As soon as they announced us and I stepped into the arena, the entire crowd was glued to my beauty. I'm definitely going to be asked for autographs. By tomorrow, I'll be a top-tier idol. I can see the merch now. It's basically free money! Mwahaha!
"Hey! Look at me! I shall grant you a wave! Wave back, you peasants!! Give me a wave!!"
Oh, wow. They actually did it.
"Nico, what are you doing?! You can't do that!" Ochaco hissed.
"Making them do the wave? Is there a rule against it?"
"Well... there might not be a specific rule, but..."
If Ochaco was scolding me, I had to stop. I blew a kiss to the high-energy crowd who participated in my wave and returned to the Class 1-A line. Iida—Four-Eyes—started screaming at me. I told him I was sorry, okay?
"Hey, everyone! Please don't be mad at Four-Eyes for me! He's a good kid, even if he is totally gay! A total homo, but a good one!"
I heard a strange cheer erupt from a segment of the boys and girls in the crowd directed at Four-Eyes. Satisfied, I decided to wait quietly in line. And yet, for some reason, Four-Eyes kept yelling at me. I really don't get that guy.
Then the other classes started filing in. Everyone was looking at us like we were the enemy. Since I don't care about the extras, I didn't do anything back. I didn't mouth "motherfucker" at anyone. If it looked like I was holding up my middle finger? You're just seeing things. A complete illusion.
Midnight-sensei appeared next to explain the rules of the Sports Festival. Our eyes met, so I gave her a wave, and she sent a wink back. She's been busy with festival prep lately, so I haven't seen her much outside of class, but she looked as energetic as ever. Her costume is still pretty wild, though. I mean, she's thirty-one... Oh, wait, she definitely just glared at me.
"The Athlete's Oath!" Midnight's voice boomed.
From behind me, I heard Tokoyami mutter, "I wonder if someone 'Rated R' should really be at a high school." Mineta—the pervy brat—replied with a simple "Yes." That kid is a lost cause.
"Quiet down! Representing the students...!"
I followed Midnight's gaze to see Kacchan walking up.
"From Class 1-A, Katsuki Bakugo!"
No way. I thought to myself. There's no way.
"No way," I muttered aloud.
"Nico, if you say that, he's not going to have a single ally left," Ochaco whispered.
"But seriously, no way."
"Well... you might be right, but still!"
See? Even Ochaco agreed. There was no way Kacchan could handle this gracefully. Nine times out of ten, he'd just pick a fight and call it a day. When we go out together, he's usually decent enough not to scream at people, but he basically only communicates in insults. Like that time we went to the mountains—wait, what? The story about us going out? I'll tell you later.
"Actually, it makes sense, Midoriya," the "Soy Sauce Face" kid told me. "He did take first place in the entrance exam."
Thanks for the info, Soy Sauce. I still can't remember your name.
Watching Kacchan walk up to the podium, he actually looked kind of cool. His back looked... dependable. If he just kept his mouth shut, he'd be quite the catch. What a waste.
Kacchan reached the mic, shoved his hands in his pockets, and said, "Teach..."
I had a really bad feeling about this.
"I'm gonna be number one."
"I KNEW HE'D DO IT!!" Kirishima shouted, playing the straight man to Kacchan's routine. They're surprisingly close, those two. I didn't think he'd be that blunt, though.
As the crowd started booing, Kacchan doubled down, telling them to "at least serve as a nice stepping stone for me." It was classic Kacchan, but still.
Nice one, Kacchan.
You said that knowing full well what I declared earlier, didn't you? Huh?
As he walked down the stage to return to his spot, I purposefully bumped my shoulder into his. He gave me a light glare, but I'm not the type to flinch at that anymore. I glared right back.
"So, you're saying you intend to beat me, then? 'Victory' Katsuki-kun...?"
"—Shut up. You just worry about looking at me."
I took that as his official declaration of war. I swore right then and there: I was going to beat Kacchan and Peppermint (Todoroki) so badly they'd turn into sea foam.
Midnight announced the first event. A giant text appeared on the electronic board: 'OBSTACLE COURSE'.
"A cross-class race for all eleven classes! The course is the outer perimeter of this stadium, roughly four kilometers!"
Four kilometers? That's a breeze.
"Our school's selling point is freedom! Ufufu... as long as you stay on the course, anything goes!"
Those are dangerous words. I know better. It's never as 'free' as they say. They probably say that just to disqualify "good" students like me for some technicality. I bet if I beat someone up, they'd suddenly decide it wasn't allowed.
Adults are so dirty. Well, if I have to play dirty too, I'll just make sure I don't get caught.
"Alright, take your positions... the countdown begins!"
One of the three green lights went out. Two left.
I looked around. Everyone was wearing the same tense expression. I saw the annoying Kacchan and Peppermint. I'd have to crush them first.
Another light went out. One left.
The final light vanished.
"STAAAAAART!!!!"
The moment everyone bolted, I released the breath I had been holding in a single burst. A vortex of flame erupted.
Amidst the screams and chaos of the other students, I spotted a shadow breaking through. I expected at least one person to make it out, so this was within my calculations. I calmly aimed and activated my "Pull" quirk at full throttle.
It was right at the edge of my range, but I snagged him.
I yanked with everything I had. As the person was pulled toward me, I used that momentum to launch myself toward them at the same speed. To gain even more distance, I used the confused, unresponsive person as a literal stepping stone, leaping off them to take the lead.
"—I knew it was you!! Midoriya!!"
"Bwahahaha! Farewell, Peppermint! Feel free to take your time following me while you admire my cute butt!!"
As I watched Peppermint fall back into the crowd, I used my "Pull" quirk again. There was a perfectly placed tree ahead, and I used it to swing myself even further forward.
Todoroki had frozen the ground to mess with the others, but I sailed right over it, keeping my momentum as I sprinted ahead. In a flat-out run, I didn't think anyone besides Four-Eyes could beat me.
"—Wait, what's this?!"
The moment the first obstacle appeared, a voice blared from the nearby speakers. It was the "Radio Geezer" who was making a fool of himself during the entrance exams—the English teacher.
『Alright, let's get this commentary started! Are you ready, Mummy-man?!』
『...You forced me to be here.』
『Check it out! This is speedy! We've already got a student reaching the obstacles!!』
『Listen to me.』
What the hell is the Mummy teacher even doing?
『Behold, the first obstacle! A little taste of what's to come!』
『The first barrier: Robo Inferno!!』
Rows of robots from the entrance exam blocked the path. Fighting them properly would take forever. Of course, the easy solution was to just... not fight them.
Since fighting seemed like a hassle, I just used my "Pull" quirk to zip between them and swing myself over. It was honestly kind of disappointing.
『GIVE US A SHOW, LADY!!!』
Not a chance.
***
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