"Everybody, sorry for the long wait! The stage that was frozen in the second match is finally dry, so onto the next match! The assassin from Class B! Pretty things have thorns, you know! From the hero course, it's Shiozaki Ibara!"
[Name] felt a surge of excitement as Kaminari stepped up for his match. His opponent was the same person they'd face if they won against Iida. They planned to win their match. They were determined to give it their all in the tournament.
"I bet he will flirt with her," [Name] grinned as they nodded towards the battlefield. Kirishima burst out laughing in agreement. They smirked as they got him to laugh.
"Hey, Kirishima-san," [Name] called out to him.
Kirishima hummed as he looked at [Name] in confusion. A flirty grin appeared on their face, "you have a pretty laugh." Kirishima's face turned into a ripe tomato, leaving them feeling accomplished. Unnoticed by the two, Bakugo watched them with an unknown look on his face.
[Name] nudged Kirishima, drawing his attention to the ongoing fight. They both glanced over and saw Kaminari already using his ultimate move. They couldn't help but facepalm as it seemed Kaminari hadn't planned his strategy well. The girl he was fighting simply turned around and created a barrier of vines. [Name] leaned forward, intrigued by her quirk, which seemed to serve as both defense and attack. The vines snaked under the stage and wrapped around Kaminari, lifting him into the air while he seemed completely incapacitated.
"It was decided in an instant! I'll say it once more! An instant!"
"Shiozaki advances to the second round!" Midnight announced.
"That dumbass," [Name] shook their head, disappointed but not surprised.
"Yeah. He seems to underestimate pretty people," Kirishima scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"That dumb dunce face," Bakugo grunted.
"Shiozaki Ibara. Quirk: Vines! The vines on her head are extendable! They're detachable too! As long as she makes sure to get plenty of water and sunlight, they'll grow almost instantly. In other words, she can't go bald!" Present Mic explained.
"What's this?" [Name] snapped their head up to see a blond boy poking his head out from above the divider.
"Didn't he say he'd settle this in a second? That's strange; he was defeated in a second, wasn't he? Class A is supposed to be better than Class B, so isn't that weird?" [Name] noticed that he was pretty cute, but his personality seemed to be trash.
"You shouldn't say anything if you didn't make it to the final phase," [Name] smirked as the blond boy became irritated by their words. They stood up from their seat and stretched. "I gotta go. My match is soon now. Next time don't bark shit." The blond boy glared at [Name]'s back.
"Good luck, [Last Name]!" Kirishima yelled, and soon after, [Name]'s classmates began to do the same.
"I plan to win this," [Name] made a 'v' shape with their fingers as they made their way to the hallway leading into the stadium.
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[Name] plastered a big fake smile as they walked into the arena, the cheers and anticipation of the crowd buzzing around them. Uninterested in Present Mic's statements, they locked eyes with Iida.
"Hey, Iida-san!" [Name] called out, and Iida turned to them, a look of focus etched on his face.
"Make sure to give this your all," [Name] grinned, a toothy expression that hinted at both confidence and mischief.
"I expect the same from you," Iida responded with a small nod with a smile.
"I love the sportsmanship!" Midnight swooned, taking in the atmosphere charged with excitement. "Are you guys ready?"
[Name] imagined the card they planned to use, and it materialized in front of them, they grabbed it with a flourish. Iida got into a running stance. Both of them nodded.
"Then..." Midnight raised her whip and snapped it down. "Start!"
[Name] turned the card facing outwards and chanted, "The key which hides the power of the Stars!" A star pentagon materialized beneath [Name]'s feet. "Show your true form before me! I, [Name], command you under our contract. Release, Nezuko Kamado!" The card in [Name]'s hand began to glow with a soft pink hue.
[Name]'s transformation was spectacular to anyone who hasn't seen it. They wore a light pink kimono with a pattern, adorned with a red and white-checkered obi secured by an orange-threaded obijime and a green obiage. Over this, [Name] sported a long, dark-brown haori that cascaded to their calves, along with zōri featuring pink straps and white tabi socks wrapped with thick pieces of black material. A small pink ribbon on the left side of their head kept their hair in check, complemented by a bamboo muzzle secured around their jaw with a strip of red cloth.
As [Name] transformed, the audience couldn't help but be mesmerized by their adorable appearance. However, Iida's attention was drawn to their muzzle, sensing that it might be causing some kind of secret power if they were to take it off, though he couldn't quite figure out how.
"Mmh!" [Name] voiced behind their muzzle, gesturing for Iida to engage. Seizing the opportunity, Iida used his quirk to dash at them with remarkable speed. They didn't bother assuming a stance, effortlessly dodging Iida's swift kicks.
Stepping back a bit, [Name] prepared for the upcoming fight. They were all set and geared up to battle.
