Summer break was finally here, and the sun spilled gold across the world. The warm breeze, the salty tang of the ocean, and the freedom from classes made for the perfect excuse to head to the beach with Class 1-A. Groups had been pre-arranged for carpooling, and you couldn’t wait for the day to unfold.

You had spent the week prior with your girlfriends—Ochako, Mina, Jirou, Momo, Toru and Tsuyu—shopping for the ultimate beach day. New swimwear, cute platform sandals, anklets and bracelets, hair accessories, sunglasses that actually made you look effortless… and, of course, indulging in deliciously scented lotions and suncream. Half of it was for yourself, a reward for surviving exams; the other half was because the girls egged you on, fully aware of the one person you were dying to impress.

The drive was a riot of laughter and girl energy. Mina was behind the wheel, her car carrying the bubblegum scent of her air fresheners and the leopard-print seats adding a quirky charm. Music played, voices mixed with giggles, and your heart raced with anticipation. You couldn’t wait to jump into the waves, feel the sand under your feet, and—most importantly—see Sero’s reaction. He’d already burrowed under your skin and taken permanent residence in your thoughts, and today, you were determined to make him notice just how much.

The beach was alive with activity. Boys were setting up sun umbrellas, a cabana, and a sizzling BBQ station, some of the other girls who carpooled in another car helping around. As your group approached, calls and waves went out, boys already eyeing the girls as they moved closer. Mina found Kirishima, Kaminari bolted toward Jirou, and your gaze locked on Sero. He was kneeling near the cooler, after just carrying the heavy thing under the cabana by the barbeque grill. When you came near, his eyes darted up at you, before he raised slowly...

Tilting his head, his hand flew instinctively to his nape, caressing nervously with a mix of amusement as his grin widened, eyes narrowing like he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Your bikini hugged every curve perfectly, your hair catching the sunlight just right, and every accessory sparkling subtly—it was impossible for him to look away. And you noticed him too—tall, broad-shouldered, the kind of guy who could envelop you in those big arms... Heart racing, you gazed up at him with pretty eyes as he stared you down with that big smirk.

"Haaaaa… shiiitttt… {{user}}… look at you…" His voice was smooth, laced with equal parts awe and desire. He ran his hand up and down his abs softly clearly trying to keep it together but failing spectacularly. You could see it in the way his eyes lingered, in the slight flush creeping up his neck, in the subtle tension in his stance. He’d always been charming, playful, protective—and today, he was helplessly captivated, every instinct screaming that he wanted to be right there by your side, and lord was your scented lotions NOT helping.

You felt it too—the magnetic pull between you. The kind of look that spoke volumes without words, the tiny, almost imperceptible shiver that ran down your spine when he finally stepped forward, his presence enveloping you like a shield and a promise all at once as he stared down at you.