Guilt.
Guilt is the one thing that preoccupied Momo's mind as she was scouring the grocery store with her best friend Kyouka.
"I think you're overreacting," Kyouka reassures her. "It's very normal to respond like that."
And she very well can be overreacting.
To Mina and Tooru it felt like simple teasing. Mina is a self-proclaimed expert on love and Tooru likes to gossip about juicy things that happening in their classroom. So when Momo is suddenly shouldering Shouto's sickness, they had to call her out on her odd behavior.
"I assure you, I'm only doing this out of the goodness of my heart, and it is my duty as the class vice president to aid any student in need."
"We already heard that excuse earlier, Yaomomo. Trust me, I've seen this in the dramas and movies. He's gonna catch on, then he's gonna confess, then you confess, then…"
"Enough, I'm just trying to help out a sick friend."
"Okay, but how did it feel like touching his body while you were there?"
"Mina!"
"Yeah, I bet it wasn't just his forehead to check his temperature. Tell me, how hard are his chiseled abs? He had a robe on, so you probably had dig in to touch them!"
"Tooru!"
"If anything you two should pay attention with your own interactions. You and Kirishima-san have known each other since middle school, and seem to get along pretty well."
"That's because we're Horn Buddies. If anything, he goes along well with Bakugou or that Tetsutetsu guy."
"And you Tooru, the only person I see you talking to on a regular basis is Ojiro-san."
"I mean, it's just that ummm, it not what you think it is! We're just friends!"
"Don't change the subject Yaomomo, we know you really care about Todoroki. We just want to be honest with yourself."
"I'm done explaining myself, I'm going to the grocery store!"
"Oooh, are you cooking something for him?"
"Ugh I'm leaving!"
Like reviewing film footage, the way she stormed out of her friends kept replaying in her head. With a snap of her finger, Kyouka is able to break her friend out her trance. Her mind returns to reality, and Momo realizes that Kyouka saved her from embarrassing herself in front of the cashier.
"Everything okay, miss?"
"Yes, I just have a lot on my mind is all."
"Well just take care of yourself. Here's your change."
"Thank you."
The walk back to their dorms is lengthy. Public transportation would've save them a lot of time traveling, but Kyouka sensed that her best friend wanted to talk to her about things.
"Do you think I'm being overboard?"
"Let's see. You carried Todoroki to the infirmary, cared for him despite not being a medical professional, made him pillows and magazines, and what are you doing now?"
"Making him some chicken soup." Momo lifts the bag of groceries above her head, as if she's proudly showing Kyouka spoils from a treasure quest.
"I'd say you're doing the bare minimum."
"See?"
"I was being sarcastic, Momo."
Tired from walking, Kyouka insisted that they take the bus for the remainder of the journey. With the bus fairly empty, the two are safe continue talking without much distraction.
"Look I'm not saying you have feelings for him, but you are doing a lot. More than what friend would do in this situation."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean look at Midoriya and Uraraka for example. Whenever, one would get hurt, the first person to react is the other. And it's pretty obvious those two have a thing for one another."
Momo covers her face with the grocery bags.
"Out of all examples she had to pick the most obvious one."
Seeing her friend blushing, Kyouka decides not to pester her more about the issue. She already dealt with enough from the others. However, she did want to settle one matter at least.
"Why are you doing this?"
At first Kyouka thought she struck a nerve, as Momo took a while to react to her question, but Momo's turns to her and gives her answer in very sincere tone.
"It's because I wanted to show Shouto that I care for him. He's told me how rough he's had it with his father. I'd imagine that he felt lonely most of the time, before meeting all of us. If I can relieve the pain he has in his heart just a little bit, then I'll be happy." Momo almost let's out a tear. Whether it's from embarrassment from answering Kyouka's question, or empathy for Shouto's domestic situation, it's hard to say.
"Gotcha." Kyouka reaches over to hug her friend. "You have a big heart, you know that?"
"Thank you for understanding."
The rest of the ride home was peaceful and quiet. Kyouka didn't want to ruin the mood that Momo set in the bus, so she waited until they reached the dorms to ask her one last question.
"Shouto, huh? Next thing you know you two will be calling each other 'babe' or 'honey'. Just let me know when you two are out in the open, okay?" Kyouka gives Momo a teasing look before walking to her own room.
"Even my best friend…"