Chapter 8: Chapter 7: The Opening Ceremony
The day of the U.A. Sports Festival had finally arrived. The entire campus was alive with energy as students, staff, and spectators filled the sprawling arena. Flags bearing the U.A. insignia fluttered in the wind, and the roar of the crowd echoed across the grounds.
Class 1-A gathered in their designated waiting area, each student clad in the school's standard gym uniform. The nerves were palpable, but so was the excitement.
Kenji tightened the laces of his sneakers, glancing around at his classmates. Izuku looked like he was mentally preparing strategies, Ochaco bounced on her heels to release her energy, and Katsuki seemed ready to explode in more ways than one.
"You okay, Kenji?" Momo asked, her calm voice breaking through his thoughts.
"Yeah," he replied with a grin. "Just soaking it all in."
Momo smiled back. "Good. Because once we step out there, it's showtime."
The World Is Watching
As the students of Class 1-A entered the arena, the cheers of thousands of spectators washed over them. Kenji shielded his eyes from the glare of the stadium lights, his heart pounding in his chest. He could feel the weight of all those eyes—pro heroes, fellow students, and citizens who had heard of their encounter with the League of Villains.
"This is crazy," Kaminari said, looking around in awe. "There's so many people."
"Focus," Iida said, his movements as precise as ever. "This is not the time to get distracted. Remember why we're here."
Kenji nodded in agreement. Despite the overwhelming atmosphere, this was their moment to shine.
From the center of the stage, Present Mic's voice boomed through the speakers. "WELCOME TO THE ANNUAL U.A. SPORTS FESTIVAL!"
The crowd erupted in response, and Kenji felt his adrenaline spike.
The Declaration of Intent
Midnight, the ever-charismatic R-Rated Hero, stepped forward to introduce the students. She gestured toward the mic, signaling the student representative to come forward.
All eyes turned to Momo Yaoyorozu as she ascended the stage. After winning the class vote for president weeks ago, she had earned the responsibility of delivering the opening speech.
Kenji watched her with pride, her confident posture and calm expression speaking volumes.
Momo adjusted the microphone and began. "Today, we stand here not just as students of U.A., but as the future of hero society. Each of us has trained hard to reach this point, and today, we'll show the world the fruits of our efforts. Let's compete with pride, honor, and respect for one another. Let's show them what being a hero truly means!"
The crowd cheered, and Kenji joined in, clapping loudly as Momo descended the stage.
"You nailed it," Kenji said when she rejoined the group.
"Thanks," she replied, a faint blush on her cheeks. "Now, let's make sure our actions live up to those words."
The Rivalry Begins
Back in the waiting area, the tension between classes became evident. Students from the other first-year groups eyed Class 1-A with a mix of curiosity and competitiveness.
Kenji stood near the edge of the group, observing their reactions. He overheard a few snide remarks from Class 1-B, who seemed particularly eager to outshine them.
"Class 1-A thinks they're so special just because they survived a villain attack," one student muttered.
Kenji exhaled sharply, keeping his temper in check. Beside him, Eijiro Kirishima grinned. "Let 'em talk, Kenji. We'll show them on the field."
"Yeah," Kenji said, though his gaze lingered on the other students. His drive to prove himself burned brighter than ever.
The First Event: An Unpredictable Challenge
The massive stadium screen flickered to life, displaying the rules for the first event: the Obstacle Race. Midnight's voice rang out as she explained.
"This is a race around the stadium track, but with a twist! Along the way, you'll face various challenges designed to test your skills, creativity, and adaptability. Use your quirks wisely, and don't hold back!"
The students moved to the starting line, stretching and strategizing. Kenji positioned himself near the middle of the pack, his mind racing as he tried to anticipate the challenges ahead.
Beside him, Momo gave him a reassuring nod. "Stick to your strengths, and don't get caught up in the chaos."
"You too," he replied.
When the signal sounded, the students surged forward, the race officially underway.
Kenji activated Sunflare, generating a burst of light to momentarily blind those nearby and create an opening for himself. He sprinted ahead, dodging debris and other students as the first obstacle came into view—a massive robotic arm swinging across the track.
"Here we go," he muttered, focusing his energy as he prepared to tackle the challenge head-on.
Word Count: ~1,047