In case you didn't know, corn syrup is the most common ingredient in fake blood, just so you know.

Also, updates might slow down for a bit. I'm getting busy with some real world stuff, and most of the free time I've got I've been putting towards my JJK fic (setting up the timeline and researching stuff for canon and historical accuracy mostly) so try to be patient with me for a bit. I just don't want y'all to worry that I'm abandoning TLH if I go radio silent for longer than usual.

Anywho, onto the chapter!

"Oh, four more, one after the other. Our total's at 83."

Hitomi beamed, walking with her head high. It may have been with the help of her three teammates, but she still did it. She passed the first round.

"Whoa, this entire arena's going insane." Eijirou commented on how fast the spots were filling up.

Kaminari stopped, pointing ahead with a grin. "Hey, look, some of our classmates! Aw yeah, Class A represent!"

Izuku, Ochako, and Sero paused, letting the four catch up to them.

"Oh you know it!" Ochako cheered. "Our class is amazing! We did it!"

She, Kaminari, Sero, Eijirou, and Hitomi all started doing a celebratory dance, chanting, "Class 1-A! Class 1-A! Class 1-A!"

Once heading inside the break area, Hitomi quickly scanned the room, gasping joyfully once spotting a spiky black ponytail.

"Momo!"

The ravenette turned, and smiled widely upon seeing her. "Oh, hey! What a relief. I was starting to get worried."

"No need to worry about us, Yaomomo." Kaminari assured. "What's up? When did you guys pass? You been here long?"

"We just finished as well." Mezou answered, standing with Tsuyu and Kyoka behind Momo. "Todoroki beat us here."

"I was kinda shocked Bakugou wasn't here already. But I get it now. It's because you were with him." Kyoka teased, smirking at Kaminari.

"Oh come on! Why is everyone dragging me today?!"

Hitomi patted him on the shoulder. "Actually, he kinda saved the day earlier. It was super cool!"

Kaminari grinned sheepishly, scratching the back of his head.

"Now…" Hitomi swiped up a plate of food from the buffet table, forcing it into Momo's hands. "Eat!" She leaned back, peering around. "Is Sato here yet? I wanna make sure he refuels too."

Eijirou shook his head. "I forgot how aggressively caring you can get."

"Wow. Eight people just passed at the same time. That leaves only nine open spots."

"Our class…" Momo started.

"Still has eight people who haven't passed." Kyoka finished grimly. "I hate to say it, but it's not sounding good for us."

Hitomi winced.

"That's two more in. Seven spots left."

"Six spaces remain."

"Five left! Make that four! The pressure's on now! In the final minutes, UA came together and pulled off some absolutely insane combos!"

"Did he just say UA?!" Kaminari sputtered excitedly.

"Three spots!"

"Come on guys!" Eijirou crowed, pumping his fists.

"Oh! That's one in from Shiketsu High! So only two spots remain!"

Suddenly, an alarm blared.

"The last students from UA passed! Every spot is now filled! One hundred students will advance! The end is finally here! Wah-hoo!"

"Yeah!" Eijirou, Hitomi, and Kaminari all cheered.

"We did it! Our whole class!"

Hitomi slumped, sighing deeply. "Thank goodness."

"Alright. For the hundred of you who passed the first test, please turn your attention to the screen."

The massive monitor changed, going from a wide-shot of the entire arena, to a close-up on one building.

Which promptly blew up.

The class gaped, as the screen changed again, showing another one, that also collapsed in an explosion. Over and over, in each zone, the arena was being destroyed.

But Hitomi realized what was happening, and started grinning.

"There's only one more round of the exam. Your goal is simple; undertake rescue exercises and save the bystanders who are trapped in these disaster sites."

Hitomi's fists clenched, her body coiling with anticipation. "Rescue training."

"Save the what-now?" Kaminari and Mineta cluelessly parroted.

"Bystanders." Hitomi repeated for them. "Citizens, civilians— the every-day people who are there when disaster strikes. Like the dummy from our last training exercise."

