Eria

I dragged Todoroki along as we visited the various stalls and attractions of the U.A School Festival. Aside from cool performances and attractions, there were various delicious foods cooked by the students which made my mouth watered. I was thankful I had enough money to satiate my bottomless appetite.

"There isn't any cold soba......" Todoroki muttered gloomily. His eyebrows knitted together into a disapproving frown.

"Yakisoba is nice too," I said between mouthfuls of yakisoba that I was stuffing into my mouth.

Todoroki sighed disappointingly. "But it's not cold."

Despite the noisy surroundings around us, I could hear a tiny disapproving growl from Todoroki's stomach. I nearly choked in laughter while Todoroki clicked his tongue angrily, face slightly red from the betrayal of his hungry stomach.

"......fine. Give it to me," Todoroki grunted.

"No, get your own," I hissed, hiding my yakisoba.

"Sorry guys! Our yakisoba is sold out!" the students at the yakisoba stall shouted at the long queue that was waiting for the food.

Todoroki looked at me pleadingly.

"Fine," I said, giving up my food for him.

"I'm gonna get more food," I said, targeting the omurice stall and the takoyaki stall.

"You're gonna get fat," he said, with a small smile.

I ignored his tease. "It's gonna be my birthday so I'm allowed to be spoiled."

Todoroki's eyes widened in surprise as he gaped, but he didn't say anything.

***

It was the first minute of October 31. My birthday.

My eyes were still open, anticipating the next 24 hours as though it was a beginning to something new. After all, I was officially 16, my worries left behind, my family reconciled.

My family sent my messages at 12:01AM, and I thanked my mother for bringing me to this world 16 years ago. My close friends sent messages in our Line group, where Iida seemed overly excited with his capital lettered-message saying 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAKASAKI!!!!!!!'. I could literally hear him while reading that.

It was time to sleep as my eyes were slowly closing over the bright phone screen, but a message popped up just in time and I jolted upon reading the message.

'Would you like to go out with me tomorrow?' wrote Todoroki Shouto, my silly best friend whom I had a crush on.

"Fuck," I cursed as I realised there would not be any sleep for me at all, as wild imaginations invaded my mind.

Without hesitation, I replied to him with a 'yes' while thinking that I had probably used up my luck for my whole life to get this invitation.

***

Ochako had a victorious smug on her face when I met her in the early Sunday morning of my birthday to tell her about the date — I mean, hanging out with Todoroki.

"It's a date~" Ochako teased in a singsong voice. "Did you wish for him to ask you out as your birthday wish?"

My face was red as a tomato. "No! It's not a date! It's just...... t wo friends hanging out on a Sunday!"

"On your birthday, like *ehem ehem* couples do~"

My brain had been malfunctioning since last night, and it continued to fail me till now. "It's not! You can join me too, you know! And Midoriya and Iida too!"

Ochako seemed to freeze for a brief second but resumed her teasing. "Oh please, do you think I would be that dumb to be the third wheel between you two? Even if you pay me, I will not join you. Nor will the other two boys. They are sticking with me!"

"Why are they sticking with you?" I quizzed.

"DON'T CHANGE THE SUBJECT!" Ochako shouted, as though she was desperately avoiding the question.

I was about to pursue further when that irritating smirk appeared on Ochako's face again. "Do you want me to help you with your wardrobe choices?"

I initially rejected the notion of overdressing as this was just a normal 'hangout' between friends, but......

"Do my hair please......" I muttered timidly.

And I suffered an hour of Ochako's teasing after that.

***

I hid behind a wall, making sure no one else was in the lobby when I walked out. I didn't want the whole world to know I was going on a date — I mean hangout with Todoroki.

"Tokoyami! Come on!" Sero's voice rang in the background. I jolted and quickly hid behind the wall.

"But I have online guitar lessons later," said Tokoyami, who was resisting Sero and Kaminari's vice-like grips.

"IT'S A SUNDAY! WE'RE GOING OUT!" Kaminari hollered.

