The sterile scent of disinfectant hung heavy in the air of the hospital room, mingling with the lingering aroma of the bland dinner trays that had been cleared away not long ago. The steady beep of heart monitors and the occasional squeak of nurses' shoes in the hallway provided a constant, if not entirely soothing, background noise.
Midoriya, Iida, and Shoto lay in their respective beds, each bearing the physical and emotional scars of their recent encounter with the Hero Killer, Stain. The room was bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun filtering through the partially drawn curtains.
Shoto sat on the edge of his bed, his mismatched eyes fixed on the view outside the window. His hospital gown did little to hide the array of bruises and bandages that covered his body, a testament to the fierce battle they had survived. His mind wandered back to the heated exchange with the police commissioner earlier that day. The memory of his own passionate outburst still surprised him. He had argued against the reprimand they'd received for using their quirks without permission, demanding to know if they were supposed to simply sit back and watch people die.
As he reflected on his uncharacteristic display of emotion, Shoto couldn't help but think of Ren. Her influence on him was undeniable. Their conversations about the flaws in the hero system, her constant push for reform, her rebellious spirit - it was all slowly seeping into his consciousness, changing the way he viewed the world around him. She was becoming a part of everything he did, every thought he had, there was a little bit of her constantly in his brain.
A part of him wondered if this change was for the better. The fire he had felt as he stood up for what he believed in had been exhilarating, a far cry from the cold, detached persona he had cultivated for so long. But another part of him worried about the implications. Was he losing his objectivity? Was Ren's influence clouding his judgment?
His gaze refocused on the reflection in the window, catching sight of Midoriya hunched over his phone. Shoto's stomach did a strange flip as he realised what his classmate was looking at - a picture of Ren. The image was small from this distance, but unmistakable. Her striking grey eyes seemed to pierce through the screen, her dark hair framing her face in that way that always made his heart skip a beat.
A pang of possessiveness shot through him. He gave Midoriya a moment to scroll past the picture, but when he didn't, Shoto couldn't contain himself any longer.
"What are you reading, Midoriya?" he asked loudly, turning to his friend.
Midoriya jumped slightly, a faint blush colouring his cheeks as if he'd been caught doing something he shouldn't. He quickly scrolled down on his phone. "Oh, uh, do you guys remember Ren Ishikawa? The daughter of the media mogul?"
Iida, who had been lying with his eyes closed, opened them at the mention of Ren's name. "The journalist who came to interview us a few months ago?"
"Yes," Midoriya nodded, his face growing serious. "There's an article here about her."
The class rep shrugged, wincing slightly as the movement jostled his injured arms. "She has an interesting public profile, I guess."
"They're painting her as anti-hero," Midoriya said, his voice tinged with disbelief.
"Really?" Shoto watched as Iida sat up to address his friends better. "That's not the impression I got from her when we met. She seemed very interested in the next generation of pro heroes."
Nodding in agreement, Midoriya's green hair ruffled a little. "I guess it's about her writing, criticising the hero system. Listen to this," he cleared his throat and began to read from the article.
"'Ren Ishikawa, the outspoken daughter of media tycoon Akira Ishikawa, has once again stirred controversy with her latest piece, where she argues that the current hero system is fundamentally flawed, placing unreasonable expectations on heroes while neglecting the needs of civilians. Critics have labeled her views as dangerously anti-hero, with some going so far as to suggest her writing could embolden villains.'"
Shoto felt his jaw clench as he listened. The words were harsh, twisting Ren's intentions in a way that made his blood boil. He knew her better than that. He knew that her critiques came from a place of wanting to improve the system, not tear it down.
Midoriya continued reading, "'However, supporters argue that Ishikawa's work provides a necessary critique of a system that has gone unchallenged for too long. Her calls for reform, including better mental health support for heroes and increased civilian emergency response training, have resonated with many who feel the current system is unsustainable.'"
"You know," Iida interjected, his voice thoughtful, "I can see both sides of this. Her critiques do seem to touch on some sensitive issues, but from what I remember of our conversation with her, she didn't come across as anti-hero at all."
Midoriya nodded in agreement. "Exactly! She asked really insightful questions about our training and motivations. It felt more like she was trying to understand the system better, not tear it down."
As his classmates continued to discuss the article, defending Ren's character and intentions, Shoto felt a complex mix of emotions swirling in his chest. On one hand, he was relieved and grateful that Midoriya and Iida could see past the sensationalised headlines to the true intentions behind Ren's work. Their defence of her character aligned much more closely with the Ren he knew and cared for.
But on the other hand, a nagging worry began to take root in his mind. If this was how the media was portraying Ren, how would that affect public perception of her? And by extension, how might it impact their relationship in the future?
The more he thought about it, the more he realised how much of Ren's life was under public scrutiny. Her work was becoming increasingly controversial, her every move analysed and dissected by the media. Were they playing with fire by being together? What would public opinion be if it ever came out that the hero-critic was dating a hero?
