My Hero Academia: New Students and Unexpected Love

Chapter 30: Chilling by the Fountain

After hours of games, laughter, and delicious food, it was finally time to call it a day. The bright lights of the arcade flickered behind us as we stepped out into the cool evening air, each of us holding onto the prizes we’d claimed with our hard-earned tickets.

The sun had already started to set, casting an orange glow over the town. The streets were alive with people going about their evening routines, and the energy of the day seemed to mellow into a quiet buzz. Gino clutched a pair of cool sunglasses he’d picked out, while Kirishima held onto a plush All Might figure he had snagged after a tough round of claw machine battles. Mina was proudly showing off her neon-pink headband with flashing lights, and Tsuyu had opted for a small frog keychain, which she dangled happily from her finger.

I looked down at my own prize, a sleek black hoodie with red accents that caught my eye the moment I saw it. Perfect for relaxing at home or whenever I wasn’t in uniform. I slung it over my shoulder as we made our way down the street toward the town square.

“Man, that was a blast!” Mina said, her voice as bubbly as ever. “I haven’t had that much fun in an arcade in ages!”

Kirishima nodded in agreement, giving his All Might plush a small squeeze. “Yeah, that was awesome. And you totally killed it on *Dance Dance Revolution*, Mina. Gino couldn’t keep his eyes off you!”

Gino rolled his eyes but couldn’t help the small smirk creeping onto his face. “You know what they say—admiration is the first step to competition. Next time, I’m taking you and Kirishima on. No holding back.”

Kirishima laughed, slinging his arm around Gino’s shoulder. “I’d love to see you try, bro.”

Tsuyu walked quietly beside me, her hands behind her back as she glanced around at the slowly darkening town. “Kero, it’s nice to have some downtime like this. I’m glad we all got to hang out today.”

I nodded, giving her a warm smile. “Yeah, me too. After everything, it’s nice to just chill for a bit.”

As we reached the town square, the sound of trickling water greeted us. The fountain in the center of the square glowed softly with the streetlights, and we all instinctively headed toward it, eager to take a break after the long day. The fountain was surrounded by smooth stone benches, and we each found a spot to sit, the calming sound of the water adding to the peaceful atmosphere.

I sat down next to Tsuyu, our knees just barely brushing. She gave me a soft smile before turning her attention to the fountain, her eyes reflecting the gentle ripples of the water. Gino, Mina, and Kirishima took seats nearby, chatting quietly about their favorite games of the day.

“So,” Mina started, swinging her feet as she sat on the edge of the fountain. “What’s the plan for the rest of the evening? Any more adventures, or are we calling it a night?”

Kirishima stretched his arms behind his head, letting out a content sigh. “I think I’m good to just chill for now. Today’s been packed.”

“I agree,” Tsuyu said softly, her voice carrying in the cool air. “Sometimes it’s nice to just sit and relax.”

Gino leaned back, adjusting his new sunglasses on top of his head. “I’m with Tsuyu. This fountain’s perfect for chilling out, especially after crushing all those games.”

I chuckled at Gino’s confident tone, though I couldn’t argue with him. The day had been full of excitement, and now, sitting by the fountain under the evening sky, everything felt perfect. The gentle breeze, the calming sound of the water, and the company of my closest friends made this moment feel like the perfect way to end the day.

For a while, we just sat there, enjoying the peaceful evening. The town square was still bustling with life, but here by the fountain, it felt like we had our own little corner of the world. Mina and Kirishima continued their lighthearted banter, and Gino was content to lean back and take it all in, while Tsuyu and I shared comfortable silence, occasionally glancing at each other with quiet smiles.

The sky above slowly shifted from orange to a deep blue as the sun fully set, and streetlights flickered on, casting soft glows around the square. It was one of those moments you wish could last forever—simple, but perfect.

Eventually, Mina broke the comfortable silence, her voice soft but cheerful. “I guess today was a win for all of us, huh?”

Kirishima nodded, grinning as he looked around at all of us. “Yeah, it was. Definitely a day to remember.”

I couldn’t help but agree. As the sound of the fountain continued to fill the air and the stars began to dot the sky above, I knew that this was just the beginning of many more memories to come with these friends.