Iida’s fight was long...

  By the end of it, his spirit was more broken than his body. His breathing was ragged, posture sagging with each step back toward the waiting area. And Hatsume, fresh-faced and grinning, had already wandered out of the ring before the final announcement was even made, waving at the cameras like she’d just won an award show, even if she lost the match.

  The arena dimmed a little as the tension reset.

  The next two fights were quick, almost insultingly so. Mina made fast work of Aoyama, melting the his belt before he even realized what she was aiming for. It clattered to the floor with a hiss, the light sparking out. Then came the uppercut, fast and brutal, lifting him off his feet. He crumpled to the ground like a marionette with cut strings.

  Momo’s match against Tokoyami was a bad pairing from the start. She truly tried but Dark Shadow didn’t give her an inch. His attacks were relentless, pushing her further and further until she stepped just past the line. The crowd winced collectively.

  “A bad Quirk matchup and a gap in skill. Then an overthinker and a speedy attack, both fights were over before they started.”

  Robinn’s voice cut through the fading applause. It was almost absentminded, like she hadn’t meant to say it aloud. She wasn’t looking at anyone in particular, her eyes scanning the ring like she was already somewhere else. Midoriya glanced at her, eyebrows raised. She was right... brutally so. Still, he couldn’t help but feel she was treating the matches like puzzles instead of people.

  He considered scribbling the thought down, maybe she’d be a good asset for notes later, but paused when he noticed the empty seat beside her. Uraraka’s drink still sat there, the straw limp, ice melted into cloudy water.

  Before he could think on it, Present Mic’s voice boomed again, dragging the stadium’s attention back to the ring. Kirishima and Tetsutetsu. Identical introductions. Identical grins. Identical Quirks.

  The fight was just starting, both boys charging in like two freight trains with fists raised. But it was clear this was going to be a slugfest, no finesse or tricks, just brute force and endurance. Midoriya made up his mind. This one would take a while.

  He slipped from his seat and into the cool, echoing halls of the stadium.

  As he walked, his mind spun in circles. Uraraka’s chances against Kacchan were slim. But not impossible. If she could just touch him once, just once, he would float. That was the win condition. The problem was everything before that. His reflexes were off the charts. His Quirk gave him explosive mobility and wide-range power. And up close? Forget it.

  Midoriya clenched his notebook tighter as the prep room door came into view, nearly walking into it before catching himself. He pushed it open.

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  Uraraka was seated at a table, Iida standing nearby. She looked up, her fingers nervously fidgeting with the bands on her wrists.

  “Deku... uh, why aren’t you out there watching the matches?”

  He stepped closer. “Well, most of them ended how I expected, and it’s looking like Kirishima’s fight is going to drag on for a while.”

  A heavy silence followed.

  “I’m next... So this is it. My fight...” Her voice was small but steady, her eyes locked on her hands as if the answer might be hiding in her palms.

  Iida tried to offer comfort. “It’ll be okay... I don’t think Bakugo would use the full power of his explosions on a girl, right?”

  Midoriya frowned. “No, he definitely would. And besides... everyone’s trying to get the top spot. Even if she wasn’t fighting Kacchan, I don’t think anyone would hold back.”

  He raised his notebook, extending it toward her. “You’ve helped me so much. It’s my turn to help you. I’ve got a plan for how you can use your Quirk against Kacchan. It’s not much, but I did my best.”

  Uraraka stared for a second. Then she smiled... but it didn’t reach her eyes.

  “Thank you so much for doing that... but no. Sorry.”

  She turned away, eyes fixed on the table’s smooth surface. “You’re wonderful, Deku. I keep seeing that over and over again. During the cavalry battle, I said it was good to team up with friends... but maybe I was just trying to rely on you to get by.”

  She stood, slower this time.

  “That’s why... when Iida said he was doing his best to beat you... I actually felt kind of embarrassed for myself.”

  She walked past them both, pausing at the door.

  “So it’s fine. Really. Everyone’s facing their future and giving it their best. That means we’re all rivals. Even us.” She glanced back with a soft, trembling smile and gave a thumbs-up. “Guess I’ll see you in the finals.”

  The door clicked shut behind her.

  She didn’t make it two steps before she stopped again.

  She walked out of the room and was surprised to find Robinn leaning against the wall right next to the door, arms crossed loosely, a drink in her hand.

  “Robinn...? What are you doing here?”

  Robinn didn’t look up right away. When she did, it was slow, like she’d only just returned from some far-off place.

  “You left this behind up there,” she said simply, holding out the cold drink. “It’s important to stay hydrated before these kinds of things.”

  There was a strange gentleness to her tone, almost as if she wasn’t just handing back a drink, but giving a little piece of support in her own awkward way.

  Uraraka paused. That little action somehow pulled her out of both her determination and her fear at the same time. She laughed a little and let her arms drop with a droopy smile.

  “Thanks, Robinn... but I’m not really thirsty right now.”

  She stepped past her, weirdly thankful for the distraction.

  Minutes later, Midoriya and Iida stepped out into the corridor.

  Outside, leaning casually by the door across the hall, was Robinn. She was sipping from a cup, the straw making soft, hollow sounds as she neared the bottom. Her eyes were fixed ahead, but not at anything in particular, just distant.

  Neither of them said anything. She didn’t either. Just gave a faint, absent nod as they passed.

  But as Midoriya moved by, something tugged at his attention.

  He glanced at the door beside her. A glimpse through the narrow window caught him off guard. Bakugo sitting alone, hunched forward, his fists clenched.

  Midoriya’s eyes darted back to Robinn.

  She was still just... standing there.

  Still sipping that drink.

  Is she... waiting for him?

  Does she...

  He looked away quickly. That couldn’t be it. Could it?

  Back in the stands, the match had ended. Kirishima and Tetsutetsu were both unconscious, mutual knockout. Midnight was already talking about a tiebreaker. Arm wrestling.

  Midoriya didn’t care. Not right now. His thoughts were elsewhere, nerves humming under his skin.

  It was almost time for Uraraka’s fight.

  Do your best... You’ve got this.