Present Mic (booming):
"THE STAGE THAT WAS FROZEN IN THE SECOND MATCH IS FINALLY DRY, SO ON TO THE NEXT MATCH! THE ASSASSIN FROM CLASS B! PRETTY THINGS HAVE THORNS, Y'KNOW! FROM THE HERO COURSE—IT'S IBARA SHIOZAKI!!"
The crowd cheered loudly, waving their banners. The big screen flipped, showing Denki's grin, sparks buzzing along his fingertips.
Present Mic:
"VERSUS! THE SPARKING KILLING BOY! FROM THE HERO COURSE—IT'S DENKI KAMINARI!!"
The cheer went wild, even some girls in the crowd screaming Denki's name.
Present Mic (laughing into the mic):
"NOW WE'LL HAVE A SUPER FLASHY BATTLE THIS TIME TOO—"
But down in the arena, Ibara raised one hand politely, the other resting over her chest. Her expression was calm, almost saint-like.
Ibara:
"Um... please excuse the interruption."
The stadium went quiet. Even Mic blinked in confusion.
Ibara:
"What do you mean by 'assassin'? I have only come to find victory, not to take my opponent's life."
Up in the commentator's booth, Present Mic broke into a nervous sweat.
Present Mic:
"I-I'm sorry!!"
Ibara (closing her eyes gently, hands clasped together in prayer):
"In the first place, I wished to enter U.A. High School not for wicked reasons... but for the salvation of others."
She finished, lowering her head as if speaking from divine duty.
Present Mic (hands waving frantically):
"I SAID I AM SORRY! MY BAD, OK?!"
Finally, Ibara's hands fell dramatically, her eyes opening with a calm smile as she looked skyward.
Ibara:
"I thank you for your understanding."
She bowed gracefully.
Present Mic (awkwardly clearing his throat):
"A-ANYWAY... START!!"
Denki grinned, electricity sparking across his arms and chest as he puffed himself up.
Denki:
"...When this is over, wanna grab a bite to eat? I'll comfort you if you'll have me."
Ibara's eyes flew open in shock at the sudden bold flirt, her expression pure scandal.
Denki (snapping his fingers, confident):
"...'Cause this match'll probably be over in a second!"
Electricity erupted, crackling across the field.
Denki:
"Indiscriminate Shock... 1.3 MILLION VOLTS!!"
The current surged, zapping forward toward Ibara's still, prayerful figure. The crowd gasped—but at the last second, her hair unraveled like vines, weaving into a thick barrier of thorns that swallowed the lightning whole. Sparks hissed harmlessly against the natural shield.
Denki smirked... then his face slowly melted into his signature derp mode. His eyes went blank, his tongue out.
Denki (short-circuit mode, swaying):
"Yeeaayy~~!"
Then the vines shifted again—wrapping tightly around his torso, arms pinned to his sides like a caterpillar in a cocoon.
Mr. Mic (still shouting dramatically, voice echoing): IT WAS DECIDED IN AN INSTANT! I'LL SAY IT ONCE MORE—AN INSTANT!!
Midnight (raising her whip high and announcing clearly): Shiozaki advances to the second round!
Crowd (cheering loud, waving flags): YEAAAHHHH!!
Ibara (hands together in prayer, closing her eyes, face raised to the sunlight): Oh, I was able to make the most of the opportunity I was given.
Tetsutetsu (standing from Class B's seats, pumping his fist): ALL RIGHT! GOOD JOB SHIOZAKI!!
Jirō (leaning back behind Hae-Sil, rubbing her own head with a groan): Man...
Suddenly, Monoma literally climbs the wall between Class A and Class B's stands. His laughter is obnoxious.
Monoma (mocking loudly, arms spread wide): WHAAAT'S THAT? DIDN'T HE SAY HE'D SETTLE THIS IN A SECOND? THAT'S STRANGE! HE WAS DEFEATED IN A SECOND, WASN'T HE? CLASS A IS SUPPOSED TO BE BETTER THAN CLASS B, SO ISN'T THAT WEIRD? HAHAHAHAHA!
