Shoto sat in class staring into space.
"Todoroki?"
Shoto blinked and looked to the green-haired boy. "Hmm?"
"You're thinking about her, aren't you?" He smirked.
Shoto blushed a little before clearing his throat. "Dunno what you're talking about." He felt his phone buzz in his pocket. He slyly took it out and read the text.
Do something for me? Please. – Sano.
He frowned. What is it? – Todoroki.
When lessons end, could you bring recovery girl over? I would ask Hitoshi, but he'd drop everything in class to race over here. So please leave it until after class, I can manage until then. – Sano.
Shoto stared at the text. Idiot… and you don't think I'd drop everything and come running?! He sighed. I thought you'd gotten over the worst of it? – Todoroki.
I've lost my voice. – Sano.
His eyes widened. How so suddenly? – Todoroki.
I dunno, I went into the shower, and when I went to say sweet dreams to Tama-chan… I couldn't. – Sano.
Well, see if you can sleep it off until classes end. I'll come straight to you with recovery girl. – Todoroki.
Thank you. – Sano.
Deku frowned at the concerned expression on his dual haired friend's face.
Shoto met his gaze and sighed.
"What?"
Shoto looked to the front, to see Aizawa taking a nap before handing his phone over to him.
Deku read the messages. "She's lost her voice?!" He hissed.
Shoto took his phone back. "What do I do?" He whispered. "Should I go now?"
"She said that's why she wasn't gonna ask Shinso."
Shoto gave an irritated sigh. He thought about what could have caused Kahoko to have a sudden loss of voice. Is it merely just from her cold? Or did something else trigger it. Maybe she was singing in the shower again and strained it?
As soon as the final bell rang, Shoto raced out of the door, Deku close behind him.
He did as asked and brought Recovery Girl to Kahoko's room.
He knocked on the door. "Sano?"
The door opened, Kahoko let the three of them in.
Deku looked around her room curiously. So… Todoroki slept in here?
"Sano?" Shoto looked at her with concern.
She gave a small, wary smile.
"Right, Missy. You sit down." Recovery Girl ordered.
Shoto closed the door behind him and sat beside her on her bed.
Deku sat on the beanbag.
"Try to speak, child." Recovery Girl instructed.
"I…" Kahoko rubbed her throat.
"Open wide." She shone a torch into Kahoko's mouth. "Hmmm, I was informed that you've had a cold this week?"
Kahoko nodded.
"And you didn't stay at home?"
Kahoko sighed.
"You were feeling better this morning, but now this?"
She nodded again.
"What happened between then and now?"
Kahoko looked at her blankly.
"Here." Deku handed her a notebook and pen to write.
"I did my homework, showered then went to go to bed. I tried to say something to my brother's photo, and I couldn't speak." She held up the notebook.
"Mmhmm. I think it's just a side effect of your cold, but normally this symptom would occur in the early stages. What is your quirk?"
"I can make people tell the truth by kissing them." Kahoko blushed.
"Oh… and have you used it today?"
Kahoko shook her head aggressively.
"Alright." Recovery Girl took out a box of medicine. "I won't use my quirk, since it's a cold not an injury. Plus, I don't think I would like to be under the influence of your quirk." She chuckled.
Kahoko gave a small relieved sigh.
"I'll give you this. Dissolve one tablet in warm water and drink, three times a day. If it's not better in two days, come and see me. Even if it works after one dose, at least take it for one full day." She stood up. "I'll leave you to rest." She walked out and closed the door behind her.
Kahoko handed the notebook back to Deku. "Thank you." She mouthed.
"Maybe I should get Shinso." Deku suggested.
She shook her head and made an 'X' sign with her arms.
Shoto met Deku's gaze.
He nodded.
"Sano. There's something I need to talk to you about." Shoto went into his bag and pulled out his twins with quirks book. "I've been reading about it for a while but didn't know when to tell you."
She furrowed her brow.
Shoto swallowed. "I've talked about it with Deku and we didn't want to say anything unless we were pretty sure."
Kahoko took the book and flicked through the pages.
"We think that some of this is what's happening to you."
"Kahoko?"
Kahoko looked to Deku.
"Were you singing in the shower? Before you lost your voice?"
She raised a brow and took the notebook back. "I can't sing."
"But you can!" Shoto stated. "You sang when I stayed over."
