took a seat, his shadowy companion still faintly flickering by his side.
...
"Way to go, Yaomomo!" Ashido cheered, pulling Momo into a tight hug.
"Thanks, Ashido," Momo said, smiling as she took her seat.
"I must admit, we definitely underestimated you, Yaoyorozu," Tokoyami remarked, his eyes still glowing as Dark Shadow appeared beside him. "I never suspected you'd be so aggressive on the offense."
"Raven-haired rich girl is terrifying," Dark Shadow added with a small whimper, causing the girls to giggle.
"Thank you, but I'm sure my next match will truly test me," Momo said with a composed smile.
"Oh right, you're up against Greenie," Kyoka teased, smirking at Izuku.
"Hopefully, he won't beat you as badly as Kendo did. That match was terrifying," Mineta added, his voice dripping with exaggerated sympathy.
Momo gave a small chuckle before turning to Izuku. "I... I hope you won't hold back, Midoriya."
Izuku nodded earnestly. "I'll give it my all."
Ashido grinned widely, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Oh, Yaomomo, if you want, I could give you some tips on taking down Midoriya. Not to brag or anything, but I did manage to get a hit on him during the Capture the Flag exercise."
Both Izuku and Kyoka's faces flushed at the memory.
"I... you caught me off guard is all," Izuku stammered, his face now as red as a tomato.
Mineta, sitting nearby, leaned in with a grin. "Ah, Midoriya, this is your chance! You could finally get your hands on the 'melons' that no man has touched before!"
The entire group froze, staring at Mineta as he continued with a drool-laden smile. "Touch where no one has touched!"
A long silence followed, the air thick with awkwardness. The girls all exchanged glances, their faces varying shades of pink and red. Izuku, on the other hand, had turned a deep shade of crimson.
Before anyone could speak, Kaminari piped up, his voice barely above a whisper, "Wait... Midoriya, haven't you already—"
"Oof!" Kyouka jabbed him in the ribs, cutting him off with a sharp glare.
Izuku gave a subtle "please be quiet" gesture with his hand.
Mineta raised an eyebrow, leaning forward. "Haven't you already—?"
Izuku's face turned even redder, and he quickly waved off Mineta's suggestion. "Mineta, I'm not going to grope anyone, let alone one of my friends. Some of us know how to control ourselves."
Mineta scoffed, "C'mon, Midoriya, this is your golden opportunity! Live a little!"
Izuku shook his head. "No."
...
"But why not? I know there's a perv in you somewhere!" Mineta exclaimed, jabbing a finger at Izuku with exaggerated flair. "I've seen you checking out the girls!"
Izuku's eyes shot open in alarm, and he nearly dropped his notebook. "I-I-I did n-not!" he stammered, retreating behind the worn cover as though it could shield him from the conversation. Around them, the girls flushed varying shades of red, though Mina's mischievous grin stood out the most.
Mineta leaned closer, somehow managing to appear on Izuku's shoulder like a devilish whisperer. "Admit it, Midoriya. There's a little Mineta inside you, telling you to enjoy the view. I've caught you sneaking a glance before," he said, wiggling his eyebrows for effect.
Izuku's face turned crimson, and his irritation began to creep through the embarrassment. "Th-That's not true!" he protested, his voice a pitch higher than usual.
Mina's grin widened like a predator scenting prey. She leaned in with a teasing glint in her eyes. "Midoriya~," she cooed. "Care to share what Mineta's talking about?"
"Don't even think about it!" Toru suddenly chimed in, waving her arms to break the moment.
"Ah, man," Mina huffed, playfully pouting before adding with a smirk.
...
Mineta shrugged. "Look. I'm just trying to bring out Midoriya's inner perv. This is his chance—"
Before Mineta could finish, Izuku stood up, cracking his knuckles with a sigh. He walked toward the ranting Mineta and, without warning, delivered a swift neck chop, just like Kendo had done to Monoma.
Mineta immediately went limp and collapsed to the floor, unconscious.
Izuku returned to his seat, a look of mild annoyance on his face, while the rest of the group stared in stunned silence.
"You could've done that the whole time?!" everyone exclaimed in unison, shock evident on their faces.
Izuku scratched the back of his head, slightly embarrassed. "W-Well, it didn't seem necessary until now."
The group exchanged deadpan looks. Even Iida shook his head in disbelief. The girls, too, gave Izuku disappointed stares.
"Okay, okay, I admit it. That was on me," Izuku sighed, rubbing his temple. "I should've done it way earlier. My bad." He glanced at Mineta, still knocked out on the floor. "Though, he'll be out for a while."
A collective sigh of relief swept through the group.
Izuku's face turned beet red as his heart began to race. "I-I don't... I just..." he stammered. His thoughts immediately went to the recent kiss Itsuka had given him, her warm, soft lips lingering in his mind. The memory of her confession weighed heavily on his chest, making it feel as if his heart might burst out of his ribcage.
'Great, now she probably thinks I'm a total creep...' he thought, his mind spiraling. He couldn't explain it. The confusion, the warmth, the overwhelming feelings that had settled in his chest.
His hands instinctively clenched, trying to control the rush of emotions.
Itsuka giggled, clearly enjoying his discomfort, and Izuku could feel the heat in his cheeks intensify. 'Stop, just stop thinking about it,' he told himself. 'She kissed me... she said she liked me...'
The thought of her confession didn't help matters either.
...
"FROM CLASS 1-A, IT'S THE BLONDE BOMBER, THE ANGRY ARTILLERIST, THE GRAND GRENADIER!! GIVE IT UP FOR BAKUGOU KATSUKI!!"
The crowd erupted into a mix of cheers and nervous whispers as Bakugou stormed into the arena. His hands were already crackling with the anticipation of an explosion, smoke trailing from his palms. He was ready to prove that nothing and no one could stand in his way.
"AND HIS OPPONENT, ALSO FROM CLASS 1-A, HE MAY HAVE WEIRD ELBOWS, BUT DON'T UNDERESTIMATE HIM! OR YOU'LL BE LEFT IN A STICKY SITUATION!!" Midnight announced, her voice a sharp contrast to the tension building in the arena.
Sero stood opposite Bakugou, grimacing as he stretched his arms. "Yeah, take a shot at the elbows, nothing new," he muttered, eyeing Bakugou warily. The air between them crackled with tension, and Sero wasn't blind to the fire in Bakugou's eyes.
"Are you boys ready?" Midnight asked, spinning in place, her whip making a crack like thunder.
"I'm ready," Sero replied, his eyes narrowing, trying to focus through the nerves.
"Let's do this," Bakugou growled, a smirk crossing his face as his hands ignited with explosive fury.
"Begin!" Midnight's whip cracked the air, and in a split second, Bakugou was a blur.
Bakugou blasted off the ground with a force that rocked the arena. "DIE!" His explosion-powered charge was a blur of destructive speed.
Sero reacted instantly, firing a strand of tape from his elbow not at Bakugou, but beneath him. The ground exploded with a shockwave of dust as Sero reeled himself forward, propelling himself with an unexpected burst of speed.
But Bakugou wasn't fooled. His left hand shot out to grab Sero in a point-blank explosion, but Sero was already gone. A second tape strand shot out, and Sero yanked himself to the side just in time.
"Wow, I may have peeked at Midoriya's notebook while he wasn't looking," Sero taunted, eyes glinting with a sharp confidence. "You always start with that right hook, don't you?"
Bakugou's lip curled into a snarl, and his eye twitched violently. "Shut the hell up, you tape-wielding freak!"
Sero fired more tape, aiming for Bakugou's legs, trying to trip him up. But Bakugou was too fast. He reached out, his palm crackling with power, and with a quick, violent explosion, he incinerated the tape, causing it to dissolve in a flash of flames.
