Barriers Down: Todoroki x OC

Viola

Chapter 7

in·no·cence

/ˈinəsəns/

noun

lack of guile or corruption; purity.

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Shoto never meant for things to play out this way.

He never meant to feel this way.

All he wanted was to compete, to prove that he was the strongest even without using his father's quirk.

And yet, as he leaves Rose standing alone for what seems like the hundredth time, he wonders how he got here.

How he got to caring for someone he only just met.

How he got to worry about her.

The day after the battle training was when he saw the damage he had done.

Bruises covered her arms and legs, black and purple splotches thrown across her skin.

Every time Shoto even glanced in her direction he was reminded of her unconscious body, of the pain he had caused.

And so, he chose not to look at her.

It worked for a while, but soon he found himself seeing her everywhere.

When he would spar with another classmate, he would see her.

When he would use his quirk at all, he would see her.

All he wanted was to go back to normal, to think of only himself.

To worry of only himself.

And so, he began to back off, using his quirk only when necessary.

With each passing day, the bruises faded, but Shoto's memory remained.

And each day, she would try to speak with him.

And every day, he turned away.

Because he couldn't get the image of her out of his head.

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It's been a week since the start of term, and as I walk into the classroom it's hard not to notice the changes.

While the classroom is still far from quiet, everyone gathers at their seats, leaning around to talk with those around them.

As I walk to my desk, I get greeted by my classmates, smiles and nods exchanged.

And to top it all off, a feeling of comradery has settled upon the students, growing stronger with each passing day.

As soon as I sit down, a familiar face enters the room, signature grey scarf adorning his neck. He stands at the front of the class, ready to give instructions.

"Today's training will be a little different. You'll have three instructors. Me, All Might, and another faculty member will be keeping tabs on you.

"Today you'll be doing rescue training. You'll be dealing with natural disasters, shipwrecks, stuff like that."

The entire class erupts into a frenzy of excitement, conversation crowding the room.

A small smile breaks onto my face at the mention of rescue training, and I find myself sitting up straight, spine pressing into the rigid back of the chair.

Finally, a chance to prove myself.

Now I'll finally be able to show Aizawa and my classmates what I can do and why I'm here.