"Kiri!" As I was leaving the arena, I looked up to see Uraraka run my way. She stopped just in front of me, a big smile on her face.

"Yo." I brought my hand up in a greeting gesture. "It's amazing that your team got third! I wish I could have seen." She said.

I raised an eyebrow. "Well you kinda had your hands full. Besides, it wasn't really anything interesting." I shrugged.

She giggled a bit and glanced behind me. "Eh? You're not with Deku?" She asked curiously.

Ah, that. I glanced back as well. "Fire and Ice wanted to talk to him." I told her. As we were leaving Todoroki stopped us. He seemed pretty serious. It's rare to see him take an interest in anything, let alone someone else. Izu sent me on ahead.

I wonder what they're talking about. Todoroki suddenly grew interested in him lately and I can't really tell why.

This Festival blows. "Eh, is that so. Well, we should eat lunch before the final event. Come on!" She grabbed hold of my arm and took off. "Eh? Urara-Wait!" I called, but she pulled me along, dragging me to the cafeteria.

We grabbed some lunch and sat down next to Asui. "Ochako-Chan, Kiri-Chan, congratulations on making it to the final round." She said, a smile on her face. Uraraka grinned but looked down a bit. "Eh? Thanks, but I didn't really do anything. I only got so far because I teamed with Deku." Hm?

"I'm sure that's not true." I said, eating my rice. She looked over at me curiously. "I'm sure they wouldn't have gotten this far without you." I told her, to which Asui agreed full heartedly. I watched Uraraka as she and the other girl talked animatedly.

True enough, she has a strong impact on the people around her. And she is also Izu's pillar of support. A support even I could never give him. She admires him greatly. And she believes in him and helps him go further.

I smiled ever so lightly and patted her head. "Good work." She blushed a bit but smiled widely nonetheless.

Asui poked her face. "It's rare to see you smile Kiri-Chan. But you smiled a lot today. Although they can barely be called that."

Eh? Have I smiled a lot today? I didn't think so . . . but she may be right. That's strange. There's nothing especially good about today. In fact it sucks because of this damn festival. "She's right! Hey, show us a real smile!" Uraraka seemed pretty hyped. Huh?

"C'mon Kiri, smile!" She urged. Ausi smiled widely and pointed to it. "Like this." She backed Uraraka up. I tried, but it was far too forced. So I grabbed each corner and pulled up. They sweat dropped at that. "She can't smile yet, huh?" Asui asked. Uraraka laughed nervously.

But she regained her composure quickly. "We'll make you smile happily one day Kiri!" She declared. I took a sip of my tea. "Good luck." I told her emotionlessly. Soon Iida, Shoji, and Koda joined us and everyone engaged in light conversation, relieving any tension left from the last event.

I watched them carefully. My first impression of everyone was very poor since I didn't even think about them at all. They were just bodies that filled the seats around my own. Then they became annoying nuisances who talked too much.

They were all so annoying. Because they're just so optimistic it was annoying. But now? What is my impression of them now?

They're not exactly my friends, but it would be annoying if they were to die. This school is definitely strange. Strange and stupid. What a foolish group of kids. But . . . it's not bad to be that way sometimes.

As soon as lunch ended, we all headed back to arena. As we entered, Yaoyorozu stopped us. "Ah, sorry. I only heard about it just a bit ago. Apparently the girls in all classes are supposed to wear these for the cheer battle." She gestured to Jiro who handed us some orange uniform.

I looked at the clothes. It's a cheer uniform. "Orange isn't really my color." I started. But Yaoyorozu seemed a bit troubled. "I'm sorry, if I had known earlier I would have prepared you. I'm a failure as a class rep." She hung her head a bit. "Eh? No, you're not! It's fine! Right, Kiri?" Uraraka tried to cheer her up.

I eyed the outfit with distaste.

No way in hell am I wearing this. As if hearing my thoughts, she continued. "Hey, didn't Deku and Bakugo want you to try your best today? Well the cheering is part of the festival." Ghek. My eye twitched and I looked at the outfit again.

This is the last time I do something for those morons. "Please Nozomi-San?" Yaoyorozu looked so helpless right now. Even Jiro is looking at me with pleading eyes.

"You owe me." Relief filled her face and she nodded. "Of course! Come, we must change quickly." She urged us back to the locker rooms where the rest of the girls from our class were already changing.

I went into the shower to change, as usual. Once I did I immediately regretted it.

Since I was wearing a black tank top under my gym shirt I decided to keep it on. It still looked ridiculous on me. Orange just isn't my color. It's far too cheery.

