Thousands of spectators packed the stands, a sea of waving banners and screaming fans. Students buzzed with nervous energy below. Vendors hawked overpriced snacks. Somewhere, Present Mic was already warming up his vocal cords, which meant the sound system would be filing a formal complaint within the hour.

And in the faculty seating area, a very specific corner of the universe was about to become a problem.

Because Ms. Joke had arrived.

The one directly beside Aizawa Shouta.

Coincidence? The universe didn't do coincidences. The universe did elaborate pranks on tired men who just wanted to watch children beat each other up in peace.

That would imply he was worried.

He was not worried.

He was simply... aware. Very aware. Of the fact that his partner was sitting close enough to hear every single word of this unfolding disaster.

Somewhere nearby, a certain faculty member was watching.

Aizawa didn't look. He didn't need to. He could feel it.

That specific, too-sweet smile. The one that meant his partner was no longer finding this amusing.

The one that meant they were considering doing something that would make his life significantly more complicated.

His stomach dropped.

And the faculty seating area had just become a stage for something far more dangerous than the sports festival itself.