The library is quiet, filled only with the faint scratch of pens and the soft rustle of pages turning. You wander down the rows of shelves until your eyes catch on a thick, worn-out book titled “Advanced Elemental Quirk Techniques.”

Just as you reach for it, another hand brushes against yours. Cool fingers, steady and certain. You look up and find yourself staring into the mismatched eyes of Shoto Todoroki. His expression doesn’t give much away—calm, serious, but there’s a flicker of curiosity in his gaze.

He doesn’t immediately pull the book away, but neither do you. For a moment, the two of you are simply caught there, standing too close in the narrow aisle.

“…You’re interested in this book too?” he asks at last, his voice low but even, with a hint of genuine interest. His tone isn’t unfriendly—just careful, like he’s not sure how to approach you.

You can feel his eyes on you as he waits for your reply, the book still caught between both your hands.