"Good morninggg," came an all-familiar lazy drawl.

Shoto looked up from the TV showing the morning news to his older brother, mouth wide open in a yawn as he walked into the dining area still in his sleep wear.

"Morning," the bi-colored teen greeted back. Natsuo took a seat beside him and rubbed the sleep from his eyes before ruffling his messy white bed hair.

"Natsuo, you should've at least washed up before coming down," Fuyumi chastised but otherwise grabbed the empty bowl she had set aside for him and filled it with freshly cooked rice.

The snow-haired Todoroki grinned cheekily, "Don't be such a stick in the mud, sis. It's a weekend! I'm allowed to laze around during this time at least, right?"

Shoto watched Fuyumi shake her head in defeat before resuming her meal, making Natsuo grin wider in triumph. Out of the three of them, his older brother has always been the free spirit. Shoto suspected it may be his coping mechanism for the sort of childhood they went through. But that only shows when their father wasn't around. On days like this, when it's just the three of them, it almost makes them look like an ordinary family.

Shoto and his siblings knew this. That this is the closest sort of normalcy any of them could get in this accursed household. It's fortunate enough that no-good father of theirs doesn't have half-a-mind to come home unless for whatever reason he came up with. Natsuo's probably the only one who could match Shoto's own animosity against their sire.

[In other news, an underground syndicate involved in human trafficking has finally been apprehended thanks to the efforts of the police and the heroes- Endeavor and Shamrock Queen-]

Three pairs of eyes shot towards the TV, not at the mention of their father's hero name but of his Support instead.

When news came to them that someone actually applied to be Endeavor's Support Hero, their reaction was the same as everybody else's.

They didn't believe it.

Though Fuyumi was the most optimistic about it. They didn't know their father's previous support heroes personally but they knew enough that none of them lived up to Endeavor's insane expectations.

Surely this Shamrock Queen has heard of people's concerns about working as Endeavor's personal support.

At one point, Natsuo even joked that the pinkette was just a poor victim of their father's stunt to boost his ratings. That she was just there to draw the crowd's attention and she wasn't really hero material in reality. (Though Shoto personally didn't agree with that. Endeavor might be ambitious but he's not the type to crave for the attention of the masses).

"She doesn't even have a hero costume! I mean, look at what she's wearing! And she has heels on too! How is she supposed to fight villains and rescue people without proper gear?" is what Natsuo argued, to which Shoto wholly agreed with.

But Shamrock Queen did fight villains, and she had rescued people. Exemplary, in fact. In her heels and dress no less.

[-unfortunately, we weren't able to get Shamrock Queen's word on the matter-]

"For someone who said she doesn't like attention, she sure is popular," Natsuo commented before taking another bite off his fish.

"When did she say that?" Fuyumi asked.

"Heroes Weekly. You know, the one that got sold out on the first day?"

Shoto paused from bringing a glass of water to his lips to pipe in the conversation, "I thought you said those magazines were trash?"

On the contrary, Heroes Weekly is one of- if not- the most legitimate source of periodical publication about heroes out there. Though Shoto has never touched one himself. It was also surprising, considering that Natsuo's aversion to heroes was due to spite against their father. A sort of stain had smudged over his older brother's perception of heroes in general, but not to the point it extended to Shoto and his goal to be a hero himself.

"W-Well yeah but a friend of mine told me about it, see? And you can't blame me for being curious about what Shamrock Queen has to say! Besides, her answers weren't exactly what you'd expect from a typical heroine," he defended with a small flush of his cheeks in embarrassment.

"Why? Were they weird?" Shoto asked.

Natsuo held his chin in thought, "Well, I wouldn't say weird. More like… unique? There's not exactly a right word to describe it. Interested? It's best if you read it for yourself. My buddy made me keep it for a week for safe keeping. His sister's a pretty big fan of the Queen's so he's afraid she might steal it."

Shoto hummed in thought at that. It would be a lie if he said he wasn't interested. The bi-colored teen had been intrigued of the pink-haired hero that came out of nowhere ever since her debut. However, his interest never escalated more than a simple curiosity. Maybe because his father's presence had placed a metaphorical veil over her, that made the angsty, bitter part of him avoid anything that involved that no-good father of his.

Still, if this Shamrock Queen was able to sway and leave his brother speechless with just a few words, it probably wouldn't be a waste of time and it might satiate his curiosity even a little.

