(Song: Cavetown - Lemon Boy)

Soon enough, we reach what looks to be the principal's office. Thirteen pushes open the doors and leads me inside. "Nezu, L/N Y/N is here," They greet the principal, who is hidden by stacks of papers on their desk. "Good luck!" They whisper before leaving the room and closing the door again.

After a while, I muster up the courage to say something, my voice sounding strained and squeaky. "H-Hello, Sir," I bow respectfully. "My name is L/N Y/N. I understand you are the principal?" 

A small figure walks out from behind the mahogany desk. Standing up straight, I look down at a small, furry creature. He adorns a black vest over a white shirt and red tie, with pants to match. He wears tan shoes on his small feet. A long tail curls out from his backside, making me think at first that he may be a cat. However, upon examining his face, I am unsure of exactly what he is. He has small, square-ish ears atop his head, and a scar crossing over one of his curious black eyes. I try not to stare as the man holds out a paw (which I have to bend down to properly shake). 

"Hello, L/N!" He greets softly, his voice calm and sweet. "Yes, you are correct. I am principal Nezu, but you may call me Mr. Nezu for now." He smiles brightly, his small black nose twitching slightly. 

"It's very nice to meet you, M-Mr. Nezu," I stutter, standing up straight.

"Come, sit," Nezu ushers me over to a small couch, where I situate myself with a straightened back. "Would you like some tea?" He asks, gesturing to a tea set laid out on the table. 

"Yes, thank you," I watch him pour a light red liquid into a cup in front of me, humming a slight tune as he does so. He asks me how many sugarcubes I would like, to which I reply, "Two," He hands me the teacup and saucer, to which I thank him once more and take a sip. The light flavour of tart raspberries grazes my tongue as the warm liquid passes by my lips. It's delicious. I smile as Nezu sits next to me and asks,

"So, Miss L/N, why do you want to attend U.A.?"

"Well," I murmur, setting down my tea. "I suppose the answer to that would be my mother. She was an American pro hero, her name was Waterwitch. Her quirk was not very flashy, but it got her by when she needed it. She was an offensive hero, who would protect more than she would fight. However, upon walking into a bar late at night, she met my father. You can see where this is going. To protect herself, she went on maternity leave and had me. After that, she went back to hero work, but was... Killed when I was four weeks old," I take a deep, composing breath, and continue on.

"My father, grief-stricken, moved the both of us to Japan. We lived here until I was five, when we were forced to move back because of a new job opening for my father," Finding my throat unusually dry, I pick up my tea and take a sip. It's hard to swallow, as my stomach is in knots and a lump is stuck in my throat. "Ever since she died, I had this dream of becoming a hero, but I had pushed it to the back of my mind until my father showed me my mom's old hero suit. Once, late at night, I snuck into her old room and tried on the costume. It was almost like it was made for me. And that's when I knew we had to come back to Japan. I had to be a hero, like her. I had to save children from suffering, like what I went through. I had to be the next Waterwitch." Finishing my story with an exhale, I open my eyes to find Nezu's paw on my hand.

"I'm so terribly sorry for your loss, L/N," He pats my hand twice before pulling it away. "Your mother was a good woman, I'm sure of it. I know she would be very proud to see you now. With that being said, I'll look over your papers and keep you in mind. Maybe I'll get the chance to see you at U.A. when the start of the school year rolls around." He smiles gently.

Conversation is minimal after that, only a few quizzical questions about my quirk, how long I've had it, and my past records in other schools. Business-type questions, basically. Though Nezu assures me there's nothing I should be nervous about, I'm still shaky, clammy, and scared. I want more than anything for this to work, to be accepted into my dream school. This is my childhood dream, re-awakened, and it only takes the drop of a pin for the ice to break and plans to fall through.

Soon enough, the interview ends. It takes me a moment to actually gather myself and bid the principal a goodbye. My legs feel like my bones have dissolved. My head is spinning. I feel ready to faint.

