My hand is covering half my face and holding tightly onto my hair as I'm trying to understand the situation. The hot water of the shower is dripping from the tip of my nose and onto the tiles as my mind is spinning. How long have I been standing here? I don't know. I left Kacchan behind in such a rush, knocking down some of my precious All Might figurines while slamming the door shut behind me. I spent the first hour lying on my bed, staring at the ceiling, my mind a mush of every single incomprehensible thought that has ever crossed it. It wasn't until Uraraka banged onto my dorm room door with her voice filled with worry that I snapped out of it. I told her I was fine while forcing a smile on my face that for the first time ever wasn't genuine. She bought it and went back to her own room to prepare herself for the night as I hazily gathered all of my bathroom supplies so I could go take a shower. And that's where I am now. I have been standing here for a very long time, losing all concept of time. My stomach starts hurting when I think about the words Kacchan told me this evening just outside the dorms.
I like you.
His voice resonates inside my head and I clutch my stomach, feeling nauseous. What is this feeling? Confusion? Anger? Fear? Love..?
'Hngghh!' is all I'm able to pass through my lips as I swing my head backwards, the water flying off of my hair and splattering against the walls. Where did this even come from? It's insane, hearing him say that. He looked down on me ever since kindergarten. He hated me when I passed the U.A. entrance exam. He even hated me after rescuing him from the villain's hideout for crying out loud! I can't wrap my mind around it. Is he trying to mess with me? He didn't look like he was joking. Ah! This is too confusing!
'Midoriya?'
I shoot bolt upright, bumping my head against the showerhead in the process.
'Are you okay?' Todoroki's voice echoes around the bathroom.
'Y-yeah, I'm fine,' I lie.
'Kaminari said you've been in here for a while.'
I rub the sore spot on my head as I turn off the shower.
'I kind of lost track of time. Sorry.' I quickly dry my body off and throw on my shorts and t-shirt as I shove the shower curtain aside and step out. I rub my soaking hair as I look at the other end of the row of sinks. Todoroki is standing in front of the mirror brushing his teeth, his gaze fixated on his reflection. I rummage through my toiletries and start brushing my own teeth as well, my mind blank for just a spare moment before the memories of Kacchan's confession come storming in again.
'Are you sure you're okay?'
I jump up again as Todoroki quickly withdraws his hand from my shoulder. My face flushes red and I nod heavily, my mouth still full with toothpaste.
'Did something happen?' he asks as I spit out the minty paste and wipe my mouth.
'I guess,' I reply before realizing it. I look up at him and see his eye shift to a worried expression. I frantically wave my arms around as I shake my head. 'It's nothing! It's nothing! I swear!'
He raises an eyebrow at me as I scratch my head and smile sheepishly.
'I should go to bed,' I say as I slip past him.
'Midoriya?' his voice trails behind me.
I turn around. 'Yes?'
'You can always come to me if there's something.'
I smile, genuinely this time. 'I know. Thank you.' I turn around and hurry back to my room. I toss my toiletries onto my desk and immediately dive under my blankets that I wrap tightly around me. I force my eyes tightly shut as I roll myself into a ball, trying to shut out all thoughts and get a good night's rest for tomorrow's training, but knowing fully well that that won't happen.
'Deku-kun?' a voice echoes besides me.
'Hm?'
'Are you alright?' Uraraka asks me.
I rub my eyes. 'I barely slept last night so I'm very tired.'
'How come?' Todoroki asks.
I can feel the heat rising in my cheeks when I think about it. I lower my head to try to hide my red face as I break pieces off of the omurice we got for breakfast.
'I hear that long hot showers are really bad for you,' Kaminari says.
Out of the corner of my eye I can see Iida nodding in agreement. I sigh in relief. 'Maybe that's why,' I say, shrugging it off.
'Oi! Where's my breakfast!' Kacchan's voice echoes around the room and I lower my head yet again, but I can't help looking at him for a split second.
Our gazes meet and I jump up a little as I quickly avert my gaze again.
Kirishima makes a joke and leads Kacchan to a separate table where they loudly discuss the new training schedule for today.
I accidentally keep glancing at them, I can't help it, but his focus seems completely on Kirishima.
Uwaah! Did he just look at me and blush? Oh no, oh no, oh no. I shove the last of the omurice into my mouth, return the plate and tell the others that I start training early today as I run outside. The cold breeze of the morning air tousles my hair around and clears my head. I take deep breaths as I go towards the gym. It's too early for it to be open yet so I decide to prepare a bit outside. I stretch out my arms above my head and lean backwards as I stretch the muscles in my back. I then lean forward with my arms outstretched while I can feel the muscles in my back stretching. It feels surprisingly good. I sit down and spread my legs into a V shape and then try to touch my toes as I lean forwards.
All of a sudden two hands are firmly pressing on my back, pushing me further forward and stretching my muscles even further.
I look back to see Todoroki's half-white-half-red filled head dangling above me.
He lets go of me and I get to my feet. I stretch one last time before I face him.
'Thank you,' I say.
'No problem,' is the only reply he gives me. We stand there in silence with no one else around yet. It's too early for class to start. I don't know why he's here. I know why I'm here - to avoid Kacchan - but his reason is a mystery.
'I actually wanted to talk to you about something.'
'Huh?' What could he possibly want to discuss with me?
He takes me by surprise by taking a step forward and grabbing my hand, holding it tightly in his.
'I know this might sound weird,' he starts off while trying to meet my gaze but being unable to as the heat rises to my cheeks again, 'but I like you.'
My mind draws a complete blank. I am completely overwhelmed by his words and I don't know how to respond.
'W-w-what?' I stammer.
'I like you, Midoriya.'
I look at him, sheer panic engulfing me, when suddenly I hear a voice screaming. A voice that I would recognize anywhere.
'WHAT THE HELL?!'
