Koji Koda

Estelle didn't know what emotion she was feeling. Squinting her eyes at the fluffy object brushing against her ankle, realisation began to set in once two globes met her own. Confusion fell at how an animal was in the room, but it was quickly overtaken by wonder since an animal was in the room.

"Awwwww!" Estelle cooed, heart eyes beating out of her skull as she leaned over to pick the rabbit up. "You are just too cute for words!"

Holding the creature up, Estelle noticed it was still nibbling on grass, the flecks falling out of its mouth as if it were dinner time. Ignoring the fact an animal was somehow in the dorms, Estelle couldn't find it within herself to find an inch of care as she showered the animal with all the tenderness she had never been given.

"Who's a good girl or boy! You are my new sunshine! Yes, you are!" Estelle continued to squeal, the rabbit in her hands thoroughly enjoying being showered with pats. The unmistakable look of joy on the animal's face sparked Estelle's rampage of cuteness, and she had to hold herself back from squeezing the creature too tightly.

It wasn't until Estelle heard a squeak behind her that she froze like a stone crawler.

Her few moments of bliss halted like a crashed vehicle, and Estelle was forced to recognise that she was not herself for those moments, and someone was witnessing the whole thing. Still holding the rabbit, who was utterly ignorant of the entire situation within her arms, Estelle turned slowly, a light blush on her face as she faced the new arrival. Widening her eyes, the female realised Koji Koda had caught her.

Thankfully, the male seemed too nervous to notice Estelle's flustered state. The shy male's gaze was directed at his fingers, continuously twisting around each other as he awkwardly shuffled between each foot. Opening her mouth, Estelle quickly closed it once she realised she couldn't find the words to say. Feeling uneasy, the pair ended up in a prolonged silence as they remained unsure what to do.

Estelle was internally mortified, especially since it was someone she had never really gotten the chance to get to know before. Her classmates were loud and tended to invade her space, but Koda differed. His anxiety in social situations caused the two to never really cross paths individually, yet he was always there alongside the rest of them, like a silent pillar of support for them all.

She appreciated his quietness; though she was fully aware that it hinders him to some extent, it was clear that he was working on it to be the best hero he could be. Estelle could appreciate that since people tend to allow their troubles to take over their actions, he fought against it silently. A strong yet kind soul.

Giving a shy smile to break herself out of her daze and hopefully put the boy at ease, Estelle had already put the pieces together as she muttered, "Sorry, I should have known they are yours."

Hands raised up frantically as the male tried to silently tell her there was no need to apologise. Estelle could only nod in answer, fearful that she would somehow scare her classmate away by saying too much. Lifting her hand to pat the relaxing rabbit laying on her arm, Estelle questioned, "Is it a boy?"

Koda nodded, his head lowered back to the ground shyly, his eyes betraying his stupefaction that Estelle was conversing with him.

"He's adorable; I'm shocked I've never seen him before. Sorry, I'll give him back," Estelle quickly apologised again, acknowledging that she may be keeping him when the student only wants his rabbit back.

Surprisingly, Koda shook his head again, his hand easing up into different signs as if he wanted to explain. Unfortunately, Estelle didn't know sign language and could only tilt her head in puzzlement as he tried to communicate. Nodding his head as if he should have expected that, the male reached forward to stroke the rabbit's head, his other hand gesturing for her to do the same.

Giving a soft smile, Estelle noticed how his mannerisms seemed youthful. She wanted to deny it, but his wide eyes that were finally looking at her instantly warmed her to the silent male. He just seemed soft, and it made Estelle feel comfy inside. So, lifting her hand up again, she followed his indirect instructions. As the duo stood in a tranquil quiet, they both took a moment in the comfort the white rabbit gave the pair. Peeking her eyes up to catch a glimpse of her classmate's broad smile, Estelle turned her eyes downward again with a smile of her own.

Her grin seemed to ease him, Kola's shoulders unwinding as he did so, his pats getting more assured as they carried on. Estelle took that as a win, happy that he wasn't so internally wound up like he usually was around his classmates. Understanding gripped her that maybe the rabbit was the reason behind it because it was doing the same for her.

Thinking about it more, there were a select few of her classmates that Estelle hadn't really spent much time with. If she compared them to Katsuki, they were practically strangers. For some reason, that sentiment felt a little odd to her, and Estelle wasn't sure why. Maybe it was because now she had spent a little time in Koda's presence, she found that she quite liked it, and there was an internal want to spend more time with him.

As much as the thought bothered her, Estelle wasn't ready to let go of the feelings Koda had brought her. It was like a childlike giddiness, and she couldn't remember a time when she had ever felt those types of emotions before. Regardless of what he brought her, she knew that once it got to training, she would need a different approach to help him succeed. So, without thinking about it, she blurted, "Hey, would you like to go on a walk with me?"

