Mystery from Another World--MHA

Part 27: Questions answered...sort of

Momo waited to see what Shine would do.

Shine looked at Todoroki for a long moment.

"You really want to know?" she said finally.

"Yes," Todoroki said.

Shine bit her lip.

"I actually don't know."

"What do you mean?" Momo said.

"I'm still finding out, myself," Shine said, "I think you'll know when I do."

"But you sure made it sound like you knew," Todoroki said. 

"Oh, I know well enough the general reason," Shine gestured, "I believe I told you already: to help. But I'm still collecting data. Now the only part I could tell you, that you don't know, is who my boss is."

"Who is it?" Todoroki said.

"I'm not telling you that," Shine said, maddeningly, "You should figure it out for yourself in time."

"What? Why?" Todoroki said.

"Todoroki, do you just tell everyone things that will potentially make them afraid of you?" Shine shrugged.

Silence.

"Why would we be afraid?" Todoroki looked at Momo, like he wanted to know why she wasn't saying anything. Momo had her hands to her chest nervously.

"I think people are generally afraid of what they don't know and can't understand," Shine said. 

"Why do you think I can't understand it? That's kind of arrogant." Todoroki was becoming frustrated, and he wasn't trying to hide it.

"I'm sorry to upset you, truly," Shine sounded sincere, "but you will have to trust my judgment on this. When you are ready, I will tell you-- or you will not need me to anymore. You'll just know. I can promise you, it's not anyone you need to worry about hurting you." She looked them in the eyes. "I would never harm you."

Momo nodded.

Todoroki stared at her. "Why should we believe that?" He was disappointed. "You still don't trust us."

"Don't mistake me thinking you lack maturity for not trusting you," Shine said, with more vigor, "I have watched you closely. That incident back there was enough reason for me to think you're still impulsive and reckless about things. If I told you, and you acted on it rashly, not only me and Wally, but Momo and the others could be in danger. I don't mind your being inexperienced myself, Todoroki. I'm not here to judge, but I can't put something on you you are not ready for, either. It's asking too much of you. When you learn to trust a little more and not carry everything yourself, then it will be time to tell you more things... As it is, I'm saying far too much. I'll just upset you."

Todoroki was actually more hurt than he'd have expected to be by any criticism of hers...because it was true. But he wasn't ready to admit that.

"I would not endanger you," he said.

"I'm sorry, but that is not your call," Shine said, "This is akin to us forcing you to let us see your mom. That is not our place, is it? Please respect my need to protect my family too." She walked on, looking somber.

That point was too well made and also foreboding for Todoroki to argue with further. But he was not happy.

"If it helps," Momo said, "I think she told you more than anyone else."

"She told you something, didn't she?" Todoroki said, "She didn't say you weren't ready, and you didn't ask any questions. You already know."

"You knew that already," Momo said.