It wasn't often that Miri woke up early, often hating the feeling of being cold nor being a morning person. But when she did, it resulted from a restless night. She looked down at the fast asleep Ethan, struggling to detangle herself from his arms. By the time she had managed to escape and looked at the clock it was nearly half past four. She sighed, a hand pressed to her left hip. Miri shook her head and quietly snuck out of the room, leaving behind a small note for Ethan.
The dorm was silent, not a single soul in sight as she padded her way down to the kitchen. Yesterday had been one hell of an exhausting day, having dealt with Class 1-A and later final results of her checkups. They told her things she had been aware of, and Miri hoped to avoid a health issue like that in her world.
Miri slipped on a pair of shoes and a jacket before exiting the dorm, not for a run but an early morning walk. She had found a hill she could sit on and watch either the sun rise or set. And she would take advantage of that.
The sun had just started to peak over the mountains when she made her way to the spot, the light blooming into oranges, yellows, corals, pinks and reds. She wished she had brought her watercolor sketchbook to paint this scene but she decided a few pictures would make up for it.
Miri fought to not stiffen at the sound of someone approaching. She looked back to see a blonde teen sleepily make his way up the hill, standing next to her, seemingly without acknowledging her presence.
Monoma stared blankly at the sunrise, his mind elsewhere as he focused on forcing himself to wake up for his… customary Class 1-A taunt. He stretched and froze at the sight of someone standing next to him. White hair tipped in blue gently swayed in the breeze while curious blue-violet eyes stared at him, an eyebrow raised.
"You even awake blondie?" She asked in English, her voice lilted with a slight accent and melodic.
Of course I am Miss…" He trailed off realizing he didn't have her name.
The girl laughed. "Miri. Pleasure to meet you." She stuck out her left hand.
He gripped it, having learned some American customs from Pony. "Pleasure to meet you Miss Miri. I am Monoma Neito. You can call me whatever makes you comfortable." He paused. "Are you perhaps an upperclassman?"
Miri shook her head, slight amusement. "Naw. If I was, do you think I would be speaking in English? I am a transfer. Pretty late in the year though." She turned her eyes towards the sky again. "It's beautiful." She spoke quietly now.
He looked at the spreading dye from the sun's light. "Agreed. Why such a late transfer?" He asked, now curious.
Miri just chuckled and shook her head. "Sorry. Not allowed to tell that." Her eyes turned back to him, a strange look in them. "Can I ask you something?"
He paused and then nodded.
Miri took a deep breath and turned her gaze away. "Are you ever afraid?"
Monoma balked at the question, startled she would even ask that. He paused, taking in her stiffen form and slightly shaking hands. His voice was soft and gentle. "Of course I am. I think we all are. Doing what we do is scary. We are putting our lives on the line and dealing with dangerous situations and people." He took a deep breath before turning to face her straight on. "In fact, if it were not for that fear, I think we would make terrible heroes."
Miri laughed softly. "Thank you Neito." She turned and made her way back into the woods before vanishing. He shook his head and resumed his stretches.
Miri pondered as she walked back into the dorm, hearing a soft clearing of a throat. She startled, looking up into the stern green eyes of Ethan. "'5 or 10 minutes' eh?" He grunted.
Miri awkwardly laughed. "I may have lost track of time.: She sheepishly rubbed the back of her neck.
Ethan simply sighed and lightly bonked her on the head. "You need to be careful hun. Both of us know UA's security isn't really the… best." He grumbled before pecking her lightly on the cheek. "I had made you a smoothie. It was starting to get warm so I popped it in the fridge."
She curled into his arms, pressing a light kiss to the corner of his mouth. "Thank you love. I am aware and was careful of that fact. Promise."
And that was how Aizawa and Class 1-A found them, curled up quietly on a couch, Miri working slowly on a smoothie while Ethan shoveled cereal into his mouth.
Aizawa shook his head in amusement at Class 1-A curious mutterings of the couple. He walked up to them. "Come."
Miri startled then looked at her smoothie, slightly pouting. Aizawa sighed. "You can bring that."
Ethan finished his cereal and put the bowl back into the kitchen, before racing up to their rooms. He returned with two oversized hoodies, one for him and the other for Miri, who relaxed at the feeling of the soft fabric.