Estelle bit her lip as she watched her classmate take a step back in shock, clearly flabbergasted by Estelle's request. Koda was there as Estelle rejected the class's advances repeatedly, stubborn in her quest to remain in isolation. Yet, he had also seen her walls beginning to break and how slowly but surely, she was beginning to say yes, but she wasn't typically the type to ask another.

But, he couldn't help but feel special in a way. Koda had spent much of his life being overlooked because he was strange, so he didn't know how to compute it. But he liked Estelle. He liked how confident she was in front of the class; he admired it.

Who was he to tell her no? He could be her friend! He knew how much she liked animals, and when he realised she watched nature every night, he warmed up to the cold girl. He was too nervous about approaching her, too scared her aloof persona would shut him down in a heartbeat. But now, she was asking him!

Estelle watched as his sudden excited demeanour suddenly lowered with a frown, and it was only when he motioned to his windpipes that it pinched Estelle's soul. Biting back her disapproval from the apparent shame layering his face, the female shook her head resolutely as she stated, "Don't worry about that; I can speak for the two of us."

Koda was not used to people working around his anxious behaviour. People tended to get irritated at him for not gaining the courage to speak, and the mean words they used to say would always get to him. He would practice with Pizty the rabbit in the solace of his dorm room, but by the time he stepped outside, it was like his vocal cords didn't want to work anymore. So, the fact Estelle, someone who always claimed to be lesser than she was, was the one to make no mention of it and state it like it wasn't a big deal meant a lot to him.

Pushing back the plethora of emotions In his throat, Koda nodded happily before motioning to Pitzy. Immediately understanding his intentions, Estelle smiled quickly as she handed the rabbit over and waited patiently for him to drop him off in his dorm. It didn't take long, with the male returning with a skittish yet eagerly anxious expression.

Estelle didn't want him to simmer in the nervous feelings, so she motioned for him to follow as she headed to the door. His light footsteps followed, and he quickly caught up to her side when she opened the door for him.

Heading their way into the trees, Estelle knew she would need to begin before he fell into his thoughts again. "I really love your quirk."

Turning red from the recognition, Koda remained silent as he waited for her to continue. "Do you befriend them?"

Bouncing in answer, Estelle's eyes sparked as she took note of the enthusiasm within his movements. "That sounds wonderful and peaceful," she commented with a sigh, her eyes far away as she imagined what it would be like to be him. All powers could be peaceful yet destructive, and Koda's quirk perfectly reflected that.

He could have worked with animals and rehabilitation. He didn't have to go the hero route at all. Yet, there must have been something that called him out to it because he still pursued it despite his troubles with his confidence. Still, his quirk could be perfectly destructive; the multitude of ways he could call on animals to tackle an opponent was unmatched, his number of allies endless.

"There weren't any animals in the spirit realm, and so when I came here and found them, I fell in love with them," Estelle continued speaking, her mind still daydreaming about what it would be like to have a power that could be surrounded by animals on a day to day basis.

Nodding, Koda felt like he already knew this, but it was nice to hear it from her in person. Sometimes it felt like Estelle was so far away that she wasn't even human, so caught up in the troubles of her world. It reminded him that Estelle was just like him, troubled but lovable like some animals he had met.

Suddenly hit with an idea, Koda jumped with excitement as he motioned for Estelle to follow. Surprised by the sudden change within the male next to her, Estelle welcomed it as he rushed past a few more trees and dropped to his knees. Following him quickly, Estelle remained a few steps behind him as he called to the skies.

Stunned and awe-stricken, Estelle watched with wide eyes as animals in the area slowly began to arrive. Turning her head wildly to catch sight of them all, Estelle felt dizzy as her mind internally labelled them. Dears, birds, cats and dogs seemed to surround them. She was brought out of her daze once a dear trotted to Koda in greeting, and the male returned it with a bashful smile. Turning to her to gauge her reaction, Koda grinned widely as he watched the female practically spin in a circle to catch sight of everything around her.

Detecting his gaze, Estelle could only grin at the twinkle in Koda's eye. Clearly, he thoroughly enjoyed what his quirk was doing to her, and Estelle could only think again that he had extraordinary power.

"This is amazing; you are amazing," Estelle spoke, amazement still dripping from her tone as she tried to get him to understand his own abilities. It wasn't every day that Estelle was this vocal, but she wanted to leave an impact on him because his quirk is impressive, and she didn't want him to ever doubt that.

Flushing bright pink, Koda couldn't keep eye contact anymore as he drowned in the praise. Forcing his concentration back onto the dear in front of him, his eyes continued to peek to the side as he sneakily watched Estelle hold out her arm for the birds to perch.

