Naoko slept in late again. It was almost noon by the time she pried her eyes open, having been woken up by the pressing heat in her room. It was yet another sunny day, warm enough that she could feel herself beginning to sweat just from glancing out the window.

She sighed and closed her eyes again, draping an arm over her face to block out the sun. She remained there, motionless and only half awake, for longer than she should have, and she would have stayed that way were it not for the sudden banging at her door. She sighed and reluctantly pulled herself upright, her feet pressing against the warm floorboards as she shuffled across the room. She opened the door tiredly.

"Hi, Bakugo!" Naoko greeted with a bright smile.

"Gross. Don't do that," the boy wrinkled his nose as she practically oozed cheerfulness. "You're not doing anything today, right?"

"Well, no, but-"

"Good. Hurry up and get dressed. You have five minutes."

"What?" she tilted her head, blinking questioningly, "Why?"

"Just do it," he huffed, shoving her back into her room before pulling the door shut.

She blinked a few times, staring at the closed doorway in confusion. After a moment, she hesitantly turned and rifled through her closet for some acceptable clothing, and upon finding a loose t-shirt and some shorts, she quickly changed before stepping out of the room.

Bakugo turned around at the sound of the door opening. His brows drew as he scanned her up and down. "You look like a loser. Try again."

"...this is what I usually wear?" she blinked slowly, head tilting in confusion.

"Well you have to look like a real person today," he frowned, turning her around and pushing her back into her room yet again.

Naoko could only stare, puzzled, as the door shut behind her once more.

After a few more minutes, she emerged from her room for the third time, peering expectantly at him.

"Better?"

He glanced down at the sundress she now wore- light and pretty, an appropriately summery dress he didn't know she owned- and only let his eyes linger for a split second before he turned around as fast as he could, obscuring the red tinge that threatened to flush his cheeks.

"Yea, whatever. Let's go," he huffed, shoving his hands into his pockets and starting down the stairs.

She trailed after him slowly. "So…" she peered up at his slight frown as they exited the house, "...where are we going?"

"Out."

"Ok… but where?"

"Shut up and find out."

"You're being suspicious, you know."

"I have no idea what you're talking about!"

Naoko quirked an eyebrow, slowly turning to face forward as she hesitantly decided to go along with whatever he was up to.

"How come I have to look nice but you get to look like that?" she teased, lightheartedly changing the subject.

"The hell do you mean?! What's wrong with how I look?!"

"I mean, that's the same tank top you always wear."

"So?!"

"I'm just saying. We could have both looked nice: that would've been cute, don't you think?"

"Gross! Shut it, loser!"

She laughed cheerily as they reached the nearby subway station. Following his lead, they stepped onto the blue line train and found two open seats in the crowded car. The sliding doors soon puffed closed as the train pulled away from the platform. The car was warm and rather stuffy thanks to the dozens of commuters gathered inside, and the lack of space meant they ended up pressed shoulder-to-shoulder for most of the way.

Once the voice overhead announced their arrival at Central Station, Bakugo impatiently grabbed her arm and dragged her out through the doors while she hurriedly apologized to the people he ran into along the way. They soon made it out of the crowded station and emerged onto the less crowded, but still bustling, street above.

"Don't get lost," he grunted as they started down the lively city block.

Naoko stuck close behind him, partially using his body as a shield while slipping through the larger crowds.

Soon, they came up to a large decorative gate.

"The zoo? Is this where we're going?" An excited smile instantly spread on her lips, her face lighting up as she squeezed his arm.

"Yea, I thought it could kill some time," he stated, muttering the latter part under his breath.

"What was that?"

"Nothing. Let's go." He quickly averted his gaze as Naoko eagerly pulled him into the welcome area of the center.

There were a few dozen people scattered around the large room, the busy chatter melding into a single mass of noise. It was a rather popular attraction, it appeared, seeing as the building was just as busy as the streets outside. The room was painted a pleasant forest green, the walls curving inwards as they rose to create a partial dome high overhead. There were large windows lining the far wall across from where they stood, sunlight pouring in, and the entrance to the outdoor exhibits was placed at the other end of the open space where they could already see small crowds of people walking past.

