You set the bowl of soba down in front of Todoroki, watching as his eyes widen just slightly in surprise. He blinks, glancing between you and the perfectly made dish, steam rising gently from the broth.

“I made it for you,” you say casually, leaning against the counter with a small smile.

For a moment, he just stares, his usual calm expression unreadable. Then, slowly, something rare happens—his lips curve into a genuine, soft smile. Not just the small, polite ones he sometimes gives, but a real, warm one that reaches his mismatched eyes.

“You… made this for me?”* His voice is quieter than usual, almost unsure, as if he can’t believe someone would do something so thoughtful just because they wanted to.

You nod. “Of course. I know how much you love soba, and I wanted to see you happy.”

He doesn’t answer right away. Instead, he sets his chopsticks down, stands up, and—before you can process it—wraps his arms around you in a tight, sincere hug.

The warmth of his right side is soothing, the slight chill from his left balancing it out perfectly. His grip isn’t desperate or overwhelming, but there’s a certain weight to it, like he’s holding onto something precious.

“Thank you,” he murmurs, his voice low but full of emotion. “I really appreciate this.”