Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Tonight’s weather was wonderful, boundless moonlight with a cool, pleasant breeze.

It was undoubtedly a wonderful day for a meetup.

In fact, my university’s cooking club had indeed chosen today as the day for the dinner meetup.

And I, was supposed to be sitting at the table for new members of the cooking club, casually chatting with the club members next to me, and showing my deep love for the club by raising my glass (drinking juice, of course) with the crowd as the senpais walking past the table to encourage the new members.

But why am I here at this hour, appearing on a shopping street near the dinner meetup place?

It's a long story.

The cooking club at my university is very famous, after entering the university, I immediately joined this club. In there I met a small group of like-minded people, and I truly think that each and every one of them is very cute.

So about today's meetup, I had been eagerly enthusiastic and looking forward.

I arrived at the meetup place early, intending to see if there was anything that the senpais needed help with before the meetup started, so that I could lend a hand. But the club president waved me off, and plopped me into a seat. She told me to just sit and wait for the meetup to start and enjoy.

......But what kind of kohai could just sit around and watch her senpai getting busy working?

So I volunteered to go to the front desk of the hotel to pick up juices.

Now that I think about it, I don't know whether it was my luck or my misfortune making this decision.

As I was carrying the juice back to the private room, I looked up, and saw my current boyfriend, who I had been dating for less than two weeks, around the corner of the stairs.

He was entangling with a petite girl, hugging and kissing in the shadows of the stairwell corner.

No way......

Is that him? It’s not someone who looks really like him?

Several options sluggishly popped into my mind, but they were quickly dismissed by me.

I saw the donut keychain which I gave him two days ago hanging from his waist.

In that instant, I even wanted to unscrew the cap of the juice bottle, rush over to pour it over these two, to calm them down.

But that would probably have made me look like a hysterical shrew, because I wasn’t sure I could handle the situation calmly if I confronted him.

Taking a deep breath, I turned around and silently went downstairs.

With the bottle of juices in my hand, I wandered aimlessly around the lounge of the hotel for a few minutes before running into a fellow member of the cooking club.

Coincidentally, it was my club partner, Yoshinori Seki.

Seki-kun walked through the doorway into the lounge, and before I could see him, he was already in front of me, reaching out to take the juice bottle from my arms.

He looked at me with the eyebrows raised, as if to silently convey concern like, "Is everything okay?" or something like that.

I stared at him blankly for a few seconds, before I reacted and mumbled a greeting, "You are here, Seki-kun, it's really early."

"Yeah, early." He still had that extremely cold appearance, he didn't even seem to tug at the muscles at the corners of his mouth when he spoke, "Wanna go up together?"

I snapped back to my senses and repeatedly shook my head: "No, no, I'm not feeling well, I’m going to head out first.”

After saying that, I didn't wait for a response from him, turned around and walked to the front door.

Once I really did get out of the door, the night breeze sobered me up again. I turned back, and saw Seki-kun still standing at the same spot, so I hurriedly walked over to him.

"Seki-kun, please let the president know......"

"I know. Go ahead. Be careful on your way."

I let out a sigh of relief, thanked him repeatedly and watched him turn towards the stairs before I turned and strode out of the hotel.

It's been a long, long time since I've encountered something so upsetting.

Feels like as soon as I am lost in thought, the image of those two kissing will rush straight into my head, tainting my nerves.

......Won't they feel gross?

On a roadside bench meant for people to rest I sat down, propped my chin on the palm, and I let out a long sigh.

To be honest, being cucked came so unexpectedly that I can’t accept it for a while.

It's not that I have such deep feelings for him......

We are in the same class, he took the initiative to talk to me when the semester began.

Since I was new to the university and unfamiliar with everything, I had a good impression of him being enthusiastic and proactive. So in the half of the semester, we had naturally become close.

His confession came suddenly after half a semester. At first, I was startled, but after careful consideration, I nodded my head and agreed to date him.

As for the reason why I agreed to him, half of it was that he fit my criteria for a partner, and the other half was probably due to curiosity about dating.

I think that I’d end up marrying an ordinary man who’s not handsome or ugly, gentle in look and personality, and a bit mild-mannered. He was just that kind of man.

But getting involved with another girl just two weeks into dating......

This is obviously not within the scope of my selection criteria.

I thought to myself, and took out my phone.

There were two messages on my phone. One from the president senpai, who said, [Take it easy if you're not feeling well. Don't worry about it. Let's have fun together next time!]. It ended with a motivational sticker that made me smile despite myself.

Another message came from Seki-kun, whom I’d just parted ways with: [Even if you’re in a bad mood, don’t wander around the streets at this hour. Look at the time. Go home early. Good night.]......

It really is a blessing to be surrounded by such gentle people.

Probably because of this kind of desolate environment and mood, the feeling of being cared for is too warm, the corners of my eyes spread a little warmth.

I replied with thank you and have fun messages to both of them, then clicked on the boyfriend chat box and sent him the breakup message.

Naturally, there was no response.

Come to think of it, he’s probably too busy with that girl to look at his phone right now.

I sighed, reached out to wipe away the tears that had soaked out of the corners of my eyes, when a familiar voice came to my ears.

"Ah——? What are you crying about here alone at night? Did your wallet get robbed?"

I lifted my head up, unable to stop the pupils from shrinking, looked in the direction of the voice.

The blonde adolescent with both hands in his pockets, was standing at the same spot looking at me with no expression on his face.

His red eyes met mine, with a vaguely inexplicable sense of flair and oppression, causing me to reflexively make a swallowing motion.

"Ka, Katsuki?"

"It's me." He slowly walked toward me, looking down on me from above, "What are you doing here at plenty night? Although it's a luxuriant street often patrolled by heroes, but do you have some self-awareness as a weakling......"

Katsuki’s words came to an abrupt end, he reached out, seemingly carelessly, to poke at the corner of my eye. When I leaned back to avoid it, he stared at the moisture staining his fingertips, snorted: "What are you crying about? Who bullied you?"

The blonde adolescent in front of me is named Bakugo Katsuki, three years younger than me, is similar to the existence of a childhood friend to me.

We lived very close to each other. When I was in middle school, the first day when I came to the city from the countryside, I met this little guy who always had a string of little tails behind his arse, who was keen to play the hero.

Now I've moved on to university, and he's enrolled in the coveted Hero Academy, U.A High School too.

Thinking about it, it seems like it's been a while since we saw each other.

At this moment, I suddenly remembered that a few days ago, I saw on TV that some bad guys kidnapped a student among the first year students of U.A High School, and even though the U.A school authorities publicly apologized and quickly rescued the student, it still caused a lot of controversy voices in society.

At that time, if I remember correctly, that student was......

"Katsuki!" I looked at him with my eyes wide open, "I saw the news a few days ago about what happened to you, I sent you a message but you didn't reply, are you okay now?"

Katsuki furrowed his brows at first, but soon curled his lips and turned to sit beside me.

"So you even care about these things." He said lightly, "The phone was lost because of this accident, I haven't bought a new one yet, so I also didn't get your message."

I worriedly checked Katsuki, who didn't seem to be in any serious trouble, admonished: "Then why are you out so late at night, you should be careful if you just had an accident."

Katsuki replied: "Came out with the old hag to buy some dorm supplies, just saw you dumbly sitting here alone, so came over to say hello. Look, it's that shopping centre across the street."

It turns out that he has a guardian, in that case it’s all good.

However, "dorm supplies"? Isn't U.A supposed to be a day school?

I was just about to ask him, then I saw him lean closer, his red eyes locked onto me: "Don't ignore me, I was just asking you 'why are you crying', wasn't I?"

Chapter Text

Modern society is an extraordinary society.

Eighty percent of the population has awakened special abilities, officially known as "Quirks".

Among these people with Quirks, a small group has emerged, who voluntarily use their Quirks to maintain social harmony, they are called heroes.

Since childhood, Katsuki’s dream has always been to become the most powerful hero in the world.

When he was just a little boy, he already had a very clear goal, and he always strived toward it and worked hard for it.

From an unknown high school, to the top Hero school in Japan, U.A High School. He had always been an exceptionally bossy person.

It's only been half a semester since I last saw him, Katsuki seems to have grown a little taller again, and looks a lot more solid too.

That's why the way he squinted and asked me the question, was somehow imposing.

While I was lost in thought, the growling voice of Katsuki’s mom, Mitsuki-san, came from the side of the street:

"Katsuki! What are you dragging your feet for?! You're still under the observation period! You can't go too far away from adults, you know?!"

Katsuki stiffened up for a second, impatiently straightened up and yelled across the street, "Shut up, old hag! I'll be over there right now!"

He stood up, looked down at me, with a hard tone: "Get up."

I looked back at him blankly.

"You in this state, there’s no way I'm leaving you here alone. Also, you still haven't answered my question." He tapped the back of the bench impatiently, "Get up, we'll go to the shopping center together. I'll buy you some milk."

......Why does he sound like he's trying to coax a child?

I was a bit resentful of being spoken to in such a tone by this three-years-younger dude, so I grumbled to him in a low voice: "You're even younger than me, you should be calling me senpai, you know?"

He pushed on my shoulder and led me across the street, his tone was very perfunctory: "Okay, got it, senpai, alright? A person who likes strawberry yogurt drink in a gourd-shaped bottle actually vibrantly emphasizes that she is a senpai. At least do something that a senpai should do, sitting in the street in the middle of the night and crying, what situation is it?"

"......! I like the yogurt drink itself! It has nothing to do with the bottle shape!" I turned my head and protested to him, "Besides, I'm eighteen years old, I have eighteen-year-old problems. What right do you have to mock me, you fifteen-year-old brat?!"

He snorted, and lowered his voice: "I'm sixteen, remember that well."

"......"

Mitsuki-san was standing at the entrance of the shopping center, her face which is 90% similar to Katsuki's, was filled with anger and impatience. She quickly puts on a gentle smile when she sees me: "Ara, isn't this Shingetsu? So this brat saw you, huh?"

I hurriedly greeted her, Mitsuki-san smiled and patted the top of my hair.

"Really, even after going to university, you need to come over to our house more often." Mitsuki-san blinked, seeming to remember something, "Ah——! That's right! You must have a boyfriend now that you’re in university, right? Isn't it?"

"......Eh?"

I didn't expect Mitsuki-san to ask about this all of a sudden, the image of ex-boyfriend getting entangled with the other girl instantly and uncontrollably appeared again in my mind.

"Nagging old hag! You hurry up and go meet with dad, I'll take this woman to buy a yogurt drink and meet you guys later."

Without waiting for me to answer, Katsuki grabbed my wrist and dragged me towards the food area, also shouting at Mitsuki-san in an irritated tone in the process: "You're relieved to be in such a crowded place, right? Ah?!"

As I was dragged forward by him, I looked back in a bit of a daze, seeing Mitsuki-san standing in the same spot, looking at our backs with a helpless expression on her face.

Noticing that I was looking back at her, she even waved at me with a smile on her face.

Katsuki dragged me all the way to the milk shelves.

He let go of my hand with a faint expression, pointed his chin at the shelves full of milk and yogurt drinks: "Here, there are all kinds of bottles, pick one you like."

I shrank my neck, hearing the message of displeasure in his flat tone, wisely didn't argue with him about the so-called "choosing yogurt drink by the bottle" slander.

In fact, I don't know either why this guy's emotions fluctuate so much......

Perhaps it’s puberty or something.

I thought absentmindedly, my fingers casually clicking on the yogurt drinks on the shelves, striving to ignore the intense glare burning into my back.

The atmosphere was probably a stalemate about a minute before I felt him suddenly step closer and stand behind me. His hand passing over my shoulder, caught precisely the gourd-shaped bottle of strawberry yogurt drink on the shelf.

"You got a boyfriend?"

His voice rang out, using his signature tantrum-type tone.

I looked at him sideways, locking vision with his red eyes.

He seems not too happy about it.

"No." I pursed my lips, averted my eyes to stare at the shelves.

Katsuki sneered: "If you didn't, you had refuted directly the old hag's question when she asked you earlier, instead of showing that look of being guessed."

He narrowed his eyes dangerously: "Is there a need to lie?"

Of all the people, it had to be the observant and perceptive guy who caught it!

I let out a long sigh, tsked in resignation: "Not really a lie, it was just over ten minutes ago, pretty much when you saw me sitting on that bench. I had just broken up with him less than five minutes before."

"......"

Holding the shelf with one hand, Katsuki slightly tilted his head to gauge my expression, it looks like he was testing the credibility of my words.

I looked back at him frankly.

After a while, he averted his gaze and concentrated on the gourd-shaped bottle in his hand: "Oh."

......That intense sense of oppression suddenly dissipated.

"Why did you break up? Don't tell me it's some kind of lover's tiff? ......Hmm? You were crying outside just because of the breakup?"

He inexplicably began to reprimand me: "Did you work so hard to get into university just to get into a relationship, you idiot?!”

"Once you break up, you don't intend to get back together."

I said with determination, considering that this is my close neighbour, my close “little brother”, and I was eager to get the pent-up anger out of my chest, I picked up on the point and told him that I had just seen my ex-boyfriend being intimate with another girl.

"Ha." He tsked, "You're ridiculously bad at looking and reading people."

I mumbled, unable to find a retort, so I hung my head and stared intently at the yogurt drink bottle in my hand.

"Next time don't be so rash when looking for a boyfriend!"

Being lectured by a boy three years younger than me is really irritating.

Thinking so, I glanced at him.

Immediately got caught.

"What? Am I wrong? What kind of look is that, idiot?" He grunted, "If you're a student, then just study hard. Don’t you want to contribute something to society?"

Is this guy an old man?

I can't help but spit out: "You talk a lot of rubbish Katsuki, I didn't know that the other guy was a scum before we dated. To be honest, if it wasn't for what happened today, I'd probably still be texting him goodnight like I usually do."

Even though I said that, I was disgusted by myself right after I said it.

And Katsuki also showed an expression of having eaten a fly.

"......You......Are you an idiot?!"

He checked my head, seeing by the expression on his face, I could tell for sure that this guy was trying to figure out which angle of attack on my brain would be able to sober me up a bit without killing me.

"Do you have to get into a relationship in university? Even if you're going to be dating, you should at least know each other's backgrounds? If you haven't known each other for three to five years, how can you know the personality of the other person? Also, a brain-dead idiot like you, even if you knew each other for three to five years, you'd probably be tricked into being sold by others!”

"......Keep your voice down, it’s embarrassing!" I gave him a glare, "What do you think I am. I, I just let nature take its course, he confessed to me, he looks pretty good to me, so I agreed."

"Hah——?!"

He glared at me, with a Shura-like look of wanting to eat me alive.

This damn little brat has had a bad temper since he was a kid, I’m used to his cranky tone and cannibalistic expressions all the time.

"But I stopped the loss in time and broke up." I calmly hmmmed and sighed: "Don't worry, next time I'll observe well the other person's personality."

"......"

I quietly raised my eyes, watching the way he could only pace in place while grinding his teeth as he tried to speak.

......Ah, speaking of which, this guy is also sixteen years old already.

I’m a bit of a late bloomer, I didn't feel a thing when I was in high school when there were so many couples in my class. Come to think of it, Katsuki has probably reached the age where he’s curious about love?

"What are you looking at?!" He noticed my gaze, gave me a glare in an unfriendly manner.

I shook my head, asked: "Has Katsuki reached the age where you want to have a girlfriend?"

"......Huh?"

"What kind of girls do you like?" I got interested, rolled my eyes, and teased him with a sly look on my face, "Is it a cute little girl with a nice personality and pretty face like me?"

He snorted, with a "I refuse to pay you attention retard" expression.

I was a bit frustrated that I didn't get the expected blush from Katsuki. I remember when he came to my house for dinner in middle school, when I wiped the rice particles off his face, he would blush, and quickly slap my hand away and yell at me in anger......

He was so cute back then!

How did he end up being a bratty, hardened stone, it’s not like that much time has passed.

With this in mind, I gave him a pat on the shoulder indomitably. When he bowed his head to looked down at me with an "Ah?", I pointed at myself.

"What do you think about me?"

His red pupils contracted slightly, visible to the naked eye.

"What do you mean?" Katsuki’s voice softened, he asked in a low voice.

I intended to joke and tease him to make him blush, but his gaze was too serious that it instead made me uncomfortable with chilling hairs all over my body.

"Just......didn't you say that you need to know each other well for three to five years?......When you think about it, Katsuki, don't you fit the criteria?......Uhm......"

......

Wait, wasn't my original intention to tease him?

Why am I blushing?

He looked at me, suddenly the corners of his mouth hooked up, revealing a slightly evil smile: "Are you confessing to me?"

"......Ah......No, that, Katsuki......"

Goosebumps climbed on the back of my neck, I grinned as I tried to remedy the situation.

With someone as prideful as him, will he strangle me if I tell him now that I was joking?

Wait, I might still be able to save myself by pouncing on his lap and begging for forgiveness, right?

Without waiting for me to make a move, I already saw Katsuki lean against the shelf and grunt to laugh.

"Ah, I agree."

"......Huh?"

"I said, I agree, we’re in a relationship now."

".................."

Eh?

Ehhhh——?!

Chapter Text

Unknown number: [Why did you run? Was I going to eat you or something?]

Unknown number: [This is my new number, save it. Otherwise, if you don’t even have your boyfriend’s contact info, people will laugh their heads off.]

"......"

I sat in the unlit living room, still panting from the frantic run earlier, but I can’t be bothered to calm my breathing either.

The screen of the phone beside me suddenly lit up, as well as the two messages that popped up in the message alert bar, all of them were signaling that what happened tonight was not a dream.

I regret it so much now that I want to paste myself into the wall.

I, because of a short circuit in my brain, confessed to my “younger brother”, three years younger, who I grew up with and lived nearby.

Out of the nature of a joke.

......And then surprisingly, it has actually been accepted?

He even stamped on the spot the frightening fact that our relationship have transformed from childhood friends “sister and brother” to a couple in a relationship.

......

Oh my god!!

I covered my face in horror, Katsuki’s smirking face after agreeing to the relationship was appearing over and over again in my mind.

This is terrifying!!!

What's wrong with this world!

The thing happened so suddenly that my entire brain was a mush at that moment. Only remembered that Katsuki reached out his hand towards my face, and just as the fingertips touched my cheek, I jumped up like a rabbit waking up from a dream.

——I turned around and ran.

Ahhh what to do?

It's fine if I was rejected, but now that I've been agreed to, if I remedy the situation by saying it's a joke, I will definitely get killed, right?

Who am I to mess with Katsuki, who has such a perverted high sense of self-esteem!

Unknown number: [Have you saved it or not?]

Unknown number: [Are you home yet? It's late now, if you don't reply to me in ten minutes I'll call the police.]

I’m doomed! I’m doomed!

I rubbed my own head in vain, kneading my hair into a messy frizz. After a minute of silence, I climbed up and slapped on the light, picked up my phone from the table viewing death as a return home.

Shudo Shingetsu: [......I'm home.]

Bakugo Katsuki: [Oh, that's good. I just got back too.]

His tone is suddenly milder, even the wording is......

Shudo Shingetsu: [You've worked hard. Well then, good night?]

Bakugo Katsuki: [......Did I say I was going to sleep?]

I glanced at the wall clock, realized that it’s already after 9pm.

At this point in time, it seemed to be just his sleep time.

Shudo Shingetsu: [It's nine o'clock, you're usually in bed by now.]

Bakugo Katsuki: [You know me pretty well. That's usual, but I can't sleep today.]

I stared at my phone screen with a mix of resentment and bitterness, wondering if I should respond to him with a “haha” back to end the conversation.

At this moment, another dialogue box in the phone suddenly came with a message alert.

Ex-boyfriend: [Shingetsu? What's wrong?]

Ex-boyfriend: [Why are you suddenly talking about us breaking up? Did someone hack your account?]

"......"

Because your dear ex-girlfriend suddenly just got another boyfriend!

I sighed deeply and held my forehead, a feeling of powerlessness enveloping my body.

If I had a sense of betrayed anger when I just saw ex making out with another girl, then now I really, really don't think it's a thing anymore.

These are all trivial matters that don't matter.

What matters is that I suddenly have a mean and scary-looking boyfriend, that's the event of the century, okay?!!!

Shudo Shingetsu: [Don't bother saying more, you know what you've done yourself. From now on, just take care of yourself and don't get in touch again.]

Ex-boyfriend: [......]

I looked at the six dots that popped up on the screen, paused, and poked the screen to block him from messages.

By the time I finished configuring everything, his call came through.

Tsk.

I directly hung up the call, and blocked him as well in calls.

That's when another call was accessed.

Looking at the flashing "Bakugo Katsuki" on screen, the corner of my mouth twitched, and I accidentally hung up.

Switching back to the message chat, I find out that this Katsuki guy had sent me several messages.

Bakugo Katsuki: [You're going to sleep? Don't lie, you think I don't know that you usually go to bed in the wee hours of the morning? This is not a good habit to get into, just by looking at your silly face I can tell you must be sleep deprived.]

Bakugo Katsuki: [Where did you go?]

Bakugo Katsuki: [Okay, I won't say you're silly from now on, don't be mad.]

Bakugo Katsuki: [Hey, if you ignore me, I’m going to get mad!]

"......"

The corners of my mouth twitched while I’m looking at the sentence "if you ignore me, I’m going to get mad". How can I put it, feels like it was so out of character for him......

A new message popped up again.

Bakugo Katsuki: [? Hang up on me?]

Well, that's good, that feels more like him.

Shudo Shingetsu: [Had something to do just now, why are you so mean?]

Bakugo Katsuki: [......I'm not being mean, this is just my normal tone.]

Bakugo Katsuki: [Why did you hang up on me?!]

What’s wrong with this guy’s grip? So petty.

I thought about it and patiently replied to him: [I was doing something else with my phone, so when the call came through, I accidentally hung up.]

Bakugo Katsuki: [What is more important even than me?]

?

Bakugo-kun, that’s some thick skin you’ve got there.

Bakugo Katsuki: [......Didn’t mean anything by it, I'm not that, your boyfriend?]

"......"

I let out a despairing groan and held my phone helplessly.

This little guy seems serious......

Even if you're at an age where you're curious about relationships, shouldn't you prioritize those cute girls around you?

“An old woman” who's three years older than you has nothing in common with you, both in terms of youth and interests!

Shudo Shingetsu: [That, Katsuki, about what you said today about dating and in a relationship......you were serious?]

Bakugo Katsuki: [Ah? Who would joke about that? What, you're kinda surprised?]

Shudo Shingetsu: [......I'm peeing in my pants.]

Bakugo Katsuki: [Don't use such rude words. It's normal to not get used to it at first, but it gets better. Anyway, I'll do all the responsibilities what a boyfriend has to take on.]

Shudo Shingetsu: [......]

Bakugo Katsuki: [......We were supposed to go out together once to get familiar with our new identities, but I have to go to school tomorrow. Because of the recent accident, U.A has recently changed to a closed school, which means I'll have to live in the school from now on and won't be able to go out easily.]

I don't know why, but seeing his latest message, I suddenly felt a sense of relief.

There's still a lot of time, how many lovers break up because of too little contact time in a long-distance relationship. Not to mention the ones like Katsuki and I, who started so abruptly and don't have much affection.

......It's not like there isn't much affection, let's just say there's no romantic love at all, it's all family love.

Bakugo Katsuki: [I'm sorry to leave you out after just starting dating, but I'll be in touch often with you. U.A is quite busy with schoolwork and I don't have much time, but I'll send you messages or call you at night.]

This guy, Katsuki, even though he looks mean and grumpy, but he's quite gentle and considerate towards his own people.

I looked at the message that popped up on my phone screen, pursed my lips and smiled. In my mind, I can even picture him being slightly impatient but forcibly pressing on to send explanatory messages.

But for a guy like this, it feels like a waste dating me.

He's clearly supposed to be with a girl where they like each other......

Shudo Shingetsu: [Katsuki, why did you agree to my confession?]

Bakugo Katsuki: [Ah?! How long are you going to harp on this, is the reason important? You just need to focus on the result.]

Bakugo Katsuki: [It's not really a big deal, I just thought it’d be so pathetic if you got rejected. Obviously it's a miserable night of breaking up with your ex, but then you’re getting rejected by ore-sama (me), who you've known for years, I'm afraid you wouldn't be able to take it and are going to think about killing yourself.]

"......"

Is this guy serious?

No, that's the only possibility if you carefully think about it.

Uhhh Katsuki is really super gentle, but I definitely can't hold him back because of myself.

Shudo Shingetsu: [I'm touched that you're like this, but I'm not that fragile. And it would be terrible if Katsuki couldn't be with the girl you like because of me. I’m okay now! So yeah, how about we......]

Bakugo Katsuki: ["How about we......"?]

Bakugo Katsuki: [I'll give you a chance to rephrase your words.]

The killing aura is spilling out of the screen auhh.

I was holding my phone hand over fist thinking about what language I was going to rephrase, when he just called over.

I’ll get killed if I hang up!

A strong desire to survive made me pick up the call, his voice came through.

It's that kind of sorrowful tone that can't hide the rage even though he tried to suppress it......

"What exactly are you trying to say?"

"......" I was taken aback by his tone, could only whisper as if I had done something wrong, "No, it's nothing......"

"Ah?!"

My cold hairs stood up at his growl, I unconsciously straightened my spine and sat upright, even though I was the only one in the house.

“Nothing......I just, I'm a little tired today......and I want to go to sleep......"

"Yeah, that it is." He talked sneeringly, "Only with enough rest you can avoid spouting nonsense."

"Ugh."

"So, o-ya-su-mi (good night), then."

The call was hung up.

I froze looking at my phone, getting a desperate expression on my face.

What is this guy up to? It's obvious that we were forced to date, so just break up and that’s it.

What's with the pride of being dumped at a time like this. Furthermore, a peaceful breakup doesn't count as being dumped.

Or he can dump me, I don't mind being dumped at all!

"Ay——"

Seeing that the phone had gone completely silent, I guessed that all the conversations are over for tonight, so I could only sigh and get up to go wash up.

I can't figure out what Katsuki is thinking.

Since we just met, he's been such a reckless, stubborn person.

Completely disregard for other people's thoughts and feelings.

Yet he’s also strangely perceptive and sensitive, with a sharp tongue that never hesitates to strike at where people hurt.

That year when I was in middle school, my grandma, who had raised me, passed away. I came from the countryside to this small city, to join my uncle's family.

My uncle's family was quite wealthy, living in a rich villa area, next to Katsuki’s house.

At that moment, he was just a third-grader tiny thing. Probably on his way home around school time, he came charging across the corner like a bullet and slammed right into me, who was hesitating in front of my uncle's house.

He and I both fell on the ground with our arses.

Compared to him who only let out a grunt, this bump brought out almost all of my fear and nervousness, my tears fell uncontrollably down.

"It hurts——! Ah, what are you doing sneaking around here?! Are you a thief?!" Little Katsuki sat aggressively on the ground reaching out and pointing at my nose, seemingly speechless for a split second at the sight of my tears, "Don't think I'm going to let you off because you shed tears!"

I quickly shook my head and reached out to quickly wipe away the tears: "No no, it’s a misunderstanding, I'm not a thief......Are you okay?"

Saying that, I stood up and tried to help him, but he slapped my hand away: "Don't touch me you suspected thief! I haven't seen you around here!"

I pulled my hand back: "I, I'm here to see my uncle......that, Miyagi-san......"

Little Katsuki looked like he remembered something: "Ah, I get it now! You're that poor relative that Akira said who will joining his family a few days ago!"

It occurred to me that the so-called "Akira" was probably my cousin, Miyagi Akira, the only son of my uncle's family.

While I was in a daze, little Katsuki had already come over and tugged on one side of my braids: "Indeed you’re from the countryside, looks so old-fashioned, what is this, braids? Haha."

"......" I reached up and yanked back my hair, "That hurts, p-please let go."

He grinned, a malicious teasing smile hooked up on his face, "What are you saying? Too low, can’t hear you."

I was, I was being bullied.

Being a middle school student, I was bullied by an arrogant primary school damn brat.

Even though he was shorter than me, his strength was so powerful, I, I don't think I’ll get any favours if I pounce on him and beat him up.

What to do......

"Am I that scary to you?"

Little Katsuki curled his mouth in an evil smile, his hand still firmly clutching the end of my hair.

"You haven't apologized for bumping into me yet, and you want me to let you off so easily?......Ugh!"

Ah, the feel of it, I was expecting it to be the durian type, but I didn't expect it to be unexpectedly soft.

Cauliflower or something like that......?

That's right, this person in front of me is just an ingredient, there's no need to be afraid there's no need to be afraid.

I muttered suggestively to myself, watching the durian cauliflower in front of me reach out its branches and slap my hand away. The thorns all over his body exploded in a menacing manner.

"How dare you touch my head——!"

Fortunately, my hair was also freed from his hands.

I stood up and took a deep breath bending down to pat the dust that stained my trousers.

"Sorry, standing here gawking accidentally blocked you causing you to fall, are you okay?"

"......There's more than that to apologize for, isn't there?!"

"Yeah yeah, just now I thought you looked cute so I couldn't help but pat your hair, sorry."

"!" He seemed to get angrier, "You can't use words like 'cute' when judging men! You——!"

I looked down at little Katsuki who was exploding all his hair, helplessly fixing my disheveled braid, "You can't treat a girl so rudely if you want to be seen as a man, right? Little kiddo?"

He seemed to choke for a moment, glared at me viciously, grabbed the strap of his own school bag, and menacingly walked around me and into the detached double-storey villa next door.

Is it uncle's neighbour......?

What an utterly unlikable brat.

Chapter Text

At six in the morning, Katsuki’s phone call woke me up.

After hearing my groggy voice, he probably realized that he had woken me up with his early morning call.

"......Are you actually not up yet? Are you not going to class?"

"I'm up." I melancholically plucked myself out of bed from under the covers, "I had set my alarm for 6:30am......haah."

I let out a long yawn and opened the curtains to let the sunlight into the bed.

“Got it, next time I'll call you half an hour later......ah, no, there's an early morning exercise session at the school accommodation. I'll message you then."

"......"

I took my phone off my ear and glanced at the call log to make sure it was Katsuki calling me.

I mean, why is this kid so obsessed with contacting me in the morning?

"You can call me anytime if you need anything, or message me if it’s not convenient." I shuffled into the bathroom with my slippers and looked at my long, disheveled hair in the mirror, pinching the comb in annoyance, "Speaking of which, why are you calling me so early in the morning? What's the big deal?"

"......"

What answered me was a suspicious silence.

I blinked and said hey once, "Katsuki?"

"What's wrong with a normal contact you bastard!!!"

"............"

I almost threw my phone out, my ears were almost bleeding from this damn brat's yelling.

"Keep your voice down, I'm almost deaf!" I told him in a not good mood, "Obviously I’m already in a bad mood from being woken up in the morning, are you going to drag me along because you didn't get enough sleep yourself or what! Insidious——!!!"

"HUH?! What the fuck are you talking about?! I didn’t sleep all night like a fool waiting for this morning to call you and this is your attitude! Get on your knees and be thankful for me bastard!!"

"......"

Katsuki suddenly got stuck, only the sound of his slightly raspy breathing was coming out of the phone.

I was also stunned at being yelled at. When I was about to say something, I just heard a clicking sound near my ear.

......He hung up the call.

“......"

Excuse me? What's this dude’s problem?

I looked inexplicably at the screen of my mobile phone showing the message of the call that had been hung up, snapped the phone smoothly onto the sink and began to brush my hair in front of the mirror.

After running the comb over my head a few times, I suddenly reacted.

"Didn't he have a fight with me last night? Why is he calling me so early in the morning?"

"Also said something about not sleeping all night......Did he spend all the night struggling to figure out how he’s going to dump me?”

"Getting through to the call and not being able to speak? Was this guy this kind of indecisive?”

I mumbled, quickly getting myself together and walking out of my room into the kitchenette.

The wall clock says it's ten past six now, more than enough time to make a bento.

I unscrewed the stove, set the pan on the fire, took hold of the egg, nimbly cracked it against the side of the pan and bared it into the pan.

Eighty percent of the people in this world possess Quirks.

But ninety-nine percent of these people possessed superhuman abilities that didn't matter.

A powerful and extremely aggressive Quirk like Katsuki’s is one in a million. And an ordinary plebeian like me possesses one of those super unassuming non-aggressive everyday Quirk.

I don't have a fancy name for my Quirk, just an ordinary skill-like name printed on my curriculum vitae.

It's named "Cookery".

The only advantage I have over the kind of cooking where ordinary people carefully select ingredients, match the colour of the dish, adjust the heat and so on, is that if I just cook edible items randomly in a pot, they'll all come out praiseworthy and delicious.

But when I cook ingredients that don't go well together, I'll usually get a "tasty" comment; but if they were ingredients that go well together, it'll be "excellent".

This Quirk is quite useful for me, and I'm quite interested in cooking.

After graduation, I might be able to apply for a job as a chef in a restaurant or something like that.......

With that in mind, I quickly made a few more random dishes and put them in my bento box.

I'm sure it's still too much of a rush to get up in the morning to make it, so next time I'll just make it at night and put it in the fridge to take away the next day.

After everything was ready, I packed up my bento box and left for class.

My university is not far from my house, it's about a thirty-minute walk.

It was only when I was blocked near the classroom door that I remembered what I had forgotten.

Ex-boyfriend was standing in the hallway, his eyebrows knitted into a knot, staring at me with a deadly stare.

It's true that he's quite good-looking and quite tall. Even with his lips pursed and eyes wide open as he looks at me now, I have to say that this guy is a likable type just based on his skin.

But the moral character......

I took a step back, pulling away from him and tilted my head to look at him, "Good day, Noma-kun."

He frowned at me with a feeling that he didn't seem to intend to let me pass.

This is the bad thing about choosing classes that are too similar, you often encountered it.

I inclined my head and glanced at the passing students, noticing that they seemed to have begun to notice our strange pair confronting each other in the hallway.

Tsk, that's really troublesome.

I took a deep breath, lowered my voice pulling a smile and tilting my head at him: "However, yesterday really scared me, Noma-kun should be dating someone properly since you know such a cute girl. It's not manly to have your foot in two boats."

Noma's expression was suddenly embarrassed, his lips pursed as he tried to speak.

"Get out of the way." I maintain a gentle and decent smile, "It's almost time for class, so I'd like to go to my classroom to take a break."

"Shingetsu......"

I secretly gritted the back of my teeth and wrinkled my brow, impatient emotions silently emerged.

Don't you know the truth about if we break up, let's get over it? In addition, it's obviously his fault, so why can’t he just let it go?

"Ah, isn’t this Shingetsu?"

Stunned, I turned back towards the place of the voice and saw someone who looked rather familiar.

The other person's short hair was slightly curled, his expression was bland, and his eyes calmly looking at me askance, "Your expression is horrible, what's wrong?"

"Kyou, Kyouji!" I looked at him in surprise, "Why are you here?!"

Matsumura Kyouji, an extraordinary person whose presence in my life is oddly persistent.

Even in a school like Japan’s high school, where classes are divided every year, he still managed to be in the same class with me for three years. And not only that, every time, his seat was always near mine—front, back, left, or right.

Just when I thought our fate had ended in university, I didn't expect......

Kyouji's expression was subtle as he surveyed my university uniform, his calm eyes finally looked a little surprised, "Are you actually in here as well?"

"Yeah!"

"......Should I say what a sinful fate?" He paused and looked at Noma who was standing in front of me, "Ah, sorry, am I interrupting you guys......"

"No no!" I eagerly greeted him, winking at him and tugging at his coat, "Let's go let's go, class is starting."

Kyouji was already a smart boy, not to mention the fact that we both had a tacit understanding that we had cultivated over the years. He quickly understood what I meant and nodded slightly. Quickly switching places with me left and right and walked along the hallway side by side with me as if nothing had happened.

Noma had to sidestep to get out of the way.

I sighed in relief.

Kyouji looked at me with a bit of amusement, "A suitor?"

"No, it's an ex." I gritted my teeth, "So annoying."

He turned into the same classroom as me and we both sat down side by side.

"But I didn't think Kyouji actually ended up at the same university as me." I looked at him in surprise, "Obviously we've been messaging each other a lot, but I can't believe we forgot to ask each other in what university we are, so dumb!"

Kyouji looked at me: "You’ve always been dumb, Shingetsu, I have always aimed for this university. Weren’t you aiming for a different university?"

"Erm, that’s right, I forgot to tell you, I changed my mind at the last minute! But how lucky are we to end up in the same class this semester!"

Noma entered the classroom too, he walked through the string of empty desks and seats, readily taking a seat in the front row of Kyouji and me.

I instantly wanted to jump up and blow his head off.

Kyouji curled his eyes instead and lowered his voice to me: "He just gave me a glare."

"......"

"He seems like he wants to challenge me to a duel, so scary."

"............"

You're not being effective at all by lamenting that the other person is scary in this flat tone with no rise or fall!

Kyouji and I exchanged a look and decided to drop the subject. The teacher has entered the classroom, so it was time to focus.

Partway through the lesson, my phone vibrated. I took it out and glanced at it, found out that this Katsuki guy with nothing to do, sent me a [.] , not sure what that stands for.

Never mind, let's just get on with the lesson and take the time to reply to him during the lunch break, there's no telling what he's going to do again.

However, to my surprise, Katsuki actually went quiet after not receiving a reply for sending this message and never sent me a follow-up.

Maybe he sent it by mistake?

Chapter Text

The bell signaling the end of class finally rang.

I turned my head and saw Kyouji after jotting down the last string of notes in his notebook, he capped his pen and methodically started to pack up his study materials.

"Want to have lunch together, Kyouji?"

Kyouji raised his head to look at me, nodded and said: "Yeah, sure......"

"Shingetsu!"

I had a jolt.

Noma slammed both hands down on my desk, looking at me with wide eyes: "Let's talk alone."

What's there to talk about......

I scrunched up my face, was just about to refuse in irritation when I saw Kyouji lean closer and whisper a reminder in my ear: "If you don’t want him bothering you endlessly, it’s better to clear things up properly. You don't want him to come and block you every day, right."

I choked, realizing he had a point, and reluctantly nodded in agreement.

Kyouji hesitated for a moment, then asked me: "Do you want me to wait for you?"

It’s indeed Kyouji, a true gentleman, super reliable!

I was instantly moved and patted his shoulder: "Kyouji, don't worry, I can handle this little issue."

Following Noma out of the classroom, I heard Kyouji’s calm and reassuring voice behind me: "Call me anytime if there’s any trouble."

He seriously is super nice——!

I turned back, gave him an OK sign with shining eyes.

I followed Noma out of the school building and turned into the side garden.

There were already quite a few students on their lunch break claiming the best spots to start eating lunch.

I've got to go find a place to eat later, the roof must be occupied fully, surely the garden still has some place......

Ten minutes should be enough to handle Noma.

"That, Shingetsu......"

Noma's voice called back my wandering soul, I raised up my head to look at Noma who had paused in his steps and was wearing a complicated expression.

His eyebrows tangled together, it seems like he had made some monumental decision, he suddenly bowed at a ninety-degree angle to me.

"I, I'm very sorry!!!"