She bit her lip. "How can I sing without knowing that I am singing?"
"Maybe… you said that you tune out when you're sleepy, or on your own. Maybe you don't register that you are doing it?" He added. "You also said that Tamaki went into a sort of trance when he used his quirk."
She shifted so that she was sat crossed legged, the book resting on her knees and notebook next to her.
"Your singing in the shower, the dreams and now losing your voice. It kinda adds up."
She met his gaze.
"Your brother… I think he passed his quirk onto you when he died."
She felt herself shake a little.
"Sano?" Shoto put his hand on hers.
She shook him off.
Deku stared. I've never seen Kahoko reject Todoroki before.
"I know I should have said something, but… I honestly didn't know if any of it was happening until recently. I'm sorry, Sano." Shoto felt his heart ache. Oh no… please… don't… don't push me away.
Kahoko sniffed. Tama-chan…? Is it true?
Deku stood up. "I'm gonna go, give you two some space." He reached out and petted Kahoko on the head. "Don't be mad at him. He's had this hanging over him for a while, he didn't want to tell you in case he was wrong, he didn't wanna hurt you." He gave Shoto a reassuring nod before leaving.
Shoto swallowed. "Sano?"
She was immersed in the book.
He sighed and stood up. "I really am sorry. Keep the book."
She reached out and caught his hand, pulling him back down into a seating position on her bed.
He felt his heart thump. He looked at her.
She reached for the notebook and wrote something and passed it to him. "Thank you."
He smiled a little.
She looked up and met his gaze. Her eyes widened a little and she reached out to brush a tear from his cheek.
He gave a sigh and leaned into her hand a little. This girl…
She dropped her hand and wrote something else. "When my voice is back… can you help me find out if it's true?"
"Of course."
"Don't tell anyone yet, this is between me, you and Deku."
"What about Shinso?"
She shook her head.
He frowned. "Okay. I promise."
She gave a smile and wrote down what she wanted to say. "Sorry… about how I reacted."
"Silly. I understand that I should have said something sooner."
"I hurt you."
He took her hand in his. "I was only mad at myself, don't worry."
She didn't look convinced.
"Okay. I keep forgetting that you can read me like a book." He scratched the back of his head.
She watched him expectantly.
"I thought that you were going to hate me, and that scares me. I don't know what I'd do with myself if you did." More tears were threatening to fall. Damn it! The tough, emotionless Shoto 'Icy-hot' Todoroki had turned into mush, all because of one girl that he never thought he would need.
She pouted and put the book aside. She rose up to her knees and put her arms around his shoulders, hugging him tight. "I could never hate you… idiot." She whispered against his ear.
Shoto felt many emotions flood through him at once. He raised his arms and pulled her closer, he buried his face into her shoulder, hiding his expression. He inhaled her scent of peppermint and coconut.
Kahoko felt her heart hurt.
Shoto just held her tightly, relishing the comfort she gave him.
She pulled back after a little while and sat back, still holding his hand.
He stared down at their intertwined hands. "I… can't believe… you just saw that side of me."
She smiled warmly and squeezed his hand. She picked up the tablets that she got from Recovery Girl.
"Here." He took out a bottle of water and picked up a cup that she had on the side table.
He poured a bit of water in and heated it up with his quirk.
She grinned, watching the water simmer.
He took the tablets and popped one into the warm water. "Down the hatch." He held it out to her.
She nodded, taking the cup and downing the solution in two gulps. She made a disgusted face.
He chuckled. "You're like a child."
She stuck her tongue out at him.
He smiled. "If it makes you better, it's worth it." He checked his watch, luckily it was only around half four. "Do you want me to go?" He asked.
She shook her head and picked up the book again.
He sighed and lay back on the bed by her feet.
She could hear his heartbeat steady into a normal rhythm. She smiled, knowing that it meant that he was comfortable. She was also happy that her hearing had started to clear up.
"Hey… I was wondering…"
She looked up and met his gaze. "Hmm?"
"Why do you call Bakugo 'Kacchan'?" Curiosity filled his voice.
She shrugged and wrote down an answer. "He's my friend, he said it's okay."
He bit his lip. "But… aren't I your friend too? You call Midoriya 'Deku' and the girls by their first names. You still call me Todoroki." Jealousy slipping out with every word.
