Perfectly Imperfect (Shoto Todoroki x Reader)

Shoto's interlude

Alternate title: Shoto Todoroki's slightly emo internal monologue

It's odd, how time seems to move quicker the more you dread something.

The two weeks of training were brutal. Endeavor made sure they were. A reminder that he couldn't fail. That he had to win this festival, to live up to the reason why he was created.

He still refused to use his fire. He didn't need it. He wouldn't give Endeavor the satisfaction.

He would win this alone, with only his mother's quirk.

This thought pounded in his head as he confronted Midoriya, louder as Midoriya challenged him back.

It waivered as he walked out, hearing the muffled noise of a hand slamming down, and Y/n's determined voice, "I'm going after him."

She didn't have the chance. Good. He didn't need anybody getting in his way.

"You know them for withstanding a villain attack-- the dazzling students lighting up your TVs with solid gold skills, the hero course students of Class 1-A!"

Shoto walked out onto the field, ignoring the cheers and screams of the crowd. It meant nothing to him, really.

He knew Endeavor was up in that crowd, somewhere.

President Mic introduced the rest of the classes: hero course Class 1-B, general studies, support course, and business course. They gathered together in the center of the field for the introductory speech.

It went more or less as expected. Bakugou slouched up to the microphone, announcing his confidence in his victory. It simply forced the weight of determination further into him.

That is, until he noticed Y/n marching past him, taking the mic from the platform.

"Um... alright. My name's L/n Y/n, and I would like to say a few words, if that's alright, Miss Midnight."

And she began to speak. Though she stuttered and wilted under the gaze of the crowd, she spoke bravely.

"It's because of our teachers, or families, or friends, or simply strangers who have helped us along the way... um... yeah. We can do nothing on our own. Today is a gift, a privilege for- um- for all of us, I think, and it's important to realize that without the others around us, we would be... we wouldn't be where we are right now."

He pursed his lips. She was wrong- she was. She was.

He didn't need Endeavor- his help, his training, his quirk. Everything- every last thing, every trait Shoto saw from Endeavor in himself, Shoto hated. He didn't need Endeavor.

He didn't need anyone.

That didn't stop him from wanting to reassure Y/n and tell her how well she spoke when she rushed from the platform, mumbling, "Why did I do that why did I do that why did I do that why did I do that?"

For someone so confident in her worth, she seemed so unsure with her words.

It didn't matter. The first challenge was about to begin.

Second place.

Shoto wanted to be disappointed in himself as he bent over, trying to catch his breath. He wanted to tell himself that it wasn't good enough, that he had to win, he had to do this- but he couldn't. Because, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Y/n cross the finish line.

He watched her fall, landing almost face-first in the grass, that beautiful, triumphant smile taking up her entire face as her chest heaved with desperate breaths.

Shoto didn't need anyone.

But he walked over, offering his hand and pulling Y/n to her feet.

She thanked him, eyes soft and warm.

He walked away.