Kenjiro's POV
Outside the USJ
The air outside the USJ was thick with the scent of smoke and the low hum of police chatter. Class 1-A huddled together, some bruised, some shaken, but all alive.
Investigator Naomasa Tsukauchi adjusted his hat as he addressed us, his voice calm but firm. "No major injuries among the students. You all handled yourselves well."
A collective exhale rippled through the group.
Tsuyu's large eyes flickered with worry. "What about Thirteen and Aizawa-sensei?"
Naomasa's expression tightened slightly. "Injured, but stable. Thirteen's condition is critical, but she'll pull through."
Kirishima punched his palm, grinning despite the bandages on his arm. "Hell yeah! We all made it!"
Bakugo scoffed, but there was no real heat behind it. "Tch. Of course we did."
I smirked. "Yeah, yeah. Save the celebration for when we're not covered in dirt and villain stink."
Izuku, standing beside me, let out a shaky laugh. "I-I'm just glad everyone's okay."
I nudged him with my elbow. "You did good too, nerd. Didn't freeze up when it mattered."
His face flushed, but he stood a little taller.
Naomasa's radio crackled. "Sir, we've secured the Nomu."
He nodded. "I'll be right there." With a final glance at us, he turned. "Rest up. You've earned it."
---
Recovery Girl's office smelled like antiseptic and old lady candy.
All Might—no, Yagi Toshinori—sat on one of the beds, looking like a deflated balloon wrapped in bandages. I lounged on the next cot, perfectly unharmed but playing along for appearances.
Izuku hovered near the door, wringing his hands. "A-All Might, Kenjiro—I just wanted to say—"
"You don't have to say anything, young Midoriya," All Might rasped, offering a weak smile. "You all fought bravely. You'll make fine heroes one day."
I rolled my eyes. "Speak for yourself. I already am one."
Izuku snorted, some of the tension leaving his shoulders. "Y-You're impossible."
The door creaked open, and Naomasa stepped in. "Glad to see you two in one piece."
All Might perked up. "Ah! Naomasa, this is young Midoriya and young Sasaki. They… knows."
Naomasa raised a brow but nodded. "I see. Well, it's good to meet you properly, Midoriya and Sasaki."
Izuku bowed hastily. "L-Likewise, sir!"
I stretched, swinging my legs off the cot. "Alright, enough mushy stuff. Can I leave now? I've got better things to do than sit around smelling like a hospital."
Recovery Girl whacked my shin with her cane. "You're fine, you insufferable boy. Go on, get out of here."
I grinned. "Finally."
The sun was setting by the time I stepped outside, casting the U.A. campus in golden light.
And waiting for me?
Izuku, Ochaco, Tenya—and her.
Nejire Hado bounced on her toes, her blue eyes sparkling. "Sasaaa-kunnn! You took forever!"
I arched a brow. "What are you doing here?"
She pouted. "What, I can't check on my favorite kouhai after he fights a million villains?"
Ochaco giggled, while Tenya adjusted his glasses, muttering something about "proper decorum."
Izuku just sighed, used to this. "We wanted to walk home together. You know, since… everything."
I shoved my hands in my pockets, falling into step beside them. "Yeah, yeah. Don't get sappy on me."
Nejire looped her arm through mine, grinning. "Sooo, how'd you really beat that Nomu thing? Rumor says you cut it in half!"
I smirked. "Maybe I did. Maybe I didn't. Buy me coffee, and I might tell you."
Her eyes narrowed playfully. "After last time? No way. You still owe me for the caramel fiasco."
Izuku groaned. "Not this again…"
Ochaco leaned in, whispering to Tenya. "Are they flirting or fighting?"
Tenya stiffened. "I—I do not wish to speculate!"
I ignored them, focusing on the city skyline as we walked.
But somewhere, in the back of my mind, I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.
High above the city, a figure stood on a rooftop, silhouetted against the moon.
Their gaze lingered on the distant shapes of U.A. students walking home.
"Kenjiro…" they murmured, voice lost to the wind.
A gloved hand tightened around a railing.
Then, in a flicker of movement—they were gone.
******
The moment Izuku, Tenya, and Ochaco turned the corner, the world seemed to slow down.