"But I like to spend my Sundays in my room......"

"We just need one more person to join the bowling competition!" Sero begged. "And Bakugou wouldn't join us!"

"If we win, we'll treat you to something nice!"

"I don't even know how to play bowling!"

While the trio struggled among themselves, I took the chance to sneak out of the dormitory, where Todoroki was waiting outside as I had requested so no one knew we were going on a date—I MEAN HANGOUT! DAMN IT!

Todoroki seemed to gleam under the morning sun. He was clad in a dark blue button-up shirt, a white-coloured cardigan and beige-coloured pants. His favourite fanny pack was strapped across his chest. For a slightly naive boy, he did have good fashion sense.

My brain continued to malfunction as I basked under his gorgeousness.

"You look good," Todoroki and I said at the same time.

My face was heating up despite the cool temperature. Ochako insisted that I wear a dress to look pretty instead of something plain like shorts, so I wore a denim jacket with white-coloured knee-length dress. Apparently, Todoroki and my colour scheme were not much apart that it looked like a couple's wear.

Todoroki's face seemed to look the same despite my compliment, unlike mine who was fuming like a volcano. God, I wish I was as calm as him.

"Happy birthday," he said with a sweet smile.

My heart skipped multiple beats. "Thanks..." I said feebly.

"Let's go."

I took a deep breath to calm my raging heart and followed him. I had no idea where Todoroki was leading me as he refused to tell me. I just followed him onto a train to the centre of Tokyo.

Even on a Sunday, the train was packed with locals and tourists going out to the city for some leisure. We barely managed to squeeze into the jam-packed train. Among the passengers, some were dressed weirdly with different coloured skin, horns, wings and accessories that made them look less human.

"It's Halloween," I said.

Todoroki mouthed a silent 'oh'.

As the train stopped at the next station, more people were forcing themselves onto the train cabin. I was pushed to the other end of the cabin, my back leaning against the door while Todoroki stuck close to me. He was standing in front of me when someone pushed him from behind, and our faces nearly touched.

I looked into his beautiful eyes as Todoroki struggled to support himself with his arms on the cabin door, in which I was sandwiched between his arms like a kabedon.

"Sorry......" Todoroki muttered, averting his eyes away, a faint blush dusting his cheeks.

My face had been blushing and burning the whole time that I thought I was going to burn up in flames.

We remained in such close proximity for a considerably long time, where the minimal length of Todoroki's arm made it hard for me to breathe normally with him so close. I could smell his light, minty scented cologne.......

I wanted to get closer to him.

I snapped my mind off that ridiculous thought and tried not to look at Todoroki anymore. But what's making my crazed mind even worse was that Todoroki had been staring at me for the whole time. When I caught him staring, he sheepishly looked up at the advertisement signs above him.

Crap. This is just too cliché. Like from those goddamn romance manga scenes which I never thought would have happened to me!

This situation lasted for another whole 10 minutes. My ears were already deaf from the loud beating of my heart.

"We're here," Todoroki muttered.

My feet were still glued to the ground, shocked from the previous events, so Todoroki took my hand and pulled me along. The cooling touch from his hand made goosebumps all over my skin.

Todoroki nonchalantly let go my hand and continued to lead the way to the exit while I remained in daze, wondering should I just cut off my hand and preserve it forever in a glass case.

SNAP OUT OF IT! The angry rational part of my brain roared.

Todoroki tilted his head a little as he looked at me. "Are you okay?" he asked.

"I am perfectly fine! Where are we going?" I practically shouted.

"Your face is all...red."

"It's the heat!"

"It's autumn."

Damn it!

"Can we just go?" I pleaded.

Todoroki nodded and led the way to the place he wanted to bring me. After a short distance on a busy road, we arrived at a dessert cafe, which had a considerably long queue outside.

My eyes were instantly glued at the beautiful, intricate display of desserts behind the shop's window. Aside from desserts, there were a few main courses too, like pasta and steaks.

