Present Mic (voice cracking with hype):
"THE EIGHTH AND LAST MATCH OF THE FIRST ROUND! HE WAS KINDA FAMOUS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL! THIS ISN'T THE FACE OF A REGULAR PERSON! FROM THE HERO COURSE—IT'S KATSUKI BAKUGO!!!"
Bakugo stomped into the arena, explosions sparking lightly from his palms, his expression sharp, furious, already staring down Uraraka like she was prey.
Present Mic (swinging to the other side):
"VERSUS—SHE'S THE ONE I'M ROOTING FOR! FROM THE HERO COURSE—IT'S OCHAKO URARAKA!!!"
Uraraka stopped at the tunnel entrance, closing her eyes. She took deep, sharp breaths—one after another—forcing herself to steel her nerves. Then, with determination set across her face, she opened her eyes. Serious. Ready.
The crowd erupted, half with cheers, half with murmurs. All eyes on the brave girl who squared her shoulders, fists clenched, staring right back at the boy everyone feared.
Down in the arena, Bakugo's voice low and dangerous.
Bakugo: "You're the one who makes things float, right? ...Round Face?"
Uraraka blinked, caught off guard.
Uraraka: "Round Face?!"
Her shock quickly melted into anger—her teeth clenched, her fists tightening. Bakugo's eyes narrowed further, the scowl he always carried deepening into something meaner.
Bakugo: "If you're gonna give up, do it now. You get off with just an 'ouch.'"
Uraraka's scowl sharpened into steel. She wasn't backing down. Not here.
Up in the stands, tension rippled. Iida adjusted his glasses, leaning toward Midoriya.
Iida (urgent whisper): "Midoriya! What was the strategy you were going to tell Uraraka earlier, for her to use against Bakugo?"
Deku froze for a second, then spoke quickly, eyes locked on the match.
Deku: "It wasn't much, really... Kacchan's strong. In a real close fight, he has almost no openings. And the more he moves, the more he sweats—making his Explosion quirk even stronger."
Hae-Sil's brows rose at that, her mind already running.
Hae-Sil (thinking): So his explosions... come from his sweat? That's... disgusting. But... weirdly interesting too.
Her eyes flicked down to Bakugo, recalling the way he moved. The raw firepower. The control.
Deku (still explaining fast): "He can even use his blasts to move around in the air. But if Uraraka touches Kacchan and uses her quirk to make him float, then she'd have the upper hand. That's why the first thing she should do is—"
Present Mic (cutting him off, voice booming):
"EIGHTH MATCH—START!!"
Deku half-shouted the rest of his thought, fists clenched tight.
Deku: "—a swift attack!!"
In the arena, Uraraka exploded forward, sprinting fast across the stone floor, determination written all over her face.
Uraraka (teeth gritted): Withdrawing isn't a choice for me!
Deku (standing up a little, voice hopeful): "All right! That's good! Even if it's an accident, as long as she can touch him—she can make him float!"
But Hae-Sil's voice cut through, quiet but sharp.
Hae-Sil: "I don't think she'll be able to do that."
Both Iida and Deku turned toward her, their hopeful smiles faltering at her flat tone. She narrowed her eyes, gaze fixed hard on Bakugo below.
Hae-Sil (steady, certain): "Bakugo isn't that dumb. Of course he thought about that. Even if I don't know him... he doesn't look like the type of person you mess with that easily."
The silence she left behind was heavy. Then she shrugged, turning back to the arena, her expression unreadable.
Hae-Sil: "...Idk. But that's what I see."
Down below, Bakugo cracked his palms—sparks flashing, explosions warming up. Uraraka kept running straight at him, fierce determination in her eyes.
Bakugo (low, dangerous, eyes narrowing, palms sparking): "...Then, die."
The crowd gasped at the venom in his voice, but Bakugo was already leaning forward, his body tense like a predator ready to pounce.
She sprinted toward him, leaning low, arm stretched out to grab him—just one touch was all she needed.
Bakugo slammed his palm to the ground.
BOOM!
The ground erupted upward with a violent explosion. Uraraka was thrown back, rolling across the stone floor, coughing from the smoke and heat.
Deku & Iida (in unison, panicked): "Uraraka!!"
Jiro (gasping, covering her ears): "He blasted her?!"
Asui (frowning, worried): "Even though you're fighting a girl... you really have no mercy, do you, Bakugo?"
From the stands, Hae-Sil's heart throbbed painfully. She tightened her fists in her lap, biting her lip.
