The U.A. Sports Festival is a day important to everyone. The Support, Business, General Studies, and Hero courses come together and fight through preliminary games of different types by class year. The students who make it through face off in the finals. It's a round-robin tournament divided by grade.

I looked up from the piece of paper up at Izu, Uraraka, Iida, Kirishima, Kaminari, Mina, and Jiro. "It's too troublesome." I concluded, putting the piece of paper Iida gave me down.

Classes are almost over and this is a free period. During this time, these guys surrounded me and began to explain the festival because of my lack of enthusiasm.

Iida, at some point, had written out in great detail the whole thing.

They sighed, shoulders sagging. "Kiri . . ." Kaminari murmured. Kirishima perked up, clenching his fist and putting them to his chest excitedly.

"Hey! You have to be excited! You have to try and go for first!" He tried.

I internally sighed and raised an eyebrow. "I don't wanna." I concluded. "You got to!" He, Kaminari, Mina, and Iida shouted back. "No."

They fell to the ground at my blunt rejection.

Idiots.

The bell rang, signaling the end of school. Everyone gathered their things and we began to leave, Uraraka in the lead. However once she opened the door she stepped back a bit. Hm?

Looking out, I simply raised an eyebrow. What the hell is this? "Wha-what's going on?!" Uraraka shouted in shock at the large group of people blocking our exit and looking at us like we were some sort of exhibit.

"What business do you have with Class A?" Iida questioned, going straight to business. "We can't get out! What'd you come here for anyway?" Mineta demanded.

I titled my head slightly, examining them. What is going on?

Could they be- "Scouting out the enemy, small fry." Kacchan said, walking past Mineta and towards the door. Mineta pointed at Kacchan, a devastated look on his face as he looked at Izu and I since we're the closest.

Izu put his hand up, an apologetic look on his face. "We're the ones who made it out of the villains' attack. They probably wanna check us out before the Sports Festival." Kacchan explained, still walking away from us.

"That's Kacchan in neutral." Izu informed Mineta, apologetically.

The little squirt should be able to tell by now. If Kacchan wants to be mean he'll either be screaming or talking very low with veins popping on his forehead.

Kacchan made it to the door and stopped. "There's no point in doing stuff like that. Out of the way extras." He demanded so casually.

I sighed. "There he goes on the 'extra' again." Izu, Iida, and Uraraka jumped. "Stop calling people 'extras' just because you don't know them!" Iida scolded as Izu and Uraraka quivered in disbelief.

"I came to see what the famous Class A was like. But you seem pretty arrogant." A boy stepped through the crowd up to the front. He has a bluish purple hair color that's styled more up, and his eyes look surprisingly tired, kinda like Aizawa-Sensei.

"Are all the students in the Hero Course like this?" He questioned. Kacchan tensed, his chin going up and that angry face on.

Izu, Uraraka, Iida, and Mineta held their hands up and shook their heads rapidly, trying to get him to get the clue on not provoking Kacchan.

My eye twitched at his claim. Things are going to get noisy. "Seeing something like this makes me disillusioned." He said, closing his lavender eyes as he scratched the back of his head.

He opened his eyes again, staring at Kacchan. "There are quite a few people who enrolled in General Studies or other courses because they didn't make it into the Hero Course. Did you know that?" He questioned Kacchan.

I stared at my childhood friend curiously. How's he going to react? He's not going off on him yet. He's listening to what he has to say.

Kacchan may seem like a hot tempered moron, which is half correct, but he's pretty smart in sense.

He's different. "The school has left those of us a chance. Depending on the results of the Sports Festival, they'll consider our transfer into the Hero Course. And it seems they may also transfer people out." While the others tensed, I stood, unfazed my his words.

"Scouting out the enemy? I, at least, came to say that even if you're in the Hero Course, if you get too carried away, I'll sweep you off your feet from under you. I came with a declaration of war."

Eh? He's pretty bold. But the way he holds himself confidently. I wonder what he has up his sleeve?

