Soon, those two weeks passed right by and it was the day of the Sports Festival. Class 1-A were in a prep room, talking amongst themselves and preparing. "Wish I coulda worn my costume." "They're not allowed, in the interest of fairness." "I wonder what they have in store for us in the first round." "No matter what they've prepared, we must persevere." "Is everyone good and ready?! The event's about to begin!!" Iida voiced to everyone once he came into the room. Kurmara took deep breaths as she tried to calm herself when her excitement turned into anxiety. It's alright.. just remember what Eun said to do in case I ever feel nervous... She thought as she let out a small sigh, holding her hands close to her chest as she closed her eyes. "Hey, what're you doing?" She heard a voice and looked up to see Kirishima. "Ah... I'm just trying to do some breathing exercises." She responded and he sat at the table she was sitting at. "Oh yeah? You a bit nervous?" "I am. I actually was very excited, but I just got nervous because we have to show ourselves off to get noticed by the best heroes out there..."
Kurmara closed her eyes before breathing out. "Don't worry, I'm sure everyone else is as nervous as you are," Kirishima reassured with a warm smile and she giggled. "Oh? Are you saying that you're nervous?" She teased. "Well, it wouldn't be manly of me if I denied that." The two of them laughed a little before Kurmara let out a small sigh. "I just hope I'm not immediately out.." "I don't think you will be. You might last longer than you think," "Thanks. I just can't lose hope, right? I have to show what I'm capable of." "That's the spirit!" Kurmara smiled at him before she pulled her hair back into a high ponytail, hearing a few of her classmates nearby. "-I'm stronger than you. More capable." "Huh?! S..sure..." She turned to see Midoriya and another student, Todoroki, talking to one another. "I will beat you." "Ooh! A declaration of war from the strongest in the class?!" Denki spoke out and Kurmara saw Kirishima walk over to the two boys. "Hey, man, why pick a fight now?! We're about to go on.." "I really don't care. I'm not pretending to be anyone's friend here." Todoroki spoke coldly, shaking Kirishima's hand off him.
"Todoroki. I'm not sure why you felt the need to tell me you'll beat me... You're clearly stronger and I can't measure up to most of the others here in skill... Objectively speaking, even..." Midoriya spoke up. "Don't be so negative, Midoriya. No need-" "But!! Everyone.. even the kids from the other courses are aiming for the top. And I'm.. well, lemme say this; I'm not gonna fall behind." Kurmara stared at the green-haired boy as something coursed through her. "I'm going for it too. With everything I've got!" With everything I've got... Kurmara's anxiety was soon replaced with determination as she held those words. Those were the words she was telling herself ever since she had been preparing for the sports festival. Soon, it was time for Kurmara and her classmates to leave the prep room. "Hey! Make some noise, all you rabid sports fans! Get those cameras prepped, media hordes! This year we're bringing you some of the hottest performances in sports festival history, guaranteed!" Present Mic announced. "I've only got one question before we start this show: Are you ready? Let me hear ya scream as our students make their way to the main stage!"
Kurmara took a deep breath as she followed her classmates. I've got this. I will show what I have to offer and that I will not back down. She thought. "Welcome back to the UA Sports Festival! Where up-and-coming heroes leave everything on the field as they fight for the chance to achieve worldwide fame and celebrity! This first group are no strangers to the spotlight!" "You know them for withstanding a villain attack-- the dazzling students lighting up your TVs with solid gold skills. The hero course students of class 1A!" Present Mic announced the class as they all walked out and the crowd let out a roar once they were within view. "There are so many people..." Kurmara said to herself once she looked around at the stadium filled with people. "I hope we're still able to give our best performances, even though all these eyes are watching us." Iida voiced. "I suppose it's just another aspect of being a hero we all have to learn to get used to." "Present Mic sure did talk us up a lot. Kinda makes me nervous. How are you feeling, man?" Kirishima asked Bakugou.