She thought for a little. He's right…
He sighed. "I'd like it if you felt like you could address me informally too."
She hid her face a little with the book.
He frowned. "What?"
She could feel her palms begin to sweat. There's no big deal. He's one of my dearest friends, so of course it's natural to be informal. But… this feels different.
"If you find it too awkward then it's fine. Todoroki is fine." For some reason it made him feel anxious to think she felt like she couldn't call him by his name. I don't want her to feel uncomfortable. Is it because of my father? Or does she call Bakugo that because she likes him more?
"Sho-chan." She mumbled, her voice still barely a forced whisper.
His eyes widened. "What?" I definitely heard part of my name, is she trying to say it?
She kept her faces hidden.
"C'mon…" He laughed, sitting up. "It's me."
She swallowed and uncovered her face. "Sho-chan!" She said a little louder.
Sho-chan?! He snorted and began to laugh, happiness taking over his entire being. Why does a simple nickname make me feel this way?
She pouted and threw a cushion at his face.
"Sorry, sorry!" He clutched his stomach a little.
She hid her face entirely from him. What was I thinking!? Sho-chan?! I couldn't be normal and call him Shoto… nah, I had to give him a nickname. He obviously thought it was stupid.
Shoto looked to her. "Hey, I'm sorry, okay?" He reached out and pulled the book away from her to see her blushing face. "It's just nobody has ever called me that. It's cute, I like it." He grinned at her.
She met his gaze. His smile settled her nerves. She could hear his heart racing a little from laughing.
"Don't be embarrassed. I'm… really happy." I… can't help it… I can't continue to keep her at arm's length for the sake of Bakugo anymore.
She dropped the book and returned his smile. She couldn't help it, he rarely smiled at his brightest and when he did, she felt her whole world light up.
He cleared his throat. "So… can I…? I mean… ah…" Great… now I'm getting all flustered. Get it together Shoto!
"Hmm?"
"Sano, if it's alright, I've always wanted to call you by your name too."
She nodded her head, watching him.
He felt her stare bore into him. "Kaho?" He tried.
She gave a giggle, followed by a round of coughing.
"Are you alright?"
She waved a hand and picked up her pen. "I'm happy, I feel that we've become closer as friends."
Friends, that's right. He reached out and petted her head. "Yeah. You bet."
She huffed a little, fanning her face.
"Too warm?" He asked.
She wrote in her book. "Can we go and get iced coffee?"
"I can go and get some for you. You heard Recovery Girl; you need to rest." He stood up. "I think I might change out of my uniform while I'm at it. But I promise not to take too long. Do you want any food too?"
She shook her head.
"Okay, be back soon." He assured her before heading out.
She sighed and flopped back on the bed. I get to call him by his name! She covered her face with her pillow. Her smile faltered. But… my heart still aches for Tama-chan… am I emotionally ready to let anyone in? She closed her eyes and gave an irritated groan. It's not as if he's gonna like me back. He just sees me as a friend, someone to look after. She sat up. It's not important right now anyway… I should be looking into this inheriting a quirk thing. She grabbed the book and started reading properly. I can't believe that he went out of his way just to find out more about twins with quirks just to help me find myself.
Shoto walked along the dorm corridor, after changing, towards the vending machine and pulled out some coins.
"Todoroki!" Deku walked up to him. "How are things?"
"Fine." Shoto stated, pushing the button for iced coffee.
"So, she's calmed down a bit?"
"Yeah, she was just shocked. I'm forgiven." Shoto gave a shrug.
"Anything else?"
He thought of her saying his name. He couldn't contain the goofy smile.
"You didn't!"
Shoto blinked and looked to Deku's shocked face. It took him a moment to realise what was the matter. "No! Why do you assume that I'm a pervert all the time?!"
"Well, then… what?"
Shoto cleared his throat. "She called me Sho-chan." He whispered.
Deku stared at him. "Really, that's why you're so happy?"
Shoto huffed, his cheeks going rosy. "It's the first time she's called me something other than 'Todoroki' so yeah." He scratched the back of his head.
Deku made an O shape with his lips. "You were jealous because she calls Kacchan by his nickname!"
Shoto shot him a glare.
"Sorry, but this is a side of you I've never seen before."
"Is it bad?"
"No, it's really good! It's just interesting."
