Finding Me (Todoroki x Reader)

Chapter 16

For the next week, I trained harder than I'd ever trained before. Amongst my classmates, I wasn't exactly incredibly strong compared to some of them. I knew that if I wanted to do well in the festival, I'd have to be better than I was. That meant training longer and harder.

I went for runs in the morning, and worked on particular skills in the afternoon. The training time I had in school was also beneficial, as I put into practice what I'd been learning all day. Even though it was just a week, there was something new to discover about my quirk everyday.

I sparred with my classmates, and in my afternoon sessions, I'd train with Todoroki in the park sometimes. Although I was grateful for his help, he also made me feel a little inferior, considering the skills he already had before coming to UA.

I just had to keep reminding myself of his background.

'His father is a Pro Hero,' I constantly repeated to myself, 'he should have a few tricks up his sleeve, regardless of his relationship with his dad.' 

So, whenever Todoroki knocked me down, I'd always get back to look him in his bi-coloured eyes and say, "Again."

The afternoon sessions were great, even Tsu, Ochaco, Midoriya and Iida came along to one, and we all just sparred. However, during school, I noticed Todoroki wasn't acting like his usual self.

He had become even more reserved than before - not talking to me much in class, and barely sitting with us the whole week. I had tried talking to him during our sparring sessions, but he would just brush me off and throw another attack at me, ending the conversation.

'Maybe something's going on at home that he doesn't want to talk about,' I reasoned with myself as I walked home one afternoon, minutes after sparring with him. I heaved an exhausted sigh. 'I just hope it's not anything I've done...'

Soon enough, the gruelling week of training and anticipation had ended, and it was the day of the Annual UA High Sports Festival. Grabbing all I needed for the day, I bid farewell to my parents.

"Bye, Y/N!" Mum cried out, hugging me tightly, and kissing my cheek. "Good luck today, but don't forget to have fun!"

"Go show them what we know our little hero can do, aye?" Dad chuckled, and he gave me a hug, too.

I smiled brightly at them, the excitement for today pumping through every vein in my body.

"I will, thank you!" I left the house and proceeded towards the sports stadium, vaguely hearing Mum shout out behind me, "We'll be watching on the tv!"

I could only smile at her enthusiasm, feeling an immense weight of pride and joy to have those two gorgeous people as my parents, and to also have today's opportunity. Nerves buzzed through me like busy bees, causing more spring in my step.

'I've got this,' I thought. 'I've worked hard this week, so I just got to go out there and show them what I can do.'

As I reached the stadium, I saw hundreds upon thousands of people - spectators and event coordinators alike - entering the arena. Through the crowd, I also managed to spot some Pro Heroes, and I nearly fainted on the spot.

'This is...' there were no words to describe the atmosphere I felt. The enthusiasm and adrenaline rush I could feel bouncing off of everybody around me just made me more excited than I had been earlier. It was breathtaking, to say the least.

My pocket buzzed suddenly, drawing my attention to my phone. I quickly fished it out of my pocket to see a message from Ochaco flashing on the screen.