One of the workers behind the information desk greeted them cheerfully as they approached. He handed them a pamphlet, which held a map inside, explaining the layout of the zoo and highlighting a few of their seasonal exhibits before sending them off, wishing them a pleasant visit.

Naoko beamed, thanking him while Bakugo remained silent and uninterested at her side. She lightly tugged at his arm, pulling him along as they crossed the room, making their way to the large glass doors leading outside. They eagerly stepped out of the welcome area and into the main section of the zoo.

The sun shone brightly overhead, a blinding beacon in the perfectly blue, cloudless sky, its intense rays quickly warming the masses below. The ground was warm as well, a little too much so, in fact, having soaked in the heat since sunrise, to the point where they could even feel a slight warmth through the soles of their shoes. The air was rather dry, as it had been for a few days now, and fortunately so, as humid heat was always much worse.

"Let's see," Naoko hummed. She unfolded the larger-than-expected map, scanning it before pointing to a little black star, "We're here right now, so the marshland exhibit should be the first one we see. Can we go there first?" she turned to look up at him, eyes gleaming with excitement.

"Whatever."

"Great! I think it might be indoors- it's hot out here," she smiled, putting away the map and looping her arm through his. "You know, I didn't think you'd like this kind of thing," she mused, glancing around at a few of the other visitors walking down the busy path: families, friend groups, couples.

"It's whatever. Not like I hate it or anything," he shrugged, adjusting his arm. "Why are you so into it? It's not like you haven't been to places like this before."

"Actually, I haven't," she grinned.

"Are you serious?" he peered down at her incredulously, "Aren't your parents rich or something? I thought you would've been to plenty of fancier versions of this."

"No, it's my first time. I never really had a chance to see things like this growing up!"

"Well, I guess you would be excited then."

"Oh, look! There it is!" she jumped giddily as the sign in front of the marshland area came into view. "Let's go!" she cheered.

He let himself be dragged through the lively walkways and into the exhibit, a halfhearted frown plastered on his face.

The two made their way through the winding paths of the expansive zoo under the harsh glare of the summer sun. Despite the overbearing heat, they stopped at each enclosure to read the small print on the information plaques and made a point to explore every indoor exhibit they came across- half for the animals and half for the air conditioning. Naoko's enthusiasm never waned even as the heat began to grow uncomfortable; she would gasp at colorful birds and fawn over anything fluffy, urging a rather indifferent Bakugo to look at the red pandas and flamingos and snakes and bears. He would usually only scoff in response, humoring her intense affection for the animals before something else would catch her eye and have her running off towards the next exhibit, almost losing him multiple times along the busy paths.

The growing discomfort of the burning heat on their skin soon became too much, however, and it was even enough to wear Naoko's spirits down.

By the time they decided to take a break at a small cafe, they had made it about halfway through the park and were already sweating terribly, their clothes clinging to them, damp against sweltering skin. The sun remained intense overhead, and it didn't seem to be giving any ground.

"It's nice in here…" Naoko sighed, wiping away a sheen of sweat with the side of her hand. She slouched in her seat, leaning towards the mercifully cool breeze of the air vent as they sat in a corner table inside the busy cafe. Bakugo, unfortunately, fared much worse. He splayed himself carelessly next to her, breathing loudly through his mouth, having long become too overheated to form any cohesive thoughts. "Are you ok?" her brows creased worriedly as she slid her glass of water over to him.

He huffed indignantly and grabbed the glass, downing it in record time before slamming it onto the table next to his own- already empty- cup.

A waitress approached their table with a tray in hand.

"Here you are," she said with a friendly smile, placing two plates and two drinks in front of them.

"Thank you," Naoko waved cheerfully, despite the tired strain in her cheeks, as the woman smiled back and stepped away.

