I waited patiently as Shinso began to pack his things. We agreed that the sooner we started this project the less likely Sensei will kill us. So we agreed to work on it together after school.

Shinso had suggested we go to the library, but I heard a few of our classmates talk about going there. And I'm not a big fan of public libraries anymore since it's become a playground for little kids. So I offered my house. Shinso was a little hesitant, but agreed to it nonetheless.

"See you tomorrow Igarashi-Chan!" Hijiri grinned as she passed by me with Saionji, who also smiled at me.

I returned it and nodded. "See you tomorrow." I guess Ume-Nee's flashcards really worked. I honestly didn't think it would but I'm not going to fight it.

I am however going to ask for more flashcards and an actual lesson on idols and all the stuff girls talk about. Ume-Nee didn't do a very good job teaching me. But I have a start.

With Shinso.

I smiled lightly as he walked over to me, bag swung over his shoulder. "Ready?" I asked. He nodded and we headed out.

We had to take a train considering I live a bit away, but it wasn't too far from the station so we didn't have to walk too far. Once we reached my house, Shinso gawked a bit at it. Well, I guess it's larger than the average home.

Also it's kind of two homes.

And a dojo.

Okay, it's a large house. "You live here?" He asked, disbelief in his voice. I chuckled nervously and scratched my cheek lightly. "Yeah . . . Come on in." I opened the front gate and walked ahead, Shinso following after.

I opened the door, faintly smelling something burning. I frowned. "I'm home." I called.

I was about to investigate when Ume-Nee bounded around the corner. Her silky hair up in a bun, wearing a rainbow, shirt and black shorts. A light colored apron wrapped incorrectly around her.

"Sakura! Thank God! I tried to make cookies, but I'm not sure why the oven-huh? Oh. You brought a friend home." Her eyes went wide as saucers and her mouth opened wide as she looked at me and an awkward Shinso.

I rolled my eyes and walked in. "Shinso-San, this is my older sister Ume. Ume-Nee, this is Shinso-San. We're going to be working on a project together. Take Shinso-San to my room. I'll try and salvage whatever you created. And don't pester him." I warned her, handing her my school bag.

Ume-Nee saluted. "Aye sir!"

Sighing, I looked back at Shinso and gave him an apologetic smile. "Sorry Shinso-San, I'll be right up." He nodded, watching the scene with curious eyes.

Ume-Nee grinned and grabbed onto him. "Come on up Shinso-Kun! It's so nice to finally meet one of Sakura's friends. Well, friend. She doesn't bring people home."

"Ume-Nee!" I shouted as she dragged him up the stairs. "Yes, yes!" She called back in slight annoyance.

I sighed, shaking my head. Jeez. I headed into the large kitchen and spotted the lumps of charred cookies on the baking sheet sitting atop the stove. How the-ugh. I immediately tossed them into trash and started a new batch.

It didn't take long, all that was left was for them to cool. While they did that I served up some tea before putting half of the cookies on a plate. 

Placing everything on the tray, I headed upstairs to my room. "Sorry about that Shinso-Sa- Ume-Nee!" I shouted.

My sister is currently playing with Shinso's hair and the poor kid looked like he had no idea what to do.

She looked up at me and grinned. "Sakura, this kids got wonderful hair! It's so soft and fluffy! Feel it!" She encouraged, stars practically in her eyes.

The room got chilly as I narrowed my eyes on her, emitting an angry aura that could rival moms.

Ume-Nee began sweating. "Get out." She squealed before laughing nervously. "O-Okay. You two have fun!" She shouted before running off.

I sighed and sat down. At least she put out the study table. Placing the tray on the table I gave Shinso an apologetic look. "I'm sorry about my sister."

He smiled a little, waving it off. "It's fine. I just wasn't . . . expecting that. She's your older sister . . ?" My head went down a little. "Yeah, somehow." I mumbled.

He gave me a sympathetic look before pulling out his phone. Soon he pulled up a list of Heroes. "Well, we should get started and pick a Hero. Do you have any particular one in mind?" He asked me.

A Hero huh? Well I've always been a fan of Eraser Head. He's not flashy and he does his work in a timely manner with minimal damage to property. I also like Edgeshot for similar reasons.

"What about you?" I asked, unable to decide. Shinso mulled over it a bit. "Well, I would be fine with any, but I am a fan of Reina."

I blinked at his admission. "Reina? The Subjugator?" I asked, making absolute sure I heard right.

He nodded, a light blush on his face. "Yeah. Her Quirk's kind of like mine and people don't think she's creepy or scary. Plus, she's made it to Number 10 Hero."

Well this is a little awkward. "Um, would you like to meet her?" I asked timidly.

He sighed, resting his cheek in the heel of his palm. "I wish. It's hard to see her in person. I've tried." He admitted.

I rolled my bottom lip between my teeth. "Well, if you stay long enough for dinner, you can. She's my mom."

Silence.

I looked up to gauge his reaction and his eyes were so wide I was afraid they'd pop out of his skull. "Your mom . . . is Reina the Subjugator? For real?"

I nodded, scratching my cheek. A nervous habit. "Oh god. I'm in Reina's house. I can meet her? For real?" Shinso began muttering to himself, sweating slightly.

I couldn't help the sweatdrop that formed on my own forehead. "Shinso, calm down."

He shook his head a bit. "Sorry Igarashi. I just-I just didn't expect that." He admitted, rubbing the back of his head.

