Under Pressure

Chapter One: Entrance Exams

"You've got to be kidding me," I mumble under my breath as I walk into the presentation room.

It was already halfway packed, every row inhabited by jittery and anxious hopefuls, all wanting nothing more than a spot at UA this year. I was the same as them, except that I had a little more of an advantage. I was one of the five students applying with an official recommendation.

I silently take a seat in the back row, the seat along the aisle, and slump down tiredly. Dropping the small bag I had brought with me at my feet, I rest my chin on my hand.

In complete honesty, I didn't really sleep all too well last night. It's not because I was nervous, even though that might have factored in a little bit, but for some reason my insomnia just didn't feel like subsiding.

"Excuse me."

My eyes snap up to see a boy standing at the end of my aisle, right next to me. He has a blank and disinterested look on his face and I can't help but recognize him immediately.

Damn, he's even more attractive in person than he was on his file.

"Is that seat taken?"

I glance to the empty seat beside me that he is referring to before looking back up at him. "No, have at it," I reply, moving my bag so he can walk past and sit down.

As soon as he takes his seat I can feel his eyes on me, and I know he's trying to figure something out. I keep mine forward and slouch back down, placing my hands into my jacket pockets. A hand sticking out in front of me causes me to look to my left.

"Hello, I'm Sho-"

"I know who you are," I cut him off, taking his hand in mine and shaking it, "Shoto Todoroki, one of the five applying to UA on an official recommendation. Your quirk is Half-Hot Half-Cold, which is insanely powerful in combat."

His eyes light up in confusion and I can tell that he doesn't understand how I knew all of that information. With a sigh, I pull my hand out of his and shove it back into my jacket pocket.

"Don't worry, I'm not a stalker or anything," I shrug nonchalantly, though I can still feel him watching my every move, "Just did my research. I'm (Y/n) Ito, and I'm also one of the five applying on official recommendation."

"Ito, as in, Sakami Ito? The Hallucinator?"

"That'd be it," I tense slightly, already annoyed at the mention of my father's name.

Shoto must notice my uncomfortableness with the topic because he doesn't press it any further. He turns his eyes to the front of the room and looks down to the same place I am. Present Mic looks as if he's about to start his speech as his eyes scan the sea of students.

"Nice to meet you."

"Likewise."

A few more late comers walk in, including a boy with spiky blonde hair and another with messy green hair. The blonde looks royally pissed off, probably from the rambling green cinnamon roll behind him. I watch as the green haired boy trips over his feet and stumbles a little, his face immediately turning a deep shade of red.

"Cute," I laugh under my breath.

Shoto glances down at me and follows my eyes to the source of my comment. Just then, the boy trips again and nearly lands in the lap of the spiky blonde. A quiet chuckle comes from Shoto as he looks over at him.

"Whats up, UA candidates! Thanks for tuning into me, your school DJ! Come on and let me hear ya!" Present Mic yells, his voice booming from the stage.