"Hehe~"
Touching the headband on her forehead, Uraraka Ochaco couldn't help but laugh happily.
"Alright! Let's announce the final rankings right away!!!"
The moment the cavalry battle ended, Present Mic immediately burst into an excited announcement, his voice echoing across the stadium as the audience erupted into cheers.
"First place—Team Igarashi Masata!!!"
After seizing multiple headbands from Monoma Neito, combined with their original ten million points, the result was beyond doubt. Masata's team had secured first place without controversy.
"Second place—Team Todoroki!"
Shoto Todoroki's team consisted of Iida Tenya and Ashido Mina. With Todoroki's overwhelming field control, their lineup was nearly impossible to break through.
What truly surprised everyone, however, was Iida Tenya's performance.
By overloading his own Quirk, he unleashed bursts of speed so fast they were almost invisible—even by professional Hero standards. Of course, such explosive acceleration came with severe cooldown time, clearly a trump card meant only for critical moments.
"Third place—Team Bakugo!"
The announcement surprised quite a few spectators.
Bakugo's team had spent most of the match relentlessly pursuing Midoriya Izuku, only managing to steal his points near the end. With limited time left to grab additional headbands, securing third place was no small feat—it was a clear testament to Bakugo's combat strength.
"Fourth place—Team Shinsou… Wait—when did they get that score?!"
Not long ago, Hitoshi Shinsou's team had still been sitting at zero points. Neither Present Mic nor the audience could figure out exactly when they surged ahead—but scores didn't lie. If they qualified, then their strength spoke for itself.
"Fifth place—Team Kendo!"
Led by Kendo Itsuka, the representative of Class B, their three-person team filled the final qualifying slot among the sixteen advancing contestants.
"…All Might…"
Midoriya Izuku clasped his hands tightly as he stared at the giant screen. Slowly, his head lowered.
Even in the final five minutes—despite clever tactics, support equipment from Hatsume Mei, and Tokoyami Fumikage's versatile Quirk—their team only managed to snatch two headbands. It wasn't enough.
They finished sixth.
"Why… why did I want to shine at the Sports Festival…?"
"Why did I want everyone to see me…?"
Midoriya's fists trembled.
"In the end, I didn't even make the finals… How am I supposed to face All Might like this…?"
The more he thought, the heavier his heart became. Tears leaked uncontrollably from the corners of his tightly shut eyes.
At that moment, a hand landed firmly on his shoulder.
"Hey. Don't cry so easily."
Midoriya turned his head.
Standing there was Igarashi Masata—his expression serious in a way Midoriya had never seen before.
"M-Masata… I—"
Seeing Masata only made the emotions surge harder.
"Is your entire life really denied by one match?"
Masata's words struck like a hammer.
"Are you really the kind of person who gives up the moment you stumble?"
"Is your dream already over just because you lost once?!"
Each sentence pierced straight through Midoriya's heart.
Ever since childhood, being Quirkless had made him overly sensitive to others' opinions. That insecurity only grew stronger on a stage as massive as the Sports Festival. Without realizing it, he had trapped himself in a cycle of self-denial.
If no one pulled him out—he might have drowned in it.
Thankfully, Masata saw it in time.
Midoriya wiped the tears from his lashes, then forced his lips upward—awkwardly imitating All Might's iconic smile.
"I… I get it now, Masata."
"I'll work harder. Next year—I'll fight you head-on."
Seeing that spark reignite in Midoriya's eyes, Masata finally relaxed.
Helping a classmate stand back up wasn't just kindness—it was responsibility.
"Igarashi boy… well done."
High in the stands, All Might had watched everything.
He had planned to talk to Midoriya later, but Masata's words reached him first. Seeing Midoriya regain his resolve, All Might felt a wave of relief—and pride.
"Tch… that nerd didn't even qualify?"
Bakugo Katsuki, staring at the screen, clicked his tongue in irritation.
"I lost to him in that indoor match… and now he didn't even make it into the finals?! What the hell was that for?!"
Though he never admitted it, Bakugo still cared—deeply.
Far away, in a dim, grimy bar—
Crash!
A wine glass shattered violently against the wall, dark red liquid dripping down like blood.
"So this magma brat… Igarashi Masata."
Tomura Shigaraki sat at the counter, eyes glued to the TV screen displaying Masata's victorious close-up.
"That damn kid… he destroyed my Nomu…!"
The more he watched Masata's confident smile, the tighter his fingers clawed at his own neck.
"I want to kill him. Right now."
Behind the counter, calmly wiping a glass, Kurogiri spoke in his usual measured tone.
"The Sports Festival reveals valuable information about the students' Quirks," he said.
"It would be wiser to analyze them—and prepare—for what comes next."
Shigaraki slowly exhaled, regaining control.
"…The Hero Killer has been active lately, hasn't he?"
"Kurogiri… what do you think about bringing him in?"
Kurogiri's eyes narrowed behind the mist.
"…That may be a very good idea."
Back at the stadium, the morning events had come to an end.
The audience slowly filed out, buzzing with excitement.
In the afternoon awaited the main attraction—
The one-on-one elimination battles.
The true spotlight of the Sports Festival.