The Realist(Shoto Todoroki x reader- Bakugo's twin sister)

Chapter 57

The next morning, I stepped into class and froze in the doorway. Confusion, then sharp concern jolted through me. Katsuki and Todoroki were sitting in their usual seats, but both of them looked like they'd gone three rounds with a brick wall. Bandages wrapped their faces, faint scuffs marks and bruises darkened their skin.

My stomach twisted.

What the fuck.

Something in me sparked alive at the sight. My veins flickered with a faint streak of black, like ink spilling through glass. My nails lengthened, sharp at the edges, and for a split second I swore I could feel Ophelia stir.

Before I could say anything, Mina's voice broke the silence. "So, like. What happened to Bakugo? Is he fighting again?"

Her finger jabbed toward my brother, but her gaze flicked toward me, as if she expected me to confirm it.

I snapped out of the haze and forced my nails back to normal, sliding into my seat like nothing was wrong. My eyes darted to Katsuki and Todoroki again- both of them beat up, both of them pretending like it was no big deal. Something tight pressed against my chest, but I shoved it down.

Mina and I still hadn't really talked since that whole orb-wall incident. Either way, things weren't the same.

"He's not the only one busted up. Look at Todoroki," Kaminari said, leaning on his desk with too much interest.

Mina gasped dramatically. "His beautiful face! Who would do such a thing?"

Kaminari put his hand on his hip like he was posing for a commercial. "The provisional license classes sure sound tough."

"Must be a great workout though!" Mina added brightly, smiling like all of this was just gym class gossip.

Katsuki's patience snapped- surprise, surprise. He slammed his fist against his desk, glaring daggers. "Stop talking like I'm not here!" he barked, his voice loud enough to rattle my chair.

I kept my head down, my pen tapping against the desk. It was easier than looking at him and easier than thinking about the strange ache in my chest.

"Class is starting now! Sadly, I must mark Tsu and Uraraka tardy!" Iida declared, marching to the front with his usual robot-like enthusiasm. One hand cut the air in a dramatic chop, the other glued to his hip like a mannequin.

Momo, ever the voice of reason, raised her hand slightly. "Their absences are excused."

"Kirishima isn't here either, is he?" Jiro asked, scanning the room.

"Oh, you didn't hear?" Sero leaned back in his chair. "Those three found places to do work studies."

"Whoa, for real?" Jiro asked.

The chatter swirled around me, but my eyes kept drifting forward. Todoroki sat just ahead of me, shoulders slightly hunched. Band-Aids clung to his arms, small scratches and burn marks peeking through. He shifted in his seat, like even holding a pencil tugged at sore muscles.

A flicker of something- worry? jealousy? anger?- ran through me before I could stop it.

I shook it off and ducked my head, forcing my attention on the blank page of my notebook. By the time the teacher walked in and told us to take out our books, I had my mask back on. Just another morning. Just another class.

~

After classes, the dorms came alive the way they always did- voices bouncing off the walls, groups splitting off in twos and threes. Kaminari, Mina, and Jiro disappeared toward the lounge. Iida started lecturing someone in the kitchen while Momo quietly set her books aside.