"I don't want to have a quirk!"
I wander around the apartment, socks sliding on smooth wooden floors as my mind whirls a million miles a minute. Midoriya Izuku, age 14, quirkless. Midoriya Izuku, age 15, not. Three years ago, Hoki Ishi and Hoki Ryu were quirkless. Now, they're gone.
Why?
What did any of this even mean?
"What are you talking about Princess?" Daddy asks, a large hand pulling me in his lap, drink in his other hand as he makes a face. "Why wouldn't you want a quirk?"
"It's scary!" I cry, eyes full of tears as I circle my arms around Daddy's neck. He snorts, rubbing my back and takes a shot from the small glass. I can smell the alcohol on his breath.
"I can't take your quirk Princess! It's a part of you! Here, let me teach you something. Do you know how you can tell if a person's quirkless and who isn't?"
I stop crying, rubbing my snotty nose against Daddy's shirt, and pull back.
"N-No," I whisper. "H-How?"
"Your toes!" he laughs, his voice booming and loud. He grins before looking over my shoulder, eyes catching on one of my brothers. "Sora, get your ass over here!"
"What! But Dad-"
"Now," he says, tone darkening.
Sora moves, pouting, and settles into a chair. Daddy huffs as he reaches over for a small, dirty foot, pulling it up without a word of warning. Sora, not at all prepared, squeaks and grabs the chair, making a face as Daddy pushes me from his lap.
"Feel that pinky toe there," he says, one of his rough, thick fingers accidentally tickling the bottom of Sora's feet. Sora squawks, jerks his foot, and nearly kicks me before Daddy catches it and growls to make him stop. I reach out hesitantly, fingers pressing across the tiny toe, and try to feel, not really sure what I'm looking for. "It's just these two little knots, like me, your mom, Kaito, and Ryu. We've all got two. But you… you've got one! That's what makes you special, princess! Go on, feel for them."
He lets go of Sora's foot, and I sit on the ground, reaching for my own foot. Sora, normally annoyed at anyone taking up attention, doesn't move immediately away, and instead, watches, oddly fascinated, as I examine my own pinky toe.
It takes a moment, but eventually, I find what he's talking about. It's barely there, but I make a noise of surprise when he's right. Only one little knob under the meat and skin.
Sora, still waiting, scowls and grabs my toe too. Painful fingers, pinching and pulling.
I immediately cry, hot tears pouring down my face.
"I- I don't want it!" I shout through a snotty nose, throwing myself at Daddy's legs. "I don't want it! I don't want it! I don't-"
"Knock it off," Mama snaps as she steps into the dining room. Her long red nails glint in the light as she drags Sora up off the floor. Eyes, black as coals, glitter as they settle on me.
"Now Ishi-"
"No," she says, and her voice carries all the sharpness of a knife. "I don't wanna hear anymore of this nonsense. You have a quirk. Deal with it. We're all assigned our lot."
"Tch," Ryu huffs, joining us with crossed arms. "Don't be such a crybaby."
Mama whacks him on the back of the head.
"Don't be a brat," she tells him just as dangerously. Her fingers lock onto his ear and he makes a painful noise, the nails pinching at his skin. "I got a call from your principal. One more fight and they'll expel you, you understand that? You get kicked out and you'll be out working with your father. You understand me boy?"
I snarl at the memory and kick the couch.
Did they get quirks? Did Midoriya?
Midoriya had a quirk. I'd seen it. No ordinary person could catch someone falling from a cliff-side. And I'd seen him at practice, destroying fingers as he exploded power. But nobody gets quirks at 14. Mine had shown up at three.
I pull out my phone.
What's the latest someone gets their quirk?
The answer appears near instantly. Usually around five or six, though some rare cases have appeared at eight or nine.
I snarl and shove the phone back into my pocket.
Just go ask.
I don't bother with shoes. Nobody wore them in the lobby anyways. Instead, I shove open the door and leave, that strange memory still playing in my head.
"Feel that pinky toe there…"
What did it mean?
I shuffle into the lobby, the feeling so habitual now that I don't even really think about it. My eyes scan the room, taking in Momo reading on a couch, Kirishima and Sero playing the game system, and the quiet sound of chopping in the kitchen. Only Bakugou and Muscles—Sato, could cook food quietly, so it was probably one of them.
No Midoriya in sight.
"Hey Rin-chan!" Kirishima calls distractedly, twitching as he leans left and right, clearly focused on the game. Beside him, Sero does the same, his own muted hello following after a distinct pause.
"Hi," I mumble, lost in thought.
