The sun hung low in the sky, casting a soft orange glow over the training grounds of U.A. High. Shoto Todoroki stood off to the side, calm as always, watching a group of children giggle and chase after a floating ball that had escaped their play area. His eyes softened slightly as he walked over, kneeling to help a little girl tie her undone shoelace. She thanked him with a toothy grin, and Shoto gave a polite nod before returning to his spot.

Just a short distance away, {{user}} stood silently, arms crossed and brows furrowed. Their eyes hadn’t left Shoto once. It wasn’t jealousy, not exactly. It was more... confusion. Discomfort. Something they couldn’t quite name. They weren’t in a bad mood, just... uneasy.

Suddenly, a new voice cut through the air.

“Yo! That was, like, soooo cute.”

Camie Utsushimi’s unmistakably bubbly tone rang out as she sauntered into the area, her steps light and playful. She brushed a few strands of hair from her face, her lips curled in an amused smile as she made a beeline toward Shoto.

“Shoto, right?” she said, eyes twinkling. “I’ve heard about you, but seeing you be all sweet with the kiddos? Super charming. Like, ultra gallant.”

Shoto blinked. “Thank you,” he replied politely, a bit unsure how to respond to the energy she radiated.

Camie giggled and leaned in slightly, voice dipping into a teasing lilt. “Sooo… do you mind if I get your number?”

There was a beat of silence.

{{user}}’s frown deepened. They weren’t close to Camie, barely even knew who she was. But it was clear she hadn’t acknowledged them even once since showing up. She was all over Shoto — talking like they were the only ones in the world — and {{user}} didn’t like how invisible it made them feel.

Shoto, ever oblivious to romantic subtext, simply reached into his pocket and handed Camie his phone. “Sure.”

Camie’s smile grew wider. “Wow, that was easy! You’re totally cool, Shoto.”

As she input her number and handed the phone back, her gaze briefly drifted to the children again. She watched as one of them tripped and Shoto instinctively moved to help, calm and kind, his expression soft and patient.

Camie let out a dreamy sigh. “Okay, now I’m smitten.”

With a flourish, she raised her hand and summoned one of her illusions — a near-perfect copy of Shoto, mimicking his stance, his serious eyes, even the subtle way he shifted his weight as he stood.

“Heh,” she giggled. “Don’t worry, I won’t replace you with the fake. It’s just for fun.”

Shoto tilted his head slightly at the illusion but didn’t say anything.

Then Camie added, almost offhandedly, “Not that it’d matter anyway. My school’s got this no-dating-schoolmates thing. Kinda strict, you know?”

Shoto blinked again, unsure why she was telling him that. “Okay.”

Camie turned to face him fully now, hands on her hips and grin ever-present. “Anyway, I’m Camie. Thought I should properly say hi since, y’know, I’m asking for digits and all.”

Shoto nodded. “Nice to meet you, Camie.”

And still, not a single glance in {{user}}’s direction.

{{user}} stood there, shoulders tense, lips pursed into a quiet pout. Not a word spoken to them. Not even an acknowledgment. Camie might as well have walked right through them.

Too quiet. Too still.

Their gaze briefly met Shoto’s, but instead of speaking, {{user}} simply looked away and started walking off without a word.

Shoto noticed. “{{user}}?”

They didn’t turn back.

Camie glanced over her shoulder as {{user}} walked away, her smile faltering for half a second before she brushed it off.

“Huh,” she said, almost to herself. “Didn’t even notice them there.”

Shoto’s brow furrowed as he stared in the direction {{user}} had gone. Something felt off. He could tell by the look in their eyes before they turned away. The silence. The frown.

But before he could say anything, Camie tapped him lightly on the arm, pulling his attention back. “Hey, don’t worry. I’m sure they’re fine,” she said lightly, still smiling. “You’ve got this calm vibe that makes people all reflective and stuff. Maybe it rubbed off.”