Chapter 7
The next morning, Todoroki stood outside the homeroom, waiting patiently for Kaiya; eager to know why Kaiya took off so quickly the day before. He hadn't slept much that night, his mind buzzing as to what was bothering his friend. He had an idea that it was about the sports festival but he couldn't always be sure when it came to Kaiya. He valued her input and opinions on a lot even if he had a hard time showing that side of himself. The two were very similar in a lot of ways and yet different; but Todoroki hated the idea of upsetting her. He saw her rounding the corner with Jirou and Asui and their eyes connected.
"I'll see you girls inside." He heard her say to her friends. "Good morning Todoroki." She smiled at him. Strange to smile if she's mad at me?
"Good morning Ayumi. Sorry...Kaiya." Todoroki corrected himself. "Can we talk now?"
"Straight to the point Todoroki? You look a bit tired." There was a glint of amusement in her green eyes that Todoroki saw and stifled a smirk.
"I didn't sleep well; you're mad at me. What did I do?" His voice was earnest and Kaiya almost felt bad but she corrected herself.
"You would have won yesterday if you used your left side. You let him win."
"Bakugou put up a good fight. It wasn't an easy win for him." Todoroki pointed out.
"Not him you idiot. Your father. You let him win." Kaiya growled as he gaped slightly at her tone. "If I could understand my fire a little more...I would be right up there with the best. You have the training, you have the drive, but you're letting your father dictate your life even if you fight against it." Todoroki broke his glare with Kaiya and shuffled his feet while she placed a warm hand on his arm. "You are good. Very good. But you can be great! Using your left side isn't letting your father win; it's showing him that you are you. Your own person." She repeated Todoroki's words from yesterday before the fight.
"I can't…" He started but his voice 's eyes were hard when she forced Todoroki to look at her by lifting his chin up.
"You can. You're stronger than you think. Using everything you have is not failing your mother. If anything...it's honoring her." Todoroki's eyes widened at the mention of his mother.
"How do you know about her?" Kaiya gulped and shuffled her feet.
"Bakugou and I overheard you at the sports festival when you confronted Midoriya. I apologize, it was an accident; I won't tell anyone." Todoroki tensed at her admission but stayed silent. "Be mad at me all you want; I just know you can be better than you have been. And honestly, I'd love to learn from you." She shrugged her shoulders and noticed Mr. Aizawa approaching. "Time for class." She walked into the class and took her seat, Todoroki followed shortly behind. He pulled out his phone and typed quickly before he was caught. Kaiya felt a vibration and pulled her phone out of jacket pocket and saw a message that made her smile.
"Thank you for being honest. I think teaching you would be helpful for us both." It was a simple reply but it meant alot to Kaiya that Todoroki had listened to her. She shot him a small smile which he returned with a smirk.
Aizawa pulled up on the board a list of names and numbers. "Here are the results of the festival and how many agencies want to work with you. Not all of you were asked for, but don't be discouraged; everyone will have an internship to do." Kaiya read over the results and saw that Todoroki had the most amount of requests, Bakugou second and herself third. She was happy that so many agencies wanted to work with her; despite her weaknesses.
"Congratulations Todoroki; you got so many requests. You're amazing." Kaiya heard Yayarouzo complimenting the boy.
"All these requests are probably because of my father." He responded to her simply, a slight annoyance in his face.
"Take the compliment, some of us don't have any." Kaiya whispered, seeing some saddened faces around the room. Todoroki followed her gaze and kept quiet.
"I'll pass around a sign up sheet for you to choose who you'd like to work with." Aizawa explained. Kaiya glanced at her list and was surprised a particular name was on it. Curiosity got the better of her and scribbled down that agency; eager to see what they could teach her.
Once everyone had filled out their forms, Aizawa returned to the front of the room. "Today, you will also choose your code names. Choose wisely; they may stick with you forever." Mr. Aizawa warned, introducing Midnight into the class. Kaiya's eyes widened as she tried to come up with a good name for herself. It had to have something to do with her elements; it makes her stand out since she looked pretty normal.
"What have you decided?" Todoroki asked her, noting her scribbling on the white board. His board read 'Shoto' and she shot him an incredulous look. "What? It's simple and easy to remember." He explained as Kaiya rolled her eyes. She held up her board for his approval. "Flamena?" He queried.
"I don't like using my fire. So if I can get over my fear; I'd like to be reminded of how far I've come." Kaiya explained, feeling her cheeks heat up.
"I like that." He replied simply as she smiled in return. The chorus of different hero names entertained Kaiya; especially the mess that was Bakuguo and his choices. Midnight was quick to criticize his harsh names and Mina's first choice of "Alien Queen".
"Lord explosion murder? Sounds like a bad villain name." Kaiya mumbled to Yayrouzo who laughed quietly.
"Shut it Green Eyes! What did you come up with huh?" He yelled back at her. She rose to her feet and showed the class her choice and earned squeals of excitement from the girls and acceptance from Midnight.
