In the end, Mineta and Kaminari's overly flamboyant ideas were thoroughly crushed by Masata.
As a result, the girls in the class started looking at the two of them with noticeably colder expressions.
Mineta was one thing—after all, his shamelessness wasn't exactly a secret anymore. After spending so many days together, everyone had already seen through his true nature. But Kaminari was different. He usually looked like a bright, cheerful guy, and seeing him follow Mineta into such nonsense genuinely surprised—and disappointed—the girls in the class.
Before anyone knew it, the lunch break ended.
In the afternoon, the Sports Festival officially entered its most intense stage—the 1v1 knockout tournament, featuring the sixteen students who had advanced from the cavalry battle.
The students standing in the arena were all visibly excited. U.A.'s Sports Festival was broadcast live across the entire country—something many of them had watched on television since childhood. And now, they were standing on this very stage, becoming figures on the screen themselves.
"Next, we'll determine the matchups by lottery!"
Standing at the center of the field, Midnight announced the rules as she carried over a lottery box, clearly planning to draw the matchups by hand.
"Once the groups are decided, the final tournament will officially begin—after the entertainment segment!"
"Wait—I withdraw."
"I'm withdrawing too."
"…Same here."
Suddenly, Ojiro Mashirao, Shoda, another student from Class B, and a general studies student raised their hands almost simultaneously.
All three had been members of the so-called 'worry team' during the cavalry battle. Their sudden withdrawals stunned everyone.
This was a rare chance to perform in front of professional Heroes—and they were giving it up?
"Honestly…" Ojiro said after a moment of hesitation, scratching his head awkwardly.
"Even until the very end of the cavalry battle, I barely felt like I was truly participating. I know giving this up might seem foolish, but I really don't want to take a spot I didn't earn."
Though he wasn't particularly outstanding in class, Ojiro had always been earnest and sincere.
"That's our reason too," one of the others added.
"We talked it over beforehand."
Their calm explanation left the arena quiet for a moment.
Midnight looked at them thoughtfully—then smiled.
"I like that spirit. Request approved."
Just like that, three of the sixteen finalist slots were vacated.
Who would take them?
The students who had narrowly failed to qualify immediately felt their hearts race.
"Um… Sensei," Ojiro suddenly raised his hand again.
"I'd like to give my spot to Midoriya Izuku."
That declaration caused a stir.
"In our daily interactions, I can clearly feel how determined Midoriya is to improve," Ojiro continued seriously.
"And he placed sixth in the cavalry battle. I don't think giving him this opportunity is inappropriate."
"Ojiro…"
Midoriya froze, staring at him in disbelief.
Someone was giving up a precious slot—for him?
His eyes instantly welled up.
"All right!" Midnight said cheerfully, waving her hand.
"I like straightforward honesty!"
With that, Ojiro's name vanished from the screen, replaced by Midoriya Izuku.
The remaining two slots went to Tokoyami Fumikage and Hatsume Mei, both of whom had performed impressively in the cavalry battle. The fact that a support-course student made it into the finals became a highlight of this year's festival.
"Ojiro… I swear I won't waste this chance!" Midoriya cried openly.
"I'll give everything I have on that stage!"
Tears streamed down his face uncontrollably, making people worry he might dehydrate on the spot.
Just moments ago, he had already accepted that his Sports Festival was over. He'd planned to simply observe his classmates' Quirks and learn from them. And now—everything had flipped upside down.
At this moment, Midoriya truly felt like fate's chosen one.
With the finalist roster confirmed, the matchups during the knockout stage were soon displayed on the giant screen.
"Let me see my opponent…" Masata muttered.
"…Huh? Kirishima? First match?!"
He stared at the screen in surprise. He hadn't expected to face his best friend right out of the gate.
"Masata!" Kirishima strode over, slapping him on the shoulder with a loud thump, flashing a wide grin.
"I won't hold back! Let's have a manly fight!"
"Hahaha!" Masata laughed, punching Kirishima's chest in return.
"Then you'd better be careful! I've already decided to take first place—anyone in my way gets knocked down!"
The two burst out laughing, instantly switching from brothers-in-arms to rivals.
Watching them, Yaoyorozu Momo let out a quiet sigh. A hint of unease crept into her heart.
She knew Masata and Ochaco had both experienced real combat. But she herself…
Though not weak, she lacked actual battle experience—partly due to her personality and partly due to her upbringing. The guards at her home were strong enough for real sparring, and Masata often trained with them—but Momo never did.
Her opponent this round was Tokoyami Fumikage.
She knew Tokoyami's Quirk was extremely versatile—powerful both offensively and defensively. He was consistently ranked in the upper-middle tier during classes.
That realization made her nervous.
She turned toward Ochaco for reassurance—only to notice that Ochaco's expression had darkened.
"…Bakugo?"
Seeing Ochaco's opponent, Momo instantly understood her mood.
That matchup was… rough.
Sighing softly, Momo gently tugged Ochaco's sleeve.
Meanwhile—
"Midoriya," Ojiro said quietly after checking the bracket.
"Don't answer him. No matter what he says."
Midoriya's opponent was Shinso Hitoshi.
Ojiro had noticed something odd about Shinso's Quirk during the cavalry battle and decided to warn him.
Midoriya nodded solemnly.
Even without fully understanding the reason, he trusted Ojiro—and resolved to give this match everything he had.
After that, the atmosphere relaxed slightly.
Before the knockout rounds began, the Sports Festival held a large-scale entertainment event open to all students—qualified or not—to ease the tension.
Most finalists, however, chose to rest and mentally prepare.
That said—
Masata and Kirishima were exceptions.
The two of them were laughing and enjoying themselves like they were on a field trip.
Finally, as the entertainment segment ended—
The most anticipated event of the entire festival began.
The knockout stage was about to start.
...
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