Chapter Ten

The beach Yaoyorozu takes me to is fairly private and by the time we get there, everyone else has already arrived. I hesitate at the start of the sand, nerves making my stomach tie itself in knots.

"I don't know..." I say, biting the inside of my cheek. I didn't really have any bathing suits back at the dorm, at least not any that Yaoyorozu thought might get Todoroki's attention.

"You look amazing!" she assures me, grabbing my hand. I grit my teeth, reluctantly following her out onto the sand and wishing I'd trusted my gut to wear something less revealing. Instead, here I am in an Apollo blue one piece with a plunging back, scant neckline, and a long, mostly see through, cover up provided by Yaoyorozu herself. Putting it on, I immediately felt ridiculous as all of my curves seemed to fill out her clothes in the wrong places but when I showed her the finished product, she was practically drooling.

"Seriously, he's not gonna know what hit him" she tells me, an excited smile on her face. I frown at her, personally feeling like it's not quite warm enough for just a swimsuit but when we get closer to the water, I can see that most everyone is in swimsuits and towards the center of the group is a bonfire fit for a king.

"This was a mistake" I say immediately, ready to turn back. Yaoyorozu laughs, letting go of my hand to swing her arm around Jiro's shoulders once she makes her way up to us. Jiro's eyebrows shoot up when she sees me and a smile plays on her lips.

"Whoa, look at you" she says and my cheeks flame.

"Please don't, actually" I plead, crossing my arms over my chest. Literally how do people here wear things like this in public without poking an eye out.

"What's wrong? Don't you like it?" Jiro asks, tilting her head curiously. I sigh, shaking my head. If Shiori was here, she'd come up with some excuse to take me home but... she's not. I swallow, trying not to feel so alone here.

"I feel out of place" I admit, feeling self-conscious. Jiro and Yaoyorozu both look at me oddly for a moment before seemingly coming to the same conclusion.

"Hey, Todoroki!" Jiro calls and I immediately want to die. I look over to see him just in time for him to catch a glimpse of me and his expression makes my heart beat faster. Oh...

"Come on over!" Yaoyorozu says, tearing his gaze away from me, but only for a moment. As he walks over to us, his eyes land on me again and I suddenly feel like the most beautiful thing alive.

"Hey" Todoroki says once he gets close enough. He says it loud enough that I know he's talking to the girls, but he doesn't stop looking at me. I blush, but I can't break the eye contact.

"Sheesh, we were looking for a compliment, not an imaginary porno" Jiro says and my face only gets redder.

"WOW! Okay, at that, Jiro and I are just gonna go!" Yaoyorozu laughs nervously, steering Jiro away from Todoroki and me. I look towards the fire, still embarrassed.

"So..." I start and immediately feel like an idiot. Seriously? I had tons of boyfriends before mom died and I never once had an issue with them but Todoroki? When I look at him, I'm unsettled in the strangest way.

"That bathing suit..." he begins, then shakes his head. I purse my lips, trying my damndest to come up with something to say.

"Is it bad?" I wonder instead and I narrow my eyes at myself. Why do I sound so unsure all of a sudden?

"No... it's perfect..." he replies and a small smile plays on my lips. Perfect... I like the sound of that.

"Are you cold? Do you want to go stand by the fire?" he asks me after a moment. All I can do is nod and with that, we walk towards the bonfire, both of us wrapping our arms around ourselves to try and keep in the heat.

"I never pegged you for a party goer" I tell him and he smiles.

"I'm not usually" he agrees. I try not to wonder if that means he's here because of me and instead I take a step a bit closer to the flames, hungry for their warmth.

"So what brings you out tonight, then?" I ask and he sighs, staring out at the ocean.

"I'm told, quite often actually, that I need to loosen up" he replies and I laugh a little, thinking about the way he acted like a little kid the night he was sleep walking.

"Hm, I don't see it" I say and he gives me another smile.

"Are you thirsty? You want something to drink?" he asks and I nod.

"Yeah, sure" I answer and he gives me a look that says stay put before venturing off to get me something. I sigh, looking back at the fire and trying to dial back the fluttering in my stomach, but over the top of the flames, I see Bakugo lounging in one of the beach chairs. He's leaning back comfortably in a black tank top and swim trunks, staring at me through heavy lidded red eyes and refusing to break his gaze even as Kirishima starts chatting his ear off. I don't know why, but it makes my cheeks flame and my heart race. Why is he looking at me like that? It's a few uncomfortable minutes before Todoroki comes back and hands me a glass bottle with the top popped off. As soon as I take it, I catch a glimpse of Bakugo leaving the fireside in a huff.

"You okay?" Todoroki asks and I shake my head, trying to clear the confused thoughts.

"Uh, yeah... sorry" I laugh a little, taking a sip of the fizzy drink.

"Oh, wow, this is good" I say, lifting up the glass to get a good look.

