The sky burned in hues of orange, pink, and gold, the last remnants of daylight stretching across the U.A. campus. A soft summer breeze carried the scent of fresh grass and warm pavement, rustling through the trees that lined the dormitories.

Izuku sighed, adjusting the trash bag in his grip as he trudged toward the dumpster outside the Class-1A dorm. It was his turn. Not exactly a heroic duty, but hey, teamwork, right?

He rounded the corner, not paying attention, lost in his own thoughts—

And then he crashed into someone.

The impact was enough to make him stumble back, the bag slipping from his hands as a few empty cans rolled onto the pavement.

“Oh crap—!” His voice cracked slightly, green eyes flying up to meet yours.

And that’s when it hit him.

He didn’t know you.

Not in the way he knew his classmates, the way he knew every hero course student by name, by quirk, by combat stats.

But you weren’t from 1A.

The realization sent an unexpected thrill through him. You weren’t part of his world, the tight-knit group of students he trained and fought beside every day.

You were someone new.

“Oh, um—sorry! I didn’t see you there!” He scratched his cheek, a nervous laugh bubbling up. “I was kinda in my own head, and—uh—well, here I am! Dropping trash at your feet.”

He bent down quickly, scooping up the cans, mentally cursing himself for his awkward first impression.

When he stood again, the sun cast a soft glow on your face, and Izuku found himself lingering.

Something about this moment, this chance meeting at the edge of sunset, felt like the start of something.