Your uncle coughed before he addressed you at the dinner table. "Your selfish actions have consequences, (y/n). If you went back to the Todoroki household, we would have to struggle far less."

"That's quite enough, Daiki. My daughter comes before money. I have got savings I am willing to use. We will make ends meet," your father said from his wheelchair.

You took in this exchange carefully, making sure not to miss anything. If uncle Daiki's getting so worked up about money, how come he's got that fancy new computer in his office?

Your uncle blew out some smoke from his cigarette. "Train tickets are expensive, too. Why do you insist on having (y/n) do it? You have to accept that it must be hard on her, not being able to have a proper rest every other weekend."

"Uncle Daiki, I really don't mind it at all. In fact, I enjoy coming back home." Being at home gave you the chance to spend time with your dad. It also allowed you to uncover some of your uncle's secret life, which you pondered might be the reason why he was trying to make you stay away.

Your father dropped his chopsticks inside his bowl. "(y/n), this time, I see Daiki's point. Would you mind coming home less often?"

You didn't want to show that you were on to your uncle, so you put on an act. "I do mind, but I understand if I can't come as often."

As you acknowledged that this was yet another sacrifice you had to make to meet your goal of becoming a hero, you caught sight of your uncle's satisfied grin.

---

When you were about to open the door to your dorm room, a note fell out of your school bag. You picked it up after it got crumpled under your feet. As you opened it, you took in the tidy handwriting. You realised who had left it for you: Todoroki.

Dear (y/n),

I didn't tell you why I didn't see you off last weekend. I find it hard to put the reason into words, so please bear with me. Trust me when I say that I meant no harm. I was visiting a close relative in hospital. I would like you to meet her one day.

I hope your internship goes well.

Best wishes,

Shoto

P.S. Could you give me a call to help me wake up at six o'clock every day this week? My alarm is broken.

You raised an eyebrow at Todoroki's note. He probably expected you to do some school work over the weekend, so you would find the piece of paper in time. Though, if it wasn't for the fact that you had to empty the contents of your bag to find your key to the dorms, you would have missed it. You chuckled as you imagined a sleepy Todoroki being late for his internship.

---

Having spent the last ten minutes pacing around your room, you held your phone in front of you and sat at the edge of your bed. At six o'clock sharp, you called the half-and-half boy. Bringing your phone closer to your ear, you waited.

When he picked up, you surprised yourself by jolting in your place in joy. "Good morning," you said.

"Morning." Your heart sped up when you heard his groggy voice.

"Shoto?"

"Yeah?"

Twiddling with the hems of your pyjamas, your mind went blank. As if the only reason why you had called his name was to confirm that this was really happening. "Good morning."

"You already said that, (y/n)."

"Oh, yeah." Though you wanted to laugh at yourself, you pressed your palm against your forehead, hoping that this would quell the butterflies having a party of their own in your stomach. "Have a nice day!"

After you hung up, you rested your phone on your chest as you laid back down on your bed, staring at the ceiling. Little did you know that Todoroki mimicked your actions, miles away from you.

Surely, he can afford to buy a new alarm clock. Not that I mind waking him up, though. You thought as you got dressed into your hero costume.

---

"Thanks for taking me on, Mr Woods," you said as you bowed down. The hero agency wasn't overwhelmed with calls as it was still quite early in the morning. The tables and walls gleamed as they were kept well in this successful agency.

Kamui Woods laughed at you as he stretched out his tree-like arms. "Even though I was impressed by your performance at the Sports Festival, I recognised you from somewhere else, kid."

"Really?" You had admired the hero in front of you since the end of last year. Though he was frequently outshined by others, he had put in a lot of effort to be where he was today.

"Christmas Eve. I only remember it 'cause you reminded me of myself then. Rushed in to save a kid from a villain, am I right?"

You scratched your cheek, feeling self-conscious. "Yeah, that was me."

