The next morning, Shouto dragged himself out of bed and yawned tiredly, rubbing his eyes.

"You look tired Shouto-kun." Izuku said, frowning somewhat worriedly as they were walking to class.

"I'm fine. I was just up enjoying your gift."

"Really?" Izuku said, sounding genuinely surprised. "I wouldn't have thought you would like it that much."

"It was more interesting than you might think."

Izuku blinked and then shrugged, smiling, "Well, I'm glad you liked it anyway. I guess I'm pleasantly surprised. I wanted to get you one because I thought maybe you would get in to keeping journals but I was a bit skeptical."

Shouto nodded, not having the heart to tell Izuku how much grief his notebook had actually created, or how it wasn't the notebook itself he found interesting, but it's capabilities. "Where did you find it?"

"Oh, um… well, I got it on this one website I found. I can't remember the name, but it did look kinda sketchy. I thought I might've stupidly given them my money, but the notebook on the screen just called to me." His eyes were sparkling. "Um… I mean, it called to me… to give it to you."

"I see. It wouldn't happen to be in your history would it?"

"Hm, maybe, I can check when we get back from school. But I think I deleted it."

"Why?"

"It was about time I deleted lots of my search history anyway."

Shouto decided he didn't want to know.

"Okay, well, let me know if you find it."

"I will." Izuku said, smiling at him. "Say, what do you think Aizawa-sensei is going to have us do today?"

"Probably something weird, gross, or genuinely terrifying."

"Aw, Shouto-kun, be honest. You know it's going to be all three."

"… Can't I dream?"

"I guess, you can if you want to be horribly surprised when its three times worse than you thought it was going to be."

"Point taken." Shouto admitted after a moment of pause and was rewarded by Izuku's giggles.

The day passed quickly and soon, Shouto found himself back in his dorm, trying fruitlessly to get some homework done. All of it felt so utterly pointless. Because while eventually Shouto had realized becoming a hero was his dream, not his father's, the dream always seemed to be tainted by the association it shared with him.

So, against his better understanding, he often found himself pondering if any of this was worth it.

And not just the homework. The training, the incidents, the 'nearly dying' part of it all. If these were the kinds of struggles he faced as a hero-in-training, he found it hard to believe he wouldn't be dead within a month of his actual career.

He wanted to help people, but was that motivation enough? He wanted to be like All Might, he wanted to be a hero, but was what he wanted motivation enough to actually go through with it.

The obvious answer was yes. But Shouto didn't often take his own wants into account when he was making a decision. Ever since coming to this school, Shouto couldn't deny that he had changed a lot. And he couldn't deny that most of those changes were probably a good thing. But he just couldn't be sure anymore.

Shouto stared at his hands, and then at his math assignment with one problem half-completed. "This is what happens when you do homework. You get depressed and start contemplating your hopes and dreams and very existence in this world." he glared at the innocent algebraic equation. "Don't look at me like that."

I'm so sad you didn't finish me. Give me a solution.

Math didn't talk, but Shouto would be damned if that wasn't what it would say if it could. Shouto sighed and contemplated the problem a bit more but the answer he got didn't seem right.

"I don't understand, why is this problem so…"

He shoved the composition of his desk, deciding it wasn't worth his grief.

Solution!

"NO!" Shouto slammed his textbook shut too and grabbed Izuku's gift and opened it. No new pages were written about, he had observed. If he really thought back he couldn't remember much of last night either.

Maybe this was just… his own ramblings. Shouto wasn't oblivious to the fact he was seen as an anomaly in the 9th grade, and he wasn't oblivious to his own absurdity, even if it did seem he was oblivious to nearly everything else. He'd be lying if he said he hadn't thought the whole ordeal last night was just him talking to himself after being tired and frustrated.

The only thing wrong with that notion was…

Shouto paused in his own thoughts for a moment before realizing that there actually wasn't anything wrong with that thought. In fact, it was probable that it was just his own crazy musings. But… it would be incredibly sad if the person he was talking to last night was just a figment of his own mind. Especially since he seemed so realistic.

And it would mean Shouto was better at being someone else than he was actually being Shouto. Which was depressing in and of itself.

He supposed there was only one way to test his theory, and that was to once again make contact with the 'person' on the other side of the notebook.

And he was loathed to do that first, because the person had so rudely left him hanging last night and was half the reason Shouto didn't get any sleep! The second, was that he was only proving to the other that he was lonely and didn't have anything better to do than test whether he was crazy or not.

Solution!

"Shut up, doing my homework isn't something better to do. Math is just an inconvenience and probably a major factor of the decline in my mental health as of late." He grumbled to himself.

It was probably true anyway.

Shouto decided to write a message, though he wasn't sure how this unusual connection worked, he figured he should at least give it a try.

Hello, you left rather abruptly last night. What are you doing right now, Prince Noneofyourbuisness?

