The week passed slowly, filled with anticipation for Jiro and Izuku's impending hangout. Each day, Jiro found herself rehearsing different ways to keep the conversation flowing, worried about what they would talk about. But with every passing moment, her excitement grew, mingling with a hint of anxiety.
On the day of their planned outing, Jiro arrived at the skate park early, nervous energy thrumming in her chest. She watched as skaters practiced their tricks, the sounds of wheels on concrete and laughter filling the air. Kaito, Ren, and Emi were already there, but her eyes kept darting to the entrance, waiting for Izuku to arrive.
"Chill out, Jiro," Emi teased, nudging her lightly. "He'll be here."
"Yeah, it's not like he's late or anything," Kaito added, a playful grin on his face. "You're just nervous."
"I'm not nervous!" Jiro shot back, but she knew they could see through her facade.
Finally, she spotted Izuku making his way towards them, a skateboard tucked under his arm. He was wearing a simple white tee and jeans, his signature relaxed style. The moment he approached, Jiro felt her stomach flip.
"Hey," he greeted, a casual smile on his face. "Ready to skate?"
"Yeah," Jiro replied, trying to keep her tone light. "Let's do this."
As they warmed up, Izuku effortlessly glided across the concrete, executing tricks that made Jiro's heart race. She admired him from the sidelines, impressed by his natural talent, but it was his nonchalant attitude that drew her in even more.
After a while, they took a break, sitting on the edge of the skate ramp, catching their breath.
"So, how's school?" Izuku asked, looking over at her.
"Same old, same old," Jiro replied, shrugging. "Just trying to keep up with everything. You?"
"Pretty much the same," he said with an easy smile. "Just focusing on training and trying not to care too much."
Jiro chuckled. "That sounds like you."
As they chatted, Jiro felt a warmth growing between them. They shared stories about their favorite music, dreams, and the pressures of being at UA. She realized how comfortable she felt around him, how easy it was to be herself.
But as the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the park, Jiro's nerves resurfaced. "So, um, I was thinking..." she began hesitantly. "Maybe we could go grab something to eat later?"
Izuku turned to her, his expression unreadable for a moment. "Yeah, I'm down for that," he replied, his voice calm and unbothered. "Sounds good."
Jiro felt a wave of relief wash over her. "Great! I know a cool burger place nearby."
"Perfect. I'm always up for food," he said, leaning back, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.
They continued to skate until the light faded, the park now illuminated by streetlamps. Jiro's heart raced as they made their way to the burger joint, the thrill of the evening mixed with the excitement of spending time with him.
Once they arrived, they settled into a booth, the scent of burgers and fries filling the air. They joked about their skate skills, and as they ate, Jiro found herself stealing glances at Izuku, who was engrossed in his food, completely at ease.
"Do you ever think about what you want to do after UA?" Jiro asked, breaking the comfortable silence.
"Not really," Izuku admitted, shrugging slightly. "I guess I'm just trying to take it one day at a time."
Jiro smiled, appreciating his laid-back attitude. "That's kind of refreshing, you know? Everyone else is always stressing about their futures."
He looked up, meeting her gaze. "Yeah, but it's important to enjoy the moments, too."
The conversation flowed effortlessly, their laughter mingling with the sounds of the diner. As the night wore on, Jiro felt herself getting lost in the moment, grateful for the connection they were building.
But deep down, she couldn't shake the feeling that their friendship was shifting into something more. And as she caught Izuku looking at her, she wondered if he felt it too.
