A bit of fluff from our favorite Icy Hot teen. (:
Chapter 14
After the I-Island adventure, the preparations leading up to the summer training camp brought its own amount of stress for the students. Some of the girls began complaining about not being able to relax and travel this summer, while Kaiya was eager to work more. "Why don't we ask for permission to use the campus pool? We can relax and use it for training too!" Mina asked Momo excitedly.
"That's actually a good idea. I'm sure we'll be approved if we ask nicely." Momo smiled, already drawing up the proposal. Meanwhile, Kaiya was scribbling in her notebook trying to stay out of the conversation. "Kaiya? Want to come?" Momo asked her. Kaiya looked up from her scribbling to see the excited girls beaming at her in expectation.
"I usually work a lot during the summer break since everyones out of school." She explained, seeing the disappointed looks on the girls faces. "But, seeing as it could be good training...I can see if my boss will let me off the hook for a day." She relented with a smile.
"Yay! You already work too much as it is Kaiya! You need a break." Ochako cheered, pulling Kaiya in for a tight hug. Kaiya wished she could come clean as to how important each paycheck was to her; but didn't want to guilt the girls. She stole a look towards Todoroki who was listening to Midoriya's ranting, hoping the boy would look her way.
After he had dropped her off back at her dojo after I-Island a few days ago, they hadn't spoken about their kiss. Kaiya was confused as to where they stood as friends now but was too afraid to bring up the question. Instead, she waited for Todoroki to approach her. The longer she waited however, the more chance that Hell would freeze over before Todoroki spoke up.
That night when Kaiya was done cleaning the dojo, a small knock sounded. "Come in!" She called, spooning some rice into her mouth. Mr. Ayoyama crept into the room and gave her a small smile. "Hello sir. How can I help you?" Kaiya asked the older man.
"I'm not sure how to bring this up Kaiya; I've been battling it all day on how to tell you." He started, rubbing his neck roughly.
"This doesn't sound good." Kaiya groaned as her heartbeat increased.
"We're closing the dojo in a couple of weeks and moving further inland. We decided when you left on your trip." Kaiya's heart stopped beating as the news sank in. "We'll give you a few extra paychecks so you can find another job and place to stay, but we are just too old to keep doing this." Mr. Ayoyama said sadly. Kaiya's eyes watered as her boss set his hand on her shoulder in comfort. "I'm sorry Kaiya. You are a great worker but the paperwork has been signed. They are demolishing this place in a couple of weeks and building a general store I believe."
"I see. Well, thank you for all you've done sir." Kaiya managed to smile through her sadness.
"At least now you can focus on your hero training instead of work. I know you'll be the best!" He smiled, patting her shoulder in comfort. He turned to leave and shot a sympathetic look at Kaiya before shutting the dojo door.
Ayoyama was right when he said Kaiya could focus more on training; but training doesn't pay for her tuition or food. "I'm screwed." She groaned, flopping onto her pillow.
A few days and an approved proposal later, the Class 1-A girls gathered in the pool for their day in the sun. "Why are the boys here?" Kaiya asked, self consciously wrapping her arms around herself. The group of boys were stretching in the sun on the other side of the pool when they caught Kaiya's attention.
"Mineta and Kaminari asked to use the pool for training." Tsu told her but Jirou shook her head suspiciously.
"They totally wanted to see us in bikinis." She grunted, eyeing the disappointed electric teen and crying purple boy. "Perverts." Kaiya's eyes darted between the two boys to the view of Todoroki stretching in his swim shorts and her throat constricted. She had seen the boy shirtless before when she accidentally walked in on him changing at the sports festival and during their trip to I-Island; but this was a different feeling bubbling in her chest. "You are actually drooling Kaiya." Jirou poked her.
"I just...wasn't prepared to see...that." She managed to croak out. "So...volleyball anyone?" She shook herself to clear her head, ignoring the teasing coming out of Jirou next to her.
A few hours had passed and the boys were heavily training thanks to Iida's intense regime while the girls enjoyed themselves until a loud voice erupted. "Bakugou's here." Kaiya mumbled as she exited the pool.
"Hey guys! Sorry we're late; it took a while to convince Bakugou to join." Kirishima explained. Kaiya rolled her eyes as Bakugou began threatening Midoriya when Todoroki approached her with a juice can and handed it to her. "Hi, thank you." She smiled, sipping on the juice.