"I'm not worried. Makes me wanna win this thing even more." The ash-blonde boy responded. Everyone wants to come out on top.. I'll make sure I'm one of those people. Kurmara thought. "They haven't been getting nearly as much screentime, but this next group is still chock full of talent! Welcome hero course 1B!" Present Mic announced the next classes as they walked out. "Next up, General Studies classes C, D, and E! Support classes F, G, and H! And Finally, Business classes I, J and K! Give it up for all of UA's first-year contestants!" All the classes stood together in front of Pro Hero and teacher at UA. "Now, the introductory speech!" She voiced and Kurmara heard everyone talking around her about the teacher. "This year's chief umpire for the first years is the R-Rated Hero, Midnight!" "Uh, someone should talk to Ms. Midnight about what she's wearing." Kirishima voiced. "Yeah. That costume should come with a warning." Denki added. "Is that really appropriate apparel for a high school game?" One of her classmates, Tokoyami, asked aloud.
"Silence, everyone!" Midnight's voice sounded and everyone quieted down. "And for the student pledge, we have Katsuki Bakugou!" All of Class 1A looked at the teen as he walked past them and up to the stage where Midnight stood. "Whaaa? It's Kacchan?!" Midoriya queried. "I guess that hot-head did finish first in the entrance tests," Sero said and Kurmara nodded a little. I guess it makes sense after all... She thought, hearing a few voices from another class. "Only for the hero course exams." A girl said to them. "Oh, right." "That girl obviously hates us." "Yeah, and we've got Bakugou to thank for them not liking our class." The teen was soon in front of the microphone and there was silence for a long while as everyone waited for him to speak. "I just wanna say... I'm gonna win." The mic carried his voice and the entire class spoke together, "I knew he'd say something like that!!" "What did he say?!" "Class 1A is so full of themselves." "Get him off the stage!" The other students all boo'd Bakugou.
"Why would you be so disrespectful? You're representing us!" Iida voiced towards him and the boy turned to walk off the stage. "Not my fault the rest of you are just stepping stones to my victory," Bakugou said and Kurmara sighed. "Without further ado, it's time for us to get started!" Midnight voiced as she got ready to say the first event. "UA really doesn't believe in letting us catch a breath, huh?" Uraraka queried. "This is where you begin feeling the pain! The first game of the festival!" Soon a screen popped up and was spinning with many different events. "What could it be?" The spinning stopped and the first even was on the screen. "Ta-dah!" "So it's gonna be an obstacle course race.." "All eleven classes will participate in this treacherous contest. The track is four kilometers around the outside of the stadium. I don't wanna restrain anyone, at least in this game. As long as you don't leave the course, you're free to do whatever your heart desires." "Now then, take your places, contestants."
All of the students soon lined up near the entrance of the stadium. Kurmara watched the top of the entrance that had three green lights acting as a countdown. I've got this... I have to go beyond. I can do this.. I can do this. The teen thought as the light went down to one. "Begin!" Midnight called out once the light went off, everyone soon running and rushing through the corridor. "And we're off to a racing start! How 'bout some colour commentary, Mummy Man?" Present Mic's voice sounded out. "How did you talk me into this?" Aizawa's tired voice sounded. "What should we be paying attention to in the early stages of the race?" "The doorway." "Hey, hey!" "You're trampling me!" "This is too narrow!" All the students were crowded together trying to get through like back when the press had gotten through. Kurmara was getting pushed around and squished about as she tried to get through. The short teen managed to use her Quirk to get above the crowd, a coldness soon going through which made her shiver.
She looked to see ice everywhere and Todoroki ahead of everyone while they were stuck in place from his Quirk. A few of her classmates managed not to get caught by his ice and passed through just as she had managed. "Seems like most managed to get through as well.." Kurmara voiced and she landed in front of those who got stuck before running to catch up. As she ran, she saw one of her classmates get thrown to the side which made her and everyone else stop to see who caused it. "Multiple targets acquired!" A robotic voice sounded and the teen turned to see familiar-looking robots. "The faux villains from the entrance exam?!" "It's the zero pointers from the exam!" "Seriously? The hero course kids fought those?!" "Too many. There's no way past!" Voices sounded all around with slight defeat. Todoroki used his Quirk again, catching one of the giant zero pointers to get frozen in place so he could run under it to get past. "He stopped 'em! We can get through the gap!"
