The sun hung low in the sky as Jiro made her way to the abandoned warehouse where Izuku and his crew often skated. The vibe was lively, and the sounds of laughter and skateboards echoed against the rusted walls. She had decided it was time to step out of her comfort zone and join them, even if she felt a little out of place.
As she approached, she spotted Izuku sitting on the edge of an old metal crate, focused on adjusting his skateboard. His brow furrowed slightly, his deep green hair catching the late afternoon sun. Kaito, Ren, and Emi were nearby, chatting and taking turns attempting tricks on the makeshift ramps they had built.
Jiro took a deep breath, steeling herself before walking closer. "Hey, mind if I join?" she called out, trying to sound casual despite the flutter in her stomach.
The group turned to her, surprised but welcoming. Kaito grinned widely. "Of course! The more, the merrier!"
Emi waved her over. "We were just about to take some photos. You in?"
"Yeah, sure!" Jiro said, feeling a rush of excitement as she stepped into their circle.
As they set up for the photo, Izuku glanced up from his board, giving her a brief smile before going back to his adjustments. Jiro's heart raced a little—he was so effortlessly cool, and yet, he felt so far away. But she was determined to bridge that gap.
Kaito took the lead, posing dramatically on his skateboard. Ren snapped pictures as the others joined in, trying to capture the moment. Jiro found herself laughing more than she expected, the lightness of the group warming her up.
"Okay, Jiro! Your turn!" Emi exclaimed, nudging her toward the front.
"Me? I don't know..." Jiro felt a bit shy but decided to give it a shot. She hopped onto the skateboard, striking a playful pose.
Ren snapped a few pictures, capturing her laughter and excitement. Izuku watched quietly, a small smile tugging at his lips. It was nice to see her engaging and enjoying herself, even if he didn't show it outwardly.
"Nice!" Kaito cheered. "You've got some good energy!"
As they moved on to skating, Jiro found herself paired up with Izuku. He pushed off, gliding effortlessly, and she tried to mimic him, struggling at first but eventually finding her rhythm.
"Just keep your knees bent and stay loose," he advised, his tone casual but encouraging.
Jiro nodded, feeling a warmth spread through her as they skated side by side. "Got it. You make it look easy," she said, glancing at him.
Izuku shrugged, a bit bashful. "I've been doing it for a while. Just takes practice."
They skated around, and Jiro felt the exhilaration of being part of something fun and carefree. The more they interacted, the more she realized how different he was from her initial impressions. Beneath that cool exterior, there was a kind and supportive person who didn't take himself too seriously.
As the sun dipped lower, casting long shadows, they took a break, sitting on the edge of a ramp. The group shared stories, laughter, and snacks, a camaraderie building around them.
Izuku leaned back, stretching out his legs. "So, what do you think of the place? It's pretty chill, right?"
"Yeah, I love it. It feels freeing," Jiro replied, surprised at how comfortable she felt among them.
Kaito suddenly interrupted, his expression mischievous. "You know, I heard a rumor that you can skate pretty well. Maybe you should show us some tricks!"
Jiro felt a surge of confidence. "Alright, why not? Just don't laugh if I fall."
The crew cheered her on as she attempted a few simple tricks, and to her surprise, she landed a couple of them. The encouragement from Izuku and the others made it feel even better.
As the day wound down, Jiro caught Izuku looking at her with an approving smile. It was a small gesture, but it meant a lot. Maybe, just maybe, she was starting to break through that wall he had around him.
"Hey, thanks for letting me hang out today," she said, feeling bold. "It was really fun."
Izuku nodded, his expression more open than before. "You should come back more often. It's good to have you around."
Jiro's heart skipped a beat. It was a simple invitation, but it felt significant. As they packed up to leave, she realized that today was just the beginning. She wasn't just admiring him from afar anymore—she was part of his world, and she was determined to explore it further.
