⇨ Chapter 19: Phase Two

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"Round two's the last one! You examinees will venture into the ruins as bystanders and prove your worth when it comes to rescuing innocent victims." A projection flashed onto the wall ahead of you. It showed the entirety of the arena being burned to ashes. "You will not act as ordinary civilians, but as those who have hypothetically earned their provisional hero licenses. You're being tested on how well you respond in rescue situations."

As the announcer spoke, old people began to spread around the map, accompanied by the presence of children. They all went into the most dangerous parts of the set up.

"Everyone there is a highly trained professional rescuee and in very much high demand as of late! Please welcome the good people of Help Us Company, or H.U.C. for short. The members of H.U.C. will be feigning injuries all across the field. It is your task to rescue them." Whispers circled around the room. Many were surprised that there was an agency for such a niche exercise. "You will all be scored on how well you perform these rescues. Those who attain the required points at the end of the test will pass. We'll start in ten minutes, so take your bathroom breaks now."

All students winced as the projection turned off and the lights were flipped back on. You searched the sea of people to find your classmates. You were swallowed in the overbearing chatter of rowdy examinees. As you pushed your way through the crowd, you spotted Todoroki, just two people separating you from one another.

"Todoroki!" You shouted amongst the chaos. He casted a glance in your direction, his eyes lighting up once he met your gaze. As you shouldered past colleagues, Todoroki's friendliness faded, he felt a sudden and familiar pain. Unfortunately for him, you were already face to face, "You worried me! I thought you didn't make it for a second."

"You didn't think I could?" Todoroki asked, clearly being serious and not understanding from your point of view.

"No, that's not—I meant I didn't see you come through the door before the counter reached a hundred."

"I told you I didn't need you worrying about me." Was all Todoroki said.

Now you were irritated. Why was he being so blunt toward you? Todoroki started to walk away. You grabbed his shoulder and spun him on his heel to face you. "What's your problem?" You asked the question almost without thinking. You wanted to say something that was more impactful, but in the moment you couldn't let him walk away from you like that.

"What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean, Todoroki." You spoke, grabbing the attention of a few of your classmates. Kaminari, Kirishima, and Yaoyorozu all watched in silence, intrigued at the sight. You tried to sound less harsh, "Why are you being a prick all of a sudden?"

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