Barriers Down: Todoroki x OC

Diascia

Chapter 5 

friendship

/'fren(d)SHip/

noun

the emotions or conduct of friends; the state of being friends

Uraraka, Midoriya, and I stand outside, the building next to us stretching up 6 stories. The duo talk between themselves while I stand aside, trying to make myself look busy studying the maps All Might gave us.

"Do you think they expect us to memorize this building's floor plan? It's so big!" Uraraka exclaims, her carefree attitude not mingling well with my anxious one.

I continually tap my foot against the pavement, only my toes lifting off the ground. I don't think the pair have noticed.

Although, given another look at Midoriya, he might be just as nervous as I am.

"Ah! You're sweating through your costume!" Uraraka blurts out, targeting him with her comment.

"Um, well, it's just because we're up against Kacchan," Midoriya says nervously, his tone reflecting the same type of anxiety I harbor within myself as well.

Now there's an interesting nickname. Kacchan. Wonder how Bakugou feels about it.

"Plus, there's Iida and Todoroki too."

I listen intently as Midoriya goes on about Bakugou and divulges some of his past with the spiky blonde.

"He can be a real pain, sure. But he has strength and confidence, and ambition, too. Not to mention his Quirk. They're all so much greater than mine."

"But that just means I have to do better. I refuse to lose today!"

At this Midoriya stands up from his position against the railing, muscles tense and focused along his back and arms. Uraraka nods before shifting her gaze over to me, attempting to gauge how ready I am.

In response, I push myself off the railing as well, standing shoulder to shoulder with him.

The fire, formed only the previous day, burns bright within both of us, embers spitting and flying as we lock eyes.

Let's win today.

I try my best to show an outward appearance of calmness. I'm sure that Midoriya, who is already visibly distressed at the thought of this activity, doesn't need my extra nerves.

My fingers shake at my side, the only piece of my body indicating any sign of distress.

"All Right! Let's begin indoor combat training! Team A and Team D, your time starts now!"

Before we can enter the building, I step in front of the duo. My back is turned to them.

"Let me handle Todoroki. You two focus on Bakugou, Iida, and the weapon."

"Are you sure? We can help you, right Deku?" Uraraka says, her voice carrying worry within its cheerful tone.

Midoriya hums along with Uraraka's question. My mind flashes back to my conversation with Todoroki yesterday and the way his eyes reflected the necessity of his request.

His need to fight me. To test his strength upon me.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm sure."

I walk through the doorway into the dimly lit building, Uraraka, and Midoriya close behind.

This is it, Todoroki.

Good luck.

We walk up a few floors, only a couple of windows illuminating the maze of hallways we must circumvent to find the weapon, wherever it may be hidden.