"Iida supplied some drinks for the boys; but it looks like you girls worked up a sweat in that game." He commented, bringing a blush on her cheeks.
"You were watching?" Kaiya asked, wrapping her arm around her midriff again. Todoroki noticed the action and rolled his eyes.
"Yes I was. These training exercises weren't challenging so I got distracted." He told her, sipping on the can when Kaiya handed it back to him. "Sounds like there's going to be a swim challenge." He added, hearing Bakugou's threats being thrown around.
"You too Icy Hot! I want to challenge you too." Bakugou's roar sounded.
"Why don't the girls judge? We're impartial." Momo asked Iida who thought it was a good idea. Todoroki rolled his eyes again at the temper flared explosion boy and handed the drink back to Kaiya.
"Good luck." She whispered, shooting him a wink. She desperately wanted to talk to Todoroki about their kiss; but since they got back from I-Island, it hadn't felt like the right time.
With the first challenge, Kaiya could already pick apart the winners before they started. Bakugou was faster with his explosions than anyone in his group and Todoroki would glide easily on an ice bridge. "They could at least make this interesting for us." Kaiya mumbled, trying not to stare at Todoroki.
As she predicted, Todoroki, Midoriya, and Bakugou all stood as the finalists around the pool; preparing for the final challenge. Just as they jumped off the side, Aizawa walked out and erased their Quirks. Kaiay burst out laughing as the boys fell under the water loudly. "It's five. Your allotted pool time is over."
"Just one more minute! It was just getting good!" Kaminari argued before Aizawa glared at him.
"Are you questioning me?" Aizawa asked.
"No sir." Everyone answered and took off to the locker rooms.
"Kaiya. Stay." Aizawa told her while the other students ran. "I hear you're out of a job."
"Is there any privacy in my life?" Kaiya asked him with a clipped tone before she realized who she was talking to. "Sorry." She mumbled after Aizawa glared at her attitude. "Yeah. They're leaving in a couple of weeks. I need to find a job.
"You need to find a place to stay." He corrected her.
"I still need to pay for school sir. And food." Kaiya reminded him. Her anxiety over this situation had stolen her good night's rest the past few days and it was starting to affect her attitude.
"I can talk to Nezu and see if we can work something out." Aizawa offered but Kaiya shook her head.
"I'll be fine. I always am." Kaiya told him and bowed before she ran to the locker rooms.
Once showered and dressed, Kaiya ventured back to the dojo for a good night's sleep before they were to go to the camp tomorrow. However, Todoroki stood near the exit gate for her. "Thought you'd be home by now." Kaiya told him, seeing the ghost of a smile on his lips.
"Just wanted to make sure you'd make it home okay." He told her, beginning their walk up to the dojo.
"You know I make this trip every day. I magically survive each day." Kaiya teased him. She heard a small chuckle come from the boy as they walked in a comfortable silence. "You did well today. I knew you'd make it to the finals."
"Hmm. Those two are my biggest obstacles. Everyone is good in their own way; but I feel as if I always need to beat them." Todoroki murmured without looking at Kaiya. She bit her lip to stop the hurt that his comment brought and kept her eyes to the ground. "You as well."
"Me?" Kaiya asked, seeing Todoroki look at her finally. The setting sun shone on his hair, illuminating the fire in the red and the calm in the white.
"You are my competition too." A small challenge to him, but a heavy compliment to Kaiya as her heart swooned. "I hope you realize how challenging you can be." Kaiya blushed and focused her eyes on the setting sun. Todoroki couldn't help but admire how iridescent her face was in the pale light. "You looked good today too by the way." Kaiya nearly stopped breathing at his comment. "No need to wrap your arms around yourself."
"You see everything." Kaiya whispered as Todoroki nodded.
"I may not be adept to social cues...I say it as it comes to me. So I apologize if I over step. But I thought you should know anyway."
"Thanks Todoroki." She smiled, seeing her dojo over the hill. "We made it. Thanks for joining me." There was a moment of hesitation in Todoroki's eyes as he saw the dojo as well. Kaiya hoped he was thinking like she was and wanted to talk about the I-Island trip. Instead, he bowed his head.
"I'll see you tomorrow morning." He nodded, continuing his walk down the street. Kaiya watched him depart, her heart swelling for the boy.
"Oh god. I'm in trouble." She whispered, heading to the dojo. A few moments passed by as Kaiya discarded her school clothes and changed into her work out clothes before she heard shuffling outside. "Hello?" She asked as she slid open the dojo. Todoroki stood there with a cloud of nerves over his head. "Are you okay?"