A chilling thought struck him - what if Ren didn't want that to happen? What if she decided that being with him was too much of a risk to her career, her mission? The idea of losing her made his chest tighten uncomfortably. All week he had felt something had shifted between them, something unspoken and unnerving. Ren was becoming distant to him, constantly caught up in the drama of her own life, barely talking to him, barely looking at him when they did meet.
He was pulled from his spiralling thoughts by the buzz of his phone. Without thinking, Shoto stood up abruptly, startling both Midoriya and Iida. "I'll be back in a little while," he said, already moving towards the door.
"Oh, okay," Midoriya replied, surprise evident in his voice as Iida's brow furrowed with concern.
"Don't stray too far, Todoroki."
Shoto nodded to them both before leaving the room, his mind still whirling with thoughts of Ren and the implications of her public persona. He made his way down the quiet hallway, the fluorescent lights casting a harsh glow on the stark white walls.
Finding an empty room next door, Shoto slipped inside. He leaned against the wall, closing his eyes as he tried to sort through his thoughts.
He knew Ren wasn't anti-hero. Her position was one of reform, of wanting to improve a system she saw as flawed. But even understanding this, he couldn't shake the unease that settled in his stomach. The world of heroes was his world, the path he had chosen despite - or perhaps because of - his complicated relationship with his father. Could he reconcile that with Ren's public criticism of the system?
Before he could delve deeper into these thoughts, the door to the room burst open. Shoto's eyes snapped open, his body tensing instinctively, ready for a potential threat. But instead of danger, he found himself enveloped in a warm embrace.
Ren's arms wrapped tightly around his neck, her body pressing against his with an aching familiarity. The familiar scent of her perfume - a delicate blend of vanilla and coffee - washed over him, instantly calming the storm of his thoughts.
For a moment, the young hero stood frozen, caught off guard by her sudden appearance, not one so used to this affection. Then, slowly, he brought his arms up to encircle her waist, returning the embrace. He could feel her heart racing against his chest, matching the rapid beat of his own. He buried his face into her hair which was half tied up with a white ribbon that tickled his forehead.
They broke apart and Ren's hands moved to cup Shoto's face, her grey eyes scanning his features with concern. Her brow furrowed as she noticed the bandage on his cheek, covering a particularly nasty cut. "Are you okay?" she asked softly.
He winced slightly at the pressure of her hands against his bruises, but managed a small nod. "Yes, of course I am," he replied coolly.
But Ren knew better. She could see the weariness in his eyes, the slight slump of his shoulders that spoke of more than just physical exhaustion. These battles took a toll on his mental health too, the violence, the adrenaline and the pressure…it all piled up on his young shoulders. More than that, he seemed a little distant, a little distracted.
"Of course you are," she said, her tone a mixture of pride and gentle teasing. But her smile faded as he reached up, grasping her hands and pulling them away from his face. The action was gentle but firm, clearly indicating to Ren that something was amiss. She felt a flicker of uncertainty, wondering if her appearance here had upset him, if she had once again overstepped by entering the hero world.
"Did you see the article in the Yomiuri Shimbun?" Shoto asked abruptly, his mismatched eyes searching her face as she raised an eyebrow in confusion, shaking her head.
"Which article?"
"The one about you."
Ren shrugged, trying to maintain an air of nonchalance despite the growing tension between them. "People write about me all the time. I don't read any of it."
"They're calling you anti-hero."
A silence fell over the room, the distance between them increased, filled up with all the things they were not saying to one another. Shoto was uncharacteristically vulnerable, reaching out for some reassurance that she understood what this meant, how it affected him. But Ren felt a flicker of indignation. How could he even question her like this?
"And you?" Ren asked, her voice low and dangerous. "What would you call me?"
"That's not the point, Ren-"
"Are you serious?" She interrupted, her voice rising with each word. "Since when did you care about how me or my work is twisted by the mainstream media? You know me. How can you even ask me-"
"You don't get it, do you?" Shoto's voice became loud with frustration. "Your words could be twisted, used by villains. Your public image could undermine everything I stand for-"
"You think I don't know that?" Ren shot back. "You think I haven't considered the implications of every word I write?" She ran a hand through her hair in exasperation, taking a step back from him. "But what am I supposed to do, Shoto? Water down my beliefs? Sugarcoat the truth just to make it more palatable?" She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, her grey eyes sparking with something Shoto had never seen before. "The system is broken, Shoto. And it is the most vulnerable in society who are falling through the cracks. Someone needs to do something." The look on Shoto's face turned from one of anger to confusion.
"Is there a sinkhole?"
"What?" They looked at each other with zero understanding between them before Ren pinched the bridge of her nose in exasperation at Shoto's literal understanding of her words. "No, baby. No there isn't." She shook her head at him and sighed, her heart softening as his usual adorable look of innocent concern made her melt a little. "It was a metaphor...it doesn't matter. The point is, aren't you with me because of my willingness to speak up against injustice? How can I compromise that without losing a part of myself?"
