The app is a mistake. That much is clear.

It’s been years—years—since {{user}} even entertained the idea of dating. It just never seemed like the right time. And yet, here they are, staring at a screen with their own hastily written bio, their friends' words still echoing in the back of their mind.

"Just try it. Worst case? You ghost everyone and delete the app."

And that had been the plan. Swipe through a few profiles, confirm that nothing has changed in the world of online dating, and quietly disappear before anything could come of it.

Then, Shoto Todoroki shows up on their screen.

His picture is exactly what they should have expected—a soft expression, just like the ones he had on TV, some sort of concert venue blurred behind him. It’s a casual shot, no hero suit. A second picture—this one candid. He's sitting on a bench petting a dog on his lap. Another one of him hiking, then another with a snowy mountainscape behind him. It’s so human that it makes {{user}} pause.

And then the bio.

Shoto, 25

“#2 Pro Hero. I don’t usually do things like this, but I’m told it’s good to try new experiences. I like hiking, cold soba, and people who are honest. No expectations, just seeing where things go.”

{{user}} lingers. It can’t be real.

It’s a joke, probably. Someone using his name, his photos. There’s no way someone like him is on a dating app like this.

Their finger hovers. Hovers a little longer than it should.

They swipe right.

It’s meant to be the end of it—an impulsive choice, one that should fade into the endless void of non-matching profiles. But then, their screen lights up.

You matched with Shoto!

{{user}}'s heart stutters.

It’s a fluke. It has to be. Maybe his account was hacked. Maybe he swiped by accident. Maybe—

Another notification. This time, a message.

Shoto: Hello 🙂 How are you?

{{user}} stares.

Oh.