Finding Me (Todoroki x Reader)

Chapter 76

What for, I couldn't say, but whatever it was, it had to be pretty well-deserved for me to be sitting here at this hour of the morning listening to a damn lecture.

"Do not take this lightly," Mr. Aizawa said, glaring at us. "A Hero License means you are responsible for human lives. You can imagine the exam to receive one is difficult. Only fifty percent of students pass the test required for these permits each year."

'Seriously?! ' I thought. 'It's that hard? '

"In order to prepare, you will focus on creating something new..."

My attention was drawn suddenly to the sliding door of the classroom entryway, where three of our own UA High School teachers stood: Midnight, Ectoplasm and Cementos.

"...Two ultimate moves."

"ULTIMATE MOVES?!" Kaminari and Mina exclaimed, eyes sparkling as they jumped from their seats in excitement. "An exam is a normal school thing..."

"...but this is total hero work!" Sero and Kirishima finished off.

'Ultimate move, huh? ' I wondered what that could be. It sounded cool for sure, but it also sounded difficult to achieve. 'And by the sounds of it, they want us to create two of them, whatever they turn out to be.'

This would not be easy.

"When we say ultimate," Ectoplasm said, "we mean a move that will ensure you win against your opponent."

"An action so unique to your identity that no other person can hope to copy it," Cementos added on. "To simply put: you must learn to lean into your strengths."

"Your moves represent who you are," Midnight said. "These days, most Pro Heroes have an ultimate move. Those who don't are fools."

"This may sound abstract, but we'll explain more as the day goes on," Mr. Aizawa cut back in, standing alongside the other four teachers up the front of the classroom. "For now, change into your costumes and meet in Gym Gamma."

"Yes sir!"

It didn't take us long to scramble out of the classroom with our costumes and change into them before racing to Gym Gamma. Everyone seemed to be excited for what this training day would consist of, myself included. 'An ultimate move, huh? One that will ensure I win in a battle...' I knew what the teachers were talking about - I'd seen plenty of ultimate moves on the news when Pro Heroes fought - and for the most part, they worked. My favourites were definitely All Might's.

I tried not to let my guilt sting me at the thought of the former Number One Hero

As for Gym Gamma, my classmates and I had never been there before. Remembering how much of a labyrinth Field Gamma was, I was interested - and scared - to see if there was any likeness between the two centres. 'Guess I'll find out soon enough.'

"Hey Shoto," I said, walking alongside my icy-hot friend. "Quick question - and you don't have to answer if you don't want to-"

"Based on that statement alone, I'm guessing what you're going to ask is something you know I'll find uncomfortable," Shoto interrupted, cutting me off.

"...Yes, but just let me finish, okay?"

"If you know I won't like it, then why bother?"

"Because I'm curious! You know this."

"I know you know how to get under my skin."

"And you like me for it."

We both stopped at that, my words hitting me full frontal as everyone walked on around us towards Gym Gamma. Had I really just said that? Out in the open for the whole world to hear? It had just come so naturally, that I didn't even have to think about it.