Follow up to chap.188.

I originally wanted it to read from left to right, but after I finished it I realized it went from right to left………………… Time to stop reading manga I guess.

Below is a complementary fic written by the one and only @capthawkeye:



Morbidly, she remembers thinking just the other day how quick the media is getting to the scene to cover and broadcast these spectacular fights, as if they were preordained and fixed. She supposes this exorbitant amount of confidence stems from All Might’s winning streak, his Symbol of Peace, and the sentiment that the hero will always prevail. For the TV stations, this meant ratings will go up and merchandise will sell. Isn’t that how it usually goes?



Now, for a second time, Yaoyorozu Momo stares at another screen with the same bone-chilling horror, watching a different No. 01 hero as he is cut down as if she hadn’t watched another forced into retirement only three months before. She only has enough cogs turning at that moment to cover her open mouth.

The same apprehension, the same silence blankets the atmosphere just like last time. All Might lived through the battle in Kamino Ward, but only just. What’s more, All Might is no longer in the picture: this is Endeavor and he lacks that same well-cultivated symbol that instilled confidence in these fights for peace.

Holding her breath in her lungs, she realizes that they tend to forget these heroes, placed on these pedestals, are still humans with emotions, lives, families…

“Todoroki!” Several of the others shout.

It effectively rips her out of her shocked reverie, and she gasps as the dots connect from the television set to the embers floating off of her classmate’s skin. His wide eyes, his paled face, and clenched fists aren’t a mystery after seeing what she’s seen; the mystery lies in how he’s still standing.

Like her, Kaminari remains seated while Midoriya and Kirishima inelegantly fumble to turn off the TV. Todoroki tells them not to bother. Regardless, they stand and speak over each other, asking how he is, reassuring him, telling him not to worry. Even Aizawa-sensei enters the common room for Todoroki’s sake.

If he doesn’t take well to the concern over him, Todoroki doesn’t show it. With expressionless delivery, he says, “I’m fine, really.” And he may as well covered everyone under a sheet of ice, because everyone freezes.

She can’t believe that. He can’t believe that. Yaoyorozu stands, uncertain with herself, feeling she should do something. Except… What should I say? What could I say? Her time begins to run out as he turns to leave. She rounds the couch and takes a few clumsy steps leaving everyone else in her wake to follow him.

Todoroki pauses and Yaoyorozu hesitates. She doesn’t have a plan, and it’s so silent she swears the relentless pounding in her chest can be heard resounding from within.

He turns around, looks at her, and waits for her greeting card rendition of her sympathy he thinks she has to offer. There’s a fractured wall behind those expressionless eyes and from where she’s standing, they look like they’re threatening to collapse at any given second. She can’t begin to know what hides behind it, what darkness he’s already experienced, but she doesn’t need to in order to be a friend at that moment.

A curled hand rests over it as if trying to quell it. Could I do anything? Words… words have no meaning right now and even if they did, her mouth is too dry and her mind too flustered to come up with something eloquent, moving, reassuring, or a pleasant combination of the three. What power did she have to ensure he doesn’t go down a dark place?

An an improvised, last ditch effort, she opens her arms, extending them outwards. Momo begins to feel silly after a few moments, remembering there are still others here, and there’s no doubt a flush overtakes her cheeks. She holds her ground because he hasn’t dismissed her yet, but she’s so close to reaching the point where her quirk will start making something from this brash display of emotion.

Then, he nears. His footsteps towards her create relief for her now until her stands in front of her like he’s unsure what to do next.

She hugs him, as simply as the act can be, wrapping his arms around and over his arms that dangle at his sides. He’s silent, quiet, soundless as she does this. The difference in height makes him slouch over her a little. Or maybe it isn’t so much his height as much as he is leaning on her. She relaxes too, releases that held breath.

I’m glad.

Todoroki settles into the embrace and it allows her to pull him in closer.

You aren’t alone.