My Healer Academia (Bakugo x OC x Todoroki)

[S2] Encounter

               When they came back from their internships, the students of class 1-A had yet another obstacle in their way: final exams. The written portion was easier to manage, for everyone had their own methods to study better. However, as they stood in their costumes outside for the practical portion, it was more tense.

               "As you all know," Aizawa said, "this class consists of twenty one students. However, for the purpose of the practical exam, everyone will still be paired up evenly."

               Principal Nezu popped out of Aizawa's scarf, exclaiming, "For various reasons, the exam will be different starting this time!" He continued to explain as he climbed off the homeroom teacher. "From now on, we want to focus on person-to-person combat and hero work, and stress teaching that is closer to actual fighting. So... We'll have you form teams of two to fight against one teacher!"

               "In addition," Aizawa said, "the pairs and who each pair will be up against has already been decided. We've called in a student from class 1-C to fill the gap in numbers." Aizawa turned to his fellow group of teachers, all of the students watching as they stepped to the side to reveal who had been hidden from sight. Everyone in class 1-A's eyes widened, and Ai couldn't help but tense when the familiar but unacquainted face looked straight at her. "Hitoshi Shinso and Ai Shuzenji, you two will go against Vlad King."

               "I don't think we've formally talked before," Ai said, "Shinso-kun." She held her hand out for him to shake, glancing up with a warm smile.

               "No," Shinso said. "We haven't." There seemed to be a prominent scowl plastered on his face as the two separated from their grip.

               "I'm glad we're not the first team up." Ai gave a small laugh, hoping to lighten the mood. "It gives us time to strategize! I was thinking-" She couldn't talk anymore. Her body was overwhelmed with a weight that made her completely motionless, and though it sent shivers down her spine when Shinso placed a hand on her shoulder and leaned in, she couldn't escape. His breath was deathly cold against her ear.

               "Aizawa-sensei approached me with this opportunity," he said, "and I'm not about to waste it on whatever half-hearted plan you're thinking of." Ai's fingers twitched at her sides, meaning to clench in fists. Half-hearted? As she listened, her stare was expressionless, but Shinso's words weighed heavier than his quirk. He leaned back, a hand in his pocket as he stared down at her. "At the sports festival, you kept letting your peers get ahead of you round after round. If you want to pass this exam, then just do as I say."

               The terrain was the same as Iida and Ojiro's battle, though it had been restored from the potholes that were previously made. Perfect, Shinso thought. The two of them faced down with Vlad King, who was surprisingly quiet despite his roaring hero persona. Tsk. He knows about my quirk, huh?

               The exam starts now.

               Shinso sprinted with Ai not far behind. Vlad King laughed at their ambitious approach, running himself and calling his quirk forward. It was when the blood spewed from his hand did Shinso duck, and behind him came the force of jumbled vines. "Sensei," Shinso said, backing away as the brainwashed student and teacher held each other within their collision. "We're in the ideal environment for Ai's quirk – I don't think you'll win this one."

               Despite how badly Vlad King wanted to counter Shinso's taunting, the hero didn't give in. Instead, more blood erupted from his back and caught hold of Shinso's torso, hoisting him up into the air as it hardened. His arms were trapped at his sides, and he grit his teeth in annoyance. His eyes narrowed at Ai, who moved automatically.