Momo finds herself with hair sprawled over the cotton sheets of her grand bed in the dark, the ash gray orbs of her eyes staring at the blank ceiling above.

That warmth, it's basically permanent. That awful yet thrilling sweet feeling continued to course through her body endlessly.

After meals and a quick lecture from Mina for worrying her in such a cold and dangerous night, she practically dashed her way to her room, and jumped on her bed.

Crushing Todoroki never felt this awfully strange yet good in its own way.

Momo couldn't stop the smile forming on her lips thinking about him.

She was way too giddy, but she couldn't help it, it was Todoroki Shouto after all.

The only thing that repeated in her head were moments with him before actually developing romantic feelings for him, it felt strange she didn't notice how pretty his eyes were, how caring and soft his words were, and how he spent time with her back then.

Warm.

It felt so warm, it wasn't steaming hot, but it was warm, and soft. The feeling that remained on her chest for so long when she thought of the stranger.

During her little school girl crushing session, the smartphone in her jacket pocket vibrated.

It was already a few hours after dinner and it was technically already sleeping hours for the Class. Whoever texted her must have been a relative or a distant friend.

She fished her phone out from her pockets, the wobbled form of her lips forming back to their original form.

Well, her predictions were proven wrong.

-

uwu

< i'm sorry
if what i said
made you
uncomfortable
[Sent; 9:07 PM]

< sleep well.
[Sent; 9:08 PM]

-

Momo felt her heartbeat rate increase.

Simple words like those were enough to make Momo's face get painted with crimson red from the excitement and heart pounding.

Her lips wobbled, clearly hesitant to reply.

Her fingers began to shake, nervous, unaware what to reply to that. Obviously, she'd love to reassure him that it was alright and she was not uncomfortable at all, in fact, she was joyous he said those words to her.

In the midst of her panicking, something clicked inside her head.

She thought of something.

It's about time to break their distance.

Momo never really confirmed she didn't require space anymore, it's about time she told him face-to-face about it.

She desired to speak to him normally again, and it was clear he did too.

Her fingers typed a way, no hesitation this time.

She's going in headfirst.

-

uwu

it's ok >
[Sent; 9:11 PM]

but, is it >
ok if we
you can
meet me
by the
stairs?
[Sent; 9:11 PM]

in this >
building
i mean,
[Sent; 9:13 AM]

is it ok if you >
meet me
right now?
[Sent; 9:15 AM]

i'm sorry it >
seems quite
unexpected
[Sent; 9:16 AM]

-

Momo waited for a reply, a buzzing feeling engulfing her, and a nervous hunch twisting her stomach.

With eyes glued to the phone and fingers surrounding it, it suddenly vibrated. That buzzing and thrilling feeling came to a halt for a second before it returned back to engulfing her bit by bit, stronger this time.

-

< sure.
[Sent; 9:20 PM]

●

Momo hesitantly twisted her door's knob, fingers wrapped around it tightly. There was a moment of silence in her pleasant bedroom, scented with daffodils, the aroma entered her nostrils slowly, putting her at ease.

She pulled the door open and slowly walked her way to the halls, palms sweating after shutting her door silently.

It felt like time froze as she took steps forward, like she was the only surviving human in this planet.

She reached the staircase of her dorms, staring at it silently. She brushed her fingers against the wooden railings, and kept her fingertips in contact with them for quite a while.

There was a brief moment of silence.

There was a mixture of giddyness, excitement, and anxiety swirling inside the girl. The mixture of the feeling of being thrilled and being nervous is an odd type of fusion for Momo, but she was familiar with it and was able to gulp it down.

She walked down each step, slowly, and eventually reached the bottom. Her eyes were glued to her feet, but after lifting her head, her black orbs end up locking with a boy, phone in hand, and another in his pocket.

He raised his eyes from his phone, meeting eyes with Momo.

"Oh," He said softly.

He shoved his phone into his pockets, and silently stood there, staring at her.

Momo, who was zoning out for quite a while, snapped out of her trance. Her lips wobbled, "H-Hi."

Another strange greeting from Momo.