The couple followed after him, finding themselves in front of another dormitory not long after. The door swung open and Blood King, or Vlad-Sensei, stood before them. He crossed his arms.
"Come on in."
The two of them walked into a fairly quiet dorm, if it weren't for the fact someone was loudly speaking in Japanese, though much quieter than 1-A's dorm. Miri looked at Ethan and finger signed Testutestu.
He nodded in agreement as they followed after Vlad-Sensei, him announcing something in Japanese.
Miri fought a grin as she watched Monoma's eyes widen, recognizing her. She waved at him before mischievously giggling. Oh this was gonna be fun.
-•-•-•-*-•-•-•-
Miri flopped onto the couch, face down and uncaring of how any of their dorm mates might see her at the moment. It had been an exhausting several hours, meeting Class 1-B. She turned her head to see Ethan unmoving on the other couch.
"You alive sweetie?" She mumbled.
"Message unclear. Try again later." Came a muffled response from her currently face down partner.
Miri started giggling. "Hey. Do you remember Monoma's face when he saw us kiss?"
Ethan's face turned enough to look Miri in the eyes. "Admittedly, no. I was a bit distracted."
She giggled harder. "He looked like a fish out of water. Though…. Shiozaki's face was the best. Her little prayer was the best."
Ethan gave a snort. "Foolish lass. Jesus isn't coming near us with a ten foot pole."
She grinned at him. "I mean, we are heathens."
"What do you mean heathens?"
Miri looked up to see Momo looking highly concerned at them.
"All my friends are Heathens don't you know~" Came the muffled voice of the flopped over teen, the visible half of his face showing a slightly demented grin and a too wide eye.
Momo just shook her head. "Looks like you guys are tired from interacting with others all day. But heathen is a bit crude to refer to yourself."
Miri laughed. "Neither of us are Christian. Ethan is an Agnostic while I am…. Just a straight up heathen. I tend to follow… more older views on the world and faith."
Momo just stared at them then sighed. "Well everyone has their own views and beliefs on the world. I would not say that makes you a heathen but someone who just… themselves."
Miri just stared at her. "Ya know. There are people in my own family and friend group who don't even know I am not Christian and have completely different beliefs. Many who would shame me and push me away if they knew. People I haven't told for a reason. Thank you for that Momo."
Momo looked startled. She turned her gaze to Ethan. She looked at him sadly before nodding towards Miri.
Momo then looked excited. "Oh! How was your meeting with Class 1-B?"
"Why do teenagers have so much energy?..." Ethan mumbled in response.
Momo blinked. "Eh?"
Miri giggled. "We definitely enjoyed messing with them. Also we are teens too Ethan."
"We both know that mentally and spiritually I am a 40 year old man with arthritis in every cell of my body. I am entropy. I am the slow death of the universe made manifest." Ethan drawled, his words beginning to slur together.
Miri laughed. "You have always been easily drained from social situations." She turned to Momo. "We should probably let him rest. Though I am feeling quite hungry. Soup sounds delicious, so I will make some for both classes, as a thank you for today." She smiled innocently.
Momo nodded. "That sounds wonderful! I look forward to it! Can I help out?"
Miri smiled. "Sure! Ethan, I am gonna cook you some meat."
"Foooooooood." Came the almost zombie-esque reply from the other couch.
"Just rest, food will be ready when you wake up." Miri smiled and patted him on the head, lulling Ethan to sleep.
Miri stood up and made her way into the kitchen. "Momo would you be a dear and help me find ingredients. I can't read Japanese."
Momo nodded.
Momo watched as Miri started moving around the kitchen with ease. She had begun humming as she gathered the various equipment and ingredients, Momo quietly grabbing what she needed and helping confirm their names. Soon Momo realized she was only in the way of the young teen, who was now stirring a pan of cooking meat while a pot of pale brown liquid bubbled away.
Momo tilted her head curiously. "What are you making?"
Miri grinned. "It's something I grew up with or one of our favorites. It's a meat soup if you would. Taco Soup. It meant to be more along the lines of a thinner chili. But I also put my own spin on it. I am thinking of warming up some bread too. Since buttered bread goes well with it. Plus if I make the meat soft enough I should be able to eat it without too many issues."
