Eria

It was a tiring morning of the first day of school after the sports festival. People started to recognise me when I commuted to school. Some praised me while some were scared to look at me.

In class, Aizawa-sensei had shown us the number of offers from pro heroes for the internship. Todoroki got over 4000 offers, followed by Bakugou with 3000+ while the rest of the class barely make it pass the 500 mark.

I couldn't bear to look at the less than 100 offers I got. It was excruciating.

Stupid Satan quirk! Look what else you did to me!

Midnight-sensei came and took over Aizawa-sensei's spot for the rest of the class to help us with our hero codenames. While a lot of us had thought of good hero names, some struggled with theirs, which included me.

"Psst... Todoroki." I kicked his chair gently. He turned around. "Do you have any suggestions for a good codename?"

Todoroki blinked. "I don't have any. I decided to go with my name 'Shouto' instead."

Your own name...

***

" 'Eria'. I'm going with 'Eria'."

The entire class looked at me with surprised eyes.

"Are you okay with your own name?" Midnight asked, concerned.

I nodded. "I suck at codenames anyway. Besides, my name means 'blessing'. Even though my quirk might not be perfect, I want to believe it is a blessing to me so that I could use it and save people."

"That is so manly!" gasped Kirishima. "I support you!"

"Such a pretty name for a pretty person!" wooed Kaminari while Jirou rolled her eyes at his antics.

"Way a go!" cheered Ochako.

"Why didn't you name yourself 'Succubus'?! That's a nice name too!" cried Mineta as his face turned red at that thought.

"Nice attempt, Takasaki. Next!" said Midnight.

I was relieved to hear that.

After the codenames were fixed for most people—excluding Lord/King Explosion Murder, Bakugou—Aizawa-sensei gave us our lists of offers. I peered through the paper that listed almost 80 offers. Two caught my attention. One was my mother's agency: Magnolia Agency. It was a reputable agency with great heroes specialising in various fields. The next agency made my little heart jumped.

Endeavour's Hero Agency.

......what does he want with me?

Endeavour may be a great hero, but after knowing what he did to Todoroki, I had second thoughts. I didn't feel like going to that agency at all.

What should I do? Should I ask my mom's advice?

I looked at Todoroki, who was peering at his list. If I ask him, he would probably tell me not to.

Even after class ended, I was still in deep thought. I weighed the pros and cons of joining Magnolia Agency and Endeavour's Hero Agency but was still indecisive.

"Let's go see a movie this weekend!" Ochako's cheerful voice drew my attention. "Deku, Eria, Iida, let's go!"

"M-movie?!" Midoriya stuttered. A pale shade of pink dusted his cheeks as Ochako leaned in nearer to him. "S-sure!"

"I'm okay with it." I pushed away my indecisive thoughts about the agencies. "I need some relaxing for the upcoming internship."

Ochako turned to Iida. "Iida, what about you?"

"I'm sorry. I couldn't. Please excuse me." The boy with glasses rose from his seat. A weird aura has enveloped him ever since the sports festival. He hurriedly left the classroom after school has ended.

I wondered if he was okay after the incident with his brother.

Apparently, I wasn't the only one worried about Iida. Todoroki's mismatched eyes were trained on Iida as well. His eyebrows slightly furrowed as if he was deep in thought.

"Todoroki, you okay?" I gently tapped his shoulder.

The boy slightly flinched. "Yeah... I'm okay. I'm just... worried about Iida."

"I didn't know you cared for someone else," I teased.

"I'm trying to be more concerned of my classmates now," he replied as he looked away, trying to hide the tiny spatter of red on his cheeks.

I tried hard not to chuckle. "Anyway, how was your meeting with your mother?"

He whipped his head around to stare at me.

"If you don't want to talk about it, you don't have to," I quickly explained.

Todoroki gently shook his head. "You're my friend. I can tell you anything. Right?"

A warm feeling filled my heart to hear him say those endearing words. I nodded in reply.

Todoroki looked down at his hands as he kneaded them together. "At first, I hesitated a lot on the way to the hospital. I thought of turning back. But I knew if I want to overcome my problems, I need to see her. So I did. My mother... she didn't age much. She was just as pretty, just as calming, just as warm. She was just like she used to be, before......" He unconsciously touched the scar on his face.

"She was waiting for me to visit her. When I saw her, I realised how much I missed her all these years. I..." his voice croaked.

I reached out to touch his hand. It was slightly trembling.

He took in a deep breath. His eyes were shining with moisture.