"Maybe later. I have to go. Thanks for the meal," Shoto answered after swallowing the last mouthful of his breakfast and standing up from the table. Already clad in his blue tracksuit, he made his way to the front door where he put on his rubber shoes.

It was during his second year in middle school when Shoto found his first shred of resolve- to which his father simply dubbed as 'teenage rebellion'. And that defiance took the form of deliberate insubordination in terms of his training. With Endeavor mostly away due to taking up cases that required more of his attention, Shoto took his absence as an opportunity to make up his own training regime and build up a routine in preparation for when he gets admitted to U.A.

"Shoto, could you do me a favor and pick up a few groceries on your way back?" Fuyumi asked by the door as he did his stretches in the front yard.

Shoto nodded and rolled his shoulders back before accepting the small list and a few bills from his sister's hand. The amount was more than necessary, again.

"I-If you need anything else-" she started that familiar line and as usual, he cut it off with a turn of his head.

"I'm good. I'll be off."

He didn't look back to see his sister's knit brows as he began his jog.

.

Stance, pull-back, raise, parry, guard, thrust, kick.

Shoto watched with rapt attention with each single movement, like a studious student to their master. Knowing that once the person before him decides to pick up the pace, his eyes wouldn't be able to follow anymore and he'd be left wondering in confused frustration over what to do next. Again.

It was by chance, or maybe fate, when he took a detour from his usual route due to a construction. The road he chose to walk his way back was on the other side of an artificial river between the city and a residential district. Particularly on the residential side, where most people have already gone to work, school, or simply too lazy to wake up so early in the morning that kept the road barren and free from prying eyes. It was a perfect place for anybody wanting to have a peaceful time for their own.

He first saw them just sitting there by the grassy riverbank meditating, and Shoto would've left them alone if they didn't stand and motioned their arms and legs around in precise, fluid movements with water-like grace. Before he knew it, he was frozen in place, mesmerized, just watching them go about long sets of routines and stances as if they were fighting an invisible enemy.

One disadvantage Shoto was aware of when he shrugged off his father's training regime to make one of his own was the lack of supervision. The law states that the use of quirk or quirk training is only allowed within the confines of their own home and under the supervision of someone licensed to use their quirk. There's also the fact that his research from watching videos and reading books on the basics of various martial arts could only get him through so much. Even though he believed that knowing the basics was imperative along with training his quirk, he's aware enough that without someone to guide him, his movements will be sloppy.

But practice makes perfect, right?

Hidden behind the wingwall and abutment of the bridge he was voyeu- OBSERVING from, Shoto took a deep breath and willed his muscles to memory to imitate the stances he saw as well as the ones he had seen them perform before.

Stance, pull-back, raise, guard- no! Parry, guard, thrust, kick

Just as he raised his foot up for a flying front kick as finisher, a slim hand suddenly clasped his ankle seemingly out of nowhere and held it aloft. Gray and teal eyes widened in shock at the familiar red hooded jacket with a bold number 7 at the back.

"What do you think you're doing?" came the sound of a very feminine voice that was equal parts offended and amused.

Shoto never stopped to care about the person's gender before, only caring about what he could learn from them, but a quick glance on the slender hand holding his ankle effortlessly, the swells on their chest, and the slender frame; he felt a pang of shame.

"A… flying front kick," was what he could only manage to say. He couldn't see their face besides the pair of feminine lips uncovered by the shadow of her hood.

"I don't think so," she said with a click of her tongue and before he could react, she yanked his ankle up higher.

The sudden pull that converted to pain over his pelvis made Shoto visibly wince and grind his teeth together. The pain was too much he felt the others from his back, shoulder, and arms belatedly from where she hit him.

She let go of his ankle and he stayed upright for a second before the pain made him lose his balance and Shoto fell on his side on the grass. His aching arms that radiated up to the tip of his fingers clutched on his leg where he feared she must have pulled a muscle. Thankfully, she didn't, and the pain only came from the shock of the sudden movement.

"That's a flying front kick," she said as-a-matter-of-factly with her hands over her hips.

Shoto stared up at her balefully and felt the first stages of frost pinpricking the right side of his body in unconscious reaction.

