Momo Yaoyorozu sat in the library surrounded by books. No one was there since it was after school hours, making the library peaceful. Her long dark hair, which was usually up in a ponytail, was down. The soft locks flowing over her shoulders. She was consumed in her book when a soft voice came from behind her;
Momo whirled around to see a pair of brown and blue eyes starring at her. Shoto Todoroki stood with a pair of books of his own in his hands.
“Shoto.” Yaoyorozu says cheerfully, “Can I help you with something?”
She couldn’t help but notice that Todoroki seemed shy, even nervous. He was a quite boy, she knew that. But he usually wasn’t what Yaoyorozu would consider timid or nervous.
“Yes, I wondered if you could help me figure out something. May I sit with you?” Todoroki asks, breaking her from her thoughts as he gestures to the seat beside her.
Yaoyorozu nods and he takes the seat beside her.
“What are you reading?” He asks softly, taking the corner of her book trying to see the title.
“I was researching on the license exam coming up soon. I’ve always wondered if I would make it to this point, now I want to do my best to pass.” Yaoyorozu says matter of factly.
She was glad her voice sounded calm and even because inside it was a different story. Her and Todoroki weren’t close necessarily. They were partners in the same school, they both worked toward the same goal, to be a hero. But inside, no matter how much Yaoyorozu fought it, deep down she always wanted to get to know this quite boy better. Who in so many ways she felt was better than her.
“Yaoyorozu?” Came the soft voice again,
Yaoyorozu blushed when she realized she had been staring at him.
“Sorry.” She said quickly, turning her face away. “What do you have?” She asked. Trying to quickly change the subject.
Todoroki looked down at his stack of books, “Just textbooks,” he replied. “But that’s not what I’m here about. I wanted your help with something else.”
Grateful for the change in topic, Yaoyorozu nodded and said, “Of course. What is it?”
Todoroki looked down at his hands, trying to find words, “Yaoyorozu, what kind of hero do you want to be?”
This question took Yaoyorozu aback slightly. She was surprised Shoto was asking her something that was slightly personal.
Gathering her thoughts she replied gently, “I think like anyone else I want to be the best I can be. I know I’m not very good right now, but I strive to be someone others may look up to in time. And become better with my quirk.”
Todoroki nodded in agreement and seemed to take this in. Yaoyorozu sat quietly, wondering if she should ask him the same. She knew his past wasn’t the best and she didn’t want to push anything. But Todoroki seemed to read her mind and said,
“I agree with that. Being related to the second best hero puts pressure on me. I think 1-A knows how hard my dad pushes me to be the best. Being the best hero is a noble thought. I hope to be the best hero in my own way though. Not the way my father wants me to be the best.”
Yaoyorozu was a bit surprised. Todoroki never really opened up to people, the fact that he was opening up to her so randomly was intriguing.
“Shoto,” Yaoyorozu says gently, “Why are we talking about this?”
Todoroki takes a deep breath and seems to think hard about the question. It feels like forever before he finally replied,
“Have you ever considered us being a couple, Momo?” Todoroki asks. His eyes meeting hers.
Yaoyorozu’s eyes widen in shock. Yes, she had thought about it but she had tried not to dwell on it.
Dumbstruck, she stuttered, “I...I... I mean...”
Todoroki’s eyebrows draw together in concern, “I’m sorry, was that to bold?”
“No, no. That’s not it, it’s just... a shock is all.” Yaoyorozu takes a deep breath and gathers her thoughts. Her heart ramming into her chest, trying to keep her voice steady she says meeting his eyes,
“To be honest, yes. I have considered it. We would be a compatible couple I believe. The way we work together during battle and strategize shows that much. Are you saying you want us to be more than friends, Shoto?”
Shoto stares at her for a moment, then says,
“The reason I asked if you wanted to be a good hero is because I wanted to hear what your goals are. If they match mine. And they do. And I think we could make each other better hero’s than we could be alone. But to answer your question, yes. I would like us to be more than friends or classmates.”
Yaoyorozu has to contain herself from squealing in excitement and keep her heart from jumping out of her chest.
Her excitement bubbles over though and she leaps from her chair and throws her arms around Todoroki’s neck. He’s taken aback momentarily, but soon his arms wrap around her waist and he hugs her back.
Yaoyorozu smiles to herself, maybe she would get to know this quite boy more after all. She didn’t see a reason why this wouldn’t work out. Yaoyorozu pulls away and sits down in her seat blushing. But Todoroki takes her hands in his and says,
“Can I tell you something Momo?”
“Of course.” She says, smiling at him.
Shoto leans forward and kisses her cheek as he says gently, “You should leave your hair down more often. I like it like that.”