Shouto waited for a couple minutes for a reply before walking off to eat some soba.

When he came back and looked at the notebook he nearly dropped his bowl.

There was a reply. He couldn't read it from here, but there was definitely a message under his message. And this time, he was wide awake and hadn't been anywhere near the notebook.

He wasn't crazy.

Was it bad he was a little surprised by that realization?

Shouto came to the message and blanched at it.

That is NOT my name you cretin, go jump into the icy waters of the North Pole and FREEZE to death.

Admittedly Shouto had been slightly annoying, but honestly, it was something Bakugou might say.

It disturbed him that there was someone out there who shared even one trait with his explosive, blonde friend. And the fact that trait was his temper didn't bode well for future friendship.

That's not a nice thing to say… but I might take you up on your suggestion.

The best way to see if he was serious was to act like he was seriously considering it. Of course, it was possible he would call Shouto on his bluff. But if his temper was like Bakugou's, he wouldn't be entirely logical.

I didn't mean literally…

Good to know you don't really want me to die.

I had to leave last night because something urgent came up. Shouto wasn't oblivious to how the other changed the subject to something else. He suspected the other wasn't very comfortable talking about whatever mental health problems he did or did not have.

But this did give him an opening to perhaps get some more information out of the person he was talking to. Shouto did have an idea on how to get just a bit of information. Using what ideas he already had about the other's personality he could somewhat predict the responses to his responses.

It's fine, girl.

What? I'm a boy. You know that because I'm a prince.

Oh right, well… who knows. A prince could be a girl for all I know considering the crazy world you live in with wars going on. Last time I checked there weren't any wars going on in the world.

Then you're clearly an idiot, living under a rock, the avatar, or (and this is my personal opinion) naive.

What's an avatar?

Never mind, clearly, you're a mix of the other three.

Then please enlighten me, oh wise one.

The avatar is ancient, a single person who can master all four elements earth, water, fire, and air. They can bring balance and peace to the world. When one dies they are reincarnated and the cycle continues.

You seem interested in this avatar.

I am.

Shouto had forgotten his original objective to find knowledge of the other person. He had to admit though, that this person had a very, very elaborate world he'd created inside his head.

You should be a writer.

Why?

Your stories are interesting.

They're not stories! They're actually happening! Right now! I'm on a quest to retrieve the avatar at this moment in fact!

Once you've caught him why don't you show me.

Silence for a couple minutes. Shouto thought the man had left but apparently he had just been thinking of a response, because a new message was being written.

I can't. Once I catch him, he is to be contained so that my nation can win this war.

You shouldn't lock people up.

I don't care. It's the only way to restore my honor.

But the quest to regain your honor doesn't seem very honorable.

No one asked your opinion!

Shouto rolled his eyes. Some people just refused common sense. Now those kinds of people annoyed him because most of the time they were truly stupid. But most of them meant well, and most of them were still good people. Just people who couldn't understand logic.

But don't you understand that only you can give yourself honor. No one else can.

Someone can, their opinion and approval means more to me than you could ever understand.

I know the feeling of wanting someone's approval…

Shouto thought back to when he was younger, so desperate for his father to think he was good enough, to finally be proud of him. Maybe just once, to say something along the lines of, 'good job Shouto' or 'well done'. But at some point Shouto realized he was never going to be good enough. Even if he did surpass All Might, it was likely he would still mess up, still not be good enough.

So at some point he had decided it was worthless trying to be perfect. He would never be good enough, so he decided to defy his father as much as possible instead.

It was much more satisfying, even though that satisfaction made him wonder if he was really alright.

It wouldn't even matter if he wasn't.

I know exactly what you're talking about. I wanted that sort of approval at one point, but then I realized that it was pointless, that I would never be good enough, so I gave up. And I decided to just work on approving of myself. I guess… as long as you're happy with the decisions you're making then at least you're living life to the fullest.

I am happy.

Shouto somehow doubted that, but he knew enough to know he shouldn't voice that opinion out loud.

Then I guess you do you.

You have some odd phrases.

I don't. You're just clueless.

Silence on the other end.

Changing the subject, last night I told you I wanted to know where you lived.

I suppose you've already figured it out anyway. So I might as well tell you.

How would I have figured it out?

Well obviously there's only one nation that has a chance at winning this war.

Who?

The Fire Nation, obviously.

Ah yes, obviously.

Are you mocking us?

Shouto had no time to respond, because the other instantly went on a rant about how the Fire Nation could track him down and destroy him, burn him to a crisp, right where he stood. Shouto just rolled his eyes.

I'm not mocking you. He sort of was.

Of what nation are you?

Um… what's the nation where you have ice and fire?

Silence on the other end. Shouto knew he probably said something wrong, but the problem was that he didn't know what it was.

There is no such nation. Are you joking?

