Three Choices: Katsuki, Shoto, Rody

12. Training with Bakugo

The next morning, I went on a run with Todoroki. Luckily, he wears a shirt. I don't think I could handle running next to him shirtless. True, I did see him shirtless yesterday at the pool, but it's not like it was just the two of us alone like when we run together.

After running, we are doing cool down stretches when Todoroki asks me what my plans are for the rest of the day.

"Um, not much... I am planning to practice a new quirk technique with Bakugo," I shyly admit.

Todoroki looks shocked. "Why are you training with him? Why didn't you ask for my help?"

I look at him and blush. "Well, I was worried you might hold back..."

Todoroki takes a moment to consider this. He then steps in closer to me, gently pushing a strand of my hair behind my ear. "You may be right. I would never forgive myself if I hurt you." He smiles at me gently.

I laugh nervously, looking away. Suddenly, Todoroki embraces me into a large hug. I gasp and my body stiffens in surprise.

He whispers into my ear, "But promise me you won't hesitate to ask for my help in the future. I care about you. I want us to both become great heroes, so I will always be there for you no matter what." Then before I know it, he quickly pulls away, gives me an embarrassed smile, and then heads back into the dorms.

The rest of the day went by fairly uneventfully. I eat breakfast with Todoroki, Rody, and a few others. I excuse myself to study for a few hours. I want to make a few final tweaks before meeting Bakugo later today. I end up eating an early lunch in my room. Before I know it, it is almost time to meet Bakugo. I quickly throw on a pair of leggings, a baggy shirt, and a pair of tennis shoes. I pull my hair back into a loose braid. I grab my notebook and bag, which is full of metal pieces.

Looking at my notebook one last time, I start to head out. I don't realize Bakugo is also leaving his room, and I accidentally stumble into him, my head abruptly colliding with his chest.

"Oh, hey, there you are." Bakugo smiles.

I glance up at Bakugo. "Oh! Sorry about running into you like that."

"It's no problem... guess we can head out together." This is the first time I really hear Bakugo talk like a normal person. No yelling, no insults. Just a normal tone. I was taken aback. We walk to the main room in silence. Once we got to the door, we both notice it's raining.

"Oh! That rain sure snuck up. I didn't realize the rainy season was already here," I state as I look outside.

"We can head to one of the indoor facilities. Do you want to go grab a raincoat or something?" I notice he is wearing a raincoat. I guess I was too busy in my thoughts earlier that I didn't notice it was raining. It is a soft, gentle rain, not easily heard or noticed.

"I'll be right back!" I quickly run to my room and grab an umbrella. Racing back down, I find Bakugo leaning against the wall, his legs crossed, and looking at his phone. When he hears my footsteps, he looks up at me. A smile slowly spreads across his face.

"Ready now?" I give him a nod.

We start to head out.

"Hey. Bakugo."

"Yeah?"

I notice that since his raincoat only reaches his hips, his legs and feet are getting wet. "We can share my umbrella, if that's okay with you.

His eyes widen in surprise. "O--okay. I guess that makes sense."

I start to step closer to him, but he quickly reaches across, grabs my umbrella with one hand, and pulls me in intimately with the other arm.