Soubu Middle School had come to provide training guidance at the request of Screamfist.
And that boy was there.
Despite it being a quirk training session, he did nothing—just stood quietly in a corner.
There was something familiar in those gloomy eyes.
Ten years ago, the man who said he was quitting being a hero and severed ties with me—his son.
I approached him and urged him to try using his quirk.
With a reluctant look, the boy turned to me and said:
"...I was told not to listen to strangers."
I almost felt like burning him.
"Whoa... Even Yukino-san only got second place?"
"Well, makes sense, right? If you're not going for that 10 million headband, second place is the best you can do."
"Their opponent was Hayama-senpai, after all... It took quite a while. They were pretty much evenly matched... Wasn't Yukinoshita-senpai really strong back in middle school? Or is Hayama-senpai just that good...?"
From the U.A. Sports Festival first-year stage audience seats, Komachi Hikigaya, Iroha Isshiki, and Haruno Yukinoshita commented on the match they'd just witnessed between Team Yukinoshita and Team Hayama.
Neither Komachi nor Iroha aimed to become heroes. Komachi was quirkless, and while Iroha did have a quirk suitable for hero work, she had no intention of using it.
Still, watching Hachiman, Yukino, and Yui up close had sharpened their instincts and understanding of combat.
"Hayato's strong for sure, but Yukino-chan couldn't go all out under these rules. She's saving her strength for the tournament, right? Didn't even use her water or special moves."
She didn't say it out loud, but Haruno thought, And Hayato had Ebina-chan supporting him with her quirk too.
Although Ebina had withdrawn from the tournament, her quirk was quite powerful.
In terms of uniqueness, it was one of the top among the U.A. first-years. A perfect sidekick quirk.
"Between her and Gahama-chan, the sidekick war is going to be intense this year."
"Is Yuigahama-senpai that amazing too?"
"Oh, definitely. I've never seen a quirk like hers."
"Huh... from someone so clumsy?"
"From someone that airheaded?"
"Not wrong, but you two are brutal."
Haruno laughed at the sharp-tongued underclassmen. All three shared a slight sadistic streak, so Yui often ended up being the butt of their jokes.
"But... it was Yuigahama-senpai who clinched the win. Outsmarted Hayama-senpai, even."
"Gahama-chan made the play, but Yukino-chan and... the foreigner guy, they supported it."
"So that headband that flew toward Hayama-senpai—was that the wolf guy's doing?"
"Maybe even earlier than that."
"Huh?"
"Earlier?" Komachi tilted her head, trying to remember.
Iroha instantly recalled it.
Before the headband floated up, the cause had been a gust to Hayama's head—courtesy of Wolf.
Thanks to that, Yukino avoided an attack and Yui snatched the headband.
"...Don't tell me he launched the headband into the air knowing how Yuigahama-senpai's quirk worked?!"
"Also... what about Sagami-chan? Maybe he figured she could jump before Hayato's group?"
"Yeah, Hayama-senpai and the others were still airborne from their leap. Sagami-senpai had her feet on the ground—she had the edge... but could someone really plan that far ahead on the fly? That's just creepy. Especially with three teammates whose quirks he didn't know. He is a transfer student, right?"
"Ahahaha! Creepy! Yeah, that's definitely creepy!"
The "wolf" was actually Hachiman Hikigaya, so he wasn't teaming up with them for the first time.
And whether he planned it all or not, he definitely guided the events.
Maybe he hadn't mapped it all out—but if Yui could just get her hands on that headband, it was checkmate.
The headband in question had belonged to Hayama's team, meaning it was worth over 1400 points.
He figured Sagami's catlike mobility and size would clinch it if she got to it.
So yeah, he definitely gambled on sending it airborne.
"You kinda have to be that creepy... to survive as a hero's sidekick."
"A sidekick, huh... That guy does seem suited for it."
"Wait, Haru-san-senpai, are you eyeing him?"
