By lunchtime, Izuku was running on fumes.
Four breaks spent dodging Bakugo had drained him more than any training session. At this point, part of him was seriously considering just letting Bakugo hit him once and ending it.
If that settles things… I can finally eat.
But when the bell rang, Bakugo simply stood, grabbed his bag, and walked out—without even looking at him.
Izuku blinked.
"…What was that?"
He stayed there for a moment, caught between confusion and relief. Then he shook it off.
"Doesn't matter. Food."
He fell in step with Iida and Uraraka as they headed for the cafeteria—
—and stopped short.
All Might was waiting at the turn of the stairs.
"Midoriya!" he called, holding up a neatly packed lunch. "I brought something. Care to join me?"
Izuku hesitated for half a second. "…Sure."
Twenty minutes later, the meal was finished.
They sat across from each other, cups of tea warming their hands, the brief quiet settling between them.
Izuku leaned forward slightly. "So… did something come up? Any news about the Nomu?"
All Might shook his head. "Not yet. The investigation is still ongoing."
He placed his cup down, his expression sharpening.
"This is about the Sports Festival."
Izuku straightened, listening.
"I need you to stand out," All Might said.
"…Okay."
The response came too quickly.
All Might nearly choked. "Wait—what? That's it?"
Izuku tilted his head, considering. "Given my current condition, placing in the top three should be manageable."
He paused, already working through the variables.
"First place is harder to guarantee. This is UA. Everyone here is strong, and there are too many unknowns."
His voice softened as he continued, slipping into quiet analysis.
All Might stared at him, caught between disbelief and exasperation.
He really starts from the worst-case scenario every time…
"…Still," Izuku added, "it's a valuable opportunity. I can gain experience—and exposure."
"That's enough," All Might cut in, lifting a hand.
Izuku stopped and looked up.
"You are my successor," All Might said, his voice steady but firm. "Even if no one knows it yet, your Quirk will draw attention. People will talk. They'll come to their own conclusions."
His hands settled on Izuku's shoulders.
"Some may think your connection to me is the only reason you've made it this far."
Izuku's expression tightened slightly.
"That's why you can't hold back," All Might continued. "You need to show them your strength—clearly, without hesitation."
Izuku met his gaze, silent but focused.
"Go out there and prove it," All Might said. "Show them you belong."
After school, Izuku packed his bag, the words lingering in his mind.
Show them you belong.
That meant stepping forward—facing others head-on.
At the very least, he would be competing against his classmates.
Then I need to understand them.
He hesitated, fingers pausing on the zipper.
It doesn't feel right… but collecting information isn't the same as using it.
The thought stayed with him.
The classroom door slid open.
A group of unfamiliar students stood outside.
Not from Class 1-A.
Uraraka blinked. "What's going on?"
Iida adjusted his glasses, already thinking ahead. "Word of the villain attack has likely spread. With the Sports Festival approaching, they're here to assess us."
And gather their own information.
Bakugo snorted, slinging his bag over his shoulder.
"Doesn't matter."
He walked straight toward the door, expression sharp.
"If they're in my way, I'll move them."
The crowd shifted as he pushed through without slowing.
"Tch. Loud," someone muttered under their breath.
At the back, a boy with striking features and long lashes watched him closely, his gaze steady.
Beside him, a girl spoke in a calm, measured voice.
"Class 1-A faced real villains and came out standing."
Her eyes followed Bakugo as he disappeared down the hall.
"They won't be easy opponents."
A brief pause.
"We should be careful."