Coming back to school, I was granted a few days off after what happened to me. My classmates were relieved to see me walk inside our shared dormitory. "Shimizu is back!" I was welcomed by warm greetings and hugs.

"Yes, I know it's been a brutal few days being held captive, but I'm safe and better than ever!" I tried my best to get back to my usual self since I wasn't really a couple of days ago.

My classmates held some chit chat with me before I headed to my room and relaxed. My arms and legs were sprawled out on my bed as the sense of safety lingered in the air. "It's great to be home!" I yawned, rolling over to my side. I didn't get much alone time when someone knocked on my door.

Knock knock knock

Sighing, I got up from bed and opened the door to see Shinsou standing before me. "Hey, just a heads up, you should go see your hero students as well. They've been bothering me for the days you've been missing. I didn't think I'd be annoyed by their constant questions about your location. They'd say, 'Shimizu isn't answering our calls' and stuff like that… And your little damaged good was on the brink of crying just two days ago, so you better go see them." With that short message, he left without showing much emotion like usual.

I was left in my spot shocked. Shinsou was nice enough to even relay their message to me. I'd expect him to not care. "Dang, he's right. I should go," They must be worried about me, especially the ones on the mission as well.

Rushing out of my dorm, I stood in front of their 1-A door. My heart was racing, it's been a while since I've seen everyone. I shouldn't feel anxiety rising, but it was just there. "It's okay, you got this!" I spoke words of encouragement and knocked on the door.

Knock knock knock

Their shuffling feet reached the door and their hand quickly turned the doorknob. "Oh my gosh! It's Shimizu!" The opened door revealed the girls in shock and relief. "We've been so worried about you!" They pulled me inside the dorm as I spotted everyone else in the living room.

"What happened?" So many questions were coming left and right, and I tried my best to answer all of them. Their antsy behavior washed over my thoughts that they did care for me at the back of their heads despite not being a classmate in their department.

"Well…" I told them about what Recovery Girl offered me and I went to another school because of it. "I was supposed to be there for a few days, but then I was abducted and that's a long story to tell." Then I explained to them about Overhaul and Eri. "I was willing to die for the girl's freedom, but then Togata and Midoriya were on patrol and spotted her. Midoriya's sense of justice was going to kill everyone in the area because he kept pressuring Overhaul and myself…" My story went on until I finished it.

"I'm so glad you're alright,"

"Here, eat some strawberry shortcake I made." Sato handed me a slice of cake that he baked.

"Thank you," My eyes scanned the room to find that Todoroki wasn't present. Was he not here? I'm pretty sure he'd be down if his friends were too. I hoped he was here, I really wanted to talk to him. Eating the cake was good, but it couldn't suppress my anxiousness to see Todoroki.

"Pst." Uraraka whispered in my ear. "I know you're thinking about Todoroki, Shimizu. If you want to see him, he's up in his room right now. Ever since you left the school to help out at another one, he's been brooding lately. He also felt dejected when he tried to call you this one day, but you never picked up and we know why." Todoroki tried to call me? Tracing my memories back, I recalled my phone ringing when I left with Shigaraki. So it was him who called me? "Shimizu, he's waiting for you."

"Yes, so am I," I shyly said, fluttering my eyes away from her to the hallways which led to their rooms. "Thanks for being there for him. I really appreciate it. I'm going to see him now." I left my plate in the sink and hurriedly ran to his floor level without any of the students noticing me leave.

His bedroom was on the fifth floor, and I quietly got out of the elevator and went to the boy's hall to read the naming plate plastered on their doors. Todoroki's room was three doors down, and I composed myself once I was in front of it. It's been far too long since I've last seen him, I hope confessing goes well. Knocking on the door, he opened up with a surprised look on his face. His eyes widened as his lips slightly parted. "Sh-Shimizu," Todoroki was lost for words as if he saw a ghost of me. Was he happy that I was here? I couldn't tell from his non-expressive face.

"I'm...back, Tod—" My words were cut off by a swift hug, engulfing my whole body. His arms were warm and tight around my back, pressing me into his chest, and I wrapped my arms around him as well. I guess he really missed me that much… I did too.

"I'm sorry for being so cold towards you! I didn't mean to hurt you and force you to leave school grounds because of me." Todoroki pulled back and stared at me with gloomy eyes. "When I heard you weren't back, I went to Recovery Girl and she wouldn't tell me why you weren't back until a few consistent visits she told me. I—"

"Todoroki," I stopped him from talking about the painful past. "I'm okay now that's all that matters." My face started to turn red by the thoughts of confessing to him. "I-I have something to tell you." I hoped I didn't get rejected for telling him.

