Two weeks after the USJ incident, Junsei sat in Nezu's office, enjoying a lunch made entirely of desserts. Plates of cake and neatly unwrapped chocolates surrounded him, while Nezu worked behind his desk, eyes fixed on the glowing screens before him.
Without looking away, Nezu spoke. "The U.A. Sports Festival is tomorrow. What are you planning to do?"
Junsei paused mid-bite. He lowered the fork and said "nothing."
Nezu finally glanced at him. "That's disappointing. I would have loved to see you compete."
"Why?" Junsei asked.
"I think it would be fun," Nezu replied lightly, "and I believe you would enjoy it."
"I won't enjoy competing with humans," Junsei said flatly.
Nezu hummed. "You're looking at it the wrong way."
Junsei tilted his head slightly. "How?"
"This is your chance to toy with humans," Nezu said, calm and almost cheerful, "and no one would blame you for it."
Junsei frowned. "You want me to hurt your students? But you said…"
"No! No!" Nezu interrupted quickly, waving a paw.
"Not hurt. Toy." He leaned back in his chair. "You go in, play with them, hit them a little, make fun of them, give them a hard time, but absolutely do not hurt them too much."
Junsei studied him. "Why the sudden change?"
"There is no change," Nezu replied smoothly. "It's harmless fun. I do it all the time. Think of it as my petty vengeance against humanity. I amuse myself, satisfy my urge, and teach students that life is neither easy nor fair. It builds resilience and makes them realize there is still always more work to do."
Then his tone shifted, just slightly. "That said, you shouldn't overwhelm them to the point of ruining the entire festival. I don't want them traumatized."
Junsei frowned. "That sounds complicated."
"At first," Nezu said, nodding, "it might be difficult to find the balance between having fun and causing trouble. But over time, you'll grow to enjoy it. I look forward to staff-versus-students events every year."
"I will stay out of the competition," Junsei replied.
Nezu sighed dramatically. "How unfortunate. An All Might–level powerhouse choosing not to troll students is a tragic waste."
"I am not as strong as All Might," Junsei said.
Nezu's eyes sharpened. "You fought alongside him against the Nomu, didn't you?"
"When he arrived, he was weak," Junsei answered calmly. "Much weaker than he should be. He was tired and dying slowly. That's why I could match him."
Nezu froze. He slowly turned his full attention to Junsei. "What do you mean… dying?"
"He has a strange, rotten smell," Junsei said. "Death is eating him from the inside. He won't live long. A few years at most."
Nezu's voice dropped. "Have you told anyone about this?"
Junsei watched him closely. "You are worried. And slightly afraid. Did you not know?"
"I know about All Might's condition," Nezu replied gravely. "What I fear is the public learning about it. If it's known too early, things could go very badly."
"I didn't tell anyone," Junsei said.
Nezu nodded once.
Junsei stood. "I need to return to my class."
"Think about participating," Nezu said as Junsei turned to leave. "It could be fun for both of us."
Junsei nodded and left the office.
On his way back, he came face to face with Bakugo from Class 1-A.
"Hey! Whitey!!" Bakugo barked. "Tomorrow I'll crush you in the competition!"
"The sports festival?" Junsei asked.
Bakugo's face twisted. "Is there anything else?!"
"I am not participating," Junsei said.
"What?!" Bakugo snapped. "Why?!"
"Why would I?" Junsei asked calmly.
Bakugo fell silent, scowling, then pointed sharply. "If you change your mind, remember! I'll take you down!" He turned and stormed off.
Junsei continued to Class 1-C. As soon as he sat down, Shinso turned toward him.
"Tomorrow's the sports festival," Shinso said. "Are you prepared?"
"I won't participate," Junsei replied.
Shinso paused, then said quietly, "I'm going to do my best. I want a chance to transfer to the hero course."
Junsei glanced at him. "Good luck."
Shinso smiled faintly. "Every year there's a different event. Usually one of them involves teaming up." He hesitated. "If you change your mind… let's team up."
Junsei said nothing, but his eyes lingered on Shinso a moment longer than before.
——————
The following day, the U.A. The Sports Festival had arrived, an event where thousands would gather at the school grounds, filling the stands with restless anticipation, while the rest of the country settled before screens to watch the next generation of heroes display what they were worth.
It was not merely a school event. It was a spectacle.
Vendors lined the outer walkways, colorful stalls offering food and souvenirs. Security barriers had been reinforced. The air thrummed with excitement, fun, hope and ambition.
Among the attending people were numerous Pro Heroes, present both to observe promising talent and to ensure public order should anything unexpected occur.
And walking casually between the festival stalls was the Rabbit Hero, Mirko, hands tucked behind her head, ears twitching with mild impatience. Beside her strode a tall blonde woman clad in elegant Chinese attire, the Dragon Hero, Ryukyu.
