Finding Me (Todoroki x Reader)

Chapter 32

"Todoroki is out of bounds. That means... Bakugou is the winner!"

The crowd erupted into a cacophony of cheers and howls of elation. I would normally have put my hands over my ears to block out the obnoxious sounds, but all my senses were numb at the sight of my unconscious classmates below.

'He... lost? '

I stood staring in disbelief as four medics came to retrieve the boys, placing them gently onto stretchers to take them out. My eyes never left their forms, even as they left my sight in the exit tunnel.

'Shoto didn't use his fire... Why? '

My heart ached at the memory of the icy-hot boy looking so torn - so unsure. What exactly he thought of at the time - what made him stop - I wasn't sure. However, I knew that whatever it was, that it was the reason he'd been hesitant all day; hesitant to let go.

To let the anger and hatred and rage towards his father, and the fire he possessed, go.

"And with that, the final match is officially over. The first year winner of the UA High School Sports Festival is... Katsuki Bakugou from Class 1-A!"

Thunderous rounds of applause drowned out everything else around me as Bakugou was announced the victor. I suddenly felt a gentle hand on my shoulder, pulling me to turn and face whoever it was behind me. My E/C orbs met sparkling, green ones, and the freckled face that held them.

"L/N," Midoriya softly said, "are you okay?"

"Of course I am." I smiled as brightly as I could. "Why would you think, otherwise-"

It was then that I suddenly felt a wet substance trickle down my cheek. I felt it drop off my chin, and splat onto my uniform. Dragging a shaking hand up to my face, I trailed the wetness up to my eye. 'I'm crying? '

I stared at the tear resting on my fingertips, confused as to why I was crying at all. I looked towards Midoriya again, then scanned the field below, eyeing where Shoto and Bakugou once laid, then came back to Midoriya. In that moment, only one emotion - other than confusion - crossed my mind.

'I'm sad.' 

But why was I sad?

I gave Midoriya a befuddled expression, unsure of what to say in response. Fortunately for me, I didn't have to, as my green-haired classmate squeezed my shoulder once more, and gave me an understanding smile.

"It's okay," he said, dropping his hand back to sit down again. "He'll be okay."

I stiffened at his words, feeling an embarrassed heat flare up on my neck. Was it really that obvious that I was concerned and upset for Shoto? I didn't even know for myself why I'd been sad before, but Midoriya seemed to have read me like a book. How? 

I sat back beside my freckle-faced friend, looking around at our classmates. However, there was one student that I couldn't find. In fact, he didn't seem to be anywhere in sight.

"Hey," I called out to no one in particular. "Does anyone know where Iida is?"

Everyone looked around, trying to spot our Class Rep, but there was no sign of the engine boy anywhere. Where could he have gone?

"I'm gonna go look for him," I announced, standing up abruptly to make my way out of the setting balcony. However, before I could even take one step, Present Mic's loud-ass voice interrupted again.

"Can we have all of our finalists meet on the bottom floor of the arena, now? Presentations will be underway shortly."

I breathed out an exasperated sigh, turning back to face Midoriya, Ochaco, and Tokoyami.