Bakugou's fury surged, and the ground shook with the intensity of his next words. "Enough of this shit!" he roared, his voice vibrating with rage. "DIE!"
An explosion of cataclysmic proportions erupted from Bakugou's hands, the shockwave sending debris flying.
Sero had no time to react. The explosion caught him squarely, hurling his body across the arena like a ragdoll. His uniform shredded under the force, his limbs flailing as he slammed into a wall with sickening force. The audience gasped, their faces frozen in shock.
When the smoke cleared, Sero was a broken heap on the floor. His body was covered in burns, his uniform unrecognizable, the air around him thick with the stench of scorched fabric and flesh. His chest rose and fell with shallow breaths, but his eyes were closed, his body limp.
Class 1-A and 1-B were dead silent, staring in horror at the scene before them. This wasn't the clean, honorable fight they'd expected. This was brutal, violent—a reminder of just how far Bakugou was willing to go.
Bakugou stood there, his chest heaving with the intensity of his breathing, his fists clenched so tight that his knuckles were white. His right wrist was shaking, still throbbing from the blast. He looked down at Sero's unconscious form with disdain, rubbing his wrist and gritting his teeth.
"I need an undefiable win!" Bakugou muttered, his voice thick with determination and anger. "There will be no question! I am the best! And once I destroy Deku, no one can deny it! That pink-skinned bitch will see that I'm not useless! Not like Deku!"
The words hung heavy in the air, laced with venom. There was no pride, no satisfaction in his voice. Just the need to prove something to himself—and to everyone else.
"Sero is unconscious and out of bounds!" Midnight declared, her voice cracking through the oppressive silence. "The winner is Katsuki Bakugou!!"
The applause was sparse, hesitant. There was no celebration, no cheers of triumph—just a somber recognition of the sheer devastation that had unfolded in front of them.
Bakugou turned on his heel, his eyes still burning with fury. His mind was consumed with the need to be the best, to crush anything and anyone that stood in his way. And Sero—he was just another casualty in his pursuit of victory.
"Bakugou. Pull a stunt like that and there will be severe consequences." Midnight warned.
"Tch," Bakugou growled out before walking away. He stopped for a moment before sending a piercing glare at the 1-A stands to particular green haired boy.
...
Class 1-A collectively grimaced, many wincing as Sero was carried off on a stretcher. The atmosphere was heavy with tension, the shock of Bakugou's actions rippling through both classes. Surprisingly, Midoriya remained composed, though a flicker of something unreadable crossed his face.
"That Bakugou acts more like a villain than a hero in training," Monoma said, his disdain evident. For once, no one in Class 1-A could muster a defense, and even Kendo reluctantly nodded.
"Yeah," Setsuna muttered, her face twisted in discomfort.
"That guy's spooky—and not the good spooky," Yanagi added, her tone uneasy.
Awase shook his head. "What an asshole."
"Who launches an explosion that big at a friend?!" Tetsutetsu shouted, his fist trembling with anger.
"Mh," Kodai simply agreed with a nod.
Ibara sighed deeply, clasping her hands together in a quiet prayer, her lips moving silently.
On Class 1-A's side, the mood wasn't much brighter. Shock and anger simmered under the surface as they tried to process what they'd just witnessed.
"I... I can't believe he did that to Sero," Kirishima said, his wide eyes filled with dismay.
"Y-Yeah," Mina muttered, her expression pained.
"I knew the guy was an asshole, but doing that to a friend?" Kyoka said bluntly, her brows furrowed in disgust.
"Bakugou's brutal. No mercy," Kaminari mumbled, visibly shaken at the thought of fighting him.
"Indeed, his tenacity will be difficult to contend with," Iida said, his voice steady but tense. He and Kaminari exchanged uneasy glances before departing for their match.
Tokoyami turned toward Midoriya. "You must've felt his glare, Midoriya—a silent declaration of war, no doubt."
Izuku exhaled deeply, his unease showing for a brief moment before he straightened his posture.
"He's angry," Momo said, her tone tinged with disgust. "Nearly losing to Uraraka—and the defeat against Midoriya—has only made him more volatile."
Izuku grimaced. "Yeah. He wants to prove he's the best, no matter the cost. He doesn't want anyone questioning his strength."
"And that means taking down anyone in his way," Kyoka added with a frown. "Quickly and as brutally as possible."
A heavy silence settled over them, each student exchanging concerned looks.
"But... why?" Kirishima asked, struggling to reconcile his friend's behavior.
Monoma scoffed. "Isn't it obvious? That egotistical maniac can't handle not being the center of attention. Knowing he's not the best must be eating him alive. So, what does someone like that do? He lashes out—on everyone—to stroke his fragile ego."
Kirishima flinched but tried to protest. "Come on, Bakugou isn't that bad."
Monoma raised an eyebrow and gestured toward Sero's stretcher. The members of Class B stared at Kirishima as if he'd grown a second head.
"...O-Okay," Kirishima stammered. "But maybe he was just giving it his all, you know? Treating Sero like a real opponent."
"Y-Yeah, probably," Kaminari added weakly, though even he didn't sound convinced.
Itsuka folded her arms and glanced at Izuku. "What's his deal, anyway? Why does he take losing so personally?"
"Huh?" Izuku blinked, startled by the question.
"I mean, the guy blows up over everything. Is that just... who he is?" Itsuka asked, her tone genuinely curious.
Class 1-A shared hesitant glances before Kaminari spoke up. "I-I guess that's just how he's always been. He seriously hates losing at anything."
Tokoyami nodded solemnly. "Indeed. His temper is always worst when he's defeated. Those who best him are rewarded with his scowl—or worse."
Shoji turned to Izuku. "Do you think that's why he seems to hate you so much? Because you're always at the top of our class?"
Izuku hesitated, scratching the back of his neck. "Uh... maybe? He definitely hates losing, that's for sure. But I don't really know."
Tsuyu tilted her head thoughtfully. "He does blow up at just about everything, ribbit."
Before anyone could respond, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the room. All conversation came to a halt as Bakugou entered, his expression a storm of fury and determination.
...
"Tch, let this be a warning to all you extras: what happened to Captain Office Supplies—"
"Hanta Sero," Kyoka cut in sharply, her voice cold as steel.
"Whatever, earlobe bitch!" Bakugou snapped before pointing at Mina. "And you, Raccoon-eyed pink-skin bitch, you're next if you get in my way!"
Mina's glare was immediate, her hands balling into fists. Izuku, sitting nearby, shot to his feet the moment he registered Bakugou's words.
"Hey," Izuku growled, his green eyes narrowing as a faint crackle of electricity sparked around him. The intensity of his glare carried a clear warning.
Bakugou smirked, stepping closer, smoke curling from his palms. "What? You got somethin' to say, nerd?"
The room grew heavy with tension as their standoff thickened. Everyone could feel the air practically buzzing with the collision of their anger. Before things could escalate, Kyoka's voice cut through.
"Don't worry, Green. If Bakushit wants to keep calling us degrading nicknames, we can just return the favor. Don't you think, Bakushit?" Kyoka said with a smirk.
Snickers broke out across the room, cutting through the suffocating atmosphere.
"The hell did you just call me?!" Bakugou barked.
"Relax, Bakubitch," Setsuna chimed in, wagging her finger at him. "It fits you perfectly—always yapping and barking like an angry little Pomeranian."
This earned full-on laughter from the class. Izuku let out a small snicker, while Sero clamped a hand over his mouth to muffle his laughter. Ochako's cheeks puffed out as she tried not to laugh aloud.
"I think Explosive Dumbass has a nice ring to it," Toru added through her giggles.
