I leaned back against the park bench, casually tossing a pebble in the air as Kacchan continued pacing like a rabid animal, growling under his breath about "death" and "doom" and "what the actual hell, Deku." Honestly, I'd seen this show before. Same old Kacchan, different day. But man, was this one extra satisfying to watch.

"Oh, come on, Kacchan," I said, twirling the pebble between my fingers like some kind of wise philosopher who just achieved enlightenment. "It's not the end of the world."

Kacchan spun around, jabbing a finger at me with the intensity of someone who'd just found out his favorite ramen shop burned down. "Not the end of the world?! You turned Overhaul into a magical girl, Deku! Overhaul! Do you understand what that means?!"

I shrugged. "It means he's got a killer crow aesthetic now. Honestly, I'm doing the world a favor. He needed a little pizzazz in his life."

Kacchan's eye twitched so hard I thought it might pop out of his skull. "This isn't a joke! This is the worst thing ever! He's a freakin' villain, Deku! He's going to kill us! Hell, we're not even in UA yet, and you've already painted a massive target on our backs!" His hands shot up in the air like he was trying to surrender to the universe. "How do you even notice it's Overhaul? What are you, a freakin' psychic now?!"

I grinned, trying not to look too smug. "Oh, you know, Kacchan. I've just got this little thing called attention to detail. You should try it sometime."

"Attention to detail?!" Kacchan looked at me like I'd just told him I moonlight as a ballerina. "You're telling me you spotted Overhaul because of his jacket?! His jacket?!" He threw his hands up again, pacing in tight circles. "What is wrong with you?!"

"Hey, it's not my fault he's got such a unique sense of fashion," I said, pretending to inspect my nails. "I mean, really, who wears a green jacket with a violet fluff collar? It's like he was asking to be recognized."

Kacchan stopped pacing to glare at me, his hands clenching into fists. "You—you're impossible. You're a freakin' idiot, you know that?"

"An idiot with great observational skills," I quipped, flashing him a cheeky smile.

"I can't even... I can't with you right now." He looked like he was on the verge of combusting, his shoulders rising and falling as he took deep, furious breaths. "Do you realize what kind of shit we're in because of you? This isn't some game, Deku! This is Overhaul! He's gonna come after us, and when he does, it's gonna be your fault!"

I shrugged again. "Eh, I'll handle it."

Kacchan blinked, his jaw dropping. "You'll handle it?!"

"Yeah." I tossed the pebble I'd been playing with, watching it skip across the park path. "I mean, what's he gonna do? Beat me up? Been there, done that. You, on the other hand..." I gave him a pointed look, enjoying the way his face twisted into a mix of panic and rage. "Well, let's just say I'd be more worried if I were you."

Kacchan actually growled, running his hands through his hair like he was trying to physically yank the stress out of his head. "You're insane. You're actually insane. I can't believe I'm stuck with you."

"Oh, please. You love it," I said, grinning.

"I don't!" he snapped, stomping his foot like a toddler who just got told no at the candy store. "This is the worst thing that's ever happened to me. I can't believe you—ugh, why am I even arguing with you? You don't even care!"

"You're right," I said, still grinning. "I don't."

Kacchan's face turned an even darker shade of red, and for a moment, I thought he might actually explode. But instead, he just threw his hands up again and groaned. "You're gonna get us killed. I swear, Deku. You're gonna get us both killed."

"Probably," I said, my grin widening. "But hey, at least we'll go out in style."

"Shut up!" Kacchan shouted, his voice echoing through the park. A couple of birds took off from a nearby tree, startled by his outburst. "This isn't funny, Deku!"

I raised an eyebrow. "I mean, it kinda is."

"It's not!" He jabbed a finger at me again. "You better hope Overhaul doesn't come after us, because if he does, I'm throwing you under the bus. You hear me? Under the bus!"

I couldn't help but laugh. "Oh, Kacchan. Always looking out for me."

"Looking out for you?!" He looked like he was about to have an aneurysm. "I'm looking out for me, you idiot! If Overhaul shows up, you're on your own!"

"Noted," I said, still chuckling. "But honestly, Kacchan, I think you're overthinking this. He probably won't even recognize me next time we see him. And if he does..." I paused for dramatic effect, letting my grin turn mischievous. "Well, let's just say I've got a few more tricks up my sleeve."

Kacchan stared at me like he couldn't decide whether to punch me or cry. "You're hopeless."

"And you're dramatic," I shot back, turning to walk away. "Come on, Kacchan. Let's get out of here before you give yourself a heart attack."

He groaned again but followed, still muttering under his breath about how I was going to be the death of him. And honestly? He was probably right. But man, it was fun watching him squirm.