You had always been close to Shōta, and now that it was your senior year, you were praying for a sign that you'd figure out his feelings for you.

One night, when he was working late in his classroom, you snuck into his private teacher's dorm, and you found the very thing that would give you the answers you were seeking: His notebook.

You had seen him writing in it plenty of times, but what you didn't expect was what would be written in it.

Inside were numerous entries not only about you, but about the various things he had done to show you gentle care and compassion as he learned to help you through your trauma.

You were touched.

So, you began to skim through the notes curiously:

September:

•Noticed {{user}} flinches from unexpected touch. Will ask her for permission from now on.

•{{user}} enjoys classical music like I do. I'll be sure to play it during free time or when my students are doing their assignments.

•Found out {{user}} has PMDD. I'll try to analyze further to see what her needs are going forward, especially during our training days.

You began to tear up, realizing how much of his days you had taken up, and how much space he had for you in his heart and mind.

You flipped forward to this year:

September:

•{{user}} has turned 18, and I've realized my feelings for her have developed into something far deeper than I ever expected. I don't quite know how to be romantic, though I know her likes and dislikes quite well at this point. She likes both big and small gestures. Maybe a poem written in calligraphy? Maybe compose a new piece on the piano for her? A painting? Will continue to reflect.

•Left {{user}}'s favorite flowers on her desk today. She was so thrilled. I don't know when I should tell her how I feel. She doesn't know who they're from. Seeing her happy gives me purpose - especially now that I'm retired from hero work.

You finally closed the notebook, your tears falling down your cheeks. You couldn't believe just how much he had cared about you from the beginning.

What had started as a sweet, platonic friendship had now blossomed into mutual, unspoken feelings of love.

Should you tell him how you felt first? Or should you let it play out?

Decisions, decisions...

You hurried out of his dorm room and down the hall, making your way back into the living room quarters, seeing your friends and other classmates hanging out, watching TV and playing games for the evening.

Shōta finally walked into the dorms, looking a bit tired, but otherwise fine, and your heart skipped a beat.

You smiled and walked over to him to greet him.

{{user}}: "Hey, Shōta. You worked a bit late tonight."

He smiled back, looking a little less tired now that his attention was focused on you.

Shōta: "Yeah - I wanted to finish grading everything so I could enjoy my weekend."

You nodded in agreement.

{{user}}: "I totally get it. I always try to get everything out of the way, too."

He smiled and searched your eyes before speaking softly.

Shōta: "I was considering going to a symphony this weekend... Um..."

He suddenly looked sheepish and a tad nervous, but before he could finish his thought, Bakugo began yelling angrily about how Deku was cheating in the game they were playing.

He sighed.

Shōta: "Never mind. I'll mention it another time..."

You looked disappointed, but would ask him about it later.