Mailin’s POV:

The atmosphere in the stadium is electric, the roar of the crowd reverberating through the air like thunder. I sit near the edge of the stands, watching as the students of Class 1-A prepare themselves for the day ahead. It's a big moment for all of them—the U.A. Sports Festival, their chance to show the world what they’re capable of.

But my mind keeps wandering back to Shota, seated up in the announcer’s booth beside Hizashi.

I can see him from here, still wrapped in those damned bandages, trying to act like he's perfectly fine. As if everyone hasn’t already seen him get beaten within an inch of his life. I clench my hands in my lap, resisting the urge to march up there and drag him back home, forcing him to rest properly.

But I know better. Shota Aizawa doesn’t rest. Not unless you tie him down.

“Yo! Welcome to the U.A. Sports Festival!” Mic’s voice booms over the stadium, pulling me from my thoughts. His energy is infectious, and I can see the students below tensing up, readying themselves for the first event. “Today we’ve got an amazing show for you! Future pro heroes showing off their quirks, their grit, and their determination! And sitting beside me—none other than the man himself, Eraser Head! How are you feeling, buddy?”

I can practically hear Shota’s sigh from here, see the way his shoulders slump as Mic hands him the microphone. He’s never been one for the spotlight.

“I’m fine,” Shota mutters, his voice barely loud enough for the mic to pick up. “Just focus on the students.”

I bite back a smile, shaking my head. Typical Shota. Always trying to divert attention away from himself.

“And there you have it, folks—our stoic, no-nonsense Eraser Head! Keep your eyes on the field, everyone, because things are about to get intense!”

The first event, the obstacle race, is about to start. I watch as the students line up at the starting point, their faces determined, their bodies tense with anticipation. Izuku, Todoroki, Bakugou—they’re all ready for whatever’s coming.

I lean forward in my seat, feeling the familiar rush of adrenaline. I’ve seen these students train, I know what they’re capable of, but there’s something different about watching them in this arena, under this kind of pressure. This is their chance to prove themselves—not just to U.A., but to the whole world.

The whistle blows, and the students take off, a blur of motion and color. The ground rumbles as quirks are unleashed, the crowd cheering as the race unfolds in a dazzling display of power and skill.

---

Shota’s POV:

I sit in the booth, staring down at the field as Hizashi’s voice blares over the stadium speakers. My arms throb, the weight of the casts a constant reminder that I’m still not at full strength. But I don’t have time to think about that right now. I’m supposed to be watching the students, analyzing their moves, keeping track of their progress.

But I can’t stop my gaze from drifting toward the stands, searching for one person.

Mailin.

I know where she’s sitting, right near the front, her golden blonde hair catching the light like a beacon. She’s watching the students intently, her eyes focused on the race, but every now and then, I catch her looking up at me.

The concern in her gaze is obvious, even from this distance. She doesn’t like that I’m here, doesn’t like that I’m still pushing myself when I should be resting. But there’s no way in hell I’m missing this. The Sports Festival is important for the students, and it’s my job to be here, injuries or not.

Still, every time I meet her eyes, something in me softens. It’s been weeks since we officially started dating. And yet, the intensity of it hasn’t faded. If anything, it’s only grown stronger.

Mic’s voice pulls me back to the present. “And look at them go! Bakugou’s blasting through the course like a rocket, but Todoroki’s got the edge with that ice quirk of his! What do you think, Eraser?”

I grunt, shifting in my seat. “They’re doing fine.”

Mic laughs, his voice booming with amusement. “Man of few words, as always! Don’t worry, buddy, I’ve got the commentary covered!”

---

Mailin’s POV:

As the race continues, I can’t help but glance up at the announcer’s booth again. Hizashi is in his element, grinning like a madman, but Shota... well, he’s just trying to survive. I can see the discomfort on his face, the way he tries to hide it, but I know him too well. He’s still in pain.

A part of me wants to storm up there and demand that he go home, but I know how that conversation would go. Stubborn as ever, he’d refuse, grumbling something about being fine.

The obstacle course comes to a close, and I watch as Midoriya, Todoroki, and Bakugou finish in the top ranks. They’re exhausted, but triumphant, and I feel a swell of pride for all of them.

The next event is about to begin, but my attention keeps flicking back to Shota. He looks more tired than usual, his movements a little slower. I chew my lip, debating whether I should go check on him during the break.

---

Shota’s POV:

The race ends, and I lean back in my chair, trying to ignore the throbbing in my arms. I’ve been pushing myself too hard, but I’m not about to admit that. Not with everyone watching.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Mailin stand up, stretching her arms. She looks up at me, her bright blue eyes filled with something like exasperation.

I know she’s worried. I know she’s probably thinking about storming up here to check on me, but I can handle it. I’ve been through worse.

Still, there’s a part of me—a part I’m not ready to admit out loud—that wouldn’t mind if she came over. Just to... check on things.

Damn it. I’m going soft.

---

Mailin’s POV:

As the next event begins, I stand at the edge of the stands, watching the students prepare for the cavalry battle. The tension in the air is palpable, the crowd buzzing with excitement, but my thoughts keep drifting back to Shota.

I can feel his eyes on me, even now, and it sends a shiver down my spine. There’s something about the way he looks at me, something that makes my heart race in a way I haven’t felt in years.

It’s been weeks since we started... whatever this is between us. And every day, it feels like we’re getting closer, like the walls we’ve both built up are slowly crumbling. But here, in the middle of all this chaos, it feels... different.