Kacchan and the stranger continued the stare off, before a loud voice interrupted. "I'm from Class B next door! I heard you fought against villains, so I came to hear 'bout it! Don't get so full of yourself!" He shouted loudly.

Another bold person. No, not bold. He's just an idiot.

But he reminds me of someone. I couldn't stop myself from glancing at Kirishima.

The newcomer with silver hair continued to shout. I glanced back at him. Definitely an idiot.

So what'll you do Kacchan? Instead of fighting or arguing, he merely stepped out a bit and turned, heading out. "Wait a minute Bakugo! What're you gonna do about all this?" Kirishima said, rushing over to us.

At his shout, Kacchan stopped momentarily. "It's your fault that everyone's hating on us!" The red head told him.

Kacchan looked over his shoulder at him, no, all of us. "It doesn't matter." He stated. Kirishima looked beyond confused. "It doesn't matter as long as you rise to the top." With that said, he left.

I sighed loudly. I caught his stare at me. I guess I gotta participate in this stupid thing.

Kirishima made a fist and was crying a bit. "That's so simple and manly!" Eh? Manly? Well, I guess Kacchan can be manly at times. But what he just said was for our class so we wouldn't waver by this new guy's sudden declaration.

After all, he cares a lot more then he's willing to let on.

I glanced at our class who began talking, their tension gone by Kacchan's words and the change in atmosphere he created for them.

Ah-ah. Everyone's riled up. Each has a strong pull towards it. Towards the Festival. The time to show they are Hero worthy. Everyone's going to be trying their best.

Izu and Kacchan. I sighed again. Guess I'll try a little. Just this once.

The U.A. Sports Festival is in two weeks. It'll be broadcast live on TV too. There's no doubt that those who do well have a much better chance of becoming Pro Heroes. We won't know what events we'll be participating in until the day of. Everyone's going to start getting ready.

~

Time passed in the blink of the eye. And today is the day of the Festival. I waited outside the gate of Izu's home. Soon his door opened and he rushed out, ready. As soon as he spotted me he grinned. "Kiri-Nee, good morning!" He greeted.

I nodded. "Good morning. You ready for today?" I asked. The smile was still in tact and he nodded firmly.

The corner of my lip moved up in a half smile. "Come on." I turned, heading towards school. Izu quickly fell into step with me as we continued.

"But Kiri-Nee, to think you actually trained for this . . ." Izu trailed off as we continued walking. "False. I train everyday. For the sole purpose of needing the exercise and if needed, protecting myself. The fact that there is this dumb Festival means nothing to me."

He laughed nervously at my claim. After walking in silence for a bit, Izu glanced at me. "Kiri-Nee, why did you attend U.A.?" He asked. I kept my gaze straight ahead.

Why I'm in U.A.? I tilted my head to see him and smirked. "Entertainment."

He stared at me a bit before smiling lightly. "Thanks." With that said we continued our way in comfortable silence.

As predicted, the school was swarmed by reporters and civilian spectators. Lucky the students were able to get in pretty easy, but there's just so many people it's uncomfortable.

It's already annoying.

We were all in Class 1-A's waiting room, already dressed in our PE clothes. Mina picked at hers in distaste. "Man. I wanted to wear my costume." She complained, pouting slightly. Ojiro smiled lightly. "To keep everything fair, we can't." Apparently being in Hero Course we're already at an unfair advantage to other students. Other courses can have gear.

Oh well. Not that it particularly matters. "Everyone, are you ready?" Iida came in. He went out to check with the teachers on the situation since he's class rep.

"We will be entering soon!" He informed us. Everyone was already antsy, but as soon as he said that, the anxiety in here is almost palpable.

I placed my arm on Izu's shoulder and leaned against him, not really feeling anything about the whole ordeal. "Midoriya." A familiar voice spoke.

Izu and I turned to see Todoroki standing there. That's rare. The kid never talks. He talks less then I do.

Famous half and half recommendation student. What does he want with Izu?

"Todoroki? What is it?" Izu asked, surprised he had called out to him as well. Everyone in the room is watching the two, curious as well. "Looking at things objectively, I think I'm stronger than you." He said.

