💥 SLOW UPDATES !!!
⎯ naoko todoroki decided she'd go through a hell hotter than her own fire for people who never deserved it.
OR
⎯ in which the youngest todoroki joins ua against her father's wishes, and grapples with what it means to be a h...
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Naoko liked Iida. The boy was one of the first classmates she'd ever interacted with, and though much of the class tended to poke fun at his behavior and attitude, Naoko thought it was endearing.
He was a very genuine and respectful boy. It was clear in the way he checked in with all their classmates about whether they were struggling with material, in the way he'd effortlessly share words of praise at any semblance of success made by a student. He encouraged his classmates to always do their best, and helped where he could—his desired role as a hero already beginning to fill out.
With that in mind, Naoko stared across the arena at the bespectacled boy.
Since her realization that Shoto may not have been what she'd always thought, she started second guessing herself to an extent that was really fucking with her mind. If Shoto wasn't like Endeavor, yet he saw the Number Two Hero in her, was... was he right? Was she deluded since childhood, her vision and sense clouded by a selfishness she must've inherited?
Naoko never thought of fire as something harmful—it had the potential to destroy, but it always depended on whose hands it erupted from.
But still... maybe Shoto was onto something when he chose to tuck away his flames. Maybe she really was no better than her father and it was only a matter of time until that came to light-
No, it did come to light. The red haired girl stood stock still on the concrete, mind flashing with images of pain that her fire has caused.
She'd burned Touya. She'd burned Natsuo. They both had assured her it was okay and the blame was never on her, but she knew Natsuo still had a scar on his wrist—she saw it every time he set her down for bed, and every time he dressed her wounds.
She'd caused a lot of damage during the entrance exam. Of course, she had made it her goal to reduce collateral as much as possible, but there were collapsed robots that she couldn't prevent from shattering windows and building walls.
And though she'd sworn to do her best never to use her real firepower on a person, she still seared through the skin and flesh on Shigaraki's arm, his blood seeping through her fingers and bubbling under her touch.
She seriously had to tone it down before she hurt anyone else. Otherwise she'd be certain that Shoto was right.
Iida bowed toward Naoko as Present Mic announced their fight one last time, the girl reciprocating the action.
"Remember folks! This battle determines who Todoroki Shoto will be fighting during the semi-finals! His diligent class prez, or his sweet baby sister? Let's get this show on the road so we can find out!"
Naoko could only sigh in the split second before Present Mic shouted, "Start!"
Iida rushed forward, his engines immediately going to work. Naoko sent herself forward with a burst of fire, wanting to meet in the middle to reduce any chance of her being pushed out of bounds. The two students exchanged blows in quick succession, their movements almost a blur to those watching. Somehow, even after minutes of fighting at quick speed, neither student seemed to be tiring.