"...... Did you cry?" I teased, trying to ease his welled-up emotions.

"...... Did not." He looked away.

I chuckled at how embarrassed he looked. "There, there. You don't have to continue if you don't want to."

"...... I'm fine."

"Of course you are."

"I know you're being sarcastic, Takasaki."

I let out a chuckle. "Let's go home now, shall we?"

He nodded. "Don't tell anyone about this."

I didn't reply.

"Takasaki," he snarled.

I laughed.

"Takasaki, don't you dare ignore me," he commanded. "Oi. Takasaki. Wait." Todoroki grabbed my arm.

"Fine. I promise. I won't tell anyone."

"Not that." His beautiful eyes stared directly mine. He didn't release my arm as if he was afraid I would run. "Thank you... for encouraging me. For... being my friend."

A genuine smile formed on my face as I replied. "You're welcome."

His eyes widened with shock as a look of bewilderment drew across his face..

"What is with that look on your face, Todoroki?" I hissed. I couldn't comprehend the look on his face. "Is my smile something horrible?"

"Uh... no."

I shot the coldest glare at him.

"It's just......" A small smile formed on his lips. It was a sweet smile—a rare emotion among his usually aloof facial expressions. "I think you have a very beautiful smile, Takasaki. You need to smile more often."

My face slowly heated up. I rolled my water bottle on my cheeks to cool them down. "W-why would you say something like that?" I stuttered.

"Because it's the truth," Todoroki replied without hesitation. He looked at me quizzically. "Are you okay? You look like you're heating up." His right hand reached out and touched my forehead. "Let me cool you down. Hmm... you don't seem to have a fever. But... why is your face getting redder?"

The physical contact made me feel weird. My face was burning. My heart was racing. I was pretty sure I'm going to explode soon. Todoroki's hand and his comment were like a combo attack to my fragile self.

"I'm fine...." I said as I brushed his hand away. "Just..." I averted my eyes from his. I wanted to dig a hole in the wall and hide my embarrassed face in it forever. I didn't understand why I felt this... terrible. My body was not reacting normal.

"Are you sick?" He asked innocently. I didn't know how to explain to him. Will he even understand when I don't?

"Todoroki... whatever you just did... never do it to another girl. Ever."

His eyes widened in surprise. "What?"

"I mean the touching and the... compliment about a girl's smile... never do that."

"Why?"

"Because...... it looked like you are flirting."

He froze. "F-flirting?"

"Just don't do it. Unless you're interested in that person."

A small pout inadvertently formed on his lips. Confusion took over his face. "Interested as in?"

God Todoroki! You're so pure! You're too adorable!

"Romantic terms, Todoroki! Unless you like the girl, not as a friend, but as a future romantic partner."

A shade of red dyed his cheeks. "...... Oh."

"Do you understand?"

He slowly nodded. "...... Even if it's you, Takasaki?"

"W-why would you ask that?"

Todoroki looked confused yet embarrassed. It was a very rare concoction of emotions on his face. "...... I don't know either. But... you're my friend, right? I can't compliment you or check if you're sick?"

"I..." Honestly, I had no answer to that. "Maybe?" I blurted. "I don't know. Just... do what you feel right."

WHAT THE HELL DOES THAT SUPPOSE TO MEAN, MYSELF?

"Oh... okay."

Change the fucking subject! Talk something else!

"You err... wanna go to the movies this weekend?! With me?! I mean err... with Ochako and Midoriya too!" I was practically shouting.

Todoroki was taken aback. "Ermm... movies?"

"Cinema, Todoroki! The cinema!"

He looked at me blankly.

"You...... never been to one, haven't you?"

He shook his head.

"Good! Then you should come! You're free right?"

"I have to visit my mother on Saturday. But I'm free on Sunday, I guess," he replied.

"GOOD!"

"Why are you shouting, Takasaki?"

"I don't know!" The adrenaline was pumping too hard within me. The heat on my cheeks gradually subsided but my heart was still pumping twice the speed.

Todoroki scoffed. "Sometimes I wonder why I am friends with you."

"No regretting, Icy Hot," I snarled.

"Of course not." He smiled once more. The smile attacked me again. My heart raced even faster. I was pretty sure my face was red as his hair.

How could he look so gorgeous with that smile?!

"Are you sure... Midoriya and Uraraka will be okay if I'm there?" Todoroki abruptly asked. His eyebrows furrowed with concern.

"Of course they will! You wanted to make more friends, don't you? Especially Midoriya."

He scratched his neck. "Yeah."