Startled, I instinctively took a step back.

Noma kept his bent posture and raised his head to look at me: "I'm sorry, yesterday, last night I really went too far......but I’ve already reflected on it, so please Shingetsu forgive me once."

I was surprised that his was so honest, from all the dramas I’ve seen, cheaters usually deflect blame and deny everything.

The fact that he did that made me feel a little less disgusted with him.

I took a deep breath and softened my voice: "Noma-kun, the breakup has already become final. If you insist, we can get along as normal classmates in the future. Since we broke up I won't care much about your love life anymore so you don't have to mind me."

He straightened up and stared at me, his expression was actually a bit sad: "So you won’t forgive me?"

"......That, I already said it, after breaking up, your love life has nothing to do with me anymore. If you're apologizing because you made me hurt about what happened yesterday, I accept."

......To be honest I don't have any feelings anymore.

Noma pursed his lips and whispered: "But I don't really want to break up with you, Shingetsu."

"......" The corner of my mouth twitched, "No way, if you like me, there's no need to do that kind of intimate action with another girl, right?"

Noma's gaze wavered, revealing a tangled expression: "With that girl......it's true that was my bad, I lost control. But Shingetsu, do you really like me?"

"Eh?"

"Shingetsu seems like, well, really repulsed doing things that couples do with me......I'm just so uncertain inside......"

I frowned: "What are you talking about? Didn't we call each other every day when we were dating? I've even made you bento and hung out with you, aren't these normal couple things?"

"But in that case it's no different from being normal friends, right?" Noma's eyebrows and eyes were full of accusations, "Couples hug, kiss and so on, we've never done any of that, have we?!"

"......"

I'm speechless.

Probably because of the short time we've known each other and the short time we've been dating, the relationship progress between Noma and I hadn’t gone beyond holding hands.

......But it's only been two weeks of dating, isn't this normal progress?

Could he be one of those open and uninhibited types? From his appearance, I thought he’d be more restrained and reserved......

"Well, sorry about that." I awkwardly touched my long hair, ''Anyway, I’m very sorry that I didn’t meet your expectations. But since we’re no longer dating, there’s no point dwelling on the past. I’ll be going now."

Thinking that I've made things clear, I turn around and plan to leave.

But Noma stepped in front of me.

"Shingetsu, it's all my fault for the past, if you’re no longer angry we won't mention it anymore. But I really, just got momentarily lost, please forgive me. Can we get back together?"

"......Huh? No need."

"Why not?"

I almost started thinking that I was some kind of absolute beauty, why am I suddenly so popular.

Looking at Noma standing in front of me with wrinkled eyebrows and an obstinate face, I wasn’t sure what to do.

Didn’t I explain everything already very clearly!

......At this time, should I call Kyouji to come to help?

Reaching into my uniform pocket, I had just fished my phone out when I felt it vibrate in my hand.

Hmm? Someone’s calling?

I glanced at the screen, and sure enough, Bakugo Katsuki......

I coughed dryly, gripping the phone, waving my hand at Noma to signal the end of the conversation, and ran out another short distance before picking up the call.

"......Hey?"

Katsuki’s annoyed voice came through: "Does your university not have lunch breaks?"

"?" I got puzzled, "I’m on lunch break right now."

"Then why didn’t you reply to my message?"

"......"

I remembered his that inexplicable [.], suddenly feeling speechless.

"You just sent me a dot, how was I supposed to reply to that?"

"If you didn’t get what I meant, do you not know how to reply to me with a question mark?!"

?

Is this guy being serious here or being funny?

I walked down the avenue outside the school building in the direction of the garden.

"I'm looking for a place to eat, I didn’t remember for the moment to reply to you." I looked around searching for a good place to eat, "By the way Katsuki, why did you send me a message?"

His tone suddenly leveled off, sounding almost casual: "Nothing, I was checking if you were paying attention to the class."

Once again, I choked on his sentence until it left me speechless. Only after a couple of "hey, hey, hey" from him, I grunt to indicate that I was here.

Finally finding an unoccupied bench in the corner of the garden, I walked over and sat down, pinning the phone between my ear and my shoulder, nimbly pulling my bento out of my bag.

"Are you an old grandpa? Yesterday too, teaching me to study hard and today messaging to check my study......"

"Ahem." The sound of something heavy hitting the ground came from Katsuki’s side, "Can’t I supervise you a little or what?"

I listened to the noises of objects on his side, and there faintly seemed to be other boys going "Bakugo——!!!", voices yelling like this.

"What are you doing?" I asked him curiously.

He replied: "Tidying up the dorm."

"Oh, right, you're going to live in school from now on."

"......Yeah." He paused and added, "I have a day off on Sunday, to get out of school."

"Wow, that's nice. You can lead your little friends to keep going up the hill and going down the river."

"......Ha?"

"By the way, just now I heard someone calling your name, is it a classmate?"

"Ah, a classmate from the same class." I heard the sound of him seemingly kicking the door and slamming it shut, "Just got lectured by the homeroom teacher downstairs, now I’m tidying up my room, it'll probably take all afternoon."

I pinched my chopsticks and stuffed a piece of rice into my mouth to chew on it, asking vaguely: "Katsuki, do you know how to tidy up your room?"

"Hmm? What do you mean?"

"Katsuki do you actually know how to make your bed and put on bedsheets?"

"......" He snorted, "Who do you think I am? Something so simple, anyone with a brain can do it?!"

"No no no, Akira wouldn't have been able to do any of these things."

"Don't compare me to your useless otaku cousin, okay?"

Once upon a time, the two of us rarely talked on the phone, and most of our recent calls ended with him inexplicably getting angry and hanging up. So there's even a little bit of unease now that we're peacefully chatting.

I stuffed the small sausage into my mouth and sighed, "Katsuki is so gentle today, is it because you’re too happy being at school?"

"......Ha? Are you an idiot? Do you have to beg for a scolding to make you feel better?"

I breathed a sigh of relief: "I didn't mean it like that. I hope Katsuki will treat me gently as a girl from now on too and not be mean to me all the time."

He muttered something in a low voice on the other side, and only when he heard my "hmm?", he say impatiently: "Then you just don't look for trouble!"

"When have I ever caused trouble." I frowned and said in all seriousness, "Whenever I talk to Katsuki, I always maintain......erm, feelings of compassion for little brother at all times?"

"......"

Click.

?

I take the phone off my ear, the screen shows the recorded call that was hung up.

This damn kid hung up on me again!

Chapter Text

With a puzzled look on my face, I locked eyes with the short pink-haired man in front of me.

We were both standing in front of the same cooking table. Ever since I walked into the cooking club and greeted him, he had been tilting his head and scrutinizing me without a word.

"Se, Seki-kun?"

Seki-kun hmmm'd and lowered his head to pick up an egg from the table.

"Today, let’s make crêpes."

"Eh? ......Ah, hmm, sure."

"The sweet ones."

"......Ok."

My cooking partner, Yoshinori Seki-kun, is a devoted fan of sweets.

I still remember the first day I joined the cooking club after entering the university, dozens of new members stood in the cooking club and listened to president senpai, give a motivational speech. I stood at the end of the group and listened to senpai tracing the glorious history of the cooking club for more than ten minutes, and I couldn't help but get lost in thought.

What a big club......

The club space spanned two entire floors, with cooking stations neatly arranged in the center of the activity room. The two side walls were decorated with refrigerators, cupboards, and a wide array of condiments.

In such an excellent environment, with a wide variety of ingredients, it seems like any kind of cuisine can be made.

After all, with such Quirk, you can't waste it......

"Alright, everyone, please pair up freely. There are various recipe books in the cabinet for reference. If you need guidance you can ask the senpais, don't hesitate." President senpai smiled and clapped her hands together.

I usually cook at home, it counts as cooking practice. Now that we’re at school, I'll just do some dessert practice.

With that in mind, I looked around a bit, intending to find a partner to partner up with.

That's how Seki-kun inexplicably appeared in front of me, and said to me in a serious manner: "Hello, let’s pair up."

"......Ah, oh, alright......"

......

"It's not good to space out during cooking." Seki-kun inexpressibly poured the wheat flour into the mixing bowl and tilted his head, "You put in the ingredients."

I cracked the egg in, added sugar and poured milk, and watched as Seki-kun took the mixing bowl and began to stir the ingredients together, unable to help but question: "Seki-kun, don't you know what ingredients we need too? Why do you insist to ask me to put them in?"

For a moment, I thought I saw a glint in his glasses: "After all, Shudo-san you have such a great Quirk to use, so naturally, I want to make the best use of what we have."

"......"

"I'm counting on you to cook later as well."

"Got it."

Seki-kun's Quirk was one of those one-in-a-million Quirks that were perfect for a hero, called "Superpower”.

I don't know exactly what it does, but I think it's something like telekinesis, like being able to make things float or something like that......?

But to name a Quirk in such a general sense is really unclear.

"Shudo-san, the crêpes are all yours."

Seki-kun placed the mixed ingredients on the cooking table, moved out of the way of the stove, and stepped to the side to start peeling the fruit.

......It's so active when it comes to making sweet crêpes.

I chuckled silently and walked over to make up for the spot he left.

Just as I was gripping the handle of the pan, turning the heat on to pour the batter into the pan, and swinging the pan around to get the crêpe crust spread out, a girl's frightened voice suddenly came from behind me.

"Uah!! The oil is splattering!"

"Yes it is, it's better to break the eggs into the pan now."

"Oh, oh......then just crack it on the side of the pan......omg it flew out!"

"......It flew out, yeah, ah, careful."

Seki-kun expressionlessly picked up the pan idly next to him, it was too fast that I only caught a blur.

Immediately after that, I heard the sound of something hitting the bottom of the pan from the back of my head. After turning my head sideways in confusion, I realized that at some point, Seki-kun was holding the pan and protecting the back of my head.

The egg yolk and egg liquid that flew out from the back table was steadily stopped by Seki-kun with the pan, preventing my head from being moistened by the egg liquid's tragic consequences.

"Oh......" Kaikawa Yuki-san at the back table widened her eyes appreciatively and gave Seki-kun a thumbs up, "Nice catch!"

The culprit who sent the egg flying, Ijima Hana, panicked and hurriedly apologized, "This isn’t the time to say 'nice catch,' Yuki! I-I-I'm sorry! Are you two alright?!"

"It's fine." I touched the back of my head and smiled at Seki-kun, "Thanks."

After that I glanced back to Hana who was looking dejected, Yuki was smiling and patting her shoulder to comfort her.

These two are both acquaintances of mine.

"Eh, so you both came to the cooking club today? What are you making?" In the midst of busyness, I unhurriedly asked.

"Today the soft tennis club had a day off, so I dragged Hana along too." Yuki smiled, "Hana-chan's boyfriend is working part-time lately, so to give him some energy we decided to make egg rolls."

Egg rolls......Isn't that a simple dish......

How did it turn into this egg-flinging chaos?

Hana's face turned red as she defended: "It’s n-not for that idiot, it's just that I suddenly wanted to make that today......tsk, and use him to test the dish!......Shingetsu, can you teach me?"

"Five minutes. I’m almost done here, wait a little." I turned back to focus on my own cooking table.

After the crust comes out of the pan and then the cream and chopped fruit are simply spread on and rolled up, the crêpe is done.

Seki-kun contentedly took the crêpe, politely thanked me and said goodbye, then immediately picked up his schoolbag and walked out of the activity room, seemingly heading home.

I, on the other hand, walked towards the cooking table in the back, instructing Hana to spread the egg mixture in the pan to make a flat sheet, and then paste the meat puree on the rising flat sheet, roll it up and cut it smaller, and put it in the steamer for a while.

"It's easier than I expected." Hana placed the steamer on the stove, turned the heat on and covered the pot, "Indeed it's more reassuring for me to have Shingetsu supervising."

Yuki pointed to herself: "What about me, what about me, I don’t make you feel secure?"

"You're super unreliable okay?!"

"Fair enough~☆"

I smiled at both of them and said: "It's supposed to be a very simple dish, it's only because of the mental stress that Hana is fumbling, so just relax and you’ll be fine."

"Ah, well......"

Yuki said with a smile: "It's not that simple for Hana-chan, after all, it's an important heartfelt gift for her boyfriend."

"You're so nosy!"

"Your shy face is so cute too, Hana-chan."

Hana's face went completely red as she pursed her lips together in embarrassment, she glared fiercely at Yuki, who returned her a wide grin.

"I, I mean......" Hana seemed a little torn, "So, how do you guys get……get along with your boyfriends......?"

"Arara, want to start the relationship topic?" Yuki held her face, "But I don't have a boyfriend. I remember Shingetsu-chan having one."

I froze for a moment and averted my gaze.

Yuki was naturally referring to Noma-kun.

"We broke up." I scratched my face, "So......"

Yuki and Hana exchanged a glance and looked at me in surprise at the same time, "How?"

"There's all sorts of reasons......Anyway, it's an ex now." I smiled awkwardly, "So I probably won't be able to offer any advice to Hana."

Hana, probably really caught in a confused and tangled circle, simply held both my and Yuki's hands one on one side: "I don't have anyone to advise me right now either! So, so please listen to me and give me some ideas."

I nodded and Yuki smiled in agreement.

Hana's boyfriend is called Kichiro Chinen, is her childhood friend, and the two are so in sync that a single glance could convey their thoughts.

It is said that half a year ago when they graduated from high school, Hana confessed her feelings to Kichiro-kun, and got the reply of "I like you more", so they naturally started dating.

"But, we don't look like a couple at all." Hana said sadly, "He sometimes also ignores my texts, and we never hold hands, and don’t even mention the kisses......Our relationship hasn’t changed at all from before we started dating!!!"

Childhood friends, huh.

......Hana is amazing.

Yuki chuckled saying: "Shingetsu-chan is giving Hana-chan an admiring look."

"Eh?!" I sweated and scratched the back of my head, "That, because, isn't it very familiar if you're childhood friends, it feels a bit strange to suddenly date each other."

The thought of a “familiar” who spends a lot of time with each other suddenly switching modes to a lover, feels a bit disconcerting.

Yuki nodded her chin and raised her gaze upwards in a thoughtful manner: "I’ve never had a childhood friend, so I don't know what that feels like. But the person I like right now, is a cute boy who's younger than me."

"......Eh——?" Hana showed an expression that couldn't stand it, "An age gap?!"

“It's adorable right?"

"Not adorable at all!"

An, an age gap.

The corner of my mouth twitched and I averted my gaze.

Yuki smiled and poked me in the face: “Shingetsu-chan is giving a look of admiration to me now."

"Ah, about that," A cold sweat slid down my forehead, "Because I always think it’s a bit difficult dating boys younger than myself in every aspect of......communication, interests, circle of friends, and so on......"

Yuki's eyes curved into crescents, "That's very interesting, isn’t it."

I don't know why, but I feel oddly uneasy.

"That, aren't we talking about Hana’s things? How did it suddenly turn into an ideal type discussion." I coughed dryly and steered the topic back, "Is Hana's boyfriend the cold and distant type?"

Hana's expression immediately turned lifeless, "No, it's the retarded type."

"......"

"Haha." Yuki couldn't help but burst out laughing, "I think it's better for Hana-chan to just be upfront and tell the boyfriend-kun what's on your mind, you're not only a couple, but also important childhood friends. Instead of guessing each other's thoughts, it would be simpler and more direct to communicate it a bit."

"Take the opportunity to gift the egg rolls to boyfriend-kun." I reach over and turn off the stove fire, "They are done."

"Oh——!!"

Hana fumbled to uncover the lid of the pot, pulled out the lunchbox she had prepared long ago from her school bag, and began to plate the egg rolls.

Yuki watched Hana's movements and suddenly reached out to brush the hair behind my ear.

"It's the same for Shingetsu-chan."

"Eh?"

"If you have a misunderstanding with your boyfriend, you have to communicate it in time."

"......"

Is Yuki referring to Noma? She probably mistakenly thought that we broke up because of some trivial misunderstanding.

Communicate more with your boyfriend......

A childhood-friend boyfriend who's younger than you.

Goosebumps erupted as Katsuki’s oppressive red eyes suddenly came to my mind.

"No no no, indeed I still can't reason with him."

I muttered to myself as I shook my head.

Yuki: "?"

Chapter Text

The weather is so nice.

Resting my chin on my hand, I stared out the window.

The clear blue sky put people in an inexplicably good mood.

Speaking of which, I wonder how Hana and her boyfriend are doing, I did run into Yuki in the hallway yesterday tho.

But since the bell had already rung, we just waved at each other and parted ways.

The ways couples get along, huh.

The only time I've had a normal relationship was with Noma-kun, how did we get along?

Probably we just ate lunch together, went home from school together, went shopping and watched movies together on weekends and holidays.

Basically, we didn't have much in common to talk about. Most of the time, he’d rack his brain trying to chat with me about club activities, popular dramas, or trendy magazines, and so on.

But I was genuinely such a boring person myself, so basically he's the one talking while I listen with a blank face.

"Wow, has U.A High School become a residential school recently? Makes sense, given everything that’s been happening lately."

"Yeah, those kids are even younger than us, they must be panicking when they encounter these things."

"Haha, who do you think they are? They’re aiming to be heroes, you know."

I returned to my senses and looked at the two boys sitting in front of me who were discussing with a current affairs magazine.

U.A High School was just mentioned......

"That, can I borrow it for a second?”

I carefully reached out and touched the shoulder of the boy in front of me, whispering a request as he turned back.

He smiled graciously at me and handed over the magazine: "Eh, there are even girls interested in all this fighting and action stuff, huh? What's your name?"

I gave him a polite smile and deflected with a few vague remarks, then focused on the report on U.A High School at the magazine.

The general content of the report was mainly a recap of All Might’s retirement, the kidnapping and rescue of U.A students, and the attitude of the U.A High School administration.

The accompanying picture is the closed door of U.A High School.

......And a photo of Katsuki?

In the magazine, Katsuki was wearing U.A.’s sport uniform, looking ferocious. His gums were exposed as he bit down on a medal, baring his teeth in a snarl.

His whole body was bound with heavy restraints, his hands cuffed together, and he was tied to a pole.

It looked as if he was a sinner who had made some mistake.

I flipped through the pages but couldn’t find an explanation for this bizarre photo.

Could it be that after being held hostage, Katsuki was tied up by the bad guys like in the picture? Then what was the meaning of the medal in his mouth?

The more I thought about it, the more puzzled I became, so I got out my phone and took a photo of the picture in the magazine.

I couldn't help but frown as I looked at the photo of Katsuki from the magazine that I took on my phone.

Although Katsuki has a very bad temper and is a grumpy person, but somehow taking this kind of photo and putting it on a magazine still makes me feel a little uncomfortable.

......That’s right, it's that kind of feeling of one's own family being bullied by someone else, I've always loved Katsuki as a younger brother.

I clicked on Katsuki’s dialogue box.

The screen was still left with the message he sent me at around 5:30 in the morning. Just was he saying good morning to me, and then acting as a weather forecast saying that today it's a nice day, hope that I'll stay in a good mood and don’t do anything stupid or something like that......

My hand, which was about to send the picture to Katsuki, paused. I couldn't help but swipe the screen upwards to reread the chat history of the past few days.

I don't know what's wrong with him, but every night at eight or nine o'clock, he would report to me what he did that day. And then tell me that he was going to bed, I should go to bed early too something like that.

When he got up the next day, if he didn't get my reply the night before, he would even complain with me.

......Our schedules obviously don't even align at all!

But thanks to his rambling like an old man, I learned that lately he seems to be preparing for the Provisional Licence Exam for Professional Heroes. Apparently, the whole class has been working on new techniques in the training rooms every day.

And he doesn't care if I understand him or not, always launches into lengthy explanations about his ideas for new moves.

By the way, last night he was super excited to call and tell me about successfully mastering a new technique.

Of course, it ended tragically with me looking confused and at a loss for words, so he hung up the call again.

......Then the next day he sent me a weather forecast message like nothing had happened.

Is this guy a masochist?

Every time he calls me, he ends up furious, but he’s never stayed mad overnight with me.

Also so clingy......

My cheeks burned inexplicably, I hesitated for a while before making up my mind to send him a message.

Regardless of what purpose Katsuki is temporarily dating me for, he's been really caring about me and trying to make me happy this whole time, so it's only fair that I care about him for once.

Not to mention that we're childhood friends and I've always been taking care of him like a little brother.

Shudo Shingetsu: [Katsuki, what are you doing?]

After sending the message, I remembered that Katsuki had mentioned that he is busy with schoolwork, so he probably wouldn't have much time to reply to me.

Probably won't be able to send me a message until night, when he rests.

Sighing, I was about to slip my phone into my pocket when I noticed the screen light up.

Bakugo Katsuki: [Taking a break between classes.]

Bakugo Katsuki: [If you’re missing me, I guess I can spare five minutes to chat with you.]

...…Five minutes.

You're really reserved.

I couldn't be bothered to spit at him and sent him the picture.

Shudo Shingetsu: [|Picture|]

Shudo Shingetsu: [This picture is so weird, were you wearing U.A's sport uniform? Why were you handcuffed? Did the bad guys who held you hostage do it?]

Bakugo Katsuki: [..................]

Bakugo Katsuki: [......Stop reading trashy gossip magazines!]

Shudo Shingetsu: [I'm obviously concerned about you. Anyone would be shocked seeing this type of picture.]

Bakugo Katsuki: [Ah that’s right bastard! Last time when I told you to come to U.A's sports festival match, why didn't you come?! Ah?!]

Eh......?

I recalled carefully and remembered that it’s true that there seemed to be this incident.

At that time, Katsuki sent a message, lightly mentioning U.A's sports festival competition, and sent me the exact time and address.

.......But it seems like nothing else was said, right?

Shudo Shingetsu: [I do remember you sending me the time and address of the sports festival at that time, but you didn't say anything else.]

Bakugo Katsuki: [......Anyone who isn't a fool can tell what I mean when they get a message like that, right?!]

Shudo Shingetsu: [You're being too hard. This kind of pattern just looks like a mass text. I was even going to say when did you become so vain as to want everyone you know to watch your matches.]

I waited for two minutes, but I didn't see him reply to me.

Is class back in session?

Didn't he say five minutes!

Shudo Shingetsu: [Katsuki? Did class start?]

Bakugo Katsuki: [I'm too lazy to pay attention to you, you idiot.]

Shudo Shingetsu: [......]

Bakugo Katsuki: [Class is starting, if you have something we'll talk tonight.]

Shudo Shingetsu: [......Oh.]

It's true that I have nothing in common with boys younger than me.

But come to think of it, I don't seem to have anything in common with guys my own age either, like Noma-kun.

Ah, but I'm very comfortable with Kyouji.

And it's very nice with Seki-kun too, probably because we're both interested in cooking?

Returning the current affairs magazine to the boys in front, I politely declined their invitation to dinner, and left the classroom slugging my bag on my shoulder.

I was changing shoes at the shoe locker when I accidentally saw Hana. She was walking with her head down and lost in thought, completely oblivious to me.

I walked up and tapped her on the shoulder: "Hey, Hana, what's with the lost in thought?"

Shocked, Hana looked up at me and froze for a few seconds before swooping over and hugging me around the waist, burying her head into my chest and bawling her eyes out.

"Shingetsu——!!!!"

"Eh??"

I was really surprised, completely unsure of where to put my two hands. It took me a long time to react before I hurriedly reached out and touched the back of Hana's head, softly coaxing her: "What's wrong? What happened?"

"So, so this is what heartbreak feels like!" Hana cried out, "I got dumped——!"

"......"

Twenty minutes later, Hana and I were sitting in a café near the school gate. She was still sniffling when Yuki finally arrived, a bit late.

"Is everything okay you two?" Yuki pulls out the chair next to me and sits down, propping her elbows on the table holding her face as she looks across at Hana, whose eyes were red from crying, "I was so surprised when Shingetsu-chan called me, I left my club activities early to come, did something happen?"

Ah, speaking of club activities, I probably won't be able to go today either.

Although Seki-kun has probably already found another partner by now, I should still text him to let him know.

Just as I was messaging Seki-kun, Hana had pretty much told Yuki the whole story.

It turns out that because Hana and her boyfriend, Kichiro-kun, were too familiar with each other by default, Hana's confession of love, which she had managed to muster up the courage to do, was mistaken by the other person as playing the skit game they always played.

Hana covered her face, her voice was sad: "I just acted like an idiot by presenting myself as his girlfriend for half a year, and it turned out that Chinen, this idiot, thought it was a game."

"And did Kichiro-kun say anything when he found out the truth?" Yuki's eyes widened as she looked at Hana.

Hana froze and said blankly: "......I don't know, I ran away as soon as I realized, and then I bumped into Shingetsu."

She pulled out her phone, her gaze downcast, "I haven’t answered any of Chinen’s calls either."

Yuki smiled and tilted her head: "Hana-chan is such a silly."

I nodded: "Since you like him, then let's hear him explain a second, you can't communicate if you don't contact him, right."

Hana seemed to be out of her mind for a moment before suddenly slamming her hands on the table and standing up.

"I-I really do want to hear what Chinen has to say after all!"

After saying that, she turned and ran out of the cafe.

I tilted my head and watched her back as she ran out the door through the glass, I could see that she was in the middle of a conversation with someone as she ran.

Yuki picked up the lemonade that the waiter had just placed in front of her and took a light sip, she spoke in a brisk tone: "Silly people really do have high mobility. Arara, it's obviously a simple thing, but it looks like Hana-chan can’t see the forest for the trees?"

Hana's confession was indeed the result of summoning up the courage to convey her true feelings to the other person with force.

It's different from me.

My offhand joke, had been somehow recognized by the other person. And even now, I'm not sure if Katsuki is being sincere or just teasing me.

The only thing I can’t deny, tho, is that he indeed genuinely acts like a boyfriend.

Just like Hana, when she thought of Kichiro-kun as her boyfriend, the other's cold response also made her uncertain.

Would Katsuki have that same worry, even though he's a boy.

Yuki tilted her head to look at me, pulling back my wandering thoughts: "What's wrong Shingetsu-chan, your expression is super serious."

"......Uhm."

Should I seriously talk to Katsuki about this?

It’d probably be better to end things clearly. Otherwise, Katsuki might end up getting hurt.

......Is this the kind of conversation better to have in person?

"What's wrong with you? Your face is all scrunched up."

"Ah——!!!" I screamed and mashed my face onto the table, "I don't know anymore! It feels like I'm going to get killed!"

"Ah......ah?”

Yuki's voice was subtle.

"Is Shingetsu-chan just as silly as Hana-chan?"

"I'm not like Hana, that’s a super single-celled creature."

I plucked my face up from the tabletop, ignoring my bumpy red forehead, fumbled for my phone.

Shudo Shingetsu: [Katsuki, didn't you say you have a day off on the weekend to get out of school? Do you have any plans?]

Chapter Text

Shudo Shingetsu: [Katsuki, didn't you say you have a day off on the weekend to get out of school? Do you have any plans?]

After waiting for a long time, I didn't see Katsuki reply to me.

He’s probably busy.

I didn’t think much of it and put my phone away before saying goodbye to Yuki.

On my way home, I noticed that a storefront near my house that was under renovation a few days ago seemed to be ready to open, and from the outside it looked like a snack shop.

There was also a hire notice posting on the glass door, looking for chef assistants and waitstaff.

Although I did work for a while during my high school graduation holidays, and between my savings and those earnings I could manage a modest lifestyle for a few years, but I wonder if picking up a part-time job wouldn’t hurt?

The location of this shop is not bad, and it's close to my house.

I wasn’t sure if they were looking for part-time workers, but I decided to jot down their contact info anyway.

I took a picture of the job posting, walked back home, ate a quick dinner and then started to open the computer to write my class essay.

By the time I finished, it was already dark outside. I was about to check the forums for some news when my phone, silent all evening, finally rang.

It was a call from Katsuki.

I picked it up and heard his tsk-tsk voice: "Why are you asking about my weekend break plans?"

"......"

That smug tone was so annoying.

The corner of my mouth twitched as I replied: "Nothing, just asking."

"In that case, I'll just stay in school and practice then. The license exam is next week anyway."

"Oh." I slid my mouse, clicked out the search screen, typed in "U.A Sports Festival" to start retrieving, "Good luck to you then."

"......"

There was a slight familiar sound of teeth grinding coming from the phone, with considerable experience I held the phone away from me for a silent count of two seconds.

Unsurprisingly a loud growl came from the phone: "Bastard are you trolling me?!!"

"......What on earth have you brainstormed." I stared at my phone breathlessly, "I'm really just asking, of course it's a priority for you if you have something to be busy with."

"Ah——?!"

I don't need to guess, this guy must be looking like he's so pissed off right now he's going to explode and bite someone.

I looked at the search results on my computer, and the first entry was the various U.A Sports Festival HD compilations. I found the latest one, found the download screen and started caching the download.

"You're just returning my call now, were you busy today?" I absentmindedly digress, trying to soothe him.

Katsuki huffed a few breaths before replying gruffly: "I went for a run after dinner, and now I'm just getting out of the shower before I have time to call you back."

"Wow, good work."

"Fuck, can you fucking stop being so fake with your politeness?!"

"How can this be fake, I'm genuinely concerned about you." Through the phone, even if he blew up into a puffer fish, he could not threaten me. Thinking about this, I feel even a little smug, and some amusement slips into my voice too, "Keep your voice down, will you? My ears are going to explode, next time I won’t call you."

"......This call is from me to you! Have you ever fucking called me once?"

Though the words were still super mean, but the pitch had dropped quite much.

I blinked: "Because Katsuki aren't you very busy? Although the classes are regular but it feels like you're taking all the time you need to train on your own, so I’m afraid to disturb you."

Katsuki grunted a few words, seeming to accept the argument, his tone softened further: "Fine. I'll call you then."

He paused and then asked: "What are you doing this weekend?"

"Cleaning, I guess, doing laundry and stuff."

"Oh."

Katsuki returned the word before clearing his throat and faintly asking: "Anything else? If not, I’m hanging up. Gonna sleep."

I looked up at the wall clock and realized that it was just after eight o'clock, couldn't help but spit out: "You really are an old man, what kind of person sleeps that early?"

"Ah?! You got a problem with that?!"

"How dare I how dare I." I shrugged, "Good night then."

"Yeah, nagging. The reason you are so dumb is because you don't go to bed early, you know? Reflect on yourself!"

He hung up the call decisively.

It was a little......abnormal.

I stared blankly at the hung-up phone, feeling a bit unsettled.

Although this guy is usually super aggressive and has a bad habit of hanging up at the drop of a hat, but he usually hung up after being so angry that he jumped out of his skin.

Hanging up so calmly and quickly makes me feel like there's a conspiracy going on......

Could it be that he finally calmed down from the excitement of dating?

Finally realized that we are not suitable?

In that case......this U.A Sports Festival——should I watch it or not?!

The corner of my mouth twitched as I watched the downloaded sports festival video.

Never mind, since there's Katsuki, and he invited me to see it before (even though I ignored it), there's no harm in me getting to know Katsuki a bit more out of a parental mood.

I was going to ask him to discuss the nature of our relationship in person during the weekend break, but since he's got exams next week, he can't help it if he's got to practice hard. But now it looks like he's come to his own realization?

Forget it, don't think about it too much, let's just go with the flow for now and focus on it when we have a chance to meet.

......The current Katsuki is like a virtual pet to me.

With that thought, I smoothly clicked on the video of the sports festival, and the passionate commentary voice came out from the video.

U.A is really big, this is an aerial shot isn't it, it looks so cool.

I was patiently waiting for the contestants to enter the arena when the phone on my desktop suddenly lit up the screen.

A message?

It’s Katsuki?

I paused the video, picked up my phone to find that it was actually someone unexpected.

Miyagi Akira: [Big sis, where do you live now? Mind if I mooch a meal?]

......

......

Did this guy get hacked?

I looked at the words "Big sis" on my phone, unable to imagine this arrogant young master obediently calling me big sis.

Shudo Shingetsu: [......]

Miyagi Akira: [_(:з」 ∠)_]

Shudo Shingetsu: [??? Did you get hacked? Or did you get kicked out of the house by uncle?]

Miyagi Akira: [......No, I just want to mooch a meal. Send me your home address, please.]

Shudo Shingetsu: [? Why do I get the feeling that you have bad intentions?]

Miyagi Akira: [I swear I'm just going for a meal!! Really!!]

I feel that this kid isn’t that simple.

Just as I was hesitating, this guy sent me several more messages in a row urging me on, swearing and promising that he definitely doesn’t have any bad intentions.

After struggling with it for a long time, I sent the address to Akira, and told him in passing to come in the evening if he wants to come.

Miyagi Akira: [!!Thanks sis! Love you mua!]

Shudo Shingetsu: [......]

This guy is definitely off his meds!

I thought about it and instructed Akira to let me know in advance before he wants to come so I can prepare. Akira responded with several "okay" in a row.

Although I didn't know why he was suddenly on such a whim, I decided to deal with it when the time came.

Miyagi Akira: [Sis, I'm coming over on Sunday, will you be home?]

Shudo Shingetsu: [Sure, yes. The university is closed on Sunday.]

Miyagi Akira: [Oh oh, then I'll come over on Sunday morning?]

Shudo Shingetsu: [Sure.]

Though I seriously doubt that morning is basically noon for this kid.

Could it be that my aunt and uncle had asked Akira, who is their son, to check up on me because they were worried about me living out on my own, but they couldn't be bothered to ask me directly?

It wasn't impossible. After all, my aunt and uncle were really concerned about me. Only Akira, their only son, has always disliked me......

That's why I'm a bit not accustomed to him getting on my good side.

I remember when I first arrived at his home, he was in fourth grade and constantly showed his dislike for me. He outright refused to call me “sis” and always addressed me by my full name, in the rudest tone.

At that time, my aunt and uncle were both very busy at work, so I took the initiative to assume the responsibility of taking care of Akira after I stayed in their house.

This stupid kid eventually fell under my cooking skills.

Though he complained about me incessantly, whenever I cooked, he’d sit eagerly at the dining table, waiting. He’d even clean his plate spotless every single time.

The hostility towards me has also been reduced a lot because of that.

......But it doesn't mean he stopped disliking me.

That's why I was so shocked to be contacted by him.

Not thinking much more about it, I ended the conversation with Akira. Throwing away my phone, I resumed the paused U.A Sports Festival video.

Let's sleep after watching this.

×

Miyagi Akira's perspective:

In the evening, Miyagi Akira, who was lazily playing games at home, received a call from Bakugo.

The person on the other end simply and brutally asks him to get Shingetsu's home address without revealing that he has been "ordered" to do so.

Miyagi Akira was baffled: "Ah? Kat-chan, what do you need Shudo Shingetsu's address for?"

"Shut up, why do you care so much?!" Bakugo ground his teeth, "Also, learn some manners once in a while? What's the custom with calling your cousin directly by her name? Is it because Miyagi ojisan hasn't smacked you lately?!"

"......But Kat-chan, you’ve never called her ‘sis’ either. I thought it was an unspoken agreement between us."

"Heh." Bakugo made a mocking sound, "I'm different from you. Can you get the address or not, punk?!"

"Freak! Just wait for me! I'll be done in ten minutes!"

Miyagi Akira was about to hang up the call to ask for the address when he suddenly sensed a hint of a strange feeling. He asked warily: "Kat-chan, you're not going to come to her door to find trouble, are you?"

"......"

"Let me just say, although I don't like her much, but she is my cousin after all......"

"Ah, I know." Bakugo replied carelessly, "I'm just going to look for her and surprise her. Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you, we two are dating now."

".................."

"???"

"!!!"

Bakugo cut the other off simply and sharply before he could make a shocked sound: "So, that's it. You know what a surprise is, right? If you dare to expose me, I'll blow you up!"

"......"

Ten minutes later, Bakugo received the address of Shingetsu's house.

Satisfied, he noted down the address on the screen and sent a text message to Miyagi Akira with additional instructions.

Bakugo Katsuki: [I'm going to look for her on Sunday, find a way to keep her from going out.]

Miyagi Akira: [......]

Bakugo Katsuki: [?]

Miyagi Akira: [That, can I go with you to look for her?]

Bakugo Katsuki: [Haha.]

Bakugo Katsuki: [Do you think it's possible?]

Miyagi Akira stared at the two rows of dialogue boxes that popped up on his phone, silently wept.

Sob.

Chapter Text

On Sunday, I got up very early in the morning.

While getting out of bed, I silently flicked Akira's imaginary forehead in my mind.

It’s all this guy’s fault for choosing this morning to visit, and if it turns out that uncle and aunt really did send him to inspect my living conditions, I’d have no choice but to tidy up my little apartment properly.

I began with a quick cleanup, gathering up all the garbage to throw away later. Then I planned to swing by the supermarket to grab some ingredients and make something Akira likes.

If I remember correctly, he likes pan-fried fish.

I planned the recipe in my mind, picked up two big large bags of trash and placed them by the door. Another run to the fridge to check and make a shopping list.

That's when, someone suddenly knocked at the door.

I looked up at the wall clock, 8:30am.

??? Would a lazy bum otaku like Akira actually get up before ten in the morning?

With that thought, I closed the fridge door, carefully tiptoed around the two large trash bags by the entrance before unlocking the door.

......Then I meet eyes with Katsuki who was standing at the doorway.

"Yo."

Katsuki was wearing a light blue shirt that was showing off his collarbone, one side of his black earphone cord hung across his chest while the other was still in his ear.

His red eyes calmly stared at me, when I instinctively stepped back in shock and tried to close the door, he stepped forward with ease, blocking the door with one hand.

"Do you even want to lock me out?"

He raised an eyebrow and sneered.

It, it was pure reflex.

I smiled awkwardly and let go of the doorknob, taking a step backwards, tripping tragically over a trash bag at the doorway.

"Whoa——!"

Katsuki grabbed me by the neckline, yanking me up as I fell backwards, "Are you an idiot?"

Breathing a sigh of relief, I steadied myself.

I was about to lean over and push the trash bags aside when I saw Katsuki step ahead of me and bend down to pick them up.

"Where to throw them?" He spoke in a calm tone.

"……Downstairs, there’s a big trash truck."

I watched in horror as Katsuki walked out the door of the house with the trash bags and headed down the stairs.

Clinging to the railing, I watched him toss the trash into the truck before turning back.

During the time he walked upstairs, he looked up and locked eyes with me, raising the eyebrows and baring his teeth slightly at me.

......Wow freak, why does he look kind of handsome all of a sudden?

I dumbly stood in the doorway and watched as Katsuki strolled back up the stairs with his hands in his pockets.

"Ka, Katsuki, why did you come over?"

I feel unreasonably nervous for some reason.

He ah'd and pushed me by the shoulder back into the apartment, and closed the door: "Today is a day off."

"Didn’t you say you had training today?"

"Work-life balance."

"......"

Katsuki slowly inspected my living room and kitchen, then went to check out the bathroom.

I blocked the bedroom doorway to stop his reckless footsteps.

"What are you going to do to a girl's room?!" I stretched my five fingers out, blocked on his chest, blushing furiously as I scanned him with condemning eyes, "You're so shameless Katsuki!"

"Huh?"