"That's perfect! Good job Kaiya!" Midnight smiled, giving her a thumbs up. Kaiya smirked at a raging Bakugou and sat back down.
"Turn in your choices and codenames before the weekend. Take this stuff seriously. Plenty of third years regret their choices." Aizawa told the students, dismissing them for the day. Kaiya was left reading over her internship choices and her eyes widened at one name on the sheet; stealing a glance at Todoroki next to her.
At lunch, Kaiya decided to tell Todoroki about her conversation with his father during the sports festival. She knew he was going to be upset about his father over-stepping but Kaiya and he were friends; they shouldn't have secrets from one another. Nibbling on a rice cracker, Kaiya cleared her throat to get Todoroki's attention. "So during the sports festival; I met your father." Todoroki froze at her words and fixed her with an icy glare. "Before you...combust; let me explain. He just wanted to know what I thought of you after he bragged about you for a moment." She explained, seeing his icy glare melt slightly.
"What did you say?" He asked quietly, his eyes not meeting Kaiya's.
"I was honest. I said you have a great quirk, you're dedicated and that you'll be a great hero." Kaiya replied, twirling her hair in her fingers. Todoroki narrowed his eyes when he saw her nervous twirling.
"You said more." Kaiya rolled her eyes and groaned; not wanting to tell him she basically told his father off for being shitty.
"I told him that you were more than your Quirk; you're his son. He needs to understand that there's people out there with a lot less than you and him that would kill for what you have; but yet you would trade your childhood for less. It's upsetting." Kaiya mumbled the last part. Todoroki glared at her for a few moments and she braced herself for him to storm off. However, he surprised her with an apology.
"He should not have approached you; I apologize on his behalf." Kaiya's heart ached at the anger painting his eyes. She reached over the table and placed her hand on his right hand. To her delight, Todoroki didn't recoil, he met her eyes warmly instead.
"Families can be complicated; he meant well I think. He wants me to help him help you see your potential. I said I was already trying to do that; but not for him, for you." Todoroki gave her a small smile and she swore there was a light in his eyes at Kaiya's words. "Are you upset I told you?"
"No, the opposite. I'm just sorry that's how you met my father." He sighed, stuffing a roll of rice into his mouth.
"Not sure how else I'd meet him honestly." Kaiya laughed then realized their hands were still touching. She blushed and took her hand back slowly, seeing a tint of pink on Todoroki's cheeks too. "We should go to class now." Tucking a hair behind her ear, she disposed of her lunch tray with Todoroki and walked back to the homeroom.
"Have you decided where you're interning at?" Mina asked Kaiya as her and Todoroki entered the room.
"I've narrowed it down to two. You?" Kaiya told her, hiding her blushing from Todoroki who brushed past Mina. While Mina rambled on, Kaiya couldn't help but feel Todoroki's mind being a million miles away.
After school, Kaiya and Todoroki walked to the entrance of the school together in a comfortable silence before his voice sounded. "I'm going to see my mother tonight." Todoroki mumbled. Kaiya stopped in her tracks, her mouth agape. "I know right?" He groaned at her reaction.
"Alone?" She asked, earning a scoff from Todoroki.
"Unless you care to join me?" Kaiya paled and shook her head. His heart dropped slightly at her instant rejection before Kaiya stammered a response.
"Not because I wouldn't like to meet her, but this is definitely a family matter; it's been ten years hasnt it?" Kaiya tried to explain.
"Yeah, but I think I need to refresh my memory of her, replace the bad memories with the good ones." He told Kaiya, reaching the archway. "Maybe she can help me….not hate my father?"
"Is that your hope?" Kaiya asked him carefully.
"I'm not sure. You were right though; at least I have a family; some people aren't so lucky." He murmured, glancing slightly at the girl next to him. Kaiya tensed as she felt his eyes regard her but remained silent. "Are you sure you don't want to come?" He tried one more time.
"If I didn't know you any better Todoroki, I would say you were scared." Kaiya smirked, a hint of teasing in her eyes. Todoroki nodded his head and rubbed his neck roughly.
"Maybe I am." Kaiya placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled.
"She's your mother; she'll be so happy to see you. Text me afterwards; I'd love to know how it went!" She smiled, waving goodbye to her friend, leaving Todoroki to bus to the hospital.
Later that night after the dojo had been cleaned and she had made herself eat her leftover chicken and rice; Kaiya lay on her makeshift cot and stretched her palms out. Her phone buzzed beside her and a smile formed.
"Hey. How did it go?" Kaiya asked.
"She cried for the first ten minutes or so, in between the bone crushing hugs." Todoroki's voice sounded, earning a giggle from Kaiya. "She's pretty; happier since I saw her last."
Kaiya sighed heavily in relief and smiled. "That's good. Do you feel better?" A few moments passed before he spoke again.
"She doesn't hate my father for what he's done. She explained as to why she has forgiven him. I guess...I can try to forgive him too." He finally said.
"I'm proud of you Todoroki." Kaiya smiled into the phone, knowing her friend was blushing.
