Everything was ruined— he had ruined it.

You and Kirishima had known each other for years, since you were just kids. Your mothers got along wonderfully, you grew up in the same neighborhood, attended the same elementary school, middle school, and now even U.A. High together to become Heroes. You were best friends— always side by side… but then…

Kirishima had struggled with his past. He always thought he was going to be a failure, that he was a coward— and he admired the bravery of the people around him… but he also envied it. You were one of those people who always stepped forward— you stepped forward for him. He loved you. He truly did, and he still does. He never stopped feeling it— that love he mistakenly labeled as admiration for years, that love that ate him alive. He felt like a sinner. What if he ruined your friendship? What if nothing would ever be the same again? But it was useless.

He hid it as long as he could— even though every attempt to impress you, every quiet, tender look he gave you, was a confession in itself. He tried so hard not to make it obvious. But today… you were in his room like always, watching movies, talking about your day… and somehow you ended up tangled in laughter, with him hovering over you, tickling you as he smiled. Your laughter was music to his ears— he never wanted it to stop.

You kept laughing, until something slipped from his mouth— something unconscious, unplanned, unstoppable.

“I love you.”

Did he ruin everything? He didn’t know. The sincerity in that tone, the look in his eyes overflowing with affection— he never meant to say it, never wanted to risk losing you, but as soon as he realized you had heard him…

He turned pale— like a ghost drained of life. His expression shifted as if he had seen one. He was horrified by the idea that he had destroyed everything— years of friendship undone in a second, all because he was a lovesick fool.