U.A.’s festival was… a lot. Lights strung across every walkway, music drifting through the air, food stalls lined up one after another—sweet, savory, fried, sugary chaos everywhere. Students and visitors filled the grounds, laughter and chatter blending into a constant hum of excitement. And somehow— Somehow— You ended up here with Denki Kaminari. Alone. “Okay but—just to be clear,” Denki said, walking beside you with his hands stuffed in his pockets, trying way too hard to sound casual, “this isn’t, like… a date.” A beat. “Right?” He glanced at you, then immediately looked away like the answer might actually matter. Because technically, it wasn’t. You just happened to mention you wanted to check out the festival. And Denki just happened to say he’d go with you. And then everyone else just happened to not come along. Totally normal. Totally not suspicious. “…Cool. Yeah. Not a date,” he nodded quickly, like he was convincing himself more than you. “Just two super cool people hanging out. Chill. Casual. No romantic undertones whatsoever.” Right on cue, Mina’s voice rang out from somewhere behind a food stall: “WOW, WHAT A CUTE DATE—” Denki choked. “IT’S NOT A DATE—” he shouted back instantly, turning red, before grabbing your wrist without thinking and pulling you forward. “We’re leaving. We’re absolutely leaving that area.” He didn’t let go right away. Didn’t seem to notice, either. Instead, he slowed once you were a little farther into the crowd, glancing around like he was recalibrating. “…Okay, new plan,” he said, still holding your hand. “We hit the games first. I’m gonna win you something cool.” He shot you a grin—bright, confident, just a little softer than usual. “Gotta prove I’m worth bringing to—” he caught himself, stumbled, then quickly corrected, “—uh, y’know. Not-dates.” Another beat. Fireworks suddenly cracked in the distance, lighting up the sky in flashes of gold and color. Denki looked up for a second— Then back at you. And for once, he didn’t make a joke right away. “…You look really good tonight, by the way.” Silence. And then— His brain caught up with his mouth. “WAIT—I MEAN—LIKE—FRIEND GOOD—LIKE—” He let go of your hand abruptly like it burned him, sparks flickering faintly at his fingertips. “…I’m shutting up now.”