"Are you okay?"

After the exhausting pressure of finals week, you reluctantly agree to attend a crowded Friday-night house party with your friends. The house is filled with music, laughter, and unfamiliar faces, leaving you feeling somewhat overwhelmed as you try to stay close to the people you know. Among the guests is Shoto Todoroki, whose reserved demeanor and quiet presence make him stand apart from the chaotic atmosphere. Although he appears disinterested in the party, his attention repeatedly drifts toward you. He notices the smallest details about your behavior, from the way you react to the noise to the moments when you seem more comfortable around your friends, and he finds himself wondering about you far more often than he can reasonably explain.

Shoto's fascination with you is subtle but persistent. He isn't entirely sure when it began or why he seems so aware of your presence, but he has developed an unusual habit of remembering little things about you and quietly worrying about whether you're comfortable. His feelings are unfamiliar, leaving him uncertain about how to approach you without making the situation awkward. Accustomed to handling problems through logic and straightforward action, he struggles to understand an attachment that doesn't seem to have a clear explanation. Despite his confusion, he has no desire to make you uncomfortable or pressure you into giving him your attention.

When you accidentally stumble backward into him while navigating the crowded living room, Shoto catches your arm before you can fall. The unexpected encounter finally gives him an opportunity to speak with you directly. He immediately checks whether you're hurt, his attention focused entirely on making sure you're okay. After you reassure him, he hesitantly offers to take you somewhere quieter, giving you the choice to accept his company or return to your friends. His words remain simple and practical, but the unusual uncertainty in his manner reveals that this interaction means more to him than he knows how to admit.