One of the students exclaimed as they tried to follow the red and white-haired boy. But before they could get closer, the frozen bot began to fall forward and everyone scrambled to get out of the way, Kurmara used her Quirk to quickly push herself away just as it crashed down. "1A's Todoroki!! Busting through and sabotaging the others in one move!! This guy's cold!! Amazing!! He's way ahead of the pack! Almost feels... unfair!!" "H.. hey, there're kids pinned under there!" Someone called out. "They've gotta be dead! I didn't know we could be killed during this thing!!" There was sudden banging and Kirishima burst through the metal with his Quirk activated. "Dead? As if!" He shouted. "1A's Kirishima was crushed!!" Present Mic announced. Thank gods he's alright... Kurmara thought as she let out a sigh until she heard banging and looked to see another student burst through the metal next to Kirishima. "Class B's Tetsutetsu was also flattened! Ouch!!" "Lucky... they can just smash through without worrying about being crushed." Kaminari voiced.
"Let's team up for now so we can carve a path through!" A student called out. Bakugou passed her and used his Quirk to get up high above and over the faux villains. "Down low didn't work for 1A's Bakugou, so he took the high road! Clever!" Present Mic announced the explosive boy's move and Kurmara saw two of her classmates, Sero and Tokoyami, follow him. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before opening her eyes again. Kurmara ran ahead and jumped up, using her wind Quirk to get above the faux villains, deciding to add a little flair to it. She did a spin and used her water on one of the faux villains before using her wind to boost away, passing a few of her classmates. "1A's Hayashi decided to follow those to the high road all while adding her own zing to it! Crafty!" Present Mic broadcasted and the teen felt a smile form on her face as she continued ahead. All around, everyone managed to knock down the faux villains so they could get through and to the next part of the obstacle course. "So the first barrier was a piece of cake?! How about the second?"
"Fall and you're out! You gotta crawl across if you wanna make it! This is The Fall!!" It was a giant chasm with rock pillars that had ropes attached to every one of them. Tsuyu was soon on one of the ropes as she crept her way across. She has that down.. Kurmara thought as she watched the girl whole she figured out how she would get across. She might've lost some weight all while training with her brother, but she still had some to her name which caused embarrassment to flush through her. She then heard giggling near her and turned to see a girl with pink hair wearing what looked to be metal items. "Time for my support items to get the spotlight! Take a look, all you national support companies! At the wire arrow and hover soles!!" She voiced. "She's in the support course!" Uraraka voiced. "Support course.." "Wait. She's allowed to have those things?!" Mina queried as they all looked at the girl. "You guys in the hero course also have practical battle training, don't you? In the interest of fairness, as long as they're items and costumes we developed ourselves.. using equipment's just fine!"
"You might even say... For the support course students, this is the greatest opportunity to show off our inventiveness and craftsmanship to the industry, heeheehee!" She voiced as something shot out and connected with one of the pillars and she was launched across, making Kurmara give out a little gasp. "So eyes on me, all you corporations out there!! Check out my adorable.. babies!!" She shouted out as she landed on the pillar. "So annoying! How's that fair?" "Wow! Let's chase her down!" Mina and Uraraka ran forward to the ropes. "The truth is, we've got all types trying to make it big here today, Eraserhead." Present Mic's voice sounded out. "Why'd those idiots stop moving..." Aizawa voiced. "Meanwhile, the leaders of the pack move on undaunted!!" Kurmara went towards the ropes and grabbed ahold, swinging under it as she moved along it as quickly yet as carefully as she could, not loosening her grip. She remembered the training Eun had her do and she was thankful that he had her doing the weights and carrying his heavy ass otherwise she wouldn't have been able to keep herself in the position she was in.
