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Tsuyu would say she has a rather good family life. Many would agree, too.
"You're so lucky to have younger siblings," Ochako once said, gushing over Tsuyu's younger sister and brother. The photo in Tsuyu's phone resembled a faraway dream Ochako had for sometime. "I'm an only child.."
"I think you're the only one who only has younger siblings." Mina laughed, admiring the cute photo of Tsuyu's family. "Your fam is so damn adorable."
"You could teach Icyhot a thing about damn families." Bakugo rudely commented. Tsuyu ignored him, but those words continued to stay in her head.
Most of the people in class 1-A don't have siblings. They especially don't have any younger siblings, like Tsuyu has. Tsuyu is the oldest child in her family. In comparison to the mentioned Todoroki, Todoroki's the youngest child. Another differences between them are as follow;
Todoroki doesn't appear to be close to his family. Tsuyu, on the other hand, is more than just an older sibling to her brother and sister; she does everything to make them more comfortable and happier. Her family couldn't survive an argument without both sides apologizing the next day.
Todoroki looks up to his older siblings. Tsuyu only looks up to her parents.
Todoroki has got almost everything. The only thing that escaped his grasp, was Touya Todoroki and his relationship with him. Tsuyu made sure her younger siblings had almost everything.
Todoroki is just the youngest son, and Tsuyu's just the oldest daughter. Those two things are as different as water and stone. And yet, somehow, they found each other, like how water briefly swims down a rock in a cave.
"Tsuyu Asui and Shoto Todoroki," Aizawa says, cutting down Tsuyu's thoughts with an axe of words. "I assign you two to create a project about teamwork. You both need to know the importance of teamwork and how to properly team up and strategize with random heroes."
Tsuyu subtly glances at Todoroki, who doesn't even turn to look at her. Tsuyu nods, her black as tar irises focusing on Todoroki; who seems like a mystical creature she couldn't attempt to understand. But if anyone were to try and seek into his closed off heart; it has to be Tsuyu. Not even in a romantic way, Tsuyu has never interacted with Todoroki yet.
An older sibling always knows how to comfort the younger.
After class, Tsuyu comes up to Todoroki. "About the project, where do you want to do it? Ribbit."
Todoroki stays silent for a moment. He then replies, having weighted his options. "Anything other than my home is good."
"Ribbit. When?"
"We can start later today," Todoroki states, putting on his backpack. "I would like to have this done as soon as possible. 5PM?"
Tsuyu nods. "It suits my schedule, ribbit. But I got to watch over my younger siblings. Would it be okay for you to come over? Ribbit."
Instead of responding, Todoroki simply nods his head. His eyes always stare so coldly at his classmates, but after the Sports Festival the freezing ice locked within them seemed to warm up little by little with each interaction.
'Midoriya-kun can make miracles come true.' Tsuyu admits in her mind. 'In the USJ incident he was good. And in the Sports Festival.. he always knows how to motivate.'
They go their separate ways. Todoroki starts walking home, as this is the end of the classes. Tsuyu walks towards her friends; Ochako and Kyouka who are talking about something, waiting for both her and Mina. Toru is going home alone today, only because she wants to run the whole way. Toru is somehow determined to work out for the prince that'll be able to see her.
"Have you seen her?" Kyouka mutters to Ochako, fully unaware of Tsuyu 'sneaking' behind them. "Momo's just… the cutest. In the USJ incident, I.."
"Ribbit."
Ochako and Kyouka jump, immediately turning their head to look at Tsuyu—only to end up bumping their heads together. Ochako yelps in pain, and Kyouka quickly massages her head. Tsuyu blankly looks at Ochako and then at Kyouka, and then back at Ochako and lastly at Kyouka.
"What were you talking about? Ribbit." Tsuyu asks, tilting her head to the side like a confused little frog, acting as if she wasn't the reason Kyouka and Ochako hit their heads. "Sorry for scaring you, ribbit."
Ochako scratches the back of her neck, giggling nervously. "A, it's no problem! We were just talking about Yaomomo.."
"You're making a project with Todoroki?" Kyouka subtly deflects the topic away from Momo, she looks at Tsuyu, who nods. "Tough."
"I'm glad I get to make a project with Iida about independency and not relying on support gear." Ochako casually flexes that she's making a project with a smart guy she knows well. "I can't imagine dealing with Todoroki's coldness.."
Kyouka visibly shudders at the icy mention of Todoroki's cool personality, as if a chilly wind swept over her body like an ocean wave on a beach. "Don't make me even think about it.. he's not bad but he's so intimidating.."
Tsuyu takes a moment to think, pressing her finger into her chin as her eyes rest on the stone ground for a few seconds. "Ribbit. Todoroki's amazing when it comes to scaring people, it seems. Mr. Aizawa's smart for assigning a project about teamwork."
Kyouka smiles. "Yeah. Maybe then he'll finally warm up. Besides, teamwork is important for you too, no? Your quirk barely has any disadvantages."
"Tsu, you ought to talk to him!" Ochako puts her hands up, cheering Tsuyu up to warm Todoroki up to teamwork.
