Todoroki-kun to Koi no Yamai
[3 a ]
Kagome thought that her social standing in her class would end because of her terribly awkward confession. But to her pleasant surprise, her humiliation seemingly made her more popular amongst the girls. Normally, Kagome's lunch break was spent socializing and chatting with Momo and Kyoka; by extension, this sometimes meant spending time with Denki, Eijiro, and Mina.
Today was different, however. The moment that the lunch bell dismissed them halfway through their day, Kagome found herself swarmed by all of the girls in class, including Ochaco, Tsuyu, and what she could see of Toru. "Kagome-chan, it's time for girl talk!" Mina announced as she passionately slammed her palm onto her classmate's desk.
"Yeah, as fellow girls, we feel for you and we're here for you!" Ochaco added with a determined look in her eyes.
"Eh..." Kagome smiled nervously, both touched and unnerved by the influx of attention.
The next thing that she knew, Kagome was sitting at a table in the cafeteria with her fellow girls of 1A. The teenage part of her was somewhat excited about the opportunity to participate in such an ordinary but integral part of her youth. But the serious, aspiring hero part of her admonished that side of her and told her that she shouldn't allow herself to lose focus and sight of her true goals.
Sure, she was crushing on Shouto Todoroki.
But becoming his girlfriend wasn't as nearly as important as her studies—that was why she chose not to actively pursue him romantically.
Kagome sighed inwardly as she unwrapped the pork cutlet that she purchased. '...still...' Her eyes strayed for just a moment. She glanced at the corner table that Shouto usually occupied all by himself. Today, he was surrounded by guys from their class. He was undoubtedly in a position that was similar to hers.
"Kagome-chan really can't keep her eyes off him, ribbit," Tsuyu openly observed.
Seeing Kagome bristle and blush, Momo smiled sympathetically, "Poor thing. I had no idea that you had feelings for Todoroki-kun..."
"Eh heh..." Kagome chuckled through her embarrassment. "Yeah, well... I wasn't trying to date him or anything," she admitted.
"But why not?" Ochaco blinked, "I think someone like Todoroki-kun could benefit from—."
"That won't do, Kago-rin!" Mina interjected passionately. "As a high school girl, it's your sworn duty not to ignore your heart!" Tears filled her eyes as she struck dramatic poses and exclaimed, "Don't cave to society's expectation of us to choose between love and career! You must fight for both!"
Kagome sweat dropped as the other girls gave Mina's performance a round of applause.
"Without all of the dramatics," Kyoka smiled coolly as she added, "I agree. If you like him that much, there's nothing wrong with trying to get him to notice you." She then shrugged, "You're so popular that he'd be an idiot to ignore you."
"He's been ignoring me for months though..." Kagome admitted with a strained smile.
"That's because it wasn't obvious till today!" Toru piped in. "I'm sure that if you really put your heart into it, even Todoroki-kun couldn't resist your charms!"
"Thanks for the support, but," Kagome's hands rose and waved defensively, "I don't like him that much." She inwardly winced at her painfully obvious embarrassed voice.
Tsuyu's pointer rose as she tapped her chin, "If I recall correctly, your secret is how badly you want to hold him, right?"
"Thanks, Tsu-chan," Kagome visibly deflated as her aura darkened. "I really needed to relive that moment," her head dipped low.
"Tsu-chan is right though," Momo finally spoke up again. "Based on that confession, I think you're using your studies as an excuse not to try and fail—or get hurt."
'This went from sympathy to encouragement to psychoanalyzing really fast...' Kagome mentally noted while sweat dropping. 'Class 1A truly is impressive.'
"Well, if Kagome-chan isn't comfortable then maybe we shouldn't push her..." Ochaco suggested before offering an apologetic smile.
"Fine, how 'bout you tell us what you like about Todoroki-jun then?" Toru queried, eager to keep the romantic chat alive.
"Well, since he's been ignoring you for so long, it can't be because of chemistry, right?" Mina wore a carefree grin as she asked, "Do you have the hots for his looks?"
"H...Huh?!" Kagome felt boiling blood rush to her face, "Mina-chan, you're the worst!" She proclaimed as the pink-skinned teen laughed at her expense.
"So it's not all about his looks..." Kyoka smirked. "Now I'm invested. Come on, spill."
Kagome's lips were pursed but trembling as her cohorts gave her expectant and interested expressions. With their different personalities, each classmate had her own varying degree of investment and levels of excitement.
Still... It was exceedingly difficult to not speak on the matter.
Her girly side wanted to share it.
"Okay, but this doesn't leave this table," Kagome told them with a small huff and pink blush.