The Written Exams

The written exams are almost here, they will be three exhausting days. In my position as 20th, literally last in line, I need to make an effort not to fall behind.I can't, I won't stay behind in training camp.

Fortunately, Yaomomo offers to help the group with their studies. We arrange to study at her house, and the group is heading there.

As we walk, I see the wall of her house. I knew she was rich, but this is ridiculous. This wall must be miles long without hyperbole.

Side conversations came and went, until Jirou and I were behind the group, the topic brought up was to be expected.

"Seeing you threatening to beat up Monoma in front of everyone was unexpected. I see Bakugou, Kirishima, even Todoroki, but not you." Her question is valid, I lost control, I let my feelings get out of control, even though Monoma deserved it, it was not the appropriate place.

"Remember the USJ raid? When all those villains tried to kill us? At no point, with any villain I faced, did I feel the fear I felt when I faced Stain." My words had difficulty coming out.

"Every time Stain cut my flesh and pierced my body I felt that one more inch to one side or the other would end with me dying. It was at that moment that I understood that he didn't kill me or anyone else because he didn't want to."

She was paying so much attention that she barely noticed that we were falling behind, the group moving forward.

"If I, who had no connection whatsoever, felt that, imagine how Ilda felt. And having to listen to that guy talking behind his back... No chance. We didn't go through that hell to hear nonsense from people who have never seen death up close."

We caught up to the group, I didn't look at Jirou much as I spoke. For some reason, she makes me want to open up.

"I'm not judging you. Quite the contrary, I just didn't want you getting into trouble because of that guy." It was comforting to hear your support, Jirou.

...

The group walks along the quiet street, the warm glow of sunlight illuminating their path. Yaoyorozu's mansion looms ahead, its grandeur unmistakable. I'm walking a little behind the others, hands in my pockets, lost in thought.

Suddenly, my phone vibrates with a soft buzz. Glancing down, I catch sight of the screen: Kendo. I'm hesitant, not going to lie, thumb hovering over the notification. For some reason, I don't feel like seeing it right away so I just shove the phone back into the pocket.

But it's too late. Mina, ever sharp-eyed and nosy, catches a glimpse of the sender. A mischievous grin spreads across her face.

"Ain't going to answer that?" A mischievous grin spreads across her face.

Out of all people here... She's not going to let go.

"It's probably just… I don't know, study stuff."

Smooth.

Mina nudges Jirou, who raises an eyebrow but smirks in amusement. I'm so done.

"Sure, sure. 'Study' stuff,' huh? I bet it is."

Sero and Ojiro are now chucking, joining the playful banter.

"C'mon, man, spill it! What did she say? Planning your next date?" Flex tape got jokes now.

"There was not even a first date to begin with. Matter of fact there's no date planned at all." I'm mumbling over my words worst than a ADHD boy talking to an audience.

"Or maybe some special training tips?" Not you too, Ojirou. I feel betrayed.

"It's nothing like that!" Now suddenly I'm at the front of the group walking at a fast pace.

Jirou shakes her head but shoots me a knowing glance, her expression betraying her amusement.

"You're not fooling anyone, Kaminari."

As the group laughs, the mansion's gate comes into view, the teasing continuing until we reach the front door.

...

The group files into the guest hall, and Kaminari's eyes widen at the sheer size of the room. The space is elegant, with high ceilings, chandeliers casting soft light over polished wooden floors, and shelves lined with rows of books that give the place a dignified, almost academic atmosphere. Large windows open to an expansive view of the garden outside, which stretches far beyond what Kaminari would ever consider normal for a home.

Kaminari tries to take it all in, and his mind drifts back to his own house. Although his parents fortune are on par with this level of grandeur, this is on another, different level.

As they all settle into the plush sofas, chatting casually while waiting for Yaoyorozu, Kaminari's phone vibrates again in his pocket. He knows it's the same notification he ignored earlier. This time, feeling a bit more at ease, he takes out his phone, and there it is—Message from Kendo. His heart races for a moment, but he steels himself, deciding to finally check it.

Kendo:

Hey, Kaminari. I just wanted to say I'm really sorry about Monoma's behavior earlier. He can be... a lot.

Kaminari:

Don't worry about it. Monoma's always been like that. It's nothing new.

Kendo:

I know, but still, it's frustrating to see him push people's buttons like that. Especially when it's about something serious, like what happened with Iida...

Kaminari:

Yeah, that got to me. But it's fine. He's not worth the energy.

Kendo:

I just don't want you to think we all feel that way. Most of Class B doesn't share his views, especially when it comes to what happened.

Kaminari:

I know you don't. It's not on you to apologize for him. You're always cleaning up his mess, huh?

Kendo:

LOL Yeah, it's a full-time job at this point. But I guess someone has to do it, right?