"Hmm? Maybe. I've got workplace nomination rights too."
"Even though he's a transfer student?"
"Yup, even though he's a transfer student."
Ignoring the two girls repeating "Even though~?", Haruno glanced toward Endeavor.
So far, security seemed fine.
(...So their target is after the tournament? If they were going to attack students, the obstacle course would've made more sense with all the people around. And he's not joining the recreation events either.)
Below them, students who had dropped out in the earlier rounds were now enjoying recreation activities.
It seemed to be a scavenger hunt.
For some reason, the girls of Class A were dressed as cheerleaders, cheering them on.
"Anyway, Komachi-chan, let's take some photos of Yukino-chan."
"Already did—with Yuigahama-senpai. I'll sell them at a high price if my brother ever comes back."
"Eh—what about me?"
"For you? Free of charge!"
"Komachi-chan, I love you!"
"Komachi loves you too~!"
"Ugh... But would your brother even buy it?"
"If I say I'll sell it to someone else, he'll come up with an excuse and buy it—probably for like 3000 yen."
"...Maybe I should try that too."
"Selling your charms?"
"No! I mean for pocket money!"
Iroha tilted her head, wondering if Yukinoshita-senpai and the others would allow that.
But Komachi could probably get away with anything.
Haruno looked at Hachiman's little sister, thinking: Even those two—Yukino and Yui—aren't as honest as they seem. With Hachiman, pushing might work better than pulling.
Though of course, that all depended on him returning to the public stage.
Haruno glanced toward Wolf—Hachiman.
"..."
There he was, watching the tragic comedy of Class A's girls turned cheerleaders.
Who the hell made this happen?
Oh, it was them.
Kaminari and Mineta were now being frozen by an angry Yukino in cheer uniform.
They were one step away from becoming ice statues.
Hachiman averted his eyes from Yukino, thinking: So that's what "ice burial" looks like.
Of course, he had no intention of helping.
In fact, he thought they'd done a good job—but wouldn't say that aloud.
Yukino's glare was intense.
From the crowd, he felt another gaze.
Weren't we supposed to not interact to keep my identity secret?
Yukino looked like a suspicious cat—cute, but clearly pissed.
If she found out what he was thinking now, he'd be joining Kaminari and Mineta soon.
He gave them a silent thumbs-up.
Then, a dumb bell rang, followed by the loudspeaker:
"EVERYBODY!! Attention, please!! After a 20-minute break… we'll begin the Ultimate Battle Tournament!! The highlight of the U.A. Sports Festival!! And we'll make sure Aizawa is awake for the commentary, so YOROSHIKUUU!!"
How could he sleep through all that noise? Honestly impressive.
Hachiman, sitting in the A-Class reserved seating area, watched the end of the recreation.
During the tournament, only the two competing students would be on stage.
There were waiting rooms for prepping, but otherwise, non-participants stayed in the stands.
As the students returned from recreation, a square-faced man with a blocky build brought out large pipes and started working.
It was Cementoss, the hero who manipulates concrete.
In terms of quirk function, Hachiman's was a lesser version—but he used to watch Cementoss's battle videos.
Everything Cementoss could do, Hachiman believed he should be able to as well.
His own version hardened instantly and had to be sculpted through direct manipulation—still, Cementoss was his "mentor" in a way.
"Seriously… what are you thinking?"
"But… I wish Hikki was here. I want him to see this."
"…Y-Yuigahama-san?"
"Well, you too, Yukinon, right?"
"...No comment."
"Yukinon, just be honest~. Come on, Hikki gave a positive reply, didn't he?"
"That's not the point. Let's focus on the Sports Festival for now, okay?"
Hey. Stop looking this way.
Just hurry up and change already.
That outfit's dangerous for my eyes.
It's a health hazard. My vision is being purified into nothingness.
Wait—is it really vanishing?
Yuigahama's words made Hachiman deeply uncomfortable.
