As Izuku and Jiro made their way to the skate park, the atmosphere was lighter than usual. The warm sun hung overhead, casting playful shadows as they walked side by side, each stealing glances at the other.
"So, do you want to try any new tricks today?" Jiro asked, her excitement bubbling to the surface. The kiss was still fresh in her mind, but she was determined to keep the vibe casual.
"Maybe," Izuku replied, his tone still nonchalant. "I'm just here to enjoy the ride."
They arrived at the skate park, which was buzzing with activity. The sound of wheels on pavement and laughter filled the air, creating an infectious energy. As they stepped onto the park, Kaito, Ren, and Emi spotted them and waved them over.
"Hey, you two! Ready to shred?" Kaito shouted, grinning.
Izuku shrugged again, the familiar casualness returning as he replied, "Yeah, I guess so." Jiro couldn't help but smile at his laid-back demeanor. It was one of the things that drew her to him.
The crew quickly gathered around, and Jiro watched as they began to show off their skills, tricks and flips flying through the air. Izuku casually joined in, landing smooth maneuvers with effortless grace. He was in his element, and Jiro couldn't help but admire him, her heart fluttering at the sight of him enjoying himself.
After a few rounds, Kaito turned to Jiro. "What about you? You going to show us what you've got?"
Jiro chuckled, shaking her head. "I'm just here to watch the pros." She glanced at Izuku, who had just landed a particularly difficult trick, a nonchalant grin on his face.
As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, Jiro felt a wave of nostalgia wash over her. She had never felt so at ease around anyone before, especially not in a crowd. She looked around, noticing how everyone was enjoying the moment, and it hit her that she wanted more than just friendship with Izuku.
"Hey, Izuku," she called out, trying to get his attention as he rolled over. "You're really good at this."
"Thanks," he replied, giving her a casual shrug. "Just having fun, you know?"
"Yeah, I get that," she said, stepping closer. "But you're more than just fun. You're really talented."
He raised an eyebrow, surprised but also intrigued. "You think so?"
"Definitely. I mean, look at you. You make it look easy," Jiro admitted, feeling a rush of confidence.
Izuku paused, his expression shifting slightly as he regarded her. "I appreciate that. I just try to keep it chill."
Just then, Ren skated over, interrupting their moment. "Hey, Jiro! You should try some tricks too. You can't just let Izuku have all the fun."
"Yeah, Jiro! Show us what you've got!" Kaito joined in, encouraging her.
"Alright, fine," she said, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. "But don't expect anything amazing."
As she hopped on her board, Izuku watched her intently, his usual nonchalance replaced by focused admiration. Jiro took a deep breath and tried to channel her inner confidence. She attempted a simple trick but stumbled, landing awkwardly.
"Damn," she muttered under her breath, embarrassed.
Izuku skated over, a gentle smile on his face. "Hey, it happens to everyone. Want me to show you how it's done?"
"Sure," she said, her heart racing a bit at his proximity. Izuku demonstrated the trick slowly, explaining the movements as he went.
"Just relax and trust your instincts," he said, his voice calm and reassuring.
After a few tries, Jiro finally landed it, her face lighting up with joy. "I did it!" she exclaimed, turning to Izuku, who mirrored her smile.
"See? I told you, you just needed to get into it," he replied, his laid-back demeanor making her feel even more at ease.
As the day drew to a close, they all sat on the grass, laughing and recounting the day's best moments. Jiro found herself sitting closer to Izuku, their shoulders brushing against each other. The atmosphere was warm and friendly, and she couldn't help but feel a rush of happiness.
With the sun setting behind them, casting a golden hue over everything, Jiro leaned over and whispered to Izuku, "Thanks for today. I really had a great time."
"Yeah, me too," he replied, his voice low and relaxed. "We should do this more often."
As they shared a smile, Jiro knew that this was just the beginning of something special. She glanced at him, her heart racing, and in that moment, she felt that the casual vibe they shared was just the foundation of a deeper connection waiting to unfold.
