Disclaimer: I do not own Boku no Hero Academia.

The next morning, Ayame woke up with a terrible realization.

She completely forgot to look up the agencies!

She had thought there would be more time for them to decide but—after reading the 2-A group chat this morning, they had said to finalize it today! This would be the last day before summer vacation and Ayame had to turn her internship in by the end of the day. She mentally sweated.

She had been too distracted and relaxed yesterday that she completely forgot to review over the four thousand agencies again!

With a groan, Ayame said her farewells to her family and walked (limp) to the train station.

When she reached the entrance of the station, Ayame thought she was still dreaming.

Because there was a person leaning against the side of the wall, browsing through his phone with the standard U.A. uniform—and eyes of grey and turquoise had looked up as soon as she appeared.

Ayame blinked—and blinked again. She rubbed her eyes, trying to confirm she was not asleep, and when she opened them—she saw him push himself off the wall to approach her.

"I thought you were going to be late."

No, Ayame was definitely not asleep. Todoroki Shoto was the one standing before her with his usual aloofness.

"W-were you—waiting for me?" Ayame nearly squeaked at the question.

"Ah."

Todoroki looked down as to avoid her wide lilac eyes, feeling bashful himself for his sudden impulsive action but he was better at hiding it than Ayame. Quietly, he lifted his arm like before; studying the way Ayame flushed in a familiar pink to her cheeks and resisted the twitch of his lips. Carefully, she looped one hand around his again, fingers gently resting on his forearm and he led them to their train.

It was silent around them. Since the train rides are usually quiet, it gave Ayame time to calm her beating heart as they waited in the corner of the door surrounded by dozens of other. Normally, the morning commute was cramped and uncomfortable but this time, she had Todoroki here to accompany her.

Ayame could do nothing as she leaned on the railing by the door, eyes focused deeply on the scenery flashing by as Todoroki was nearly touching her by his proximity. Normally, she doesn't care about the cramped train ride or strangers by her. Normally, Ayame would be playing with her phone as she waited for the time to pass by.

But normally, she does not have someone to accompany her like now.

And damn it, she was sure her heart beat was louder than the machinery below.

There was a slight jolt to the train when it stopped at the station. Ayame winced when she accidentally applied pressure to her injured ankle and a quick hand went behind her back. She startled at the sudden stabilization and whipped her head around to see mismatched eyes return her gaze, eyebrows creased barely a centimeter in concern.

"Careful."

Ayame nodded sharply and returned her gaze back to the window, hoping he would not see her embarrassment. The window reflected Ayame's fair features and Todoroki had to look away, not realizing his hand had lingered on her back longer than necessary. It was already difficult trying to keep a calm façade with their proximity so close. Todoroki caught onto the light floral scent from Ayame, distracting himself with deciphering what flower she was wearing and—not realizing he was doing it subconsciously.

When the train stopped at their station, the two left the same as before; with Ayame's hand around Todoroki's forearm as they made their way to school. She attempted to keep calm, focusing more on every step she took and the dull pain it followed—rather than her attachment to the half-and-half boy to her right. It was hard to determine how Todoroki felt when he has his usual blank face; Ayame only hoped she was not troubling him with her own problems.

From an outside perspective, the two looked very intimate with their close proximity. At one glance, it could almost be assumed they were walking together like a date. And—that was the first thought that popped into Sero and Mineta's mind as they saw the two walking in front of them.

"No way, no way, no way! That Todoroki! Why is he getting everything?!" Mineta cried out, slapping Sero repeatedly to prove his point.

Sero laughed, amused yet also shocked with this development. Sure, they had been joking before with their upperclassman but—they didn't expect the best in their class to actually take an interest in her! They had waved it off from mind when Todoroki had defended Ayame before but—now—what was this?!

"Ahahah—I was right to stay out of her way!" Sero snickered to himself, "I wonder if those two 'princes' are gonna be competition."

"No! It was already difficult trying to stand out in class! Now—we have to deal with her classmates?!"

Ayame twitched.

"You guys aren't being subtle, ya know!"

Sero and Mineta stiffened, looking up ahead to see Ayame turning her head to glare at them. Todoroki also glanced at his two classmates but he had the usual indifference on his face, as if none of their words affected him. But, Ayame carefully released her hold from his arm—causing the heterochromia boy to turn his attention back to her when she cracked her knuckles threateningly.

