"You're saying that five-second record is yours?"
"Ezaki-kun set that record? We all thought some bored pro hero did it."
Yaoyorozu Momo said softly, "Five seconds? That's crazy, Ezaki-kun. How did you do it?"
Kirishima Eijiro asked, "No wonder they call you the 'Miracle Hero.' That title suits you perfectly, Ezaki-kun."
Uraraka Ochako joked, "Kacchan did it in 15 seconds, which is already really impressive. But five seconds? If people hear a first-year U.A. student did it, I bet almost no one would believe it."
Midoriya Izuku agreed.
Melissa, meanwhile, stayed quiet, studying Ezaki Kitazawa. She was really curious now. Someone so unassuming—just how strong was he?
"I was passing by after coming from Melissa's dad, and since no one was attempting the challenge, the referee pulled me in. So, I just went along with it and finished it casually."
Ezaki Kitazawa said this with a straight face again.
Everyone froze.
"This guy..."
"Hold on. 'Finished it casually'?"
"That's just unfair. I gave it my all and barely got 33 seconds!"
"Heh... Maybe we shouldn't even try. If we go, we'll just embarrass U.A. after what Ezaki-kun did."
Just then, the referee's voice rang out again.
"Wow! We have a new second-place record—13 seconds!"
As soon as they heard that, Kirishima Eijiro leaned against the railing and shouted down.
"Bakugo! I found out who set that five-second record!"
Bakugo Katsuki looked up slightly, but from this angle, he couldn't see Ezaki Kitazawa.
"Hah?"
"It was Ezaki-kun!" Kirishima Eijiro shouted.
Bakugo froze for a moment.
"Spiky hair, what the hell are you talking about? That guy hasn't even been here. How could it be him?"
At that moment, Ezaki Kitazawa stepped up to the railing and grinned.
"Hey, Bakugo."
Bakugo had thought Kirishima was joking, but the moment he saw Ezaki Kitazawa, a thought crossed his mind—Kirishima was telling the truth.
The next second, Bakugo turned his head and said, "I'm doing this again!"
"Huh?"
The referee hesitated.
"Hero, this is already your third time. You might improve by a few seconds, but even if you cut three seconds off, you'd still be five seconds behind first place."
"I don't care!"
Bakugo Katsuki was already getting into position.
"Bakugo's pride is as strong as ever."
Uraraka Ochako muttered.
"Well, can you blame him? Ezaki-kun did it in five seconds. I bet he's not leaving here until he beats it."
Midoriya Izuku replied, "Yeah, knowing Kacchan, he really might push himself to the limit."
"Hey, this isn't my fault. I was dragged into it too."
Ezaki Kitazawa said.
Ezaki Kitazawa smiled and explained.
At that moment, Melissa, who had been standing quietly, suddenly spoke.
"Do you want to give it another shot, Ezaki Kitazawa?"
Hearing Midoriya Izuku and the others praise Ezaki Kitazawa so much, Melissa started feeling curious and wanted to see it for herself.
"Me? Nah, I'll pass. I don't want to interrupt Bakugo Katsuki while he's trying to break the record."
Ezaki Kitazawa laughed. "But I think you should let him accept reality. With his pride, if he can't take first place, he might even hold onto the female referee and refuse to let her leave."
Kirishima Eijiro said casually, "That... that actually sounds possible. Bakugo Katsuki really might grab onto the referee and not let her go."
Jiro Kyoka responded, "No way..."
"Midoriya, don't forget, Bakugo really can't stand Ezaki. I can't say for others, but when it comes to Ezaki, I'm sure he'll go all out."
Yaoyorozu Momo explained, "That actually makes sense!"
For a brief moment, Midoriya Izuku even felt a bit grateful to Ezaki Kitazawa. Back then, Bakugo Katsuki always bullied him. Even after they entered U.A., Bakugo still targeted him sometimes. But ever since he met Ezaki Kitazawa, all of his aggression completely shifted away from Midoriya and onto Ezaki.
"Alright, just make sure Bakugo doesn't scare her too much."
Ezaki Kitazawa sighed, then leaped forward and landed in front of the referee.
"12 seconds!"
The female referee shouted.
"Let me go next!"
Ezaki Kitazawa smiled. The female referee hesitated for a moment when she saw him.
"You... you're the first one who cheered earlier."
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