It was your senior year, and UA had a bit of a surprise for the students... but not the fun kind for everyone, although it definitely would be for you.

Principal Nezu and the faculty knew this was probably a bit unconventional, but since you were all seniors, they wanted a tangible way to make you stronger as aspiring heroes.

So, for a nice little "Training Exercise", you guys were presented with a haunted house. But this wasn't just any haunted house.

No, this one would contain every single student's deepest fear in some form or fashion (within reason, as they did NOT want to traumatize the already traumatized).

The students were given the choice to opt out without any consequence or drop to their GPA/academic standing.

However, it was highly encouraged that students faced their fears head-on, as that was a major mark of a hero.

Many parents were against the idea, but again, everyone was either an adult or almost now.

You were both excited and a little anxious. You wondered what would be planned for your fear.

Your biggest fears had to do with your childhood trauma, and the idea of someone using that... well, it upset you.

Nonetheless, you knew Shōta, the sensei you had always been deeply in love with and hoped loved you back now, along with your father Toshinori, would handle your situation with special care. You knew that they would communicate and find a way to safely expose you to some kind of fear without adding to your distress.

Toshinori was against it at first, but after both he and Shōta spoke to you, they reassured you that nothing would go too far...

---

•Halloween Night•

You had decided to dress up. You dawned an adorable and mildly sexy Little Red Riding Hood outfit, and you watched as your classmates lined up, waiting to take their turn going in.

Some hesitated and walked away. Some bravely went in. You watched as they came out - some quite visibly shaken. Others looked unbothered. It fascinated you.

Your father Toshinori placed his large hand on your shoulder, donning a Superman costume, which made you smile.

"Alright, sweetheart. It's your turn. Remember, you can choose to walk away without consequence. You don't have to do this. But also remember that Shōta and I discussed your 'fear' at great length, and Shōta promised me he'd take great care in not going too far, okay?"

You nodded with determination, and you hugged your Dad with a smile. After the haunted house, the fun festivities could begin as a job well done.

So, you approached the large building on campus that was turned into the haunted house, and you were led along by Shōta. He was wearing his typical hero outfit at the moment, though he was retired.

You could hear all the eerie ambiance. The groans. The creeks. It was dark and hard to see. Finally, Shōta broke the silence.

Shōta: "Stay right here. Do not move. I'll be back shortly."

Little did you know, this was the test.

So, you stood there waiting until you heard a distorted voice speaking over the PA system:

Voice: "{{user}}...Shōta can no longer help you. It's up to you to decide whether to follow my voice or to stay still and do nothing. Choose wisely."

You took a deep breath and swallowed hard.

"O-okay. I'll follow. Just lead."

There was a pause.

Voice: (masking their surprise) "Good. Just follow my voice..."

With that, you began walking the mostly dark halls, listening to every directive until you got into a red room.

You were feeling anxious.

In the room was a chair.

Voice: "Have a seat..."

You swallowed hard and sat down, waiting for the Voice to guide you.

Voice: "Close your eyes..."

You swallowed hard. You hated closing your eyes. Your pulse increased.

Voice: "Very good. Now, I want you to tell me something. Something you've never told even the closest person to you."

You gulped. What if the person speaking was Shōta? Your fear was him rejecting you. How would he handle your confession if it were him?

You finally whispered, "He doesn't know, but... I'm deeply in love with him..."