Chapter 02: The Countdown to the UA Sports Festival

**Chapter 02: The Countdown to the UA Sports Festival**

"Okay, let's continue talking about the UA Sports Festival," said Teacher Aizawa as he looked over the classroom. It was just after Iida had left to retrieve an extra table for the new transfer student, Fulan.

The purple-haired boy, Fulan, who shared the same color in his eyes, heard those words and was immediately pulled into a rush of memories. He recalled many exciting events he had seen about the UA Sports Festival. It was a massive televised event that aired across Japan, one where everyone eagerly tuned in to watch. Full of games, challenges, and thrilling battles, it was an annual tradition that stirred the excitement of all who participated.

Before Fulan could dwell too deeply on these thoughts, Aizawa continued, his voice cutting through the classroom chatter.

"There is only one week left until the festival. As I've mentioned before, this is your chance to shine. Many professional heroes will be watching, and the spotlight will be on all of you. To these agencies, you are like unopened boxes, full of surprises. If you show enough talent, they will come for you."

Fulan had only just joined the class, but what he had heard piqued his interest. The UA Sports Festival—a grand event with so much media attention—was now something he had the opportunity to take part in. The mere thought filled him with anticipation, and before he could help himself, a smile crept onto his face. It was a smile born of excitement, not something he consciously controlled.

But this small gesture didn't go unnoticed. The other students, who had been glancing at him since he arrived, were now staring at Fulan and that curious smile. For some, their reactions were indifferent; they too were excited about the upcoming festival. However, a few felt something different.

Bakugou, glaring at Fulan from his seat, clenched his teeth. "Tch, what's with that smile? Is he already that confident?" he thought to himself, his fists tightening at his sides.

Todoroki Shoto, sitting with his usual cold demeanor, silently observed Fulan as well. His thoughts mirrored Bakugou's, though his expression betrayed no emotion. "Did he smile because he's thinking about the festival? How bold... He just transferred and already wants to compete?"

Before the tension could build any further, Tenya Iida entered the room, carrying a wooden table with a chair balanced upside down on top. Fulan noticed this and quickly moved towards Iida, his hands reaching out to help. "Sorry for the trouble. I should have carried it myself," he said respectfully.

But Iida, ever the diligent class representative, shook his head and refused to hand over the table. "What are you saying? You're a member of the class now, and as the class rep, it's my duty to take care of these matters." He walked toward the back of the classroom, setting the table behind Kirishima's seat before smiling at Fulan. "If you have any issues, don't hesitate to come to me."

Fulan nodded with a smile of his own, placing the chair on the ground and sitting down as Iida returned to his own seat. Aizawa continued explaining the details of the festival, laying out everything the students would need to know.

As the explanation went on, Fulan found it difficult to contain his excitement. His thoughts were racing. He had just transferred in, but could he really participate in something as grand as the UA Sports Festival? With his doubts swirling in his mind, he raised his hand and asked, "Sensei, am I allowed to participate as well?"

The room fell silent for a moment as all the students turned to look at him. For them, the answer seemed obvious—he was a student now, so naturally, he could compete. But Aizawa's answer wasn't what anyone expected.

"All students have the right to participate in the Sports Festival," Aizawa began, his tone calm. "This includes those in courses outside of the Heroes program. However, transferring in just a week before the festival... it does make your case a bit unusual."

Fulan's heart sank. Was he not going to be allowed to compete? The thought frustrated him, but before he could say anything, Aizawa continued, this time with a slightly softer tone.

"There will be a meeting at the end of the week with the principal and the staff to finalize the festival program and competitions. I'll propose your name, and if the majority of teachers agree, then there shouldn't be any issue with you participating."

Though it wasn't the definite answer Fulan had been hoping for, it was still a chance. He could only accept it for now and wait for the outcome of that meeting.

Kirishima, who had been sitting just in front of him, noticed the subtle frustration in Fulan's otherwise calm expression. Leaning back in his chair, he smiled and whispered, "Don't worry about it. The teachers here at UA are more flexible than you think. I'm sure they'll let you compete."

Fulan's tension eased slightly at those words, and he gave Kirishima a grateful nod. "Maybe you're right. Thanks," he replied quietly.

Kirishima extended his hand with a friendly grin. "By the way, I'm Kirishima."

"Fulan Nanaimo," Fulan responded, shaking his hand with a smile.

With that, the atmosphere in the classroom returned to normal as Aizawa wrapped up the discussion about the Sports Festival and moved on to other topics.

The week that followed passed uneventfully for Fulan. There were no special training sessions at UA in preparation for the festival; only regular classes. While some students were likely practicing in secret, the school's curriculum remained focused on lessons. Fulan kept to his routine, going from home to the academy and back, quietly waiting for the big event.

During this time, his relationship with the other students didn't develop much. They still treated each other as strangers, but Fulan knew that the upcoming festival would change that. It was only a matter of time before they would come to understand one another.

And with that, the stage was set. The UA Sports Festival, where Fulan and his classmates would finally prove themselves, was about to begin.

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