I can barely focus on the floor in front of me as I stumble along behind Thirteen and out to the front of U.A. High. As soon as I reach Shinji's car, I tumble into the backseat and lean my head against the window. As we begin to drive, the scenery becomes a blur and my eyelids become heavier. Eventually, I doze into a light sleep that wipes the slate free of stress and worry.

~~~

"Y/N..." My father shaking my shoulder is what wakes me from my small nap. I rub my eyes with a yawn and step out of the car, stumbling slightly as my feet hit the ground. I manage to stabilize my body and stretch my arms into the air, sighing as I let them go limp. The air smells fresh and sweet. I close the car door behind me and bid Shinji goodbye, following my father up the stairs and into the apartment. My legs ache slightly, but I hardly notice as I slip off my shoes and place them neatly beside the front door.

I trudge into my bedroom and dig through my drawers to find a comfortable outfit. I slip out of my mother's clothing and gather it in my arms, gently carrying it to the washing machine. Walking back to my room, I slip the F/C tank top on over my bra and step into a pair of jogging shorts. With a yawn, I walk to my window and watch the bustling scenery below me. I watch closely as people walk in and out of the market down the road, some carrying loads of groceries, others carrying smaller bags with minimal items inside.

A tuft of blonde hair catches my eye. I immediately recognize the person as Bakugou as he walks out of the store, a bag in his hand. My face lights up and I regain all energy as I dash into the parlor and slip on my sneakers, quickly muttering a goodbye to my father as I rush outside and down the stairs.

I dash across the street when the cars come to a halt, waving my hand and shouting, "Bakugou!" Soon enough, I catch his attention and manage to stop him from walking. He quirks an eyebrow at me and scowls, though I can tell he's not truly agitated.

"Oh, great. The fuck do you want?" He growls, glaring at me with bright red eyes.

"It's nice to see you too, Blondie!" I giggle playfully, punching his bicep lightly. "What'cha got there?" I point to his shopping bag.

"Shit the old hag wants me to get," He grumbles as we continue to walk.

"You mean your mom?" I ask with a tilt of my head.

"Whatever."

"How are you?" I ask, trying to break the tension.

"What's it to you?" He asks, looking down at me with a confused grimace.

"Just wondering," I shrug. "What'd you do today?"

"You ask too many fucking questions. It's none of your business anyways, it's mine." He glowers.

"Fair. Mind if I walk with you?" I ask, a skip in my step.

"Yes, I do--"

"Great!" I chirp, walking cheerfully alongside him. My tail sways left and right to the beat of my footfalls. A light tune escapes my lips. Why am I so happy around him? I ponder, but brush it off with a small shrug. I continue to press him about his day, occasionally getting small bits and pieces of it before we eventually reach a small blue house (presumeably Bakugou's). Bakugou walks up to the door and opens it, tossing down the bag and yelling,

"I got your shit! Happy now, you hag?!"

A woman with hair and eyes to match Bakugou's storms into the main part of their house. Snatching up the bag, she opens her mouth to yell at her son. Before she can, though, her eyes lock onto mine.

"Hi!" I chirp, waving slightly.

"Katsuki, who is this?" The woman asks, gesturing to me.

"She's--"

"Did you get a damn girlfriend and not tell me?!" She asks loudly, smacking her son upside the head. I cover my mouth and try not to laugh, my cheeks puffing up. 

"We're not dating you old cow!" Bakugou screams angrily, his cheeks turning a deep shade of red. I stand idle in the doorway as the two bicker and fight, snickering every time Bakugou's mom teases him about the idea of a girlfriend. His face gets redder and redder each time the word 'girlfriend' is even remotely uttered. Deciding to help him out, I clear my throat and catch his mother's attention.

"Um--M-My name is Y/N L/N. I'm a friend of Bakugou's. We met a few months ago, after the sludge attack," I giggle, rubbing the back of my head. "I think he's warming up to me! I bring snacks for us to share sometimes. It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Bakugou." I hold out my hand. His mother walks forwards and grabs my hand lightly, shaking it with a grin on her face.

"Please, call me Mitsuki. Mrs. Bakugou sounds a bit too formal for my tastes. Come in, come in," She leads me inside and closes the door behind her. Taking off my shoes, I follow Mitsuki through the parlor. I turn my head to the still red-faced Bakugou and give a thumbs up as a 'you're welcome' signal. He just looks away, shoving his hands in the pockets of his jeans with a huff.

The distinct smell of pork wafts into my nose as we enter the kitchen, where a man with brown hair and glasses stands chopping up what looks to be cabbage. "Y/N, this is my husband, Masaru," She gestures to the man, who gives a small wave. "Masaru, this is Y/N."

After the introductions, I pull out my phone and text my father.

Me: Hey dad sorry I ran out on you i saw a friend and went to say hi

Me: I'm at their house right now so don't worry I'm fine

Dad: Okay, as long as you come back soon, I'm fine with it.

Me: Thanks, Dad! :)

I walk back into the parlor area. Bakugou is nowhere to be seen. Shoving my phone in my pocket, I walk back to Mitsuki and ask, "Hey, um, do you know when Bakugou went?"

"Katsuki is probably up in his room, where he usually is. It's upstairs, the second door on the left." She points briefly to the upstairs area, where three doors are visible. Thanking her, I walk back to the parlor and begin to ascend to the second floor. My feet cause the steps to creak, as if my weight pained them.

