Finally, the exam was over. The chaos of the mock city gave way to an eerie calm as the zero-pointer retreated and the remaining robots powered down. The whir of medical bots filled the air, their mechanical arms moving with precise efficiency as they lifted the injured onto stretchers. The scent of scorched metal and dust still lingered, mixing with the antiseptic smell wafting from Recovery Girl's station. Students sat on the pavement, some clutching bruised limbs, others staring blankly at the sky as the adrenaline faded. Thankfully, none of the injuries seemed serious—mostly scrapes, bruises, and a few sprains. A few minutes later, Recovery Girl, UA's school nurse, arrived to tend to the wounded but not all of them only those who had broken something. She moved with practiced efficiency, her Quirk healing the students with a simple kiss while also handing out candies to us. It was fascinating to watch, though I made sure to stay out of her way. I didn't need her help—I'd made it through the exam with few bruses.
After changing out of my tracksuit and into casual clothes, I met up with Kendo. She was waiting near the entrance, her arms crossed and a thoughtful expression on her face. I walked over, feeling a mix of exhaustion and relief.
"How did your exam go?" I asked, breaking the silence.
Kendo shrugged, her tone casual but her eyes sharp. "Not bad. I had to help people at the end, though. Otherwise, I might've scored a few more points. But I think helping people will count for something. Not sure how much, though."
I wasn't surprised she'd figured it out. Kendo was always cool-headed and smart, the kind of person who could adapt to any situation. It was one of the things I admired about her.
"And you?" Kendo asked, tilting her head. "Bet you racked up a ridiculous number of points."
I smirked. "Oh, you know. Just barely scraping by."
Kendo snorted. "Yeah, right. I bet you left the rest of us in the dust."
I shrugged, playing it cool, but she kept staring, amused. She knew me too well.
She raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying my vague answer, but she didn't press further. Instead, we started talking about how many points we might have scored. I downplayed my own estimate, not wanting to come off as overconfident. Kendo, on the other hand, was more open about her performance, though she kept her tone modest.
Around us, the murmurs of other students filled the air. Some were excitedly comparing scores, while others looked anxious, their voices tinged with uncertainty. Most seemed to have scored in the 20s or 30s, though a few admitted they'd lost count in the chaos. I didn't blame them—the exam had been a whirlwind of noise, destruction, and adrenaline.
When we finally left the exam grounds and met up with my parents, I could see the look of anticipation on my father's face. He was practically vibrating with excitement, his eyes darting between Kendo and me. My mother, on the other hand, looked more composed, though her smile betrayed her eagerness.
"So?" my father asked, barely able to contain himself. "How did it go?"
I exchanged a glance with Kendo before answering. "We think we did well. Both of us might make it into UA."
My parents' faces lit up, their relief and pride evident. My mother clapped her hands together, her smile widening. "That's wonderful! I knew you could do it!"
My father grinned, ruffling my hair in a way that made me feel like a kid again. "I'm proud of you, son. Both of you."
My mother, ever the planner, turned to my father. "We should take them out to dinner to celebrate. What do you think?"
My father nodded enthusiastically. "Absolutely. Where should we go?"
Before I could suggest the barbecue place I'd been craving, my mother and Kendo started discussing options. They quickly settled on a French restaurant, completely ignoring my input. I sighed, realizing I was outnumbered. Somehow, I had a feeling my mother and Kendo getting along might not be a good thing for me.
The French restaurant they chose was elegant, with soft lighting and a menu full of dishes I couldn't pronounce. As we sat down, I couldn't help but feel a little out of place. My mother and Kendo were already deep in conversation, their laughter filling the air. My father seemed content to sit back and enjoy the atmosphere, though he occasionally chimed in with a joke or two.
"Kendo," my mother said, resting her chin on her hand, "if you get into UA, please keep an eye on Jin. He doesn't make friends easily. I worry about him, you know."
I nearly choked on my drink. "Mom—"
Kendo, completely ignoring my protest, nodded solemnly. "Of course, Aunty. I'll make sure he doesn't turn into a loner."
"I'm right here," I groaned, but my father just chuckled while Kendo gave me a smug grin.
"It's for your own good," she teased.
I slumped in my seat, accepting my fate. Somehow, my mother and Kendo conspiring together felt like the real battle I had to worry about.
The rest of the dinner passed in a blur of good food and lighthearted teasing. By the time we dropped Kendo off at her house, I was both relieved and a little grateful. Despite the embarrassment, it had been a nice way to unwind after the stress of the exam.
As we drove home, I leaned back in my seat, feeling a sense of accomplishment. The exam was over, and I'd done my best. Now, all that was left was to wait for the results.