He seemed amused, snorted and chuckled as he turned around and plopped himself down on the sofa, hooking the corners of his mouth in a subtle expression as he looked at me, "What are you nervous about?"

I quietly rolled my eyes, ran like an old mum to get him another glass: "Water or milk?"

"Either’s fine."

I grabbed a bottle of milk from the fridge and poured it for him.

When I was pouring it, I chattered to him: "Akira is coming over today."

"......"

"I still have to go out and get some ingredients from the supermarket. Katsuki are you eating over here today too? What do you want to eat?"

Katsuki simply stood up and padded into the open kitchen, tilting his head to survey the fridge.

"Just any fried rice or something will do."

"Ah?"

He walked over, picked up the glass of milk I'd filled up and left on the kitchen table: "That lazy brother of yours won’t be coming."

"......" I was full of question marks, "What does that mean?"

"What does what mean?" He sipped his milk absentmindedly, "I told him not to come over."

"......You contacted him? You got my home address from him?"

He snorted, gesturing at me with his chin: "Yeah, I can’t or what?"

"......You can, but why didn’t you just ask me directly?"

"Because you're too nagging." Katsuki pushed me with an expressionless face, "Go sit down. Have you had breakfast yet?”

Bewildered, I walked over to the sofa and sat down, shaking my head.

"Then I will make noodles." He twisted the stove’s knob to light the burner.

I didn't stand up as an afterthought, until I was dumbfounded watching Katsuki remove the apron from the kitchen wall, put it on, and moved nimbly to pull the noodles out of the closet and start cooking them.

"That, Katsuki, I'll do it? You can just sit and rest."

"Ah?! You're nagging, I'm almost done and now you’re saying that, just sit still and don't move."

So, so mean!

I immediately straightened my back and sat upright, glancing at him with my afterglow.

He quickly sensed it and glared over with one eyebrow raised: "What are you looking at, don't look at me!"

"......" I twisted my head to the other side, looking at the dark TV screen, simply fumbled for the remote control from the table and switched the TV on.

It was time for the morning soap operas. At first, I kept half an ear on the kitchen sounds, but soon I got engrossed in the melodramatic family drama on the screen.

It wasn't until Katsuki came over with the cooked noodles and placed one of the bowls in front of me that I took my attention off the TV.

He pulled out two of the chopsticks in his hand and put them on the bowl in front of me.

I looked down at the bowl of simple and appetizing noodles in front of me, glanced up at the bowl in front of him with my head held high, and a cold sweat broke out.

Is that reddish-looking, somewhat eye-choking thing really edible?

"What?" Katsuki narrowed his eyes at me not in a good mood and sat down cross-legged beside me.

Even though we were simply sitting side by side, it somehow feels like he was carrying a heater, exuding heat that you couldn't ignore.

I quietly shifted away a bit.

He glanced at me with an expressionless face, I intuited that he seemed to have noticed my little movement. But he didn't say anything, just lowered his head and slurped his noodles silently.

I watched as he ate that bright red concoction: "......It tastes good?"

"Ah?" He narrowed his eyes, "I made it myself, do you think I might find it tastes bad?"

He suddenly hooked his lips, picked up two strands of his noodles and brought them near my mouth, "Wanna try?"

......

Bakugo-kun, isn't your feeding action a little too skillful?

Alarm bells went off in my heart, I reached out and pushed his wrist to push both the chopsticks and the noodles away a little.

"Don't you dare harm me! I can already feel the spiciness from here."

Katsuki let out a snort, withdrew his chopsticks, and shoved the noodles into his own mouth, "You're too weak."

"......Taste preferences have nothing to do with strength, right?" I muttered as I stirred the noodles in front of myself and carefully took a bite, "Wow, not bad."

He was a little smug: "What did you expect?"

I ate my noodles and vaguely asked: "By the way, didn't Mitsuki-san say last time that you're still under the surveillance period, you can go out of school normally now?"

"As long as I report it, it’s fine. Can’t live under supervision for the rest of my life."

"Re, report?" My eyes widened, "That complicated? What, what did you say?"

Katsuki twirled his noodles with his chopsticks, lowered his head, said carelessly: "Just told Aizawa-sensei that I'm going to meet my girlfriend."

"......"

He pestled his chin with one hand, as if he thought of something funny, the corners of his mouth maliciously rising upwards, "Sensei's expression at that moment was really something to behold......"

......

Probably that overworked teacher of yours never imagined that someone like you, who has a manic-like personality could find a girlfriend.

Wait, the important point is, why did you accept the girlfriend setting so naturally?!!!

I remembered with a tangling thought that the original plan was to meet up with Katsuki and discuss this tangled relationship between the two of us with each other, but now......

I looked at Katsuki, he frowned slightly his face eating the noodles while staring at the TV muttering to himself: "What the hell kind of plot is this?"

And I realized, this is going to be really hard to bring up.

"What?" He turned to face me, right into my line of sight.

With a jolt, I immediately lowered my head and ate my noodles. I shook my head: "Nothing."

We both then sat in the living room in silence and finished our noodles.

I had just put down my chopsticks, wanted to get up to clean the bowls and wash them away when I saw Katsuki, who had finished eating a step ahead of me, sit up straight and easily pick up my bowl. He climbed to his feet and walked into the kitchen, put the dishes in the sink and turned on the faucet.

"Katsuki!" I hurriedly ran after him, "I'll wash them I'll wash them!"

"Nagging, can't you see I'm already doing it?"

He narrowed his eyes, grumbling unhappily. Seeing me stand beside him, he extended his left arm toward me: "Sleeve, roll it up for me."

"So I just said I will do the washing."

"Are you gonna roll it up or not?"

Katsuki raised an eyebrow, pretending he was about to use his teeth to pull up the sleeve. I hastily pressed down his arm, to roll it up for him.

His fingertips were already dripping with water, they seemed wet.

I pushed up his shirt sleeve but found it got stuck around the wrist.

"Are you stupid?" Katsuki looked a little amused, "Undo the cuff button and roll it up."

"......"

I pursed my lips, pressing down the shortness and awkwardness bubbling inside me, I unfastened his cuff button and carefully rolled his sleeve up past his elbow.

His arms weren't as slender and skinny as they had been as child, the muscles in his forearm were slightly taut, the smooth lines disappearing beneath his shirt.

"This one too." Slowly and methodically, he extended his right hand as well.

"......"

I bit my lips, repeated the process and rolled the sleeve of his right hand up as well.

My fingertips accidentally brushed against his arm, I only feel hot.

"It’s just rolling up sleeves." He lazily withdrew his own hand and slid it into the sink. But out of the corner of his eye, he was looking at me with a faint, ambiguous smile: "What are you blushing about?"

"............"

I felt my face burn even hotter.

I mobilized all the ferocious cells in my body and glared at him with what I thought was a vicious glare.

Katsuki let out a snort.

I felt like I received a taunt. My foot, which was going to retreat after playing hard to get, paused.

I glared at him: "What are you laughing at?"

"No——thing." He dragged out the words, his tone was light and airy.

Aah, so infuriating!

How could I slink away now, that’d be like admitting defeat!

Thinking about this, I glared at him fiercely with one hand on the kitchen table.

His expression was getting more and more subtle, it felt like he was forcing himself not to laugh out loud: "What?"

I stared at him, my mind going a little blank for a moment, and by the time I reacted, I had already blurted out, "Abs!"

"Ah?"

"......I said, do you have abs?"

Sorry.

I may have been hacked.

Let me see if there's a mouse hole in the kitchen for me to get into.

Just when my face turned beet red and I was scanning the kitchen for a way to disappear, Katsuki had already broken out of his daze.

He turned off the faucet, wiped the foam off his own hands with refined movements, turned to me, and spread his hands out to his sides.

"Is there any need to blush at something like this?"

He grinned maliciously.

"How about checking yourself?"

Chapter Text

I sat near the coffee table in silence.

Although my gaze is now glued to the TV screen, actually I have no idea what was playing anymore.

The sound of rushing water from behind me stopped.

My chill hairs exploded as I listened to footsteps around the open kitchen, making their way closer and eventually stopping behind me.

"What are you nervous about?"

The voice came from above, Katsuki sat down behind me as he spoke.

I strained my neck to death not to look back at him.

This guy, is really so shameless!

He actually tried to seduce the upright, kind and pure me to voluntarily lift his clothes!

And I was actually mesmerized for a few seconds, luckily coming to my senses before doing so.

I heard the sound of him lazily let out a yawn, and then there was no sound.

I knew with my toes that this guy must have been staring at the back of my head from behind, waiting for me to be unable to resist turning my head to look at him, so he could catch me and mock me to his heart’s content.

I just refuse to look back at him!

But it seems to be taking a little too long.

What exactly was he doing, why did he not make any sound.

The air is too stagnant, it couldn't just stay that way, could it?

I glanced at him with a quiet inclination of my head and found him holding his phone in one hand, positioned on the coffee table, staring at the screen with little expression.

That tiny movement of my head, was just enough to catch his attention.

Without even moving his sight frozen on his phone, he handed over the remote control with his free hand, "After watching commercials for twenty minutes, finally remembered to change the channel?"

......

Resisting the urge to throw the remote and blow his head off, I changed the channel fuming.

The presenter on the news was babbling on: "The recent retirement of No.1 hero All Might has created a huge social upheaval, with rising crime rates filling the population with a sense of unease......"

The scene duly switches to the final battle of All Might's retirement. This skinny, bony hero looks as if he could no longer carry the peace of society on his shoulders.

The hand holding up the remote control was clasped from top to bottom, with a press of Katsuki’s index finger on the power button, the TV screen flickered into darkness.

The voice broadcasting the news also came to an abrupt halt.

I froze and twisted my head to look at Katsuki, noticing that his expression doesn’t look too good.

He pulled his hand back, stayed silent for a few seconds, and said in a deep voice: "Sorry, let’s change the channel."

"......Okay."

I'd almost forgotten that All Might is Katsuki’s idol, someone he’d admired since he was a child.

All Might’s retirement must have been a heavy blow for him.

Moreover, All Might's battle for retirement was to rescue Katsuki, who was kidnapped by the enemy.

He must be more sad than anyone else.

Watching Katsuki look down and take a deep breath as if he was calming down, I blinked and quietly scooted a little closer to his side, temporarily putting our just-occurring feud behind us: "Katsuki, are you okay?"

"Ah——?" He glanced at me, seemingly sensing that I moved closer to him, he tickled the corners of his mouth while placing his hand on the top of my head and started to mess up my hair, "If you want to comfort or care for someone, show some action! Don't just talk for the sake of talking!"

"Wah wah wah!"

I yelped and went to grab his hand, flustered and protesting.

"What are you doing! I care about you with all my good intentions! Wasn't I just about to put it into action?"

This damn brat didn't need comfort at all.

Holding a grudge!

Katsuki stopped his hand and rested his entire arm on my head, looking at me with an ambiguos smile, "Oh? What action were you planning to take?"

I couldn't help but gulp at the way he stared at me: "......What do you want to eat for lunch? I'll make it for you?"

"Hmph."

Katsuki released me, stretching his long legs out and leaning back, paralyzing himself in front of the coffee table.

I took the time to turn my back on him while his oppression was gone, grabbed the glass of water on the table to take a sip of water to suppress my shock.

Katsuki’s phone, which he had put on the table, lit up at this moment.

I reflexively glanced that way and saw the message pop up on the message alert bar.

"Kaminari Denki: @BakugoKatsuki Hey, are you up yet? Let's go eat together for lunch, no? Or are you going to act like an invalid and have Kirishima bring it to your room? You're slacking way too much even if it's Sunday."

I turned to look at Katsuki, who was still slumped on the sofa, and reached out to poke him in the leg: "Someone send you a message."

"Ah?" He took a flat position with his back and stomach pushing to prop his body up into a sitting position, picked up his phone and started replying to the message with an expressionless face.

I looked at his waist smacking my lips, how did that work.

Does he really have abs?!

Ahh why is my mind stuck on abs am I hooked? It must be the aftereffects of watching the U.A Sports Festival the other day......

I forced myself to turn my attention to Katsuki’s phone and asked, "When the message popped up I saw it, is it a group chat? A class group?"

"Some small chat groups that a few people have nothing better to do, so they insisted on making them."

Katsuki put away his phone and stood up to start another conversation: "Hey, is there anywhere you want to go?"

"Eh?"

He looked down at the blank-faced me with a slightly unnatural expression, "Don't girls really like places like cinemas, amusement parks, or something like that......"

Looking at me showing a shocked expression, which seemed to have angered Katsuki, his tone suddenly became grumpy.

"What kind of expression is that? I have already compromised so much for you, you’re still not satisfied?!"

I shook my head back and forth: "Just because Katsuki you're suddenly being so compromised for me like this, that's why I'm......a bit not used to it......"

"Idiot!"

Looking at his fierce face, I took a deep breath and stood up as well: "Then let's go out together."

I entered my room to change my clothes and walked to the foyer to change my shoes.

Katsuki followed me like a cat with ears pricked up.

"Where are we going?" He held his phone, "Cinema? Amusement park? Where's closer nearby, we should book tickets first, I think......Freak me, I've never been in charge of anything like this at all!"

I turned my head to see that he seemed a little nervous and rushed, hesitantly I said: "......No need to book tickets, we're going to the supermarket."

"......"

"There are no ingredients left in the fridge. We can get whatever you want to eat while we're at it."

"......"

I ploughed through the menu and descended the stairs thoughtfully.

Katsuki followed me with a sour face.

"Ah, by the way, Katsuki, your house is nearby, right, have you been back?"

I asked as I looked back at him, and the instant I locked eyes with him, I went immediately silent.

......His expression was so scary.

Is this guy really that resistant to supermarket shopping?

Or does he really want to go to places like cinema, amusement park, or something like that.

It's not that I wouldn’t go with him, it's just that if we go to these places......the couple implication is a little too strong.

If there is no accident, we’d probably end up having a serious talk today, and then revert to the relationship of “sister and brother”.

......But with Katsuki’s strong self-esteem, I suspect we might directly end up with zero affection points and become strangers.

Ah, what a dilemma.

With that in mind, I paused my steps a little and stood side by side with Katsuki.

"What do you want to eat? I'll cook lunch for you today." I softened my voice to appease him.

He let out a grunt and turned his head away from me.

I went to tug on his sleeve: "Come on, be good, will you? I haven’t cooked for you in such a long time, don't you want to eat them?"

"......"

"Katsuki......"

"......"

"Katsuki——"

"......"

"Kat——suki——! Uah!"

He gripped my forehead and looked down at me menacingly: "Shut up already! If you’ve got something to say, just spit it out! Stop calling my name over and over!"

Freak!

I’m so angry I could just drop dead.

What's wrong with this dude?

It's good to live just one day as a human being, we'll talk about the future later. Right now, at this instant, watch me kick him to death!!

Before I could raise my foot to kick him, I saw two kids, about four or five years old, passing by and stopped in front of us on the sidewalk.

The little boy let out an ah, pointed at Katsuki, and nudged the little girl: "Look! It's that firework onii-chan from the sports festival!"

"The mean face onii-chan!"

"The bad guy face onii-chan!"

"The number one onii-chan!"

"Ah?!" Katsuki let go of me with a fierce twist of his head and glared at the two unlucky little kids.

The two little ones' chilly hairs exploded visible to the naked eye, and they soon contained tears in their eyes in aggravation.

"......"

The corner of Katsuki’s mouth twitched.

I rubbed my own forehead and hastily wrapped my arm around Katsuki’s arm, waving my hand at the two little ones: "Onii-chan is not mean at all, onii-chan was just joking with onee-chan (me)."

In an instant, Katsuki’s body stiffened.

I noticed his suddenly tightened body, couldn't help but look up at him, right into his line of sight.

......It was one of those death glares that made you feel like you’d glimpsed hell.

Startled, I hastily let go: "I'm sorry."

His expression froze for a split second, then he shifted his gaze, as if letting out a soft tsk.

The two little things in front of us stared inquisitively at Katsuki’s face.

"The mean face onii-chan is not mean anymore!"

"The number one onii-chan is blushing!"

"You——bad-mannered——brats——"

Katsuki’s face darkened completely, and chilling syllables popped out from between his teeth.

I was afraid that he'd make the kids cry, so I hurriedly pushed him forward by the waist: "Let's go, let's go, why are you getting angry with the kids? Hurry up, the supermarket the supermarket."

Katsuki was pushed forward by me, clicked his tongue, suddenly reached back and grabbed my wrist.

"Stop pushing me and walk properly!"

He tugged my wrist forward, lifting me out from behind him.

"You’re so annoying, dragging your feet like that!"

The hand holding my wrist hesitated and loosened slightly, maintaining contact with my skin, it slid down a little, precisely moving to my palm, locking my hand in his palm.

?

Wait, isn’t something off here?!

Chapter Text

I stared at Katsuki's hand with a deep look in my eyes.

His palm was loosely gripping, the webbing between the thumb and index finger revealing my held hand, which was a little smaller and a little lighter in tone than his.

Katsuki walked ahead, dragging me into the supermarket as he shouted: "What do you want to buy?!"

Are you a supermarket assistant or something, why are you yelling so loud?!

At least have the guts to turn around and give me a look!

If you dare to randomly hold a girl’s hand, at least don’t act guilty about it!

I raised my eyebrows at his pink-suffused ears and tried to pull my hand back.

......As expected from the champion of the famous U.A. Sports Festival, his strength was really strong.

Without turning his head, his hand tightened: ''Don't move!......Let’s go buy shrimp, shrimp."

I was dragged by him to the seafood section.

He picked up a bag of shrimps in a pretense, looking in all directions, just not looking at me, who was standing beside, glaring at him.

Being reasonable, I wanted to kick him.

"Katsuki, is your hand sweating?" I feel sticky sensations on my hand, "Is it going to blow up my hand?"

".................."

He finally relented and turned around to give me a super mean look and let go of my hand.

The weather is not even that hot.

But maybe he just got the physique of someone who sweats easily, after all, with such a Quirk.

I pulled out a tissue and handed it to him, taking over the shopping cart in front of him.

"Do you want to eat shrimp? How about getting more pork cutlets too?"

Katsuki wiped his palm hastily and reached out his hand back up to tug on my wrist.

There was no way I was going to let him!

I gripped the handrail of the shopping cart firmly with both hands, rather than give in.

He tugged me for a bit, but it didn't work, I guess he also had the measure not to use strong force, only tsked before withdrawing his hand and following behind me.

We wandered around the supermarket twice and headed back to the counter to check out.

It's nice to have a boy around.

Katsuki grabbed the plastic bag full of ingredients before me and gave a glance at me, who followed him.

"Give me your hand." He said gruffly.

With a jolt, I immediately put my hands behind my back: "No!"

The veins on his forehead bulged, "Why not, bastard!"

I pouted and screwed my head to the side, not looking at him, and grunted.

Without knowing why, Katsuki snickered out of amusement and actually let me off the hook, only to repeatedly urge me to walk faster and not dawdle.

My head throbbed.

What's wrong with this guy? Isn’t this supposed to be his first relationship?

Why does he act so experienced?!

Was he supposed to be the type to deliberately flirt with girls? ......Like voluntarily letting others lift his clothes or something.

But if that’s the case, why did he blush when we held hands? Your character is too contradictory, Bakugo-kun!!

"What's with that expression? Ah?" Katsuki narrowed his eyes slightly, squinted condescendingly down at me, and showed his teeth, "If you have an opinion, just say it idiot!"

"......"

......Bad guy face, truly deserving of the title.

Remembering how the two kids had just called Katsuki, I blinked and said to him: "Speaking of which, you came first in the Sports Festival."

"......" He expertly rested his elbow on top of my head, expressionless, "Don't make awkward conversation, change the subject."

After a brief pause, his eyes widened, he looked at me with a surprised expression: "Did you actually watch the Sports Festival?"

I nodded and hmmmed, feeling a little embarrassed: "Since I didn’t go to despise Katsuki’s invitation last time, I made it a point to watch the recording online......"

Under his intense gaze, I hesitated before continuing: "I don’t usually watch competitions like that, but it was very exciting somehow. And Katsuki also looked really handsome......"

Was it just me, or did his ears seem to perk up slightly. He glanced at me without moving, as if he was waiting for my next words.

......Wait, do I need to say anything else?

I looked back at him blankly.

Katsuki seemed to wait for a while, when he realized I wasn’t going to speak further, with raised eyebrows, he reached out to pinch my face: "Hey!"

"What!" I slapped his hand away, "Keep your hands to yourself!"

"What do you mean keep your hands to yourself? Ah?" He grunted, "Keep talking, what did you think of watching the Sports Festival?"

......Did he want me to compliment him?

Reluctantly, I pursed my lips and said in a low voice: "Just, you know, it's the first time I’ve know that Katsuki can fly around in the sky, it's so cool."

"Oh, that one, you haven't seen me use my Quirk much, right, it's normal to not know."

"Speaking of this——! By the way, I saw Izuku too! Did he get into U.A as well?! That's amazing! What kind of Quirk does he have? Are you two still fine now......uah!"

He skillfully held my head down with his elbow to stop my chattering.

"Shut up."

"......"

We both returned to the house, I took the plastic bag from Katsuki and ran into the kitchen intending to deal with the ingredients.

Katsuki slowly followed and stood beside me: "What do I do?"

"Why don't you sit and rest?" I raised my head asking for his opinion as I picked out the things from the plastic bag one by one, "You rarely get a break, have fun, work-life balance."

Katsuki reached out and picked up an onion, weighing it in his hand: "It's still early, let's do it together later."

I paused and looked up at Katsuki.

Good opportunity, if I want to talk to him about our situation, now would be the best time.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized it was a good opportunity, and I immediately nodded my head in agreement with Katsuki’s suggestion, walking out of the kitchen with him and taking a seat at the coffee table.

Katsuki smoothly grabbed a pillow and cradled it in his arms, pulling out his phone and poking at the screen.

I nervously gripped my cup and began to mentally organize my words.

How, how do I say this?

Firstly, ask him what kind of girls he likes? I think that Uraraka Ochaco-san who fought him in the first match is pretty good, resilient and strong, seems like she would be his type.

It’s okay if he doesn't like her, after all, surely he wouldn’t like someone like me.

Then I could just go with the flow and tell Katsuki that in order to make it easier for him to pursue the cute girl of his choice in the future, it's better to return to the single status this way......

I looked at his side profile, bit my lip, and looked for the right moment to speak.

Sensing my sight, Katsuki slightly inclined his head and raised his eyebrows at me before returning his attention to his phone.

I puffed out my cheeks and leaned closer: "Katsuki......"

"Ah?"

"What are you doing? I want to see too."

I rubbed up against him, pressed down on his arm, going to see exactly what game he was playing.

Katsuki didn’t hide, he showed me openly.

It seemed like he was chatting?

"What's this? The little group chat with your classmates you mentioned this morning?"

He hmmm'd in acknowledgement.

Suddenly I got excited, went over to see: "Who are they who are they? Are those kids from your Cavalry Battle team? ......Eh?"

Kaminari Denki: [|Picture|]

Kaminari Denki: [Look, my new battle suit, isn't it handsome as hell?]

He posted a selfie.

The teenager was exceptionally handsome and charming, with the sunglasses perched on his forehead, his fashion game hit its peak.

"Whoa——! Quite handsome! It's Kaminari Denki-kun, Katsuki are you good friends with him?"

I looked over at Katsuki with interest and found the corner of his mouth twitching with a speechless face: "Huh? What’s handsome about this idiot face?"

Kaminari Denki: [Hey! Don't ignore me, you guys! Quick, give a review!]

Kirishima Eijiro: [Not bad, Kaminari, you've got a fresh new look.]

Kaminari Denki: [Hehe!]

I leaned on Katsuki’s shoulder, pointed at his screen: "Look at that look at that, this is the normal likeable character, you have to know how to hype others up!"

"Ah? What a nag! Who cares about hyping him up!" He twisted his head around menacingly to yell at me.

I cover my ears while stretching out my hand to poke at his screen.

Bakugo Katsuki: [Bunny thumb up.jpg]

"Hey! Bastard what are you doing! I'll kill you!"

Katsuki, who had been sitting lazily, suddenly sat up straight, gritted his teeth, reached out and pushed my face aside, and hurriedly retracted the message.

Kirishima Eijiro: [Did Bakugo......had a hand slip?]

Kaminari Denki: [......Was so shocked that I forgot to take a screenshot.]

Sero Hanta: [Hehehe, I took a screenshot.]

I persevered, clung to his shoulder, watched his fingers fly across the screen.

Bakugo Katsuki: [......]

Bakugo Katsuki: [My house pet messed with my screen.]

Bakugo Katsuki: [Bastard, delete the screenshot! Watch out I'll kill you!]

I protested in a lower voice, “I'm not a pet.”

Katsuki grunted, twisted his head to give me a look, and whispered slightly threateningly: "Mess around again and watch out I'll kick your arse."

"???" I turned my head to look at him in shock, slightly disbelieving that such words actually came out of Katsuki’s mouth.

Kirishima Eijiro: [Ah? Bakugo do you have a pet at home? What is it? A turtle?]

Kaminari Denki: [......This old man-like pet unexpectedly matches Bakugo. Wait, turtles don't press the screen, do they?]

Sero Hanta: [It's gotta be a cat, cat. Got any photos?]

"Heh."

Katsuki suddenly turned his head to look at me with a chilling grin.

"That's true, it's time to take a photo of you."

"Ah?" Watching Katsuki press forward with an evil grin on his face, I immediately jumped up and turned to run, "Help——! Uah!"

But of course, he was the U.A. Sports Festival champion for a reason.

The moment I jumped up, I was pinned down on the sofa by him fast and precisely. One hand holding down my shoulder, the other holding the phone to me, his knees pressed against my kicking thighs.

Freak, what kind of hentai anime plot is this?!

I struggled with force: "Let go of me!! You jerk!!!"

"Heh——" He showed his teeth in a grin and let go of me, looking at his phone screen with considerable satisfaction.

I was getting so mad at him: "Delete it!"

Katsuki even turned intentionally the picture around to show me. I felt unusually ashamed just looking at the girl on the screen who was being held down on the sofa with a red face.

"Delete it!" I placed my hands on my hips and demanded sternly, "If you don't want me to hate you."

"......"

Katsuki gave me a side glance, slumped his shoulders, his lips curled downward, and he mumbled an almost inaudible “oh”.

Lowering his head, his fingers lightly poking at the screen.

"......It's not like I'm going to show it to anyone. What's the point of being so mean, bastard."

He dropped the eyelids and looked at the floor, there was a hint of aggrieved in his voice.

It was as if I could see his cat ears drooping.

I extended my hand: "Did you delete it?"

He instantly got enraged: "You don't trust me?!"

"......"

This guy always flies into a rage at the slightest thing.

I watched as he gave me a menacing glare and ignored me, turning around and lying straight down on the sofa, covering his face with the pillow.

He didn’t say another word ever again.

Chapter Text

The clock pointed to half past eleven.

This Katsuki guy had been ignoring me for half an hour.

He lay straight on the sofa, one side of his leg stretched out and hung over the back of the sofa, hugging a pillow in his arms, and playing expressionlessly at his phone.

......He wouldn’t leave, and he wouldn’t talk to me either.

Teenage boys’ minds are impossible to figure out.

I put the TV remote control on the table, turned my head and said to Katsuki: "Katsuki, if you want to watch programs, switch the channel yourself. Don't play with your phone all the time, it's not good for your eyes."

......Damn brat doesn't even raise an eyebrow, he has an expression that says he didn't hear anything.

How infuriating!

I want to kick him out!

Glassy heart dumb Katsuki!

I stood up holding my breath and silently went into the kitchen to wash my hands and pan the rice to cook it.

Katsuki likes to eat spicy food, which is completely different from my taste. I'm not averse to strong flavors, but I can't really handle spicy food.

What should I make?

Something spicy......how about making spicy tofu soup?

I rummaged through the fridge and pulled out the onions I'd just bought at lunch. Fried onion rings might be a good idea, too.

Ah that’s right, also fried pork chops, gotta make some meat.

Katsuki might like it if I pour spicy sauce over half of it.

I don't think it's a good idea to just eat spicy food, are there any dishes that will clear up the heat?

I cut up the tofu and set a pot on the stove to start simmering the soup.

I looked up, just in time to meet eyes with Katsuki, who was sticking his head out from behind the sofa and looking this way.

As soon as his eyes met mine, he immediately pretended to play dead and continued lying down.

"......"

I cut the tofu into two pieces with a single slice.

Damn child.

Shortly after, I threw all the various ingredients for the spicy tofu into the pot to cook it and put in the tofu, which is the main ingredient as well. When I was looking all over the kitchen for spicy powder, Katsuki shuffled into the kitchen, dragging his feet.

"Hey." He called impatiently as he came up behind me, "What do I need to make?"

I glanced at him with raised eyebrows: "No need to do anything, just sit and wait."

"Ah?" He suddenly exploded, reaching across in front of me and pestling the kitchen table, "What kind of attitude is that?!"

I looked puzzled: "There’s really nothing for you to do, Katsuki......Well, how about you chop an onion?"

He shot me a murderous glare, huffing and puffing through his nose as he walked over to the chopping board and gripped the cleaver, taking the onion in one hand.

"Freak, fine, I’ll chop it! I’ll chop it to death!"

......

His anger triggers are so bizarre.

"Don't chop it too small, I use them for frying onion rings."

Just as I finished speaking, I noticed him flinch slightly and let out a faint hiss.

"What's wrong?" I stopped my hands and stared at him with wide eyes.

His expression was very calm: "Nothing."

I watched his stalled movements suspiciously, wiped my hands and walked over to him.

I reached my hand out to him, "Show me your hand."

"......" He put down the knife in despair, handed me his hand that had been accidentally sliced by the kitchen knife, and still spoke stubbornly, "If you hadn’t called me just now, who would get cut just chopping a vegetable?!"

I held his hand, a small cut was made on his left index finger, blood gurgled out, it didn't look serious but it should still hurt.

"......You're so dumb." I dragged him over to the sink and unscrewed the tap, shoving his finger under the stream of water to rinse it off.

"I told you! You were the one who suddenly made a noise to startle me! I haven't cut my hand since primary school!"

"Then it looks like you've set a new record." I rolled my eyes, "The guy who still got his hand cut in high school."

"...…Ah?!"

I let go of him, went to rummage through the band-aids and came back to find that he'd already turned off the tap and was scrunching up his face staring at the beads of blood on his fingers.

"Are you okay?"

I ripped the band-aid off and squeezed his left index finger.

Wouldn't it be better to wipe off the beads of blood that were coming out?

The thought barely registered before instinct kicked in, I had automatically reflexively opened my mouth to take his finger.

Although it wasn't the first time, compared to when he was a child, his finger had grown a lot, and it was also much rougher.

......I realized belatedly, this might be a little inappropriate.

Katsuki's expression went blank, he stared wide-eyed, seemingly also a bit shocked that I would actually make such an out-of-character action.

I hastily let go and pretended to be calm as I wrapped the band-aid around his finger.

Stay calm, don't panic.

I've done this many times when we were kids.

Didn't he always end up covered in wounds?

Once upon a time there was a superstition that saliva had some healing abilities, I was foolish enough to believe it back then.

That's right, it's just a habit, it's not like it was intentional.

I mustn’t panic or feel guilty!

"You......"

Katsuki pursed his lips and suddenly took action, his free right hand pressed down on my shoulder and pushed me against the wall.

The feeling of my back colliding with the wall sent chills down my spine, I stared wide-eyed at Katsuki and grabbed his arm: "Kat, Katsuki?"

Katsuki tilted his head closer, I could even feel his slightly rapid, irritated breath spraying on the side of my face.

"Ah?" He responded impatiently.

I folded my arms and padded them against my chest, forcibly blocking his attempts to lean in.

I tilted my face to the side and reminded him: "Hey! Katsuki! Calm down, don't do anything weird!"

"......What kind of weird thing is this? It's not weird at all even if I did a certain thing to you." His voice was deep, "And I'm perfectly calm right now."

His voice just sounded on the side of my face, I could even feel the touch of his inadvertent brush against my cheek, his hot breath was right next to my ear, giving goosebumps for no reason.

"You're not calm at all right now!" I fought against him in vain, "I'm the girl you have the most contact with besides your relatives, so it's understandable that you want to do something out of the ordinary to me once in a while out of curiosity, but we're like siblings......Katsuki you're not someone who would lose to such impulses, are you?"

"......"

Perceiving his paused movement, I tried to continue persuading him, "If you really do something to me, then we can never go back to the past, you know? Besides, this kind of thing, indeed it's really better to try it after meeting a girl you like, right? Katsuki, you'll regret it."

".................."

After a long silence, he finally stepped back, slowly releasing me.

I let out a sigh of relief, put on a smile, carefully telling Katsuki: "Good. Now that you’ve calmed down, go out and rest while I check on the tofu soup......"

I gulped and was about to go around him to check on my pot when he yanked my arm and pushed me against the wall again.

His red eyes glowed glinted with a dark, dangerous light: "It seems like there's no end to your nagging. You, do you really think I'm joking with you?"

"......"

"What sibling? I never thought of you as an older sister! Assuming by yourself my relationship with you in a framework that I haven't acknowledged, you think I will be satisfied if it goes on like this?" He suddenly widened his eyes, blood vessels bursting into view, "What meeting a girl I like? Why do you think I agreed to go out with you because of it?! If it was someone I hated, I wouldn't even be glad to have a proper conversation with her! Acting all high and mighty like an elder, lecturing me, it’s so repulsive! The only reason I date you is because I want to do what I want, whatever I want!"

He pinched my chin and leaned in without hesitation.

I gasped in shock, my eyes widening in vain.

My lips and teeth were sealed, I could even feel the tingling sensation of the tips of Katsuki's teeth rubbing across my lips.

Our breaths were forced to intertwine.

I watching at Katsuki’s profile, his eyes were closed, and his eyelashes were slightly fluttering.

"......Uhm."

I tried to struggle for a moment and was immediately violently suppressed.

Katsuki had me deadlocked against the wall, his hand held on the side of my face, I could even feel him biting on my bottom lip.

It's so, so weird isn't it?!!!

Katsuki kept the force of his hoop around me and pushed himself up to separate himself from me, narrowing his eyes at me.

"I only date the woman I like."

He lowered his head again and kissed the corner of my lips.

"And will only kiss the woman I like."

"Same goes for sending messages, holding hands, and everything else."

"Since you've offered to go out, then treat me seriously and genuinely as a boyfriend, you bastard!" He whispered, with a tone of resentment that could have spilled over, "At least don't treat me like a child and show me the appropriate respect!"

He finally released me.

I watched in a daze as he walked to the living room and sat down near the coffee table, resting his hands on his knees and deeply burying his head.

? He’s suddenly embarrassed now?

Wait, the one who got forcibly kissed was me, why does this guy look disheveled.

......I did think that, but those words he just said still replayed in my mind, each one hitting me harder than the last.

It turns out that Katsuki, he, has thought about this so much more deeply than I have and is also much more perceptive.

So my slightly perfunctory attitude, actually hurt him, right?

I shouldn't have been so hasty in proposing a relationship in a joking manner in the first place, and even if it caused a misunderstanding, I should have resolved it earlier.

It's all my fault......

The boiling tofu soup in the pot had puffed out.

I snapped back to my senses and rushed over to turn off the heat, taking a rag to wipe off the spilled soup.

In this gap, Katsuki already stood up.

"I'm heading back."

His movements were a little unsteady as he made his way to the door, turned his head to tell me.

I ran after him in the time it took him to open the door and walk out, gripping the doorknob and looking at Katsuki who was out the door.

"Katsuki......"

Obviously, I wanted to open my mouth to retain him, but the stinging sensation is still remaining on my lips, I don't need to look in the mirror to know that it surely is red and swollen.

......At this moment, would it be better to take some time apart and cool down?

My grip on the doorknob tightened and I pursed my lips without saying anything.

"I'll give you a few days to cool down."

He didn't turn back, his tone was bad.

"Anyway, I won’t regret it! Not about the dating thing! Or about today’s thing!"

"I'll give you one more chance to properly consider our relationship." He turned his head sideways, his red eyes bursting with lurid light, "Properly consider if you want to date or break up, I want to be treated wholeheartedly, not an annoying so-called older sister!"

He took a deep breath and kicked the corridor railing a little irritably.

"I'll wait for your contact."

Throwing these words in despair with a gruff voice, he staggered off with his hands in his pockets.

I leaned against the railing, watching his gloomy back with slumped shoulders, suddenly I have the illusion that I’m an asshole.

Reaching up, I touched my lips, the feeling of that guy had just run over them roughly still lingering.

......So, properly reconsider our relationship, huh?

Chapter Text

"Dating is so hard!"

At noon, Yuki, Hana, and I gathered together under the shade of a tree in the garden to eat lunch.

While hearing a mournful wail from Hana, I had just taken out the bread and ripped open the packaging.

Hana and her childhood friend, Kichiro Chinen-san, finally successfully started dating.

While this was something to celebrate, there is always one trouble after another.

"Dating is so hard——!"

Hana's chopsticks jabbed into the bento box with a soft thud, she repeated it again with a sad expression.

Yuki tilted her head to watch my action of unwrapping the bread, before turning her head to look at Hana: "What's wrong Hana-chan? Didn't you successfully start dating Kichiro-kun?"

"......Well we’re dating, but there’s been no further progress at all!"

Yuki opens her bento box and turns her head to ask me: "Why didn't Shingetsu-chan bring a bento today? Want some of mine?"

Hana: "Hey! Are you ignoring me?!"

I looked at the two of them, who suddenly started fighting, sighed as I looked at the bread in my hand.

......Who could remain calm enough to make a lunchbox for the next day after experiencing something so shocking?

The truth is I didn't even eat yesterday's dinner, and I didn't sleep well either.

The moment I closed my eyes, all I could see was Katsuki's eyes overflowing with dissatisfaction and anger.

To make matters worse, Katsuki’s good night message, which was as punctual as an alarm clock, didn't come either.

The situation has developed into such an awkward point that I don't even know how to face him.

"Ah——"

I froze, and a small sausage was stuffed into my mouth.

Yuki looked at me smiling: "I made it myself, how does it taste?"

I chewed vainly and swallowed: "Hmm, it's edible."

"So excessive!!!" Yuki pouted, muttering in displeasure, "I was so confident about it."

Hana was about to get pissed off: "Obviously, I’m complaining seriously, so you two, pay a little attention to me!"

Yuki pinched her chin and blew out a note with her mouth: "From what I can see, it's like Hana-chan is just bragging in front of us two single ladies."

"How can that be! Yuki and Shingetsu both have experience with boys dating, right! This is my first time!"

Yuki held her face: "Even though I get along well with boys, I don't have any experience in deep relationships, I'm still a virgin, you know."

Hana's expression suddenly got speechless: "......That I really wouldn’t have guessed. Wait, who asked that!?......Then what about kissing, what about kissing experience?!"

"No kissing either."

"Eh? Really?"

Yuki narrowed her eyes and complained: "What kind of woman did you imagine I was? Dating and kissing have to be with someone you like, I'm still very careful in picking my boyfriends."

Hana responded with a naive grunt and twisted her head to look at me.

