There was only one match that Todoroki was remotely interested in other than his own, and that was the battle between Izuku Midoriya and Katsuki Bakugo. For whatever cosmic reason, they were randomly placed on opposite teams, with Bakugo and his partner as the villains.

Todoroki had noticed from the moment they walked into class their first day that Bakugo was unusually protective of Midoriya. He refused to leave his side, was always on guard, and scanned the area like he was expecting danger. Though strange at first, seeing Midoriya's prior injuries in the locker room made his explosive classmate's behavior understandable.

But that's also what made Todoroki so invested in seeing how this match-up would play out. It was obvious from the moment their groups were called that neither wanted to attack the other, even if it was a mock fight for training purposes. Their postures immediately stiffened, along with literally everyone else's, the locker room incident having already been thoroughly gossiped about. Even All Might's smile faltered with worry.

Todoroki watched carefully as Iida placed a hand on Bakugo's shoulder, noting the tension brimming in his body. Uraraka seemed to be attempting to calm her partner as well, though they couldn't hear what was being said as she smiled a little too widely and pumped her fist in the air.

As the timer began, Bakugo headed down to patrol the lower levels of the building, apparently having agreed to be their team's offense. Todoroki knew from their quirk assessment that this was the 'villain' teams' best option, but it certainly seemed like a gamble.

Todoroki wondered who would win. Midoriya was fast and strong, but Bakugo had shown extreme versatility with his quirk. Would they even make it to combat, though? This match might come down to Iida and Uraraka just because their partners happened to be unhealthily attached to one another.

As the seconds ticked by, Todoroki watched alongside his classmates and teacher as the hero team made their way through the halls, unaware that Bakugo was heading in the same direction. Ochaco turned the final corner first, acting as the scout for their team just as Bakugo rounded the corner at the other end of the building.

He raised his hand and fired off a warning blast, though Todoroki felt that it hardly counted as such with how weak it was, barely a few crackles that quickly fizzled out. However, Midoriya came into view right as his friend's palm lit up, his eyes widening with an unnerving swirl of various emotions, none of them good.

Then there was nothing but a flash of wind, all the cameras in the hall going blank instantaneously. Todoroki hadn't even seen Midoriya attack his movement was so fast; he hadn't shown any such ability during their quirk assessment. He was beyond shocked, mouth slightly dropping open from the resounding sounds of the explosive wind pressure in the distance.

Searching the other cameras, All Might was able to find the students. Bakugo had seemingly managed to avoid the worst of the attack, reaction time so incredible that he'd blasted himself back around the corner just before the wind made it to him.

Of course, that hadn't saved him from harm. Midoriya's punch had blown out the wall across from him but had torn into the ones on either side of the hallway as well. Cement bricks and hunks of metal had barreled into Bakugo as he'd attempted to get out of the way, leaving him bloody and battered. Remarkably, however, he was still on his feet… barely.

Todoroki narrowed his eyes as Midoriya launched himself forward, bouncing off the ruined walls and ceiling until he'd gotten to Bakugo. His suit had been shredded by the sheer power of his quirk from wrist to shoulder, revealing that he'd severely broken his right arm. Not that it appeared to hinder him at all.

Albeit far more slowly than his first attack but faster than he'd moved during their quirk assessment, Midoriya rebounded around his supposed best friend until he found an opening, one that he took without hesitation.

He smashed Bakugo in the stomach with a left hook, jumping to catch up to the blonde's body as it was thrown upward from the force in order to kick him straight back down, smashing him into the floor with a powerful crack.

Only then did Midoriya stop, Bakugo unmoving and unconscious as he lay face down on the fractured tile. The blonde's hair was plastered to his head with blood, his limbs busted and bleeding from either the wind pressure, debris, or subsequent strikes.

A chill ran down Todoroki's spine when Midoriya bent over and tied a white string around Bakugo's ankle, his expression one of complete indifference to the injuries and pain he'd inflicted on his friend. He said something over his intercom right after before heading further up towards Iida.

Uraraka was still stock-still where she'd been moments earlier, wide-eyed and mouth gaping from the brutality displayed. Whatever Midoriya said to her didn't change her behavior, nor did it seem to calm All Might down either.

Their teacher was equally frozen and shocked, staring at the screens as though he couldn't believe what he'd just witnessed. Todoroki concluded the school must know about Midoriya and Bakugo's history together—whatever it was. But shouldn't All Might have stepped in already? It didn't seem remotely necessary for Midoriya to utilize that level of power.

The rest of the students whispered to each other as Midoriya closed in on Iida, fearful that he might end up in Bakugo's position or worse. They wondered the same for themselves during future combat simulations; none of them had the strength or skill to withstand Midoriya's raw power and ruthlessness. Todoroki couldn't help but wonder the same about himself.

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Ultimately, Iida and Uraraka were fairly unharmed. Midoriya had just given his second opponent a single, solid blow and then leaped to put his hand on the weapon, assuring the 'Hero Teams' victory.