"Running through that minefield with your eyes closed at the Sports Festival was a classic. Kid, the public already roots for you. Make sure to make the most of this week."

You nodded eagerly, ready to learn more about everyday frontline combat against villains.

"Whenever we have a spare moment, me and my colleagues will help you train. Anything specific you'd like to go over?"

"Um, yeah. I didn't run through that minefield with my eyes closed to cause a stir about me. I did it because I've got to concentrate really hard to recognise my surroundings' life energy."

Kamui Woods laughed. "Classic. Not bad for a newbie, too. We will help you get over that."

---

Later that week, you paced behind Kamui Woods in the busy high street, still worried that Todoroki had not answered your wake up call this morning. Before assuming that he was ignoring you, you sent him a message. He didn't reply.

"Kid, quit texting your boyfriend. I'm sure he's fine."

"He's not my boyfriend," you were quick to reply, but explained yourself further to not sound so rude. "He was interning at Hosu yesterday. I can't help but feel like something's gone wrong."

"They caught the Stain there yesterday... You know what, kid? You've worked hard today, why don't we call it a day?" Kamui swung his arms forwards. The scene had been quiet today, so you had had plenty of time to practice avoiding his tree-like arms with your eyes closed to improve your technique.

"Oh, okay. See you tomorrow!"

"I won't tell you not to go to Hosu because, from what I've seen this week, you'd go anyway. Take good care of your friend, yeah?"

You nodded, the anxious feeling growing larger at the pit of your stomach. You only calmed down later that afternoon, when you Todoroki by the hospital bed. He wore a light blue top and had his arms in bandages. The other two beds were empty. Both of you exchanged pleasantries.

"If you're looking for Midoriya and Iida, they're probably outside."

"No, I came to see you. I got worried when you didn't answer my call this morning."

"Didn't you see the news last night, (y/n)? You shouldn't be here. It could be dangerous." Todoroki's manner was a little cold, but it was understandable given the nature of the situation.

"W-why is (l/n) here?" Midoriya's voice trembled as his face went bright red. A girl in a boy's hospital room. No, worse even, a girl sat at the edge of Todoroki's bed. Iida pushed Midoriya's wheelchair as he waved at you politely.

You asked them how they were doing, but they didn't let on much about last night's events. Through Iida's shell-shocked eyes, you gathered that it must have been a traumatic experience.

"How did you know I was here, (y/n)?" You turned your head when you heard Todoroki's concerned voice.

"Thanks to your sister. Fuyumi drove me here. She sends her regards and says that she'll come and see you as soon as she's done with work."

Todoroki tilted his head sideways, as he appreciated your casual clothes. Even though he had seen you like this before, just throwing on whatever was clean, he realised that he missed it. How many times had he taken you for granted? He wanted to make sure that didn't happen again.

"Hey, (y/n). Is your friend still going to the cinema this Saturday?" Todoroki said, remembering you had mentioned that in one of your early morning conversations.

"I'm not sure. Chiharu's still trying to get me to come with her, but my dad won't let me go on my own."

You didn't notice Todoroki's faint blush as you leaned in to whisper next to his ear, so the other two boys wouldn't hear across the room. "He's on edge since I told him about what happened last time I met Chi." You shivered as you pictured that shady guy who had tailed you.

Todoroki glanced sideways. "I can come with you."

"Really? But you're injured and--"

Todoroki straightened his back against the back of the hospital bed. "It will motivate me to get better before Saturday."

You folded your arms over your chest. Though you appeared reluctant, there was nothing you wanted more than to go to the cinema with your childhood friend and Todoroki. But, will it be awkward for Chi?

"So it's settled. I will pick you up and drop you back at U.A. I see no reason why you shouldn't be allowed now."

You flashed him a smile, already looking forward to the weekend. "Me neither."

Your eyes sparkled as you looked down to your bag, which was stuffed with snacks. As you took them out and shared them with the three boys, Todoroki studied you with care. You never failed to amuse him, even during difficult times such as these.