You win some, You lose some

Mashirao Ojiro shook his head in amusement as Hitoshi was swung around like a ragdoll. The man never seemed to have an expression on his face, but Mashirao got the distinct impression that Hitoshi was the opposite of amused right now.

Hitoshi had mentioned Hatsume's offer to him before the match. She wanted to show off her inventions to the Support Class scouts, and Hitoshi wanted to avoid using his quirk. That way, the person he faced next round wouldn't know not to answer him. It had made sense, sure, but Mashirao knew the real reason.

Hitoshi was willing to give up his pride and look like an idiot not only to keep his quirk a secret, but because he didn't want to take away the woman's chance.

If he used his quirk, it would be a quick match, and he would move on with his pride intact. After all, there was only a small chance anyone would figure out what triggered his quirk. But, it would render the pink haired genius unable to prove why she's also valuable to the hero world. And Mashirao knew that hit home with Hitoshi more than he'd ever admit outloud.

Mashirao respected him for this, and was proud of how understanding the man had become since the incident.

Now, if only a certain someone felt the same way.

"Oooooooooooh man this is perfect!" Star grinned next to him, holding up her phone and recording the scene.

She was in somewhat normal clothes now. Well, to clarify, she was in Hitoshi's hat and very rolled up sweats, due to their height difference. She had her hair half tucked under the hat to give it the appearance of a different length, and had borrowed Momo's sunglasses as well. He had also offered her his shirt, but she had somehow -despite her drunken state- unlocked Bakugo's locker and stolen his, explaining that it smelt like candy.

Mashirao was pretty sure it was revenge though, since she was understandably still upset with the guy.

She had tied it off in the back and tucked it under, but all in all… The look was an absolute mess. This didn't discourage her though as she sat on the sidelines of the battlefield with Mashirao while he waited to be up next. Now that she was confident in her disguise, she wanted to be right up at the front to see her friends fight. And to also collect blackmail, apparently.

"Shouldn't you cut him a break? It's the first round." He scolded her, glancing at her phone.

"Nah-uh, not gonna happen. He's the reason I'm going to be caught in a stupid love triangle scandle in America. This is my tamest form of revenge." Star glowered evilly, zooming her camera in on Hitoshi's face every time his expression changed.

Mashirao shook his head, not even wanting to let her dive into explaining that. Apparently he made the right call too, since it was at that moment Hatsume stepped out of bounds, out of gadgets to show off. Hitoshi looked a little sickly as he wobbled off the stage, and Star didn't help by tipping him over while he was distracted. Hitoshi glared up at her from the ground and Mashirao gave him a hand up.

"You did the right thing, Hitoshi." He said, putting his hand on his shoulder once he was off the ground.

"Thanks, All-Star. Give them a better fight than that joke of a match, yeah?" Hitoshi replied bitterly, shaking his head. Mashirao nodded, and stepped onto the stage with a smile at the words.

He had given some thought to this, but was still mostly unready. Iida was fast, and even had a special move that he showcased during the second event, proving he was capable. As Iida stepped up on the stage across from him, Mashirao moved into a defensive fighting stance. This was his opportunity to prove his quirk to the Pros, and he was ready.

"Begin!"

Iida sped towards Mashirao and went to grab him, but Mashirao parried his hand as he reached, avoiding his grasp while also sending him off balance. Iida stumbled and quickly recovered, but Mashirao was already in the air thanks to his tail, before Iida could try grabbing him again.

He swung his body and tail around as he went to hit Iida with it, but Iida sped away long before Mashirao fell down far enough to be close. As Mashirao landed, Iida came behind him with a kick to the head, but Mashirao's tail came up to block it, taking the impact for him. His foot fell back to the ground and Mashirao turned around.

Iida went to throw a punch, but he easily countered, pulling on the arm that missed him while sending a sweeping kick to his legs. Iida almost lost his balance, but remained standing as Mashirao's foot hit the metal in his opponant's leg, disrupting the move.

Realizing Mashirao's hand to hand expertise, Iida put distance between them. Mashirao saw his chance, using his tail to leap into the air and spin around to bring his tail to Iida's head-

"Recipro BURST!" Iida shouted, sending a roundhouse kick to Mashirao's stomach. The speed and force was blinding, and knocked Mashirao back so quickly that he was unable to catch himself with his tail, landing far out of bounds.

"Mashiro Ojiro is out of bounds, Tenya Iida wins!"

The crowd roared, impressed by the special move. Iida walked over and Mashirao accepted the hand up with a thankful nod. "That was a great match, Class Rep. I have been trained in martial arts my entire life and I couldn't even dodge that kick. It's speed is unmatched. Congrats on the win." Mashirao smiled respectfully.

"Your fighting skills are unmatched as well. Thank you for the opportunity to grow together as fellow students! It was an insightful match!" Iida nodded seriously, pushing his glasses closer to his face.

Mashirao glanced up at the Pro Hero he had looked up to all his life, and let out a breath of relief when the jagged man's face shifted into a grin of approval. He had gotten his chance, and he had impressed the Pros. All thanks to UA.

Mashirao smiled at Hitoshi as he started casually walking over to him, and prepared himself as Star quickly ran up, hugging him tightly.

"You were great! You definitely got his attention, I made sure to sit near him so I could listen!!" Star gushed, letting go of him.

"Oi! Red!" A voice yelled behind them.

Star pulled the hat down further and pretended not to have heard them.

"I know it's you, Shortstack! No one else is that short! Stop ignoring me!"

Bakugo came storming up to them, and Mashirao let out a chuckle at Star's flustered face.

She eventually turned to him, glaring. "Go away, Bakugo, I'm not talking to you-"

Bakugo cut her off as his eyes raked over her disguise. "Is that… Is that my fucking SHIRT?!"

Star's face went red as she chuckled nervously. "Haha… Er, oops! Gotta jet! Bye Mashirao!" She quickly said, turning to run. Bakugo caught up to her easily though, pulling the struggling woman back.

"It smells like candy though!" She drunkenly whined, hugging her arms around her and the black and red shirt she was wearing.

Bakugo let out a growl, before noticing Hitoshi walk up. His expression changed as he smirked at her. "Fine, you can keep it for now." Star opened her mouth, but he cut her off. "IF you stay here to watch my match so that damn press gets their story straight."

"It's not getting the story straight if it's not true..." She huffed. He sent her a look and reached for his shirt, but she jumped away. "Fine!" She shouted, sitting down dramatically on the sideline bench.

Bakugo smirked in satisfaction at the response, turning to walk to the stage. As he passed Hitoshi, he shot him a challenging glare, before continuing to the battlefield. Hitoshi rolled his eyes, brushing off his shoulder. He patted Star on the head briefly as he passed her, then finally made it to Mashirao.

"So... You learned how to use martial arts while in the air, mm? When were you going to tell me about that little accomplishment?" Hitoshi commented as he reached him.

"I needed to have something up my sleeve in case I fought you." Mashirao replied, chuckling. "But from now on, you will be the first to know. I promise."

Hitoshi's lips turned up in a half smile as he nodded, "Good."

"Hey, Hitoshi?"

"Mmm?"

"Thanks for getting us to UA."

"Mmm, no problem."

He paused.

"Thanks for coming with me."

Mashirao smiled, chest warming. "Anytime."