With a jolt, I looked back at her innocently.

"Has Shingetsu ever had a kissing experience?"

"......"

I averted my eyes guiltily.

"Looks like there is." Yuki laughed.

"Ah!!! Teach me, quick!" Hana shook me by the shoulders as she took hold of me, almost tipping the bento box over on top of me.

Even Yuki leaned over with a playful look on her face, "With Noma-kun? Any thoughts?"

Ah?

It was only after Yuki reminded me that I suddenly remembered that I have an ex-boyfriend named Noma-kun.

It's been all about Katsuki in my head since yesterday.

The feeling of kissing huh......

"Shingetsu-chan?"

"Shingetsu, why are you suddenly lost in thought?"

"Ha! Don’t tell me you’re reminiscing? Shingetsu-chan you perv!"

I snapped back to my senses and explained uncomfortably: "It's not Noma-kun. The two of us didn't even hold hands more than twice before breaking up."

"Eh? But didn't Shingetsu say that dating Noma-kun was the first time you were in a relationship?"

"......Yeah." I rubbed my temples, feeling a headache, "Things are rather complicated......"

The two of them were shoulder to shoulder, their eyes sparkling as they looked at me.

The words "I'd love to gossip" were almost written on their faces.

Hana would often share her relationship stories with Yuki and me. Even Yuki had told us about the status of the boy she has a crush on before, so I should be more forthcoming too.

At this age, it’s normal for girls to gather and discuss trends, makeup, boyfriends and stuff.

Discussing it with the two of them might break my current dilemma of being torn in place and stopping at nothing.

I took a bite of bread and hesitantly said: "Actually, after I broke up with Noma-kun......Erm, I somehow ended up dating my neighbor “little brother” who I grew up with......"

Yuki and Hana's eyes widened, a fleshly gossipy gleam flashed in their eyes.

"And then?"

"Go on!!"

I sweated a bit and paused before continuing: "I've always treated him like my younger brother, but it seems like he genuinely wants to date me, so I don't know, if it's better if I should just tell him clearly to break up with me......"

They exchanged a glance, Hana looked confused: "But doesn't dating mean that you like the other person?"

"Ah, it's true that I don't hate him......"

Yuki raised her finger: "But it's still a bit unaccustomed treating him as a boyfriend, right?"

I nodded and let out a long sigh.

Hana frowned: "If you like him, then go out, if you don't like him, then break up, isn't it very simple? Why do you have to dwell on it so much?"

......

That’s why a single-celled creature is really a happy creature.

Yuki reached out and patted Hana's head, saying, "Shingetsu-chan and Hana-chan have different personalities, so you have different ways of treating your relationships."

I hmmmed: "I'm not like you Hana, who believes you have to like someone to date them. For me, as long as I don't hate them, I can try......"

Hana's eyes widened in shock: "Bold!"

"Of course it's just deepening communication in the normal sense, what were you thinking?

Yuki chuckled: "So, the kiss you just mentioned, was also with this ‘little brother-kun’?"

"......" My face burned, it took me a long time before I managed to let out a mumble.

Strictly speaking, it wasn’t really a kiss.

I was just forcibly kissed by that brat!

......What's even weirder, is that despite me being the one who got forcibly kissed, I didn't have the slightest bit of anger and rage. Instead, because of his outburst of questioning at the time, there was always a lingering sense of guilt that drifted around in my heart.

Is it because we’re childhood friends?

"Would it be fine if Shingetsu-chan kisses Noma-kun?"

"!" I cover my mouth and shake my head vehemently, "No way! I hate him!"

"......Eh, you're really cold, it hasn't been so long since you broke up." Yuki pouted, "Then, if you're dating someone you don't hate, is kissing okay too?"

I looked at Yuki blankly.

Someone I don't hate......Dating......?

I can't actually imagine it for a moment......

"For example Seki-kun?" Hana blinked, "Aren't you two pretty close?"

Seki's calm eyes came to mind.

My chills ran up my spine, I immediately shook my head frantically.

"No, no, Seki-kun looks like he could just go to a temple and become a monk, I can’t defile him!"

"Then think of someone else, do you have another childhood friend?"

"Why am I being forced to imagine kissing people?!"

I watched Yuki raising up her finger and spitting out her tongue.

She smirked: "At least Shingetsu-chan you are not opposed to ‘little brother-kun’, if that’s the case, maybe trying to date him isn’t such a bad idea. Spending time with younger boys is quite fun, you know."

"Don't suddenly start making hentai declarations."

"By the way, Shingetsu-chan, what does little brother-kun look like? Is he tall? What about family status?!"

......Is this girl running a background check?

Although I felt speechless, I answered honestly: "He looks pretty good, uhm, in literary terms it's something like 'handsome appearance with high aggression'......He's not particularly tall, but he's about half a head taller than me. His family's conditions are very good, and his own talent and hard work are both excellent, so he shouldn't be the type to have to worry about making a living in the future......"

Hana asked in confusion: "Then what are you still hesitating for?"

"Eh?"

"He's that good, why don't you try with him?"

"......That, that's not how it works!"

In the end, the girls' talk session still didn't point me in a clear direction, instead gave Yuki and Hana more gossip fodder, leaving me feeling like I’d lost more than I gained.

Also......

I glanced down at my phone, which hadn’t shown a single notification.

It was understandable for him to ignore me last night while he was angry, but he hadn’t messaged me at all today either.

Is he really going to give me a few days to “cool down” as he said?

It's kind of lonely to suddenly not have anyone sending me messages anymore.

I sighed and walked up the stairs of the rented house.

"......Akira?"

Akira, full name Miyagi Akira, my younger cousin by blood, is just the same boy who’s currently leaning against the door of my rented house not knowing what he is doing.

With a jolt, he bounced off the door and stood taut.

"Scared the shit out of me! Can you not suddenly make a sound like that?!……Erm, sorry, sis……”

"......"

To be honest, I'm a little not used to him suddenly acting this obedient.

I stared at him, standing still in place.

Akira awkwardly shuffled closer, curtly helping me with my school bag: "Ahya, Shingetsu-nee (sis), I’ve come to just mooch a meal. You promised me!"

"......Is not Katsuki who asked you to come?" I eyed him up suspiciously.

Akira's gaze instantly perked up when he heard my question: "Shingetsu-nee you really are dating Kat-chan!!"

"......"

"Of course Kat-chan didn't ask me to come, why would he do that. I came on my own quietly, I’m just inquiring about you two's relationship!"

The corner of my mouth twitched, ignoring the chattering Akira, I pulled out my key and unscrewed the door.

"Stop nagging, come in and sit down."

"Thanks, Shingetsu-nee!"

......

After knowing you for so many years, this is the first time I’ve realized you can actually be this polite!

Chapter Text

Akira followed me into the room.

I was asking him how Aunt and Uncle were doing, when I sensed his perfunctory attitude, I turned my head to see this guy looking around furtively.

"What are you doing? Looking for fairies?" I glared at him, posing as if I wanted to slap him on the back of the head.

Akira took several steps back, laughing sheepishly and puffing out his chest as he explained: "I'm just checking for Kat-chan to see if you didn’t bring another man home!"

"......"

I want to grab a broom and sweep him out.

The guy plopped down carelessly by the coffee table, tilting his head back to look at me: "You promised me a meal, I want the super extravagant type."

I calmly put down my bag, dug out the remote for the TV and handed it to him, then walked into the kitchen to check the menu.

Spicy tofu soup, slightly overcooked but after all, it's from me so it should still be delicious.

Half chopped onion......Ah, thinking of Katsuki again.

Akira in the living room has already turned on the TV, switched to the channel of some harem anime, and shouted into the kitchen: "I want to eat fried fish——!"

"……There’s no fish."

"How can this be, I'm here once in a while, I'm going to cry if I don't get fried fish."

I let out a sneer, glaring at the overly dramatic Akira. With a swing of the kitchen knife, I chopped the tenderloin in half, the cutting board echoing with a loud thud.

“Why not eat yourself to death?”

"......" Akira froze for a moment before turning away, showing me the back of his head, "Fine, forget it. Meat’s fine."

Heh, this brat has been particularly pushy since he was a kid.

Not to mention his opportunistic, always following around the king of kids, Katsuki, like a scheming minister beside a tyrant.

After sitting around for a while, Akira climbed up and felt his way into the kitchen, rummaged through the fridge to get a can of orange juice out, and in the process stood in front of the stove to watch me fry onion rings.

He reached down and pinched a fried onion ring, hissing and blowing on it as he threw it in his mouth and crunched on it: "I should have known you two had something fishy going on!"

I glanced up at him inexplicably, "What the kind of bullshit are you spouting?"

"......Tsk, only Kat-chan would like someone as rude as you."

I perked up my ears and asked without moving: "What did you say? Does Katsuki like me?"

"Why would he go out with you if he doesn't like you? Are you trying to say that he was coerced by his parents and forced to date you, who is suitable for marriage? Don't be silly, how can Kat-chan do something he doesn't want to do with that temper."

"......"

I paused, a little out of breath.

So Katsuki’s temper was that easy to understand?......It was just me who was stupid enough not to know.

I slapped away Akira's hand, which was once again reaching towards the onion rings, gave a glare at him.

Akira absentmindedly withdrew his hand and licked his fingertips: "Besides, hasn't Kat-chan been treating you especially well since we were kids? By the way, when did you two hook up?!"

I automatically skipped over his latter question and asked in return, "He treated me especially well when we were kids?"

"......Do you have the memory of a goldfish? Didn't he get you a birthday present every year?!"

I recalled that, that’s true, even when I moved away from my uncle's house to live alone later on, he would still leave my birthday present at Akira's place and wait for me to go back to pick it up.

Akira didn't pay attention to my expression and continued to say to himself, "He even gave you a rhinoceros beetle back then, which almost made you scared to tears."

...…

I remembered it now.

At that time I had lived in Akira's house for about a year or so, and I had met basically all of Akira's little buddies.

Akira grew up with a show-off personality, and ever since he learnt that having me in the house was a fact that couldn't be changed, he had been very resentful of me. After he learnt that I was a good cook, he even led his friends to the house so that I could make them desserts.

So I got to know his friends very well.

Katsuki was also one of his friends.

I received a rhinoceros beetle from Katsuki on that year’s birthday.

"Speaking of which, how did he know about my birthday." I mumbled to myself.

Akira glanced at me strangely and replied: "From me, of course."

From Akira I learnt the full version of that year's birthday:

That year's birthday, aunt and uncle had specially ordered a cake for me to celebrate, and when the petty Akira found out about it, he was very unhappy and complained to his little buddies.

"Is that extra woman in the family’s birthday today! Mum and Dad even ordered a cake for her! And said they're going to celebrate for her!"

Akira said very angrily to his buddies.

Katsuki was full of ideas at that time and said smiling: "Since it's her birthday, then let's give her a present."

"Ah? Kat-chan are you crazy? Why would we give that person a present?!" Akira's eyes widened and his tone was very unbelievable.

Katsuki then pulled out the giant japanese rhinoceros beetle they had worked so hard to catch all afternoon, grinning innocently: "How about we give her this?"

This move was heavily praised by the little buddies.

"Hahaha she’ll totally freak out for sure!"

"Girls will definitely cry when they see this."

"Perfect for scaring her!"

Akira, however, scrunched up the face: "But my parents are going to beat me up if I scare her to tears by giving her this."

Katsuki shrugged indifferently: "Then I'll go give it to her."

He paused and smiled: "I kind of know her anyway."

......

"You guys are really annoying!"

I turned off the fire and gave Akira a cross look.

Akira scratched his head sheepishly: "How long ago was this, you actually still hold a grudge?......Besides, didn’t you accept it back then?"

Don't remind me.

At that time, Katsuki was innocently holding the beetle, with his hand raised high in the air, saying "Happy Birthday" in a milky voice.

My eyes were almost mosquito-scented, my heart was racing, I was sweating, and my chill hairs were standing on end.

But even though I said "thank you", searched a cardboard box, and whispered to Katsuki with tears in my eyes: "Can we put it in a box?"

"......"

At that moment, Katsuki put away his smile and tucked the beetle into the box, looking at me with his eyes raised.

I closed the box shut and forced a smile at Katsuki: "I'll put it in my room. I really like it, thank you Katsuki."

He stood on his tiptoes and hugged my box, his face was drooping, expressionless, as he said: "Forget it, I don't want to give it to you anymore."

"Eh?"

He snatched the box, turned and ran out.

Then later in the evening, my aunt and uncle celebrated my birthday.

I carried a piece of cake to Bakugo's house to deliver it.

Katsuki poked his head out from behind Mitsuki-san, and as I was about to turn around and leave, he suddenly ran over and handed me an origami frog.

The paper frog had even been carefully painted with green patterns.

Reluctantly, he said: "This is your new gift, happy birthday."

After I thanked him, he grumbled: "If you hate bugs, just say so. I actually kinda liked that beetle, I didn’t really want to give it away."

I smiled at him and said: "I like everything Katsuki gives me."

"......Tch."

......

Akira reached out and waved his hand in front of my face: "What are you zoning out for?"

I snapped back to my senses and glared at him, handing him the onion rings to take out.

"Get out of the way in the kitchen, the place is already small!"

He muttered an “oh,” grabbed the plate, and walked off, munching as he went.

"Wait to eat until dinner is served!"

"......You nag too much."

I utilized the ingredients I bought on Sunday and made a few random dishes to serve out to Akira.

He looked at the spicy tofu soup, onion rings, cold cucumber and pan-fried pork chop on the table with a critical eye and tsked: "Still no fried fish!"

"Be grateful, do you expect me to go out and buy fish just for you?" I glared at him and sat down beside him, "What could I do if you don’t tell me in advance."

"Then next time I'll tell you in advance, remember to make fried fish."

He held up his bowl and started shoveling rice into his mouth.

I absentmindedly ate with him, my thoughts flying off somewhere.

When I think about the birthday gifts Katsuki had given me, the memories can't be stopped.

From the origami frogs at the beginning, he also gave me handmade bookmarks of dried flowers and so on.

He also gifted me one of those notebooks that the school gave out for rewarding his excellence......

This guy grew up to be one of the top of his age, got prizes every year.

One time, just before the holidays, I happened to see them the small group of friends flipping through Katsuki’s final year prizes. I casually complimented the notebook with the cherry blossom design is beautiful, and then three or four months later, on my birthday, I received that notebook.

Katsuki even tore off the first page of the notebook, which had encouraging words written on it, such as "Reward for Bakugo Katsuki".

Later, when he grew up, he had pocket money and opportunities for part-time jobs to earn money, so he began buying more elaborate things.

Last year, I remember that the gift he left at uncle's house for me to pick up was a hairpin.

However, because he’s always so thoughtful, even annoying sidekicks like Akira also receive his gifts every year.

"By the way, what did Katsuki gift you for your birthday last year?"

I got a little curious and couldn't help but ask Akira.

Staring at the TV screen, Akira said perfunctorily: "When did that guy ever give me a present?"

I frowned and reminded him: "Didn't he give you some card of anime beautiful girl or something, the one you wanted for a long time but just didn't get?"

"Wow, that was ages ago, he gifted them to me on a whim for a few years and then stopped after middle school."

My eyes widened: "When you were in middle school......that's the year I moved out for high school, right? But I still got gifts."

"That’s why I say you two had something fishy going on." Akira rolled his eyes not in a good mood, "Only girls care about gifts and things, guys don’t care about this."

......

Alright.

School just started now, which means it'll be my birthday in another month and so on.

Will Katsuki still give me a present now that he's ignoring me?

......Would we stay in this cold war for over a month?

I quietly fumbled with my phone and sure enough, there were still no messages.

"That’s right." Akira did not look back, focusing on the TV, "I think he's taking the Provisional Licence Exam for Professional Heroes tomorrow, right, you should know about it."

"......Ah, yeah."

Right, I almost forgot, he has an important exam.

Although I haven't thought about the relationship between the two of us yet, shouldn't I at least send him a text message to encourage him.

It is an important exam after all......

I gripped my phone tightly and nodded as if I had made up my mind.

Chapter Text

Shudo Shingetsu: [Katsuki, I heard you have an important exam tomorrow. Good luck! ^^]

Ah, I send it.

Instant regret, we're both clearly in the middle of a cold war.

Will he suddenly get angry and call to scold me?

Uugh, will he ask some particularly tricky questions, like "In what capacity are you showing concern for me" or something like that?

I shoved my phone back into my pocket and decided to play dead for a while.

I kicked Akira out of the house so he could go home early, spent a little time cleaning up the leftovers, washing the dishes and sweeping the floor.

By the time everything was tidied up it was after eight in the evening.

I sat down at my computer desk and glanced at my phone in between switching it on.

"......Read but not reply?"

Seeing the little grey word “read” at the end of the message, I fell into a state of utter dismay.

Ahh, he’s definitely super pissed off.

He probably won't talk to me until I have the intention to have a deep conversation about our relationship.

......And with that restless temper of his, I really don't know how many days he'll be able to endure without blocking me.

My eyes stared unfocused at the computer screen, several possibilities were already floating in my mind.

It would be nice to become normal friends or siblings again with Katsuki, but with his damn all-or-nothing personality, I think the chances of that are almost zero.

Either we cut ties and never contact each other again, that’s the easiest option, all it takes is playing dead and waiting for him to block me.

The other option is to seriously try dating Katsuki……

But I'm 3 years older than him!!

Apart from age, our friendship circles don't overlap at all, our hobbies are completely different, and our personalities are also polar opposites......

Even if we did date, I can’t imagine it lasting long.

Plus, Katsuki has a fiery temper and a sharp tongue, while I’m slow-paced, indecisive, and overly sensitive.

......It would be a miracle if we really got together.

Ahem, although Katsuki is undeniable competent at housework, he’s organized, meticulous at everything he does, and the ability is also ridiculously excellent, even though he’s often stubborn with his words but his care for others is surprisingly thoughtful and detailed.

Not to mention, he’s good-looking, with a great physique……

No, no, where did I go again.

I definitely, definitely can't be blinded by youthful flesh!!

Thinking like this, I pull out my phone.

......Still no reply.

"......"

"Aaah Katsuki you big idiot!!"

The computer made a soft ding-dong noise, startling me who was freaking out.

I wiggled my mouse and realized it was a new email alert.

I steadied myself and clicked on the email.

It was a reply to a job application I had sent a few days ago after seeing a "Help Wanted" sign nearby. I had applied on a whim, and they responded much quicker than I expected.

The manager of the restaurant kindly expressed his appreciation for the dishes I attached to the email, and wanted me to come to the restaurant for an interview.

But this would only be a part-time gig.

I have cooking club activities after university, and I'd like to spend more time with my classmates when I'm a student.

I wonder if the manager would be okay with me only working weekends.

Ah, if Katsuki ends up regularly visiting me on Sundays, that’d leave me with just Saturdays for the job.

…...Wait, nothing’s been decided with Katsuki yet.

An, anyway, let's take some time to go to the restaurant and meet with the manager first.

I flung myself onto the bed and fished out my phone to glance at it.

......Sure enough, there's still no reply.

Bastard.

×

The bell rang for the end of class, I patiently finished filling in the last row of notes, capped my pen and stood up to pack my things with the intention of leaving.

Kyouji stood by and waited for me.

I finished packing up and was about to greet him when I noticed that he was staring fixedly somewhere.

Following his gaze, I found out it was Noma-kun, who was sitting a few rows ahead.

Noma-kun met my eyes and smiled at me, seeming like he was about to approach me.

Kyouji quick on the uptake, grabbed my arm: "Let's go."

"Hmm." I nodded politely and turned to walk out of the classroom with Kyouji.

"What are you staring at him for?" I asked Kyouji in a low voice, who couldn’t understand by the way he had just stared at Noma-kun.

Kyouji tilted his head and ahhed: "I saw him staring at you the whole time, like he wanted to approach and talk to you. By the way, is he still pestering you?"

"It's okay, he just sat near me a few times in class and re-added me on chat, occasionally sending me a message or something, since the topics are pretty casual, I don’t feel too uncomfortable." I replied, "Depends on the mood to reply."

Kyouji nodded: "As long as you know what you’re doing it’s fine. But my personal opinion is, if you’re not planning on pursuing a serious relationship with him, it's better to reject it early."

"......I've already refused, what kind of person Kyouji thought I was."

"Ahh, sorry sorry."

Kyouji smiled apologetically and changed the subject.

"By the way, any plans for this weekend? Do you wanna go back to Karasu together and check it out?"

"Eh?"

Karasu High School, the high school we both attended.

I spent three peaceful and uneventful years of my high school career at that high school, and my feelings towards it were close but also uneventful.

But for Kyouji, who spent three years in the volleyball club at Karasu, must have a unique sense of attachment.

Dripping sweats, passionate youth......and all stuff......

Kyouji pursed his lips, a soft smile rippling across his calm face: "The kohais in the volleyball club called me a while ago to invite me to watch their independent training over the weekend, they said they’ve got some passionate new members. It’s great to hear."

I looked at the corner of his mouth curling up into a smile, couldn’t help but smile along with him: "Kyouji must be really looking forward to it......But what's the point of dragging me along, you’ll probably dive straight into the volleyball club as soon as you get to Karasu, you're letting me wander the campus alone?"

"Ugh?" Kyouji's expression froze for a split second, and he said, slightly sheepishly, "You could come with me to watch volleyball too."

I condemned him with my eyes.

He cleared his throat a few times and explained: “It just so happens that we have similar classes these three days, and I noticed you seemed a bit distracted and unhappy. I figured getting out and about might help.”

So Kyouji noticed my slightly low mood over the past few days, huh?

Well, after all, he's an extremely observant and attentive boy.

I sighed helplessly.

Kyouji gauged my expression and asked with concern: "Is something wrong? Can I help you with anything?"

I slapped my face to cheer myself up: "Nothing, just some small stuff."

Kyouji then literally stopped asking, and without moving, he started another conversation about the huge cherry blossom tree near the Karasu High School sports field.

I listened to him for a long while with my eyes bent, laughed saying: "I kind of miss it now you have talked about it."

"Then," Kyouji winked, "this Sunday?"

"Sunday huh......" I froze and exhaled, "Let me get back to you later, okay?"

When I got home from university in the evening, I finished cleaning up the house as usual and turned on the computer to do my homework.

My phone pinged with a notification, when I tapped on it, it was, unsurprisingly, a greeting message from Noma.

Tapping my finger on the screen and sliding down, Katsuki’s dialogue box had been squeezed underneath.

The latest message was still the cheering text I'd sent him on Monday, now three days later, I still hadn't heard anything.

Sometimes I wonder, this guy did not block me, right?

So quiet......doesn’t seem like him with that damn temper of his.

Maybe he really can be this patient?

And his exam is also over, should I ask him about the results?

Come to think of it, how long does it usually take to get the results for the Provisional Hero License Exam?

……Anyway, at the very least, I need to figure out if I’ve been blocked or not!

Shudo Shingetsu: [.]

Ah, it's showing as sent and unread.

Looks like I haven’t been blocked!

Now at this time......

I looked up at the wall clock, the time is now just after nine o'clock.

The old man schedule Katsuki must have already be asleep.

Great, this gives me time to retract the message!

I retracted the sentence, thought about it, and added another sentence:

Shudo Shingetsu: [Katsuki, how was the exam result?]

Shudo Shingetsu: [......However, based on your abilities, I can't imagine there’s any exam you wouldn’t pass.]

Shudo Shingetsu: [So congratulations.]

After chatting three sentences, I looked at the "unread" alert and felt a bit bored.

I felt that I probably won’t get a response to these messages either, and there was a high chance that my vague, evasive attitudes might piss that guy off to the point of exploding and dying.

After careful consideration over the past few days, I’ve realized that staying indecisive might make me feel a bit better, but it’ll only end up hurting Katsuki.

Shudo Shingetsu: [That, I've thought carefully about our things.]

Shudo Shingetsu: [Although I still think that Katsuki was acting on impulse as well as having too little contact with the opposite gender, I don't want to ignore Katsuki’s feelings just because of various objective reasons.]

Shudo Shingetsu: [......Actually, if we think about it, Katsuki is still quite handsome.]

Shudo Shingetsu: [If Katsuki is willing too, how about we try for a while?]

Ah, I send it.

I let out a scream, threw my phone away, flinging myself onto the bed and wrapping the covers around my head.

A childhood friend!

An age gap!

Shudo Shingetsu you unprincipled woman!!!

In the end, I was totally swayed by the high schooler’s youthful charm!!!

Chapter Text

If he didn’t reply to my message because he went to bed early at night, then it’s fine. But after 24 hours, the message is still unread, that’s suspicious.

What is this guy doing?

Did he not see it?

Unread, unread, how did it come unread?!

It’s not even a case of him reading it and not replying, he didn’t even open it!

I hugged the phone squatting on the bed, biting my lip as I racked my brain trying to figure out why it’s still marked as "unread".

Maybe he really didn't see it, should I try calling instead......?

Ahhh, what if he’s deliberately ignoring it, then I calling him wouldn’t be so embarrassing?

I, Shudo Shingetsu, eighteen years old, have encountered a big crisis in my life.

I tapped into Katsuki’s dialogue box and scrolled up through the message history.

He came to my place last Sunday, we had an argument, and he left after saying "I'll wait for your contact".

On Monday night, I found out that he has the exam the next day, so I sent him a good-luck text message, he read it but didn’t reply.

Three days later, on Thursday night, which was last night, I suggested to him to give it a try.

And today, it's Friday night, the message I sent to him is still unread.

In the past, Katsuki and I, during my high school years, had cases where we only contacted each other once a month.

And it even was a generic greeting that looked like a mass message.

Now this feels so weird, it's obvious that I haven't contacted him for only five days, but it already feels like a long time has passed.

This feeling of not knowing exactly what the other person's intentions are, is both agitating and strange.

Tomorrow is Saturday! If he still ignores me tomorrow, we probably won't be able to meet on Sunday......

Wai, wait, not meeting isn’t a big deal, is it?

I feel like something is really off with me.

There’s no reason for me to suddenly treat him like a boyfriend just because he’s ignoring me.

Whatever, let's call him.

I made up my mind and dialed his number.

After the beeping sound that signalled the connection, there was a cold, mechanical sound informing me "The phone is off".

Me: ?

Bro, it is only eight o'clock, why are you asleep already!!

I'm going to be pissed off by him, the courage that was so hard to muster up has also dissipated.

Forget it, let’s sleep, I don't want to care about this damn kid anymore.

×

On Saturday, I woke up before six.

Thanks to the fact that I went to bed at eight the night before.

I stared wide-eyed at the ceiling, struggled for a few minutes, and sat up in despair.

I can’t sleep——at all!

I reached over and opened the curtains, the sky was barely light, it didn’t feel like it was time to be awake yet at all.

Reaching for my phone, I unlocked the screen, still no new messages.

I felt my brain start to boil.

So angry!!

What's wrong with this guy?!

Does he not read messages?!

Taking two deep breaths and calming down, I stared at my phone and dialed Katsuki’s number again.

As expected, the same automated response “The phone is off.”

Could something have happened?

Come to think of it, Katsuki had been involved in an incident before and lost his phone because of it.

Could it be......

I switched on my computer while wrapped in my blanket and searched for recent news about U.A.

The most recent update was about the Provisional Hero License Exam a few days ago, nothing major.

Could it be that something happened internally?

I frowned and flipped through my phone, suddenly my eyes lit up.

Speaking of the people I know in U.A, other than Katsuki......

Shudo Shingetsu: [Izuku!]

After sending the message, I looked at the time displayed above, barely six o’clock, and felt a bit regretful.

This early in the morning……I feel like I’m being such a nuisance……

Midoriya Izuku: [Shingetsu nee-san, good morning!]

He replied he replied!

I can't believe he replied instantly!

Shudo Shingetsu: [......You're up so early.]

Midoriya Izuku: [Yeah, there's morning exercise!]

Shudo Shingetsu: [By the way, I watched the U.A Sports Festival! Erm, although it's been a while......but Izuku was really super handsome! Keep it up!]

Midoriya Izuku: [!!!Thank you Shingetsu nee-san! I'm a little embarrassed that Shingetsu nee-san is encouraging me so solemnly, but I'll do my best!]

It feels like this little guy is a lot more confident.

Back then, he always followed behind the strong-willed Katsuki, seeming more timid in comparison.

Right, I almost forgot the reason why I'm looking for him.

But would it be bad to ask about Katsuki so bluntly?

Izuku is also quite perceptive, if I suddenly bring up Katsuki, I have a feeling it might not go well.

Especially now that my relationship with Katsuki is uncertain.

......And if Katsuki finds out that I went to ask Izuku about him, he would probably explode on the spot to show me.

That damn brat Katsuki is way too hard to deal with!

Shudo Shingetsu: [I heard that you guys took the Provisional Hero License Exam recently, how did it go?]

Midoriya Izuki: [ |Picture| I passed! I'm so happy!]

Shudo Shingetsu: [!!!! Congratulations!!! But you look a bit stiff in the photo......]

Midoriya Izuku: [......Haha, it can't be helped.]

The topic seems to have gone off on a tangent again.

Shudo Shingetsu: [By the way, have you guys been busy lately?]

Midoriya Izuku: [Eh? Not really, just the usual classes. We might start internships with Pro Heroes soon, I'm thinking about where to go.]

Shudo Shingetsu: [Oh......I see......]

Shudo Shingetsu: [Ahh! So everything’s fine, right! Anyway, good luck Izuku!]

Midoriya Izuku: [Yeah ^^ I'll do my best, thank you Shingetsu nee-san for specially cheering me up.]

Shudo Shingetsu: [Alright, go for it with your morning exercise! Let’s talk next time!]

Okay, got it.

That damn brat Katsuki indeed ignored me on purpose.

Probably set my number as a reject call user and muted my messages.

I’m kind of impressed with myself.

I feel horribly calm.

Silently getting up and taking a shower, drying my hair and picking myself up, I carried my bag with the intention of going out.

Before I left, I suddenly remembered that I had forgotten something, took out my phone and tapped on Katsuki’s dialogue box.

Shudo Shingetsu: [The time to retract has expired, I unilaterally announce that I take back my words.]

Shudo Shingetsu: [Your attitude is very clear to me now, this is actually for the best.]

Shudo Shingetsu: [Anyway, Katsuki you'll definitely find a better girl, I wish for you happiness.]

Should I block?

My finger was stuck on the "add to block list" button, and I was hesitant to press it.

After all, we have known each other for such a long time, it's really hard to be cruel......

I sighed deeply and left him in my contacts list.

Exiting Katsuki’s dialogue box, I thought about it and sent a message to Kyouji:

Shudo Shingetsu: [Kyouji, is Sunday's invitation still valid?]

Kyouji replied back quickly.

Matsumura Kyouji: [Of course.]

Shudo Shingetsu: [I’m in!]

Matsumura Kyouji: [Ok, remember to get up early tomorrow, send me the address and I'll pick you up.]

Kyouji is really a very gentle person.

Let's get up earlier tomorrow morning and make him some breakfast in return.

With that thought, I put my phone away.

The reason I’m heading out so early is that I have an interview at a new snack shop nearby, just a five-minute walk from home.

The restaurant has recently put up a plaque called "Shoku-Sen".

Umm, it seems like a decent name.

I thought to myself as I lifted the curtain and walked in.

This restaurant is run by a grandfather and granddaughter duo, the Miyamotos. The grandfather, with his full head of white hair, looked lively, while the granddaughter seemed about my age. She’d graduated high school and decided not to go to university, wanting to make a living through this restaurant.

"But my cooking skills, umm, they’re just at a beginner level, I guess." Granddaughter Miyamoto Chika said with a big grin, "So I'll just be a waitress."

Grandfather Miyamoto Kenichi, who spoils his granddaughter, smiled and nodded: "I’ll handle the cooking, we just need to hire a proper chef."

Me, who got recruited in: ......

I was welcomed into the restaurant by the grandfather and granddaughter duo, Chika-san even handily poured me a glass of orange juice.

Miyamoto grandpa said with a smile: "When we received the resume of someone with the Quirk ‘Cooking,’ we’ve been looking forward to meeting you…..."

Chika also grinned and added: "We also saw the pictures of the dishes you attached to your CV, wow, did you make them all by yourself? It looks amazing——!"

Their enthusiasm overwhelmed me.

I blinked sitting on the guest chair and took a moment to calm down before replying: "But I’m only looking for part-time work......Saturdays, umm, and Sundays."

The duo looked at each other and pulled each other away, whispering in the corner and occasionally turning their heads to look at me.

I sat upright, calmly awaiting the outcome of their discussion.

Until the first customer of the day came through the door.

"That, I’ll have a plate of egg-fried rice, just the regular one, please." The customer called out to the grandfather and granddaughter before seating himself.

Miyamoto grandpa answered and walked over to me: "We're really quite short on stuff right now, it's fine to work part-time for two days on Saturday and Sunday only. But only if you have real talent."

I nodded, showing my agreement with his words.

"Then, about this customer’s order, can Shudo-san handle it?"

It’s just a simple plate of egg-fried rice.

I stood up and smiled at Miyamoto grandpa: “I promise I won’t disappoint you.”

Chapter Text

After finalizing the details of my weekend part-time job, I chatted with the Miyamoto duo at the Shoku-Sen while working, and before I knew it, it was evening.

Since this restaurant was newly opened, there weren't many customers. And Miyamoto grandpa's cooking wasn’t all that great, if I have to review, I would only be able to come up with an "edible" rating.

......Truly enviable are those people with so much money they can afford to mess around.

After closing the restaurant, I went home, tidied up for a bit and went to bed.

The next day, I woke up slightly early, I had an appointment with Kyouji at eight o'clock, so I woke up at half past seven, intending to spend ten minutes making a breakfast for Kyouji to bring to him.

I'll just make regular onigiris, they're easy to eat on the road. And the rice was specially steamed last night, the vinegar was also prepared last night as well.

After washing up, I tied my long hair back, then casually tapped my phone’s screen to check the time.

Four missed calls were unusually prominent on the lock screen, along with several messages.

......Shows that they were all from Bakugo Katsuki.

Heh, how dare that damn brat call me.

I unlocked the screen, noticed that the first call was dialed even before six o'clock, and the last one was around seven o'clock.

...…Hmm, at that moment my phone was still in Do Not Disturb mode, on silent status.

I poked into the chat app and tapped into Katsuki’s dialogue box.

The rage on the other side was almost spilling out of the screen.

Bakugo Katsuki: [......?]

Bakugo Katsuki: [Huh?]

Bakugo Katsuki: [The fuck!]

Bakugo Katsuki: [You better think twice before you fucking speak! What bullshit! I just didn't reply to the messages because my phone ran out of battery, okay?! What the hell did you brainstorm over there by yourself!]

Bakugo Katsuki: [Are you gonna pick up my fucking call or not!]

Bakugo Katsuki: [Fuck, it's fucking six o'clock, why are you still dead?!]

Bakugo Katsuki: [Get your ass up and pick up my call, explain to me what you mean that my attitude is clear to you, you’re clear bullshit!]

Bakugo Katsuki: [Fuck!]

Bakugo Katsuki: [......Are you up or not, get up and call me back.]

Bakugo Katsuki: [How can you sleep so much? Are you a pig?]

Bakugo Katsuki: [My phone was charging last night, I didn't mean not to reply to your messages on purpose.]

Bakugo Katsuki: [Did you call me? Did you miss me?]

Bakugo Katsuki: [Hey, it's almost 7 o'clock.]

Bakugo Katsuki: [Fuck, are you deliberately not answering my calls?]

Bakugo Katsuki: [If you’ve got something to say, just say it! What’s with the cold war silent treatment! Watch out I’ll blow you up!]

Bakugo Katsuki: [Shit!]

Bakugo Katsuki: [You just wait for me!]

Me: ......

What kind of mental process did this guy go through in these two hours.

And he has the nerve to give me so many exclamation marks!

Shudo Shingetsu: [Your phone is out of battery for three or four days straight? Care to explain why you left my messages on read before that?]

I was fuming——!

Through the screen of the phone, I felt like the oppressed people who defied the power, majestically threw the phone on the living room coffee table, turned into the kitchen to make rice balls.

The mood was inexplicably much lighter.

I pursed my lips and thought about Katsuki’s last text message: "You just wait for me", suddenly remembered, this guy will not just come to my house to break down the door, right?

Once that idea popped into my head, I couldn’t shake it. I nervously kept an ear out for any sounds by the door until Kyouji called to tell me he's almost here.

I boxed up the onigiri, locked the door and went to wait for Kyouji on the street corner.

What to do? If Katsuki really is coming, would he get the wrong idea that I don’t open the door for him on purpose?

What if he gets angry and blows up my door?

If he finds out that I went out with someone else and come for nothing, will he wait for me in front of my house and die with me when I come home......?

Just thinking about it sends chills down my spine.

"Shingetsu."

With a jolt, I looked around just in time to see Kyouji leading a tall and physically sturdy boy over.

"Kyouji......Ah, is this......Imada-senpai?" I retrieved this impressive senpai from my memory and gently smiled at both of them, nodding my head in greeting.

Imada-senpai seemed to remember me as well, and gave me a wave as a greeting: "Yo, it's been a long time, kouhai."

Kyouji was stunned and looked sideways at Imada-senpai with a bit of curiosity: "That's rare, you actually remembered."

Imada-senpai maintained the movement of one hand on Kyouji's shoulder, raising an eyebrow: "Of course I remember, isn't she the kouhai who is particularly close to you, Matsumura? She called......she called......"

Kyouji sighed helplessly.

I smiled and folded my arms in front of me, bowing to Imada-senpai: "It's Shudo Shingetsu, just call me Shingetsu like Kyouji."

"Oh, oh." Imada-senpai hastily returned the bow, "Nice to see you!"

Kyouji waited for the two of us to finish greeting each other before reminding us that it was time to go.

"It's a straight ride from the underground station here," Kyouji glanced at his watch, "It'll take about thirty minutes or so."

"OK! Let's go!"

I pursed my lips and watched the backs of the two as they walked out, hesitating for a few seconds before finally running a few steps forward to catch up with Kyouji.

"Kyouji!"

"Hmm?" Kyouji stopped, tilting his head toward me, "What's wrong Shingetsu?"

I handed over the lunchbox in my hand: "That, I made onigiri, if you didn’t have breakfast yet, I hope you don’t mind......"

Kyouji took it and smiled: "Umm, thank you, I'm really blessed today."

"I want some too I want some too!" Imada-senpai eagerly raised his hand.

Both of them were quite supportive, opening the lunchbox on the spot and each taking one to eat.

Kyouji took a bite of his onigiri and looked at me with a hint of confusion: "Shingetsu, what's wrong? You seem like you want to say something?"

"......" I said to Kyouji with a slight hesitation, "That, Kyouji, I'm sorry, I might not be able to go with you guys today."

Kyouji and Imada-senpai looked at each other and stopped to look at me.

"......Something temporarily came up."

I feel like I'm such an obnoxious person.

I've obviously agreed to go out, thought about it all day, texted him yesterday to confirm the appointment, and then changed my mind today at the last minute.

Kyouji had invited me out to help me take my mind off things, and now I was just letting him down.

"Ah, what a pity."

