"I can tell you've been slacking on training, haven't you?"

I couldn't argue against that, because it was true. I've been so preoccupied in my own mind and dealing with school that I just felt like I haven't had time. I know, I was making excuses, but I didn't know what else to think. I stared at the ground, "Yeah, just a little..."

He nudged my shoulder and started searching for food, "Don't get so down. I'll take care of your training and your food, so you have nothing to worry about."

"You're gonna do what now?"

"I'm going to take care of your training and-"

I sighed, "I know what you said."

"Then why did you-"

I was getting frustrated, "Just be quiet! You're so annoying sometimes, and you take all the fun out of it."

He smirked, "Precisely."

Kousuke was a very cautious, productive person. He hates the idea of wasting time or going wrong and not following a carefully laid plan he has in his head. So even a small task like going shopping, he has a way he wants to do it.

He was also one of the most overprotective people I know. It's easy to say he would take a bullet for you, but it was a lot more than that. It's as if sometimes he would act like the only reason he was born was to protect you, which I think is stupid. Because of this, he sometimes forgets to think about himself.

He pulled me aside and put a finger to his lips, "We're being followed."

My heart dropped. I kept my voice quiet, "Are you sure?"

He nodded. I don't know why I asked such a stupid question, but I couldn't believe it. No, I could; I just couldn't understand myself. I was disappointed. If we were being followed, all this time, how didn't I notice anything? Have I been vastly overestimating myself all this time? I thought I could at least defend myself.

"A blonde boy and a redhead. They look like students."

My face fell, and I suddenly felt stupid. "Does the blonde look like a porcupine?"

He blinked at me, "No."

One more thing about Kousuke: he tends to jump to conclusions very quickly, especially when it comes to our safety.

He looked deep in thought, "I'm sure they've been following us since we left the school, but why? They're also terrible at this, why even bother?"

"They're my... classmates."

He stared at me like he couldn't believe what I had just said, and for some reason, that made me really angry, "They're your what? Why are they following..." He stopped talking as if he realised that what he was saying was stupid.

"Friends. Yes, I have friends! Why are you acting so surprised?"

"It's not that..." He started to mumble under his breath. He groaned and grabbed his hair in fists.

He looked troubled like he wanted to say more, but there was something else stopping him. I calmed down. I felt like I was being fair, being angry at him for no apparent reason. My features softened, and I grabbed his arm, "Let's go to the checkout."

As soon as we got home, Kousuke passed out on the couch.

It was a miracle that he lasted the shopping trip. The dark circles under his eyes were darker than mine, which I didn't even know could be possible. He looked terrible in the sense that he looked malnourished, tired, and looked like he hadn't got a proper rest in weeks.

There he was, a practical mess, yet he was worried about my diet and training regime. What an idiot.

I went upstairs to change into something more comfortable. I headed back down, settling on grey jogging bottoms and a black tank top. Kousuke was still passed out on the couch, and my heart ached.

Since he was strong, and a bit of a pushover when it comes to helping someone else, people always relied on him, and he couldn't let them down. Because of this, he ends up pushing himself too hard and burning out, like this.

I sighed and started looking through the cupboards, deciding on making him some macaroons.

If there was one thinking I hated more than ducks and old men, it was cooking. I don't know why, because I was very good at it, but I just hated it. It felt so tedious and uncomfortable to me.

