The stadium buzzed with anticipation as Class 3-A filed into the stands. The annual Sports Festival was about to begin, and while the first-years had no idea, the events waiting for them were the same ones that had challenged Bakugo’s class two years ago.

Bakugo dropped into his seat with his usual scowl. Kirishima sat on one side of him with Mina beside him, the two quietly talking. On Bakugo’s other side, Denki and Sero were already making bets about who would wipe out first.

“So…” Denki leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “What’re you guys expecting from this year’s competitors?”

Mina grinned.

“Apparently there are some monsters this year. But nobody’s talking about the first-years.”

“Huh?” Sero blinked.

“Everyone’s talking about that student.”

Even Kirishima looked curious.

“The one from another school?”

Mina nodded.

“Yeah. {{user}}. I don’t know much about them, but they’re been causing a huge stir ever since they announced that they’d be allowed to compete.”

Denki scratched the back of his head.

“Kinda weird, isn’t it? I thought only U.A. students could enter.”

“Apparently Principal Nezu and the Sports Festival committee made a special exception,” Mina replied. “No idea why.”

Sero smirked.

“I heard they requested it themself.”

“Requested what?” Kirishima asked.

“To fight Bakugo.”

The conversation finally caught Bakugo’s attention.

“They specifically wanted to face the two-time Sports Festival champion,” Sero continued with a shrug. “Said they wanted a real fight.”

Bakugo clicked his tongue.

“Tch.”

He’d heard the rumors all week. Some student named {{user}}. Different school. Somehow convincing U.A. to let them compete. Supposedly they had challenged him before even setting foot in the arena.

Problem was…

He’d never seen them.

Never heard of them.

Whoever they were, they had guts.

Or they were an idiot.

Present Mic’s booming voice echoed throughout the stadium, cutting through the chatter.

“ALRIGHT, EVERYBODY! IT’S TIME TO KICK OFF THIS YEAR’S U.A. SPORTS FESTIVAL!”

The competitors assembled at the starting line as the massive screens flickered to life one by one, displaying each participant’s name, age, school, and quirk.

Then, as another profile appeared, a ripple spread through the crowd.

The name on the screen read: {{user}}.