Izuku arrived at the rooftop, spotting her seated on the edge, legs swinging lazily over the ledge like she always did. The city lights below gave her a soft glow, like something out of a dream.

"Hey," he said as he approached, settling beside her.

She turned to him with a smirk, eyes trailing over his outfit. "Hey. I like the new fit—makes you look like one of those basic-ass models on Pinterest right now."

Izuku let out a dry breath through his nose, glancing away. "Thanks... I think."

'If I fire back, I'll get canceled on social media,' he thought grimly.

She leaned into him, chuckling as she wrapped her arm around his. "I'm only kidding, come on, don't get mad."

"I'm not mad." He kept his tone neutral, then shifted gears. "Actually, I wanted to run something by you. I've got an idea."

"I'm listening," she said, her voice softening as she turned her full attention to him.

Izuku began explaining his plan—the shelter, the funding, the outreach, and how he wanted to use his name to actually make a difference. No PR, no fake headlines. Just real help for people with nowhere else to go.

As he spoke, she watched him closely, her heart doing that annoying little flutter it always did when he got like this. Focused. Honest. Pure.

'They say don't meet your heroes… but I got lucky with mine.'

"So… what do you think?" he asked, finishing with an unsure glance her way.

"I think you're great," she replied, leaning in and pressing a quick kiss to his cheek—right over his mask.

He blinked. "Umm… okay. I was talking about the plan, though."

She grinned, unbothered. "Oh, that's great too. Just like you."

For a second, the air between them buzzed with a little more tension than before. Her eyes sparkled in the rooftop light, dancing with mischief and sincerity at once.

Then she broke it. "Hey, wanna go get some food?"

Izuku stood, offering his hand. "Sure."

Without hesitation, she took it.

They leapt down together, her laughter caught in the wind as he held her against him during the landing. They hit the pavement with grace, and with casual ease, began walking side by side toward a food truck down the block.

"So, are you buying?" she teased.

"I'm the one who just proposed a full-scale social project. I think I earned a free burger."

"Fine," she sighed, dramatic. "But I'm not paying for fries."

Izuku smiled under the mask. He didn't say it aloud, but he was grateful for moments like this.

They found a small table near the edge of the street, the food truck's warm lights casting a soft glow on their trays. Mt. Lady took a big bite of her burger and hummed in satisfaction.

"Mmm—okay, I think I might come here more often," she said, licking sauce off her thumb and leaning back in her chair with a satisfied sigh.

Izuku pulled his mask down just enough to eat, the steam from the food fogging his vision briefly. He took a quiet bite, chewing thoughtfully. "Yeah, me too."

She smirked at him over the rim of her soda cup, eyes narrowing playfully. "So, Mr. Hoodie Hero… I still don't get why you always hide your face like some romance manga character."

Izuku raised a brow, sipping his drink with a deliberately slow motion. "I just like privacy. Also… what romance manga character hides their face? I'd like to know."

"Oh, I was just saying," she replied, feigning innocence, which only made him chuckle. She pouted but decided to let it slide. "Is it because you're some sort of billionaire or something? Makes sense since you said you'd solely fund the project."

He chuckled under his breath, his voice muffled by the mask. "Maybe I am. You just don't know it."

She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table, eyes glinting in the neon glow from the food truck's sign. "Oooh, secret agent vibes. Kinda makes you more interesting, I guess. I might just fall for you."

"That would be nice," he said casually, though his eyes didn't waver. "What about you, though? You also have a secret identity."

"Yeah, but that's because I don't want creeps stalking me when I'm off duty," she said without hesitation.

"Oh, makes sense… then again, you do cater to that kind of audience. Just saying, of course."

"It's not my fault. That's what my agency tells me to do," she said, rolling her eyes. "If you want though, I can stop."

"Nah, do you," he said with an easy shrug.

She nodded, picking up another piece of food and chewing slowly. She glanced at him from the corner of her eye before speaking again, her voice softer. "You're a good person, you know that? I don't say that lightly. Most people I know in this business… they'd never think of the stuff you do."

He gave her a faint smile, quickly lowering his gaze to the table. "I'm trying to do things differently. That's all."

"Hey," she said gently, nudging his shin with her boot under the table. "Whatever you're carrying, just know you're not alone, okay? I might not know your name, but I've got your back."

He glanced at her in surprise.

She sipped her soda and smirked. "And I better get a free meal next time if I keep giving you emotional support."

He laughed. "Since when was this emotional support?"

"I don't know," she said with a shrug, making him shake his head in defeat.

A few minutes later, they finished and began walking the streets. Neon lights reflected off wet pavement as they patrolled casually, stepping in to stop a mugging, scare off an attempted assault, and help an elderly man carry groceries across the road. It was a productive, oddly comfortable night.

Eventually, they found themselves at a quiet park. The swings creaked softly as they sat side by side, the air smelling faintly of rain.

"You know," she said after a pause, rocking slightly, "I think you made me want to be a better hero."

"Me?" he asked, raising a brow.

"Yeah, you. The news I hear about your saves… it really gives me hope in humanity. That there's still someone out there who'll save you even if you're out of reach," she said, her voice almost wistful. "I think you could be the greatest hero ever. Of course, you still have to surpass me."

"Thanks, that means a lot. So that's why you're so interested in me?" he asked, tilting his head.

"Yeah. What? Do I have you flustered? Yeah, I have that effect around men," she said with a teasing smirk.

"Aha, yeah you do," he replied smoothly.

"I hope you don't get jealous."

"Oh, don't worry. I'm not insecure."

She narrowed her eyes slightly, smirk growing. "You speak as if you've already gotten me in your clutches."

"Maybe I have."

That made her blush, just faintly, before she looked away with a small laugh. 'He's even good at charming. I think I've struck gold with this one.'

"Wanna go back to my apartment? I could show you my rock collection," she said, her tone half-playful, half-serious.

'Huh? I didn't think she'd be this bold. Why does she even like me anyway? Makes zero sense… unless I saved her once and I don't remember. Oh well, no use refusing.'

"Sure."

TO BE CONTINUED