"I'm not asking you to compromise who you are, Ren," Shoto said quietly, tuning back into the conversation. "But you have a platform, a voice that people listen to. That comes with responsibility. I'm not saying to change your message, but to consider how it's being received." But Ren just pouted and folded her arms in frustration, hating, as always, being told what to do, even by the only person she ever listened to. "It's not just about you anymore," Shoto tried to explain to her. "It's about us. What happens when people find out we're together?"
Ren's eyes widened in surprise. "Why would it ever come out that we're together?"
Shoto looked at her in disbelief, as if he couldn't comprehend her inability to follow his logic. "How long are we going to go on in secret, Ren? Forever?"
"Who says we're going to be together forever?" She snapped back without thinking. As soon as the words left her mouth, Ren regretted them. She watched as hurt flashed across Shoto's face, quickly replaced by a mask of indifference, his well learned defence mechanisms kicking in.
The silence that followed was deafening. Ren shifted uncomfortably, guilt gnawing at her insides.
"I'm sorry," she said softly. "I don't know why I said that."
Shoto's eyes met hers, a storm of emotions swirling in their depths. "Do you not see why I'm worried? You're so quick to rebel against anyone and everything, you never think about what you're going to say next." Ren felt a blush creep up her cheeks as he criticised her. She knew he was right, but admitting it felt like swallowing glass. "You know," Shoto continued, "since we saw my mom at the hospital... It's like you're not here with me anymore. Sometimes I get the feeling you're looking for a way to end this." Ren's eyes widened in shock. She felt as if the ground had dropped out from beneath her feet. How had she let him feel this way? How had she not seen the doubt and insecurity growing in him because of her inability to come to terms with her decisions?
"Of course I don't want it to end," her voice was barely above a whisper.
"What's going on with you, Ren? Why do I feel like I'm losing you?" Ren felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes. She wanted to explain, to tell him everything, but the words stuck in her throat, held back by the weight of her promise and her own fears. Shoto watched her, his heart sinking as she remained silent. "Sometimes I think you're ashamed to be with me." All the hurt of his past, his dark family history, his hatred of his left side, his hatred of a part of himself, was held in this single statement.
The accusation snapped Ren out of her paralysis. She moved towards him, her grey eyes sparkling with tears, her hands coming up to cup his face once more. This time, Shoto didn't pull away.
"There is not a single part of you that I could ever be ashamed of," Ren said, her voice firm as she looked deep into his eyes. She pushed his red hair up, away from his scar and pressed a gentle kiss to the rough skin. She kissed every part of his face that she could reach. Hoping that he could feel that each one was an unspoken apology, a reaffirmation of her feelings for him. "I am so proud of you," she murmured between kisses, "and I am so proud to be with you. And when the day comes that you want to tell everyone, then we will." Ren pulled back slightly, meeting Shoto's gaze. She could see the tension in his shoulders starting to ease, the doubt in his eyes beginning to fade. "I will talk to my PR team. We'll work on clarifying my stance. I don't want to change who I am or what I believe, but I can be clearer about not being anti-hero."
Shoto's eyes softened at her words. He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her lips. "Thank you," he murmured against her mouth. They kissed gently, but Shoto could feel Ren holding back. He pulled away, studying her face. "What's going on with you, Ren? You've been so different this week."
Ren felt her heart race. She knew she couldn't break her promise to Rei, but she hated keeping secrets from Shoto. "I-" she began, then stopped, swallowing hard. "I can't explain."
To her surprise, Shoto's expression remained understanding. "What do you need?" he asked softly.
A mischievous smile spread across Ren's face, some of her usual spark returning to her eyes. "You," she said simply before leaning in to kiss him, Shoto's arms tightened around her waist, pulling her flush against him as he deepened the kiss.
They were so lost in each other that they didn't hear the door open. It wasn't until they heard a familiar voice that they broke apart, startled. They whipped around to face the door.
"I just spoke to Uraraka," Midoriya was saying, his eyes fixed on his phone as he entered the room. He looked up, his words trailing off as he noticed the two people embracing. Shoto and Ren were frozen, their arms still around each other, staring at Midoriya in shock.
Shoto's green haired classmate blinked, his face a picture of surprise. Then, as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened, he said, "Oh, sorry, wrong room," and promptly left, closing the door behind him.
Both Shoto and Ren stared at the closed door in disbelief, still locked in each other's arms. They turned slowly to look at each other, the absurdity of the situation hitting them both at once. A bewildered smile spread across Ren's face.
"...He definitely saw us, right?" Shoto asked after a moment.
"Yeah," Ren replied, a laugh threatening to escape her lips. "Made direct eye contact and everything."
Reader. Seriously? No love for the last chapter? Absolutely NOTHING!?
We're not best friends anymore.
Jk, I'll text you later.