Merc Mayhem || mha x reader

Chapter 19: The Countdown to the End-of-Term Test

⋆♱✮♱⋆

⋆♱✮♱⋆

The final week of June was abuzz with the anticipation of the end-of-term test. In Class 1-A, the students were deep in conversation about the upcoming exams and the peculiarities of the test format. Denki Kaminari and Mina Ashido looked less than thrilled.

"I've got to be honest," Denki said, scratching his head, "I haven't had much time to study. Between the hero stuff and everything else, it's been crazy."

Mina nodded in agreement. "Same here. I've been so swamped that studying just hasn't happened."

Fumikage Tokoyami, his dark presence unwavering, added, "I'm hearing that this test will be more challenging than the midterms. We should definitely buckle up."

Y/N, who had placed last, shrugged nonchalantly. "Eh, I'm not too worried. My schedule's been packed, so I didn't get around to studying much. But hey, I'm here for the ride."

Minoru Mineta, with a smug grin plastered on his face, quipped, "Don't forget the exercise test! That's going to be a real kicker. It'll be tough, for sure." He seemed to relish his own words.

Mina and Denki exchanged a look of annoyance. "Seriously, Mineta? Not the time," Mina snapped.

Izuku Midoriya, who had placed fourth, tried to lighten the mood. "Don't worry too much. We can study together. I'm looking forward to hanging out with everyone at the forest lodge."

Tenya Iida, securing second place, supported Izuku's encouragement. "Izuku's right. We should focus and do our best."

Shoto Todoroki, who had placed fifth, commented dryly, "If I'd been more consistent with my attendance, my grades wouldn't be so low."

Denki, clearly frustrated, shot back, "Some of us are really struggling, Todoroki."

Momo Yaoyorozu, the class's top student, offered her assistance. "I'd be happy to help with studying. I'm a bit concerned about the exercise test, though."

Mashirao Ojiro, Kyoka Jiro, and Hanta Sero eagerly accepted her offer. Momo blushed with pride, saying, "I'm more than happy to assist."

Eijiro Kirishima teased, "Look at Momo being all virtuous! And don't think I'm not working hard myself. I'll tutor you until you bleed," he added, glancing at Katsuki Bakugo.

Katsuki scowled. "Don't act like you're the only one working hard. I don't need your pity tutoring."

In the lunchroom, Izuku, Tenya, Shoto, Ochaco Uraraka, Tsuyu Asui, and Toru Hagakure were discussing the end-of-term test. Their conversation was focused on the written test and the upcoming exercise test.

Neito Monoma, with his trademark smirk, approached Izuku. "So, Midoriya, Shoto, and Iida. You three have been all over the news after your encounter with Stain. Class 1-A's popularity is through the roof."

Izuku frowned. "What do you want, Monoma?"

Monoma raised an eyebrow. "Just noting that one day, Class 1-B will face such excitement. I wonder if you'll be able to handle it when it happens."

Before Izuku could retort, Itsuka Kendo intervened. "Monoma, stop making fun of their situation. Apologize."

Monoma grumbled. "Fine, fine. I'm sorry. But I heard you guys talking about the exercise test. Don't get too excited."

Itsuka, dragging Monoma away, said, "The exercise test is a battle simulation against robots, similar to the Entrance Exam. I hope that helps."

Izuku's eyes widened. "How do you know that?"

Itsuka smiled. "Upperclassman info."

Monoma, now lying on the floor, muttered, "I was planning to use that info to beat you all, but whatever."

Back in Class 1-A, Izuku shared the details of the exercise test. Denki and Mina's faces lit up. "Robots? That's actually a bit of a relief," Denki said.

Mezo Shoji nodded. "That's why they're happy. They don't have to adjust their Quirks for real-life opponents."

Katsuki Bakugo, always eager for a challenge, declared, "I don't care who the opponents are. I'll blow them all away." His gaze then locked on Izuku. "And I'm gonna show you how big the gap is between us. Don't expect any mercy."

Izuku, taken aback, met Katsuki's glare with determination. "We'll see about that."

Ochaco Uraraka wondered aloud, "Is Katsuki talking about Izuku's recent moves in Foundational Hero Studies?"

Katsuki seethed. "Yeah, I am. I don't want a repeat of the Sports Festival. I'm gonna take you all down. Not just you, Midoriya, but Todoroki too."

Katsuki stormed out of the room, his frustration evident. Eijiro Kirishima observed, "Katsuki hasn't been this agitated in a while. Something's definitely bothering him."

Fumikage Tokoyami agreed. "Katsuki's anger is consuming him."

As Katsuki brooded in the corridor, Shoto Todoroki noted, "He's really become worse. Something's off."

Later, during a brief interaction in the hallway, Y/N seized the opportunity to break the fourth wall. "Hey, folks! Did you miss me? Look, I know all this teenage drama can get pretty dull. But we're in the middle of some serious high school shenanigans. Hang tight!"

Y/N spotted Monoma, who was fuming from the recent confrontation. "Hey Monoma, remember when I said your Quirk might make you the king of the office supplies aisle? I was just kidding, you know."

Monoma's eyes narrowed in irritation. "Your jokes are just pathetic. Why don't you just—"

Y/N cut him off with a grin. "Oh, come on, don't be so uptight. We're all friends here... or at least, I'm pretending to be one. Besides, it's all in good fun."

Monoma scowled, his frustration palpable. "I'm tired of your nonsense, Y/N. Class 1-B is clearly better than Class 1-A. We're not letting you off easy."

Y/N chuckled. "Better, huh? Well, I guess we'll see. But if you're hoping to prove Class 1-B is superior through jokes and trash talk, you might be in for a surprise."

Minoru Mineta, seizing the opportunity, jumped in with his own jab. "Oh, Monoma, you're the best at taking insults. I've seen you handle criticism like a pro!"

Monoma's face turned red with embarrassment. "That's enough!"

Ochaco Uraraka, who had been listening, added with a playful smirk, "Monoma, you should just take it easy. It's all in the spirit of competition."

Monoma stormed off, grumbling as he went. "You'll all regret this."

In the aftermath of Monoma's outburst, Y/N turned to the audience again. "So there you have it—teen drama, robot battles, and a whole lot of trash talk. It's almost like we're living in a soap opera, but with more superpowers and fewer melodramatic plot twists."

Y/N continued, "But seriously, high school life can be so predictably boring sometimes. Yet, somehow, it's still incredibly entertaining. Who knew?"

As the students of Class 1-A prepared for the end-of-term test, the tension was palpable. The final week of June promised to be eventful, with the test hanging over everyone's heads.