"What did you say, invisible bitch?!"
"Sorry, I didn't catch that, Angry Pomeranian," Mina quipped with mock confusion, leaning slightly toward Toru.
"The fuck did you say, you damn extras?!" Bakugou snapped, his voice rising.
Momo stepped in with a smirk of her own. "Oh? Is someone who only ranked fifth in the Quirk Apprehension Test trying to talk big again?"
Bakugou froze for a moment, his pride visibly bruising. "What the hell did you just say?!"
"Someone get the spray bottle," Kaminari said, pretending to be serious. "Bakubitch is out of control again. Watch out, he bites!"
Tsuyu tilted her head thoughtfully. "Maybe a muzzle would work better. Ribbit."
"Or earplugs," Yui added flatly. "So we don't have to hear him screaming all the time."
Kyoka smirked, turning to Izuku. "See, Green? We've got this. No offense, but we don't need a white knight in shining armor."
Izuku gave her a small smile, the tension draining from his posture. "Yeah... I know."
With that, he sat back down, and the group settled in to watch the next match, the earlier tension now a memory drowned out by the echoes of laughter. He quickly punched down the bubbling anger in his stomach.'I need to calm down.'
"NEXT UP WE HAVE THE ELECTRICAL USER! DENKI KAMINARI VS THE SPEEDSTER WITH ENGINES, TENYA IIDA!!"
Denki Kaminari entered the arena, stretching his arms and loosening up his muscles as he prepared for the match. He shot a finger gun toward the approaching Iida with a grin, sparks crackling from his fingertips.
Tenya Iida, adjusting his glasses with a focused expression, bowed to Kaminari in a respectful gesture, his posture as rigid and formal as always.
"You boys ready?" Midnight asked, her voice echoing over the arena.
"Yes," Iida answered firmly.
"I'm always ready!" Kaminari responded with enthusiasm, his body sparking with electrical energy.
"Begin!"
As soon as the signal was given, Iida shot forward like a missile, his engines roaring with speed as he bolted toward Kaminari. Just as he closed the distance, Kaminari's body crackled with electricity, and an electric shield erupted around him, sending Iida flying back as he tried to grab him.
Iida stumbled to his feet, his body spasming briefly from the shock as he quickly adjusted his glasses. His gaze flicked to Kaminari, narrowing slightly as he saw the shield flicker, revealing a glimpse of its instability.
The crowd gasped in surprise, Class 1-A staring in shock at the unexpected turn of events.
...
"Whoa..." Mineta whispered, wide-eyed. "When did he learn to do that?"
Tokoyami blinked, clearly surprised. "An electrical shield? Since when could he create electrical structures like that?"
Momo cupped her chin thoughtfully. "Interesting... I didn't know Kaminari could manipulate his quirk to such an extent."
Kyoka glanced at Izuku, who was watching the match with a proud look on his face. Her eyebrow arched in suspicion. "You wouldn't have anything to do with this, would you?"
Izuku flinched, sheepishly scratching the back of his head. "M-Maybe..." He pulled out his notebook, flipping to a page dedicated to Kaminari. "Kaminari asked me for help with his quirk. He felt really guilty about what happened during the USJ attack..." Izuku said, as everyone leaned in closer to get a better look at the notebook. The page was filled with dense, scientific notes, the writing messy and frantic.
"Uh... Electrical discharge of the idiot..." Kyoka muttered.
"Blame Brainstorm," Izuku replied quickly, clearly trying to downplay his role.
Izuku shifted uncomfortably, tapping his fingers nervously on the edge of his notebook. "I... uh, well, I used Brainstorm to help him out. Brainstorm's ability to process information quickly really helped break down the mechanics of Kaminari's quirk."
He paused, scratching the back of his neck as if recalling the moment. "At first, Kaminari was just using his quirk the way he always had—charging up and letting it all out. But that... wasn't really working. His electrical discharges would go everywhere, and he'd end up short-circuiting his brain, leaving him..."
"A bigger dumbass than he already is," Kyoka finished, her voice dry.
Izuku stifled a chuckle, then gave a small, embarrassed shrug. "So, I helped him understand his quirk's capacity. I explained how his body stores electricity like a battery, and how overcharging it causes a mental short-circuit. The trick was learning how to regulate the flow of electricity, so he could release it in a controlled way."
He glanced at the scribbled notes on the page, where various electrical terms and symbols filled the margins. "It took about a day. Brainstorm was an excellent power source, so we could test out different methods. I showed Kaminari how to direct his electricity with intention, rather than just letting it explode everywhere. It's like... controlling a current instead of letting it burst uncontrollably."
Izuku's expression softened as he continued. "And the electric shield... well, that was the result of him learning to concentrate and focus his electricity."
The class fell into stunned silence as they processed Izuku's explanation. Everyone stared at him, a mix of admiration and awe in their expressions. The weight of their gazes caused Izuku's stomach to churn with nervousness. His cheeks flushed slightly, and he shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
Momo blinked, breaking the silence. "That's... actually really impressive, Midoriya."
Izuku turned away."I-It's not that impressive..." Izuku said.
...
Iida, observing closely, noticed the brief stutter in the electrical force field. His eyes darted to the edge of the platform, the white line marking the boundary. He adjusted his stance, his mind racing. 'I need to be more careful. One misstep, and I'll ring out. This speed is a blessing, but it's hard to adjust to. Still, if that shield goes down... that's my moment.'
Kaminari's face began to slacken, his exhaustion evident as he strained to keep the shield active. His thoughts spiraled in frustration.
'Damn it... I may have better control now, but if I overdo it, I'll fry my brain! I can't hold this much longer!' The electrical field around him sputtered, flickering erratically.
Iida crouched low, his engines roaring to life as he calculated the timing. "The moment that shield drops..."
The flicker turned into a full collapse, and Iida shot forward in a blur, closing the distance between them in an instant. With precision, he twisted mid-air and delivered a dropkick that slammed into Kaminari's chest.
"Gah!!" Kaminari gasped, the impact rattling him. Stumbling backward, his mind scrambled for a counter. But before he could recover, Iida grabbed his shirt with both hands, his grip firm despite his own fatigue.
He's going to throw me out! Kaminari realized, panic surging through him. Desperately, he unleashed a massive pulse of electricity, sparks flying wildly around them. The attack crackled against Iida's armor, but it wasn't enough.
With one powerful thrust, Iida hurled Kaminari out of bounds. The force sent the electrified student tumbling to the ground outside the arena.
"Denki Kaminari is out of bounds! Tenya Iida wins!" the announcer's voice echoed through the stadium.
Iida, hearing the declaration of his victory, dropped to his knees moments later. His body convulsed slightly, arcs of electricity still dancing across his frame as he panted heavily, the strain evident on his face.
On the sidelines, Kaminari slowly pushed himself up, clutching his ribs with a wince. He staggered for a moment before letting out a defeated sigh, his shoulders slumping. "Man... I thought I had it that time." He began to shuffle toward the exit when a familiar voice cut through the crowd.
"Kaminari!"
He paused, blinking in surprise, and turned toward the sound. Midoriya was standing near the edge of the spectator stands, waving frantically. Kaminari's lips twitched into a small smile. "He probably wants to cheer me up," he thought.
"Don't worry, bro! I'm fine!" Kaminari called back, his voice a little forced as he tried to downplay his disappointment.
But Midoriya didn't respond with words. Instead, he pointed toward the stands behind him, his expression alight with excitement.
Kaminari's brow furrowed in confusion. He turned to follow Midoriya's gesture, his heart skipping when his gaze landed on a familiar figure in the crowd.
"Ester?" he murmured, his voice barely audible.
