"What?!" I exclaim standing up. "That doesn't make sense," Toshinori responds calmly. 

"I believe Y/n has proven herself to me and that she is fully capable of attending the general education course. She is smart, and though she is quirkless, her physical capabilities are quite outstanding. She managed to hold her own in a fight against me." My mother explains. I sat down, not believing what she said. 

"So that's what this is," Shouto spoke softly, placing his hand on my cheek and rubbing his thumb over a small bruise. "I-I fine." I turn away from him, face red. 

My mother chuckles as she turns away from us and towards Toshinori. "Anyways, I need to talk to Nezu. Could you put in a good word for me and Y/n?" She asks. "I guess I could try, but it might be preferable to keep the fact that she is quirkless from the rest of the school." He reasons. "Do I get a say in this?" I ask. "No." My mother answers bluntly. I lowered my head, staring at my hands.

A hand was placed atop one of my own. "Excuse us," Shouto spoke as he stands up. He helps me up and brings me out of the dining room.

"Hello!" My maid greets excitedly as we exit the dining room. "You must be Todoroki Shouto. I'm Haruki Akina." She introduces herself. "Please take care of my Y/n. You might not make it out alive if you hurt her." Her happy tone contradicting her words. She gave a closed-eye smile, her tail swaying.

"Nice to meet you, Haruki. I have no intention of harming Y/n. I want to be her hero." Shouto responds. "You're a good kid." Akina begins, patting his head. "Have fun." She waves before walking into the kitchen. 

"That's the second time," I say quietly. "What?" Shouto questions. "You said you want to be my hero. What does that mean?" I ask. He holds up his hands looking at them. "I want to be strong enough to protect you from anything that could hurt you." He closes his fist and looks into my eyes. "You're important to me." He finishes. 

Shouto's phone rings. He answers the call. After a few short words on his end, he hangs up. "I need to go. My dad is home." He tells me. "We'll be at the mall at 2. Meet me at the main entrance." He explains. "I'll be there." I smile.

I walk him to the door. He takes his coat from the coat rack, putting it on. I open the door and he begins to walk out. 

"I forgot something." He says, turning around suddenly. He walks back to me and wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me close. He snuggles his head into my neck, taking in my warmth. 

Without a word, he releases me and walks out the door. Leaving me frozen at the doorway, watching his figure disappear into the night.