The Red String of Fate [ S. Todoroki x FEM oc ]

Chapter 15: Calvary Battle Begins!

3rd Person's POV

Midnight walked onto the stage as soon as the Obstacle Race ended.

"The first challenge is over! Now, let's take a look at the results."

The scoreboard lit up on the screen behind her, and the crowd murmured in anticipation. Midnight then turned back to the audience with a smile.

"Only the top 42 contestants will move on."

A wave of mixed reactions rippled through the stadium-some cheered, while others groaned. Midnight, ever the entertainer, quickly reassured them.

"Don't worry if you didn't make it! We have plenty of other events planned for you."

Then, with a mischievous glint in her eyes, she clapped her hands.

"The next challenge is... a Cavalry Battle!"

A buzz of excitement filled the air.

"The participants can form teams of two to four people with whoever they want. It'll follow the same basic rules as a normal cavalry battle, but your points will be based on your placement in the obstacle race!"

Gasps and whispers filled the crowd as the scoreboard shifted to display the point distribution.

"The first-place winner..." Midnight grinned, pausing for dramatic effect. "...has ten million points!"

A collective gasp echoed through the stadium.

Midnight presented the points on the screen, and Kaori, who was listening, genuinely felt bad for the first time.

All eyes were on Midoriya.

"You have fifteen minutes to choose your teams! Go!"

...

The moment the next event was announced-the cavalry battle-Kaori already knew she was in trouble.

She wasn't particularly worried about the competition itself. No, it was the way she caught people's attention during the obstacle race that made her sigh.

And as expected-

"Tsugikuni-san! Would you like to team up-"

Before the boy could even finish his sentence, a firm grip wrapped around Kaori's wrist, pulling her backward.

Her small frame stumbled slightly before she found herself pressed against something solid-warm.

A strong arm wrapped around her waist, keeping her steady.

She looked up, blinking.

Todoroki.

His expression remained unreadable, but his eyes-his heterochromatic eyes-glinted with something cold as he cast a sharp glance at the boy who tried to ask her to join his team.

"She's with me."

The boy flinched, stepping back instantly. "O-Oh, uh-okay then."

Kaori blinked, momentarily stunned, her cheek resting against Todoroki's chest. "Uh Todoroki-kun?"

"You're with me." His voice was calm but absolute, leaving no room for argument.

Kaori blinked. "Wait, what-?"

"I don't like the way that guy was looking at you." His heterochromatic eyes flickered toward the boy, who stepped back instinctively at Todoroki's cold glare.

"You're on my team," he said firmly, releasing her only to gently guide her toward the others.

She glanced at the other members-Yaoyorozu and Iida. A strong team. Still, she narrowed her eyes at Todoroki. "You could've asked, you know."