"Don't let me go."
"Don't worry, I won't ever let you go. I promise."
Ikari's scar is the first thing that people notice. And it drives them away, since it is the symbol of her father, one of the most feared villains of all time... before he died.
...
"You'll be okay, as long as I'm here."--Todoroki Shoto
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POV—Todoroki Shoto
Recovery... Again
"Don't worry, I won't ever let you go. I promise."
Her sobs are muffled in my chest, but she grips onto me just like the day I found her under the tree. She screams, the hollow screams carried by the wind, and I can hear her repeating over and over,
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry... I'm sorry I said all th-those things to you, please forgive me—"
I only hold her tighter.
"It's okay. You don't have to apologize for anything."
Don't let me go.
POV—Hebinoya Ikari
Shoto only lets me go when I stop shaking. He doesn't speak, and his mere embrace comforts me. Once I dry my tears, some part of the pressure weighing me down these past few weeks vanished. Wordlessly, he helps me towards the bottom of the stairs, where he gently guides me to... I don't even know.
My head is light, and my eyes are red and puffy. I cast my eyes downwards, afraid that someone will see me in this state.
"Hebinoya?" Midoriya's high pitched voice floats from ahead me, and I turn away so he doesn't have to see me like this. Before I can, he continues, "Are you okay?"
When I spare a glance at Midoriya, more of my classmates come around him, including Uraraka, Jirou, Ashido and Tsuyu. I meet each one of their eyes, reciting their names and their Quirks.
"We came looking for you after Deku said you seemed off. Are you okay?" Uraraka repeats, slight worry gleaming in her eyes.
I avert her gaze, afraid to admit that just minutes before I wanted to end my life. Shame emits a sharp pain in my chest. What if I had jumped? What if Shoto wasn't there to save me? What would have happened then? I grimace at the thought of my broken body laying on the floor. There would've been police and ambulances, just like the day Shojiro died.
"She needs some space." Shoto explains, tightening his grip around my arm.
"We heard all the mean things those spectators were saying! They are all so unmanly!" Kirishima says enthusiastically, hardening his hands.
"Yeah! We don't think you're a villain!"
"You're nice!"
"Don't listen to them!"
More students join in, and I am bombarded with compliments and students telling me how smart and fast I am. Their compliments are like an antidote to a poison I've been intoxicated with. My mouth hangs agape, my mind unable to process their words. I don't know what I'm supposed to do. I don't even deserve this much praise and forgiveness. I was selfish, and I tried to abandon everyone... and they still like me.