Do I go to his room? Would that be weird? Do I ask? Do I text him?
When you have something important to say, you say it in person.
"No texting," I grumble as I cross my arms and scowl.
"Huh? You say something?" Sero asks, leaning forward and making a face at the tv. His character, a blue ninja-like figure, jumps around the screen as a red one chases after him, shooting red bolts of power and doing an unrealistic number of kicks.
"Have you seen Midoriya-kun?"
"Uh… Yeah, I think he went out with All Might."
I breathe deeply and let out a loud puff of air angrily. Of course, he did.
"Damn."
Sero and Kirishima both twitch, before Kirishima lets out an excited yell as he manages to win the match. He grins widely and Sero makes a face before turning to me with a raised eyebrow.
"So you and Midoriya a thing?" he asks suggestively.
I blink.
What?
"A thing?" I repeat, eyebrows furrowing. "What do you mean a thing? What kind of thing?"
Kirishima flushes and laughs.
"Ignore him," the redhead says, leaning against the back of the couch. "You need help or something?"
I take another deep breath and sigh.
"No. Yes. I'm just… I had a question."
Kirishima nods, scratching his chin.
"I mean, I dunno when he'll be back, but you can hang out with us while you wait," he suggests gesturing towards a spot between them on the couch. Sero nods and I consider it for a moment before shrugging.
"Sure."
Neither boy seems particularly prepared when I drop between them, but I ignore it. Instead, I pull my knees to my chest and lean into Kirishima's warmth. He makes an almost strangled noise, face turning red.
"Did you want to play?" Sero asks his grin extra wide. I have no idea why.
"No thank you," I mumble. "I don't know how."
"You could learn," he offers, but I shake my head. With so many thoughts swirling through my head, I doubt I'd be able to concentrate.
Mama. Ryu.
Can quirks just appear?
I remember the doctor's drug, the way it swam through my system and dulled all my senses. The way the shadows didn't come.
The two seem to accept my silence and start up another game. As they play, I can't help but relax. Their chatter chasing away my circling thoughts and their game catching my attention. The blast of lights distract me again and again. I can't help but frown as their characters do nearly impossible feats of martial arts.
After another round, this time with Sero the winner, I can't help but blink when a controller is shoved in my hand.
"You try!" Kirishima says.
I make a face.
"I… I don't know how to play."
"I'll go easy on yah," Sero says and I scowl at him, eye twitching. My stomach twists as the rising desire to win replacing my confusion. I snatch the controller closer.
If we were really sparring, you wouldn't.
"What are the buttons?" I growl, turning immediately to Red.
He laughs.
"Man, that's the spirit!" he shouts, pumping a fist in the air.
It takes several minutes for him to explain them and a few more for me to get used to moving the controller. But when the game starts, I don't hesitate. Hesitating gets you killed. I rush forward, my person a flurry of movement as he charges.
"Hah! You play just like you fight in real life," Sero laughs, jumping over me and falling behind.
I glower and push the person to crouch, letting his ridiculous looking kick fly over the head before jumping up and crashing into his head.
He shouts, falls over, and I manage three quick stomps, stealing a good fourth of his health bar before he jumps up and kicks me across the screen. I shake out my hand and race back, accidentally kicking instead of punching. He was expecting the punch, so it hits, and I slam the button four or five times before jumping back at the last second.
The red bar shrinks further.
"Damn! Rin-chan, is there anything you're not good at?" Kirishima cheers. "You're making him go all out and this is only your first time!"
I can barely focus on him and the screen at the same time. Sero's coming at me again, jumping high and throwing out blasts of power.
I don't remember how to block.
I race forward.
"Yes," I tell him distractedly. "People, math, emotions, not being weird, words…"
Sero jerks, eyes wide, and I take advantage of the distraction. I find a way right below him and watching him fall and kick him back up. I catch him in a weird cycle—one, two, three, four-
"K.O.!" shouts the television, and I drop the controller with sweaty, shaking hands. My legs bounce and my fingers twitch. I feel like one massive wad of energy, like if I take one more round and I might just combust.
I all-but shove it back at Kirishima and stand suddenly, unable to sit still.
"I… I should go."
Both boys watch wide-eyed as I jump up and pace, taking the space behind the couch again. Unable to go outside in my socks and unwilling to go back to my room, I slip into the kitchen and shove myself against the wall, heart pounding.
What are you doing?
I gasp for breath, feeling like electricity is running under my skin.
Is this how Kaminari feels? How can he stand it?
"You better not be about to fucking cry."
I slump at the familiar voice, eyes following it to the blonde boy dressed in simple shorts and a t-shirt with a skillet in hand.