"You know, I intended to keep my involvement a bare minimum but there's only so much I could bear before feeling the urge to intervene. I wouldn't want people to think I play favorites just because you're my boss's son, after all." His glare loosened before turning into a surprise as she finally pulled back her hood. The morning sunlight gave the pastel pink tresses a certain shine that almost gave her a halo effect from where he's looking from below. Shamrock Queen met his shocked gaze with a grin, obviously pleased at his expression before continuing, "I wouldn't ask for an explanation since I already know that you've been observing me for free lessons for almost a month but don't you think apologies are in order? Spying on a woman's private time is still voyeuristic, after all."

"I didn't mean it like that," he mumbled lowly but the twitch of her lips indicated that she heard him.

"What did you mean then?"

"I was just training."

A neat pink eyebrow rose, "Are you really?"

Brows furrowed in confusion before it turned into a frown in offense. He said firmly as he moved to stand up, "Yes."

Verdant eyes stared at him for a moment that brought an uncomfortable feeling down his back. After all he went through and experienced, along with the people he's surrounded with every day, Shoto liked to believe that nothing could ever faze him anymore. Too used was he under the scrutiny of his own father. Those teal eyes that judged him was a haunting demon he's yet to get rid of. But the eyes that stared at him weren't teal. Judging, yes, he could feel them, was familiar with it. If not from his father, nameless, faceless people would look at him the same. They don't look at him as Todoroki Shoto but as Endeavor's double-quirked son aspiring to become a hero. All meticulously picking him apart if he's got what it takes and if he could amount to anything like the Number 2 Hero.

"What?" he asked with more caution in his voice than intended that broke the silence. The woman that stood before him was barely the same height as he was, and yet there was something about her that made him rear back. Her eyes… they were familiar and yet… why does he feel like she's looking for something else?

"If you say so," the pinkette finally responded with a blink, a small smile, and a shrug of her shoulders. "By the way, isn't there a rule about minors like you training without supervision? Just because you're a top hero's son doesn't make you an exception."

Shoto turned his head away at that as warmth filled both his ears. It's been a while since he felt embarrassed.

"I'll take that as a no, then," she chuckled, "You're more studious that I thought, training on your own. It's admirable, but stupid."

His head whipped back at her, the praise instantly flew past his head no thanks to the sardonic comment, "Excuse me?"

"No offense, of course," she brought her hands up in defense, "I myself have trained on my own when I was starting out but if you'll allow me some frank criticism, from what I've seen for the last month, I highly doubt it's been any help for you. You should've changed your game plan after the second week. That is, if you even noticed that you weren't improving at all?"

Frost that coated his right arm and face was the physical manifestation of how Shoto bristled at Sakura's words. Though he's commonly calm and collective, there's usually one reason that could tip him off.

Endeavor, and subsequently, his quirk and power.

He caught the way her gaze landed on his frosting arm before shifting back to his face. Sakura continued, "My technique isn't really special but I'm sure your father ca-"

"As if I'll ever let that man teach me anything!" he barked for the first time in a long while. The grass at his feet stiffened with ice, and chilled breaths escaped from the corners of his lips. Sakura barely even blinked.

Instead she let out a sigh, an almost disappointed, retired sigh followed by a mumble that he wasn't able to hear, which further aggravated him more.

"I mean it when I said about you having the drive to train yourself as something admirable but even if you have dedication, that won't compare with someone experienced to show you how things are properly done. Or else you'll just be running around like a headless chicken."

"I'm doing just fine," he grounded.

She shrugged her shoulders again, "If that's what you believe."

"Are you saying that I'm not good enough?!"

"I never said that, but at the rate of where you are now, you wouldn't last a minute against a real opponent. Even with the use of your quirk," with that said, she turned on her heel and casually walked away.

Something snapped in him right then and there. The crack of glaciers assaulted the ears as it quickly raced towards the retreating woman. The clear, cool crystals crawled up her leg as if trying to swallow her whole. While in his mind, Shoto was torn. The condescending words, along with his pent-up frustration, blasted him a memory from the past. There was also the insult towards his efforts and subsequently, his resolve.

"You would attack someone for giving an honest opinion?" she looked back at her shoulder with an amused expression, "Such temper. It almost reminds me of-"

"I AM NOT MY FATHER!"

He roared at the top of his lungs, the ice that surrounded them surged high like glaciers, instantly freezing the surrounding area. Shoto hated that sentence with a passion. She didn't even need to finish it. He already knew what she was going to say. Those were the same words people would throw at him, clueless with his past. As all they saw was his left side. But worst of all, those were the words his own mother cursed him with before dousing his face with boiling water. He had never gotten over that trauma. The look of utter horror and disgust in his once-loving and kind mother towards him broke his young heart. All because he was born with half of his father's power.