Hae-Sil (thinking angrily): Heartless... he's completely heartless...
Smoke swirled. Bakugo's silhouette emerged, scowling deeper, his eyes burning with fury. He caught sight of Uraraka's sports jacket fluttering in the air.
Bakugo (snarling, blasting forward): "DON'T UNDERESTIMATE ME!!"
He detonated another explosion, shattering the smokescreen—only to realize too late that he had aimed at empty fabric. Uraraka's jacket floated down charred, but she wasn't inside it.
Mr. Mic (excitedly): "WOAH!! SHE MADE HER JACKET FLOAT AND SENT IT OVER THERE?! SHE DID IT IN AN INSTANT TOO!!"
From behind, Uraraka lunged at him, her fingertips just about to touch his back.
Bakugo's reflexes snapped instantly. His eyes widened for a split second, then his palm whipped back, detonating a massive explosion right at her side. The impact flung her across the arena again, dust and fire exploding outward.
Sero (jaw dropped): "He reacted that fast?!"
Denki (shaking his head): "With that reaction time... smokescreens don't matter. If Uraraka has to touch him, she's completely at a disadvantage."
Uraraka groaned, pushing herself up again on shaky knees. Her face was bruised, her arms trembling, but her eyes still blazed.
Uraraka (yelling desperately): "NOT YET!!"
She rushed forward again, even as Bakugo raised his hand, sweat dripping off his face, palms sparking louder than before.
Bakugo (snapping, voice feral): "TOO SLOW!!"
He launched himself into the air with a massive blast, detonating an explosion directly in her path. The light swallowed her small figure, and the shockwave shook the stadium. The crowd gasped in horror as she was hurled back again, coughing, her hair singed at the ends.
Hae-Sil's chest hurt as if someone had crushed her heart. She couldn't stop staring, couldn't look away.
Mr. Mic (voice shaky, lowering his hype tone): "Uraraka keeps attacking without rest... but... but this is—"
The stadium grew eerily silent except for the deafening blasts echoing in the arena. Dust clouds billowed with every impact. Uraraka staggered forward again, coughing, her arms trembling as she tried to charge once more.
Spectator (from the stands, frustrated): "Her substitution didn't work, she's getting desperate!"
Another (yelling at Cementoss down below): "HEY! SHOULDN'T YOU STOP THIS?! ISN'T HE GOING TOO FAR?!"
Another from higher up (angry, pointing at the arena): "HOW CAN YOU SAY YOU WANNA BE A HERO LIKE THAT?! IF THERE'S SUCH A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN ABILITIES, THEN HURRY UP AND FINISH IT!!"
Bakugo didn't even blink at the outrage. He continued to fire explosion after explosion at Uraraka, his jaw clenched, refusing to underestimate her for even a second.
Hero in the crowd (furious): "STOP BULLYING THE POOR GIRL!!"
Another: "YEAH, ENOUGH ALREADY!"
The booing began to spread like wildfire, echoing across the entire stadium. The cheers that once fueled the matches before were drowned out by harsh jeers and accusations. Bakugo stood unmoved, sparks still dancing violently between his palms.
Mr. Mic (tone strained, voice steadier, almost unsure): "There's booing from part of the crowd... but honestly, I also feel the sa—"
Suddenly, a sharp CRACK sounded. Mr. Mic's words cut off mid-sentence as Aizawa drove his elbow hard into his jaw, sending him staggering to the side of the announcer's booth.
Mr. Mic (clutching himself): "OW—! AN ELBOW?! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"
Aizawa leaned forward, snatching the mic, his eyes sharp and unwavering. His voice cut through the booing like a blade.
Aizawa (cold, biting): "Was that a pro saying he's playing around?"
Mr. Mic blinked, frozen, mic half-gripped in shock.
Aizawa (snapping, his voice louder now, scolding the entire arena): "If you're saying that with a straight face, then there's no point in you watching anymore. So go home. Go home, and look into changing careers!"
The crowd silenced immediately, taken aback by Aizawa's brutal words. Even the heroes who had been jeering lowered their gazes in shame. Deku's eyes widened from the stands.
Deku (murmuring, shocked): "Mr. Aizawa...?"
Aizawa continued, his voice harsh but steady, resonating over the stadium.
Aizawa: "Bakugo is being careful because he's acknowledged the strength of his opponent—who has made it this far. That's why he's doing everything to win. He can't go easy on her. He won't let his guard down. That's respect, not cruelty."