It'll be a charming little surprise for when he wakes up.

~~~

"Good work on the combat training. I saw the video and results. Bakugou, you're talented, so don't act like a kid."

Bakugou grumbled under his breath, hating Aizawa saying, that in front of the class, "I know."

"And Midoriya."

He gulped.

"You settled it by breaking your arm again, huh? You can't keep saying you can't help it because you can't control your quirk. I don't like saying the same things over and over. As long as you fix the control issue, there'll be a lot you can do."

I glanced over at him, worried he was going to be gloomy and upset. To my surprise, he was very cheerful. He vigorously nodded his head in agreement and didn't seem to be upset at all.

"Sakata."

I flinched.

"You're too reckless. In a real fight, you need to be mindful of the injuries you sustain to keep yourself safe, and everyone around you." He yawned and closed the book he was holding in his hands as if to keep the class quiet. "Now, let's get down to homeroom business. Sorry about the short notice but today I'll have you decide on a class representative."

In two seconds flat, the entire class jumped up and started yelling, who knows what. The chaotic energy was so sudden that I wanted to just hide in a hole until everyone calmed down.

Before the class could turn into a warzone, Iida busted out the arms, "Silence! It is a job with a serious responsibility to lead others. It's not a job for anyone who wants to do it. It is a calling that requires the trust of those around you! If we want to use democracy to decide on a true leader, then we could hold an election to choose one!"

I voted for Midoriya, of course.

Midoriya was voted as the class rep, with Yaoyorozu Momo as the vice. While everyone didn't seem bothered at this result, the only one who looked remotely upset was Iida.

"Hey, Sakata!"

I looked up to see Kirishima and Kaminari, nervously grinning at me. Kaminari nudged Kirishima, and he coughed, "Yesterday we happened to coincidently see you out and about. It was out of the blue completely, we had no idea we would see you, haha, and we saw-"

"Who was that man you were with!?" Kaminari interrupted, obviously not caring at the attention he was attracting.

I was prepared for this. Of course Kaminari thought it would be fun to follow me, and poor Kirishima got roped into it.

I smiled, "Yesterday? Ohh, you mean after school?"

He nodded, waiting quite impatiently for my answer.

Kirishima, on the other hand, didn't look very happy. He kept on fidgeting and looking around like he was looking for an excuse to leave. Eventually, he just put his hand on Kaminari's shoulder and shook his head, "Hey man, it's not manly to ask her that. What if she doesn't want to tell you?"

I pressed my lips together, "It's okay, it's not that big of a deal. The man you saw me with is a family friend, I've known him since I was little. But why are you asking?"

Kaminari bubbled up, "Oh! That's because we saw you go shopping together, and got curious."

"So unmanly." Kirishima sighed.

"I was kinda worried he was your boyfriend or something!" Kaminari laughed and scratched the back of his head, "What a relief!"

I smiled, "Oh, it's nothing like that! He's like a father to me!"

"'L-Like a father?' What about your actual-"

Kirishima elbowed him so hard that he almost fell over. He smiled at me and started to drag Kaminari away, "It's almost time for lesson. See you around, Sakata!"

I waved at him as Kaminari reluctantly got back into his seat, eyeing me the entire time.

~~~

"Good afternoon."

I turned to see Todoroki, looking slightly anxious. I wanted to roll my eyes at the irony, but I didn't. I shrugged, "Good afternoon. Now that I think about it, isn't this the first time you've greeted me?"

He shook his head, "No, I greeted you when I gave you back your turtleneck."

"That doesn't count because you only said that because you needed something from me." I tilted my head and sighed, "I guess this time doesn't count either."

"I wanted to apologize." He ignored what I said.

"Apologize?"

He nodded. We both started walking to the cafeteria. He didn't look at me at all, as if he was still feeling awkward, "The day we were at the park. And you had your..."

I gulped, hating this conversation already, "Yeah."

"That. Thinking back on it, I wasn't very polite to you. For that, I'm sorry. You just caught me on an especially bad day."

I thought back on everything he said, "So you're not usually that blunt? I don't mind it, you know. It's refreshing to have someone speak their mind to you."

"I don't think so."

"You don't think so?"

"Well," He put his finger up to his chin as if he was thinking about it, "It's not like I have friends. So I don't know how I usually am with people around my age."

I nodded, understanding where he was coming from, "Wait a minute, then what am I?"

We stared at each other like we both couldn't figure out the answer. Todoroki cocked his head to the side and answered, "A classmate? An acquaintance?"

"Two steps away from the beginning of a friendship?"

"Why two steps?"

"I'm not sure. But I'm sure if we continue like this, we'll be friends in no time." I chewed the inside of my cheek, as an idea popped into my mind, "Oh, can I ask you something?"

He didn't look bothered at all, "Yes."

"Why were you out that late? Don't make up another lie, this time."

He looked surprised, then it morphed to a look of discomfort. Then, he looked like he managed to calm down, his usual stoic look returning to his face, "I didn't want to be at home."

"I see."

"You're not going to ask anything else?"

"If I do, will you tell me?"

"No."

I shrugged, a small smile on my face, "There you have it. When we become friends, someday, instead of sitting out alone in the park, you can come to my house."

He huffed, "Is that something you can say so easily?"

"No."

"No?"

"No."

Now that I think back at it, I don't know why I said that so readily. Something about the way he was sat there all alone stuck with me. It was as if he was prepared to sit there all night, alone. As if he was used to it. Something inside me wanted to change that.

I didn't pity him. But seeing him sat there like that was familiar. It was like I had seen something like that before, and it didn't sit well with me. When I put it that way, it for my own selfish reasons, nothing to do with him.

Other than that, Todoroki seemed like a good person, so there's no harm in getting to know him better.

Right?

~~~

They're gonna be besties and I can't wait but it'll be a while I'm sorry mwahaha

KAMINARI FUCKINF STALKING HER AND GETTING KIRI TO GO WITH HIM WHO WAS PROBABLY DYING THE ENTIRE TIME that poor soul 🥲🥲

Two seconds of silence for Kirishima.

Stay safe!