Shoto picked up the drinks. "She makes me feel like I can be the real me around her." He waved and went back upstairs.
Deku watched him go. I'm glad that she's brought out this side of Todoroki, as well as the side of Kacchan that we've never seen before.
Shoto knocked on Kahoko's door. "It's me." He turned the handle and opened it an inch. "Kaho?"
Kahoko jumped and looked up, still not used to being referred to by that name coming from his mouth, she clapped happily, seeing that he had brought the drinks he'd promised.
He smiled, closing the door with his foot. "For you." He handed her a can.
"Thank you." She whispered.
"I can't wait for you to be better." He stated.
She nodded.
"Hopefully your voice is back by the weekend for our shopping trip. What do you need to get?"
She thought for a moment, then shrugged. She wrote something down. "I have no idea. I'm sure Momo will let me know."
"Good luck with that." He snorted.
She rolled her eyes. She budged along to the other side of the bed and patted the space beside her, asking him to sit next to her.
He did as he was told.
She got comfortable next to him, glad that his cool side was beside her.
He looked around. "Hey…"
She looked up to him.
"You really should be resting, and I think that'll confuse and stress you more. How about you leave it for tonight?"
She frowned.
"I mean… do you wanna watch a movie or something?" Very bold, Shoto!
She thought for a moment before nodding in agreement.
He smiled and took the book from her. "Good. And if you just wanna sleep that's cool too, just say the word and I'll get out…" He snorted. "Excuse my wording."
She giggled and nodded, picking up her laptop and switching it on.
Shoto leaned closer to look at the titles of the films on her laptop as she scrolled.
Kahoko felt her heart flutter a little. He smells so nice…
He stopped her hand when he spotted something. "Is that… a video of Tamaki singing?"
She looked and nodded.
"Would it be bad if I watch it?"
She shook her head and clicked on the clip.
He stared as the teen sang on the home video. "He's so confident." He remarked.
Kahoko smiled widely, eyes filled with admiration and fondness.
Shoto looked to her face and was mesmerised as she moved her lips silently to the words.
She could feel his eyes on her and turned to look at him. She tilted her head to the side in question.
He blinked and cleared his throat. "Sorry." He blushed.
She pursed her lips and turned her attention back to the screen.
He picked up the cat plush that was squished between them and examined it. "Shinso was right… it kinda looks like me." He teased.
She looked to him again and then to the plush, before blushing and looking away. She gave a small nod.
After a few minutes he nudged her with his elbow.
She looked to him and bit her lip, suppressing a giggle, knowing she'd regret it and start coughing.
He had pulled his hair, so it was two tufts on the top of his normally uniform hair, making it look like he had cat ears. He made a cute cat paw gesture with his hands.
She was trying to control an oncoming laughing fit.
A dorky smile made its way across his face.
She gave a thoughtful look and put the laptop down.
"What?" He asked, raising a brow.
She tapped her nose and reached over to the eyeliner on her dresser.
He stared at the object that she'd picked up and uncapped. "Kaho? Why do you have that look in your eyes?"
Her eyes were full of mischief and laughter. She leaned close to him and began to draw onto his face.
He felt his breath catch in his throat; she was so close that he could practically taste the iced coffee that she'd just drank, as she focused on what she was doing. He swallowed thickly. "Kaho-"
She put her fingers to his lips, to stop him talking as she drew the last line on his cheek. She sat back with a smirk, obviously proud of her work.
"Okay… what did you do?" He grumbled, reaching over for her hand mirror. He facepalmed. "Really?" He pouted playfully.
She'd drawn a black nose and whiskers onto his skin. She rolled onto her back, laughing, clutching her stomach.
He sighed. "You're lucky that you're you." He poked her side.
She squirmed a little and looked to him. "What? You look cute." She whispered.
He rolled his eyes but couldn't suppress a grin of his own.
She calmed down and sighed, sitting up again.
He stared a little. Man… she's beautiful!
She turned away from him to sneeze.
Shoto blinked out of his trance and checked his watch and let out a groan.
She frowned.
"I should get going."
She felt her mood drop.
"I'm sorry, I need to finish homework and it's curfew in a couple hours. Plus… I think that's been enough exerting yourself for one day."
She huffed and wrote something on the notepad. "Party pooper."