"H-hey, who said we were talking about senpai!" Sero tried to justify.

Todoroki gave them a deadpan expression. Mineta clearly mentioned him by name. Who else was with him now if not Ayame?

"I don't remember my life being this exciting before 1-A," Ayame mumbled to herself, nearly rolling her eyes at her underclassmen teasing her again.

Just—what the hell! Aren't they supposed to respect her!? And, her ankle was clearly injured if they just look down to her legs! Why do they always make something out of nothing?!

"Are you going to help me or not?" Ayame asked more of a question to Sero, motioning towards the bandaged ankle for emphasize. However, she regretted it instantly when Mineta began to rush over, steam nearly exhaling from his nose at the offer.

"Of course—allow me, senpai—!"

Mineta suddenly tripped, a loud cry left his lips as he landed face first onto the concrete. Ayame looked startled at the boy sliding a few feet in front of her; he seemed to have tripped over nothing!

"W-well, Sero-kun! I think you should take care of Mineta-kun instead!" Ayame quickly thought and turned back around to grasp Todoroki, gently tugging him along before Mineta recovers. "Let's go—!"

Todoroki adjusted his elbow yet his attention was elsewhere. He could have sworn…a little gem rock shot up and then back down to trip Mineta… But…there was no sign of the person responsible for that anywhere. A frown tugged on his lips as he scanned the surroundings of the nearby U.A. students but could not distinguish anyone out of the norm.

He turned his head back to the focused Ayame and leaned just a bit closer so she would have an easier grasp on him. Ayame startled and glanced at him but—just as quickly looked away. The playful atmosphere was gone and the walk returned to silence. Ayame wondered why it was so easy to ask Sero for help yet—she felt bashful with Todoroki.

Since they were done with the lessons for the first semester, Ume only reviewed briefly for summer vacation. The students must decide on the agencies and nearly everyone was going with the ones that took them in before.

Ayame shivered in her seat. She can't go back to Yume!

Quickly, she brought the packet of agencies out and hoped one might be benevolent enough to take her in despite the time of the year. As her eyes scanned over the agencies, she winced at the familiar 'Endeavor Hero Agency' on the list. Interning under the Number Two Hero would provide immense help for her road to heroship but…as for the person himself…

M-maybe he will accept me…?

Ayame laughed at herself.

Who was she kidding?! She barely stood up against him in the previous meeting!

"Oh, Sasaki-san," Ume approached her table with a paper in hand, bringing wide lilac eyes to her homeroom teacher curiously. "There was one more request sent to you for the summer internship."

At that, Ume handed the paper to Ayame and walked off to collect the finished student's internship paper. Hotaru blinked at her friend curiously while Ayame looked at the single name on the paper with shock, then enthusiasm and suddenly, Ayame jumped out of her seat with a laugh.

"Yes! Oji-san—I knew I can count on you!"

"Sit down, Sasaki," Noeru scolded before Ume even had a chance to.

Ayame immediately flushed and sat down, too happy to be put off with Noeru's attitude. That boy can be hot-and-cold with her however he wants; Ayame was too excited to let Noeru's mood affect her.

"Your uncle wants to intern you?" Hotaru asked with silent amazement.

"Yeah!" Ayame whispered back excitedly; she already knew who to choose for her internship. Aizawa barely took a student under his wing personally. Although he was the first-year's homeroom teacher for a majority of his teaching career, he rarely taught one individually.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Natsumi glanced back to whisper, "Aizawa-sensei…has quite a reputation."

"Oh, he's just a huge softie inside though," Ayame giggled to herself and wrote down 'Aizawa Shouta/Eraser Head' for her summer internship paper. "He must have known I was struggling and decided to help me!"

"I'm glad you think so," Ume returned to take the internship paper, smiling at the innocent Ayame for the next words caused her smile to immediately disappear, "I heard Aizawa-sensei worked up a specific planner for you."

Wait—hold—on—no—! That wasn't a good sign!

"W-wait—sensei—! I-I have some adjustments to make!"

"Well, then, this is everyone's summer internships!" Ume ignored Ayame to smile at the class, "There will be about two weeks of rest before your internship officially begins! Make sure to check with your agency! Dismissed!"

