Rising Tides (Izuku Midoriya x F!Reader)

Chapter 031

CHAPTER 31: Confidence and Strategy

Shoto Todoroki and Momo Yaoyorozu sprinted through the urban-like simulation field, their breaths coming in quick, shallow bursts as they tried to stay ahead of Aizawa Shota. Every street corner felt like a potential ambush point, every shadow a threat. Momo's mind raced, her insecurities gnawing at her as she struggled to keep up with Shoto's confident pace.

"We need to stay ahead of him," Shoto said, his voice even and calm. He was formulating a plan on the fly, using his ice to slow their pursuer where he could. "Momo, keep creating objects. When Aizawa finds us, we'll know because you'll stop making them."

Momo paused for a moment, trying to process his plan. It was simple but effective, she thought, though a small voice inside her wondered if it was too simple. "Right," she responded, trying to shake the doubt from her voice. She quickly started creating matryoshka dolls-small enough to keep hidden but large enough to be noticed once disrupted.

As she worked, Momo couldn't help but think about how different she and Shoto were. Both of them had entered U.A. through recommendations, but Shoto had made a name for himself early on, while she still doubted her abilities.

"Shoto, you're really impressive," she muttered softly as she crafted more dolls. "I feel like I haven't done anything special. You've proven yourself again and again..."

Shoto interrupted, noticing the slight drop in Momo's voice. "Momo," he said, eyes narrowing, "don't stop. We need to keep moving."

Momo blinked, realizing she had halted her production. Before she could react, there was a soft shuffle of movement above them. Both students froze, eyes darting around the area.

"He's here," Shoto whispered, just as Aizawa dropped silently from the rooftop above, his scarf already whipping toward them.

"Run, Momo!" Shoto shouted, stepping in front of her and using his ice to create a barrier between them and Aizawa. "I'll hold him off."

Without waiting for her response, Shoto charged at Aizawa, ice forming beneath his feet as he tried to close the distance. But Aizawa was too quick. With a single fluid motion, the teacher disarmed him and wrapped his capture weapon around Shoto's body, hoisting him into the air. Shoto struggled against the bonds, but Aizawa calmly tossed caltrops beneath him, ensuring that any attempt to escape would come at a painful cost.

"It was a mistake to take this burden all on yourself," Aizawa said, his voice cold but not unkind. "You should've trusted your partner more."

---

As Momo sprinted away, her mind raced even faster than her legs. Is this the right decision? she wondered, glancing back toward where Shoto had stayed behind. Doubts flooded her thoughts. She couldn't help but second-guess every action she was taking. Was she doing the right thing by running? Should she have stayed and fought with Shoto?

A sudden sound made her turn just in time to see Aizawa closing in on her. His capture weapon whipped toward her, and instinctively, Momo used her quirk to create a small blade, slicing through the bonds before they could restrain her.

Her feet pounded against the ground as she changed course, heart hammering in her chest. Instead of heading for the escape gate, Momo found herself running back toward Shoto. Aizawa narrowed his eyes as he realized what was happening.

She's relying too much on him, Aizawa thought, watching Momo's panicked movements. She's not confident in her own abilities.

Despite knowing Momo's internal struggle, Aizawa continued to pursue her. His job wasn't to be lenient; it was to push her to her limits, to make her understand that relying on others could sometimes be as dangerous as acting alone.