Bakugou.
I wrinkle my nose.
"I'm not!"
Then I still, remembering Midoriya's words.
Kaa-chan.
Weren't they childhood friends?
I turn my gaze to his pan of food, noticing at once the vegetables, chicken, and what looks like rice.
Ugh. He would love Sensei's meals.
"I… I just feel… uh… jittery."
I hate the stupid look he gives me as he turns around, the dismissive nature of it. As if… As if I were some weird bug that he didn't have time for. It grates at something, rough like sandpaper that quickly ignites into anger.
"Whatever."
I glower, fists curling.
The electricity still rolling through my system sparks and burns, igniting under my skin like hot coals.
He would know.
"Kaa-chan," I drawl, tasting the word experimentally on my tongue. Boldly. By the way, he stiffens immediately, I can tell it hits a nerve. He turns his head slowly back, eye twitching and lips pulled back in a scowl. The name feels like power.
Good.
"The fuck did you just call me Emo-bitch?" he snarls, and I can't help my own ugly joy in the face of it. The fire in my limbs smoking, dark black vapor curling from the skin.
"You were friends with him—with Midoriya?" I ask instead, eyes narrowed.
"The fuck are you- No! I wasn't stupid Deku's friend! Get the hell-"
"He knew your mother," I snap, cutting him off. The glint in his eye is dangerous as he moves his food from the eye and turns it off. He glares, hands twisting almost immediately at his side. He bars all of his teeth in a vicious warning snarl I refuse to heed.
"Yeah? So what. That doesn't mean we were fucking friends! So you can shut that shit-"
"So you knew he was quirkless?"
For a moment, he looks furious. Crimson eyes burning brighter than any flame.
He knows. I can see the truth of it in every angry line of his body.
Then, I can see him swallow it.
"I don't know what the hell you're talking about," he snaps, and I can see the lie even as he says it. He turns back to his food. "Now leave me the hell alone, I'm eating."
.
.
.
By the time Sensei gets home, I'm practically vibrating, perched on the edge of the couch as he unlocks the door.
"Sensei!"
"Ah… Rin?"
"I want to see Ryu!"
He blinks in the doorway and gives me a weird look, dark hair loose around his face and one hand stuffed in his pocket. He hums, steps out of his shoes, and generally ignores me. I scowl.
"Sensei!"
"Rin," he replies, exasperated. "I just got back. Don't ambush me at the door. I'm thinking."
"Well think faster! You're a hero! And you didn't answer me! You never told me about my family either! Where's my mom? And how come she never asks about me? Did you ask her about Kaito? What about Dad? Did you ask him? And what about Sora? How come he was acting so weird? You- You promised you'd tell me later and you didn't and-"
"Breathe," Sensei sighs, cutting me off. "We can talk in a moment. It's lunchtime now, have you eaten?"
"No, I mean yes! I had breakfast but not lunch. But Sensei, I want to talk now!"
"Then talk while I cook," he says dryly, already moving around in the kitchen and washing his hands. "But I'm not answering questions about your family until after you eat."
"What!" I shout, ignoring his sharp look. I leap off the couch and flush when he actually stops to glower at me.
"Rin," he growls.
I wrinkle my nose, flinching.
"I will put you in timeout," he says sharply. "Control yourself, I have no idea what has you so worked up, but you are still expected to behave."
"I am behaving," I grumble under my breath, and when his expression doesn't change, I scowl and cross my arms. "I… I am! I've been waiting for you forever, okay? Jeez!"
"The attitude is the problem here, not your physical actions," he says sharply, eyes narrowed. "This is your warning."
I breathe deeply, eyes narrowing.
"Do you need to go now?" he asks.
"No," I grumble.
"What did you do that got you so worked up?"
"Research," I tell him, eyes narrowed. He pauses from getting down a skillet and gives me a strange look.
"Research into what?" he asks, eyebrow rising.
"Ryu!" I snap.
"Five minutes on the couch, now."
I close my mouth and let loose a muffled scream, shoving away from the counter and storming back to the couch. I snag the blanket as I go, unraveling it into a giant mess and dropping bonelessly onto the furniture.
Sensei sighs and resumes his cooking, the sound of meat and vegetables being pulled from the fridge filling the room. I wrap the blanket around myself and glower.
Stupid Sensei.
By the time the five minutes are up, I can smell the food sizzling in the skillet.
That doesn't smell like chicken.
"Do you need more time?"
"No," I sigh grumpily, dragging myself out from the blanket. I shrug it off and shuffle quietly into the kitchen, more curious than angry as to what he's making. I blink at the pork in his skillet. "Sensei… you know that's not chicken, right?"
