The fluorescent lights in Class 1-A's homeroom flickered faintly as Aizawa stood at the front, cocooned in his capture scarf. His voice was as dry as ever.
Aizawa: "Listen up. Your next big challenge is here… The U.A. Sports Festival."
The room immediately erupted in chatter. Uraraka's eyes sparkled, Kaminari grinned like a maniac, and even Bakugo's signature scowl sharpened into something closer to excitement.
Kael… sat slouched in his chair, one elbow propped against the desk, chin resting lazily in his palm. His gaze was unfocused, drifting toward the window.
Midoriya: "Kael… aren't you excited? It's one of the biggest events for hero students—"
Kael didn't even look at him. His voice came quiet, almost like he was answering a different question entirely.Kael: "Interest is for people who don't know how it ends."
Midoriya blinked, confused. Kaminari leaned back in his seat with a grin.Kaminari: "Ohhh, too cool to care, huh? Don't tell me you're scared you'll lose."
Kael's eyes flicked toward Kaminari for the briefest moment — sharp, cold, and utterly uninterested.Kael: "Lose? No. That's… impossible."
That casual confidence — or arrogance — drew several glances. Todoroki's gaze lingered on him a little longer than most, a faint crease forming in his brow.
Aizawa cut in, voice flat.Aizawa: "I don't care if you've seen it in your dreams or written it in the stars. The festival is mandatory."
Kael gave a small shrug, still staring out the window, as though the very idea of competing was a mild inconvenience at best.
Lunchroom – The Confrontation
The lunchroom bustled with noise, trays clattering and conversations overlapping. Kael sat at a corner table, lazily spinning his spoon in a bowl of soup he barely touched.
Class 1-B entered, just like in the anime, headed by Monoma with his usual smug expression.
Monoma: "Ah, Class 1-A. Here to bask in the limelight again? Don't get too comfortable."
Students from other classes gathered, curious about the supposed "stars" of U.A. Kael didn't even glance at them.
Bakugo: "Tch. Annoying extras…"
Monoma ignored Bakugo's growl, eyes sliding over the group until they landed on Kael.Monoma: "And who's this? You look like you're falling asleep. Worried you won't even make it past the first round?"
Kael didn't move, just kept twirling the spoon.Kael: "I was just picturing something funny."
Monoma raised an eyebrow.Monoma: "Oh? And what's that?"
Kael finally looked up, gaze locking onto Bakugo.Kael: "Bakugo tripping right at the starting line. You'll still finish… eventually."
Bakugo's chair screeched back instantly.Bakugo: "The hell did you just—?!"
Kael just smirked faintly, then went back to his soup.
That little comment stuck in everyone's heads, like a tiny splinter. Was it a joke… or a prediction?
Training Ground – Lack of Effort
The class assembled on the training grounds, prepping for the festival. Some were working on stamina, others refining techniques.
Kael? He leaned against the wall, arms folded, watching.
Aizawa's eyes narrowed.Aizawa: "You're not going to participate in training?"
Kael: "Preparation is for people who aren't ready already."
A few heads turned at that. Iida frowned.Iida: "That's irresponsible. The Sports Festival is a place to showcase our maximum potential. Slacking off will—"
Kael cut him off.Kael: "I won't be showing my maximum potential."
That shut Iida up.
After Class – All Might Steps In
When the final bell rang, students filtered out. All Might appeared in the doorway, booming voice at full volume.All Might: "YOUNG KAEL! A WORD, IF YOU PLEASE!"
Kael followed him outside to the empty courtyard. All Might stood with his arms crossed, cape fluttering faintly in the breeze.
All Might: "The Sports Festival is not just a competition — it's a chance to show the world what you can do. But I can't shake the feeling… you already know how it will play out."
Kael's expression didn't change.Kael: "Would you play a game if you already knew every move your opponent would make? I would… because watching them realize they've lost is the fun part."
All Might's confident smile faded slightly.All Might: "Confidence is good… overconfidence can be dangerous."
Kael: "Dangerous… for who?"
There was no arrogance in his tone — only a quiet certainty that unsettled even the Symbol of Peace.
Final Scene – Rooftop
The evening sun bathed U.A.'s rooftop in gold. Kael stood near the edge, wind brushing through his hair.
He closed his eyes, breathing in slowly.
One more day, and the first domino falls. The Sports Festival is just noise to them… but for me? It's the perfect place to set the stage.
His lips curled into the faintest smile.
From somewhere deep inside, he felt it — the Anchor thrumming faintly, connecting him to every possible version of what was to come. Every outcome had already been weighed, measured, and prepared for.
The real game… was about to begin.