"Thank you. Sorry if I interrupted dinner with your family or something. I didn't realize the time." He said. Kaiya looked around the empty gymnasium and makeshift cot and her heart twitched.
"You aren't interrupting anything. I'm glad you called." She replied, trying to sound chipper.
"Thanks Kaiya. I'll see you in class. Goodnight."
"Goodnight." She replied, placing her phone beside her. She stretched out in her cot and sighed heavily. Most nights Kaiya was alright being alone, sometimes welcoming it after a particularly busy day; but tonight once she heard the fresh voice of Todoroki after seeing his mother; she had never felt more alone.
A few days of deciding on agencies, the students were at the train station for their destinations. "Everyone. Besafe and do your best at the agencies. Go plus ultra." Aizawa dismissed the students but found Kaiya and Todoroki talking nearby. "Kaiya. Come here please. I'll see you on your train." Todoroki nodded at her and left when Aizawa dismissed him. "Does he know of your choice?"
"No sir. I wasn't sure how he would react. But I need to learn how to use my fire." Kaiya answered her teacher.
"Does it still scare you?" Aizawa asked, leading his student to her train. "I saw how confident you were at the sports festival with it." Kaiya winced at her teachers words and sighed heavily.
"I didn't feel confident. It was my last ditch effort to win against Bakugou. It still didn't work."
"Has anyone told you that you are really hard on yourself?" Aizawa sighed, rubbing his eyes roughly. Kaiya scoffed and nodded her head. "Kaiya, you came from nothing and with no knowledge of your Quirk. From where I'm standing, you can easily be in the top five. You're already top of the class." Aizawa reminded her.
"Yeah. But I need more control. I can't hurt anyone." She said strongly, eyeing her approaching train. "Thank you for walking me. I'll let you know when I make it to the agency." She bowed and jumped onto the train,sending a small wave to Aizawa as the train departed. Aizawa was left with a bubbling feeling inside him as he watched his student leave; a sense of apprehension and pride mixed inside.
Later that day at Endeavour Agency, the Number Two Hero glowed with pride as his son stood in front of him. "I'm pleased you chose me Shoto. Finally, I can teach you everything about becoming a hero." Endeavor roared proudly as his son stood in his office. Todoroki stood stoic as always, debating whether this was a good idea or not before a knock sounded from behind them. "Ah, she must be here." Todoroki narrowed his eyes at his fathers' words and turned to see who had walked through the door. Todoroki's heart stopped beating for a moment as the girl walked over to them.
"Kaiya?" Todoroki whispered, seeing his father grinning. Why is she here too?
"Ah, Ms. Ayumi. Please, come in." Endeavor greeted, seeing the cautious teen approach the desk, ignoring Todoroki's puzzled expression. "I believe you know my son, Shoto?" Kaiya nodded politely at them both. "I'm sure you're both wondering why I requested two students from your class." They both nodded in response. "It's quite obvious as to why I requested my son; but Ms. Ayumi? I liked seeing your elemental power at the sports festival." Fire burned in his fathers' eyes as Endeavour seemed to replay the memory in his head.
"I do not fill the standards of your agency sir." Kaiya pointed out carefully. Endeavor roared with laughter and shook his head.
"You need to be taught a lot, yes. That's why I requested you. I want to know how you train with your Quirk and what you do and do not know." Endeavor explained. "I'm sure Shoto has told you of his training growing up." He gestured to his son who's lips formed a straight line. "But I do believe that you are very strong; there is a reason for that. Tell me why you chose to train with me; what is the story that you keep hidden." Todoroki felt Kaiya tense at his father's request. Multiple times, the half and half teen had tried to get Kaiya to open up since knowing her, but she either changed the subject or the timing always seemed wrong; like now.
"Father, I don't think it is imperative to know her story." Todoroki tried but Endeavor shook his head.
"A hero's story can make or break their reputation Shoto. It can make them more likable to the public or more relatable. A story is a powerful factor in the hero world. Eventually...the truth comes out whether you want it to or not." The fire hero explained to his son, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "Plus, I remember you talking about your lack of family at the sports festival young girl. It intrigues me." He turned his attention back to Kaiya.
Kaiya placed a hand on Todoroki's forearm when he went to argue again, her eyes meeting him in a silent thank you. The boy reluctantly withdrew with a sigh while Kaiya looked at Endeavour. "Very well sir. However, I must warn you. It is not a happy tale." Kaiya relented, sighing heavily. "I was dropped off at a police station in Tokyo when I was four years old; my birth certificate, some food and this silver ring on a chain was all I had with me." Kaiya began, twiddling with her ring as Endeavour and Todoroki listened. "I don't remember the faces of the people who left me. I bounced around a few orphanages around Japan until I landed in a small house with a couple of other kids when I was five or six. My Quirk had already made its appearance by this point and I was trying to learn it; but it was very difficult since there's multiple I need to control. The man and woman were kind to me until I accidently hurt one of the other kids with my fire." Kaiya's eyes darkened and Todoroki knew that she was replaying the day in her head.