Quiet Love [Shoto Todoroki x OC]

Chapter 29

After changing out of those ridiculous costumes, Aimi and her other classmates are sitting in the stands and observe the matches before them.

Right now, it's Midoryia against Shinsou and Aimi's watching both of them intently. Apparently, Midoryia figured out not to answer Shinsou. Ojiro probably told him after being manipulated himself, which Aimi thinks is nice of him. However, she's annoyed that Shinsou's at a disadvantage. This doesn't last long, though, since Shinsou starts complaining about himself to Midoryia. It's a smart move, Aimi thinks, since Midoryia always feels the need to empower others.

She likes that quality of his. Especially in a situation like this.

Aimi notices the moment Shinsou takes over Midoryia's mind and she can't help the proud grin on her face. She watches Midoryia walk over towards the bounds in giddiness, while the others almost seem horrified. And in the last moment, a massive rush of air waves through the stadium, and suddenly Midoryia's back in control of himself.

While Aimi's confused, everyone cheers him on without really wondering how he did it. Probably because they don't understand Shinsou's quirk like she does. Aimi watches Midoryia turn around, the same shocked expression on Shinsou's face. 

She watches Midoryia flip over Shinsou in a trance-like state and can't help but sigh when realizing that Shinsou lost. Aimi slumps back in her chair and looks slightly disappointed.

"What's wrong? Midoryia won", Mina exclaims with a bright smile on her face as she looks over at her friend.

"I wasn't rooting for him", Aimi answers with a sheepish smile, before explaining that she knows Shinsou.

When the both of them look towards the stage again, Todoroki and Sero stand there, facing each other. Aimi leans forward again, excited for this match. Although she has a feeling that it won't last long.

When the start is announced, Todoroki doesn't waste a breath before shooting ice at Sero. Suddenly, a whole side of the stadium is staring at a massive block of ice, Sero captured in it. Aimi starts shivering at the sudden shift of temperature and feels for Sero. He must be freezing.

The round is announced finished just as soon as it started, and Aimi takes her time walking downstairs for her match since that whole block of ice needs to be melted. On her walk downstairs, she thinks about how she can beat Kaminari. Although she doesn't make it too complicated, since simply pushing him out of bounds should be simple enough.

However, she wants to have a few backup plans if that doesn't work out. Better safe than sorry, is what she thinks.

When she comes across Sero, she smiles softly at him. "You did your best."

"I barely did anything", he answers with a sheepish smile as he rubs the back of his head. Aimi chuckles and nods.

"Well, yeah, but it's okay. You were up against a very strong opponent. And you knew that. At least you tried, which is the best you could've done", Aimi tries to reassure him, the same smile present on her face.

"I guess so. Thanks", Sero replies with a grateful smile before wishing her luck and going back to the stands.

Aimi sits down at the entrance to the arena, since the ice block still needs to be melted completely. Once that's finally done, she stand up and walks in, breathing in and out deeply to calm herself down. Once she finally faces Kaminari, her sole focus is on him, shoving the cheers and shouts of the people into the back of her mind.

"Don't worry, pretty. I'll go easy on you", Kaminari tells her with a confident grin and Aimi can't help but laugh softly.

"Thanks", she replies, going along with his statement. She wouldn't want to take down that confidence of his. The both of them go into position while waiting for Present Mic to finally announce the start of the battle.

"Start", Present Mic shouts after finishing with his commentary and Kaminari immediately starts powering up. Aimi does feel a little bad when she just makes him go flying out of bounds simply with a wave of her hand.

"Kaminari is out of bounds", Midnight announces as Aimi walks over towards him. She comes to a stop in front of him and holds out her hand for him to grab onto.

"Sorry about that", she apologizes as she lifts him up and smiles.

"You have nothing to be sorry about. I let you win", he answers with a teasing grin and Aimi chuckles.

"Did you hit your head when I made you fly out of bounds", Aimi asks him with a raised brow as the two of them walk towards the stands again.

"No, I didn't", Kaminari protests with a pout as he looks away from her, although he can't hide his smile. Aimi simply laughs in return before sitting down next to Mina who congratulates her with an excited smile.

"I just hope we don't go against each other. It'd be pretty embarrassing to lose like that", Mina tells her as she sighs and leans back in her chair.

"Hey", Kaminari protests with a shout and the two girls start laughing. "I let her win, okay!?"

Their laughter only intensifies.