She lifts her hand, scratching the back of her neck, gaze averted to the side as her other free hand gripped on the railing. "Sorry this was quite unexpected," She said, forcing a broken smile.

"No, it's alright," He responded. "What did you want to talk about anyway?"

Momo briefly cleared her throat. "I just wanna say that-"

Her voice hitched. "S-Sorry," She forced a giggle, tightening her grip on the railing.

"Uhm .." The silence dragged on, and Momo's couldn't contain her anxious, buzzing feeling inside. Her legs felt light, and her stomach was twisting in knots.

"I think w-we can talk normally again," Her voice was growing smaller as her smile tried its best to remain visible. Her eyes slowly shift to the corner.

"I'm okay n-now, and I think," She gulped quickly. "I think we can go back to what we used to be."

She doesn't notice eyes widen.

Todoroki softly hums in approval, his astonished look still plastered on his face.

There was a dragging silence for a moment.

Suddenly, Momo sighed in relief.

"That took me quite a lot of courage," She chuckled, lifting her head and meeting his eyes. An overwhelming feeling takes over her.

He doesn't make any comment. A comforting yet quite awkward silent filled between the two for a short moment once more. Todoroki's eyes scan the area, as Momo's averted to the side.

"It doesn't feel the same," He suddenly said, causing Momo's eyes to widen and turn to him immediately.

He looked over to her. "It doesn't have the same vibe as the staircase we used to go to." A barely visible smile forms on his soft lips.

Momo felt a great and strong feeling of relief. He looked comfortable around her once more. She was glad he was back to the same original Todoroki Shouto around her.

Momo laughed. "I have to disagree with that,"

Todoroki's smile fell, replacing his soft side with a curious expression, waiting for her next statement patiently.

She meets his eyes, her dusky orbs sparkling.

"It's because you're still here with me."

That was the first time she caught him off guard.

His eyes widen, a small shade of pink flushing his cheeks as his shoulders rose high.

Beneath her ash gray eyes held a sense of admiration, shimmering with a joyous feeling along with it. Her head was light, and she fell back to a state of confidence and carelessness mushed together.

She was happy.

And Todoroki couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with the clear feelings in her dusky and ebony colored orbs. It felt nice in a way, but it was like drowning in a certain feeling.

A few seconds of soft silence later, Momo picks herself up mentally, and eventually was able to find out what she just said and its odd meaning, and the typical Yaoyorozu Momo reaction to such words occurred right after.

Her body bounced, and crimson red paints her whole face instantly. "Th-That was an awfully strange statement, I'm sorry!" She stuttered out, stumbling on her feet slightly backwards, before she began to ramble apologies as she shook her hands repeatedly.

Todoroki's eyes filled with worry and panic, his cheeks flushing into a darker shade of pink. "I-It's alright," He said softly, eyes meeting hers as she continued to ramble irrelevant apologies.

He couldn't help but think to himself that she looked quite cute.

She clutched her head. "S-Sorry, I don't know my boundaries with my words at all .."

Todoroki felt a small feeling of nostalgia. He remembered at that moment the days when he always was careless with his words back then with Momo, it was like looking at his naive self during those peaceful months that no longer existed and that passed.

"Like I said, it's okay," He reassured her.

'I'm actually very happy you told me that.' He thought to himself.

Momo sighed, relieved.

Another rather tense silence was bestowed upon them.

It left Momo rethinking her actions and words silently, her blush still visible on her face and her gaze averted to the side. Her hands clutched her head tighter.

Todorki had his eyes locked to the other side, hiding the pink shade on his cheeks, avoiding eye contact with her.

Momo cleared her throat.

"So .." Her voice trailed off as her hands let go of her head.

"Uhm, we're friends now?" Momo's stomach twisted as she hesitantly smiled at him, but beyond her eyes was clear happiness and everlasting relief.

Todoroki gave her a smile too. "We always were."

●

Sleeping was rather difficult for the pair after that.

Todoroki found himself with eyes locked on the wall, an intense blush always forming on his cheeks when he recalls that conversation. It was quite nice to meet her again. He missed meeting her.

