The Villainess's Journey To Heroism

Chapter 13: Fire

The air crackled with tension. It was the fourth day of their internship, and the scene unfolding before them was anything but ordinary. A school, engulfed in flames, with molten lava spreading like a fiery serpent across the grounds. Heroes, their faces grim with worry, struggled to contain the inferno, their efforts hampered by the unpredictable nature of the disaster.

"Everyone accounted for?" Best Jeanist, his voice sharp with urgency, addressed the frantic teachers, who were frantically counting heads.

"Yes... yes, everyone is here," the headmaster stammered, his voice shaking. "Except... except for..."

A wave of panic washed over the crowd. The headmaster's voice trailed off, the unspoken fear hanging heavy in the air. One student was missing.

Hina stood frozen, her heart pounding in her chest. The scene was a stark reminder of the past, of the time she had almost taken a life, of the guilt that still gnawed at her. She couldn't let that happen again.

"Hina, no!" Best Jeanist's voice boomed, but Hina was already running, her feet barely touching the ground.

"Hina!" Bakugou's voice, laced with both concern and frustration, echoed behind her.

The heat was intense, but Hina felt nothing. The dragon's blood coursing through her veins made her immune to the flames. She pushed through the inferno, her eyes searching for the missing student.

"Help!" a small voice cried out from within the burning building.

Hina's heart leaped. She found him, huddled in a corner, his face streaked with tears.

"It's okay, little one," Hina said, her voice soothing and calm. "I'm here to help."

The boy, his eyes wide with fear, looked up at Hina.

"You're not scared of the fire?" he asked, his voice trembling.

"No," Hina smiled. "I'm not scared."

As she reached out to comfort him, a searing pain shot through her hand. The boy's quirk, uncontrolled, was causing the flames.

"I'm sorry," the boy whimpered, his eyes welling up with tears. "I didn't mean to hurt you."

Hina, ignoring the burning sensation, hugged him tightly. "It's okay," she whispered. "It's okay."

The boy, sensing her calm and unwavering strength, began to calm down. The flames around him started to subside.

"You're a good boy," Hina said, her voice soft and reassuring. "You're going to be alright."

As the flames died down, Hina gently led the boy out of the burning building. The relief on the faces of the teachers and students was palpable.

"Hina!" Bakugou yelled, rushing towards her, his face etched with concern. "You're alright!"

He threw a thick cloth at her, his face a mixture of relief and annoyance. "Your clothes are ruined," he grumbled, his voice gruff.

Hina blushed, her cheeks burning hotter than the flames she had just walked through.

Bakugou, watching her, felt a pang of guilt. He couldn't face the fire, let alone save a child from it.

Hina, oblivious to his internal turmoil, smiled at the boy, who was now happily reunited with his classmates. She had done what she had to do, and she had saved a life. That's all that mattered.

Hina slumped against the wall, her shoulders slumping with exhaustion. The adrenaline had worn off, leaving her drained and aching. She ran a hand through her hair, the heat from the fire still lingering on her skin.

"I can't believe I lost it," she muttered, her voice laced with frustration. "My necklace... it was gone."

Bakugou, who had been standing nearby, looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"

"My necklace," Hina repeated, her voice tight with distress. "The one my mother gave me. It was silver, with a little dragon charm..."

"A necklace?" Best Jeanist, who had just finished tending to the injured, joined them, his expression a mix of concern and amusement. "You were more worried about a necklace than your own safety?"

Hina sighed, her frustration growing. "It wasn't just any necklace. It was a gift from my mother. It had sentimental value."

"I understand," Best Jeanist said gently. "But you have to be more careful, Hina. You risked your life to save that child. You did a remarkable job, but you can't afford to be reckless."

Bakugou, who had been silent until now, added, "Yeah, you were lucky this time. But what if the fire had been worse? What if you had gotten hurt?"

Hina looked at them both, her eyes brimming with tears. "I know," she whispered. "I know I was reckless. But I couldn't just stand there and watch. I... I had to do something."

Hina nodded, wiping away a stray tear. "But don't worry," she said. "I'll be more careful next time."

"Good," Best Jeanist said, his voice firm but kind. "Now, let's get you cleaned up. You've earned a good night's rest."