"It's one of my favorites too" Todoroki grins and I smile, taking another sip. Somehow, despite my desire to be here, especially with him, I still feel empty. Without Shiori to share my thoughts with... it almost doesn't seem worth it. Who else do I ask when I'm confused? Who else do I confide in when I say I think I'm interested in Todoroki? Who else do I turn to when I want to admit that I don't know if I can be romantically involved with anyone since mom's death? Who else would understand?

Todoroki and I talk for a long time, mostly about trivial things that normal people talk about at bonfires, but at the end of the night when it's time to go home, I find myself hesitant and nauseous.

"What is it?" Todoroki asks as everyone begins to pack up. I sigh, watching everyone laughing and carrying on just fine because... well to them, everything is fine.

"I'm fine. It's nothing" I smile, trying to force a genuine one out.

"It's okay if you aren't fine" he tells me and I stare at him a moment, wide eyed and stunned.

"Wh-what?" I stammer. He shrugs, offering me his jacket on our way out. I flush as the warmth of it surrounds me and the scent of mint and firewood along with it.

"I'm honestly surprised you came out tonight... you didn't have to. But you don't have to keep up the charade of being okay all night just to keep any one of us satisfied" he replies simply. At first, I really don't know what to say. After all, all this time trying to keep it together and no one's ever really said something like that to me before. I follow Todoroki silently after that, lost in my own thoughts all the way up to the front steps of the dorms.

"Oh... we're already here" I say quietly, a bit surprised that I've been stuck inside my own head the whole time. Todoroki laughs a little, a sympathetic look in his eyes.

"Get some rest" he tells me, leaning in and for a moment, my heart stops. At first, I think he's going to kiss me, but instead, he pulls his jacket tighter around me and gives me a meaningful look.

"In exchange for the blanket" he says before disappearing inside. I stare after him for a few minutes, both shocked and relieved that I'm finally alone. I take an unsteady breath and look back out towards where the dorms for 3-B are located... Shiori. She's over there somewhere, probably too busy hating my guts to be wondering what I'm doing... but I'm wondering about her. Wondering if she ate, or slept, or even had a good day... it's agonizing not being able to ask her but I know that seeing her again would only cause more issues.

"You look like you had fun" a voice says suddenly, snapping me out of my reverie. I look down to see Bakugo at the bottom of the stairs, an annoyed look on his face. I tighten Todoroki's jacket around me and make a face.

"So what if I did?" I demand as he climbs up the stairs and onto the porch, leveling a telling gaze at me.

"Hm" he scoffs, starting inside.

"Bout' time, I guess" he mutters over his shoulder.

"What does that even mean?" I shout after him, but he's already inside, leaving me with even more questions. First of all, why is he talking to me all the time all of a sudden? Second of all, why the hell am I getting more and more frustrated by it? I don't get it. Half the time he pisses me off and the other half I'm just confused. Whatever.

After a few minutes of gathering my wits, I head inside myself and walk up to my dorm. Once inside I take off the cover up and bathing suit, letting my hair loose before I change into my pajamas and climb into bed. For a little while, I just lay here, remembering when Shiori and I were little and our mom used to sit in our bedroom, right between our beds. She used to sing us to sleep back then or tell us wild and outlandish stories about great heroes before us. She was beautiful and smart and capable and most of all, she loved us both so unconditionally... we never wanted for anything when we were kids.

Now, as I lay here completely alone, I imagine her at my bedside, gently stroking my hair and giving me that look she always used to after a long day.

Where's my brave girl? She'd ask me, smiling so warmly that the day used to melt away. My eyes fill with tears at the thought of it.

"I'm sorry mom..." I sniffle, reaching up to grab her photograph and clutching it to my chest. God, I miss her. I miss her so much sometimes that it feels like my chest is being scraped out clean, leaving an enormous hole in the center of me.

Come on, brave girl... she'd say, an encouraging twinkle in her eye. Back then, I used to be able to dust myself off and give her my best smile, ready for anything. But where is she now? How can I brush everything off and be brave when I don't have her in my corner anymore?

"I'll be brave, mom... I promise" I whisper anyway, knowing that's what she'd want me to say. Knowing with all of my heart, that at the end of the day, I'll always be her brave girl. Even when it feels impossible to accomplish.

____________

The next day, everyone returns to their work studies and I'm met with yet another slap to the face when Burnin' asks whatever happened to Shiori. After a couple of awkward minutes, we're finally shuffled into the office and given our assignments for the day.

"Okay, kiddos! Looks like you get the luck of the draw today because Endeavor himself is gonna be training you brats! Turns out, we're gonna need all hands on deck. Are you ready?" Burnin' demands loudly, her enthusiasm chaotic. On another day, I might've been equally as enthusiastic, but whatever my reaction, there's one thing I can't deny I'm excited for and that's finally getting to work with Endeavor.

Midoriya, Bakugo, Todoroki, and I are all shuffled into Endeavor's office after a short briefing with Burnin'. Once inside, the four of us stand around a little awkwardly, waiting.

