Shoto quickly made his way to the Homework Heroes clubroom. He'd been halfway home when his father had called him. Endeavour had been called in for Hero work unexpectedly, giving Shoto a free evening.
Veronica had already told him at lunch that she'd be looking after the Homework Heroes duties today. Everyone had been taking turns in order to train, and today was hers. He was excited to see her reaction when he surprised her. It's been so long since I've been able to see her after school. Shoto smiled to himself as he neared the open clubroom door.
"You're everything any hero strives to be, yet you still somehow manage to be so timid and unsure when it comes to anything you want for yourself. It makes me want to protect you and keep you all to myself."
Shoto froze in his tracks as Katsuki's voice seeped into the hallway. What the-
"Katsuki, I never knew..." Veronica's gentle yet shocked voice followed. Shoto quietly crept forward, coming to a halt at the edge of the open doorway.
"Of course you fucking didn't. The only person you're worried about is that fucking half-and-half bastard."
Damn right! Shoto huffed, peeking around the corner to watch them.
"Can I... Can I kiss you?"
Shoto clenched his jaw. "Katsuki..." Veronica looked away from the ashen blond. "I can't... I can't say yes to that." Fucking tell him, Nica. You're mine.
Shoto's heart dropped into his stomach as Veronica turned back to Katsuki. The look of uncertainty in her deep blue eyes said it all. "I can't say yes... but I won't say no."
Anger surged through Shoto's veins as Katsuki took Veronica's face in his hands, kissing her. He pushed away from the doorway, turning to storm back down the hall, his rage barely contained. You'll pay for that you fucking asshole! Come Monday, I'll fucking show you who she belongs to. This means war.
Veronica pulled her golden blonde hair back into a high ponytail, leaving some of it out in the front to frame her face. She smiled at herself in the mirror before going to grab her bag. Principle Nezu had been ecstatic when she'd told him her final decision. He'd informed Veronica that she could think of the Sports Festival as a free day. He'd even offered to let her spectate the first years in the class 1-A bleacher section if she so desired.
Veronica had made a hasty exit after her kiss with Katsuki the other day, but he'd sent a few texts here and there over the weekend to see how she was doing. Shoto, on the other hand, had gone silent. Veronica sighed. What did I expect, really? I doubt Endeavour's even given him a second of free time with the Sports Festival being so close.
Today Veronica had opted for a pair of dark skinny jeans and a plain red v-neck, long sleeved shirt. She pulled in a shaky breath as a knock sounded on her front door. To say she was nervous was an understatement. She had yet to inform Shoto of her decision for the future.
Veronica gave Shoto a bright smile as she opened her front door. "Hi, Sho-sho!"
He grunted in response, stepping into her home as she pulled on a black pair of flats. Veronica frowned at his greeting. "You okay?"
"Yeah, sorry," Shoto offered her a weak smile as he handed her her morning beverage. He must be exhausted from training. "You aren't wearing your school uniform?"
"Nope," Veronica breezed past him. "I won't be participating in the Sports Festival today either."
"What?" Shoto gave her a confused look as he followed and she turned to lock her front door.
"I get to watch you today instead," Veronica hummed, turning to smile at him again. "Come on," she grabbed his hand, leading him away from her apartment and towards UA. He trailed after her, stunned. "I'll explain to you on the way."
"But I thought that being a pro hero had always been your dream. What changed?" Shoto was at a loss. Everything Veronica had done up until this point in her life had all been to achieve her goal. Wouldn't it be a waste to throw it away now?
"I still plan to work as a pro hero Sho-sho, just like Mr. Aizawa. I'll just be doing it more on the down low, and helping out the police with investigations and stuff."
Shoto's heart hurt at the use of his nickname. Is she really going to act as of nothing has changed? What is this? "But teaching? Is that really what you want?"
Veronica nodded, biting her bottom lip. "It is." She sighed. "Actually, it has been for a while now, but it wasn't until recently that I actually decided to pursue it."
"Why didn't you tell me?" The more Veronica talked, the worse the pain in Shoto's chest became. She used to tell me everything. What's changed?
Shoto clenched his jaw. Him. That fucking explosive asshole, that's what's changed.
"I'm sorry, Shoto." Veronica gave him an apologetic look. "I was just..." She exhaled sharply, looking away from him. "I was just scared, I guess. I didn't know what you'd think, and honestly, I wasn't even 100 percent sure that I was going to do it anyways."
Veronica turned back to Shoto, a smile forming on her lips. "Silly, right? I know that you've always been there to support me, but for some reason, I was afraid that you'd be disappointed in me."
She let out a small laugh, brushing her hair out of her face with her free hand. "I need to realize that-"
"What's that?" Shoto's eyes narrowed in on the flash of metal that sparkled on Veronica's wrist. He hadn't noticed it until she'd brought it close to her face.
"Oh, this?" Veronica held up her hand, twisting it slightly so that the colorful star charms jangled against each other. "It's a friendship bracelet." She'd been leaving it at home on school days, worried that she'd forget about it and leave it on during training. She didn't want it to get lost or broken by mistake.
"A friendship bracelet?" Shoto eyed the metal chain suspiciously. "From who?"