Having injured himself, Midoriya was sent to the nurse alongside Bakugo, though as Todoroki had watched, he'd noticed that the teen was no longer hyper-focused or unfeeling. He appeared dazed as he trailed after the stretcher that carried his friend's limp body, broken arm swaying beside him in what should have been a painful manner.

Neither student came back to class after going to Recovery Girl, and Todoroki hadn't been able to shake the near-fatal battle from his mind. He found himself heading to the nurse's office, though he couldn't pinpoint a particularly clear reason.

Midoriya was sitting on the floor just outside the Pros door with his knees pulled up to his chin, staring ahead with a completely blank expression. Todoroki's feet seemed to move on their own, leading to him standing directly in front of his classmate. "It's Midoriya, isn't it?"

Todoroki waited semi-patiently, analyzing how Midoriya blinked and peered up like he'd just realized someone was there, only to drop his eyes back to the ground. Having already been caught staring several times, Todoroki recognized the pattern. Midoriya would notice, search Todoroki's face for a moment, and then look away like he'd done something wrong.

"…Deku…"

The dual user ground his teeth at the muttered name, annoyed and confused. 'Deku' was a word that could be interpreted unkindly; why would Bakugo put so much effort into making Midoriya feel comfortable and safe only to insult him every time they spoke?

"Isn't 'Deku' sometimes used to describe a useless person?" Todoroki questioned, his tone more accusing than he'd meant it to be.

Midoriya, in turn, shifted nervously, wrapping his healed arms around his knees. "Yes, but not to me."

Again, Todoroki didn't understand, but it didn't look like Midoriya had anything more to say on the topic. Not knowing what else to say but still unable to bring himself to leave, the already awkward conversation lapsed for several minutes.

"I realize that you've suffered a great deal, but Bakugo clearly cares for you. From what I saw in the observation room, I'm not certain he would have actually gone through with attacking you even for combat training." Todoroki finally stated. "And it's not like you haven't seen his explosions before; you were totally fine being around them during the quirk assessment. You seem to trust him completely, but still used unnecessary force while fighting him. Why is that?"

There was a hint of shame in Midoriya's expression for a moment, but it soon dwindled until nothing but apathy remained. "Kacchan's very strong…"

Growing more frustrated with his classmate's refusal to really answer any of his questions, Todoroki let out an icy breath. "You should look at people when you speak to them and not mumble at the floor."

Though his voice wasn't raised, and his tone wasn't threatening, Todoroki immediately regretted his words when Midoriya flinched. It dawned on him that Midoriya was likely very sensitive to any perceived threat and either shut down or lashed out with an immediate and disproportionate response, similar to how he reacted to Bakugo during their match.

"I apologize." Big, fragile green eyes finally flickered up, maintaining eye contact with Todoroki as instructed. "I didn't realize I'd been given permission."

Todoroki felt his stomach twist and sink further. He wasn't surprised that Midoriya would feel like he needed permission to look someone in the eye for any significant amount of time; the locker room conversation he'd eavesdropped on made it clear he'd been held prisoner by a villain for years. But the look in the boy's eyes…

Though Midoriya's face was still set in apathy, Todoroki could see a desperate need for approval in his gaze, like he was begging to be told he wasn't in trouble and was being 'good.' The learned behavior was sickening to consider.

"I heard you speaking with Bakugo and another classmate about your injuries and figured that you must have been held captive for some time. If that's the case, your behavior is understandable but unnecessary now that you're no longer a prisoner. You do not need permission to look at someone when you speak to them." Todoroki explained, attempting to be clear but also indicating that Midoriya hadn't done something wrong.

He held his breath, watching Midoriya tilt his head to the side slightly before blinking with an unnerving intensity. Todoroki could see a semblance of comprehension in his face—not even necessarily disagreement, but uncertainty.

Before Todoroki could explain further, Recovery Girl stepped out of her office, startled to see them.

"Oh, Midoriya! What are you still doing here, dearie? I told you earlier that Bakugo would need to spend the night while his stamina returns." She stated, her wrinkled face scrunched even more with worry.

"Kacchan has to walk me home…" He responded quietly.

'Was he planning on just sitting here the entire night?' Todoroki wondered, leaving him in another mist of confusion about what was going on in Midoriya's head. Surely, he had to know that he wouldn't be allowed to do such a thing, not to mention how freaked out his family would be if he didn't return home.

Recovery Girl also appeared to be at a loss, staring at the still unmoving teen with hesitation and sadness. After a moment, she reached down, gently patting his shoulder. "Why don't you come in, Midoriya? You can sit by your friend while I sort out transportation for you."

"And you?" she questioned, turning her focus to Todoroki. "What can I help you with, young man?"

Todoroki turned to leave, sparing one last glance at Midoriya as he slowly got to his feet and stalked toward the unconscious blonde. "Nothing."