#bakasan

"Faster! I know you aren't getting distracted Shirakumo!"

Your class instructor hollered at your friend, as a small group of students in training darted across the obstacle course made for them. You were in the opposite group, waiting for your turn to run.

You studied your classmates timing and reactions, ready to use it for your own turn. Alongside that, you felt a shudder of fear run through your back as your instructor yelled at another student for tripping up.

The whistle rang, alerting group one to pause where they were for the teachers to score how far they got. You glanced at the group, seeing your first friend - Hizashi - near the end. It made sense, you never really saw him as the athletic one. Shirakumo surprisingly didn't get as far as you expected, and your teacher must've thought the same way as he berated him whenever he made his way back to the bleachers.

"Something going on inside that head of yours?" A swift smack to the back of Shirakumo's head had him wincing as he smiled sheepishly. "Because it's clearly not about the training today."

As you made your way to the entrance of the course, you prepared yourself to do the best you could. At least you weren't alone anyways, as Shota stood next to you - also not being the most athletic. So at least you knew you'd have a bit of a better chance than him.

As the whistle blew, you immediately darted across the course as fast as your legs could take you. Your focus was entirely on what was ahead of you, and you combined your classmates' failures in order to learn to avoid what they hadn't.

The first group sat exhausted on the bleachers, the hot sun beating down upon them.

"Man, this really is starting to feel like middle school gym class again, am I right?" Hizashi whined, his arms resting on the bleachers as he awkwardly leaned his head back towards the ones behind him.

With no response from Shirakumo, he turned his head back upright to look at him properly. "Oboro?"

A pout formed in his face as he noticed his friend staring intently at the second group moving through, nearly about to jump out of his seat like one would be when watching a sports match.

"Look, look! She got through the spirals! That caught so many people up!" Shirakumo exclaimed excitedly, not even tossing his friend a glance.

"Ugh, c'mon man." Hizashi only leaned his head backwards again as he rested, too exhausted to complain. He knew exactly who he was talking about, as you were the only person he seemed to pay attention to lately.

Jumping from his seat, Shirakumo began getting excited again. "She just passed Nanitchi, that's insane! He was the top runner at the beginning of the year!" He turned to Yamada, who was lazing about. "Did'ya see? "

"Uh huh."

Not noticing his friend's lackluster attitude, Shirakumo was already turned back to watching you before Hizashi fully could answer.

Curious, Hizashi opened an eye to glance at the group moving through. He saw you, blazing though the course as fast as a person like you could. You were good, but after hearing the way Shirakumo was describing you he thought you'd be further ahead. Alongside that, he noticed his poor friend Shota barely managing to get through the rope climb, one of the last few stragglers just as he was.

"Ahh, Shota..." Hizashi quietly mumbled to himself, holding pity for his friend.

To the side, they both jumped a bit as their teacher hollered once more as he had been doing this entire time.

"Oi! [Name]! I told you to pace yourself, now you're slowing down! I don't want to see that again! "

With his eyes still on you, Shirakumo tried to contain himself. "I saw her doing perfectly fine! Don't you think so too Hizashi?" He turned to his friend once more, but Yamada didn't care at this point. "He's being too harsh."

A disgusted grimace formed on Hizashi's face as he looked at the lovesick pout on his face.

-

"I think I'm going to throw up. "

Hizashi empathetically patted his worn out friend's back as they made their way to the locker rooms to freshen up before the end of the school day.

"You pushed yourself too hard, man. "

Shirakumo raised a thumbs up at his friend with a wide smile on his face, "You did a great job Shouta! I'm proud!"

Hizashi scoffed as he held open the door for the two boys, his hand in his pocket. "You didn't even look at him, what're you saying? "

"Yes I did, I watched everyone" Shirakumo rebutted back, a coy smile on his face.

"No you did not"

At that point the locker room had gotten too noisy being filled with all the boys in class, ceasing the twos' conversation. Once they left the room, Shouta was feeling a little better, but still very sore.

"I hated those wall climbs, they stunk." Hands in pockets, Hizashi was back to complaining as they made their way through the hallways to grab their items before leaving.

"I think they were a little fun to climb if you ask me." Shirakumo offered, strolling with his hands behind his head as they entered the classroom.

"Oh, are you talking about the rope climb?"

Immediately, Shirakumo's eyes were on you as he heard your voice, and his smile only grew wider.