I shake off the thought, focusing on the students below as the cavalry battle begins. But I know, no matter how hard I try, my thoughts will always drift back to him.

---

I watch in disbelief as Bakugou stands on the podium, completely chained up like a criminal. His arms are bound, his body wrapped around a wooden log, and a face mask covers his mouth, stifling his furious shouts. It's horrifying. He’s clearly having a panic attack, struggling against the restraints, eyes wide with a mix of fury and panic. He’s a kid, not some villain to be chained like this!

I glance over at Shota, who’s watching calmly, his face unreadable as always. How can he just sit there?

My hands curl into fists at my sides, trembling as anger courses through me. A familiar tug pulls at the water around me, reacting to the rising storm within me. I grit my teeth, trying to hold it back, but the more I watch, the harder it is to control.

The air around me begins to feel damp as water from the air and ground pulls toward me. My heart pounds in my chest, heat rushing through my veins as I glare at the scene.

This is wrong.

Without thinking, I stand up, the water at my feet already beginning to swirl. “This is ridiculous!” I shout, my voice cutting through the air.

All Might is about to place the medal around Bakugou’s neck when I leap from the stands. The moment my feet hit the ground, a surge of water spirals up around me, responding to the storm of emotions inside me.

“Mailin, wait!” Shota’s voice calls out from behind, but I’m too far gone, too enraged to stop.

My water wraps protectively around me like an icy shield, swirling in the air as I march toward the podium, fury written on my face. The temperature around me drops as my Quirk reacts to my anger, small icicles forming at the ends of the water tendrils.

“What the hell do you think you're doing?!” I shout, my voice trembling with the force of my anger. I don’t even realize the water is following me, gathering in waves at my feet, ready to lash out. “He’s not a villain! He’s just a kid, and he’s clearly panicking!”

Bakugou’s eyes dart to me, wild and desperate behind the mask. He’s fighting so hard to break free, but his breathing is erratic, his chest heaving with the signs of a full-blown panic attack. I won’t let this continue. Not for a second longer.

All Might turns to me, surprised, his usual smile faltering. “Young Mizuhana, please, we are just—”

“I don’t care what you’re doing!” I cut him off, the water crashing against the ground like an echo of my fury. “This isn’t how you treat someone who’s clearly suffering!”

Shota’s eyes widen from his seat, a hint of caution in them as he watches me approach Bakugou. Even in my anger, I can feel his worry through the tension in the air. Shota knows better than anyone that when I’m like this, trying to stop me is like trying to stop the tide.

Bakugou lets out a muffled growl from behind the mask, his body still shaking in frustration. Without hesitation, I rush forward, bending the water with a swift motion to break the chains binding him. The metallic restraints clatter to the ground as I tear them off, my hands glowing faintly with the energy of my Quirk.

The water beneath my feet ripples as I approach Bakugou, gently lowering the mask from his face. “Breathe,” I murmur, my voice softer now as I touch his arm, trying to ground him. “You’re okay.”

His chest rises and falls, his breathing shallow at first, but it slowly begins to steady as my presence calms him. The tension in his body starts to melt away as I release the final restraint.

A stunned silence falls over the crowd, and I turn to face the others—All Might, the teachers, the students—everyone watching me with a mixture of shock and awe. I can feel the water settle now, the air becoming calm again as my anger ebbs.

Shota sighs audibly from his seat, his head resting in his hand, and though I can’t see his expression, I can practically feel the silent “never make her angry” vibe radiating off him.

All Might recovers, his kind eyes landing on me with a soft smile. “You’re right, young Mizuhana,” he admits, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. “Perhaps we overdid it.”

“I would say so,” I huff, still fuming as I glance back at Bakugou, who is still catching his breath but giving me a begrudging nod of thanks.

---

Shota’s POV

I’ve seen Mailin angry before. But this... this is something else.

The air around her practically hums with power, the water moving of its own accord, responding to her emotions in a way that makes even the most seasoned Pro Heroes pause. And honestly? It's terrifying.

Yet at the same time, there’s something mesmerizing about her when she’s like this—so fierce, so protective. The water that flows around her like a second skin only adds to her presence, making her look like a force of nature herself.

My mind flickers to the first time we trained together all those years ago at U.A. She’s always been strong, but this... seeing her now, fully in control and standing up for someone in such a raw, powerful way... it leaves me speechless.

I find myself gulping as I watch her go after All Might and the rest, and I can’t help but silently pray that I never, ever end up on the receiving end of that fury.

Mailin kneels beside Bakugou now, the water around her receding as her anger cools, and she softly murmurs words of comfort. Bakugou may be difficult, but seeing him chained up like that... I should’ve known better, should’ve said something. I know how much she values the dignity of others, and seeing it stripped away so easily was bound to ignite that protective fire in her.

I glance at the rest of the teachers, who are all equally stunned by her outburst. But I can see Midnight and Mic exchanging a knowing look, almost... amused.

“She’s got spirit,” Mic whispers to Midnight, a smirk forming on his face. “Told you, she’s a natural.”

Midnight chuckles softly. “Don’t piss her off, that’s for sure.”

I lean back in my chair, feeling the tension leave my shoulders as Mailin finishes talking with Bakugou. Despite the intensity of it all, I can’t help the small smile that tugs at the corners of my mouth.

Yeah... she’s something else, alright.