There she was—a bright, beaming smile on her face, her pink hair catching the sunlight as she waved enthusiastically. Next to her, her father gave a small nod of approval, his expression warm.
"You did great, Kaminari! You and Midoriya have been killing it!" Ester called out, her voice clear and vibrant.
Kaminari froze for a moment, his face heating up as his brain caught up with the scene in front of him. His heart thumped in his chest, louder than any cheers from the crowd.
"H-Hey!" he stammered, awkwardly raising a hand to wave back. His voice cracked slightly, and he coughed to cover his nerves. Straightening his posture, he walked toward the tunnel with his head held high, a determined smile creeping onto his face.
...
Midoriya noticed the goofy smile plastered on his face as he walked back into the hallway, making him chuckle softly. His brief moment of joy, however, was interrupted by an ominous aura radiating from Mineta.
"Oh? So you've gone and gotten Kaminari a girlfriend, huh, Midoriya?" Mineta asked, his voice shaking as blood began to stream from his eyes.
Izuku instinctively took a step back, opting to hide behind Uraraka, whose wide eyes darted between Mineta and Izuku.
"Is… is he crying blood?" Shishida asked, his deep voice tinged with concern.
"How is that even biologically possible?" Tsuburaba wondered aloud, his face a mix of disbelief and unease.
"Should we… take him to Recovery Girl?" Kodai suggested, pointing at the sobbing Mineta, who was now sniffing pitifully.
Taking advantage of the commotion, Kyouka slipped away, her movements subtle but purposeful.
Mineta sniffled loudly, clutching at his chest. "I… I'm just so happy for him…" he muttered, his tone a mix of despair and forced joy.
Izuku noticed Kyouka sneaking off and decided to follow her. "Oh, wow, look at the time! I really, uh, need to use the restroom!" he blurted, hastily backing away before darting down the hall.
As Izuku followed her down the corridor, he noticed Kyoka's tense posture. Her head was low, her steps unsure. It was clear she wasn't just walking away—she was retreating into her thoughts.
"Jirou!" he called, jogging to catch up.
Kyoka turned, a faint light returning to her eyes at his voice. "Green? What's up? Here to give me some advice on how to beat Todoroki?" she asked, her usual teasing tone undercut by a hopeful edge.
Izuku winced. "I-I would, but Todoroki's moves are so fast, and he finishes battles so quickly… I haven't been able to gather much intel," he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck.
Her shoulders sank as her lips twisted into a half-hearted smirk. "So, I'm screwed. Great," she muttered. Throwing up her hands, she turned to leave. "Thanks for the pep talk, Green. Real motivational stuff."
"Wait!" Izuku blurted, stepping forward. "Jirou, that's not what I meant."
She stopped, folding her arms as she glanced back at him. "Then what did you mean?"
Izuku hesitated, his words catching in his throat as her eyes met his. She looked so small in that moment—far from the confident, sharp-tongued Kyoka he knew. Finally, he found his voice.
"I think you're amazing," he said softly. "Win or lose, it doesn't matter. Just… give it everything you've got. That's what really counts."
Kyoka blinked, her breath hitching as her heart thudded in her chest. She looked away, hugging her arms tighter as warmth crept up her neck. "Ugh! You don't have to get all corny with me," she muttered, shifting uncomfortably. "It's just a stupid Sports Festival. It's not like I expected to get all that far anyway."
Her voice softened, almost trembling. "But… thanks," she murmured, her words barely audible.
Izuku tilted his head, his brow furrowing. "Jirou?"
Kyoka's hands fidgeted at her sleeves as she tried to muster the courage to meet his gaze again. Her heart pounded harder with each second of silence. Finally, she took a shaky breath, closing her eyes. But instead of facing him, she stepped back, turning away to hide her face.
"See ya around, Green," she said quietly, her voice thick with emotion. Then, as if trying to mask the vulnerability, she smirked and added, "Unless you're planning on giving me some good luck kiss."
The words hung in the air, playful but with an undeniable weight.
Izuku froze, his face flushing a deep red. "W-What?!"
Kyoka glanced back, smirking a little more genuinely this time. "Relax, it's a joke. No offense, but there's no way you'd ever be that bold," she teased, rolling her eyes and starting to walk away.
...
Kyoka's teasing remark struck a nerve in Izuku, stirring memories of Mina's kiss—the warmth and reassurance she had offered him. But as those thoughts lingered, another realization began to settle in his chest: Kyoka had always been there for him, too.
It wasn't as obvious as Mina's bold gestures, but Kyoka's quiet support meant just as much. She had noticed that Bakugou had probably bullied him, yet she never pried or pushed him to talk about it. She simply let him be, offering comfort in subtle, almost unnoticed ways.
The thought made warmth spread through his chest. He hadn't realized how much her presence had meant to him. He suddenly saw Kyoka in a different light. His face flushed as he thought about the way her earphone jacks twirled nervously when she was anxious. They were so much a part of her, an extension of herself.
A warmth spread through his chest, different from anything he'd ever felt before. His heart started to race, a sensation that confused him. He'd only felt this way around Itsuka, but now, it was happening with Kyoka, too.
He admired how she had always looked out for him, even when others backed away. She hadn't hesitated to join his team during the capture-the-flag match, despite how most of the others had abandoned him. Kyoka had always been there for him in a way he had never fully appreciated until now.
Izuku found himself noticing the way her earphone jacks would twitch and twirl when she was nervous, as if they were extensions of her emotions. There was something comforting about it, something familiar.
His breath caught in his chest, his pulse quickening. His heart pounded in his ears as a new, overwhelming sensation surged through him.
Before he could think better of it, something inside him—a spark of courage—pushed him forward. He reached out, his hand gently grasping Kyoka's wrist, pulling her toward him. For a moment, her surprised expression froze time.
Kyoka blinked, eyes wide as Izuku leaned in. Her breath hitched, and in that instant, he saw the vulnerability in her eyes—a side of her he hadn't noticed before.
Then, before she could react, he pressed a soft, lingering kiss to her cheek.
Time seemed to freeze. Her heart pounded against her chest, the sensation stretching longer than it should have. It lasted only a second, but it felt like an eternity. As he pulled away, Kyoka froze, her body stiffening in shock.
A gasp escaped her lips, and she instinctively raised her hand to touch the spot where his lips had just been. Her face turned a deep crimson, her mind scrambling for a response.
"I-I was joking!" she stammered, her voice shaky, trying to regain some composure. But her flustered expression betrayed her, cheeks burning with embarrassment.
Izuku, equally flustered, pulled back, his face flushed. His heart was still hammering in his chest, his head swirling with emotions he couldn't quite process. The feeling was all too familiar, like when he looked at Itsuka—his heart racing, his hands sweating, the world suddenly feeling more complicated than ever.
Fighting a Nomu seemed easier than this.
...
"S-Sorry! I-I just thought… if it brings you some luck, then… maybe it's not so bad…" Izuku said blushing.
Kyoka turned away, hiding her face in her hands. "R-Right," she mumbled, her voice muffled. She couldn't stop the tiny smile pulling at her lips.
As Izuku walked the other way, he groaned softly, running a hand through his hair. 'I-I can't believe I actually did that! She probably thinks I'm a total idiot now…'
Kyoka leaned against the wall for a moment, her heart pounding as she touched her cheek again.
"I-I didn't think he'd actually do it," she muttered under her breath. A tiny laugh escaped her lips as she straightened up.
Steeling herself, she turned toward the arena. "Okay, Kyoka, focus. Don't think about him. Just go out there and give it your best shot… Like Broccoli Boy said."
As the crowd's cheers washed over her, she couldn't help but glance back briefly, her smile lingering.