"Hmm!" With a grunt, [Name] felt the veins popping around their temples as they dashed towards Iida, shaping a roundhouse kick. But Iida was quick to respond, blocking with a swift kick of his own, creating an 'x' with both of their legs. Using Iida's focus on defense, [Name] attempted a weak punch, which Iida effortlessly blocked, before transitioning into a kick, sending Iida stumbling backward, unable to dodge or counter in time.
Without hesitation, [Name] charged at Iida again, causing the ground to crack beneath their feet as they moved. Expecting the attack, Iida evaded their kick and retaliated with a flurry of kicks. However, they agilely avoided each strike, gracefully maneuvering around Iida's assault.
"Hmph!" [Name] exclaimed as they took a few steps back, creating some distance between them and Iida.
"Grr," [Name] growled, regaining their stance. Lowering their body, they sprinted towards Iida with newfound speed. This time, they threw a right hook, which Iida blocked with his forearm. The pressure from their punch was evident, causing Iida to grunt.
Both competitors backed away, creating a gap. Sensing the end of the fight approaching, [Name] and Iida readied their final moves.
Iida crouched into a running stance, activating the engines on his calves, spewing red flames that shifted into a bright blue. "Torque Over- Reciproburst!" Iida dashed faster than before, delivering a roundhouse kick at [Name].
Gasping, Iida observed as [Name] began to shrink and his leg hit nothing but the air leading a shock gasp to escape his mouth. Looking down, he found a child version of [Name]! Which made some of the audience coo at the sight.
Seizing the moment, [Name] dashed under Iida's leg, reverting to their original size behind him. A powerful kick sent Iida airborne, surpassing the white line. Triumphantly, they cried out, and Midnight declared them the winner, sparking awe and applause from the audience.
[Name] paid little attention to the announcement, walking up to Iida's downcast form.
"Hm!" [Name] voiced behind the muzzle, extending their hand to Iida. After a brief pause, Iida accepted, and they helped him up.
"Good battle, [Last Name]. I could tell you didn't hold back," Iida remarked. [Name] emitted a sound as they transformed back into their P.E uniform.
"I had a good battle, Iida-san!" [Name] cheered as he looked a bit flustered by their actions, as they both walked back to their seats, leaving the arena buzzing with excitement and chatter.
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Ashido's turn in the match was almost as memorable as their own fight with Iida. Just for the wrong reason. [Name] couldn't believe what was happening. Ashido's opponent turned out to be Hatsume Mei, a student from the support course. Remembering past battle, Hatsume had once tricked Ashido into wearing her gadgetry, using it as a chance to showcase her inventions before stepping out of bounds. [Name] winced, expecting Ashido to feel embarrassed.
As the rounds progressed, they passed quickly. Yaoyourozu was defeated by Tokoyami in under a minute, surprising [Name], who had anticipated a longer fight. Nevertheless, they remained confident in Tokoyami's abilities. Kirishima's match dragged on, but with Tetsutetsu as his opponent, possessing a quirk remarkably similar to Kirishima's, [Name] wasn't surprised by the extended duration.
Finally, it was time for Bakugo versus Uraraka, and [Name] hoped Uraraka would give her all.
Relaxing with their legs on Kaminari's lap, [Name] watched the match between Uraraka and Bakugo unfold.
"Midoriya," [Name] overheard Iida inquire, "what strategy were you planning to tell Uraraka earlier to use against Bakugo?"
"It wasn't much, really," Midoriya responded, absorbed in a notebook that piqued [Name]'s curiosity. "Kacchan's strong. In close combat, he has almost no openings, and the more he moves, the more he sweats, making his explosion quirk stronger. If Uraraka touches him and uses her quirk to make him float, she'd have the upper hand. So, the first thing Uraraka should do is a swift attack!"
[Name] processed the information, astounded by Midoriya's strategic insight.
"Eighth match, start!"
Uraraka sprinted toward Katsuki, maintaining a low posture. [Name] straightened, attempting to decipher her game plan.
"As long as she touches him, even accidentally, Uraraka can make him float!" Midoriya explained.
"Bakugou won't want Uraraka to get close," Iida observed.
"Despite his brutish demeanor, he's actually smart, huh?" Sero commented.
"Of course he is, he got second place on the entrance exam," [Name] remarked. Bakugo might be abrasive, but his prowess couldn't be denied.
The students could only watch as Uraraka struggled to win, trying everything against Bakugo. Even her smart plan didn't work. [Name] saw Uraraka fall on the stage, crawling towards Bakugo before stopping. They weren't surprised by the result, but Uraraka clearly gave her best in the fight. Midnight stepped in, kneeling beside Uraraka and putting out a hand to stop Bakugo from going further.