He felt like he was trampling over her wish for him to be there and see everything.
Especially since he was secretly back—and spying on her cheer outfit.
Yukino had already noticed. Only Yui remained unaware.
Hachiman turned his head away, apologizing to them both in his heart.
As Cementoss continued his setup, Hachiman mentally reviewed the bracket.
His first opponent was probably a student from Class B, called Honenuki.
If he won, it'd be Totsuka or Kendo.
Then likely Yukinoshita or Kawasaki.
He didn't want to fight Totsuka.
He'd prefer Kendo to win—but she was probably a girl too.
Frankly, he'd rather not face either.
And the next opponent would likely be a girl too.
Kawasaki had power, but Yukino was better at long- to mid-range.
If trapped in ice, Kawasaki had no chance.
But if Kawasaki did advance, it would still be a pain.
She wasn't someone you could blow away.
And close combat with her wasn't appealing either.
He glanced at his AFO-enhanced left arm, thinking about cheating.
If he could win three matches, he'd be in the semifinals—that would fulfill AFO's condition.
There was no other way.
(…All Might. Even if killing you throws the world into chaos… I still want to protect my sister.)
Killing the No.1 hero. The fall of a symbol of peace.
Weighing the world against his family—he chose his family.
That's all there was to it.
Hachiman Hikigaya had resolved to etch his name into hero history—as a villain.
"Okay, it's almost done."
『Thanks, Cementoss! Hey guys, aaarre you ready!?』
Cementoss completed construction of the one-on-one arena for the upcoming matches and handed things over to Present Mic.
Present Mic's voice was louder and more pumped up than in the earlier events.
Clearly, he was just as excited for the battle tournament as anyone else.
『We've done a bunch of stuff so far!! But in the end, nothing beats a good old-fashioned throwdown!!』
"Ugh, it's starting already!?"
"Sero, shouldn't you be heading out!? Your match is after the next one!"
"Where's Midoriya?!"
"He already left—Deku-kun."
"Then what about Todoroki!?"
"He's gone too."
"Crap! I'm going now!"
"Good luck!" they shouted as Sero rushed off.
Three of the four fighters in the first two matches were from Class A, so chaos was inevitable.
In the last row of Class A's reserved seats sat Wolf—Hachiman.
Next to him, oddly enough, was Saki.
Why is she here? he wondered—but then remembered that this was pretty much how things were in middle school too.
Back in second year, there had been two loners in his class.
One was himself, of course, and the other was Saki Kawasaki.
Now, the two loners had naturally gravitated toward the same quiet corner.
Figures. Nothing's changed.
"...Hey."
"..."
"...Hey, are you listening? Transfer student."
She meant me.
Wolf turned toward Saki Kawasaki.
"...You're going to face me in the third round, right?"
"..."
Hachiman gave a small nod.
Assuming they both advanced, of course.
Hachiman had a decent chance, but Saki's upcoming opponent was tough—probably the strongest in the tournament.
"Listen, when that time comes, don't hold back."
"!?"
"You weren't using your full power during the cavalry battle. Don't come at me half-hearted. That'd just piss me off."
"..."
She's sharp, Hachiman thought with mild admiration.
She must be referring to the difference between how he fought against Robo-Inferno and during the cavalry match.
Even just looking at his air manipulation, he hadn't gone all out then.
"Well, someone really strong's in my way before I even get to you, though."
(She must mean Yukinoshita.)
"So if I don't make it, at least show me your full power. That 'screw the world' attitude of yours—it reminds me of a certain idiot. And I hate it."
"..."
"Answer me."
"…I'll… do my best."
"…You really are just like him."
"Even the way you almost stammered just now," she muttered as she ended the conversation.
Her voice was low enough that no one else heard.
Still, Hachiman couldn't help but wonder if "that idiot" she mentioned was... him.
No, that was probably just his ego talking.
No way she remembered him that well after just one year together.