"Use this time to show how you will carry out successful rescue procedures once you receive your provisional licenses. Treat this as though it were the real thing."

"On the screen." Mezou drew their attention back to it.

Sato gasped, approaching the group. "Little kids and old people?!"

"That's so dangerous! Why're they here?" Mineta gripped his head, aghast.

"They're not kids and old people." Hitomi watched on, unbothered by the actors getting into their places.

"What are you talking about?!" Kaminari pointed at the screen, horrified. "Those guys are—"

"She's right, you moron. Just shut up and watch." Katsuki barked, scowling up at the footage.

"These specialists have been trained as professional persons in need of rescue. They're very popular. Introducing the Help Us Company. Also known as the HUC for short."

"See."

"The HUC bystanders have dressed up like injured victims and will be located throughout the disaster site. We'll be judging how well you keep them safe as you go about your mission. Oh, by the way. We'll be scoring you on a point system. If you have more points than the benchmark at the time the exercise comes to an end, then you pass the exam. We'll start in ten minutes. Take care of any necessary preparations now."

Hitomi stood tall. Unlike with the first round, she had full confidence that she could ace this test with flying colors.

"Alright." She clapped her hands. "Everyone should drink some water, and eat something. We'll need all our energy!"

Without paying any mind to Ejirou's snickering, Hitomi split from the group and headed for the table with meats and hearty snacks. Just because she wasn't using her Quirk, didn't mean she didn't have to eat her usual diet.

She hummed to herself, grabbing a paper plate and filling it with anything that caught her eye.

Heels clicked, approaching her on her right.

I didn't see Sato with a plate, I should get enough for him too.

The heels stopped right next to her, the girl wearing them standing at Hitomi's side.

And I hope Aoyama's doing okay. His Quirk always upsets his tummy—

Hitomi dropped her plate, her fur standing on end.

The blonde girl from Shiketsu stared at her.

Now in Hitomi's right hand, was the girl's left wrist. Caught and stopped just inches away from her bandaged cheek.

"What… are you doing?" Hitomi spoke lowly, her face blank of any expression, but her pupils narrow.

The Shiketsu girl smiled, despite her hand steadily losing color. "I wanted to see what's underneath. How it's healed."

Hitomi's blood went cold, and absently she felt a pop and something give in the girl's wrist. Yet the blonde's expression never changed.

Danger. Danger. Danger. Hitomi's mind wailed, lights flashing and sirens booming. There was something horribly wrong here— wrong with this girl. So Hitomi just kept staring, her hand tightening and tightening, until the girl's face showed a flicker of pain.

Then, the girl's hand was wrenched away, and familiar form put itself between them.

"Everything okay?" Kaminari was smiling at Hitomi over his shoulder, but it was mirthless, and tense.

Hitomi swallowed, ducking her head.

"We were just—"

"I wasn't asking you." Denki cut off the Shiketsu girl, eyes narrowing slightly. "Look, I saw what happened. I have a pretty strict no hitting girls policy, but I could make an exception, unless you back off."

The Shiketsu girl didn't seem fazed, shrugging. "No problem. I was just curious."

She turned, sauntering away, cradling her left wrist.

Denki sighed, relaxing marginally. "Jeez, what a creep. Shame how hot she is, it's wasted on her." He shook his head, turning and studying Hitomi closely. "You okay?"

Hitomi nodded stiltedly, ignoring the way her right cheek burned. "Y-yeah. Thanks."

"It's no problem. I'm just glad I noticed. Your ears and tail were like, twice their normal size, and your face was white. I don't think I've ever seen you that shaken up."

"Yeah…" Hitomi murmured. "That girl just… feels off."

Denki nodded, humming. "I get it. She did seem kinda unhinged, the way she was staring at you."

It was reassuring that she wasn't the only one to pick up on the blonde's strange fascination with her bandage.

A shrill bell rang, announcing that their time was up.

"Villains have performed a large-scale terrorist attack spanning all of Insert City Name Here. Since most buildings collapsed, there are many injured."

The room— like the first one, started to unfold, opening up entirely.

"Due to heavily damaged roads, the first responders have unfortunately been delayed for the time being."

