Once again, another day of classes was done with, and Deku and Todoroki were going out for supper, only they had another familiar face in tow: Kacchan. He'd agreed to go with them not only as an effort to try to be a nicer person, but also to get out more. He didn't mind it too much, but there was one question on his mind:

"Guys, where the crap are we goin' again?"

"Shoko brought me to this cozy little restaurant once that she says has the best zaru soba, and we figured you too might enjoy it," said Deku.

"Do they have spicy foods?" asked Kacchan.

"They should," said Todoroki. "I didn't study the menu in depth, but I'm positive that they had at least one spicy food on their menu.

Kacchan nodded. "Sounds like it might be worth a shot."

Todoroki smiled. "You'll love it, Bakugo."

"I'll wait to try their food to come to a decision. Besides, what's the name of the place?"

"It's called 'Karuichi Soba & More'."

Kacchan shrugged. "Never heard of it, but it might be good, I guess."

Eventually, Deku, Kacchan and Todoroki reached the restaurant, where they proceeded to order their food. Deku got his usual katsudon and Sencha green tea, and Todoroki got her zaru soba and Keemun tea. As for Kacchan, he wasn't sure, so he ended up picking kare nanban, that is, hot soba in a curry-flavored broth, topped with pork and sliced scallions, plus some oolong tea. Naturally, Todoroki paid for everything. After handing in their meal tickets and thanking the chef, they proceeded to sit down, with Deku seated in between Kacchan and Todoroki.

"Todoroki, let me ask ya somethin'…" said Kacchan.

"Yes?"

"Did ya really have to pay for everything?"

Todoroki smiled. "Why shouldn't I? Both of you are two of my favorite people, and you deserve to be taken care of!"

Kacchan raised an eyebrow. "What the crap? Ya mean, even after all those times I yelled and swore at ya, I'm one of your favorite people?"

"I know it may sound strange to you, but I know you're a good, heroic boy who cares deeply about his friends and would do whatever he could to protect them!"

Kacchan's face turned redder than communism, causing Todoroki to frown.

"Bakugo, is everything OK?"

Kacchan nodded. "Y-yeah. I…I…I gotta be honest: I'm still havin' trouble thinkin' of ya as a girl. When I first met ya, you did such a good job lookin' and actin' like a boy that I feel weird around ya."

Todoroki smiled. "Why should it be weird? Am I not also a human being? Do I not have wants, needs, fears and hopes just like you? Aren't we both training to become heroes?"

Kacchan shrugged. "Yeah…I guess."

"Come here, Bakugo!"

Todoroki got up from her seat and hugged Kacchan from behind, causing him to gasp. Nevertheless, he let her do so, though he felt hotter from accepting her warm embrace. In short order, though, he not only came to accept her embrace, but even like it:

"Todoroki, I take back everything I said about this being weird and gay. I…I like when you do this to me." Kacchan smiled.

"Good, because I like doing this to you, too!"

Deku smiled. "Awww, look at that, Kacchan! You made Shoko happy! You must've earned a special place in her heart!"

"OK, I like the fact that Todoroki likes me, but I still can't believe that anybody likes me that much, never mind her."

"Bakugo, are you suffering from low self-esteem?" asked Todoroki.

Kacchan furrowed his brow. "What? Why would I be suffering from low self-esteem?"

"I've been reading about this, and they say that one of the signs is having trouble accepting compliments."

Kacchan didn't respond at first. Then, he sighed:

"Deku, Todoroki, don't tell anybody this, but…sometimes, I…I just hate myself so much that I wish I was never born."

Deku and Todoroki gasped when they heard this.

"Kacchan, don't say that!" Deku put a hand on Kacchan's shoulder. "I mean, it's OK to feel sad, but think of all the people who would miss you if you were gone! How would Kirishima feel if his best friend wasn't there for him?"

"Yeah, and think about Ashido, too!" said Todoroki.

Kacchan nearly jumped out of his seat. "What the crap!? Why did ya mention Raccoon Eyes?"

Todoroki smiled. "Well, she did mention she had a crush on you…"

Kacchan let out a loud gasp. "What the CRAP!?"

"Kacchan, why are you so upset about Ashido having a crush on you?"

"I'm sorry; I'm just havin' trouble gettin' used to the idea of girls likin' me like that."

Just then, one of the restaurant staff got their food ready, so Todoroki returned to her seat, and her, Deku and Kacchan proceeded to chow down. Kacchan in particular was taken with his food:

"You know, I usually have my food with really hot sauce, but this is probably the first spicy food that I can enjoy without using that sauce. Thanks again, guys!"

"You're welcome!" said Deku and Todoroki.

After finishing their meals, Deku, Kacchan and Todoroki headed back for UA.

"Guys, I had a GREAT time today!" said Kacchan. "I feel a HELL of a lot better about myself!"

Deku smiled. "Glad to hear it, Kacchan! It meant so much to me that we could get together and get along so well!"

"Me too! And Todoroki, you're an awesome person, too!"

"As are you, Bakugo."

Kacchan frowned. "There's somethin' I can't get outta my mind, though…"

"What?" said Deku and Todoroki.

"I…I actually like Ashido as well, and I wanna ask her out, but…what if she says 'no'?" Kacchan averted his gaze.

Deku smiled and put his hand on Kacchan's shoulder. "Kacchan, it's OK to be afraid of rejection! What's important is that you give it a try!"

Todoroki smiled and put a hand on Kacchan's other shoulder. "Besides, if you keep a positive attitude and do your best, I'm sure it'll work out fine! After all, I did say that Ashido had a crush on you!"

Kacchan remained silent for a brief moment. Then, he smiled:

"Thanks for the kind words! Those made me feel better!"

Kacchan wrapped his arms around Deku and Todoroki, who smiled and returned the gesture. Once again, another life had been touched by Deku's – and by extension, Todoroki's – kindness.

Criticism is gold. Negativity and nitpicking are pyrite.