But that's how he's always lived, right? If he's not one half, he's the other. He's heard them. Endeavor's son who's yet to prove himself, Endeavor's son who's following in his father's footsteps, Endeavor's son, will he be as powerful as him? Over and over, sometimes in whispered tones, rarely to his own face. All said differently, but the context and undertones say the same. Then if it's not the words, it's the looks. Natsuo and Fuyumi thought he wasn't looking, but he's already seen the unbridled guilt in their eyes. Especially in Fuyumi's. The guilt about not having done enough for him, for not even trying. His scar was a grim reminder, and he knew the only reason they could talk to him was because they see his right side.

He's honestly sick and tired of it all.

Which is why he's trying to stand up on his own. Oh, he'll be a hero alright. He'll be a better and greater hero than Endeavor ever was. But he'll also make sure his old man will never have that satisfaction, because he'll climb his way up without ever using his left side. He'll beat him at his own game and the fact that he's done it all without ever needing his side will be the slap in the face he deserved after all he put him through.

"I am not my father," he repeated to himself.

"I never said you were," Shoto snapped his gaze up, unaware that he had closed them tight in his outburst. Only then did he realize that he turned the riverside into a freezing area of varying sizes of towering ice. Before him was Shamrock Queen, encased in his ice with the same half-turned pose. Yet despite her current predicament that should've alarmed anyone, all he got was a confused look on her face. He saw her raise a half-frozen arm with her thumb and middle finger pressed together.

SNAP

In the next second, the thick crystals of ice shattered like fragile glass. Followed by gusts of wind pressures that rang bells in his ears Shoto had to clamp his hands down over them even as he was blown a few feet away.

When he came to, the pinkette was approaching him while casually flicking the bits of ice shards over her clothes. As if she wasn't just literally frozen alive seconds ago.

"You misunderstood me," she said, "I was going to say you reminded me of someone I knew back home. Of course you're not Endeavor, who would be dumb enough to mistake that? You're Todoroki Shoto, aren't you?"

Shoto's lips pressed together in a thin line.

"Yes," he answered slowly, and in an instant, the pinkette's face lit up like fireworks.

"Then you're not Todoroki Enji," she said as if it's the most common thing in the world.

.

It was five days later before he saw the pink-haired queen again. After an unsavory parting from his side, Shoto spent most of his time thinking over what just happened. That rollercoaster of emotions, in just one encounter, and with an ending he didn't expect at all.

He knew it was too early to assume. He hardly knew her except the spouts of the media and that one encounter was the very first time he officially met Shamrock Queen. And what a quick turn of events that was.

Frustration continued to bug him since he got home after that. Miffed at his own confusion and shock. Someone's words should not affect someone so much even for the first time, especially to someone who held such deep a grudge like himself. Yet she haunted him. And her smile only made him mull it over so hard he took a break from training because of how unfocused he was.

That's when he realized it. The first time she looked at him, she was picking him apart, and after he admitted, she looked like she saw him for the first time.

Someone looked at him for the first time. Not only one side or the other, but as a whole.

And it's that same smile that greeted him when he stopped in shock right in front of her trolley.

"Hey you," she said, one hand on the handle while the other pulled the back of her hood a bit, "Fancy seeing you here."

"You like to wear hoodies," was the first random thought that came to mind and also what he unconsciously said.

She blinked her verdant eyes at him before shrugging, "Not really. I just like my privacy when I'm not working and out in public. Plus, I can't exactly shop for groceries in peace without a person or two following me."

'I just don't like being in the limelight.'

It was one of her answers in the Hero's Weekly magazine he had finally decided to read.

"What about you? Out on an errand?" she eyed the list on his hand.

Shoto shifted on his feet, while his other hand held a basket with already half of what's on the list, "Yeah… my sister asked me."

"What a good brother you are!" she beamed, almost cooed, that made him feel warmth in his ears again, "I wish I could get my boys to do errands like that without complaining."

Somewhere at a ramen shop in Konoha, Naruto and Sasuke sneezed.

Teal and gray eyes blinked, "Your boys?"

"Just my beloved, pain in the asses back home," she said with a bright smile.

