Art || Todomomo

Chapter 12

"So why did you ask me to come to the bookstore?"
"Just because."

What does he mean by that?

Momo and Shouto had just entered the bookshop and Momo still didn't  know why he had asked her to come with him.

If he wanted to come here, it's probably because he wanted some help on choosing another book to read.

"Todoroki,  you should read fantasy books," She insisted as she lead  him to a shelf, "There's a lot here to choose from, and for some reason I feel like you'll like this particular genre."
"Alright." Shouto murmured as took a book off the shelf and read the back cover.
"What do you think of this one?" He asked,
She inched closer to him, their heads almost touching,
Both of them suddenly nervous for some reason,
"I don't think you'll like this one," She paused and reached out for another book, "I think this might suit you better."

And that's how the two spent the next hour, selecting a book, reading the back cover, discussing if it could be good and finally deciding whether they should buy it or not, add some pleasant conversation into the mix and the moment was just beautiful, maybe not for others but to them it was perfect.

"Alright so that's three books then." Momo smiled, "I'm so happy that you like to read! Tell me all about it once your done, okay!" Momo was all sunshine and rainbows again in Shouto's eyes.

Bright, how is she so bright!?

"Okay." He stated, the corners of his mouth tugging into a small smile.

They then made their way to the counter, paid for the books and stepped out of the shop. The two of them just stood there, neither wanting their day together to end just yet.

Come on Momo, think of a place where I can take Todoroki along, think, think, think.....
Ah, yes now I remember...

"Todoroki, there's this cat cafe' that I passed by the other day, do you wanna go?" She asked, her charcoal orbs growing bigger as she looked up at him.

Cats are good, plus, how could I say no to that face she's making.

"Lead the way."

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"This is easily the best place on earth." Momo exclaimed as she stroked the glossy fur of a beautiful ginger cat with bright blue eyes.
"It really is." Shouto agreed, his expression was peaceful and content and Momo really didn't know what made her heart squeeze more.

"Hey! Hey! Can you take a picture of this cat?" Momo begged as she ran over and carried a big Persian cat with soft white fur and light blue eyes.
She cradled it in her arms and rubbed it's head.

Shouto got his phone out and snapped a picture (or maybe three) of the two of them,
"Let me see." Momo giggled happily as she made his way to him.
"This is a lovely picture, awww look at that grumpy expression she's making, it's adorable." She gushed.

Shouto looked at Momo.

The positivity radiating from her, it just felt so nice.

He knew he wasn't one who smiled easily but with her, he did.
He knew he wasn't one to talk easily but with her, he did.
He knew that he wasn't one to fall in love but with her, he did.

And then, in classic Shouto style, he pinched her cheeks.
"Cute." He blurted out of nowhere.

"Wh-wh-what!?" Momo stammered, her entire face turning red.
"You're cute Yaoyorozu." He continued to say not having even the slightest clue of the effect he had on the poor girl.
"T-t-than-t-thank- y-you?" She stuttered, wondering why he still had his hands on her cheek.
"Your face is really warm, are you sick?" He asked in all his obliviousness.
"N-no I-I'm f-f-fine." She replied hurriedly as she grabbed his hands and held it away from her face but then, he didn't let go,
and neither did she.
They just held hands, the two were confused, one being bright red and the other having a small blush painted on his cheek, the two feeling this weird feeling inside of them, one who feels like she might just explode and the other who feels all light and fluttery and then-
A cat jumped on Momo.

"Ah! Sorry about that." She quickly apologized as she let go.

Why did she let go.
Why did I let go.

"Anyways we better get going, it's getting quite late." Momo mumbled as she put on her coat.
Shouto hummed in response.

The two left the place and let's just say that the first few minutes of their walk back to the dorm was...
Awkward,
Really awkward.

I need to break this uncomfortable atmosphere

"So Todoroki, what made you buy that book, 'A peach blossom dream'."

"Well, I was homeschooled all my life and there was this teacher who taught me since I was about five to nine years old and one day she had a paperback book that had the title 'A peach blossom dream'." He paused and Momo urged him to continue.

"I asked her about it and she said, 'It has a special place in my heart, it's dedicated to someone who I love dearly, when you're older I can give it to you to read too'."  He stopped.

"That was the last time I saw her. She stopped coming home and it's most likely because-" Shouto faltered.

"Because?" Momo questioned.

"Because she probably didn't want to teach a freak." He whispered as he slowly touched his scar.

Momo gasped softly,
"Hey." She approached him gently, "I don't think your a freak and I don't think she left because of that, she probably had some personal reason that's why. You're many things Shouto Todoroki but a freak is not on the list." She tried to look at him but his eyes were shielded by his dual coloured hair.

"You don't understand, she was there when she saw him beat mom, she was there when I tried to get in between them, she was there when mom poured boiling water on my face, she was there and then she ran out." His voice was trembling.

Momo walked in front of him, held his face up so that the both of them had a clear view of each other and then she looked him straight in the eye, "Listen to me. I don't know much about your past but that lady left because she wanted to get help but something must have happened. Todoroki there are many sides to a story that we may not know and based on how you talked about her, she doesn't seem like the type of woman who would just abandon you like that. And based on what I know of you, you were probably the sweetest child in existence, no one would think of you as a freak. You hear me. YOU ARE NOT A FREAK, YOU ARE AMAZING AND YOU DESERVE TO KNOW THAT." She huffed out the last sentence, a wide eyed Shouto now staring at her.

Her now firm expression softened a little, "No matter what the others say, you will never be a freak in my eyes, never."

How? Why? I don't know what to say, I don't what to do. She's just, just-

And then she hugged him, she hugged him tight.
He placed his arms around her waist and hugged back as he let his chin rest on her shoulder.

"Thank you Yaoyorozu."

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Hey! This chapter had some cute moments, I really enjoyed writing it. Hope you enjoyed the chapter and if you did, please give it a vote❤️
Sorry for any typos and please feel free to leave constructive criticism.
(Also this chapter is so cliche' and cringey and cheesy and ahh!!!)
K, byeeeeee