I smiled slightly at that. "It's fine. If you want to stay long enough for dinner you can meet her. Sorry, she doesn't get off work any earlier."

He shook his head, eyes wide. "No, she's a Pro! I'd love to meet her, but I don't want to impose." He rubbed the back of his neck.

Well mom said she'd be home for dinner so I can make enough. Usually she's always at work, not at home a lot, but she usually let's me know beforehand.

I shook my head, grabbing my bag and pulling out a notebook. "It's no problem at all. So would you like to do the project on her?" 

"Well, I don't want you to do something . . . boring. It can't be excited writing about your mom. We can choose another Hero." To this my smile became more gentle.

"No, I think we should write it on her. That way people can see the good in Quirks like hers."

His face lit up, just a bit for someone who always looks tired. "Thanks Igarashi."

~

After a lot of progress, we decided to take a break. Shinso is in the living room with Ume-Nee while I made dinner.

Dad's not going to be home in time for dinner, so it doesn't have to be traditional Japanese cuisine. Besides, I'm feeling carnivorous myself so I decided to make steaks, baked potato, and salad.

Ume-Nee promised not to bother Shinso too much, but I'm not sure how much I trust her. Then again she's a people person. She always had lots of friends and was always the glue in her groups. She's just very outgoing.

It didn't take long for me to finish. I wiped my hands on a washcloth and walked into the living room.

"Ume-Nee, Can you set the table-" I stopped, staring at the duo oddly.

Ume-Nee had pulled out our Dance Dance Revolution game and is currently in a heated dance off with Shinso to a K-Pop song. Both had serious faces on and were moving with all they had.

I'm honestly shocked Shinso even agreed to this and is taking it so seriously.

"Um . . ?" Ume-Nee cursed as she missed a step. "Damn it! Sakura, quiet!" She hissed, trying hard to make up for her mistake.

Okay then . . . I'll set the table. Shrugging to myself I did so. After a while I heard a cry of despair.

"Damn you Hitoshi! I demand a rematch!" I rolled my eyes but couldn't help the small smile that made its way onto my lips. It wasn't a bad sight. Although the two are very different from one another, she still got him to have a little fun.

"I'm home." Mom's voice rang out. Ah!

I quickly dashed into the living room and saw that Shinso had went stiff and rigid. Ume-Nee laughed at his behavior.

"Welcome home! Sakura brought a friend over!!" The sound of mom's heels clicked as she got closer and into the room. Today she wore yet another pencil skirt and a sky blue blouse. Her black blazer nicely over. Her long hair up in a tight bun and a look of surprise on her face. "Eh? Sakura did?"

I blushed a bit. Jeez, do they have to be like that?

Her eyes fell on Shinso and she smiled, walking over. "Hello, I'm Igarashi Himeko, Sakura's mother. It's nice to meet you. I'm sorry for my late reaction, Sakura doesn't bring friends home often."

Ugh. Mom. My eye twitched and I fought with all my might not to blush.

Shinso stood still, eyes wide with shock and admiration. "I-I'm Shinso Hitoshi. It's nice to meet you."

He's way too stiff. But mom doesn't seem to be the least bit bothered about it. "I do hope you'll be joining us for dinner. Unfortunately my husband won't be joining us tonight because of work, but I'd love to get to know about Sakura's friend."

"Mom." I whined. Ume-Nee snickered from next to me and I shot her an annoyed look.

Shinso is still in a state of shock of meeting one of his favorite Heroes, so hopefully he won't really remember it so much.

"Yep. Sakura already invited him and he agreed. By the way, Hitoshi I still want my damn rematch!" Ume-Nee scowled at Shinso.

Mom quickly glared at her eldest daughter and faster than I can blink, smacked her atop her head. "Language." She chastised.

Ume-Nee whined and looked over at me. "She's so mean! Right?" She asked of me.

I looked off with an indifferent expression. "Eh. Isn't it because you make her that way?" To this she cried comically, making mom chuckle.

Shinso watched our interactions a bit, and his face almost seemed to relax. Good.

"Mom, if you want to change, I'll finish setting the table. Dinners ready."

Ume-Nee perked and beamed. "I'll help~!" She sang as mom agreed and headed upstairs. "Sorry Igarashi. I got a little caught up in the game. I'll help too." Shinso said, starting forward.

I smiled lightly at him. "It's alright Shinso-San, you're our guest." He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "You don't have to be so formal y'know."

Oh. I've been calling him Shinso-San out of habit. But . . . it's nice that I don't have to. I've never made a friend like that before.

~

"It was nice meeting you Hitoshi, please feel free to visit more often. Are you sure you don't need a ride home? I'll just need to grab my car keys." Mom smiled slightly at the awkward boy from next to me.

I don't blame him. I can tell he's not really used to people and I can relate to that.

Luckily Ume-Nee did most of the dinner conversation. Although it wasn't so bad really. Awkward, yes, but Shinso doesn't seem like he'll dislike me for it.

"Thank you ma'am, but I'll be alright. It was nice meeting you." He turned his tired eyes to me. But they seem a bit more lively than before.

"I'll see you tomorrow Igarashi." I smiled at him and waved a little. "See you tomorrow Shinso." I waited until I couldn't see him anymore before going back inside.

"Sakura." I glanced over at mom who was smiling lightly at me. She patted my head. "You made a good friend." With that said she headed towards her office on the first floor.

It still seems a little presumptuous of me to call Shinso my friend. But we're on the right track. A friend, huh?

A smile made it's way into my face before I headed towards the dojo for some late practice.