"What is with these rooms?!" Denki sputtered.

"Until emergency services arrive, the Heroes in the area will lead the rescue efforts. Your task is to save as many people as you can and help the injured. And with that… Begin!"

The hundred examinees all raced out into the arena.

"Let's start by heading to the closest urban area!" Tenya led the charge. "We'll work as a team as much as possible."

Hitomi wasn't sure about that plan. The more people she was around, the harder it would be to pick up on the scents of bystanders.

"You're going on your own again?!" Mina said judgmentally toward Katsuki.

Perfect.

This time Eijirou didn't have to drag her along, himself, Hitomi, and Denki tailing the irate blonde.

"Why are you damn extras always following me?!"

"We just wanna!"

"Alright!" Hitomi confidently crowed, running faster to overtake Katsuki. "Follow me! I'll lead us to the bystanders!"

"Don't tell me what to do!"

"You got it, Hitomi!"

"Yeah, Ōkami to the rescue!"

She smiled, chest warming.

This was her time to shine.

…

She could smell corn syrup, and immediately veered off, darting toward the source.

"Eh? Hito—"

Hitomi pressed a finger to her lips, silencing Eijirou's questioning.

She closed her eyes, ears rotating on her head.

…There!

A large piece of debris leaning against another almost covered the civilian completely, but their sniffling and whimpers were loud enough for Hitomi to catch. Going by the high pitched tone the actor was using, it was safe to assume it was a "child" who was trapped.

Hurrying over, she kneeled down, peeking under the debris and smiling softly at the "boy".

"Hi there, I'm a Hero, and I'm here to get you out. Care to tell me your name, sweetheart?"

The "boy" stopped whimpering, settling Hitomi with a considerate look, before plastering on the face of a terrified child again. "S-Satoshi. My leg re-really hurts."

Man, these guys were good. Even the actor's scent was bordering on true fear.

"Nice to meet you, Satoshi, I'm Ōkami. Everything's gonna be okay. Just sit tight and let me move this." She nodded at the debris, careful not to touch it yet. Looking behind her, she gestured to Eijirou, her face now set in a look of hard determination. "Red Riot, come help get Satoshi out while I lift the debris. Be careful not to jostle his leg."

"Uh— right!"

The piece thankfully wasn't that heavy— by her standards at least.

Eijirou hardened his skin, ducking down and gently scooping Satoshi up.

"Got him!"

Hitomi breathed out slowly, lowering the debris back down instead of just dropping it.

"Whoa, that's a lot of blood." Denki casually commented on Satoshi's appearance.

Hitomi smacked her forehead.

A vein bulged from Katsuki's head. "You fucking idiot—"

"Minus points!" Satoshi bellowed, glaring at Denki.

"What?! Aw man…"

"You're pretty good at this, Hitomi." Eijirou praised, still holding Satoshi.

"Minus points! Always use other Heroes' proper code-names!"

While the redhead flinched, Hitomi reached into her pockets, pulling out a roll of bandages.

She had brought them expecting she would have to use them on herself, but this was more important.

"Charge-Bolt, find me something thin, and sturdy. About this long." She held her hands almost a foot apart.

"Uh, okay?"

While Denki searched, Hitomi smiled again at Satoshi, gently wiping some of the fake blood off of his face, using some disinfectant pads.

"This may sting a little, sorry." She warned, knowing full-well it wouldn't.

The actor dropped the persona again. "Do you always carry medical supplies with you?"

Hitomi winced, answering honestly. "No sir. Only when I expect to get hurt."

He narrowed his eyes. "Your first priority should be in making sure bystanders and victims are protected and cared for. Do better."

Hitomi nodded. "Yes sir."

"I found a stick!" Denki came running back, waving around a decently thick twig.

"Good work."

Using the bandages and the stick, Hitomi made a makeshift splint, tying it around Satoshi's "broken" leg.

"How's that? Not too tight?"

Satoshi checked the stability of the split, then gave a hum of approval. "Good enough with what you had."

