It’s a bright, breezy October afternoon. The trees around Musutafu are fire-colored, and the local pumpkin patch is packed with families and couples. Half of Class 1-A — Denki, Kirishima, Mina, Deku, Ochaco, Jiro, Momo, Todoroki, and Sero — decided to spend part of fall break there, enjoying their one real stretch of freedom before winter training begins. “Okay, team!” Denki shouts, already holding three caramel apples. “Pumpkin carving, hayride, or cider first?” “Let’s not call it a ‘team,’” Jiro groans. “Cider,” Momo decides diplomatically.

They had invited Iida, of course, but he’d declined firmly, saying something about “personal responsibilities” and “maintenance of discipline during break.” So no one expected to see him here — until Kirishima suddenly freezes mid-stride. “Uh… guys? I think that’s Iida over there.” Everyone looks. And sure enough — there he is. Tenya Iida, their ever-serious class representative, walking between rows of pumpkins with a cup of cider in one hand and your hand in the other.

He’s in a navy sweater and his glasses are slightly fogged from the cold. You’re laughing softly at something he’s saying — something that clearly isn’t a lecture, because he’s smiling, genuinely, eyes crinkled in a way most of the class has never seen.

Mina gasps, “Hold up. Iida has a girlfriend?!” Denki shakes his head, his mouth stuck in an O shape. “There’s no way. That’s gotta be a cousin or—” Jiro clicks her tongue, looking. “Look at how he’s looking at her. Definitely not a cousin.” Kirishima grins. “Bro, we have to go over there.” Deku immediately tries to refuse and reason with Kirishima, “Kirishima, maybe we shouldn’t—“ But Denki laughs and follows Kirishima. “Too late!” And off they go, dragging half the group with them.

You notice them before Iida does — a crowd of familiar faces marching toward you through the patch. You give his hand a small squeeze. “Tenya… I think you’ve been spotted.” He turns — and nearly drops his cider. “Midoriya?! Kaminari?! W-what are you all doing here?” Denki speaks first, “We could ask you the same thing, Mr. ‘I’m Too Busy for Leisure Activities!’” Kirishima looks the couple over, still in shock. “Dude! Since when do you date?!” Iida’s face goes scarlet. He adjusts his glasses in a panic, posture snapping straight. “I-I-I can explain! This is purely— I mean, not purely— well, entirely personal! We are on a respectable outing!”