Down in the arena, Bakugo's scowl deepened, sweat sliding down his temple, palms still crackling with heat. His body leaned slightly forward, combat stance rigid—focused. Determined. Watching Uraraka like a hawk refusing to let her slip by.
Uraraka wiped the dirt from her face with her sleeve, standing on shaky legs, breathing hard but eyes still blazing with resolve.
The stadium was silent again, but this time the air wasn't filled with booing—it was tense, thick, waiting to see which one of them would move next.
Bakugo thinking: Not yet... she's still...
Uraraka panting, brushing the sweat off her cheeks.
Bakugo continuing in his head: ...not dead.
Uraraka's tired but determined eyes locked onto Bakugo, her breath shaky but her resolve like steel.
Uraraka thinking: It's about time... I think... thanks, Bakugo...
Then she said it out loud, her voice trembling but strong as she adjusted her stance for her release move:
Uraraka: "...for not letting your guard down."
Bakugo: "...huh?"
Up in the stands, Hae-Sil leaned forward, her hands gripping the railing tight. Her heart pounded as she thought: It can't be helped from where Bakugo is... but it's embarrassing for a pro in the stands to start booing without noticing. He's not playing. She's making him fight for real.
Uraraka lowered her body, advancing with quick footwork, forcing Bakugo's blasts into the ground, storing up weapons. Every explosion made the arena shake, dust and heat burning into the air. She kept moving, never stopping, her eyes sharp and desperate.
Then she raised her hand—her last card. The rocks floating high above shimmered in the sunlight. Hae-Sil's breath caught as she followed Uraraka's gaze.
Uraraka screamed: "I'M GONNA WIN!!"
The sky broke loose. All the rocks came crashing down in a deadly meteor shower.
Present Mic: "A METEOR SHOWER?!"
Aizawa (calm, voice like steel): "You should've noticed..."
Deku shot up from his seat: "She had a desperate plan like that up her sleeve?!"
Uraraka sprinted forward, determination screaming through her body.
Uraraka thinking: With this debris, whether he's evading or counterattacking, there will definitely be an opening! In that moment, I'll get close to him—with my secret move!
Bakugo's eyes narrowed. His arm snapped up, palm glowing, ready.
Uraraka thought: I'll win. I'll win and be like Deku, too!
Her hand stretched forward—she was close enough to grab his uniform. Close enough to touch victory—
BOOM!!!
Bakugo fired his most violent explosion skyward. The shockwave ripped through the arena. Uraraka was blasted back, her body airborne before crashing into the ground. The stands shook, people's hair flew wildly, and the arena floor cracked with the force of his quake-like blast.
Uraraka struggled, her limbs weak, trying to push herself up.
Bakugo's low voice: "...Since you're friends with Deku, I thought you'd end up to something."
Uraraka's terrified eyes widened. In one shot...
Present Mic, shocked: "B-BAKUGO DELIVERS A SATISFYING EXPLOSION!!"
Class 1-A's eyes all widened in horror, their jaws dropping. Hae-Sil's breath froze, her eyes sharp on Bakugo—his hand was trembling from the force of his own blast.
Present Mic: "HE BLASTS BOLDLY THROUGH URARAKA'S SECRET PLAN!!"
Bakugo inhaled, chest heaving, muttering through clenched teeth: "That was close..." His hand still shook slightly.
Uraraka, her voice quiet, thinking: I did as much as I could...! But he wasn't fazed at all...
But even then, even with her body screaming, she pushed herself back up again.
Uraraka, weak but defiant: Even so...
Bakugo's scowl shifted into a wild smirk. He leaned forward, voice sharp and eager: "All right—let's get serious then, Uraraka!!"
He charged.
Uraraka stood her ground, her fists clenched, her lips trembling as she thought: If it were Deku... he wouldn't give up—
Her knees buckled.
She stumbled. Her legs gave way. She fell forward, collapsing on the ground.
Bakugo froze instantly. His smirk dropped, his breath catching.
Present Mic's voice cracked with finality: "URARAKA'S DOWN!!"
Uraraka, crawling weakly, voice breaking: "I-I also... also... can't still...!"
Her vision blurred, her hands shaking violently.
Her thoughts fading: I'll... become... a hero...!
And then—darkness.
Her body fell limp. Unconscious.
Midnight rushed in, kneeling beside her, checking her pulse. Relief flickered across her face as she raised her hand toward Bakugo.
