So… umm," Aiko fiddled with the edge of the wooden platform, eyes flicking to Mirko, "got time to show us the forest? Y'know… your hunting grounds, looting spots, psycho-bear territory?"
Her tone was playful, but the way she avoided his eyes made it clear she was a little shy asking.
Mirko blinked.
"Oh. Right now?"
Izuku immediately waved a hand without looking up from checking his shotgun.
"Ohh nah. I'm exhausted. You guys have fun touching grass."
Tenya nodded firmly.
"I'm with him. We'll explore this ugly green forest tomorrow—preferably after I sleep for twelve hours."
Anna stretched, glanced between them, then at Aiko.
"Well… I can come," she said softly. "But only if it's not far. I don't want to die on day one."
Aiko beamed.
"Perfect! Forest trip for three!"
Mirko cleared his throat, suddenly flustered as both girls turned toward him expectantly.
"Okay, ladies…" he said, clapping his hands once. "Let's, uh—let's climb down."
Aiko raised an eyebrow. "Why'd you sound nervous?"
"I'm not nervous," he lied, voice cracking slightly.
Anna giggled.
"Mirko, you good?"
He turned away quickly, cheeks warm.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine. Just—uh—you guys go first."
Aiko smirked.
"Why? You scared?"
"Nope."
He coughed.
"Just… go first. Trust me."
The two girls exchanged a knowing look.
Ah.
They understood.
Aiko snorted. "Mirko, are you blushing?"
"NO."
His voice broke again.
"Yes."
Anna laughed as she moved toward the ladder.
"Relax. We'll go first. Gentleman or not, your face looks like it's melting."
Mirko groaned into his hands.
Aiko stepped onto the ladder, pausing just long enough to poke him in the cheek.
"You're cute when you're flustered, you know?"
Mirko nearly combusted.
She climbed down, Anna following behind with an amused smile.
Mirko waited until they were out of sight before muttering,
"I saved her from falling and she repays me with bullying. Unreal."
Then, cheeks still warm, he climbed down after them.
Mirko hopped off the last step of the ladder and landed lightly in the wet grass, brushing dirt off his palms.
"Alright… follow me. Stay close. And don't touch anything that moves."
"Why would anything move?" Anna muttered.
Mirko gave her a look. "Exactly. Stay close."
Aiko slipped beside Anna, excited but nervous. "Okay—lead the way, Mr. Forest Expert."
He smirked, trying not to look as proud as he felt. "Obviously."
They followed him through the first wall of tangled vines and moss-heavy branches. Immediately the air shifted—cooler, darker, and humming softly with bugs and distant animal calls. Leaves clung to their legs. Twigs cracked under their boots. It felt like stepping into another world—wild, untouched, alive.
Mirko raised a hand. "Watch your heads. Branches here grow like they're angry."
As he pushed aside a thick curtain of ivy, Aiko's foot snagged on a slick root. She wobbled—arms flailing.
"Wha—Mirko—!"
Before she could eat dirt, Mirko spun around and caught her by the forearm, pulling her upright with ease.
Her face flushed. "Okay… that was embarrassing."
He grinned. "Could've been funnier if you actually fell, not gonna lie."
Anna exhaled shakily. "Damn… I really should've stayed with Tenya and Izuku when I had the chance."
Mirko just chuckled at that and motioned them forward.
"Come on. Lemme show you the things you should never go near."
He crouched and pointed at a messy cluster of claw marks on a moss-covered trunk.
"See that? Don't touch it. That's from a nightstalker cat. Big, fast, territorial. If you see one, pretend you're a rock."
Aiko stepped behind Anna immediately.
"Noted," Anna whispered.
A few steps later, he pointed to an old rusted sign half-swallowed by vines.
"Old ruins ahead. Don't wander in there unless you want the roof to introduce itself to your skull."
"That's… actually good advice," Aiko admitted.
They walked a little more before Mirko pulled a branch aside and revealed a faint trail.
"And this here? Animal track. Fresh. Which means something big walked through recently. Probably the psycho bear."
Anna froze. "Psycho… bear?"
"Oh yeah," Mirko said casually. "You'll meet it eventually."
"MIRKO THAT IS NOT REASSURING!" Aiko shouted.
He shrugged. "Hey, honesty builds trust."
As they continued weaving through the brush, Mirko kicked at a fallen tree blocking the path.
"We'll probably go east tomorrow. That area's rich. Lots of old stores, crashed vehicles… good loot. Also more risky."
Aiko puffed out her cheeks proudly.
"We've been to way more dangerous places. But okay—warning taken."
Anna groaned dramatically. "I survived quarantine soldiers for months… but nature is where I draw the line."
Mirko laughed under his breath, shaking his head as he led them deeper into the green maze.
They pushed a little deeper into the forest. The thick canopy above them filtered the sunlight into tired yellow beams, and every now and then something rustled just out of sight.
Aiko swallowed. "So… these animals… they usually mind their business, right?"
Mirko didn't look back. "Most of the time."
"And the other times?" Anna asked suspiciously.
Mirko pointed to a random bush. "They don't."
Anna quietly positioned herself behind Aiko.
Aiko whispered, "I hate you both."
Mirko smirked—but then suddenly froze mid-step, holding up a hand.
The three bumped into each other like a cartoon.
"Don't move," he said quietly.
Aiko's heart jumped. "Wh—why?!"
Mirko tilted his head, listening.
Something was breathing nearby. Slow, low, and deep. Leaves trembled.
Anna mouthed: nope.
Aiko felt her palms sweating. "Mirko… say something comforting."
"Okay," he whispered. "If it's the psycho bear, just don't scream."
"THAT IS NOT COMFORTING—!!
Before she could finish, something huge burst out of the bushes.
Aiko screamed so sharply she startled even herself,
Mirko spun, grabbed her by the shoulders, pulling her behind him—
Anna tripped backwards into a pile of ferns
And the creature flopped onto the path in front of them.
A squirrel.
A very round, very offended squirrel.
It stared at them with the judgment of a thousand ancestors.
Aiko blinked. "…Are you kidding me?"
Mirko let out a breath he'd been holding. "Okay. In my defense, that was… a loud squirrel."
Anna sat up, covered in leaves. "Nah. That thing sounded like a mini tank."
Aiko couldn't stop laughing, partly from relief and partly from embarrassment.
Her laugh came out shaky at first, then real.
Mirko looked at her with a small, crooked smile.
"That scream was impressive though."
"Oh shut up," she muttered, still laughing.
He nudged her shoulder lightly. "I mean it. You went full warrior cry. I respect it."
Aiko rolled her eyes, but her cheeks warmed.
"That was not a warrior cry. That was fear and betrayal."
Mirko leaned in a little, teasing but soft.
"Well… if it makes you feel better, I grabbed you on instinct. Didn't even think. Just—'Aiko's about to die,' and reacted."
She blinked, surprised by the gentleness in his voice.
"Oh," she said quietly. "Thanks."
They walked forward again, slower this time, but somehow the space between them felt different—lighter.
Mirko picked up a stick and snapped it in half, handing her one like it was a weapon.
"Here. In case another killer squirrel attacks."
Aiko took it carefully, trying not to smile too hard.
"Fine. But if something actually dangerous shows up, you better grab me again."
Mirko chuckled, eyes forward.
"Don't worry. I will."
Their hands brushed for a second as they walked.
Neither of them commented on it—but neither pulled away.
Behind them, Anna whispered dramatically:
"Ugh. This forest is scary AND you two are flirting. Kill me."
"Shut up, Anna," they said in unison.