"Oh I was talking about the wall climbs, did you like the rope climbs though?" He asked eagerly, not wanting to miss a single opinion of yours.

"I didn't like either-" Shota's whine was cut off as you chuckled.

"I mean, they weren't that bad, but I wasn't really a fan of either," bringing your hands up in front of you, the trio noticed they were covered in bandages. "Sensei was right, I shouldn't have gone so fast, otherwise I wouldn't have torn up my hands." You bashfully smiled, embarrassed at how you thought you knew how to get through the whole thing, without predicting making a mistake of your own.

"Ah, that looks like it hurts," grabbing your hand, Shirakumo held it carefully as he inspected it, his eyebrows furrowing, "Y'know, if you need climbing powder to put on your hands, I could always give you some!"

It was touching, but the subtle action of him barely holding your hand had your face warming more than you'd have liked it too.

He chuckled while the other two looked at each other knowingly, "Don't want you hurting your hands regularly now, you're going to need those!"

You laughed along with him, always enjoying the way he joked around with you. You looked up as soon as your laughter slowed and saw the time, realizing you had to leave.

You gently pulled your hand out of Shirakumo's grip as you went to get your bag, looking over at him and the others, "Well, it was nice seeing you for a bit before we leave, hopefully it'll be a little easier tomorrow, yeah?"

He hummed in agreement as he waved to you as out of the classroom, "Have a good one! And take care of those hands!"

As the classroom emptied, the trio grabbed their bags from the pile they threw them in together, untangling the straps from the others.

"I really don't feel like walking home today" Shouta sighed, his limbs aching as he hauled his bag onto his shoulder.

"Eh, it shouldn't be so bad tomorrow since we did this today - unless Sensei just wants to be a jerk for some reason."

Shirakumo chuckled, adjusting the strap on his bag, "What? You mean you don't want more obstacle courses-"

His joke was cut off as he gasped and immediately darted to your seat. "Oh great, he's lost it," Hizashi mumbled just loud enough for Shota to hear.

"She left behind her notebook! She's going to need this tonight to study!" Holding up the sticker-covered book for the other two to see, he quickly made his way through the maze of desks, "I'm going to try to get this to her! You guys can go on without me! "

His voice faded as he sprinted throughout the hallway, Hizashi sighing.

"You left me to deal with his pinning all by myself, y'know", he grumbled towards his dark-haired friend. Shota only shrugged.

-

Shirakumo sprinted as fast as he could down the hallways, leaping down the stairs in groups of steps and threatening to fall down as he hurried. Once he made his way to the main lobby he tried rushing through the doors, causing them to bleep until he backed up. He tore through his bag before finding his school ID and scanned it on the machine hooked to the wall, finally being allowed through.

Looking around the campus, he didn't see you anywhere. He promptly made his way to the bike rack and unlocked his bike, hastily hopping on (hoping he wouldn't fall over) before darting off in the direction of your house. He didn't know exactly where it was, but judging based on the few times he walked home with you, he at least knew the area.

As he peddled through the street, he shouted a hurried apology at the car he darted in front of, before deciding to take a detour through the park. Sometimes you walked through it anyway, and if you weren't then at least he had a better chance of finding you faster.

His bag jumped as his bike shook since he was riding on a bumpy surface. The dirt made it a little more difficult to ride through, but he wouldn't complain if it meant he got to see you.

Taking short looks around the park, he almost suspected you weren't there until he looked up and saw you in the distance, still making your way home.

As he made his way to you he excitedly shouted your name despite the distance meeting you from hearing him. He was suddenly caught off guard as his bike began getting more difficult to steer, the dirt changing to a softer soil. It was only made more difficult as you stood at the bottom of a small dip in the park where the ground got lower.

Panic flared his chest for a second as he tried to unsuccessfully break, and his heart nearly burst through it when he saw his bike was heading straight for you. Gripping the handlebars, he held on tight as he attempted to steer it any other way, the bike failing to follow along.

He did the only thing he could think of in the moment and shouted your name as loud as he could. You recognized his voice behind you and smiled as you turned around, eyes immediately growing wide as you saw his bike hurling towards you.

"[NAME]! RUN!"

You awkwardly jumped backwards and watched as his bike toppled over, causing him to slide on the ground until he was right in front of you.

Looking up at you from the ground, he stilled as he tried to play it off.

"Hey."

