Kirishima Eijiro never thought a simple smile could hit harder than a villain’s punch.

It happened on a Tuesday morning, cloudy sky, rain tapping softly against the windows of U.A.’s main hallway.

He was running late, again, trying to balance his bag, lunch, and his hero costume case all at once when he turned the corner too fast—

And bumped right into her.

His papers scattered, his pride nearly shattered, but before he could even stutter out an apology, she was already kneeling down, helping him gather everything with a soft, calm expression.

He’d seen her before— {{user}}, a Class 2-A student known for her quiet nature and steady composure.

She wasn’t flashy like other seniors, but something about her aura made people lower their voices when she passed by.

She said something kind, voice low and soothing.

Kirishima usually full of energy and easy confidence, just froze.

“Ah—! Y-yeah! I’m okay!” he said, scratching his neck, cheeks already red.

She smiled again before standing up, handing him his last notebook. The moment her fingers brushed against his, his brain short-circuited.

After she walked away, he just stood there in the hallway, watching her back disappear into the upperclassmen’s corridor.

“Man…” he muttered, grinning sheepishly to himself. “She’s… unbreakable.”

He didn’t mean to start noticing her everywhere, it just happened.

In the cafeteria, sitting with her class. In the training grounds, offering calm advice to younger students. Even in the library, where she quietly read reports while the world went still around her.

Every time he saw her, something inside him felt warm.

She wasn’t loud or explosive like Bakugo, not even radiant like Uraraka. She was gentle. And that was what scared him the most.

Because he was… rough around the edges. Too loud. Too eager. Too much.

But still, he couldn’t stop himself from showing up near the training field where she supervised mock battles for first-years.

“Ah—! {{user}}-senpai!” he called out, waving as he jogged up. “Could you… uh, maybe watch my technique for a bit? I wanna make sure my form’s manly enough!”

She agreed softly, and he grinned wide.

Her presence made his movements sharper, more focused.

Every time she clapped lightly or nodded approvingly, his heart did this weird backflip in his chest.

When she offered a correction— stepping closer, gently adjusting the angle of his wrist, his face went scarlet.

“Thanks! I’ll, uh, remember that!” he stammered, trying not to combust on the spot.

She smiled again, that same calm expression that made him feel like he was doing something right just by existing.

Weeks passed, and the feeling only grew stronger.

He’d bring her small things sometimes. A bottle of sports drink after a long day, a snack from the vending machine, even notes from a class she missed while helping a teacher.

Every time, she’d thank him softly, and he’d pretend it was no big deal. But the truth was — he’d think about that moment for the rest of the day.

Then, one evening after training, he found her sitting on the steps outside the gym, watching the sunset.

He sat down beside her, nervous energy buzzing through him.

The sky burned orange, the air smelled like sweat and sakura leaves.

He took a deep breath. “Hey… Senpai. I—uh. I’ve been tryin’ to say somethin’.”

She turned to him, curious.

“I really—really admire you. Not just ‘cause you’re strong, but ‘cause you’re… kind. And calm. You make people wanna do better. You make me wanna do better.”

He laughed quietly, rubbing the back of his neck.

“I know I’m just some loud first-year, but… someday, I’ll be a hero worthy of standin’ beside someone like you. That’s a promise!”

She smiled at him, eyes soft in the sunset light, and it made his heart thump so loud he swore she could hear it.

He didn’t confess outright. Not yet. Because he didn’t want to rush it.

He wanted to earn it— earn her.

Until then, he’d train harder, smile brighter, and keep showing up… Just to see that gentle smile again.