Coming of age: The beginning

Costumes and revelations

After school while slipping on her outside shoes, Shika could hear some commotion coming from some of the girls around her. The longer it went on the louder it got and the more people joined in.

"OMG! He is so cuuute!"

"Who is that?"

"Don't know, but daaaaamn zaddy"

"First of all, eww. Don't ever say that again. Second, get some water, you thirsty bitch"

"You're one to talk! Wipe your mouth, you're drooling."

"He's not wearing a UA uniform. I wonder what school he goes to."

"Should we go up and introduce ourselves?"

"I mean, maybe? But he kinda looks like he's waiting for someone."

"Nooo, don't say that. What if it's a girl? What if it's his girlfriend?"

Okay, now Shika was just too curious. Who was this mystery boy that all the girls wanted to eat? Quickly she put her school shoes in her locker and grabbed her bag before walking out of the school. Outside, even more people were huddled together, whispering and giggling as everyone eyed the gates of UA.

Shika followed their gazes and even from where she stood so far away, she recognized Shoto's district red and white hair. She blushed at the sight of him and sighed, memories of the day before rushing back to punch her in the gut.

Why? Why did yesterday's unfortunate events have to cross her mind the moment she saw him? But more importantly, why did he have to show up at her school of all places? Couldn't he have met her at the train station? Or better yet, couldn't he have just said no?

With another sigh Shika looked down at her feet and begrudgingly headed toward the gate. There were a few girls standing around Shoto giggling and talking to him and, much to her surprise, Shoto was talking back to them.

The closer Shika got to them though the more confused she became. The Shoto standing there just outside the gate wasn't quite the same as the one she was familiar with. This Shoto was still stoic in appearance, but somehow he seemed......innocent.....? Naive maybe? More approachable? Less.... intimidating?

"Todoroki-san, do you mind giving me your number?" One girl asked.

"Uh....sure."

"Todoroki-san, do you mind if I call you Sho-sho?" This from another.

"If that's what you like, I don't mind."

"Aww, no fair! I want to call you Sho-sho too! Can I?"

"Sure..."

The girls all cooed. "Sho-sho, how are you so cuuuuute?!? And that face! You're such a lady-killer."

Suddenly Shoto's blushing face turned to one of confusion."You think....my face kills women?"

He looked genuinely worried.

"No silly. She just means you're really hot."

"Oh, uh, that's because she's only touching my left side. Here, move over to my right side. It's much cooler over here. He moved to stand on the girl's left side and placed her hand on his right shoulder. "See? I'm not hot on this side."

All the girls looked so confused for a moment, but then the girl touching him spoke.

"Whoa! It really is cold on this side. So cool!"

All the girls squealed even louder and Shika wanted to puke.

Was he actually being social? And just who was this guy? This couldn't be the same person that ignored everything she said to him and glared at her every morning like she was scum. And why was he acting so innocent? If yesterday was any indication, he was far from the innocent, naive boy standing before her right now.