Chapter 54: Last Match of First Round

Ten minutes later, Renault waited outside the restroom in the hallway while Yaoyorozu Momo washed her face inside. As for the tears on his clothes, Renault had already changed into sportswear in the changing room, so there was no risk of being seen by anyone else.

"Sorry for the wait," Yaoyorozu Momo said as she walked out of the restroom, wiping the water droplets off her cheeks with a tissue. Even after crying, Renault could still see the reddish tint in her eyes.

"Feeling better now?" Renault asked.

"..."

Yaoyorozu Momo threw the tissue into the trash can and looked at Renault seriously.

"You can't tell anyone about what just happened, okay? I was so out of control earlier." As she spoke, Yaoyorozu Momo blushed and recalled the painful scene of hugging Renault.

"Don't worry, I won't say a word," Renault assured her, noticing her embarrassment and choosing not to make any jokes.

"Shall we go outside? I think it's already Midoriya-kun's match, right? He's up against Sero-kun."

"Ah, Midoriya might have some trouble, but I don't think he'll have a problem advancing," Renault commented as they walked.

"It seems like you're pretty confident that Midoriya will make it through," Yaoyorozu Momo said, adjusting her mindset and beginning to discuss the match with Renault.

Of course, she still remembered her failure and was determined to learn from it. Observing the performances of other schoolmates was also an essential part of her growth. Although Renault's words were a bit blunt, they were indeed reasonable.

When asked by Yaoyorozu Momo, Renault responded straightforwardly, "Perhaps you think that Midoriya's Quirk is powerful, but the damage he inflicts on himself is also equally significant. However, this does not mean that Midoriya will not consider this point. In a sense, Midoriya is similar to you in that, he has his own ideas and will use various tactics to achieve victory, but he reacts even faster than you do. In other words, when pushed to the limit, he will make a more suitable response than you, and this is due to a subconscious difference between you both."

"So it's a difference in subconscious awareness?"

"Yes, Midoriya is also the type of person who plans before acting, but he is also good at combat instincts and observing the environment, and he is constantly improving. He knows that his control over his Quirk is still rudimentary, so he focuses on improving that. When he can further master his Quirk, his strength will also enter an explosive period."

"...You think highly of him?"

'Of course, who wouldn't think highly of someone who inherits All Might's One For All?' Renault thought to himself, then replied.

"Of course, this conclusion is based on a comprehensive analysis. And, I also think highly of you, but that's for your future self, not your current self."

"Don't make yourself sound like a teacher, you're just a student too."

After giving Renault a white eye, Yaoyorozu Momo also saw the exit of the channel and did not say anything further.

Upon exiting, the cheers in their ears became even more intense, and the two of them also saw the situation on the field.

The spacious arena had suffered some damage to its surface, and the culprit behind it all was Midoriya Izuku, thanks to his Quirk.

"Three fingers, huh?"

Renault raised an eyebrow as he looked at Midoriya Izuku's injured right hand, specifically his pinky, ring, and middle fingers. On the other side of the arena, Sero Hanta had already fallen out of bounds, covered in dust but not seriously injured. It seemed that Midoriya Izuku's attack wasn't aimed at his opponent's body.

"Sero Hanta is out of bounds! The winner is Midoriya Izuku! After a tie in the previous match, the two fighters battled for ten minutes, and Midoriya Izuku finally knocked his opponent out of bounds and claimed victory!"

Looking at Yaoyorozu Momo beside him, Renault smiled. "I told you so."

"You were right," Yaoyorozu Momo replied.

"Renault-kun! Yaoyorozu!" Asui Tsuyu's voice called out, and the two of them went over and sat down.

Looking at Yaoyorozu Momo, Asui Tsuyu lowered her voice and asked, "Are you okay?"

"Huh?" Yaoyorozu Momo looked a bit confused but immediately recognized the worried expression on Asui Tsuyu's face.

She was touched and shook her head, saying, "Thank you, but I'm fine now."

"I wanted to come to find you, but when Renault-kun left after you got eliminated, I didn't want to bother you," Asui Tsuyu explained. "He seems good at comforting people, though."

Yaoyorozu Momo could only force a smile. While Renault's intentions were good, he started criticizing her later on, and his words were far from gentle. She was glad she had a good temper, if it were someone else, they might have lost their cool.

After glancing at the Renault, whose gaze was already fixed on Uraraka Ochaco and Bakugo Katsuki on the stage, Yaoyorozu Momo shook her head helplessly.

Asui Tsuyu, who was beside her, looked at Yaoyorozu Momo's expression and then at Renault in front of them. She blinked her eyes, looking confused. But all of this was not important anymore because the last match of the first round of the Fighting Tournament was about to begin.

Uraraka Ochaco was going to fight against Bakugo Katsuki. After the two of them stepped onto the stage, Midoriya Izuku, whose fingers were still bandaged, came to the front row.

"Phew... made it, made it!" And behind him, someone else hurriedly caught up.

"Midoriya, slow down."

"If I slow down, I won't make it to watch the match. It's about to start!"

After Midoriya Izuku sat down, Renault asked, "Are your fingers okay?"

"Ah, they've been treated. They'll be fine in a few minutes, and it shouldn't affect the next match. Um... the next match..."

"Your opponent in the next match is either Uraraka or Bakugo. What do you think your chances are?"

"..."

After being silent for a while, Midoriya Izuku said, "I went to find Uraraka's earlier to tell her about my analysis of Kaccan's Quirk and the strategies to counter it in my notebook. But she refused, saying she wanted to face Kaccan on her own. I'm not sure about the outcome. Kaccan's strength is formidable, and simple tactics may not be effective."

And at that moment, the match began. Uraraka Ochaco rushed forward, quickly lowering her body and charging toward the attacking Bakugo Katsuki.

With Uraraka Ochaco's attack, Midoriya Izuku also spoke simultaneously, "Kaccan's first move habitually involves a large attack from the right side!"

On the stage, Uraraka Ochaco did indeed try to dodge and approach Bakugo Katsuki using his first move, as Midoriya Izuku had said. But who would have thought that Bakugo Katsuki would suddenly lower the direction of his attack and swing his right hand.

*Boom!*

Smoke filled the surroundings of the two people.