Finding Me (Todoroki x Reader)

Chapter 119

"Today, we will put you through a special trial. It's about time you started training a new muscle - the one that beats in your chest! If you hold out a hand to someone, will they take it? Not as you are, now. It's fine to have fangs; but when a life is on the line, you must have trust!"

Another set of doors slowly opened at the opposite end of the arena, a powerful energy leaking out through the cracks. Shoto, Yoarashi and Bakugou rose from the ground, all taking up offensive stances. I could've sworn Bakugou smiled.

"You need a special connection with the person you're trying to rescue. Remember that as you train, today. Now, meet your opponents! Through this life or death battle, show that you can come to an understanding with them! That's the hurdle you face."

Such power and strength surged out the doors as they opened fully, overwhelming me from where I sat high in the bleachers. Oh goodness, what kind of person or monster or machine could they be facing today. So much power-

My whole body froze in pure astonishment; for it was not a monster or man or machine that stepped over the threshold. It wasn't some high-ranking hero or powerful fighter. Instead, out-stepped wave after wave of energetic, laughing, squealing elementary school kids.

"You've got to be kidding me..." I muttered, still quite breathless as to the chaos that was unfolding below me.

There seemed be so many of them - around twenty or thirty of them ran and jumped and laughed around the floor. Some of them branched off into smaller groups, each running towards the still stunned quartet and clawing at them.

"Calm down," a middle-aged lady with a black bob and yellow cardigan tried calling to the kids, worry contorting her soft features. "No need to run."

"Haha! You're dumb!" one kid called out as he pointed at Bakugou.

"Yeah," another added, punching the explosive boy's arms. "Bombs are so lame!"

"PLEASE CHILDREN! I need you to listen and behave!"

"These kids are from Asugaki Elementary school," Gang Orca said, voice booming over the racket as he turned to the kid's - I assumed - teacher. "Don't worry. We're taking responsibility for your students, now."

The ravenette's eyes sparkled with tears as she bent over in a low bow. "Thank you for your help, Mr Orca-"

"We're what?!"

One kid with a long snout from beside Bakugou burst into tears, his cries echoing across the whole room as he ran away. I sweat-dropped. Bakugou really didn't know what an inside voice was.

Shishikura let out a quiet huff beside me. "Your classmate certainly is an obnoxious one, isn't he?"

Heaving a loud sigh, I nodded, leaning forward onto the railing. "Bakugou has a temper, all right, one that cannot be tamed so easily. I've seen him be gentle and kind before, but that came from months of hammering at his walls to come down. Connecting with kids... This may just be his toughest fight, yet."

"And what of your other classmate?" Shishikura urged. "That boyfriend of yours. He any good with children?"

Looking from Bakugou to Shoto, I found him surrounded by another group of kids who were playing with the silver vials attached to his utility belt. He looked to be explaining something to them; however, was suddenly tackled to the ground by the tiny horde.

"Shoto is a lot more reserved than Bakugou; and is far easier to get along with, " I said, wincing at the sight of my tackled boyfriend below. "However, his social skills are not the greatest, I must admit."