Part 77: Momo faints/Todoroki bears others' burdens

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Emi didn't tell Shine how the "date" ended, though she asked. She felt kind of guilty for telling Aizawa so much. 

She hoped he wouldn't mention it to Shine.

Shine had plenty to worry about already. She knew Mirko was still going to want answers, and she couldn't stall forever. She talked to Wally about what she should tell her.

"I don't know why you don't just not tell her at all," was his helpful answer, "She's kind of a jerk. I don't know if we can trust her." He bit into an apple.

"Well, if she decides to ask Hawks, aren't we in trouble?" Shine replied.

"I guess..." Wally sighed, "Why is it one problem after another?"

"I'm sure there'll be a lull eventually...right?" Shine said weakly.

* * *

While that was going on, Momo had plenty to think about after what happened. But it was hard to concentrate with Todoroki watching her so closely. Perhaps the numerous times she'd gotten hurt recently had finally gotten to him. (He was kind of slow to adjust.)

Not that it wasn't touching in a way, but she felt like a fragile doll with him watching her every move like she might trip and hurt herself.

The other girls thought it was cute.

"He probably just likes you," Mina said.

"No, I'm sure it's because I got taken out so easily," Momo sighed, "But, I...I mean, how was I supposed to know?"

"Wow, I'm glad to hear you're not blaming yourself," Jiro said, surprised.

"What good would it do?" Momo said, "And I'd just have to blame Miss Joke too if I did that."

"Uh...who are you and what have you done with Momo?" Mina said.

"I don't know," Momo mused, "After all that happened...I just feel like none of it was in my control. I was just part of it, in a small way."

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" Tohru said.

"I'm...not sure," Momo admitted, "I need to think more. Tohru-chan, could you see if the coast is clear?"

"Oh, he wouldn't hide outside your door." Tohru stuck her head out.

Todoroki was sitting on the stairway looking at his phone.

"I mean...maybe I'm wrong..." Tohru said.

"It's a little creepy," Tsuyu commented.

"No, it's cute," Mina said, "We all know how protective Todoroki is. This is just his way of trying to make it better."

"I appreciate that, but I feel...uh..." Momo searched for a word.

"Smothered?" Jiro said.

"Who knew Todoroki would end up being such a helicopter parent?" Mina said, "You know, his kids are gonna be really sheltered."

"To be fair, so are Momo's," Ochaco pointed out, "She didn't even know what Getflix was."

"I still don't see that as relevant information for being a hero..." Momo said.

"Well, if you want to avoid him so badly, sneak out the window," Mina said, "I do it all the time."

"What?" The girls looked at her oddly.

"Oh, me too. I practice my stealth," Tohru said, "And I go into the teacher's lounge and steal snacks. And I drew a face on Monoma's window."

"Get out! Really?" Mina was loving this.

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