The two made it to the city after a short walk. The late afternoon sun painted the glass windows and storefronts with warm golden streaks, while the hum of chatter, car horns, and the occasional bark of a street vendor added life to the air.
Ochaco tilted her head, her eyes sparkling as she took in the rows of colorful signs and shop displays.
Instead of heading straight into a café, they slowed their pace and decided to explore for the fun of it.
"Wow, look at that one!" Ochaco pointed to a store filled with plushies stacked to the ceiling, a giant pink rabbit staring down at them from the window. She pressed her palms together and let out a small squeal, almost bouncing on her heels.
Izuku chuckled, sipping from the bottle he bought earlier. "You're going to drag me in there, aren't you?"
"Nooo…" she said, eyes still glued to the display. "...Okay, maybe."
They strolled down a row of food stalls, the scent of fried takoyaki and grilled skewers wafting over to them. A vendor shouted cheerfully, waving skewers in the air like batons. Izuku's stomach betrayed him with a loud grumble.
Ochaco laughed. "Was that you or the monster from earlier?"
"Definitely me," he said, rubbing the back of his neck with a sheepish grin. "I think I worked up an appetite today."
They stopped at a street performer's circle where a man balanced on a single wheel, juggling glowing sticks. Children clapped and gasped when he tossed them high and caught them behind his back. Ochaco clapped along too, her smile wide and unrestrained, while Izuku found himself smiling just from watching her.
When they finally moved on, Ochaco slowed to a stop in front of a fountain at the center of the plaza. The water caught the city lights, scattering them into tiny sparkles. She leaned forward on the railing, resting her chin in her hands.
"It feels nice, doesn't it? Just walking around without worrying about training or anything else."
Izuku stood beside her, quiet for a moment, listening to the splash of the fountain and the faint music from another street corner.
"Yeah," he said softly. "It really does."
After wandering through a few stores and laughing at some silly trinkets on display, the two finally spotted a cozy little café tucked between a bookstore and a flower shop.
Its warm windows gave off the inviting smell of fresh pastries and roasted coffee.
"Looks nice," Ochaco said, her eyes lighting up. "Let's go in."
Izuku nodded, holding the door open for her as they stepped inside. The bell above the door chimed gently, and a soft jazz tune played in the background.
The café wasn't too crowded, just a handful of people typing away on laptops or chatting over cups of tea. They picked a table by the window, where the soft glow of neon signs outside spilled in.
Izuku leaned back in his seat after placing their order, letting out a small breath as his curiosity tugged at him. "So," he began, "how are your parents doing? I know things have been… rough for them for a while."
Ochaco blinked at him, then smiled—bright, genuine, and almost glowing in the cozy café light. "Actually… you're not going to believe this. They got a new gig."
Izuku tilted his head. "A gig? Like, part time construction work again?"
She shook her head, still smiling. "No, it's even better! It's a long-term contract, and it pays way more than anything they've had before. They were so excited when they told me. Honestly, it feels like the first time in forever I've heard them sound that happy."
Izuku's eyes widened, and a grin slowly crept across his face. "That's amazing, Ochaco! That means… you don't have to stress as much, right?"
Ochaco nodded, her shoulders relaxing as if a weight had been lifted off them. "Yeah… it feels like I can finally breathe a little. I still want to become a Pro Hero, of course—that's my dream—but knowing they'll be okay? It makes everything feel lighter."
Their drinks arrived—a simple iced tea for Ochaco and a warm latte for Izuku. He raised his cup slightly, smiling. "Then, here's to them. And to your dream."
Ochaco clinked her glass against his with a little laugh. "To dreams."
When they finished at the café, Izuku offered to walk Ochaco home. Her place wasn't very far, just a few blocks away, but the walk felt leisurely, almost suspended in time. Streetlights flickered on, casting a warm glow over the sidewalks, and the faint hum of distant traffic filled the quiet spaces between their conversation.
They strolled side by side, chatting about small things—their favorite sweets, funny things from class, and even random what-if scenarios about heroes and villains. Ochaco laughed easily, her voice light and melodic, while Izuku found himself grinning more than he had all day.
Though the conversation was casual, there was a subtle spark in the air between them, a pull neither fully acknowledged. Izuku felt it, but he chose restraint.
At least now, he thought, keeping his expression calm.
' I'll be honest… I'll probably make my move after the Camp arc. For now lets just enjoy this feeling ' he thought.
Ochaco glanced up at him at one point, a small smile tugging at her lips, and he returned it, feeling a quiet warmth spread through his chest. The world felt simpler here—just the two of them, walking, talking, enjoying a rare moment of peace.
Soon, they arrived at Ochaco's building. She stopped at the door, her hand resting lightly on the handle.
"Well… this is me," she said softly.
Izuku nodded, offering a small, reassuring smile. "Yeah. Thanks for letting me walk you home. I had fun."
"Me too," she replied, returning his smile with a shy tilt of her head.
For a moment, they just stood there, neither rushing to leave, the soft glow of the streetlamp illuminating the space between them. Then, with a light laugh, Ochaco opened the door and stepped inside.
Izuku watched her go, a faint smile still on his face.
He turned and began the walk back, slipping down a quiet alley before pushing off and launching into the night sky. The wind rushed past his face, sharp and electric, carrying the distant hum of the city below.
' Been a while since I've saved people…' he thought, scanning the streets.' Might as well see what tonight brings.'
The city spread beneath him, alive with neon glows and streetlight streaks. Every shadow and alley seemed to beckon, and the thrill of flight made his heart pound with anticipation.
When he returned home, the soft glow from the kitchen greeted him. Inko was busy preparing dinner, humming softly as she moved around the room.
They hadn't done much together since last week—not because he avoided her, but because he didn't want things to feel repetitive.
"Hey, Mom," he called lightly.
"Oh, Izuku! You're back early," she said, drying her hands on a towel. "Dinner will be ready soon."
He nodded with a small smile before heading to his room. Today, he wasn't putting on his old outfit. Instead, he changed into his upgraded Hero suit—a sleek, all-black Superman-style design without the emblem or cape, but reinforced with new durable material.
The suit clung to his body perfectly, built for both speed and impact resistance. He adjusted the it, flexing his fingers as he tested the mobility.
' Much better… this is built for real fights now, ' he thought, satisfied.
Stepping onto the balcony, he inhaled the cool night air. The city stretched endlessly below, unaware of the guardian above.
With a grin, he rocketed into the sky, the upgraded suit cutting through the wind with ease.
' Alright… let's see what the night has planned for me, ' he thought, excitement and anticipation coursing through him as he soared over the illuminated cityscape.
TO BE CONTINUED