You looked down at him and there was a beat of silence between the both of you. Watching a smile slowly form across your face, he began to smile wider himself until you broke out in laughter, which he joined in alongside you.

"Are you okay?" You asked him as you still chuckled, reaching an arm down which he grabbed hold of.

"I'm fine, I'm fine, thanks for asking!" Chuckling with you, he awkwardly tried to wipe the dirt from his uniform - knowing his mom would have a fit if she saw how dirty it was.

Grinning at him, you reached a hand up and swiped your hand through his puffy blue hair to get some pieces of dirt out of it, and at that moment Shirakumo's mind shut down. You were so close, and the sun was setting at a point that painted a beautiful golden glow across you, and the trees were blowing their leaves gracefully across the park, and-

He knew it would be the perfect moment to confess. It was as if fate itself set up everything together for him to. He'd have to give his thanks later at a local temple or something.

Looking towards you, he suddenly felt frozen stiff. His heart skipped a beat and he felt his hands get uncomfortably moist. The once outgoing and boisterous Shirakumo, was now afraid to actually say what was on his mind for once.

All throughout his life, he never struggled with such a thing. He always danced in public whenever he heard a nice song, laughed out loud with his friends (despite Shouta begging him to be quiet), openly talked to every new face he met as if he were friends with them since childhood. No, it was never a struggle.

So to suddenly feel this new emotion... One of worry, one of love, a horribly sweet mixture of heartache... He'd have to apologize to Shouta, now understanding his perspective when it came to shyness.

"Shirakumo?" Your hand caught his attention, waving towards his face. Quickly he scrambled back and looked towards his fallen bike where his bag sat. He nervously rubbed the back up his head as he pulled it up from its position on the ground, "Sorry! Zoning out y'know... Hitting your head will do that!" he apologized, letting out a shaky laugh before quickly pulling out your notebook from the bag.

You smiled back, albeit a bit worriedly, "Oh, of course! Though, if you need an ice pack or something you're more than welcome at my house."

He couldn't help but mentally slap himself. Why would he say that?! Now you were worried, and that was the last thing he wanted to make you feel.

"O-oh, don't sweat it, I'll be fine!" The sun was going down, and the wind was slowing. You were also a little further away, remembering your trip home. He needed to do something. To choose something.

Swallowing, he gripped your notebook with a tighter grip as he held it behind his back. Speaking suddenly evaded him as he looked at you, silent confessions falling from his mind and hurling towards you with no impact.

"Well... It was nice seeing you! I hope you get home safe!" You smiled as you began to turn to finish your path home. Quickly, he called out to you.

"Wait! Um..."

Seeing your full attention on him once again made him feel like the world's biggest lovesick idiot. You only looked at him with wide, expecting eyes as he stood there silently.

Gasping in a short intake of breath, he began to tremble as he rethought about what it was he wanted to say to you exactly. He always thought of this moment, in fact he imagined it after every time he saw you. But you were here, really real and not how you were in his imagination. Real life was always so much more daunting than one's imagination.

"S-so... I have something to tell you..." Gulping, he wanted so badly to spill the contents right from his overflowing heart. He wanted to tell you every single thing he loved about you, he so badly wanted to inform you of everything he wanted to do with you, from going to the beach to inviting you to the roof with him and his friends during lunch, to having you ride with him on his clouds... There was so much, so much-

"I lo-" Whipping out your notebook and bringing it in front of him as he bowed with his hands holding it out towards you, he changed his mind last second. "You left your notebook! So I brought it back for you!"

Pushing a stand of your hair behind your ear, you squinted in the dim lighting the sun left behind, soon recognizing the familiar stickers adorning the cover.

"Oh! Thank you so much, I'll need this for that test tomorrow." Gently taking it from his hands, you looked over and smiled at him as you put it in your school bag. "Have a nice night! See you!"

He only hummed in acknowledgement, not trusting his voice at the moment. And he stayed in that spot as he waved you off when you walked away. And he stayed in that spot as he wondered if he messed up.

-

"You're seeing this too?" Hizashi whispered as he leaned towards his dark haired friend. Both were silently staring at their usually bubbly and energetic companion as he sat with his head placed right on the desk. His hands hung limply by his sides, and they both jumped as he let out a loud groan.

"I messed everything up."

The two boys quickly glanced at each other and gave a small shrug before settling on helping their heartbroken friend.