I blinked once, twice, three times.

Huh?

Izu seemed surprised but nodded in agreement. "Y-yeah." He agreed. I frowned at his response. I mean it's true but you don't have to agree with it.

"But . . . All Might has his eye on you, doesn't he?" He questioned. More like an interrogation actually. I stared at him a bit.

Why has he been watching? An All Might fanatic like Izu? No, more like closest fanatic like Kacchan. "I'm not trying to pry about that. But I'm going to beat you."

The best student in our class . . . made a declaration of war. And to Izu.

I see. He's aware of Izu's power. Not enough to be a problem, but enough to realize he can possibly overpower him. Todoroki Shoto. I'll need to keep an eye on him. Can't have him finding out the secret. Not if it can put Izu in danger.

Kirishima immediately came over to us. "Hey, hey, hey! Why are you picking a fight all of a sudden? Not now, we're about to start!" He said, trying to stop the atmosphere from getting worse.

Todoroki shrugged him off and turned. "We're not here to play at being friends. So what does it matter?" He walked away from everyone.

"Todoroki." Izu spoke, making the teen stop. "I don't know what you're thinking when you say you'll beat me, but of course you're better then me. I think you're capeable then most people. Looking at it objectively . . ." Izu admitted.

Kirishima's eyebrow twitched as he waved his hands, trying to reassure him with a smile. "Midoriya, you probably shouldn't talk so negatively."

I stared at Izu as he continued. "But, everyone, the students from courses are aiming for the top with everything they've got! I can't afford to fall behind." Izu . . .

He looked up from the ground, eyes unwavering. "I'll be going for it with everything I have too."

Izu has definitely grown since coming here. And he grew in a good way. Where he can look up at someone like him, and declare his will. It's a change from when he was spineless and a crybaby. Well, he's still kind of a crybaby. But it takes time to change.

And the way he's going, Izu will definitely grow to be a wonderful person. Coming here really was the best for him. I'd rather see this Izu then one who is shoved to the ground and doesn't fight back.

After the whole situation, our class began to head out, towards the arena. The sounds of cheering reached my ears as soon as I stepped out of the waiting room. And the all to annoying voice of Mic could be heard as well.

As we continued down the tunnel, towards the light, the voices got louder. "It's time for the students to enter the first-year stage!" Our class exited our tunnel and into the light. We had officially entered the Sports Festival.

Alright. Let's get this party started.

I looked around and groaned. "Even if this is a Hero thing, it's still a High School Sports Festival. This is overkill." I stated from next to Izu and Kirishima.

"It's awesome! It's to be expected of U.A.!" Kirishima grinned cheekily. "The huge battle where fledgling heroes sharpen their swords once a year! Anyway, these are the guys, right? The miraculous new stars who overcame enemy attacks with their hearts of steel! Hero Course, Class 1-A, right?!" Present Mic's voice sounded throughout the arena. That loud hero really is annoying.

I blocked out everything around me and continued walking towards the center. My gaze wondered to the other students who exited their tunnels. A lot seem pretty interesting. Especially from B Class. But it's gonna be a pain.

We all lined up in the center field, in front of a podium stage where the Hero Midnight stood. "Time for the player pledge!" My eye twitched in annoyance.

That damn Midnight is this years chief umpire huh? Jeez, and she's still wearing that sadist outfit of hers. Obviously it excited the men and teens all around as a small commotion sparked at her appearance.

As expected of an R-Rated Hero.

"Quiet everyone!" She shouted, slashing her flogger. "Representing the students is Bakugo Katsuki and Nozomi Kiriya from Class 1-A!" Oh, that's right. Since we were both tied on entrance exams.

Kacchan and I glanced at each other before walking to the little podium stage. There was murmuring behind us as we continued to walk up the steps and to the mic. Kacchan and I stood next to each other. The arena went silent, waiting for us to speak.

Kacchan was in front of the mic, staring at the crowd. "I pledge-" the anticipation thickened. "That I'll be number one." Saw that coming.

