"Phew—finally over," Ashido sighed, stretg with a helpless smile. "I didn't expect there'd be such a b match at the sports festival."

  "Yeah, probably the first one in years," Tsuyu agreed with her usual straightforward tone.

  Suddenly, Tokoyami, who was sitting quietly in the front row, turo Iida. "Is something b you?"

  Tokoyami's ued question drew everyone's attention. He was known to be reserved, only speaking up when he had something important to say.

  "Oh, um… it's nothing," Iida replied, snapping out of his thoughts. Realizing his cssmates were now all looking at him, he waved his hands in a flustered attempt to dismiss their . "I'm just… worried about my match."

  "Is it Iida-kun's tur?" Aoyama Yuga asked, frowning as he tried to recall the matchups. "Your oppo is… Kaminari, right?"

  At the mention of Kaminari's name, Ashido, Tsuyu, and the others exged knowing ghey immediately uood why Iida seemed tense.

  "Yes," Iida nodded with a heavy expression. "I'm thinking of strategies to ter Kaminari-kun's abilities."

  "It's true," Shoji Mezo chimed in, scratg his thoughtfully. "Kaminari's lightning is a major problem for you. You may be fast, but Kaminari's no slouch when it es to speed either."

  "Plus, if you want to win, you'll have to push him out of the ring, which means you'll o get close," Ojiro Mashirao added. "But if you get too close, his lightning could shock you."

  "So… it sounds like Iida-ku really have a way to ter Kaminari's Quirk," Ashido said with a sympathetic smile. For the first time, she and the others saw Kaminari as a formidable oppo—someone who was difficult to defeat in a straightforward match.

  "Tch," Bakugo scoffed, crossing his arms. He didn't ent further, though. Even he had to admit that the gap between Kaminari and Iida was signifit.

  Meanwhile, Todoroki, who was leaning against the wall nearby, seemed deep in thought as well. But his focus wasn't on Kaminari as an oppo. Instead, he was more ied in figuring out what eiques Kaminari might use.

  If he's relying on those steel balls as much as I think he is… Todoroki mused. Without his 'Thunder Aegis' move, I'm fident my ice could handle him.

  As these thoughts circuted, Todoroki straightened and quietly headed toward the corridor, preparing for his uping match.

  Hitoshi Shinso… if that's all he has, this should be quick.

  Just as Todoroki left, Kaminari returo the Css 1-A seating area, chatting and ughing with Kyoka and Momo beside him. But as soon as he sat dowiced the entire css staring at him.

  "Huh? Why's everyone looking at me like that?" he asked, blinking in surprise.

  Ashido ughed awkwardly, while Iida stepped forward, clearing his throat. Taking on his usual serious demeanor, Iida extended his hand toward Kaminari.

  "Kaminari-kun, we'll be fag each other after Todoroki-san's match," he said early. "Let's put on a good show. I'll do my best!"

  Kaminari raised an eyebrow at Iida's iy but stood up and shook his hand with equal respect. "Alright, Iida. I won't hold back. Do your best."

  As he sat back down, Kaminari turned his attention to the big s where Todoroki and Shinso were just stepping onto the field. Thoughts about Iida's Quirk began to drift through his mind.

  Hmm… actually, there's not much to think about.

  Iida's Quirk, "Engine," was straightforward, he used bursts of speed by activating the engines in his legs. All I o do is watch out for those flying kicks.

  The real question is how I should approach this match. It wouldn't feel right to end it too quickly or knock him out cold. After all, he's a member of the prestigious Iida family and our css representative… Maybe I'll just run a few ps with him instead.

  With that thought in mind, Kaminari settled back to watch Todoroki's match, just as Present Mic shouted his usual "Start!"

  But this fight ended almost as soon as it began. On the big s, Shinso raised his hand, signaling his surrender.

  "I lost," he said, voice calm but filled with a quiet frustration. The regret in his eyes was unmistakable, aook a steadying breath before tinuing.

  "I want to win… I want to keep going… but I know it would just be a waste of time."

  Then, with a determined look, he raised his head. "But year, I'll be back here. Aime, I'll be different, a Hitoshi Shinso who's put in the work!"

  With those words, he bowed deeply to Todoroki and the audiehen turned and walked off the field with his head held high.

  Despite the abrupt forfeit, the crowd was moved by Shinso's hoy and resolve. After all, he was a petitor who had e this far without any bat advantage, and everyone could respect his decision to return stronger.

  Iands, Iida felt a pang of ay. He'd hoped to have more time to think about a strategy for Kaminari, but Shinso's early surrender meant that his match .

  "Let's go, Iida-kun," Kaminari said with a smile. He Kyoka and Momo before turning toward the arena corridor.

  Iida took a deep breath, steadying himself as he followed Kaminari. Determination filled his eyes, and his posture was one of plete focus.

  "e on, css rep!" Ashido called out, g her hands in encement. "You got this!"

  "Yeah! There's always a way to win!" Tsuyu added, her voice supportive. "Show Kaminari what you've got!"

  Almost everyone in Css 1-A was rooting for Iida. Despite his odds, they cheered him on, hoping he'd find a way to close the gap between him and Kaminari.

  Meanwhile, Present Mic was ba full announcer mode. "Alright, everyone, let's keep this energy going! Time for the seatch of the sed round!"

  "The electric powerhouse, Kaminari Denki, returns to the field!"

  The crowd roared with excitement, but Present Mic quickly shifted the spotlight to Iida as well.

  "But Kaminari's oppohis time isn't just anybody! It's her than Iida Tenya, from the famous Iida family of Heroes! His older brother is the Turbo Hero Ingenium!"

  The camera operators immediately started sing the audience, hoping to spot Ingenium cheering on his little brother.

  Iida, already standing at the edge of the arena, noticed the cameras and raised his voice fidently. "My brother couldn't be here today, as he's on a mission. But I'll give this everything I've got and make him proud!"

  His voice rang out clearly, and as he turo face Kaminari, his expression was resolute.

  "You're strong, Kaminari," Iida said, determination shining in his eyes. "But I won't let that stop me. I want to be a Hero like my brother, and I won't back down!"

  Kaminari grinned, his expression rexed but focused. A spark of goldericity fshed between his eyebrows, and he waved his hand, motioning for Iida t it on.

  "Alright then," he replied. "Just wanting to be brave isn't enough to beat me, Iida.