"So that's how it is..."
After listening to Midoriya's explanation about Dabi, Todoroki fell silent. He seemed troubled. No matter how bad things were between his father and his brother, it was still painful to see them in such a state.
"I'll keep an eye on Dabi. You don't have to worry too much about him... What about your father, Endeavor? How is he doing now?"
"He's still in the hospital with serious injuries. He heated up his own blood with his flames—honestly, he's lucky he didn't die on the spot."
"...Sorry."
Midoriya could only apologize. If it weren't for his actions involving the Plague Bringer, Endeavor wouldn't have been forced into such a desperate situation.
"No need to apologize. That bastard deserved it. Honestly, if he had actually died, my older siblings would probably be laughing right now."
"...Uh..."
Midoriya scratched his head awkwardly. He hadn't expected the Todoroki family's problems to be this twisted. No wonder Dabi hated Endeavor so much.
"So, what's your plan now? Both the heroes and the Japanese government see you as the most dangerous 'enemy.' A full-scale attack isn't a joke—many more people could get hurt."
"Don't worry. The only ones dying will be those who deserve it. I won't harm heroes or innocent people."
"Oh?"
Seeing how confident Midoriya looked, Todoroki Shoto couldn't help but be curious. Did Midoriya have some kind of foolproof plan?
"I came to U.A. High School for this exact reason. There were some bumps along the way, but overall, things went smoothly."
"Uh..."
Todoroki instantly understood. His father, Endeavor, was still in a terrible state, and after seeing what Midoriya did at U.A., he quickly realized what kind of terrifying weapons Midoriya had created... This was the kind of attack no one could defend against.
Before they could continue talking, an unexpected interruption cut them off.
"Midoriya-kun!"
The door burst open as Ochako and Takeyama Urei rushed in, leaving Midoriya and Todoroki momentarily frozen. What were they doing here?!
"Midoriya, I can't believe you abandoned me and Uraraka… just to be with Todoroki-kun?! (sniffles)"
"Midoriya-kun... So this is what you're actually into...? (teary-eyed)"
"......."
With their heartbroken expressions, Takeyama Urei and Ochako completely derailed the conversation. Midoriya and Todoroki were left speechless... How did things end up like this? Did they misunderstand something?!
Thinking back to what happened earlier—Midoriya had pulled Takeyama Urei and Ochako away from the battlefield for their safety. But when they returned to the scene, Midoriya and Togata Mirio were already gone, lost in the chaos of their fight. After searching without success, the two girls had no choice but to return to the dorms, feeling frustrated.
The moment they stepped inside, they overheard Hagakure Toru and Ashido Mina gossiping.
"What do you guys think is going on with Midoriya and Todoroki meeting in his dorm room?"
"There's definitely something suspicious! I mean, look at how obviously Takeyama and Uraraka like Midoriya, and he's never responded to either of them. That totally screams 'heart belongs to someone else!'"
"Eek… Now that I think about it, it's kind of exciting!"
Hearing the conversation, Takeyama Urei and Ochako were hit with an emotional thunderbolt out of nowhere. A wave of jealousy surged through them, and they couldn't hold back any longer—they charged straight to Todoroki's dorm.
"I was just discussing something personal with Todoroki, that's why we were in his room."
Realizing that Takeyama Urei and Ochako had clearly misunderstood, Midoriya tried to explain, only to be met with fierce resistance.
"Then tell us, what exactly were you two talking about?"
"Uh..."
Takeyama Urei's confident questioning made Midoriya hesitate. He couldn't just say it outright. Todoroki's family matters were sensitive—he wouldn't have invited Midoriya to his room if they weren't.
"It's... something private. Something really important."
"Not listening, not listening! I don't believe it!"
Takeyama Urei covered her ears, refusing to accept his answer. Midoriya was left fuming in silence, while the more rational Ochako gathered her courage and asked directly:
"Since you and Todoroki aren't like that, Midoriya, tell us—who do you like?"
"!"
"!!"
Midoriya Izuku froze, while Takeyama Urei looked completely shocked. Neither of them had expected Ochako to take this chance to ask such a direct question. It caught them both off guard.
"Um... I'll be going now. You guys take your time."
Seeing the situation, Todoroki Shoto calmly walked out of his own dorm room, even closing the door behind him.
Now, only Midoriya Izuku and the two girls were left in the room.
It felt like a battlefield.
"Chacha... isn't this a bit too sudden?!"
Takeyama Urei grabbed Ochako's hand. Both of them had feelings for Midoriya Izuku, and they were also close friends. Their feelings for him were a fair competition.
But Ochako just tearing through the barrier and asking outright—Urei hadn't expected that at all.
"Because Midoriya... he's drifting further and further away from us. Maybe this is just my one-sided crush, and maybe knowing the answer won't change anything. But Takeyama, you understand too, don't you?"
"...Yeah, I do."
Ochako's words gave Takeyama Urei the courage to say what she had been holding in for so long.
"Midoriya, I like you. I might never get another chance to say this to you in person, so even if it's selfish... I need you to hear it."
"Ever since I was little, when someone protected me with everything they had, I fell for that hero."
"Maybe back then, it was just admiration. But now, I know exactly how I feel. I, Takeyama Urei, like you, Midoriya Izuku."
Midoriya was stunned.
Takeyama Urei's bold confession completely froze his brain.
And before he could react, Ochako also took a deep breath and spoke up.
"I feel the same way. Ever since you saved me during the entrance exam, even when I found out you were Quirkless, you still worked so hard to become a hero. I fell for you in every way... because, Midoriya, you're the greatest hero!"
"Uh..."
Hearing both of their heartfelt confessions, Midoriya Izuku let out a small, awkward laugh.
He wasn't dumb. He had known for a long time that both of them liked him.
But he had always avoided it—because choosing one would mean hurting the other.
And more importantly... romance had never been his priority.
"Of course, I know that, and so does Chacha," Takeyama Urei said.
"We know you still have things you have to do. That's why—we're willing to wait!"
"No matter what happens, no matter how long it takes, Takeyama and I will always support you. Because Midoriya, you're the greatest hero. And whatever you're fighting for, it must be something worth it."
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