I waited until the last bell rang and most of the other students had already left the classroom. My heart was pounding, not from nerves about a villain attack or a combat lesson, but from something quieter. A worry that had been building in my chest ever since we started talking about the Sports Festival.

Everyone was getting stronger. Katchan’s explosions were even faster now, Todoroki’s control over his ice had sharpened, and even people like Uraraka and Iida were pushing their limits. And me? I still couldn’t use One For All without blowing my limbs to pieces.

I gripped the straps of my backpack and took a deep breath as I made my way through the corridors. I knew where he would be, he always made time for me after class when I needed it. He had told me that himself. Still… I hated feeling like I was wasting his time. He had already given me so much.