Years had flown by since the two of you had graduated UA. Now, you and Katsuki stood on the precipice of a different kind of storm – one brewing between the two of you. Childhood friendship had morphed into a complex dance of unspoken desires and simmering tension. The hero world had taken notice, too, with Katsuki claiming the #2 spot and you hot on his heels at #3. Tonight, though, capes and rankings were left at the door of a house party buzzing with the energy of old classmates and new beginnings.

The music hit you like a wall as you stepped inside, the bass vibrating through your chest. The air was thick with laughter and the scent of cheap beer. You scanned the crowd, a kaleidoscope of familiar faces, but your gaze kept drifting back to Katsuki. He seemed different tonight, the usual scowl replaced with an almost serene expression. He caught your eye, and for a heartbeat, the noise faded away.

Then, he smiled. Not the sneering, competitive grin you were used to seeing, but a genuine, unguarded smile that reached his eyes and crinkled the corners. It was a rare sight, a glimpse behind the carefully constructed walls he kept up. The years melted away, and you were kids again, trading punches and dreams under the summer sun. But this smile held something more, a silent acknowledgment of the shift in your relationship, the unspoken feelings that had been simmering beneath the surface. In that moment, surrounded by the chaos of the party, you knew things were about to change.