I reach the second door down in mere seconds. Caution tape, danger signs, and papers all hold warnings not to go inside, but I ignore them and quietly open the door. The room is lit up by a tall lamp in the corner. The lightbulb is tinted red, giving the room a warm glow. To my left, a bed sits at the end of the room, messy blankets thrown over it. In front of me is a desk with an open laptop sitting on it. The background is a picture of All Might. A closet sits beside his bed.

All around the room, posters of pro heroes are hung on the walls. The floor is slightly cluttered with things here and there. Stepping further into the room, I notice a punching bag behind the door. An open door is in the far right corner. A bright light shines from within.

Quietly walking forwards, I grab the doorframe and peek into the room beyond. It's a bathroom, and Bakugou sits on the counter. He has his head turned away, towards the mirror. His eyes are closed. I step fully into the doorway. "Hey," I smile gently. Through the reflection of the mirror, I see Bakugou open his crimson eyes and stare at me through the glass. He doesn't say anything, just looks away from my gaze.

I move further into the bathroom, my hand lingering on the doorframe for a moment before I'm not able to reach it anymore. Padding over to the counter, I clear a space for myself and hop up on the counter as well, swinging my feet in front of me and resting my elbows on my knees.

"I know that was pretty awkward for you, but don't worry about it. I didn't mind it at all," I look at him through the mirror. He huffs, but still says nothing. A blanket of silence falls over us.

"Hey," I say after a while. "You wanna go outside? I've got a place I can show you. I can still remember where it is. I used to live here, before I moved away," I scoot closer to him. "C'mon! You'll like it."

Bakugou sighs and hops off the counter. He turns and holds his hand out. I take it in my own, allowing him to tug me off of the counter. He hesitantly pulls his hand away from mine.

We walk downstairs and put on our shoes. "Hey, bitch, I'm going outside!"

"Be back in twenty minutes! Dinner is almost ready." Mitsuki shouts from the kitchen.

"Don't fucking tell me what to do!" Bakugou retorts angrily. I beckon him outside before a fight breaks out. Once outside, he sighs heavily. We walk away from his house and down a grassy path for a while before he asks, "Where the hell are we going, again?" And rolls his eyes.

"Somewhere only I know about. Cheer up, it'll be fun! Our little secret. No one else has ever come here with me, you know!" I grin. "C'mon, we don't have much time." I grab his hand and begin to run. He doesn't pull his hand away as I lead him down a dirt path and through a patch of trees.

The grass is overgrown and littered with garbage, but it doesn't phase me, as it has always been this way. I crush the weeds beneath my feet. "Close your eyes!" I giggle.

"Are you fucking crazy?! Hell no, I'll crash into something!" Bakugou says angrily.

"Nonsense! I've got you!" I slow down a bit, turning to him. "Trust me." I smile gently, holding out my hand for a pinky swear. Bakugou seems hesitant at first, but eventually intertwines his finger with mine and covers his eyes with his free hand. My heart leaps with joy and I begin to run again, making sure to clear the path for Bakugou as I pull him along by his hand. Eventually, we reach a curtain of weeds hanging from a tree above, which I quickly push out of the way. The open spot in the trees shines sunlight down on the old, vine-covered gazebo. I sigh happily as a wave of nostalgia washes over me.

"Open your eyes, Bakugou!" I chirp, pulling him into the open. He uncovers his face and looks around, staring into the open area with shock and wonder.

"The fuck is all this...?" He mumbles, looking all around.

"My father found it when I was about four years old. It was our spot. We came here all the time, that is, until we moved," I smile, leading him to the gazebo. Letting go of Bakugou's hand, I brush the low-hanging vines and plants out of the way and step inside, my hand tracing the familiar grooves and bumps of the wood. I kneel down and look at the wood where my father and I carved our names, marking a joyous moment of time in a past that was filled with doubt and pain.

y/n + dady wer here!

The sharp, angular letters read.

"Is that from you and your dad?" Bakugou asks.

I simply nod, feeling tears prick at my eyes. "I carved it all by myself. I was so proud. It was so long ago... The only time I can really remember being happy." I choke.

"Well don't fucking cry," He grumbles awkwardly, sitting cross legged beside me. I wipe away the growing tears, apologizing quietly.

The blonde stays silent for a moment, pursing his lips as he delves deep into thought. Finally, he pulls a small red object out of his pocket and hands it to me. "Here," He mumbles, flipping it open to reveal the shining blade of a pocket knife. I look at Bakugou in confusion as I take it from him before turning back to the wooden side of the gazebo. I turn the knife in my hands and lean forwards, pressing the tip of the blade into the soft wood.

Y/N

I carve slowly, brushing away any shavings left behind. Setting the knife next to me, I stare at the name with a new sense of relief, like the slate was partially wiped clean.

After a while, Bakugou moves forwards and takes the knife in his own hand, carving something of his own in addition to my name. He brushes the shavings away from his words and sits back, putting the pocket knife back in his pocket.

Y/N + Bakugou were here

I look at the boy with a smile on my face, feeling a sense of overwhelming joy.

"So does this mean... We're friends?" I ask, holding out my pinky for the second time.

"Whatever lets you sleep at night." He growls, locking his pinky with mine once more.

~~~

Publishing date:

April 19th, 2019