Finding Me (Todoroki x Reader)

Chapter 137

Returning from Nabu Island was a bittersweet experience, to say the least. The time we'd spent there was so full of excitement and thrills that coming back to mainland Japan made the trip seem something close to a fever dream. As if we'd never gone. Or, at most, it was an experience we would never get again. Thinking about it, I wasn't sure if that was a bad thing or not.

My classmates and I were sent into lockdown by the school upon our return, practically strapping us to our beds to force us to rest. We weren't allowed to step outside the dormitory grounds even though school continued on for everybody else. Our friends from other classes were prohibited from seeing us, Mr. Aizawa having threatened them with a torturous detention if they were to disturb us.

None of that really affected me, though. After what we all went through, I was content in laying in my own bed without the threat of death and destruction of the world keeping me alert at all times. Although, it was weird without that extra pressure. It felt as if every turn my classmates and I took this year, there was a new threat waiting to attack from the shadows.

And honestly, it still felt like there was.

But I wouldn't let that lingering thought bother me today, though. Today was the day our house arrest was lifted; and, boy, did I have plans.

"Stop fidgeting, Sho. You're making me nervous." I said, an amused smile tugging at my lips.

Shoto let out a deep sigh and shoved his hands into his pockets as he kept walking, his shaking fingers still visible even through the thick fabric of his jeans. "I'm sorry. It's just... The last time I saw your parents, we were still just friends. Things are different now."

"Oh, Sho," I said, gently grabbing on his arm. "My parents loved you then and they love you now. Believe me: when I came to make up with them all those months ago - the day I met your mother - they couldn't stop bombarding me with questions about you. All good things, I promise."

That brought a small smile to his lips, but he still kept his eyes on the path ahead of us.

It was actually a pretty decent day out. The sun shone bright in the blue sky, layering the earth in a warm blanket that beat against the slight chill of the passing breeze. Flowers of all types and all colours were in full bloom in the gardens Shoto and I passed, their fragrances floating through the air as a leaf would. I couldn't hold back a small smile as I breathed it all in. Ah. Home.

"Don't you think it's such a beautiful day, Sho?" I asked. "And you know what they say about good weather? It's a sign that your day will be full of good fortune."

"You just made that up," he grumbled back.

A soft laugh escaped me as I shrugged my shoulders. "So, what if I did? I choose to believe that it's true. Because anything is possible if you just believe, right?" 

Shoto shrugged, his gaze falling to the ground. "I guess..."

Shoto was usually an expressionless, not-so-enthusiastic guy. But the way his shoulders slumped as he walked and how his eyes drooped more than usual expressed the worry that was probably turning him inside out. It had probably been eating at him since we left the dorms this morning.

Tightening my grip on his arm, I pulled him to stop in the middle of the footpath.

He raised his gaze to meet mine, his eyebrows furrowed together. "What are you doing, Y/N?"

"I can't let you enter my house thinking you're not worthy enough to do so," I said. "And even if you weren't, remember this: I chose you; and I will always choose you, Sho. You're the one that makes me happy beyond even the most extravagant of necklaces or the sweetest of ice-creams. I love my parents, but they don't chose who I love. All they can do is accept and support me. But, like I said before, you shouldn't worry about a thing. They love you."