Hae-Sil (blinking twice, lips parting, deadpan thought): ...Is he okay? Is that supposed to be sarcasm??
Before he could finish his annoying laugh—WHACK!—Kendo karate-chops his neck from behind. He drops like a sack of potatoes, unconscious.
Kendo (leaning forward, smiling apologetically at Class A): Sorry about that!
Hae-Sil (thinking, her brow twitching): What was that just now...?
But she quickly shakes her head, snapping out of her thoughts. She remembers: she's up next. Match four. She gets up from her seat, heart beating a little faster.
Uraraka (grinning, waving from her seat): Good luck, Hae-Sil!
Deku (standing with an encouraging nod): You've got this!
Hae-Sil blinks, a strange warmth bubbling in her chest. No one's ever told her that before. She nods stiffly, trying not to show how much it affects her, and walks away toward the waiting rooms.
Meanwhile, Uraraka turns her head—only to hear rapid scribbling and muttering. She widens her eyes in surprise.
Uraraka (softly): Huh?
Right beside her, Deku is hunched over his notebook, his pencil flying. He mutters under his breath in quick bursts, eyes darting in concentration.
Deku (muttering): Kaminari's Quirk is supposed to be strong, but Shiozaki placed fifth in the entrance exam... Vines, huh? Is it like Kamui Woods' Quirk? Binding types really are powerful... hardly anyone can break out... You'd need brute force, but she'd aim for the hands first to keep you from attacking—mutter mutter mutter—
Kirishima, Tokoyami, and even Jirō turn their heads toward him in wide-eyed disbelief. Bakugo, sitting in the back row, grips the railing so hard his knuckles turn white, trying not to snap.
Uraraka (sweat-dropping, leaning toward him): Umm... You just finished a match, and you're already thinking about countermeasures, huh?
Deku (snapping upright, flustered, face turning red as he covers his mouth with his palm): O-Oh, no! I-it's just—I mean—this is kinda my hobby...! It's not every day I get to see so many amazing Quirks outside of our class...
He calms down, lowering his hand, his blush fading.
Deku (earnest, smiling a little): Ah—right! I've been putting these together for everyone in Class A too. For your Zero Gravity as well, Uraraka.
He flips the page and shows her—sketches of her hero costume with notes scribbled all around: "Potential counter-moves," "combo ideas," "range adjustments," "support item suggestions."
Uraraka freezes, eyes wide, then her lips curve into a small, warm smile. Her cheeks tint pink.
Uraraka (softly, eyes shining): Deku... You've been amazing since I first met you. But watching the sports festival—it's making me think you're amazing all over again.
-----------------
Mr. Mic: NOW IT'S TIME FOR THE FOURTH MATCH, WE'RE JUST GONNA KEEP ROLLING ALONG! RUSH HEADLONG TOWARD THE TOP!
The crowd began cheering up.
Mr. Mic: IT'S LIKE HE'S THE EPITOME OF THE MIDDLE OF THE PACK! FROM THE HERO COURSE, IT'S TENYA IIDA! VERSUS! THE MYSTERIOUS AND DANGEROUSLY LOOKING GIRL, THE NEW TRANSFER STUDENT, IT'S STILL NOT OFFICIAL, IT'S HWANG HAE-SIL!
Deku snapped out of his thoughts, thinking:
...wait... transfer student? Not official? That means... she doesn't have a class yet... that's right, I've never seen her before in U.A.... but... I am curious about why she transferred.
Asui: I wonder what kind of fight it'll be...
Jiro: Me too...
The crowd hushed slightly, curious.
Hae-Sil took one slow step forward, her expression unreadable.
Her voice cut the silence—quiet, but sharp enough to slice.
Hae-Sil: "So, you're the type who bows and apologizes but still stabs your friends in the back."
Iida blinked, stiffening, but didn't reply immediately. The audience murmured at the sudden hostility.
