5

Sunset Company

'I really don't know where we're going!'

Ashido was excited in the moment and acted without thinking. They had headed down the mountain that U.A. sat upon, entering the city. Midoriya had taken a glance at Mina, noticing her unsure expression.

"Hey, Ashido, you know, there's this park I used to got to when I was a kid, it's close by and usually empty around this time." He casually suggested. "We could hang out there."

"Sounds good to me cause I wasn't lying earlier. I'm kinda lost!" She blatantly admitted with a ditzy giggle. He couldn't help but to chuckle back, her energy was always so upbeat and positive.

"Yeah, it's just around over here." Tugging at her hand as he led them. Neither of them were really acknowledging that they were holding hands but it wasn't like they were ignoring it either. Her thumb would brush over his index finger and knuckle. He would readjust the grip, and always leave a soft squeeze behind.

As they reached it, Mina ran up ahead wanting to go on the child-sized slide. After she got on it and slid down it, she encouraged Midoriya to get on. He gave a weak protest and let himself be pushed to it. He slid down it but didn't expect it to be lubed up by Ashido's quirk and slipped off, landing on his rear. She laughed out holding her sides, apologizing, saying she couldn't help it. He stood up and dusted himself up, walking to her.

Mina kept laughing having more fun, running up to one of the pull up bars, jumping, holding on to it, and lifting herself up before spinning on the bar. Izuku smiled at her energetic actions but then his eyes widened before looking away. Mina had lost momentum and was upside down on the bar with her skirt being guided by gravity.

'White cotton! White cotton!'

Mina quickly fixed herself and hopped off the bar, she glanced at him ready to pout and yell at him for peaking but his shy blush was contagious causing her cheeks to heat up too.

Neither of them mentioning what just happened.

They were sitting on the swings, next to each other. She was swaying back and forth, pushing herself with her foot, kicking the dirt every once in a while, her fingers curled around the chains.

They were quiet, both knowing why the awkwardness was resurfacing. They were here, together and alone, away from everyone else.

Like the day before.

"So, um, yesterday..." He finally forced himself to talk about the subject they were both avoiding yet trying to approach.

She didn't know why but she let out a nervous chuckle, playing with one of her horns. "Yeah, that's something we should probably talk about, huh?"

He cleared his throat, nodding. He leaned forward on his swing, turning his head to her. "Where... Where do you want to go from here?"

She met his stare, both locking eyes since sitting down. His enamored emerald eyes had a radiant spark, piercing those honey sweet orbs bathed in infatuated ink.

She didn't think about what he said and instead answered it as a fleeting feeling she had.

"We're having fun, aren't we?"

Her lips curved up after letting out a breathless sigh. She tilted her head into her smile, her bangs swaying along to the calm wind.

He gasped with parted lips. He's never seen this side of Mina, 'Has Ashido always been this alluring?'

"Yeah, we are..."

And that was all that was said about it.

They talked a little bit more after that but of nothing important, just jokes and casual conversations, similar to before but now it wasn't simple pleasantries. They were genuinely enjoying each other's company, not having to talk, a comfortable atmosphere between, emphasized during the quiet moments.

They started to walk to the dorms after the sun had completely set, leaving only the mesh of orange and purple hues swirling in the sky. As they left the park he held out his hand, looking away, not saying anything. She glanced at his nervous expression then down at his hand before hiding a grin at his adorable attitude. She happily clasped her hand with his, walking beside him, brushing her arm against his. During the peaceful walk, she rested her head on his shoulder, humming absently. He stiffened slightly but enjoyed the feeling of her leaning on him.

They had reached the path leading to the dorm building. The last glimmers of light were fading before night set in. She stopped them, seeing how close their shadows were, wanting to savor until it was gone.

"A-Ashido, is something wrong?"

They were facing each other. He was confused slightly, wondering why they suddenly stopped. She had a small smile shaking her head. She shifted on the balls of her feet as she spoke.

"Hey, Izuku,"

On the path their shadows were visible, mimicking their actions. Her shadow leapt into an embrace, wrapping its arms around his shadow's neck as they merged at the mouth. It was the disappearing image of the shadows as the day came to an end.

"Call me, Mina!"