MHA: The Hero With the Sun (HIATUS)

The energy in the waiting area buzzed with a mix of tension and excitement as students recovered from the first event. Some were riding the high of advancing, while others nursed their bruised egos alongside their bruised bodies.

Kenji leaned against the wall, observing his classmates and the other competitors. The first event had set the tone for the day, and it was clear that rivalries were beginning to form.

Class 1-A Under the Spotlight

"Not bad, 1-A," Monoma from Class 1-B said, his voice dripping with mockery as he sauntered toward them. "Though, considering all the attention you've been getting, I was expecting something more impressive. Surviving a villain attack doesn't make you untouchable."

Bakugo was the first to react, stepping forward with a snarl. "Say that again, you extra, and I'll blow you to pieces."

Monoma smirked, clearly enjoying the reaction. "Temper, temper, Bakugo. You might want to save that energy for the next round—if you even make it."

Before things could escalate further, Kenji placed a hand on Bakugo's shoulder, stopping him.

"Don't waste your breath," Kenji said, his tone calm but firm. He turned to Monoma, his amber eyes narrowing. "If you're so confident, show it on the field. Talking won't win you anything."

Monoma scoffed but said nothing, retreating with a final smirk.

"Kenji," Bakugo growled, shrugging off his hand. "I don't need you stopping me."

"I know," Kenji replied with a shrug. "But if you get disqualified for blowing him up, that's one less person I get to beat out there."

Bakugo's scowl deepened, but he said no more.

Tension Among Friends

Not all the tension was external, though. Within Class 1-A, the competitive spirit was starting to bubble to the surface.

"You've got to step it up, Kaminari," Jiro said, poking him in the chest. "That obstacle race wasn't exactly your finest moment."

"Hey, I made it through, didn't I?" Kaminari protested, though his sheepish grin gave him away.

Nearby, Todoroki stood apart, his stoic demeanor unshaken by the chaos around him. Kenji caught sight of him glancing in Bakugo's direction, a subtle yet telling challenge in his gaze.

Momo noticed too and leaned toward Kenji. "You think Todoroki and Bakugo will butt heads?"

Kenji smirked. "It's not a question of if, but when."

Unexpected Alliances

Not all interactions were heated, though. As Kenji grabbed another bottle of water, he noticed Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu from Class 1-B approaching.

"Hey, Saito," Tetsutetsu said, holding out a hand. "That light blast you pulled off at the start of the race? Pretty cool."

Kenji raised an eyebrow but shook his hand. "Thanks. You weren't too bad yourself. That steel Quirk of yours must come in handy."

"It does," Tetsutetsu said with a grin. "Just don't think I'm going easy on you in the next round."

Kenji chuckled. "Wouldn't expect you to."

The Second Event Announcement

The crackling of the intercom interrupted the conversations, drawing everyone's attention. Midnight's voice rang out.

"Congratulations to all who advanced! Now, for the second event: The Cavalry Battle!"

Excited murmurs filled the room as the students gathered around the screen displaying the rules.

"This event will test not only your physical abilities but also your teamwork and strategy! Each participant has been assigned a point value based on their placement in the first event. The higher you placed, the more points you're worth. Your goal is to form teams and collect as many points as possible by the end of the round!"

Midnight's grin widened as she delivered the final twist. "Oh, and one more thing: the person who placed first in the obstacle race will be worth one million points!"

The room went silent as everyone turned to Todoroki, the winner of the first event. His expression didn't falter, but Kenji didn't miss the faint tension in his jaw.

"Figures," Bakugo muttered, glaring at Todoroki. "Everyone's gonna be gunning for him."

"And anyone on his team," Momo added.

Forming Teams

The students scrambled to form alliances, each trying to balance strength, speed, and strategy. Kenji found himself approached by several classmates, but he ultimately decided on a team with Momo, Kirishima, and Kaminari.

"Okay," Momo said, taking charge as they huddled together. "Kenji and I will focus on offense, using our Quirks to keep others at bay. Kaminari, you'll provide support with your electricity to disrupt any incoming attacks. Kirishima, your defense will be our anchor."

"Sounds good," Kirishima said, clenching his fists. "Let's show 'em what we've got!"

Kenji nodded, feeling the energy of the team solidify.

"Let's make it count," he said.

The Cavalry Battle Begins

The starting buzzer sounded, and chaos erupted.

Kenji and his team moved as one, with Momo using her Quirk to create defensive barriers while Kaminari launched controlled bursts of electricity at approaching teams. Kenji's Sunflare Quirk added another layer of protection, creating dazzling flashes to disorient their opponents.

Todoroki's team quickly became the center of attention, with multiple groups swarming him in an attempt to claim the million-point headband. Kenji's team kept their distance, focusing on collecting lower-value points while the others fought over the top prize.

"Stay focused," Momo said, her voice calm but firm. "We don't need to take unnecessary risks."

Kenji glanced at Todoroki's team, watching as they expertly deflected attack after attack. He couldn't help but admire their coordination, but he also saw an opportunity.

"If we time it right," Kenji said, "we might be able to snag a high-value band from one of the teams gunning for Todoroki."

Momo nodded. "Let's wait for an opening."

As the battle raged on, Kenji felt his adrenaline surge. This wasn't just about winning—it was about proving their worth.

Word Count: ~1,235