The Love Letter. {Complete}

1

A/N Little guide, ' ' Thoughts,  " " Normal talking from people,  (( )) a/n

((1305 words))

You've been trying to get his attention ever since your first day. You were a transfer student who got to UA with great recommendations from your previous school - you've been on the hero course there too.

You fit into Baku-squad like the missing piece of the puzzle. It literally took you five minutes to get included. You had a flashy smile and a bubbly, playful personality that made you impossible to ignore and to be frank, you were a bit loud too. Only a little bit.

Then, there were the cultural differences. You had no problem hugging people and kissing their cheeks, holding hands, or having what you thought was normal physical interaction with anyone you considered a friend.

You had dated a few of your friends, but nothing major came out of it. You and your date never really made it past the first base, whoever it was, and then you ended up feeling pressured and running off.

During your last month before graduation, you were surprised to find a letter waiting for you on your desk. Looking around, you didn't see anything out of the ordinary.

The words flowed into incredibly neat and steady handwriting. Someone had spent time and effort observing your little habits and ticks, like the way you winked and puffed your cheeks when you wanted people to think you were happy, or the way you always hid behind your arms when you didn't want to be called upon in class,

or the way you bit your lip when you were trying to apologize, or how you snapped your fingers in front of your eyes and touched your forehead with your index finger if your thoughts strayed and you needed to focus. He knew your fighting style had you on a specific diet and he knew you only strayed from that two days a month. 

'Since we will be graduating next year, I suppose there is nothing left for me to lose, I hope we can get something from it. As we've never been quite close, so I have decided to tell you this. We will likely go our separate ways anyway, but I didn't want it to happen without letting you know first. You deserve much better, and I understand this completely, but if you ever need me, I will be there for you. I wanted to talk to you, but perhaps this will do instead. '

-M.S.

You slowly lowered the letter on your desk, then read it again. Kaminari punched your shoulder jokingly but you waved him off.

What caught you off guard the most about the letter was the last paragraph. You couldn't wait but look at Shoji, though he didn't return your gaze.

"What's that?" Mina asked excitedly as she stole the letter from you.

Quickly, you snatched it back and folded it. "That's mine." You knew they'd make fun of it if they knew because Mina had a theory at some point that you liked Shoji, and even went on about how you should date, but nothing came of that. Yet.

"Is it a love letter?!" She gasped.

"Really?" Kaminari raised both of his eyebrows.

"From who?" Kirishima grinned widely.

"That's my problem! Alright? Look," you slipped the letter into your notebook, "if I get anything out of this, I'll tell you. If not, it won't matter. Deal?"

"Deal!" They all agreed.

At lunch, you passed by Shoji and slipped him a note with your phone number and asking him to meet you after school.

Already prepared to be rejected, Shoji still showed up, trying to hide how nervous he was, he messed with his hands picking at his skin as you walked up to him.

You tried to be serious about this and not smile like an idiot and make yourself look like a joker. Yet, you were excited. This whole thing was making you so happy.

"Before you say anything... I've actually wanted you to say something about this for two years now."

His eyes widened. "But... How? Please, explain." 'You couldn't mean... This couldn't be real? Right??? She would like me. Right?' he thought to himself  as she continued to say,

"I was curious about you, and I've had this huge crush on you during my second month here. Remember when I rushed headfirst like a fool and I got hurt during that exercise and you carried me back? And then you visited me at the infirmary and brought me those white flowers?"

Shoji knew you talked fast and were pretty bold, but to hear those exact words from you in a few seconds was a bit much for him to take.

"Isn't that what... Anyone would do?" He got red and looked into your eyes, well he struggled to keep eye contact,

"Nobody else."

No. He couldn't believe it. That was two years ago. She must have gotten over any feelings she had for him. Right..?

"You've gone out with a few guys... What if they still have feeling for you- i don't want to ruin any friendships,"

"...Yeah, who kind of... They already ruined that, you couldn't" You chuckled nervously and bit your lip. "It got awkward. Two or three dates and they always asked me to their room. That's just... No."

 He looked annoyed, "I- Im sorry." He spoke softly  

He nodded slowly in understanding. You were beautiful and your hero costume showed your body quite a lot - not in a distasteful way, not at all, just... Revealing some skin. Some probably took that the wrong way.

"You seem close to Kaminari and Kirishima..."

"I ride on Kiri's back when I feel like a lazy little brat because I know he's strong enough and he doesn't mind, and I tickle Denki or hug him randomly because he's funny when he short-circuits and goes all 'wheey~'," you laughed. "And Sero is really good at dancing, we dance with Mina and sometimes Jiro too."

You gave him a moment to take everything in. Shoji seemed lost in thought. You reached for one of his hands and laced your fingers with his. 

"...Alright, but still, you are so... So much better,"

 he stumbled over his words as he looked down at your hands. "You could have anyone you wanted, I'm certain. How could I ever expect you to look at... a monster like me?" Shoji turned away. 

"That's why," you said with a small but genuine smile.

"I've never seen you look at me that way. You don't see me like a pretty date for a night or two. You look at me, not at my body, and those things you wrote only confirmed this. I haven't told anyone, not since I moved here, but I'm not perfect, Shoji. I'm always in pants because I have scars on my legs that will likely never go away. I was caught in a fire when I was seven." 

The next few seconds were the longest you've been quiet while this close to someone. His hand finally wrapped around yours.

"I'm sorry about that. I wouldn't want to be disrespectful, but why are you telling me this?"

You pulled him along lightly and he followed.

"Because it's not something obvious and... I've been called names for that, too. And so, I keep it hidden. I can only assume you have something similar that you're feeling insecure about, but you really shouldn't. What I mean is, I really like you - I have since the beginning. I didn't think you would like me back, but I'm glad you wrote me that letter and I want you to know you're not a monster, and it's alright. I'll wait for you to open up to me, and I'm willing to open up to you. Neither of us is perfect, and that's fine. I don't need perfect, I need real."