Solar Eclipse

Enter: Sports Fest Round 2

Third POV

"Alright!" Midnight shouted from her spot on the small stage, "Congratulations to all who finished the first round of this year's first-year sports festival! As you know, only the first 52 students to complete the race will be moving on so if your name is not on the leaderboard please make your way to your class's viewing seats." There was a moment of shuffling as students walked, disappointed, towards the arena exit. Those who remained shifted on their feet in anticipation of the next round of the competition.

"Now, the second round of this festival will be a calvary battle!" A few people looked excited but the majority were rightly confused. "This battle will test your teamwork and judgment of people and quirks. You will be forming groups of 4. Each group will have a rider who will be the team lead and act as the face of your group. They will sit on top of your group and will not be allowed to touch the ground until the end of the round. There are not requirements to forming groups other than they can be no more than 4 students."

Students started to look around at each other, friends inching closer together to form early groups. "One thing that I must mention before letting you form your groups is the point system of this round. The top 5 groups will advance to the next round. To advance, however, and come in the top 5, is derived by a point system. Each of your placements in the first round has given you a set amount of points and your goal for the second round is to collect as many points within the time limit."

Whispers of curiosity and speculation arose from both the audience and the participants at the explanation. Izuku felt an itch of anxiety under his skin as he felt a few eyes focus on him. He tried to cool his nerves, reassuring himself that the attention was the price and reward of getting first. He had to get used to it if he wanted to work in the spotlight with his friends. The reassurance seemed to be quickly extinguished as his nerves skyrocketed at his aunt's further explanation of the point system.

"For the point distribution system, starting from 52nd place, each student will have an increase of 10 points. So 52nd will have a headband worth 10 points, 51st: 20 points, 50th: 30 points, and so on. However, the 1st place participant will have a desirable amount of 10,000 points!" (A/N I know this isn't the canon point distribution but I wanted it to be more realistic) When she announced that fact, everyone's focus was directed at Izuku, who looked to be part shock and terror. The poor neko was shaking from head to know at the eagle-eyed focus of every other contestant who now had the goal of going after him. Even the analytical and planning part of his mind couldn't give reassurance as he knew people would avoid teaming up with him to save their own points.

Izuku had just about given up hope of forming a group when his aunt gave the students 5 minutes to form groups. Thankfully, Izuku wasn't alone. As the neko was having an internal panic attack, he was startled into focus when he felt a flick against his forehead. The neko shook his head and looked up. Standing in front of him, Shoto was crouched a bit to look into the other's eyes, and behind the younger neko, Hitoshi was hanging boardly off a smirking Katsuki.

"Wha-?" The neko looked at them confused. Why weren't they going to look for strong teammates? Shoto ruffled Izuku's hair while Katsuki let out a huff. "Why are you fucking panicking? This round was made for our group." Izuku tilted his head a bit to signify his still current confusion. "You didn't really think we'd leave you to find new teammates, right?" Hitoshi asked, a hint of disbelief and sadness on his face. Izuku blushed and began wringing his hands in embarrassment. "U-um. Kinda," Katsuki walked to the smaller boy and flicked his ear, to which Izuku grabbed protectively and gave the blond his signature pout.

"Why the hell would we want to partner up with these low-scoring extras when one of our own has 10,000 fucking points?!  Just cause you beat us and are now the main focus, don't forget about us. We got your back like we know you got ours." Izuku had let go of his ear and  rushed to hug the blond. "Yeah, yeah." Katsuki pat the nekos head with a smirk. "Besides, don't think Moon would want to part from your side much less fight you. You're stuck with us, green bean." Izuku giggled at the new nickname, anxiety falling from his shoulders. Hitoshi and Shoto offered their own comments and reassurances before the new members of their group walked over.