Minato POV
I was on my way to the restaurant, a pleasant hum in my chest. Himiko was treating us – me, Mina, and Kirishima – to a celebratory dinner since she got accepted into U.A.'s hero course. It was a well-deserved party, and I was looking forward to it.
When I stepped inside, the warm glow of the restaurant enveloped me, and I quickly spotted Himiko. She was sitting alone at a table near the window, looking a little too demure for her usual energetic self.
"Toga!" I called out, making my way over. "Congratulations again on U.A.! This is incredible news."
She looked up, her face lighting up with a genuine smile. "Minato-kun! Thanks for coming."
I slid into the seat opposite her. "Of course. So, you ready to celebrate?"
"Definitely!" she chirped, though she glanced around the mostly empty restaurant. "I thought Mina and Kirishima would be here by now."
We fell into easy conversation, chatting about her excitement for U.A., the kind of hero she wanted to be, and even some of the more outlandish Quirks we'd seen on the news. Half an hour passed, marked by the quiet clinking of cutlery from other tables, but still no sign of our other two friends.
"Seriously, where are those two?" I complained, a playful frown on my face. "They're usually so punctual when food is involved."
Himiko giggled. "I know, right? I told them to come by 7." She checked her watch. "It's already almost 7:30."
We continued talking, another half-hour melting away. The restaurant was starting to fill up more, but our table remained stubbornly at two. My suspicions began to prickle.
"Toga, are you absolutely sure you called them?" I asked, a hint of accusation in my voice. "Because this is starting to feel like a very elaborate conspiracy to have just us two for dinner."
Her eyes darted to the side, and she let out a small, unconvincing cough. "What are you talking about, Minato-kun? It was just a mistake! They probably got the time wrong." She pulled out her phone and pretended to dial. "See? I'll call them right now."
I rolled my eyes. "Riiight, just a mistake."
She put the phone to her ear, and after a moment, I could faintly hear Mina's cheerful voice from the other end. "Toga? Hey! What's up?"
"Mina! Where are you guys?" Toga exclaimed, a touch of genuine frustration in her voice. "The party! We're at the restaurant!"
"The party?" Mina's voice sounded genuinely confused. "Toga, we told you! The party's tomorrow, remember? We set it up for tomorrow afternoon at Minato's house!"
"No! I said tonight!" Toga insisted.
"No, you definitely said tomorrow, Toga!" Kirishima's booming voice joined Mina's on speaker, clearly audible even to me. "We've been getting everything ready for then!"
Toga's shoulders slumped. "Fine! Fine! Let's postpone it then. See you tomorrow!" She snapped the phone shut. "Ugh! See, Minato-kun? A mistake! They thought it was tomorrow!"
I squinted at her, a knowing smirk playing on my lips. "A mistake, huh? You really expect me to believe that?"
She looked away, a faint blush dusting her cheeks. "What are you talking about? It was just a mistake!"
"Riiight," I said, drawing out the word, making it clear I wasn't buying it for a second. "Just a mistake that conveniently left us with a quiet dinner for two."
She just mumbled something inaudible and picked up a menu, avoiding my gaze. Despite her transparent attempt at deception, I couldn't help but feel a warmth spread through me. It was endearing, in a way.
"So, about U.A.," I began, trying to change the subject as our appetizers arrived. "Are you nervous at all? It's a huge step."
"A little," Toga admitted, spearing a piece of grilled chicken. "But more excited! I mean, I'm going to be training with actual pros. And learning how to really use my Quirk to help people. It's... It's a dream, Minato-kun."
"It definitely is," I agreed. "What do you think will be the hardest part?"
She hummed, thinking. "Probably the academics. I'm better at the practical stuff. And, you know, not freaking out anyone with my blood fascination." She gave a sheepish grin. "But I'm working on it!"
"You've come a long way, Toga," I told her honestly. "Seriously. You're much more... open now. It's good to see."
Her eyes softened. "Thanks to you. And Mina and Kirishima. You guys... you actually made me feel like I belong. Like my Quirk isn't just... weird."
"Your Quirk is amazing, Toga," I reaffirmed. "It's versatile, powerful. It's unique. You'll figure out how to make it a hero's asset."
"I hope so," she said, a determined glint in her eyes. "What about your music, Minato-kun? Any big tours planned before you decide on your hero path?"
"A few, but nothing too extensive," I replied. "Trying to keep my schedule flexible for... future endeavors." I left it vague, my mind already running through the intricate logistics of balancing a pop career with U.A. and vigilante work.
"You're going to be a hero too, aren't you?" she asked, her voice low, almost contemplative. "Even if you don't say it. I can feel it."
I just smiled, taking a sip of water. "I just want to help people, Toga. Whatever form that takes."
"You already do," she said, reaching across the table and briefly touching my hand. Her touch sent a surprising little jolt through me. "Your songs, Minato-kun... they really do inspire people. They inspired me."
We ended up having a fantastic time, just the two of us. We talked about her hero aspirations, the quirks of our classmates, and even shared some childhood stories. Her laughter was infectious, and her eyes, usually so intense, sparkled with an easy joy I rarely saw in anyone else. The conversation flowed effortlessly, a comfortable rhythm settling between us. We discussed the latest hero rankings, speculated on potential internships, and she even confessed her secret dream of one day opening a themed cafe. I found myself genuinely enjoying her company, appreciating her unique perspective on the world.
After a couple of hours, the night began to wind down. I offered to drive her home. The ride was filled with comfortable silence, punctuated by the soft glow of streetlights.
When we pulled up to her house, we both got out. The porch light cast a soft glow on her face. She began to fidget, playing with the hem of her shirt, avoiding my eyes.
"Good night, Toga," I said gently, a smile still lingering from our evening.
"G-good night, Minato-kun," she murmured, her voice uncharacteristically soft. She didn't move.
I waited, a curious warmth stirring in my chest. "Is there anything else you want to say?"
She took a deep breath. "I... I enjoyed spending time with you tonight."
My smile widened. "I did too, Toga. Really."
Still, she hesitated, her fingers twisting more anxiously. Her gaze flickered to mine, then away.
"Anything else?" I prompted, my voice softer now.
She murmured something, so low I couldn't quite catch it.
"I can't hear you," I told her gently, leaning in slightly.
She mumbled again, even quieter this time.
"Come on, Toga," I encouraged, a laugh building in my throat. "Spit it out."
She took another shaky breath, her eyes suddenly locking onto mine, filled with a raw intensity. This time, her voice was clear, though still a whisper. "I... I like you, Minato-kun."
And then, before I could even process the words, she leaned in, pressed a quick, soft kiss to my cheek, and without another sound, spun around and darted into her house, the door clicking shut behind her.
I stood there, utterly stunned. The cool night air suddenly felt impossibly warm. My mind, usually a whirl of strategic thought, was a complete blank. The sensation of her lips, brief but undeniable, lingered on my cheek.
After what felt like an eternity, but was probably no more than five minutes, I snapped back to reality. A goofy, uncontrollable grin spread across my face.
"I LIKE YOU TOO, TOGA!" I shouted, the words bursting from me into the silent night. Then, feeling like a complete idiot, but a happy one, I turned, climbed back into my car, and drove home, the image of her blushing face and the warmth on my cheek etched into my memory.