Sports Festival Aftermath

(Kata POV – Sport's Festival Stadium, Award Ceremony)

Fireworks explode in the sky, casting shimmering colors over the stadium.

"Now, let's move on to the awards ceremony!" Midnight announces, gesturing to the podium.

I stand calmly on the first-place platform. To my right, Bakugo remains rigid on second, fists clenched, his head lowered in frustration. On third, Todoroki and Momo share a space, both standing with composed expressions.

Ida is absent, likely due to his brother's incident with Stain.

"Now for the medals! Presenting them this year is... You know who!!" Midnight's voice carries across the stadium. "He's everyone's hero... All Might!!"

A booming voice echoes above us.

"I AM—"

All Might descends in a blur, landing before the podium with a knee to the ground.

"—HERE WITH THE MEDALS!" He finishes with his signature laugh, the crowd erupting in cheers.

"The first-years this year are insane!"

"Even All Might came to watch!"

The audience buzzes with excitement as All Might hands a small box of medals to Midnight. Taking the first bronze, he approaches Momo.

"Congratulations, Yaoyorozu!" He places the medal around her neck. "You fought bravely and strategically. Believe in your abilities more and have more faith in yourself, and you'll go far."

Momo smiles, bowing slightly. "Thank you, All Might."

Next, he turns to Todoroki. "Young Todoroki, congratulations." He studies him for a moment before continuing. "You used your left side in your final match. That means you gave it your all. Whatever held you back before... I hope one day, you'll find the strength to move past it."

Todoroki is quiet, his fingers tightening at his sides. After a pause, he finally speaks.

"I've always wanted to be a hero like you. But... it's not like I can just forget the past and move on. There's something I need to settle first."

All Might nods solemnly before pulling him into a firm hug. "I look forward to the day you do."

Then, he turns to Bakugo.

"Young Bakugo..." He lifts the silver medal, slipping it over Bakugo's head. "Don't let this loss discourage you."

Bakugo's fists clench tighter. "I don't care about second place." His voice is low, strained. "I'll make that bastard take me seriously. I'll surpass him!" His teeth grit, his body trembling with restrained anger.

All Might places a firm hand on his shoulder. "That determination... is essential to continue improving. Keep striving forward, young Bakugo."

Finally, his gaze shifts to me.

"And now, our champion."

He lifts the gold medal, lowering it around my neck as I slightly bow my head.

"Congratulations, Kata Okada! Your performance was nothing short of extraordinary!" His voice booms with pride. "Overwhelming power, strategy, and precision. You have shown what it means to rise above the competition!"

The crowd erupts in cheers. But as I meet All Might's gaze, I catch something beneath the usual warmth... a flicker of scrutiny.

His next words are slightly quieter and more serious. "However… raw strength and brilliance alone do not make a hero."

I suppress the urge to roll my eyes. 'Here it comes.'

"A true hero is not measured by how easily they can win, but by what they choose to do with their strength." His voice holds weight, but I already know where he's going with this. "That being said, despite the intensity of battle, you carried yourself with control and decisiveness. That too… is the mark of someone with great potential."

'Potential? Not hero?' I chuckle internally. 'So he's already talked to Nezu and doubts me. He's trying to hide it, but it's quite obvious.'

Then, just as he pulls me into a hug, his voice drops to a whisper, just for me to hear.

"You remind me of someone. Someone who carried great power... and had to decide what it truly meant to us it."

He doesn't say a name. But I already know.

'Nana Shimura.'

All Might lets go of me, instantly shifting back into his joyous persona.

"LET'S HEAR IT FOR OUR CHAMPIONS!" His booming voice shakes the stadium, sending another wave of thunderous cheers through the crowd.

But he wasn't done.

"But hold on, everyone!" His voice commands attention, the energy in the air buzzing with anticipation. "Remember! Every single one of you here today has the potential to be up on this stage! The sprouts of today will grow into the heroes of tomorrow!"

He pauses just long enough for the suspense to build. Raising a fist to the sky, he grins brightly. Then—

"Everyone, say it with me! One, two, and..."

"PLUS ULTRA!!!"

The stadium erupts, voices roaring in unison. The sheer force of the chant makes the ground tremble.

