Finding Me (Todoroki x Reader)

Chapter 43

My lip trembled as I opened my mouth to respond. "W-What do you mean?" I asked, confused at what they were saying. Surely they couldn't be serious. This was some kind of sick joke, right? Right?

Dad sighed, rubbing his eyes before turning back to me. "Look, honey, UA has been so wonderful, and we couldn't be prouder that you made it in. I mean, that's all you've ever wanted! However-"

"What your father is trying to say..." Mum intervened, seeing how Dad was trying to let me down easy, "...is that, yes, UA has been a dream come true, but that there are other places you can make that dream a reality, Y/N."

My confusion grew into skepticism, my eyes narrowing as I leaned away from the table. Away from them.

"What are you trying to say?" I asked, biting my bottom lip to stop it from trembling. Wherever this conversation was going, I needed to stay strong. I needed to prove to myself that I was strong, and I needed to prove to them that I wasn't a wimpy kid.

"Y/N, UA isn't all that safe, is what we're saying," Mum finally let out, and I could tell she was getting frustrated, for she was messing around with her hair more than usual. "Ever since you started there, all kinds of things have happened! The USJ Incident, your injuries in the Sports Festival, and let me just remind you of the injuries you still have form your recent encounter. And, I didn't want to say it, but that Todoroki you're always hanging out with is also quite dangerous. He's Endeavour's son, after all-"

"Shoto isn't dangerous!" I cried out, slamming my hands on the table as I stood up above my parents. I was mad; beyond mad. How dare they judge my friend based on his lineage? This was crazy talk.

"What you're saying doesn't involve him at all! And since when do you guys judge things and people based on one fact? You taught me to never do that, so don't be hypocrites!"

"Y/N, sweetie, we're not-"

"I'm not done," I interrupted Dad, silencing him before he could speak anymore. Looking between my parents, I could see they were surprised, but that deadly serious glaze they had over their eyes before was gone, a glossy sheen of sadness taking its place.

My anger dissipated once the weight of their words hit. They just wanted me to be safe. It wasn't that UA was the problem, exactly, it was just... 'Gosh, I've been so stupid. I've been putting myself in harms way this whole time, not even thinking about the people I'd hurt if I were to... to...'

I shook my head to rid myself of the negative thoughts mulling about in my subconsciousness. Taking a deep breath, I let the last shred of anger leave my body, leaving me somewhat empty.

"I get it," I mumbled, sitting down again, head hanging low. "I get that this whole school year so far has just been one danger after the other. And I'm sorry for that. I haven't thought much outside myself since I started at UA, and I've neglected your feelings. The feelings of the people that will love me unconditionally.

"However, UA is where I've made so many friends, and I've made so much progress, too! It's a place that's given me the tools I need to make my dream of becoming a Pro Hero a reality. Yes, it's been difficult, and it has definitely been scary. However, I think I'd find that anywhere, really. This is all about being a hero, and if I quit now, I'll never make it.

"Also, say what you want about UA and all of the dangers I've faced so far, but leave my friends, especially Shoto, out of it. You know nothing about him, so how can you possibly make a judgement on him? That's just not fair."

It was silent between the three of us, nothing but the sounds of other people chatting around us and the chinks of glasses and cutlery filling the silence. I stared at my parents, waiting for their reactions. 'I've said all I can. Now it's their turn.'