Chapter 22 - Battle Lines Drawn

With the Cavalry Battle over, you and the others take a well-deserved lunch break, but before you can even dig in, you're quickly shown the results. Your team clinched 1st place. As the announcement echoes across the arena, Bakugo flashes you a smirk, clearly pleased with the outcome.

"Thanks to us, we won," he says, his voice carrying that familiar confidence.

You chuckle, crossing your arms. "Aw, is Bakugo finally admitting that he needs others sometimes?" you tease, the playful tone in your voice unmistakable.

Bakugo glares at you, his temper flaring as always. "Oi! That's not what I said, lizard bastard!" he snaps, his voice rising with irritation. The surrounding students can't help but snicker at the usual back-and-forth between you two.

You simply grin, enjoying the moment. With Bakugo, it's always a challenge, but somehow, it always makes the victories sweeter.

After the Cavalry Battle, you take a break and sit down to enjoy lunch, finding a quiet spot with your friends. Izuku, Iida, and Uraraka join you, all of them looking a bit worn out but still upbeat after the intense competition.

Izuku is animated, talking excitedly about his strategies during the event. "I can't believe how close we came to getting your headband, Y/N! You were really fast out there!" he says, his voice filled with admiration.

Iida, ever the serious one, nods in agreement. "Indeed, you and Bakugo made an impressive team. Your coordination was flawless." He adjusts his glasses, a proud glint in his eyes. "I must admit, you were an extraordinary competitor!"

Uraraka laughs and nudges you playfully. "Yeah, you looked like you were having a blast out there, flying around and zipping through everything. It was so cool to watch!"

You smile, feeling a sense of camaraderie with your friends. "Thanks, guys," you reply, taking a bite of your lunch. "It's always fun competing, but winning with a team like this makes it even better."

As the conversation continues, the tension from the competition starts to fade, and you all share some laughs and stories. Despite the fierce rivalry and the intensity of the event, moments like this remind you of the real reason you're here: the friendships, the growth, and the thrill of becoming the best heroes you can be.

-

Meanwhile, in the faculty lounge, Mt. Lady, Kamui Woods, and Vlad King are gathered, sharing a moment of respite during the lunch break. The atmosphere is light, and the conversation quickly shifts to the standout performances of the students.

"So, what do you think about Y/N?" Mt. Lady asks, her tone playful as she leans back with a grin. "She's kinda cute, isn't she? I mean, she's got that whole dragon thing going for her," she adds with a giggle.

Vlad King exhales, rubbing the back of his neck. "She is impressive, sure," he admits, his voice level but thoughtful. Then, with a knowing look, he adds, "But far out of your league, Mt. Lady."

Kamui Woods chuckles quietly at the exchange, shaking his head as Mt. Lady pouts dramatically. "Oh, come on, Vlad," she protests, crossing her arms with a mock sigh. "Why do you have to crush my dreams like that?"

"It's not crushing your dreams; it's saving you from disappointment," Vlad King counters with a smirk, taking a sip of his drink.

The banter continues, a mix of admiration for your abilities and Mt. Lady's playful dramatics, while Kamui Woods remains the voice of calm reason. Despite the teasing, it's clear they all see your potential, and perhaps, a bit of themselves in the promising student you are becoming.

-

As you and Izuku walk toward the arena, chatting casually about the upcoming events, Todoroki emerges from the shadows, his two-toned hair catching the light. His expression is calm but serious as he addresses you both.

"Y/N, Midoriya, I need to talk to you," he says, his tone measured yet firm.

You exchange a quick look with Izuku, who shrugs nervously, his curiosity clearly piqued. With a nod, you both follow Todoroki to a quieter corner, away from the bustling noise of the arena.

Once there, Todoroki wastes no time. He turns to Izuku first. "During the Cavalry Battle, the power you used—it was the same as All Might's," he states, his voice steady but laced with certainty. The accusation hangs in the air, heavy and unmistakable.

Izuku stiffens, his face a mask of surprise and worry. Before he can respond, Todoroki's sharp gaze shifts to you. "And you, Y/N," he continues, his tone colder now. "Your power—it's far more formidable than just being a dragon. You're hiding something from us, aren't you?"