"Well, what did you even do? " Hizashi questioned as he reached into his pants pocket to pull out a piece of gum. "Besides, I'm sure it wasn't even something that bad. "

Slowly, Shirakumo brought his head up to look at the two properly, before going on to explain the previous night's events. By the time he was done explaining, he was yearning to throw his head on the desk more than ever.

"I should've just asked her to a movie or something! Why was everything suddenly so difficult... ? " Looking at his open hand he previously held clenched, Shirakumo gritted his teeth in frustration - though it was more humiliation.

"I dunno, the heart's weird like that sometimes man," Hizashi shrugged, not too keen on giving relationship advice, "If I were you, I'd just try to find something we both like to do and go from there. "

"Hmm... I don't really know what we have in common.. " It was at this point that Shirakumo truly realized how much he still needed to know about you.

"Why don't you just go somewhere nice to have fun or something? Try to get used to being around her so this doesn't happen again. " Straight to the point, Shouta was as blunt as ever.

"It's not that I'm not used to being around her! I think.... I think it's 'cause I'm scared of what would happen if she said 'no' ..." Moving his gaze to the floor, a worried expression took control of Shirakumo's face. "I don't know what I'd do with myself."

"Well, then at that point you don't really have any other choice besides confessing." Nemuri's voice interjected from the door of the classroom.

The three all turned to face her, and in turn she confidently made her way in. Stopping right in front of Shirakumo at his desk, she put a hand on her hip.

"You," She started, pointing a finger directly in front of his face, "Have a bad case of lovesickness my friend, and luckily for you I seem to have a bit of knowledge in this department." Nemuri explained confidently as she placed a hand directly on her chest.

"You need to work her up to you. Small acts of service!" She threw her hands up in the air, "Be a gentleman! Open doors for her, carry her things, buy her little snacks and trinkets... And then," Bringing a fist down onto her hand, Nemuri finished, "Find the perfect moment and confess everything that you feel about her! Let your heart take the reins and show her how much you truly love her, what you think of her, make her feel special! "

Placing her hands on her cheeks, Nemuri couldn't help but gush as she got more and more excited. "Ahh, to see the beginning of a highschool sweetheart relationship! It's so pure, it makes my heart throb!"

Shota and Hizashi only stood awkwardly in the background as Nemuri continued to rant to a very jumbled Shirakumo, both not having the slightest bit of knowledge when it came to romance. Still, they loved Shirakumo and would do whatever it took to make their friend happy.

-

It was the beginning of another day, and you looked forward to the trip your Sensei had planned for your class. To understand what it was like to be a hero on an average day, you all were split into random groups and sent to patrol small neighborhoods. It was to test your knowledge on observing small odd things out, and to ensure you wouldn't mindlessly walk about, but instead that you'd put effort into constantly staying vigil. Small neighborhoods never had anything happen to them, as most villain attacks happened in the city. This was simply a test of observation.

"Aren't you excited Nemuri? Trips are always fun!" Exiting the locker rooms freshly adorned in your hero uniforms, (for plot's sake let's say Nemuri has an outfit that'd be approved by the school) Nemuri could only hesitantly nod, not wanting to diminish your excitement. No one wanted to go on this trip, as everyone knew it'd be extremely uneventful.

Making your way to the buses, you and Nemuri met up with the trio.

"Hey hey! You ready to get rockin'?" Putting up a rock and roll fist, Mic chuckled as you parroted him and put one up as well. "So ready! "

Slinging an arm around your shoulder, you turned to see Shirakumo already next to you. "Well, hopefully we get put in a group together!" Swinging a pointer finger back and forth between the two of you with his other hand he continued with a bright smile, "You and me, we make an unstoppable team! "

Your face warmed at the extreme close proximity, not having seen him this close before. "Y-yeah, and Zashi, Shota, and Nemi!" Really, you couldn't think too sharply as your brain began to overheat with your cheeks.

Nemuri smiled mischievously, tapping the tips of her fingers together as she went over her plan she made with Shirakumo. This first part she simply asked was to gouge whether or not you'd reject any advances made, and based off your reaction, he was in the green.

"Wow Shirakumo, got your hands all over her don'cha?" A couple guys snickered to each other as they passed by, and your face warmed in embarrassment as you pulled yourself from his hold.

Huffing, Shirakumo hated seeing you upset. Before he could say anything, Shota surprisingly beat him to it.

"Mind your business, you don't need to make everything you see weird."