(Kata POV – Class 1-A)

The excitement of the festival lingers, but Aizawa's deadpan stare is a sobering contrast.

"In light of the festival... you all have the next two days off," he announces, arms crossed, his voice as plain as always. "After the break, scouting reports from pro heroes will be waiting for you. So look forward to that as you enjoy your time off."

He dismisses us and leaves.

The class buzzes with chatter as some already start making plans, others just relieved for the break.

I get up and leave the classroom.

'I have a few things I need to do.'

(AFO POV – ???)

I watch as the students receive their medals, All Might standing tall like the fool he is.

In the League's hideout, Tomura watches the scene alongside me, fingers twitching against his neck.

"See, Master?" His voice is laced with frustration. "That little shit's strong. He beat the Nomu… and it didn't even seem like he was trying!"

'Good. Let that frustration fester.'

I smile slightly. "Let them have their moment, Tomura. A brief taste of victory makes the fall all the more devastating."

Tomura clicks his tongue, his nails digging into his skin. "I don't care about that! He pisses me off. I just wanna grab him and watch him turn to dust..." His fingers twitch violently.

'Ah… how predictable.'

"That would be such a waste."

His scowl deepens, but I ignore it as I watch the replay of the boy's fight against the Todoroki boy. 'Such potential…'

"His quirk would make a fine addition to my collection."

My smirk grows as I turn toward Kyudai. "Wouldn't you agree?"

Kyudai's eyes gleam as he watches the footage. "Oh, most definitely!" He grins wildly. "Once you take it, we can modify and replicate it—imagine every High-End Nomu wielding a variation! They'll be perfect!"

He launches into an excited ramble, his voice full of reverence.

I chuckle. "Indeed. That would be… perfect."

I turn back to Tomura. "If the opportunity arises, bring him to me—alive." My voice is smooth but firm.

Tomura bristles but grumbles his agreement. "...Yes, Master."

The screen flickers off, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

'Kata Okada… I very much look forward to meeting you one day.'

The smirk remains on my face.

(Rumi Usagiyama POV – Rumi's House)

"Aaarg! Damn it! Why do these idiots keep telling me to watch the recaps?!"

I drop onto my couch, arms behind my head, glaring at the ceiling. "I'm busy. I've got better things to do than watch a bunch of brats flail around in an arena." I scoff, reaching for the remote.

Still… the nagging doesn't stop. 'Whatever. Let's see what all the fuss is about.'

I switch on the TV, navigate to some random streaming site, and immediately get blasted with clips of the sports festival.

"What the hell…?'

One kid keeps showing up—the winner. I click on his video, and it starts with the race. He blitzes past everyone, tears through the robots like paper, and turns the entire course into a maze of debris and earth for the others.

I raise an eyebrow. "Not bad. But those chunks of scrap are weak." I wave it off.

Then comes the Cavalry Battle. The kid teams up with three girls.

I frown. 'Tch. And here I thought he might be something special. Just another coward relying on others. A lecher too.'

At this point, I'm already getting bored.

'They told me to at least watch the tournament fights.'

First match? Boring. A bunch of kids who don't know how to fight.

Second match? Better, but it was over too fast. 'Are these the best they've got?'

I sigh, reaching for the remote to switch it off—

Then that white-haired brat shows up again.

I pause. 'Fine. One more. And then I'm done.'

The moment the match starts, my body tenses as I watch the whole stadium shake.

'What the hell just happened?'

I stare at the screen, but I can't figure it out. The pressure, the raw intensity—I almost feel it through the damn TV.

I skim through the rest of the matches. Nothing interesting.

Then... he shows up again.

A slow grin tugs at my lips. "There you are… Kata Okada, huh?"

"What'll you show me?"

And he does… nothing.

I scowl as he dodges around like a coward. 'Tch. And here I thought—'

CRACK!

A clean hit to the head but no damage.

My eyes narrow. 'Then, why was he…?'

Then it clicks.

I grin. "That sly bastard. He's been putting on a show."

He's holding back.

Excitement burns in my veins. I skip ahead, not bothering with the other matches.

'He's up against the ice kid next? This'll be fun.'

I lick my lips, eager—but what I see blows past my expectations.

"DAMN IT!"

My foot slams through the floor, my whole body thrumming with adrenaline.

