爆発

“You’re….a meanie….panini….”

“You’re so– …What’s the word? …Spicy. Like…Sichuan hot pot. Ah– I’m hungry.”

She seemed distracted for the moment, but only a moment.

“Anyway– why are you so nasty? Did someone hurt your feelings today? Want a hug?”

“Spicy... hot pot?..”

She was definitely loose a few screws. Who the hell compares someone to food, let alone hot pot of all things?

I’M GOING TO LIFT YOU! STOP THAT.

“Oh, I’m super serious. They have Mickey and Minnie Mouse on them. Mr. Mickey– that’s you.”

Yeah, she’s not telling him it’s a lie just yet. Instead he can just dread having to see something like that.

“So I could force you to go shopping with me, and you’d just deal with it?”

As they finally approached the ice cream stand, she shook his arm a little.

“A parfait– a parfait! Can we get one? With…Ube and green tea! They’ll probably put fruit pieces or chocolates in it too. I should take a picture of you holding a fancy parfait…”

“I like Goofy more.-- He made me laugh a lot as a kid so he’s definitely my favorite. But I refuse to wear any fuckin’ Goofy and Clarabelle shirts because Horace is Clarabelle’s boyfriend and Goofy’s got that librarian girlfriend.” Even though he’d said no on the matching shirts, he’s already making an exception to the rule. 

“I hate shopping but I guess I’d go.” At least to make sure no one hit on her. Sure she could defend herself if worst came to worst but he’d rather handle it than have her deal with it.

“That’s a strange reaction….are you hiding her for some reason? Oh– you’re acting strangely like a jealous boyfriend… I guess I would too…she really is lovely. Anyway– please take me to her right away! It’s urgent~!”

“Sorry– you’re super wrong, hahaha….Ocha-chan and I are good friends— she’s so lovely…and Tsu-chan too! I love them both so much!”

“…Oh, really? I guess I’ll have to return the matching shirts I got for us!”

She was kidding, but she didn’t intend to tell him that. In fact, she was curious what sort of reaction he might have if he really thought she’d bought them something cutesy and embarrassing.

“I don’t know– maybe someone just trying too hard to be macho would refuse to eat fruits. But they’d end up getting really sick. I want to share– it’s something we wouldn’t do if we were just friends, probably. So it feels special sharing. We could get something fancy– like a cone or parfait with multiple flavors so we’re both satisfied.”

“...... I hope that’s a joke.”

He really does. Because he’s totally going to fight her if it isn’t, but he also knows he’s going to give in and wear the stupid shirt with her anyways.

And then he’ll die. Of embarrassment.

Ooh!! Huehuehue….you’re really funny! Anyway, where’s Ochako~? I want to see her!

“Glad we agree on something– but the rest? No way. Midoriya-kun doesn’t deserve the meanness you show him. He’s a good guy and wants to help others. I don’t want to talk to you for a while, Katsuki. Sorry. Please think about what I said.”

“Yeah. I do like that about you– you’re really genuine, Katsuki… Is Kacchan too embarrassing?”

Admittedly, she seemed to notice he was blushing. Maybe it was cruel of her, but now she was saying things to try and make it worse. Of course they were things she wanted to say– but maybe she wouldn’t have gushed as much if she was trying to spare him from embarrassment. 

Ochako was really pleased he didn’t pull away or complain about her movements as they walked. This was all pretty new for the two of them.

“Good. It’d be weird if you didn’t eat fruits just because you thought the flavors were girly. I like other flavors too– like coffee ice cream. I don’t really like plain chocolate or vanilla though– I get bored of those easily. …Want to share something this time?”

“.........” Fuck. -- Katsuki? Wasn’t it a bit too early to be using first names? It probably isn’t but even if it was, he wasn’t going to correct her. “Katsuki, I’m not havin’ my girlfriend call me Kacchan-- I don’t want people to think we’re one of those cutesy couples that use cutesy honorifics and wear matching shirts and shit.”

He didn’t even really want to disclose his relationship to the others; he knows he’d get teased relentlessly, especially by a few certain idiots.

 But he won’t keep it a secret either. If people find out, they find out. He’ll just kick their asses if they start getting too comfy with the jokes.

“…You’re ….shitty. Fine, then. If you can’t learn to be at least cordial with others, don’t be nice to me either– I don’t want your niceness if it’s only reserved for me.”

“You heard me! Don’t play dumb! Look– you need to be kinder to others! I don’t take joy in feeling like I’m the only one you’re ever kind to!”

“You think so?” The message came across pretty clear. Ochako felt a little confident now– like she was really starting to learn his special way of speaking.

As he grabbed her hand, she had a moment of internal crisis before relaxing. This was normal. They were dating. This was fine. Ochako gave his hand a soft squeeze, playfully swinging their arms as they walked.

“Fine. I won’t buy you anything minty. …Are fruit flavors really girly? Are you saying you don’t eat fruit?”

“........ Wouldn’t say it if I didn’t.”

He turns away in hopes that the very faint pink on his face wouldn’t become anymore visible than it already was.

You’re more special than you think, dumbass.

The short-tempered teen’s view quickly returned to her then to their hands as she began to playfully swing them around. It was weird, especially since he wasn’t used to things like this, but at the same time.. it was pleasant. It was enjoyable.

At least because most important of all, it made her happy.