"Well then, see you on Sunday! Dress casual! I'll pm you the place later, 'kay? Don't bail on me, Todoroki."

"Pm?"

I sighed. "Private message. Just check your phone regularly. You have my number, right?"

He nodded. "See you then, Takasaki." He smiled the third time today.

It finally dawned on me how gorgeous and pure his smile was. A tiny desire slowly budded within me. I wanted to see more. I wanted to see more of his beautiful smile.

***

When Todoroki and I met at the train station on Sunday, I didn't know how handsome he could be in casual clothes.

Clad in a dark blue long-sleeved turtle neck top and long white pants, Todoroki's slim figure was quite visible. Under the thick material of his top, it was obvious that he has a toned body, courtesy of his training. His good looks combined with his even better body proportion—everything of him screamed perfection.

It was probably the puberty hormones raging within me, but I couldn't stop looking at him.

"Good morning, Takasaki." Todoroki's low voice was smooth and gentle, like silk.

"Mornin', Todoroki," I replied while doing my best to pry my eyes away from him.

"You look nice," Todoroki complimented as his eyes scanned me.

My face was flushed upon hearing that. I didn't give much thought when I picked out the white off-shoulder blouse and brown box-pleated skirt from my wardrobe. It never dawned upon me that my not-so-good taste in fashion could earn compliments from a guy, let alone Todoroki Shouto.

"You look nice too," I replied.

"Thanks." Abruptly, Todoroki's face was racked with slight concern. "Are you sure Midoriya and Uraraka won't mind that I tag along?"

"Of course they won't mind." I held out my hand to him. "Trust me."

He stared at my hand, slightly fazed. Hesitantly he held out his hand and I boldly grabbed it. He flinched a little but eventually he relaxed as I pulled him to where Midoriya and Ochako were waiting.

"Eria!" Ochako waved at us as soon as she saw us. She was dressed in a peach-coloured ruffled skirt and a white lace blouse.

"Takasaki!" Midoriya called my name. "Todoroki!"

"Uwah! Todoroki! How nice of you to join us!" Ochako gasped. "Weee! The more the merrier!"

"Hi, Midoriya, Uraraka," Todoroki hesitantly greeted his two classmates. "Thanks for letting me join you."

"No problem!"

I gently nudged Todoroki, who tensed up upon meeting his classmates. "You err... want to exchange phone numbers, right?"

"Oh. Yes. Can I have your phone numbers, please?" Todoroki asked in monotone. He boldly took a step into the path of making new friends.

"Sure!" Midoriya and Ochako replied simultaneously.

A small smile found its way onto Todoroki's face, casting away the tension he had. It was one of the purest smiles I've ever seen.

***

"WOW! SHINJUKU!" Ochako gasped as she took in the grand sight of Kabukicho, one of the busiest districts in Tokyo.

"Even in the day, it's busy as ever, huh?" Midoriya's gaze spun round and round. "No wonder it's a sleepless city."

I glanced over at Todoroki, who gaped at the rowdiness around him. His mouth opened to form a silent 'oh'. His eyes glinted with fascination.

"This is the red-light district, kids! Never come here alone at night," I snickered. Ochako slightly blushed while Midoriya lit up an awkward smile.

"UWAAHH! I see the Godzilla head! Come on!" Ochako grabbed Midoriya's arm and pulled him along as she hopped off. The poor boy's face was a blushing mess.

I strolled behind the excited duo, with Todoroki silently by my side. His gaze was fixated on the cacophony of colourful neon signboards in the busy main pavement of Kabukicho.

"You okay?" I gently nudged Todoroki. He whipped his head to look at me.

"Yeah. I've just never been to here before."

"You know what's a red-light district, right?"

"It's a place with lots of red lights."

I gaped at him with disbelief. "Todoroki, you..."

He slightly smirked. "I know what a red-light district is. I'm just joking."

My mouth opened wide in surprise. "You're making jokes now, Todoroki?"

"Stop with that shock over your face. I can make jokes, okay?"

I giggled. "Okay~ Keep up the good work!"

He sighed. "Your sarcasm never fails to amuse me."

I laughed heartily. After a while, we arrived at the Toho Cinemas of Shinjuku. Ochako and Midoriya were looking at the huge movie posters hanging on the walls, wondering which movie they should watch.

"Decided on anything yet?" I asked the duo. Ochako was grinning gleefully while Midoriya was still a blushing mess.

"Action blockbuster movie: Avengers!" Ochako pumped her fists in the air excitedly.