Mina soon arrives, and with loud laughter, they walk home together as the sun still shines on the sky. The clouds swirling like cotton candy on the baby blue canvas. Tsuyu, however, can't stop thinking about the project and about Todoroki. The weight Ochako placed on her by saying those words was unbearable, but Tsuyu's determined enough to try.
•••
"Good afternoon." Todoroki says, taking off his shoes at the genkan. He goes up the step, nodding his head to acknowledge Tsuyu.
Tsuyu sheepishly smiles. "Good afternoon, ribbit. Is there anything you'd like? Any snacks?"
"No thank you." Todoroki shakes his head. "I appreciate the gesture, but I'm not hungry. I'd like to start our project and end it as soon as possible."
"All right." Tsuyu leads Todoroki up the stairs to her room. "Sorry, ribbit, if it might seem messy. I haven't been able to get much time for myself, ribbit."
Tsuyu's room is.. rather nice. The green and turqouise color scheme is pleasant to the eyes. The seemingly comfortable bed is made, the fluffy green blanket sits on the end of the bed. Two big pillows rest on the head of the bed, one smaller heart pillow in the middle. Her desk is neat as well. The black laptop stands on the desk, with a few notebooks beside it.
"It’s cleaner than my brother's room." Todoroki hums, looking around with appreciation. "Where are.. your siblings?"
"In their rooms, maybe. Ribbit." Tsuyu smiles, albeit a bit clumsily. She's never been the one to smile everyday.
"I see."
"You've only got older siblings, ribbit?" Tsuyu asks, opening her laptop and preparing her desk.
"Yes." Todoroki nods, stiffly standing and observing Tsuyu as she gets ready for the work. "I've got.. three older siblings. Fuyumi, Natsuo, and.. Touya."
"Three? Ribbit, I've always thought it was two." Tsuyu replies, glancing briefly at Todoroki.
"The eldest, Touya, is no longer with us."
"Oh… I'm sorry, ribbit."
"No worries."
Tsuyu taps her fingers on her pants. "I'll go get a chair for you, ribbit, wait here please."
And then, she disappears behind the door. Todoroki is left all alone in her room. Todoroki stands, as firm and straight as a metal ruler. He briefly glances around the room before staring straight into the ground.
It feels weird to be alone in a girl's room.
Todoroki calmly looks out the window, embarrassed at the thought of invading a girl's space—and he stays in this one place until Tsuyu comes back.
"Ribbit. Here." Tsuyu places a chair next to hers. She then goes and places a pillow onto the wooden seat.
"Thank you." Todoroki sits right after Tsuyu sits on her own chair. "A project about teamwork ought to be easy."
"Ribbit." Tsuyu nods. "Mr. Aizawa said we should know both teamwork in theory and in practice. So, I thought of a group exercise.. ribbit."
"Ah? Really?"
"Yup, ribbit. There will be two groups, and they compete against each other in various team games. It's a really simple concept. Games that include like not having one sense, having to guide others, and maybe some strategy exercise, ribbit."
"I see," Todoroki swiftly replies, humming softy as he considers the idea. It's not the most original one, but it suits their project. "I suppose it's a good idea."
"We ought to be the stars, hehe, ribbit."
"It is our project after all."
The whole afternoon is spent on designing the presentation, first the conversation between them is rather tense and short, to the point. As time passes, both of them get a tiny bit more comfortable. Todoroki couldn't have been more happy to admit that Tsuyu is a rather good partner.
'I get why Tokoyami was singing her praises after the Battle Trial..'
"Tsu..?" A knock resonates in the room, and Tsuyu turns her head towards the door. Her brother is there. "When will you finally be doooone?"
"In a few minutes."
"It's already been long enough."
Todoroki surveys Tsuyu's little brother. Scrawny, looks a lot like Tsuyu. He seems to put a lot of trust towards her.
"Todoroki, I'm sorry." Tsuyu apologizes, but she stands up and approaches her brother. "Ribbit, what is it?"
"Play with me. Or at least with her."
"I don't really have time, ribbit."
"Ribbit, ribbit. Please!"
Todoroki watches as Tsuyu begrugingly agrees to play for a few minutes with her younger siblings. Despite being older and busy, she still made time for them. Todoroki can't see it as rude, not when he himself wanted Touya to be like that, too.
'Why?'
Why couldn't have Touya acted like that?
Todoroki sits there, in the shadows of his thoughts. Would his family be better if he had not been there? Perhaps. But.. no, something would be wrong, anyway.
'You're the sunshine in our lives, Shoto.' Fuyumi often said. 'Don't forget it.'
'You're the best younger brother, yeah?' That was Natsuo's version of encouraging words.
But there were no words of encouragement from Touya. Or maybe there were, but Shoto didn't remember them.
'You're the ideal older sibling, Tsu.'
•••
"Tsu, what about our ladies night?" Mina asks, laughing loudly in the corridor. "C'mooon!"
"Ribbit. I'll have to look after my younger siblings."
"Again? Come on!"
Shoto suddenly appears from behind, and he glimpses at Tsuyu, who blinks once or twice.
"Would I be able to come over?"
"Sure, ribbit."
Mina's mouth gapes open. "Huh!?!"
But it isn't in a way Mina thought it would be. They're simply looking after her younger siblings together.