Cheers (TodoDeku)

Chapter 1: I Remember You

"Midoriya," he called. Shoto Todoroki was well aware that his voice sounded breathless, but he couldn't help himself at this point. His breaths puffed out into the cold, bitter, winter air. "Midoriya, please don't give up on your dream."

"Todoroki..." The greenette stopped in his tracks, turning around. He looked freezing with his thin tee shirt and ripped jeans. Tears rimmed his eyes, like he was desperately trying to hold them. He looked like he wanted to say a million things, but the only words that slipped out were, "I'm sorry." 

He turned, shivering, and started to walk away once again. Shoto didn't know what was going on. Only that Izuku Midoriya was doing fine until he received a message on his phone a few days ago. 

He tried to call out to him again, but the words died in his throat as he watched the man in front of him tense, knees hitting the ground with a thud. He heard a pained cry, and he watched as he clutched desperately at his chest. 

He ran towards him in a heartbeat. "Midoriya, are you okay--" he started to ask, when the man started to seize. His eyebrows knit together in a pained way, starting to sweat, despite the freezing weather. He didn't even think twice before pulling out his phone, calling for an ambulance. 

Shoto remembered that memory as if it were a bitter dream. The doctors--when Izuku was stable--didn't tell him anything about his condition. Soon, the greenette didn't show up for classes, and eventually, his dorm was cleared out. It was like he had been wiped off the face of the earth. No text. No information. Nothing. Whenever Shoto tried to ask his professor, he just shrugged with a tired look, saying, "We're not allowed to say."

It's not like they were close, Shoto would assure himself. It wasn't like they were best friends, or even lovers, but he had thought that he deserved at least a simple text about the condition of his friend--someone whom he cared for a lot. He would often tell himself that Izuku was popular, and that he had many friends--that Shoto was just one of them--but, in contrast, Shoto considered Izuku Midoriya to be his closest friend. 

His headache only grew. 

He tried to pay attention to whatever papers were in front of him, but even now--years later--he couldn't forget that man. He couldn't forget the beautiful smiles and gentle words. Shoto--if he was feeling extra brave that day--would even say that he once loved Izuku as more than a friend. But that was years ago. 

The present was now. 

"Eri," he called gently, and he was met with shining, apple red eyes. She dropped her coloring book and colored pencils immediately. "Shinso said that he was busy today with a client, so I'm going to drop you off at school today, okay?"

The little girl nodded, standing up and dusting her little dress off. "Yes, Uncle Shoto!" she replied with a bright grin. She packed her little backpack up with her coloring materials, and walked over to him. Eri offered him a hand, and Shoto hesitantly took it, even though he needed to crouch a bit because of their height difference. 

Leading her to his car, he made sure she was buckled before starting to drive to his sister's kindergarten. He was pleasantly surprised when he discovered that Eri's school was one that his older sister taught at. He texted her every now and then, and the latest conversation they had was about how she had gotten herself a new assistant. She described him as a 'perfect person with a kind personality,' if Shoto remembered correctly. 

"Yeah, Mr. Deku is quite nice," Eri commented, smiling. Shoto turned a slight pink when he realized he had said the last part aloud. "He's super energetic, but he also knows how to comfort everyone, too. During our fire drills and lockdowns, he always makes sure we're okay. Ms. Fuyumi likes him, too!"

"Is Deku his real name?" Shoto asked nonchalantly, still focused on driving. He was actually quite curious about that. He was surprised at the prospect of someone naming their child 'Deku.'

She shook her head. "No, his real name is..." She trailed off and frowned. After a brief moment of silence, she looked guilty. "Sorry, Uncle Shoto, I forgot. I think he told us one time, but I can't remember it."

"Ah, don't worry about it, Eri. I was just curious," Shoto quickly tried to ease her growing guilt. "It was no big deal."

She seemed to relax then, and continued to talk about her school. She described the type of exercises they did, and the length of their play time. She complained that it was too short, but Shoto was surprised when he heard that they had a whole hour to just do whatever they wanted. 

When they got there, the older helped her out of his car, and held her hand once again towards the entrance of the school. As they approached her classroom and entered, Fuyumi immediately turned and brightened. 

"Shoto! Oh, it's been too long!" she shouted, striding over and embracing him. He awkwardly hugged her back. He remembered that, as children, she would be his and his brother's lifeline. She needed to act like a mother and a father, as neither of them were present. She acted like an adult at such a young age. He remembered that she used to hate it, but embraced it somehow and became a kindergarten teacher. She was truly selfless, and as much as Shoto disliked hugs, he would always offer one to his sister. 

"It really has. I'm sorry for not visiting earlier." He looked around the classroom, noting the decorations and drawings. Though it was odd, most of the art looked like it was done by kids, but if you looked closer, you could see one that stood out from the rest. "I like what you did with the classroom."

She laughed lightly. "Yeah, I like it, too, but I shouldn't take the credit. Most of it was done by my assistant."

"Yeah, about him." Shoto realized that it was the perfect time to ask her about his curious question. "Is, 'Deku' his real name? At least, that's what Eri calls him."

Fuyumi shook her head gently. "No, it isn't, but that's the name he told the kids, and that's what I use." She tilted her head. "Why?"

"Just curious," he answered. 

She smiled. "Oh?" For some reason, he thought he heard her snicker. "Well, if you're wondering, his real name is--"

Her answer was cut off as the door to the classroom opened again, but this time, it revealed a man with bright emerald eyes and a dark-colored beanie hiding small curls. 

And Shoto recognized them. 

Or rather, he recognized him.

"Midoriya?"