The bell rang for the class to end and everyone began to gather their school bags. Ayame remained seated as she looked down at the agency list again, reviewing all the possible heroes, and suddenly regretting her choice.

She had been so excited and failed to realize… Aizawa may be a kind uncle but he was a ruthless teacher. Ayame had learned firsthand to train under her uncle but she had been so relieved to see a familiar name rather than focus on the immense training he may surely had written for her. Ume's words were a stern reminder that the summer internship was not a summer vacation.

"Damn it," Ayame nearly slammed her head to the metal table, "I'm an idiot."

"That's an understatement."

Ayame barely lifted her head to aim glaring lilac eyes to the tall class president. Noeru adjusted his schoolbag and shoved one hand into his pocket, ready to stroll away. But, Yuu thought otherwise as he approached her table with his usual smile, leaning against it while Ayame straightened up.

"If I had known you were looking for a new agency, I would have recommended mine," Yuu said smilingly.

Well, it wasn't like the class knew the reason why for Ayame's departure from LullaCry's agency.

"Thank you, Yuu, but I don't think I'm useful around the sea," Ayame shrugged. Yuu's agency was a little further away from U.A., more focused on the harbor and navy rather than the city.

"What a shame," Yuu sighed and Ayame knew that was just his usual polite, acting tone. "It would have been fun to work together. It looks as though you're still injured? Was that why your kouhai escorted you to school today?"

Ayame startled and Noeru stiffened. There was a knowing look in Yuu's sharp eyes as he glanced at Noeru's straight back before turning his attention to the suddenly shy Ayame. The girl clamped up with pinkish cheeks, stammering to try and explain herself and Noeru clicked his tongue.

"I'm going first," he announced to Yuu and began to walk off, away from Ayame's feeble explanation and from Yuu's meddling.

"Y-yeah—I will heal in a few more days—I uh—should go check up on the others—!"

"To 1-A?" But Yuu did not let her off, purposely raising his voice so Noeru can hear. Yuu continued to smile as he offered one arm to Ayame, "Allow me, Ayame."

The brunette stared at him oddly—and she wasn't the only one. A few other classmates had taken notice of Yuu's piqued interest lately but it was not unusual for the Shimizu boy to be kind to girls. It was just…Yuu had been showing extra care to the Sports Festival winner.

"N-no, I'm fine," Ayame waved her hand furiously.

"Why not?" Yuu asked with a tilt of his head, icy eyes innocent and curious but—Ayame knew he was only pretending with her. "You're injured…and I'm available. I would not want to see you injured even more and I would not be able to rest easy if someone with ill intentions helped you."

What the hell what the hell what the hell?

For some reason, Ayame's mind immediately wandered back to the morning when Mineta nearly jumped to her assistance. Of course, Mineta was merely a pervert and Ayame would have run away without a care for her injury before she allowed him to set a hand on her. But—why did it feel like Yuu knew about that?

Ayame mentally groaned. If only she could use her Quirk! It would save her from all these troubling issues! But, she still does not have a hero provisional license and she cannot use her Quirk willingly without approval.

"I do need to speak with oji-san…" Ayame mumbled to herself, but I don't want to deal with Yuu's fan girls! "But I can go my—"

"Great!"

Yuu beamed and ignored her protests, taking a swift hold of her hand and nearly dragged her up from the chair. Ayame hastily grabbed her school bag and gave a pleading look to Hotaru and the girls but—they looked just as stunned, if not amused, by Yuu's sudden charge. The tall boy sent a teasing look to Noeru, lips curling up into a smirk—before changing into another usual smile of his.

"Don't wait up, Noeru."

They walked past him and Yuu adjusted their walking speed as to accommodate Ayame. She nearly wanted to cry. There were many others already shooting them questioning looks and none-too-friendly ones! It does not help that Yuu was still grasping onto her arm and leading them around!

Meanwhile, Yuu was absolutely having the time of his life. Noeru looked so bewildered that Yuu could not help but let out a small chuckle. He cared not for everyone else as he escorted Ayame down the hallway, icy eyes shining even more by her embarrassment and accusing glare at him.

"Yuu—I'd rather not have the whole female population turn into my enemy in one day," Ayame complained lowly; Yuu was only teasing her now because she would not expose his persona…though Ayame was sure he would not care either way.