"I should've been there!" I stare at the screen, eyes wide with manic fascination.

Raw power. Strength that sings to my soul.

I watch him decimate everything, and I know.

'If I were in that ring… I'd be dead.'

And it excites me.

I watch his final match, absolutely engrossed.

And I'm not disappointed.

"He's dominating."

I put myself in his opponent's shoes. 'Could I dodge those gauntlets? Could I survive those hits?'

Of course I can.

…But that last strike?

I'm not so sure. I almost didn't even catch it.

Adrenaline floods my veins. My heart pounds.

I have to see him.

I have to meet him.

A wild grin spreads across my face.

"I have to fight him!"

But how?

Then it hits me.

"The hero agency internships."

My grin widens. "I'll send a request for him."

And if he doesn't pick me?

I crack my knuckles.

"Then I'll just go there and beat him up myself."

One way or another—I'll get my fight.

I immediately start writing the letter.

'See you soon, Kata Okada. Don't you dare disappoint me!'

(Kata POV – Unnamed City)

I let out a quiet sigh as I walk through dimly lit alleyways, my footsteps barely making a sound against the cracked pavement. The sun had long since dipped below the horizon, leaving the moon as my only companion in these empty streets.

'This is pointless.' I grumble internally. 'I don't need to be here.'

And yet, I keep moving. Wandering the streets. Searching. It's annoying. Since when did I start caring about things that have nothing to do with me?

'But I don't want to ignore this problem.'

An hour passes. Then two. Then four. Midnight creeps past when my radar finally finds it.

I change course, stepping into a particularly narrow alley. The air here is thick and damp. There's little light. 'Makingnit the perfect place for an ambush.'

Then, suddenly—

A glint of silver. A sharp thrust. A knife aims straight for my face, but it never makes it past my aura.

It stops mid-air, trembling slightly against the invisible force surrounding me.

"Ooooh! That's new!" The girl holding the knife steps back, eyes wide with fascination. Then, her smile stretches, toothy and eager. "How'd you do that?"

I meet her gaze, unflinching. "What were you trying to do?"

She tilts her head, as if I'm the strange one here. "I just really wanted to see what your blood looks like~! Hold still, okay?"

She lunges again, blade flashing under the dim light. Slash after slash, stab after stab, each attack is effortlessly stopped by my aura.

She retreats to what she thinks is a safe distance and pouts. "Tch. You're making this hard..."

Then, suddenly, she stops, watching me closely. Her golden eyes sparkle with intrigue.

"You're not scared?" She recognises, then her smile widens. "You're not even trying to stop me, huh?" She hums, tilting her head. "You're kinda weird."

"Have you ever thought of asking nicely for someone to let you see their blood?" I ask.

She blinks. Then giggles. "I've tried a few times, but people don't usually like that," she says, eyes narrowing in amusement. Then, in an exaggeratedly sweet voice, she clasps her hands together. "Can I have some of your blood? Pretty please~?"

I sigh. "Fine. But I decide where I get stabbed."

Her expression flickers with shock, then—

A deep blush spreads across her cheeks as her grin turns absolutely ecstatic. "Ooooh! I like you!"

She steps closer, practically bouncing on her toes. "Tell me where~"

I extend my arm. "The—"

Before I even finish my sentence, the knife plunges into my forearm.

I feel a sharp sting as blood wells from the wound almost instantly, running down my skin in crimson trails. I don't react. 'I'm kinda numb to pain at this point... but it's been a while since I got hurt.' I muse.

I make sure the blade doesn't sink too deep or hit anything important.

Himiko lets out a quiet, shuddering sigh. Her eyes glaze over in pure, unfiltered euphoria. "It's so beautiful..."

Then—

She pulls out a straw.

From where? I don't know. But she sticks it directly into the wound and starts drinking.

Even I feel a chill crawl down my spine at the sight.

I stare at her in silence, watching her suck my blood like it's the best thing she's ever tasted.

"...You carry a straw around for this?" I finally ask.

Himiko pauses, looking up at me with an innocent tilt of her head. "You don't?"

I sigh again. I let her have her... drink, then close the wound with telekinesis once she's done. 'It should heal within a week, if I keep it tightly sealed like this.'

"So," I say. "Who are you?"