It's Lunch time.
I remember my offer to Todoroki-kun. He remembers it, too.
We are the last ones to leave class. We head toward the cafeteria in comfortable companionship.
"Do you have any guesses where I've been eating lunch?" I ask in a light tone.
He responds just as lightly. "I was guessing by the koi fish pools."
Not a bad guess. Alright then. We will eat by the koi fish pools. I don't correct him by saying that I've actually been eating my lunch inside the forest where that lily pond and gazebo are. I'm not ready to bring him there yet. Lately, I've been enjoying eating by myself there. The sun shining off the water, brightening the shades of the lotuses and lilies; sunlight from the right angle illuminating the interior of the wood gazebo in a hazy golden brown shade; the scent of fresh earth and wildflowers; the breezes blowing gently across the meadow. It's my little paradise. And I'm only going to bring someone special to my paradise.
The elevators are still undergoing maintenance repairs, so we use the stairs. Rather, Todoroki-kun uses the stairs as most people do. I have to place both feet on a step and keep a strong grip on both the railing and my cane. It takes me minutes to climb down a set of stairs that only takes Todoroki-kun a few seconds. Moreover, my feet ache by the time we've climbed down all the sets of stairs. I'm not complaining, though. I've been climbing down these same stairs for the past week to get to the meadow; I can't reveal my pain now.
We reach the cafeteria hall. As usual, it's crowded. We make our way to the food counter round and about, swerving and sliding through students. By the time we get there, I'm panting. Screw hiding my tiredness. I think the sleep-deprivation is causing more problems for me than I originally thought. I'm clinging to my cane tightly with one hand and my food tray with the other. I feel exhausted to my core. Todoroki-kun has to link arms with me to keep my feet moving. He looks visibly concerned. I let him pull me through the mass of students, out the building doors, and toward the koi fish pools.
He sets me down so that my back is resting against the pool boundary. I drop my cane beside me. He sets my food tray beside me and sits next to me, opens the bottle of water in his tray, and gives it to me. I smile weakly and accept it. Once I finish drinking, he takes the bottle away and sets it next to my tray. "Did you have another series of flares last night, Hanada-chan?"
Right. That's the lie I gave him last week when he asked why I was sleeping in class. I maintain that lie. "I did. I've never used my quirk in one day as much as I did during the trial of battle. So I've been dealing with the pain during the weekend."
"Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Just don't tell anyone. Especially not Aizawa-sensei. I don't want to give him another reason to condemn my pride."
He smirks. "Yeah. It'll probably be as concise and sharp as last time. Something like, 'All the more reason to not show off your quirk. That I'm-better-than-you attitude hurts you more than your opponent. At this rate, you'll be visiting the infirmary more often than Midoriya. We'll just have to reserve one bed for you and you only.'"
I stare at him a long moment before I laugh. "I agree! Sensei will definitely say that I'm going to be a permanent resident of U.A.'s infirmary. I'll spend more time in a hospital bed downing medicine after medicine than in class filling notes about English and Math." He's laughing now, too. "Bring me flowers when you pass by, Todoroki-kun."
He scoffs. "Anything else, Your Majesty?"
"Yes, completed notes, completed homework, and ice cream when it's on the cafeteria's menu of the day."
"Going to make me do all the work, huh? And what will you do for me?"
"You're going to ask the person confined to bed rest to do something for you? How rude."
He shoves me this time.
I don't realize how fast Lunch flies by. We're having so much fun just bantering like this. It's only when I happen to glance at my watch that I realize that if we don't leave now, we, rather I, won't make back to class in time. We get up and head back inside. After returning our food trays and now empty water bottles, we return to class by the same stairs. Todoroki-kun carries me bridal style until we've crossed all the stairs. I'm a blushing mess when he sets me down, and he notices it.
"What happened?" he asks, confused.
"Nothing. You caught me off guard when you asked if you could carry me up the stairs," I squeak, which only increases my embarrassment.
His confusion only rises. "I only helped a friend. Had you tried to climb, you would be late to class and in much more pain. That's why I asked."
"I know, I know. My emotions are acting up. Don't pay any attention to them," I rush out, and before I can embarrass myself further, I turn away and walk to class as fast as I can with a cane, leaving a bewildered Todoroki-kun behind me.
He catches up to me and shakes his head. "You're mad and weird, Hanada-chan."
I laugh nervously. We get to class, but Iida-san yells at us. "Both of you are late!"
Todoroki-kun and I groan simultaneously.
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Image URL: https://ipm.missouri.edu/MEG/2018/5/antsOnPeonies/PeonyMarshmallow.jpg
YOU ARE READING
Blossoms of the Dark
RomanceHanada Selene. Todoroki Shouto. Two troubled souls living troubled lives. But they somehow find solace within each other. They first met in a dream, and later again in real life. Both of them were initially wary of each other. But with time, the...