Yes. Shouto said and frowned. I am Fire Nation. He would rather not be, but he figured that was best. He wasn't really any of the other elements, not wholly, so he figured Fire Nation was best. Also, because his almost-friend was of that nation too. Maybe he'd be less hostile if he knew they were on the same side too.

You must be a very ignorant citizen then.

I am.

This guy was even crazier than Shouto had thought, but he'd go along with his delusions. It was safer that way.

I honestly can't believe how ignorant and stupid you are. This war has been raging for one hundred years!

I guess I never thought to look out my bedroom window then.

You're annoying.

Likewise.

Shouto smiled slightly at the paper. He wasn't ashamed to admit, that he'd always liked eccentric people, and while Shouto could think of many words to describe the person he was conversing with, 'eccentric' was definitely one of the top words he'd use.

I'm not annoying, you—

Shouto waited amusedly while the other thought of an insult to call him.

Stupid head!

Wow, so original.

This is your prince you're talking to!

My dishonorable prince.

When it took a few minutes for the other to respond, Shouto wondered if he should've really said that. But then at last he was graced with more words.

You better hope you never tell me your name because I will hunt you down and behead you.

My name's Shouto.

More silence.

That's not enough to go and find you.

My name's Shouto Todoroki, I'm fifteen, my father is Enji Todoroki and my mother is Rei Todoroki, and I have three older siblings, Natsuo, Fyumi, and Touya Todoroki.

Just… stop.

Shouto smirked.

Ever heard of me? Shouto asked.

No.

Now who's living under a rock?

I don't want to hear that from you, cretin.

Well, now that I've told you all about me, tell me, who's your family. Don't be shy. Are they vampires? Goblins?

Might as well be… I mean, no… but… they're hard to explain.

I don't need family dynamics, because to be honest, I don't want to give you mine.

I see. Well I have a father, Ozai, and a mother, Ursa… and I have a younger sister, Azula.

And who are you?

I seriously can't even believe… how do you not know your own rulers!

If you haven't heard of me, I don't see why I have to have heard of you.

I'm a prince, that's why!

Humor me, come on, I might as well know the person who's going to hunt me down.

Fine… I'm Zuko.

Shouto patted himself on the back for steering the conversation this way and making the other feel slightly obligated to give him information after Shouto had given up so much about himself. Then he responded appropriately.

What kind of a name is that?

A good name!

Okay. So, let me see if I have my facts straight. You're Zuko, the prince of the Fire Nation, son of Lord Ozai and Lady Ursa, and older brother of Princess Azula. You have lost your honor though, so you left home in search of the avatar to restore it to gain the approval of someone you respect.

Something like that. And you're Shouto Todoroki commoner, son of Rei and Enji, younger brother of Natsuo, Fyumi, and Touya. And you're a weirdo with a magic quill or something.

Pretty much.

Don't you have anything else you do except talk to me?

Of course, I'm not without responsibility. I go to school. Shouldn't you be going to school anyhow?

No.

Are you too old?

I am NOT old. I'm sixteen, and searching for the avatar takes up all ofmy free time.

Shouto wanted to tell him he was full of crap but he didn't think that would go over well.

I see, well I have to go to school all day and do homework.

Shouldn't you be doing that now then?

Math is depressing.

I suppose so…

It's seriously the cause of all my problems.

You think so?

It's half the reason I contemplate my existence. The other half was his father.

Then I'll let you do that. I have to prep for another encounter with the avatar anyway.

No, don't leave me!

No response. Shouto sighed and glanced at his composition, still laying pitifully on the floor. "Don't look at me like that…"

SOLUTION!

"Fine…"

But Shouto didn't think he was going to get a good score on his homework regardless if he did it or not. But he did. If only to give himself peace of mind.

The next day, Shouto got his homework back, graded, and as he expected he got most of them wrong, but the first one, which had been calling to him to give it a solution, but the solution he had come up with hadn't felt right.

Well, he had been correct, he got the answer wrong, but the thing that got his eye twitching was that the correct answer was, No solution. Absolute value cannot be negative. Also, for future reference, set up two equations. One positive and one negative. But the original cannot be negative.

First of all, that didn't make sense, but he was also scared of what it symbolized for him. "Hey Shouto, how'd you do?" Izuku asked after class.

Shouto just looked up at him sadly, "My life has no solution…"

Izuku was silent before raising an eyebrow. "What?"

"Your question has no solution."

"Can it have an answer?"

"No."

A/N Wow, this story is doing better than I'd ever hoped. More Love=More Motivation for Author! I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and sorry if it's out a little late. I waited till the end of the day to post because I was busy pretty much all day today. What did you guys think of Todoroki's quirkiness and Zuko's responses? Good? Bad? A bit of each? XD I love reviews so if it isn't too much to ask, just drop a thought or two, it means so much to me. Thank you for reading, next chapter will be out next week!