They teasingly put their hands up, "Look, we're just messing with you guys, nothing to gripe abou-"

"Then leave us alone. We don't want to hear your jokes."

The opening of the bus doors cut off the conflict before it could escalate, and as you passed Shota sitting in his seat on the bus, you gave his shoulder a squeeze.

"Thanks, I appreciate you."

As you made your way to your seat, Shota tried to hide his faint blush by turning to face the window, but was quickly snapped back when Hizashi threw himself into the seat beside him.

You took a similar seat next to the window, and to your surprise you watched Nemuri walk past you only to sit in the seat behind you - next to the quiet girl with the archer quirk.

Seeing your baffled expression, she awkwardly shrugged her shoulders. "I, uh, wanted to discuss Moji's quirk! We never talk so I thought I'd take the chance, y'know?"

You raised an eyebrow at her sudden behavior, but ultimately didn't question her. Instead, you welcomed Shirakumo as he slid into the seat next to you.

As the bus rumbled to life and began to set off, everyone began discussing who they might be paired with and what they might expect. You animatedly discussed with Shirakumo what pairings would be best, and he added on to your excitement, happy to have you talking to him at all.

Sitting behind the two of you, Nemuri uselessly tried to squeeze a word out of the girl she sat next to, but in the end she never looked anywhere but straight ahead to Nemuri's unease.

-

"I want you all in order now! We're in a residential area, so be respectful!"

*Japanese neighborhoods are very, very different from American ones*

As everyone quieted and stood at attention, the teacher went on once more.

"Now, I need you all to remember who you sat next to on the bus, because that's exactly who you'll be paired with for this activity. "

He paused to allow the students to think about who they were next to, and whether they should revel or hang their head in disdain.

Feeling a tap on his shoulder, Shirakumo turned and made eye contact with Nemuri, who in turn winked and gave him a thumbs up. His face warmed as he smiled and gave one back.

Once everyone was beside their respective partner, they obediently made their way to the neighborhood they were to care for.

-

"Soo, think we're gonna find anything interesting?"

Walking casually beside you with his arms slung behind his head, Shirakumo clearly showed no belief that anyone would run into trouble.

You scanned the small neighborhood, looking at the walls, bushes that lined the houses, and at the flock of birds making their way into the air. It was quiet, uneventful. "Mm, probably not. " Crossing your arms you whined. "Ahh, this was what Nemuri probably was trying to complain about, huh?"

Turning to look at you Shirakumo tried to offer some reassurance, "Aww don't be that way. I'm sure we'll run into something cool!" Raising a fist into the air, he smiled. "I'm positive we'll be the ones to bring back the coolest story to the class! You and me, taking down the biggest villain this neighborhood has to offer! "

You laughed as he jokingly punched the air repeatedly in front of him, practically brimming with bright energy. It was refreshing to have someone like him around, someone to always reassure and lift you up.

The sun was beginning to set, and you knew your class would be held far after dark. That was when villains mainly come out, no? It was bright as it lowered, and you had to hold a hand up to keep the light from your eyes. However, you looked up when a shadow was cast over your eyes, and found it to be caused by a little blue cloud floating in front of you. You turned to Shirakumo, smiling bashfully as he grinned back.

Time seemed to slow as your boredom increased. You and Shirakumo continued walking ahead, and finally you found a turn on the path you could both take so the sun wasn't blinding you the whole time. The houses in this new area had more greenery growing, and in turn shrouded out the sunlight.

While the lack of light was nice for your eyes, it wasn't for your body as you began to shiver. Winter was closely approaching, and you could only hope your class wouldn't have to do as many outdoor activities.

"Y'know, I kinda like this assignment. Easy A+, just walk around a bunch with a buddy and you're all set!"

You smiled at his incessantly joyous attitude, wishing that you yourself could gain such an ability. For now though, it was more than enough to have him by your side. Eventually he began to whistle a jaunty tune he had picked up from a commercial, with you scanning the right side and him walking and scanning the left.

The neighborhood was a quaint one, little houses lined up in neat yet unique rows, and you thought about the people inside of them. How those very people in the houses you walked by were to depend on people like you in the future.

It was daunting, to have so much responsibility on your shoulders. At the beginning of your admission to UA, you had wanted to be a support or rescue hero. Less being on the main field and more on the sidelines. Less weight crushing atop of you, less damage made if you failed...