Your eyes narrow, a dangerous glint flashing in your purple irises as you cross your arms. The intensity of your glare meets his unwavering calm. "And if I am?" you reply smoothly, your voice low but charged with defiance. "What are you going to do about it?"

Todoroki's stoicism falters slightly as you take a step closer, your presence radiating an almost imperceptible heat. "I get it. You're Endeavor's kid, the prodigy, the one they all look up to. But if you think that means you can match me, you're wrong. Your fire isn't like mine."

You lean in just enough to make your point, your voice dropping to a near whisper but losing none of its edge. "I admire your courage, Shoto. I do. But let me be clear—you don't know fire like I do."

For a moment, the tension is palpable. The air between you sizzles with unspoken challenges, a quiet storm of willpower and pride. Todoroki doesn't back down, but there's a flicker of something in his eyes—not fear, but acknowledgment. Respect, perhaps.

Izuku, watching the exchange with wide eyes, hesitates before finally stepping between you. "Guys," he says softly, his voice trembling just enough to break the tension. "Let's just focus on the festival, okay? This isn't the time."

With a final, piercing glance at Todoroki, you step back, your smirk faint but unmistakable. "You're right, Izuku. It's not the time." And with that, you turn on your heel, leaving Todoroki to process your words as you stride back toward the arena, your confidence unshaken.

-

After lunch, Present Mic's enthusiastic voice booms across the arena. "ALRIGHT, EVERYONE! Before we dive into the finals, let's have some fun with recreational side games! Participants, feel free to join in or just relax while we entertain the crowd!"

As students and spectators buzz with excitement, Aizawa, leaning lazily against a wall, glances toward the sidelines. His perpetually tired gaze sharpens slightly when he notices something peculiar—and amusing.

Along with the professional cheerleaders hired by U.A., several girls from Class 1-A, including you, are decked out in colorful cheerleader outfits. Your usual tough demeanor is replaced, albeit reluctantly, with pom-poms, a short skirt, and a bright grin (or an approximation of one, given your likely embarrassment).

The boys from your class—including Bakugo, Todoroki, and Midoriya—freeze in their tracks when they spot you and the others. Their reactions are priceless.

Denki, of course, is the first to lose his composure, nudging Mineta with stars in his eyes. "Do you see this? This is the best day of my life!" he exclaims, earning simultaneous groans and smacks from nearby classmates.

Todoroki looks away awkwardly, a faint blush dusting his normally composed face. Bakugo, on the other hand, scowls so intensely it looks like his forehead might permanently wrinkle. "What the hell are you wearing, lizard bastard?!" he shouts, clearly flustered.

You roll your eyes, waving a pom-pom lazily in his direction. "Relax, Kacchan. It's just for fun," you say, trying to play it cool, though the faint blush on your own cheeks betrays your discomfort.

Present Mic, ever the entertainer, laughs as he picks up on the awkward tension. "LOOKS LIKE OUR STUDENTS ARE GETTING INTO THE SPIRIT! GIVE IT UP FOR THE CLASS 1-A CHEER SQUAD!" he shouts, and the crowd erupts in cheers and whistles.

Aizawa sighs heavily, muttering under his breath, "Why am I not surprised this has turned into a spectacle?" But even he can't help the faint smirk that tugs at the corner of his lips as he watches his students bond, however chaotically, in the name of competition.

Momo sighs, her cheeks flushed as she adjusts her cheerleader outfit. "We were just fooled into this, weren't we?" she mutters, clearly embarrassed.

You nudge her side gently with your tail, a teasing smile on your face. "Come on, Momo. We might as well own it. Besides, it's not so bad—we're doing what we're supposed to do, right?"

Before she can respond, you step forward and start bouncing up and down enthusiastically, shaking your pom-poms in sync with the hired cheerleaders. Your energetic movements draw immediate attention from the crowd—and your classmates. Present Mic's laughter booms over the microphone. "LOOK AT THAT SPIRIT! Y/N IS REALLY GETTING INTO IT!"

The crowd's cheers grow louder, but amidst the excitement, some of the boys in the audience can't help but blush furiously as their eyes inadvertently follow your movements. Even a few of the girls watching can't hide their embarrassment, their faces red as they try not to giggle or glance too long.