Miri finished chopping up the potatoes and carrots, dropping them into the pot of broth, before turning her attention to the rest of the ingredients, besides the cooking ground (or minced as Miri had referred to it) beef in the pan. She sliced up some peppers and onions, prepared corn and beans and diced the bacon. She dropped all but the beans and corn in with the mince, pan frying it all. She started to put seasonings in both the broth and the pan, adding to the flavors.
Momo sat and watched as Miri then focused on the rest of the ingredients she had yet to make use of. It was relaxing, Ethan quietly sleeping on the couch while Miri softly hummed and swayed as she cooked. It made Momo feel like she was intruding on something so…. peaceful and private. Momo couldn't recognize the tune that Miri was humming but it had a lullaby quality to it, making her eyelids feel heavy even though she could barely hear due to Miri's back being towards her.
Momo awoke to Miri shaking her gently. "Food is ready." She murmured.
Momo blinked in surprise and stretched. "I did not mean to fall asleep. I apologize."
Miri shrugged. "It's fine. You looked like you needed it. I am gonna go wake up Ethan. Which will be fun. Surprised that he hasn't woken up before now. He should be able to smell the food. If you want to invite the others, I made more than plenty for everyone in the dorms. I think I might have made too much actually." Miri sheepishly rubbed the back of her neck.
Momo gave her a smile. "I will go do so." Momo walked out of the common room, no doubt to inform the rest of the class who were in the dorms, her phone out in front of her.
Miri sat down next to Ethan, who was softly snoring. She placed a hand on his shoulder and gently shook him. "Sweetie. Food is ready."
He instantly roused, sniffing the air before sleepily turning to her. "Taco soup?" He rumbled out.
Miri laughed. "Yep. Though I cooked more like my grandmother's version, so it's not as fully fleshed out as I would like. I didn't feel like waiting a whole day. More than enough for everyone in the dorm. I made enough for everyone to take like four servings each."
He stretched. "I feel like I could eat that many servings."
Miri nodded. "It might be because we are younger and our metabolisms are higher. You have been eating more than normal, even from my memories of younger you."
He nodded before standing up and heading to the kitchen. He began dishing himself up as Class 1-A trickled into the common room, commenting on the smell of the dish Miri had cooked in Japanese. Miri smiled privately, pleased that they seemed to find it appetizing from what she understood.
Momo turned to her. "What should I tell them?" She politely asked.
Miri laughed. "It's a taco soup. They are welcome to a bowl or two of it if they want. And there is bread and butter. If you dip buttered bread into the broth, it makes it that much better. Trust me. Also Koda, there is a version without the meat but that has tons of veggies in it for you. Enjoy!"
Miri walked away from Momo, who had begun translating her words, and dished herself up a bowl and two pieces of buttered bread before heading over to where Ethan had seated himself, already scarfing down the taco soup.
"Is it okay? The ingredients might be slightly different than what we are used to."
Ethan just looked at her before shoveling a heaping spoonful into his mouth and nodding vigorously.
The class settled down around them, bowls of taco soup and slices of buttered bread in front of them. She watched, pleased, as they began eating, the room filled with the sounds of people eating and slurping away.
Iida turned to her. "This is simply amazing! You are a very good cook. Once you feel better, how about being put into the dorm cooking rotation."
Miri startled at that. "I I… Of course!" Miri beamed in excitement. "I am glad everyone likes my food. I am not great at cooking, especially outside of our usual meals. So it's gonna be all over the place what I cook."
Momo smiled. "I am sure it will help bring some variety to our meals and introduce us to new flavors and dishes. I know I wouldn't mind. Plus you seem more than willing to work with our food preferences."
Miri waved it off. "I grew up with allergies in the house. Plus my youngest brother is Jewish and has his preferences. I don't mind."
They returned to their meal, Miri and Ethan no longer feeling quite as out of place as they used to, as conversation began around them. And as peace settled over the class, the couple couldn't help a rising anxiety as they knew that tomorrow would bring their first days of education in this world of superhumans.
-•-•-•-*-•-•-•-
Nedzu shuffled the papers in front of him, grinning as he had finished creating a brillant course if you asked him. He looked forward to teaching the couple, and luring out the secrets they were keeping. And their assignments should subtly do the trick.
"Well. Shall we see how this goes young Ethan and Miri?"