Blossoms of the Dark

CXII Shouto: Identity

So ... I've been ditched again ...

And I can't even blame her.

In retrospect, I should have seen this coming. Hanada-chan isn't exactly an ideal date to a party, and apparently, sitting a few meters away from the epicenter of the crowd was not enough. Note to self: Sit far, far away from a raucous party. Far enough where you can't even hear the music. I stare at the forest she stumbled through. The same one she stumbled through last time. Where does she go? I didn't even get to return her handkerchief, all washed. Next time there is an event like this, I am going to follow her in. I will not be abandoned for a third time.

Having lost my companion for the evening, I resort to keeping to myself and wait the party out. I plan on how I should draw Hanada-chan tonight, given that she was undoubtedly ethereal tonight. Blacks, silvers, and whites. A tinge of blue. Once again, she reminded me of a moon goddess, but in the phase of the new moon. But that changes when I spot Midoriya heading for the school building. We've got some loose ends to tie up. I follow him at a distance. The building is mostly empty save for a few students having make out sessions against the walls or on the benches. He takes a turn to a hallway, presumably leading to the restrooms. I guess right. I wait for him to come out.

When he does, he yelps in surprise. "T-T-Todoroki-kun! Um. Hi! How's the celebration?"

I skip the small talk and head straight to the point. "Why? Why did you say all that during the match?"

He knows instantly what I mean. He takes a deep breath before looking at me unflinchingly in the eyes. "Your dad approached me before our match. Like you, he thought All Might's attention toward me was unusual. But then took your name. He said that it was your responsibility to surpass All Might, and that I would be the perfect stepping stone for that. At that moment, I think I really understood how you felt, Todoroki-kun. More so than when you took me aside in that alcove."

"What do you mean? Just what did my dad say to you?" I'm puzzled. Only part of my question has been answered.

"Endeavor thought I was just like All Might, but I'm not. The same way he wanted you to be his carbon copy, when you are not. He couldn't see the distinction, and that got under my skin. My conversation with him only lasted for a minute or two, but you've had to deal with that sensation for years. I sympathized with you, and I wanted to prove him wrong. I thought the best way to do that would be proving yourself to you."

I have no clue what to say that. He had no legitimate reason to support me. I was his opponent, for god's sake! He should have been focusing on taking advantage of my hesitation, not egging me to overcome it. I don't know if he's an idiot or an angel, or both.

He stammers again at my quietness. "I-I-I'm sorry if I overstepped! It's just- it's just, you had so much potential , and you were denying yourself of reaching that. I wanted to do something to help you because you're really amazing, Todoroki-kun."

"You admire me?" I ask dumbly, still trying to process what he said before.

"Y-yeah. You're really cool. I was hoping I could get to know you better. Possibly become friends," he answers timidly. A blush creeps up his cheeks.

Friends. That's such a foreign concept. With Hanada-chan, I had felt a resonance. That was why I had approached her first and extended the hand of friendship. We've acknowledged that we're best friends, but our relationship is peculiar nonetheless. I don't feel that same resonance with Midoriya, but I guess he does. Why else would he say that? I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try to make more friends. After all, I am going to see his face for the next three years. And he seems honest. Might as well. I accept his offer and we exchange numbers.