Chapter Text
When Hanta Sero applied and got into UA High School, he really never expected to see any familiar faces there. But, it seems he was wrong in that, because right in front of him was a boy with half and half hair that could be no other than one Shouto Todoroki. He must have missed him somehow during the entrance exams, he was so caught up in just trying not to fail that he must have not seen him. Sero almost yelled out, but hesitated, weighing his options. 'He may not recognize me, oh jeez that would be embarrassing, but it's so crazy to be able to see him again.' He decided, fuck it, and he was going to do it anyways. "Hey Todoroki!" He called out at first, but by the looks of it the boy hadn't heard him. 'Okay, maybe a bit louder,' he thought, taking in a slightly bigger breath. "HEY TODOROKI!" his voice echoed through the hallway causing him to cringe. He watched Todoroki freeze, tense, and then slowly turn around. Sero jogged to catch up with him. "Hey man! Haha, this is kind of awkward but uh,” He awkwardly shifted his weight,“do you by any chance remember me?" he questioned, bringing the palm of his hand to the back of his neck. Todoroki's face contorted in confusion for a moment. Sero almost deflated at the expression. He was about to apologise for disturbing him but a small memory resurfaced. "I just remembered I rarely called you by your name,” he chuckled to himself quietly, “Let me try again.” Todoroki, still confused, stared at him patiently waiting for him to continue. “Hey... Halfie?" Sero tried again with a small smile. Hearing the familiar nickname, Todoroki's face changed from one of confusion to one of shock. "..Sero? Hanta Sero? Is that you?" he asked. Sero's smile brightened at that. "Yeah! It's me, man!" Todoroki let out a small surprised laugh and smiled, their first encounter coming to mind.
A young Todoroki was sitting alone in a playground. He watched bundles of kids playing with and chasing each other. He wanted to play along too, but none of the other kids wanted to play with him, they all thought he was intimidating. It really wasn't his fault though. His father was training him to become a pro hero, one that could potentially surpass All Might on the charts, his main priority shouldn't be making friends. But his curiosity got the best of him, so while his parents were distracted, he'd sneak off to the small park near his home. However, due to his quirk training and the isolation from his own siblings he lacked any social skills whatsoever. So, he sat on the swing set all alone. He had watched many kids approach the swing set, or at least attempt to, but they all had run off, too scared or nervous to interact with him. He really was alone. He sniffled quietly, deciding that this would be his last day of sneaking out. That was until he heard an enthusiastic voice behind him, "Hey! Do you want me to push you?" Todoroki whipped around, not expecting anyone to talk to him. He was met with a boy, probably his age, with a black bowl cut and one of the brightest smiles he had seen. "...You'd really do that?" he asked in a small voice. "Yeah! I saw you were here by yourself so I thought I'd come hang out with you! The name is Hanta Sero!" said the other young boy. Todoroki let a small smile peak out at that, "Okay, that sounds fun. I can push you next, we can take turns." he offered."Okay then," Sero beamed, "It's a deal, Halfie!" Todoroki stalled at the sudden nickname, realising he had yet to tell the boy his own name. "Oh, um, my name is.. Shouto Todoroki," his voice dropping and his eyes looking towards his feet. That name usually scared people off. Sero seemed to notice his change in demeanor and said "You know what, I'm gonna stick with Halfie, because of your hair!" Todoroki let out a real smile at that. Sero smiled too and started to push him on the swing. And just like that, Shouto Todoroki had made his very first friend.
Now here they were, standing face to face once again. Todoroki never thought he’d get the chance to see Sero again. He took a moment to take in his features. His once childish bowl cut was now grown into a mullet that framed his face nicely. He was a lot taller now, eyes level with Todoroki’s forehead. He was slim yet still fit, but he still had the same dazzling smile. His smile lines were more on set than people normally have at their age, proof of a life lived with a smile.