Estelle was so consumed by everything around her that she failed to realise Koda had directed them to get closer, and it was only after a blink that Estelle dropped to her knees to pet everyone. Shuffling on the ground so he was next to her, Koda followed his animal friends' lead as they began to relax around them.

They slumped against their legs, birds everywhere as they trotted on their arms, and Estelle revelled in all of it. Koda watched it all, fulfilment in his bones as Estelle laughed loudly at the birds tweeting in her ear. As she leaned over to stroke the top of a dear's head, a stuck grin on her face, Koda felt like he did something right.

Estelle could only mutter whilst shaking, practically vibrating in her spot, "You adorable animals, I can't bear it!"

Koda could only laugh.

It eventually turned silent as Koda and Estelle revelled at the moment as they were surrounded by what they loved. Grinning and giggling as they played around with the animals, Estelle couldn't find the words to describe the moment.

They stayed there for hours, the sky beginning to darken yet the atmosphere remaining as it was when they first arrived. Estelle didn't want to move from her spot to stay in it forever, but she knew that everything good always came to an end. "Thank you for that. Honestly, that is something I'll never forget."

Blushing red, Koda only rubbed the back of his neck as he shrugged. He was never used to compliments, and the fact that they were coming from Estelle again - he doesn't think it has even sunk in yet.

"I also wanted to ask because we've never spoken before. I didn't want to assume you were okay with me training you, but are you?"

Widening his eyes from the change of topic, the male nodded eagerly as if to say, 'why the hell wouldn't I?!'

"I know how uncomfortable it can be to train around the others, so we can do it privately if you want? I could always train you here?" Estelle continued, her head leaning forward as if she was sharing a secret with the classmate next to her.

"Why would you do that?"

Smiling softly at the first words he had spoken to her, she replied, "Because you need to be comfortable in your own skin before you can be comfortable with anybody else. I can see your potential from a million miles away and want to help you."

"Really?"

"Of course! I think you have a powerful quirk; I want to help," Estelle confirmed, her mind clicking that he was just as childlike as his mannerisms.

"Does...this make us friends then?" He questioned shyly, his fingers twisting for the second time today. But, this time, it bothered her more than the first because it was like they had jumped back in time. There was an internal need to soothe the boy, and she cursed internally at the deep ache within her heart. How he had managed to creep his way there so quickly was beyond her, but she couldn't find the strength to decline. The profoundly hopeful look on his face was too much to bear, and Estelle could only give a slight nod in answer.

The beaming smile Koda responded with was enough for the thought to slip away, and Estelle answered with one of her own as they focused their eyes back onto the few remaining animals.

"Birdie says your aura is pretty!" Koda eventually uttered excitedly, internally disbelieving that he had just spoken in front of Estelle without issue and that they were friends!

"Well, tell birdie his feathers are pretty!" Estelle responded back jovially, copying his cheery tone with ease.

"He says thank you!"

"Your very welcome, birdie!"

It wasn't long after that that the realisation was that they had been out for hours. Knowing they were late for dinner, Koda quickly shot to his feet as the fruition set in. "Oh no! Oof-" he started, interrupted as he fell back to the muddy ground.

Laughing at the startled look on his face, Estelle moved to stand to help him up. It seemed that there was a wet patch on the floor because as she leaned back to pull him up, she lost her balance also. "Oof-"

Mud covered them, and the duo could only stare at each other from what had just happened. Seeing the grin on Koda's face sparked her own, and it was only when he howled in laughter that she followed, "Hahahaha!"

"Your face!"

Entering Height Alliance, Estelle and Koda weren't expecting the scene in front of them. The students surrounding the living room looked serious, their voices raised as they communicated. Turning to each other in bewilderment, the new arrivals watched as they tried to gauge what was happening.

"He usually comes down by now! He's never late!"

"Estelle isn't answering our calls either."

"Uh, guys?" Estelle murmured behind them, wincing at the fact they were the ones that had caused this.

The students clearly caught off guard, whirled to the entrance with wide eyes as they registered Estelle's voice. Having sudden gazes on them caused the male next to her to squeak, his large frame quickly attempting to hide behind her body but failing miserably.

Jaws dropped, their eyes scanning over the duo in disbelief as they computed the scene. It was an unlikely pair, covered with mud no less was a surprising sight to see. Turning to each other, they internally questioned if their eyes were working because, to them, it looked like they had been together.

"Where were you guys!?" Katsuki eventually barked out aggressively, his footsteps heavy against the floorboards as he strutted towards them.

Ignoring the squeak behind her, Estelle was suddenly filled with the emotions she had been feeling the last few hours and beamed towards the blonde, causing him to stop in his tracks.

"Huh?" He could only question, freezing from the sight as the rest of the class followed suit.

