Red Like Roses // BNHA × OC //

{10} Reparations or Revenge

Was this really happening?

This can’t be happening.

The thoughts circled through my head all at the same time as Mika cranked the volume on the television. With hopes that I had been misunderstanding the entire situation, I listened carefully to the high-pitched reporter’s  statement.

“Helicopter views tell us tonight’s attacks started here between blocks 20 and 21 in Hosu. The trail of smoke and destruction paint the path made by the internet’s most famous villain, Stain.”

The reporter guided their camera and sound crew through the taped off streets, gesturing to the collection of smashed windows and broken street lights in the city.

“I think it’s safe to say no one will be walking these roads anytime soon. With rumors of copycat villains taking Japan by storm, I leave our viewers with this question: will things return to normal for our Pro Heroes, or will The Hero Killer’s movement achieve its goal and change the system for good?”

The reporter signed off by referring back to the two anchors, leaving their question to sit with viewers across the country.

I could feel my heartbeat in my fingertips. It wasn’t long until my hand began to shake, and I quickly steadied my grip on my laptop. My brain started to tune out the sound of the news reports, Q, Mika. All I could think about were the unnamed UA students being rushed to the hospital just seconds ago.

How could someone do this? To kids?

Better yet, how could they go out without backup? Will they get in trouble? Does this mean they’ll be kicked out?

Nothing felt for certain then. The only thing I could say for sure was things in the Hero Course were more intense than I thought.

“Rose.” Mika snapped me back to reality by holding her hand against mine and turning the TV off.

I shook my head and the concerned thoughts away, turning my eyes down to my laptop where Q hadn’t stopped trying to reach me. I let him finish telling me this shouldn’t be anything to freak out over, but his words went in one ear and out the other.

When he took a pause, I simply said, “I’ll call you back,” and closed my laptop before he could change my mind. Mika slid over, leaving me room to sit next to her on the couch. I left my laptop on the end table and leaned my head back, taking a breath and reminding myself not to get overwhelmed.

“What now?” was all I could think to ask.

“Whatever comes next. If we like it or not, the only thing we have is the power to keep moving forward.” She ended her sentence flatley, keeping her stare towards me without even a blink. I tried searching her eyes for any trace of doubt but came up with nothing but honesty in pools of forest green.

For once, I welcomed Mika’s perspective. She was right; there was hardly anything we could do. I wasn’t going to let this get to me. I still had something to prove as the transfer of 1-A, and knowing the other students don’t mess around, I would have to work twice as hard to get on their level.

After this, I wasn't sure I wanted to be on their level anymore.

⋘══════∗ {•『 ❀ 』•} ∗══════ ⋙

I should have been in class, but instead I paced the hallways of UA. My boots squeaked against the freshly waxed floors, breaking the thick silence every now and then.

The first warning bell rang through the halls. I should have been fishing notebooks and pencils out of my backpack in class, but I was following Q through the halls.