"What, ever, do you mean?" Yuu smiled pleasantly and Ayame wanted to wipe that smirk off his face. "I'm only helping my injured classmate around. Would you rather I carry you instead?"

"No, no," Ayame immediately grabbed his arm tighter before he moved it, knowing full well he will do as he says.

Yuu chuckled and didn't resist, setting one hand over the one she wrapped around his to prevent her escape. As they walked slowly through the hall, they attracted a few others to them but it was not enough for them to stop. Yuu was more interested in his companion.

"I see you and Noeru are getting along well," Yuu mused quietly.

Ayame startled. How were they getting along together?!

Sensing her bewilderment, Yuu continued on with an amused smile.

"Of all my years knowing Takarada Noeru, I've never seen him carry anything more than a bag. Nor—has he ever asked me for advice regarding a girl," Yuu said lightly, "I wonder…who could he have meant?"

Yesterday, Noeru had found Yuu after the first final exam and asked him questions beyond his expertise. No matter how vague or dismissive Noeru tried to put it, Yuu knew his best friend was truly hopeless in his own emotions.

"Things change," Noeru paused, struggling to admit to himself that, "It's time…I should, too."

"I only want to see my friends get along with each other," Yuu chuckled, "Is that so bad?"

"We're friends?" Ayame blurted out.

"Ouch, Aya-chan," Yuu faked a hurt expression, taking her hand and bringing it close to his chest in mock pain, "After all we've been through, are you saying, we are not?"

Ayame's eyes widened, her heart racing and hand warming under Yuu's. This boy—was too good at twisting the words to match his tone and—playing with others to his tune. Ayame hadn't realized it before but—she was clearly experiencing the full effect of his charisma right now.

"I—that's not—I mean—" Seeing the twinkling light dancing in Yuu's eyes made Ayame realized he was teasing her again. "Okay—we are! But—is Takarada—serious, too?"

Yuu grinned, watching Ayame look at him with fearless lilac eyes as she waited for an answer. He dipped his head, pale lips approaching her ear while Ayame froze.

"He won't admit it but…yes, he is."

"No flirting in the hallway."

Ayame took an abrupt step back from Yuu but the boy looked unperturbed when the brunette wrung her hand free from his grasp. Both students turned to the teacher that just arrived; one shocked and the other innocently smiling.

"O-oji-san!"

"Aizawa-sensei," Yuu greeted calmly, "We were just talking."

Aizawa gave him an unimpressed look. How was holding onto his niece's hand and leaning down on her as just 'talking'? Ayame still looked shocked and pink in the face but she walked over to Aizawa immediately.

Around the corner, a few students spied on the two students and teacher interaction. As the plan for a group shopping had passed by, someone took notice of their upperclassmen and pointed it out to the class. Before they knew it, Kirishima, Kaminari, Hagakure, Ochako, Ashido, and Mineta were ducking their heads around the door to spy on them.

"Ne, do you think Shimizu-senpai is dating Ayame-senpai?!" Ashido asked while patting Ochako excitedly.

"Wait, wait, we can't forget the second player—Takarada-senpai!" Kaminari chimed in.

"Not again!" Mineta cried out, "Now we have to add Todoroki to the mix!"

The class quieted down, glancing at the heterochromia boy adjusting his book bag around his shoulder and then to Mineta. What did he mean by that?

"Oi, Todoroki!" Kirishima's rambunctious voice echoed in the classroom, amused and teasing as he went over to the stoic boy. "Are you interested in senpai?!"

Todoroki only gave them a blank look.

"D-don't you think we've been prying into senpai's life…a little too much?" Midoriya spoke up nervously next to Iida, looking at the silent Todoroki—then back to the curious classmates.

"That's right!" Iida's voice of reason snapped their attention to him, "We have no reason to interfere!"

The students looked at each other, then back to the righteous Iida and Midoriya pair. Ashido pouted playfully and hopped back into the class.

"Boo, Iida-kun! Ayame-senpai is classmates with the two 'princes'! We're just teasing!" Ashido nodded her head.

"Why…do you guys like teasing her so much?" Midoriya asked shyly. He had noticed the slight attachment his classmates have with their upperclassman and they never fail to rile the girl up at the opportunity. Unfortunately for her, she just happened to get in situations where that happens often.