Nejire and I walked side by side, the usual buzz of the city fading into a quiet hum. The streetlights flickered on, casting long shadows across the pavement. It was one of those rare moments where even she wasn't filling the air with endless chatter.
Weird.
I glanced at her from the corner of my eye. She was swinging her arms slightly, a small smile playing on her lips like she knew something I didn't.
"So," she finally broke the silence, her voice light but teasing, "you actually fought that giant monster thing, huh?"
I smirked. "What, you didn't believe the rumors?"
She giggled, nudging me with her elbow. "Oh, I totally believed them. I just wanted to hear your version. Preferably with more dramatic flair."
"Tch. Fine." I rolled my shoulders, exaggerating the motion. "There I was, facing down the abomination of science itself—"
"Ooooh, spooky," she interrupted, grinning.
"—when suddenly," I continued, ignoring her, "I realized it had the personality of a brick wall. So I politely introduced it to the concept of being cut in half."
Nejire burst out laughing, the sound bright and unrestrained. "That's so you! No grand speech, no heroic one-liner, just—slice!" She mimed a karate chop in the air.
"Hey, if it works, it works," I shrugged.
She tilted her head, studying me. "You're really not gonna give me the cool play-by-play, are you?"
"Nope."
"Ugh, boring." She pouted, but her eyes sparkled. "Fine then. How about this—how's your day been, Mr. Hero?"
I snorted. "Aside from the whole 'nearly dying' thing? Peachy."
She hummed, swinging around to walk backward in front of me, her hands clasped behind her back. "Mine was super boring. Just classes, training, and waiting to hear if my favorite kouhai got turned into villain paste."
"Aw, you care," I deadpanned.
"Obviously!" She stuck her tongue out. "Who else would annoy me into buying them coffee?"
I grinned. "Speaking of—we passing by the usual place?"
She spun back around, skipping ahead. "Duh! You're paying this time, though."
"Like hell I am."
"Like hell you aren't!"
The bell above the door jingled as we stepped inside. The shop was cozy, dimly lit, and—most importantly—empty at this hour.
The barista, an old man with a perpetual frown, barely glanced up. "The usual?"
"Yep!" Nejire chirped.
"Double espresso, black," I added.
The man grunted and got to work.
Nejire plopped into our usual corner booth, kicking her feet up on the seat across from her. "Sooo," she drawled, "what's really on your mind?"
I raised a brow. "Who says anything's on my mind?"
She gave me a look. "Please. You've got that whole 'I'm brooding but pretending I'm not' thing going on."
Damn her.
I leaned back, crossing my arms. "Just thinking about the USJ. Those villains weren't some random thugs. They were organized."
Nejire's playful expression sobered slightly. "You think they'll try again?"
"Wouldn't surprise me."
She twirled a strand of hair around her finger, thoughtful. "Well, if they do, they'll have to get through me first."
I smirked. "Scary."
"You know it!"
The barista slid our drinks across the counter. Nejire's was some frothy, caramel-drenched monstrosity. Mine was bitter enough to wake the dead.
Perfect.
We drank in comfortable silence for a while, the warmth of the coffee seeping into the quiet between us.
The walk to our usual split in the road was uneventful. The night air was cool, the streets empty.
Nejire stopped suddenly, turning to face me. "Hey, Sasa-kun."
"Yeah?"
She stepped closer—too close—and before I could react, she pressed a quick kiss to my cheek.
What.
"That's your reward for not dying," she said, grinning like she hadn't just short-circuited my brain. "See you tomorrow!"
And with that, she bounced off down the street, leaving me standing there like an idiot.
…Did that just happen?
I touched my cheek, half-convinced I'd imagined it.
Nope. Still warm.
I exhaled sharply, shaking my head. "Damn it, Nejire…"
Home – The Orphanage
Mrs. Tanaka and Aiko were waiting at the door when I finally made it back.
Aiko, all of twelves years old, barreled into me the second I stepped inside. "Kenjiro! You're famous now!"
I ruffled her hair. "Yeah, yeah. Don't get any ideas."
Mrs. Tanaka smiled softly. "We saw the news. Are you alright?"
"Never better," I lied smoothly.
She saw right through it, of course, but didn't press. "Dinner's still warm."
I nodded, heading inside.
But my mind was still stuck on one thing.
That damn kiss.