"...summer… hot… stupid..." Bakugo muttered broken curses under his breath, his face flushed red and sweating.

"We can go home after this if you want. I think it's going to be like this the rest of the day," Naoko mused, breathing a light sigh as she squinted through the window at the still-blazing sun outside.

"No!" he shouted, sitting up and leaning forward abruptly, causing her to tilt away from him. "You said you wanted to see this dumb place, so we're going to see it!"

"Ok, ok, lower your voice!" she waved urgently as curious heads turned their way.

Bakugo huffed and leaned back in his seat, arms crossed.

"It's nice you're being considerate and all, but we really don't have to stay," she continued, taking a sip of her cold drink, "We can always come back another time when it's cooler."

"I said we're going to see the rest of this place, now shut up."

"What's with you today?"

"What are you talking about?"

"You've been awfully nice."

"I think your brain is broken."

"Well, maybe," she tapped her head testingly, "but you have! You've spent hours walking around a place you don't want to be because I said I wanted to go, you paid for my food, you haven't called me a loser since this morning… are you feeling alright?"

"What? Do you want me to insult you or something?" he sneered, turning away.

"Not particularly, but it's a little strange when you don't," she tilted her head. "Whatever it is, you can tell me, you know."

"I'm just doing this because I feel like it, dumbass."

"Did you break one of my things?"

"What? No!"

"Did you get me in trouble with someone?"

"No!"

"Is this a prank?"

"Hey, loser!" he smacked the top of her head with a closed fist, causing her to yelp and bat his hand away.

"What was that for?!" she whined, covering her head defensively.

"I'm being nice because I want to be nice, ok?!" he shouted as he glared down at her intimidatingly, crimson eyes blazing with irritation, "So can you just shut up and accept it?!"

A slight frown pinched between her brows as she stared back at him. Her lips pressed together, fingers tightening around the hem of her skirt as an inscrutable look formed in her eyes.

After a moment of silence, she huffed and turned away.

"You don't have to shout…" she muttered indignantly, picking up her fork and stabbing into her cake harder than she needed to.

She wouldn't look at him after that.

A pang of guilt hit him as he cursed under his breath. Panicking, he quickly pulled out his phone and hurriedly typed something under the table.

"Guys!" Uraraka shouted, quickly dropping the scissors she held and brandishing the phone in her hands.

Everyone paused and turned to look at her.

"Bakugo says he needs backup! It's an emergency!" she announced urgently.

"What happened?" Yaoyorozu asked from across the room.

"He didn't say, but he needs help!"

"Who should go?" Midoriya asked, popping up from behind a counter, strips of tape stuck to his face.

"I will!" Mineta raised his hand eagerly, eyes gleaming as he peered around a dark corner. "They're outside, right? It's hot so she won't be wearing much and she'll be all sweaty and she might take off her-!"

"No!" The girls yelled in unison.

"Why not?!"

"You already finished your part, right, Todoroki-chan?" Tsuyu asked curiously, squatting down next to him, "Why don't you go?"

He blinked in surprise. "Wouldn't it be better if someone else went?"

She rested a finger against her chin thoughtfully, "I think Bakugo-chan is having a hard time being nice to her without coming off as suspicious, ribbit. She wouldn't think it was strange if it was you," Tsuyu reasoned, tilting her head "Besides, everyone else is still working."

"Good idea, Tsu-chan!" Uraraka shouted, dashing over to them and nearly slipping over the loose markers strewn across the floor, "I'll send you their location, Todoroki! Please hurry- we only need a few more hours!"

Naoko hadn't said much to Bakugo since they left the cafe. They had been walking for a few minutes down an all-too-sunny path, near the big cats area, when Naoko felt a tap on her shoulder. She paused and glanced behind her.

"Todoroki?" her eyes widened in surprise as she took a step back.

"Hi," he waved, his expression as passive as usual.

"Why… what are you doing here?"

"Bakugo invited me."

She turned to the blonde next to her with a suspicious glance, but he only huffed and looked away.