"I never expected to meet you here," Ryukyu remarked, glancing sideways at her companion. "You've never bothered attending U.A.'s Sports Festival before. Did you have a change of heart? Looking for sidekicks?"
"Nah," Mirko replied flatly. "I don't like sidekicks. I'm here to see if a certain brat is participating and watch him. If he doesn't show up, I won't bother staying."
Ryukyu raised an eyebrow. "A student here? What is so special about him?"
"I don't know if he's a student," Mirko said, scanning the crowds with sharp eyes. "But considering how much of a monster he is, I don't think he'd join any school besides U.A."
"Now I'm interested," Ryukyu said. "What caught your attention?"
Mirko's grin widened slightly. "He's scary strong for his age. His quirk's weird. It gives him speed, strength, animal control, electricity generation, makes you see things and on top of all of that, he can perfectly copy moves."
Ryukyu slowed. "That sounds like someone with great potential."
"That's an understatement," Mirko replied. "I sparred with him. At first, I tossed him around, he didn't know how to fight at all. A few minutes later? He was beating me senseless using my own style and moves."
Ryukyu stopped walking entirely. "Are you joking?"
Mirko's expression hardened. "No. I hate admitting it, but I lost fair and square." A feral grin returned. "I'm planning a rematch. Fighting him is fun. But first, I need to find him."
"You're searching for a student," Ryukyu said carefully, "who defeated you… to fight him again? That's illegal and sounds like a public scandal waiting to happen."
"I won't do it publicly," Mirko waved dismissively. "The real problem is finding him. I tried visiting the family he was supposed to be living with or close to, at least. The boring servant there told me he doesn't live there and threatened to call the police if I showed up at their mansion again. Can you imagine that? That asshole."
"The problem," Ryukyu said dryly, "is you."
Mirko scoffed. "You're all so uptight. Anyway, I'm just looking for the brat. If he's here, great. If not, I'm leaving."
Ryukyu merely shook her head as they continued walking.
A short distance behind them, partially concealed by the flow of people, stood two students who had heard more than enough.
Mina leaned forward slightly, eyes wide with intrigue. "Momo said they fought."
Tsuyu nodded thoughtfully. "She said he can generate electricity and create illusions. Momo didn't mention that part, ribbit."
Mina hummed. "His quirk is as weird as he is."
——————
Some time later, the audience had filled one of U.A.'s vast stadiums to its brim with thousands upon thousands of spectators. Their voices blended into a single rolling murmur that trembled through the air.
On the field below, the first-year students were coming in, one class at a time.
The first classes to be called were 1-A and 1-B. Applause rippled across the stands as the two hero-course classes stepped forward.
Junsei stood quietly beside Shinso and the rest of Class 1-C waiting for their turn. When at last their class was announced, the students of 1-C began moving together toward the open field.
As Junsei stepped fully into the arena, he paused for half a heartbeat.
Thousands of eyes were upon them, from every direction, from every tier. The crowd pressed inward with its gaze, curious and hungry. He could feel it, the collective pulse of human presence, dense and restless.
Around him, his classmates displayed a blend of shock, fear, and anticipation. Some swallowed visibly. Others scanned the stands with nervous excitement.
Soon after, Class 1-D was called, followed by F, G, and H from the Department of Support. Then I, J, and K from the Department of Business. One by one, the remaining first-year classes entered the field until, for the first time, the entirety of U.A.'s first years stood gathered in a single place.
The scale of it was clear.
A scaffold had been erected at the front of the field, and upon it stood Midnight, poised and theatrical. Her voice carried across the stadium as she called for the representative of Class 1-A to give the opening speech.
Bakugo strode forward, face set in fierce determination.
"I will be number one," he declared without hesitation.
The statement detonated through the arena in a burst of mixed reactions. Some students bristled in outrage. Others laughed dismissively. A few seemed impressed by his courage.
Shinso, standing beside Junsei, exhaled softly. "He's too arrogant for his own good."
He then cast Junsei a sideways glance. "So… did you change your mind?"
Junsei kept his gaze forward. "No. But I will see what this sports festival is about."
Shinso blinked. "You make it sound like you don't know or haven't seen it before."
"I haven't."
Shinso stared at him for a moment. "Really? It's one of the most exciting events every year." He paused, then sighed faintly. "Actually… never mind. Why am I even surprised by this."
On the scaffold, Midnight lifted her whip slightly, drawing the students' attention back to her.
"Now then!" she called, voice bright and commanding. "Let's begin with the first challenge!"
A massive screen behind her flickered to life.
"It's an obstacle course! All of you must race through it and overcome whatever stands in your way!"
A low thrill of anticipation ran through the gathered students.