Mina bursts into laughter, leaning on Jiro for support. "Oh my god, Y/N! You're really putting on a show!"

Bakugo's face turns bright red as he averts his eyes with a growl. "Damn idiot lizard," he mutters under his breath, his ears burning.

Todoroki, standing nearby, keeps his composure but rubs the back of his neck awkwardly, his gaze fixed anywhere but on you. Meanwhile, Denki is full-on swooning, nearly fainting from sensory overload.

Even you can't help but feel a bit of heat in your cheeks as you glance at the reactions around you. But instead of stopping, you laugh, adding an extra flair to your routine, because if you're going to be in this situation, you might as well enjoy it—and make it memorable.

-

After the cheerleading spectacle, the festival transitions back to the main event: the tournament. Present Mic's voice reverberates through the stadium as the participants for the first bracket are announced, the excitement palpable among the crowd.

The matchups appear on the massive screen, drawing cheers and murmurs of anticipation:

Izuku Midoriya vs. Hitoshi ShinsoShoto Todoroki vs. Hanta SeroIbara Shiozaki vs. Denki KaminariTenya Iida vs. Mei HatsumeMina Ashido vs. Yuga AoyamaFumikage Tokoyami vs. Momo YaoyorozuEijiro Kirishima vs. Tetsutetsu TetsutetsuKatsuki Bakugo vs. Ochaco Uraraka

The screen shifts to dramatic visuals of each contender, their names emblazoned alongside their faces.

"ALRIGHT, EVERYONE! THIS IS WHAT YOU'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR—THE TOURNAMENT ARC OF THE U.A. SPORTS FESTIVAL! THESE MATCHUPS WILL DETERMINE WHO TRULY STANDS AT THE TOP!" Present Mic shouts, his voice brimming with enthusiasm.

The crowd roars in response, eager for the battles ahead. Each student glances at their assigned opponent, some with determination, others with unease.

Izuku's face is pale but resolute as he exchanges a tense look with Shinso. Todoroki remains his usual calm self, but there's a glint of focus in his eyes as he assesses Sero. Kaminari lets out a nervous laugh at the sight of Shiozaki, while Iida adjusts his glasses, clearly bracing himself for Hatsume's unpredictable gadgets. Mina grins, giving Aoyama a thumbs-up, while Tokoyami and Momo exchange a respectful nod.

Kirishima and Tetsutetsu lock eyes with matching grins, already hyped for what promises to be a battle of sheer durability. Meanwhile, Bakugo smirks smugly, while Ochaco clenches her fists, clearly determined not to back down despite her formidable opponent.

You stand nearby, watching the matchups unfold, a mix of curiosity and excitement coursing through you. This is it—the pinnacle of the festival, where quirks, strategy, and sheer willpower will collide. The atmosphere hums with energy as the first match is called to the arena.

As the matchups light up on the screen, you glance up, wondering if your name will appear alongside someone else's. The crowd buzzes with anticipation when another name suddenly flashes across the screen:

Y/N L/N vs. Mashirao Ojiro

The crowd erupts into cheers and murmurs as your face and Ojiro's appear on the board. Your opponent, the polite and martial-arts-focused tailed hero, glances at you with a nod of respect. You smirk slightly, offering a quick nod in return.

"AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, WE HAVE Y/N L/N FACING OFF AGAINST MASHIRAO OJIRO! THIS MATCH IS GONNA BE FIRE—LITERALLY!" Present Mic exclaims, his voice practically bouncing off the walls of the stadium.

Ojiro approaches after the announcement, extending a hand. "I know you're strong, Y/N, but let's have a good match," he says earnestly, his tail swishing behind him in readiness.

You take his hand with a firm shake, grinning. "Of course. Just don't hold back—I wouldn't want to feel bad about beating you."

Nearby, Bakugo snorts. "Don't embarrass me, lizard bastard," he mutters, crossing his arms.

"Relax, Kacchan," you retort with a teasing glance. "I've got this."

Ojiro walks off, likely heading to prepare, leaving you surrounded by the electrified air of competition. As the brackets finalize, you steel yourself for the upcoming fight. The stage is set, and you can feel the intensity of the festival ramping up with each passing moment.