Shoto Todoroki X Reader

Chapter 18 : Confessions in the Quiet Moments

The sun hung low on the horizon, casting the U.A. summer camp in a warm, golden light. After the recent villain attack, everyone had been on edge, but things were finally starting to settle down. The teachers increased their patrols, and the students worked even harder, throwing themselves into training with renewed determination. Yet, beneath the focus and the sweat, some tensions simmered, hidden just below the surface.

Shoto Todoroki sat on a grassy hill overlooking the camp, the gentle breeze rustling his two-toned hair. He stared at the sky, deep in thought, as the last rays of sunlight streaked across the landscape. His mind wasn't on training, not on his father, or even the villains who had attacked them. Instead, it was focused on something—or rather, someone—who had been on his mind for a while now.

You.

Ever since your mysterious origins from the Dark Forest had come to light and you had joined Class 1-A, Todoroki had found himself drawn to you in ways he hadn't expected. There was something about your quiet strength, your resolve to forge your own path despite your heritage, and the way you effortlessly held your own in training that intrigued him. But after everything that had happened—his fight with you before camp, the appearance of your family, and the villains—it had become more than just curiosity.

He liked you.

And it was frustrating him.

"Yo, Todoroki!" Midoriya's cheerful voice called out, breaking his train of thought. Todoroki glanced over his shoulder to see Midoriya, Iida, and Uraraka approaching. The three of them often hung out together, and lately, they had taken to dragging Todoroki along with them more often. They'd been calling it "Deku's squad," though Todoroki didn't exactly feel like part of any squad.

Still, they were his friends now, and that was enough.

"You're out here again?" Midoriya asked, plopping down next to him with a bright grin. "You always seem so deep in thought."

Iida sat down with his usual precision, crossing his legs neatly. "I must agree with Midoriya. You've been distant these past few days, Todoroki. Is everything all right? After what happened with the villains, it's understandable if you're feeling overwhelmed."

Uraraka chimed in, her expression soft with concern. "Yeah, we're all still processing everything. You can talk to us if something's on your mind."

Todoroki glanced between them, feeling a strange tightness in his chest. These were his friends—people he could trust, even if he wasn't used to opening up. But the thought of admitting what was truly bothering him... It was unsettling. Still, he knew keeping it bottled up wouldn't help. Besides, Bakugou wasn't around, and that made it slightly less embarrassing.

Midoriya, ever observant, tilted his head. "Todoroki, is something bothering you?"

Todoroki stared at the ground for a moment, debating whether or not to speak. His fingers twitched at his sides, a sign of the inner turmoil he rarely let show. After a long pause, he finally sighed, deciding to just say it.