Today is the day of the grand event.
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It’s been a week since Izuku fought Momo in their mock fight. They didn’t fight again after that, though. Momo didn’t seem interested in trying to beat Izuku again. Didn’t stop the two from hanging out and preparing for the festival in other ways.
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When the day came, they both knew they had prepared the best they could.
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C: “You could have done much more, my Prince.”
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Izuku ignored that voice as he sat in the waiting room along with a strangely distant Kiri. Don’t be mistaken, she was still the same loving Kiri. But something was… off.
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Izuku: ‘I guess I spent too much time with Yaoyorozu. Kiri has no other friends; she must have been lonely. I have to make it up to her after this.’
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Momo: “Everyone, are you all ready? We’ll need to leave soon.”
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Momo called out to the students hanging out in the waiting room.
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Mina: “Yep, Yaomomo! It sucks we have to wear these outfits, though. I wanted to wear my hero costume.”
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Momo: “Tell me about it.”
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She looks at her outfit and frowns. There are few places she can use for her quirk.
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Izuku looks at Momo with some concern before getting up and preparing to leave with the rest of the class. But before he could, Todoroki approached him.
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No, not him. After a moment, it became clear that his target was Kiri.
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Todoroki: “Kiri Midoriya.”
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Kiri: “Yes, Icicle?”
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Mina & Uraraka: “Pffft!”
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Todoroki didn’t even flinch at the nickname. In fact, he liked it better than Bakugo’s HalfnHalf.
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Todoroki: “On an objective basis, I know you’re above me in terms of practical strength. Despite that… it won’t change my goal.”
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Kiri tilts her head, waiting for him to state his mission.
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Todoroki: “You’ve managed to get All Might’s attention, right? I won’t pry, but that only motivates me more to beat you. Prepare yourself.”
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Kiri smiles at the determination of this hero in the making.
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Kiri: “I’ll be waiting.”
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Denki: “Oho!? What’s this? Another declaration of war? And this one is between some of the strongest kids in our class.”
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Kirishima: “You’ll have to get in line, Todoroki! I still need to have a rematch with her. I’ve been training for it!”
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Kiri: “I’m looking forward to it.”
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Bakugo and Izuku glare at them, but for very different reasons. But Izuku can’t for the life of him understand why seeing this makes him upset.
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S: “Prince, you’re being very dense right now.”
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Izuku: ‘I really don’t want to hear any more suggestions from you.’
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Out of the five main voices, that one is the most disturbing one to the young boy. He is much too young to know the many methods of pleasure she refuses to shut up about. It takes more mental strength than he’d prefer to block her out.
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Izuku: ‘What she says can’t be true. Can it? Even if it is, should I…’
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The boy shakes his head and tries to focus on the matter at hand. He has a sports festival to win.
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K: “That’s the spirit! Bathe in their blood and claim their skulls for your throne!’
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Ignoring his enthusiasm, Izuku grabs Kiri’s hand.
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Izuku: “Let’s go, Kiri.”
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At first, her face showed surprise at Izuku’s sudden action. But it quickly melted into a sweet smile.
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Kiri: “Nh.”
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Fubuki: “Will you please relax?”
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Tatsumaki: “No, a villain can attack at any time.”
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Fubuki: “You know my Blizzard Group has slipped into the audience too. You don’t have to stress yourself so much.”
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Tatsumaki bites her lip to prevent herself from saying something degrading about her sister’s group. This is supposed to be a good day; no need to risk it.
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Right now, the Midoriya family is sitting in a special area above the audience. Similar to the announcer box but not as visible.
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Inko: “Please, you two, don’t start arguing. Not now, we need to support Izuku with everything we’ve got.”
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Fubuki looks at Tatsumaki, who slowly relaxes her shoulders.
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Tatsumaki: “Fine.”
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Inko: “Good.”
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Present Mic: “The U.A sports festival!!”
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Inko: “Look! It’s staring!”
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Present Mic: “This event is where the hero world’s little eggs aim for each other’s throats… and the top! Our grand yearly melee!!”
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Present Mic: “And let me guess, all you miscreants came to see them, right?? The newly formed miracle stars that shrugged off a mass villain assault with wills of steel! The department of heroic of the freshman class!! Class 1-A!!!”
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The Midoriya family smiled, happy to see Izuku and Kiri among those leading the pack.
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Inko: “Izuuuku!! Kirrrri!!”
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Fubuki: “Tissues?”
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Inko: “Thank you!”
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Tatsumaki: “Izuku! Kiri!”
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Izuku and Kiri’s eyes widen before looking up at their family.
