(Kata POV – Sports Festival Stadium)
I stand in the stadium as Present Mic and Aizawa comment on the remaining participants. To pass the time, I consider my next steps.
'The Hero Agency Internships are next. I need to choose a more casual, hand-off hero so I can implement a plan I've had in mind for a while. But first, I need Aizawa's help, which could go either way.'
I sigh, already anticipating the effort ahead. Just as I refocus, I sense someone approaching. Midnight.
She moves with slow, deliberate grace, her steps carrying a sensual sway. Blue eyes locked onto mine as she licks her lips.
"You've got quite the sadistic side to you, Okada."
Her voice is sweet, but possesses a teasing tone.
"I have no idea what you mean," I reply evenly.
She leans in slightly, eyes gleaming. "Oh, come on! The way you crushed the robots, then blocked the path, making everyone struggle to keep up..." She sighs, wrapping her arms around herself like she's savoring a fantasy.
I cut her off before she can get carried away. "It's nothing like that."
She blinks, then chuckles, her amusement returning. "Oh? Then why'd you do it?"
"I'm here to advertise myself. I need to get people interested in me early."
She chuckles. "Well, you've certainly got everyone's attention now." She emphasizes everyone while her gaze sharpens, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. "Yet, you don't seem the least bit excited."
"Why would I be?"
That catches her off guard. Her smirk falters, just for a second.
"Like I said in the athlete's oath, it was the most logical conclusion. There are also 2 more events, and no guarantee I'll remain first." I sigh, as if it's obvious.
Her smile widens slightly, and—unexpectedly—a faint blush colors her cheeks. Her gaze lingers, a different kind of intrigue on her face. "Humility and confidence… that's an attractive combination, you know?" Her voice lowers, words slow and deliberate.
I observe her for a moment, letting the silence stretch. She doesn't look away. If anything, my scrutiny seems to amuse her.
"I've heard." My tone is flat, but there's a flicker of something in my eyes that keeps her attention. "But don't you think what's hidden beneath that can be even more beautiful?"
She tilts her head in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"People wear masks to hide who they really are." A slight glance at her own mask is enough to make my meaning clear. "Most use them to cover their flaws, or hide their darkest secrets. But sometimes… they're used to protect something beautiful but fragile. Something they'd rather keep hidden, than risk getting broken."
I watch with interest as her expression shifts, almost imperceptibly, but I can see hrr tension clearly. Her usual confidence having wavered for just a moment.
I have to hold back a chuckle.
"Relax. I wasn't referring to you in particular." I allow a small, knowing smile. "Just an general observation of people I came to notice."
Her eyebrow twitches, though she keeps her composed, sultry smile. Her eyes, however, burn with quiet revenge.
"That's an interesting perspective," she muses, her voice smooth, as she continues with a darker undertone. "I'll be sure to remember it." With that, she turns, making her way back toward the platform.
I exhale, glancing at the screens. Todoroki and Bakugo are in the final stretch, neck and neck for second place.
'It's kind of fun teasing her back.'
I watch as Izuku stumbles into the stadium, closely followed by Todoroki and Bakugo.
'He looks worse than expected. The labyrinth forced him to use OFA before the tournament.'
Bakugo's glare flickers between Izuku and me, his lips curled in frustration. His arms tremble slightly—either from exhaustion or the sheer effort it takes to hold himself back. "Damn it..." He manages to squeeze through grit teeth.
Todoroki is less expressive, but his death glare speaks volumes.
I glance away as Uraraka and Ida rush to Izuku's side, congratulating him on securing second place. Ida sulks over his loss, but it doesn't last long before he straightens up, determined as ever.
Momo and Mina make their way toward me.
"You were amazing, Class Pres," Momo says with a knowing smile. "While the rest of us were caught up in the race, you stayed focused on the real goal."
Mina blinks before realization dawns on her. "Wait… so that's why you did that?!" She crosses her arms, pouting. "You didn't have to make it that hard, though! Do you know how exhausted I am?"