"I can't stop thinking about that kiss." Todoroki finally croaked out, reaching for Kaiya's hand. "Kaiya, I can't...articulate the words of how I feel..." He mumbled, itching to touch her hand again.
"Come in." She whispered. Todoroki dared to look at his friend as she led him to the mats to sit down. Her bright eyes shone in the dimly lit room; entrancing him into a spell that he came to need. "I-Island wasn't anything less than what I wanted. I wanted to kiss you." She whispered, running her thumb against Todoroki's colder hand.
"Really?"
"I haven't been able to stop thinking about it either. Or you. I thought you hated it because you acted like it never happened." She mumbled, twirling her hair in her fingers.
"I'm sorry. This is new to me. I didn't know what to do." He admitted, feeling his heart race as the seconds ticked by. He stole a glance at the blushing girl next to him and knew what he had to do. "Come here." He pulled Kaiya's face closer to his and captured her lips softly, feeling her soft hair cascade over his hand. He expected her to be tense, afraid to move against him but she pulled him closer to her and found his hair with her nails. Their tongues battled for dominance as Kaiya pushed herself onto his lap, his hands gripping onto her thighs to keep her in place. She was the first to pull away, eager for air; but kept her hands wrapped around Todoroki's neck.
"Hi." She whispered, her forehead against his. He smiled at her and rubbed his hands up her back softly. "You're not nervous anymore." She said, playing with his hair with one hand.
"Not with you; not when I feel like this." Todoroki answered honestly. "Earlier, a bit of apprehension was there I'll admit."
"Why?" She asked, still sitting in his lap.
"Lack of confidence I suppose. Why would someone like you like me? A million questions went through my head." He answered, not meeting her eyes. She pulled his chin up to meet her eyes; her calm but fiery eyes.
"You are my best friend. You have saved me from more than just villains during our time here.I trust you with everything. You've seen all my scars; inside and out. And yet...you wonder why I would like you?"
"Who could stand a face like mine?" Todoroki let slip, not realizing what he said out loud. His biggest insecurity about his scar had always been an internal battle; never voiced. Kaiya tensed at his admission but softened as her lips pressed against his burned left side. "Kaiya…" He whispered, feeling her lips against the discoloration.
"You're the most handsome boy I have ever met. Scar or not. You've seen mine. What's any different?" Kaiya whispered, peppering kisses on Todoroki's face. He let out a small whimper at her gentleness as he wrapped his arms around her tighter. "Stay just a little longer?" She asked, pulling away from his face.
"Of course." He whispered, earning a bright smile from Kaiya. She shuffled off of his lap and sat next to him, hands entwined.
"I can't believe we've put this off this long." Kaiya chuckled. "We're so stupid."
"Hm, do we tell people that we're together?" He asked her, feeling the heat exude off of her at his question.
"Are we together?" She asked quietly. Todoroki gave her an incredulous look at her question before kissing her hand softly.
"Will you be my girlfriend?" He asked, his eyes catching hers in the dying light. Kaiya nodded excitedly and pecked his lips. "So...we do tell people?"
"Let's...wait until after summer. We have a lot going on." Kaiya thought, finding that Todoroki agreed with her logic. "For now, it's just us."
"Why did it take you so long after the pool to come out?" He asked her, feeling her tense in his grasp. "What is going on?"
"This dojo is being demolished in a few weeks so I'm out of a job and homeless again. Aizawa was just trying to help me." Kaiya explained.
"And you didn't let him?" Kaiya shook her head slightly as Todoroki sighed. "Kaiya, let me help you. This is important."
"I'll be fine. I always am. I have enough money saved up for the next round of tuition. I just need to find a place to stay on the cheap."
"Those places are dangerous Kaiya. Stay with me." He told her.
"You know that I would never accept that." Kaiya arched her eyebrows at the boy who glared back at her. "I don't need charity."
"You need help. Take the help." He urged her, seeing the prideful battle within her eyes. "Please."
"Give me until after camp to come up with a solution. If I can't...well then I'll accept. Ok?" She sighed. Todoroki narrowed his eyes in question but chose not to argue.
"You are so stubborn."
"You're one to talk." Kaiya mumbled, nudging Todoroki playfully.
"I just want to make sure you're okay."
"I will be. I promise."
