The Catalyst (Can We Change the World?)

Chapter 3

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Denki knew what the others would think of him. Especially when he overused his quirk- he knew they all found him stupid. But he wasn't stupid- he knew that.

He was just as smart as the others but his quirk hindered his reputation. No, it was what the short-circuiting that made them think he was stupid. None of them even considered the fact that he was in extreme pain after overusing his quirk. Just like others.

They probably didn't consider the millions of volts that rushed through his body frying his brain momentarily. Sure, it didn't kill him but that didn't hurt. Excruciatingly.

And that Midoriya guys had broken his bones five times already but everyone praised him for being strong and smart but isn't that exactly what Denki was doing? Using his quirk and hurting himself with it?

So why was it different when the others did it?

Because they looked smart?

And sure they were all friendly towards him; Denki was a nice guy. He was friendly and likable but he always seemed to be at the receiving end of a joke. He was the punchline forced to laugh along with them because he liked having friends.

He never was the type of person to do things by himself.

"Hi." A voice said. Denki looked up from his lunch and saw Todoroki sit down across from him. It was odd because in the week that they had been there Todoroki would often come and have a conversation with Denki even when he was alone. And when he thought about it, he never saw Todoroki laugh with the others when they made a joke.

He supposed that made him feel good.

"Hey." Denki replied, smiling softly. He thought he considered Todoroki a friend. And he did seem to like Denki so he was more than happy to talk with him. He could be a little scary sometimes though, especially when he was with Bakugo. The two of them were always on edge with each other.

Denki could swear that someday Bakugo would blow Shoto up but that had yet to happen.

"You looked good in training today." he said and Denki rolled his eyes. So maybe he was incorrect when he said Todoroki didn't make fun of him. "What's wrong?" he asked following up once he noticed Denki's reaction.

"You're making fun of me." he said shortly, deciding to be blunt because he was too tired from that training session to be the normal people pleaser he was.

Todoroki frowned though. "I was being serious. Why do you think I'm joking?" he asked seriously causing Denki to look up and meet his eyes. There was no glint of humor in them and it startled Denki. He was dead serious.

"Oh I- cause I overused my quirk again and short-circuited." he said, heat rising to his face in embarrassment. Todoroki leaned forward, across the table startling Denki further. What was his deal? 

"So did Midoriya, and Mineta and Uraraka, and Bakugo, and Aoyama, and Lida. Oh and Kirishima. It doesn't mean you didn't train well." Todoroki smiled and Denki couldn't help but mirror it. That was exactly what he had been thinking the entire time. It was almost as if Shoto was saying everything he felt.

"Yeah..." Denki said because he didn't know what else there was to say. But then Todoroki smirked, a dark glint in his eyes. Scary.

"Its like they only praise selectively based on functionality. Though if you ask me, breaking bones is more reckless than short-circuiting." he said, his elbow propped up onto the table. Denki noticed the rings that adorned his fingers. Some were thick and dark and as he continued to look he noticed his nails painted black.