I shrug. "I made sure everyone had a path through. Besides, I believed you'd make it regardless." My tone is so serious, I almost manage to convince myself.
Mina huffs. "Fine, but you still owe me an apology gift." She says, a crafty glint in her eyes.
"For what?"
"For all the suffering I went through because of your stunt!" She jabs a finger at me.
"Then wouldn't I have to get one for every first-year?" I tilt my head.
She sighs, shoulders slumping. "You're no fun, Pres."
Momo giggles at our exchange as Midnight steps forward for the next announcement.
"The first round is over! Time to check the results!"
The giant screen flashes, listing the top 42 contestants. I narrow my eyes.
'Most of it's the same, but some rankings shifted.'
Mei placed 18th, Momo ranked 7th—both significantly higher than the original timeline. Meanwhile, Mina dropped to 28th.
'Makes sense. Those without agility-based quirks were slightly lower on the board.'
Midnight's voice pulls me back.
"The top 42 from this qualifying round will move on!" Midnight continues announcing after a few seconds. "And now, the main selection really begins! Now, on to the second event!"
The screen flashes as different option flash by. "Next up is... This!" The screen lands on—
Cavalry Battle!
Midnight quickly explains the rules. We each form our own teams of 2 to 4and get into a horse and rider formation. We are to snatch our opponents headbands, but each member has a different point value assigned to them based on their score.
"42nd place is worth 5 points, with an increase of 5 points per position. But... Our first place participant is worth... 10 million points!"
A hush falls over the stadium before every eye snaps to me.
I remain still, completely unfazed.
'So, this is how it feels to be the target. I do wonder, who'd be brave enough to face the pressure with me?'
Midnight continues explaining the rules as I scan the students around me.
Class B exchange glances, their eyes sharp with determination. Meanwhile, Class A is already deep in analysis, strategizing with each other.
"You've got 15 minutes! Time to form your teams!" Midnight cracks her whip, and the stadium erupts into chaos as students scramble to form alliances.
Most of them steer clear of me. In Class A, a few hesitate, their gazes flickering between Bakugo, Todoroki, and me.
'Normally, I'd be the obvious choice. But they're cautious—no one wants to be the main target.'
I sigh, but before I can think further, someone approaches without hesitation.
"Team up with me, Kata Okada!"
'Mei Hatsume.'
She strides up, grinning like she's already won something, her green-yellow eyes glinting with excitement. The cross-shaped pupils at their center stand out even more up close.
I take a step back, keeping my expression neutral. 'Gotta pretend I don't know her yet.'
"Who are you, and why?" My tone is flat, but she's unfazed.
"I'm Mei Hatsume, from the Support Course! I don't know you, and honestly, I probably won't be much help based on what I saw in the Obstacle Course Race, but you need a teammate for the next event, and I'll offer up my services." She leans in slightly, eyes gleaming. "Teaming up with you means I'll be right in the spotlight! And my babies—" she gestures dramatically to the gadgets strapped to her gear "—will get seen by all the industry bigshots and investors!"
I can't help the small chuckle that escapes me. Mei tilts her head, her ever-present smile still plastered on her face.
'I always loved her energy, passion, and blunt honesty.'
With a rare smile, I nod. "I'd be happy to have you."
Her eyes widen slightly, as if she expected me to brush her off. Then, her grin stretches even wider. "Great! Together, we'll make my babies famous!"
I sigh. "You really don't have your priorities straight."
Before she can respond, two more figures approach—Momo and Mina.
"Can we join you?" They ask in unison.
I glance between them. "Wouldn't it make more sense for you two to team up with Todoroki or Bakugo? You know I'll be everyone's target."
They exchange a look before smiling.
Momo speaks first. "I trust my judgment. And based on what I've seen, you could win this by yourself if it were allowed." She states with certainty.
Mina nods enthusiastically. "Yeah! We believe in you. We'll kick everyone's butts!"
I cross my arms. "That's great and all, but if you really think I could win alone, why should I bother teaming up with you? I already found a teammate." I gesture to Mei, who's still absorbed in dreams about making her inventions famous.
