CHAPTER ONE: The Breakup
“I can’t do this anymore, (Y/n).” The voice, achingly familiar, hung in the air outside your door. Shoto Todoroki stood there, the very image of regret, his dual-toned eyes fixed on the worn wood beneath his feet. The breakup had felt abrupt, a fracture line splitting your world in two. It took a moment to gather your thoughts, to push down the rising tide of panic.
“Shoto, I know your father expects you to focus on becoming a hero, and we’ve worked through things before—” He shook his head, cutting you off.
“It’s more than that. I just… I can’t, (Y/n). I don’t expect you to understand.” The words felt like stones in his mouth, each one a weight dragging him further down. Becoming a hero was paramount, a responsibility he couldn't compromise. He couldn't afford distractions, he’d said, and the implication hung heavy between you. You weren’t a distraction. You were… everything. But the chaos within him felt too great to explain. It was a war he couldn't drag you into. Before he could retract the hurtful words, you spoke.
“Fine.” The word tasted like ash. It was a shield, a desperate attempt to deflect the pain. “I’ll see you in class tomorrow, Todoroki.” Without another word, you slammed the door, the sound echoing the shattering of your own hopes. He stood motionless, staring at the wood as if it held all the answers he couldn't articulate.
A sigh escaped your lips as you turned your back on the door. The looming exams had already piled on the stress, and now, this. A breakup, cold and sudden, just before the final. Things *had* been rocky between you two, a slow erosion of trust and connection, but you hadn’t anticipated this. Not this abrupt severance. Todoroki’s father had never approved of your relationship, and the feeling of being unwanted had begun to weigh heavily on you. Maybe it simply wasn't meant to be, despite the ache in your chest.
You covered your mouth with a trembling hand, and finally, the tears spilled from your eyes. Months of shared laughter, stolen glances, and whispered promises— all reduced to nothing. It was all for nothing. Your stomach tightened, nausea churning, and a dull ache bloomed in your heart. Everything hurt.
You loved him—so much. And he’d let you go. The end of your relationship.
☆彡
The students of Class 1-A, clad in their hero costumes, gathered in the Center Plaza for the final exam. Teachers milled amongst them, observing with critical eyes. For what reason, you couldn’t tell.
“What’s with all the teachers?” Mina questioned, nudging your shoulder. You shrugged, offering a noncommittal glance. You noticed your friends’ increased attention. They were trying to include you in the conversation, but your silence felt like a wall between you. They suspected something was wrong, but were hesitant to pry.
“Now then, let’s begin the final exam,” Aizawa began, his voice cutting through the murmur. “Don’t forget, it’s possible to fail this exam. If you want to go to the training camp, don’t make any stupid mistakes.” He stepped aside, revealing Principal Nezu. A collective intake of breath rippled through the class. The Principal’s presence was… unusual.
“Wait a minute,” Uraraka blinked, confusion clouding her features. “What is he doing here? What’s going on?”
“Hello, students! For this exam, we want to focus on person-to-person combat, hero work, and basically anything under the category of a real fight!” Nezu’s smile was unsettlingly serious. “For the final exam, you all will be forming teams to battle against a teacher!”
“We’re battling against the teachers?!” Denki exclaimed, his voice echoing the shock of the entire class. How could they possibly win against a teacher?
“The time limit for the exam is thirty minutes!” Nezu held up a pair of handcuffs. “Your objective is to either put these handcuffs on the teacher, or to escape the stage! The choice is yours!”
“In addition,” Aizawa continued, “the teams and who they’ll battle against have already been decided. These were determined at my own discretion based on many factors—fighting style, grades, interpersonal relationships.” A sadistic smile played on his lips. “First up, Todoroki and Yaoyorozu are on one team.” He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. “And they’re fighting *me*.”
Your gaze locked with Todoroki’s, a fleeting connection before you deliberately broke it. Your heart hammered against your ribs. You couldn't bear to look at him. It only amplified the pain.
“Next, Midoriya, Bakugou, (L/n).” Both boys gaped at each other, a silent understanding passing between them. You sighed inwardly. You’d have to play mediator between those two, a task that felt particularly daunting. Midoriya was amiable, but Bakugo… You hadn't exactly made friends with the explosive blond. Your interactions had been mostly argumentative, punctuated by icy glares and barbed words. "And their opponent…"
Suddenly, All Might materialized, landing with a thunderous boom that shook the ground. Many students stumbled, struggling to maintain their footing.
“I will do it!” All Might declared, tightening a fist. “I expect a great performance from the three of you!” Midoriya and Bakugo exchanged conflicted glances. You offered a small, reassuring smile, which he returned. You’d always found him easy to connect with, a quiet comfort amidst the chaos.
“Wow, All Might?!” The class erupted in chatter. They were thankful they hadn't been assigned to face him. A small, bitter thought crossed your mind: *Must be nice.*
“All right, all right,” Aizawa said, quieting the class. He continued listing the teams, and finally finished. “Each team will take the practical exam in order on the prepared stages. The first team to battle will be Kirishima and Sato against Cementoss. Start heading to the arena to prepare.” He turned to follow the other teachers, leaving the remaining students to their preparations.
You began walking with your friends toward the waiting area when a hand grasped your shoulder. You stopped, turning to meet the eyes of the one person you dreaded seeing. Shoto Todoroki, your ex.
“(Y/n)…” Todoroki hesitated, unsure how to begin. “I just… I wanted to wish you good luck.” You nodded curtly, fiddling with the sleeve of your hero costume. You glanced back at Mina and Uraraka, who were watching with thinly veiled curiosity. The tension between you and Todoroki was palpable. You knew you’d have to explain eventually, but for now, you wanted to avoid the topic. Turning back to Shoto, you lowered your gaze. You couldn’t meet his eyes.
“Let’s stick to surnames, Todoroki.” He nodded slowly, withdrawing his hand from your shoulder. The ache in your chest intensified. You hadn’t wanted to be so distant. He *was* your best friend, the person you turned to for comfort and laughter. But he’d chosen to end things. Not you. You had to remind yourself of that.
“I apologize,” he said softly, before turning to join Yaoyorozu. You walked toward your friends, who gave you questioning looks.
“Is everything okay?” Uraraka asked tentatively. Mina nodded in agreement. “You’ve been down in the dumps all day, did something happen between you and Todoroki?” You sighed, knowing you couldn't put it off any longer.
“We broke up yesterday, but don’t worry about me. I’m doing fine.” The two girls gasped, launching a barrage of questions. It was the last thing you wanted—to be interrogated about Todoroki. You just wanted to forget everything that had happened. But you couldn’t lie. They’d find out eventually. It was best to get it over with.
As you reached the waiting room, the exams were already underway. Kirishima and Sato had failed quickly, overwhelmed by Cementoss’s power. Tokoyami and Asui had won, employing a clever strategy to catch their opponent off guard. You took mental notes, analyzing each performance, each tactic. Your team was last, and you wanted to be prepared for anything. All Might wouldn’t be an easy opponent. You had to give it your all if you wanted to pass.