"Oh, it's Deku-kun!"
"It's starting…"
"Midoriya, be careful…! Don't respond to anything Shinsou says!"
On the field, the curly-haired Midoriya and a sharp-eyed student with a cold glare stepped up to the stage.
One had super strength.
The other had a quirk that manipulated minds—if Hachiman remembered right, the guy's name was Shinsou.
If it came down to a straight-up fight, Midoriya should win. Shinsou's quirk didn't work in direct combat.
If it's a normal match, Midoriya wins… but that doesn't matter. I don't need to beat the winner of this fight.
"All Might!"
"Tsukauchi-kun!"
From the contestant gate, All Might watched Midoriya's back with concern.
The one who called out to him was Tsukauchi—not in his usual suit, but in casual clothes.
Still, this was not a personal visit.
"Sorry to bother you while you're worrying about him. This is official business."
"You coming all the way here… doesn't seem like an emergency though."
"Not really. So far, no suspicious people, no suspicious objects. A few undercover officers and some U.A. pro heroes are keeping watch. Even the target student hasn't made a move. Everything's going smoothly… eerily so."
"For someone who issued a bomb threat, huh…"
"Yeah. But by the time we get to the tournament phase, there's not much room for sneaky tricks left. If anything, he might do something to his opponent during the match… like use the fight as a cover to attack."
"Don't say things like that! I don't even want to imagine it!"
All Might raised his voice.
He knew the boy named Hachiman Hikigaya.
Though gloomy and withdrawn in a different way from Midoriya, his heart had always seemed kind—too kind, even.
The thought of him hurting or killing someone his own age—it was unthinkable.
And yet, All Might couldn't say it was impossible.
He knew all too well the terror and influence of All For One.
"…Just understand that it's possible. So we can be fully prepared to prevent anything—anything—from happening."
"…Yeah."
"Sorry. I didn't come just to talk about something this grim. Hey, looks like Midoriya's in trouble! You okay just standing here?"
"What!? Ah!! No—don't go near him!! He's been brainwashed!! Oh no oh no oh nooo!"
"Anyway, back to what I was saying—"
"NOW!?"
All Might glanced back and forth between Midoriya, who was about to get ringed out, and Tsukauchi, who looked like he wanted to continue the conversation.
His neck might cramp at this rate, but he still listened.
"Actually, this is the main point. We haven't found any leads or sightings of AFO, Shigaraki, or Kurogiri in the last two weeks."
"…I see. Well, I guess that's expected. Just because they've started moving again doesn't mean we'll find them that easily. For the past six years, it was like they didn't even exist."
"Exactly. So now, taking out the mastermind before the Sports Festival is off the table."
Even if they tried any trickery, if they could just capture the mastermind, the case would be over.
That was the shared understanding between U.A. and the police—but they had failed.
The enemy had someone with warp abilities.
Their movements left no trace.
Two weeks had passed since Hachiman Hikigaya's infiltration began, and the police had found nothing about All For One.
"…In the end, we have no choice but to go along with Yukinoshita's plan."
"That, huh… I agreed to it, but… can something like that really happen?"
"The plan came from the person who knows Hikigaya best. Maybe it sounds unbelievable… but it will happen."
"Still, we're ready to act forcefully on our end. Even Endeavor's here. Honestly, the odds are better that we'll just capture Hachiman directly."
"You think? He is Endeavor's apprentice, after all…"
"…Who is?"
"Hikigaya, of course."
"…What?"
"Huh?"
The first match had ended.
Midoriya, who had once fallen under Shinsou's brainwashing, managed to break free by his own will.
After a brawl, he flipped Shinsou with a seoi nage and ringed him out—without using his Quirk.
Despite the brainwashing, he turned the tables and won. It wasn't flashy, but it was a victory befitting a hero.
The second match, Todoroki vs. Sero, ended so quickly there was almost nothing to say.
A shocking five-second match.
An instant defeat if there ever was one.