Hae-Sil (continuing, her voice rising): "I saw their faces, Iida. Midoriya's... Uraraka's. They looked like someone ripped the ground out from under them when you abandoned them. And you—so self-righteous, so full of honor—turned away like it was nothing. Did you even notice the hurt you left behind? Or was your pride louder than their trust?"
The words carried an unusual weight, and the students in the stands shifted uncomfortably. Uraraka fidgeted, while Midoriya swallowed hard.
Iida stood tall, but his lips pressed into a thin line. "I made a tactical decision. It was not an easy choice. I did what I thought was best to advance—"
Hae-Sil cut him off, her voice sharper.
"Best? For who? For you. Not for them."
Her fists clenched at her sides. For a moment, her eyes weren't even looking at Iida anymore—they were somewhere else, back in a middle school classroom.
Her mind's eye replayed again the scene she hated:
The teacher smiling, "Choose your teammates for the project."
Hae-Sil, turning to her only friend—the girl she thought was her lifeline.
"We'll team up, right?"
The girl, smiling awkwardly, "Yeah... sure, of course."
And then—the sting. When it was her turn, that girl chose someone else.
The teacher's patronizing voice, "Well, that's fine Hae-Sil, you can do the project alone. It's easy."
The whole class looking at her like she was something pitiful.
Her breath hitched faintly, but her voice came out harder, harsher, almost trembling with restrained venom.
Hae-Sil (to Iida, but really to her ghost of a friend):
"You made them believe in you. You made them think they could count on you. And then when it mattered, you looked them in the eyes... and chose someone else. Just like her. You think saying sorry makes it better? You think responsibility is just words? No. You can't take that kind of betrayal back."
The audience was silent now, struck by the sheer rawness in her tone. Even Bakugo's eyes widened slightly, recognizing that this wasn't just about Iida—it was something deeper.
Iida, however, didn't flinch. He adjusted his glasses, his posture straight as ever, but his eyes softened with something like understanding.
Iida: "...You speak with great weight, Hae-Sil. I see now that my actions in the cavalry battle wounded more than just strategy. If you saw me as dishonorable, then I must accept that criticism."
He bowed his head slightly—formal, restrained, but respectful.
Iida (lifting his gaze, voice firm):
"But I must also tell you this: I do not run from the consequences of my actions. I stand by the choices I make, for better or worse. That is what it means to carry the name of a hero. You may despise me... but I will not be shaken from my path."
Hae-Sil's eyes hardened, her voice low and dangerous:
"Don't worry. I'll shake you off your feet instead."
The words echoed through the arena. She tilted her head slightly, her long hair shifting, her tone now laced with icy confidence.
Hae-Sil: "I won't promise to go easy. And you'd be a fool to underestimate me."
For the first time, Iida's lips twitched—not into a smile, but into something solemn. He nodded once, his engines revving faintly.
Iida: "Understood. Then I will not hold back either. That is my agreement to you."
Midnight, sensing the tension, raised her whip higher.
"WELL THEN... BEGIN!!!"
The crowd erupted, but the lingering echo of their words—Hae-Sil's venom, Iida's solemn reply—hung over the battlefield heavier than any cheer.
And in that instant, everyone watching knew: this fight wasn't just a match. It was Hae-Sil's vengeance against a ghost from her past, and Iida's resolve being tested under the weight of someone else's pain.
------------------
The moment the word left her lips, Iida's engines ROARED. He launched forward like a bullet train, his speed so blistering that a wind current rushed across the stage, sending dust swirling.
Present Mic (yelling over the noise): "HEEEEERE WE GOOOO! TENYA IIDA WASTING NO TIME—HE'S COMING IN HOT WITH HIS SIGNATURE SPEED!!!"
The audience leapt to their feet, gasping at the force of his dash. His armored leg shot up, engines blazing, aiming to slam into Hae-Sil's side with bone-shattering force.
But—Hae-Sil didn't move.
She stood perfectly still in the center of the arena, her hair swaying faintly from the rush of air he dragged along with him. Her expression didn't even flicker.
Mina (nervous): "Wait, she's not—she's really not even flinching!"
