Gosling

Epilogue

"I'm so sorry Todoroki-san," Momo buried her face in her hands. If only she could make these last two days disappear.

"It's fine," Todoroki replied, flipping through the menu, looking wholly unconcerned.

He must hate her.

Momo's stomach knotted. "It's not fine," she said, dropping her hands. "I've caused you and everyone else so much trouble and I even fainted. It's shameful for a hero. And now Ashido-san and Hagakure-san are teasing me with all those pictures."

Todoroki shrugged. "Don't worry about it. It could have happened to anyone," he said, closing the menu and looking up just as the waitress arrived.

Momo exhaled, dropping her gaze while Todoroki ordered for them.

But it hadn't happened to anyone an inner voice reminded her.

She was supposed to be the top of the class, the everything hero. How could she have been so stupid; so unaware of her surroundings? He must think she was a complete idiot now, unworthy of being in U.A.

She twisted her fingers together on her lap. She felt horrible about this whole situation and him acting like it wasn't a big deal wasn't making her feel any better.

She had woken up that morning in Todoroki's bed with no recollection of how she had gotten there. The shock of realizing that she had spent the whole night there in only his oversized t shirt had sent her into a panic. Then she had ended up fainting, forcing Todoroki into the uncomfortable position of taking care of her again.

Momo bit her lip, her gaze darkening. If that wasn't enough to cause her a lifetime of embarrassment then the fact that she had turned into a toddler that couldn't function without Todoroki being in the same room as her was the proverbial big fat cake. And the pictures as well as Kyouka recapping how she had proclaimed that she was going to marry Todoroki were just the icing on that desert.

Momo swallowed and looked away to try and distract herself from her thoughts.

The restaurant was a small, hole in the wall shop with traditional Japanese decor. It wasn't the type of high class place she'd usually visit but it seemed to fit Todoroki's low key style.

Why had he brought her here anyways?

Momo ducked her head and glanced back at Todoroki underneath her lashes. He was watching her. She had gotten better at reading him over the last three years but the look he was giving her didn't make sense.

It was too warm.

It must be because he felt sorry for her. That was the only logical conclusion.

Momo blinked to stop herself from crying at the revelation and turned her head away. Todoroki was just acting like a gentleman. A perfect hero she had to remind herself. He only brought her out here because he saw how humiliated she was. He would never voluntarily go out with her, especially after yesterday.

The thought hurt more than it should have. Sniffling, she let her gaze drift over the wall. In the far corner, on a tiny chalkboard were the day's current specials.

"They have the best cold soba here."

Momo looked back at her companion. He was watching her. His heterochromatic eyes softened as they met hers.

Momo swallowed and tried to collect herself. She could at least keep up a conversation. "You've been here before?"

Todoroki nodded.

She licked her lips and took a deep breath. Maybe if she tried she could still salvage their relationship. "Well, for all the trouble I've caused you and for escorting me here to hide from Ashido-san and the others at least allow me to treat you to lunch."

"No."

Momo's eyes widened at his abrupt refusal. "But, please Todoroki-san! I owe you..."

Todoroki shook his head and leaned back in his chair. "I made a promise."

"Promise?"

Reaching into his pocket Todoroki pulled out his phone and passed it over the table to her.

Momo turned the device around in her hands and cocked her head to the side to study the image. It was a picture of two hands hooking their pinky fingers together.

One was significantly smaller than the other.

No! This couldn't be?

Warmth spread up her neck.

"Picture or it didn't happen," Todoroki stated, answering her unvoiced question. "I promised to take you on a soba date."

Momo's eyes darted up to meet Todoroki's heterochromatic gaze. "A....a date?"

Todoroki hummed, reaching across the table to pull his phone out of Momo's frozen fingers. "You asked me yesterday to get you soba."

Momo jerked, her heart pounding. "I'm so sorry! That was completely inappropriate of me. I put you in such an awkward position!" She brought her hand up to clench in front of her chest as guilt and embarrassment waged war for control. "I hope I didn't make you promise anything else, but if I did, please just forget whatever I said."

Todoroki shook his head. His heterochromatic eyes seemed brighter when he looked back at her. "Yaoyorozu, you worry too much," he said. She flinched at the accusation but his eyes were soft as he continued. "I didn't bring you here because I felt bad for you or anything. I brought you here because I wanted to, Yaoyorozu."

Momo's eyes widened as he reached across the table and took her hand. "And as for the other promises I made yesterday?" he said, hooking his pinky finger with hers like in the photo and giving it a light squeeze. "You'll just have to wait to find out." His blue and gray eyes flicked up and a smirk pulled at the corner of his lips as he looked at her.

Momo opened and closed her mouth. Her mind was having a hard time keeping up as fire raced across her face. So hot she was sure her brain was frying, like an egg on hot asphalt.

Before she could pull herself together, the waitress arrived holding a tray with two bowls. Todoroki let go of her hand. "Two cold sobas?"

"Here," Todoroki answered, his face returning to its neutral expression.

Momo's heart started to somersault in her stomach. She ducked her head and buried her face back into her hands to hide her expression. Why was she suddenly feeling so happy?

XXXXX

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