"So do I, but you go first."

It was like time stopped as we were still in one another's reach, gazing at each other like a beautiful portrait. I began heating up before getting the words out of my mouth. My heart was beating like crazy as if I ran a marathon and my eyes were watering to cry if I were to get turned down. I was afraid but I had to do it now than later. "Todoroki, I like you…" I squeaked, trying hard to keep my eyes on him rather than running away in embarrassment.

To my relief, Todoroki smiled very warmly as his hand soothed down my hair. Did he feel the same way as well? He wasn't rejecting me so maybe. "I feel the same, Shimizu." Did I hear that right? He felt the same way for me too?

"Really?!" I gasped, feeling my excitement bursting out of me. "You. Like. Me?" My hands balled up to my chest as I wanted to hear him say it again.

"Yes, I like you." I've never seen such a gentle look painted on his face. He looked so soft with his facial muscles relaxed. "Come inside," I forgot that we were still outside his room.

Sitting on the ground with him, we silently gazed at each other. It wasn't an awkward air between us, but a realization that our feelings were met. "S-so what are we now? Are we exclusive? I just want to know where our relationship stands."

Then his facial expression changed to a distraught face. What could Todoroki be thinking about all of a sudden? "Do you really want to stand by me? I'm not too sure if I'm the one for you...after all, I was raised in a rough environment and I don't know if you're comfortable meeting my old man in the future if we get serious." Was he doubting that we weren't going to make it because of his upbringings?

"Todoroki," I scooted closer to him and held his hand. "No matter what happens, we will persevere and obstacle that heads our way. And don't tell me you had a rough life," A chuckle slipped from my mouth. "Because I did as well. If you recall encountering my father twice. We're an odd pair match made in heaven… They say opposites attract and here we are very similar to one another. I'm not mad about it, it's just surprising." Squeezing his hand lightly, I hope he understood that I'd still be with him despite his daddy issue.

A sigh left his lips, and it seemed to me like he wasn't thinking about my answer I gave him. "Shimizu, I want you to think about it. It would hurt me more if I turned out like my old man and hurt you in the process. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself for scarring the person I love the most, and you lived through abuse as well, watching your mom get hurt by your dad. I can't let you go through the same pain as your mom did." I understood that he was only saying what came from his mind because he was afraid of what he'll become, but I couldn't change his mind right now. I'll leave him be until I get to see him again. My answer will stay the same. I want to stay by his side.

"The next time I see you, you'll hear my answer." Getting up, I made my way out of his room and down to the living room where I was going to leave. I didn't cry but felt a bit sad over it. I understood his feelings, however, he wasn't his father and I know he's reminded everyday to never be like him too.

"Shimizu, how did it go?" Uraraka stood by my side, eager to hear what went down in his room, but my story was going to disappoint her like it kind of did to me.

Sighing heavily, I pulled her away to a secluded area. "We confessed our feelings for one another, and it was met perfectly...but his family issues stopped us from becoming an item. Basically, he just doesn't want to hurt me. He told me to think about it, but I don't need to if I knew my answer was going to be the same, you know? Well, I should get going now. I'll you guys later," I knew it wasn't a rejection at all, yet I felt like brooding over it. If I tell him my answer when I see him again, I hope he doesn't turn me down.

Entering my dormitory, Shinsou greeted me with a grin like he did something wrong and was trying to hide it. "Hey, what's up with that suspicious smile?" I took off my shoes and slipped on my slippers.

"Oh, it's because I've been waiting to hear if you confessed or not. Of course it's none of my business, but I was your therapist for a bit so I'd like to know." It was pretty odd to hear Shinsou say that but I had no one else to express what took place.

"You're an odd ball today," I laughed and began telling what happened, and of course, I expected him to say the same thing he's been saying around me.

"Damaged goods stay damaged goods,"

Slap!

"Ow!" Shinsou winced from the hard slap to his arm.

"You deserved that! Learn how to speak nicely of others. I won't tolerate your disrespect, Shinsou." I huffed, turning away from him. It was a waste of my time if I were to always express my situations with him if he was going to say the same old things to get smacked by me.

"Shimizu, I was just joking with you!" I heard Shinsou's hurried footsteps catching up to me. "But I was going to say afterwards that it's great he reciprocated his feelings for you. I know you'll be a great girlfriend for him since you act like a bothersome therapist—"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Shinsou was really testing my patient again.

"Whatever, forget what I said. Just remember that you shouldn't give up on him despite Todoroki pushing you away. I know he cares for you, Shimizu. He wouldn't go all the way to ask everyone where you went. I'm going to head out before I get punched by you," Shinsou left into the hallway that led to our rooms.