"You said you'd like desserts, so I brought you here," Todoroki explained. "My sister said this is a nice place."

I looked around. The cafe was filled with couples. The queue was filled with couples. Todoroki and I were alone without any other friends, like a couple.

It is a nice place...... for couples.

I tried hard not to blush, but my heart was thrashing too much. But of course, Todoroki was oblivious to the fact that the cafe was a popular dating spot.

It took around 20 minutes for us to get a seat, right at the corner, surrounded by other lovey-dovey couples. During the span of 20 minutes, I managed to convince my lovesick brain that this was not a date and my heart calmed down eventually.

We ordered a main course each and two desserts. Todoroki was fairly disappointed with the lack of cold soba in the menu, but still enjoyed his pasta. I gorged myself on a heavy steak platter, which was comfort food for my hungry stomach.

"Where are we going next?" I asked while we waited for the desserts.

Todoroki's face was blank. "Err......"

I chuckled. "I'll decide where we go next then?"

"That's a good idea," he admitted.

"So you've only planned for the brunch?"

He scratched his head. "I'm not good at planning. This is the first time I've gone out on a date. Uraraka says it's fine to plan spontaneously on a date."

DAMN YOU URARAKA OCHAKO! YOU TOLD HIM THIS IS A DATE?! DOES HE EVEN KNOW FRIENDS DON'T GO ON DATES?!

Pure, naive Todoroki was too vulnerable for me to correct him that dates were for couples. So, I gave up.

"We could go to the arcade," I said, recalling that we passed by one earlier. "There aren't any good movies lately......"

"Sure. I've never been to one before," he said.

The desserts served looked just as delectable like the displays by the window. With a pink, gleaming layer on top, the white chocolate raspberry cake was lined with layers of not-to-sweet raspberry cream and white chocolate. The other was a heart-shaped chocolate mousse that melts in the mouth. The sweet happiness in my mouth made me squeal in joy.

Todoroki smiled. "You look happy."

"Of course, it's desserts."

He took a bite and even though his facial expressions were minimal, I could tell he enjoyed it as well.

The arcade was near, just a few blocks from the cafe. It was filled with people dressed in different Halloween costumes, probably just biding time for the Halloween parade tonight.

"Ah, isn't that your shark?" Todoroki pointed at a small blue shark doll inside a claw machine.

I nodded. It was a miniature version of the Blahaj.

Todoroki peered at the claw machine's interiors, which was full of various animal toys, like a tiny zoo. "Do you want it?"

"I would love to but my shark would get jealous," I snickered.

Todoroki mouthed an 'oh', unable to get my joke.

I sighed. "It was a joke. I think I would like to get it."

"I'll get it for you," he said abruptly.

I was utterly surprised. "You know, I can get it--"

But Todoroki had put in the token and started to maneuver the joystick. However, the claw inside the machine refused to obey his command. The shark plushie slipped through the claw's fingers and returned to its cozy spot.

Todoroki didn't give up easily. He used up the remaining nine tokens but he still couldn't succeed. Depressed, the boy apologised. "Sorry. I just... I don't know how to get this..."

I tapped his shoulder comfortingly. "It's okay. I'll get one for you instead."

"But it's your birthday. I should be the one getting you something."

"Relax. It's just... what friends do!" It was a rather spontaneous idea to give Todoroki a present, despite it being my birthday. I just felt like I should give him something.

"What do you like?"

Todoroki looked around at the various crane games around him. He seemed to be overwhelmed by the plethora of choices. "I don't know."

My eyes fell upon a claw machine full of Eevee plushies. Somehow, Eevee's multiple evolutions reminded me of his hybrid quirks.

"That Pokemon can evolve into an ice-type or a fire-type, just like your quirk. You want that? It looks kinda cute too," I said. ......like you.

Todoroki peered at the Eevee plushies. "Sure. But it's hard to get one."

I smirked as I flexed my fingers. "Trust me."

After two tries, I caught an Eevee plushie and it fell through the outlet. Todoroki's eyes glinted with awe as I handed him the plushie.

