The Exchange Student

Chapter 5: And the Winner is...

When the repairs were finally over, most went back to continue watching the matches that were left. As Mara walked along the halls, she noticed people looking at her strangely and whispering after passing by. It didn't bother her too much since it wasn't something new, but she was a bit confused as to why. "Does it have something to do with my fight? Did Azalea say something?"

Once again, Mara sat in the back of her class's section, and most were already sitting there as they waited. The wait wasn't too long, and the battles began, unfortunately not as interesting as the ones before. Even if they weren't as interesting, Mara didn't lose focus on the fights and took mental notes all throughout. Kirishima and Bakugou's fight was a bit more interesting, but it didn't take long before it ended, and it was just the same thing over and over. Todoroki quickly beat Iida without much effort, only using his ice. Tokoyami didn't stand a chance with Bakugou knowing his weakness, which he exploited to the fullest.

Soon the final match was up, everyone was excited and curious to see who would finally win. Not even Mara could guess who would win, but she felt maybe Bakugou. The match begins, and the two boys do not waste any time. Bakugou's yelling excites the crowd and up the tension. There was no doubt that the two were skilled, but even Mara noticed something slightly off. Todoroki seemed may be slower or just tired. Unfortunately, the fight didn't last long, with Todoroki entirely out of bounds and Bakugou, the winner. He was not happy at all and had to be stopped by Midnight.

Class 1-A took the first three spots of the tournament, but it was even hard for them to enjoy with Bakugou being restrained. Even Mara was holding back her laughter as he struggled to get free. With the event finally over, the students changed into their regular uniforms and headed towards their classrooms for a message from their teachers.

"Since you've all earned a rest, tomorrow and the next day you have off," Aizawa explains. "I'll organize all the nominations from the pros and present them after the break." Mara could care less about the nominations, and she was just anxious to get home. After being dismissed, Mara gathered her stuff and headed off to Recovery Girl's office.

She noticed that most teachers were already there as she opened the door. A chair was set in front of them, which was no doubt intended for her. Mara headed over as she heard Recovery Girl say, " The Principal will be here in a bit. Please wait patiently."

Mara didn't say anything and tried to keep her attention away from the teachers by looking out the window. The door opened, making everyone turn and see Principal Nezu on Aizawa's shoulder. Nezu jumped off the shoulder and onto a tray table when joining the group. "Espinoza Vasquez Mara, correct?" he asked, his tone undiscribable.

"Yes, sir," Mara answers, her voice slightly quieter than usual.

"You were recommended by one of the most respected Heroes in the world, passed your entrance exam with flying colors, but lack control in some aspects. We thought we had a clear picture of your abilities, but today, what you showed in the fight against Bakugou was different," Principal Nezu explained and looked at Mara intently.

She took a deep breath before saying, "What I control is more than the physical side of fear. I can bring one's darkest fears to light and manipulate them to my will." The atmosphere was unsettling, between Mara's cold words and her eyes becoming darker.

Suddenly, the atmosphere cleared again, and Mara's eyes returned to normal. She looked up to see Aizawa looking at her without blinking. Mara sighed before looking back at Principal Nezu, who once again continues with the situation, "This is what I was referring to. You could've easily mentally damaged everyone in the arena today without proper control. If you become unable to properly control yourself, you'll end up hurting those you wish to protect the most."

Mara bites her lip as she looks down, avoiding the Principal's gaze. "I'm sorry about today. To tell you the truth, I can't really remember what triggered it, but I promise I'll be more careful, so the situation doesn't repeat itself."

"That's good to hear!" Principal Nezu responds excitedly. "I'm going to be assigning Aizawa to help you train with that self-control. I know you can do it, don't disappoint." From the little facial expression, one could tell that Aizawa was surprised at the Principal's order under the bandages.

"Are you going to tell her about today?" Mara's harsh exterior disappeared for a bit, showing a worried look.

Her change in expression stunned the teachers a bit, but Nezu responded calmly, "Of course. We agreed that I would provide her with any updates." Mara's expression returned to what it previously was, but there was still a hint of worry in her dark red eyes. The teachers spoke amongst themselves for a bit, Mara unable to tell what they were saying.

The rest of their meeting wasn't too interesting. Each teacher also offered themselves to her if she required any additional control training. They would also be working on finding a way to get her to completely stop when losing control. With the meeting finally ending, Mara eventually left the school while the rest of the teachers finished their conversations and paperwork.

The sun was already setting by the time she exited the building, and no one was left. Mara took the same route as always to go home, but today felt different. She had the same feeling as her first day; she felt she was being watched. The feeling finally went away when she was in her apartment and could relax.

"Could she have sent someone?" she thought as she locked the door and started to settle down. Mara grabbed her phone and tried to call, but unsurprisingly they never answered.

The following two days passed too slow for Mara's liking. Her time was spent on notes from the battles, meditating, and training. She only went out once, and a little kid cried when seeing her face.

Meanwhile, things were tense in the Todoroki household. Ever since they arrived, Hiroka has avoided everyone and shut herself in her room. The only interaction she made was telling Fuyumi to leave the food outside her room.

Even Shoto was trying to get her to come out and wanted to speak to her regarding the other day. He knocked on her door before saying, "Please open up. We need to talk." No response came from the other side. "I'm going to see mom. You also haven't seen her in a long time, right?"

"Go away!" was the only response he received. Shoto just sighed, knowing it would be impossible to convince her to come out.

Inside, Hiroka's room was a mess. Pictures, knick-knacks, and clothing were thrown all over, some ripped or broken. Her table was almost upside down as it leaned against the wall. Hiroka herself also looked like a mess, dark circles under her eyes, her nails uneven, hair pointing in different directions and tangled, and her clothing tattered and full of stains.

"Not even after yesterday is he talking to me. Nothing I do will please him, will it?" Hiroka sighs as she looks down at a picture in her hand. She can see herself, Fuyumi, Toya, and Natsuo smiling at the camera in the photo. A few tears fell on the picture before she wiped the others from her face.

"I need some air," Hiroka put the picture down and stood up. After getting ready, she tried her best to sneak out of the house but ran into Fuyumi along the way.

"Where are you going?" asked Fuyumi with a worried look.

"None of your business," Hiroka rolled her eyes and tried to move past Fuyumi, and the latter blocked her path and looked at her with her arms crossed.

"It is! I'm worried! You have been locked in your room since yesterday, won't speak to anybody, and now you want to go out," Fuyumi lowered her hands and tried to Hold Hiroka's.

Hiroka immediately pulled her hands back and glared at her sister.

"Don't wait for me," was Hiroka's last words before jumping over her Fuyumi and heading out.

"Don't be late," Fuyumi managed to say in a quiet voice.

Hiroka had no destination in mind as she walked around the city, but she felt a lot better compared to earlier. As she passed a dark alley, she only saw a pair of eyes looking back at her. Instead of sticking around, she walked away quickly.

"Todoroki Hiroka, I would like to have a talk with you," a whisper in her ear that had followed the hand on her shoulder.

Hiroka suddenly froze, afraid to see who would be behind her. She looked around, but the street was empty. Slowly she turned around to see the other person.