"Oh," was his only response amidst the confusion. His gaze fell to the contents of her trolley. Apart from the bands of green vegetables, it was mostly filled with dairy products such as full boxes of small carton milk, yogurt, and cheese. He even spotted a bottle or two of soya drinks and bread.

"That's a lot of dairy products," Shoto shot his eyes back up at amused greens, realizing that she had caught his stare, "Don't worry, I get that a lot. It's part of my quirk."

She made a move to push the trolley forward and he stepped aside to let her pass, but not before falling into step with her, "Your quirk?"

A pink brow rose at his direction, "You're not really asking me about my quirk, are you? Isn't asking someone the specifics of their quirk considered taboo and disrespectful? Especially to a hero. Such information, it's sensitive, don't you think?"

'I think your cameras have captured that quite well.'

It was her only answer when she was asked about her quirk. An answer the interviewer deemed enough and 'perfectly mysterious' to write in the tabloid.

Shoto almost reflexively said no. That most, if not all, people (common-folk and heroes alike) would be more than happy to share descriptions of their quirk and how they work. Some quirks are too complicated so an explanation is a given while some others like his were already palpable enough to take it at face-value. Often times for the benefit of the World Heroes Association where it's imperative to register one's quirk to the system.

There's little secret to hide apart from the fact he can perform pyro and cryogenics at an accelerated rate. Although he hardly uses the latter. It brought him back to his suspicions of her own quirk and how weird it was to be classified as just 'Super Strength' alone. He has a gut feeling that there's more to her power than meets the eye.

Still, what she said wasn't entirely false though. In fact, it makes sense to keep the specifics of a hero's quirk a secret. There are some smart villains out there. Its not worth the risk compared to satiating the fans in the masses.

So instead he shut his mouth and nodded his head.

They continued on in silence after that. Despite what she just said, she didn't seem to mind having him follow her around. He wasn't quite sure why he's doing it either. At one point they even helped out with each other's groceries. Her, recommending and teaching him how to properly pick quality produce, of all things unexpected; and him helping out in reaching high shelves. Thus, getting the comment about 'Damn tall genes' every now and again. Which only made him realize, despite their age difference, how small she was compared to him. A full 10 cm difference at least. He honestly never noticed since she's always exuding such confidence and strength that made her stand proud and taller than the rest.

'Queens are more than a ruling figure who stands at the top. They are a prime example of empowerment but they are also women who put their subjects first like her own children. It's never about seeing myself as higher than the rest.'

Whoever said that calling herself Queen was conceited and self-centered clearly hadn't been in her presence before. Just by standing beside her, anyone could tell that the title was made for her.

By the time they paid at the counter, after the cashier had finally calmed from hyperventilating when she showed her face to him under her hood (as well as an autograph later), she had two small boxes and a large paper bag full of her items while he only had one partially filled.

"Can I help you?" he volunteered, looking at the boxes.

Her lips pulled up into a soft smile, "Thank you, Todoroki-kun. That's very sweet of you but there's no need."

As if to prove her point, she hefted the boxes into her arms effortlessly. Though the boxes were small, both were just nearly bursting and the contents aren't definitely light outside the package. When she made a move to grab for the last bag, Shoto beat her to it and cradled the said bag to his chest along with his own.

"I insist," he grounded. He doubted his sister would mind him being a bit late this time. The pinkette only rose a singular pink brow at him before shrugging and leading their way out of the store.

The walk back was silent, with Sakura leading ahead and Shoto following just behind her. He didn't, however, expect that her place was a long walk back. That he'd have to shift the weight in his arms every now and again while she kept her steady pace without breaking a sweat. He supposed it wouldn't be a problem for her, since her quirk made these types of jobs easy, but to shop at a grocery store a couple of streets away? Isn't it common sense to just shop at the closest market place?

They only stopped when she turned a sharp corner to the small stall selling a bunch of ready-to-go desserts.

"My taste buds are tingling. What about you?" she asked.

Shoto's no sweet tooth but he's not adverse to them either.

"I'm fi-" he meant to decline.

"I insist," she interrupted. Something about her tone made it sound like she wouldn't take no for an answer.

The pinkette ordered a cup of anmitsu for her and flavored shaved ice for him, and they walked a further bit down until they spotted a secluded place to eat their dessert.

"Ah-ah-ah, don't. Even if it's wrapped and packaged, you're not supposed to just put food on the ground," she chastised just as they plopped down on an empty bench. The sudden, gentle scolding made him panic a bit and quickly set the bags on the empty side of the bench beside him. "Didn't your mother tell you that?"