"Because she's fun!"

"And entertaining!"

"A shapely body—ow!"

"Senpai is cute!"

"She's just—likeable!"

"She's also annoying, a loudmouth, knows no boundaries, and troublesome," Bakugo added on not-too-kindly.

"C'mon, Bakugo," Kirishima grinned, "You just described yourself!"

"What the hell?! We're nothing alike!" Bakugo scowled and refused adamantly.

That only caused the rest of the class to mercilessly tease him. Midoriya mentally made a note that their classmates enjoyed teasing those with a fiery reaction...which would make sense as Bakugo and Ayame being the biggest ones.

Without a word, Todoroki stepped out of the classroom first, leaving the others to finalize their plans for their shopping. He was not going to join them as he planned on visiting his mother on his off days. The students would only have a few weeks to rest before their training camp begins.

Briefly, he wondered what his upperclassman was doing for summer vacation.

And right as he thought about her, he saw Ayame finish her talk with Aizawa. The 'prince' was long gone by the time Todoroki left the classroom but he had been actively paying attention to the...gossip. Listening to his classmates prattle on about Ayame's relationship with her classmate was enough to paint the scene of their intimate hold earlier.

Todoroki felt his eye twitched.

During the Sports Festival, Ayame had been very intimate with the more popular prince of the two, Shimizu Yuu. They were partners during the battle royale and had trusted in each other's abilities. Because of that, Ayame ended up receiving more haters than fans in the female community when the Shimizu heir had rode with her on the ookami mount. It turned for the worse when they battled each other in the tournament, their previously friendliness gone.

It shouldn't have bothered Todoroki when he saw her battle the two 'princes'. It was the aftermath, when rumors and jealousy floated in school, caused him to pay more attention to her classmates' relationship with her. Ayame looked oblivious as usual and although she had accepted the new animosity, she did not let it bother her.

Ayame was welcoming in that way. She does not hold a grudge against anyone and had even accepted the 'ice prince' known as Takarada Noeru. And, with the way the Takarada heir behaves around Ayame, it can be assumed he accepted her, too.

Todoroki cannot believe he ended up hearing so many rumors regarding them.

"Okay! I'll see you later, oji-san! Okaa-san said you can't be late to dinner again!" Ayame chirped to her uncle happily. Now that she does not need to hide their family relationship any longer, Ayame felt more liberated with her casual call to her uncle.

"Yeah, yeah," Aizawa waved one hand behind him and left.

Ayame smiled and turned her head, seeing the familiar half-and-half boy and waved. Todoroki's shoulders relaxed by the sight of her so carefree and pushed his previous thoughts away from mind.

Iida was right. It was none of their business to pry into her life. Todoroki should have no reason to and yet found himself musing about her more often than not. He told himself he was only watching out for Ayame, as she often does with others.

"Ready to go home?" Ayame asked with a smile, looking at Todoroki expectantly.

Todoroki wondered if she knew the weight of her words hold over him.

"Yeah," he lifted his elbow again and without hesitation, Ayame held it and both walked down the hall.

Ayame did not notice how natural it felt to accept Todoroki's offer than Yuu; only faintly realizing that she liked the way Todoroki instinctively helped her. Although she still felt the skip of the beat within her heart and how her hand felt warm wrapped around his, Ayame thought nothing of it. She convinced herself he was being a good friend and appreciated the kindness he extended to her.

As for Todoroki, he felt no need to be embarrassed with his attachment to his upperclassman. It was logical for him to help her home, as she was injured and their houses were in similar route. He did not admit how much he enjoyed her company and took his classmates teasing with a grain of salt because they only wanted to rile him up.

And so, the two fell back into their comfortable conversations with each other as they walked home. Neither noticed the amused eyes behind them as 1-A snickered to themselves with the two's intimacy.

While a majority of their conversation was simple, Todoroki continued to walk Ayame home even after the train ride. She felt the initial embarrassment appear in the form of pink-tinted cheeks again as she attempted to refuse—failing even more when Todoroki gave a careless shrug and continued on.

During the train ride, Ayame had noticed 1-A's group chat regarding their shopping trip tomorrow. Although summer break had barely just begun, they were excited for the prospect of training camp in about two weeks. Since Ayame had already asked Aizawa about when her internship will begin, she had learned it would not begin for another week.