"I thought you were going to visit your mother today?" she turned back to him, tilting her head.

"I went earlier."

"Oh, so it's ok for you to be here?"

"Yes."

"Great!" she beamed suddenly, hands flying up in excitement, "Well, I'm glad you came! We still have a lot to see, let's go!" she grinned, eagerly running off ahead.

Todoroki glanced over at Bakugo who frowned after her. "What happened?" he asked quietly.

"...made her mad."

"That's not what you were supposed to do."

"Not like I meant to!" he sneered, shoving his hands deeper into his pockets. "The hell are you doing here anyway?"

"You said you needed help."

"Why'd it have to be you?!"

"Hey!" Naoko waved cheerfully from a few feet ahead, tiptoeing to see over the crowd, "Sorry, I almost lost you guys! Come on!"

Todoroki waved back and started after her, Bakugo trailing grumpily behind.

"So have you been here before, Todoroki?" she smiled as they fell into step beside her, continuing down the sunny path.

"No, I haven't," he shook his head. His eyes scanned the glass and wire barriers to their right.

"Neither have I! It's really nice; I didn't know there was a place like this in the middle of the city!" she grinned. "Oh-"

They paused upon noticing she had stopped in the middle of the walkway.

"What's wrong?" Todoroki asked.

She looked down at her hand, then back up at his arm. The spot that accidentally brushed against him… it felt…

She stepped forward and wrapped both hands around his right arm, much to his surprise.

"You're cold!" she gasped, eyes snapping up to him intently.

He blinked, nodding awkwardly. "It's a side effect of my quirk."

She stared back down at his arm for a moment before looking up again. "Hey, do you mind if I…" she glanced at him, a bit embarrassed.

He blinked questioningly, unsure of what she meant. "Go ahead."

"Thanks!" she beamed, eagerly wrapping herself around his arm. She sighed quietly as the pleasant chill seeped into her skin.

Todoroki stared down at her, blinking at the odd sensation as he heard Bakugo snort across from him.

"How nice…" she sighed, pressing her cheek against his shoulder as she relished the tingle of the slight chill on her overheated skin. "Anyways!" she stood up straight, pointing enthusiastically to the path ahead, "Let's keep going!"

By the time they had made their way through the remaining half of the zoo, the sun had long begun its descent from its peak, though it wouldn't start getting dark for another few hours. The air had cooled significantly by now, leaving the remainder of the day in a bearable warmth. The three were seated on the train, all in a row, on their way back from the busy city center. The ride was pleasantly quiet, aside from the chatter of the other passengers around them, and before they knew it, they had arrived at their stop.

"Are you coming this way too, Todoroki?" Naoko asked curiously as he continued to follow them down a street he wouldn't normally take.

"Yes," he replied simply. He made no move to elaborate further.

She laughed quietly. "Well, ok," she grinned, hands clasped behind her as she turned her gaze forward. "I don't know why you two did all this, but thanks."

They glanced down at her, then at each other.

"Especially you!" she nudged Bakugo, smiling up at him.

"You're…" he peered down at her hesitantly, "you're not mad?"

"Well I was, but I could tell you were really trying to be nice, so I got over myself!"

"Don't you want to know what we were up to?" he asked with a halfhearted frown.

"Sure, but I won't ask because it doesn't matter!" she smiled, looping her arms through both of theirs and pulling them close, "I had a great day, so you can keep your secrets!"

They exchanged another glance as the trio turned into the walkway of Bakugo's house. She cheerfully fished the key from his pocket and untangled her arms from theirs, stepping forward to unlock the door.

"Thanks for coming, Todoroki! I hope you had fun too," she pushed open the front door with a smile, "and if you ever need me to return the favor or anything, just-"

"SURPRISE!"

Naoko nearly lost her footing as the lights snapped on and a dozen people jumped out at her. Todoroki had to place a hand on her back to keep her from falling as her eyes darted around like a startled animal, bewildered at the excited faces of her classmates.

