The crowd outside U.A.'s stadium swelled like a living sea — full of cheers, bright colors, and youthful energy.
Keiko walked steadily through the entrance plaza, Kairi at his side in a simple school uniform jacket and red sneakers. Her eyes sparkled as she took it all in — the giant hero banners, the food stalls, the pro heroes giving interviews on floating screens above them.
"This place is huge," Kairi whispered, eyes wide. "It's like a festival... but for warriors."
Keiko gave a small nod. "That's exactly what it is."
They stepped up to a gate checkpoint — and were quickly met by two heroes.
Mount Lady towered above the crowd, wearing her hero costume and oversized sunglasses. Death Arms stood beside her with his arms crossed, his stance firm and official.
Mount Lady bent slightly, giving Kairi a friendly wave.
"Good morning! Welcome to U.A.! Tickets, please?"
Keiko reached into his coat and produced the two slips — crisp, front-row seats.
Death Arms took them, scanning the codes. His brow furrowed as he looked up at Keiko.
"...Hey. You look... familiar."
Keiko tilted his head slightly. Calm. Blank.
"I get that a lot," he said smoothly.
Death Arms paused, then gave a grunt and waved them through.
"Enjoy the show."
Keiko gave a polite nod and stepped forward with Kairi — just as Mount Lady whispered behind them, not as quietly as she thought:
"Wow," she murmured, mostly to herself. "That man was something."
She nudged Death Arms. "You see that jawline? And even with the sunglasses... ugh. Mysterious types kill me."
Then a dreamy sigh. "And that voice... low, smooth. Velvet with secrets."
Then her tone shifted slightly, thoughtful.
"And the girl with him... think she's his sister?"
Death Arms shrugged. "Could've been his daughter."
Mount Lady blinked. "No way... seriously?" She straightened up. "Okay, well — props to the gene pool."
Keiko's expression didn't change.
"Keiko, that woman totally called you handsome."
"I noticed."
Kairi smirked. "Okay... maybe you are kinda cool."
"Only kinda?" he said, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
They passed beneath a towering archway, stepping into the grand stadium where the cheers of thousands echoed above them.
Keiko glanced upward toward Mount Lady — watching her laugh and wave at fans from her full height.
A titan.
In my era, she would've been feared like the Gashadokuro — the giant skeleton yokai born from war and famine.
But here she is... smiling. Loved. Celebrated.
Kairi tugged his sleeve. "What's a Gasha-whatever?"
"Something from a time when giants were not cheered for," Keiko replied, calm as ever.
They made their way to their seats — front row, center view of the arena floor. Kairi practically bounced in place, barely able to contain her excitement.
"Do you think Midoriya's gonna be amazing?"
Keiko watched the stage. The sky above it was perfectly blue.
"We'll see," he said quietly. "But this... is the beginning of something important. For both of us."
⸻
They found their seats in the stands, high up but with a perfect view of the field. Kairi bounced in her chair, eyes darting everywhere.
"Whoa! So many people! And up there — are those heroes on the balcony?"
"They are. Pro heroes. Some teachers. Some talent scouts."
"Is that Ryukyu?! And — wait — that guy looks like the wood guy from TV!"
"Kamui Woods," Keiko confirmed.
Kairi practically vibrated. "Keiko, this is crazy! I've never been to a stadium! The noise! The people! I can't even hear my own thoughts!"
"Then listen with your eyes," Keiko said gently.
She blinked, then beamed. "That's so cool..."
The music suddenly shifted.
The entrance gates at the far side of the arena opened wide — and students began to pour in. First came the support course, some lugging oversized gear. Then general studies. Business students in sharp uniforms.
Finally — the hero course.
They entered like warriors — heads high, backs straight, the pressure of a nation's expectations on their shoulders.
Kairi clutched Keiko's sleeve. "Are they nervous, you think?"
"They should be," he said. "But they look ready."
And then — center stage — the crowd erupted.
A cloud of purple smoke exploded in the middle of the field. A dramatic silhouette emerged from the mist, striding forward with heels clicking and whip in hand.
Midnight.
"Welcome," she purred into the mic, "to the U.A. Sports Festival!"
The crowd exploded in applause and cheers.
She twirled once, striking a pose that made more than a few camera drones freeze mid-flight.
As she introduced each course, her gaze swept across the crowd.
Then — for the briefest moment — her eyes found Keiko.
And she winked.
A beat of silence — and then chaos.
"She winked at me!"
"No way — that was totally at me!"
"Someone please tell me they recorded that!"
"She looked right at us!"
"I'm gonna faint—"
Even a grown man in the row below them dropped his soda and clutched his chest.
Kairi pointed. "Keiko. That woman again. She definitely winked at you."
"I know."
Kairi squinted. "She's really dramatic... is she always like this?"
"Yes."
"...Is she in love with you?"
"No."
"...Are you in love with her?"
Keiko didn't respond.
Kairi giggled. "Your ears got red."
"They did not."
"They so did!"
Midnight's voice echoed through the stadium.
"And now, a few words from our chosen representative of Class 1-A..."
Bakugou Katsuki stepped forward.
Hair wild. Expression sharp. His presence alone radiated raw intensity.
He grabbed the mic without hesitation.
"I'm not here to make friends," he growled into the mic. "I'm here to win. The rest of you? Step aside."
The crowd went quiet.
Then—
Boooooo!
"Who does he think he is?!"
"What a jerk!"
"Get off the mic, Explosion Boy!"
Kairi scrunched her nose. "Wow... rude. He's like a walking firecracker."
She looked at Keiko. "He's one of those, huh?"
Keiko nodded, eyes never leaving Bakugou.
"He's angry," he said. "But focused. He doesn't bluff."
Kairi tilted her head. "So... do you think he'll win?"
"Maybe. Depends what he learns — and how fast."
Down in the arena, Bakugou handed the mic back to Midnight like it had insulted him. She laughed softly and gave a playful shrug toward the audience.
"Well! That's one way to start a festival!"
The crowd buzzed with renewed energy.
Kairi leaned close, eyes glowing with excitement. "Keiko... this is so much cooler than I thought it would be."
Keiko folded his arms, the edge of a rare smile just touching his lips.
"I thought you'd like it."