The Man Behind the Screen

Friends Versus Enemies

MIDORIYA'S POV

"Why are you here?" I asked curtly. I'm still not ready to talk to him.

"Because I need to explain," Todoroki replied desperately. We've never been in a fight like this. He's always been my best friend, but it hurts to look at him. "I will leave after I tell you what I need to say. Please, at least hear me out."

I let out a defeated sigh as I opened the door and let him in. He let out a sigh of relief as he stepped inside my home. "Thank you," he said quietly. I don't want to do this. I don't have the energy to do this. I just got into a giant fight with Itsuka, and I'm still trying to recover from it.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked him quietly. If we were going to have this conversation, I might as well get it out of the way.

"Because you were happier and less stressed. So was he. You had been down since you and Kendo divorced. I didn't want to take that away from you. With everything you're going through right now, you deserved that happiness, Midoriya." He doesn't even know half of what I'm going through.

Kacchan is the only person who knows about everything. Nitro was the only person I could openly talk to. "I told you I was opening up to him about my divorce and the shit I'm going through with her and Daiki. You let me tell Kacchan about the most private parts of my life! He hates me! He could destroy me with everything I've told him."

"He would never do that, and you know it," he said in a calm tone. "I just thought it would be good for you to get it out."

"Then I messed up, and he found out. I got attached, and now, I'm alone again." I miss talking to Nitro. If I could go back and undo what I did, I would. He was the only person I could tell because he didn't know me. Well, at least I thought he didn't.

Todoroki took a step toward me with a frown. "I'm sorry. I was doing what I thought was best. I didn't think you guys would realize it so quickly. I thought you would have more time to become better friends in real life, and then when you found out, everything would be okay."

"But that's not what happened!"

"Mr. Deku?" Himari's quiet voice said from the hallway. I turned toward her quickly, instantly regretting raising my voice at Todoroki. She doesn't do well with yelling.

"Hey, love," I said quietly. "I'm sorry for yelling. We're done now."

She shook her head. "That's not why I came out," she said. "Daiki fell when we were playing. He said he was fine and not to tell you, but he seemed really hurt when he fell."

Why would he not want to tell me that he fell? That doesn't sound like my son at all. I abandoned my conversation with Todoroki and walked down the hallway to my son's room. "Daiki?" I asked quietly when I saw him sitting on his knees in the center of the room with tears rolling down his face. "It's okay, buddy. What hurts?"

"I fine now, Daddy," he mumbled.

"What did you hit?" I asked while crouching down to him. "Your head, your arm?" He shook his head. I turned to Himari, hoping she would tell me.

"He fell on the floor and hit his back," she whispered. I saw a rage in Daiki's eyes that I'd never seen before. A three-year-old should never be that mad.

"Buddy, turn around and let me see your back," I said gently while slipping my arms under his and pulling him up.

"Daddy, I no want to." I hate being forceful with him, but something is wrong.

"Daiki, turn around. Now." My voice was stern, but hopefully not enough to scare him or Himari.

Tears fell from his face as he shook his head. "Daddy Ren get mad."