Shoto and Kahoko made their way back down the corridor towards the kitchen.

"Sorry, I forgot how hot his flames are for others, since I'm quite immune to it." Shoto remarked.

"It's nothing to apologise about." She assured him.

"Do you feel dizzy at all?"

She shook her head. "I think I'm alright now. I think a good night's sleep is what I need."

"I hope meeting my dad was somewhat helpful."

She nodded. "Actually, he gave me a lot to think about. You also gave me some good advice. I think I'm going to try to accept Tama-chan into my dreams… see what he wants to tell me."

"Well, if you wake up from your dream with an answer, my phone is always by my pillow, don't hesitate to call me if you're scared." He added, grabbing his jacket and leading the way out.

"I'll be fine, he's my brother, I'm not afraid of him at all." She stated. "But I will text you an update if anything happens."

He nodded.

"Can I… hold your hand?" Kahoko mumbled, reaching out for his right hand, his cool side.

"You still too hot?" He asked, taking it gently.

She gave a nod.

"Next time you meet him, I'll freeze him from the neck down." He smirked.

She laughed. "Sounds like a plan."

They got to the fork in the road.

"I'm fine from here." She let go of his hand.

"Are you sure? I can walk you to your door." He scratched the back of his neck.

She sighed. "If you did, I think my dad would come out and give you an earful."

He raised his brow.

"My dad is protective, and having a boy who isn't Hitoshi walk me to the door after being out later than planned… well…"

He blushed a deep shade of red. "Oh… yeah. I understand."

"Anyway…" She stepped up on her tip toes and kissed his cheek gently. "Thanks for everything. See you later." She smiled and headed down the road.

Shoto was frozen in place. That… was unexpected… A goofy grin crept across his face. This feeling… it's warm. He exhaled, his smile dropping. No… I can't. He turned around and headed home. She deserves better…

Kahoko got home, face still warm. I can't believe I did that… but… it was a thank you. Nothing more… She heaved a sigh.

"Kaho, where have you been? Hitoshi got home over an hour ago!" Her mother asked, sat on the couch.

Kahoko took off her beret. "I've been with Todoroki." She said. "Where's dad?"

"He got called in on an assignment…" Mrs Sano answered. Her arms folded across her chest. "What were you doing with Todoroki this late?"

Kahoko frowned. "You don't usually quiz me if I come home late after hanging with Hitoshi." She remarked.

"Yes, but this isn't Hitoshi. This is Endeavour's son."

"What's that got to do with it?"

"He's a nice boy, but I'm honestly surprised that you are comfortable around him, considering what happened."

Kahoko felt her temper spark. "Tama-chan's death has nothing to do with Todoroki! Unlike his father, he's sweet and considerate. He's been nothing but a good friend to me since we met."

Mrs Sano's eyes widened. "Kaho…"

"And to answer your question, I was with him to go and meet his dad. I met Endeavour."

Her mother stood up. "Why would you want to meet him?"

"Because, he wanted to meet me, to apologise for what happened. Something you never gave him a chance to do. He's obnoxious, cruel and self-centred, but he deserved to be heard!"

Her mother stared at her. "So, what did he have to say?"

"He said sorry and admitted that he was negligent. He was too caught up in the fight to even notice that someone was trapped. He told me if there's anything that he can do to help us, just ask. He's trying to make up for what happened. I really can't stand him, but I'm not going to resent him for what happened anymore."

Mrs Sano gave a shaky sigh. "Kaho…"

"I like Todoroki, and I won't have you judging him on what his father is like."

Mrs Sano smiled slightly. "You like him, huh?"

"Yes!" Kahoko paused, thinking about how that would have sounded. "He's a good friend."

Mrs Sano chuckled. "Sure, whatever you say. All I'm going to say is that if you have managed to find it in you to not have much resentment towards Endeavour… I guess… I could try to accept the fact that his son has found his way into your heart."

"You make it sound like I like him more than a friend." Kahoko pouted. "It's not like that."

"Even so, you have one of the most beautiful hearts in the world. Never stop being the stubborn girl who can find the goodness within anyone." Her mother reached out and wrapped her arms around her.

"Kaho-nee?" Natsume came down the stairs.

Kahoko looked to her brother. "Natsu…"

He hugged her around the middle. "I'm glad you're home safe."

She returned his hug.

Her phone gave a ping.

She checked it and smiled.

Hope you got home okay. – Todoroki.

Her mother smirked. "He can't keep away, eh?"

Kahoko shot her a glare. "Mom!"

Yeah. I hope I didn't cause any trouble. – Sano.

Trouble? You? Nah. Did your parents lecture you? – Todoroki.

Shoto sat in his room, staring at his phone.

My mom wanted to know where I've been. I told her. I think I made her understand somehow. – Sano.

He sighed. She's amazing. He lay back. "Even if I did like her… I doubt that her parents would allow it in any case." He mumbled to himself. He touched his cheek. Her lips are so soft… He blushed.

"Shoto?" Natsuo knocked on his door and walked in. "Talking to her? You just seen her ten minutes ago, missing her already?" He teased.

Shoto met his gaze.

"Damn… that bad huh?"

Shoto sighed. "I'm confused…" He admitted.

"Confused? About what?"

"I'm new to these feelings, it feels good, but also hurts."

Natsuo raised a brow. "What's so confusing about that?"

Shoto ran his hand through his hair. "She attracts people because of her quirk. What if it's just that messing with my head?"

"So, you're finally admitting that you are starting to see her like that?"

Shoto shrugged. "Maybe… I can't get her out of my head."

"What exactly is her quirk?" Natsuo sat on the end of his younger brother's bed.