"You excited for your first real mission?" Midoriya asks me, trying to keep things light. I smile at him, trying not to be rude.

"Yeah, it seems like we'll actually be able to get some work done today" I reply. Midoriya nods encouragingly.

"Endeavor Agency can be tough to work for sometimes, but I've learned a lot here. I'm sure you will too" he assures me and I can't help but frown a little. Midoriya just has this way of talking to me like I'm some kind of kid. On a good day, I could probably kick his ass too.

"Are you four ready to get started?" Endeavor's booming voice interrupts and I jump to attention, watching as the hulking man saunters in to his desk and opens up a file, hardly sparing a glance at us. Well, most of us. He shares a single look with his son and I notice Todoroki doesn't bat an eyelash.

"There have been recent reports within the heroes association that a small group from the league of villains has branched off from the original. We don't know much about the new organization's leader but we do have someone we can ask. Today's mission is to seek information on the new organization. I'll be taking the four of you with me to the secure facility holding Tomura Shigaraki to get some answers and from there we'll split into teams, got it?" he says, the depth of his voice only adding to the seriousness of the job. I swallow. Tomura Shigaraki. I remember that man from just over a year ago... the turmoil he caused under All for One's influence...

"Got it" we all say.

"Good" Endeavor says gruffly, starting for the door again. The four of us follow him and when I look around at my teammates, I see that every one of them has a grave look on their face. That's right... they've all faced Shigaraki. My stomach ties itself in knots. If the guys are this anxious, I should take it as a warning.

It takes a while to get to the high security prison where Shigaraki is being held, but when we arrive, I can finally see how it's able to hold him. Heroes patrol the entrance vigilantly and the inside of the building is all thick cement walls and silence. Endeavor takes the lead inside, four of us following him, and Burnin' taking up the rear. When we get to the final door, another hero checks us in, sharing short pleasantries with Endeavor before allowing us to pass.

Shigaraki's cell is the stuff of nightmares, dark, quiet, and small. Peering inside, I can see just a shadow of a man, head bowed with his hair flopping over his forehead. I try to quell my curiosity but as he lifts his head, I can't stop staring at him.

"Oh look... I have a visitor" he breathes, a dark chuckle coming out of his throat, raspy and underused.

"Shigaraki" Endeavor says by way of greeting. I swallow hard as his face comes into view, wide eyes sunken into a dehydrated face. His lips look mummified when he smiles and the sight of his expression makes my blood go cold.

"So... Endeavor... You're here for information... am I right?" he rasps, still smiling. I grit my teeth.

"Your question implies you know why I've come" Endeavor replies, no difference in his tone. Shigaraki makes a noise at the back of his throat, eyeing all of us carefully.

"There's only one reason I ever get visits, Endeavor... unless... you're here for a little show and tell" he grins, licking his lips when his gaze falls over me. I glower at him, refusing to back down and out of the corner of my eye, I can see all three of the boys stiffen. A cold rage seems to emanate off of Todoroki's body and Bakugo's jaw clenches tensely, but I almost don't understand their reactions. Shigaraki may have been dangerous once, but what can he do now? Locked up? So far away from the power he once held? In the dim light I can see his arms and legs shackled, hands and feet bound beneath layers and layers of what looks like some kind of heavy metal on the outside. He's powerless here.

"A few months back, there were reports of another villain organization striking out at random all over the country. At first we weren't sure that they were the same group but recent intel marks the League of Villains as the starting point. We need to know who of your group might be responsible" Endeavor says, straight to the point. Shigaraki tilts his head, a crazy look in his eyes.

"If I knew... why would I tell you?" he inquires. For the first time, I see Endeavor smile and the sight of it terrifies me.

"Burnin'" is all he says before Burnin' ushers the four of us out. I look over my shoulder wide eyed, staring between the two of them.

"Seems like you have a curious one... Endeavor..." Shigaraki smiles and as the door closes behind us, I can just faintly hear his maniacal laughter bouncing off the walls.

"Do you think he's..."

"Don't ask" Todoroki interrupts my question, eyes dark. I nod, keeping my mouth shut as we're lead back outside.

"You guys stay right here until we're done. Once Endeavor gets all of the information he needs, we'll head out. Okay?" she says, a little too brightly. The four of us agree but once she goes back inside, we all sort of collectively deflate.

"Do you really think... the League of Villains has resurfaced?" Midoriya asks quietly, a look I've never seen before on his face.

"We always knew they would... it was just a matter of time" Todoroki replies and the three of them share a long stretch of silence that I can only barely understand. I can only imagine the kinds of things that must be going through their heads after everything they went through together. At the mercy of the League of Villains, they were just kids when they saved Japan the first time. Looking at them now and picturing how terrifying Shigaraki must've been in his prime... I suddenly have a new respect for the boys I'm working with. Whatever comes next, I can learn a lot from them too.