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Todoroki stumbled back, holding his hand to his jaw. He could practically feel his teeth rattling with the last blow. The hammering in his chest was incessant, forcing the adrenaline through his bloodstream. He could feel the strain on his lungs as he panted, trying desperately to catch his breath. All of his muscles ached, ready to make the next move while fighting against the nagging exhaustion. Deep in the throes of a good fight, Todoroki felt alive.
Standing across from him and wiping the sweat from his forehead stood Odajima Yuken. His usually perfect posture was askew, and he was bracing himself with one hand on his knee. Pushing himself to stand up straight, he gestured towards the other boy, encouraging him to take another swing. He had a sly grin on his face and seemed only half as tired as Todoroki felt.
“C’mon, I thought you were supposed to be better than that. Get punched in the face once and now you’re five seconds from fallin’ over? Totally lame,” Odajima said with a laugh. Todoroki scowled and tried to straighten himself up too.
“Once? That’s like the fifth headshot I’ve taken.” Todoroki knew there hadn’t been any serious damage done, but there would certainly be a bruise.
“What I’m hearing is all of my hits are landing. Can you say the same?” Odajima teased, tapping his left cheek. Torodoki had taken a big, entirely too predictable swing just moments ago which Odajima had dodged with ease before sending one right back. Todoroki glared at him but knew he had little room to argue.
He braced himself to attack again, looking Odajima over and trying to figure out the smartest move. Target his head again? Because that’s gone so well for him so far. Maybe if he can take out his legs he’ll have a high ground advantage? If he can get close enough to do so…
Odajima let out a heavy sigh and put his hand up, stopping Todoroki in his thoughts.
“You did good today. Well… you certainly put up a fight. We should call it here for the day.”
Todoroki continued to huff but shook his head. He pushed Odajima’s hand down.
“No no no. I’m not done with you yet,” he insisted, sounding very done. Odajima just sighed.
“This isn’t a fight you’re going to win. And you don’t need to. You said you just wanted to practice.”
Todoroki had little room to argue. While he was undeniably one of Oya High’s best fighters, he found a close match in Odajima Yuken. From the minute they went toe-to-toe together, he knew that despite coming out on top, it had been incredibly close to a draw. Maybe he had something he could learn from him.
It was a thought that plagued him for weeks after that first fight. He spent hours replaying it in his head, going over every detail of every move they made and every hit they traded. He was still dissecting the details when Odajima first found him down by the river.
Over time the two began to run into each other with increasing frequency. What started as funny coincidences became occasionally planned fishing trips. After the first few months, Todoroki had finally hyped himself up enough to ask if Odajima would be willing to train with him. He had a whole speech prepared on how it could be mutually beneficial for them, providing an opportunity for both boys to get stronger, but Odajima hadn’t needed to hear it before agreeing.
Now they got together nearly every week whether it was to relax down by the water or trade punches.
The two boys were sitting together now, sipping on water and trying to regain some strength. Todoroki didn’t see how this was any different from people working out together. Their working out just happened to involve getting a little physically violent. Was that not normal?
“Hungry? Maybe we can stop and get something to eat on the way to the station,” Odajima offered, tossing his water bottle up in the air and catching it. Todoroki thought it over and shook his head.
“I should probably be heading home soon anyway.” He looked over at Odajima as he sighed and felt a twinge in his chest at the other’s disappointment.
“It’s always the same with you. You know that?” Odajima asked, knocking his shoulder against the other’s. “It’s like a hook up with no hook up. You know we can do something other than fishing or fighting, right?” Todoroki grimaced at Odajima’s words, earning him a laugh. “I’m serious! You can admit you want to see me without having to punch me.”
Was that it? That he just wanted to see him? He wouldn’t deny that he found himself thinking about the other boy more frequently now, but he had simply chalked it up to this being practice and a way to stay ready for any challenge that may come his way. And Odajima was special, sure. But not special special, right?
Odajima was a good fighter and a worthy opponent. Not some schoolgirl crush he carried around with him. It wasn’t like he was getting butterflies in his stomach at the sight of the guy. Well, there was that one time… No.
“Don’t flatter yourself. This is strictly business,” Todoroki said, waving him off. Odajima gave him a long hard look, struggling to believe it.
“Oh, of course. Business. Hot, sweaty business.”
Todoroki choked on his water.
“All I’m saying is that maybe it would be nice to see you and not walk away feeling like I ran twenty marathons and got jumped at the end. And you can’t say you don’t feel a little similar. You look like a bit of a mess.”
Odajima reached over and ran his thumb along the curve of Todoroki’s jaw.
“Plus, you’re going to have a nasty bruise,” Odajima said. Todoroki fought the shiver that threatened to zing up his spine at Odajima’s soft touch. How strange it was that the same boy who could easily crack one of his ribs could be so gentle with him. “I hate to ruin such a perfect face.”
Todoroki knew Odajima would feel him clenching his teeth. He tried desperately to keep his face void of all emotion, but the heat in his cheeks betrayed the cool demeanor he wanted to project. He shook him off and rolled his eyes.
“Cut it out,” was all Todoroki could muster. Odajima laughed at him, knocking their shoes against each other.
“Don’t act like you don’t know it. That steely gaze and that air of confidence. Plus, the glasses. Girls love a strong, silent, smart guy,” Odajima said, patting him on the shoulder before leaning back.
Yes. Girls.