...
"AND WE'RE BACK WITH OUR NEXT TWO STUDENTS!! THE GIRL WITH THE UNUSUAL EARLOBES, KYOUKA JIROU, TAKING ON... OH CRAP! HIM!? WHAT'S SHE GONNA DO?... I-I MEAN, SHOTO TODOROKI, BACK FOR HIS SECOND ROUND!!"
Kyouka rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath, "Thanks for the support, Mic." The crowd's energy felt tepid, the nervous tension palpable. They all feared a repeat of the brutal beatings from the previous rounds.
A loud smack echoed from the announcer booth, followed by Present Mic's pained voice, "OW!"
Kyouka chuckled dryly. "Okay, that made me feel a little better."
Midnight raised her megaphone, her voice commanding the attention of the arena, "Fighters! Ready yourselves!"
Kyouka's fingers curled around her earphone jacks, the metallic hum of anticipation thrumming through her. Her heart pounded so loudly she almost couldn't hear the world around her. Todoroki, on the other hand, remained stoic, his icy gaze fixed on her with an almost unsettling calm.
The arena fell into tense silence.
The battle began with a sudden crack of the whip from Midnight's hand, and before Kyouka could react, Todoroki launched a barrage of ice straight at her. She bolted to the left, narrowly avoiding the freezing storm that cut through the air. It seemed Todoroki had tempered his usual intensity, a far cry from his earlier battles, choosing not to overdo it.
As she took a breath, Todoroki widened his range, unleashing an unrelenting wave of ice across the battlefield. Kyouka barely had time to react, her body frozen in a pillar of solid ice before she could escape.
A collective sigh swept through the crowd.
"She tried… at least," a pro hero remarked, his tone sympathetic.
"That Todoroki… he's a monster. He's been toying with his opponents," another hero muttered, shaking their head in disbelief.
Meanwhile, Kyouka could barely make sense of the cold shock coursing through her limbs. Her breath came in sharp, shallow gasps. Her body was frozen, her muscles locked in place. A wave of numbness crept over her.
...
"Geez, Todoroki is a monster," Sero said as he entered the waiting room, bandages wrapped around his body, a smile on his face, trying to lift the mood.
Iida, ever the optimist, shook his head in disappointment. "Quite. I almost hope I don't have to face him. Guess it all depends on whether I can make it to the finals."
Izuku, still focused on the match unfolding, gave a small, encouraging nod. "It's not over yet."
Momo clenched her fist, visibly worried, but determined. "She's not out of this yet!"
"IT LOOKS LIKE TODOROKI IS MOVING ON ONCE AGAIN AFTER A SWIFT VICTO—WAIT! WHAT'S THIS?!"
From the ice, Kyouka's earphone jacks suddenly vibrated with a surge of energy. A deafening crack rang through the stadium as her frozen prison shattered, sending ice shards flying. With newfound determination, Kyouka charged toward Todoroki, her jacks outstretched.
The crowd gasped in disbelief.
"WOAH!? JIROU BROKE THROUGH THE ICE!! THE FIGHT IS STILL ON!!"
Todoroki, clearly taken aback, quickly responded, shooting another wide trail of ice toward her. But Kyouka, relentless and focused, jammed her jacks into the ground and released a pulse from deep within, shattering the icy attack with ease. Cold mist billowed around her, obscuring the battlefield in a chilling fog.
Todoroki, his brow furrowing with frustration, gritted his teeth. "This is pointless." He wanted to end the fight quickly, but her persistence was grating on him. He had no intention of causing unnecessary harm, but she was relentless. She was closing the gap too quickly, forcing him to act.
"You can't beat me," he called out coldly, his voice barely a whisper over the biting wind. He didn't want to prolong it further, but as Kyouka charged forward, he released another glacier of ice, a desperate attempt to stop her in her tracks.
Kyouka's eyes widened in panic as she was completely encased in ice once more, the freezing wall sealing her within its prison. Her head and chest were the only parts left free, her body frozen solid and numb from the assault.
"No…" Kyouka whispered weakly as the ice began crawling upward, encasing her entirely. Her thoughts were muddled, but in the back of her mind, a memory surfaced. Izuku—how he never gave up, no matter the odds stacked against him.
"Midnight, call the match," Todoroki said flatly, his voice betraying no emotion. But just as he spoke, Kyouka gritted her teeth, fighting to stay conscious.
"I… I refuse… TO GIVE UP!!"
Kyouka screamed with every ounce of her remaining strength. A powerful sonic blast erupted from her throat, shattering the ice around her and sending shockwaves through the arena. The audience recoiled, instinctively covering their ears as the sound echoed like thunder. Todoroki, caught off guard, was sent stumbling backward, a protective ice shield hastily erected behind him to shield himself from the attack.
The mist cleared, revealing Kyouka's shivering form, her breath visible in the cold air. She touched her throat in shock, surprised by the power she had just unleashed.
"WHOA!?" Present Mic shouted, his voice thick with amazement. The crowd, initially confused, now understood that Kyouka had hidden a power they hadn't expected.
"D-Did I just do that? H-How?" Kyouka muttered to herself, blinking in disbelief. But she quickly remembered where she was—she was still in a fight.
"No time for that!" she yelled, her focus snapping back to Todoroki as he unleashed another icy barrage. Kyouka tried to scream again, but nothing came out. She rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack, her body shaking uncontrollably from the cold.
Todoroki narrowed his eyes, realizing that she had no control over her power. He knew he needed to end it quickly before she gained more ground. His next move was even more decisive—another massive glacier of ice.
"Dammit!" Kyouka hissed, the cold creeping into her bones. She focused all her energy into her throat, trying to force out another sonic wave. The ice loomed closer, the freezing storm nearly suffocating her.
"C'mon! C'mon!" she screamed inside her head, trying to push her body past its limits. But as the ice inched closer, her jacks pressed into the frozen surface, her breath coming in short gasps.
The moment the ice closed in, Todoroki felt something unusual—a drop of blood trickling from his ear. He touched it in surprise and quickly realized what had happened: the blast had caused damage.
Midnight's voice rang out, breaking through the tension. "Jirou, are you able to move?" Kyouka struggled, barely able to move her limbs. Her body was frozen, her strength fading.
"I'm sorry, Jirou," Midnight's voice softened. "But I'm calling the match. Jirou is unable to move. Todoroki advances to the next round!"
Todoroki approached Kyouka's frozen form, his expression softer than before. He gently touched her midsection, his hand lingering for a moment before awkwardly scratching the back of his head.
"...That was a good fight. Even without your new power, you caught me off guard."
Kyouka, still shivering as the ice melted around her, steamed with the heat of her body, her clothes soaking wet. "J-J-Just wait until Greenie fights you. F-f-fuck! I'm freezing!" Her voice was barely audible as the med team moved in to retrieve her, the cold still clinging to her bones.
...
"Still cold?"
Kyouka let out a strained chuckle, her teeth chattering, "What do you think?"
"I'll take that as yes," Izuku said softly, his eyes lingering on her as he tucked a blanket around her shoulders.
"You did splendid, though," Momo chimed in, her smile warm and reassuring.
"T-Thanks... but I'm not sure the frostbite was worth it," Kyouka replied, her voice trembling slightly as she tried to shake off the cold that still clung to her body.
After a pause, a thought seemed to strike her. "Uh, Uraraka, Momo... would you mind heading back to your seats? I think I need to stay here for a little while."
"O-Okay? But what about Midoriya?" Momo asked, looking to Izuku for clarification.
"Actually," Kyouka cut in, her voice a little quieter than before, "I was hoping he could grab me a few more blankets."
