"honesty and grace" (Mezo Shoji X Reader)

Chapter 39

hi, be expecting some shoji×todoroki things in upcoming chapter illustrations bc i can't find nearly enough good fan art of him by himself-
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“Wow, not to point out the obvious or anything, but you look like a total wreck.” Ojiro says to you with a nervous smile. He leans over the counter as you reach back for a white paper bag filled with his order of sweet pastries.

The week of your training had passed, and you were ecstatic. Ectoplasm had made you take the quirk apprehension test for the third time yesterday, and your scores were good enough to earn you a spot in UA’s best second year class. Your mentor had been ridiculously proud of you, genuinely impressed that you were so dedicated to your training and development as a hero in the making. He had spoken to Aizawa and Nedzu about your scores once he reviewed them, and they were equally as impressed. All Might even helped Ectoplasm in trying to convince the two to make room for you somewhere in the class. Eventually, they caved, and now you are a part of something you could have only dreamed of.

You sighed and looked behind the pale boy, relieved to see he was the only one waiting on an order. “Thanks, your observations are touching.” Sarcasm laces your tone as you roll your eyes. You set the white bag down on the counter a few inches from him.

He only chuckles and hands you cash while grabbing the paper bag with his free hand. “You’re very welcome. Hey, the shipment truck arrived at the dorm yesterday, by the way. All your stuff is in the dorm building now, you’ll just have to decorate your room how you want.” He says cheerfully while running a hand through his blonde hair.

A smile washes over your exhausted expression. “Wow, really? That means I’ll just have to clear out the apartment and…” Your heart began to beat rapidly as you sighed. “I’ll have to get rid of my mom’s stuff.” You say sadly, biting the inside of your cheek.

Ojiro notices the sadness sweeping over your smile. In an attempt to make you feel better, he flashes you a dopey grin. “Do you maybe want to hang out after classes tomorrow? You can bring Shoji, and the three of us can go see a movie or hangout at the mall?” The plain boy suggests, his expression not changing.

Hearing him talk about classes makes your heart continue it’s rapid pace. Going to a movie or something along those lines would be amazing, but it would be hard for you to find time in your already busy schedule to do something like that. “Sorry, but I can’t tomorrow. Tuesday works, though? I have off work and I won’t be training with anyone then.”

“With anyone? You say that like you have more than one mentor.” The boy cocks his head to the side, using his peripherals to see if anyone had come into the bakery.

“I kind of do, actually. Ectoplasm is my only true mentor, but I’ve been sparring with Bakugou a lot, recently. He’s been helping me get better at combat training without my quirk, where Ectoplasm focuses mainly on my quirk.” You state matter-of-factly.

His jaw seems to drop for a second. “You’ve been working with Bakugou? Seriously?”

Confused with his surprise, you raise an eyebrow and tilt your head to the side. “Yeah, hasn’t he told anyone about it? I thought everyone knew.”

Ojiro shrugs and shakes his head. “Nope, this is the first time I’m hearing about it.”

“Well, whatever. I’ve been working with him a lot. He helps me to try and build up a pain tolerance.” The two of you share a laugh before seriousness takes over your tone. “In all seriousness, he’s a great person to be helping me with my fighting ability. Bakugou may be a total asshole sometimes, but there are things he teaches me about what it takes to be a hero that I would have never realized on my own.” Your jaw tightens as you begin to think of all the things you do differently now because of the simple things he’s taught you.