Chapter Text
The UA library! The best place to be when doing last minute homework. Rarely crowded, a place once used to gain heaps of knowledge, now replaced by the mobile phone. Many windows surrounded the open room. The constant whizz of printers, constant tap of keyboards, flicking of pages, whispered murmurs, scratching of pens; all overcast by the towering shelves this infamous library was known for. The room had bursts of silence when the greying librarian felt the need to instruct everyone to quiet down, although the unpopulated room often returned to its previous state of hushed murmurs. A group of 3, often seen together in the same corner, surrounding the same small circular table. A frantic Midoriya, bored Uraraka, and collected Iida all collectively sit on the concerningly low rounded stools.
“I can’t do this…” cried Midoriya, staring at the table where a stapled sheet of homework was laid.
Uraraka patted his shoulder as she consoled her dear friend. “Come on Deku-kun, it’s the final push!”
“Easy for you to say, you copied Iida’s homework!” he rebutted. This followed a disgusted Iida who turned his head slowly to face the two.
“You did what?!” Iida exclaimed, followed by a nervous laugh from Uraraka.
…
“Shhh Iida this is a library~” she teased, holding back another laugh.
“Why you-!”
“Hey! Iida..” Midoriya interrupted, “uhh… what were you saying, uh earlier about uhh Miss Yaoyorozu?” This sly distraction prompted a Uraraka to mouth a ‘thank you’ to Midoriya.
“Miss Yaoyorozu? Oh yeah, she was planning to share her responsibilities as deputy class president with… Mr Todoroki, I think? As she has a lot of other responsibilities at this moment in time… so I guess Mr Todoroki is going to have a bigger load of vice president responsibilities than Miss Yaoyorozu” Iida recalled.
“Why doesn’t she just give up her responsibilities entirely?” Uraraka chimed in, giving her 2 yen to the conversation.
Iida adjusted his glasses before responding. “I suppose it looks good to be a class president for future University applications besides, it’s only a temporary arrangement.”
The table was silent once more. Until the silence was broken by Uraraka’s random question.
“Honestly I don’t know why you guys are so formal, they’re the same class and year as us are they not? No need for the Mr or Misses”
“It’s respectful!” Iida cried.
“I guess it’s just in case I offend someone…” Midoriya shrugged before looking down at the table once more. “Wait.. Stop distracting me! This homework is due next period, and I still don’t understand this question… and it’s the last one.” Midoriya moaned as he slumped over the table and on top of his work.
“2 minutes until the bell” Iida informed, tapping his wrist where his watch sat. Midoriya jolted straight back up.
“Iidaaa what’s the answer?”
“I don’t think it would be right to tell you-”
“I’ll never complain about a president's meeting again,”
This prompted a response of a disappointed sigh. One you would often receive from a parent after they give up and are about to give in to their child’s wants.
“4 to the square root of 15.”
“Iida, I love you so muc-”
“Let’s just head to class.” Uraraka quickly said.
The dynamic between the group was interesting. The trio had all met during the entrance exams and never separated since. If a teacher saw 2 of the 3, they would ask where the 3rd was. Uraraka wasn’t dumb but wasn’t the smartest either when compared to Midoriya or Iida. Midoriya knew everyone, he was the social butterfly that everyone was always keen to talk to– besides Bakugo, due to his insightful nature. And Iida, the Class 1-A president alongside Yaoyorozu, known as a rule stickler but you could argue he mellows down a little more every time he spends time with the other 2.
“Why do we even need maths ugh” Midoriya (again) cried to Uraraka, gripping onto her blazer helplessly acting like he was about to fall.
“You literally want a stem based job when you’re older…”
“That’s besides the point Ocha!”
“Look, me and Iida will wait for you at the gate, Mr cleaning duty.”
“I hate you.”
“I love you too.” Uraraka winked as she blew a kiss at Midoriya before running off to catch up with Iida who had already left the classroom.
Midoriya promptly grunted before heading back inside the classroom. The classroom was arguably the most basic ‘Japanese style’ classroom for such a prestigious school. Midoriya didn’t mind though. The bland classroom created a sense of comfort, the environment was never too overwhelming. He started putting chairs on the tables; the first step of the cleaning duty ritual. While the chalkboard across the room; covered in maths equations from the final period of the day, stared at him menacingly. Afterwards, he grabbed a broom from the supply closet and began to sweep alongside his cleaning partner Todoroki.
He wouldn’t say they were enemies or hated each other, as far as he was aware anyway. But he didn’t know him well enough to strike up a conversation and it seemed as if Todoroki felt the same. Cleaning was boring and specifically tiring on a Monday afternoon, especially when he could be hanging out with his friends. But oh well it’s whatev-
There was a bang, followed by a muttered “fuck my life” from the other side of the room.
Just as quickly, Midoriya ran to the other side of the room.