Midnight: "Uraraka's out of commission! ...Bakugo advances to the second round!"
The crowd erupted. Cheers and gasps clashed together, voices rising in a storm. The giant screen blared:
WINNER – KATSUKI BAKUGO.
Robots rolled in to carefully carry Uraraka away to Recovery Girl.
Bakugo stood, his posture steady, his expression unreadable. His scowl was there, but quieter now, his breathing heavy but his gaze sharp. Without a word, he turned and walked off the stage, leaving only the echoes of the crowd behind.
Hae-Sil watched him leave, her fists tight at her sides. Her heart was racing—not just from the fight, but from something heavier. She knew this wasn't over. Not for Bakugo. Not for Uraraka. Not for her.
Present Mic: "NOW LET'S PULL OURSELVES TOGETHER—!"
Aizawa, dry: "You're really letting your personal feelings take over..."
Present Mic (ignoring him, voice booming): "THE FIRST ROUND IS ALL DONE! LET'S MOVE ON TO THE NEXT ROUND QUICKLY AFTER A SHORT BREAK!"
The crowd roared. Class 1-A buzzed with murmurs.
Hae-Sil and Midoriya stood from their seats. Deku, nervous but trying to stay calm, made his way to the waiting room since his match was coming up next. Hae-Sil, however, had another priority.
Hae-Sil muttering to herself: "Food... food... I'm actually gonna die if I don't eat. A rice ball is NOT a meal."
She wandered through the corridors until—finally—she found the cafeteria. The scent hit her like heaven.
Hae-Sil (relieved): "At last...!"
She walked up to the counter, eyes sparkling, ready to order. Just as she opened her mouth—
Present Mic's voice BURST through the cafeteria speakers: "OOOAOAOH~!!"
Hae-Sil screamed, flinching hard, nearly dropping her wallet: "OH MY GOD, MIC!! WHAT THE HELL?!"
The cafeteria guy froze behind the counter, spoon in hand, staring at her like she was nuts.
Cafeteria Man: "...You okay?"
Hae-Sil, dead serious: "Do I LOOK okay?! I almost had a heart attack! Who puts that guy on the speakers indoors?!"
Present Mic's voice continued echoing: "THE DRAW FROM THE SEVENTH MATCH OF THE FIRST ROUND, KIRISHIMA AND TETSUTETSU!! THE WINNER OF THEIR ARM WRESTLING MATCH TO DECIDE WHO ADVANCES TO THE SECOND ROUND IS—!"
Hae-Sil groaned and turned back to the cafeteria man.
Hae-Sil: "Please tell me you have something that doesn't make me starve. And please—not a Japanese snack this time. I need REAL food."
Cafeteria Man, squinting at her: "...Define real food."
Hae-Sil: "I don't know! A burger? Pasta? Fries? Chicken nuggets? Something that doesn't vanish from my stomach in five seconds!"
Cafeteria Man: "...We have rice balls, fried squid, and steamed buns."
Hae-Sil: "...That's not real food, that's punishment."
Cafeteria Man, deadpan: "Then starve."
Hae-Sil, gasping dramatically: "EXCUSE ME?! This is supposed to be a hero school, not a torture chamber! Do you WANT me to collapse during the festival?"
The cafeteria man sighed, clearly regretting every life choice that led him here. He slid a tray toward her with something steaming under a lid.
Cafeteria Man: "...Here. Special menu. Just eat before you scare more people."
Hae-Sil, suspicious: "...If I open this and it's another rice ball, I swear I'll—"
She lifted the lid—
It was a steaming bowl of curry with rice, chicken, and potatoes.
Hae-Sil froze.
Then she sniffed. Her eyes teared up.
Hae-Sil: "...Sir. You're an angel. I take back everything I said."
Cafeteria Man, muttering: "Good. Now sit down and stop talking before Mic blows another fuse in your ear."
Right then, Present Mic practically exploded from the speaker:
"THE ONE WHO WON WAS—KIRISHIMA!! NOW WE'VE GOT EVERYONE WHO'S ADVANCING TO THE SECOND ROUND! SO LET'S GET STARTED!"
--------------------
Hae-Sil finished her food at record speed—almost like she hadn't eaten in weeks. She wiped her mouth, grabbed a juice bottle on her way out, and bolted back upstairs.
By the time she slid into her abandoned seat, the stadium was buzzing louder than ever. She cracked open the icy orange juice, taking a sip as the cold sweetness cooled her throat.