"From Katsuki," Veronica smiled brightly. "He gave it to me the other week as an apology."
Rage surged through Shoto's body. "He what?!"
Veronica winced at his harsh outburst. Her chest suddenly felt as though she was being squeezed to death, her breathing almost painful. Her body tensed as if it were preparing for an attack. Shoto had never been mad at her before. He never yelled, even if she accidentally upset him.
Veronica tried holding her breath, a technique that Nanami had taught her to prevent her from hyperventilating and making the panic attack worse. It's alright, it's just Shoto. He'd never hurt me.
Shoto noticed Veronica's sudden change in demeanor. He quickly tugged her to his chest by their joined hands, wrapping his arm around her. "Hey, I'm sorry." He forced himself to calm down, his voice softening. It's not her that I should be mad at. "I didn't mean to yell. It's okay."
Veronica sucked in a breath, taking in his rich pine smell as her body relaxed slightly, her breathing a bit easier. She shook her head before pulling herself from his embrace.
"Come on," Veronica started to walk, avoiding Shoto's worried gaze. "We should get to school."
The UA grounds were packed, to say the least. Veronica wandered along the stadium halls through the void, looking for class 1-A's waiting room. She was hoping to surprise them and wish them all good luck in the coming battle. They'd all trained so hard the past couple of weeks, and she was pumped to get to see them in action.
Veronica stumbled through various rooms until she happened upon the one she was searching for. She smiled as she took a moment to watch them trying to amp each other up for the coming events. Veronica noticed Shoto leaning against a wall and prepared to merge out of the void when he began to speak, making her pause.
"Midoriya." Everyone turned to watch as Shoto pushed off from the wall, approaching his green haired classmate with a serious expression. Veronica remained in the void, her curiosity peeked.
"Hey, Todoroki," Midoriya turned to face Shoto, surprised. "What's up?"
Katsuki turned slightly in his chair, interested in their exchange. What's that half-and-half bastard up to now?
"From an objective standpoint, I think it's fairly clear that I'm stronger than you," Shoto spoke bluntly and Midoriya slumped his shoulders slightly in defeat. "However, you've got All Might in your corner helping you out."
Midoriya's eyes widened as Shoto eyed him suspiciously. "I'm not here to pry about what's going on between you two..." He paused, his expression hardening. "But know that I will beat you."
Veronica stood in the void, mouth agape. She'd never really seen Shoto act that way before. He always seemed so different around her; kinder, a little more at ease and open. He's been acting so strange since this morning. Veronica's chest tightened as she remembered his earlier outburst. Maybe I'm not the only one holding things back.
Kaminari approached them, frowning. "Uh, what's with all these declarations of war lately?"
Kirishima walked towards Shoto, who's back was turned to him. "Yeah, what's the big deal?" Kirishima placed his hand on Shoto's shoulder, trying to calm him. "Why are you picking a fight all of a sudden? And right before we get started..."
Shoto jerked his shoulder, knocking Kirishima's hand away. "We're not here to be each other's friends," he spoke harshly, walking away. "Don't forget this isn't a team effort."
Veronica's heart broke as she watched the exchange between Shoto and his classmates. She understood how he felt. After all, she had acted the same towards her classmates during their first Sports Festival as well. He's always been so closed off towards others, but I didn't realize that it was this bad.
Veronica's hands fisted at her sides as she fought the urge to merge back into reality and go to comfort him. No, he's his own person. He has to handle this himself. I'll wait until things settle down a bit before wishing them all good luck.
Midoriya frowned at his classmate. "Wait a sec, Todoroki." Shoto stopped in his tracks, glancing back at the green haired boy. "I don't know what's going through your head, or why you think you need to tell me that you'll beat me. And yeah, of course you're better than me. In fact, you probably have way more potential than anyone in this course. That's why you got in so easily."
Katsuki clenched his jaw at Midoriya's words. The fuck are you talking about Deku?! No way that half-and-half bastard is better than me!
Kirishima held up his hands in an attempt to calm everyone down. "Midoriya, maybe you're being a little hard on yourself, and us..."
"No, he's right you guys! All the other courses are coming for us with everything they've got. We're all going to have to fight to stand out."
Shoto turned to face Midoriya once more, pure determination evident in Midoriya's green eyes. "And I'll be aiming for the top too."
"Fine."
"Tch." Katsuki crossed his arms, turning away from them in anger. That bastard! Does he not see me as a fucking threat? I'll show him!
Veronica dug her nails into her palms as their conversation ended. It reminded her so much of how brutal the Sports Festival really could be. Everyone's going to be fighting to show that they have what it takes. Being friendly isn't going to get them anywhere right now.
Taking a deep breath, Veronica stepped back into reality, surprising class 1-A. "Hello, everyone." She smiled brightly, trying to be a beacon of light during this stressful time.
"I know that things may seem very tense right now," she looked around the room, offering each of them an encouraging smile. "But I'm rooting for all of you. Show them what you're made of, and good luck! I'll be cheering for you all from the stands."
Most of them mumbled words of thanks as Veronica made her way through the room and out of the door.
Heh, Katsuki laughed to himself. I guess there's really no telling when and where she'll pop up.
