Become Real //*+:｡.｡Shoto Todoroki｡.｡:+*//

~4~

Finally, the torture was over. All day long, Jiro had been making suggestive comments and teasing me at every opportunity she got. I couldn't so much as cast a single glance in Todoroki's direction without her wiggling her eyebrows at me or making kissy faces. By the end of the day, I was just about sick of her antics. She seems cool enough, but I wish she'd get off my case...

Well, at least it's over for the time being.

I stepped out of the shadow cast by the school building and stood for a moment, basking in the warm glow of the autumn sunshine. Perfect walking weather. I breathed deeply and stayed still for a moment more, and then came back to reality and began walking towards the dormitories.

While making my way towards the dorms, I spotted the distinctive contrasting colors of Todoroki's hair a few meters ahead of me. Assuming he was also headed to the dormitories, I sprinted forward and energetically jumped up beside him. Todoroki flinched at the sudden movement and I beamed him a smile.

"You're headed to the dorms too, right? Is it alright if I walk with you?" I asked.

Todoroki eyed me for a moment and then nodded. "Sure."

I began walking to his left, but he quickly darted over to the other side of me. I looked at him quizzically, to which he responded with an apologetic glance.

"Sorry... I'd prefer if you didn't walk to my left."

Odd, I thought, but simply smiled and fell into a slow pace beside him on the right. 

He didn't make any attempt to start a conversation, and I decided that it might be best that way. The atmosphere was too serene, with the only noise being the soothing breeze and the quiet murmur of far-off conversations between other students. It felt wrong to disturb the silence with useless small talk. Instead, I took to observing the surrounding nature. Fall was fast approaching, and the trees that had probably been a lush shade of green mere weeks ago had now lost that bright hue and transformed, displaying vibrant splashes orange and red.

"You said that autumn is your favorite season, right?"

I blinked, broken out of my trance by Todoroki's sudden question.

"Ah... Yeah. I mean, in my opinion, none of the other seasons can hold a candle to autumn's beauty!" I said, smiling involuntarily as I glanced around again and allowed my eyes to drink in the dazzling charm of the gorgeous scenery once more. Todoroki followed my gaze and then smiled warmly. 

"I suppose I'd have to agree with you on that."

I cast a glance in Todoroki's direction. There was something odd about him, that I hadn't been able to put my finger on. The way he spoke fit his voice, and his appearance matched his personality down to a T. It's like everything he does falls perfectly in sync... Like an intricate puzzle.

"You're a very aesthetically pleasing person, Todoroki," I stated candidly. 

Todoroki's lips parted slightly and his features melted into an odd expression of evident confusion. "It's... Interesting that you think that," He said, furrowing his brows. "I've gotten compliments about my looks and talent, but I've never heard anyone describe me like that."

I giggled. "First time for everything, right?"

Todoroki shook away his puzzlement and sighed. "Right..." He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. "That was a strange way for me to respond... I meant to thank you."

"Ah... You're welcome!" I said, adding a skip to my step as we came to the dormitories. Todoroki let out a quiet "thanks" as I opened the door and held it for him, and I followed closely behind into the central common area.