The following week was a blur of new responsibilities. U.A. High School had introduced a new system for the senior students, and Aizawa, Yamada, and their classmates were now going to live in the newly established student dorms. It was something they had been preparing for, but it still felt surreal.
Aizawa wasn't sure what to expect from dorm life. He had always been someone who preferred his space—his solitude. But now, with the new living arrangements, his private moments were going to be much harder to come by. And there was one detail that made it all the more complicated.
He was going to be sharing a room with Yamada. And their mutual best friend, Oboro Shirakumo, would be just down the hall.
As the three of them made their way into the dormitory building, Aizawa's mind wandered back to the kiss that had happened just days ago—the one that had felt so sudden but somehow... right. Yamada had leaned in without hesitation, and Aizawa had kissed him back, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. But now, faced with the reality of living with each other, it felt like there was a new kind of weight to their interactions. They had barely discussed it, but something had shifted. Aizawa wasn't sure what it was yet—he didn't quite understand how his feelings had changed in the span of a few days—but one thing was certain: things between him and Yamada were no longer just friendly. And that unsettled him.
Oboro, on the other hand, was blissfully unaware of how complicated things were about to get.
The dorms were a modern, sleek building designed to keep the students close to the action but still provide them with the privacy they needed. The common areas were spacious, with a lounge on the first floor and a small kitchen that each room shared with their assigned roommates.
When they reached their floor, the air felt heavier, like the anticipation of what was to come hung in the balance.
"Alright, guys! Here's the deal," Oboro grinned, practically skipping ahead of them. "We're all roommates now! This is gonna be so much fun! We'll have late-night talks, pranks, games—everything!"
Aizawa's eyes narrowed at the idea of late-night anything. "I don't need any late-night talks or pranks. I need quiet," he muttered, rubbing his temples in exhaustion.
Oboro laughed, undeterred. "You say that now, Shouta, but you'll come around. Trust me." He glanced back at Yamada with a wink. "Right, Yamada?"
Yamada, who had been unusually quiet since the whole 'kiss incident,' chuckled. "Yeah, I'm sure we'll keep things lively around here. Don't worry, Shouta. We'll make sure you get your 'quiet time'... mostly."
Aizawa shot Yamada a look, but Yamada was grinning at him in that teasing way, like he was daring Aizawa to react. Aizawa turned away quickly, feeling a flush creeping up his neck. He wasn't used to being seen like this. But Yamada always had this way of making him feel... well, like he wasn't as alone as he usually was.
They stopped in front of their assigned dorm room, and Aizawa's heart sank when he realized the layout. There were two beds, one on each side of the room, with a shared desk in the middle. It was small, more cramped than he expected. And on the other side of the hall was Oboro's room—right across the way, so he could keep an eye on them, no doubt.
"Here we are!" Oboro clapped his hands together, turning the key in the door. "Home sweet home!"
The door swung open, and Aizawa blinked. It was cozy. But there was no denying it—this was going to be... awkward.
The room was split into two halves, each with its own bed and small space for personal belongings. The walls were painted in muted tones, and a small window allowed sunlight to flood the space. Yamada, who was still standing by the door, turned to Aizawa with a mischievous smile.
"So, what do you think?" Yamada asked, his voice quieter now, almost... hesitant.
Aizawa glanced at him, unsure of how to respond. His brain was still processing the fact that Yamada, the guy he had kissed not even a week ago, was standing so close, so casually, in their shared space. Everything felt... different. Not bad, necessarily, but not what Aizawa was used to.
"It's fine," Aizawa muttered, shifting uncomfortably as he set his bag down by his bed. "I suppose it'll work."
Yamada let out a soft laugh, not buying Aizawa's cool facade for a second. "Right. Sure. Fine."
Before Aizawa could say anything more, Oboro barged in, his voice brimming with excitement. "Okay, okay! I've got an idea. Let's do a rooming ceremony!" He clapped his hands and bounced on the balls of his feet. "It's a tradition now! You guys are stuck with me, and I want to celebrate! C'mon, c'mon, it'll be fun!"
Aizawa's eyes narrowed. "That's not a thing."
Oboro winked. "Well, it is now! Come on, Shouta! You know you want to." He then turned to Yamada, giving him a knowing look. "Besides, I've got some serious ship fuel for tonight. You two are gonna have a blast."
Yamada raised an eyebrow, clearly confused. "What are you talking about?"
Oboro's grin widened. "You and Shouta, obviously! I've been watching you two for a while now. You're practically destined to be together, don't you think?"
Aizawa's entire body stiffened. "What?! No! We're—"
"You're totally a thing," Oboro interrupted, clearly delighted by Aizawa's flustered reaction. "I mean, look at you! The tension between you two is insane."
Yamada blinked, and for a moment, his cheeks turned a slight shade of pink. "Wait, hold on. What tension? We're not—"
But Oboro was already having a field day, practically bursting with excitement. "Look at you two! I can tell! All those accidental touches? The lingering looks? The way you're avoiding each other but can't stay apart? Classic!"
Aizawa groaned, dropping his face into his hands. "Oboro, stop. We're not—"
Yamada looked at him, eyes suddenly soft, his grin more genuine than teasing. "I didn't know you felt that way, Shouta," he said, his voice low, but filled with something else. It was a little dangerous, a little serious, and for a moment, Aizawa's breath caught in his throat.
"I'm not—" Aizawa began again, but Yamada stepped forward, gently pushing him back toward the bed.
"It's okay, Shouta," Yamada said quietly. "You don't have to say it. I know."
Before Aizawa could respond, Oboro interjected, clearly loving the discomfort he was causing. "I'm telling you, you two are gonna have the best time together. Just wait, you'll see!"
And just like that, Oboro had closed the door, leaving Aizawa and Yamada standing in the room together—alone, for the first time in days.