"Happy birthday!" Uraraka and Yaoyorozu cheered, stepping forward to place a party hat on the wide-eyed girl.

"Y-y-you-!" she stammered, pointing a shaking hand at the students grinning back at her. "H-how did you know?"

"You told me once, remember?" Yaoyorozu laughed, taking her by the shoulders and pulling her into the lively, decorated house.

A chorus of "happy birthday!"s sounded as she received hugs and high-fives from each of her friends.

"So?" Uraraka bounced eagerly, eyes wide and shining with excitement, "Do you like it?"

Naoko sniffed a little, heart still racing from the shock, her eyes trailing every inch of the room adorned with balloons, streamers, banners, and bows. "I-I love it!"

"Yay!" the class cheered, rounds of high-fives and thumbs-ups breaking out across the room.

Todoroki raised a high five to Bakugo, who sneered and turned away before grouchily slapping a hand to his.

Naoko chatted with her friends for the next few hours as everyone, including Mitsuki and Masaru, who had also helped with the planning, laughed and enjoyed the party.

"How long did it take to do all this, Momo?" she asked in embarrassment as Yaoyorozu snapped a picture of them wearing matching party hats.

"Most of us snuck in right after you left, and everyone else arrived later on! Honestly, we could have gotten it done a lot quicker if everyone hadn't been messing around so much," she sighed, taking another picture while Naoko was off guard.

"Well, I'm glad everyone had fun! I feel a little guilty that everyone did all this," she laughed sheepishly, scratching the back of her neck.

"Oh come on, what are you talking about?! Today is for celebrating!" Ashido jumped up behind her, clapping her hands down on her shoulders. "And speaking of celebrating, we have to cut the cake!"

"Right! Sato worked really hard on it! It looks great!"

"Really? Thank you, Sato!" she waved cheerfully at the boy standing on the other side of the counter.

"N-no problem! I just hope you like it!" he smiled, scratching his head shyly.

Ashido and Iida gathered everyone around the main table, and after laughing through a stunningly distracted Happy Birthday song, complete with offhanded giggling, elbowing each other for space, and shouting at those who were off-key, Naoko cut the cutely decorated cake and began passing out pieces to everyone.

"Happy birthday, dear!" Mitsuki hugged her excitedly as she brought two slices of cake over. She held her phone up at arm's length and waved to the person on screen, "I just called your mother to tell her about the party! Look!"

"Naoko! I'm so sorry your father and I can't be there with you, but we're glad you made so many new friends! Happy birthday, sweetie!" the smiling woman exclaimed, waving cheerfully.

"Thanks, mom!" she beamed and waved back as she spotted Uraraka gesturing wildly at her from across the room, "Oh, say hi to dad for me! I have to go, but I'll call you later, ok? Bye!" she grinned and waved apologetically before rushing off.

Mitsuki laughed, shaking her head as she turned the camera back around. "Kids these days never have time for us anymore, huh?"

"Don't I know it! Wow, they grow up so fast..."

"Ochako!" Naoko waved as she ran up to the bouncing girl.

"Naoko! Can we open presents now? We've gathered them already- they're right over there!" she grinned, pointing eagerly at the living room next door.

"Sure, that's-!"

"Listen up, class!" Iida shouted, drawing everyone's attention as the chatter lulled, "We need to move into the living room in a neat and efficient line! Ito has decided she wants to open presents, that-!"

"Presents?! Heck yea! Let's go!" Ashido cheered, leaping to her feet and dragging Naoko and Uraraka into the next room.

"No! We must be orderly!" Iida yelled frantically as the chattering bunches of students followed close behind in a very unorderly fashion.

"Here!" Ashido eagerly placed a colorfully wrapped box in front of her, "Mine first! Open it, open it!"

Naoko grinned at the lively girl and gratefully took the box, carefully unwrapping it and lifting up the sneakers inside.

"They're so cute!"

"I knew you'd like them!" she squealed, "They're great for dancing and super comfortable! It's my favorite brand too!"