"How did you do it?" he asked, stunned.

"I used to compete with my brother a lot," I replied, proud of my achievement.

Todoroki held the plushie in his arms, and he stared at it quietly for a very long time. His eyes turned slightly misty.

"I never got a gift from a friend before," he said in a mere whisper, yet it seemed to carry a lot of weight.

My heart felt as though it had broken into shards. He always distanced himself from anyone in the past, focusing on his goals...... if he had not--

"If I had not met you, I think I would have never changed into a better person." Todoroki stared right into my eyes. "Thank you for being my friend."

Oh god, I just want to hug him and squeeze him and tell him it's okay!

"You're really...something special to me," he smiled as he spoke.

Oh shit. This is too intimate. Calm down, my raging heart! Get a grip, my lovesick brain!

"B-but Midoriya did a lot too! He made you use your fire!" I blurted.

"Yeah, he did. He's something special too." Todoroki's smile widened.

......Am I jealous of Midoriya now? Yes I am.

"I want to give you a present too, but Urara — never mind," Todoroki abruptly changed his sentence, leaving me hanging.

"It's okay actually. You guys helping me and my mother out is the best gift you can ever give me," I said, smiling.

"Okay......"

We proceeded to play other arcade machines. Todoroki lost at 1-vs-1 fighting games but he excelled in beating me race car driving. When he won, he was happy like a little boy who just got free candy. Seeing his brilliant smile as he won first place made me feel blessed.

A message popped up on my phone as I crashed my virtual race car into a wall.

'Oi Snowy, what do you like to eat?' A rare and first message from Bakugou Katsuki.

I didn't try to ask him why he was asking the weird question out of nowhere. 'Err...... yakisoba I guess? But I have a lot of favourite food......' I typed.

'OK. Where the hell are you?'

I typed. 'At an arcade. With Todoroki.'

'THE FUCK?!' was Bakugou's angry reply. His status showed he was typing and deleting his words and the process continued on for some time. I assumed it was some new curse word.

"It's about time. We should leave," Todoroki said, ending his game after winning for ten times in a row.

I looked at my watch. "That's early. I thought we could grab some dinner here. You have something going on?"

Todoroki's eyes wavered. "No...... we just have to reach the dorm by 6. It's curfew."

"Are you hiding something from me?" I asked skeptically.

"......No."

"Todoroki."

Todoroki sheepishly averted his eyes away. "I can't tell you anything."

I pouted. "Fine. Let's go back then."

***

"Are you guys planning a surprise party?" I asked before we arrived at the doorsteps of the dormitory.

Todoroki stiffened instantly. He didn't dare to look at me.

"Hmm..." was his brief reply.

I sort of guessed that it was going be a surprise party, considering how bad Todoroki was as a liar.

"Sorry, I failed at hiding it, didnt i? I'm not a very persuasive liar. I don't know how to lie," Todoroki said, feeling gloomy.

Aww so cute~

"It's okay. I sort of guessed it."

Todoroki blushed, embarrassed. "Are you unhappy that I didn't do a good job at keeping a secret? I feel bad that the whole 'surprise' thing is ruined......"

"It's really fine. No one is gonna blame you. And besides...... I had a great time with you today," I said with a wide grin on my face.

He looked at me and a small but gorgeous smile spread upon his face. He was relaxed after hearing that.

Such a pure and kind boy.

Todoroki and I entered the dormitory, only to be greeted by a rain of confetti and a chorus of 'Happy Birthdays'. Everyone in class had gathered at the lobby, waiting for my arrival.

"Surprise party!!!!!" Kirishima hollered happily.

Following behind Todoroki and I were Kaminari, Sero and Tokoyami, who received the same treatment like I did.

"It was your birthday yesterday, but we decided to celebrate it together today with Takasaki's birthday!" Iida announced.

Tokoyami dropped his jaw a little, but an apparent blush appeared on his bird-like head. Dark Shadow also emerged from his abdomen and cheered along with the class.

