"You fought last night?! And got confined to the dorms for reflection?!"
Early the next morning, as Class A students shuffled out of their rooms still half-asleep, they were greeted by an unexpected sight.
Bakugo and Midoriya stood in the common area, vacuum cleaners in hand, heads lowered, diligently cleaning.
After receiving confirmation from the two, reactions exploded from every direction.
"That's so dumb."
"What a pointless fight."
"Are you two secretly best friends or something?"
Midoriya looked like he wanted to bury himself underground from embarrassment. Bakugo's face was dark and irritated, but surprisingly, he didn't lash out. He merely grumbled incomprehensibly under his breath.
"So… you're okay now?" Tsuyu asked gently, genuine concern in her eyes.
"Relax," Masata said as he finally came downstairs, looking exhausted. "If they're beating each other, it just means they care. That's how their friendship works."
He had stayed up too late playing two rounds of League of Legends and had only fallen asleep in the early hours of the morning.
"What did you just say, magma bastard?!"
"Masata!"
The two former combatants instantly united against him.
Whatever had happened between them, it clearly wasn't serious anymore.
After exchanging a few more words, Class A headed out together toward the main plaza.
"We skipped the opening ceremony at the start of the year," Chacha said thoughtfully. "I wonder what Aizawa-sensei's planning this time."
Yaoyorozu nodded beside her.
"Considering everything that's happened in the past six months, the school probably has new arrangements."
"This is what a real high school feels like," Masata added casually. "U.A. has always been unconventional."
Since the dorm system began, he hadn't had many chances to talk to Yaoyorozu properly.
"Yo! Isn't this Class A?!"
An exaggerated voice interrupted them.
Ahead, standing dramatically in the hallway with what he clearly believed was a cool pose, was Neito Monoma.
"There's someone in your class who didn't pass the provisional license exam, right?!"
Class A exchanged glances.
Thankfully, Bakugo wasn't standing directly in front of him.
"How long have you been standing there like that?" Masata asked suddenly.
Monoma froze.
"You weren't waiting here early this morning just to say that, were you?!"
Everyone immediately understood.
Masata had noticed the subtle tremor in Monoma's legs—the unmistakable sign of someone who'd been holding a pose far too long.
Even exposed, Monoma forced himself to finish his performance.
"Hmph! Class B passed one hundred percent! The gap between us is widening, Class A~!"
Before he could continue—
"You're blocking the way."
A calm voice came from behind him.
Masata turned and grinned.
"Oh? Long time no see!"
It was Hitoshi Shinso, leading the General Studies students toward the ceremony.
"You've been training hard," Masata said, clapping him on the shoulder. "You're way stronger than a few months ago. That's promising."
Shinso's build had noticeably improved.
He was no longer the thin, frail boy from the Sports Festival.
The body was like a bucket—the larger its capacity, the more water it could hold. A stronger body meant better Quirk output.
With that interruption, Class A and Class B naturally moved toward the sports field together.
The tension between the two classes had eased significantly.
Only Monoma seemed determined to maintain the rivalry.
Kirishima and Tetsutetsu were already chatting animatedly. Yaoyorozu and Kendo whispered to each other like close friends.
"Brad-sensei mentioned something interesting," Pony Tsunotori said cheerfully from Class B. "It seems like there might be joint classes this semester. I'm really looking forward to it!"
"Oh?" Masata replied with a crooked smile. "Then I'll make sure to educate you properly."
Monoma shivered.
Masata's current reputation was overwhelming.
Even Bakugo struggled against him.
If Monoma challenged him directly, he'd probably end up with bruises for a week.
They arrived at the sports field and took their assigned positions.
"Hello, everyone! Your favorite small mammalian principal has arrived!"
Principal Nezu stepped onto the stage.
As expected of a principal, he launched into a lengthy speech.
Masata nearly fell asleep standing.
Finally—
"The disruption of the Symbol of Peace has already begun affecting society," Nezu continued, voice serious now.
Yaoyorozu discreetly nudged Masata to keep him awake.
"The changes are happening faster than anticipated."
"In the future, even greater challenges may await."
"As Hero Course students, you must be especially aware of this."
Then came the main announcement.
"Second- and third-year students will participate in increased off-campus activities."
"You must think critically and maintain a stronger sense of crisis than ever before."
"Off-campus activities?" Masata's eyes lit up instantly. "So we don't have to stay cooped up at school? Finally!"
The students around him stared.
"I feel like your focus is completely different from everyone else's," someone muttered.
Shouldn't you be nervous?
Masata just smiled.
Freedom always sounded better than confinement.