"Alright, we should get Satoshi someplace safe, then continue to comb the area for other civilians." Hitomi dictated, getting nods from Eijirou and Denki.

But Katsuki was scowling.

"…You know, you could carry him while still searching, if you would use your Quirk."

Hitomi stiffened.

"…Well, when I'm in that form, I'm bigger and more likely to bump into things. And with how precarious the debris everywhere is, it's better not to."

Katsuki leveled her with a long, unimpressed glower.

"Right."

He didn't buy a word of that…

Well, no matter, they had work to do.

…

"Help! Someone!"

"We've got two more." Hitomi called over to the boys, pointing down toward two bystanders in a low part of the mountain zone.

"My arm hurts pretty bad." The woman cried, holding onto her right arm.

"Mine too." The man held onto his left. "Save us!"

"Shut up! Save yourselves, you whiners!"

Hitomi hung her head. "Dang it, Katsuki."

While Eijirou and Denki scolded him, Hitomi slid down the rocky decline, checking the two civilians over once near them.

"Sir, ma'am, I know you must be scared, but if you're strong enough, do you think you can make your own way to the shelter? My team and I are still searching for people in critical condition, children and the elderly. But if you do need an escort, we can take you there."

The civilians looked to each other, then back at Hitomi.

"We don't know the way." The woman argued.

Hitomi smiled reassuringly. "It's actually not far. Just on the edge of the city. If you keep to the outskirts, there shouldn't be much in your way."

They traded another glance, then nodded.

"Because we're adults, and low-priority bystanders, there's no point deduction for trusting us to make it on our own. However, that boy's tone was wildly inappropriate. Minus points."

Oh no.

"What the hell did you say?!"

After restraining Katsuki, and keeping him from yelling at the citizens any more, Hitomi sent them on their way.

"You can't just go feral on people like that, dude!" Denki chastised.

"Tch. They didn't even need any help!"

"Yeah, but you could've handled it calmly, like Hi— Ōkami, instead of snapping at them." Eijirou rubbed his forehead in exasperation.

"Whatever." Katsuki spat, still worked up.

Denki splayed his hands. "Okay, what now—"

The ground shook, rumbling and cracking from the force of another explosion nearby.

"A Villain has completed another large-scale attack. Terrorists have appeared and are beginning to sweep the area. Hero candidates at the scene should continue their rescue efforts while also suppressing the newly-arrived Villains."

"You're kidding!" Denki despaired.

Hitomi sighed through her nose. "Can't say I wasn't expecting something like that."

"Come on, let's help keep the Villain's away from the shelter zone." Eijirou suggested.

"Right." Hitomi turned, walking ahead.

"And what do you expect to do?"

She stopped.

"What do you mean, Bakugou?" Denki frowned.

Katsuki glared at the back of Hitomi's head.

"What can you even hope to do, without your Quirk?"

Her breath hitched.

"What're you talking about?" Eijirou questioned the blonde.

Katsuki kept his burning gaze on Hitomi. "Well? You really think you'll pull this off Quirkless? Don't be an idiot."

Hitomi flinched, turning and smiling with faux confusion. "Huh? What's my Quirk got to do with—"

Katsuki scowled harder, and Hitomi swallowed dryly once picking up on his scent.

He was furious. And… disappointed.

"You're seriously gonna half-ass this? Like you don't even really care about winning? You're just going to spit on all the work you put into bettering your Quirk before this? As if it was never even there, and doesn't matter."

Hitomi's smile weakened as he spoke, before falling altogether. "Katsuki—"

He scoffed, shaking his head. "I can't believe I ever thought there was more to you, but you're just a coward."

It felt as if she was punched in the gut.

"The hell, man!?" Denki glared at him.

"What's your deal, Bakugou?!" Eijirou crossed his arms.

Katsuki didn't show any sign of remorse.

"If you somehow win this thing without using your Quirk, then you don't deserve the damn license at all."

Hitomi recoiled, eyes burning with tears that had been building.

"Hey!" Denki called defensively again.

"You're taking this too far, man." Eijirou frowned, his brows furrowing.