Momo had her dusky orbs glued to her ceiling, a smile always forming on her lips whenever she replayed that moment inside her head. She felt giddy, joyous, happy, glad and relieved. She was obviously thrilled the person she admired was comfortable around her again. No doubt though, despite the fact he did say they still remain companions, Momo couldn't help but think it'll still be quite tense meeting him again.

Though, she admits happily that she desires to see him again.

●

Morning comes. The sun rises from the horizons afar, and a certain boy with chin cupped by his hand silently stood by the window panes, a glass of water in hands.

The rain has ended.

Todoroki Shouto woke up in a cold sweat, and barely got any sleep. Despite the fact there were still more upcoming days of free time, he didn't use up his hours to attempt to lay in bed and rest once again. Instead, he got up, filled up a glass of water, and strolled around the living room.

He ends coming to a halt by the window panes, beyond the glass was the dew soaked and scented courtyard. Todoroki felt calm due to the lack of noise, but could feel his stomach twist in the lack of people in his area.

Surrounding him was soft silence, but always a hint of lonliness.

Until, he hears footsteps gently hit against the staircase nearby.

"Ah,"

The voice was gentle, sweet, but also quite startled. He knew exactly who it was. He felt the twist in his stomach slowly untangle with just the sound of that maiden's voice, it felt reassuring. The threads in his stomach slowly went back to its original state, unravelled, causing the nervous aura to fade.

"G-Good morning, uhm,"

Momo Yaoyorozu's exhausted voice still sounded quite sweet to him. It was quite husky, but it still sounded soft and careful.

There was a long period of awkward silence.

"Should I, uhm, leave or- Yes, perhaps maybe I should go-"

Todoroki turned to her.

"Wait."

Momo's eyes widen. The dark shades beneath her eyes were visible. The ebony colored locks of hers was all frizzy, messy yet, it still looked gorgeous on her. A strand of hair hung between her eyes, the end of that black lock going behind her ear.

"W-What?" She hesitantly asked, her eyes forcing themselves to be wide open and hand gripped on the railing.

Todoroki's eyes turned back to the window panes.

"Just stay."

He sipped his glass slowly.

Momo felt a rush of energy coarse through her, and a rush of blood that reached the skin of her cheeks. She pushed her lips together.

"O-Okay .." She slowly walked down the stairs, and entered the kitchen. The sound of her gentle footsteps entered Todoroki's ears, causing the atmosphere to be quite tense.

He gripped the glass.

'I said something weird again.'

●

The morning rose up from the edge of Momo's perspective of the world. She clutched the cup in her hands as she stared as the sun slowly flew high.

"It's ch-chilly this morning."

"It is."

Todoroki and Momo stood side by side, gazing at the dew soaked courtyard of the building. The scent of rain lurked in the crispy grass.

It was early morning, and Todoroki and Momo happen to coincidentally meet when they both decide to go out for a walk to clear their heads for a while, but they apparently bump into each other.

Todoroki, with hands shoved into his pockets, stared silently at the class panes, as Momo kept sending him glances from the corner of her eye.

The tension of the atmosphere was not too strong, not too week. It was bearable for Momo.

"Do you like the fall, Yaoyorozu?" Todoroki suddenly asked her, giving him her full attention this time.

Momo bounced a little, startled. "Oh, of course. It's lovely." She said, staring at the trees beyond the panes.

"I also quite notice we ask a lot about what we like regarding weather and seasons," She chuckled, taking a sip from her cup.

"I am curious."

"Oh, I can tell." She laughed. "You messaged my number out of curiosity too, you know."

"Well, you replied."

Momo laughed once more.

"I can't argue with that."

Todoroki forms a small smile.

"Of course you can't, it's facts."

Momo chuckled.

The awkwardness quickly melted away and the pair were back to being good friends, with just a few laughs, a new conversation has blossomed between the two as if nothing happened that night.

Todoroki was able to restrain himself from smiling too much while speaking to her.

After a lighthearted joke from Todoroki, Momo began to fall into a state of laughter.

