Finding Me (Todoroki x Reader)

Chapter 99

Unfortunately, the weekend had passed by way too quickly for my liking; and thus my classmates and I were sitting back in our seats listening to Mr. Aizawa. However, today's topic was a little more interesting than the usual routine.

"The hero work studies are a more serious version of your internships," Mr. Aizawa said, standing at the front of the classroom. "They entail helping Pro Heroes on the streets and with investigations. Your principal and teachers discussed them at the faculty meeting, and we all agree: it's too soon. They really should be cancelled."

Silence encapsulated the room as we all let the words sink in, all of us staring wide-eyed up at our homeroom teacher. Cancelled? Did that mean...

"WHAT?!" we all cried out, our voices shaking the room - and probably the whole building, too.

"Aw!" Kirishima whined. "But we already met about them!"

"I guess, when you think about why we had to move into the dorms, it does make sense," Kaminari muttered, his fingers playing with the tufts of Ojiro's tail sitting in front of him. As much as I noticed that, he probably hadn't.

"Aha!" Bakugou suddenly cried, slamming his hands on the desk and standing up with a stupid grin on his face. That was new.

Toru in front of him let out an exasperated sigh, mumbling, "Just because you wouldn't get to do one..."

She was right: Bakugou wouldn't have been able to do one because he failed the Licensing Exam. The same applied to Shoto. I spared the icy-hot boy a quick side glance, but his face didn't give away a single thought. A neutral stone wall void of emotion, as usual. I could easily read his energy levels, but I thought it best not to. Shoto, I had learnt, was quite an insecure person; and I didn't want him to feel even more exposed from me using my quirk. No, if he had something on his mind, he we would tell me like I told him.

That was, at least I hoped he would.

"But..." My attention flew back to Mr. Aizawa, who's face had become even more serious than before. "Some people think that we won't be able to raise strong heroes with that sort of protective outlook. And with that in mind, the compromise is to be selective about participating agencies; so, choose one with a proven track record. Otherwise, you won't be taking part."

"DAMNIT!"

"We still get to do hero work studies," I breathed out, ignoring Bakugou explosive outburst. "Isn't that great news, Momo?"

The ravenette turned to smile at me, replying, "Yes, indeed it is. Although if this is the compromise, it is going to be tougher to find an agency; let alone one that will actually take us on."

Momo was right: not only did we have to find a hero agency that has a proven track record, but we also had to prove to them we were worth taking on. It wasn't going to be easy, but if we really wanted this, we would find a way. And I really, really wanted this. Besides, I had a promise to keep.

"I swear, All Might, that from here on out that All for One will be defeated... I will make sure he will never harm anyone, again."

"True," I said, taking out a workbook from my bag, "but I'm sure we can do it. We've all made it this far, so what's the point in stopping now?"

"Um... not all of us."

My eyebrows knitted together at Momo's comment. That was, until I followed where her finger was pointing over my shoulder to see Shoto slouching - actually slouching - in his chair.

"I'm sorry," he said, eyes transfixed to his desk. "I should've passed the exam like the rest of you."

"WAH?! Don't say things like that, Shoto," I cried, my mother-mode kicking in as I stood up to fret about him. "We've talked about this, already. There's nothing to be sorry about."