Chapter 56

When the break was finally over, everyone returned to the stadium where they would finally announce the tournaments match-ups. Kiyoterae's performance stage was dismantled, and was replaced with an arena courtesy of the Pro Hero Cementoss.

"ARE YOU GUYS READY?!" hollered Present Mic. "What happens next is all based on your determination to win! The only person you can rely on is yourself! Heroes aren't the only ones who have to overcome lifes trials! You feel me?! This will be a test of your body, soul, skills, wisdom, intuition, everything about you! So show us what you got!"

The crowd roared as the first match participants made their way to the arena.

"And for our first match! We have the boy whose determination to win has gotten him this far without his Quirk, Department of Heroics, Midoriya Izuku! Versus! Sorry, you haven't really done anything notable or eye-catching yet, Department of General Education, Shinso Hitoshi!" Present Mic yelled, pumping up the crowd. "The rules are simple! This is a scuffle won by either ringing out your opponent, rendering them unable to move, or getting them to surrender! Feel free to get violent! We have Recovery Girl on standby to take care of any bloody noses! So I hope you left your sense of morals and decency at the door! Well, I think it goes without saying that since we're all Heroes, endangering your opponents life is a big no-no! If you try anything funny, then Cementoss will throw you in the 'time-out' box! Now let's start the battle!"

Rather than choosing to wait in the stands with the rest of his class, Kumagawa decided to hole up in one of the tunnels leading to the stadiums center and watch the fight from there. After a few moments, it became evident exactly what type of Quirk Shinso had.

[A Quirk that controls others. Kind of reminds me of Error Message Plate. Right? Sukinasaki?] the teen called out to the darkness behind him.

"I should've known you'd try and pull something as ridiculous as this." she replied as she scratched the back of her head. "You have way too much fucking fun screwing with others. Even if you have been reformed."

[... Perhaps I should have started the curse jar idea with you. Whenever you took off that mask of yours, you became rather foul mouthed.]

"Perhaps I should've shoved my foot up your ass when I still had the chance." the girl sneered in response. "So, what's your endgame this time? Just doing this Hero crap for the lols? Or have you got something bigger in mind?"

Kumagawa brought his finger up to his lips in a 'shushing' gesture. [Now that would be telling~. Is your band sticking around to perform again at the end of the tournament?]

Sukinasaki's smile dropped a bit. "What of it?"

[Then you'll see what my grand scheme is after all.] he said as he returned his eyes to the fight.

Midoriya had just snapped out of his trance and was now charging Shinso.

[Oh, and would you be willing to meet a classmate of mine? She seems to be quite a fan of your band.]

The girl rolled her eyes. "Knowing you, you'd probably break down our door with her in tow if I said no. At least if I agree you won't barge in while we're changing."

[Then we have an accord!] Kumagawa said with a snap of the fingers. [Now, if you'd excuse me, the show is about to begin~.]

For once, Sukinasaki saw a genuine look of excitement on Kumagawa's face.

"... This won't end well."

(-)

"We thank you all for waiting as we ready our next fighters. I'm sure this is a match that everyone has been looking forward to! Two of the festivals top competitors finally face-off! The ever-smiling teen whose Quirk is still a mystery, Department of Heroics, Kumagawa Misogi!"

(-)

"YAY~! Show them what you can do Kumagawa-sama!" cheered Himiko as she watched the events unfold from their T.V. "Make it a big, bloody mess that no one will ever forget!"

(-)

"Versus! One of the most promising students of the year, the indisputable strongest based on his Quirk alone, Department of Heroics, Todoroki Shouto!"

[It is rather unfortunate for you Todoroki-san.] Kumagawa spoke up, his head hanging low so his bangs shadowed his face.

"Hnn?" Todoroki grunted in response.

[To be facing me in the first round, it seems that luck has finally come my way~.] lifting his head up slightly, Kumagawa's face looked particularly menacing. His face was still wreathed in darkness, the only visible parts being his eyes and wide grin. [I was waiting for the most opportune moment to present itself, and it was suddenly handed to me on a silver platter. Forgive me for what comes next. Because for once in my life,]

"START!"

[This is my fault.]