Kyouji gently reached out and patted my shoulder.

"There's no need to show such a sorry expression, if anything, Shingetsu should be the one feeling regretful."

I puffed up my face and hmmmed.

"Well then, we'll get going. Call me if there's anything I can do to help......Ah, we'll take the onigiris, thank you very much."

Kyouji admonished me, then pulled along the bewildered Imada-senpai next to him and walked away.

Looking at Kyouji it seems like he really doesn't mind, after all, he's such a gentle boy.

Relieved, I turned around and jogged home.

I admit that I was afraid that Katsuki would come running out of nowhere, but there was no one at home to cause him to make a trip for nothing.

And the consequences of him making a trip for nothing, are a bit unimaginable......

I plopped down on the coffee table, absentmindedly watched the cheesy soap opera program on the TV screen, and occasionally spared some attention to glance at my own quiet phone.

The message sent to Katsuki is still unread.

......

What the hell!!

Does this damn brat have a habit of disappearing or what?!

Calm down, maybe he's on his way to my house and doesn't have time to check his phone.

I forcefully comforted myself as I nibbled on my biscuit.

I don't know how long it took, but I finally couldn't support myself and fell into a dream on the coffee table.

In the afternoon, I woke up with a shiver.

The TV was playing a TV shopping advert that I didn't know how many times it had been repeated.

My head was groggy and my throat felt like it was clogged with a ball of cotton. With my years of experience living alone, I ninety percent got a cold.

It was already cold now and I had the audacity to fall asleep in the living room, I’m a true warrior.

I reached over and dragged my phone over to me, pressing the bright screen.

No notifications, life is peaceful and content.

I’m such an unneeded person.

I poked at Katsuki’s dialogue box and found that the message I'd sent in the morning is still unread.

Ah.

I was actually so dumb that I thought this guy would come looking for me?

What a cold and noble hah for myself.

I seriously, want to beat this retard to death!!!

Shudo Shingetsu: [Bakugo Katsuki, you're awesome.]

Shudo Shingetsu: [I don't want to see you anymore.]

Shudo Shingetsu: [Blocked, goodbye.]

Chapter Text

I curled up in my blanket, shifting slightly before struggling to poke my head out. My eyes sluggishly focused on the phone vibrating beside my pillow.

The constant vibrating signalled that a call was being accessed.

I blinked sluggishly and hard before slowly reaching out to grip the phone and answered.

"Hello......"

Kyouji's voice came from the other side of the phone, he seemed a little surprised: "Shingetsu? What happened to your voice? Did you cry?"

"......No," I braced myself, "Just a cold."

"A cold? We've only been apart for about ten hours, how did that happen to you?"

"......Um, just wasn’t careful." I rubbed my eyes and slid off the bed, "What's wrong Kyouji?"

His voice paused: "Nothing, I was going to ask if you're free to come over to the subway station and pick up your lunchbox? I cleaned it at university. Um, if you're not feeling well, then I'll bring it to university for you tomorrow as well."

"Eh, you even made a special effort to bring it to me, thanks. I'll be right over."

Hanging up the call, I put on my coat and hurried out the door to the subway station.

From a distance, I saw Kyouji standing at the entrance to the station, he also saw me and reached out to give me a wave.

"Did you wait long?" I ran up to him and grumbled, "Why bother making another trip to bring me back my lunchbox or whatever, it'll be the same for tomorrow's class......"

A small, delicately wrapped box was handed to me.

Kyouji looked at me: "Thinking that it's a bit of a pity that you didn't go this time, I specially bought a box of almond crisps from that dessert shop in front of the school to bring to you, I remembered that you used to like them a lot."

My eyes widened.

He coughed and placed another small pocket on top of the almond crisps box.

"And this, just went to the pharmacy. Common cold medicine, there's one specifically for sore throats."

I froze and took the almond crisps and cold medicine, staring at him with my head held high: "Uh, Kyouji......"

"Hey, don't cry! What's wrong?!"

Kyouji insisted on walking me home.

I handed him the pocket of medicine to hold and slowly unwrapped the almond crisps box.

"Here." I handed it to his mouth, "First piece for the most handsome and cute Kyouji in the world."

He laughed at my amusement and reached out to take it.

I took a piece for myself as well and stuffed it in my mouth.

"It's tough living alone, isn't it?"

I looked up at him and met his gaze.

I smiled and replied: "It's fine, I got used to it."

That's when the phone vibrated in my jacket pocket.

Who was it?

I looked at the unknown number on the screen, picked it up without thinking much of anything.

"Hello?"

I was in the middle of crossing the street when the angry voice came out of the phone made me shiver, not paying attention to the red light switching on the pavement, I stepped out.

Kyouji squeezed my shoulders and yanked me back instantly.

His expression was serious: "Be careful!"

If this was a manga, Katsuki’s dialogue box definitely would have been a jagged, giant shape accompanied by jittery special effects.

"Bastard! Where did you learn to have a foul temper of blocking people without a word! Ah?! How dare you block me!!"

Ah, it's Katsuki.

I held the phone away from me a bit and turned my head to Kyouji to whisper an apology.

"Who's that next to you?" Katsuki’s voice lowered a few degrees, but the familiar sound of grinding teeth could still be heard faintly.

Syllables popped out of his teeth one by one: "Who are you with? I heard a man's voice."

"Yeah, it’s a friend." I replied.

"......Let's put this aside for later." Katsuki said darkly: "Explain the blocked thing first."

I grunted: "Explain the read-but-not-replied thing first."

"Ah?!"

The light across the street jumped green, I cut the call off directly and efficiently a split second before the vitriol came through on the phone, walking across the street side by side with Kyouji.

Kyouji glanced at me with the desire to say something and asked hesitantly: "Is everything okay?"

"It's fine." I replied calmly, "It's the ex-boyfriend."

"That Noma......?"

"No, it’s the boyfriend after him." I gritted my teeth, "It hasn't been long since we broke up."

"Ha......you really are the type of character that gets easily entangled."

Kyouji walked me downstairs to my building, nagging like an old mother about calling him if I felt unwell before reluctantly leaving.

I went upstairs and entered the door, placing the almond crisps and medicine on the coffee table and fumbling for my phone.

The screen was flashing, showing a call coming in.

This guy is really persistent.

I picked up the phone and said hello once.

Katsuki’s furious breathing sounded on the other end of the line.

I absentmindedly poked at the almond crisps box: "You better think carefully before you curse, it's seven o'clock on Sunday night now, I doubt you can run out of school and beat me up."

Katsuki probably almost choked from how mad I made him, I heard him take a few deep breaths to calm down. After a long silence, he spoke gruffly: "What's wrong with your voice? Talking with cotton in your mouth?"

"I caught a cold."

"......Why are you so weak like this?" He said disgruntledly, "I haven't watched you in just a few days and you're sick, can't you take care of your own?"

......

I think I take care of myself pretty well.

I wouldn't have caught a cold if I hadn't suddenly made the mistake of waiting for someone in the living room and gotten cold.

I grunted.

"......This attitude of yours......" He stifled a lower pitch and ground his teeth, "Drag me off the blocklist first bastard, I'm fucking taking a classmate's phone now."

Sure enough, the faint tapping on the door in the background and the sound of "Hey Bakugo you're robbing me, give me back my phone" is not an illusion.

Katsuki’s voice drifted away, seemingly taking the phone away a bit.

"Shut up! I'll give it back to you later, stop whining?!"

His bad temper really did apply equally.

"Hurry up! Do you hear me?" Katsuki urged me again.

I stomped off my slippers and sat down on the sofa cuddling my pillow: "Explain the read-but-not-replied thing first."

"......Are you a repeater grabbing or what, can’t drop it already!" Katsuki gritted his teeth, "How am I supposed to reply to that light-hearted encouragement of yours? Knowing full well I don't want to hear this."

"Then why didn't you read the ones I sent later? Did you block my messages?"

"......I didn’t!" Katsuki’s voice was unusually stifled, "A-anyway, something happened and I didn't see it right away, I didn't not reply to you on purpose!"

I was a bit hesitant.

Out of what I know about Katsuki, this guy is almost incapable of lying.

But covering up like that also irritated me a bit.

I was thinking about what I should do, when I heard his much calmer voice.

"By the way, today I saw the messages you sent me the other day. It’s said 'try for a while' right?"

His tone was noticeably lighter now, though he still couldn’t help but complain.

"I really don't know what you're dawdling about? Do you even need to think about such a thing?! Is there anyone else in this world you can find who is better and more amazing than me?"

......This dude is such a narcissist.

I'm almost stunned by him.

Hearing his voice practically bursting with overconfidence, I couldn’t resist throwing some cold water on him: "Then surely you've seen what I sent you afterwards about the retraction thing, right?"

"......Hiss." He ground his teeth, "You pull me off the blocklist first, and we'll both talk slowly. That idiot's tapping on the door is annoying as hell!"

Since I heard Katsuki’s voice, most of the anger in my heart went away.

I paused for a few seconds and agreed with a hmmm.

Katsuki threw down a "I'll call you right now then" and cut off the call.

I sluggishly took the phone off my ear and slowly released Katsuki from my blocklist, getting up to pour water and take my pills.

Carrying the cup back to the coffee table, I noticed that Katsuki had sent me a message from his original number.

Bakugo Katsuki: [.]

......

This guy probably sent me this unspecified message to test if he's been put out of the blocklist.

As I thought that, I received a video call request on my phone.

Eh, wait? Video?

×

Bakugo Katsuki’s perspective:

After Bakugo hung up the phone, he impatiently pulled the door open and threw the phone at Kaminari’s head, who kept tapping on the door.

Caught off guard by the sudden door swing, Kaminari stumbled, fumbling to catch his phone. He quickly switched back to his game, only to be met with the glaring red "Game Over" screen. He was so frustrated he nearly burst into tears.

Kirishima followed him and pushed him into Bakugo's room by pushing on his shoulder, closing the door behind him while still saying optimistically: "I told you, Bakugo probably just ran out of battery and needed to borrow your phone, how could he possibly rob your phone."

Kaminari Denki pointed at Bakugo who was sitting down cross-legged at the table by himself and pressing down the screen of his phone, and said to Kirishima in an accusatory tone: "What phone is out of battery! Don't you see him having fun playing with his phone right now?!"

"Maybe it's because your signal is a little better?"

"......"

Kirishima and Kaminari conversed, also walked over to Bakugo's table and sat down on either side of him, left and right.

"Hmm?"

Bakugo looked up, narrowed his eyes at the two stupid faces in front of him.

"What are you two doing in here being distasteful to the eye? Go back to bed early if you have nothing to do!"

"Huh?! You bastard! Using people and tossing them aside, huh?! What a waste of that face! I’m willing to bet a whole semester’s breakfast that this guy will ne——ver get a girlfriend during three years of High School!"

The glassy-heart Kaminari yelled in exasperation, and was rewarded with a comforting pat on the shoulder from Kirishima, who had become accustomed to Bakugo’s sharp tongue.

Bakugo’s attention was momentarily taken away from his phone as he raised the eyebrows at Kaminari: "Dunce face, are you that eager to buy me breakfast for a whole semester?"

"Where does your confidence come from......"

Bakugo cut off Kaminari’s words: "I was just on the phone with my girlfriend."

"......Huh?"

Kaminari was temporarily in a daze, and next to him, Kirishima's eyes widened in surprise: "Seriously? Bakugo, never heard you say that before."

"It's only weirder to talk about this kind of thing everywhere. Can't you two just go back and stop hanging around here?"

Kaminari recovered, he looked incredulous: "Is that the attitude you just had on the phone with your girlfriend? You were yelling so loud we even could hear you from outside! Are you sure you didn't just get dumped?"

Bakugo: ......

Crucifixes bloomed above Bakugo's head as he yanked on Kaminari's collar and got up to drag him towards the door.

Kaminari said as he struggled: "Look at that plastered bandage on your face, if I were you, I'd run to my girlfriend first and play pitiful to win her sympathy, saying all the soft words to make her happy. I can’t believe you’re even yelling and shouting, what a waste of a girlfriend who actually likes you!"

Bakugo paused.

Kaminari gloated and added: "Aha, I forgot that you're the person who has to spend their only Sunday on extra lessons, what's the point of having a girlfriend?"

Bakugo threw him out with force.

Kirishima heard Kaminari's screams outside the door, hastily bid Bakugo goodnight, and ran out to pick up Kaminari’s body without a second thought.

Tsk.

Bakugo realized that although Kaminari was a bit stupid, he was still smart in small ways.

He reached out and touched the band-aid on his face that hadn't been torn off yet.

......If I can’t see her in person, there are always video calls.

Dunce face is dunce face, can’t even think of this.

Chapter Text

I stared at the video call request on my phone.

Why is this guy popping me a video invite all of a sudden? Does he want to see how sick and weak I look after catching a cold?

I rubbed my hair and connected to the video, placing my phone on the coffee table and plopping down to look at the screen.

It was only when the screen connected to reveal Katsuki’s face that my eyes widened in surprise and I slightly belatedly exclaimed: "Katsuki, what happened to your face?"

Katsuki held the screen away from me a little, squinting his eyes as he slumped on the table like me: "Just some small injuries."

I frowned and brought the screen closer to look at it: "How did you get those?"

"......Move the phone back a bit, your face is so big that it is practically spilling out of the screen."

......

I'm going to hang up the call.

Does this idiot even know how to hold a proper conversation, he has the ability to kill the conversation in seconds.

"......" I said deadpan, "Hang up if you don't want to talk."

"Tsk, can't even tell the truth around you?" He muttered, "Did you take your pills or not?"

"I'm taking them now."

The atmosphere was filled with the slightest hint of awkwardness.

This kind of speech, where you can see the other person's face, is a little uncomfortable.

Especially when one is supposed to be talking about a very serious topic, looking at his patchy face makes one feel like the conversation can't go on.

I asked: "How did you get hurt?"

He looked sideways without looking at me: "I tripped."

Me: "......"

Katsuki’s eyes flicked toward me, the veins on his forehead had already popped up and he slammed the table: "What's that expression on your face?!"

I turned my face sideways and demurely covered my mouth with a pfft.

"The freak, what are you laughing at? What's so funny!"

I looked at his face close to the screen, "You're practically an adult, and you still trip? You wanna be a pro hero but can’t even walk straight?"

"The hell does that have to do with being a hero! Show some respect for your boyfriend, bastard!"

I arched an eyebrow: "I don’t want a boyfriend who lies to me. And this whole thing is still up for debate, right?"

He ground his teeth, forcing down his anger.

Maybe it was the fever making me feel lightheaded, or maybe it was the fact that we were separated by a phone screen, but I felt unusually fearless.

"Now, you still don’t want to tell me the truth?" I looked at the menacing Katsuki on my phone screen, "If we're really going to date, we need to be honest with each other, right?"

He seemed to choke, rather reluctantly, his eyes fluttering about: "It's nothing, I just, got into a fight with someone."

?

How old are you, little bro?

Katsuki glanced at me and said irritably: "What's that shocked expression on your face. It was just a fight with someone! Didn't you watch the Sports Festival?! A fight! It's so common! You’re so clueless!"

He didn't forget to add solemnly: "Fighting is normal in U.A, we often beat each other up in class!"

......What a terrifying school.

Seeing that he didn't want to dwell on this matter much, I changed the subject.

"Does it hurt? Why are there so many band-aids glued to your face?" I looked at him sadly: "Will it disfigure your face?"

Katsuki touched his face: "It will just be a scar at most. Only you girls will care about face, right?"

I frowned: "But I think Katsuki’s face looks better without scars."

"......" Katsuki’s expression stiffened, he seemed a little unsure as he reached up and rubbed his hand over the band-aid, "......I'll try to think of something."

Think of something? Think of what?

I couldn't get his point for a moment, so I simply skipped over this topic.

My eyes widened as I looked at Katsuki on the screen, asked: "What have you been busy with today? I messaged you this morning and you've been unread all the time, what happened today?"

Katsuki’s expression became even more indescribable, he looked at me with a tangled look, his eyes slightly narrowed, with a pained appearance.

He paused and said: "Let's skip that topic for later, there’s a more important one right now."

I watched as Katsuki sat up straight and looked at me with a serious expression.

What the hell? He’s making me nervous too!

He wrinkled his eyebrows and said a little hesitantly: "We're now, for sure, in a relationship, right?"

He then seemed to think of something, and hurriedly explained: "The reason I didn’t reply to your messages a few days ago was because......erm, I was in detention by the teacher because of the fight, my phone was temporarily confiscated. It charged overnight, so I was only able to contact you this morning."

I raised an eyebrow a little intrigued: "I see. I thought you just got fed up and decided to ignore me."

"How is that possible?! Are you an idiot? If I said I'd wait for you to contact me, I'll wait for you to contact me!"

Katsuki looked a little agitated, if we were face to face right now, I had no doubt he would be yanking me by the collar and shaking me.

I laughed and stopped tugging at the repeated mention of the read-but-not-reply thing.

He looked at my expression as if waiting for my response.

I pursed my lips, getting a little nervous under Katsuki’s gaze.

I asked again, just to be sure: "Katsuki, are you sure you want to go out with someone like me? I can only live an ordinary life for the rest of my life, I can't shine like you do, you're surrounded by many other girls who are just as passionate and driven as you are......"

He impatiently interrupted me: "What nonsense are you rambling on about! No one can force me to do something I don’t want to! How many times do you want me to emphasize that!"

I blushed inexplicably, brushed my long hair behind the ear, and said solemnly: "Then let's give it a try, if, if something doesn't work out, it's not too late to separate."

Katsuki hooked the corners of his mouth in triumph and grunted.

His half-smile, half-grin expression was extremely punchable, especially those red eyes filled with amusement, their unrestrained gaze sending chills down my spine.

......I want to punch him!!

I bit my lip, feeling the heat on my face, said quickly: "That's it then, I'm going to sleep."

"Eh?"

Katsuki froze, and before he could say anything, the video call had already been cut off by me reaching out quickly.

I covered my face and clutched my phone as I ran into the bedroom and flung myself onto the bed, rolling hard a few times before I managed to calm down.

The phone over my chest vibrated a few times, I looked down and unlocked the screen to find that Katsuki had sent me messages.

Bakugo Katsuki: [? Why did you hang up the call all of a sudden?]

Bakugo Katsuki: [Forget it, I'll let you off the hook.]

Bakugo Katsuki: [But you're a university student, just having a boyfriend, what's there to be shy about, are you an idiot?]

......

Want to beat up my boyfriend who has a very high force value, will he resist, I’m waiting urgently for an answer.

I stared at the message sent by Katsuki and choked for a long time before silently replying to him.

Shudo Shingetsu: [Yeah, I’ve had a bunch of ex-boyfriends, but it’s my first time dating someone younger than me, it's a bit exciting, I can't digest it.]

Bakugo Katsuki: [Did you dream of having a bunch of ex-boyfriends? We've known each other for years, and you're still trying to piss me off?]

Bakugo Katsuki: [By the way, I didn’t get to say this earlier because the video hung up too fast, I'm going to extra classes on Sundays from now on, all day, so......]

Bakugo Katsuki: [Anyway, you know what I mean.]

???

I sit up, counting on my fingers.

U.A High School has classes six days a week and it’s a closed-campus system.

The only day off is Sunday, and Katsuki has to go for extra lessons on Sunday.

Shudo Shingetsu: [So you wanted to confirm our relationship before telling me about the extra lessons, is it because you're afraid that I'll disqualify you from being a boyfriend after I find out and you'll become a virtual pet later on?]

Bakugo Katsuki: [......Fuck, you usually look so dumb, what's the damn point of being so sharp in such an unnecessary place?]

Bakugo Katsuki: [Who the fuck is a virtual pet! You're the virtual pet!]

Shudo Shingetsu: [Heh, we’re each other's virtual pet, so fucking romantic.]

Bakugo Katsuki: [......What are you doing, don't say such vulgar words. My extra lessons will be over soon, just three months.]

Three months.

I thought indifferently, sure it will be over soon, after three months it will be the end of the year.

Shudo Shingetsu: [I suddenly regret it a little......]

Bakugo Katsuki: [Huh?! I’ll take a day off tomorrow and come find you. How about I go down with you?!]

Shudo Shingetsu: [Die together in the name of love, do you want it to be that romantic?]

Bakugo Katsuki: [......If you have the guts, open a video call and say this in voice.]

Shudo Shingetsu: [I don't wanna, I'm a wimp.]

Bakugo Katsuki: [..................Fuck, have you gone crazy?!]

Of course I haven’t gone crazy.

As soon as I thought that he wouldn’t be able to come and cause trouble for me for the next three months, I suddenly felt very confident.

Let’s see who drives the other crazy first, heh.

Shudo Shingetsu: [Ay, anyway, three months. I just changed your contact name to "Bakugo-Virtual pet-Katsuki", I suggest you follow the same pattern and change mine, they look like a couple's name.]

Bakugo Katsuki: [............]

Bakugo Katsuki: [Hey, fool, hurry up go get a thermometer and take a measurement, why do I feel like you've lost your brain.]

Shudo Shingetsu: [I got interrupted with your video call, I forgot to take my medicine.]

Bakugo Katsuki: [Then hurry up and go take your medicine, sleep well after that, and make sure to cover yourself with a blanket tonight. Take care of yourself, got it?]

Shudo Shingetsu: [Woh, good night then, Katsuki.]

I got up and went to the coffee table in the living room to grab the water that had already cooled, picked up the medicine and took it, and ran into the bathroom to finish washing up for an early night.

Even though I've slept all day today, my body still felt a little heavy.

Before sleeping, I noticed that Katsuki’s dialogue box still showed a message. I poked into it to find that he, in a rare occurrence, had actually sent me an animated emoticon.

It’s probably from the same series as the "Bunny thumb up" that I accidentally poked at last time, it’s an emoticon of a rabbit tucking a drooling bear that had fallen asleep under a blanket.

Bakugo Katsuki: [Bunny covers blanket.gif]

I huddled under the blanket and burst out laughing.

×

Bakugo Katsuki’s perspective:

On Monday, Bakugo was sitting on the ground floor eating breakfast when he suddenly remembered something that Shingetsu had mentioned last night.

He propped his chin and directed his gaze toward Sero and Kaminari, who were chatting with each other.

Both of them had been knocked out in a single move at the Sports Festival, and there were no serious injuries. Pass, I guess.

He then turned his head to look at Kirishima sitting next to him, who sensed his gaze and grinned silly at him.

Kirishima this guy, already had a scar on the corner of his eye......Pass.

Bakugo cast his gaze over to the next table, where Midoriya and his buddies were sitting over there.

Midoriya met Bakugo's gaze, with a jolt, he looked at Bakugo: "Ka, Kat-chan......"

Let me ask him? I’d rather die.

Bakugo coldly averted his gaze.

Just at this moment, Uraraka Ochako bounced through the middle of the two tables, Bakugo ah'd, and suddenly remembered something.

Right, this round face had been injured a lot during the Sports Festival when she fought against him.

"Hey, round face." Bakugo called out to Uraraka.

Keeping her perky, smiling expression, Uraraka tilted her head at Bakugo: "Hmm? Bakugo-kun?"

Bakugo looked seriously at her bare face and asked: "How did you get rid of the wounds on your face?"

Uraraka blinked, and blinked again: "......???"

Class A, fell into a brief awkward silence.

Chapter Text

When I got up in the morning, I once again received a weather forecast and a message from Katsuki urging me to take my medication.

It felt like ages ago.

The strange feeling of my throat being clogged up eased up quite a bit, and my mind cleared up a lot, so it seems that the cold symptoms have lessened.

I also got a call from Kyouji, who specially called to check if I could get up, if I could go to class, if I wanted to take time off work. And after knowing that I was still planning to go to class, he asked if he needed to come pick me up.

"I'm feeling much better, thank you Kyouji." I smiled to him on the other end of the line, "You're up so early."

"Well, I get up early for my morning training. I’m used to it."

Hearing that I sounded normal and my thoughts were clear, Kyouji was relieved and hung up the call after a few words of advice.

That’s just the kind of person he is, always showing just the right amount of concern without making others feel uncomfortable.

Seeing that there was plenty of time, I was about to put away my phone to make a proper bento to take to university, when I inadvertently saw Katsuki's dialogue box, couldn't help but poke it in to read yesterday's chat again with a smile on my face.

Speaking of which, he said extra lessons......? Are normal extra lessons?

Isn't that something that only bad students need to do? Is it possible that the excellent Katsuki also had trouble keeping up at U.A?

That guy didn't tell me anything in the end, when I really wanted to care about him too.

Whether it was the reason for his fight or the extra lessons, Katsuki brushed it off lightly.

He's really contradictory. On one hand, he seems to be genuinely interested in going out with me, but on the other hand, he refuses to share his life with me.

What should I do? Should I try to find out more?

I pinched my mobile phone and stumbled.

In the end, curiosity overcame my hesitation.

Shudo Shingetsu: [Izuku, I need to ask you something!]

I thought it might take a long time to get a reply, but I didn't expect the reply message to come very quickly.

Midoriya Izuku: [What's wrong, Shingetsu nee-san?]

Shudo Shingetsu: [That, I heard that Katsuki got into a fight and was put in detention!]

Midoriya Izuku: [......]

Shudo Shingetsu: [Is that true?]

Midoriya Izuku: [......Yeah.]

Thankfully, Katsuki didn’t lie to me. Otherwise, I really would have cried in front of him.

I was in an inexplicably better mood, my fingers lightly pressing the screen of my phone.

Shudo Shingetsu: [Do you know the reason? I asked him and he didn't tell me, his face was really banged up.]

Midoriya Izuku: [......That, Shingetsu nee-san, I was actually also in detention for three days a few days ago.]

Shudo Shingetsu: [......?]

Midoriya Izuku: [I got about as hurt as Kat-chan. As expected of Kat-chan.]

......

Wait, little bro, so you’re telling that?

After all was said and done, the one who fought with Katsuki was you?!

I was shocked.

Looking at the few messages that I exchanged with Izuku, I could practically feel the awkwardness seeping through the screen.

......Should I say something to smooth this over?

Shudo Shingetsu: [What?! Did Katsuki bully you again! Did he pick on you again?!]

Katsuki has always been a bit of a mystery.

As a kid, he was the king of kids, with a string of little kids behind his arse.

But he just especially hated Izuku.

Although Katsuki says "that kind of quirkless pebble doesn’t deserve to follow me", I don't really understand how he can say something like that when he uses a person whose quirk is "stare at someone for a minute and you’ll know their real name" (yes, I’m talking about Miyagi Akira, that little fool) as his right-hand man. What's the point of saying such a thing......

It can only be explained by the incompatibility of the auras.

Still, I never expected the two of them to be so fated, both getting into the highly competitive U.A. High School, even ending up in the same class.

I remember during the Sports Festival, I did see Izuku fight against someone else, and there was no doubt that he had a quirk.

......Could it be that the awakening came too late?

The doubtful thought only stayed in my mind for a split second, and was immediately washed away by Izuku's reply message.

Not being the type of person to pry into the privacy of a common friend, I left all that behind.

When Katsuki was younger, because he hated Izuku so much, he would always do all sorts of mean things to him, like pushing him down just for the hell of it......

But as they grew up, he mellowed out a bit.

The somewhat cowardly Izuku always held back, never thinking of fighting back.

Probably because he knew he had no chance of winning, so he didn’t dare to.

......So now he's actually grown to the point where he can go toe-to-toe with Katsuki and even leave him bruised all over?

You've grown, kid.

I'd be happier about your growth if it wasn't Katsuki who you beat.

Midoriya Izuku: [It wasn't bullying, it was just a normal sparring match. But since we fought without permission, we got caught and put in detention.]

Ah, just a sparring match?

U.A is really scary, a casual sparring session will result in injuries.

Feeling a renewed sense of respect for U.A., I decided to ask about something else.

Shudo Shingetsu: [So, do you guys have extra lessons on weekends now?]

Midoriya Izuku: [? I haven’t heard about any weekend extra lessons.]

Me: ......

The damn brat actually lied to me!

My anger hadn't even risen to the top of my head, Izuku's next message calmed my entire being down.

Midoriya Izuku: [Ah right, it's Kat-chan who said he has extra lessons, right? It's true that Kat-chan does have extra lessons on weekends.]

Shudo Shingetsu: [Why? Did he fail any exams?]

Midoriya Izuku: [......Shingetsu nee-san, maybe you should ask Kat-chan directly, he'll get mad if he knows we're gossiping behind his back. And if Shingetsu nee-san asks, Kat-chan will definitely tell you everything.]

Izuku-kun, who gave you that illusion!

That damn brat doesn't even want to talk to me about these things! His attitude is so perfunctory!

I glanced at the wall clock and realized that a lot of time had passed without me realizing it, so I hurriedly replied to Izuku with a "thank you" before grabbing my books and rushing out the door, completely abandoning my bento plans.

×

Miyamoto Chika: [I suspect that my quirk is "no matter what ingredients I mix together, the result is a disaster."]

Miyamoto Chika: [Today's fifth customer asked for your brand.]

Miyamoto Chika: ["Why isn't the long, black-haired, pretty lady chef who was in charge on Saturday here?"]

Miyamoto Chika: [Uuuh, maybe Grandpa and I should only open on weekends. This is depressing. Even Grandpa is losing confidence in his cooking!]

Chika really is a chatty and lively girl, just the fact that she's able to swipe over a dozen messages to me even after receiving no replies and talking to herself is something I admire beyond measure.

"What are we making today?"

Seki-kun asked, leaning down slightly and whispering beside me, pulling back my thoughts that were focused on my phone.

I raised my eyes to look at him innocently: "Isn't Seki-kun in charge of coming up with the dishes?"

Seki showed a pensive expression as he tilted his head and stared at the pan, muttering to himself: "What would be good to make?"

Taking advantage of his pondering, I once again looked down to see the message sent by Chika.

Miyamoto Chika: [Eh, do you think we should make a dessert cabinet? Do you know how to make desserts?]

Shudo Shingetsu: [If you pay me, you can make me a human bun if you want.]

Miyamoto Chika: [......How can you be a mundane person who succumbs to money?!]

Shudo Shingetsu: [I'm sorry, I'm super shallow.]

I put away my mobile phone while Seki-kun wandered back over from the material cabinet.

He said: "I think I bought some new matcha powder, is there anything you want to make?"

"Dessert?" I tilted my head, "Speaking of matcha...... do you want to eat a matcha roll cake?"

His eyes glowed, and he immediately nodded.

Reliable Seki-kun.

Seeing how quickly he got to work whipping the cream, I couldn’t help but give him a mental thumbs-up. Meanwhile, I took out the frying pan and started making matcha crêpes.

I looked at Seki-kun, who was looking down and concentrating, and asked him while mixing the batter: "Speaking of which, Seki-kun, don't you think it's a bit silly to have a dessert counter in a snack shop?"

"......" He glanced at me and nodded.

After a pause, he added: "But if it's run by Shudo-san, I'd be there to support it."

I raised one eyebrow: "You just want to eat the desserts I make, don't you!"

Seki-kun nodded frankly.

I thought back to Chika's desperate lobbying for me to reduce my club hours and increase my part-time hours.

Miyamoto Chika: [Think about it, you spend a lot of time in class just by attending classes every day, right. And with so much freedom in university, you can do all your socializing there! And how much time do you spend socialising in the cooking club, don't you spend all your time cooking?]

Miyamoto Chika: [Instead of honing your skills in a club, why not gain real-life experience and earn money at the same time? Isn’t that way better?!]

She had a point, but what about Seki-kun, my cooking club partner since the start of university? If I drastically cut my club hours, wouldn’t that inconvenience him?

...…It feels like I'm the same as the scum who ditches their partner after getting what they wanted.

Seki-kun, as calm as ever, watched me set the crepes on a rack to cool and spoke softly: "In a better mood today?"

"Eh?"

"The movements are much smoother."

"......Haha, sort of."

He gazed at the whipped cream and asked lightly: "Have you found a part-time job lately?"

I froze: "Huh? How did you know that?"

"I thought you were just talking about some snack bar, dessert counter or something, so I took a wild guess." He closed his eyes and said, seemingly unintentionally and casually, "Should I get a part-time job or something too?"

My eyes lit up and I eagerly approached: "Actually, the restaurant I'm working part-time at is still hiring!"

Seki-kun turned his head to look at me, his face as expressionless as ever, but he let out a small "Oh?", a clear sign of interest.

I excitedly introduced Shoku-Sen to him, telling him in passing that Shoku-Sen's eccentric restaurant manager had been thinking about adding a dessert counter.

"You know what! Things like desserts are best eaten fresh!" I baited him by pressing his preferences, "So any desserts that don't get sold that day will basically be shared out among the shop staff!"

......Though honestly, I doubted anything I made would go unsold.

It's not narcissism! It's proper confidence in knowing yourself!

Seki-kun's eyes glimmered with a faint smile, "Sounds good, I'll take some time to go check it out."

I nodded repeatedly: "You can call me when you come, I'll accompany you!......Give you some courage!"

I clenched my fist, pumping a cheering gesture.

Great! If Seki-kun is abducted by me as well, then I don't have to feel guilty about abandoning others because of the shortened cooking club activities!

It must be the effect of the two of us being bound for too long, there's always a sense of peace of mind with Seki-kun around.

"Okay." Seki-kun closed his eyes, "We'll talk about this later, today's dessert......"

"Matcha roll cake, right! I’ll give it my all!"

"......I appreciate it."

Chapter Text

Katsuki's room was more ordinary than I expected.

It leaned towards the simple and minimalist style, and there are small dumbbells and other workout equipment, seemingly for training.

Other than that......there doesn't seem to be anything particularly interesting.

I held my phone and looked left and right on the tiny side of the screen, eventually realizing that I couldn't find anything remarkable about this plain room. So I could only sigh and hold my phone away from it, refocusing my attention on Katsuki, who was flipping through an exercise book and doing his homework on the side of the table.

He heard my sigh and lifted his eyelids to glance at me: "Had seen enough?"

I leaned back in my chair and twisted my head to look at the computer screen, resuming typing at my half-written essay.

"I thought you had something interesting in your room." I tsked, "I can't believe there's not even an All Might figure."

He grunted: "There are plenty at home. I didn’t bring any to the dorm."

Alright, I shouldn’t have doubted Katsuki’s level of devotion to All Might.

I looked at the small pile of books he had casually placed on the table and suddenly remembered something, tilting my head as I tried to read the titles on the spines.

Katsuki noticed my ridiculous posture and looked speechless: "What are you doing?"

"I'm checking out what kind of books you usually read." I told him with plenty of interest, "At your age, Katsuki, isn’t it normal to be into ero books?"

Katsuki: "......"

Katsuki: "I’m into your head, don’t lump me in with your otaku cousin!"

He said indignantly as he pushed the pile of books down with his hand, the books gumming up the table.

Katsuki grunted: "Weren’t you curious about what I read? Take a good look......"

His voice came to an abrupt halt.

I rested my chin on my hand, looked at the book on top of the pile, and commented: “It’s Mizuhara Maina’s latest swimsuit photobook. So, Katsuki, do you like flat-chested girls?”

Katsuki stared at that book in silence, his ears reddening little by little.

"Fuck!" He swept the photobook under the table as if he'd been burned, arguing, "It's not mine! It was dunce face who put it in my place!"

I nodded, fully understanding his embarrassed attempt to shift the blame.

Katsuki seemed to see my perfunctory attitude, he became even more furious, slammed his pen down, picked his mobile phone up, and started to rant at the screen: "Did you hear me! It's not mine! It's not! It's dunce face’s! Kaminari's! I'm gonna get him and make him confess right now!"

Seeing him bouncing up from his seat, seemingly intent on finding some unlucky guy, I hurriedly calmed him down: "Alright, alright, don’t make a scene. It’s late. I’m not even mad. This kind of thing is normal, I'm not unaware of it."

"Fuck——! I told you, it’s not mine! I’m being framed!"

"Okay, okay, don’t get so worked up, calm down." I waved my hand repeatedly to pacify him, "I didn't even say anything."

"I don’t like flat-chested girls!!"

"......"

I looked at his expression, a little hesitant to continue this conversation: "Erm, so you like baby-faced big boobs instead? Then I'll recommend Ono Mari's......"

"What kind of middle-aged ojisan talk is this?!" Katsuki exploded, "What kind of messed-up things do you spend your time reading all day?!"

My eyes drifted: "Ahya, just flipping through them when I pass by a bookstore. Swimsuits are kinda cute, right?"

Katsuki glared at me viciously, leaned down to pick up the pen he had just thrown away, and aggressively resumed doing his homework without saying a word, as if he held a personal grudge against it.

I awkwardly looked away, cleared my throat, and wisely decided to keep quiet, pretending to focus on my essay.

"I don't like others."

Katsuki’s voice came through gritted teeth.

"I don’t give a damn what they look like!"

......He’s still stuck on that, huh?

Katsuki-san really doesn’t take accusations lightly.

Looking at the terrifying expression of him showing his teeth, I wisely changed the topic.

"Katsuki, the injuries on your face seem to have healed?" I tilted my head and stared at the screen, "Did you rip the band-aid off? There's still a little redness."

"Yeah," He didn't look up, his voice finally calming down, "It'll be completely healed in no time, told you they were minor injuries."

I blinked: "Who did you get into a fight with?"

"......Why are you asking about this?" He glanced up at me, "It was a week ago, it's in the past, it doesn’t matter."

"I'm curious."

"There's nothing to be curious about." He continued his homework with an indifferent face, "It's not important anyway."

I sighed vaguely.

He really doesn't like to share much about himself.

Even with his girlfriend.

......Ah, compared to a girlfriend, the current state is more like an older sister and younger brother, right?

I pursed my lips and brought up another thing: "Why are you taking extra lessons?"

"......"

"Did you fail any exam?"

"......"

Katsuki couldn't bear it anymore and looked up at me: "Are you picking a fight with me today, aren’t you?"

"No." I slumped down on the table, a little aggrieved, "Forget it if you don’t want to tell me, I’m hanging up."

"......Wait."

He hissed, throwing down his pen and rubbing his hair in annoyance.

"What do you need to know this for?"

I averted my gaze and mumbled in a low voice: "I want to know more about Katsuki too......If you don’t want to tell me, that’s fine. It’s not like we see each other anyway, so it doesn’t really matter."

He glared at me.

I was fearless anyway: "My friend asked me about the details of getting along with my boyfriend, and all I could say was that my boyfriend was taking extra lessons, and I couldn't see him. I couldn’t even tell what you’re taking extra lessons for......"

Katsuki raised one eyebrow: "You mentioned me to your friend?"

I nodded.

Somehow, that instantly calmed him down. He hooked his lips into a little wicked smile: "Good."

I was looking puzzled when I heard him say slowly: "About the extra lessons, it's not a big deal. The Provisional Hero License Exam some time ago, that one you know, I failed the exam, so I need to take extra lessons for three months to retake it."

What?!

That Provisional Hero License Exam? Katsuki actually failed it?!

Maybe it's because my wide-eyed appearance of shock was too silly, Katsuki was immediately irritated.

"Hey! What's with the expression on your face?!" Katsuki said in a bad mood, "It’s not like I wanted to fail!"

