A/N: Short chapters so you get double
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As the starting signal blared, Mineta gleefully dashed toward a group of female students, his sticky balls already at the ready. The girls shrieked and darted away, using their quirks to escape.
Meanwhile, Aiden surveyed the field with his usual calm demeanor, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
Standing beside him was Toru, fully visible in her school uniform.
"Well, this is a twist," Aiden said, glancing at her. "You ready to have some fun?"
Toru tilted her head, confused. "What do you mean?"
Before she could say anything more, Aiden took her hand and pulled her close. "Dance with me," he said, a playful grin spreading across his face.
Toru blinked, her cheeks turning faintly pink. "W-What?! Aiden, this is dodgeball!"
"Exactly," Aiden replied, spinning her around. "Let's give them a show."
As if on cue, the background music shifted to an elegant tango. The sudden change drew murmurs of confusion and intrigue from the spectators, but Aiden didn't give anyone time to question it.
He and Toru began to glide across the field with the grace of professional dancers.
"Is he… dancing?" Kaminari asked, squinting at the spectacle.
"Of course he is," Bakugo growled, folding his arms. "That idiot never takes anything seriously."
On the field, Aiden and Toru moved in perfect harmony, their steps precise and fluid. Aiden led with confidence, twirling Toru under his arm before dipping her dramatically. The crowd gasped and cheered, thoroughly entertained by the unexpected performance.
From the VIP booth, Eleanor leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Who's that girl he's dancing with?"
Seraphina smirked. "I think her name's Toru. She's in his class."
"She's got good form," Eleanor remarked. "And she's clearly comfortable with him. Do you think…?"
"Mother," Seraphina interrupted, rolling her eyes. "Don't start planning their wedding."
Meanwhile, Mineta was struggling to focus. Every time he tried to approach a group of students, a stray dodgeball came flying at him, forcing him to retreat.
"This isn't fair!" he whined. "How am I supposed to tag anyone when they keep pelting me with balls?!"
"Maybe try actually aiming," Sero called out, laughing as he swung away on a strand of tape.
"Or stop being such a creep," Jiro added, dodging a ball with ease.
Despite his best efforts, Mineta couldn't get close to Aiden and Toru. Their constant movement made them an impossible target. Even when he attempted to throw a ball their way, Aiden would expertly spin Toru out of harm's way, making it look like part of the dance.
"Stop dancing and fight like a man!" Mineta yelled in frustration, earning more laughs from the crowd.
"Why fight when I can dazzle?" Aiden called back, his voice full of amusement. He spun Toru again, her laugh ringing out as they continued their performance.
The crowd was divided in their reactions. Many cheered for Aiden's audacious display, while others questioned whether it was fair.
"He's not taking the game seriously!" one spectator complained.
"This is supposed to be a competition, not a dance recital!"
Another chimed in, "It's entertaining, but shouldn't he be disqualified?"
However, any murmurs of dissent were quickly silenced when Maximilian leaned forward, his gaze icy. Emperor Hiroshi mirrored the gesture, his composed yet imposing presence radiating authority.
The displeased spectators immediately quieted, intimidated by the combined weight of their glances.
Back on the field, Present Mic's voice boomed over the speakers. "I don't know about you, folks, but this is the most entertaining dodgeball game I've ever seen! Let's hear it for the tango duo!"
The crowd erupted in cheers once more, fully embracing the spectacle.
As the game progressed, the other students found their own ways to shine. Bakugo blasted dodgeballs with small explosions, shouting insults at anyone who dared challenge him.
Todoroki created icy barriers to deflect incoming balls while using his fire to melt any obstacles in his path.
Mina danced around her opponents with her usual agility, coating the field in acid to trip them up.
Amid the chaos, Aiden and Toru remained in their own little world, dancing with an intensity that seemed almost surreal.
Toru, who had initially been hesitant, found herself fully immersed in the performance. "I can't believe I'm doing this," she muttered, a smile tugging at her lips.
"You're doing great," Aiden assured her, lifting her into the air effortlessly before spinning her back down. "Just follow my lead."
From the sidelines, Kirishima laughed. "Man, Aiden's really going all out."
"He's ridiculous," Jiro said, shaking her head. "But I have to admit, it's kind of impressive."
As the game neared its end, Mineta managed to tag a few players, creating a small "tag" team. However, they were no match for Aiden's strategic dodges and Toru's growing confidence in their synchronized movements.
With a final dramatic flourish, Aiden dipped Toru low, just as the buzzer signaled the end of the round.
"And that's it!" Present Mic announced. "What a performance from Aiden and Toru! The tango duo takes the spotlight!"
The crowd erupted into applause, and Aiden helped Toru back to her feet, bowing theatrically to the audience. Toru blushed but couldn't hide her smile as she joined him in the bow.
From the VIP booth, Eleanor clapped enthusiastically. "That was marvelous! He's such a showman."
Seraphina smirked. "You mean he's a flirt."
Maximilian chuckled, his stoic demeanor softening. "I wonder where he got it from, certainly not from me," he said gazing at his wife.
The game may have been unconventional, but it left an unforgettable impression on everyone.
Aiden's ability to turn even a competitive event into a performance showcased not only his skills but also his unique charm, leaving no doubt that he was the star of the festival.
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The stadium buzzed with excitement as Midnight strutted back to the center stage, her whip in hand and a mischievous glint in her eye. "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, we've had quite the show so far. But now, it's time for something truly diabolical!"
She gestured dramatically toward the enormous structure looming at the far end of the field.
"Welcome to the Maze of Mayhem!"
The audience gasped as the intricate maze came into view on the big screen. Constructed by the combined efforts of Cementos and Power Loader, the maze was a sprawling labyrinth of towering walls, narrow corridors, and hidden traps.
Flickering lights, fog, and eerie sound effects added to the atmosphere, making it look more like a haunted house than a mere obstacle course.
Midnight's voice carried over the murmurs of the crowd. "The rules are simple: get to the center of the maze as quickly as possible. But beware! This maze is full of surprises—quirk-activated traps, shifting walls, and a few other secrets I won't spoil. First to reach the center wins!"
The contestants gathered at the maze's entrance, their expressions a mix of excitement and apprehension. Aiden stood out in his usual confident manner, his long dreadlocks swaying as he cracked his knuckles.
His regal attire shimmered in the sunlight, but had transformed into a more athletic version, with golden accents replaced by playful patterns of stars and stripes.
"This should be fun," he said, grinning.
"Fun for you, maybe," Kaminari muttered, eyeing the maze. "That thing looks like it wants to eat us."
"Just don't fry yourself again," Jiro teased, earning a scowl from Kaminari.
Todoroki remained stoic, though his eyes scanned the maze with interest. "It's about strategy and timing. Rushing in blindly will only get you caught."
Bakugo smirked, small explosions popping in his hands. "Tch. Strategy? I'll just blow my way through."
"Good luck with that," Aiden quipped, leaning against a wall that seemed to shift slightly under his weight. "This maze looks like it bites back."
As the students lined up, the crowd cheered them on, and the royal and imperial families watched with keen interest from the VIP booth.
"Do you think he'll pull another stunt?" Seraphina asked, sipping her drink.
Eleanor chuckled. "With Aiden? Always."
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