- - - - - Todoroki’s pov - - - - -
“Are you okay?” Asked the green-haired boy –Midoriya?, picking up the bucket of water that had spilled.
I didn’t feel like talking, preemptively he was too embarrassed. Really, a bucket of dirty cleaning water?
“Hello?”
“I’m uh fine” I somehow managed to mutter, “It’s just water…”
“Yeah, dirty water.”
‘No shit sherlock.’ I couldn’t help but think to myself, but it was mean. That’s why it stayed in my thoughts.
“Do you have any spare clothes you could change into?”
“Uhh” Did I? My pe kit was at home, No class-A student had theirs on Monday unless they participated in sport outside of physical education. “No, it’s at home.”
“Ahh, fair enough. Would you like to borrow mine? Or are you okay staying like that? Oh actually you could go home now to change. I don't mind finishing up… but then you would have to go on the train with a wet uniform and that-''
“No, it’s fine. I’ll borrow your kit.” I replied, interrupting the green-haired boy’s external thoughts. I had no time for that.
“Okay” He said as he put the bucket to the side and started mopping up the spilt water.
….
I just stood there awkwardly waiting for Midoriya to tell him where his kit was.
….
….
“Um.. sorry, where is your Kit?” I asked as I took my phone out of my wet pants and placed it on a desk.
“Oh um right! Sorry. It’s uh in the changing room, my locker” Oh right of course..
“Which locker?”
“09”
“Okay.. thanks.” And with that the soaking wet Todoroki sprinted off to the boys locker rooms! Just my luck to do this on a working day… I hope Mr Takami doesn’t point out how I'm not in uniform today, I think I'd die from embarrassment more than I already have if I have to explain what happened. It’s bad enough I fell in front of a class-president and classmate. At least he was kind and didn’t make fun of me like some people would and he even helped me out. I honestly don’t know what I'd do if I had to go to work with a wet uniform.
I quickly got changed, so as not to inconvenience Mr Midoriya even further and headed back to 1-A. The spillage was already mopped and I helped reposition the tables that had to be moved when he was mopping, ready for class tomorrow.
“Thank you for letting me borrow your kit. I’ll return it tomorrow, Midoriya.”
“Huh?”
“Sorry, did I say something wrong?”
“Oh sorry, that was rude of me. You know my name?”
“Of course…? You’re Midoriya Izuku.” I started saying his name slowly, “Class president alongside Mr Iida.” This was a weird conversation, of course I know his name.
“Haha I really am the rude one sorry, what’s your name?” He- he doesn’t know my name??
- - - - - Midoriya’s pov - - - - -
That was rude… so rude. I could tell by the way he glared at me for a moment before responding.
“Todoroki Shouto is my name. We’ve been in the same class for almost 2 terms, we fought in UA’s academic semi-finals and I’m one of the vice presidents in class 1-a”
“Oh you’re Mr Todoroki?”
“Yes..?” I just said that… Is Midoriya a bit slow in the head as well?
“Sorry if I seem rude. I do know who you are, I just didn’t know how you looked.. You don’t really show up to class president meetings.. It’s always Miss Yaoyorozu that shows up and I guess I have no reason to talk to you otherwise? I guess I just forgot about the academic competitions because I was so anxious.”
“I see.”
AHH this is so awkward, there’s no saving this conversation. I accept my fate, I will forever be known as a bad person to Mr Todoroki.
“I don’t usually go to meetings as I have work, Yaoyorozu informs me on any important information and I make sure to do my part.” Oh thank All-might he spoke.
“Ahh, I understand. That makes sense.” I muttered as I started to put the cleaning equipment away, back in the closet. “Why do you work?” I asked, without thinking much.. Maybe it was a rude question? He just stared.. Or glared at me again for a short moment, as his glaring session was very quickly interrupted by my big mouth. “Sorry if that’s a rude question, I’m just genuinely curious and..”
“To save up.”
“What?”
“I work because I'm saving up.”
“Ah, I see. That’s an admirable goal Mr Todoroki.” We came to a comfortable silence after that, putting any chairs still left on tables down and putting cleaning equipment away.
“We're almost finished, right?” Todoroki randomly asked.
“Uh, yes?”
“I have to leave now if I want to get to work on time, I apologise. Like I said before, I'll return this tomorrow” he said, gesturing at his clothes; my tracksuit.
“I understand, Goodbye Mr Todoroki.”
And with that he left.
After I locked the cupboard, cleaned the chalkboard; I picked up my bag, I saw it. His phone. Mr Todoroki had left his phone, he must’ve put it there when the water spilled… should I take it and try to catch him? No, that’s stupid. It’s already been ten minutes. By the time I reach him he’ll be on a train. Uh, I'll just bring it to him at school tomorrow. No, that’s too long, and he has work right? He’ll need to be able to contact his parents. Maybe Miss Yaoyorozu knows where he works? They seem like friends. I sat on the floor and rang her.