Momo and Uraraka exchanged glances but didn't press the matter further. "Sure," they said in unison, heading back to their seats as Izuku headed to the nearby carbine to fetch the blankets.
Once Izuku returned, he carefully draped them over Kyouka's shivering form. She sighed in relief, the warmth starting to seep back into her body.
"Uh... Greenie?" Kyouka's voice was barely above a whisper as she spoke, her face flushed a light shade of pink. She caught Izuku's attention, and he paused, looking at her curiously.
"I... I'm kinda cold," she began, her voice faltering a little as she struggled to find the words. "And your matches aren't for a while, so... I-I was wondering if... you wouldn't mind..." She hesitated, her cheeks turning an even deeper shade of red, the heat from her embarrassment only intensifying the coolness still lingering in her body.
Izuku blinked in surprise, confused by what she was asking. "Huh? Oh, I guess Heatblast could—"
Kyouka quickly interrupted, her embarrassment making her voice a little sharper than she intended. She opened up the blanket slightly, motioning for him to join her. "No, I mean... I-I was wondering if... you could keep me warm," she finished, her face completely crimson now.
Izuku's eyes widened, realizing exactly what she was suggesting. His face turned bright red as his brain tried to process the situation. Kyouka, sensing his hesitation, quickly looked away, her heart pounding in her chest. "I-I can't believe I just asked that," she muttered to herself, horrified. "I'm probably coming on too strong!"
Before she could say anything else, the bed shifted, and a warm presence settled beside her. Izuku had hesitated for a moment, but then decided to climb in next to her, gently wrapping his arms around her. His voice was low, a little shaky as he spoke. "I-I guess I can... watch the matches from here, too..." He kept his back to her, his blush spreading down to his neck.
Kyouka smiled, a soft sigh escaping her lips as she turned around to face him. She wrapped her arms around him, her body pressing into his as she nestled herself into his warmth. "Thanks, Green. I really needed this," she whispered, letting herself relax for the first time in a long while.
Izuku's heart was racing, his face now as red as a tomato. He tried not to focus on the closeness, but it was hard not to. "I'm in bed with a girl... Wait, no, another girl... this is happening. Oh, something's definitely going to go wrong now, isn't it?" Izuku thought, his mind a flurry of conflicting emotions. But despite the chaos in his head, there was a sense of comfort in Kyouka's warmth, and, for the first time in a long while, he allowed himself to relax.
Kyouka let out a contented sigh, her voice soft against his ear. "But this... this is nice, though," she murmured, her words making Izuku's heart skip a beat.
...
"NEXT UP WE HAVE THE COMPLETELY AVERAGE AND PAINFULLY BORING MASHIRO OJIRO FROM CLASS 1-A!!"
The crowd offered a sympathetic round of applause, a few of them even giving polite cheers. Ojiro scratched his cheek with a strained smile, taking in the attention as he walked toward the arena.
"Yeah, that sounds about right," Ojiro muttered with a sigh, his ears drooping a little.
...
Yaoyorozu and Uraraka returned to their seats, but Midoriya was nowhere in sight.
"How's Jirou doing?" Hagakure asked, her voice laced with concern.
"She's fine. Cold, but she'll recover," Momo reassured the invisible girl, giving her a small smile.
"And Midoriya?" Iida asked, glancing around.
"Oh, he went to grab Jirou some blankets. She's really cold," Uraraka explained. The others nodded, accepting the answer as they turned their attention back to the match. None of them were aware that Izuku was currently sharing a blanket with Kyouka, the two of them in a rather intimate position.
...
"VERSUS! THE PINK-SKINNED SHE CATCHES EVERYONE'S ATTENTION BY ENTERING THE ROOM!! MINA ASHIDO!!!"
The crowd erupted in cheers as Mina confidently strutted into the arena, flashing a playful grin.
"Tehehehe," Mina giggled to herself, excited for the match ahead.
"BEGIN!"
As soon as the signal was given, Mina dashed toward Ojiro, her movements swift and fluid. Ojiro, however, was quick to react, slipping into a defensive stance, his tail swishing behind him. As she closed the distance, he used his tail to expertly perform a spinning attack, landing a solid blow to her face. Mina staggered back, momentarily stunned, but quickly regained her balance.
Ojiro didn't waste a moment. He charged, launching a series of rapid punches and kicks. His martial arts skills were evident, his tail snapping through the air with precision as he aimed at her midsection. Mina dodged some of the blows, but others landed with a painful thud, making her wince.
"Not bad," she muttered, narrowly avoiding a spinning tail strike. She quickly ducked and rolled, putting herself behind Ojiro. Without hesitation, she unleashed a stream of acid at his back. The sizzling sound of acid hitting his skin made Ojiro wince in pain.
"Damn it, my back burns!" Ojiro growled, flipping backward to put some distance between them. As he landed, he noticed the acid was still sizzling on his uniform, eating away at the fabric. His tail flicked nervously, but he wasn't about to back down now.
Mina lunged forward again, her attacks becoming faster and more precise. A barrage of kicks came at Ojiro, each one faster than the last.
Ojiro blocked and dodged with skill, but when the acid was added to Mina's attacks, he found himself forced to constantly move.
A spray of acid came at him, and he ducked just in time, narrowly avoiding the deadly stream. However, he couldn't dodge the following kick to his stomach, and he was sent stumbling backward.
Before he could recover, Mina grabbed his arm, pulling him forward. She landed a fierce kick to his stomach, and Ojiro fell to the ground.
He didn't have time to brace himself as she launched a spinning tail strike directly at him. The force of the blow sent Ojiro crashing to the ground with a loud thud, the impact making the crowd wince.
The audience roared in excitement as the match escalated. Though it wasn't the most dramatic or earth-shattering battle, it was clear that Mina was on the offensive, her quirk allowing her to overwhelm Ojiro with her agility and acid attacks.
But Ojiro wasn't done yet. He was a martial artist through and through. He had no intention of giving up easily.
Mina came at him again, her movements lightning-fast as she spun and released a flurry of acid-laced kicks. Ojiro gritted his teeth, using his tail to block and redirect some of her strikes, but the acid stung and burned through his uniform. He could feel the heat on his skin, but he kept his focus, slipping into a more fluid stance, ready to defend.
In a split second, Mina's acid shot toward him once again, and he was forced to duck, narrowly avoiding the spray.
Seizing the moment, he launched an uppercut, his tail sweeping behind him to add extra force. The blow connected with Mina's chin, and she stumbled back, dazed.
Before she could recover, Ojiro charged, using his tail to sweep her legs out from under her. She hit the ground hard, but with a quick roll, she was back on her feet, ready for round two.
Mina didn't let up. She backflipped, launching another stream of acid at his chest. Ojiro barely managed to dodge, but not without taking some of the acid on his arms.
His uniform burned in places, and the pain was starting to get to him. Mina closed the gap, launching a powerful spinning kick to his chest. Ojiro was sent flying back, crashing into the boundary line.
"MAKIRO OJIRO IS OUT OF BOUNDS!! MINA ASHIDO WINS!!" Midnight announced, her voice echoing through the arena.
Ojiro blinked in disbelief, looking down at the line he had crossed. A frustrated snort escaped him as he pushed himself to his feet. He turned toward Mina and gave a respectful bow. "You're fast, Ashido. I didn't expect that."
Mina smiled sheepishly, waving him off. "Don't worry about it, dude! You did great! You almost had me there!"
Ojiro gave a small grin, his usual calm demeanor returning as he gave a thumbs up. "Next time, right?"
"Yeah!" Mina grinned back, feeling the rush of victory as she prepared for her next match.
...
