Ripples of Fate

Chapter 15: Quirk Apprehension Test (April 8, Year 1)

Mailin’s POV:

It’s my first official day assisting Aizawa as he leads his new class, and we’re starting with the Quirk Apprehension Test. The students are brimming with excitement, and I can sense their nervous energy in the air. I’m supposed to be here as a support, in case anything goes wrong. As always, I’m focused on helping, making sure everything runs smoothly.

But I can’t help stealing glances at Shota. Watching him work brings back memories of when we were students here at U.A., when everything seemed simpler. There’s a determination in his eyes now, though—a quiet intensity that wasn’t there before. And it draws me in, just like it always has.

The way he effortlessly commands the class, the way his voice cuts through their chatter... It’s a little intimidating, even for me, and I’m a fellow teacher. He’s always been serious about his work, but now... there’s something deeper, something that wasn’t there when we were younger.

I snap myself out of it. This is work. I’m here to be professional. But when his eyes briefly meet mine from across the training ground, I can feel the familiar flutter in my chest. I know I shouldn’t feel this way, but I can’t help it. Even after all these years, something about him still pulls me in.

The students don’t notice, too focused on their own test results. But I notice. I always notice.

Shota’s POV:

I watch my class go through the motions, one by one, as they test their quirks. Each performance tells me more about them than any file ever could. But I feel... distracted.

It’s because she’s here. Mizuhana.

I glance at her from the corner of my eye, standing just off to the side, observing the students. She’s quiet, calm, the same as always. But it’s that quiet presence that gets to me. I’ve always known her to be steady, a grounding force. Now, it feels like she’s grounding me.

I tell myself to focus. This isn’t the time for distractions. I’ve got a class full of students to guide, and every single one of them is relying on me. But then, every time I look at her, the years melt away, and it feels like we’re students again, back in those halls, figuring out who we were and what we were going to become.

It’s ridiculous. I’m a professional. She’s a colleague. But it doesn’t change the fact that every time our eyes meet, there’s something there. Something that makes me feel like maybe we’re not done with whatever this is between us.

Kaminari messes up his test, and I snap back to reality. “Pay attention, Kaminari, or you’ll end up expelled.” My voice is harsh, but it needs to be. I can’t afford to let these students get comfortable. Not in this world. Not with the challenges they’ll face.

And yet... every time I look at her, all my plans to stay distant start to unravel.

Mailin’s POV:

The students finish their tests, and Aizawa wraps up the day’s exercise with his usual stern, no-nonsense approach. As the students start to disperse, I catch him glancing my way. For a second, I think he might say something, but then he turns away, walking back toward the main building.

I should feel relieved. But instead, there’s a tightness in my chest, an ache I can’t quite explain.

As I follow behind the students, I hear them whispering. “Did you see the way Aizawa-sensei looked at the new teacher?”

“Yeah, they totally have history.”

“Do you think they used to date or something?”

I stiffen at the thought, heat rising to my cheeks. Of course they’ve noticed. These kids are smart, too smart sometimes. And I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t thinking the same thing. It’s just that... whatever this is, it’s complicated.

And deep down, I know it’s only going to get more complicated from here.