Sero was taking in Todoroki as well, he looked almost the same but with one big difference. The scar on his left eye seemed to be the only thing his eyes were drawn too. Sure, Todoroki was taller, more muscular, more handsome now but the scar drew Sero closer to him. It was like he wasn’t in control of his body when he leaned in close and gently touched his scar. Todoroki flinched at this and Sero immediately pulled away and apologized. “Oh jeez man I’m sorry I didn’t even ask, I must seem like a total weirdo.” Todoroki wasn’t mad though, it had really just surprised him. “It’s okay, it’s only natural you’d be curious, last time we saw each other I didn’t have it.” Todoroki reassured him. Sero noticed that Todoroki seemed almost uncomfortable with the topic so he quickly steered the conversation elsewhere. “Wow man! It’s really been a long time! I can’t believe we get to go to the same school now.” he said. Todoroki seemed almost too relieved at the subject change, “Ah yes, it’s uh.. It’s nice to see you again Sero,” Todoroki said with a small smile gracing his face. Sero didn’t even have time to appreciate it when a tall guy with glasses was running at them with high speeds yelling, “Classmates! Class is about to start! It would be unbecoming of a hero to be late on their first day!” Sero glanced at the clock and realized yes, class was indeed about to start. “Oh shit! Come on Halfie we're gonna be late!” he said then broke into a sprint. Todoroki stood for a moment, smiled then jogged after him.
After they went to their morning classes and got introduced to everything, it was finally time for lunch. Since everyone was new and no one really knew each other yet, Sero decided to sit with Todoroki, it would be a great chance to catch up. Sero grabbed his lunch and headed for the table Todoroki was sitting at. He slid into the seat and shot Todoroki a big smile. Todoroki tensed for a moment but relaxed the moment he realized who it was. “Oh, hello Sero,” said Todoroki calmly. “Hey man! You mind if I sit here?” he asked. “No, not at all,” Todoroki spoke. Todoroki brought out his lunch, a bowl of cold soba. Sero snickered upon seeing this, which made Todoroki look at him confusedly. “I swear I’m not laughing at you! It’s just nice to see some things don’t change, you always loved soba when we were kids,” Sero said. Todoroki flushed at that, he had no idea that Sero remembered any details about him. It made him feel kind of nice, his first friend still remembered him. “Ah yes, well it is the best dish,” Todoroki said. Sero chuckled at that and patted Todoroki on the shoulder. “Never change Halfie,” he said. Todoroki somehow flushed deeper at this and looked down and started to loudly slurp his noodles. Sero unpacked a single orange, and started to peel it. “Is that all you have?” Todoroki asked. Sero chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck, “Haha yeah, I actually woke up late today and didn’t have time to pack my lunch so I just grabbed an orange on the way out.” He explained. "What about the options provided by Lunch Rush? There has to be something of your liking?" Todoroki questioned further. Sero rubbed his neck, "It's a bit too hectic for that, and after what Mr. Aizawa had us do this morning, I'd rather settle with what I have," He said referring to the fruit. Todoroki slowly nodded then made a decision. “..Do you want to share my soba with me?” He asked apprehensively. Sero looked surprised, but started to nod slowly. “Only if you are sure you are okay with that, I know how much you love soba,” he said. Todoroki nodded and reached to grab another pair of chopsticks, “Yes, I don’t mind, I had a big breakfast anyways.” This was in fact a lie, but Sero didn’t need to know that. “Thanks man!” Sero said and he grabbed the chopsticks Todoroki handed to him. They quietly ate together and before they knew it the bell started to ring signaling the end of lunch. Sero had wanted to catch up but sharing that moment was good enough for him.
When the school day had finally ended, Sero tracked down Todoroki before he could leave. “Hey! Halfie wait up!” He shouted. Todoroki stopped and turned around so Sero could catch up. When he had caught up, Sero demanded to see Todoroki’s phone. “I’m gonna put my phone number in! I’d hate to somehow lose track of you again after we were just reunited,” he explained. Todoroki nodded slowly and fished his phone out of his bag to hand to Sero. Sero took a moment to put in his info then sent himself a text so he would have Todoroki’s number as well. He handed the phone back and Todoroki looked down at what Sero had put in. He made his contact name ‘ScotchTape :)’ Todoroki thought it was silly but went along anyway. “Awesome! Now we can text!” Sero said giving the two toned boy an enthusiastic thumbs up. Todoroki nodded once again and smiled. But that smile soon dropped, “Oh, I should really get home. But it was really nice seeing you again Sero, I uh… I missed you,” Todoroki said quickly before briskly walking the other way. Sero stood there for a moment, awe struck because the Shoto Todoroki had missed him. He felt his face flush slightly before he smiled and started to make his way home.