The first time Ashido Mina ever sees you, you're bundled up in a winter coat that looks two sizes too big for you, standing awkwardly under a street light with giant, fluffy white snowflakes in your hair. You shuffle from foot to foot, checking something on your phone, before looking down the street before you. She wonders if you're waiting for someone, something about your discomfort reminiscent of a shy first date. Something in her chest pangs, and it must have registered on her face, because the next thing she knows, Kirishima is nudging her side.
"You okay?" he asks gently, and as she comes back from her own thoughts, she's suddenly incredibly aware of everyone's eyes on her.
"Yeah, just thinking." She smiles brightly, pulling her attention back towards her friends. It doesn't take much convincing for them to forget all about her daydreaming - only a moment later Denki has wildly gestured mid-story, flinging a glass halfway across the izakaya - and as the group settles back into their conversation, she allows her mind to wander back to you.
You're still standing outside, but you're glancing between your phone and the izakaya now, as if you're trying to decide whether you want to come in. Come inside, she wills you, and as if you can hear her thoughts, you shake out your hair and force yourself to stand a bit taller before marching into the building. All of your bravado seems to leave you as you enter, however, and realize just how busy the small space really is. For a moment you hesitate, stopping mid-step and glancing around, and she thinks you might turn back around and leave again.
"Oi, you're the one who was so adamant we all show up, you could at least pay attention," Bakugou sneers, but his eyes betray him. He's watching her closely, eyebrows knit together and his mouth is slightly turned down. He looks a bit like a disappointed child, but she knows him well enough to know that on Bakugou Katsuki, this is a face of concern. She shakes her head as if it would get rid of the thoughts of you, and tries to focus back on her friends.
"Come on, Kacchan, she's just admiring the scenery," Denki grins, nodding towards you, and the group watches as you shrug off your coat and take a seat at the bar. You seem uncomfortable in the space, and Mina can't help but wonder why you've come in in the first place if you're so out of your element here.
"You should go say something," Sero says, motioning towards you as well.
"I'm pretty sure they're waiting for someone," she says, but even she can hear the disappointment in her own voice.
Bakugou rolls his eyes. "Yeah, because whatever extra they're waiting for is going to win out over a pro hero. Just go say something, or I will."
Sero and Denki release a chorus of "oohs", and the threat is enough to get Mina out of her seat. As she leaves the booth, Kirishima throws her a thumbs up and gives one of his signature sharp-toothed grins, while the others watch her intently. She doesn't get nervous often, but she is suddenly terrified of making a fool of herself, especially if she is going to have an audience when it happens.
She could do this. She had charmed the nation into placing her at number 11 on the hero charts, surely she could make conversation with one person, right?
