𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗦 ⌈𝐈⌔𝐌 ✗ 𝔽!𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑫𝑬𝑹⌋

Chapter 057

CHAPTER 57: The Weight of Heroism

As the first phase of the exam concludes, the one hundred students who passed now face a new challenge: rescuing members of the Help Us Company trapped in a disaster zone. These professionals, acting as injured civilians, are strategically placed to test the students’ ability to respond to real-life emergencies.

You stand alongside your classmates, a ripple of tension and excitement running through the group. Izuku's eyes are focused, filled with the same unwavering resolve you’ve come to recognize. “This feels like Kamino all over again,” he murmurs. “We have to do our best.” His words hang heavy in the air, a quiet promise to himself—and to everyone who’s counting on him.

Nearby, Hanta nudges Denki and Minoru, whispering with a conspiratorial grin. “Did you see Midoriya with Camie? She was practically naked—man’s living on ultra hard mode.”

Denki’s jaw drops. “Wait, what?!” Minoru lets out a pathetic wail, throwing his hands in the air. “Why does he get all the weird luck?!”

You release a sharp breath through your nose, barely restraining an eye roll. “Guys, wait—” Izuku flounders, trying to explain himself with a panicked stammer, you glance off to the side—only to see Camie waving at your group with a casual smirk.

Your eye twitches.

The nerve. Now she wants to be friendly? After all that nonsense during the exam? You clench your fists, forcing the irritation down. There are more important things to worry about than someone who plays games with other people’s trust.

The arrival of the Shiketsu students pulls everyone's attention back, their presence immediately grounding the group. Jokes fade, expressions sharpen, and just like that—the test continues.

Nagamasa Mora greets you all, his demeanor polite yet serious. “Bakugo, did you encounter Seiji on the battlefield?” he inquires. Katsuki, his expression unreadable, responds curtly, “I knocked him out,” which elicits an apologetic nod from Nagamasa. He speaks of fostering a positive relationship between U.A. and Shiketsu, but your attention is pulled toward Inasa, who glares at Shoto.

“Yoarashi, do you have a problem?” Shoto questions, confusion flickering across his face. Inasa’s retort is venomous, stating he hates both Shoto and Endeavor. His words slice through the air, and you can’t help but feel the tension simmering between them.

As the conversation shifts, laughter fading and focus returning to the looming task ahead, you take a step back from the group. The noise begins to blur, like distant echoes in your ears, while the pounding of your heart grows louder. Amid the banter and strategic talk, you realize you're no longer entirely present in the moment.

Your eyes flicker toward Izuku.

You want to say something. Anything. To call his name, to bridge the small but growing distance between you—but your voice catches in your throat.

There’s a heaviness settling in your chest. A quiet storm of realization that’s been building beneath the surface, now rising with startling clarity. It's not just admiration or respect you've felt for him all this time. It’s something deeper. Something harder to name.

You wish you had more time. To sort through it. To understand why his encouragement steadies you. Why his touch grounds you. Why you find yourself drawn to the light in his eyes, especially in moments like this.

But there's no time.

The countdown blares across the field, sharp and urgent. Reality rushes back in like a wave crashing against your thoughts. Your hands curl into fists at your sides, a silent effort to center yourself.