A Warm Soul Underneath (Shoto Todoroki x Fem Reader)

Chapter 33 - First Name

You walk to the park near your house and wait for Todoroki. It's a quiet afternoon. There's a gentle breeze lightly rustling the leaves on the ground. You stand in place for a few moments before someone calls out your name.

Shoto: "Hello, L/N."

Todoroki appears, his hands in his pockets.

Y/N: "H-hi, Todoroki!"

He looks up at you his eyes concerned.

Shoto: "I know I asked this morning, but are you sure you're alright?"

Y/N: "Y-yeah! After that whole scene with Zach, I'm really thankful to you. I mean, you're a really nice guy, Todoroki... And for a while, I thought you hated me..."

He sighs and brushes his fingers through his bangs.

Shoto: "Didn't we clear this up? I never hated you."

Y/N: "I know... it's just..."

You feel your cheeks burning with blush. He raises an eyebrow at you.

Shoto: "Your face. Are you felling alright? You might have a fever."

Y/N: "N-n-no! I'm okay!"

You brush your hair behind one ear, quickly trying to regain your composure. Both of you stand in silence for a moment. You feel the words rushing to your mouth and you blurt them out without thinking.

Y/N: "Do you like me?"

Todoroki stares at you, his expression unchanging, as usual.

Shoto: "I'm not sure what you're asking."

Y/N: "I mean... are we friends?"

He looks down at the ground for a moment, then back up to you.

Shoto: "I guess...?"

Y/N: "You... guess?"

Shoto: "You're a nice girl, L/N."

Y/N: "Am I just... nice?"

Shoto: "No... you're far more than that... I can't really put it to words."

Y/N: "Is... that a good thing?"

He looks at you for a moment before turning away.

Y/N: "Todoroki...?

Shoto: "Shoto."

Y/N: "Huh?"

Shoto: "I'd like you to call me Shoto."

Your cheeks go red again, and you feel your heart jump a little.

Y/N: "Y-your first name?! U-uhm... O-okay. Then you can call me Y/N."

Shoto: "Y/N? You're very... You're very sweet."

Y/N: "H-huh? Where did that come from?!"

Shoto: "I'm sorry. I didn't-"

Y/N: "Don't worry about it! I... I... find you... to be... You're a lot kinder than you initially seemed."

It's hard to tell, but you think you can see the tiny curls of a shy smile forming on his lips. His face quickly fades back to its usual melancholy expression as a small buzz comes from his pocket. He pulls out his phone and frowns when he looks at it.

Shoto: "I'm sorry, Y/N. But I have to go."

Y/N: "O-okay! S-see you!"

You stand in the park, now alone. You sigh.

Zach: "Y/N!"

Y/N: "Z-zach!!"

Zach: "I thought I'd find you here!"

He jogs to catch up to you and stops by your side.

Y/N: "Zach... I don't want to see you."

Zach: "Just give me a chance-"

Y/N: "Get away from me."

Zach: "I-"

Y/N: "Didn't you see Todoroki? He was just here a second ago. Maybe, I'll call him back. Shoto!"

Zach's eyes go wide in fear, and he slowly begins to back away.

Zach: "You're so... stupid! I'll leave! And you'll be missing me so hard that you... you... you'll do something!"

Y/N: "Yep... missing you already..."

You roll your eyes and turn around. Shoto is standing right behind you. You jump.

Shoto: "Are you okay, Y/N? Was that Zach?"

He looks at Zach running away, with a face of utter loathing. You laugh.

Y/N: "Haha... Yes. I'm fine- hahaha!"

He looks down at you, confused.

Shoto: "Why are you laughing?"

Y/N: "I'm sorry. I called you just to scare him. I didn't think you'd actually come."

Shoto: "Scare him?"

Y/N: "Yeah. Turns out, you really freaked him out yesterday. It was kinda funny."

You let out another small giggle. Shoto gives you a little smile.

Shoto: "I'm glad you're alright."

Your cheeks go a little pink at his concern for you, and his cute smile. You both say farewells again and go your separate ways. You make your way back home.