The next week and a half was complete and utter hell for Hikari. Every day she studied both at school and home, hoping to get ahead of her past failures. Not only that but she had trained with her full kakuja and cremation breath for the entire training sessions with only a little more control and stamina to show for it. As she was currently, she'd never be able to take on Tatara again, let alone the CCG or Full Counter who both have had yet to show. Hikari went out as Fear a few times and gathered intel, well aware that the CCG was in town but highly confused when they didn't try coming after her just yet. Still, she kept her guard up. She also had not heard any more news pertaining to her brother or her brother's impending attack on her class. Katsuki had also yet to contact her in the slightest aside from the nights he stayed over without a word and slept on the couch, up and gone before Hikari could confront him. With everything spinning out of control, Hikari felt as if she were drowning and only Izuku could see it. He tried helping during their training sessions but all he got in reply was a quick 'I'm fine' and a 'I'm alright' which did little to ease him. Their class also felt the tension as Katsuki was more on edge than normal and Hikari always had a dark look behind her tired eyes. However, that didn't stop everyone from studying intently, and soon, they all took their written exams. Afterwards, they made their way to the assigned exam area where they were briefed. Aizawa stood there with Thirteen, Present Mic, Ectoplasm, Midnight, Snipe, Cementoss, and Power Loader. Despite the confused looks, Aizawa spoke.

"Let's begin your practical exam. It is, of course, possible to fail this exam. If you want to attend the training camp, then don't mess this up. Knowing you guys, you probably asked around…and you might think you have a vague idea of how this'll go…"

Kaminari asked him hesitantly, remembering what Hikari told them, "It's a robot rumble, like the entrance exam?..."

Nezu then hopped up from Aizawa's scarf, making Hikari flinch in the process, "Not quite! Circumstances have demanded a revision to the exam format!"

Yaoyorozu asked the question everyone wanted answered, "A revision…?"

"Well, you see…We were worried about a villain revival. Of course, we hope to prevent such a movement before it takes hold…but as a school, we have to take all necessary precautions. It's not unreasonable to imagine that countervillain battles in our current society will intensify considerably…To begin with, the robots…were conceived of as a means to avoid claims and suspicions that people were being harmed in our entrance exams. From now on, we'll focus on battles against flesh-and-blood opponents. It is critical that our teaching simulates practical experience as closely as possible! As such…you students will be…pairing up…and fighting one of the teachers you see here!"

Uraraka asked quietly, "Against…a teacher…?!"

Nezu continued, "Your pairings and assigned teacher…have already been decided. Your battle moves, your grades, your friendships with one another…All these factors and more were considered, so without further ado…"

Aizawa took over, "First…Todoroki…is with Yaoyorozu…against me."

Hikari grimaced at the look of intimidation her father gave them. That is, until his next words made her anxiety shoot through the roof.

"Next, Midoriya…is with Bakugo. And…your opponent…"

All Might walked up with his fist held up menacingly, "...Will be…Me! You'll have to work together to win…so come at me, you two!"

Aizawa took over once more, "Furthermore….Ashido….and Kaminari….along with Hikari will be against….Principal Nezu. Thirteen vs. Aoyama and Uraraka. Present Mic against Koda and Jiro. Ectoplasm vs. Asui and Tokoyami. Midnight vs. Sero and Mineta. Snipe vs. Hagakure and Shoji. Cementoss vs. Sato and Kirishima. Power Roader vs. Ida and Ojiro. Ten stages have been prepared, and all teams will begin simultaneously. The test guidelines will be explained by your respective opponents. None of the areas are outside the school grounds, but let's not waste any more time. Get going."

~With Hikari, Kaminari, Mina, and Nezu~

Nezu addressed them as he held up some cuffs, "The time limit is 30 minutes! Your objective…is to either get these handcuffs on me or have one of you escape from the stage!"

Kaminari smiled, "Kinda like out battle training."

Mina nodded, "We can really just run away?!"

"Yes. This test is meant to stimulate true battle as closely as possible, So please think of me as an actual villain. Suppose we do meet in battle, if you fight and win, that's fine. However, if you find yourselves overwhelmed by me, fleeing and calling for help might be your wisest option. Your decision-making is being tested. But, given the rules and circumstances, you're probably thinking that running is the only option. That's why we had the support course department make us these compressed weights. This handicap is 50% of my body weight to slow down movement. They were designed by our very own Mei Hatsume. Head to the center of this industrial city and begin when the bell goes off."

