He's kissing me...

Holy crap...

SHOUTO TODOROKI IS KISSING ME!?

The few seconds the followed his lips pressing against yours were the most anxiety-filled of your life.

Am I doing this right?! Am I suppose to use tongue? Does that come later?! I DON'T KNOW, ARE THERE RULES I'M MISSING?!

Todoroki could tell something was up from the way you shifted against him. It was that realization that snapped him out of the trance he had fallen in. Finally, he pulled away.

"Sorry..." He muttered, head falling forward. "(Y/n), I'm so sorry..." You could hear the sound of his fingernails scrape the cement wall behind you. He was shaking. You yourself were still in a daze, but you came to before he managed to get too upset with himself.

"I-It's alright Todoroki..."

Was it really? He had already rejected you before. What made him do this?

You wanted answers.

But the way his face grew dark once more led you to place your own concerns on the back burner. You cupped both of his cheeks and lifted his head.

"Hey..." You softly said. "I said it was alright, so you don't need to make that face."

He looked like he was about to cry. Todoroki removed your hands from his face and lowered them to your sides.

"It was wrong of me to force that on you..." He sighed.

"Well, I forgive you..." You shyly averted your gaze to the side, cheeks inflaming a bit. "Just ask first then next time."

Smooth.

"Next... time..." He stuttered.

"Uh..." You panicked. "I MEAN IF YOU WANTED THERE TO BE A NEXT TIME?!"

"I do."

S-So forward?!

"It's just..." Todoroki softly spoke, reaching up to rub the back of his head. "Can we talk again after the sports festival ends?"

That's probably the most I can ask for right now.

"Yeah, that's alright." You calmly agreed.

"Okay." He relaxed a bit, probably relieved that you didn't have any lingering resentment towards him. "We should probably get back for the next event. Shall we?"

"R-Right..." You agreed, following after him as he exited the hallway. "But Todoroki?"

"What is it?" His voice had thankfully returned to its calm and collected state.

"About your father... I think it's important to remember that your left side is your own." You said. "It might sound cheesy, but everyone's trying their best. So I think you should too!"

He was still a bit upset, but he allowed himself to joke around a bit despite this.

"That was cheesy."

"YEAH WELL, YOU ALSO THOUGHT BISCUITS AND CHOCOLATE WERE THE SAME THING AS POCKY!" You retorted.

"That was only because I didn't have any other information on it than the poor description you gave me." He scoffed.

"YEAH WELL-"

COME ON (Y/N), CLEVER COMEBACK!

"YOU'RE A POOR DESCRIPTION!"

He laughed.

It was one of those quiet laughs with a gentle smile, one that really warmed your soul. It made you happy to see him like that.

"You know, I always seem to feel better when I'm around you (y/n). I really like that about you." Todoroki softly said.

Like that about me huh?

He continued forward toward the entrance of the stadium. You staggered behind him slightly in hopes he wouldn't see how your face contorted.

Hey Todoroki?

Peering over at the back of his head you felt your heart sink.

What am I gonna do if after all this you still see me as just a friend?

- - -

The two of you eventually made it back to where the rest of the students had gathered. Everyone huddled around the stage once more as Midnight announced the tournament details.

"The 16 participants who qualify for the tournament can choose to abstain from recreational events if they would like." Midnight proudly started.

It just doesn't feel right.

Your stomach only continued to turn.

I didn't do anything... I can't just...

"Excuse me..." You raised your hand and called up onto the stage. The students turned towards you. "I would like to withdraw from the tournament."

"Wait (y/n)!" Izuku frantically called. "This is one of your few chances to show off to the pros."

"I know that..." You gulped. Todoroki glanced over at you. "But the truth is, I don't remember anything from the cavalry battle. Not until after it was already over. I... I didn't do anything."

You looked up and spotted the purple-haired kid. Yet you choose to keep it quiet. Shinsou met your eyes briefly and turned away.

"I know it's a big chance for me." You clenched your fist by your side. "But still! I can't bear to move on when I didn't give my best effort!"

Your friends attempted to coax you forward to no avail.

"I'd like to withdraw for the same reason." It was the other boy from class 1-B that spoke this time. "To rise up after not giving your all, that would defeat the point of the sports festival."

"You guys..." Kirishima sniffled. "ARE SUPER MANLY!"

"Kirishima I'm a girl..." You laughed.

"Withdraw huh..." Midnight growled lowly before exploding with glee. "I LOVE IT! I FULLY RECOGNIZE (Y/N)'S AND SHOUDA'S WITHDRAWAL!"

Todoroki turned away and sighed.

After the final tournament participants were decided, it was time for the matchups. You looked up at the screen.

Todoroki's taking on Sero huh? If Todo wins, he'll go up against Izuku... And Izuku's going up against- Ah crap it's-!?

"Shinsou?" Izuku muttered. "Wasn't he..."

"You're Izuku Midoriya, right?" Shinsou plainly said.

"Uh, Yea-mmph?!" You slapped your hands over Izuku's mouth before he could finish.

"Izuku!" You called. Shinsou scoffed at you before walking away. "Don't answer him."

"Ehh? Why?" The boy innocently questioned.

Removing your hands from his mouth, you watched he purple-haired boy wander off with his hand shoved in his pocket.

So many things are moving.

Your gaze shifted to Todoroki. His attention was directly on you and Izuku. It was the cold glare once again. Your mind flashed back to only minutes earlier when his lips were pressed to yours in the hallway.

It's so hard to ignore...

"(Y/n)? Are you alright? You seem worried." Izuku sweetly questioned.

"No... It's alright." You smiled faintly.

Why am I lying to him?

"Are you sure?"

"... No..." You honestly admitted.

"I could actually use some help right now."