Months passed. I was no longer the weird new kid who talked to cockroaches. Now, I was just... the other weird kid.
Bakugo, predictably, had gotten his Quirk. And it was exactly what everyone expected: explosions. Little pop-rock bursts from his palms that he used to light up fallen leaves, "demolish" sandcastles, and terrorize the local frog population. He was insufferable.
Somehow, I'd become part of his 'crew.' It wasn't by choice, mind you. I just happened to be in the general vicinity of him and his two nameless goons (Wing-boy and Finger-extender), usually because Midoriya was also there, and I occasionally felt a vague sense of pity for the poor kid. Bakugo just sort of... absorbed me into his gravitational pull of ego.
Today, we were at the park near the river, the same one where Midoriya eventually ends up saving Bakugo. Bakugo was currently trying to make a bigger explosion than his last one, setting off small bursts with a triumphant cackle.
"HAH! Look at that, Deku! My explosions are getting stronger! I'm gonna be the Number One Hero, just you watch!" he yelled, tiny sparks popping from his hands.
Midoriya, ever the worried observer, squeaked, "K-Katchan, that's a really big one! Be careful!"
I was off to the side, poking a stick at a puddle. Still no Quirk. Not a single spark. It was frustrating. I mean, Rex Splode was about explosions. Where were mine?!
"Stop messing with that mud, Riko!" Bakugo yelled, spotting me. "Come watch a real hero in action!"
"Nah, I'm good," I mumbled, flipping a particularly interesting rock. "My hero career will probably involve more tactical puddle analysis than screaming at frogs."
"TACTICAL WHAT NOW?!"
Eventually, as the sun started to dip, the other kids and even Midoriya began to head home. Midoriya gave me a nervous wave, glancing between me and Bakugo as if expecting an explosion (the metaphorical kind, from us).
"B-bye, Katchan! Bye, Riko-chan!"
Soon, it was just me and Bakugo. He was still making tiny explosions, now aiming them at bits of gravel. I was getting bored. My stomach rumbled. Dad will be home late tonight.
"Oi, Riko," Bakugo grunted, startling me. "You still here?"
"Yeah," I said, shrugging. "Dad's working late. Probably another run across the prefecture."
"Katsuki! Time to go, you brat!" a loud, booming voice suddenly cut through the air.
We both turned to see a woman with spiky blonde hair, practically identical to Bakugo's, striding towards us. She wore a confident smirk, and her eyes had that same "I will end you" glint. It was Mitsuki Bakugo.
"Mom!" Bakugo whined, sounding exactly like a four-year-old.
Mitsuki walked up, then her eyes landed on me. "Oh, who's this little delinquent?" she said, but her tone was warm.
"She's Riko! She's weird! She said she kills roaches!" Bakugo immediately ratted me out.
Mitsuki blinked, then laughed. A loud, booming laugh. "A roach slayer, huh? Good. Someone's gotta do it. You got anyone waiting for you, sweetie?"
"Uh, no, ma'am," I said, trying to be polite. "Dad's working."
Mitsuki put her hands on her hips. "Well, that won't do. You're coming with us for dinner. I made curry."
My ears perked up. Curry? My main food group?. Is this fate? Is the ROB trying to make up for my gender swap with good food?
"Okay," I said simply, trying to play it cool.
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The Bakugo household was exactly as you expect..... it was loud. And smelled amazing. Like curry. And a subtle hint of nitroglycerin, probably from Bakugo or his mom.
Mitsuki placed a heaping bowl of curry and rice in front of me. To which I didn't waste any time and took a bite.
Oh. My. God.
This wasn't just curry. This was a religious experience. If my dad's curry was "decent," then Mitsuki's curry was "divine." It was rich, spicy, perfectly balanced. This was the curry I had dreamed of. This was the curry my soul wanted.
I ate in blissful silence, only vaguely aware of Bakugo stuffing his face beside me.
"Oi, stop eating so slow, let's do a competition, who finishes first!" Bakugo said, his mouth full.
I swallowed, looking at him with a dead-serious expression. "Never.Play.With.Good.Food."
"HAH?! What did you say, you extra?!"
"What's it look like, Sparky? This is the good stuff. Your mom's got talent."
Mitsuki, overhearing, chuckled from the kitchen. "See, Katsuki? Someone appreciates a good meal."
Bakugo glared at me, then slammed his spoon down. "Just you wait, I will make better curry than her"
"Sure you will, kid," I mumbled, going back to my bowl. "After you figure out how to tie your shoelaces."
"HUH YOU WANNA FIGHT, YOU EXTRAAA!"
Mitsuki suddenly appeared behind Bakugo and delivered a swift, open-handed smack to the back of his head. SMACK! It echoed through the dining room.
"DON'T YOU YELL AT OUR GUEST, YOU BRAT!" she roared. "AND FOR GOD'S SAKE, USE YOUR INDOOR VOICE! IS THAT HOW YOUR MOTHER TAUGHT YOU?!"
Bakugo whimpered, rubbing his head. "OW! HAG, she started it first!"
I, meanwhile, had frozen. My spoon was halfway to my mouth. When I suddenly felt a chill that had nothing to do with the temperature. I didn't even see her move. She was strong. She was... terrifying.
Mitsuki's eyes then flicked to me. "And you! No snarky comments about his shoes, alright? Be a good guest."
I immediately straightened up, put my hands in my lap, and gave her my best "innocent child" smile. "Yes, ma'am! Sorry, ma'am! He just looked so cute when he was red-faced!"
Mitsuki raised an eyebrow, then a small smile touched her lips. "Heh. You've got spirit, kid. Just don't let it get you smacked."
I nodded fervently, suddenly feeling very, very small. Note to self: The Queen of Curry is not to be trifled with. Also, this woman is my spirit animal.
"Now finish your food, both of you," Mitsuki commanded, pointing a finger at us. "And then you two can go play outside."
Bakugo and I exchanged a glance. For a second, there was a strange camaraderie between us, united by the sheer force of Mitsuki. Then Bakugo scoffed.
"Whatever. Just don't get in my way, Riko" he muttered, still rubbing his head.
"You wish, sparky," I replied, taking another glorious bite of curry. This was definitely better than fighting roaches.
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um.....sup