Mailin’s POV
The atmosphere is thick with tension as the fifth and final round begins. I stand next to Shota, watching as Izuku leads his team through the twisted steel landscape of Ground Gamma. Hitoshi is somewhere out there, and I can’t help but feel a strange mix of pride and apprehension. He’s worked so hard for this, and yet the stakes feel higher than they should. Every student out there is giving their all, but there’s an added weight on Hitoshi’s shoulders.
I can see it in the way Shota’s fingers twitch subtly by his side, the small movements betraying the calm mask he always wears. He’s worried about Hitoshi too, though he’d never say it aloud. Neither of us would. We’ve trained him for this, and now we have to trust him to stand on his own.
“They’re moving fast,” I murmur, eyes following Izuku as he charges ahead. “But I’m worried about him. He’s been uneasy since the last round.”
Shota nods, his gaze sharp. “One For All is putting a lot of strain on him. Something feels off.”
We both know it. Izuku’s power is growing in ways none of us fully understand, and while I’m proud of his progress, the unpredictable nature of it keeps me on edge.
---
Shota’s POV
From the start, I can tell something’s wrong. Izuku’s been on edge, and as soon as Monoma’s voice echoes through the arena, that unease bubbles to the surface. Neito's got a mouth on him, always looking for a way to rile someone up, and it’s working. I watch Izuku tense, the telltale signs of frustration in the way he clenches his fists, his body ready to spring into action. He’s being taunted, provoked.
I hate seeing my students manipulated like this, but it’s part of the exercise. They need to learn to keep their cool under pressure, no matter what.
Suddenly, Izuku lunges at Monoma, his frustration snapping through the air. And that’s when it happens.
A dark, violent energy erupts from his arm, tearing apart his equipment. My heart skips a beat. What the hell is that?
“Stop the match!” All Might’s voice shouts, filled with panic. He’s losing control.
My instincts scream to intervene, but I hold back. Izuku’s struggling, pleading with himself to stop, to regain control, but the black tendrils are lashing out wildly. It’s chaos—his power running rampant, a storm that’s pulling everyone into its destructive wake.
"Shota?" Mailin’s voice is calm, though I can feel the tension beneath it.
“Not yet.” My voice is sharper than intended, but I can’t look away. If it gets worse, I’ll step in. But something tells me to wait. I need to see if they can handle it.
---
Mailin’s POV
My heart is in my throat as I watch the scene unfold. Izuku is wrapped in darkness, the energy surrounding him is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. This isn’t the Quirk we know—it’s something deeper, more volatile. Hitoshi is standing there, watching, caught between shock and action. For a moment, I want to scream for him to run, to get away from the danger. But then I see it in his eyes—the determination.
And then there’s Ochaco. She’s running toward Izuku, her small frame barely a blur against the chaos. She’s fearless, diving in to help him. I feel a pang of pride—she’s grown so much.
She’s calling out to Hitoshi, urging him to help. His hesitation is palpable, but then something clicks. The panic fades from his eyes, and he pulls off his vocal cords.
YOU ARE READING
Ripples of Fate
RomanceAt U.A. High School, aspiring heroes are trained to fight, protect, and heal. For Mizuhana Mailin, her dream of becoming a hero is not about power or fame-it's about saving lives. With her water-based quirk that focuses on healing, she stands apart...