Mina falters for a second, but Momo remains calm. "Because we asked."
Both Mina and I raise an eyebrow. "What do you mean?" I ask, narrowing my eyes slightly.
Momo meets my gaze evenly. "Based on what I know of you, you would have rejected us immediately if you actually planned to refuse."
'…She's got a point.' I furrow my brows, but she continues.
"And since having us on your team only improves your chances, I figured you'd say yes. That doesn't mean we won't pull our weight." She nods toward Mina, who grins and gives a thumbs-up.
'Solid and accurate reasoning.'
I exhale, then nod. "You're right. I wasn't planning to refuse." I tilt my head. "But how did you figure that out?"
Momo smiles. "I've spent a lot of time with you. You let on more than you realize."
And like that, our four-man team is set.
'She figured all that out just from running errands with me? I don't know whether to be concerned or impressed.'
"Since our team is decided, we need a game plan," I remind them.
"Can't you just take everyone's headbands with your quirk or keep them away?" Mina asks curiously.
"He can, but we'd have no chance to show off our quirks," Momo responds matter-of-factly.
"And no one would get to see my babies!" Mei exclaims, clutching a small gadget like one would a precious child.
I think for a moment. "So, we need to incorporate everyone's quirks into the mix?" A pause. "I know how we can do that." I then proceed to explain my plan.
Momo nods. "That's reasonable. It allows each of us to demonstrate our quirks effectively."
"As long as my babies get the spotlight, it's perfect!" Mei grins, eyes practically sparkling.
"I get to show off too, so I'm excited," Mina adds with an eager grin.
"Now we just need to decide our positions. I'm the biggest here, so I can be in the front. Since Hatsume is the smallest, she can be on top. What do you girls think?"
They all nod in agreement, and with that, our preparations are complete.
With about seven minutes remaining, Momo starts chatting with Mei about her inventions. Mei had immediately latched onto Momo after learning about her quirk, excitedly brainstorming potential creations, while Momo, always eager to learn, seemed genuinely interested in support items.
That left Mina and me.
She fidgets slightly before turning to me. "Are you nervous?"
I raise an eyebrow, and she quickly sighs. "Right. Of course not. You're always as cool as a cucumber—there's no way you'd get scared." She deflates a little, crossing her arms.
"That's not true." I shake my head. "Even I have things I'm scared of. I just don't let it show."
Mina perks up, curiosity sparking in her golden eyes. "Like what?"
I hesitate and glance at her. "Are you sure you really want to know?"
Her expression falters for a moment, uncertainty flickering across her face. She probably remembers the last time she asked something like this—and how it soured the mood.
Silence lingers between us.
I suppress a sigh. 'Why did I do that? I knew she'd back down if I phrased it that way, and it's not like it's something worth hiding.'
Then, to my surprise, determination flashes in her eyes.
"Yes! I want to know," she says resolutely, though I can tell she's nervous.
"...Why?" My voice is calm, but I narrow my eyes slightly. "I can tell you're nervous about asking, so why still do it?"
She hesitates, but then speaks in a quiet voice.
"Because..." Her hold on her arms tightens. "I've noticed how you just ignore things that hurt you." She meets my gaze, uncharacteristically serious. "Like when I asked about your parents. You clenched your fist for a moment, but then continued like it didn't bother you."
Something about her words unsettles me.
Mina notices, her expression softening into a small, reassuring smile. "I won't force you," she says, "but I'll keep trying, until you tell me to stop. There are wounds that never show on the body, but are deeper and more painful than anything that bleeds." She sighs, briefly looking at some of the scars visible on my arms and legs, then suddenly brightens up again. "Anyway! Just hit me up if you ever need to talk."
Before I can process her words, Midnight's voice echoes through the stadium.
"Your 15 minutes are up. Time to get started!"
We start walking toward the event area. Mina, Momo, and Mei are engaged in an animated discussion, but I barely hear them.
'That was... weird.'