She was soon with others on the other side and ran to get to the final barrier. "And our leader has reached the final barrier! That is to say... This minefield!! It's a deadly Afghan carpet!" "A quick glance is enough to reveal the mines' locations!! So keep both eyes open and watch your step!" Kurmara heard Present Mic's voice as she continued ahead to get to the minefield. "I should mention.. our mines don't pack a deadly punch, but they're loud and flashy enough that you might need a change of underwear when it's all over!" The teen finally made it to the final barrier and stopped to catch her breath, not paying any attention to those who went ahead. She looked up, noticing little areas in the dirt and she could only assume that's where the mines were all located. Just as Kurmara was about to take a step, there was a boom and she looked to see Bakugou ahead, shouting as he passed Todoroki. "We have a new leader!! Get excited, mass media! You guys love this sort of turnaround!! But the rest are catching up!!"
"But with these two grappling for first... Can they hold on to their lead?!" Kurmara stepped onto the minefield, watching her step as to not accidentally activate one of the mines but also moving quickly. She was halfway through when there was a giant explosion behind her and she looked to see someone flying through the air towards the end of the barrier. It was Midoriya on a piece from one of the faux villains. "And class A's Midoriya rides the wave in hot pursuit.. or something!!" She watched as he was in the air, passing Todoroki and Bakugou. "He's passed them!" He always never ceases to amaze me with what he can pull off.. Kurmara thought as she continued ahead, trying to catch up. There was another explosion and she looked again to see the green-haired boy launch ahead, leaving Todoroki and Bakugou getting tossed to the side. "And Midoriya blows off the competition with no time to lose!! Your class is something else, Eraserhead!! What're you teaching those kids?" "This isn't my doing. They've been spurring each other on all their own."
Kurmara ran towards the stadium, still listening to Present Mic's commentary as he announced who made it first. "The one who made it back to the stadium first is... none other than Izuku Midoriya!!" Everyone soon made it back to the stadium, Kurmara included. She stopped running and caught her breath, trying to keep herself from collapsing as her legs shook a little. I wasn't first.. but I wasn't last either... She thought as she stood up. Eun and auntie definitely saw that... I wonder what they think. "Racers cross the finish line one after the other! We'll go over the standings later, so catch your breath for now!!" Kurmara saw Iida and Uraraka head over towards Midoriya so she went over to them. "-man, I'm jealous!" She heard the short-haired girl say once she was within earshot. "Amazing job, Midoriya," Kurmara voiced with a tired smile and he returned it. The four of them were together as the rest of the students entered the stadium. "So it's finally over. Let's check the results!"
Kurmara had managed to make it in the top twenty which made her give a small, relieved sigh. "The top forty-two from this qualifying round will move on!! But for those who placed lower, don't worry!! We've got another way for you to show your stuff!!" Midnight announced. "And now the main selection really begins!! The press corp's going to be jumping out of their seats, so give it all you've got!" The screen from the beginning spun again to decide the next event. "Now, onto the second event!! I already know what it is, of course.. dying in suspense?! Next up is... This!" The spinning stopped and the second event was on the screen. "Cavalry battle...!" "So we're teaming up, but how exactly?" Tsuyu asked. "Participants will, on their own, form teams of two to four members each and get into a horse-and-rider formation!" Midnight said. "The rules are fundamentally the same as those of an ordinary cavalry battle - snag your opponents' headbands while guarding your own - but with one exception..." "Each of you has been assigned a point value based on your ranking in the last event!"
"We'll earn points like in the entrance exam? Sounds simple." One of Kurmara's classmates voiced. "So the point value of each team depends on its members!" "I'm about to explain it, so shut up already!!" Midnight shouted and everyone quieted down. "Anyway, yes!! And your individual point values start at five, at the bottom! So the student who took forty-second place is worth five points, forty-first is worth ten.. get it?" "But... Our first-place participant is worth ten million points!!" Did she just say... Kurmara looked to her right at Midoriya, everyone doing the same but in a different way. "The higher ranked students are the ones to aim for... The survival game is a chance for a comeback. It's anyone's game!!" Midnight announced. "Oh dear..."