The side of the lips of the hetorchromia eyed boy raised.

"I kinda missed this." He said under his breath, barely audible.

'I like you a lot.'

I wonder who thought of that.

( ● ● ● )

Running.

Momo was running, in the halls, something she was obviously not consented to do.

But the smile on her face held no regrets as she dashed into the sea of U.A students, constantly muttering out 'excuse me' and sorries as she pushed her way into the crowd.

It's only been two days since that rather warm night, and now everyone was back to going to school regularly. The rain was calming down, and the fall season was entering.

The leaves of the trees the were scattered in the campus were slowly fading from their viridiscent state to a more orange hue phase. Piles of autumn leaves were beginning to form, but the gray clouds were still up in the sky.

Momo liked the fall.

Her neck being wrapped by a thick sweater and her body swallowed in her caramel colored coat, she continued to dash into the halls, eyes constantly focusing on the trees outside, admiring them.

Then she came to a halt.

Grabbing her knees, she was endlessly panting.

She raised her body up, eyes meeting with hetochromia orbs, and a staircase behind him.

"Sorry I'm late!" She laughed, eyes crinkling into crescent moon shapes.

Todoroki, who was simply standing there and gazing at the sky, turned to her.

"It's fine, I didn't wait too long." He tells her.

Momo's eyebrows lowered, her exhausted look immediately being replaced with a thankful one.

After that night, it was quite complicated for the pair to adjust back into their comfortable selves, hanging out like buddies as usual. But after just a few hours of that next day, they were back to conversing and chuckling like little kids.

On that same day, they made an agreement regarding the Toga Himiko and Furukawa Sora situation, they were going to take the obvious choice of reporting it and letting the Pro Heroes do their required jobs involving the problem.

"Should we tell Principla Nezu first?"

"We should."

Momo smiled. Her eyes trace to Todoroki's hidden hand shoved in his pocket, mouth softly letting out an 'Ah,' the emotion in her eyes being replaced with light concern. "By the way though, how was your bruise?"

Todoroki lifts his hand from his pocket, scanning the gauge bandages. "It's alright."

Momo smiled. "You always say that." She said, giggling right after.

"I just don't like it when I make someone worry." He said.

Momo smiled once more.

"I can tell."

'That's something I really like about you.'

○

"Furukawa Sora .. Toga Himiko .. League of Villains .."

The little creature, who was the principal, pushed his little paw up against his head, as if he had hair. On his little wooden desk, he stared at the pair before him.

The little principal sat on his grand chair, bit his bottom lip, and sighed.

Nezu turned to Present Mic, who was right beside Aizawa by his desk. "You two, write a report on this, we'll need the Pro Heroes to know this and send help."

Todoroki and Momo froze in place.

Nezu then turned back to then, a gleeful and soft smile forming on lips. "I'm happy you two informed me on this. Thank you. Are you two okay after all that?" A concerned look was plastered on his face.

Momo nodded, a reassuring smile on. "Of course. Todoroki here, got a small wound,"

Todoroki lifts his bandaged hand to show him.

"But, overall, we're okay." She smiled.

Nezu sighed in relief. "That's good to hear."
His pleasant and calm smile returned to his lips.

"No need to worry now, we'll take care of it!" Nezu added happily.

Momo smiled.

Todoroki notices it, and looks back to Nezu on his desk. "I'd like to apologize for not telling you sooner." He bowed down slightly.

Nezu's lips burst out laughing, a good way to lift the tension. "You really don't need to!"

Todoroki stood back up, watching as the mouse-like principal roared with laughter.

Nezu begins to cool down, and briefly clears his throat. "But, yes, I wished you told me sooner, you wouldn't have gotten that wound!" He said, pointing at the bandage with a worried look.

"No, it's completely okay."

Momo looks at him from the corner of her eye.

Nezu chuckled. "Ahh, I see. Well then," He jumped off his grand black chair. "Now," Nezu locks his eyes on the two male teachers, towering above him silently.

"Gather the faculty, we're having a meeting."

Aizawa and Present Mic nod before they proceed to exit the room.

