✦ BNHA x Reader | Oneshots ✦

✦Food For You & Me✦ [Todoroki Shoto]

You hum to the beat of the music, your arms working wonders on the food before you. Sweat accumulates on the top of your forehead but it remains there due to the low breeze of the fan.

"Table 5 is ready," you call out as you scoop some soba into a bowl. You tap the bell and return to cooking, not noticing the heterochromic gaze staring at you in a daze. As the night dwindles on, you finally take a break and reach out for a glass of water. With the back of your hand, you swipe away the dried sweat and watch as your patrons inhale their food.

"Oh, Todoroki," you gasp while walking up to his seated position. You're surprised that such a prominent boy stations himself at your family's restaurant every week. It's mostly a hole-in-the-wall style restaurant that relies heavily on the foot traffic of the area and the established regulars.

"Hi."

"I should have known that special request was your order," you chuckle.

He watches your smile carefully while showing no indication of his true emotions. "It was delicious as always."

"Thanks," you chirp as your smile grows. "I'll whip something up for you to take home."

"You don't have to," he tries to decline politely, but you steamroll any effort of his.

"Nonsense, we're closing soon and we have too much leftover. Plus, I can't help but spoil my favorite customer!"

"Stop being creepy," your brother (#1) says from where he's wiping the table. "By chance, he likes your shitty soba."

Your moment of happiness quickly switches to that of dread. You glance over at Todoroki with a questioning look, and he shakes his head, knowing full well what your concern might be. A sigh of relief leaves your lips.

"I think he's the one pampering you," your other brother (#2) comments as he brings in the rest of the dishes.

"P-Piss off!" you gasp. "You do like my soba right?"

Todoroki nods his head, but your second brother continues to deride you. "Your only fan is a high-schooler."

Your two brothers-- a pack of twins who are older than you and cause a lot of sibling anguish in your life-- laugh at the thought, but it appears that their comments brought the young boy some worry. "Does it bother you that I'm in high school?"

You gaze at his blank expression and tilt your head. "That doesn't bother me? I just graduated last year and our age isn't far apart... But I'm just a person serving you food so I don't think any of this matters."

You don't realize that your words have caused a tremble in his heart, but it isn't your fault. The boy is exceptionally good at keeping his griefs to himself, that much you've known since the day you two met. Under the torrential downpour last summer, you found him sopping wet with fury burning his heart. Concern brought you to his side, offering him a meal under the protection of your family's restaurant.

Ever since then, you've seen him at his usual spot every week. He even celebrated his birthday in your restaurant--well, your family did the celebrating when he arrived but nonetheless, he spent his special day with you guys. There were also times when he stayed late talking to you... mostly him listening to your woes.

You can't quite understand the relationship you have with him, but you've categorized it as some precious-customer relationship.

"Isn't the sports festival coming up soon?" you ask as you return to your station. Many of your customers have already retired for the night with your brothers cleaning up the last of the tables.

"In a month... Will you be watching?"

You return your gaze to him but notice that his attention is on the empty bowl before him. "Oh, of course! There's no way I wouldn't watch!" you exclaim with glee. "I'll be your number one fan, no worries!"

"You're being creepy again," brother #2 comments offhandedly.

"Hush, my intentions are innocent," you stick out your tongue.

"Are ya going to close up tonight?" brother #1 asks as they begin to travel up the stairs to the living quarters. When you nod your head, your two brothers depart for the night, leaving you alone with Todoroki.

You finish the last batch of soba and place it in three containers. Two for the homeless and one small container for Todoroki. "I hope you enjoy it till the last noodle."

"I will, thank you." He accepts the container and places it in his school bag. He continues to watch as you clean the kitchen, but he keeps his focus on the streets outside. Numerous of times when it's been your turn to close up shop, you've dealt with some night lurkers trying to find a meal and a body to sleep with. He's intervened a few times, and since then, he's always been quite keen to stay till closing time when it was your night to close.

When you finish cleaning, he begins to peel himself from his spot. Securing his bag, he takes one last look around the restaurant. Your eyes meet his again, and you smile gratefully at him. "I get teased a bit for having you look after me, but your way stronger than my brothers," you laugh.

You follow him to the exit and you search for the shutter handle. Once you do, you grab it and begin to close the front entrance. "I'll see you next week?"

"I have to train for the festival this month," he answers.

You aren't sure why but your heart squeezes at the thought of not seeing him. Your gaze falls on the pavement, and he notices your change in energy.

"Will you listen to what I have to say after the festival?" He's one foot out the door, but it appears he won't budge until he hears your answer.

Again, confusion strikes at you. If he really needed someone to hear his problems, he could do so now. "Is now okay?"

A rare small smile pulls at the corners of his lips, and he shakes his head. "No, it needs to be afterwards."

"O-Okay... See you later then." You wave your hand and watch as he disappears into the night. At a loss for words, you finish shuttering the entrance with your mind in a haze. As much as you wonder what his intentions are, you feel your heart in turmoil in a way that leaves you completely breathless.

And he's hoping to leave you breathless again after the sports festival.