Todoroki's massive ice wave engulfed not just Sero but nearly the entire stage.
Sero was frozen solid and gave up immediately.
The crowd sent him off with a sympathetic "don't worry" chant.
(…So Endeavor's son uses ice…? I remember Endeavor saying something about overcoming his weakness. Was he referring to temperature regulation?)
Endeavor's quirk was Hellflame, generating fierce fire true to its name.
But the more he used it, the higher his body temperature rose. He needed a way to cool down.
Now, his son could do that on his own—with ice.
『Next up, the first round's third match! Both fighters, COME ON!』
"...Let's begin."
"Crap... Now I'm getting nervous!"
Hachiman looked to see the next pair—one familiar face:
Shō Tobe, formerly from Soubu Middle.
The other, a girl he didn't recognize—probably from Class B.
Her hair was thorny, shaped like vines.
Tobe was also Class B, so this would be a B-vs-B match.
『First up from Class B! A beauty with thorns!? Ibara Shiozaki! And also repping Class B! Watch out for the blast-off! Shō Tobe!』
"Whoa—talk about hyping it up, Mic-sensei! Well, I'll give it my all. Let's have a good match, Shiozaki-san!"
"As one who walks the same path... I will not hold back."
"Of course! Naturally!"
『Ready… START!!』
"No time to waste—straight in!!"
Tobe ignited the jets on his legs, closing the distance to Shiozaki in a flash.
Just 2 meters away.
"Fast!!"
"That's the Soubu rep for you! Great legs!"
"I'm not good at close combat. So I'll deal with you using technique."
As Class A admired Tobe's aggression, Shiozaki stayed calm.
They were classmates, after all—she knew his style and quirk well enough.
She also understood his personality.
Someone like Tobe wouldn't resort to tricks—he'd come head-on.
So she prepared for that.
As Tobe lunged in, her vines extended—ready to trap him.
But—
"Sorry, Shiozaki-san! I still got one leg left!"
"!?"
"Take this!!"
His left leg's jet fired.
He dodged the vines, leaping behind her.
If he could grab her, he could throw her out of bounds.
He'd caught her by surprise.
(Got her! I win!!)
(No, that's naïve, Tobe.)
"Tobe… you should have paid attention to her quirk."
Hachiman thought it silently; Hayama said it aloud from Class B's spectator seats.
Shiozaki Ibara's quirk was Vines.
And those vines came from her hair.
Naturally, she had more coverage behind her.
Just as Tobe reached to grab her, Shiozaki's vines flared open like a fan to block him.
Tobe instinctively pulled back.
Grabbing those vines would mean being immediately entangled.
"Crap—"
"Thank goodness."
"Geh!?"
"Victory is mine."
That moment of hesitation was all she needed.
Tobe was completely bound in vines.
There was no way for him to escape.
"Ughh… Seriously? Damn… Sorry, Midnight, I give up."
"OK! The winner—Shiozaki-san!"
"Thank you very much."
"Tobe… seriously, that idiot…"
"Oh well. Shiozaki-san was his opponent after all..."
"Ebina, say something to him. He'll never grow up if you don't."
"I'll leave that to Yumiko~"
"…Sigh."
Seeing Miura like that, all of Class B silently prayed for Tobe.
Getting lectured right after a loss? Brutal. No need to imagine how bad that felt.
"S-So who's next again!?"
Trying to change the subject, Tetsutetsu brought up the next match.
Awase jumped in to answer.
"Next is… Iida from Class A versus that support course girl, Hatsume."
"Ah, so no one from Class B then."
"Nope, but Kendo's up after that."
"Oh! Then you better get moving, Kendo!!"
"I know, I'm going!"
Kendo stood up from her seat.
Though barely a month had passed since Class B was formed, she had already earned their trust as the class rep and a central figure.
"Go crush 'em!"
"Tear them apart, Kendooo…"
"I can't tear anyone apart, Kamakiri! That's not okay!"