"Uraraka is out of commission," Midnight announced. "Bakugou advances to the second round!" The crowd cheered, though less enthusiastically than in previous rounds.
"The eighth match of the first round... Oh, Uraraka... Oh yeah, Bakugou advances to the next round."
"If you're going to do it, do it properly."
"Now, let's pull ourselves together. The first round is all done! Let's move on to the next round quickly after a short break!"
[Name] observed Todoroki leaving after the battle, heading to one of the waiting rooms to prepare for his match with Midoriya. It was one of the matchups they eagerly anticipated.
"Oh, Bakugo!" Kaminari called out as Bakugo emerged from his match.
"That was tough, huh? Playing the bad guy," Sero remarked, looking back at the blonde.
"Even if it was because of the match-up, you played an amazing villain, Bakugou," Tsu commented. [Name] couldn't fathom their classmates' naivety.
"Shut up!" Bakugo barked in defense. "Be quiet!" He felt cornered, wondering if everyone viewed him as a big bad villain.
"Yeah, Tsu, Bakugo was not a villain in any way. He thought Uraraka was strong, which is why he went all out!" [Name] defended Bakugo, though Tsu huffed and looked away. Bakugo shot them an unreadable glance, but they ignored it.
"Oh man, I can't believe you were able to aim such a huge blast at a frail girl," Kaminari said, pumping his arm in the air. "I couldn't help but hold back!"
"Just because she is a girl doesn't mean she won because of you. She took you out with one shot," [Name] reprimanded Kaminari. "Plus, your misogynistic views implying a girl couldn't hold her own are insulting. If that were true, this world would be hell for women." [Name] glared at him. Kaminari chuckled nervously, acknowledging [Name]'s point.
Bakugo scoffed, dropping onto the seat next to Kaminari. "What part about her was frail?"
"Never underestimate your opponent, no matter how small they may seem," [Name] wisely advised as they waited for the next match. Bakugo stared at [Name], surprised that they had come to his defense. Something ignited within him as he observed them standing up for him.
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"Yow!! 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..."
[Name] observed the two boys struggling against each other, a scene that oddly reminded them of a fighting ring. They didn't want to believe it had come to this.
"Come on Kirishima!" [Name] shouted, trying to rally support. The cheers from their classmates, except Bakugo, echoed through the arena, fueling Kirishima's determination. He pushed himself harder, determined to make everyone proud. When Kirishima finally emerged victorious against Tetsutetsu, they leaped out of their seat, releasing a cheer. A few seconds later, they realized they were the only one standing and sat back down, face turning bright pink.
"Winner is Kirishima!" Midnight announced. [Name] clapped in happiness for Kirishima, though a small wince accompanied the realization that he would face Bakugo in the next round.
"Now we've got everyone who's advancing to the second round! So let's get started!"
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"Yow!! 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..."
[Name] observed the two boys struggling against each other, a scene that oddly reminded them of a fighting ring. They didn't want to believe it had come to this.
"Come on Kirishima!" [Name] shouted, trying to rally support. The cheers from their classmates, except Bakugo, echoed through the arena, fueling Kirishima's determination. He pushed himself harder, determined to make everyone proud. When Kirishima finally emerged victorious against Tetsutetsu, they leaped out of their seat, releasing a cheer. A few seconds later, they realized they were the only one standing and sat back down, face turning bright pink.
"Winner is Kirishima!" Midnight announced. [Name] clapped in happiness for Kirishima, though a small wince accompanied the realization that he would face Bakugo in the next round.
"Now we've got everyone who's advancing to the second round! So let's get started!"
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"Toko-kun!" [Name] whined as they changed seats to sit next to Tokoyami. Tokoyami hummed with a nod, sensing they wanted some affection. They beamed with joy as they cuddled into him. They were touch-starved, a consequence of their parents' busy lives.
"Yay!" [Name] shouted. Tokoyami said nothing but patted their head. They giggled as they leaned into the affection. Tokoyami noticed [Name] was touch-starved but decided to indulge them, choosing to ignore the rapid beating of his heart. Ignorance was bliss.
"Thanks for waiting, everybody! The first match of the second round is a big one! The man who won a huge victory in the first round that left the audience frozen - literally - From the hero course, Todoroki Shoto! Versus - 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, Midoriya Izuku!"
[Name] couldn't wait to see how this battle would unfold, but secretly, their bet was on Todoroki winning. Nevertheless, they didn't plan to share that with Midoriya, who needed all the confidence he could muster for a potential miracle.
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Thank you so much for 449 reads and 35 votes <3333! I hope you guys are liking this so far! We have 7 chapters to go! I am really glad lol. Until next time~ BTW I am Tokoyami bias soooo you might see some favoritism towards him.
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Edit: 01.16.24
Note: I fleshed out the chapter. Nothing much to report. Half way there <3.