Doing as told, the three of them made their way to the center and waited. Soon, the bell rang out and almost suddenly, pipes and buildings started to crash into one another before coming down. All three teens jumped out of the way and Mina freaked out.

"Seriously?! Kaminari, can't you blast some lightning or something?!"

"I can't go wasting shots when we can't even find him, or do you want a useless lump as a partner?!"

The three of them once again dodged more falling industrial pipes. Hikari grit her teeth in annoyance.

"You two stop freaking out and think for once! Do go all crazy on wanting to act! Just focus on either escaping or finding him! He's setting off chain reactions on purpose and judging by how they're making their ways around us, he's trying to block off exits!"

Panicking, Kaminari and Mina looked around them, trying to figure out the best way to either find Nezu or get out before he sealed off their exit. Hikari quickly activated her kakugan and kagune, wrapping her kagune around both of her partners and pulling them back just as more pipes and buildings fell. Hikari bit her lip before spinning, flinging both teammates high into the sky. Both of them yelled in fear at the height but Hikari ignored them. She took a quick breath before forcing her body to transform, entering her full kakuja state. Blue fire left her mouth as she sighed at the feeling. Then, she looked up before realizing one important fact. She could feel her shoulders tingling. Smirking behind the plague mask, Hikari shot out two huge red kagune wings before using them to fly upwards into the air. She used her tentacles to grab both Kaminari and Mina before looking around while she had the chance.

"I see both Nezu and the exit! Pick one!"

Together, Kaminari and Mina shouted, "Exit!"

In an instant, Hikari used her new kagune wings to propel them forward towards the exit, dodging her body side to side as pipes and buildings collapsed all around her from her frantic attempt to have them win. Once she was about 3/4ths of the way to the gate, a sharp pain flashed through Hikari's head and an image appeared. It was Nezu hitting another pipe that was about to come down in front of them and hit Kaminari. Suddenly, Hikari's transformation and kakugan completely deactivated and a painful surge of pins and needles wracked her body.

"Agh! M-Mina! Cushion our landing with a pile of neutral acid!"

Following her instructions, Mina quickly placed her hands in front of them and let out a huge stream of neutral acid. Hikari, Kaminari, and Mina then fell into it, sliding across the ground until coming to a stop on the dry ground below them. Hikari got to her feet with an angered grunt before she slammed her body into Kaminari, forcing both of them out of the way of a falling pipe that Hikari had seen a premonition of. Grabbing the boy by his arm, Hikari pulled him around the pipe with Mina, all three of them running to the exit ahead of them. Seeing another pipe and building about to drop, Hikari pushed into Mina's side, forcing her body to get out of the way and pulling Kaminari with them from the momentum. With a last-ditch effort, Kaminari sent out his lightning behind them, destroying the oncoming wave of falling pipes before they reached them. The intercom then went off as the three of them exited the gate.

"Team Ashido/Kaminari/Aizawa has passed the test!"

Hikari fell to the ground on her hands and knees, the pins and needle feeling in her body still throbbing violently. She tried activating her kakugan or her erasure to no avail. It only resulted in a stronger pain within her body. Nezu made his way over to the three of them and looked at Hikari in worry.

"I see you're in pain and I noticed that your quirks deactivated out of nowhere. Your father filled me in on the situation at hand. Is it safe to assume that one of your grievances showed its ugly head at a terrible time?"

Hikari groaned and sucked her teeth, "Y-Yeah…Agh! Damn it, make it stop!"

Nezu pulled out his cellphone as it was announced that Todoroki and Yaoyorozu won their exam. He dialed a number and waited patiently until Aizawa answered.

"Nezu, since you're calling, did it happen again?"

"It most certainly has. Another…Flash in full kakuja form I'm afraid. I would recommend you meet us at Recovery Girl."

"Yes, Sir."

Nezu ended the call with a calm smile before asking the other two teens to help carry Hikari to Recovery Girl. Upon arriving there, Shouta ran over to Hikari's side and helped her into one of the beds. He activated his erasure and the painful feelings left Hikari's body, leaving behind a numb feeling. Recovery Girl came over and kissed her forehead, helping her body heal from the exhaustion. Hikari opened heavy eyes and turned to look at her father.

"I pushed myself too hard….I didn't keep my focus in check…"

Aizawa quirked a smile, "That's alright. You've still got a long way to go. Don't push yourself too hard just yet."

Hikari smiled softly before closing her eyes, willing her body to relax. Kaminari and Mina got a once over before they were told they were good to go. Hikari turned her head to look at Recovery Girl.

"Is it alright if I have dad take me back to the school beds? I'll rest better in silence."