"Somethin's turning in that head of yours," as you brought your gaze up to Shirakumo, he stuck out a pointer finger and tapped your forehead a couple times. "Tell me what's on your mind, I'm curious. "

Your face warmed slightly, pushing away the self doubt that momentarily distracted you. The houses continued to pass by you, one after another, and as you comprehended just how many people were to truly rely on you, your heart stirred. The feeling was sickening, so many lives that were constantly in danger. And if you make a mistake? All those lives... Gone.

You both halted as Shirakumo slung an arm around your shoulder and stopped, bringing you to a stop with him. "Something not good I'm guessing, huh?"

His expression contorted as he furrowed his eyebrows in worry, and you hurriedly waved your arms as you tried to reassure him. "Really, it's nothing! Sorry, I was just getting distracted..."

Gazing at the rows and rows of seemingly endless houses, you pushed a stand of hair behind your ear. "It's just... There's so many people that depend on us... All these people in these houses are only a small fraction, I've realized."

Quickly, Shirakumo's expression softened. "Ah, that's what's going on, isn't it?" Confused, you took your attention off the neighborhood and passed it onto him. He retracted his arm and turned to face you properly instead once you turned towards him.

"It's just like at the beginning of the year, you're getting worried again."

He might've acted oblivious and ignorant most of the time, but you knew that was just out of fun. In reality, he was an extremely smart kid. Observation was one of his key things in particular, needed especially for someone with a quirk like his. And with how well you knew him and his group, it was no surprise he was able to read you like an open book.

The ground was now where your attention was turned to, not knowing how to continue. You plucked your fingers as you mulled over how to properly phrase your thoughts.

"It's just-" You sighed, exhausted. "There's so much waiting for us... I don't know if I can handle it all, I've always been a little slower than everyone in the class-"

You yelped in surprise as Shirakumo firmly planted both his hands on your shoulders, his own shaking. You had never seen him get this worked up before, it was odd. This whole situation was new to you, as you had never dwindled on your thoughts for this long before. It was routine at this point, just to follow in the footsteps of whoever was in front of you as you ran in the back.

"Don't say that now." His voice was firm, yet a slight waver could be noticed. "It's... It's natural to feel overwhelmed, especially when the stakes are so high." Taking a moment to collect his thoughts, he looked up at you once more. "Tell me, why exactly did you want to become a hero?"

It was a question so many had asked you before. So many times that question was passed around to everyone in the hero department, it was natural to already have an automated answer. This time felt different, however. You thought a little harder about it.

"I... Want to help people." You started off unsure, yet as you continued, your voice began to get more firm. "I want to bring comfort to those who'd depend on me, just like how I felt whatever I watched heroes on TV as a kid."

You gritted your teeth hard as the memories flooded in. "It always filled me with inspiration, seeing them battle the villain and save the civilians... I always wanted to be someone to bring a smile to their face... I'm just worried I can't live up to that. "

Shirakumo's expression softened as a small smile tugged at his mouth. You were one of the main people he always looked up to throughout his time at UA, and as you spoke it only further cemented that fact.

"You have a good heart, and that's half the battle right there. Being a hero isn't just about skill or talent, it's about the drive, about having a good heart. It's about compassion and dedication. And you have all of that."

You sighed a bit. While you knew your intentions weren't the issue, it was nice to be reassured. You had the heart, and you yearned to reach your goal. But what use is a yearning heart when your skills don't match that want?

"I've heard it countless times... That even the strongest people would struggle to become a hero without the passion or drive. But," You looked up at the rising moon that began to light up the once darkened area around you. "What more is there to do when you want to catch up but you can't? I don't think I can do it, as much as I want to do it..."

Shaking his head, Shirakumo sighed. He knew you were worried at the beginning of the year, but you had progressed so incredibly much that he was in awe. So to hear that you were still struggling to see that... It felt defeating.

Yet, despite your doubts and fears, he could see the determination in your eyes. He could recognize the passion you held in your heart. And that's what made his in turn beat a little harder.

"There'll always be room for doubt, you think I wasn't afraid when I was starting out? Or anyone else for that matter? Everyone comes up to that same thought of yours... 'What if I can't?'..."

It was so odd to think about. To think of the boisterous, confident, content Shirakumo as scared. Scared and worried, just as you. Yet, it made sense. Who wouldn't be worried starting out?

He took notice of your interest and continued on. "Being a hero isn't always about being the best and the strongest, and even then those at the top still make mistakes of their own. Being a hero - it's all about standing up and doing what's right in the face of fear. That's what courage is, after all."