Shoto swallowed. "Well… if she kisses you on the lips, you can't lie for half an hour." He said. "So, naturally, it's easier to kiss someone if they want to kiss you. Her eyes just draw you in. They sorta hypnotise you and you're trapped." He covered his scarlet face with his hands.

"So, you're confused in case it's her quirk? Afraid to make a fool out of yourself?" Natsuo raised a brow. "I never even dreamed of a day where you would ask me for girl advice." He chuckled. "She is a beauty, that's for sure."

Shoto nodded.

"Have you been a victim to her quirk?"

"No, but Bakugo has. He kissed her by accident and started blurting out the first thing that came into his head."

"Bet that was amusing."

Shoto shrugged. "I'm pretty sure he likes her… and maybe she likes him too."

Natsuo bit his lip. "What makes you say she likes him?"

"I dunno, she just seems really comfortable around him. She calls him by a nickname already. He calls and texts her at night to check and see if she's alright."

"You do that too."

"Yeah I know. But I see the smile on her face when she reads a message from him. It's bloody adorable…" Shoto pouted a little. "He's always looking out for her, and I've never seen him care about someone like that. He shows her a different side of him and I think she likes it."

Natsuo chuckled. This wasn't the usual cool, calm and collected brother he knew. "You said she's only started making new friends, maybe she's smiling because she's happy that she's got people who want to check in on her now. Also, you've shown her a different side of you too."

Shoto gave him a blank stare. "What do you mean?"

"You smile more since you befriended her. When you talk to her or when she's with you, it's like she flicks a switch and you become this fun guy to be around." Natsuo smirked. "I've seen the way you look at her. I don't think it's because of her quirk either. Especially from the look of jealousy in your eyes right now, talking about one of your classmates winning her over. Yes, she's gorgeous but man, you seem to look past her physical appearance…"

Shoto groaned, defeated.

"Dude… you like her…"

Shoto shook his head. "I can't."

"Can't?"

"Our dad is the main reason that the most important person in her life is dead."

"Maybe so… but that's dad, not you."

Shoto sighed. "In any case I don't really know her, I've only just started to talk to her a few weeks ago."

"That means nothing. I think you're just making excuses now because you're scared of getting hurt. All I got to say is that if she's meant to be yours, she'll come to you." Natsuo patted his younger brother's knee and stood up. "From what I've seen, there's something about the way she looks at you, I don't think that there's anything for you to worry about."

Shoto's eyes snapped towards his brother. "What do you mean?"

Natsuo tapped his nose. "If you haven't noticed it yourself yet, you're not ready for the next step."

Shoto grumbled to himself. His phone gave a ping. He looked at it.

Catch the train with me tomorrow? – Sano.

He got the fuzzy feeling again as he smiled to himself. Of course. I'll come around when you're ready to leave. – Todoroki.

Natsuo was watching from the half open door and chuckled.

Early the next morning, Shoto's phone started ringing.

He grumbled and looked at the caller ID. He quickly answered. "Sano?" His voice came out raspy.

Kahoko felt her heart flip flop hearing his voice. "Todoroki… I'm sorry… but he came to me again."

He turned over. "And? Did you hear him?"

"Yeah." She paused, trying to recall the fuzzy memory. "It sounded like a verse… like part of a battle cry. He said something like… 'for you who without the strength to fight, hear me and I shall be your light."

"Well that's a start… but what does it mean? Was it something you've heard him say before?" His heart began to race. She actually called me at three in the morning…? I know I said my phone was always be on standby, but I never actually thought she'd think of calling me straight after one of her dreams.

"I don't know, I haven't heard it before. Oh jeez!" She hissed. "I am so sorry! I hadn't realised what time it was!" She gave a giggle. "I'll let you sleep." She added.

"Don't worry, being woken up to hear your voice is worth it." Why did I say that exactly?!

Kahoko felt the heat rise in her cheeks.

"Sano?" Damn! Did I scare her off?

She cleared her throat. "Yeah, I like to hear your voice too."

He smiled.

"Anyway, I better let you go back to sleep. I imagine that you're quite moody when tired, I'll talk to you later?"

"Sure will. Goodnight…"

"Sweet dreams." She hung up.

He exhaled. "You too." He was wide awake now, thinking about what she said. "Maybe what that book said is true…" He flicked through his photos, coming across the one of just the two of them. He bit his lip. Even if we're just friends… this is allowed right…? He set the photo as his lock screen. He smiled staring at the photo. "Why did I have to look like a dork in this compared to her?"

Kahoko was lying in bed, staring outside at the stars, finding it difficult to drift back to sleep.

There was a small knock at her door. "Kaho-nee?"

"Come in."

Natsume came in and closed the door quietly. He pulled the covers back and crawled in next to her in her double bed. "Are you alright?" He lay his head down. He had a habit of crawling in with her when he sensed her emotions go a bit crazy.

She hummed in response and turned over to look at him. "I don't know…" She reached out and pulled him closer, wrapping her arms around him. "I'll be okay though."

Natsume got comfortable, snuggling into her. "Todoroki-nii… I like him a lot."

"Yeah, me too."

"I think he likes you more."

"Don't start that. I'm already confused enough…" She added.

"You were on the phone to him, weren't you?"

She frowned. "Were you listening?"

He shook his head. "No, but your emotions change when you are with him or are talking to him. It's different compared to when you talk to Hitoshi-nii or Bakugo-nii…"

"What do you mean?"

"You're excited to talk to him, and this emotion I can't describe… maybe butterflies? You get it when you are waiting for him to come over."

She blushed.

"And right now, your heartbeat is fluttering." He remarked.

She sighed. "He's my friend, and I haven't really had any friends apart from Hitoshi."

"Well… I think he's good for you, whatever you feel about him. I believe he's a really good friend for you to have."

Wise beyond his years… as always. "I know." She kissed the top of his head. "I dunno what I'd do without you, Natsu."