Finding Me (Todoroki x Reader)

Chapter 122

The fun had to end, unfortunately, and so I returned with Shishikura and Present Mic to the bleachers above. I left Shoto and Bakugou to clean up the ice sculpture with the others just as Gang Orca announced that everyone's training was over. Shishikura went back over to his side of the bleachers whilst I followed Present Mic back to where All Might and Endeavour sat.

"Welcome back, young L/N," All Might, greeting me with a smile. "We were wondering where you'd run off to. Endeavour and I were starting to think we would need to go look for you."

At the mention of the Flame hero, I spared him a quick glance, flinching a little at how he was already looking at me. His cerulean eyes pierced right through me, but gave nothing away as he sat stoic with his arms crossed. His eyes had looked at me with anger and hurt before, but never with such indifference.

"O-Oh, really?" I asked, a nervous chuckle escaping me. "Sorry about that. I didn't mean to worry you both."

Keeping my head bowed, I scurried past the both of them to sit on the far side of Present Mic. Only when I had sat down and could no longer feel Endeavour's intense gaze on me that I finally lifted my head.

"What does it mean to be a symbol?"

Such few words, yet they held so much weight to them. I wonder if, after I'd left, Endeavour found an answer to his question. It was hard to tell, but his restless aura told me that whatever he and All Might talked about was not what he had expected, or even wanted, to hear.

Down below, the arena was cleared and the children bid their farewells to Bakugou, Yoarashi, Camie and Shoto. It was kind of sad seeing the little monsters leave. Gang Orca seemed to have finished with the others, as well, for he called everyone to fall into line. Shoto and the others stood in the front line as the Number Ten hero paced back and forth.

"Work together and win the hearts of those children," Gang Orca said. "You did a good job despite having such vague instructions."

Wait, so he did that on purpose? I sweat-dropped along with my friends down below. Gang Orca really could've made a conniving villain, indeed.

"The rest of you also did well," he continued. "Remember everything you've learned, today; and keep working. You students have so much potential- Ugh! I mean: DON'T YOU DARE FAIL!"

"Yes, sir!"

"He's actually a big softie who loves kids," Present Mic muttered, an amused grin on his lips. "This is just for show."

That made me chuckle, appreciating the lightening of the mood. "You're right. He kind of reminds me of Mr. Aizawa in how he acts all cold to us, for the most part. But underneath, he just wants the best for us."

"...You helped us achieve the goal we'd all planned and waited for. It's okay to cry and miss him. It's okay to be sad for a while. But it don't think Nighteye would've wanted you to feel guilty about it all."

My heart tugged at the sad memory, but I couldn't stop a small smile from forming on my lips, either. Deep down, Mr. Aizawa cared for each and everyone of us. He just had an odd way of showing it, that was all.

Down below, Gang Orca dismissed the trainees and left the room. They all followed his lead and left the arena, too, heading for the change rooms, most likely.

All Might suddenly stood up, picking up his clipboard and turning my way. "Well, we better get going.  Besides, I want to talk with Shiketsu, over there."

"It's about time!" Present Mic cried, leaping to his feet to start stretching out his limbs. "I've been cramped into submission for far too long, All Mighty! Let's get this show on the road!"