"Uhm, because of that licence, didn't Izuku pass it too? So I thought Katsuki......"

Katsuki’s face quickly darkened at a speed visible to the naked eye, the veins at the corners of his forehead jutted out rhythmically.

"What are you trying to say?! Are you saying that I'm no match for him?! Ah?!"

I shook my head back and forth to deny it: "It's because Katsuki is so excellent, so I find it unbelievable!"

"And how did you know that Deku passed the exam?! You guys were in contact?!"

"......"

"Shit! You guys actually secretly contacted each other behind my back?!"

......

Wait, Bakugo Katsuki-san.

Nobody just imagines themselves getting cucked for no reason.

Can you be a little more mature!!

It looked like he was seriously about to storm out and challenge Midoriya to a duel to the death, so I hastily steadied him.

"What are you thinking! I didn't realize Izuku was in the same class as you until I watched the Sports Festival, so when I texted you asking about the exam results, I also asked Izuku by the way. By the way! By the way! Do you understand what I'm emphasizing?!"

"Tsk!" Katsuki gritted his teeth, "I'm definitely not gonna let him off——!"

I was speechless.

Energetic teenagers are really enviable.

I softened my voice and coaxed him a few more times, and he finally regained his grip on the pen and started writing his homework.

In order to prevent me from saying something that would poke his ire again, I simply closed my mouth and focused on writing my paper as well.

I wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but when I finally typed the last punctuation mark on my keyboard, I couldn’t help but stretch my arms. Then, I turned to glance at my phone screen propped up nearby.

Katsuki’s desktop had long since been cleaned up by him.

He sat upright at his desk, now wearing a black short-sleeved shirt. A towel hung around his neck, and he was slowly pulling one end to dry his damp blonde hair.

"Finished writing?" He noticed my movements and asked casually.

I nodded my head and glanced at the clock to see that two hours had passed.

"Katsuki, when did you finish writing? And even took a shower?"

"I finished writing long ago." He said absentmindedly, "And even worked out for a while, just got out of the shower."

"Woh, you should go to bed."

Katsuki raised his eyes up at me: "What about you? Taking a shower and going to bed too?"

"Me," I poked my chin, "I'll go to bed after I shower and play for a while."

He nodded: "Mm."

I was about to hang up when I suddenly heard Katsuki’s voice.

His red eyes flickered toward me, seemingly offhandedly, and he asked softly: "Your birthday's coming up, isn't it?"

I froze, my gaze intertwining with his on the screen.

"Want any presents?"

I heard him ask that.

×

Bakugo Katsuki’s perspective:

After the phone call with Shingetsu, Bakugo's focus was all on the second half of the conversation about the birthday.

That was until one day, when Kirishima and Kaminari barged into his room together for a chat. Kaminari, with his usual sharp eyes for this kind of thing, immediately pulled out Mizuhara Maina’s Swimsuit Photobook from a pile of books near the foot of the bed. That’s when Bakugo suddenly remembered that cursed item.

......Heaven and earth could tell, that this damn book really isn’t his!

He didn't even know how the book had appeared in his room.

The only possibility was this dunce face Kaminari, only this guy is exceptionally interested in women......

"Bakugo! I never took you for the type to buy Mizuhara Maina’s photobook! So you’re into this kind of......"

Bakugo skilfully grabbed Kaminari’s collar and cut off his unspoken words.

Kaminari’s expression turned bitter, "Holy sheet are you serious?! I just took it out and haven't even flipped it yet, are you that protective over it?!"

Bakugo: "......"

Bakugo: "This stupid book wasn’t yours? You didn’t leave it here?!"

Kaminari shouted in grievance: “I’m being framed! I was planning to buy it, yeah, but didn’t the school go on lockdown before I even had the chance?!”

"......"

If it wasn't Kaminari, could it be Kirishima......?

Bakugo looked at Kirishima, who received the book from Kaminari, he flipped through it casually and immediately the whole face turned red.

The latter perceived Bakugo's line of sight and threw the book aside like a hot iron: "It's not my book either!"

So this guy turned out to be a pure-hearted type?

Bakugo thought indifferently and absent-mindedly.

Makes sense, it's a single-celled organism after all.

If it wasn't Kaminari nor Kirishima, then who else could it be?!

There's no way it could have been bought by him sleepwalking, right? Don't be stupid, he wasn’t even remotely interested in this kind of completely flat-chested stuff.

So who the hell was the fucking bastard trying to frame him?!

......Could it be Sero?

Chapter Text

"Want any presents?"

Ordinary girls, upon hearing their boyfriends ask this question, might coyly say "I want you to spend time with me".

A slightly more willful one might pull out the season’s trendiest bags, shoes, or cosmetics, list them all in her shopping cart, and send them straight to her boyfriend.

But I can't do that.

Because my newly acquired boyfriend, has neither personal freedom nor money.

And he has a bad temper!

What do I even see in him?!

Yet, at this moment, he was staring at me, waiting for my answer.

I have to admit there’s a hint of sexiness about rubbing wet hair.

That's right, I like his face! His figure! His glowing youthful flesh body!

"I thought you couldn’t come out? What's the point of caring about me for my birthday." I pursed my lips and smiled, "If you really want to celebrate it for me, make it up to me later when you're free."

A flash of frustration crossed Katsuki’s face as he muttered, "I'll make it up when we meet, but I still have to get you a birthday present."

"You'll fold me another paper frog?"

"Fuck! I'm being serious with you!"

Paper frogs are very serious too. What did the paper frogs do wrong?

Perhaps the words "paper frog" struck a nerve with Katsuki, he looked at me with narrowed eyes: "You kept all the gifts I gave you, right?"

I nodded and lifted my hand to pull down a cardboard box from the shelf, opening the lid and looking at the small half-box of collections and things inside.

"All of them?" His eyes widened, looking a little happy.

"Yeah, all the miscellaneous stuff is in the box." I picked up that faded and tattered paper frog and showed it to Katsuki, "Back then, you were the one who hid behind Mitsuki-san, without knowing how much mental preparation you had to do before you handed me a frog that was painted in a flowery colour......"

"Bullshit! I just went to the table and grabbed a handmade one and gave it to you! Weren't you on the verge of tears back then!"

Katsuki’s ears tinted pink as he huffed in defence.

I recalled and accused, "That's right, you scared me with a bug. Childish! Abominable! Disgusting!"

"......" Katsuki seemed to choke on his words and weaseled out, "Bugs are so cute, how did I know you were such a wimp and didn’t like bugs?"

"You just knew I hated bugs so you gifted them to me, didn't you?" I grunted disdainfully, "Akira told me all about it, you just had it planned."

He was so angry he almost threw the towel he was using to dry his hair, I bet my unlucky cousin was going to suffer for this later.

"I kind of like the paper frog though, didn't Katsuki make it yourself?" I put the paper frog back into the box, "I also like very much the dried flower bookmark and the hairpin later on......Er? Is this one from you? A card from All Might?"

"Yes." Katsuki held his tongue, "It was an extra. I gave it to you because I had a duplicate!"

He muttered as he gave up, "How the fuck do I know what kind of weird crap you like."

I rummaged through the box and yanked out a roughly made bracelet.

It's technically just a string with a handful of glass beads strung on it, but it's certainly the right length to fit a wrist.

"This was from Izuku when we were kids, he looked much more normal than you do."

The screen of the phone lurched and made a loud bang.

Katsuki’s veins bulged as his hands remained in the motion of slamming against the table.

"Why did that loser even gift you stuff!!"

The corner of my mouth twitched, "......At that time, my aunt and uncle were on business trips every day. Akira, this damn brat, turned the house as a kindergarten, inviting four or five kids over every day, and had desserts after the main meal, so I almost died of exhaustion!"

"......"

"What's wrong with Izuku being kind-hearted and giving me a bracelet?!"

"Fuck, I clearly gave you more gifts!"

"......You mean the giant rhinoceros beetle?!"

Another bang as Katsuki snapped the screen of the phone to the desktop.

He seemed to be furious, after a few gasps and a muffled "hang up", he simply cut off the video call.

Ah, he just rage-quit, didn’t he?

Well, he's always hated Izuku.

He's so childish in some ways.

I took my phone and thought about it before deciding to send him a message.

Shudo Shingetsu: [Are you mad?]

Shudo Shingetsu: [Okay okay, I was wrong, don't be mad. Katsuki is a good boy. Bunny headpats.jpg]

Shudo Shingetsu: [What do you mean about read but not replied? Then I won't send you any more.]

Bakugo Katsuki: [Fuck, I can't even be mad at you?]

Shudo Shingetsu: [What's there to be angry about, I’ve kept all your gifts, even from seven or eight years ago. Instead of being touched, you’re getting all worked up, you retard.]

Bakugo Katsuki: [......]

Bakugo Katsuki: [Violent bunny.gif]

I looked at this animated emoticon of a rabbit punching and smacking away a stupid bear, and thought that Katsuki might be into this sticker series lately.

Shudo Shingetsu: [So, are you still getting me a gift?]

Bakugo Katsuki: [Yeah. I'll go find you a giant rhinoceros beetle in the school’s back mountain tomorrow and send it to you! It'll be definitely bigger and more energetic than the one I had when we were kids!]

......

Fuck.

I'm going to curse too.

Shudo Shingetsu: [Alright, I'll refuse all deliveries from Bakugo Katsuki for the next month.]

Bakugou Katsuki: [Don’t you fucking dare?!]

Shudo Shingetsu: [Guess if I dare or not, come fight me, bleh bleh bleh.]

Bakugo Katsuki: [......]

Bakugo Katsuki: [Why are you like a schizophrenic retard. Texting and video calls sound like two completely different people.]

Shudo Shingetsu: [We complex creatures are all like that. A single-celled like Katsuki is more consistent.]

Bakugo Katsuki: [......Fine, I'm not gonna argue with you. I'm going to sleep.]

Bakugo Katsuki: [Your birthday is in half a month. I'll send the present, don't fucking refuse it!]

I was just kidding, but this guy actually took it seriously, how cute.

I happily sent him the same "Bunny covers blanket" emoticon he sent me before and got a "Good night" in return.

But what kind of gift will Katsuki give me, I wonder?

Since the relationship has changed, I'm suddenly super excited for it!

×

I ended up extending my part-time hours at Shoku-Sen.

Chika has a point, if I’m honing my cooking skills anyway, why not choose the side that actually makes money?

Seki-kun also took the time to come by, but though in the end, he decided he’d only work on weekends, two days a week.

Seki-kun said: "After all, I still need pocket money."

However, I learnt from Yuki and Hana that Seki-kun basically didn't go to the cooking club much after that point.

Could it be that he's going because I'm going?

I thought narcissistically.

Ah, he must have fallen in love with......my Quirk at first sight.

Ninety per cent of the reason that sweet lover is so keen on the cooking club is because he can eat delicious desserts for free when he paired up with me.

I inexplicably felt a little guilty, so I occasionally make desserts at home to bring him a copy of the time, he every time gladly accepted, so it didn’t seem to have strained our relationship.

Chika finally gave up on the ridiculous idea of putting a dessert cabinet in a restaurant with a strong atmosphere like a snack bar.

However, with a wave of her hand, she took over the shop next to Shoku-Sen and named it "Dorinku", specializing in desserts and drinks.

Chika said: "Think about it, making snacks requires a lot of skill, but for drinks, all you need is to remember the mixing ratios! That way, even if you’re not around, we can still open the shop!"

......This comrade, if you are just keen on simulation games, I suggest you go straight to play the Kairo series games.

Or any other simulation tea restaurant or something like that can also satisfy your needs.

Why insist on opening a real shop in reality?!

And as for Hana’s relationship, which I hadn’t paid much attention to lately, it had taken a new turn.

Hana broke up with her childhood boyfriend, Kichiro-kun, for the following reason......

Hana: "He kissed me when I wasn't ready! That was my first kiss!"

Me: ?

Yuki, on the other hand, nodded: "It does seem a bit too much."

Hana turned to look at me with tears in her eyes: "Shingetsu, you think that was too much too, right?"

"......"

I'm sorry, I don't understand what you guys are struggling with.

I glanced down at my phone and looked at the message Katsuki had sent last night.

Bakugo Katsuki: [Not doing a video call, just going straight to bed, the extra lessons left me with a bunch of injuries, and if you saw them, you’d just nag again. And I'm so tired, I'll just rest for today.]

You ignorant couples, you can break up over something as trivial as an unprepared first kiss.

I thought indifferently.

I'm a woman who was kissed without warning, pressed up against a wall, and then never saw her boyfriend again.

......Can you at least sympathize the pain of long-distance relationships?!

×

Bakugo Katsuki’s perspective:

On this day, Sero also dropped by Bakugo’s room, and as Bakugo threw Mizuhara Maina's photobook at him, he caught it steadily and flipped through it with great interest.

"Good brother, sharing good things together!" Sero didn't notice the storm brewing on Bakugo’s face, "I'm not really into flat breasts though......"

"Huh?! Meaning this book isn't yours?" Bakugo's hand rested on the back of his chair as he looked condescendingly at the three men seated on the floor around the small table, "Which one of you three actually owns this book?!"

The three looked at each other in disbelief, all seeing bewilderment in the other's eyes.

Bakugo’s temper exploded, he stood up so violently that the sliding chair abruptly slid away with a bone-crunching sound.

He planted one bare foot onto the table, sparks crackling from his upturned palm, "Ah?!"

The three of them were appalled by his aura.

Kirishima shook his head like a rattle drum: "It’s not mine!"

Kaminari stared warily at Bakugo's paws: "I told you it wasn't me either! This is the latest book! If I had it, I'd have enjoyed it myself already, why would I give it to you?!"

Sero was dumbfounded, still not sure of the situation: "What the hell?! Isn't this Bakugo's book? Didn't you just throw it at me?!"

"Looks like you guys aren't going to fess up." Bakugo hammered his left fist on his right palm, bringing out a slight blast of air, "Go to hell——!!!"

"Uwahh!!!"

While the boys over here were making a scandal, there was a knock on Bakugo's door.

Ashido Mina's voice rang out: "Bakugo Bakugo, are you there?"

"Ah?!" Bakugo moved his foot off of Kaminari's shoulder and glared evilly at the three men rolling into a ball as he stood up and went to pull the door open, "What for?!"

Mina put her hands together in an apologetic pose: "That, I seem to have accidentally left a photobook on your desk by accident when I came to see you the other day to ask you a math question, did you see it?"

Bakugo: "......"

Mina even explained in detail: "It's a swimsuit special, the model's name is Mizuhara Maina, ring any bells?"

Bakugo turned around, yanked out the book that had been thrown under the table during the scuffle, and carried it to Mina: "This thing?!"

"Thank you thank you!" Mina hastily took the book and thanked him.

"......The fuck is a female doing reading a swimsuit photo book?! Are you a pervert?!"

Mina, who had been planning to leave, looked back over her shoulder and pointed to the fancy script in the lower-right corner of the photo book, helpfully explaining: "This edition was sponsored by the ‘I’m Super Sexy’ swimwear brand. Every swimsuit in it has a listed price and item code. We girls were thinking of buying a few to wear if we go swimming this summer. We’ll invite you guys too!"

She hummed a tune and skipped away.

Bakugo: "......"

He didn't understand what these girls in his class were thinking all day long.

Kaminari also heard the conversation at the door, he climbed to his feet and blushed slightly: "......Why is she looking at Maina modeling a swimming costume, Maina is flat-chested......"

Sero smacked the back of his head: "Pervert!"

Chapter Text

During the time I've been working part-time at the Shoku-Sen, the restaurant gained quite a few regulars.

And among them, there were always certain people who attracted special attention.

For example, this person who is sitting at the corner table right now, eating his rice bowl meal in a slow and methodical manner.

His costume was very peculiar, a huge hat covered him with a hood, and something like a gas mask stuck out from under the brim.

Although he had now temporarily lifted the mask up to reveal his mouth, that elephant trunk-like thing was still impossible to ignore.

If it were just strange attire, I wouldn’t have paid him much attention.

In a world where Quirks are all over the populace, even people with horns on their heads or tails are common.

The only reason I noticed him was because of the other guests' comments.

"That guy seems to be a hero——that Lunch Rush, right?"

"Oh, oh, I know, the one who's good at cooking."

"Didn’t they say he’s in charge of U.A. High’s cafeteria?"

I casually turned to Katsuki for confirmation and got a response.

Bakugo Katsuki: "Huh? The cafeteria? Is it true that Lunch Rush is in charge of it. What, you want to apply for the job? Missing me that much?"

This guy is really narcissistic.

But I was just asking out of curiosity, with no other intentions in mind.

However, it seemed that Mr. Lunch Rush was quite interested in me instead.

One day, when he came in early, and there were few customers in the restaurant, after he finished his order, he stood by the open kitchen with great interest and watched me make the set menu he ordered.

"You look pretty young." He mildly struck up a conversation with me, "But your cooking doesn’t feel like a young person’s. More like someone who’s been honing their craft in the kitchen for over ten years."

I was momentarily stunned, then, a bit embarrassed, sprinkled salt into the pan while replying: "I'm certainly not the experienced type, I just take advantage of the convenience of my Quirk."

He asked me a few more questions about my Quirk, then nodded and slowly rounded the corner to sit down.

I casually mentioned it to Katsuki when I was talking to him in the evening, and he didn't seem to think much of it.

"A coincidence, I guess?" Katsuki absentmindedly tidied up the messy tabletop, "That chef-hat knows how to cook himself, so why would he go out to eat at a restaurant? Is he testing if the grass is greener on the other side?"

He rummaged under the table and pulled out a candy wrapper, immediately bursting into fury, "Dunce face this bastard——! Dropped the fucking candy on the floor again!!"

At this point, I didn’t even care if my face was practically spilling over the screen.

I took my phone and poked at the screen perfunctorily: "Did Kaminari-kun come over to hang out with you again?"

"That dunce face is really dunce! Can't even understand a simple grammar question!"

He cleaned the room up and down as if he had a cleanliness fetish before returning to his phone: "......What are you doing? Move the phone further away!"

"I'm messaging friends, just pretend you don't see me or hang up the call."

I glanced at the shrinking video screen in the top right corner of my phone and realized that Katsuki had dragged the small table out of the way, leaving the room empty. I immediately sat up straight in interest: "What are you doing?"

"......Push-ups." He said hesitantly, "Let’s hang up for now, it's boring."

I instantly shook my head into a rattle, "Not boring, not boring, I want to watch it!"

"What's there to see in this thing?!"

"Watching someone do something I’ll never be able to do in my lifetime is the best thing!"

"......"

The corners of Katsuki’s mouth twitched slightly, and he suddenly tipped his phone forward.

All I could see was the image skyrocketing, and after it stopped, there was only the ceiling of Katsuki’s room.

"Hey! Katsuki!"

"Be quiet, I'll pamper you later."

"......"

I slapped the table: "I want to watch my boyfriend do push-ups!!!"

"Stay still and don't bother me." Katsuki’s voice goes up and down, "There’s nothing to see, not allowed to watch."

What's there to be shy about.

Wasn’t he the one who proudly took the initiative to show me his abs in the first place?

I couldn’t understand my boyfriend’s on-and-off mix of shamelessness and sudden purity, so I just focused on scrolling through my messages.

Hana had created a group chat with Yuki and me, naming it The Miserable Love Trio.

Now Hana is venting like crazy.

Ijima Hana: [Chinen hasn't reacted at all these past few days! Is he really going to break up with me?!]

Ijima Hana: [Anyway, this time the fault is all on him, there's no way I'm going to back down!]

Ijima Hana: [Men are all big pig trotters!!!!]

Ijima Hana: [......What are you two doing, why aren't you reacting at all in the middle of the night?!]

Kaikawa Yuki: [I'm messaging with my crush, he's super cute.]

Shudo Shingetsu: [......On a video call with my boyfriend.]

Ijima Hana: [......]

Ijima Hana: [I'm so miserable. I'm so miserable and you two are stuffing me with couple nonsense.]

Kaikawa Yuki: [It's not my fault~ I'm still in the pursuit stage.]

Shudo Shingetsu: [It's even less my fault, I haven't seen that retard's face in over a month.]

Kaikawa Yuki: [Ara, we're all so miserable, it fits the group name.]

Ijima Hana: [......]

I held my phone and involuntarily sighed as well.

"What?" The screen was still unchanged from the ceiling, but Katsuki’s voice came through, "Why are you sighing?"

"My birthday's coming up——"

"......I know!"

"Is the present ready?" I dragged out my words, "Is it a paper crane or a paper star this time?"

The mental image of Katsuki, forehead veins bulging, folding tiny paper stars made me burst out laughing.

Katsuki’s irritable voice came out: "What’s your deal with handmade gifts?"

"I’m just curious. We’re not even meeting in person, so just tell me what you’re going to gift?......And just so you know, if you pull some dumb straight-man prank like sending me a bag of ‘U.A. High’s fertile soil,’ I guarantee you'll get your freedom as a single dog on my birthday."

Katsuki’s voice had already taken on a smirk: "What kinda crap are you reading online all day, how could I possibly do something like that?"

Katsuki’s voice came from far away and the ceiling of the screen shifted, reflecting Katsuki’s face.

He reached up and set the phone up, sitting cross-legged on the floor, slightly panting with tiny beads of sweat on his forehead.

I stopped paying attention to the messages jumping around The Miserable Love Trio group and zoomed in on the video, blinking at him: "Tired?"

"No big deal." He wiped his face with a towel he took by hand from the back of the chair.

"Why don't you hurry up and take a shower and rest." I looked at the brand-new band-aid on his face and puffed my cheeks, "Your extra lessons are so violent."

"Ah?"

"The band-aid is new, right, all of last week's were just replaced......" I grumbled in a low voice, "I can't believe they hit your face, it's too much."

Katsuki, however, didn't mind and rubbed his face before asking: "By the way, I've been forgetting to ask you for the past few days, do you have any favourite pro hero?"

"Ah?......All, All Might?"

"I’m not asking you about my favourite, do you have a favourite yourself?" Katsuki coughed awkwardly, "Preferably a famous one!"

I smoothly retrieve the top ten ranked heroes from the computer next to me and ask in passing: "What for, are you going to give me a hero figure?"

"......"

"Why aren’t you saying anything, don't tell me you are actually considering it?"

"......Quit yapping."

I looked at the retrieved page, skimmed it casually, and mused: "Hawks, I guess."

"Who?"

"This new winged hero, young, already made it into the top ten, stylish, powerful, and handsome......"

"Shut up, don't read the ads." Katsuki’s expression was a bit surprised, "You actually know about Hawks?"

I shrugged my shoulders innocently: "Nah, I’ve heard of him for the first time today."

I stared at Hawks' enlarged face on the computer screen and commented: "He's quite handsome, and he dresses in a trendy way. Looks quite appealing to girls."

"Ignorant girls." Katsuki added darkly.

I tilted my head: "? You know him?"

"No." Katsuki said expressionlessly, "He doesn’t look like a good person."

"......He's a top ten ranked hero, Katsuki maybe ease up on the judgmental attitude?!"

Katsuki hummed disdainfully and muttered: "I'm much more handsome than him."

Alright, as long as you're happy.

It’s not like his narcissism is anything new.

So and so and so, my birthday still arrived as scheduled.

Birthday happened to be on Sunday, I got up early and received the birthday blessing text message from Katsuki, and right before heading out, I found a package waiting at my doorstep.

It was from Katsuki, a present!

I opened the small box with excitement and found a keychain wrapped in paper inside.

It's Hawks, right.

I guessed, peeling away the wrapping paper.

"......"

However, that guy on the keychain with the fierce eyes bared and holding the medal with teeth......was clearly named Bakugo Katsuki.

There was even a small note on it.

——"I'm much more handsome than Hawks, aren't I."

Wake up, mate.

You're only a match for Hawks when your face is expressionless!

What's your misconception about your face?!

×

Bakugo Katsuki’s perspective:

Kirishima followed Bakugo as he turned into the convenience store inside U.A. High School.

On the wall was a large collection of posters, standees, figures, etc. of various famous heroes.

There were even ones of the teachers and the principal.

Kirishima was blown away, but he was a bit confused as to why Bakugo walked in on a whim.

"Bakugo, do you want to buy anything?" Kirishima asked him.

Bakugo walked along the display case and his feet stopped somewhere, squinting at the contents of the display case.

Kirishima stepped forward to take a look at what appeared to be mobile phone charms in the cabinet.

"All the All Might ones are sold out." Kirishima also bent down to stare at the display case with Bakugo, "It's pretty cute though, Bakugo, do you want to buy this?"

"......The Hawks one." Bakugo tsked irritably and reluctantly said, "It's my girlfriend's birthday, so I'll buy this for her."

"?" Kirishima stared wide-eyed at Bakugo, "Girl, girlfriend?!"

Bakugo didn't waste any words and just turned to the counter.

Kirishima hesitantly remembered Kaminari’s reaction the last time Bakugo had claimed he had a girlfriend.

Back then, Kaminari had been unceremoniously thrown out of Bakugo’s room, he ran out to pick Kaminari up.

Kaminari sat down on the floor in a huff and said indignantly: "Seriously, with his shitty attitude, how can he have a girlfriend?!"

At that time, Kirishima could only scratch his head: "Maybe there are girls who like him with that kind of temper."

"Does this kind of masochist exist?!"

Just as Midoriya was passing by, Kaminari instantly tugged on the person and asked: "Hey Midoriya, aren't you and Bakugo childhood friends? That guy has a girlfriend?"

Midoriya looked shocked: "No, no! How could there be!"

Kaminari spread his hands and smiled smugly: "See, that guy’s totally making it up to sound cool!"

......

So there really is one?

Even if it's an act, there's no need to go all out like that, right?

The more Kirishima thought about it, the more he felt sorry for Bakugo, he shouldn't have doubted his charisma, so he ran next to him and asked: "Bakugo, why don’t you buy one of yourself for your girlfriend?"

"Fuck, like I would have my own merch!" Bakugo said with a disgruntled huff.

Kirishima poked Bakugo's shoulder to get his attention, and pointed to the display case in the far corner: "Look at that, the Sports Festival souvenir! You're in first place, there's got to be one for you!"

Bakugo raised the eyebrows and walked over.

One minute later, he left Hawks' mobile phone charm behind.

Three minutes later, he picked up the keychain with his face on it.

Kirishima: "......That, Bakugo, isn't that expression a little too scary?"

Bakugo tilted his head and gave a puzzled hmmm: "What? At least it's better than the Hawks one."

Kirishima's jaw dropped as he watched Bakugo roll to the counter in a gust of wind to check out.

......This guy, did he seriously think that one was good?

Can't say it's not manly, but would a girl......like that kind of thing?

Chapter Text

Although I disliked this keychain, which looked rather out of line with my level of being a gentle and dignified lady, at least it was the first gift I received after dating Katsuki, so I reluctantly hung it on my school bag.

This behaviour even earned me a complicated look from Kyouji.

"You like this one?" He asked me.

I blinked: "Do you watch the U.A Sports Festival too?"

Kyouji replied: "I watched it a few times because it was too famous......Thought you girls preferred the second-place one, Todoroki-kun."

I recalled the second place's impressively handsome face and said without hesitation: "I like the second place one too!"

When Katsuki had time for a video call with me, I noticed that he had new band-aids on his face.

......Geez, with this kind of repeated injury, won't he really be disfigured?

Not waiting for me to finish worrying about Katsuki's face, he already asked me in a serious manner: "Did you receive the gift?"

I nodded and replied: "I received it."

He looked at me with raised eyebrows and coughed softly in a pretentious manner.

Dude, you're so extra.

Wordless, I picked up my phone and showed him the out-of-place, evil-watching keychain on my cute, pink school bag.

"See how prominent it is, you're the brightest star of all my pendants."

He grunted and blushed, then immediately responded: "? Why do I get the feeling you're being sarcastic at me?"

"What, I’m being honest and you still don’t believe me."

"......Fine, I won’t argue with you."

Katsuki said as he flipped open his exercise book and started skimming through the topics for his homework.

I leaned over the table, looked at his obvious eyelashes and the red eyes hidden under them as he concentrated on the homework exercises, asked in boredom: "When are we going to meet?"

His pen gave a slight lurch: "What? Didn't you act like I'm a beast of prey the last time we met?"

"Ahya, I've spent months mentally preparing for this." I beamed as I rested my chin on the table, "Even virtual pets have feelings."

Katsuki pouted, at this point, he’d grown used to me calling him a virtual pet, it just goes to show how a person would always give up their resistance after being nagged too much.

He wrote a few more rows of words, paused the tip of his pen, and said hesitantly: "......We probably won't be able to see each other even after I finish my extra lessons."

My eyes widened, my head full of question marks.

Katsuki raised his eyes to look at my face, cleared his throat, and said faintly: "The school is on lockdown, and now no one is allowed to go out even on days off, unless there is something serious that requires an application form to be written......It's not as easy to get through as it used to be."

I was a little surprised: "Lockdown? Why? Is something going on at your school again?"

"It's the society that’s going on with something again! Idiot! Don't you ever watch the news?!" Katsuki glared at me in a bad mood, "Because of All Might’s retirement, criminal activities have become even more rampant, just a few days ago, several students from our school assisted in a professional hero's rescue activity, and now they're all lying in the hospital. The professional heroes also sacrificed one, although the activity was considered a success......"

Katsuki ground his teeth and let out a stifled, disgruntled grunt: "......While those guys were doing their off-campus activities, I had to go to the damn extra lessons......"

I looked at his tense jaw and said: "Well, you failed the exam."

"Ah——?! What did you say, you bastard! I'll kill you!"

The threat across the phone no longer worked on me at all. I leaned back, looking at Katsuki’s suddenly menacing face in the phone's screen, magnified several times over, averted my eyes to whistle.

"Bastard! Look at me! Say that again if you dare!" Katsuki looked like he was going to dive into the screen of his phone and fight me to the death, "You fucking trying to piss me off so bad I explode or what?!"

I looked at his face, which had veins bulging in anger, waved my hand at him perfunctorily: "Calm down, calm down."

"Calm your damn head! Who are you looking down on?!"

"……Didn’t you actually fail the exam though——"

Clang.

He cut off the video call.

......This guy.

Really can't afford to be angry.

And lately, he’s getting more and more cocky.

I called him back, he hung up the second it connected.

When I called back again, it was already turned off.

Me: ???

Is this guy okay?! Why the tantrum over something so small?

Shudo Shingetsu: [I want to complain, girls who can tolerate younger boyfriends than them are actual angels?]

Kaikawa Yuki: [Yeah, I think I'm an angel. What's wrong? Did you have a fight with your boyfriend?]

Shudo Shingetsu: [I'm already used to him hanging up on me. I just dialled back and his phone was turned off! Why should I have to suffer like this?!]

Kaikawa Yuki: [Ahya, is Shingetsu-chan acting cute?]

Shudo Shingetsu: [......]

Shudo Shingetsu: [Yuki, isn't your boyfriend younger than you too? Would he get angry and ignore you for some reason?]

Kaikawa Yuki: [Not a boyfriend, just a crush. He often gets angry when I mess with him, but he doesn't usually ignore me.]

Kaikawa Yuki: [After all, we're not dating, and he does like me, so what if he gets too angry and I run away? He can be a little grumpy sometimes, but it's okay, it's kind of cute.]

Shudo Shingetsu: [......Listen to an old-timer’s advice, don't start dating. After dating you're just a fruitcake left in the fridge overnight.]

Kaikawa Yuki: [......]

Kaikawa Yuki: [By the way, where’s Hana-chan?]

Ijima Hana: [I'm not qualified to get involved in relationship issues as I'm a loner.]

Shudo Shingetsu: [Haven't reconciled with him yet.]

After a few random chats in the Miserable group, my anger passed quickly.

I even started to help Katsuki make excuses.

Come to think of it, he was indeed in a mood of discontentment, and it wasn't a good idea for me to go and provoke him further.

After all, he's the kind of person who gets angry at the slightest thing.

Kaikawa Yuki: [But when will Shingetsu-chan meet your boyfriend? It's very hard to have a long-distance relationship, right, and it's also easy to fade out fast......and get cucked!]

Shudo Shingetsu: [......]

Shudo Shingetsu: [!!!]

Ijima Hana: [My condolences.]

Shudo Shingetsu: [QAQ No way!!]

I was instantly filled with a sense of crisis.

After all, I personally feel that Mizuhara Maina and I are two types of girls.

I think this is a serious problem, in terms of human psychology, what you get you generally don't cherish.

Judging from this guy's action of actually refusing to answer my calls by turning off his phone, my proportion in his heart is already quite a bit lighter than it was at the beginning.

And after considering it for a long time, I found out that there’s nothing I can do about it.

......Maybe I do need to find a way to see him in person.

I banged my head on the table and let out a long sigh.

I can't think of a way even if I think about it! Katsuki-kun! Why’d you have to get into U.A?

After lying on the table and feeling sorry for myself for half a day, I propped up my head and started searching for the latest news.

Didn't Katsuki just say that his classmates got injured and hospitalized? I wonder which ones......

Five minutes later, I sat up straight and stared out at the small list of U.A students.

Midoriya Izuku......is that the Midoriya Izuku I was thinking of?!!!

×

"You mean U.A. actually lets kids your age go head-to-head with enemies, what are they thinking?!" I was on the phone with Izuku while buying ingredients at the supermarket, "......I know you guys who volunteer to be heroes are gifted, but you guys are way too young!"

The sound of Izuku's coy and sardonic laugh came over the phone: "We were just assisting with what was actually mostly professional hero action. And now that we've fully recovered, we'll be discharged soon, we just need to observe for a few more days......"

I paused: "Does Inko-san know?"

"......It's just a small thing, I didn't tell mum, I'm afraid she will worry." Izuku’s tone was urgent, "Honestly, I am a little surprised, I didn’t think Shingetsu nee-san would find out either. Although it was in the news, the media did not make a big fuss, if you didn’t purposely go to the search words, you should not know this thing."

"Just happened to see it." I replied casually and asked, "So you don't have anyone to visit you? Can I visit you?"

"Eh——?!"

That afternoon, clutching a thermos of bone broth, I was blocked on the top floor of the hospital where Izuku was admitted.

The person in front of me, probably a hero's assistant or something like that, politely told me that ordinary people on the top floor couldn't come and go as they pleased.

That is, until Izuku came out and took me into the ward.

He was wearing a hospital gown and said, a little embarrassed: "Sorry, it's tightly regulated because of the need to isolate suspicious people."

I placed my thermos on the table and uncovered it to greet him without a care in the world: "It's fine, this ordinary citizen shows understanding. Eh, why don't you come over and drink it while it's still hot?"

Izuku came over and sniffed, nodded repeatedly, fished out a bowl from the bedside table, and watched with bated breath as I drew a bowl and handed it to him.

He gulped down the bowl sparingly and handed me a second bowl for him, shyly exclaiming: "Shingetsu nee-san's cooking is still so good."

"Alright alright. Thanks for the compliment, I actually think I've improved lately."

There were a few knocks on the ward door, which was then wrenched open, and a red-haired boy entered with a big grin, "Hey Midoriya, did you do the homework that Aizawa-sensei brought......"

His words braked, and he locked eyes a bit blankly with me, who was craning my head to look at him.

The boy looked even more badly injured than Izuku, with bandages all over his hands and neck, and a band-aid on his face.

But I recognized him at once.

It's Kirishima Eijiro-kun, who was in Katsuki’s group at the Sports Festival Cavalry Battle!

He hastily apologized and was about to exit the ward when I called out to him.

"Would Kirishima-kun like to have a bowl as well?" I asked him with a smile.

Ten minutes later, the two young boys sat side by side on the hospital bed and took the last sip of bone broth, exhaling warmly.

I saw that the thermos had reached the bottom, so I put the lid on it.

It was then that Kirishima-kun reacted: "Oh! Midoriya, is your sister?! The soup is super delicious——I'm Kirishima Eijiro! Thanks for the hospitality!"

Izuku then remembered he hadn't introduced: "It's my neighbour nee-san."

"Shudo Shingetsu." I smiled at him, "Just call me Shingetsu-nee is fine."

"Shingetsu-nee!" He immediately called out loudly.

"......" I was startled, then smiled and answered.

Out of the motherly mentality of elders, I added a few more words for them to take care of themselves.

Fortunately, both kids seemed to be the goody-goody type (or maybe they just didn’t want to seem rude after accepting my soup) and sat up straight the whole time, listening to my rambling.

After the long rant, I hugged my thermos and excused myself, the two were considerate enough to walk me to the elevator.

"I'd love to come visit you guys more often." I glanced at the hero assistants in the hallway, "But it feels like a bit of trouble for you guys......"

Izuku laughed: "Don't worry about us Shingetsu nee-san, we'll be out of the hospital and back to school this week."

Kirishima nodded in agreement.

As I waited for the elevator to arrive, my fingers idly traced the outside of my thermos, I hesitantly asked: "By the way, Izuku, how’s Katsuki doing?"

Izuku let out an "ah" and nodded: "Kat-chan is doing great!"

"Does Shingetsu-nee also know Bakugo?" Kirishima grinned, showing a mouthful of white teeth, "That guy is in great spirits, jumping up and down all day! We'll pass on your regards."

"......" I smiled helplessly, "I'm relieved then. I'm just asking casually, no need to pass it on purpose......"

With a ding, the elevator doors opened.

I hurriedly stepped in and turned to wave goodbye to them both.

Chapter Text

What are the disadvantages of having a boyfriend who is three years younger than you?

Apart from the friendship circle, hobbies, and other things that are formed later in life, there is another fatal disadvantage.

That is, he inexplicably engages in some extremely childish and incomprehensible behaviour.

......Even though Yuki calls this behaviour acting cute, I really can’t agree.

For example, Katsuki, since the last time he took it upon himself to cut off his video call with me and turned off his phone to refuse my contact, he consciously reverted his behavioural pattern back to the virtual pet category.

It takes the form of perfunctory weather reports and good mornings, and perfunctory good nights.

As if saying one more word to me would cost him his life!!

Between the lines and what he does childishly convey an atmosphere of "I am really super angry but I won’t argue with you, however, just talking to you like normal makes me feel kinda aggrieved, so I decided to be cold to you lately".

......Seriously, what’s your deal, Katsuki-kun!?

You think I'll give in just like that?

So naive!

I was holding my breath too, so I just went along with it.

Worst case, we break up. He’s just a virtual pet I can’t even meet in person, I don't care!

Thinking like this, I grumbled under my breath and turned the pan of stir-fried greens over again.

"Focus on the cooking, don’t space out."

Seki-kun came over, picked up the steaming fried rice I’d just set aside, and delivered it to a customer’s table.

The owner, Chika, sat at the nearby cash register and watched Seki-kun's back with a pleased look, twisting her face to whisper to me: "Seki-kun is so reliable. Why don’t you try convincing him to come more than just weekends?"

Comrade Boss, can't you persuade him yourself? If you tripled your salary, Seki-kun would definitely come seven days a week!

I rolled my eyes and ignored Chika.

Not getting the response she wanted, Chika leaned over the counter, pulled out her phone, and started reading the news loudly.

"There's been several more robberies in District XX recently."

"Tsk tsk, why does it feel like there are robberies all over the place."