His eyes shimmered with passion as he spoke, everything eventually pouring straight from his heart. He needed you to know that you weren't the only one who was afraid. He needed you to know why he looked up to you so much.

His expression relaxed as he rested a hand on your shoulder once more. "Being a hero isn't a race against others, y'know. It's about you, becoming the best version of yourself."

You smiled, putting a hand atop his that rested on your shoulder. He smiled back in response, meeting your eyes. You've come so far, but your self doubt was blocking your vision from seeing how much progress you made.

"Believe me, you're progressing. You're learning, growing, every single day. "

Your expression formed into one of surprised acknowledgement. You were so stuck on focusing on what you can't, on what might happen if you can't, that you never realized just how much you could. And that in order to push past the risk of making a mistake, you'd need to do your best to train yourself on how to change your "I can't"s into "I can"s.

Your smile widened as you grabbed his hand fully now. "I see... It's all about progress, huh?" Looking up into the soft expression of his that he gave you, you felt something warm blossom inside of you. "I guess I was thinking about it in black and white, putting so much pressure on myself... I always remember you telling me I was thinking too hard about things." You teased him, causing a larger grin to form on his face as he lightly chuckled.

Shirakumo nodded approvingly, a hint of satisfaction and relief glinting in his eyes. "Exactly, that's the spirit! You're still learning, still growing. And you will mess up, and you'd probably wish you hadn't. But that's how we learn after all."

He leaned in a little closer to you, as if the two of you weren't close enough. Oddly though, neither of you were concerned about the distance this time. It felt comfortable, and warm. His gaze was steady as it focused on your eyes.

"Just remember, your worth isn't defined by your failure or your success. It's defined by who you are, by what's in here-" He took the hand that you placed on top of his and brought it down to be placed on top of where your heart was. Together, the both of you sat for a moment in silence, simply focusing on the feeling of it beating. It was the most beautiful thing to him.

"I see... Recognizing both the good and bad aspects of yourself.. recognizing that you're only human in the end. That we both are..." You looked up from where both your hands rested, a wistful, relieved expression taking hold. "I always tried following in your footsteps y'know, you've always been someone I looked forward to learning from and I suppose I was right." You lightly laughed, the sound filling the otherwise silent air around the both of you.

His eyes widened in relivation, not knowing that you looked up to him. It always seemed the opposite way to him. You were always the one with the better grades, the one who was always progressing more and more each day.

"I guess we both look up to each other then, huh?" He chuckled as he brought his hand that was intertwined with his in between the both of you. You couldn't contain the warmth that coated your cheeks once again. "Well... You care. And it shows. So thank you."

He couldn't contain the large grin from forming, and it lit up your whole world seeing him so stupidly happy. "Y'know, I'm glad we met. Out of all the different people I could've run into, I really hit the jackpot with you." You blushed a little harder and lightly hit his arm in joking with your free hand, the smile on your face giving it all away.

Suddenly, his expression began to turn a little more serious than before, and it drew your full attention. The grip he had on your hands only tightened a bit, and you were suddenly aware of the close proximity between the two of you.

"Ever since I met you, you always made me feel a little strange. I always felt a little different around you than when I was with everyone else, and I was never able to put my finger on it." His eyebrows furrowed, his mind concentrating on letting everything he was thinking pour out as naturally as he could get it.

Your heart beat a little faster, blood warming everywhere you could imagine as you began to tremble slightly.

"You're amazing, I promise! Out of everyone I met, you're the kindest, the most passionate, the smartest... " You watched as his gaze slipped off to the side, a blush tinting his face with a lopsided smile. Your face felt as though it was on fire. "What are you trying to say, Shirakumo?"

"Oboro."

You could only hum in confusion as you tilted your head a bit. His attention was back on you, clear and concise.

"Call me Oboro, okay? You're too close to me to be calling me by my family name."

You tried mustering up a bit of confidence of your own as your shakily held eye contact with him. "Well, Oboro," It felt so odd. But it was a nice odd to have the privilege given to you. "What's all this about exactly? "

He felt as though his heart was moving his body and not his brain. Grabbing your hands felt so natural to him. Holding them up, he faced you directly, so close your noses could've touched.

"You're... You're amazing. You've always been progressing so much, and you're one of the smartest in the class," He spoke so fast he had to take a moment to heave one last breath.