A familiar voice called out behind her.
Uraraka, walking up with a tired but determined smile: "Those two haven't started yet?"
Hae-Sil glanced back. Uraraka's eyes were a little swollen.
Iida gasped, standing sharply: "WERE YOUR EYES HURT?! YOU MUST REALLY HURRY TO RECOVERY GIRL'S OFFICE—!"
Uraraka, shaking her head softly: "I already went. This is... y'know... it's different."
She slid into the seat between Iida and Tokoyami.
Iida, frowning in concern: "Different? If that's the case, then you must've been really frustrated earlier."
Tokoyami, calm and collected: "Rather than feeling regretful right now, you should use this next match as a source of encouragement."
Uraraka, nodding: "Yeah... you're right."
Hae-Sil's eyes lingered on Uraraka, then flicked down at the juice in her hand. For a moment, she tapped her fingers against the plastic bottle... then stood up abruptly.
Hae-Sil, blunt but soft: "Hey... Uraraka. Take this. I bet you're exhausted."
Uraraka, blinking, flustered: "Eh? Oh, no, I couldn't—!"
Before she could finish, Hae-Sil pressed the bottle into her hand.
Hae-Sil, already sitting back down: "It's nothing. Don't thank me."
Uraraka, smiling gently, still whispering: "...You're a sweet person, unlike how you act."
Hae-Sil froze, her eyes widening a little. She turned to glance at Uraraka—her smile was soft, grateful, honest.
For just a second, Hae-Sil felt her chest tighten. But she quickly looked away, lifting her chin stubbornly and muttering to herself, trying not to fall into the "trap."
Hae-Sil's thoughts: Don't. Don't fall for it. Don't trust anyone. Not yet.
Still, no matter how much she tried to ignore it, Uraraka's smile lingered at the back of her mind as the crowd suddenly erupted in anticipation for the next match.
Mr. Mic: "THANKS FOR WAITING, EVERYBODY! THE FIRST MATCH OF THE SECOND ROUND IS A BIG MATCH! THE MAN WHO WON A HUGE VICTORY IN THE FIRST ROUND AND LITERALLY LEFT THE AUDIENCE FROZEN—FROM THE HERO COURSE, IT'S SHOTO TODOROKI!"
The stadium roared, the cheers echoing so loudly the stands shook. Todoroki stepped forward, face cold, steam faintly rising from his body as if the air itself bent to him.
Mr. Mic (swinging his arms wildly): "ON THE OTHER HAND, THIS GUY BARELY MADE IT PAST THE FIRST ROUND! WHAT KIND OF FIGHT WILL HE SHOW US THIS TIME? FROM THE HERO COURSE—IT'S IZUKU MIDORIYA!"
The audience roared again, stomping their feet. Midoriya walked steadily, his fists clenched, his face serious—no muttering, no nervousness, just focus.
Their eyes locked.
Shoto (low, firm): "...So you're here."
Deku (exhaling, equally firm): "...Todoroki."
Up in the stands, Bakugo leaned forward on the railing, scowl deepening, eyes sharp. He didn't blink once, laser-focused.
Iida adjusted his glasses, turning to Tokoyami: "Tokoyami, what do you think of this match?"
Tokoyami, calmly analyzing: "It depends on whether or not Midoriya jumps in close to Todoroki. At long range, Todoroki dominates."
Uraraka, fists tight in her lap: "Yeah... what's Deku gonna do about that ice...?"
Hae-Sil narrowed her eyes, lips tightening. She remembered Todoroki's earlier match. That ice... it isn't just strong. It's suffocating. If Midoriya hesitates even once—he's done.
Mr. Mic (with his whole chest, arms pumping): "AT THIS YEAR'S SPORTS FESTIVAL, BOTH HAVE SHOWN TOP CLASS PERFORMANCES! IT'S LIKE TWO GREAT RIVALS FIGHTING AGAINST EACH OTHER!"
The tension was unbearable—fans were on their feet, stomping, shouting.
Mr. Mic swung his arm down with a shout: "NOW—MIDORIYA VERSUS TODOROKI! START!!"
The buzzer rang.
Deku braced his legs, arms tense, focusing on his timing.
Shoto narrowed his eyes, instantly raising his hand—already calling the ice.
Hae-Sil, eyes locked, fists clenched: Don't let him crush you, Midoriya...
________________________________________________________________________________
TO BE CONTINUED!