Katsuki turned on his heel, stomping away without a care.

"If she can't handle this, and can't use her own Quirk, then she shouldn't even be here."

Hitomi flinched, staring wide-eyed, her shoulders trembling.

"Dude!"

"Bakugou!"

Eijirou and Denki watched him go with conflicted expressions, their scents varying with concern, and anger mostly. They were hesitant, clearly, stuck between staying with her, or keeping a leash on Katsuki.

So she made the choice for them.

"Heh, sorry guys!" Hitomi croaked a laugh, scratching the back of her head with a ditzy smile.

This is fine. I'm okay with this. I'm okay.

"You two go on ahead with him." She chirped, ignoring the confusion and worry the boys showed. "I'll catch up at some point. You three should stick together!"

"Hitomi." Eijirou's voice was low and cautious.

She waved a hand, turning in the opposite direction that Katsuki did. "Don't sweat it! Really! I'm fine! Just hurry up and follow Katsuki."

Without giving either of them a chance to say anything, she clicked her heels and kicked off, skating away as fast as she could.

This is fine. He was right. I deserved to hear it. I'm okay. This is fine.

…

"What the hell was that?!" Kirishima all but roared once he and Kaminari caught up to him.

Katsuki kept his chin up, glaring ahead.

He would not feel bad for telling her what she needed to hear. He would not feel bad for pushing her to use her Quirk. He would not feel bad for making her cry. He would not feel bad—

Her eyes flashed by in his head, wide, and wet, and hurt.

No. No. Mr. Aizawa confided in him the danger Saito was in, potentially being replaced soon if she couldn't use her Quirk at least once, and get her license. She needed a push, and Katsuki was willing to fall on the sword and give it.

He would not feel bad about hurting her. If that's what it took to keep her in the class. In the desk in front of him, always fidgeting or humming, with her ears twitching when she heard something no one else could, her tail swinging out from the open back of her chair, barely brushing against his legs when he lounged back and stretched them out. Or how she would lean her chair backwards and beam at him upside down.

"Why are you telling me, and not Ponytail?" Katsuki asked their teacher quietly, his fists clenching in his pockets.

"Because Yaoyorozu would stress over it, and lose focus on the exam. I'm not asking you to set aside your own goals to cater to Saito's needs, I just know that if you're in the position to, you'll help out in only the way you can. She looks up to you, and values your opinions. If you get the chance, use that."

Yeah, easier said than done—

Katsuki stumbled, taken aback by the sudden shove. When he looked back, he saw both Kirishima and Kaminari glaring at him. He couldn't tell which one was actually ballsy enough to full-on push him.

Probably Kirishima.

"What. The. Hell?!" Kaminari threw his arms up, clearly outraged.

"Why would you go off on Hitomi like that?" Kirishima asked, calmer than his friend, but still obviously pissed.

For just one fleeting moment, something hot, and bitter, and green seared Katsuki's chest.

(Why were they so adamant to defend her?) Because they're her friends. (So why is he feeling like this?) Who the fuck knows.

"She needed to hear it."

Kaminari sputtered idiotically. "In what world— You actually made her cry!"

"Seriously. It was brutal." Kirishima looked like a disappointed parent.

Katsuki clenched his fists. "Look, I don't give a fuck about what either of you think. Saito has to use that damn Quirk during this exam, otherwise she's getting transferred out of 1-A."

The anger on their faces fell, replaced by mounting concern.

"Wait, for real?" Kaminari hesitated to believe it.

But Kirishima was now frowning for a different reason than his previous ire. "That's what Mr. Aizawa was telling you. Isn't it?"

Katsuki nodded once. "Yeah. She doesn't know. And neither does anyone else. Until now."

"You know, there were other ways to get her to use it." Kaminari scolded him, still defensive over her, even with the reasoning.

(Again with that faint green feeling.)

"Whatever. Let's go kick some Villain ass."

After a beat, the two followed him, willing to trust Saito would be fine on her own, and hopefully resort to using her Quirk.

Katsuki refused to acknowledge just how damn hard he was hoping.