"It's the spirit that counts!"
"What are you even saying…"
"So, who's the opponent?"
"Some guy from Class A named Totsuka."
Hearing "Class A," Tetsutetsu, Kendo, and even Monoma looked over to the Class A seats.
There, a student stood up.
Presumably, that was Totsuka.
Small build, pale skin, long lashes, and large, clear eyes—
an adorably pretty face that could be mistaken for a small animal.
"…A girl-on-girl match?"
"No, Totsuka's a guy."
Miura interjected into Class B's conversation, stunning the other students.
"A guy!?"
"THAT'S a guy!?"
"Does he have a gender-bending quirk or something!?"
"No way!"
"Totsuka is 100% male."
(Figures… No one can tell right away.)
Hearing Hayama's clarification, Class B finally accepted the truth.
A beautiful boy who looked just like a girl—
Even Sagami, who had gone to the same middle school, thought Totsuka was a girl until they were placed in the same class in second year.
No one could tell at first glance.
"…I thought people like that only existed in manga."
"My whole understanding of reality is crumbling... Only at U.A., huh?"
"This has nothing to do with U.A…"
"A-Anyway, I'm going."
"Go get 'em, Kendo!!"
"Crush Class A's momentum—it's a class battle now!"
Uncertain whether she heard the cheers from Tetsutetsu and Monoma, Kendo headed for the waiting room, visibly displeased.
She couldn't help but think that Totsuka's skin was nicer than hers—even though she was a girl.
Strangely, she already felt like she'd lost before the match even began.
"Next up is Totsuka-senpai!"
"...Iroha-senpai. What do you think that last match was about?"
"Eh? A bold sales pitch for support gear, obviously."
"...U.A. is intense."
Iroha brushed off the Iida vs. Hatsume match in a single sentence.
Though she said U.A. was "intense," Komachi thought Iroha was just as intense herself.
Well, whatever. She prepared her fan that had "Totsuka" written on it and held it up in support.
Then she shouted out toward the stage, where Totsuka had just stepped up.
"Go Totsuka-senpai~!"
"What was Totsuka-senpai's Quirk again?"
"Wings. My brother always bragged about it proudly."
"...He never talks about his own Quirk, but he always mentions other people's, huh?"
"If it were about Yukino-san or Yui-san, Komachi would give him serious points."
"Wings, huh… but he doesn't look like he has any. Maybe he only brings them out when needed?"
Haruno's comment made Iroha nod in agreement.
There were plenty of people with mutation-type Quirks, but most of them had non-human physical traits—
their Quirk was always visibly active.
But Totsuka looked completely normal, like an average person.
Maybe he's a transformation-type like Sagami, who was on Yukino's team earlier, Iroha mused.
"Totsuka-senpai can actually produce different kinds of wings."
"Like he transforms some inner material into wings?"
"Yes, bingo! Wings of iron, realistic bird wings, or even ones that look like a human interpretation of wings—he can do all of that."
"Ahh, I see... No wonder he made it in as a Soubu rep."
If he produced iron wings, they'd be powerful for close-range attacks.
If bird wings, then flight.
A versatile and powerful Quirk, no doubt.
"...But I bet there's a weakness to it."
"Huh?"
"The real question is whether his opponent picks up on it…"
On the field, Kendo was staring at Totsuka's face with wide eyes.
Looking closer, yes, he was a boy—
but he was so pretty that it was hard to think of him as a "guy."
People like this really exist? she thought, shaking her head.
"U-Um… are you okay?"
"Eh? Oh—yeah, I'm fine! Let's do our best."
"Yes!"
"…"
He's nice too? Kendo thought, giving a bitter smile at how perfectly he matched his sweet image.
This was going to be hard.
『Now for the fifth match of the first round! From Class B, the team's big sister and dependable leader—Itsuka Kendo! Facing her from Class A, fooling hearts everywhere with that adorable face—it's the boy Ayaka Totsuka! Are you ready!?』
Both fighters took their stances.