Then, without warning, Hae-Sil bent down, one hand pressing firmly against the arena floor.
The ground shuddered. A low rumble grew into a violent quake—cracks split the concrete as a jagged bridge of stone surged upward beneath her palm. It tore across the battlefield like a living wall, erupting with raw force.
The entire stadium rattled as if struck by an earthquake.
Iida's eyes widened. His run faltered—the terrain shifted so violently that he stumbled for a moment on the stone bridge being built. His balance lagged, his perception thrown off, but he dodged it weakly.
Iida (gritting his teeth, muttering): "That was close—!"
With sheer reflex, he vaulted over the jagged ridge before it could smash into him, engines sputtering with strain. But when he landed and looked ahead—
—Hae-Sil was gone.
No—she wasn't gone. She was already there.
His breath caught. Her palm was right in front of his face.
It didn't make sense. He had just seen her kneeling on the ground a heartbeat ago. But now, her arm extended, her stance rooted like steel, her eyes sharp as blades.
And then—
BOOOOOOOM!!!
A torrent of compressed wind EXPLODED from her palm, like a cannon blast made of air.
The shockwave slammed into Iida with crushing force, tearing through his guard. The audience screamed as the sheer pressure rattled the stadium itself.
Midnight lost her footing entirely, stumbling and catching herself on the rail as her hair whipped around violently.
The crowd lurched, bodies almost thrown forward out of their seats by the aftershock.
Even the Class 1-A students leaned against the rail, their uniforms tugged by the gale.
But Iida—he took the brunt.
His body was hurled across the arena like a ragdoll, smashing into the stone wall with an impact that shook the stadium to its core.
BOOOOMM!!!
The wall split, fragments flying outward as Iida's armored frame dented it in, leaving a jagged crater where his body hit.
The air went dead silent.
Present Mic had his jaw dropped, his sunglasses fell completely from his face. Aizawa's eyes were wide open.
In the stands, Deku and Uraraka froze in disbelief, mouths slightly parted.
Even Bakugo's eyes widened, his arms slowly uncrossing as he stared.
The boys... the entire arena... no one expected that from Hae-Sil.
Present Mic (suddenly, going absolutely wild):
"YOOOOOO! DID YOU SEE THAT?! ONE MOVE! ONE FREAKIN' MOVE! SHE JUST YEETED IIDA STRAIGHT OUT OF THE RING LIKE HE WAS A TOY!!! THIS FIGHT HASN'T EVEN HIT A MINUTE YET!"
Aizawa (beside mic, his voice low): "...Efficient."
Deku (eyes wide, whispering): "That... that was so fast..."
Uraraka (hands to her mouth): "Iida..."
Iida groaned from where he lay against the cracked wall, his engines sputtering faintly. He lifted his head, dazed, glasses askew. The shock in his eyes was clear—but so was something else. Respect.
Midnight (her whip cracked): "Hae-Sil advances to the second round!"
The stadium erupted into a deafening roar. Cheers, shouts, and disbelief filled the air.
Hae-Sil, still standing in the exact same spot, exhaled slowly, brushing a stray lock of hair back behind her ear. She smirked faintly and rolled one shoulder, as if the entire fight had been nothing more than a warm-up.
Then she looked at Iida, who was still half-pinned in the cracked wall, and lifted her hand in a subtle shrug—casual, mocking, like: See? I warned you.
Iida coughed, forcing himself up, clutching his ribs but refusing to bow his head. He looked at her through cracked lenses, his breathing heavy, but his tone steady.
Iida: "...Your words... were not empty. You fought as you promised. Quick... decisive... relentless. I misjudged you, Hae-Sil."
She stopped her tracks, looked behind her and tilted her head, eyes glinting.
Hae-Sil: "No. You misjudged me... the same way you misjudged your friends."
The words cut deeper than the throw had. The crowd stirred, sensing the weight behind her accusation.
Iida paused, his jaw tightening. He adjusted his glasses, even though they were cracked, and gave a single solemn nod.
