The next day, there was an odd sensation that dispersed throughout the day, and no one could distinguish the actual source; the behavior of the abroad students yesterday was not directly addressed, but the change, from their perspective, felt drastic.
For the first time in weeks, they were not the first to arrive at Homeroom; when they were requested to do a task by other students, there were no remarks made; the only thing that hadn't changed, however, was their inability to interact with their classmates- but, rather than blatant ignorance, their responses were more somber, almost as if they were too nervous to say anything. Although, before the day began, Aizawa was exhaustively preparing himself to make an announcement, he was so cozy in his sleeping bag that he dozed off at his podium just as he was about to speak.
"Mr. Aizawa! Today's announcement?!" Projected Iida loudly, shooting his hand high in the air; the burst of energy caused him to nearly jump out of his yellow bedroll.
"Huh-? Right, uh, hang on." He stepped out of his sleeping bag and attentively laid it on the ground, using his hands to smooth out any wrinkles. Aizawa stood back up and cleared his throat, "Sorry about that- anyways, as you know, with spring approaching, the sports festival is just around the corner; however, because this is the first year with our abroad students, we'll be changing how things are normally done to accommodate all students better."
The curious student's interest had been piqued, causing them to sit up in their seats to listen intently for whatever information their teacher was about to provide them. "This year's sports festival has been officially named U.A. Battle Royale!" He presented in his typical apathetic tone of voice, using his hands to indifferently emphasize the title on the board behind him.
"The biggest difference between this year's sports festival and the previous ones is how the winners will be determined; instead of a singular collective among all classes, each hero class will have one of two groups of winners: Japan or International. Let me further explain that rather than three main events, we'll be having four: two regular events- which have yet to be decided, a gauntlet run, and a final battle. For the first two events, you'll either be going up against the abroad students from 1-B or 3-A-"
"Wait, you mean all of us will be going up against the four of them?" Asked Uraraka as she raised her hand.
"That's right, I believe it'll be randomly decided which class you'll be up against for each event, and that goes the same for you four back there."
"And the gauntlet run? What's that about?" Followed up Shoji.
"As individual participates, you'll be working your way through various obstacles until you give up or reach the finish line; this particular challenge will be class-exclusive, meaning your only opponents are each other. Also, there's one more thing- in order to qualify for the final event, you'll have to finish in the top four, and those who place will be going up against the abroad students of our class."
A sense of dread had fallen over the students as they were suddenly reminded of the first time they had gone up against the four of them together, how difficult it was fighting them, and how awful it felt to lose as badly as they had. Would evening the numbers make a difference? At all? Despite fighting alongside them recently, it only proved that they were capable of far more than they were initially led to perceive, and with such immaculate quirk use, leaving no room for error, what potential strategies could they allocate combined? There was a reason they ended up here in the first place, but who could've predicted that four strangers would master synchronized teamwork in a short amount of time?
"Heh, it's about damn time." Sneered Bakugo as he pounded his fist into the palm of his hand.
"Other than that, that's all I have for you today, and you'll have to wait until the sports festival for more details. Now, for today's lesson-..."
Later, in the cafeteria, "Man, I am not looking forward to this year's sports festival; if it's anything like last year, we'll end up in the wringer yet." Kaminari groaned before stuffing his mouth full of food.
"Nonsense! Compared to last year, we're much more equipped to handle ourselves!" Interjected Iida with confidence.
"Weren't you and Ojiro the ones who almost became snake food the other day?" Commented Sero.
"Erm- well, yes, but-! Now I'm more capable of forming a solid plan that will ensure none of our classmates end up in a similar predicament!"
"Speaking of classmates," Midoriya spoke up softly, "Has anyone else noticed that the foreign students in our class are acting...weird?"
"No, not really." Said Kaminari.
"They seem the same to me." Shrugged Sero.
Mineta, in a state of utter trepidation, sitting at the end of the lunch table, was murmuring preachments, "Those who supplicate them at their pedestals will not be spared a merciless death; we will soak in the blood of our brothers and sisters in false victory, and too, will suffer the same fate at the hands—" But no one was listening.
"They're already quite strange," Began Todoroki, "But you might be right about one thing, Midoriya- they're not as bad as we think they are."
"Todoroki, you too?" Iida inquired, surprised.
"Don't you guys think you might be giving them too much benefit of the doubt?" Sero questioned.
Midoriya, looking over at the lunch table a few tables over where the all-abroad students sat, watching as they mingled amongst their peers in their usual manner,
"I think there's something they don't want us to know- and whatever it is, they're doing everything they can to keep it a secret."
"You think so, Midoriya?" Asked Yaoyoruza with her hands folded behind her back; after lunch and just before English, Midoriya and Todoroki caught up with Yaoyoruza and Hagakure for their input on the subject.
"I don't know," she continued, "What could be so important that a group of people would have to act like that, and wouldn't that mean the others are in on it as well?"
"I was hoping you two would have some kind of idea," Midoriya said.
"It's hard to say- after yesterday's joint training, I started thinking, but with everything they've done and how they treat us-"
"I feel the same way." Chimed in Hagakure.
"Do you consider them bad?" Todoroki asked.
"O-Of course not! I mean- why would anyone go to a hero school if not to become heroes?!" Hagakure blurted.
"She's right, and besides, with everything we've been told about The International Rising Heroes Championship, if they're hiding something, it's completely redundant and time-wasting," Yaoyoruza explained conscientiously.
"You have a point, Yaoyoruza. Thanks, you two." Midoriya disclosed with a grin.
"Maybe things will get better after the sports festival." Finalized Todoroki.