When Ojiro made his way to the infirmary, he was eager to get patched up, and Recovery Girl, as usual, was more than happy to help. After healing him up, she handed him a gummy bear with a warm smile. He took it gratefully, thanked her, and made his way back to his seat. However, what he saw upon returning was far from what he had expected.
Izuku Midoriya—his badass classmate and one of the most formidable fighters—and one of the most terrifying girls in class, Kyouka Jirou, were sitting close together on the same bed. Ojiro's eyes widened, and he quickly averted his gaze.
"Uh... I hope I'm not interrupting anything," Ojiro mumbled, his face flushing slightly.
Izuku and Kyouka both blushed, quickly sitting up in the bed, clearly flustered. Kyouka kept silent, her face still as red as a tomato.
"It's not what it looks like," Izuku stammered, trying to explain, though the situation clearly wasn't helping.
Recovery Girl just smiled knowingly, her eyes twinkling. "I've always been rooting for you two."
The teenagers' faces turned even redder at the comment.
Ojiro chuckled softly as he popped the gummy bear into his mouth. "Don't worry, I won't—"
Just then, the door swung open, and Ashido, Hagakure, Momo, Tsuyu, and Uraraka filed into the room, only to freeze when they saw Izuku and Kyouka still sitting on the bed. Both were missing their shoes—an obvious sign that they had been lounging there for some time.
Their jaws dropped in unison, eyes wide with shock and horror.
Kyouka, sensing the awkwardness, quickly slid on her shoes and, without warning, leaned over to plant a quick kiss on Izuku's cheek before bolting out of the room like a criminal fleeing the scene.
The room was quiet for a long moment, filled only with the awkward sounds of shifting feet and nervous glances. Izuku, still processing what had just happened, decided to follow Kyouka's lead. He quickly put on his shoes and stood up, ready to leave. Ojiro gave him a sympathetic pat on the back, clearly understanding his discomfort.
"Yeah, you definitely screwed up somehow," Ojiro said, his tone light but understanding.
Izuku sighed heavily. "I have the sinking feeling you're right."
The nurses, who had been quietly observing the whole situation, shared a knowing smile.
"Remember when we were so young?" Nurse White mused with a chuckle.
"Maybe when you were young," Recovery Girl responded with a wink. "I'm still in my prime!" She gave a hearty laugh, and Nurse White just shook her head, amused.
...
Meanwhile, Kyouka was sitting alone, shaking with embarrassment and fear. Her hands instinctively covered her blushing face as the other girls gathered around her, looking at her with a mixture of concern and curiosity.
"Jirou... you didn't do anything to Midoriya, did you?" Hagakure asked hesitantly, her voice dripping with surpressed jealousy.
Kyouka, flustered, quickly shook her head. "Nothing like what you're thinking."
Momo crossed her arms, her lips pressed in a thin line, but her tone was still gentle, albeit strained.
"I hope you didn't do something unprofessional," she said, her words laced with an undercurrent of possessiveness that even she couldn't hide.
Kyouka groaned, her embarrassment making it hard to focus on anything.
"So, you cuddled with Jirou, huh?" Uraraka asked, her smile tight, almost strained. It was clear she wasn't as carefree as usual.
"Well, yeah, but she was cold," Izuku explained, her voice quiet and defensive. "I didn't know what else to do."
"Don't you have literal fire form?!" Mina said her tone indicated possesvines He blushed shrinking in his seat.
Her smile that held a dark sense of entitlement, like someone who had just touched their favorite toy without permission.
"So, you cuddled with Jirou, huh?" she repeated, her voice laced with a quiet, barely-contained irritation.
Izuku, feeling the heat of the situation, blinked at her in confusion. "You said that already… Are you okay?"
'No, I'm not okay!' Uraraka screamed in her mind, her smile tightening. 'The guy I really like was all warm and cozy with another girl!!'
The smile remained on her face, but it wasn't nearly as friendly as it had been moments ago.
Izuku's attention was pulled away from the increasingly awkward situation when the next match was announced.
...
"THE MIND-CONTROLLING GEN ED WHO WON HIS LAST MATCH WITH EASE!! HITOSHI SHINSO VERSUS THE FRENCH BOY HIMSELF YUGA AOYAMA!!"
"Ah, mon ami, your winning streak ends here. My navel laser is flashy and sparkly. I won't even have to touch you to defeat you," Aoyama said with a confident smile.
Shinso grinned in return.
Izuku, watching from the stands, couldn't help but wonder. "Monoma only used two quirks in our battle, and I'm sure he would've copied Shinso's quirk... yet he didn't even attempt to control me."
"Your quirk is super flashy. Please, can you tell me all about it?" Shinso asked with an amused grin.
"Begin!"
"Ah, so you want to witness-" Aoyama started, but then his expression suddenly blanked.
"Okay, I still have a few matches left. Maybe I can still fool them. They can't know that they need to respond..." Shinso thought, his voice lowering to a whisper.
"Attack me, but miss." He said aloud as Aoyama fired a beam of light, narrowly missing Shinso. Shinso shifted his position, making it look like he had dodged the attack.
In the stands, Bakugou, Momo, Izuku, and Todoroki all noticed something odd.
"WHOA! SHINSO ACTUALLY MANAGED TO DODGE HIS ATTACK!?"
Shinso ran forward toward Aoyama, who continued to fire his beams, only for Shinso to dodge them effortlessly. Closing the distance, Shinso struck Aoyama in the stomach, knocking the wind out of him. Aoyama's pupils returned to normal as he collapsed to the floor.
"Wh-What happened?" Aoyama mumbled in confusion.
Suddenly, Shinso smacked the back of Aoyama's head, sending him stumbling back.
"I will not fall under your control again!" Aoyama protested, his voice shaky.
"Oh really? But you make such a good puppet," Shinso teased with a grin.
Aoyama's eyes glazed over as Shinso took control, forcing him to stand up and turn toward the edge of the arena. Aoyama began to walk off the field as if in a trance.
"Yuga Aoyama walks out of bounds!! Hitoshi Shinso wins!!"
"ANOTHER WIN FOR SHINSO!! THE BOY CAN'T BELIEVE HE'S IN THE GENERAL COURSE!" Present Mic exclaimed, his voice full of excitement. Aizawa simply cupped his chin, watching intently.
"Interesting, so he's going to keep the ruse going as long as he can, huh?" Aizawa murmured, sounding impressed.
As Shinso made his way off the field, the pro heroes in the crowd couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration.
"You were awesome out there, Shinso!" One of his classmates from General Studies shouted, waving at him.
"We're proud of you!"
"Didn't know you were that good."
"Yeah, you're the star of our program!"
"Can't believe you made it this far! At this rate, you might win the whole thing!"
"Listen to them!" one of the other students said, pointing to the heroes in the crowd.
"That quirk of yours would be great for dealing with villains. I wish I had it," one of the Pro Heroes remarked.
"UA's not too bright if they have him in the General Studies," another hero said.
"Well, they've got a lot of students applying, so some decisions just can't be helped."
"Even though he doesn't have a fighting style, he's managed to hold his own," a third hero added.
"What a waste," another commented, but their voices were drowned out by the applause.
"You hear that, Shinso? You're amazing!" One of his classmates cheered.
For the first time in his life, Shinso felt a rush of happiness. He could barely believe it—he actually felt proud of himself, of his quirk. It was a feeling he hadn't experienced before. He felt... blessed.
He grinned, unable to suppress his joy. As he walked, his eyes fell on the Class 1-A students, particularly the green-haired one. 'Monoma copied my quirk, but it didn't work on him. If I have to fight him, I'm screwed... Thankfully, we're in different brackets, or he would've wiped the floor with me. At least I can put on a good show.'
