Midoriya has trained and practiced closely with Uraraka. He's observed her progress (and updates his notes regularly). They've both made strides, and this isn't going to be anything like their last tournament. Back then, they struggled with barely any training and only a handful of moves. Midoriya started from rock bottom, last in the class. Now they're both completely different professional fighters. The more Midoriya admires a person, the more he wants to surpass them. This will, if anything, deepen their friendship.

Midoriya can't help the excitement exploding in his chest and the hard (but friendly) gleam in his green eyes as he steps onto the wooden platform covered in blue mats. He returns her strong clasp and burning gaze with his own. He feeds off this. His voice is warm, steady, and limned with a slight roughness of emotion and adrenaline.

"We worked hard to get this far. I'm going to give it my all. We both will. That way we'll know for sure who's the winner without question." He drops his volume and his smile, "...Aaand also because Kacchan would kill us if we didn't."

He draws back and gives the customary bow before taking a solid stance. A tumbleweed rolls by on the ground. It's time.