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Tatsumaki: “You two got this; bring home the crown.”
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Izuku: “We will!”
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Kiri: “Don’t worry, Onee, we’ll make you proud.”
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Tatsumaki cuts the connection and smiles, content that they’ll do fine. But to her surprise, she felt a few other psychic signatures down there. Five, to be exact; one was even looking at her with a smirk. The one with the long red hair.
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Tatsumaki: ‘I didn’t know there were even more like us. Izu’s generation sure is interesting.’
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Kirishima: “Wow, they’re really praising us to the sky… I’m getting a bit nervous now. How about you, Bakugo?”
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Bakugo: “No way I’m nervous; you’re just getting stage fright, wuss.”
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Present Mic: “And following class B, here come classes C, D, and E from the Dept. of general education! Next are the F, G, and H of the department of support! Now for the department of management’s…”
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Shiho: “They’re really treating us as an afterthought, huh?”
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Karou: “They’ll be singing a different tune when we’re done.”
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Present Mic: “And finally, your first-year umpire! Give it up for Miss Midnight, the R-Rated Hero!”
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Midnight walked and swayed onto the stage in the center of the arena. Considering her legendary appearance, it’s understandable for some of the boys to blush like mad. Their eyes were glued to every curve of that rocking body.
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However, there were some that were disappointed and stupid enough to voice it.
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“Man, I wish it was Tornado. She’s better.”
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Midnight: “Who said that!?”
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With a crack of a whip, everyone stood at attention, not daring to upset the woman further.
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Midnight: “The next person who says something like that will get a very painful punishment.”
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President Mic: “Uh, Midnight?”
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Coming to her senses, Midnight coughed and got on with the proceedings.
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Midnight: “A-Anyway. Before we officially begin, it’s time for that good old welcome pledge! Izuku Midoriya of 1-A! Come on up here!”
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Izuku: “M-Me? W-Why?”
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Sero: “You placed first in the entrance exam, remember?”
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Izuku: “R-Right.”
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The boy took a breath before forcing his legs to move up towards the stage. But every step was like moving through tar. Public speaking? Him?! Can’t be done!
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Despite his worries, time would not wait for him, and soon he was standing in front of all the first years.
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Izuku: ‘What the heck am I supposed to say?!’
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The pressure was building as time passed in silence. Before long, he was sure the pressure would crush him. But suddenly, it all faded away into the background. The reason? He looked down at Kiri, his constant companion, and she smiled at him.
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Kiri: “You can do it.”
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Izuku: ‘She’s… right. If I can’t handle this, how can I handle being a public hero?’
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The prince takes a breath and gives his first speech, one born from the desire to show the world that All Might’s successor was here.”
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Izuku: “A few weeks ago, we were attacked by villains before we even got used to the regular flow of classes. The media can dress it up, and the teachers can praise us, but it doesn’t change the fact we nearly lost our lives.”
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The once excited atmosphere settled as Izuku continued his surprising words.
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Izuku: “It’s not something to envy, but it is something to keep in mind. Being a hero is not all fun and games; lives are at stake. Those evil men and monsters came to play with us. To break us and destroy our spirit. To send a message to the country that no one was safe.”
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His eyes slowly begin to glow as his spirit is laid bare for all those who can witness this event.
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Izuku: “But despite everything they threw at us, WE SURVIVED AND WON!! And from those ashes of near-tragedy, we will rise to be new symbols of peace! Not just Class 1-A, but all of us. Let’s show them that all of U.A are heroes!”
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The crowd and even the students erupted in cheers at the speech. Even those against Class 1-A clapped or nodded their heads at Izuku’s sentiment.
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All Might grinned and tightened his fists, for he saw the future heroes in these children. With Izuku leading them, things may change for the better.
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Tatsumaki held her head up proud, for her brother had surpassed her expectations already.
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Fubuki couldn’t help but feel the same. He may seriously be able to lead like her one day. He’s not on her level yet, thankfully, but the potential is there.
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Meanwhile, Inko broke out into another joyful crying session.
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Inko: “My baaaaaby! He’s allll grown up!”
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Those on-site weren’t the only ones watching this. In another part of Japan, a well-kept bar was close to being reduced to ashes due to someone’s building anger.
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Kurogiri sighed behind the counter as Shigaraki hurled a glass cup at the wall.
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Tomura: “This is bullshit!”
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Kurogiri: “Please don’t destroy the bar, Shigaraki Tomura.”
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Tomura snarled before grabbing another glass and drinking the contents.
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Tomura: “Why aren’t you two more upset!?”
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Azrael: “Because it doesn’t profit anything. At least, not right now.”