I stepped out and walked over to the girls, pulling my long hair up into a ponytail, leaving some hair to frame my face. The outfit actually look good on most of them.

It does look different on Jiro. Like me, she looks better in dark colors. "I hate this festival." I stated for the millionth time

And with each time I have said this it's become more and more true.

We headed out back into the arena. As soon as we made our way out, the girls went all gloomy.

The only other girls wearing U.A. cheer uniforms are the real cheerleaders brought in from America as Present Mic said over the speakers.

Unfortunately he noticed us as well. "What's the matter, Class A? What kind of fan service is that?" You had to announce it didn't you?

I sighed loudly in annoyance. "Hey, was it Mineta who told you this?" I asked, not showing any emotion. Yaoyorozu nodded slightly. "And Kaminari." She had gone pale and extra gloomy. She glared at the two boys who are obviously pleased with the situation.

"Mineta! Kaminari! You tricked us, didn't you?!" She shouted over at him, embarrassed and angry all in one.

Staring at them I walked over to them where their backs are turned to me. "Hey." They stiffened at the close sound of my voice. Slowly, they turned to me. They immediately went pale.

I smiled sadistically. They knew they were in trouble. Before they could run, I began to wail on them. "You damn morons!" I roared as I continued beating them up. "Oh! It seems Nozomi is fired up! Retribution! Go easy on them, they are young!" Present Mic voiced over the system. After hitting them a few more times I stepped back.

They're collapsed on the ground, covered in bumps and bruises from my hits.

My pony tail swayed as my hair moved, forming an axe blade. "Next time you do this to me I will chop it off." Their hands immediately went to cover their crotches. "Tch." I kicked them one last time and headed back.

Damn it all to hell.

As I returned to the girls, I noticed Yaoyorozu had dropped to the ground, depressed. "Why am I always caught up in Mineta's schemes? I even used Creation to make the outfits." She questioned herself. Hm. "Because you have a large chest." I stated, making her blush profusely.

Uraraka kneeled down and patted her back reassuringly. Jiro threw her pom poms to the ground in anger. "Those guys are so dumb!" She's blushing a bit. She's more embarrassed then the rest of us.

Hagakure waved her pom poms as she moved about. "Well, there's still time before the finals and it'd be a pain if things got tense. It's fine! Let's do it!" She urged, all hyped up. "What?!" Jiro shouted in disbelief.

"All right everyone! Let's have fun competing in the recreational games! When that's over, the twenty from the four teams that made it to the final round will duke it out tournament style, one-on-one!" The main screen held a tournament bracket, but the names aren't up yet.

Ugh, what a hassle.

We all walked back up and over to Midnight for further instruction in this damn festival game.

I spotted Izu near the front. While we were mopping the others had already gathered by her, so we took the last row in our class.

Midnight picked up a lots box. "Now, let's draw lots to determine the bracket. Once the bracket is determined, we'll have the recreational games and then start! The twenty finalists can choose whether or not they want to participate in the recreation."

I clenched my fists and put it near my chest. "Yes. Skipping." Uraraka laughed nervously from next to me.

Totally not participating. "I'm sure some of you want to rest or save your strength. Now, from the first place team-" Ojiro raised his hand into the air. "Um, excuse me. I'm withdrawing." Eh?

Our class stared at him in disbelief. "Ojiro, why?" Izu asked, baffled by his declaration. "This is a rare chance for pros to see you!" Iida said, unable to comprehend it as well.

Ojiro dropped his arm, a serious expression on his face. "I barely remember anything from the cavalry battle until almost the end." What?

He doesn't remember? "I think it was that guy's Quirk." That guy? Let's see, Ojiro was with a short stubby kid, Aoyama, and . . . that kid who was provoking the class.

I glanced over to see him watching with cool eyes before looking away.

I see. "I know that this is a great chance and that it's foolish to waste it . . . but everyone here competed by giving it their all! I can't . . . I can't be up there with everyone without knowing what really happened."

He's really bothered by it. "You're worrying too much about it! You should just make sure you produce results in the finals!" Hagakure tried, wanting him to take this opportunity. "If you're gonna say that, I didn't do anything either." Ashido tried as well.

Ojiro brought his hand to his face. "That's not it. I'm talking about my pride here . . . I can't . . . Also why are you guys wearing cheerleader outfit?" I nearly fell.

What the? Don't ask that while you're being so emotional!

The short stubby kid walked up a bit as well. "I'm Shoda Nirengeki from Class B. I also want to withdraw for the same reason. Regardless of the ability, don't you think it goes against the goal of this sports festival for those who didn't do anything to move onto the final round?"

