Siren (BNHA Reader/OC Insert | TodoDekuBaku x Reader/OC)

7 - I Feel My Heart Beating

Link to buy the charm shown above (will post in comments as well): https://www.etsy.com/listing/808610401/tsuki-no-usagi-phone-charm-dust-plug-dp

At the time of writing this, D10A (the image) is out of stock.

"You made it!" you cheer as you run towards Todoroki.

"Right, yes, where to first?" he states curtly, not bothering to look at you.

You puff your cheeks, glancing at the sidewalk next to him, "Oh, okay... Umm... Well, Midoriya-san really likes cute little trinkets. So I was thinking we could stop by this store I passed one day looking for work!"

"You work?" he raises an eyebrow slightly.

"Yeah," you nod. "I'm from a pretty middle-class family. It's not like we're going broke any time soon. But I plan on getting a decent life of my own as soon as I possibly can, which means I have to get jobs and save money early..."

"Can't imagine."

"That's because you're filthy rich."

"..."

"Right, yeah, let's just... go."

Your skin chills. Why is this guy so hard to talk to?!

The walk to the store was uncomfortably silent. Every time you tried to say anything to the boy, he would respond drier than your middle school ex-boyfriend after he cheated on you. So you decided to just stay silent halfway through.

You finally arrive at the shop, tucked away in a very quiet corner of town. It's a more traditional Japanese store, with neat little trinkets on the shelves.

Todoroki sticks close by you. He whispers lowly, "Why is it so quiet here?"

You tilt your head, "Because this is the quiet region of town? I thought you'd like it here. It's really relaxing."

He shrugs, "I guess..."

"Hmm..." you rack your brain for things to respond with. "How about you go search that side of the shop for something cute? I'll search the other side."

"Do I have to?" he asks, his eyes flickering over to the side of the store you'd mentioned.

You bite the inside of your cheek, wondering if he's serious, "I mean... It would make it a lot faster...?"

"I just..." he stares down at the ground. "I'm worried I... that I... won't find anything good without your eyes."

"You flatter me," you smile. "You'll be fine. I trust your judgment!"

"I-"

You turn away quickly and walk to the other side of the store, exhaling as you grit your teeth.

'Glad to get away from that asocial guy... So tiring...'

You grimace as you think that. Maybe he's just shy...?

Picking up trinket after trinket, you find... nothing. It's all... too traditional. And getting him more All Might merch would be extremely boring and no fun at all! It's not special at that point. At least, that's your opinion on it, anyway.

"Todoroki-san, did you find anything?" you say. You didn't even have to raise your voice, it was so dead.

"No, not really."

"Me neither," you sigh dramatically.

"That's a shame..." Suddenly, his voice is right behind you.

"Woah, you scared me!" you gasp.

Todoroki's gaze floats past you, "This shop was pretty promising in my opinion..."

You walk to another section of the store and pick up a phone charm out of the bin, reading the label, "'Tsuki no Usagi'...?"

"The Japanese folk tale?" he perks up slightly.

"You know those things?" you ask, eyes widening a bit. "I didn't expect that."

"My family is very... traditional," he stares at the wooden floor. "So I read children's books like those when I was younger. They wanted to instill 'conventional' values into me, whatever that means..."

You laugh, "I guess that means you're just well-educated then!"

"You could say that..." he meets your eyes for a split second before looking back at the phone charm. The faint shadow of a tiny smile dances across his lips. "The phone charm is cute. Midoriya-kun's hero costume kind of looks like a rabbit with the hood on. Also, the story says the rabbit sacrificed itself to please the beggar."

You nod enthusiastically, "Right? Now that I think about it, I have to agree! It's perfect! Since I doubt he'd even accept anything expensive, I think he'll like it! Simple and cute, but it encapsulates him rather nicely. It's exactly the kind of thing that he'll appreciate the thought behind! At least... I think he will."

The boy flips the charm around in his hand, "I trust you."

"Hahaha...!"

The two of you quickly pay for the little charm and turn to leave-

"Todoroki-san?!" you gawk at the shelves on the opposite side of the store you had just been on. "What the heck did you do over here?!"

"I just searched through the items to find a nice gift..." he says, seeming confused.

"It looks like a hurricane came through here! Let's clean it up!!"

Todoroki hesitantly begins to clean up the mess, "It's not our job, though..."

"It's your job as a citizen to pick up after your disasters! Come on!"

"Uh... Alright...?"

The look on his face held no malice. At least he didn't do it on purpose...?

Even though you're annoyed, though, you were having fun. It feels nice to get to know someone new. And it feels nice to just hang out once in a while. You hope that Todoroki feels the same way too.

It's one of those times when you can feel each spark of excitement throughout your body, your beating heart, your breathing lungs, and your moving limbs. It all felt so... there. It's one of those times when you know you're here. You're real.

After cleaning up, the two of you walk out of the store.

"Wow, it's getting late..." you muse to yourself. "It's already dark."

"Sorry about that," he mumbles. "If U.A. got out sooner, it wouldn't be this time already."

"No, don't worry about it!" you shake your head, holding up your hands. "It's not like I'm doing anything else anyways!"

"I thought you said you worked," he points out.

"Oh, right..." you blush, embarrassed. "You see, I'm... Between jobs right now."

"Ah.."

'Damn this kid, now he goes dry again...?!'

"Either way," you continue, "you're not bothering me, I promise!"

"... Well I'm sorry if I did."

"I just-... Nevermind," you sigh. "I appreciate the honesty, though."

The walk back to the bus stop where you planned to return home was quiet... until it wasn't.

Author's Note:

Did Todoroki seem boring here...? Lol I'm not entirely sure how to write him. Bakugo has such a strong and diverse personality, and Midoriya has so much potential and thought as a 'person'. Todoroki's characterization is a lot more subtle and takes more analyzing to actually get a good grasp on. I don't quite have it yet, unfortunately. Hopefully, as I write, I can learn more about him as a 'person', and maybe form my own unique version of the half-half boy.

Anyway, thank you for reading!

As always, feel free to leave feedback here.

<3

Kikyo Yamamoto