"Nice, Mina! Hey, do mine next!" Uraraka tapped her shoulder excitedly, plucking a pink bag from the pile.

One by one, Naoko opened each gift and hugged every one of her thoughtful classmates, thanking them profusely. Even Mineta. Dresses, headphones, a cookbook, an All Might figurine, a book on primal darkness, and many more presents were cheerfully and gratefully received.

"Whoa! When did you take that?" Uraraka gasped as she peered at the picture frame inside the sleek black box. It was from Todoroki; the heavy silver frame held the photo they had taken when they went to Kiyabu Center a few months ago. The two of them stood in front of a large yellow bear mascot, their arms raised in the signature pose of the character: a heart above their head. Naoko smiled brightly at the camera while Todoroki stared blankly next to her; the stark contrast between his expression and pose was enough to send their classmates into fits of laughter.

"I… didn't know what to get," Todoroki frowned, looking away in embarrassment, "Midoriya said you liked photographs, so I thought…"

"I love it!" Naoko cut him off with an aggressive hug, shaking him excitedly as she grinned from ear to ear, "I love it! Thank you!"

He froze for a moment as she hugged him tighter, eventually managing a stiff nod.

"That's so cute!" Ashido cackled as she clutched her stomach, leaning over the picture with Kaminari, Sero, and Hagakure crowded next to her.

"Hey! Can you pose like that for us, Todoroki?" Kirishima struggled to catch his breath as he laughed, red-faced, pulling out his phone.

"Yea! Do it!" Ashido cheered, taking hers out as well.

A chant of "Do it! Do it!" started among the hecklers as Todoroki awkwardly looked to Naoko for help.

"I'll do it with you!" she smiled, placing her hands atop her head in a heart shape. "It's ok- they think you're cute!" she beamed, nudging him encouragingly.

After a moment, he slowly raised his hands and formed a matching heart above his head, drawing a barrage of cheers and camera shutters from the adoring crowd.

After the remainder of the presents had been opened and the attention of the excitable students turned elsewhere, everyone once again dispersed into smaller groups, scattering around the kitchen and living room and chatting happily amongst themselves.

Naoko stood near the large kitchen counter, surrounded by a handful of friends, laughing cheerfully as Hagakure told a bad joke to the group of girls. After a few minutes of lighthearted chatter, she seemed to recall something as her gaze wandered across the many figures around her.

As suspected, she spotted Bakugo at the edge of the living room, arms crossed and sitting away from the others with the same sour expression on his face.

"Hi," she greeted cheerfully, plopping down next to him on the plush couch.

"What do you want?" he frowned, glancing over at her.

"Thanks for today. It was fun," she beamed.

"The zoo or the party?"

"Both!"

"...whatever."

"Sorry I was mad at you earlier. I didn't know you were working so hard to surprise me; I hope you're not upset about that..." she smiled sheepishly.

"Don't think so much into it, loser," he snorted. "Why would I be upset? I'm not the best at being nice or whatever. I guess it was weird, huh?"

"Don't say that! You have your own way of being nice, and you don't have to change for anyone!" she smiled, nudging him encouragingly.

"...yea."

"Hey, I didn't give you a hug earlier, did I?"

"Yea, I didn't have time to get you a present... sorry."

"You spent a whole day with me- that's more than enough, Bakugo!" she beamed.

"Katsuki."

"Huh?" her eyes widened and her mouth opened in surprise.

He avoided her gaze. "It's confusing," he muttered, nodding over to his parents who were busy taking pictures of their friends posing dramatically, cluttered so close they were nearly falling over each other.

She blinked at him for a moment, at a loss for words, before a wide smile instantly spread across her face.

"And you said you didn't get me a present!" she beamed, tackling him into a suffocating hug.

"Oi! Get off me, dumbass!" he yelled, struggling hard to pry her away from him. She wouldn't budge despite his best, most vocal efforts, however, and eventually he gave in, opting instead to hug her back.

Much harder.

"Ouch! Ok! Ok! Ok! I'm getting off!"