"We've cooked a lot of food!" "And Satou baked a large cake! Blow the candles first!"

Tokoyami and I sheepishly stood side by side before the beautifully garnished cake.

"Make a wish first!"

Tokoyami closed his eyes and prayed for his birthday wish, while I was having a hard time thinking of one.

Should I wish for a good career in the future? World peace? No villains? ARGH I DON'T KNOW!

Eventually, we blew the candles on the cake. Dinner was served with a large buffet of various foods, thanks to my classmates.

"Did you know?" Kaminari snickered as he approached me while I took some yakisoba. "Bakugou made this because you —"

But the blond didn't get to finish his sentence because Bakugou punched him in the gut.

"Fuck off, idiot. You're in my way," huffed Bakugou grumpily.

"Thanks, Bakugou," I said with a smile. "It tastes really good! This is my second serving!"

"There just happen to have some extra soba lying around and I don't want to waste them!" Bakugou roared back. He clicked his tongue when he noticed my smile was still plastered on my face. "Stop with that smug on your face!"

"It's a smile of gratitude," I retorted.

Bakugou incoherently cursed under his breath. "Whatever......" He turned around. "......Happy birthday, idiot."

Before I could thank him, Bakugou had left. I applauded his attitude change for helping out with the surprise party, considering the last time we had one (Iida's birthday), Bakugou was reluctant to help or to join in. Even though the steps were small, Bakugou was still moving forward, slowly changing himself to be a better classmate/ friend.

Despite the efforts they put in for the surprise party, some of my classmates still insisted on giving presents to Tokoyami and I. Yaomomo gave me a set of exquisite tea, Kaminari gave me buffet coupons for the next mixer, Kirishima gave me a flag that painted 'Manly', and many more.

"This is a present from your favourite gang of people in the world!" Ochako said as she shoved a flat, rectangular box into my hands.

Gently I unwrapped the purple-coloured wrapping paper. It was a photo frame of the Dekusquad: Midoriya, Iida, Ochako, Todoroki and I. The photo was taken during the school festival, after the class's play had completed.

A warm feeling blossomed in my heart. It was the first photo I had taken with them.

"Thank you," I said, misty-eyed.

"I have something for you too," Todoroki said. "Uraraka said you would like something like this, even though I don't quite understand why you would prefer a chibi-sized me instead of Uraraka, since she is your best friend......"

I didn't quite fathom what he had said until I opened the tiny box Todoroki gave me. Nested on the soft, velvety cushion was a chibi-sized Todoroki Shouto figurine, which was connected to a metallic chain like a keychain.

My heart skipped a beat over two reasons: one, on how cute the thing was; two, on how embarrassing it was to have my crush immortalized into a keychain.

"It's considered good luck to have a keychain that resembled your best friend," Ochako smirked evilly.

"Ah," the innocent three boys sighed in understanding.

"......Do you like it?" Todoroki asked meticulously.

"Yeah......" I smiled.

...Because it's you.

Todoroki smiled in relief upon hearing my answer. "I'm glad you like it. Happy birthday, Takasaki."

"Thank you, Todoroki, for everything."

Todoroki smiled brightly. It made me feel warm and fuzzy on the inside. Seeing that smile, I knew what my birthday wish was going to be.

I wish I could protect everyone's smiles, especially Todoroki's.

***

Author's notes:

1. Finally I got some time to update after beginning a new job! Thanks for waiting! Hopefully I can update by next week cos i still got some free time for now~

2. Iida's birthday party was mentioned above and it was highlighted in one of the light novels. It wrote everyone was busy preparing a surprise party for their beloved class monitor except for Bakugou. However, Bakugou did stop Iida from going to the lobby and spoil the surprise. After that, he didn't join the party. 

3. COVID-19 cases is on the rise. Please take good care of yourselves, avoid going to crowded places, wash your hands frequently, and stay safe. Hope this pandemic will end soon.

Good bye guys! Thanks for reading! Love ya!