Watching from the waiting room, Hachiman stared at the scene.
He silently cheered for Totsuka while thinking:
(...What do I do if Totsuka wins? I'm up next.)
"Begin the match!!"
"Gotta strike first!"
"Hn!!"
As soon as the signal sounded, Kendo dashed toward Totsuka.
In response, Totsuka sprouted white feathered wings from his back and rose into the air.
"A flying Quirk…!"
"Totsuka's got the high ground!"
"Go, Saichan!"
"Wait, what's going on with Totsuka's back!?"
As Class A cheered, Mineta's question made everyone take a closer look.
Totsuka was wearing the standard U.A. training uniform, but his wings emerged seamlessly as if there were holes in the back from the start.
"Totsuka-kun's uniform is custom-made! It's designed with hidden openings that the wings can push through—so you can't normally see them."
Orimoto, also from Soubu Middle, answered Mineta's question.
Totsuka had made a special request so that his costume wouldn't hinder his Quirk.
"Si…☆ Totsuka-kun and I are both troubled souls blessed with sparkly Quirks☆"
"Yeah, something like that!"
"He's got the shimmer potential too."
"That makes no sense but it's hilarious!"
Orimoto dismissed Aoyama's weirdly sparkling comment, and the rest of Class A focused on the match.
Now the question was: what would Totsuka do from here?
Just having the high ground wasn't enough, as Bakugo pointed out.
Victory only came through ring-out, knockout, or immobilization.
"Obviously, it's gonna be ring-out!"
"Totally!"
Totsuka folded his wings and dove straight down, while Kendo enlarged her right hand to intercept him.
Her Quirk, Big Fist, let her massively increase the size and power of her hands—a power-type.
(If I can grab him, I can throw him out of bounds!)
But Totsuka had anticipated this.
Just before contact, he spread his wings wide to create air resistance and slam the brakes.
Kendo's oversized hand whiffed through empty air, making her stumble forward.
"Gah!"
"Gotcha!"
Totsuka flapped forward again to close the distance—
but Kendo smirked.
She'd faked the reaction. It was all a setup.
Anyone who made it this far wouldn't fall for something so basic.
"Too naïve!"
She raised her left arm and enlarged it, presenting a sudden wall in front of Totsuka.
With the enlarged mass, her overall weight increased as well.
Totsuka, being small, couldn't lift or carry her.
"Then how about this!"
Totsuka flapped backward and landed.
His wings vanished, leaving behind faint white feathers.
"He deactivated his Quirk!?"
"Nope! He's just switching it up!"
With a clank, new wings of iron blades sprouted from his back.
Fewer in number than the white feathers, but each was much larger and heavier.
"What!?"
"Here I come, Kendo-san!"
Until now, Totsuka had only used white wings during the festival, so Kendo had assumed his Quirk was simply to grow wings.
Now, Totsuka flew at her again—
but the speed wasn't something you'd expect from someone hauling metal blades.
"Iron, huh? Too bad—I'm used to that."
"!?"
Totsuka crashed forward with his iron wings, but Kendo caught them head-on with her massive fists.
She remembered Tetsutetsu from Class B.
His charges were heavier than this.
"Got you! I'll throw you—"
Just before she did, something clicked.
How had Totsuka switched wings earlier?
Wait—this is bad!
"I've—huh!?"
"That's MY line!!"
At the exact moment Totsuka dismissed the iron wings, Kendo opened her fists.
He was about to summon new wings again, but from this close, Kendo managed to grab his body before he could.
"Ugh, such strength…!"
"Sorry, but I won't lose a power contest. So what now?"
"...I'll struggle—to the very end!!"
"That's the spirit!"
Unlike Tobe earlier, Totsuka didn't give up.
He tried to summon new wings again, but Kendo wasn't about to let him.
