~𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢 ℌ𝔞𝔰 𝔑𝔬 𝔅𝔬𝔲𝔫𝔡𝔞𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔰~ (Tokoyami Fumikage X Reader)

Chapter 12

The early morning rush at U.A.'s cafeteria was loud but familiar. Niko had just finished her first round of classes and was feeling a little lighter after the intense rescue mission simulation from the previous day. With her tray in hand, she scanned the room and spotted Uraraka and Midoriya sitting at a table near the window.

"Hey, Niko! Over here!" Uraraka waved enthusiastically, her smile bright as always. She was already halfway through her meal, and Midoriya sat beside her, scribbling something down in his ever-present hero notebook.

Niko smiled, grateful for the invitation, and walked over to join them. She slid into the seat across from Midoriya, setting her tray down. "Hey, guys."

"Hey, Niko!" Midoriya looked up from his notes with a wide smile, pushing his notebook aside for the moment. "I was just going over yesterday's rescue mission. You did great handling that debris-it looked tough."

Niko chuckled lightly, remembering how the entire situation had spiraled. "Thanks, but it didn't feel so great when the ground gave way under me."

Uraraka leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Yeah, but you totally handled it! And Tokoyami was there to pull you out, right?" Her grin widened teasingly, and Niko felt her face heat up.

"Y-Yeah... he was," Niko muttered, trying to shrug off the awkwardness she felt rising in her chest.

Uraraka giggled, clearly catching onto Niko's discomfort, but decided not to push further. "Honestly, though, you and Tokoyami make a pretty good team. It was cool watching you two work together."

Midoriya nodded in agreement, his tone thoughtful. "You both have quirks that work really well under high-pressure situations. Telekinesis and Dark Shadow... It's like you were able to cover each other's weaknesses."

Niko smiled at the compliment, but she couldn't help thinking about that moment when Tokoyami had caught her during the earthquake. It was just a mission, she reminded herself, but still...

Before her thoughts could spiral further, Uraraka changed the subject. "Oh! Speaking of team-ups, I heard we're going to be working on some new combo training next week! Maybe we'll all get to pair up and try out our quirks together."

"That sounds awesome!" Niko's mood brightened at the idea. She had always admired how Uraraka and Midoriya worked together, their friendship a perfect balance of support and encouragement. They were the kind of friends who lifted each other up-something she deeply valued.

Uraraka beamed. "We'd make a great team, I think! Maybe you, me, and Deku can work on some new strategies?"

Midoriya's eyes lit up at the prospect of training. "That would be great! Your telekinesis could help me get around faster, and Uraraka's Zero Gravity could lighten up the load for us."

Niko felt a wave of warmth. It was moments like this, surrounded by friends, that made U.A. feel like home. "Yeah, let's do it! I'm in."

As they continued chatting, Niko noticed Tokoyami sitting a few tables away, alone with his tray. He seemed deep in thought, his expression as unreadable as always, but there was something about his posture that caught her attention. He looked... distracted.

Without thinking, Niko's eyes lingered on him for a moment too long. Uraraka followed her gaze and smirked mischievously.

"You know," she said softly, leaning in, "you could always invite him to sit with us."

Niko blinked, caught off guard by the suggestion. "What? No, it's... he's fine over there. He probably wants to be alone."

Uraraka gave her a knowing look. "Mhm. Sure."

Midoriya, oblivious to the exchange, continued flipping through his notebook. "Tokoyami's always been a little quiet, but I think he'd appreciate the company. He seems like the type to value meaningful connections."

Niko hesitated, glancing back at Tokoyami. She didn't want to intrude, but... maybe they had grown closer during the recent trials. After all, he had been there when she needed help.

Before she could make a decision, Tokoyami stood up, his tray in hand, and started walking toward the exit. But just as he passed by their table, he paused, glancing at Niko.

"You did well yesterday," he said quietly, his voice low but steady.

Niko blinked, surprised that he'd stopped to speak. "Thanks... You too."

Tokoyami gave her a small nod, and for a brief moment, their eyes met-his gaze intense, yet unreadable. There was something in the way he looked at her, something that made her heart race just a little faster. Then, without another word, he continued toward the door.

Uraraka grinned once he was out of earshot. "He definitely likes you."

Niko groaned, covering her face with her hands. "Uraraka, stop..."

---

Later that day, after classes had ended, Niko found herself wandering the training grounds, hoping to clear her mind. The day had been filled with its usual ups and downs-more training, more lessons, and more awkward moments with Tokoyami that she didn't know how to handle.

She sat down on one of the stone benches near the edge of the field, staring up at the sky as the sun began to set. Her thoughts swirled with everything that had happened since her first day at U.A.-the trials, the friendships she was forming with people like Midoriya and Uraraka, and the strange connection she felt building with Tokoyami.

As she sat there, lost in thought, a familiar voice broke the silence.

"You're here again."

Niko looked up to see Tokoyami approaching, his hands in his pockets and Dark Shadow hovering just behind him. He stopped a few feet away, his expression calm as always, but there was a softness in his tone that made her heart skip.

"Just needed some air," she replied, trying to sound casual.

He nodded, sitting down beside her without another word. They sat in silence for a while, the quiet between them somehow comfortable, yet charged with something unsaid.

Niko glanced at him from the corner of her eye. "You come here a lot, don't you?"

Tokoyami looked thoughtful. "The shadows... they're quieter here."

Niko smiled. "I think I get that."

Another moment of silence passed, but this time, it felt heavier, as if there was something lingering just beneath the surface. Niko's thoughts raced-was she imagining the tension, or was Tokoyami feeling it too?

Before she could find the words, Tokoyami spoke again, his voice quieter this time. "You're different."

Niko blinked. "What do you mean?"

He didn't look at her, his eyes focused on the horizon. "Most people... they don't see me. Not really. But you... you've seen past the shadow."

Niko felt her heart skip a beat. There it was again-that strange, awkward flutter in her chest. "I... I just see you, Tokoyami-kun I guess that's enough."

For a moment, neither of them said anything, but in the silence, Niko couldn't help but feel that something between them had shifted-something small, but undeniable.