Iida: "...If this is your strength, then I will accept this loss. But I will not allow your words to be the last. My actions in the cavalry battle... I will carry the responsibility for them. I will not make the same mistake again."
His voice rang with conviction despite the pain.
Hae-Sil's smirk faded into something unreadable—half-satisfaction, half-shadow. She turned away from him, walking off the arena floor without another glance, her voice dropping low, almost to herself.
Hae-Sil: "Good. Remember how it feels to be left behind."
And as she walked off the field, victorious in less than a minute, the smirk still tugging faintly at her lips, one thing was clear—
She hadn't just beaten Iida.
She had made her point.
----------------------------
[Hallway – dimly lit, away from the noise of the stadium]
Hae-Sil walked quickly, the echo of her boots following her heartbeat. She turned the corner—only to stop dead in her tracks.
Hae-Sil (faltering, eyes wide): "...Dad? What are you doing here..? I–I thought you said you wouldn't come..."
Her father stood with his arms crossed, his presence towering, voice gruff and sharp like Endeavor's—cutting through the silence.
Father (low, stern): "I wanted to make sure you weren't being reckless. But I see I might've been too generous with my expectations."
Hae-Sil's breath caught, her hands twitching at her sides.
Father (continuing, eyes narrowing): "The other students... they're strong. Far stronger than I thought. If you're careless, you'll be torn apart. Ripped off that stage without mercy."
Her chest tightened as the names slipped from his mouth.
Father (coldly, glancing past her): "That Bakugo boy... that Todoroki... they'll crush you if you think for one second you're on their level."
Hae-Sil thought quickly, her stomach flipping.
(So... he came. He watched everything. He even knows their names...)
Father (scoffing): "Don't fool yourself. You're not strong enough to surpass them. Not Bakugo. Not Todoroki. Maybe not any of them."
Her fists clenched, rage burning hot in her chest. But she said nothing. Not one word. She bit her tongue until it hurt.
He stepped past her, the smell of smoke and cologne brushing her nose. Just as he pushed her shoulder aside to walk by, he leaned in slightly, his voice dropping venomous.
Father (with a disgusted sneer): "Good luck with the vines girl."
Her body stayed still. Not a flinch. Not even a tremor. She refused to give him that satisfaction. She only turned, shoulders squared, and walked away silently —her face unreadable, her heart thundering like a storm.
-------------------------------
[Meanwhile, Stands – Midoriya hunched over his notebook, pen scribbling at lightning speed]
Deku (muttering under his breath, eyes wide):
"Hae-Sil... completely unexpected... The way she manipulated the ground, it wasn't just brute force—it was controlled, precise. Almost like she commanded the earth to rise... and then—her palm strike... generating wind pressure strong enough to send Iida flying out of bounds in a single move. That wasn't random... she focused it, like a condensed explosion..."
He scribbled fast, flipping pages, his voice speeding up with excitement.
Deku (continuing):
"Her quirk—it's versatile. If she can manipulate both ground and air, then she's got multiple combat ranges covered. Long range defense with terrain control... mid-range suppression with wind bursts... and maybe even close-range if she condenses it further? But her style—it's not reckless. She waited, stood calm, and forced Iida to reveal his speed before countering... That means her combat type isn't purely aggressive. It's reactive, tactical... almost like she's testing her opponents' limits before striking. Incredible."
His pen scratched noisily across the page, his muttering spilling faster and faster.
Deku:
"She beat Iida in a second. Just... one second. And she didn't even look tired. That means her stamina must be high too, or at least her control is efficient. How many more aspects does her quirk even have? Could there be another element she hasn't shown yet—?!"
Present Mic (cutting in loudly):
"WE'RE GONNA KEEP RIGHT ON GOING WITH THE FIFTH MATCH!! EVEN THOUGH HE'S WEARING A BELT, HE WON'T TRANSFORM! FROM THE HERO COURSE—YUGA AOYAMA!!"
Aoyama (sparkle in his eye, posing): "Bonjour~!"