Recovery girl smiled, "Of course dear. Do be careful in the future. I wouldn't want you getting majorly hurt when your healing factor is temporarily disabled."

"Trust me, I will. I don't particularly enjoy when my quirks go on the fritz."

Aizawa lifted Hikari into his arms and bid farewell to Recovery Girl as he made his way to the bus. Upon boarding it, he sat down and waited as they rode back to the school where he took her inside and to the medical room. He laid her down on one of the free beds and turned to look as Katsuki was then wheeled in and transferred to one of the beds. Worry filled Hikari as she saw the condition he was in, but her father assured her that he was alright. Hikari nodded and watched as her father left, having to go and do some paperwork on the exams. She laid back and closed her eyes, not having the energy to attempt either waking him or waiting for him to wake to speak. Just as she went to drift off, a raspy voice called over to her.

"...I'm sorry…"

Hikari opened her eyes and answered softly, "I know…"

"...I'm frustrated and pissed off….He almost seems like he's so far ahead of me…He keeps…getting stronger…All I can see is his back…I…I refuse to be left behind dammit…"

Hikari heard his voice waver as if he were about to cry. She sighed softly and crossed her arms behind her head.

"...Maybe…Maybe we just need to train harder…together….I…I failed today…I ended up making a mistake by accident and I almost cost us the exam…It's not like I wanted to mess up…I just…I've been so distracted lately…"

"...That's my fault…I'm sorry…for ignoring you and hurting you…I never meant for you to be on the receiving end of my shitty attitude or problems….I just…I don't know how to deal with it…"

"...I accept your apology Katsuki….And I get it….You've always been at odds with Izuku and his recent growth hasn't helped….I'm here….whenever you wanna vent about it or spar to take your mind off of it….I'm here…"

"...Dammit…"

Hikari heard him sniffle and the rustling of his arm furiously wiping away his tears. Feeling the numbness ebb away, Hikari got out of her bed and moved over to his, forcing him to scoot over as she laid next to him, laying his head on her chest as she ran gentle soothing fingers through his hair. Katsuki buried his face into her chest, letting himself cry quietly. She was the only one he wanted to comfort him and be there for him. He had almost ruined that with his bullheadedness but here she was, patient with him even as he showed her the weaker parts of himself. Soon, Katsuki fell asleep against her, his body overworked and tired. As the exams ended, Recovery Girl soon came back to the medical room to see Hikari holding the blond. She shook her head with a small smile.

"He sure is smitten with you. Such a stubborn boy and yet with you he's no more than a house cat. Your father will be driving you three home today. He drove today, figuring that you two would overdo it at some point or another."

Hikari smiled, "Figures. Is he gonna be here soon?"

Both Recovery Girl and Hikari looked at the door as Aizawa spoke, "I'm here now."

Aizawa walked over and helped Hikari pick the boy up before he placed him on his back piggyback style. Hikari followed her father through the hallways until they exited the school and went over to their car. Placing Katsuki in the backseat, Hikari and Aizawa took the front before the latter drove them home. Once there, Mizuki and her husband carried Katsuki inside and up to his room, thanking Hikari and Shouta in the process. Following her father, they entered their home and went their separate ways as he went to relax and Hikari went to shower the day away. As she finished her shower and dressed in her pajamas, she felt her body welcome the familiar surge of energy that her quirks brought with them. She attempted to activate her kakugan and smiled at the sight of it responding. Hikari then left the bathroom and went to sit next to her father on the couch, petting Saki and Koneko as they took their spot upon her lap.

"Katsuki apologized today…He's really beating himself up here recently…"

"I noticed. I believe he may get worse before he gets better."

"I know…but I'll make sure I'm there for him, regardless of if he wants it or not."

"Are your quirks active again?"

"Yeah. I ended up getting a Future Flash of Kaminari and I saved him from some falling pipes after my quirks deactivated. It's so hard to keep multiple quirks in check like this. I know I'll get it eventually but it's crazy."

"I know. I would recommend you stay home until you get them more under control. I don't think going out as Fear with haywire quirks is safe. Not with what you're trying to accomplish."

"I've already decided that. I can't risk Shiggy knowing yet. It's too soon to reveal anything like that."

"Good. I know it's barely the afternoon, but I would recommend you eat something and head to bed. You know you're going to be in a small coma until the morning comes."

"Don't I know it."

Hikari removed the cats from her legs and made her way to the kitchen, warming up something filling before eating and heading to her bedroom. Once there, Hikari climbed into the bed, set her alarm, and was out within seconds.