Teachers pet (COMPLETE)

Chapter 41: A Test of Skill and Control

Mailin’s POV

The anticipation in the stadium is suffocating. Even though I’ve trained for this moment, my heart pounds in my chest like it’s trying to break free. I can feel the weight of Aizawa-Sensei’s words from our last training session: "Focus on precision." I’ve practiced my special moves nonstop, but nothing prepares you for the real thing.

Stay calm, Mailin. But my mind keeps drifting to Aizawa-Sensei. His calm, calculated demeanor. The way he seemed to watch me just a little closer during training. I shake my head, forcing myself to focus. Not now.

"Only 100 of you will pass," the examiner’s voice snaps me back to reality. A pit forms in my stomach, but I steady myself. You’ve got this.

As the stadium opens up into the vast battlefield, I take a deep breath. The terrain is chaotic—perfect for hiding, for sneaking up, for taking down targets. I glance over at the others. Izuku looks nervous but determined. Todoroki is calm as always. Bakugou... well, he’s already itching for a fight.

We all know the other schools have their eyes on us. Aizawa-Sensei’s reminder that we’re always targeted feels more real than ever. My fingers brush over the targets attached to my body—they feel like bullseyes, just waiting to be hit.

"Work together," Izuku says, his voice steady despite the tension. He’s right, but Todoroki and Bakugou both take off in different directions. Typical. I hesitate for a moment, then decide to follow Izuku. Safety in numbers, right?

Suddenly, a powerful gust of wind throws me off balance. I barely manage to throw up a telekinetic shield to protect myself, but it’s clear—this isn’t going to be easy. The other students are already targeting us. I can feel their eyes on me, waiting for any sign of weakness.

Focus, Mailin, I whisper to myself. My telekinesis flares to life around me as I prepare to defend myself. Just another test. Just another challenge. I’ve trained for this.

But then, out of the corner of my eye, I spot something—or someone. Ms. Joke. She’s way too close to Aizawa-Sensei, laughing like they’re best friends. My focus slips for a second, and my telekinetic shield flickers.

"You’re in love," Mina’s voice echoes in my head, teasing.

No. Absolutely not. But seeing Ms. Joke laughing with him... it stings. More than I’d like to admit.

Before I can spiral, a ball comes straight for me. I barely dodge it in time, my heart pounding. Get your head in the game, Mailin.

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Aizawa’s POV

I see them scattering already. Typical. Todoroki and Bakugou—always thinking they can handle everything on their own. Class 1-A has potential, but they’re still young. They don’t fully understand the weight of their decisions yet. This exam is going to push them to their limits.

Ms. Joke’s laughter pulls me from my thoughts. She’s too close—again. I know she enjoys pushing my buttons, but I don’t have time for her antics right now. My eyes scan the battlefield, and I catch sight of Hoshino. She’s faltering.

For a moment, I wonder if it’s the pressure of the exam. But then I follow her gaze... and I see where her attention is. Ms. Joke.

Of course.

I can feel the tension rising in me, but I don’t let it show. Emotions don’t belong here. Not now. But still... Hoshino’s distracted. She’s better than this. She needs to focus, or she’ll be taken out.

I step away from Ms. Joke, my eyes locking onto Hoshino. She can do this. I’ve seen her power. She just needs to stop letting her emotions control her.