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The oldest of the villainous trio was sitting on the couch watching the sports festival on the TV.
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Kurogiri: “You should save that rage for when you face him.”
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Tomura: “That’s what really ticks me off. We could have killed him! And now, thanks to him, those brats think they’re something!”
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Just then a normal-looking boy entered the room. It was Apotheosis but in civilian clothes. No one would possibly expect such an innocent-looking kid to be one of the most dangerous villains alive right now.
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Apotheosis: “What did I miss?”
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Despite that, the boy knew when to dodge thrown glass.
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Apotheosis: “Ohhhh, you’re mad.”
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Tomura: “Shut it.”
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Apotheosis: “So, what got Shigi so upset?”
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Azrael: “Your brother called us out and inspired the students with a speech.”
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Apotheosis’ eyes twitched a bit when he heard that his family was once again being an annoyance.
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Apotheosis: “I see… I don’t blame him then. I would have blasted the TV.”
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Tomura: “At least someone understands.”
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Azrael sighs while shaking his head at their antics.
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Apotheosis: “But this is a great opportunity; I’m glad I got here in time.”
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Tomura: “What do you mean?”
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Apotheosis: “Because these heroes have given us a front row seat to see their precious successors.”
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Tomura: “Their so-called next symbols of peace… ”
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Even Azrael seemed to hate that idea. One was enough.
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Apotheosis: “Exactly. This is a good chance to see their weaknesses and habits. That way-”
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Azrael: “When we see them again-”
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Tomura: “We’ll slaughter them!”
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The roar of the crowd was so loud that Jiro could not dim her hearing enough, even with all her training.
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Momo: “Here.”
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Momo handed Jiro some earmuffs. The girl gratefully took it and clapped them onto her ears.
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Jiro: “Thanks, Momo.”
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Momo: “You’re welcome, Kyoka.”
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Jiro hasn’t seen her best friend in a while. She was too busy with a certain green-haired boy. It sucks, but she understood the reasons. They all needed to train in their own way; hopefully it will pay off.
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Jiro: ‘But what kind of training can prepare you for those girls?’
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She looks at the assembled psychics from Class 1-B and sighs.
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Meanwhile, Midnight squealed at the impressive speech.
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Midnight: “What a titillating speech! What YOOOOTH!”
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Izuku ignored the woman’s worrying gaze and rejoined everyone else on the ground. When he did, his friends came up to congratulate him.
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Ida: “Bravoooo! An excellent speech; you’re truly worthy of the vice-president seat!”
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Kirishima: “Yeah man, I didn’t expect that from you.”
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Denki: “Where were you hiding that confidence?”
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Izuku: “Well, I had some help.”
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He gave a smile to his precious Kiri, who blushed under his gaze. Momo saw the exchange and couldn’t help but feel some kind of pain in her chest.
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Momo: ‘Strange…’
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His friends weren’t the only ones that wanted to say something to the boy.
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Karou: “Nice speech, Midoriya.”
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Everyone turned to the psychic trio, but they didn’t need to put up their defenses. She held out her hand for a handshake.
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Karou: “I expected you to return our war declaration or be a jerk about it. But I’m glad to see I was wrong. You even inspired me! Whatever happens, I’m happy to have had the chance to challenge you, Izuku Midoriya.”
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Izuku smiled and accepted the gesture.
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Izuku: “Same.”
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Izuku: ‘These girls aren’t so bad.’
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S: “Does that mean you’ll-”
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Izuku: ‘No!’
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Midnight: “All right, with that we can move directly onto our first event! The preliminaries! Lots of fine folks end up choking on their tears here every year! And this year’s first round of destiny is-”
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On the big projection screen, the event’s name was displayed in big letters.
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Midnight: “The Obstacle Race! It’s a race between all the classes! The course makes a nearly 4 KM ring around this stadium! We always sing about our freedom on campus, fufufu… well, this is what it’s all about!”
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Everyone quickly went to the starting area and stretched their limbs.
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Midnight: “As for rules, you’re free to do anything so long as you remain within the course and don’t use anything lethal.”
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Karou: “This will be easy!”
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Midnight: “Oh, and I know full well that some of you have the ability to simply go around or even over the obstacles. But let me tell you, I wouldn’t recommend it. You never know what might happen, after all.”
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Karou: “Darn it!”
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Kiri: “Ominous.”
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Izuku: “I guess that would be too easy.”
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Izuku: ‘But it might be worth the risk.’
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Midnight: “Now, racers! Ready, set… START!!”35Please respect copyright.PENANAIz1HwPSk2M