Everlasting Winter

Day of the sports festival

Midoriya POV

I was roughly woken up when Mercy jumps right on top of me.

"Mercy off," I moan.

Mercy obeys and moves off my bed, managing to put her slobby mouth next to my ear. Wiping the morning drool off my ear I get out of bed. I bump the picture my dad took of Todoroki and I playing with Snowflake on my nightstand, and it starts to fall over, I quickly catch it and put it back in place. I cherish this photo as it reminds me of Todoroki, he has spent a lot of time at the farm in the last two weeks and his presence has quickly become familiar. On the weekends, I asked him to spend the night, but he always declines saying his sibling would worry too much. He has been a great help around the farm as well, fitting in instantly helping every chance he has, he has especially taken a liking to grooming the dogs. He spent an hour brushing Snowflake one day making sure her coat was knot free and to everyone's amazement she was instantly comfortable with him. I guess Snowflake finds him delightfully familiar as well. We have gone on a lot of walks together to our favourite place and sat for hours watching the butterflies. He says it helps him become acquainted to his cane, but I think it's just to get me to take a break from the farm. He is thoughtful that way, he brings a different feel to the farm, not that it needs it but more that it needs him. Mercy barks breaking me from my thoughts. She sniffs the photo, then nudges it with her noise in a light-hearted way, even this guardian has embraced Todoroki. I begin to get ready, today is the U.A sports festival, one of the biggest events in Japan. I'm supper excited but also nervous, not just about the sports festival but about Todoroki as well. Natsuo told me he doesn't do well in crowds or with loud noises, which is what the sports festival is known for. I promised Natsuo I will do everything I can to help Todoroki today starting with getting my dad to agree to bring Benelli to the festival. I throw my sleeping clothes aside replacing it with my stiff uniform. Once my uniform was on, I quickly brush my hair and finish the rest of my morning routine. Mercy and I join my dad in the kitchen.

"Hey, my boy. Did you sleep well?" My dad asks.

"Yeah, I slept fine."

"Are you nervous about the sports festival?"

"Yeah, a little."

My dad smiles, "that's fair, just remember the dogs and I will be proud of you no matter what."

I smile back "thanks dad that means a lot."

I pause for a second then continue, "hey dad, do you think you can bring Benelli to the stadium near the end of the festival?"

"Sure, I guess but why?"

"Well Todoroki has a hard time with crowds, and I thought Benelli would be a good distraction from everything."

"I can try my best but remember what I told you last night. Benelli is leaving on Wednesday, and I have a meeting with the family this morning that needs to happen."

I forgot about the meeting with Benelli's new family. It's standard for these meeting to happen so that my dad can get to know the families better. I lower my head and nod in understanding.

"I'll ask them if it's okay to shorten the meeting, are you okay if I let them know why?"

"Yes! You're the best dad thank you."

"Your very welcome, don-," my dad was about to say something, but my phone starts ringing and cut him off. It was Todoroki. I grabbed my headphones from the table and hit accept on the call.

I gave my dad a stern nod, letting him know it was Todoroki and I would be on the phone till I leave the farm.

Me: Hey Todoroki... I'm about to start my morning chores do want to talk while I do them.