Secrets [Todoroki]

*Chapter Sixty-Three*

He shifted back to the phone. "You kissed him? And told social media? But not me?"

"Uh..." She glanced at the clock. "Oh, would you look at the time? I will be late! Bye, grandpa!"

"Miri?! Mirianne, don't you-"

Miri pressed the end call and held her phone to her chest. At the same time, there was a knock on her door.

She opened it to reveal Todoroki dressed in a white button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He had a pair of dark pants and shoes on.

Miri stared. Hardcore. Her face was even redder than it was while on a call with her grandfather.

"Is something wrong? Why is your face so red?" He stared down at her flustered face.

Miri suddenly felt very underdressed beside him. "Uh...stay there." She attempted you shut her door, but he stuck his foot in the frame.

"Don't change your clothes. I like you like this." He coughed. "Let's go?"

Miri rubbed her face with her hand. Her face was uncomfortably warm. "Yep!" Her voice came out squeaky.

There was a small smile on his face as he held out his hand, which she quickly took.

"Hey...we should go out for dinner one night." Todoroki sat on the couch beside Miri. They were the only ones down in the lounge, and they were just enjoying each other's company.

"W-what?" Miri looked up from her phone, surprised.

"Is it a bad idea? You don't have to go." He went back to scrolling through his phone.

"No! That's not it. I was just...surprised. Are you sure you want to go out to dinner with me? In public? I mean, I'm not anyone's favorite at the moment." She sat back on the couch, staring at him sheepishly.

"We both just failed the provisional license exam. I think we can allow ourselves a happy moment. Besides, I'd go anywhere with you. Regardless of who is watching."

Miri's face burned remembering that conversation.

On the first day of school, Miri and Todoroki were miles apart. On two different sides of the same Earth. They began taking steps, small ones at first. They took several steps back along the way, but then something changed. One of them took a leap. Made a choice. It brought them closer together, and it only pushed them from there.

Now, Todoroki was at the finish line. He went halfway, eager to meet Miri. But she wasn't there. Not yet.

On Miri's side, she was just shy of meeting him. He was waiting, ready for her, but Miri was scared to close the gap. Scared to meet him halfway.

'Every person who I've ever said "I love you" to has let me down in some way. I don't doubt I care for Shoto, but there's a small part of me that pulls on the reins. I choke up, can't get the words out right. Maybe I'm not capable of loving people anymore?' She gripped his hand, a sad look on her face.

"Is something wrong?" Todoroki looked down at her.

"What? Oh, no." She plastered a smile on her face. "Where are we going for dinner?"

"It's a surprise."

𓆩*𓆪

"This is a cute little restaurant." Miri stared up at the building, a small smile on her face.

"My siblings and I frequent it. It is one of my favorites." He held open the door for her.

Miri stepped in, a pleasant aroma of spices, and meats filtered throughout the air. The atmosphere was warm, inviting. Miri already wanted to take a seat and order.