Nezu turned to Momo and Todoroki.

"You two, please get back to the dorms now, it's getting quite chilly."

The two smiled.

■

Everything was practically resolved now.

The space between Momo and Todoroki was close, the Toga Himiko situation was being taken care by the right people,the identity of the stranger has already been revealed and has been taken of care too.

"Hopefully she'll get captured and we'll be okay soon." Said Todoroki, eyeing Momo from the side. Momo smiles, "Yes, I'll be quite thrilled."

Everything Momo desired to be fixed was, well, fixed.

But, she was left with a gap.

There was a still something left.

What was left was Momo's bond with her father. Such a simple thought made her head feel a lot heavier.

Todoroki and Momo paced on the halls slowly as they gaze at the Autumn trees slowly forming. The halls weren't empty like they usually were, it was actually still quite early.

Momo stopped in her tracks, causing Todoroki to stop too. "What's wrong?"

Momo simply continued to smile herself. "You're going to the staircase, right?"

Todoroki's eyes widen, before he slowly nodded.

She turned her head to him. "I'll catch up."

Todoroki was left dumbfounded as he hesitantly takes steps forward as she walks away to a hallways with a few people.

Todoroki really taught Momo how to take things headfirst.

●

Momo gripped the phone in her hands tightly, the fingers surrounding the device shaking as they try their best to tap on 'CALL' option.

Momo sighed as she gave in. "Come on, just tap it," She mumbled to herself.

After taking a few turns around the building, Momo finds herself in a peaceful and (mostly) empty hall. She stood by the glass panes, and fished her phone from her coat's pockets.

She was attempting to contact her father.

It takes time, but Momo concluded she was ready to hear his dull voice again.

And yet, she continued to tremble.

"Okay, Yaoyorozu Momo, it will be okay," She mumbled to herself. Taking a few deep breaths, her fingertips press against the screen, the 'CALL' option.

She pushes the phone against her ear, her body feeling quite light and stomach twisting.

There was a moment of silence.

"Hello?"

A dull, cold voice entered Momo's ears, uninvited, but she expected it.

She softly took a deep breath, forcing her lips to smile. "Hello, father." Her voice was gentle yet hesitant.

"Ah, Momo! Thank goodness you called!" His voice was somehow roaring with glee into the device against Momo's ear, it was overwhelming. She cocked an eyebrow, but made no further comment.

"I've been wanting to contact you."

Momo's heart felt warm.

"Wh-What?"

The man in the other line was totally different from the previous call. It sounded manipulative, but the more words that spilled from his lips, the more it felt reassuring.

He laughed. "You see,"

"I'd like to apologize."

Momo felt her heart sink in a good way.

"That night, I was being awfully irrational, and I do not have any valid excuse to defend my actions." He stated, his voice calm yet the regret he felt was clearly drenching his tone.

"That night, maybe, I wanted to display an intimidating

"Regardless, I still desire to tell you I am very much sorry." His tone that was coated with everlasting glee faded.

Momo felt the weight on her shoulders be lifted off. She didn't let her guard down though.

"I don't know what to do to make it up to you or give proof that I truly am sorry."

She doesn't say anything.

"I .." Her voice was small.

"I'll be returning home in two months by the way, I booked a flight earlier." She can hear his smile.

Momo placed a hand gently against her lips.

"Momo? Are you still there?"

《《《《《 🕟

Momo gave her father her signature cheeky smile.

"I did it, father! I did your song!"

Her fingers were gently pressed against the creamy white keys of the black, colossal instrument.

Her father clapped his hands as he approached her. "Yes, you did! Good job!"

He gently pats Momo's head, her smile growing wider with satisfaction.

"When I perform in the recital next month, will you be there?" She asked, tilting her head.

He smiled. "Yes. You can go ahead and get angry if I don't show up."

But he did.

《《《《《 🕟

"So .. Grandfather was a novel writer?"

Momo's father nodded at her from across the wooden table in the chilly library, a thick book clutched in Momo's hand.

"Yes, he was an amazing writer."