Meanwhile, Aoyama walked down a dim hallway, his head lowered. His usual confident smile had completely vanished. The words Shinso had said echoed in his mind.
"... But you make such a good puppet."
He clenched his fist tightly as he walked further into the shadows.
...
Izuku could only gaze down, his face reddening in embarrassment.
"Midoriya, you saw it too?" Momo asked, her voice a mix of confusion and concern.
"Yeah, I saw it. Kirishima, Ojiro... before he took over your minds, did either of you talk to him?" Izuku asked, trying to make sense of what had happened.
Everyone turned to look at him in confusion, except Todoroki, who was starting to piece together Shinso's true quirk.
"Huh? Uh... I-I think so? Why?" Kirishima responded, clearly trying to remember what happened.
"Yes, he said something rude before I shook his hand and everything went blank," Ojiro added, his voice unsure.
"I experienced the same," Ibara said, her voice darkening. "His control over me was almost as invasive as when Midoriya... defiled me."
The room fell silent as the others stared at Ibara in horror, unable to process what she had just said.
"Defiled?" Tetsutetsu echoed in disbelief, still processing what Ibara meant.
"..."
A heavy silence followed, and everyone slowly turned to face Izuku, who looked alarmed.
'Oh, she's talking about when I controlled her vines while I was Swampfire,' Izuku explained awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. 'It probably felt uncomfortable for her, I didn't mean for it to go that far.'
The group looked horrified, unsure of how to react, some of them thinking that Izuku had done something far worse than what he had.
"I'm really sorry, Shiozaki," Izuku said, his voice apologetic. "It just... kinda happened when I was trying something new. I didn't mean to hurt you."
The group exchanged shocked glances, some of them paling as they tried to make sense of the situation.
"Well, when I struggled, yes, but when you overpowered me... it was... something I've never felt before," Ibara admitted, her voice softening a little, but still tinged with discomfort.
The shock in the room deepened, and everyone looked at her in disbelief, unsure how to take her words.
"Oh, I'm so sorry. I hope you can forgive me," Izuku said, his tone filled with sincerity as he looked at Ibara.
"He's asking for forgiveness!? I-I guess that's okay..." They all thought.
"It's all forgiven," Ibara said, her voice softening a bit, though there was still a hint of embarrassment in her tone. "Just... don't do that again. It was quite the... experience. You really don't compare to others."
The others were still processing, exchanging glances. "She forgives him!?" they thought, unable to wrap their heads around it.
"Wait, what did she mean by 'he doesn't compare to others'?" the girls whispered to each other, their faces flushing in confusion.
"I won't do it again," Izuku promised, holding up his hands in apology.
"I guess it could be useful if I face a villain someday," Ibara said, her voice more thoughtful now. "They could try something like that, so more practice in taking back control could be beneficial."
The room went completely pale at the thought, and Kodai flushed a little, her discomfort clear.
"Oh, you did put up a good fight in the beginning," Ibara added, her expression serious again. "Maybe some more training would help, especially since I wouldn't want a villain doing that to you. We could train together when you're free, but I'll have to do it again, to help you learn."
The group's faces turned even more horrified, as they realized she was suggesting it again. "He wants to do it again!?" they thought, their fear palpable.
"Splendid," Ibara said, standing up with a slight smile before walking away, Pony trailing behind her, both of them looking as uneasy as the rest of the group.
"She's okay with it!?" they all thought in unison, still unable to believe what had just happened.
Izuku waved at Ibara and Pony as they left, both girls giving him a wave in return. The rest of the group stared at him in stunned silence, unable to process the situation.
Izuku, completely unaware of how serious the situation was, just smiled and pulled out his notebook, acting as if everything was perfectly normal.
"Midoriya!? You bastard!" came the combined voices of Tsubaraba, Mineta, and Kaminari, all of them looking furious.
"How could you do that to Shiozaki?!" Iida shouted, shaking him in frustration.
"Huh? It was the only way to win," Izuku said, looking confused. "I had to do what I did. Though, I did feel bad about it afterward."
"Midoriya! You should NEVER do that!!" Ashido screamed, her voice filled with disbelief.
"I know it was mean, but I had to control her vines so she'd let me go," Izuku explained, looking genuinely apologetic but also a bit too matter-of-fact about it.
Mina and Hagakure sniffed nervously, their faces turning pink with embarrassment.
"You can't just... control... her vines?" Mina asked shakily, still processing what had happened.
"What?" Izuku asked, genuinely confused, completely unaware of the strange tension in the room.
The group let out a collective sigh of relief. "Thank god," they murmured.
"Huh?" Izuku glanced at him, still not understanding what the fuss was about.
"Don't worry about it, dude," Kaminari said with a wave, trying to downplay the awkwardness. "Just... forget it."
Izuku shrugged and turned his attention back to the fight, completely oblivious to the chaos he had just caused.
...
"OUR NEXT MATCH, BOTH FROM CLASS B!! THE GIRL WITH VINES RETURNS, IBARA SHIOZAKI!!"
The crowd erupted into applause as Ibara stepped confidently into the arena.
"HER OPPONENT, HER CLASSMATE FROM AMERICA—PONY TSUNOTORI!!"
Pony entered the arena, striking a playful pose, her horns pointed forward as she giggled.
"Are you two ready?" Midnight asked, her tone energetic.
Both girls nodded, preparing for the fight.
"Begin!!" Midnight cracked her whip, signaling the start of the match.
Pony wasted no time, launching her horns at high speed toward Ibara, who quickly sent out her vines to intercept. The horns hooked under her armpits, lifting Ibara off the ground as she struggled to maintain control.
Some of Ibara's vines buried themselves into the ground for stability, while others lashed out toward Pony, trying to restrain her. In response, Pony acted swiftly, launching four more pairs of horns. One set latched onto the first, allowing her to propel herself into the air.
"PONY HAS LAUNCHED HERSELF INTO THE AIR!!" The announcer shouted, and the crowd roared.
"...Woah! She can stay in the air as long as she wants! Shiozaki's vines have a limit, but Pony can go as high as she needs!" Midoriya marveled, muttering to himself as he leaned forward. His classmates gave him a knowing look.
"That's Midoriya for you," someone said, shaking their head with a smile.
In the air, Pony's horns spun rapidly, cutting through the vines that had been holding her back. Ibara, now helpless in the air, tried to sink her vines into the ground, but Pony's precision proved too much. Ibara's vines were sliced one by one, and soon she was flying out of bounds.
"Ibara Shiozaki is out of bounds!! Pony Tsunotori is the winner!!" Midnight announced, raising her arm to signal the end.
The crowd cheered as Pony gracefully descended to the ground. She helped Ibara to her feet, offering a kind smile.
"Are you alright?" Pony asked gently, concern in her eyes.
Ibara nodded, offering a small, appreciative smile as they both walked off the arena together. There were no hard feelings between them, just mutual respect.
--
"Pony really showed off her skills!" Setsuna shouted, cheering excitedly for her friend.
"Hey, Ibara was awesome too! She gave it her all!" Momo added, trying to give some credit to Ibara's effort.
Uraraka, however, looked around, noticing something strange. "So... that means the next match will be...?" she began, only to realize that Midoriya and Yaoyorozu were nowhere to be seen.
"They left?" Iida asked, his eyes scanning the area.
"Guess so..." Some students shrugged, not having noticed their departure.
"OUR NEXT MATCH IS KIND OF POETIC IF YOU ASK ME!" the announcer boomed, drawing attention back to the stage. "THE GIRL WHO CAN CREATE ANYTHING, VERSUS THE BOY WHO CAN TRANSFORM INTO ANYTHING!! IZUKU MIDORIYA VERSUS MOMO YAOYOROZU!!!"
...
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