[yeah? what else did he think a big ball of flames in one hand was gonna turn into? a spear? touya ignores the implication of burns on his hands and rests his arms by his side once he's done blowing on them, not really factoring in that allen's starting to piece things together. he seems pretty content to be where he is, basking in the assumed praise his father gave him to someone else. hey, even if he's not going to say it to touya in person, the fact he said it to anyone is... it's amazing!

touya blinks when allen crouches down in front of him, though there's a slight guard that comes up. cause really, this is a stranger getting up and close with him and his parents aren't around.]

I wanna be a hero who is so strong, the world notices me. The top hero who surpasses any challenge.

[he frowns at the reach towards him and takes a cautious step back. he doesn't know you. even if you are one of his dad's interns. sure he's happy and all, but he's not ignorant.]

It's... It's not been that bad? Dad's just been busy. Distracted. And... and I know I haven't been the best to him. But I'm really trying to become strong enough! I'll be better than Shouto. He'll be proud of me, I know he will! Once he sees how much I've improved, just like he wanted.

[the smile on his face is there, proud and happy again, but the kind that's plastered over something else that feels far worse.]

He told you, right? You said he told you I was working really hard, right? So I know he sees me, even if he's too busy to tell me himself.