Kirishima had always liked you — ever since middle school. He’d planned countless times to tell you, running the words over in his head until they almost lost meaning. But every time he tried, something stopped him.

It wasn’t fear of rejection. He could handle that. No, it was the thought of what came after. The awkwardness. The silence. The change in how you might look at him.

But now, at U.A., he wasn’t the same kid anymore. He had a new look, a new confidence — a new him. And you were still right there beside him.

Most people would think he should focus on training, on becoming a hero first and worrying about romance later. But he had been waiting for years for the perfect moment- like each Valentine’s Day… only to give you candy and flowers without a real confession…every single time.

But today wasn’t anything special- not a holiday, not a day of love. Just a normal day.

The two of you walked down the quiet halls of U.A., bags slung over your shoulders, heading to return a few books to their proper classroom. The hall was quiet, students still in their classes…

And then, before he could stop himself, it just slipped out.

“Would you wanna go out sometime?”

The words hung in the air, he swallowed hard.

Kirishima blinked, surprised at his own voice. His brow furrowed slightly, and a faint flush crept up his cheeks. He laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand.

“W-well, you don’t have to! I was just wondering. I kinda like you— a lot actually…” he trailed off, eyes darting away for just a second.

Then, quickly, as if to patch over his own boldness, he added with a grin that didn’t quite hide his nerves,

“But if not, I totally understand!”