"Ermm... I like to watch... comedies..." Midoriya suggested sheepishly.

I looked at a poster of the movie I've been yearning to watch. "That." I pointed to the poster that featured a Caucasian blond covering her mouth in fear. 

They gaped at me with fear in their eyes. "H-horror movies?"

"It's a horror plus thriller. I give you the awesome and horrifiying—A Quiet Place!"

Ochako immediately shook her head in disagreement while Midoriya flustered.

"Blockbuster! Avengers!"

"C-comedy! Please let's just watch comedy..."

"No no no. A Quiet Place is the best!"

Our argument slowly heated up. Todoroki was just watching us silently, unsure of what he should do.

"Todoroki, why don't you decide?" Midoriya abruptly asked the boy.

Todoroki was slightly taken aback. "I don't know."

"Just pick one! Any movie you like! We'll go with it!" Ochako added.

Todoroki looked up at the huge movie posters. His eyebrows furrowed as he fell into deep thought. The three of us discreetly pointed at the movies we wanted, hoping Todoroki would get the hint.

The boy briefly glanced at me before he pointed at a movie poster. "That. Let's watch that."

Ochako and Midoriya gaped in horror as I squealed in joy.

"A Quiet Place it is!"

***

Two hours later, the movie ended.

"That was a great movie! The thrills, the story, the horror... what do you guys think?" I spun around, only to find three pale faces of astonishment. Their eyes were hollow and soulless, as if the movie had traumatised them for life.

"Why... why did that monster have to take that poor child?" Midoriya mumbled to himself, quoting the beginning of the movie.

"Oh the pain......" Ochako clutched onto her stomach as her face twisted into pain. "The pain of childbirth......"

Todoroki stared blankly at the sky. "The sound effects...... why are they so loud and horrifying?"

I recalled Todoroki jolted at every sound effect that boomed in the theater during the thrilling moments of the movie. It was rare to see him getting scared. I chuckled.

"...... And the father. I wished... he didn't die," Todoroki added in a quiet voice. I could tell from his confused expression he was associating the father with his own father. Both were stark contrasts.

I gently touched his arm. "It's just a movie."

"But it felt so real. It felt like I was living in their world. And the screen was so huge. And the sounds were so real.... Everything felt real."

"That's what movies do. They create a fictional world so that we can escape from our reality into theirs. Temporarily, though," I explained. "Did you... not like it? Watching a movie?"

He looked at me as he gently smiled. "......No. I enjoyed it. Especially with you...... and Midoriya and Uraraka."

Ochako and Midoriya's cries echoed in the background. However, their voices slowly faded away as I stared deeper into Todoroki's eyes. I didn't know why but his eyes drew me in like a whirlpool. His right eye was grey and clouded but his left eye was clear and blue like a turquoise.

"Can we watch another movie some time?" Todoroki's question snapped me back into reality.

"Err yeah sure," I stuttered while trying to cover the redness in my face.

"But no horror movies please."

I chuckled. "You're afraid, aren't you?"

"......Am not." His eyes were shifty.

"Okay~"

"You're being sarcastic again," he pointed out the obvious.

I let out a hearty laugh.

Instead of a scowl, Todoroki's face was lit up by a small smile. "Thank you. I really enjoyed spending time with you and Midoriya and Uraraka. But... next time, can I spend some time with you too? I mean... just the both of us."

My heart skipped a beat hearing that. "W-why?"

"Because I like spending time with you." He paused and looked at me intently. "Did you not like spending time with me?"

"N-no! Of course not! It's just... it sounds like you're asking me out on a date..." I trailed off.

"What was that?" Todoroki didn't hear my last sentence.

"Nothing! Let's get some lunch okay? I'm staaaaaaaaarving!"

I didn't know why but I was excited on the prospect of going out with Todoroki. Alone. Like a date. Even though he didn't really mean for it to be a date. Like a couple's date.

With all these weird romantic thoughts in mind, blood rushed into my head and my face reddened.

Todoroki meant all these as a friend. Friends. He only sees me as his friend. There's nothing romantic between us. No way. No fucking way.

Somehow, deep within my heart, I was disappointed by the prospect of being just friends with him.

***

So.... I've started a 12 weeks internship, which means I'm working 9 hrs a day, 5 days a week. Which means less time for stories and stuff.

Updates will be irregular depending on my free time. :( But I will do my best to update as much as possible.

BTW, thank you for the 7k+ reads!!! It has been an honour! Thank you for your love and kindness :)

Don't forget to vote! Bye guys!