He laughed and stood up with a stretch.
Kahoko took in what he was wearing for the first time. It was just a simple pair of jeans and a pullover hoodie. Why does he always look so cool… even in casual clothing? Damn hero boys.
He looked to catch her stare. His cheeks burned a little. Was she checking me out? He swallowed. Nah, couldn't have been. He turned and ruffled her hair. "Get plenty rest."
It was only then that she realised that he still looked like a kitty. She stood up too.
"Hmm?" He stepped back a little.
She pulled out some face wipes and brushed them over his nose and his cheeks.
He relaxed to her touch. "Oh… that would have been fun to explain." He chuckled. He gazed down at her. From this angle… it'd be so easy to… He was then distracted by her fingers running through his hair, trying to gently detangle his makeshift ears.
She felt her heartbeat thump against her ribs a little. "Your hair really is the prettiest…" She breathed, smiling fondly.
Shoto tried his hardest to look anywhere but at her rose-tinted lips. Why does this feel so nice?! If he were a cat, he was sure he'd be purring.
All too soon she dropped her hands. "There."
"Thanks." He breathed. He cleared his throat. "I'll pop by tomorrow to check on you." He turned to the door. "Remember don't strain your voice too much."
"Yes, doc." She mumbled.
"See you later." He smiled before he left.
"Todoroki?"
Shoto looked up to see Hitoshi walking towards the girls' dorms. "Shinso." He greeted.
"Why are you here?"
"Just checking on Sano." He stated.
Hitoshi nodded, taking note of Shoto's messy hair. "How is she?"
"She seems to have lost her voice, so she's resting. Recovery Girl has already been to check her over." He explained
Hitoshi blinked. "Why didn't I know about this until now?"
"She didn't wanna worry you."
"Or… she just wanted it to be you there." Hitoshi huffed.
Shoto blinked.
"I think… that she's beginning to like you." Hitoshi looked to the ground. "I know you like her already."
Shoto swallowed. "Don't be stupid."
Hitoshi met his gaze.
Shoto's eyes were full of confusion and a little surprised by the notion. He sighed. "We're just friends." He pushed past the brainwash hero and headed down towards the hero floor.
Hitoshi watched him descend the stairs before heading to his best friend's room.
Kahoko was watching videos of Tamaki when she heard a knock at the door. She could hear Hitoshi's heartbeat. She quickly hid the twins with quirks book in her under the bed drawer and got up to answer the door.
"Kaho…" He breathed.
She smiled up at him. Why shouldn't I tell him about the whole transferring quirk thing? Oh, yeah, because he will go crazy!
"I just bumped into Todoroki, he said you lost your voice." He walked in and shut the door behind him.
She nodded.
"Why didn't you text me?"
She picked up her phone and quickly typed a reply in her notes. "I didn't want you to worry too much."
"Well… you told Todoroki." He bowed his head.
She tapped a note. "Todoroki didn't make a big fuss."
He rolled his eyes. "Still, I'm your best friend!"
She sighed and dropped onto the bed. "Sorry." She whispered.
Hitoshi grumbled and sat down beside her and put his arm around her, pulling her into a sideways hug. "Don't worry. I'm just a little jealous is all." He confessed.
She looked up to meet his gaze.
"Kaho, I know that you like Todoroki."
She blushed roses.
"Just to clear anything up, I'm okay if you do." My mouth says that… but my heart…
She swallowed and typed something. "It's not like that. He's my friend."
He snorted. "You guys just keep telling yourselves that."
"I'm not in the right place for those feelings right now."
Hitoshi swallowed some of his pride. "But soon you will be. You're letting people in now, and if you do start to like someone, your heart isn't gonna care if your head is ready or not." He petted her head. "I mean… Todoroki isn't the worst choice. I think Tama would approve."
She smacked his hand away and directed a glare towards him.
"Alright, alright. Don't say I didn't warn you." Your happiness is all that I want.
She coughed a little.
"I'm gonna go and let you rest. Be sure to stay hydrated." He kissed the top of her head and stood up. "Tell me next time there's something wrong, even if you want it to be Todoroki by your side. I like to know if you're alright."
She nodded, blushing at what he was hinting at.
He opened the door. "Goodnight."
She flashed a smile as he closed the door behind him. Once he was gone, she blew a sigh and flopped into bed.