"Shingetsu you should be careful when you come home from the part-time job."

I raised my eyebrows: "Is the public safety that bad lately?"

"It's not that the security is bad either, it's the crime rate that's on the rise." Lunch Rush-san, who entered the shop at an unknown time and stood by the outgoing table, picked up the conversation, his muffled voice coming out from under his mask, "Let's have Set Meal B today, thanks for your hard work."

"Sure, please have a seat for a bit." Since it was a regular guest, I gave him a smile and nodded my head in greeting.

Lunch Rush-san smiled at me as well and took a seat at the table next to the outlet, cocking his head to watch me stir-fry.

As he watched he continued the conversation: "This area of Hoto Valley, however, has always had an extremely low crime rate."

Chika asked curiously: "Yeah, it's rare to hear of any crime in the neighbourhood, what's the reason?"

Lunch Rush-san's hat covered his face and his expression couldn't be seen, but his voice was very calm: "I don't know, probably criminals don't like this area? Anyway the low crime rate is a good thing."

It was getting late, and Lunch Rush-san was pretty much the last customer in the restaurant, he ate his meal and walked out.

I took a sip of water from my cup inside the restaurant and watched Seki-kun place the last stack of dishes into the sink.

"Shall I wait for you?" I craned my neck to see him.

He rolled up his sleeves slowly and glanced at me, hesitating before saying: "......You go wait for me at the door."

"?"

"I just saw someone waiting for you at the door."

"Eh?"

With a puzzled look on my face, I carried my bag in my hand and walked out of the restaurant, meeting eyes with Lunch Rush-san.

He faced me, and although couldn't see his expression, he exuded a friendly presence.

"This, I accidentally noticed it early." Lunch Rush-san pointed to the keychain hanging on my bag, "It seems to be produced by U.A."

I took down the keychain of Katsuki with my hand: "Um? A keychain from U.A? Ah, this is a picture of the sports festival, right......"

Lunch Rush-san pointed to the logo at the bottom of the keychain and said: "It's the U.A emblem. And the merch related to the Sports Festival, currently only U.A has the right to produce and sell them, they're basically circulated internally."

I smiled: "My boyfriend gave it to me, and he happens to be a U.A student."

Lunch Rush used a tone of realization: "I see. It's tough to be in a relationship with a U.A student, isn't it?"

......Lunch Rush-san turned out to be such a gossipy person?

I sighed: "It can't be helped, there's no way to meet up anyway."

He let out a soft chuckle and seemed to be looking intently at the keychain in my hand: "Did your boyfriend gift you first place on purpose? Or do you just prefer this first place?"

I couldn't help but smile as I remembered Katsuki’s narcissistic note: "He gave it to me himself. My boyfriend is that Bakugo Katsuki-kun."

"......" Lunch Rush-san paused suspiciously, "......What a miracle."

I was a bit puzzled, but Lunch Rush-san quickly changed the subject: "Bakugo-kun is quite famous among this year’s Hero Course students. Not just because of his Quirk and personal capabilities, but also hmm, his rather unique personality. Even a cafeteria cook like me has heard of him."

"......You can just directly say that he has a notoriously bad temper, it’s fine."

"Haha." Lunch Rush-san lets out a bright laugh and says to me, "Speaking of which, U.A is going to hold a cultural festival soon, have you heard about it?"

I shook my head: "I've been arguing with my boyfriend lately, so I haven't had a casual conversation in a long time."

"That’s quite the dilemma......"

He paused and pulled a ticket out of his pocket, handing it to me.

"Thanks to Miss Shudo's care during these past few days, I was able to taste a variety of cuisines. Compared to those heroes who focus on sanctioning criminals and rescuing the injured, there are very few heroes in cuisine, and as far as I know I'm the only one at the moment. But ever since I saw the cooking process of Shudo-san, I had the idea of wanting to make a deep friendship with you."

"Coinciding with the cultural festival held by U.A, there will surely be many students who have ideas to implement in terms of cooking. Cuisine from all over the world, and I'd like to ask Shudo-san to taste it as well."

"But based on U.A's special nature, it's absolutely impossible to let suspicious people in. That's why I've been hesitant and have been observing." His voice was tinged with laughter, "After delving deeper into it today, on the contrary, it seems like this kind of behaviour of mine could help patch things up between a young couple......"

He handed me the ticket for the U.A admission: "I sincerely look forward to your appointment, Shudo-san."

I froze and reached out to take it, staring at the ticket for dozens of seconds before saying a thank you.

Just then, Seki-kun stepped out, closing and locking the door as he stood waiting for me.

Lunch Rush-san nodded and said goodbye to us, turning to leave.

"......Is this real or fake?!" I squeezed the ticket in shock and said to Seki-kun as I walked away, "Do things like this really just fall into your lap out of nowhere?!"

"That person just wants you to come in, eat some food and share your thoughts. The part about you running into your boyfriend, probably just a lucky coincidence." Seki-kun replied flatly, trying to bring me back down to earth.

"......" I turned my head to look at him, "You heard us?"

"!" He was stunned and averted his eyes, "Happened to hear a little bit, sorry, didn't mean to."

"Alright, it's not like I’m blaming you."

Seki-kun saw me flipping the ticket over and over, and finally couldn't help but try to stop me from doing so: "If you want to know if it's real or not, just send a message and ask your boyfriend."

"No way!" I tucked the ticket into my bag, "We're still fighting, I'm determined not to say one word to him!"

"......"

However, after Seki-kun walked me downstairs, I said goodbye to him and went home to pull out my mobile phone, I quickly contradicted myself.

Because I found two missed calls from Katsuki dialling over.

As well as a questioning text message presumably because of the missed calls.

Bakugo Katsuki: [? Not answering my calls?]

Bakugo Katsuki: [Why didn't you tell me when you went to the hospital to see Deku a while ago?!]

×

Kirishima Eijiro's perspective:

After being discharged from the hospital, Kirishima and the others re-entered the intense study process.

And because they had been hospitalized for a while, they had fallen behind in their homework and had to scramble to make up for it.

In addition to the teacher purposely giving the four of them small lessons, at the same time they themselves were also catching up on their studies during their breaks.

Ochako and Tsuyu seemed to have asked Yaoyorozu to help with their studies every night, while Midoriya went and asked the class president and Todoroki ended up tagging along out of nowhere.

Midoriya did ask Kirishima if he wanted to come along, but Kirishima declined.

"Bakugo that guy has good grades too, I'll just ask him."

Holding the optimistic thought of the worst case, I get kicked out and go back to Midoriya’s group, Kirishima knocked on Bakugo's room door on time with his textbook in his arms.

......Thankfully, even though Bakugo verbally told him to piss off, he still stepped aside and let him in.

The attitude of the lectures was also the usual fierce and fed-up, but at least he didn't give up on Kirishima.

"I’ve been keeping you up kinda late lately, will I bother you?" Kirishima asked, chewing on his pen as he looked at Bakugo, who was stretching in the open space.

"If you know you’re being a damn nuisance, then get the hell out, the door's that way, no farewell!"

"...... Man, your temper is seriously something else……" Kirishima simply plopped down on the table, "You obviously grew up with Midoriya, and he’s super nice and easy to talk to."

"Ah?! Who wants to compare themselves to that guy?"

"I'm telling the truth, even though I didn't have a particularly deep relationship with that guy before, we were still on good terms during our stay in the hospital!" Kirishima seemed to remember something and said, "Ah, there was also a pretty big sister who came to visit Midoriya, I kinda mooched off her, that soup was super delicious!"

Bakugo’s expression didn’t change, his voice flat as he muttered: "Probably his mum."

"......No! I said it was a big sister! By the way, she even said she knew you, Bakugo, asked how you were doing!"

"Oh, we both know pretty much the same people."

Kirishima thought about the bowls of soup he had dabbled in that day and smacked his lips: "The soup was so good, I wonder if I can get Midoriya to ask Shingetsu-nee for a recipe so my mum can stew the same for me......"

"Hiss——"

Kirishima looked back at Bakugo in shock: "What's wrong?! Bakugo! Did you twist your back?!"

"Twisted your damn head!" Bakugo rushed over and stomped on the table in front of Kirishima, "You just said 'Shingetsu-nee'......didn't you?!"

Kirishima nodded blankly.

"......" Bakugo yanked Kirishima by the collar, "Is she the one with long straight black hair, black eyes, and dimples when she smiles?!"

"Uh, uh, yeah."

Bakugo held Kirishima down and made him give a full play-by-play of that day.

Though inexplicable, Kirishima retold how he had gone next door to find Midoriya to do his homework, how he had met Shingetsu, who had come to Midoriya clutching a thermos of soup, and how he had mooched off a half-thermos of soup as a result.

Bakugo's face had gone completely storm-black, and it was kind of terrifying.

"Where's the soup?"

"......Was finished by Midoriya and me."

"Where's the thermos?"

"......Was taken back by Shingetsu-nee."

"And she didn't say anything?"

"......Just told me and Midoriya to eat more meat but also eat more vegetables, drink more bone broth, don't sit all day, also need to walk occasionally and get more exercise, pay attention to our own safety, don't let the family worry......"

Bakugo was furious, interrupting the chattering Kirishima: "Fuck! Who asked you about this nonsense!"

Kirishima closed his mouth and thought for a moment: "And asked if you were doing okay."

"......"

Bakugo's veins popped at the corners of his forehead as he yanked on Kirishima, dragging him with him in stride to the dormitory door, opening it, and throwing him out.

"You don't even leave me a sip of soup and you're asking me if I'm okay?!"

"???"

With his head full of questions, Kirishima watched the door to Bakugo's room slam shut in front of him with a startling sound.

Chapter Text

I looked at Katsuki's two messages and fell into silence.

From the emotions conveyed in the messages, he was undoubtedly angry. But I'm more curious, is he angry because I didn't answer his calls or is he angry because I went to visit Izuku?

And aren't we in a cold war? Isn't he committed to being a virtual pet that only knows the weather forecast?

I was staring at the screen of my mobile phone in a daze when I saw Katsuki’s call come in again.

Clearing my throat, I calmly picked up the call: "Hello?"

"You——"

I cut him off bluntly: "I just got home from my part-time job and it was dark outside, so I didn't notice your call."

"......" He paused and seemed to forcefully hold back his questioning words, his tone calming down a bit, "Why are you just getting home now?!"

I finished changing my shoes and answered him as I went to pour some water: "It’s the weekend, more customers at the restaurant, so I got held up."

He didn't sound too happy: "It's dangerous for you, a girl, getting home this late!"

I took a sip from my cup of water, and without thinking about anything, I reassured him: "It's fine, my classmate walked me back."

"......"

His silence gave me a gut feeling that something wasn't quite right, until a grim voice of questioning came from the other side of the phone: "Classmate? Male or female?"

I felt that a proper lie is good for miserable couples in long-distance relationships not to fight over misunderstandings.

So I hesitated for a split second and said quickly and calmly: "Of course it was a girl, what are you thinking?"

"......" I heard him take a deep breath, followed by his angry voice exploding in my ears, "Bullshit! Who the fuck are you kidding! A girl walking you home at night?! Are you the kind of person who would let another girl walk you home and then walk off into the dark alone?! Do you think I'm stupid?!"

"............" I held the phone away from me, "Then you knew and you still asked! Wasn't I afraid you'd get mad?!"

"I’m already fucking pissed off because of you!"

I gave a sheepish smile and couldn’t find a comeback.

"You know I’ll be mad and you still get home this late!" Katsuki said in a bad mood, "Can you have some self-awareness! Obviously right now when the crime rate is skyrocketing! Can't you behave yourself!"

"......I thought you'd be mad at me for being sent home by a male friend."

"Doesn't it boil down to the fact that you got home too late?!"

......What a logic genius, Katsuki-kun.

After thinking about it, I couldn't refute it, so I could only meekly responded with an oh and accept the complaint.

Probably because he saw that I had a good attitude, his tone softened a lot more: "If you want to go out to play, ask more friends to go with you, be smart and don't go to remote places, it's important to go home early at night! Do you hear me?!"

"Got it."

Katsuki paused again and asked me: "Are you short of money?"

"It's okay." I replied, "It's mainly because there's nothing to do and I'm just idle."

"Because you're too idle and have nothing to do so you went to visit Deku?"

Katsuki's grim voice once again rang out unexpectedly, with a tone that smacked of "I'm picking on you."

I didn't think there was anything wrong with me visiting Izuku, so I fearlessly answered: "Knowing that he's in the hospital, it's only natural for me to visit him, right?"

"You don't even bother to tell me this kind of thing?"

"Do you also want to know about such trivial matters?" I'm a bit speechless, "Besides, you and Izuku never really got along, I'm afraid you'll get angry."

Katsuki's voice was like a powder keg that seemed to catch on at the slightest point: "You fucking keep saying you’re afraid I’ll get mad at everything and you never fucking tell me anything!"

I was genuinely stunned at how perceptive he actually was: "Yeah, shouldn't you reflect on why you get angry so easily?"

"......"

Well, I got hung up on again.

This guy is just so weird, on the one hand, it seems like he gets very angry when I don't talk to him, and on the other hand, he has to hang up on me after two or three sentences.

I thought about it and took a step back, choosing to message him.

Shudo Shingetsu: [Angry again? I didn't mean to make you angry, why are you always angry?]

Shudo Shingetsu: [Are you going to even ignore me? Are you going to turn off your phone again and have a cold war with me for half a month?]

Shudo Shingetsu: [You little cheapskate.]

Shudo Shingetsu: [Forget it, I’ll be the mature one and forgive you, I'll give you 10 minutes to be mad at me, and you have to reply to me after 10 minutes.]

Shudo Shingetsu: [? Still ignoring me?]

Shudo Shingetsu: [Do you want a repeat of last time where you left me on read?]

Shudo Shingetsu: [Fine, I'll give you that, just chill out in the blocklist.]

Bakugo Katsuki: [......You’re fucking threatening me!]

Shudo Shingetsu: [Grumpy bunny.gif]

Shudo Shingetsu: [Bunny punches you into the sky.gif]

Bakugo Katsuki: [Bunny vs bear fistfight.gif]

Shudo Shingetsu: [Bunny sobs.jpg]

Bakugo Katsuki: [......]

Shudo Shingetsu: [Bunny dies.jpg]

Bakugo Katsuki: [...…Can you not go crazy with this stupid bunny? Are you five?]

Shudo Shingetsu: [It’s very cute, don't you really like this series of stickers? Bunny starry eyes.jpg]

Bakugo Katsuki: [Hell no, who likes this stupid bunny, it's annoying to look at.]

Shudo Shingetsu: [QAQ Bunny aggrieved.]

Bakugo Katsuki: [......]

Shudo Shingetsu: [Come on, don’t be mad anymore.]

Shudo Shingetsu: [Love you, mwah.]

Bakugo Katsuki: [...... One more freaky message and I’m blocking you.]

......

Yuki clearly said that acting cute works on younger guys!

Liar!!

Bastard Katsuki, how dare you say something as outrageous as blocking me! Do you know how much determination I had to force my shame to send that one acting-cute message?!

Unappreciative straight man!

I was so embarrassed that my cold hairs stood up, and I hurriedly threw my mobile phone aside to play dead.

It's just as well that the conversation can end now.

As I was thinking this, I suddenly noticed that the screen of the mobile phone I had thrown onto the sofa suddenly lit up.

I paused and reached for my phone to find that Katsuki had sent me another message.

Bakugo Katsuki: [Don't get too tired from your part-time job and come home early. If it's too late, ask your classmate to walk you back. Normally if you're scared on the road alone just call me and I can talk with you.]

......

Oh my god, is this from Katsuki?

He’s clearly not the type to show concern like this?! I thought him acting like a walking weather forecast, telling me to wear more layers and drink warm water was already his limit. But now……

Waahh Katsuki, I’m seriously so touched.

Shudo Shingetsu: [Katsuki’s worried about me!]

Shudo Shingetsu: [So happy!]

Shudo Shingetsu: [Bunny dancing.gif]

Bakugo Katsuki: [Are you a dumbass? Throws bunny.gif]

Bakugo Katsuki: [We have this kind of relationship, if I don't care about you who cares about you, ungrateful.]

Bakugo Katsuki: [And threatening me at every turn.]

Shudo Shingetsu: [Ughhh I miss Katsuki so much. When are you going to evolve from a virtual pet?]

Bakugo Katsuki: [......What does an evolved virtual pet even look like?]

Shudo Shingetsu: [A life-sized figurine?]

Bakugo Katsuki: [Whatever you say......Those idiots came to my room and asked me to teach them their homework, exams are coming up and they won’t leave me alone. That's it for now, you're tired after a long day too, get some rest early.]

Shudo Shingetsu: [Okay okay! Good luck with your extra lessons tomorrow, Katsuki!!]

Bakugo Katsuki: [......Shut up! Don't mention this!]

I giggled, scrolled back through our messages with a smile, and hummed as I headed off to shower.

After everything was done, I knelt beside my bed, towel-drying my hair as I opened my bag, and took out from it the U.A Culture Festival entrance ticket that Lunch Rush-san had given me.

The U.A emblem in the middle was indeed exactly the same as the one on the bottom corner of the keychain that Katsuki had given me.

I looked at the ticket back and forth and found that the date written on it was one month from now.

One more month and I'll be able to meet Katsuki!

During this month, I must keep my mouth shut and make sure to surprise Katsuki.

......Though, depending on his reaction, maybe it’ll be a shock instead.

Right, should I bring him a gift or something?

I lay on my bed, the more I thought about it, the more excited I got, and I couldn't help but pick up my phone and send him another emoticon.

Shudo Shingetsu: [Katsuki——miss you——Bunny hug.gif]

×

Bakugo Katsuki's perspective:

With finals approaching, Kaminari invited Sero and planned to also bring along Kirishima, who lived next door to Bakugo, so the three of them could go study together in Bakugo’s room.

When the two of them reached Bakugo’s door, they found Kirishima sitting in the hallway, staring blankly at Bakugo’s dorm room with a dazed expression.

"Hey, Kirishima, what are you doing sitting in the hallway?" Sero smirked as he stepped forward and reached out to yank him to his feet, "What are you gawking at? Did Bakugo kick you out?"

Kirishima looked at them both and nodded somberly.

Kaminari and Sero instantly panicked.

"What the hell?! Why’d he throw you out?!"

"Is that guy in a very bad mood?!"

"Crap finals are right around the corner and we were counting on him to help us study! Will he kill us if he's in a bad mood?!"

"Forget it forget it, let's go find the class president."

Kirishima let out an ah: "But the class president and Todoroki are tutoring Midoriya."

Kaminari was immediately outraged: "What?! Midoriya alone is taking up two of the top five resources in our class! Doesn't his conscience hurt?! Isn’t he ranked fourth himself! Why does he need two people to tutor him?!"

Kirishima: "......Ah, that, as far as I know Todoroki’s just tagging along because he’s bored."

"......"

"Then let's......go find Mineta? That guy has good grades too." Sero suggested.

"Heh." Kaminari blushed and gave an impish grin, "If it’s Mineta, he should have a lot of those, those kinds of, books, right?"

Kirishima: "Study guides?"

Sero scratched his cheek, his eyes darting around: "So, we'll just go find Mineta?"

Kirishima: "Even though Mineta's grades are pretty good, why do I get the feeling that you two don't seem like you're going to go and study properly......Why don't we just go to Bakugo?"

"We’ll die!"

"You’re offering yourself up as tribute, Kirishima!"

Just as they were whispering and arguing indecisively in the hallway, there was a click and Bakugo's dormitory door opened.

Bakugo peeked out: "You guys are so noisy, either hurry up and get in or hurry up and get the hell out of here."

After saying that, he turned around and went inside.

"Woh! Bakugo! We're going in then!" Kirishima was the first to answer the call and entered right behind Bakugo.

Kaminari and Sero exchanged glances and went in happily as well.

Half an hour later, Kaminari stared wide-eyed at Bakugo, who was lecturing Kirishima.

His voice was calm: "You’re gonna keep brute-forcing this ‘til next year or what? Just draw an auxiliary line between these two points, makes it a lot easier to understand, right?"

Kirishima let out a long "Oooh——" and nodded his head repeatedly, his eyes glowing: "You’re right, you're really smart Bakugo."

"Hmph." Bakugo flicked away the ruler he had just used as an auxiliary instrument and leaned back, leaning against the edge of the bed without saying a word.

Kaminari and Sero, who were copying English words, looked at each other once more and quietly came together to speak small talk.

"He seems to be in a pretty good mood?"

"Yeah, doesn't even mind Kirishima anymore. Though that’s probably a mutually masochistic relationship."

The phone vibrated softly.

Bakugo looked down, tapped the phone, and glanced at the screen.

Boom——!!

"Wah!" Startled, Kirishima turned his head to look at the back of Bakugo who suddenly rushed into the bathroom with a single, healthy step, and then looked at the table and stationery that had been overturned due to Bakugo's sudden standing up with a bewildered expression, "Bakugo, do you have a stomach ache?!"

"Like hell I do! Do your homework!"

Bakugo's exasperated voice came from the bathroom.

Kirishima looked over at the staring Kaminari and Sero and asked: "What's wrong with him?"

The two of them shook their heads mechanically, indicating that they didn't know.

Kirishima didn't think too much of it, simply grumbled about Bakugo being so hot-headed while picking up the desk and carefully gathering the scattered pens and papers.

Kaminari stiffened and whispered to Sero: "Did you see that?"

Sero was equally stiff: "......I'm afraid I’ve gone blind."

"Heaven’s raining red, a miracle just happened."

"He actually, actually……blushed......"

Chapter Text

So here’s the thing.

As U.A.’s cultural festival got closer, I got more and more nervous.

I don’t even know when Katsuki started to have this much influence on me. The festival isn’t even here yet, but I’m already worrying that when we meet, after such a long time apart, he’ll notice some small change in my appearance, like my figure or face, and be surprised.

If he dares to say something like "You got fat" or "You look uglier", I swear I’ll put on a live-action blood-splattering show at the cultural festival.

If it wasn't for the fact that he's too busy with classes, extra lessons, and festival rehearsal lately, with no time for video calls, would I even be worrying about something this trivial?

There’s also another thing stressing me out, I still haven’t decided on a gift for Katsuki.

My first choice was a scarf, after all, the weather's getting colder.

But then again, it feels particularly tacky, with nine out of ten couples giving scarves.

And although I have a pair of hands that can cook, these hands are obviously not very good at knitting crafts.

……Other girls give hand-knitted scarves to their boyfriends, if I buy one, wouldn’t it look like I didn’t put any heart into it?

If I went with what I’m actually good at, should I make him sweets instead?

……Problem is, Katsuki this damn brat doesn’t even like desserts!

Is there any gift that's original and suitable for Katsuki?

That's why I'm stuck under the eaves of the shops on the main street on a rainy day.

If not for trying to find this damn brat a good gift, I wouldn’t have gone out shopping early on a weekend.

And then I wouldn’t have gotten trapped by the sky suddenly throwing a tantrum with a downpour.

I'm soaked and so desperate.

Next week is the U.A Cultural Festival, if I catch a cold again, it will be really touching to visit my boyfriend with illness.

The rain doesn't seem to be stopping at all.

Home is nearby, should I just make a run for it?

I was in the process of hesitating when I suddenly heard the door of the supermarket where I was sheltering from the rain being opened from the inside, and I turned my head just in time to meet the eyes of Mitsuki-san, who came out with an umbrella in her hand.

"Oh my, isn’t this Shingetsu?"

"……H-hello!"

What are the odds of this?!

Flustered, I watched Mitsuki-san open her umbrella, frowning at the sheets of rain and muttering, "Why did it suddenly start pouring like this?" Then she looked back at me: "You didn’t bring an umbrella, did you? You’re soaked! Come on, come over to my place……Eh? Why is your face all red?"

……What do you do when you bump into your boyfriend’s mom on the street, and she invites you over?

To be honest, normally if I met Mitsuki-san, I might be able to treat her normally.

But right now the thought of her being Katsuki’s mother......makes me......all in all not right all over.

So I immediately reflexively shook my head and refused: "No no, I'll go back by myself when the rain stops!"

Just as a gust of wind blew by, rain-soaked clothes sticking to my body, a wave of coldness spread out, I couldn't help but sneeze.

Mitsuki-san had already pulled me by the shoulder affectionately: "What's there to be shy about it's very close, it's better than catching a cold. If you don't want to go to my house, you could go to your uncle’s, it's better than freezing out here outside."

After the above magical development, I froze and followed Mitsuki-san towards the villa district.

And because my aunt and uncle have always devoted their lives to their careers, there was no one at the Miyagi house next to Mitsuki-san's.

I could only be forced to enter the gate of the Bakugo mansion.

I, I was nervous.

It's not the first time I've been here, but the circumstances feel different......

Wait, Katsuki wouldn’t actually blab to his parents about his love life, would he?

After all, he looks very much like a rebellious teenager who doesn't listen to his mum and dad.

With mixed emotions, I was brought back home by Mitsuki-san.

Since it happened to be a Sunday day off, Masaru-san was also at home and seemed to be entertaining some kind of guests.

I was instantly more nervous.

Mitsuki-san greeted the guests, patted me on the shoulder and said to me: "Katsuki’s room is on the second floor, you know that, right? Go take a shower and dry your clothes so you don't catch a cold."

"......"

……Isn’t something off here?

Mitsuki-san, how can you so casually let a girl walk in and out of your son’s room?!

Where's the guest room! Is there no guest room in such a big villa?!

And also, how would I even know where his room is! I’ve never been in there!

"Katsuki’s pajamas are in the wardrobe, ah, they're all washed and clean, so don't worry about using them." Mitsuki-san seemed to remember something, "The guest room was recently converted into a studio, sorry about that, make do with what you've got Shingetsu, okay?"

"......"

What else could I say?

I was still confused until I went up to the second floor with my arms wrapped around me and entered Katsuki’s room.

Even though the door had a "Katsuki’s Room" sign on it, probably from Mitsuki-san's hand, I was still a little woozy when I actually found the room and came in.

……I feel like a pervert.

Katsuki’s room is as neat and simple as I thought it would be (maybe it's because it hasn't been lived in for a long time?), the bed was covered with a dust cloth, and the floor-to-ceiling window curtains were pulled back so you could see the rain hitting the small balcony.

The room was large, holding a small coffee table and a couple of small sofas, there was even a drum set in the corner, and guitars and dartboards hung on the wall.

A football was placed at the top of the bookcase.

I was inexplicably a little shy and rushed into the bathroom intending to take a quick shower then scrambled back out again.

......That, pajamas......

I didn't mean to......

Katsuki, forgive me, I'm really not a pervert.

I carefully pulled open the wardrobe, and at a glance I saw the dark blue long-sleeved and long-panty pajamas that were sitting on the drawer inside the wardrobe, neatly folded and even looking a bit new.

I rushed into the bathroom with the clothes in my arms like a thief, showered in record time, changed into the pajamas, and took the clothes to be dried.

During the drying process, I kind of idly surveyed his room, pulling out the chair at his computer desk again and sitting down.

I noticed something magical about his desktop.

It was a clear glass panel with an assortment of All Might cards pressed underneath.

How much this guy loved All Might!

Look at the bookcase, there are several All Might figures sitting on it!

Are you an otaku?!

I resisted the urge to talk about it, I studied the All Might cards under the glass panel.

Ah, I saw the one he once gave me as a birthday present, so it was indeed he who gave it to me because it's a duplicate.

Tsk tsk.

That said, this glass panel, with the computer on top, wouldn't it be impossible to lift it up?

How's he going to refill it with cards then? Aren't you tired of looking at All Might's faces?

I was really interested in this glass panel and couldn't help but feel around.

There seems to be a button that can be wrenched under the table, I tried to wrench it hard, and with a click, the tabletop under the glass panel loosened up.

So that's how it works!

I hustled to lift the table up and snap it back into place, and was relieved to make sure it was back in place.

As I looked at the cards under the glass panel again, I noticed something a little different.

Was there a piece of paper pressed against the All Might card in the far corner?

When I moved the table underneath, a small corner of paper was exposed from behind the card because of the shaking.

My OCD couldn’t stand it, couldn't help but bring the table down again, carefully pinching the piece of paper with two fingers and gently pulling it out from behind the card.

……Which wasn’t just a scrap of paper, it was actually a photo.

The photo seemed to have been cropped from something, just a small sheet of four squares.

The girl on it is wearing a high school uniform, her black hair is tied into a ponytail, resting diagonally on her shoulder, looking playfully at the camera with indescribably gentle and skillful eyes.

......It's me.

It’s actually fucking me?!

This seems to be one of my high school graduation photos, right, where did this brat even get this?!

When I graduated from high school, I took a lot of commemorative photos with my friends at school, and I didn’t even know one of them went missing!

It was as if I had spied on Katsuki’s little secret, and I got flustered and felt a little guilty.

I quietly put the photos back and restored the table to its original state.

After a few minutes of sitting dumbfounded on the chair, I finally came back to my senses and my attention was drawn back to the pencil holder on the table.

Reasonably, looking around his room, several things are worth a lot of money.

But how does this pen holder......feel ragged?

I reached out and took the pen holder, and found that it was probably made from a long beverage can, with the lid completely pried off and the rest of the can wrapped in white paper.

Even if it was handmade, it was barely a rough handmade.

On the white paper was written the words "pen holder", around which were drawn several small black and red flowers, and a black-eyed rabbit so ugly that it could not be seen by the gods.

......But why does this handwriting look so familiar?

I had a bad premonition.

I stared at the pen holder for ten minutes recalling from my first year of middle school all the way to my third year of high school, and finally remembered where this thing came from.

That's right, I made it.

Told you I wasn't good at crafts!!

I made this about the time I was in middle school, and it was just sitting on my desk being cute because I thought it would work.

Even though I bought a new pen holder after that, it's been sitting in the corner of my desk, with a few pens stuck in it randomly, I couldn’t bring myself to throw it away.

As for why it ended up with Katsuki……That was because I forgot his birthday.

To be fair, I've never remembered his birthday, although the guy sends me a birthday present every year, but I always can't remember his birthday, and also hold on to the boys probably don't mind birthday presents such as a fluke mentality.

It wasn't until my first year of high school that he came to deliver cake to Akira and casually brought me a slice too, then he held out his hand, asking for a gift.

……I was quite embarrassed back then and went back to my room for half a day to look for something suitable, so I had to give him this ugly handmade pen holder.

I remember that at that time, the emotion of disgust in Katsuki’s eyes was about to overflow.

But he still didn't say anything, reached out and took it, glanced at me who was blushing from embarrassment, turned around and went back.

What did I do back then?

Ah, that’s right. At that time I was a little guilty and embarrassed, so I told his back that I'd make sure to get him a nice present for his birthday next time.

Katsuki glanced back at me, grinned and left without saying anything.

Then I forgot about it.

The birthday after that didn't work out either.

I'm sorry, I suddenly realized that I still can't even remember when Katsuki’s birthday is.

Oh my god!! Am I scum?!

I couldn't sit still any longer and rushed to grab my drying clothes, quickly changed out of them, hugged Katsuki’s pajamas, and quickly went downstairs to borrow an umbrella from Mitsuki-san to say goodbye.

Mitsuki-san probably because she had guests at home, didn't keep me too long, lent me the umbrella and let me go out.

When I stepped out of Katsuki’s house, I made up my mind.

No matter what, I must give Katsuki a super awesome gift!

......And then I'll find a chance to find out what day his birthday is.

And the much-anticipated U.A Culture Festival is coming up soon.

×

Bakugo Katsuki’s perspective:

After the extra lessons on Sunday, Bakugo was dragged along by the troublesome group of classmates after dinner to rehearse the drums again, and he didn't return to his dormitory until it was dark.

With his toothbrush in his mouth, he poked the screen of his mobile phone open with one hand while brushing his teeth to read the message Shingetsu had sent him.

Shudo Shingetsu: [Katsuki, what zodiac are you?]

Bakugo narrowed his eyes.

Bakugo Katsuki: [I don't know, figure out yourself.]

At night, this guy almost always replied to her instantly.

Shudo Shingetsu: [By the way, when’s your birthday?]

Bakugo Katsuki: [You don’t even know your boyfriend’s birthday, shouldn’t you be reflecting on yourself?]

Shudo Shingetsu: [I just didn’t memorize it! If you tell me again, I’ll definitely remember this time!]

Bakugo Katsuki: [I gave you cake on my birthday every year, guess that was all for nothing.]

Shudo Shingetsu: [……]

Shudo Shingetsu: [Fine, don’t tell me! I’ll just ask Izuku! Hmph!]

Fuck!

Bakugo almost threw his phone in the sink.

He spat out the foam in his mouth and angrily typed back.

Bakugo Katsuki: [Don't you dare! Don't you dare ask Deku! Why do you always have to go chatting with him?! Are you crazy?!]

Bakugo Katsuki: [Isn't it your own fault that you can't remember my birthday? Tell me yourself if you should or should not reflect on that?!]

Shudo Shingetsu: [……You’re talking like you’ve never done anything wrong.]

Bakugo Katsuki: [??Tell me, what the hell did I do wrong?!]

Half a minute later, Bakugo looked at the latest message on the screen and fell into silence.

Shudo Shingetsu: [Then you tell me, do you like me more, or do you like All Might more?]

Bakugo Katsuki: "……"

As it turns out, those dreaded life-or-death questions in relationships never disappear, they only arrive late.

Chapter Text

They say U.A’s cultural festival, is one of the most fun events in all of Japan.

But because of the enemies running rampant this year, the usually open U.A festival became semi-restricted.

Still, if you had a ticket, you were in!

I sat on the subway heading toward U.A, a little excited, a little nervous.

I woke up early today and carefully and neatly picked myself up from head to toe.

The gift I brought for Katsuki was also carefully placed in my shoulder bag, which was still a bit heavy......holding up the small shoulder bag.

As for the entrance ticket to the cultural festival......

I reached into my bag and fumbled around for a while, and pulled out the ticket.

OK, everything is ready! All I have to do is go in and look for Katsuki!

When the subway arrived, I gripped the strap of my bag tightly and quickly walked out of the subway station, and three hundred meters further on, U.A gate appeared in front of me.

There were more people than expected.

It seemed to be open to U.A graduated students, only a very small number of people entered with tickets.

I walked around the gate twice, looking left and right, and when the staff member looked at me in an unfavourable way and came up to expel me as a suspicious person, I handed him my ticket and entered the U.A gate without any problem.

The dutiful gentleman still looked at me with a skeptical face: "Where did you get the ticket?"

"Mr Lunch Rush gave it to me." I looked at him nervously, "Is there a problem?"

He suddenly laughed, and the wariness on his face drifted away: "Oh, Mr Lunch Rush has made a registration, saying that he did give the ticket to a wonderful young girl......Ahya, I guess Mr Lunch Rush has also reached the age where he wants to impress the girls. "

"......"

I think he probably got it wrong.

That Lunch Rush-san who can't see his face looks like he'd rather marry a big white rice spirit.

However, time was short, so I didn't explain too much to this gossipy but kind gentleman, and after thanking him, I followed the flow of people into the main gate of U.A.

The bulletin board in front of the school building, which presumably gave directions to the various grades and classes, was surrounded by people.

I went over to the outskirts of the crowd and tiptoed in to look inside, but soon realized that there were a lot of tall and strong students and graduated students of this school, easily blocking my view, and I couldn't see the bulletin board at all.

I looked around and realized that there were roads to the front and back, and without the board I had no idea where to go.

There was nothing for it but to scramble in and have a look at the board.

I tried to edge forward, but the broad-shouldered man in front of me shifted his elbow slightly back, and I staggered.

Oh no, Katsuki’s gift can’t get smashed!

I quickly clutched my shoulder bag tightly to my chest, my body falling backwards due to inertia.

I was already bracing myself for a painful fall.

Angels probably always come when people are in distress.

I felt a person standing behind me at some point, steadily dragging out my arm from behind and stopping my backward fall.

"Hey! Watch who's behind you properly, you almost knocked this lady over!"

The person standing in front of me was inexplicably reprimanded, and somewhat embarrassed, hurriedly apologized to me.

I stood up straight, first waving my hand in a hasty manner to show that it was fine, before turning to thank the kind person who held me up.

It was a teenager who looked to be about my age, with striking short white hair streaked with hints of red, and a tall and strong, very dependable build.

I was sure I was meeting him for the first time.

This teenager grinned at me showing his teeth: "I just saw you handing in your ticket too, right? What a coincidence, me too."

"Eh?"

"By the way, where are you going, I just read the board and can tell you."

Is, is this person an angel?!

I was instantly delighted and whispered: "Could you tell me where Class 1-A’s performance is?"

The teenager was slightly stunned, his expression a bit strange: "What a coincidence, we're at the same destination. Want to go together?"

"Uh-huh!" I nodded repeatedly, "Thank you!"

After a short conversation and introductions, I learnt that the teenager in front of me was named Todoroki Natsuo, the biological older brother of Todoroki Shoto, the second place of the Sports Festival. This time, he had specially come to see his younger brother's class perform.

"I came because my sister had something to do, otherwise the ticket would have been wasted." Natsuo-kun muttered to himself, "Even though it's from that bastard dad......"

I can't believe he's the second place Todoroki-kun's brother, no wonder he looks a little bit alike!

I couldn't help but drop my eyes sideways on the side of Natsuo-kun’s face, but it was quickly noticed.

"......Is there something on my face?"

"No no, sorry." I waved my hand and apologized, "Because suddenly I felt a bit of a resemblance to Shoto-kun."

"Well, because we’re blood brothers."

I've heard Katsuki mention a long time ago that their class seems to be planning to form a band to perform on stage. And looking at the board, the performance venue for the 1-A class seems to be in the auditorium.

I walked all the way to the auditorium with Natsuo-kun, and on the way, we passed a giant food stall set up by Support Course students. The smells nearly swallowed me whole, if not for Natsuo-kun reminding me, I’d have gotten stuck there, forgetting all about Katsuki.

......Mind you I went out without breakfast today!

By the time the two of us reached the auditorium, we were sadly surprised to find that there were more people than expected.

"What's up with these guys? Isn't the cultural festival an all-volunteer event?" Natsuo muttered, "What's the point of putting aside your own class's activities just to come and watch a performance organized by someone else's class?"

I expressed my deep agreement while following closely behind Natsuo-kun, with the tall and sturdy him clearing the way for me in front.

The entire auditorium was packed with people, and we could only be forced to stand at the side and back, standing on our tiptoes to look at the stage that was covered by a curtain.

Soon I'll be able to see Katsuki! Super excited!

I bounced in place energetically, causing Natsuo-kun to be speechless for a split second.

"Are you that happy?" He asked me.

"Yeah!"

"I’ve been wondering since earlier......" Natsuo-kun pointed to the keychain of Katsuki hanging on my bag, "Are you a fan of Bakugo Katsuki-kun?"

I froze, he probably thought of me as a Katsuki fangirl.

While this was happening, the people in the auditorium suddenly stirred.

The curtain of the stage was slowly drawn back, and under the dim lights, youthful teenage girls and boys stood in front of their instruments.

I immediately saw Katsuki sitting behind the drum kit with a scornful and unbeatable expression.

