Mato followed Todoroki in a distant hall.
"So," he said, scratching the back of his head. "What's going on, Todoroki-kun?"
"Call me Shoto, from now on," said Todoroki. "You deserve it."
"Got it," said Mato, leaning on the wall. "Is that all?"
"No," said Todoroki. "By giving me the headband, you've earned my respect. You morally defeated me. Again."
Mato tilted his head.
"Why are you saying this?"
"I wasn't able to steal your headband on my own... I should've used my left side..."
"Your left side?"
"I hate my left side, because it's the part of my Quirk I inherited from my father."
"And what's wrong with it?"
Shoto looked at his hands.
"I hate my father."
"Is your father that big guy with flames on his face?"
"Yes."
"Oh. Can I ask you why you hate him?"
"Because of my past."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"Yes. I feel like I can trust you, and I consider you my friend."
He... Considers me his friend...?
"Tell me, Shoto-kun. I'm listening."
"Before I was even born, Endeavor made a 'Quirk marriage' with my mother to create a baby who had both fire and ice power. That baby is me. I refuse to use my left side because of my father, who has been abusive since my childhood."
"He trained me to be the perfect kid and surpass All Might someday, but... he did it in the wrong way."
Shoto pointed to the scar on his face.
"You were wondering how I got this scar, right?"
Mato nodded.
"Well, I got it when I was a kid. I still don't know if she did it accidentally or on purpose, but my mother burned my face with hot water. That's why I have this scar. Everyone sees me as 'Endeavor's son,' and I hate it."
Living as the one thing you hate... It must suck.
"What a tragic past," Mato said. "That's why you don't use your flames. Because of your past trauma."
"Exactly."
In that moment, Mato felt a sense of unease inside of him.
What's this feeling? Do I feel sorry for him? I'm not supposed to care for him, I'm just a mole, not someone with a real purpose to become a hero...
Even if I must say... I'm not heartless. I recognized someone's pain when they expose it. And... Why do I genuinely see Shoto as a friend? That's another thing I'm not supposed to do...
"I'm sorry," said Mato. And maybe, this time, he really meant it.
"Thanks," Todoroki lowered his gaze.
In that moment, Mato felt like his body was moving on its own. He walked closer to Todoroki and hugged him.
Why am I hugging him? What am I doing?
"If I can do something to help you, I'm here."
Todoroki felt something strange in his chest. Something he didn't feel when he was a kid: affection.
Todoroki returned the hug.
"I appreciate it," he said.
Mato broke the hug.
"Let's go now," Mato started to walk outside. Todoroki followed him.
"There's one more thing I must say to you," Todoroki said.
"What?" Mato asked.
"Midoriya."
"You mean Izuku?"
"Yeah."
"What's with him?"
"His Quirk looks very similar to All Might's."
"Oh, so you noticed it too..."
"Yeah, I did."
"Well, if someone like me, who barely sees him, noticed, it's normal that someone in his class noticed it too."
"You literally live with him."
"Do you use your Quirk at home?"
"...Good point, Shirakawa."
Mato smiled.
"Call me Hideki."
"I suspect he's All Might's illegitimate child."
"Nah, they don't look alike at all."
"I still suspect him."
"Pay attention when you fight him."
"You too."
I've earned Shoto-kun's and Izuku's full trust, and my entire class and someone from Class A trusts me too... I'm managing to do what AFO said, but... I trust them too.
AFO said, 'Don't get too attached to anyone,' but... I'm getting attached to Izuku, and now Shoto-kun, too... not to mention Tetsutetsu and Tokage...
Someone, tell me what the hell do I have to do! I'm confused!
__________
Elsewhere, Oro was walking downstairs alongside Endeavor. He was wearing his hero costume.
"Hey, Endeavor..." he muttered. "Do you think your son is stronger than Shirakawa?"
"Of course he is," said Endeavor. "I mean, who even is Shirakawa? Is he related to you?"
"Not that I know," said Oro. "But I'm very intrigued by him."
On the stairs, the two heroes met All Might.
"Oro! Endeavor!" said All Might. "It's been a while, shall we have some tea?"
"Yo, All Might!" Oro exclaimed. "It's not every day the three best heroes of the country are all gathered here!"
"Endeavor, I want to compliment you on your son, Shoto," said All Might. "His performances have been fantastic!"
Oro pointed himself. "What about my pupil, Shirakawa?"
"Well, I don't teach in his class," said All Might. "But from what I saw in this tournament, he's very promising! No wonder you want him as your buddy!"
Endeavor walked away.
"Talk as much as you want, one day, my son Shoto will surpass you both."
"This means he'll surpass you, too!" laughed Oro.
"That's my goal."
Oro offered his hand to All Might. "You're doing a great job with your work."
"The streets are safe with you patrolling them," All Might shook hands with Oro.
"We're heroes for a reason!" Oro exclaimed. "Now, let's go outside, I want to see the final round of this Festival!"
"Don't you know there's a one-hour break?"
"Really? Then... let's have some tea, as you proposed!"
__________
Mato had his hands in his pockets, standing beside Shoto.
"Who are you hoping to face?" Shoto asked.
"Anyone is fine," Mato replied. "I'll beat 'em all."
"Good answer," said Shoto. "I'll do the same."
Names spun rapidly on the screen.
Mato read aloud.
"Block A: Izuku Midoriya Vs. Hitoshi Shinso; Hideki Shirakawa Vs. Neito Monoma; Shoto Todoroki Vs. Hanta Sero; Fumikage Tokoyami Vs. Momo Yaoyorozu."
"Block B: Ochaco Uraraka Vs. Katsuki Bakugo; Eijiro Kirishima Vs. Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu; Mei Hatsume Vs. Tenya Iida; Mina Ashido Vs. Denki Kaminari."
"Seems like we could fight in the semi-finals if we both win twice," said Todoroki.
"I would need to beat Izuku if I manage to beat Monoma. Finally, I can show him who's the best..."
"Why do you hate him?"
"I don't hate him; he does. He's just a rival."
"Good luck, Hideki."
"Good luck, Shoto-kun."
__________
Stands
Mato walked to the stands and searched for a chair to sit.
He heard a voice.
"Hey, Shirakawa-kun!"
He turned and saw Setsuna, Tetsutetsu, and Itsuka.
"Yo, Tokage," Mato reached her.
"We saved a seat for you," Setsuna patted the seat beside her.
Mato sat beside her and Itsuka.
"You, Monoma, and Tetsutetsu are the only three remaining in our class," said Itsuka.
"Sorry for earlier, bro," said Tetsutetsu. "None of them meant what we said."
"Don't mention it," said Mato. "We all were overwhelmed by the heat of the moment."
"The first match is about to begin," said Itsuka. "You're gonna face the winner of this match. Right, Hideki-kun?"
Mato nodded.
"By the way," said the boy. "Why didn't I know about your strategy?"
"Because we knew you would still do your own thing," said Tetsutetsu.
"Yeah, you're right," said Mato. "I would've aimed to place first even if I knew about this strategy."
"WELCOME TO THE FIRST TWO FIGHTERS: IZUKU MIDORIYA, FROM CLASS 1-A, AND HITOSHI SHINSO, FROM CLASS 1-C!" Present Mic shouted.
"Who are you rooting for, Hideki-kun?" Itsuka asked.
"I'm rooting for Izuku," said Mato. "The one with curly hair and freckles."
"LET THE FIRST MATCH... BEGIN!"
Ganbare, Izuku!
Chapter 13 - End