Finding Me (Todoroki x Reader)

Chapter 31

Shortly after Shoto left, Recovery Girl came back, gave me a quick once over, a big kiss, and sent me on my way.

"Thanks again, Recovery Girl!" I thanked the elderly lady, waving with my uninjured arm. "I promise to be more careful next time."

"Not a problem, dear," Recovery Girl replied happily. "And you better be! Between you and Midoriya, this old lady may very well be on her way to an early retirement!"

'Early? I'd hate to know what she means by late.'

I just smiled in response, turning back around to make my way up the stairs. I walked without a struggle, and the only pain I felt was a slightly numb pain pulsing in my shoulder. So, when I reached the first flight of stairs, I didn't think much of it.

However, my first step upwards elicited a surprised groan from me, as my legs collapsed out from underneath me. Quickly grappling onto the railing beside me, more pain spiked through my body. I sweat-dropped as I forced my strained muscles to pull myself up.

'Why is my body so damn misleading? ' I thought as I took another agonising step upwards. 'One minute, I think I can take on the world. The next, I can't even take on one flight of stairs.'

Taking deep breaths, I hoisted myself up the first flight of stairs, wincing at the pain throbbing through my whole shoulder. Disregarding the pain, I braced myself for the next set of stairs, avoiding any use of my injured shoulder.

Every step seemed to become slightly easier, and so it didn't take long at all to reach the level my classmates were on. As I heaved from the strain, I thought, 'Why the heck do we have to be all the way up here? '

I figured I'd never know.

"Hey guys," I greeted my friends as I walked down the stairs, holding my shoulder gingerly.

"Y/N!" Ochaco was the first one to greet me, jumping out of her seat to engulf me in a hug, not acknowledging my arm. "I'm so glad you're okay!"

"Ochaco, my ARM!"

"Oh, right. Sorry!"

I breathed deeply, trying to settle the excruciating pain. Once it had died down slightly, I managed to give the brunette a pain-filled smile.

"It's okay, Ochaco," I reassured her. "It'll be fine. Don't worry about it."

Ochaco seemed hesitant to let the matter go, but she eventually did, giving me a firm nod before turning back to sit down. I followed her, finding a seat next to Midoriya, who looked pretty worse for wear.

"Are you okay, Midoriya?" I asked the green-haired boy, genuine concern written on my face. I received a close-eyed smile in response.

"I'm quite alright, L/N. Really!" Midoriya flailed his uninjured hand at me dismissively, waving off my worries. "It honestly looks worse than it actually is."

I hummed in agreement, turning back to face the stage below.

"Thank you, Midoriya," I muttered, loud enough for only him to hear. I heard him jump slightly, and felt his body slightly shift towards me. However, he didn't speak, and his silence was enough for me to tell that he was confused. I smiled softly.

"What you did in your match against Shoto," I started explained, keeping my voice as low as possible, "really affected him. I'd like to think I helped in some way, too... But I believe it was you who truly made him feel as if he could open up. That he could unlock his true potential."

I turned my head back towards my green-haired classmate, the look of surprise and shock on his face all too amusing.

"So thank you, Midoriya." I smiled at him gratefully. "He's now on his way to becoming the hero he's always wanted to be."