Birds of a Feather

Just Raven

カラス

Karasu quickly scribbled a few extra notes into the margins of her notebook. She glanced up, still quickly adding notes as Aizawa stepped up to his podium.

"Today, before your internships, you'll be deciding your hero names." Their teacher announced. Karasu's head snapped up as she set her pen down. "Midnight will be approving or vetoing them. While these could change over time, the more you're in the public eye they will have a higher chance of sticking. So choose wisely- which is also part of the reason for Midnight's help today."

Midnight walked into the classroom, explaining what would be happening.

Karasu had been looking forward to this. She'd had a name picked out for a couple years, and wanted to share it with the world- but she also knew Hawks would take it almost too well.

She flipped the small whiteboard over in her hands when it reached her and thought. She quickly wrote 'Ravens' on her board and paused. It was too much of an homage to her brother for her- probably for the media as wall, who still called her a 'pale imitation of her brother' after the Sports Festival. She erased the 's' and looked up. She raised her hand to say her name once Ashido had slunk back to her desk, dejected. She walked up to the podium and held it up. "Raven."

"Not 'Ravens'? To have it closer to Hawks' name?" Midnight asked, writing it out on the blackboard.

"No. Just Raven." Karasu turned to look at the pro. "I want to pay homage to my brother- but still be my own hero."

Midnight smiled and nodded. "Raven. Approved."

カラス

"Are you excited?" Karasu asked as she sat next to Todoroki on the train.

"No. Why would I be?" Todoroki didn't look away from the window.

"Our first taste of real hero work!" she said excitedly, leaning in slightly so she could watch the sunset out the window as well.

He looked at her for a moment, blushing as she leaned nearer to him. "I guess that's true, but it is with my dad."

"Don't let him spoil it for us." Karasu looked at him and jumped back when she realised how close she was to him.

"I'll try." Todoroki said without taking his eyes off of her. "Do you want to trade seats to see outside better?"

"Oh- I mean- if you'd be willing?" Her face perked up happily. "I like the sunset."

He nodded and stood up, gesturing for her to do the same. They tried to swap quickly, but the lack of space between the row in front of them proved to be a challenge to them.

"I feel like there would've been an easier way for us to do this," Karasu blushed again.

Todoroki carefully took her waist and moved her aside, making her blush again. "Well- I- thanks." she said, trying to ignore her heart pounding in her chest. "I appreciate it." She looked out the window again, smiling as she leaned back in her new chair.

He glanced from the window and back to her carefully. He carefully put a hand over hers, flipping hers over to lace their fingers together. She looked back at him quickly in surprise, but didn't say anything. She smiled at him silently and turned back to look at the window. One corner of his mouth turned up in a smile. So, she was okay with this. I like holding her hand, he thought. I liked holding her waist. Maybe I shouldn't hold her to the no dancing with me again thing the next time I'm dragged to one of those annoying mixers.

Karasu let herself relax. This was... definitely normal. I didn't even have to force him to do this. Maybe he actually wants to be my friend. She smiled, watching the sunset and horizon as the train rolled down its track. This was a nice moment. A peaceful moment. A moment Hawks could... never know about. He'd have a field day, he was already basically convinced they secretly liked each other. Friends. We are just friends, finally. That's all this... is.