for a moment, izuku dreads the stranger’s reaction. is he mad? sad? the boy’s… lack of facial expression makes it a little difficult to discern the possibilities. and now that he has a better look at him, izuku suddenly feels a pang of guilt in his chest. should he just laugh it off and say ‘just kidding!’ instead?
“y-yeah. actually, i don’t know. i barely remember anything.” his fingers are clenching on the hem of his gray hoodie as he replies. it’s partly his nerves controlling him, but there’s also the frustration as well. tightening his jaw and making a crack in his voice. “i woke up in my? bed today, my entire body hurting. i remember fighting a villain. but everything else is a blur.”
the worse part is, he can’t even contact his mother. his anchor in times of chaos. the only person that he remembers.
the sudden grip upon his shoulder clears his mind of the negative thoughts that clouded over it, and izuku instinctively stiffen. what is this person doing now? his verdure hues looking upon mismatched ones, puzzlement evident in his gaze. he doesn’t look angry or sad… more like he discovered something to cure him of his memory loss.
…which turns out to be a good ol’ headbutt on the forehead??
fortunately, izuku was too taken aback to screech out in pain. instead he just touched his forehead with his palm, tears stinging his eyes. “w-why did you do that???” he’s genuinely curious–and maybe slightly annoyed.
“i still don’t remember, though.” he averts his gaze to a spot behind the stranger. the way he’s looking at him makes izuku feel… flustered. “it’s probably going to take a lot harder than that.”
Izuku really isn’t pulling his leg.
This brings a sinking feeling in Shouto’s stomach as he finally lets go of his friend and takes a considerate step back. This doesn't make any sense to him. They were literally fighting side by side right before they were brought here for reasons he still can’t quite figure out. But how come Izuku arrived here without a single memory to think back on while he, on the other hand, turned up without a problem? Why did it have to be Izuku of all people?
Does this mean every single thing they went through together has become all for naught? Shouto has always seen Izuku as a hugely important part of his life and yet, he is nothing but a new face to the shorter hero now. A stranger.
Shouto regards him for a brief moment until uneasiness overwhelms any urge of forcing the guy to remember him. He doesn’t want to scare him off.
❝Sorry. I wasn’t sure whether or not I should believe you. Is your head okay?❞ He reaches out to caress Izuku’s head, but then he actually realizes what he intends on doing and stops with his hand just awkwardly paused in the air. ❝Ah, sorry.❞ He apologizes again as he stiffly draws his hand back to his side. ❝Izu— Midoriya,❞ His friend’s last name tastes foreign on his tongue. ❝I don’t understand how or why you can’t remember me but I genuinely hope this is just another temporary obstacle. Perhaps an introduction will be the right thing to do in this situation. I’m Shouto Todoroki and I’m...❞
He hesitates, though he doesn’t know why.
❝I’m a good friend of yours.❞ He continues. ❝And just like you, I’ve been brought to this place against my will as well. It appears we’re stuck here for the time being.❞