That means…oji-san will be training me before their training camp. Ayame hummed, reaching that conclusion quickly and turned to Todoroki.

"Are you going to the class shopping trip tomorrow?" She asked.

"No. I visit my mother during my days off," Todoroki answered.

"Ah!" Her grip tighten just the slightest as she turned to him with a smile, "Then finally—the higashi!"

"Yeah," the side of his lips curled up, "I can finally take it off your hands."

"I ended up hiding it in my room," Ayame informed with a small pout, "Since Suzume and my mother stays home, they end up running through our snacks very quickly throughout the day."

"Then, is it too late to offer the second box to you?"

"Wh—huh?"

Ayame turned to look at Todoroki in surprise, not expecting the offer at all. He glanced at her and shrugged again, thinking it was not a big deal considering how excited Ayame looked when she first saw the confectionaries.

"It was left in your care for quite some time," Todoroki continued to explain as he knew Ayame would be surprised at first. "Consider it as thanks for your trouble."

But it wasn't trouble at all! Ayame cried in her mind, still staring at Todoroki in bewilderment. Was it her or—did he seem very rehearsed with his explanation?

"It's also my fault for forgetting to return it to you so often," Ayame pointed out. Of all the times Todoroki had walked her home, there was always one reason or another for her to forget about the higashi. If Ayame didn't know any better, she would have assumed Todoroki only walked with her because he enjoyed it.

Maybe he did…but neither was going to bring up that subject.

"Two is too much for us," Todoroki continued to evade her refusal nonchalantly.

Then…why did you buy two? Ayame wondered to herself; it wasn't because…to do this—right?

At that preposterous idea, Ayame shook her head. She was letting her imagination run too wild and—she does not need any type of ridiculous hope to form within her.

"I'll—take the offer! Thank you, Shoto-kun!" Ayame smiled brightly to him and Todoroki returned it with one of his own.

They continued to walk past the busy streets and turned into the quiet neighborhood. They walked past the bushes where they had seen the kittens before; Ayame stalling just a second longer than usual before continuing their venture home. Todoroki did not mind as they spoke about the mundane things regarding their summer vacation.

When they arrived at her house, Ayame unlocked the front gate to let them both in. At that time, the front door opened to reveal Suzume, waving from the door frame to welcome her sister back. At the sight of the half-and-half boy getting more and more familiar around their house, the child smiled at him but still hid halfway behind the door in shyness.

"Okaeri, Aya-neechan, Todo-niisan," Suzume welcomed.

Todoroki blinked at the greeting while Ayame smiled at the child, reaching down to pat her unruly black hair.

"Tadaima," Ayame turned to Todoroki sheepishly. "Sorry—I hope you don't mind the nickname."

Suzume looked up curiously, wondering if it was impolite of her to call him as such but Todoroki shrugged. He did not have a younger sibling as he was the youngest child and he knew Suzume meant no harm with it. Rather, he was uncertain on how to treat kids but…Ayame seemed so natural with it.

"It's alright," Todoroki reassured and gave a brief nod to the child. Her wide eyes reminded him of Ayame's. "Hello again."

Suzume's smile grew wider and Ayame stared at the softened look on his face. Quickly, she averted her eyes and took off her shoes, stepping into the house and turned to him.

"Come in. It'll take me a sec to grab the things—oh Suzu, where's okaa-san?"

Todoroki quietly took off his sneakers while Ayame flitted around the house. Suzume trailed behind and answered her question.

"Okaa-san is in the backyard! I wanted to greet you first!" Suzume smiled.

"Oh, you," Ayame grinned and ruffled her hair again. She smiled at Todoroki and motioned to the couch in the nearby living room, gently patting Suzume along in the same direction. "Have a seat. Suzu, be nice to Todo-niisan. Tell okaa-san we have a guest."

Suzume took off to the backyard and Ayame left to her room. Todoroki mindlessly thought about the little nickname, feeling odd at how natural Ayame can say the same as her younger sibling regarding him.

Todo-niisan… He could almost laugh at that.

Todoroki glanced at the paintings on the wall, remembering how Ayame had mentioned her father being a painter. The inky brush strokes and wild lines reminded Todoroki of Ayame's own summons at times, quietly noting that her style was similar to her father's.