Her number.. What was the second kanji for her name again? I had acquired her contact information a while back from a group project which she insisted we held at her castle-like mansion.
“Hello?” her voice echoed through my phone’s speaker.
“Hello Miss Yaoyorozu I-”
“I’ve already told you just Yaoyrozu is fine.”
“Right, Yaoyorozu. Do you happen to know where Mr Todoroki works?”
“Why? I hope you’re not going to stalk him.. I don’t think you’re the type Midoriya but Todoroki doesn’t need to be harassed at work like he is at school.” What?? I know he’s one of the top 3 at our school but I would never do that!
“What? Uh No. I have his phone, he left it behind when he was leaving. He mentioned how he had to go to work and I assumed you would know where he works so I could return his phone.” Oh All-might that was a mouthful.
“Ah! I understand, sorry Midoriya. He works at 7/11.. I think it is quite outside the Musutafu district… So Meguro? Oh I remember, right next to Meguro station. It’d be the first 7/11 you see.”
“Wow.. he works that far?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“I understand, thank you Yaoyorozu” I said before promptly hanging up.
After calling my mum to tell her I would be late for dinner and the reason why. I headed to Meguro through the Yamanote train line and jumped off at Meguro station. A few people recognised me as I was on my way, probably from the academic competition that was on the news at the beginning of the year. I never understood why it was so popular here. I also never had been to Meguro by myself so this was fun.
After getting off the train I headed straight for the exit (and shocker), right opposite the station was a 7/11… well not really it was like a 5 minute walk away.
I entered the convenience store and the store was surprisingly empty despite the fact I'm in Meguro at 8pm on a school night. To be honest it was very stereotypical. Shelves, upon shelves, upon shelves of different snacks and ready-made meals. A wide selection of beverages which seemed to be recently restocked; hot drinks, cold drinks, and alcohol. The atm stood right outside the konbini next to the package delivery point.
I guess Mr Todoroki noticed me straight away (totally not because of my bright green hair) and called out my name.
“Midoriya? Wh- what are you doing here?” he stammered. Was it that shocking I was here..? Well I mean this was Meguro-
- - - - - Todoroki’s pov - - - - -
What was he doing here? I decided to work so far from Musutafu so no one from school would know (and dad but that’s besides the point). If this spreads around, I’m fucked. No more peaceful night shifts for me!
“Your phone”
“Pardon?” I checked my pocket and my phone wasn’t there.. Of course it wasn’t here, this is my work uniform. But was it in my bag when I left school? I don’t remember. When I looked back up my phone was practically in my face. Midoriya handed me my phone from over the counter, then he began to speak.
“You left it on an empty desk.. I was going to return it tomorrow but you mentioned how you had work and I couldn’t allow you to be outside so long, especially so late without it.”
“Right… how did you know where I worked?”
“I didn’t know, Yaoyorozu had told me.”
“Please don’t tell anyone where I work.”
“Yeah I kinda figured that I should keep this to myself, after what Yaoyorozu said.”
“What did she say?”
“Something about how she didn’t want to tell me at first as I could be asking because I wanted to harass you or something?” Classic Yaoyorozu.
“Oh, makes sense.”
“Makes sense?”
“She doesn’t want what happens at school to happen when I’m working.”
“Is it really that bad?” Midoriya seriously knows nothing about me.
“You know what nevermind. You should be going home, it’s late and I doubt you live in this area.”
“You’re right. Have a good night Mr Todoroki.”
“Just Todoroki is fine.”
“Huh? Sorry that’s rude. But what?”
“I said Todoroki is fine.”
“Right, Have a good night Todoroki-kun” ‘-kun’ …? Could he not just say Todoroki? Not that I mind.
“You too Midoriya.”
Then he left.
“And… who was that?” Mr Takami asked, jumping out of nowhere.
“Midoriya.”
“Who?”
“Midoriya, a classmate from UA.”
“Just a classmate? Why’d he come all the way here to see you?”
“I left my phone at school.”
“Of course you did” excuse me?
“Pardon? Could you repeat that, Mr Takami. I would like to know what you meant.”
“Haha kid don’t sweat it, and Keigo is fine. Calling me Mr Takami makes me feel old.”
“Calling you Keigo seems too informal, you’re my boss.”
“Hawks. Call me Hawks.” Sometimes I think Mr Takami needs mental help. Hawks?? Out of all names, Hawks??
“Where did ‘Hawks’ come from”
“It’s a nickname from back in the day”
“Now that makes you seem old.”
“Hey!” I, however (despite his possible mental illness) like Mr Takami, Keigo, ‘Hawks’.. Or whatever he wants to be called. He’s a funny boss and isn’t too strict on me. That doesn’t mean I enjoy his antics or the fact I’m paid minimum wage.
After the slow night at work, I took a train back to Musutafu and walked home.