23

Through Glass

'The lullaby she sang to me... Why was it so hauntingly beautiful? And yet it completely resonated with her...'

Izuku Midoriya was sitting at his desk as he stared out the window towards the sunny sky. He was hoping that the few clouds in the sky would somehow grow into another massive rain cloud that would last for just a while longer.

He let out a sigh, shaking his head, 'Todoroki is right. I can't keep pretending.' But the part that he couldn't admit to himself was if he was thinking about Momo or Camie.

Todoroki was staring at Midoriya's back as he sat by his own desk thinking about the conversation he had with his friend on the train. The part that bothered Shoto the most was when Midoriya mentioned that he took Momo to that cafe. 'Midoriya knows that's Utsushimi's favorite spot and he also knows when her shift starts. He had to have known she would have shown up, so then why..? But Midoriya would never intentionally do that,' Would he?

His thoughts of doubt were interrupted when the two girls entered the classroom. Momo and Mina were laughing about something but calmed down when they both noticed Izuku staring at them with a raised eyebrow. He never assumed Mina and Momo to be close friends but Mina had the ability to be good friends with anybody so it made sense, 'But still, why do I feel weird seeing them act so close?' But he knew why it bothered him, he just didn't want to admit it as he thought of that lazy spring afternoon weekend during their second year.

He didn't have time to dwell on that because as Momo made her way to her desk at the back of the classroom next to Todoroki, Mina had shot Izuku a dirty look as she went to go sit by her desk at the front of the class by the door Mina and Momo had just entered from.

"Huh? What did I do?" Izuku mumbled aloud yet quietly to himself, but just as he finished saying that his phone vibrated. It was a message.

Mina: WAT DID U DO?

"Eh?" He glanced at the text he just received then to Mina, who was somehow already starting her morning gossip with Toru. "Wait how did she do that?" And then he got another text.

Mina: WELL?

"But you don't even have your phone in your hands? How is this even possible?" And Izuku was still staring at Mina who was smiling and joking around, not looking the least bit annoyed and yet somehow he got another text.

Mina: Cause Im Mina

Izuku was staring at her answer to her question with cringe eyes. "H-How did she hear me? I-Is she psychic?"

Mina: Only wen it comes to romance

Izuku rolled his eyes at her response. He didn't want to tell her because of his own reasons but figured she would find out eventually and began to text her the events of yesterday.

As Izuku was texting Mina, Momo was attempting to talk to Todoroki. She knew he was close to Izuku and maybe she could find something out about Camie. "Pardon, Todoroki?"

"Hm." Was all he said to confirm he was paying attention.

"How well do you remember your remedial classes? The ones you and Bakugo took to get your hero permits." She asked because when she was researching the blonde bimbo she found out that she also had to take remedial class.

"Those were the days." He recalled with dry sarcasm.

"Er, yes, it sounded lively, but I was wondering," She began to ask her important question, as she did her trademark charm move, fixing her loose strand of hair while tilting her head as she gave a closed-eye smile. "Do you know anyone by the name of Camie?"

"Utsushimi?!" His eyes widened and that was enough information for Momo. "Um, she's talkative. I'm guessing you met her yesterday?"

Momo's eyes narrowed as she replied, "Yes, I did, it turns out she's been Izuku's partner in crime for quite some time," And she finished her sentence with that calculating coldness, "But you already know that and then some, ne?"

Todoroki's eye twitched at her voice and choice of words. He hated when she said ne. She always used it as a form of conditioning and she was probably doing it to Izuku maybe even without realizing it. Todoroki took a breath as he prepared himself. He turned his head to her and gave a reassuring nod, "Yaoyorozu, you have nothing to worry about." Was all he said on the matter before turning his head to face the front of the classroom, but not before giving Izuku a worried look. 'He wouldn't do that.'

Her cold eyes grew wide into innocent relief as she let out a heavy exhale. "Thank you, Todoroki."

For the rest of class, it was almost as if Izuku and Momo were avoiding each other, unintentionally or intentionally. They ate lunch together with their friends but they would both blush and stutter whenever they tried to talk to each other. Although their awkwardness was because of the night before everyone aside from Todoroki and Mina assumed it was because of their developing romance.

It was after school and Momo was standing at the front entrance. She let out another sigh as she stared at the sky. "I wish it would rain again."

"Yeah, me too." Izuku spoke as he walked up next to her. "I miss the petrichor. That's the word for it, right?" He said as he ruffled the back of his hair with an unease chuckle.

Momo did one of her surprised kitten-like sounds with her ponytail jolting up like a cat-tail. "Eeip!" And then she realized it was Izuku and processed his words. "Oh, you remembered. The rain does have a certain fragrance to it doesn't it?"

"Yeah." He wanted to say because it reminded him of her but he was still shy around her, despite everything they shared. "S-So you ready to go home?" As he offered his hand for their walk home.

Momo glanced at it before raising her eyes up to his face then back down to his hand. She almost retracted away from him, taking a step back. "I-Izuku, it's okay if you don't want to... I understand if I made you uncomfortable last night."

"Huh? Oh, that..." Izuku lowered his eyes and hand for a moment as he thought. He then raised his eyes to her and offered his hand again. "It doesn't matter right now."

"It doesn't? Why... why not?"

He then gave her a toothy grin. "Because I promised you I always would, didn't I?"

And her confused eyes gained a misty clarity as she glanced at his hand then at his smile. She reached for his hand, hesitated, and then captured one of his fingers before clasping his hand completely, intertwining her fingers with his. She gave him a matching toothy smile as they began to walk together. "You did, didn't you."

And as they were walking, Momo gave his hand a squeeze as she recalled when she whispered the lullaby into his ear last night as they were embraced on her bed.

"Hush Izuku, don't say a word.

I'm gonna buy you a mocking bird.

And if that mocking bird won't sing.

I'm gonna buy you a diamond ring.

And if that diamond ring goes brass.

I'm gonna buy you a looking glass...

And if that looking glass gets broke..."

Will you make me whole and not let go...