"honesty and grace" (Mezo Shoji X Reader)

Chapter 10

It had been just over a week since you were able to hang out with Shoji and his class. It was quite the unique experience, meeting people Mina had mentioned when the two of you were at the mall together. All of them, with the exception of Bakugou and Tokoyami, were very approachable and friendly. Though, once you got talking, it turns out you and the bird-headed teen get along just fine.

From that day up until today, you were visited by them quite often. They stopped to visit you at work, making sure that they went to your register. Some of them just came for the company, others bought a lot. Sero had ordered a large amount of donuts, sharing them with his homeroom. Unfortunately, you weren't given the pleasure of meeting their teacher, Mr. Aizawa, but you were presented the opportunity to meet one of the biggest heroes in the world. All Might was introduced to you by Izuku. The way he introduced him made it seem like the pro hero was an old friend to the Midoriya family.

Along with getting to meet these new people, you and Shoji had become a lot better friends. At this point, you both were almost like best friends. Your mother had been gone for eight nights now, only two more left before she would come back, meaning that you wouldn't be able to allow the boy to stay over after this Tuesday. Hopefully, she wouldn't mind the fact he comes over once and a while. You had informed her he's been staying around, but not mentioning the fact he stayed the night last week.

Right now, the tall boy and you stood in the quiet apartment. You had mentioned something about owning a few good action and horror movies, some that even have five star recommendations. He had insisted you watch them together one afternoon while he showed off some cooking skills he possessed. You didn't oppose the idea at all, really wanting to sit around with him and just enjoy a movie or two.

"What time do you have to be back at the dorms?" You ask him, knowing that times are different for weekend nights.

For a moment, there is no response. "7 PM, so in about two hours. We have time for one movie." Mezo simply states.

You come from your room, a horror movie in your hands. The smell of curry floats around the room as you look over to the man standing over by the stove. He has two bowls set out, seeming as though he was really concentrating on getting the servings right. "Wow, Mezo, when you said you could cook, I didn't think you'd make a whole meal." Your voice wavers as you laugh softly, sliding the movie into play.

He only takes a quick glance over his shoulders, a mouth forming at his left. "I didn't even think that much about it, just wanted to show off, given that I don't do so very often." His calming tone is relaxing, putting you in a sense of ease. The man's head bobs as he puts his dish down, picking up the two bowls he had filled. He grabs two forks from the drawer and walks carefully over to the couch with them in his hands. Just under his breath, the word "hot" comes out continuously.

He places both dishes onto the small coffee table, sliding you the dish with just a little more in it than his. You take a second, admiring the well presented dish in front of you. "Wow, I have no words. Thank you so much." The expression on your face is soft.

"Wait, I'm not even done," he says, the tone of his voice signifying he was smiling underneath his pale blue mask. Astonished, you watch as he walks over to the stove once more, piling a bunch of steamed vegetables into a large white bowl he had pulled out of the cabinet. Pale, translucent clouds rise from the food as he walks calmly over the table once again. For a moment, all can be heard is the sound of his socks connecting with the thin carpet flooring. A wave of excitement passes over you, your eyes brightening.

"You should be a chef or something." You say softly, wanting to dig in the moment it was placed in front of you.

He sits on the couch next to you after placing the bowl in between the others. "You haven't even touched anything." His gaze fell on you, as if you were his best friend and just said something stupid. It wasn't a smile, just a look that gave you the idea he felt comfortable emoting, just slightly, around you.