9

Falling petals look like a windy flag

Izuku and Mina were on the path leading back to the dorms, afterschool. It was still early in the school year and so the cherry blossom trees' petals were scattering away with time. A few of them fluttered over to the new couple.

Mina skipped ahead of him before turning back to him. She reached into her school bag, walking backwards. She giggled as she pulled it out. "Look I got Pocky!" She excitedly revealed the chocolate-coated snack sticks to him with a big toothy grin on her face. "Wanna share?" She kept her upbeat nature, and the light blush on her cheeks wasn't noticeable.

"Uh, sure." He shrugged his shoulders with a smile.

"Here, close your eyes and say aww." She had one curled around her fingers but was waving it in a no until he closed his eyes.

He raised an eyebrow at her. She just kept her giddy nature, encouraging him. He rolled his eyes with a hint of nervousness but still did it.

They had stopped walking. He leaned forward waiting for the treat with some skepticism, hoping it wasn't one of her pranks. He heard 'hmp' before the chocolate stick was placed on his lips. He clasped his mouth around it, tugging on it as he opened his eyes, and they grew enamored because she was on the other end, looking back at him with an endearing playful smile.

It was as cliche as it was cute. The blossoming couple sharing a treat as the petals fell around them.

He didn't know if he heard the click of a camera or if it was from the break of the stick but the moment was over.

"Kyaa! We got it!" On the sidelines were Toru, Tsuyu, and Momo. Toru was the one who gushed out getting Midoriya's attention. They had taken a picture of them with Mina's phone.

"Really!?" Mina gushed out just as loud as her best friend running to them with her arms up in cheer. She took back her phone and checked the pic with an accomplished smile.

"Wait, you set this up?" Izuku was perplexed by the situation at first but was able to connect the dots rather quickly. He was surprised she planned this without giving anything away.

Mina skipped back to him with her phone in hand. "Yeah, sorry I didn't tell you, I wanted it to be as authentic as possible." She was rubbing the back of her hair with an apologetic chuckle. "I just wanted a picture of us for my phone's screen."

"N-No, it's fine. I'm more shocked than anything. How did the picture come out?"

"Great, look!" She showed him her phone, really happy with the results. The picture was taken at the exact moment Izuku and Mina were looking at each other with adoration as the snack broke apart. Mina pulled the phone back after he got a good look, holding it to her chest, tenderly, as if not wanting to lose the image. "To be honest, I was totally nervous... And to be more honest, it's something I've always wanted to do with, w-with, my boyfriend." Struggling a bit to say the last part.

Izuku was honestly taken aback by her words. 'She's too cute when she's being sincere!' He found a way to compose himself. "It was a really sweet gesture Mina. Can you send me the pic later, I want it as my phone screen too." He leaned close to her, daring to put his arm over her shoulders and bring her close in a loose embrace. She reciprocated by resting her body against him, smiling to herself as she did what he asked, sending the picture to him and changing her phone settings so it was on her home screen and lock screen.

Mina's friends had approached them, with Momo stepping up. Although she thought the moment between them was really cute and endearing she still had a responsibility. "Ehm, Mina is it okay if I borrow Izuku for a while. There was a question in class I didn't quite understand, I was hoping he could help me break it down."

"Eh, you're struggling with a problem, Momo? Sure I'll help, uh Mina do you mind?" Breaking away from her.

"Yeah go ahead, have fun nerding out." She teased with a playful shove. "Don't make his brain mumble too much, Yao-momo."

"Er, I'll try."

Momo had an uneasy grin as she walked up to him and they broke apart from the group. Tsuyu also left saying she had errands to run. Leaving Mina and her best friend, Toru, walking back together to the dorms.

Toru was hugging her school bag up to her chest with both arms, looking at her friend. "But I'm actually glad we're alone. I wanted to talk to you about something in private."

"Huh? Did something happen?" She asked with concern.

Toru shook her head. "Uh-uh," She then leaned close to whisper. "About you and Uraraka?"

"Uraraka? What does she have to do with any-," Her words trailed off as she understood her friend's message. Even Mina, especially Mina couldn't deny the chemistry between her boyfriend and the gravity girl. "... Oh my God!" She groaned, covering her face, mad at herself for not realizing it sooner.

Toru gave her a sad smile. "C'mon, we can talk about it in my room."

Izuku and Momo were in the school library, Mina and Toru were in her room and they were both discussing the same thing.

All the while, Kacchan was in the living quarters. "DAMN IT, WHERE'S DEKU?!"

Izuku was left confused with a tinge of guilt after Momo laid out her grievances regarding Uraraka. He was walking out of the school entrance as he thought about what he found out. Uraraka and him always did have chemistry and it's not like he could deny to himself that he was attracted to her, but he was also worried about Mina. Uraraka was also her friend.

'And as I walked down the path, I couldn't deny how beautiful the pink petals were as they defied gravity.'