Kaminari:

You've got patience, I'll give you that. I would've lost it long ago.

Kendo:

Haha, well, don't give me too much credit. I almost decked him a few times too.

Kaminari:

I wouldn't blame you if you did. Honestly, thanks for stepping in earlier. Things could've gotten ugly.

Kendo:

Anytime. Just don't let him get under your skin. You've got way more important stuff to focus on.

Kaminari:

Yeah, I guess you're right. Gotta save my energy for the next fight, huh?

Kendo:

Exactly! :)

...

Just then, Yaoyorozu enters the hall, her polite smile warming up the room. She apologizes for keeping them waiting and begins passing out the study materials. The atmosphere shifts as the group gets serious, spreading out their books and notes across the long table.

Kaminari steals one last glance at his phone, thinking of Kendo's message, but quickly puts it away as the studying starts in earnest. They're all focused now, flipping through pages and occasionally asking Yaoyorozu for help on difficult topics. Kaminari tries his best to absorb everything, knowing how much this exam could mean for him, and at the same time, grateful for the friends he's with right now.

...

The classroom was filled with the sound of pencils scratching against paper, a heavy tension hanging in the air as each student of Class 1-A tackled their respective tests. The focus of every student was intense, the quiet atmosphere broken only by the occasional rustle of paper and soft breathing. Aizawa-sensei, eyes sharp and observant, sat at the front of the room, his presence ensuring that no one dared glance at their neighbor's work.

Kaminari stared at the paper before him, the questions swimming in his head. He felt his pulse quicken as he thought back to his study sessions with Yaoyorozu and the others. I've got this, he told himself, forcing his thoughts back to the present. He glanced briefly at the students around him.

Jirou, a couple of seats ahead, was scribbling away, focused and determined, her earphone jacks twitching as if matching her thoughts to the rhythm of the test. Yaoyorozu, as expected, seemed at ease, her hand moving fluidly as she filled in each answer. On the other side of the room, Mina's expression was one of sheer concentration, her pencil moving slower as she second-guessed each answer.

Come on, focus! You studied for this. Don't fry your brain now. Kaminari returned to his test, biting his lower lip as he tackled a tough math question. The formulas blurred slightly, but he steadied himself, recalling Yaoyorozu's explanations. Slowly, the pieces fell into place.

...

The results were posted on the giant electronic board outside the classroom. A wave of students gathered, pressing forward eagerly to see how they had fared.

"Alright, alright, I'm next," Kaminari muttered to himself, standing in the back of the crowd. His nerves were dancing, a mix of dread and excitement swirling in his chest. He saw his friends begin to push through the throng of students, and a few already cheered as they saw their names higher on the list.

"Come on, Kaminari! You got this!" Mina called from the front, pumping a fist in the air, her usual confidence intact.

"I dunno about that," Kaminari muttered, eyes darting to the names flashing on the screen as the results cycled through.

Jirou had already checked and smiled, her rank solidly placed in the middle. She offered him a thumbs-up of support, which he returned, though his grin was weak with nerves.

"Kaminari, chill," Sero added, though his voice was tinged with its own brand of anxiousness. "We all studied together, right?"

Kaminari was bouncing on the balls of his feet now, his hands clasped behind his head as he watched the scores flicker. He couldn't help but think back to the countless times he had... well, short-circuited during tests. This time's different, though, he reassured himself. I worked hard for this.

The names flipped over again. Then, finally, his appeared.

Kaminari Raio: Rank 11/20

He blinked. 11? He stared for a moment, letting the number sink in. His heart jumped as a smile split across his face. "I passed," he whispered, almost in disbelief.

"I passed!" Kaminari pumped his fist in the air, the tension in his shoulders finally melting away. Jirou chuckled at his reaction as he practically danced over to the group.

"See? Told ya!" Mina grinned, patting him on the back.

"Not bad, Kaminari. Looks like all that studying paid off after all," Jirou teased, her smile soft.

Kaminari couldn't help but grin even wider. "You guys are lifesavers. I couldn't have done it without all those late-night cram sessions." His heart raced with relief more than excitement at this point, but it was a victory nonetheless.

"Don't forget, you owe us all ice cream now," Sero chimed in, jokingly.

"Alright, alright," Kaminari said, running a hand through his hair as he glanced back at the screen. The anxiety that had weighed him down before felt a lot lighter now. "But hey, I'm not complaining. Ice cream for passing? That's worth it."

As they all laughed and chatted, Kaminari took a deep breath, still reveling in the fact that he had made it through the written exam. In that moment, he realized something—he could keep up. He wasn't just going to lag behind; this time, he had passed without frying his brain.

Now, all that was left was to tackle the practical exam and whatever craziness awaited him there.