Present Mic:
"VERSUS—IS SOMETHING GOING TO COME OUT OF THOSE HORNS?! WELL?! FROM THE HERO COURSE—MINA ASHIDO!!"
Mina (playfully, pointing two fingers at Aoyama): "My first match is a piece of cake!"
Aoyama (hand on chest, dramatic): "I'll return those words right back at you~."
Asui (cupping her hands): "Mina, you can do it!"
Mineta (bouncing in his seat, flushed): "AOYAMA, GET HER! BEAT HER LIKE THOSE FIGHTING GAMES WHERE THEIR CLOTHES GET RIPPED OFF!!"
Jiro (scowling): "You're too much of a scumbag."
Mineta (groaning, sulking): "Tch..."
Present Mic: "NOW WHY DON'T WE GET MOVING?! FIFTH MATCH—STAART!!"
The buzzer sounded. Aoyama instantly fired his laser, glittering across the stage. Mina laughed, her reflexes sharp, flipping into the air as the beam seared past her.
Mina (grinning mid-jump): "Whoops!"
She landed smoothly, secreting acid beneath her feet, sliding fast like she was skating on liquid glass. Aoyama kept firing—left, right, center—his beams cracking the stage apart, but Mina zig-zagged effortlessly, each shot barely missing her.
Then—Aoyama winced, clutching his stomach.
Aoyama (strained, wincing): "M-My stomach...!"
Mina (eyes flashing): "Now's my chance!"
She dashed in, her acid melting through his belt in one swift motion. The buckle and pants both sizzled away.
Aoyama (horrified, screaming): "MY PANTS!!"
Before he could recover, Mina vaulted forward, her fist glowing with determination, and cracked him clean under the chin.
Mina (shouting): "I'll finish it... with this!!"
He flew backward, sparkling faintly, before hitting the ground unconscious.
Midnight (raising her hand): "Aoyama has fainted! Ashido advances to the second round!!"
Present Mic: "AOYAMA'S KNOCKED OUT! ASHIDO'S EASY VICTORY IS INDISPUTABLE!!"
The cameras zoomed on Mina, who struck a proud pose, hands on hips, grinning wide as the crowd cheered.
Asui (smiling): "Mina's amazing!"
Mineta (shaking with rage): "If only Aoyama and Ashido's quirks were switched..!"
Jiro (rolling her eyes): "You're too much of a scumbag.."
Meanwhile, Deku was already hunched back over his notebook, scribbling furiously.
Deku (muttering):
"Mina's acid... it's not just offensive, it doubles as mobility. The way she skated across the stage, avoiding direct beams—that means she can easily counter long-range fighters if she closes the gap fast enough. Very impressive versatility!"
Present Mic (voice booming):
"NOW FOR THE SIXTH MATCH—OFFENSE AND DEFENSE IN ONE BODY! THE DARK SAMURAI, ACCOMPANIED BY DARK SHADOW!! FROM THE HERO COURSE, IT'S FUMIKAGE TOKOYAMI!!"
The crowd cheered as Tokoyami stepped onto the stage, his cloak swaying, Dark Shadow looming at his side.
Present Mic:
"VERSUS—ALL-PURPOSE CREATION! SHE WAS ADMITTED THROUGH RECOMMENDATIONS, SO HER ABILITIES ARE CERTIFIED! FROM THE HERO COURSE—MOMO YAOYOROZU!!"
Momo strode out gracefully, her composure calm but her eyes sharp with focus. She readied herself, her hand already brushing against her body to prepare creations.
Ojiro (leaning forward behind Deku, curious):
"Midoriya, what do you think of this match?"
Deku (scribbling fast, muttering at first):
"I think... time will be the key."
Ojiro (raising an eyebrow):
"Time?"
Deku (a little louder, explaining):
"Y-yeah. Yaozorozu's quirk is incredible, but it requires moments to plan and create. If Tokoyami gives her space, she'll overwhelm him with the versatility of her inventions. But if he presses her constantly with Dark Shadow... she won't get enough time to generate the right tools."