Keeping up just enough pressure, she ran toward the edge of the ring with Totsuka restrained.
"This is... the end!"
"Not yet!!"
Kendo hurled Totsuka out with her momentum.
Totsuka spread his white wings mid-flight to try and recover, but the force of the throw was too great—
he touched down outside the ring.
"Totsuka-kun is out of bounds! Winner—Kendo-san! She moves on to the second round!"
『OH! Despite their cute appearances, that was one fiery battle!!』
『Kendo's reading was sharp. Totsuka should've stayed in his element—he needs to learn how to maintain air dominance. That'll be his key.』
『Great commentary! That might be your best line all day!』
"…Kendo-san is strong."
"You've got a good Quirk too."
Kendo helped Totsuka up from where he sat outside the ring, and the two shook hands.
Totsuka reflected quietly—I'm still not good enough.
Not like this... there's no way I'll ever catch up to the person I admire.
Meanwhile, Class B was cheering over Kendo's victory.
"That makes it Class B: 1, Class A: 0. Heh heh, nice going, Kendo."
"So the match with you and Bakugo doesn't count, Monoma?"
"Enba… that was chaos. Not a proper one-on-one match, so I'm not counting it. Now, let's go for win number two."
"Oh! Next up is Juuzou!"
Juuzou Honeuki, Class B's recommendation student.
His Quirk: Softening.
He could soften anything he touched.
Though it sounded simple, his high physical ability and adaptability earned him a recommendation.
He was highly trusted among Class B.
"Is his opponent from Class A? Who is it?"
"Yeah, from A… but it's the exchange student kid."
"Ahh, the one with the wolf mask…"
"…Hayama. You fought him earlier, right? What was he like?"
Monoma called out to Hayama, who started to answer—then suddenly fell silent.
"…What's wrong?"
"…I don't know."
"Huh?"
"He's definitely strong. But… he clearly wasn't going all out. I couldn't tell how far he's willing to go."
"Creepy. Like a hawk hiding its talons, huh?"
"No, I don't think it's anything that dramatic. But still…"
Hayama looked out toward the stage where Wolf—Hachiman—had just appeared, replacing Totsuka.
"…He's not someone you can afford to underestimate. I've seen someone like him before… and I never managed to beat that guy."
"Coming from Hayama… that's high praise."
"Now that you say it like that… he sounds kinda terrifying."
"…Interesting. I didn't think you were the type to harbor that kind of fighting spirit."
"Fighting spirit? I don't hate him. …I just don't want to lose."
"Now that's the spirit. Fierce and proud, huh?"
The rest of Class B was taken aback by this unexpected side of Hayama.
They'd assumed he was calm, kind, the type of hero who protected everyone.
But now, he was burning with resolve to fight—driven by a singular rivalry.
Ebina, nose bleeding at his determined side.
Sagami, visibly disturbed.
"Ha-HayaWOLF… this is it… If only Hikitani-kun were here too!! A possessive seme facing a jealous uke… guh!"
(Somebody help me. Even I'm starting to rot…)
Sagami's internal plea went unheard.
The first round's sixth match was about to begin.
The winner would go on to face Kendo.
The combatants: Honeuki from Class B, and Wolf—Hachiman.
『Round one, match six! He hasn't made a splash yet, but he's got real skills—Juuzou Honeuki from Class B! And his opponent, this year's first ever exchange student and overseas dark horse—Wolf Eightis! Let's see what you got, YOU!!』
Honeuki took a fighting stance.
Hachiman stood casually, without apparent tension.
But his inner world was far from calm.
Am I getting influenced by that last match…?
He tried to shut down his emotions.
Totsuka and Kendo.
Two people fighting desperately for their dreams.
I never expected to feel jealous.
He thought he'd thrown away feelings like that back in elementary school.
That he had no path toward a dream—or rather, had chosen not to walk it.
Those buried feelings...
were starting to resurface, just a little.