Finding Me (Todoroki x Reader)

Chapter 71

"Okay, well that about sums up our interview."

Detective Tsukuachi shut his notebook, switched off the recorder, and grabbed his folder before standing up again.

"Thank you, again, for talking with me. I appreciate you cooperating, and I'm sorry you had to go through all that."

I sent him a small smile. "It's not your fault. I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. I'm just sorry that others got hurt because of it all..."

Detective Tskukuachi was silent for a moment before bending down to my level again. He placed a gentle hand upon my shoulder, careful not to jostle it too much. "Don't apologise for something that was entirely out of your control, L/N. There is always a possibility of getting hurt when you're a hero, or even an officer like myself. But we do it by choice, not out of obligation. So, please, don't apologise for anything. It wasn't your fault."

I nodded, but it was only half-hearted. If it wasn't my fault - all the lives that were lost, all the people who were injured - then why did I feel so guilty?

An image of All Might, withered and beaten, entered my mind, and I had to close my eyes for a moment so as not to shed a tear. 'If I hadn't been so careless to let Bakugou and Tokoyami out of my sight at the training camp, none of this would've happened. No one would've gotten hurt, and no one would've been killed. And All Might, he... he...'

The Symbol of Peace could've possibly lived on, even if for just one more day.

My eyes flickered opened at the feeling of a hand on my head. Tilting my head up to see the detective petting my head, my eyes widened in surprise.

"It wasn't your fault," he said, ruffling the loose, H/C strands of hair. "Your friend Bakugou gave me the same look, although his was more of a scowl than a grim frown."

That made me chuckle, a soft and broken sound it was. That sounded just like Bakugou. I could only imagine him yelling or screaming and blowing shit up, or even flipping the interrogation table. Those thoughts brought some comfort, at least.

Detective Tsukuachi let his hand drop from my head, pulling it back to his side as he made his way towards the door. Before opening it, however, he paused.

"I can tell you're still worried about All for One," he said. "But you shouldn't. We've got him under lock and key, and have him on some medicine that will weaken his hold on his quirk. That includes you."

"You belong to me. Don't forget it."

I flinched, screwing my eyes shut again. Why couldn't that man just leave me alone?

"He can't harm you, L/N. I promise you, that."

And with that, Detective Tsukauchi left, leaving me to drown in the silence of the grey and white room.

Even though it was quite a spacious room, I felt claustrophobic, feeling restrained underneath the starch white sheets and stiff shift dress. I needed to get out of here, or at least out of bed. I knew my parents would be back soon, but a little walk wouldn't hurt, right? Besides... I needed space to think about it all. About everything.

So, grabbing my phone, I slipped myself out of bed - with much effort - into the hospital supplied slippers, onto my feet, and through my room to the door. I didn't bother leaving a message, because I didn't want anyone finding me. I needed to get out, and I needed to be alone. Gripping onto the walls, I made my way down the plain hallways of the hospital, scanning with half-lidded eyes as other patients walked with nurses and loved ones.