The students, other then our class, went in an uproar, angered by his claim. Iida ran over to the staircase. "Why are you doing something so disgraceful?!" He shouted over the boo's of the students. Kacchan and I glanced back at him and the other students.

Kacchan, being Kacchan, gave them thumbs down. "At least become a nice bouncy step for me to jump off of." This only angered them even more. You could see them snapping.

"Nozomi! Do something!" Iida shouted. "Ah. Alright." I stepped up to the mic. The shouting stopped but they were all stewing in anger. I stared at the audience with an indifferent expression.

"I pledge that someone will win." I stated. "KIRI!" My class shouted. "Who it is I couldn't really care less. Bye." I turned along with Kacchan and descended the stairs. I ignored the angry glares and shouts the students were giving us.

I glanced at Kacchan out of the corner of my eye as we went back to our spots in line. The old Kacchan would've laughed while saying that. He's changed since his battle with Izu. But . . . getting the rest of us caught up in it is just like him though.

"Now, let's get started right away." Midnight interrupted the anger fest the classes had. "The first game is what you'd call a qualifier! Every year, many drink their tears here! Now, here is the fateful first game! This year it's . . ." She moved her flogger.

A giant screen appeared behind her. It moved quickly like a slot machine. Finally it landed on Obstacle Race. "This!" She shouted.

A race huh? I guess it's kind of normal. "All 11 classes will participate in this race. The course will be the outer circumference of this stadium-about four kilometers! Our school's selling point is freedom! As long as you stay on the course it doesn't matter what you do!" She licked her lips and her blue eyes locked on us like prey.

She's such a sadist.

Basically anything goes. "Now, take your places everyone!" She gestured to a giant metal gate off to the side. Without further ado, everyone gathered and waited.

A light at the top was glowing red. A race huh? Well I'm pretty fast. Faster then the average person at least. But this is U.A. There will be annoying hindrances in the way. Oh well. It's a take action game.

As soon as it turned green the gates opened. "Start!" Midnight shouted. We all immediately began to run. Because everyone entered at once, it became cramped quickly.

I jumped up into the air and ran, using the top of their heads as steps as I made my way. I jumped down out in the front when a sudden cold hit me. This cold . . . Todoroki? Turning I saw ice covered the wall and the ground, freezing some of us. "Sorry." He said.

The ice continued to cover the ground, heading to me. I hopped up slightly as the ground froze and landed. Todoroki ran past me. "You don't think that'll work, do you?" I asked, hand on hip.

"What's this?! A student evaded his ice but isn't moving! What is she doing?!" Mic's voice sounded. I rolled my eyes and used the ice, similar to ice skating as I moved forward.

Of course 1-A is used to his ice, so they moved on and escaped with ease, heading forward while the others faltered. I skated with ease across, at a fast yet leisurely pace.

As Mineta jumped using his little purple grape hair follicles, a metal arm hit him, sending him flying. I followed the arm to see a giant robot.

Ah, that's from the entrance exam. The zero pointer.

Three of them in front of us. Everyone stopped at their sudden appearance, even Todoroki. The students were murmuring a bit in fear at their appearance. More gathered.

Well, they're big, but that's about all they are. I stopped and waited for Todoroki to make a move.

One robot reached out for Todoroki. However ice surrounded his hand and the ground he stood on. He touched the ground with his hand, conjuring up more power, before bringing it up and swiping sending ice up and freezing the machine.

I whistled at the move. I expect no less from number one. Standing back straight, he ran.

The ice . . . it's only frozen enough for him to escape. I quickly ran after him, not wasting this chance. However the ice cracked and the one in front of me began to fall.

Clucking my tongue, I jumped up onto its arm and ran up. As soon as I made it onto its shoulder I jumped off and behind it, landing safely on the other side.

However I stopped and turned back. Izu . . .

I don't plan on advancing without Izu. But I don't plan on fighting those machines. He has to overcome this.

Hey, Izu. What's your plan?