What the? I don't get these two. "What's with these guys?! They're so manly!" Kirishima cried from in front of me.

I rolled my eyes and smacked him upside the head. "Stop crying." I stated, but of course the hit had no effect on him.

It depends on Midnight if she'll allow their withdrawal, but I know her well, so I know what her answer is going to be.

Everyone waited anxiously as Midnight stared at us with cold eyes. "Youthful talk like that is something . . . I like! Shoda! Ojiro! I accept your withdrawal!" I knew it. She decides everything by her tastes. That's just her.

She stared at us a bit. "In that case, we'll have to move up two people from the sixth place cavalry battle team." That's Team Tetsutetsu. They chose the guy who's like Kirishima and a girl with green, thorny hair.

The guy cried in appreciation of his team voting on him to represent them. Definitely like Kirishima.

Watch him and Kirishima have to fight.

We all drew and gave our results to Midnight. "And so, Tetsutetsu and Shiozaki have moved up to make twenty! This is the bracket based on the results of drawing!" She pointed her flogger at the board.

Izu vs. Shinso. Todoroki vs. Sero. Kaminari vs. Shiozaki. Itsuka vs. Komori. Iida vs. Hatsume. Ashido vs. Tokage. Tokoyami vs. Yaoyorozu. Kacchan vs. Uraraka. Kirishima vs. Aoyama. Tetsutetsu vs. Nozomi.

Ouch. Tough luck Uraraka.

"Nozomi Kiriya?" Tetsutetsu questioned. Itsuka laughed and gestured to me. "She was my teammate in the last competition, remember?" I glanced over at them, eyes void of any emotion. "I'm not going to hold back!" He declared.

I stared at him a bit and turned. "Okay." I walked away as he shouted in disbelief.

The recreation games began and I went back to the locker room to change back into my gym clothes. Once I was changed I went to the waiting room, laid on the table, and decided to take a quick nap.

~

"Hey guys! Are you ready?!" I groaned, remaining in my seat in Class 1-A's seating area. "A lots happened, but it's now come to this! A serious battle! You can only depend on yourself! Even if you're not a Hero, you'll face lots of situations like that! You get it right?! Heart, skill, body, wisdom, and knowledge!"

Heart, huh? Well, this is the final event. After this I can go.

Izu's match is up first. He spent the break with Ojiro discussing Shinso. I slept through it but he woke me up before the event.

I could hear their voices, so I vaguely understand what they were talking about. And besides, I had already pieced it together. I sat between Uraraka and Kirishima, watching the arena below. Fire lit from the four corners of the arena stage.

It's about to begin. "Audience! The finals that you've all been waiting for are finally starting! Match number one! Even though he's done well, what's with that face? From the Hero Course, it's Midoriya Izuku! Versus, sorry he hasn't done anything to stand out yet! From General Studies, it's Shinso Hitoshi!" Mic introduced.

The two walked up to the ring, opposite of each other.

"The rules are simple. Force your opponent out of bounds, or immobilize them! You can also win by making your opponent say, 'I give up!'! Bring on the injuries! Because we've got our very own Recovery Girl waiting on standby! Put your morals and ethics aside for a moment! But of course, anything life threatening is crap! It's not allowed! Heroes should use their fists to catch villains!"

Cementos had made a chair for himself and settled next to the ring. "I'll stop things if they go too far." He said, waving to everyone.

I stared at the two in the ring. "'I give up' huh?" Shinso asked thoughtfully.

Izu looked over at his opponent once he spoke. "This is a fight to test the strength of your spirit. If you know what you want for your future, then you can't worry about appearances." Huh?

This guy has some serious resentment. "Ready? Start!" Mic announced.

"That monkey was going on about his pride, but don't you think he was dumb for throwing away his chance?" Ho? Someone sure runs his mouth.

What is with these brats? Their words are sharp and harsh. Well I can't really say something about it. I can be pretty mean too.

His words angered Izu who began storming to him, anger in his eyes. "What did you say?!" As he began to run he froze. Shinso smirked.

So that's how it works.

Ojiro stood, gripping his hair tightly. "I went through the trouble of warning him too!" He shouted. Tch.

Izu. Can he counter that? No, once he's trapped by it, I can't think of a way for him to get out. Ah, maybe . . .

"What's wrong? It's the important first match! Liven things up! Midoriya! The match just started and he's completely frozen?!" Izu's eyes are now blank white. His face held no emotion, no recognition, no nothing.

It's like he's not even there anymore.