Momo smiled as she flipped through the pages, her face beaming as she examined every word written.

She lifted her head to him.

"I want to be a writer too!"

Her father chuckled.

"Do you think I can become a writer, father?"

"Of course."

He gave her a soft smile.

"Will you be there when I publish my first ever book?" Her toothy smile brimmed.

He laughed. "Of course."

《《《《 🕟

"I miss Auntie."

"I know you do."

Momo's hand intertwined with her father's hand. Momo's tiny fingers wrapped her father's finger as she stared with tears in her eyes at the coffin with bouquet of flowers scattered above the wooden box.

Tears begin to pour.

"She won't come back?" Her voice cracked.

"She's sleeping. She'll wake up once you sleep too." His voice was dying slowly.

Of course, losing his sister lead his voice to lack the glee and happiness it used to roar with.

"Father, will you sleep like that too?"

He forced a smile.

"I won't leave. You can yell at me if I do."

He didn't leave.

《《《 🕟

"Father, you're off for another .. trip?"

The raven haired man, bent down to the little girl in her pastel pink dress.

"It'll be very quick. I will be back."

Momo, the little girl, pushed her lips together.

"You're rarely at home though .." Her voice was growing smaller than it already is.

He laughed. "I will really be back. If I don't, you have every right to scold me."

He didn't come back,

but Momo didn't scold him.

》 🕟 《

"Momo?"

His warm voice spoke into her ear, and the said girl could not help but smile.

Just by looking back at those moments, recalling those memories of him promising to return, she knew she really loved him. No matter what happened, he was still family to her. Biologically, and emotionally, Momo still saw him as the same pianist and bookworm with warm hands that held together with hers everyday and night.

"I .. forgive you, father."

The man on the other phone's eyes widen at her sudden response.

"I still love you after all, father." She chuckled, feeling small tears form in her eyes.

He doesn't say anything.

"My, Momo, I'm-"

"I must go now. I will contact you soon." She suddenly interrupted, her voice still quite calm. "Have a wonderful day!"

She ended the call in a rush, too giddy to continue the conversation.

She pressed the phone against her chest, a satisfied smile on her lips and a satisfied sigh escaping them. She was relieved it went oddly well.

Her father and her have never been in good terms nor bad terms ever since he left for so many months.

☆

A man with raven hair stood by the glass window of his hotel room, showing the gorgeous view of Hong Kong. The buildings towering over more buildings, standing out of the field of little homes.

He separated the phone that was pressed against his ear, and looked at it.

'MOMO'

Despite the fact she hung up for whatever, reason, he couldn't help but smile.

"I love you too."

☆

She paced back to the staircase, losing the ability to hide her smile.

It feels like it's been years since she has heard her father speak that manner, beaming with happiness, coated with comfort and relief, roaring with joy.

He was speaking softly, and yet, she can hear the love and sorrow deep in his voice.

The staircase and the sunset bathing the Autumn trees enter Momo's field of vision
during her silent stroll. The back of a boy turned against her by the huge glass panes appeared before her.

"Oh, Todoroki." Momo came to halt, approaching Todoroki's side. "I'm sorry I took quite long." She said, eyes locked on the scenery beyond the glass panes.

"So," She slightly turned her head to him. "What did you want to tell me?"

Apparently, when the two came to an agreement to report the incident regarding Furukawa Sora and Toga Himiko, Todoroki requested if ever she was free to stay by the staircase to inform her about something. Obviously, Momo agreed happily.

Todoroki glanced at her briefly. "It's October."

Momo gave him a perplexed look.

"In three days will be a special U.A holiday, no class then."

Momo cocked an eyebrow, forcing an awkward smile as she stared at him, still quite confused.

"Your .. point exactly?"

There was a short moment of silence.

"Do you want to meet up on that day?"

◇

LATE A/N:

HI!! i hope you're doing well :)) so uhh i never said this in the book,, but 'strangers' is actually coming to an end :"") its final chapter will be the chap 26, the next one. it's now in progress!! :)) & tHANK U once again for the endless support shshs iT MAKES ME CRY :(((