"Not only that, you have such a passionate heart, it's what pushes me to keep smiling whenever I feel down." He was closer now, his eyes sparkling, twinkling with some unknown joy. "It's why I've always looked up to you... It's why... Why I fell in love with you!"

Both of you sat in stunned silence for a beat, simply looking into each other's flushed faces. It was the longest couple of seconds Shirakumo ever felt in his life.

Shakily, you brought your gaze down as you did many times before. Tremors shook your body, the source being your heart nearly tearing itself from your chest. Shirakumo only stood in place, awaiting any kind of reaction.

Looking down, he saw a droplet of something hit the floor under you. Then another. And another. Quickly, he panicked and grabbed your shoulders, bringing you up to face him. "A-are you crying?! I'm sorry if I said it too fast! Don't think you have to be obligated-"

A couple tears dotted your eyes, but...

You were smiling. Smiling the most he's every seen since he'd known you.

"I'm honored to hold such a spot in your heart, Oboro." You wiped your eyes a bit, but still looked happy as you did so. "You've always been special to me as well, always lighting up my day and helping to bring me back up whenever I was at my lowest. I'm more than happy to let you know that..." You took a deep breath. "That I love you, too. "

It was a moment he'd never forget. The moonlight lit up your features perfectly, and you looked the happiest he'd ever seen you. It was perfect. And the whole time, everything felt natural, the fear that gripped his heart earlier melting away into a syrupy, sweet concoction of love and joy.

You were close. And he was too. Together, you both absentmindedly leaned into each other without much thought, eventually ending as his lips met yours. He moved one hand to place on your waist, and the other to hold your cheek as he leaned in further, desperate for more. The hand around your waist pulled you in closer as you put your own hand on his chest to grip his shirt, drawn to his warmth.

It was quiet. Quiet and comfortable as the two of you got lost in each other. You both smiled as your noses bumped into each other, with him sighing into you as if it brought him immediate relief from some unknown tension. You only had so much room to breathe though, and as Oboro wasn't showing any signs of letting up anytime soon, you took the initiative to detach yourself from him, ignoring his whine.

Both of you were left panting and flushed, new to these emotions and experiences being discovered. Yet, as you looked up at him, you could only feel... Warm. His smile was like that of the sun, as it always lit up the area it was in - no matter how dark it was.

To him, as you looked up into his eyes he felt as though he could get lost in yours. The entire time since the failed confession, he was constantly fretting over how it could've gone, as to what he could've gained or lost.

It was always a risk. But looking at you now, he was glad he took it. It was just as he told you. Sometimes one overlooks how much they have working for their benefit and instead focuses on the possible chance of loss, deciding to not take a risk that could end in their favor.

He was elated to have you by his side, and he was going to keep you smiling as much as he could. It was the least he could do, after all.

-

You were the newest addition to their little trio, Hizashi and Shota both breathing out a sigh of relief at the sight of their lovesick friend no longer pinning and not having been struck down. It was the best case scenario, and in the end everyone was overjoyed for him.

Although, seeing as he was the most open and boisterous in the class, it did have its ups and downs. Such as when he would drag you all over the classroom to introduce you to your own classmates as his girlfriend, or to random students down the hall, even to some teachers. It was a habit of his, showing off everything that made him excited.

Even then, his enthusiasm only seemed to grow more with your newly established relationship. You didn't think you could handle another incident of him cheering for you at the top of his lungs during training again. Being tied with Shirakumo seemed to bring all attention onto you as well, but in the end you got used to it. He meant well, and intended to keep things bright and happy.

It was what he was best at, after all. With a smile as bright as the sun itself, it was able to part even the darkest of clouds to bring his light in.

Notes:

This one was quite fun to write! Thanks again for the request! (˶ᐢωᐢ˶)

Although I'm worried about the lack of Shirakumo fans out there... (⑉ ᷄ ⌳ ᷅ )ก

I hope everyone here has a lovely day! I'm still constantly working on requests, I haven't forgotten a single one! (⑉´ᗜ`⑉)

If you like my writing or my art (or just want to be tagged for anything in general), please let me know! I'll gladly tag anyone for anything they'd like to see (✌^∀^)

Fun fact: This was my first time writing a kiss scene, please take it with a grain of salt! Aromantic author here, I don't know much about romance but I'll still gladly write it ʅ(´д｀)ʃ