MHA Holdiay series

The neon heart signs pulsed overhead, bathing Aizawa in a sickly sweet pink glow that made him want to burrow deeper into his scarf. He shot a glare at a passing couple holding hands, their faces plastered with saccharine smiles. He was starting to regret agreeing to this.

"Come on, Shouta! Lighten up!" Hizashi Yamada, ever the radiant sunbeam, practically bounced next to him, his voice almost deafening even amidst the cacophony of the Valentine Festival. "It's a celebration of love! You're supposed to be… festive!"

Aizawa grumbled, adjusting his capture weapon. "I'm festive in my own way. Which involves keeping a watchful eye on the potential chaos these crowds generate."

Hizashi laughed, a booming sound that reverberated through the throng of people. "Always the hero, even on Valentine's Day! But seriously, look around! The takoyaki smells amazing, the cotton candy looks like fluffy pink clouds of heaven, and… wait, is that a kissing booth? Oh, we HAVE to try that!"

Aizawa choked on the already stale air. "Absolutely not."

He'd been dragged to the festival by Hizashi under the pretense of "experiencing the human connection" and "getting out of his comfort zone." Truthfully, Aizawa enjoyed Hizashi's company more than he let on. The man was a constant source of energy, a stark contrast to Aizawa's own weary cynicism. And maybe, just maybe, he didn't mind the excuse to spend an evening with him.

They navigated through the crowded stalls, Hizashi enthusiastically pointing out every heart-shaped item he saw, while Aizawa remained a stoic observer. They sampled some of the aforementioned takoyaki (Aizawa grudgingly admitted it was delicious), and Hizashi won a ridiculously oversized stuffed bear playing a ring toss game (Aizawa had used his quirk discreetly to ensure his accuracy).

"See, Shouta? Fun!" Hizashi proclaimed, brandishing the bear like a trophy.

Aizawa offered a rare, almost imperceptible smile. "Don't get cocky, Yamada. It was amateur hour."

As they walked, Aizawa noticed the genuine joy on the faces of the people around them. Couples laughing, families enjoying the festivities, friends sharing sweets. Maybe there was something to be said for the simple act of celebrating connection, even if it was commercially driven and overly sentimental.

Hizashi suddenly stopped, his vibrant eyes fixed on something in the distance. "Karaoke booth! They're playing love songs! We HAVE to sing something!"

Aizawa's stomach dropped. "Hizashi, absolutely not. I'm not a singer. You know this."

Hizashi pouted, a surprisingly effective weapon. "But it'll be fun! Just one song? Please? Think of it as… a public display of affection for your best friend!"

Aizawa hesitated. He hated singing. He loathed public displays of affection. But seeing the hopeful look in Hizashi's eyes, he couldn't bring himself to say no. "Fine," he relented, his voice barely above a whisper. "But you pick the song."

They approached the karaoke booth, a brightly lit stage with a long list of songs. Hizashi scanned the list with manic energy, finally stopping at a title Aizawa secretly recognized. "Always On My Mind!" he exclaimed. "Perfect!"

The crowd cheered as they took the stage. Hizashi grabbed the microphone with gusto and launched into the song, his voice booming with emotion. Aizawa stood awkwardly beside him, shifting his weight from foot to foot. When his turn came, he mumbled the lyrics, his voice barely audible over Hizashi's powerful vocals and the backing track.

Surprisingly, Aizawa found himself enjoying it. Not the singing part, necessarily, but the shared experience. He watched Hizashi pour his heart into the performance, his face alight with passion. He saw the smiles and cheers from the crowd.

As the song ended, Hizashi grabbed Aizawa's hand and pulled him into a hug. "We rocked that, Shouta!" he yelled over the applause.

Aizawa, taken aback by the sudden affection, tensed for a moment before relaxing slightly. "Yeah, well, you carried it."

Hizashi squeezed his hand. "Don't be so modest! You were great!" He grinned. "Besides, the important thing is that we did it together."

They walked away from the karaoke booth, the sound of their voices echoing behind them. As they rejoined the throngs of people, Aizawa felt a warmth spread through him, a feeling he hadn't anticipated. It wasn't the overwhelming, saccharine sweetness of the Valentine Festival posters. It was something quieter, more genuine. A connection.

He glanced at Hizashi, who was still beaming, his eyes sparkling with contagious energy. He didn't say anything, but he squeezed Hizashi's hand in return.

Maybe, just maybe, Valentine's Day wasn't so bad after all. Especially when spent with someone who made the noise fade a little, and let the quiet moments of connection shine through. And maybe, just maybe, he'd even go on another date with him. Next time, he'd bring ear plugs. But he'd go.