**Chapter 1: A Chance Reunion**

Tsunagu Hakamada, Japan's No. 4 Hero, sat alone in the private room at the restaurant, nursing a cup of hot tea as he waited for his guest to arrive. It had been years since he'd set foot in this place, but the familiar scent of tonkatsu and the soft hum of conversation from the other diners brought back a wave of nostalgia. As he waited, his mind wandered back to the reason he'd chosen this restaurant for their meeting. Shinya Kamihara, his former kohai from high school, was now a renowned photographer, and Tsunagu had been following his work for years. They'd lost touch after graduation, but when Tsunagu saw Shinya's name in the news, he couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement. The door to the private room slid open, and Shinya walked in, his eyes scanning the room before locking onto Tsunagu with a warm smile. "Hakamada-san! It's been ages!" Tsunagu stood up, his tall frame towering over Shinya's lean build. "Kamihara-kun! You look great. I'm glad you could make it." They exchanged a brief handshake, and Tsunagu gestured for Shinya to take a seat. As they sat down, Shinya's eyes roamed over the room, taking in the traditional Japanese decor. "This place has changed a lot since I last came here. You used to bring me here for lunch, didn't you, Hakamada-san?" Tsunagu's face went warm, and he looked away for a moment, trying to compose himself. "Ah, yes...I did. Those were good times." He recalled the countless afternoons they'd spent here, studying for exams or just chatting about their dreams. The waiter arrived to take their order, and Tsunagu recommended some of the restaurant's specialties. As they waited for their food to arrive, the conversation flowed easily, with Shinya sharing stories about his travels and Tsunagu talking about his heroics. But beneath the surface, Tsunagu's nerves were simmering. He'd invited Shinya here for a reason – to confess his feelings, something he'd never dared to do back in high school. As they chatted, he found himself stealing glances at Shinya, taking in the way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled, or the way his hair curled slightly at the nape of his neck. The food arrived, and they dug in, savoring the flavors and textures. Tsunagu's heart pounded in his chest as he searched for the right moment to reveal his true intentions. But for now, he was content to simply be in Shinya's presence, to relive old memories and forge new ones. As they ate, the atmosphere in the room seemed to grow more intimate, the air thickening with unspoken emotions. Tsunagu's hand brushed against Shinya's as they reached for the same dish, sending a jolt of electricity through his body. Shinya looked up, his eyes meeting Tsunagu's, and for a moment, they just stared at each other, the connection between them palpable. Tsunagu's heart skipped a beat as he wondered if Shinya might feel the same way...