The following week, Jiro felt an unexpected thrill as she headed to the skate park. Hanging out with Izuku and his friends had become a highlight of her routine. They were a laid-back group that brought out a side of her she didn't usually show.
As she arrived, she spotted Izuku casually skating, his focus relaxed but intense. He was effortlessly landing tricks while maintaining a calm demeanor that drew her in.
"Hey, Jiro!" Kaito called out, waving her over. "We were just about to start a game of skate. You in?"
"Sure, why not?" Jiro replied, her competitive spirit igniting.
The game kicked off, and the atmosphere was filled with friendly competition and laughter. They took turns attempting tricks, each trying to outdo the other. Jiro felt her confidence soar as she managed to pull off a few impressive moves, earning cheers from her friends.
Throughout the game, she couldn't help but sneak glances at Izuku. His nonchalant attitude made everything seem effortless, and there was a charm in how he interacted with everyone, showing no signs of stress or urgency.
During a break, Jiro walked over to Izuku, who was leaning against a railing, sipping on a water bottle. "You're really good at this, you know," she said, trying to keep her voice steady.
"Thanks, I guess," he replied, shrugging casually. "Just trying to have fun, right?"
Jiro nodded, but her heart raced a little. There was something about his laid-back nature that made her feel at ease, yet excited all at once.
Kaito, always looking for a chance to tease, interrupted. "What's up with you two? You look like you're plotting something."
Jiro rolled her eyes playfully. "Shut it, Kaito."
Izuku just chuckled, seemingly unfazed by the banter. "Yeah, we're just here to skate."
Kaito grinned. "Sure, sure. But I see the chemistry!"
Jiro's cheeks flushed, and she shot Kaito a glare. "Just focus on your tricks, okay?"
As the game continued, the group's playful teasing persisted, but Izuku remained effortlessly cool, even while being ribbed. He landed a particularly tricky move, and Jiro couldn't help but admire him.
After finishing the game, they settled on the pavement, sharing snacks and laughing about their attempts. The conversation flowed easily, and Jiro enjoyed every moment, feeling a part of the group.
"Hey, let's film a skate video and show everyone how awesome we are!" Kaito suggested suddenly.
"Sounds good to me," Izuku replied, his tone casual. "I'm down."
Jiro felt a rush of excitement. "I'm in! Let's show off our skills!"
As they set up the camera, Jiro felt a mix of anticipation and pressure. She wanted to impress Izuku, and the thought made her adrenaline spike.
When it was her turn, she pushed off, focusing on the tricks she had been practicing. As she executed her move, she landed it smoothly, earning cheers from her friends.
"Nice one, Jiro!" Izuku called out, his tone relaxed yet encouraging.
"Thanks!" she shouted back, feeling a thrill at his praise.
The filming session continued, with laughter and camaraderie filling the air. They celebrated each other's successes and poked fun at their failures, creating a sense of unity that Jiro cherished.
As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the park, Jiro caught Izuku's eye. There was a moment where it felt like the world around them faded away. His nonchalant attitude, combined with the hint of a smile, made her heart race.
"Good job today, everyone," Izuku said, looking around the group. "It was fun."
"Yeah, for sure!" Jiro replied, her heart fluttering. "Thanks for being so chill about everything."
"Just keeping it low-key," he said with a shrug, his smile remaining.
As they began to pack up, Jiro felt a warmth spread in her chest. Being part of this group was refreshing, and with Izuku's easygoing nature by her side, she couldn't help but think that this was just the beginning of something exciting.