The many different photo frames on the shelves revealed pictures of their family from different times. There were some of the children together, a few families outing, and some singles. Of all the photos, they share the same happy smile and warmth in the camera. Todoroki can see how much Ayame had grown throughout the photos, his hand reaching up to touch the brown frame of one.

"You're Todoroki Shoto, right?"

His hand immediately dropped back to his side, turning around to see the smiling face of an older woman. Her dark eyes were dull with a glassy shade in it yet Shiko was looking in his direction. Todoroki nodded but stopped himself, not sure exactly how much the ex-hero could see before replying vocally.

"Yes, I am."

Suzume had one hand clutching onto her mother's pants but her large eyes were looking at the two talking. Todoroki did not say more but he felt himself blanking from unable to continue a conversation. He only felt such complication because he was in an unfamiliar home, faced with the parent of his upperclassman.

"It's good to see you again…and so soon," Shiko said with a playful undertone, smile widening even more at the blurred figure in front of her. She cannot see his distinctive face or expression and can only pick out the red and white hair blob with the standard grey uniform. "How's that old man Endeavor doing?"

Todoroki blinked, trying to contain his surprise.

"You…know my father?"

"Hardly," Shiko reached down to hold Suzume's hand rather than have her latch onto her pants. "At this point, Yume met him more than I have. I was just wondering if he's still the egotistic hot-head as before."

His lips twitched. Todoroki thinks he would enjoy speaking with her.

"He's the same," Todoroki replied.

Shiko laughed, amused with Todoroki's subtle contempt at the Flame Hero but did not press for more. Todoroki mindlessly thought her laugh was similar to Ayame's; joyful and hearty yet with a slight elegance to it. Suzume led her mother to the couch to sit and Todoroki followed, sitting in the armchair to wait patiently for Ayame's return.

"So what brings you here, Todoroki? Ayame rarely invites friends over. Are you staying for long?" Shiko continued to inquire, trying to find out more between these two but settled for casual chatter for the moment.

"I'm picking up something," Todoroki answered the same as before, not minding her curiosity. "I would not intrude for long."

"Nonsense!" Shiko smiled brighter, "It's not an intrusion at all! In fact, how about staying for dinner?"

"Okaa-san!"

Ayame's surprised voice brought Todoroki to see her come around the corner, wide eyes in distressed by her mother's familiarity with the boy. Meanwhile, Shiko did not even turn in her direction, merely smiling at the guest a little too widely.

"It's the least we can do for having the boy always escorting you home, Aya," Shiko lightly advised as the brunette approached them with a bag in hand.

Ayame opened her mouth to protest yet no words came out. It was true that Todoroki had helped her a little too much lately. There was not a lot Ayame can do to repay his kindness and she quietly glanced at him, wondering if he would accept.

"It was no trouble at all," Todoroki looked calm as always but his held her gaze, causing a slight flutter in her heart by his next words. "It was…enjoyable."

Enjoyable.

He said enjoyable.

She felt the corners of her lips twitch upwards and averted her gaze. Ayame cleared her throat and handed the bag of higashi to Todoroki. He stood up and took the bag, glancing down to see two boxes still within and wordlessly took one of them out. He put the extra box in Ayame's hand, refusing her attempt at shoving it back into the bag.

"I should leave now. My sister often waits for me before dinner," Todoroki said.

Ayame's eyes light up at that, smiling at him with hope.

"I'll walk you out," Ayame handed the candy to Shiko, surprising the woman by the box. "Thank you for the higashi, Shoto-kun."

"After defending this for so many weeks, it was handed over this easily?" Shiko mused playfully while Suzume looked excited by the box.

Ayame flushed and shook her head, tilting her head to the door before her mother can say any other embarrassing things. Todoroki followed behind and the two left the living room. The sun was starting to set as he stepped out of the house while Ayame lingered at the doorway.

"Do you eat with your sister now?" Ayame asked, hopeful and curious about the siblings reconciling their family bond.

"Yeah. It's not every day but…it's still more than before."

"That's great!"

"It will still take some time before all of us are together again but...it'll happen," Todoroki said with a soft smile, causing Ayame to smile wider at him.

"I'll be rooting for you! Keep me updated!"

"Un," he agreed. "I'll take up that offer next time."

Ayame blinked. "Which offer?"

The side of his lips curled up.

