A/N: Since tomorrow (July 15) is Deku's birthday, I thought I'd celebrate with a special birthday-themed chapter. Also, to all of my readers from France: Bonne fête nationale française !

Once again, the students of Class 1-A filed out of their last course of the day, and once again, Deku accompanied Todoroki…or at least tried to:

"If you'll excuse me, I have to go on ahead," said Todoroki. "Yaoyorozu wanted me for something in the dorms."

Deku nodded. "OK."

Todoroki hurried on to the dorms.

(I know Todoroki's hiding something, but at the same time, I could tell it was nothing dangerous. Still, I gotta wonder what her real reason for going on without me is…)

"Hey Deku, what's up?" said Kacchan.

"Oh, you mean other than the fact that Shoko ran off without telling me exactly why and I suspect she's up to something? Not much."

Kacchan raised an eyebrow. "That's awful specific. Why do ya think she's up to somethin'?"

"Kacchan, I can read people very well, and it was extremely obvious to me that she was hiding something from me. Exactly what it was I couldn't tell, but at the same time, I could also tell that it was nothing malicious."

Kacchan stroked his chin. "Interesting. So how the crap can ya tell stuff like that?"

"You forget that I have a very analytical mind, and over the years, I've been observing people carefully, so I developed a sharp eye for various non-verbal cues and an ear for subtle changes in the tone of somebody's voice. In other words, I can easily tell when somebody's lying."

"OK, so tell me: what can ya read from me right now?"

Deku stroked his chin. "At the moment, I can tell you're feeling pretty tense and that you have plenty on your mind."

Kacchan shrugged. "OK, ya got me. Thing is…I'm still havin' trouble getting' used to this whole 'bein' nice' thing, but on the other hand, I kinda like it better than bein' angry all the time. Also, I wanna ask Ashido out, but I'm still afraid that she'll say 'no'."

Deku smiled. "Why would she say 'no'? I've been watching how she interacts around you, and based off the signals she's been giving off, I can tell that she's into you!"

"Really? I thought she was like that with everybody."

"You'd be surprised!"

"Heh. Anyways, if I ask her out, do ya promise not to make a big deal out of it?"

Deku's look turned serious. "Kacchan, why would I make a big deal out of it? I'd actually be genuinely happy if you asked her out and things went well between you two."

"Really?"

Deku smiled and nodded. "Really!"

Kacchan smiled. "Thanks, Deku! You really are my best friend, ya know that?"

"I'm surprised you didn't say Kirishima was your best friend, but that makes me feel happy!"

"Anyways, enough chit-chat; we're home."

Sure enough, Deku and Todoroki had arrived at the UA dorms. When Deku got inside, he got a real surprise: not only were the dorms decked out with birthday-themed decorations, including a banner that said "HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEKU", but something else was afoot as well…

"One, two, three, four!"

Perhaps the biggest surprise for Deku was seeing all of the girls of Class 1-A dressed up in the orange UA cheerleader uniforms. They – Todoroki leading the bunch – sang the following chant as they waved their pom-poms around:

"Happy happy birthday

From all the girls to you!

We wish it was our birthday,

So you could cheer us too!

Hey!"

Deku gasped and held his hands up to his mouth when he witnessed the whole spectacle. His face soon grew a bright smile.

"Shoko…is this why you had to hurry on ahead of me?"

Todoroki smiled and approached Deku. "Sure was! Happy birthday, honey!"

Just as Todoroki had made her way to Deku, so too did the other girls:

"Happy Birthday, Deku!" said Uraraka.

"I hope you're having a fun time, ribbit," said Tsu.

"Believe me, Tsu, I am!" said Deku.

"I know we are!" said Ashido.

"Totally!" said Hagakure.

"Ordinarily, I wouldn't do this whole 'cheerleader' thing again, but since Todoroki's my best friend, I'm rolling with it!" said Yaoyorozu.

"I'm with ya, girlfriend!" said Jiro.

"Shoko, this was the sweetest birthday surprise you've ever given me!" said Deku. "Thank you so much!"

"You're welcome, Deku!"

Todoroki gave Deku a big hug and kiss, which he happily returned. The other girls let out a collective "awww" when they saw this, as did a bunch of the guys,

"OK, girls, who's ready to give Deku his birthday present?" said Todoroki.

"We are!" The girls pumped their hands in the air.

"Girls, what are you…AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

"I hope you like your birthday tickles!" said Todoroki.

"Yeah, I bet this is your first time getting tickled by a bunch of cheerleaders!" said Uraraka.

"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! STAHP! STAHP!"

Kacchan had a good laugh as Deku got consumed by the tickles. Even if this was one of the weirder birthdays he'd had, the green bean was at least glad that Todoroki went to such great lengths to make it a happy one for him.

Criticism is gold. Negativity and nitpicking are pyrite.