Ojiro nodded, eyes narrowing at the stage.
Present Mic: "SIXTH MATCH—STAAART!!"
Tokoyami (commanding): "Go, Dark Shadow!!"
Dark Shadow (roaring): "Got it!!"
The shadowy beast lunged forward, claws swiping. Momo instantly created a shield, bracing as the impact rattled her arms.
Crowd: "OHHH!!"
Dark Shadow pulled back, then attacked again. Momo grit her teeth, raising her shield once more—only for it to be battered to the side. She tried to create a weapon, but—
Dark Shadow (snarling, swiping): "Too slow!!"
His claws tore through the gap, forcing her back. On the third strike, Dark Shadow snatched the shield clean off her arm and flung it aside.
Momo (thinking, desperate): I can't—fall behind!
She instantly formed another shield, blocking just in time, but every push from Dark Shadow shoved her closer to the edge. Her heels scraped the boundary, the ground trembling from his force.
Finally—she slipped. Her left foot crossed the line.
Midnight (raising her whip): "Yaoyorozu—out of bounds!!"
Present Mic: "TOKOYAMI ADVANCES TO THE SECOND ROUND!!"
Tokoyami bowed politely, Dark Shadow retreating back into his form, his expression calm and respectful.
Present Mic (screaming with hype):
"AN OVERWHELMING VICTORY! A COMPLETELY OVERWHELMING VICTORY! TOKOYAMI'S DARK SHADOW—COULD IT BE THE GREATEST QUIRK EVER?!"
Deku (muttering furiously, notebook open):
"Tokoyami's too amazing... I can't believe he forced Yaoyorozu out of bounds just by focusing all his pressure on the shields she made. He didn't even have to destroy her creations—he just kept applying direct force, over and over, until she couldn't stabilize herself anymore. Dark Shadow's offensive power combined with constant pressure... It's like having a teammate that attacks relentlessly without pause. That synergy—it's incredible!"
Deku glanced around absentmindedly, and his eyes fell on the drink sitting beside him—Uraraka's. Untouched. He blinked and turned, looking for her, but instead—
Hae-Sil appeared. Her presence was sharp, quiet but heavy, the way she carried herself making the row feel colder. She leaned down slightly, her almond-shaped eyes narrowing at Deku.
Hae-Sil: "Where did she go?"
Deku (blinking fast, flustered): "O-Oh—Uraraka? I-I don't know. She didn't say."
Without another word, Hae-Sil sat down beside Uraraka's empty seat. She didn't lean close, though—she sat a little away, keeping a distance not just from Deku but from the others as well. A silent line drawn between her and everyone else.
Present Mic (snapping the energy back up):
"OKAY, LET'S MOVE ON! NEXT UP—THE SEVENTH MATCH IS A MATCH-UP BETWEEN REDUNDANT QUIRKS! MANLY AND PASSIONATE STEEL!! FROM THE HERO COURSE—IT'S TETSUTETSU!!!"
Tetsutetsu (fist pumping, loud): "ALL RIGHT!!"
Present Mic:
"VERSUS—MANLY AND PASSIONATE HARDENING!! FROM THE HERO COURSE—IT'S EIJIRO KIRISHIMA!!"
Kirishima clenched his fists, his jaw trembling. His expression wavered with disbelief before he raised a fist to the sky, his eyes tearing up dramatically.
Kirishima: "E-Even our intros are the same?!"
Present Mic: "LET'S START THIS PASSIONATE SEVENTH MATCH!!!"
Both boys activated their quirks at once, skin turning into gleaming metal and jagged rock. They sprinted toward each other, voices raw with energy.
Both (yelling): "AAAAAAAAAAH!!!"
Their fists collided in a thunderous crash, the sound echoing like clashing hammers. Neither gave ground, each strike followed by another, fist to fist, jaw to jaw, bone against hardened metal. The arena shook with every blow.
