Drowning. (Shoto Todoroki x OC)

Give into Your Hatred, Little One

Mizuko was thinking they could've gotten anyone else at the Hero Safety Commission to proctor the exam other than Mera, who needed way more than a few cups of coffee. But despite how tired he was while talking, Mizuko clearly understood that only 100/1500 students would pass the first phase of the exam. Those odds weren't good but Mizuko was always known to defy the odds.

"Oh man! I'm getting way more nervous!" Jiro cried next to her.

Mizuko patted her back to help calm her down along with Tsu.

"We will start passing out the balls and targets before we open." Mera yawned at the podium.

Men carrying the boxes filled with the exam equipment hopped off the stage while she heard Shoto question him. "Open?"

As soon as she heard him, she felt the ground shake. She held her arms out to balance her in place as the ceiling and the walls were folding down. The sun's rays were piercing down as the building they were in collapsed. Mizuko was astounded that  there were so many different battle areas in the stadium. She saw a factory, mountain range, a city, and a waterfall. Each was separated by rocky terrain.

Who the hell is paying for all of this?

"I am sure each of you have different terrains you want to work with or avoid. Use your quirks well and do your best. Or not. Whatever. Can I go home and sleep now?"Mera's voice echoed in the stadium.

He's right.. I would probably work best in the waterfall area. But with how many balls we are given, we have to work as a team, as a class.

One of the examiners came by to Class 1A and started to hand out targets and balls. Mizuko grabbed her targets. She placed one on her left hip, one of on her right shoulder, and the final one below her right knee. She made sure they were scattered. She felt Shoto staring at her. But this wasn't her normal loving stare. She could tell he was worried.

"Shoto, what's on your mind?" She pulled him aside separately from the class.

Shoto had a conflicting look in his eyes and looked down at his feet. He didn't want to upset her. "I know you will probably want to fight together but it's hard to use my power with others around. I don't want to hurt you." He told half the truth. He wasn't telling her that Shindo only calling him Endeavor's son upset him earlier. He hated living in his shadow and wanted to prove himself as his own hero.

Mizuko was internally shocked but she somehow maintained composure. This made her think, she would love to work with Shoto but this wasn't about their relationship. This was to ensure they could get the provisional licenses to be on their way to being pro heroes. However, she wasn't a fan of lone wolf approach. She knew he would have a tough time without working in a team due to the nature of the test but she had to believe in him just like he always believed in her.

"You're right..." She spoke softly.

Shoto just went, "Huh?" as he didn't fully understand. He was waiting for her to get mad at him for suggesting they split up for the exam.

"You're right that I would love nothing more than to fight alongside you but I also acknowledge that this is exam for our future as pro heroes. I still think the nature of this test requires teamwork but I trust in your abilities just like you do mine. I personally don't think your power would hurt me but if that's what you think. All I got to say is that I better see you in the next round and you better not act like you did in the Sports Festival!" She warned.

Shoto just stared at her. He thought for sure she was going to be super upset with him. Yes she voiced her disappointment and her concerns but she believed in him. Mizuko was truly someone that Shoto needed in his life as she was the first one to truly believe in him.