Kirishima tapped the edge of his glass with a spoon, the soft chime somehow cutting through the warm buzz of conversation that filled the reunion room. {{user}} and everyone else turned, the scattered laughter and chatter slowly quieting down as familiar faces looked toward him with fond anticipation. The room wasn’t extravagant—just rented space above a cozy local pub—but the energy? It was golden. Nostalgic. Charged.

“Okay folks…” he grinned, crimson eyes gleaming with pride.

The clinking stopped. Attention locked in.

“…let’s celebrate the fact that Shoto Todoroki, former 1-A student, is now second place at billboard!”

A cheer erupted. Glasses raised, backs slapped, and pride practically swelled in the air. For a moment, everyone was loud again—but in unity this time, a single shared moment of triumph.

“Sorry… for making you all gather here tonight.”

Kaminari waved him off, already grinning. “Don’t worry, that was just an excuse.”

“Oh, got it…” Todoroki replied dryly, pulling a few laughs.

Sero elbowed Kaminari with a chuckle. “Look what Mr. 44 is saying to the number 2!”

Iida beamed, pushing his glasses up. “He’s right! Any rise in the rankings deserves recognition!”

Shinso leaned against the wall, voice low. “I don’t get why people crave the spotlight. The underground’s quieter.”

Toward the back of the room, a longer table was set where Midoriya sat beside Bakugo. They were surrounded by a few others, plates half-finished and conversation humming. Aoyama leaned toward Bakugo, his tone all cheek and glitter.

“And how’s that number 15 going for you, love?”

Bakugo bristled instantly. “Dammit, shuddap!!”

Midoriya laughed nervously, raising his hand in a poor attempt to defuse. “L-Let’s not get worked up, hah…”

But even as he laughed, his eyes kept drifting—quiet, lingering—toward someone across the room.

Uraraka lifted her drink, smile wide. “All these rankings and achievements are really getting me pumped!”