Ripples of Fate

Chapter 60: Under the Spotlight

Mailin's POV

The dorms are alive with excitement as Shoto and Katsuki return, the Provisional Hero Licenses now in their possession. The air crackles with energy as everyone gathers around them, offering congratulations. Shoto, as always, is calm and composed, while Katsuki, well... his temper is on full display as usual. It’s all part of their charm.

Standing next to Shota, I feel a sense of pride watching our students celebrate. It’s been a long journey for all of them, and even though we know the real challenges are yet to come, it’s moments like this that remind me why we do what we do.

"Think he'll survive the media training tomorrow?" I ask, glancing up at Shota with a playful grin, referring to Katsuki. I already know his answer, but it’s fun to tease him.

Shota snorts, folding his arms over his chest. "Bakugo? Barely."

His deadpan delivery makes me laugh, the sound of it drowned out by the noise of the room. I lean in closer, resting my head lightly on his shoulder, feeling the warmth radiating from him. Even in the chaos of these moments, he’s a steady force, grounding me.

"You’re too hard on him," I say, half-joking. "Maybe he just needs a softer touch... though that would probably make him explode."

Shota turns his gaze to me, his expression unreadable as always, but I catch the faintest hint of a smile. "You try giving him a ‘softer touch.’ See how well that works."

I laugh again, but before I can respond, we’re interrupted by the return of the TV broadcast. The interview with Shoto and Katsuki has just aired, and the entire room falls silent as we watch.

Shota’s POV

As expected, the interview starts off well with Shoto, ever the professional, answering the questions without issue. Then comes Katsuki—brash, loud, and unapologetically himself. His shouting fills the room, and I can feel the collective wince from his classmates. I’ve spent enough time with him to know he means well, but it’s clear he’s going to need more than a little help in the media department.

By the time the broadcast cuts back, leaving out most of Katsuki’s footage, the students are in stitches. Denki and Hanta are practically rolling on the floor with laughter, while Katsuki fumes in the corner, muttering something about ‘stupid editors.’

Mailin leans in, her shoulder brushing against mine, and I can feel the smile on her lips without even looking at her. "Told you," she murmurs.

I grunt in response. "He’ll learn eventually. Hopefully."

After a while, the broadcast shifts to the news, and the room quiets again. The headlines are sobering. The Deika City Incident... an entire city nearly brought to its knees in less than an hour.

I glance around the room, noticing the shift in the students' demeanor. Gone are the smiles and laughter, replaced with the heavy weight of reality sinking back in. We’re heroes in training, yes—but the real dangers we’re preparing for are no longer distant or theoretical. They’re happening right now, out there in the world.

Mailin must notice it too. She steps a little closer, her hand brushing mine for the briefest moment, a silent show of solidarity. I look down at her, and for a moment, it’s just us in the room.

"We’ll prepare them," I murmur. "No matter what comes."

She looks up at me, her blue eyes reflecting the same resolve I feel in my chest. "We will."

---

Mailin’s POV

Later that evening, the common room clears out, and we head back to the teachers’ lounge. The snow outside has turned into a soft, gentle fall, blanketing the grounds in white. I pause by the window, watching the snowflakes flutter lazily down to the earth. It’s peaceful... but my mind is far from calm.