author's note: 'cause our resident sticky boi needs some more love.

Sero wouldn't consider himself the main character.

Don't get him wrong, he's the main character of his story, but he's not THE main character. He's come to accept that he's your everyday, plain-faced, above-average physicality, average joe.

But that can describe a lot of people at UA.

But Sero's totally fine with that truth. He's seen what Midoriya, or Bakugo, or anyone else involved in any "extracurricular incident" (as Mina has coined) can get into, and frankly, Sero's glad he's out of the limelight.

Too bad he spoke too soon.

'You're probably wondering how I got here. Hi, I'm Sero Hanta, and this, is a pretty shitty situation.' Sero muses to himself as another reporter-and-cameraman combo stops inches from his face with their microphone and equipment. Sero stands there in shock and at a loss for words, not sure how to handle the sudden crowd fighting for his attention.

"Serotonin! Were you scared that the bank robber would break through your tape with his quirk?"

"Actually, it's Cello-"

"Kid Stick, what's the name of the super move you used to restrain all of the bad guys?"

"Well, I haven't thought of one for it yet, but my name is-"

"Mister Hantastic, any advice for the kids watching tonight?"

"Oh, uh, stay in school, eat your veggies, and study har-"

Sero's response is interrupted when an arm yanks him back, only to realize that Kamui Woods had taken his spot in front of the cameras.

"Cellophane nor the Lurkers will be commenting further. The police will provide you with any given information at this point in time." Kamui Woods firmly states before turning to lead Sero away from the crowd.

As Sero heads out of the change room at the Lurkers agency, he notices Edgeshot, Mt. Lady, and Kamui Woods talking to his classmates. Joining the group, everyone's attention turns to him as he waves at everyone.

"My, my, Sero, we're gonna have to work on your PR skills." said Mt. Lady with a wink.

"Sero! Dude, you're gonna be, like, popular now, man!" Denki exclaims loudly. As Mineta starts rambling about something 'unfair' and 'popular'.

"Do not let the people's enamor falter you from doing the Lord's work, Sero-kun." Shiozaki inputs.

"Don't worry, kid, everyone's first time in front of the camera's rough. Just another part of the hero life." Kamui Woods offers nonchalantly.

"Kamui's right, it takes time and practice to hone that skill's edge." adds Edgeshot, chuckling at his own joke.

"Thanks everyone, seriously, don't worry 'bout me! I'd rather not be too much of the media's focus, y'know." Sero responds, sounding exasperated from the coddling.

Laughter resonates through the group, and conversation continues on. Eventually, the Pros sent the students off when the sun had finally set. As the interns say their goodbyes and make their way back to the dorms, Sero can't help but feel flustered from the memory of in-your-face reporters and bulbous camera lenses.

'I'm just trying to be a good hero out of the spotlight, is that too much to ask for?' Sero sighs at the thought.

Oh, how dead wrong he was.

The school day had gone normally for Sero. It was your typical, average school day in a not-so-average high school. Classes to attend, lessons to learn, assignments to pass, and to nobody's surprise, one-sided Bakugo-shaped quarrels during training. Just the everyday ingredients to a typical Sero Hanta day.

Up until lunch, that is to say.

It was during the students' mealtime that disaster decided to strike. Sero's about to eat his lunch when a blue-haired girl he recognizes to be in General Studies approaches his table with her friend. Kirishima, Denki, and Mina are watching in curiosity and amusement for their big-elbowed friend.

"Umm...H-Hi, I'm K-Kukisoji from 1-D...I, umm...this is for you, Sero-san!" The girl forces out as she bows to Sero, a pale pink envelope in her hands.

"Uh, um, thank you Kukisoji-san." Sero responds, taking the envelope from her. Kanagawa straightens her posture, a blush on her cheeks, nodding before she walks away. As she and her friend are heading back towards their own table, Kanagawa's friend pats her back, giving her words of encouragement.

Speechless from what just happened, Denki manages to speak first, breaking the silence at their table.

"Dude, that's got to be a confession letter!"

"To have the guts to confess, how manly!"

"Spring has finally arrived for Sero-kun!"

Sero rolls his eyes at his friends' antics.

"Guys, knock it off, it's probably noth...ing…" Sero says nonchalantly, before realizing that the letter was indeed, a confession letter.

'Dear Sero-san,

I saw you on the news last night, and I think you did really well in front of the cameras! I'd be too nervous to even get a word out, if that was me. I wanted to let you know that you were really brave, and that you looked like a true hero last night. I've liked you since the Sports Festival, but I could never find it in myself to tell you because the Hero Course always seemed pretty intimidating.

But not you though! You look really nice and fun to be with!

I thought that if you could be brave fighting those villains last night, then I should be brave to tell you how I feel. So here it is: I like you, Sero-san. You don't have to respond or say anything, I was just inspired by you. Keep up the good work, Mr. Hero!

Sincerely,

Kukisoji Fuu'

Sero was once again, speechless. 'No way, no way, no way this is happening.' He mentally panicked. 'Whyyyyy me?!'

Taking Sero's silence as a sign, Denki comes to deduce the content's of the letter in a rare show of intelligence. "Holy shit, it IS a confession letter! Sero, man, you're officially the most popular guy in class!"

"I refuse. Take it back." Sero quickly responds, pulling himself out of his stupor and making an 'X' with his hands. "I'm Sero Hanta, supporting character extraordinaire. This stuff happens to people like Honenuki, or maybe Midoriya, hell, even Baku-wait, scratch the last one."

"Face it, cutie, you've become a hit to the ladies!" Mina peppily exclaims. "Well, to at least one lady."

"So what are you gonna do, bro?" Kirishima asks innocently.

"N-nothing…?" Sero weakly answers.

"Dude, that's not very manly of you."

"I don't know! I've never been in this situation! What would you guys do?"

"I'd wait three days, then make my move! It'll make her want me more!"

"I'd ask her out at the end of the day! That would be so cute!"

"I'd write a thank you note and tell her how I feel! Honesty is manly!"

"Those ideas suck...except yours, Kiri." Sero bluntly says, causing his red-haired friend to beam brightly, while the other two look annoyed.

"Never say I never tried to teach you anything, man." Denki retorts.

"Yeah? How are your smooth moves going with Shiozaki, huh, Kami?" Sero deflects back. At his words, Mina's attention piques and switches over to their electrical friend.

"NO, seriously?! You like Shiozaki?" Mina asks, looking like a predator who's spotted its prey.

"Dude, c'mon! That was supposed to be lowkey!" Denki groans out as Mina continues to bombard him with question after question. Kirishima throws in a question every now and then to keep Mina's fire going.

After what seemed to be an effective interrogation that would make Tsukauchi proud, the lunch bell rings, signaling the end of the students' break. As his friends get up to throw their garbage and return their trays, Sero can't help but linger on Kukisoji's words.

'She called me a hero...' Sero thinks to himself. He looks up to see Kukisoji by the lunch hall's exit, talking to her friend. For a moment, she turns to look at him, before getting flustered and waving to him. Sero's face suddenly feels hot, and with speed that would rival Iida, waves back with a crooked smile.

For some reason, Sero felt like the rest of that day was brighter and more energetic. He considers going to Recovery Girl, in case he was coming down with something, but brushes off the idea.

It's probably nothing, right?