The sudden question made him pause, and whether she noticed the change in his expression or not, she made no move mention it. Instead Shoto just rearranged the items neatly on his side with a firm line of his lips.

He thanked her when she passed him his shaved ice. Even though he didn't exactly need it, it would be rude to not accept it, considering how rude he was over his misunderstanding. Granted, her bluntness was provoking but he was the one who assumed the worst because he didn't let her finish.

"Well? I'm waiting," she broke the silence as he was midway into his treat, effectively snapping him from his thoughts. The pinkette didn't look at him as she continued scooping a spoonful, "You've been wanting to tell me something since you bumped into me, right? You might as well spit it out while we're here or you'll be too busy with carrying. Which needs some work by the way."

"It was a heavy bag."

"For the record, you insisted on carrying it, and I'm not being mean for walking far. That grocery store is the only place that sells the brand of milk that I use. It's also on the way of that stall. They make the best anmitsu I've ever tasted in this country so far, but that's beside the point."

Shoto pursed his lips together, "How did you know?"

"You're a quiet kid, Todoroki-kun, if we disregard your temper, but you're not one for subtlety."

Shoto looked down on his half-finished cup. Was she just observant or was he that obvious? Either way, he's already been called out. There's no use hiding it.

"I… about the other day… I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you like that."

"Is that the only thing you'll apologize for?"

He looked at her in confusion, taking in her raised brow and the small upturn at the corner of her lip.

"And I'm sorry for… spying on you for a month."

The pink-haired hero nodded as she set her cup on her lap. There were still a few pieces of fruit left, "I accept your apology. Although I have to apologize as well."

Shoto stared at her in confusion.

"I suppose my words are a bit mean, now that I think about it. I'm sorry, I have a bit of a temper too. I didn't mean to offend you," he meant to say something but she continued with a firm, "but I will not take back what I said because it's the truth."

When she met his gaze, her soft jade eyes steeled into a harder color that reflected her seriousness.

A deep, emerald green.

"I know," he confessed, "I know my efforts alone aren't enough. I've been thinking about it since then and I realized that thanks to you. I just… I have a goal I wanted to attain."

He clenched his own fist in reflex, a flash of his father's condescending face looked down at him from a past memory.

"That's fine," she said, "There's nothing wrong with working hard but it would be useless if you won't be smart about it, and don't burst out on me again for asking this but, why not approach your father for lessons?"

"No,"In an instant, his brows furrowed deeply and his fist shook, "I'll never, ever, walk in the path he made for me."

"Oho?" came her response in a sing-song voice. When he turned to look at her again, there was a twinkle along with the smile on her face, "Well aren't you just full of surprises? I applaud that mindset of yours, Todoroki-kun. You're different from the kids I've met so far since I came here. I admit, I'm relieved. But like I said, without proper guidance, your advanced training won't go very far."

"Then… I was wondering, maybe you can-"

A slender, well-manicured finger was suddenly pressed shoved up his face. Her eyes returned to emerald steel, "Stop. You were going to ask me to train you, weren't you?"

He's thought about it. Long and hard, after mulling hard over her words since their first encounter. A shroud of mystery is still veiled over her but there's no denying that she's a capable hero, and he had this feeling that he can trust her, fully. it's a feeling he thought he wasn't capable of after his experience. Especially towards a stranger he had only ever exchanged a few words with.

But what really pushed him to consider seeking her out, was the way she looked at him and called his name as Shoto. Not as Endeavor's son.

"I'm sorry but my answer is a hard no," his eyebrows shot up at that, "It's not because I don't want to, it's more of because I can't. I'm not a proper citizen of your country and as a foreigner operating with only a provisional hero license, and no license to teach, I can't legally take on a student. It'll get us both in trouble and my own country doesn't allow it."

"I can compensate you!"

She gave him an unamused look, "I'm already working for your father and he's compensating me just fine. Besides, what can you possibly offer me?"

Heterochromia eyes darted around until they landed on her lap, "You like anmitsu, right?"

Her pink eyebrow rose, "Yeah. It's my favorite, and umeboshi."

"I know a place that sells the best of those in Japan!" Thank you, Fuyumi.

"Do you now?"

"Yes! So please," in a deliberate move, Shoto stood from his seat and kowtowed before her feet. His eyes closed tight in hope and nervousness. He's never done something like this before, "Please teach me!"

