"What an amazing night!" I called out, as Eijirou and I walked down the UA campus, slowly making our way back to the dorms.
"Yeah, that was a lot of fun! Plus, I guess you're basically a pro dancer now, huh?" He grinned, grabbing my hand and giving me a twirl.
"Pretty much. Why? Want to take a lesson?" I teased, knowing full well that Eijirou was the one who taught me to dance in the first place.
A breeze of cold, fall air rang throughout the night, causing me to involuntarily shiver.
"If the instructor is you, then hell yeah I do." He replied, quickly shrugging off his jacket and draping it around my shoulders.
Damn, how did he even notice me shiver?! This guy sees everything.
"Thanks." I smiled softly, snuggling further into Eijirou's jacket.
I reveled in its warmth and smell, loving the way it fit around me.
Eijirou smiled warmly at me, wrapping his arm around my shoulder, as we walked down the empty campus street.
It was around midnight now—well, almost. Midnight was the curfew Aizawa gave us.
"Man, I don't want this night to end." Eijirou whispered, looking up at the starry night sky.
I nodded in remembrance, hearing the dread in Eijirou's voice.
I'm sure Eijirou didn't want this night to end for a lot of reasons. One of them being the provisional license exam tomorrow.
"That's right. The exam is tomorrow. You shouldn't worry. You'll do great." I encouraged, kicking a pebble down the sidewalk.
I felt Eijirou shrug in response, as he ran a hand through his hair.
"Hopefully. The thing is, the stakes are a little higher now. Aizawa told me tonight at the dance, that if I pass the license exam, I might be able to get a work study with a hero agency." He said blankly.
Hmm, that's a major accomplishment. Yet, he didn't sound that excited about it.
"Eijirou, that's amazing. The fact that you'd qualify for a work study your first year like that. You should be proud of yourself." I reassured, wanting him to be more excited about this amazing opportunity.
He pursed his lips, lost in thought. He still wasn't sharing my excitement for him.
"I don't know. I mean, my quirk isn't anything spectacular, Margo. I know that. I'm sure Mr. Aizawa just put in a good word for me, and that's why I have a shot." He mumbled, looking down at the ground now.
My face contorted into disbelief at his words, wondering how he could even say something like that.
"Are you kidding me?! Your quirk is so powerful—" I started saying, before Eijirou cut me off.
"—my quirk isn't flashy, at all. Plus, I'm already falling behind the others in school." He replied, slightly slumping his shoulders now.
I looked at him in silent realization.
He was slumping his shoulders in the same exact way he did in Mina's middle school picture.
This must be the part of himself he's been trying to change.
He's insecure.
Even though he has no reason to be!
Man, I wish Eijirou could see himself, the way I see him. How cool he is. How amazing he is.
"Okay, since when did a quirk have to be flashy and showy, in order to be powerful!? Some of the most powerful quirks are the ones people can't even see!" I exclaimed, starting to feel passionate about this topic now.
I noticed his silence at my words, encouraging me to continue.
"Kirishima, your quirk is powerful. It's powerful enough to completely cancel out my quirk. Nothing can hurt you when you harden your body. Nothing. Not Bakugou's flashy explosions, or Todoroki's showy ice." I started off, smiling softly at my own words.
Eijirou remained quiet, looking at the ground.
I could tell he was taking in my words.
"Do you understand how amazing it is, that almost nothing in the entire world can break you, in that moment?" I chuckled softly in amazement, before remembering something else.
"Remember when we first met, awhile back? We were talking about your quirk—and it was so long ago. You probably don't remember what I said to you that day, but—" I started off, before Eijirou interrupted me.
"—Unbreakable. You said......I was...unbreakable." Eijirou whispered softly.
I smiled affirmatively, surprised that he remembered my words from back then.
"Because you are." I breathed out softly, stopping our walk to face him now.
Eijirou stopped too, keeping his blank gaze to the ground.
I grabbed his hands in mine, studying his face.
"You are unbreakable, Eijirou. But, not just in body. No. You're unbreakable in mind, and spirit, with or without a quirk. Even though I see how powerful you are, I can't make you see it. The same way you can't make me forget my own past." I stated quietly, bringing my fingertips up to his cheek.
I softly caressed his milky skin, before trailing my finger under his chin.
"Remember what you told me? Accept. Accept yourself. Accept what you can do, and what's out of your control. Keep working hard, and believe in yourself." I whispered, before gently lifting his chin up so he would look at me.
Eijirou slowly lifted his gaze, his crimson eyes meeting my eyes, in need of guidance.
"I believe in you. I believe in you with all my heart." I uttered out, not being able to stop myself from throwing my arms around his neck.
I hugged him tightly, burying my face in his chest, just wanting him to be happy.
Eijirou hugged me back after a few seconds, gently placing his hand on my head.
I felt his steady heartbeat, as he let out a shaky breath.
We were quiet for a moment, enjoying each other's presence, before Eijirou finally spoke.
He pulled away from our hug slightly, so he could look at me.
"Thank you. I really needed that." He whispered warmly, gently holding both sides of my face.
I grabbed his hands, loving the way they felt against my skin.
"I'm here for you." I smiled.
Always.
My smile must have been contagious, as Eijirou matched it immediately, leaning in to kiss me.
The moment his soft lips connected with mine, I fell into pure bliss.
I grabbed his shoulders, closing my eyes, as our lips moved together perfectly.
Eijirou pulled me closer to him, clearly savoring this kiss.
I relaxed upon feeling his hot breath fan into my mouth, not feeling so cold anymore from the night air.
I completely had my guard down right now, once again not caring if anyone saw us.
Eijirou wrapped his arms around me tighter......suddenly pulling away from our kiss slightly.
I furrowed my brows in confusion, about to open my eyes.
"What's wrong—" I started saying, before I heard Eijirou inhale sharply.
The next thing I knew, I felt Eijirou body slam me to the cold, hard pavement.
He quickly landed on top of me, activating his quirk.
Before I could register what was happening, I heard a gunshot.