Meanwhile, Hae-Sil's gaze wasn't really on the fight. She noticed Deku slipping out of his seat, leaving quietly, but she didn't care much. Her mind was somewhere else. Her father's voice still rang in her head, heavy, cruel, unforgiving. She hated it. She hated how his words clung to her, how he had always underestimated her—how everyone always had.
Her nails dug into her palms. Her legs bounced lightly against the ground, the tension in her body sharp and restless. Her thoughts repeated like a vow:
Hae-Sil (thinking): I'll prove them wrong. All of them. I'm not weak. Not today. Not ever again.
Her anger boiled like a storm beneath her calm expression, feeding the weight of her presence. Jiro and Asui, sitting behind her, exchanged a look—they both noticed the subtle stomping of her feet, the way the air around her seemed charged with something heavier than the match on the field.
-----------
Down in the arena, the dust was still settling from the steel-hard clash. For nearly ten whole minutes, Tetsutetsu and Kirishima had gone blow-for-blow, neither giving an inch, their fists colliding like war drums. The final exchange landed with bone-rattling impact—both boys staggered, eyes rolling back, before collapsing at the same time. Nosebleeds, scratches, bruises—down for the count.
Present Mic (losing his mind):
"THE TWO GUYS WITH THE SAME QUIRKS! TETSUTETSU VERSUS KIRISHIMA! A HEAD-TO-HEAD FISTFIGHT! THE WINNER IS—!!!"
Before he could even shout the name, Midnight stepped onto the stage, her voice sharp over the mic.
Midnight: "Both contestants down! It's a draw!"
Present Mic (freaking out):
"A DRAAAAW?! IN THE CASE OF A DRAW, AFTER THEY RECOVER, THE WINNER WILL BE DETERMINED BY A SIMPLE CONTEST... LIKE ARM WRESTLING!!!"
The crowd roared with laughter and excitement, buzzing about the outcome.
Up in the stands, Hae-Sil's gaze flicked to the aisle. She caught sight of Deku and Iida returning to their seats—both of them quiet, tense, almost heavy with whatever had passed between them outside. She didn't ask. She didn't care enough to.
Present Mic (hyped back up):
"WHILE WE WAIT FOR THEM TO RECOVER, WE'LL START THE NEXT MATCH!"
The big screen lit up—two portraits flashing side by side.
Bakugo Katsuki.
Uraraka Ochako.
Hae-Sil's eyes widened, her chest tightening.
Hae-Sil (thinking): Oh dear...
Her lips pressed into a thin line. She felt bad for Uraraka. She really did.
Elsewhere, standing away from the crowd and leaning against a wall high above, Todoroki watched in silence. His posture stiff, his eyes following the arena with something unreadable—focused but distant. His presence loomed like cold air down the row where Class A sat.
Asui (frowning, muttering):
"Next might be the most disturbing match-up..."
Jiro (crossing her arms):
"I almost don't want to watch..."
Iida's glasses glinted as he sat forward, shoulders tense. Beside him, Deku clutched his notebook but didn't write—his face pale, nervous. Both of them watched as Uraraka walked toward the arena with steady steps.
Present Mic (voice cracking with hype):
"THE EIGHTH AND LAST MATCH OF THE FIRST ROUND! HE WAS KINDA FAMOUS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL! THIS ISN'T THE FACE OF A REGULAR PERSON! FROM THE HERO COURSE—IT'S KATSUKI BAKUGO!!!"
Bakugo stomped into the arena, explosions sparking lightly from his palms, his expression sharp, furious, already staring down Uraraka like she was prey.
Present Mic (swinging to the other side):
"VERSUS—SHE'S THE ONE I'M ROOTING FOR! FROM THE HERO COURSE—IT'S OCHAKO URARAKA!!!"
Uraraka stopped at the tunnel entrance, closing her eyes. She took deep, sharp breaths—one after another—forcing herself to steel her nerves. Then, with determination set across her face, she opened her eyes. Serious. Ready.
The crowd erupted, half with cheers, half with murmurs. All eyes on the brave girl who squared her shoulders, fists clenched, staring right back at the boy everyone feared.
________________________________________________________________________________
TO BE CONTINUED