Sunday afternoon.
Still no school.
Still no urgency.
The fort had thinned out — Mina and Kirishima had gone to grab actual food, Denki was passed out after too much soda, and Bakugou had disappeared muttering something about "needing quiet."
That left:
Ren.Kaito.Midoriya.
The window was open again.
On purpose.
Ren was sitting on the back of the couch this time, legs hanging over the side, idly spinning an empty soda can between his hands.
The Pulse was calm.
Not sleepy.
Just… aware.
"You know she'll show up," Midoriya said quietly.
"Yeah," Ren replied.
Kaito crossed his arms. "You're way too relaxed about that."
Ren shrugged.
The curtains shifted.
Soft breeze.
Then—
A voice.
Clear.
Not distant.
Not whispering.
"You're less fun when half your friends are gone."
All three of them looked at the window.
She wasn't hiding this time.
Himiko Toga stood just outside the frame of the window, leaning casually against the wall like this was normal.
Like she wasn't a League member.
Like this was just… visiting hours.
Her head tilted slightly.
Golden eyes locked directly on Ren.
"You left it open again."
Ren didn't move.
"Fresh air."
She smiled.
Wide.
Too sharp.
"I like it better when you look surprised."
Kaito stepped slightly forward.
Ren subtly lifted a hand.
Not yet.
Midoriya's voice was steady but cautious. "What do you want?"
Toga didn't even look at him.
"I was talking to Ren."
The Pulse hummed.
Not violently.
But it recognized focus.
Ren finally slid off the back of the couch and stood normally.
"You drank the root beer," he said evenly.
Her smile brightened.
"You noticed."
"You left a note."
"You kept it."
That wasn't a question.
Ren didn't answer.
Her eyes flicked down briefly — like she was imagining the pocket it might still be in.
"You're different," she said lightly.
"From who?" Ren asked.
"From the ones who scream," she replied. "Or threaten. Or pretend they aren't scared."
Kaito bristled. "We're not scared."
Toga's gaze shifted to him briefly.
"Oh, you are," she said sweetly. "Just not the loud kind."
Then her eyes returned to Ren.
"You're curious."
The Pulse pulsed once.
Slow.
Measured.
Ren crossed his arms. "You're talking more."
She grinned.
"You wanted that."
A beat.
He didn't deny it.
She stepped a tiny bit closer to the open window — still outside. Still not crossing the line.
"You didn't flinch when I laughed."
"You didn't run."
"You fed me."
Denki groaned from the floor without opening his eyes. "He did what?"
Toga giggled.
"I like that you didn't treat me like a monster."
Ren's jaw shifted slightly.
"That doesn't mean you're not dangerous."
Her eyes softened.
Just a little.
"I know."
The Pulse shifted.
Not alarm.
Not warmth.
Something… deeper.
Recognition.
She tilted her head again.
"You don't look at me like everyone else does."
Ren met her gaze fully.
"You don't act like everyone else does."
Silence.
Not awkward.
Charged.
Kaito spoke carefully. "You're crossing a lot of lines just being here."
Toga shrugged.
"I haven't crossed the window."
She looked at the frame deliberately.
Then back at Ren.
"You left it open."
The air between them tightened.
This wasn't stalking anymore.
This was a test.
Invitation versus boundary.
Ren stepped closer — but stopped a clear, intentional distance from the window.
"You can talk," he said evenly.
"But you don't come inside."
Her smile widened.
Sharp.
Approving.
"Boundaries," she sing-songed.
Then her expression shifted — not playful this time.
Almost thoughtful.
"I like your laugh," she said quietly.
Midoriya froze.
Kaito's eyes narrowed.
Ren didn't react outwardly.
"You say that a lot," he replied.
"I like it a lot."
The Pulse beat once.
Slow.
She studied him.
Not predator.
Not prey.
Just… fascinated.
"You're still standing," she said suddenly.
Ren blinked.
"What?"
"You keep standing," she corrected softly. "Even when I'm here."
A faint breeze pushed her bangs aside.
Her voice lowered just slightly.
"I wonder how long that lasts."
And there it was.
Not threat.
Not promise.
Challenge.
Ren tilted his head.
"You're still outside."
Her smile flickered.
Then returned.
Slow.
Delighted.
"You're fun," she said.
And for the first time—
She stepped back willingly.
Not fading into darkness immediately.
Just… retreating.
"I'll talk again," she called lightly.
Then she disappeared from view.
The room stayed quiet for a moment.
Denki finally sat up. "Are we just… doing villain porch chats now?"
Midoriya exhaled slowly. "This is escalating."
Kaito looked at Ren carefully.
"You good?"
Ren stared at the open window for a second longer.
The Pulse wasn't racing.
It wasn't flaring.
It felt… engaged.
"Yeah," Ren said quietly.
"She's testing."
Kaito nodded. "And?"
Ren's eyes stayed on the curtain as it shifted softly in the breeze.
"So am I."