Opening day of the U.A. Sports Festival.
Outside the stadium, food stalls lined both sides of the road. Every booth was operated by U.A. students—part of the Business Course's practical training.
The crowd flowing in and out wasn't surprised. This had become a tradition.
"This year's Business Course is doing pretty well."
Mt. Lady commented as she popped takoyaki into her mouth, cheeks puffed adorably.
"We're here to patrol, not to shop."
Behind her stood Kamui Woods and Burnin, all three Pro Heroes affiliated with Lock's agency.
"What's the big deal? It's not like we're the only ones here."
Mt. Lady waved her skewer dismissively, glancing at other Pro Heroes stationed around the perimeter.
This year's Sports Festival security was several times stricter than usual. After the League of Villains attacked USJ, U.A. couldn't afford even the slightest oversight.
"By the way," Mt. Lady said suddenly, "where's Death Fist? Why isn't he here?"
Kamui Woods coughed awkwardly.
"…He's on a date."
"…What?"
Mt. Lady nearly dropped her food.
"You're joking, right?"
Death Fist was a two-meter-tall, muscle-bound brute with zero romantic experience. A date?
"With Kiku Mako," Kamui Woods added.
Silence.
Kiku Mako—whose Quirk amplified guilt a hundredfold. And she wasn't even 150 centimeters tall.
Compared to Death Fist, she probably barely reached his stomach.
"What are you two even talking about?"
Burnin looked completely confused.
"Don't ask," Mt. Lady sighed. "We're confused too."
At that moment, the giant screen outside the stadium flickered to life.
The Sports Festival was about to begin.
Inside the waiting room for Class 1-A.
Everyone was dressed in standard U.A. sports uniforms, making final preparations.
Bakugo sat facing the wall, eyes closed.
Midoriya took deep breaths to steady his racing heart.
Shoto Todoroki stared at Lock, expression unreadable.
"I wish we could wear our hero costumes!" Ashido Mina complained, trying to lighten the mood.
Kirishima nodded vigorously in agreement.
They were still teenagers. A few months ago, they'd been middle schoolers. Now they were about to compete on a stage that rivaled the Olympics in viewership.
Nerves were inevitable.
Lock, however, felt none.
His confidence in his strength was absolute.
"Nejire-senpai… how did you sneak into the first-year waiting room?"
Lock blinked.
The number of people in the room had suddenly increased from twenty-one to twenty-two.
The newcomer had curly blue hair and an unmistakable presence.
It was Nejire Hado.
"Hehe, I slipped in," Nejire grinned playfully. "I'm still a U.A. student, you know!"
She tilted her head, examining Lock's blue-and-white sportswear.
"It's the first time I've seen you dressed like this, Lock."
"No choice," he shrugged. "Uniform regulations."
To maintain fairness, hero costumes were prohibited during the Sports Festival.
Lock felt a sharp gaze from somewhere in the room.
Without even looking, he knew it had to be Kyoka Jiro.
He coughed lightly.
"Nejire-senpai, aren't you competing?"
"I've already done this twice," she replied with a smile. "This year, Ryukyu and I will watch from the stands and record your performance."
Then she clenched her fist dramatically.
"My real goal is the Cultural Festival later this year!"
Lock nodded knowingly.
Last year, Nejire had lost the beauty contest and taken second place. For her, that mattered more than combat rankings.
"Anyway, do your best, Lock!"
With that, she slipped out as quickly as she'd entered.
Lock turned around—
And found Shoto Todoroki standing directly in front of him.
"Objectively speaking," Todoroki began calmly, "your strength is currently above mine. But I don't believe I will lose."
Kaminari whistled.
"Whoa, the two strongest in class declaring war already?"
That comment immediately darkened Bakugo's expression.
The two strongest?
And I'm not included?
His jaw tightened.
Shoto continued, fists clenched.
"If we meet in the tournament… I'll defeat you."
Lock raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? With your half-sealed Quirk?"
His tone was sharp.
"You haven't even fully accepted your own power. You don't qualify to make me serious."
Todoroki's eyes sharpened.
He looked down at his left hand.
The one that carried flames inherited from Endeavor.
"This time," he said quietly, "I will use everything."
Lock paused slightly.
Interesting.
Had his presence accelerated Todoroki's resolve?
In the original path, it took Midoriya pushing him during battle to make him accept his flames.
Now—
Perhaps Todoroki wanted to prove himself by defeating Lock instead.
Youthful pride.
Two geniuses standing at the same starting line.
No one wanted to lose twice.
Lock's lips curved into a faint smile.
"I'm looking forward to it."
Todoroki returned to his seat.
The tension in the room gradually settled again.
Soon, a staff member arrived.
Lock exchanged a few quiet words with him, then turned to his classmates.
"It's almost time."
He stood up.
"Head high. Show them what Class 1-A stands for."
"YES!" ×N
With that—
Lock, as class representative, led Class 1-A toward the arena entrance.
The roar of the crowd grew louder with every step.
The U.A. Sports Festival—
Had officially begun.
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