I knew with my toes that this guy must be thinking something like, "It's a great honour for you people to hear me play, why don't you hurry up and listen to me" or something like that could piss people off.

There were whispers all around.

Surprisingly, most of them were voices of discontent.

After listening carefully, it seemed that the other students were displeased with Class A's ability to cause trouble, and that the closed study had made everyone nervous and dissatisfied.

And at the center of it all, Katsuki, who had infamously taunted the entire school during the Sports Festival oath.

......Still, there was no way to remove the line of sight that was frozen on Katsuki.

He was so so good.

Every look, every movement, was so confident that it made one's heart flutter.

One couldn't stop one's heart from fluttering.

"Yes."

"......Eh?" Natsuo-kun withdrew the line of sight projected onto the stage and placed his gaze on me who suddenly voiced out, "What?"

I looked up at him and smiled, "I'm his fan. He's my favourite in the whole world!"

"Wash your ears and listen up——!!!"

Katsuki’s roar resounded throughout the auditorium, scaring me.

......This guy actually just said it out loud, doesn't even know how to restrain himself?!

He is really not afraid of so many people rushing onto the stage to beat him up.

Natsuo’s expression was also extremely complicated.

He withdrew his line of sight that was sizing up Katsuki and said as politely as possible: "......Your taste is also very unique."

"......"

The invigorating and rhythmic beat of the drums echoed through the auditorium.

The sounds of other instruments also played.

The moving voice of the young girl who was the lead singer also flew through the air.

The teenager on the stage who was banging the drums with the same force as if he had a grudge against the drums was too eye-catching.

As if it had texture, youth burst out from the center of the stage and surrounded me on all sides.

"Of course I have good taste!" I shouted over the music to Natsuo-kun, "He's incredible!"

I gazed at Katsuki, who’s overflowing with youthful energy.

That’s my boy.

×

Bakugo Katsuki’s perspective:

Bakugo had already been staring at his mobile phone in silence for three minutes.

The text message displayed on the screen of his mobile phone really made him unsure of how to reply.

Shudo Shingetsu: [Then you tell me, do you like me more, or do you like All Might more?]

Fuck.

Is she too idle?! What kind of nonsense does she think about all day?!

What's with this comparison?

Perhaps seeing his delay in replying, Shingetsu's follow-up text message was also sent.

Shudo Shingetsu: [Why don't you reply? Suddenly you've fallen into self-torture of the soul?]

Shudo Shingetsu: [Forget it, I knew you'd prefer All Might. Ay, I'm just going to embarrass myself.]

Bakugo Katsuki: [......Are you toxic? All Might and you aren’t even the same type of like.]

Bakugo Katsuki: [Even if I like All Might, I wouldn't be happy to text him every morning and evening to flirt, right?]

Bakugo Katsuki: [Fuck, you're giving me goosebumps! Can you stop being crazy?!]

Shudo Shingetsu: [So, Katsuki, what you're saying is that with All Might it's a liking for an idol? And for me, it's a crush on the opposite sex?]

Bakugo Katsuki: [...... What the hell are you scheming?]

Shudo Shingetsu: [Yes? No? Or you don't like me at all?]

Bakugo Katsuki: [Yes, yes, yes, okay! You win, why do you have this much free time every day?!]

Shudo Shingetsu: [Hmph! You're so mean!]

Shudo Shingetsu: [I have some good news for you, I'm officially announcing that I'm in love with your classmate Todoroki Shoto-kun!]

Shudo Shingetsu: [That's right! It's the love for an idol! I'm officially naturalized as his fangirl!]

Shudo Shingetsu: [Just like Katsuki likes All Might, I like Shoto-kun too!]

Shudo Shingetsu: [Katsuki, why don't you say something? Are you angry again?]

Shudo Shingetsu: [Be a man and be generous, I still like you in a heterosexual way, mwah.]

Shudo Shingetsu: [If you still don’t reply I’m blocking you, idiot Katsuki!]

Bakugo Katsuki: [......Fuck.]

Bakugo Katsuki: [Bunny doing the middle finger.jpg]

Chapter Text

After the performance ended, the crowd began slowly moving toward the exits.

Natsuo-kun and I, who were standing at the very back, had to go with the flow out of the auditorium.

We stood at the entrance of the auditorium, avoiding the large crowd, and stood at the side looking at each other.

Natsuo-kun asked me: ''What's your next plan? Are you planning to ask Bakugo-kun for an autograph?......I don't think you'll be able to get one, he has a bad temper."

I let out an uh: "Then, is Natsuo-kun planning to wait for Shoto-kun?"

Natsuo's expression was a bit awkward: "Probably not, I've spent very little time with Shoto, and our relationship isn't particularly good."

Huh? Aren't they blood brothers?

And didn't Natsuo-kun come here specifically to watch Shoto-kun’s performance?

......Although Shoto-kun didn't make an appearance, the spiraling ice pillars that spread from the stage roof during the climax of the show were definitely Shoto-kun's doing.

Could this be some kind of cliché TV drama brotherly-feud thing?

Natsuo-kun was a bit rattled by my stare, and he asked in a low voice if I wanted to go along to the stall we passed on the way to check it out, urgently expressing his intention to get out of here.

To this I expressed my inability to understand.

"But you came all this way, don’t you want to at least say hi to Shoto-kun?"

"......" Natsuo-kun's expression faltered a bit.

Maybe I’m meddling, but I think that since the real brother was able to come to a crowded venue to see his younger brother perform in the morning with a ticket, it proves that they must have feelings for each other.

If he just left now without saying anything, what a waste. Silent, one-sided care like that makes me anxious just watching.

I suggested: "Why not just give Shoto-kun a quick call? Ask him to come out so you two can meet."

"......" Natsuo-kun looked at the screen of his mobile phone and seemed to have finally decided to make a call to Shoto-kun, he glanced at me and added, "You just want Shoto to introduce you to Bakugo-kun, don't you? "

"......Hah?"

"Never mind, I'll do you this little favour, I'll call him out then and you can talk to him yourself."

"......"

Dude, you really misunderstood!

I was feeling a wave of suffocation, and during the period when I couldn't defend myself with a hundred words, Natsuo-kun had already quickly dialled Shoto-kun's phone number, and after saying a few words, he quickly hung up.

Within a few minutes, Shoto-kun, who was wearing the uniform short-sleeved shirt of Class A, came round the back door of the auditorium and trotted over.

"Natsu-nii." He ran to stand in front of Natsuo-kun and obediently looked up at his own brother, "How is it that you are here?"

Natsuo-kun was a little nervous and spoke quickly: "Ahaha that, originally Fuyu-nee was going to come but something came up temporarily so I thought that I couldn't waste the ticket so I came......The stage effects were handled by Shoto, right? It was really amazing, as expected of our family’s quirk......Ah, actually I didn't mean to call you out......"

He suddenly held down my shoulders and pushed me in front of Shoto-kun: "It was she who insisted on seeing you! That's why I helped call you out!"

Me: "......?"

Shoto-kun's attention shifted to me: "Is she Natsu-nii's girlfriend?"

"No no no!"

I immediately shook my head frantically to prove my innocence.

What a joke, if Katsuki were nearby and accidentally heard it, then I could immediately enter the countdown to saying goodbye to the world.

Natsuo-kun cleared his throat: "She wants you......"

"I was trying to get Shoto-kun to take a picture with me!" I hurriedly interrupted Natsuo-kun and said as sincerely as I could to Shoto-kun, "Please! Let’s take a picture together!"

"......Ah, okay."

Natsuo-kun had a confused look on his face as I shoved my mobile phone into his hand.

"Make sure I look good!" After instructing him fiercely, I stood next to Shoto-kun, tilting my head and revealing a standard eight-toothed smile.

Natsuo-kun silently took pictures of both of us. I took my phone with eagerness and flipped through the results.

Shoto-kun is really handsome! Even in this simple plain short-sleeved shirt with the letter A printed on it, he's still handsome as hell.

I looked at the photo with satisfaction and carefully saved it.

"Bakugo is still in the auditorium cleaning up the stage with the classmates, and because of the various props used, the follow-up stage is troublesome." Shoto-kun spoke in a low voice, his gaze falling on the Katsuki keychain on my bag, "Your pendant......You're a fan of Bakugo, aren't you?"

You Todoroki families sure do think alike.

I shook my head, then nodded, and asked: "When will he be able to get out?"

"It’ll be a while." Shoto-kun thought about it and advised me, "But that guy isn't a gentle character towards girls, he's also usually very fierce and has a sharp tongue, so you might get hurt if you go up and talk to him rashly."

......As expected of his classmate, his grasp of Katsuki’s character is quite accurate and spot-on.

I pursed my lips and smiled as I thanked Shoto-kun: "I'll just wait outside until he finishes coming out."

Shoto-kun looked up at Natsuo-kun and then down at me, pondering for a few seconds.

It felt like he misunderstood something......

"How about this, go wait at the back door of the auditorium, I'll go ask him to come out and meet you." Shoto-kun looked at Natsuo-kun with complicated eyes, and said to me, "You can go out with Natsu-nii after that, there are a lot of fun locations at the cultural festival."

"Eh?"

......What's this got to do with Natsuo-kun?

But Shoto-kun seemed convinced this was the best plan, after nodding to himself and telling me to follow him, he took the lead and turned around to walk towards the back door of the auditorium.

I looked at his back, turned to thank Natsuo-kun, told him that he could go ahead and play without me, and jogged to catch up with Shoto-kun.

Speaking of which, Shoto-kun, what a super gentle person! He's also very enthusiastic!

When I watched the sports festival, I thought he was intimidating and cold, I didn't realize he could be this cute!

I was just teasing Katsuki about becoming a Shoto-kun fan, but now I think I'm really falling for him!

Shoto-kun stood at the back door of the auditorium and told me to wait where I was for a moment before he walked in.

I quietly leaned over the doorway and looked in, noticing that it was the backstage door to the stage, and that Katsuki and the others were supposed to be cleaning up right in the middle of the stage as well as in the audience, so I couldn't see the people inside at all.

It didn't take long for Katsuki and Shoto-kun's voices to ring out in the darkness.

"Freak, what the hell?! Why’d you drag me out here?! You looking for a fight?!"

"......Do me a favour, the girl my big brother likes is at the back door, she seems to like you a lot, please meet her once and grant her wish." Shoto-kun said patiently, "After meeting her, she'll go play with my brother, it won't take long."

"? Why the hell should I help your brother chase girls? Who the hell are you to me?"

"Classmate."

"......I didn't ask you about that."

I'm a million times sure that Shoto-kun misunderstood.

But with Katsuki’s voice close at hand, how could I possibly turn around and run away?

Anyway, let's explain it all after we meet first!

"Eh——" Katsuki’s smug voice rang out as he teased, "So the girl your brother likes actually likes me, huh? Might as well tell your brother to give up early then."

"Could it be you’re seriously into your fans?"

"......Fuck, don't slander me."

Shoto-kun's footsteps stopped.

"That girl is right at the back door, I'm going back to clean up first, so after meeting hurry up and come back to clean together."

"So noisy, don't dawdle!"

Katsuki’s footsteps were cat-like as he swished open the back door and poked out half of his body, baring his teeth as he looked around menacingly.

"Ah——?! Who's that half-bastard's sister-in-law......!"

"Katsuki!"

That perennially menacing face of his doesn't scare me anymore, I pounce the moment he pushes the door open and peeks out to look around, lifting my hand and hooking it around his neck.

It was so agile that my PE teacher probably wiped tears of relief when he saw it.

......I think this is probably the full skill of every girlfriend.

Katsuki froze.

He reflexively reached out to try and push me the moment I lunged, and took a half step back.

But as he caught the sound of my voice, he braked hard on his backward step and froze as I pounced on him.

"Katsuki Katsuki Katsuki!"

I called happily as I buried my head in his collarbone.

My voice took on a sobbing tone because I hadn't seen him for so long and was feeling a little aggrieved.

"...…I missed you so much Katsuki."

".................."

"Katsuki?"

I looked up at him and found him looking down at me with a rather complicated look.

......Maybe he doesn't really like being this close to girls?

Ah, that's right, we've only seen each other for a morning since we've been dating. Technically, we are still new and awkward as a couple, so it's no wonder he's not used to it.

Obviously we haven't seen each other for a long time, and this guy isn't excited at all......!

I let go of him and quickly took a step back, putting my hands behind my back and pretending like nothing just happened, "Katsuki, I came to see you, are you happy?"

"......How did you get in here?" His expression was a bit torn, unable to tell if he was happy or unhappy.

Is this the time to ask that?!

What about the tearful reunion, the passionate embrace, the heartfelt exchange?!

TV dramas are all lies!

My enthusiasm dropped by half and I answered naively: "Mr. Lunch Rush gave me the ticket."

"Why didn't you tell me about this?"

"I was going to surprise you." I glanced at his face and carefully replied, "I'm sorry, wouldn't it have been better to tell you in advance......?"

My voice was getting smaller and smaller, and I really couldn't tell you how aggrieved I was.

Katsuki let out a long breath and walked towards me.

I reflexively stepped back to the side, realized that the wall was behind me, and Katsuki had already pressed over.

His chin pressed against the top of my head, and his right hand clasped the back of my head, holding my entire body firmly in his arms.

"......You were supposed to tell me in advance." He said gruffly, "It caught me off guard, I didn't know how to react."

Eh?

Did he mean he wasn't upset?

Katsuki’s other hand also strangled my waist as he held me, his voice a little muffled and deep: "Stay like this for now, just stay for a while."

×

Todoroki Shoto's perspective:

Todoroki took Bakugo to the back door and then came back to clean up the stage mess.

But ten minutes have passed, and there's no sign of Bakugo.

Kaminari that guy has already charged Bakugo with "being lazy and avoiding cleaning up".

It's just a meeting, it shouldn't take long, right?

Did something happen?

With that in mind, Todoroki went to the back door one more time.

He silently stuck his head out of the back door and caught a glimpse of the two people who were hugging each other in a remote corner not far from the back door, having a hard time getting away from each other.

Todoroki: "......"

Wait, Bakugo, didn’t you say you don’t date your fans?!

Where are your principles?!

Chapter Text

The arms of a sixteen-year-old teenager were hot as a furnace.

Once the initial excitement and jumpiness of meeting him had faded, I felt a wave of shyness hit me.

Trying to break away from him, I was violently repressed.

Katsuki pressed my head against him firmly: "Don't move!"

"Katsuki......" I pushed at him a little, "Don't you have to clean up?"

"......Why do you care so much about these messy details? Hmm? Isn’t now the time you should only be thinking about me?"

I immediately went quiet like a chicken caught by the neck and obediently reached around his waist, resigning myself to giving him a hug.

Until the sound of someone's dry cough came from beside me.

Both of us simultaneously got a jolt and quickly separated, turning our heads in unison to look at the direction of the noise next to us.

Shoto-kun cupped the door with one hand and looked at both of us with complicated eyes.

He looked at Katsuki: "What is this supposed to mean?"

Katsuki stood in front of me and reached out to shield me, "What do you mean what is this supposed to mean? What's wrong with me hugging my girlfriend? What are you doing out here? Aren't you afraid of being kicked by a horse?!"

I reached out and put my hand on Katsuki’s shoulder and poked my head out: "Katsuki, don't be so mean, Shoto-kun’s the one who helped call you out here for me!"

"......" Shoto-kun grew even more speechless, "Didn’t expect this, Bakugo, a girlfriend in ten minutes?"

"Hah! Wrong! One minute is enough for me to get a girlfriend!"

......

Although I knew it took me a minute to date Katsuki at the supermarket in the first place, somehow I felt that the two of them were not on the same wavelength.

I called out to Shoto-kun with great effort to draw his attention away from Katsuki: "Shoto-kun, I've been dating Katsuki for almost half a year. It was only today that we met with Natsuo-kun, he helped me out at the door and we've been partnered up ever since. You misunderstood!"

Shoto-kun raised an eyebrow, his expression still a bit skeptical.

It was Katsuki, on the other hand, who suddenly calmed down from his hot-headed state. He twisted his head around and glared at me, who was cowering behind him.

Me: ?

"Bastard, I almost forgot, didn’t this guy say something earlier about ‘the girl my brother likes’? How the hell does that relate to you again?" He pinched my ear precisely, "You've been fucking flirting around again!"

"I didn't!" I slapped Katsuki’s outstretched hand, exasperated and aggrieved, "I said that we've only known each other for less than an hour! Why don't you believe me too?!"

"It's just that you're the one who's too suspicious!"

"......I don't wanna be with you anymore!" I reached out and kicked him in the calf, "I'm going home! Bye!"

Katsuki yanked me by the back of my collar and dragged me into his arms and locked me.

He glared menacingly at Shoto-kun across: "How long are you planning on staring? Get lost already!"

"...…Ah, woh." Still half unconvinced, Shoto-kun had just turned around with the intention of entering the auditorium, when he paused again and twisted his head to Katsuki, "Bakugo, are you going to skip cleaning? You'll get grounded by Aizawa-sensei."

"......" Katsuki stiffened and seemed to let go of me reluctantly, looking down at me and saying, "You wait for me here ten minutes, I'll get it done and come out to you right away."

I puffed up my cheeks at him.

A smirk coloured his eyes as he reached out and poked me in the face: "Did you hear me?"

I was too lazy to pay attention to him.

He pinched my face: "I asked, did you hear me?"

"I heard you!" I glared at him, waving him off, "Go away go away, don't want to see you."

Katsuki let out a long "tch", finally letting me go, and followed behind Shoto-kun into the auditorium.

The sound of the two of them bickering was far away.

"Gotta be fake, you don't look like you have a girlfriend at all."

"Ah?! She really is my girlfriend! None of your business!"

I stood at the back door of the auditorium and heard their footsteps disappear before I exhaled and pressed my hand to my chest.

My heart was pounding so hard.

It's obviously not the first time we've met.

I walked back the way I came and reached the main entrance of the auditorium to find Natsuo-kun actually still in the same place.

"Hi, Shudo-san, did you meet Bakugo-kun?" Natsuo-kun saw me and greeted me.

"Mm, I did." I look up at him, surprised, "I thought Natsuo-kun you went to play by yourself."

He sighs and frowns: "I was worried about you."

I think he's overthinking it.

It’s exactly this sort of considerate attitude that makes his little brother misunderstand his love life, Natsuo-kun!

Natsuo-kun frowned and turned his mobile phone over to me: "Shoto just suddenly and inexplicably sent me a message, writing something like, [Natsu-nii, your taste is bad, pick another one.], what does this mean?!"

"......"

It probably means that you should hurry up and find a girlfriend of your own?

I kept that snark to myself, just said goodbye and told Natsuo-kun I planned to look around the festival stalls.

Natsuo-kun asked: "Do you need me to accompany you?"

Yay?

You, you don't have to be like this, I'm a bit flustered.

Seeing my subtle expression, Natsuo-kun hurriedly explained: "I don't have any place to go, so if there's anything you want to play or see, I can accompany you. Erm, if it's inconvenient then forget it. I see that you're quite soft, and I'm a little worried......In short, I'm not a bad person!"

So that's how it is.

Natsuo-kun is probably an unassertive person just like me.

I raised my finger to give him a suggestion, "Why don't we just wait for Katsuki and Shoto-kun to finish and come out together.…..Natsuo-kun must really want to hang out at the cultural festival with Shoto-kun as well, right?"

He exhaled and nodded.

"But Shoto probably won’t like hanging out with family......"

I had been bouncing over to check a nearby stall, but froze and turned back to Natsuo-kun when I heard that, "Wrong! It’s times like these that being with family is the happiest thing of all!"

Natsuo-kun laughed silently and shook his head.

Various kinds of vendors were set up on the roadside, divided into various slices.

Basically, each slice was organized and maintained by the same classmates.

For example, the area closest to the auditorium, I took a closer look, darts for treasure, rings for treasure, target shooting for treasure......wait, is this the summer festival?! Why don't you guys do a goldfish scooping in this class too! It's too unoriginal, isn't it?

......These are all things I'm not good at, so how can I be interested!

Scanning the stalls with disdain, I finally spotted a food booth in the corner.

They were selling yakisoba.

I stood in front of the stall and watched as the student manager spread the noodles in a pan and poured the sauce in to stir-fry them, and before long, the colour of the noodles became nice, and the aroma filled the air.

......It smelled pretty good.

Soon the stir-fried noodles rose from the pan, were put in a square cardboard box, and were sold to a boy standing in front of me.

The girl next to the student manager, who resembled a touting assistant, greeted me warmly: "Super tasty yakisoba, cheap too! Would you like one?"

I sniffled, hesitated for a split second, and then nodded, "I’ll take one."

"Got it, wait a minute!"

I watched intently as the second portion of noodles went into the pan, the sauce was poured on and the stir-frying began.

The cooking was very simple, but the heat, the degree of sauce reduction, and so on had to be judged by experience.

The student manager's movements aren't particularly smooth, so he must be the type who only does occasional chores at home.......

I was staring at the noodles in the pan with my head tilted in concentration, when I suddenly heard the familiar "hey" sound, and Katsuki was already standing behind me, reaching out and placing his hand on my shoulder.

"Katsu......"

"Uah! Aren't you Bakugo-kun from class A?!"

I was just about to open my mouth to greet him when I heard the assistant girl student pointing staggeringly at Katsuki and yelling: "Does Bakugo-kun want to try our yakisoba too?!"

"Ah——? Who are you!" Katsuki narrowed his eyes and locked gazes with the girl.

The assistant girl crossed her arms and said aggressively, "We’re from General Studies, this whole area is our turf! Now take your hand off that girl’s shoulder, that’s harassment!"

"Hah!" Katsuki showed his teeth and intensified the situation by reaching out and putting his arm around my shoulder, "Nosy, it's none of your business if I'm putting my arm around my girlfriend's shoulder."

Before I had a chance to say anything, I saw the assistant female student's expression grow serious, she stared at Katsuki for a few seconds, and suddenly placed her fearless eyes on me.

"This student!"

"Eh?!"

She took my hand as soon as she could.

"If you’re being forced or threatened, make sure you tell someone, or report it to the school administration!"

Me: "......"

Katsuki’s forehead veins exploded: "I'll kill you! Who are you saying is being threatened!?"

He glared angrily at the assistant female classmate, and even pulled my hand back to hold it: "Stop touching other people’s girlfriend!"

"Girl!" This enthusiastic female assistant looked at me restraining herself, "Please make sure you remember what I said!"

"I’ll kill you bastard!"

The student manager, probably a quiet person, finished the yakisoba without saying a word the entire time, served it in a carton box, took a pair of chopsticks, and handed them to me.

"Careful, it's hot." He added a reminder.

I was about to reach for it when I saw Katsuki, who was still glaring at the female assistant, reach over and catch the carton with precision.

"Let’s go!" Katsuki held the fried noodles in one hand and held me with the other, not forgetting to twist his head to let out a harsh message to the assistant female student, "It doesn't even look good, hope your stall closes down soon!"

"Huh?! What did you say?! Don't think I'm afraid of you just because you're number one in the Sports Festival!"

"Is that so?!" Katsuki turned his head, showed his teeth and smiled provocatively, "Wanna have a fight?!"

"......"

I really can't stand him.

I try to pull my hand back, failed. I have no choice but to reach for the fried noodles in Katsuki’s hand, which he dodges by raising his hand.

"What are you doing?" He looked down at me, his pitch dropping an octave, "It's hot."

I dutifully followed him out of the yakisoba stall, asking him as I walked: "Is it really hot? Then let's both switch and take it! I cook all the time so I’m used to it!"

"The hell are you used to, stay tight." He looked around, "Let's go find a place to sit and eat."

"Sure."

I squeezed his hand back and happily followed him out a good distance before reacting to what I'd forgotten.

"Eh?! Wait, where's Natsuo-kun! I forgot to tell him!" I exclaimed, turning my head to the back to look around for Natsuo-kun’s figure, but we walked too far and there were too many people, so I froze and didn't see anything.

Katsuki, on the other hand, didn't care at all: "Who cares. That half-and-half bastard was with him just now, why are you worrying about other guys when you’re with me?"

"......Are you guys done cleaning?"

"Hmm. Yeah."

"Your classmates didn’t ask you to hang out together?"

"Ah? I ran out right after I finished, with that half-and-half bastard. The other classmates didn't pay much attention."

Woh.

I tilted my head and poked him: "This is what they call ditching your bros for your girl, huh?"

"......Don’t use words you don’t understand, idiot."

We both managed to find a free bench in the garden and sat down.

Katsuki snapped apart the chopsticks with one hand, held the carton containing the fried noodles, and stirred them with the chopsticks.

I sat next to him, craning my neck to watch him move.

"Did you not eat breakfast this morning?" Katsuki glanced at me, picked up a small handful of noodles, casually blew on it, and handed it over.

I couldn't help but blush and pinch him: "I can eat it myself!"

"Ah?! There's only one pair of chopsticks! What can I do!"

Excuses! It's all excuses!

I glared at him and held my tongue as I opened my mouth to swallow the noodles on the chopsticks.

The flavour was a bit heavy.

And the frying time was a bit too long.

It definitely wasn’t a gourmet dish.

Katsuki couldn't help but laugh at my expression: "Not good?"

I nodded with a tangled expression.

He picked up some again and lowered his head to taste it himself: "Yeah, it sucks."

"But I didn't eat breakfast and now I'm hungry." I tried to snatch the chopsticks away, failing hopelessly, "We can't waste food!"

"I'll finish it."

Katsuki agilely grunted a few bites and the carton bottomed out in an instant.

He smoothly tossed the carton in the trash and pulled a flabbergasted me up.

"Let's go, I'll take you to eat something delicious. Bear with me a bit, those Business Course ones actually know how to cook, much better than the General Studies!"

×

Kirishima Eijiro's perspective:

"It's finally over."

Kirishima stretched as he placed the pile of rubbish at the door.

"Ahh the stage effects were cool but cleaning up sure is so tiring!"

Sero sighed as he spread his hands, while next to him Kaminari was looking excited.

"Aha, what are you guys relaxing about! Tighten up! It's the cultural festival! We’ve got a whole day to party!"

Sero raised his finger: "I heard there are super fun games!"

Kirishima also raised his hand: "And food!"

Kaminari sniffled: "And pretty girls!"

"Culture Festival——! We're coming!!"

The three of them staggered out of the auditorium, rushing out and then meeting again at the door to plot how they should enjoy the cultural festival.

And Kirishima looked around for a moment and asked: "Ah, you guys, have you seen Bakugo?"

Sero froze: "Hmm? Wasn't he next to you the whole time just now?"

Kaminari shook his head: "Nope, seems to have disappeared after cleaning up......This guy, he's not lost, is he?"

"I'll give him a call."

Kirishima thought for a moment and pulled out his mobile phone.

The call was picked up rather quickly, Bakugo's side was a bit noisy and seemed to be in the middle of a crowd.

"Hello, Bakugo?" Kirishima said loudly, "Where are you? I'm at the entrance to the auditorium with Kaminari and Sero, where’d you go?"

Bakugo at that side asked: "What do you want?"

"What do you mean?! We won’t act together?!"

"Oh, you guys play by yourselves." Bakugo said calmly, "My girlfriend is here, I'll keep her company, I’ll hang up."

"Ah?! Hello?!"

The call was cut off.

Kirishima stared at the duration of the call displayed on his phone's screen, and said hesitantly to Kaminari and Sero, who were waiting next to him: "......Bakugo said he had to keep his girlfriend company and told us to play on our own."

"What?!"

"The freak!"

Kaminari and Sero reacted much more strongly than Kirishima.

"When did he have a girlfriend?!"

"From our school?! Why didn't we know?!"

Like that, the two people who were excitedly announcing to enjoy the cultural festival ten minutes ago instantly threw the proposal out of their minds.

Kirishima looked at the energetic two somewhat breathlessly and advised: "Hey, this is a bad idea, Bakugo will kill us if he finds out."

But these two couldn't listen to Kirishima at all.

"Operation start——!"

"Codename, ‘Operation Investigate Bakugo’s Girlfriend’s true identity’ now begins——! ......Hey Kirishima you chant with us too!"

Breathless and powerless, Kirishima clenched his fist and swung it limply towards the sky.

"Woh......"

Chapter Text

"Do you know why Lunch Rush-san gave me a ticket to the U.A Culture Festival?"

I was holding Katsuki’s hand as he led me forward, half a step ahead, looking around for this so-called Business Course section.

"Where the hell are these bastards?!" Katsuki muttered, noticing my question and raising his voice to echo me, "Oh? Why?"

I bounced up and down, my mood leaping: "Because Lunch Rush-san said that there are students here who have outstanding cooking ideas too, he told me to come and taste it, maybe I'll be inspired in a different way."

"Woh, I thought you went to him and asked for tickets to the cultural festival because you missed me so much."

"......How could that be!" I rolled my eyes at the back of his blonde head, "How could I possibly bother someone because of my own romance."

Katsuki seemed to grunt a laugh.

The air was flooded with the scent of food, and Katsuki finally stopped in his tracks.

"It's this way." He looked back at me, "What do you want to eat?"

I looked around excitedly, taking his hand and tugging him around to look at the various stalls.

"Oden, I want oden."

I fumbled painstakingly for my wallet in my bag.

Katsuki narrowed his eyes at my bag: "Did you come to die with me carrying a bomb?"

I grunted and turned my back to shield my bag.

"What are you carrying?" Katsuki tilted his head to look at me sideways, "Show me? Is it heavy? I'll carry it for you?"

I pulled the zip on my bag and handed out the change to pay for it, rolling my eyes at him and ignoring him.

"I'm not looking, can’t I carry it for you?" He came over and squeezed my hand.

"I can do it myself."

"Tsk." He reached over and tugged on my ear, "You of all people, why can't you rely on me a little more?"

......Because you act so childish and unreliable, that’s why!

The two of us mingled with the various stalls in the area.

Katsuki, being the guy who’d won first place in the Sports Festival, was recognized almost everywhere.

But Katsuki’s response was usually, "Who are you?" "Why are you calling me?" and "Why are you talking to me out of nowhere?" and so on in a series of questions.

Very unfriendly, very obnoxious.

No wonder all the people are like "Why is this girl walking with Bakugo?!" , "Why are they holding hands? They must be siblings!" "If it's not big brother and little sister, it's big sister and little brother. On TV dramas, usually this kind of obnoxious little brother has a gentle, kind and beautiful big sister!" And so on and so forth with mysterious expressions.

Even after experiencing these complicated gazes, Katsuki turned a blind eye to them and wandered in front of various stalls holding me at ease.

"Katsuki doesn't seem very popular." I held a bamboo stick and poked the takoyakis in the carton in Katsuki’s hand, teasing him, "You used to be a little kid with a flock of followers, why did you grow up to be withdrawn instead?"

Katsuki's palm was holding the carton steady as a rock, convenient for me to poke inside the takoyakis, also tched: "The hell withdrawn, when I was a child those guys just clung to me on their own, it has nothing to do with me. Now I don’t feel like humoring a bunch of nobodies!"

"......Katsuki, your temper is really bad."

"Ah?!"

"You only managed to get a girlfriend because she’s too kind, out of charity."

"......"

Katsuki reaches out and mercilessly pinches my face.

"Hey, you’ve gotten pretty bold, huh."

I slapped his hand away, wrinkled my nose at him, and poked up the last of the takoyakis.

After a moment of hesitation, I handed it to him: "You want it?"

Katsuki lowered his head slightly, opened his mouth wide, and swallowed the takoyaki in one gulp.

As he chewed, he said vaguely: "Can’t just keep eating snacks, you need a proper meal. I’ll take you to the cafeteria to eat, our cafeteria is actually pretty good."

Cafeteria?

Isn't that Mr. Lunch Rush's domain?

Can I eat the food cooked by Mr. Lunch Rush?!

I was so excited, I've long admired the fact that Lunch Rush-san is the most famous Pro Hero Chef, I've wanted to try it for a long time!

As soon as I thought of this, I couldn't help but push Katsuki’s arm to urge him: "Then let's go quickly, just so we can say thank you to Lunch Rush-san."

"Got it. You nag too much."

The cafeteria was even more crowded.

As expected, the professional Lunch Rush-san was more attractive than the stalls organized by the students themselves.

Katsuki’s eyebrows knit into a knot: "What the hell?! Why are these guys so idle, it's clearly not lunchtime!"

I looked around: "Because Lunch Rush-san is famous for his food, uah, I want curry rice! And miso soup with egg and seaweed!"

Katsuki pulled me towards the curry rice window: "Two curry rice then."

"......Katsuki are you going to eat the same as me?"

"What do you mean eat the same as you? Can't I want curry rice too?"

I stopped and looked to the side: "I'll go with the pork cutlet rice then."

"......" He stared at me, "......Hey."

I lined up my fingers: "If we order different dishes, we can taste each other’s, right?"

"......" Katsuki twisted his head away and let out an oh, not forgetting to add: "You're so cheeky."

"???"

I was about to tell him to forget it if he wasn't happy about it when I heard him cough lightly and say: "Besides, you think you can handle my food?"

......Ah, I almost forgot that this guy can’t live without spice.

I said resentfully: "Better two curry rice then."

"Get your pork cutlet rice." He nudged my head, "I’ll just tell them to tone down the spice, you're such a pain."

"Katsuki, I like you the most!!"

"......Shut up! Don't shout things like that out in public idiot!"

At the pork cutlet window, I met Lunch Rush-san himself in chef’s attire. I shyly thanked him for the ticket. He waved it off, slipped me an extra-thick piece of pork cutlet.

I said goodbye to him, took my pork cutlet rice and found an empty seat, and waited for Katsuki to come back with curry rice and miso soup with egg and seaweed.

That's when, instead, I met someone unexpected.

"Shingetsu nee-san?"

I froze, looking up to follow the sound, and caught a glimpse of Izuku, who was holding up two Candy Apples with a confused look on his face.

Izuku's eyes widened: "Am I seeing this right? Is Shingetsu nee-san?"

"Izuku!" I waved him over, "Come here, come sit over here."

I moved to the side and greeted him warmly.

He ran over a little shyly and took a seat next to me: "Did you come to play at the culture festival too, Shingetsu nee-san?"

"Yeah! I saw you guys’ performance! Izuku was super cute when you danced!" I praised him vigorously, "So amazing!"

Izuku scratched his head, flustered: "......No, not really. Ah right, this is for Shingetsu nee-san, I just happened to make two!"

He handed me a Candy Apple.

I took it with a smile and thanked him.

Izuku looked happy as well, "It’s your first time at U.A, right, Shingetsu nee-san? Want me to guide you around? There’s lots of fun stuff."

Before I could say anything, I heard a clunk and the entire tabletop trembled.

Startled, Izuku stiffened and looked backward, just in time to meet the eyes of Katsuki, who had heaved the entire dinner plate onto the tabletop.

"Kat, Kat-chan......!"

Izuku looked like a frightened sheep, his hair standing up all over his body.

It wasn't his fault, it was mainly the expression on Katsuki's face, which was just too ghastly.

He was like a Shura that came from hell to claim his life, his back emanating a black aura that could almost materialize, his expression grim and his eyes stern: "Deku——"

Izuku was sweating and reflexively leaned back, but Katsuki quickly yanked him by the collar.

Katsuki asked grimly: "Where are you leaning?"

"N-n-n-no! I forgot! I'm sorry Shingetsu nee-san!"

I waved my hand and smiled: "It's okay, Izuku used to cry into my waist after Katsuki bullied him, it's nothing."

"......"

"......"

Is it just me?

Why does it feel like the atmosphere has suddenly stiffened?

Katsuki ground his teeth and glared at Izuku for dozens of seconds before tugging him by the collar and dragging him away from the table.

"Do what you have to do, don't stick around my girlfriend!"

Izuku steadied himself by holding onto the back of his chair and fumbled to straighten his collar with one hand: "Ah, okay......Eh??? What? Kat-chan you just said girl, girl......"

Katsuki grinned broadly as he sat down next to me, crossed his legs, yanked one hand over the dinner plate he'd just placed on the table with force, and wrapped an arm around my shoulders.

"I said girlfriend! Got a problem?!"

"............"

I looked sadly at Izuku, whose soul had let go, and nudged Katsuki: "......Is Izuku okay? He looks like he lost all his colour."

Katsuki grunted and said nastily: "Tch, he’ll live!"

×

Midoriya Izuku's perspective:

Midoriya didn't know how he said goodbye to Shingetsu and Bakugo, or how he got back to his dormitory, or how long he sat on the couch on the ground floor.

"By all logic, it makes sense for Kat-chan, who’s amazing, handsome, and capable, to have a girlfriend, but I always thought he’d go for someone strong-willed, maybe even fiery like him. Where did things go wrong?"

"How could it be Shingetsu nee-san? Shingetsu nee-san is two years older.......No, it's three years older than us."

"Didn’t Kat-chan used to say he couldn’t stand Shingetsu nee-san when we were kids? That she was too coward and only ever clung to me for comfort or something......"

"Shingetsu nee-san was literally the dream older sister of every kid on our street, the ideal big-sis type, everyone’s childhood crush, how did she end up with Kat-chan, no way, this has to be a prank."

"Ahahaha Kat-chan is teasing me again, so mean, even Shingetsu nee-san is helping him to tease me now."

......

......

"Why would it be Shingetsu nee-san, what kind of magical plot is this, no way no way that's Kat-chan!"

"Midoriya."

Midoriya had a jolt, reacting to the fact that he had begun to shred again if no one else was around, he reflexively covered his mouth and looked to the side.

The entire ground floor of the dormitory was empty, except for Todoroki, who was sitting next to him.

Todoroki had come in at some point and was sitting across from Midoriya, looking at him with a wordless expression on his face.

"Was that Bakugo's girlfriend you were just chanting about? You guys know each other well?"

"Eh!" Midoriya's eyes widened, "Kat, Kat-chan's girlfriend, no, not sure it's his girlfriend yet, it's just Kat-chan's side of the story......"

"Midoriya."

"Todoroki-kun, what's wrong......?"

"Do you like that girl too?" Todoroki frowned, thinking of his own brother's (Todoroki all imagined it) unending romance, his expression tinted with some indignation, "Change your object, that girl isn't as innocent and harmless as she seems......"

Midoriya stood up: "Todoroki-kun!"

"......?"

"I grew up with Shingetsu nee-san, she's a very kind and passionate person." Midoriya's eyes widened, "I don't know what kind of misunderstanding there is between Shingetsu nee-san and Todoroki-kun, but Shingetsu nee-san has always been the same person on the surface!......I'm sorry, because she's always taken care of me so I......I have to go deliver Candy Apply to Eri-chan, so I'll go, please don’t take it personally, Todoroki-kun."

Todoroki froze: "Ah no, it's my problem......"

Midoriya got up a little embarrassed, said goodbye to Todoroki, and scurried out of the dormitory.

Todoroki looked at his back and covered his mouth thoughtfully: "So, Midoriya and Bakugo's rivalry stems from romantic conflict? ...... Midoriya seems to like that girl a lot......?"

Meanwhile, Midoriya, who had walked out of the dormitory, reacted with hindsight.

"Eh? Why does Todoroki-kun know that Kat-chan has a girlfriend?! Since when did those two get so close?"