Toji in My Hero Academia

Well, I see it got a lot of support this week, so I decided to post earlier. TY!

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Toji, now fourteen years old, was in class, looking at the teacher with indifference as he gave an end-of-year speech. "Well, we're just about to finish the school year, and with that, the time will come to choose the path toward your future careers. Many of you have a bright future ahead... some more than others," he said, glancing at Toji. Toji met his gaze with a bored expression, fully aware that he was one of those "others" the teacher was referring to. "Remember, if you choose something you really like, you'll be successful," the teacher concluded.

A classmate approached Toji enthusiastically. "Hey, Fushiguro-kun, have you decided which school you'll attend yet?" It was a boy he had started talking to at the beginning of the year, though Toji couldn't remember his name.

Toji sighed and answered without much interest. "I don't know... whichever one my mom sends me to, I guess."

The boy gave him a friendly pat on the back. "I knew you'd say something like that. But why not come to Ketsubutsu's entrance exam with me? My brother trained there as a hero. You could go into general studies if you want."

Toji looked at him with a bored expression. "Why not...?"

The boy smiled, but their conversation was quickly interrupted when the math teacher entered the classroom. "We'll talk later," he whispered before returning to his seat. The teacher started writing equations on the board, and Toji, seeing his chance, made himself comfortable to fall asleep, unconcerned with the teacher's words.

Meanwhile, from her seat, Momo Yaoyorozu watched the scene. She had overheard Toji's conversation with his classmate, and a slight expression of sadness crossed her face. She had already decided that her dream was to enroll at U.A. Academy and wanted to propose to Toji that they apply together, but now she realized he might not have the same interest. Ketsubutsu seemed to be his most likely choice now, and that meant their paths could diverge.

Resigned, Momo sighed and focused on copying the equations and writing notes on how to solve them in her notebook. She knew that, eventually, Toji would ask for her notes, as he always did, and she was ready to help him once again. With each line she wrote, she tried to suppress the small urge to suggest that he try applying to U.A., even though deep down, she wished he would find his own motivation to do so.

When the bell rang, marking the end of the school day, Toji yawned in his seat, stretching his arms before standing up and grabbing his backpack. He looked around the classroom, and upon seeing Momo organizing her books, he approached her with his usual carefree attitude.

"Hey, can you pass me today's notes?" he asked, pointing at the notebook she was holding.

Momo already had the notebook ready to hand over, as if she had anticipated the request, but when their eyes met, Toji noticed something in her expression that didn't sit right. She seemed... worried? Maybe even nervous.

"What's wrong now?" he asked, frowning, intrigued. He wasn't used to seeing that look on her face.

Momo blinked, surprised that Toji had noticed her unease. She opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something important, "Toji-kun, I..." but at the last second, she lowered her gaze and murmured, "No, it's nothing."

Toji let out a frustrated sigh. "Come on, just tell me. Every time you make that face, you avoid looking me in the eye for days afterward..." He studied her closely, waiting for her to continue.

Momo gripped the folds of her skirt tightly, as if the action gave her the courage she needed. Finally, she lifted her head and, in a barely audible whisper, said, "I... I'm going to U.A. to train as a hero."

He raised an eyebrow, showing a faint trace of interest. "Good for you."

Momo pressed her lips together, frustrated. It wasn't the reaction she had hoped for, but she pressed on, though she struggled to find the words. "You... you..."

Toji looked at her with a mix of impatience and boredom. "What?" His expression was that of someone already losing patience. "Come on, I don't have all day. I've got things to do."

Finally, Momo gathered all her courage, lifting her gaze to look directly into his eyes. "Do you want to go with me?" The question came out in a pleading tone, and her cheeks instantly flushed a faint pink.

He blinked, surprised by the tone of her voice and the weight of the question. "Why?" he asked, his voice betraying his confusion.

Momo hadn't anticipated that reaction, leaving her momentarily speechless. She hesitated, searching for the best way to respond. "It's... just that I thought... well, we'd hardly see each other if we go to different schools," she explained, her voice filled with emotion. She knew it didn't make sense to ask him something like that, but she couldn't help it.

Toji let out a heavy sigh and sat down on the desk in front of Momo, looking away. "Going to such a demanding school just to study in the general courses doesn't make sense," he remarked, downplaying the matter.

"No!" Momo interrupted him before he could continue, her hands trembling slightly as she placed them on the desk. "I want you to try to get in as a hero."

That statement confused him even more. He looked at her incredulously, not knowing how to react. "A hero? Me?"

Momo nodded quickly, trying to convey her enthusiasm. "This year, they're admitting students without quirks for the exam. You're very strong and skilled; I'm sure that if you put effort into the written and physical tests, you could pass. Even my mother could recommend you. She recommended me, and I only have to pass a small test to..."

Before she could continue, Toji raised a hand, signaling her to stop. "Whoa, whoa, that's too much." He looked at her seriously and, with a firm tone, said, "I'm not interested in being a hero. Besides, it's too much work. You know how I am."

Momo's expression changed instantly. Her eyes shimmered, not with excitement, but with restrained sadness. Her lower lip trembled slightly as she fought to hold back tears. She knew she was being selfish, but she had never asked Toji for anything important before; she was always the one helping him without asking for anything in return. This time, however, she needed him to do something for her.

"Then..." she murmured softly, barely audible. "Then why did you save me, if you're not interested in being a hero?"

The question hung in the air like an open wound, and before Toji could answer, Momo stood up from her seat and ran out of the classroom, her footsteps echoing in the hallway. Toji stayed there, bewildered, staring at the open door she had left through, feeling the weight of his classmates' stares.

"What are you looking at? Want my fist for lunch?" he snapped, his brusque tone immediately scaring off the curious glances. With a sigh, he scratched his head, visibly annoyed and confused. He stuffed the notebook into his backpack and left as well.

Outside, he noticed that Momo's car, which usually picked her up, was already gone. They always said goodbye at the school gate, but this time, she had left without a word. Though he didn't want to admit it, something in his chest felt unsettled.

Deciding to distract himself, he headed to the train station. His mother had tasked him with picking up some things in Musutafu, so he took the train toward the city. However, even during the ride, Momo's words echoed in his head: "Then why did you save me, if you're not interested in being a hero?"

"Tsk... such a troublesome girl," he muttered to himself, but he couldn't help wondering if maybe there was more to Momo's question than he was willing to admit.