Try to believe walking down the lonesome road

[inheritance]

[With the start of their internships fast approaching, it's no wonder a good portion of the students in 1-A are too excited to properly concentrate during class. Aizawa, picking up on their lack of focus, eventually ends the class a few minutes early with a tired, exasperated sigh. Izuku grins guiltily at their teacher's retreating back. He can't exactly blame his classmates for distracted like this--picking their hero names and their first internship is pretty exciting. And a big step toward being pros.

Fidgeting with the bandages on his hands, Izuku turns in his seat and just happens to catch Todoroki's eyes. There's the barest flicker of hesitation before Izuku offers up a cheerful smile.] Todoroki-kun, have you already decided where you're going for your internship?

[The classroom's already emptying out, but there's no real need to hurry out like everyone else is. Besides, Izuku hasn't really gotten a chance to talk to Todoroki since the festival. Remembering how subdued Todoroki was during the medal ceremony has made it difficult for him to shake away his concerns. So Izuku gathers up his books slowly and waits for an answer.]

Comments

[glaciers]

... Really? It's in a lot of vending machines, isn't it?

[But he'll take a small sip of the soda. ... And then he makes a face. He just wasn't expecting the bubbles!]

[inheritance]

Yeahhh but there's a lot of other options. I used to pick milk cocoa a lot when I was a kid.

[He can't help it; a burst of laughter escapes him when he sees Todoroki's face.]

You don't like it?

[glaciers]

... I didn't realize it was carbonated. My drinks don't usually... fizz.

It's sweet though.

[inheritance]

Now you'll know what to expect whenever you drink a soda!

[Izuku leans forward, anticipating Todoroki's response.]

Is it a good kind of sweet and fizzy?

[glaciers]

I think I like my drinks less bubbly.

... But I do like that it's sweet.

[inheritance]

Noted. [He flashes Todoroki a smile, not actually joking, of course. He's definitely keeping track of his friend's preferences.]

In that case, we'll stick to things like the milk tea from now on!

[glaciers]

And you'll try the strawberry milk next time we do this.

[inheritance]

I definitely will. [The pretzels and sodas are just snacks, and ultimately it doesn't very long to finish them.]

It's getting pretty late now. We should head back. [Izuku smiles as he fiddles with his empty bottle.] It was.. a lot of fun. Today. You'll let me know what your mom thinks about the socks, right?

[And about knitting!! So they can come back here again.]

[glaciers]

[Since Shouto's been given the one that's absolutely covered in sugar, it doesn't take him long to down his either. The soda, however, gets to linger until it's appropriately flat enough for him to drink.]

We should.

I like doing this with you. And of course I'll let you know.

[inheritance]

I hope she likes them! [He shouldn't be this nervous about what Todoroki's mom thinks of the gifts they picked out together, and yet he is.

Izuku waits until Todoroki's done with his soda before finally sliding out of his chair and stretching.]

Ready to go?

[glaciers]

I think she will.

[He'll stand up and take Midoriya's hand in his.]

Yeah. Let's go.

[inheritance]

[Izuku gives Todoroki's hand a little squeeze as they begin walking. Even though it's already getting late, Izuku doesn't hurry as retrace their steps through the shopping center and back toward the train station. It's okay if he's just a little late back home, right?

Despite all his efforts to draw out the time, though, it feels like they make it back to the station too quickly. Izuku turns toward Todoroki at the entrance.]

We're going different directions, right?

[glaciers]

[He doesn't want to let go. It means the end of this fake date. Their time today has come to an end.]

Yeah, you use the train that goes the other way.

[inheritance]

Then... this is it. [Izuku doesn't want to let go either. He smiles at Todoroki gently.]

I'll see you tomorrow. [It's not the same when they're in class, though.]

[glaciers]

Text me whenever you want to hang out.

[He gives a squeeze of Midoriya's hand before he has to leave to get on his train.]

[inheritance]

[It feels a bit silly, watching Todoroki board his train as if they won't be seeing each other for a long time, but Izuku does it anyway. He even waves at him through the window as the train pull away.]

Ah! I need to get on my train, too! [Izuku suddenly remembers. If he doesn't get home soon, his mom probably will start calling him frantically. With one last look at the train disappearing off into distance, Izuku turns and heads for his platform.]