Still filled with indescribable joy from being surrounded by animals all day, Estelle exclaimed, "We went on a walk, and Koda let me meet his animal friends!"

"...huh?"

"Yeah, they were so adorable I could have jumped off a cliff!" Estelle carried on distractedly, her smile softening as the emotions began to return to normal levels.

"...right."

Suddenly sobering up from Katsuki's responses, Estelle's eyes quickly trailed to the ecstatic faces around the room. Estelle silently cursed herself for losing her cool so quickly and lowered her head to cover her blush. Letting out a low cough to pull herself back together, she tried to do some damage control. "Ahem, yeah, it was nice. Anyways, thank you, Koda, for taking me there. I'm going to get cleaned up before I come back for dinner. Bye."

If Estelle had looked up, she would have known that she wasn't fooling them. But, she was too busy rushing out of the room with mortification to tell. It was too late; she had already spilt everything to begin retracting her statements.

Koda was wallowing inside since Estelle had just left him in front of the whole class. Bright red, his gaze glimpsed upwards to find the students beaming at him as if he had just given them a gift. If he could get any redder, then he would have because he had never done anything before to warrant looks like that from the rest of his class.

Katsuki seemed to be the only one not internally cheering from the scene, but it was evident by the softening of his eyes that he appreciated the moment himself. "Not bad, extra," He grunted, pulling out another squeak from Koda before he stomped back into the kitchen.

Estelle blatantly ignored everyone as she entered the dining room for their late dinner. Every fibre of her being was trying to avoid the peeking eyes trailing towards her every few moments, and she knew that if she looked up, she would meet eyes with someone grinning at her from afar.

Dying inside, Estelle cursed her love for animals, which lowered her walls that she practically squealed in front of them all. She has never been so embarrassed in her life. Good lord, if they didn't stop, she would burst.

"Would you please, for the love of the gods! Please! Stop staring!" Estelle eventually snarled out, her hands squeezing her utensils so tight they were about to bend. Before the metal reached its breaking point, Katsuki kept his eyes on his meal as he raised his hands to stop her from ruining another pair of utensils. In response, Estelle looked at her beaming class, all giggling at her.

"Ah! Don't be mad at us! We only saw an adorably cute moment from you! That's nothing to be embarrassed about!"

"Hagakure!"

"That's Toru to you!" She cried back, walking behind her to get her plate of seconds. Scowling, Estelle simmered in her annoyance as the female leaned over for an aggressive one-armed hug.

"She's right, ribbit! You don't have to be ashamed of being happy!" Tsu chimed in.

"I'm not ashamed!" Estelle snapped back.

The frogged female leaned back, her fingers tapping her chin thoughtfully as she spoke candidly. "Well, you tried to retract your words, but when that didn't work, you ran-"

"Alright, alright! You don't need to analyse it, Tsu!" Estelle grunted, her fork digging into her food with frustration. She wished she had chopsticks to snap, but Katsuki was getting fed up with the amount she was breaking and got knives and forks. This was the first time he brought them out, though, and Estelle knew why and was not happy about it. The blonde's smirk was all telling as she added pressure back onto the metal.

"I thought it was totally manly! Nothing to be ashamed about!"

"I am not ashamed!"

"I thought we just established that you were?" Tsu reminded.

"Happiness is a human emotion! We all experience it! That is nothing to be ashamed about!" Chopping hands added, causing the female to slump in exasperation.

"Not you too, Iida," Estelle could only sigh in defeat.

"Well...It was really nice to see..." Izuku inputted shyly, a soft smile on his face as he closed his eyes earnestly.

"I can agree; it suits you much better than the blank look you always try to achieve," Shoto jumped in blandly.

Grumbling to herself, Estelle knew she was majorly outnumbered and that there was no point arguing it anymore. Shaking her head, she muttered, "You guys..."

"Are damn right! Now stop beating up your food, or I'll beat you up!" Katsuki eventually snapped, thumping Estelle on the back of her head as he glared at the plate he had been staring at for the past few minutes.

"Pfft, I'd like to see you try, meathead," Estelle snipped back.

His hand, still placed on the back of her head from the thumping he just gave her, landed flat on her neck. Pinching and pushing downwards, he snarled, "You wanna go?"

"You had to do it when I was vulnerable because you know you have no chance in the field," Estelle spoke, knowing it would get on his nerves.

"You brat! C'mere!" He snarled, pulling her head forward so he could rub the back of her head furiously.

Letting out a small laugh at the fact that he got vexed so easily, Estelle moved to push him away from her so she could actually see his aggravated face when she pressed his buttons.

The class, still watching the scene, grinned.

Because she was clearly happy right now, and she had nothing to be ashamed of.