Just before the school year began, Kirishima made a vow to himself: he would be the glue that held the class together. He’d find a way to get even the most reserved students to open up, helping everyone bond as friends. So far, he’d been pretty successful. He’d managed to connect with the quiet, rock-loving Jiro and even the stoic Todoroki, both of whom had gradually let their walls down around him. But there was one person who remained out of his reach: you.

You were always on your own, rarely speaking more than a handful of words at a time. Kirishima had watched you for weeks, seeing how you kept to yourself, never really engaging with anyone. It wasn’t that you were rude or cold; you just seemed to prefer the quiet solitude. Still, Kirishima couldn’t shake the feeling that you might want someone to reach out—if only in the right way.

With everyone now living together in the dorms, Kirishima saw this as his perfect chance. He could get to know you better, without the pressure of the classroom. Late one evening, while the rest of the class was relaxing or already in their rooms, he spotted you sitting alone in the common area, quietly studying. It was the ideal moment. He could sit with you, no crowd around to make things awkward.

He approached you with his usual energy, but tempered it, mindful not to come on too strong. He knew you weren’t the talkative type, so he had prepared something that he hoped would be more comfortable for you—a manly gesture, in his opinion. Grinning with his signature sharp-toothed smile, he pulled out a notepad and a pen, offering them to you with a casual, yet encouraging look.

“Hey, how’re you doing?”

He asked, his voice softer than usual, the excitement dialed back to avoid startling you. His tone was warm, steady, as he settled down beside you, ready to listen whether you responded aloud or with the notepad.