"Dinner."

Ayame gasped, her mind blanking from the implications of his words. Todoroki—wanted to have dinner with them? Was he serious?!

"Todoroki-san? Ayame?"

Before she had the chance to say anything, Yume's voice broke through their conversation. Ayame looked up to see Yume walking through the gate in her hero uniform and Todoroki glanced back to greet her. The older sister looked between the two, reaching a conclusion Ayame did not like for the teasing smile to appear on Yume's lips.

"Okaeri, Yume-nee," Ayame greeted with a strained smile before turning to Todoroki, silently ushering him to go before Yume can embarrass her.

"Leaving so soon?" Yet Yume's attention was on Todoroki, polite and curious as she kept up the smile on her lips.

"Well, you know, he has stuff to do, places to be," Ayame waved off quickly. The last time Yume had this teasing glint in her eyes, Todoroki was forced to walk her home from the hospital in Hosu City.

"I see," Yume did not press on for Ayame's embarrassment as she turned to her little sister. "I have to go to the agency tomorrow for some overtime. I don't think I can take you to the hospital."

"I said I don't need to go," Ayame's eyebrows furrowed in confusion, wondering why Yume was bringing that topic since their family agreed she just needed to rest at home. "It'll heal in a few more days."

"But we ran out of the ointment for you," Yume sighed in disappointment. "You know how okaa-san is. If you don't care for your body now, it will—"

"—come back with a vengeance. I know, I know." Ayame sighed, hearing that phrase from their mother plenty of times throughout their childhood. Shiko means well, they know their mother do, but Ayame was not going to trouble everyone over a light sprain. "It'll be fine—"

"I can take you."

Two pairs of purple eyes turned to the stoic boy. Ayame was stunned as she stared at Todoroki while the smile on Yume's face grew wider with glee, as if her little plan had worked as she clutched her hands together in thanks towards the half-and-half boy.

"Wait—no—"

"I'm going to the hospital anyways," Todoroki reassured with a shrug. He can take Ayame if they were going to go the same way.

"Oh my, you're not injured, are you?" Yume asked genuinely. He does not seem to be hurt in anyway; Yume hadn't realized he was going there in the first place.

"No," Todoroki faced the eldest sibling again and thought to himself, Yume was a lot more cunning than people give her credit for. She was more than just the 'perfect, gentle elder sister' that others often praised her to be. Yume also know how to play little tricks when it came to her little sister's…relationship life.

Todoroki paused.

What was his relationship with Ayame? They were senpai-kouhai status and had become friends within these past few months. It was only natural for him to come to her assist since he was free and she needed help.

That…was all to it.

"I'll pick you up at 9," Todoroki decided to not ponder over that any longer.

"Are you sure," Ayame asked again, "Like—sure-sure?"

He shrugged and offered a half smile, nodding his head once in assurance.

"I'm sure," Todoroki turned around and began to walk off, raising one hand in a wave behind him. "See you tomorrow."

Ayame watched his back in a daze and felt the lingering heat remain on her cheeks. As for Yume, she quietly smiled to herself and stepped back into the house, leaving Ayame at the door for a few more seconds before realizing how ridiculous she must have looked.

A/N:

Sorry! I would have written more but I got a fever the past few days and am barely recovering… I'm so happy with the feedback from the last chapter though! Especially with all the love-rivalry between the 'three princes' and the oblivious Aya hahaha

I didn't realize all these little scenes were to happen before I can even begin to write for the movie! I also want to write season 3 episode 1 before the movie as it feels more fitting with the timeline but honestly I'm just winging it…lol

Reviews are much loved as always! I'm going to recover now and continue to write more!

Read for possible AU:

Lately, I've been accidentally thinking of an angsty-AU regarding this AyaSho ship where I will probably never write because it goes off canon wayyy too much but then again this fanfic isn't even canon so what am I worried about—sobs. Maybe I'll draw some scenes for it…

Basically...

'Shoto…sometimes I have nightmares—nightmares where I don't exist…and you and I never met… Ridiculous, right?'

'You worry too much. I'm here now, aren't I?'

I've been having weird dreams…dreams about this faceless girl who smiles brighter than the sun yet I cannot remember what color her hair or the shape of her eyes. Only…I would wake up confused—wondering,

"Who's…Ayame?"