He heard her sigh in frustration, "Look, Todo-"

"Please! I promise to be a diligent student! I, I just… I don't ever want to stand under that man's shadow anymore!"

Silence. Besides the pounding of his heart that he heard it in his ears, there was nothing but complete and utter silence between the two of them for the next few minutes. When he did look up at her, there was an expression on her face he couldn't read. Something familiar.

Sakura heaved a deep breath, "Todoroki-kun, I can't train you… but I can help you."

He blinked and a grin was on her face. She raised a finger to her lips before giving him a wink.

Shoto's heart thumped in success, unaware of the obvious relief that washed over him, as well as the tugs at the corner of his lips.

"Now that I think about it, we haven't been properly introduced yet, have we? My name's Haruno Sakura. You can just call me Sakura," she offered her hand to him to which he gratefully accepted.

"I'm Todoroki Shoto. Please just call me Shoto, sen-" she shot him a warning look, "Sakura. I don't have my compensation fee yet but, can I buy you another order of anmitsu?"

She visibly perked up, "Well I certainly can't say no to that offer."

Without another word, Shoto turned on his heel. His heart beating faster in his chest.

Interviewer: "What is your advice to the aspiring heroes out there?"

Shamrock Queen: "Be smart and find your resolve before you carve your own path, but don't be afraid to let someone steer you to the right way, or else you'll get lost."

Sakura's grin fell into a soft smile as she watched Shoto's back. She had full intentions of denying him no matter how much he'll beg her but then he said those words, those same words… an image of a little girl draped over the shadows of a man and two boys flashed in her mind and her heart clenched.

Though their circumstances are different; Shoto had more resources that common-born-Sakura didn't have. She highly suspected his stubbornness and refusal to go to his father was due to pride, but only a person whose been subjected to insane expectations because of the people around them, and wanting to make a difference to bask in the light to cast their own shadow, can only understand that kind of pain and desperation.

If Shoto offered sake instead of anmitsu and umeboshi, Sakura would've laughed.

"So he's the number two's son, huh?" came the familiar lazy drawl. She spotted the abnormal shadow from behind a bush a few seconds ago but knowing how he took another year for further training in T&I, and partaking specially on reconnaissance missions, she has no doubt that he'd heard enough of earlier already.

"Yep," she popped her lips, "Todoroki Shoto."

The black stretch of shadow crawled from the bush until it settled on the spot beside her on the bench where Shoto sat not too long ago. Only to retreat to reveal her shogi rival as if he had just woken up.

He probably had.

"Ice and fire, right? Not bad. Looks like another winner in the genetic lottery." He yawned before casting a sideways glance at her, "Unlike some deviants."

Sakura broke her stare to stick out her tongue playfully at him, "The kid shows promise. He needs a guide to the path he made for himself. He's just a little lost right now."

"Well you always had a soft spot for kids… and redheads."

"Watch it, Nara. Didn't your mother ever tell you to not poke a sleeping tiger?"

"No, but she did tell me to never mock a slug."

Sakura snorted, "or laugh at a snake."

"Or taunt a toad," Shikamaru finished. "This isn't because he's your boss's son, is it?"

The pinkette looked up at him, somewhat offended, "You know I don't play favorites."

"And it isn't because he reminded you of someone?"

Now there was an amused gleam in her eyes and her tone pitched sarcastically, "No, no! Of course not."

"Troublesome," the raven-haired sighed in defeat and rubbed his nape, "I know you know what you're doing but you might want to squeeze this in with your extra job."

From his shadow, Shikamaru pulled out a pitch-black scroll tied with a red string.

"It just came in with my missive. It looks urgent."

Sakura stared hard on the ANBU symbol waxed onto the knot of the string. Her fingers twitched in excitement. Just in time too. She was afraid she brought her Tiger mask for nothing.

It's also been a while since she pulled out a kunai to slice someone's throat.

Yes, that last bit was necessary because I don't want people to forget that Sakura is still a killer. That the term "Hero" was just adopted by the Hidden Villages to go along with the new hero society of the outside nations. Yes, Sakura and the gang are heroes but they're heroes that grew in a kill-or-be-killed world.

Also, keep in mind that this Shoto is pre-canon so I figured he's a lot more sensitive before attending UA and he's got a temper when it comes to sensitive matters.

Ciao~!