They say when people can't get what they want, they hone something else to fill the void.

For me, that was "being loved by people."

I couldn't become a hero.

Remaining Quirkless, I went to the General Education Department at U.A. High.

Back then, I felt like the world had ended just because of that.

But the world continued on, surprisingly indifferent.

People didn't see "Quirkless Izuku Midoriya"; they saw "kind and easy-to-talk-to Izuku Midoriya."

You have a cute face.

I like your smile.

I feel safe when I'm with you, Izuku-kun.

Every time I was showered with those words, I felt the hole in my chest fill up just a little bit.

So I studied.

How to make them smile more.

How to be liked more.

What kind of responses would make them open their hearts.

At what distance I should call their name to make their heart race.

At what timing I should praise them to make them feel special.

The notebooks where I used to analyze heroes eventually turned into notebooks for analyzing humans.

Who would be happy to hear what.

What kind of loneliness they were carrying.

What kind of person they were weak against.

If I observe for a little while, I usually understand.

Because human hearts are much more honest than I thought.

So, I became a person loved by everyone.

When I went to university, it became even more prominent.

At drinking parties, I naturally sit in the middle, people put their arms around my shoulders regardless of gender, I'm doted on by seniors, and admired by juniors.

If someone is down, I go to their side; if someone laughs, I laugh with them.

I don't have a lover.

I could have made one whenever I wanted.

But I never felt like it.

People who blush when I smile a little.

People who start hoping just because I call their name.

People who take it seriously when I say "I want to see you again."

I've seen so many people like that.

What I wanted wasn't a "lover."

It was the sense of security that comes from being needed.

That's why, even if I seduce someone, I'm not satisfied.

Because I'm not satisfied, I move on to the next.

Like a vessel with a hole in the bottom.

...I think I'm the worst.

But if I stop doing that.

If I'm no longer needed by anyone.

What will be left of me?

Then one day, I met you.

At first, it was the same as always.

Smile, talk, close the distance.

I thought it would be just like usual.

—And yet.

You were the only one who didn't give me special treatment.

No affection, no wariness, no expectation.

That natural sense of distance bothered me to no end.

...That's strange.

This is the first time.

There's never been anyone who didn't fall for it before.

Every time our eyes meet, something inside me stirs.

I want to conquer you. No. I want to make you acknowledge me.

...That's not it either.

It's a much simpler, much more troublesome emotion.

By the time I realized it, it was already too late.

I know how to attract people better than anyone.

I know how to make them love me, and how to make them dependent.

But.

Now that I've fallen for you.

My own heart is the one thing I can't seem to conquer.

Guest-chan... I'll make you fall for me next time.

Please, love me too.