"Obviously," he huffs, giving me an annoyed side-eye. "Why and how are you researching your brother?"
"I thought we weren't talking about them," I remind him, giving him a sour look.
"I am not answering questions about them, you, however, are. Do you need a sitter when I leave?"
I flush and cross my arms.
"N-N-No!"
"Answer the question."
"I wanted to call him," I tell him angrily. "He was closest to Kaito more than anyone! If anyone would know what was wrong with him, it'd be Ryu! I… I just wanted to ask him why!"
"So you looked up his number?" Sensei asks, stirring the pork and vegetables around the pan.
"I… I tried."
"You won't find him," Sensei says simply. "The only reason the police did, was because they have access to the name changing records."
"N-Name change?" I ask, eyes widening. "W-What is it now?"
"I can't say," he says, turning off the eye. I frown, watching him pull the fully cooked food over. "Go get a plate."
"B-Because you don't know or because you won't tell me?" I ask, going to gather the plates.
"I was asked specifically not to. Your brother said he wanted nothing to do with the Hoki name. He changed his name, moved cities, and according to him, moved on. He specifically asked not for his information to be given out."
I stare at him wide-eyed.
Sensei takes the plates, fills them with food and rice and carries them himself to the table.
"He… He left?"
For a moment, Sensei's expression becomes pained before it wipes away to its usual boredom.
"Rin," he says sighing. "Come here."
I do, slipping into his arms.
"He… Did he even care?" I ask, eyes watering. I can feel the emotions bubbling up my throat as I claw at his uniform. "D-D-Did he ever?"
"I'm sure he did," Sensei says quietly, fingers slipping through my hair. "Your brother wasn't trying to be cruel. You had nothing to do with his decision. Ryu was released from foster care two years ago. There was a… an incident. The estrangement began then."
"He- He didn't even try!" I cry, eyes squeezing close as tears and snot leak from my face. "He- He didn't even try and contact me or get me or- or-"
I cut off when he sighs, sniffing and coughing as I squeeze his middle.
"Rin, neither your father nor your brother would have been able to release you from foster care."
I cough again, unable to stop the horrid emotions crawling up my throat. I let out a choked sob and he strokes my hair and back.
"W-W-Why?"
"Because nearly thirty years ago a quirkless couple tried to raise a fire-quirk child. The child had a tantrum and severely burned both parents to the point where they were both hospitalized and he had to be placed in alternative custody. He later became a villain. The story was published, and at the time, there was a rise in anti-quirkless sentiment. A study was done between parenting on those with and without quirks. And despite the extreme bias and poor methodology, the findings were still widely publicized."
The familiar baritone of his voice soothes as much as his hand, and when he pauses, I sniffle and catch my breath.
"Wh-What findings?"
"They showed children that were raised by parents without quirks were more likely to end up in the criminal system, they were more likely to have mental health problems, and they were more likely to be unproductive members of society."
I think of my brothers, of Ryu who had been in fights constantly, of Kaito who had become a villain, and Sora who was now drinking.
Sensei's thumb moves under my eye and I look up when it swipes away the tears there.
"T-They were right."
"They were not," he says, doing the same for the other side. "They measured a rapidly declining population and compared it against an exponentially increasing one. They didn't take into consideration the financial, emotional, and psychological constraints a person without a quirk would face."
"C-Constraints?"
"Quirk Discrimination," he says flatly, and when I look at him strangely, he grimaces. "Most people without quirks are discriminated against Rin."
"I-I know that… B-Because there're two types of people?" I whisper.
He frowns, eyebrows drawing in.
"What do you mean?"
"Mama… Mama used to say there were two types of people. Those with quirks and… and those too worthless to inherit them."
"That would be incorrect," Sensei says sharply, voice taking on an edge. "It's genetics, it has nothing to do with worth. Though I'm sure that sort of thinking didn't help."
"Why… Why couldn't they get me?" I ask, leaning forward and pressing against his chest.
"Your mother was the only one that would have had the opportunity, but even she would be at a disadvantage without more prosperous connections. Because of the study and the story, multiple laws were enacted. Anyone without a quirk that had a criminal record or lacked a job would never be able to apply to have you returned. Your mother would need to prove she was financially stable on top of caring for your siblings."
"Wh-What about my brothers?"
"There are so few quirkless children, that the general practice is to return them if a relative can show financial stability. Ryu managed to get custody of Kaito before everything fell apart."
I sink back into his chest and press my face into the soft fabric of his hero uniform.
He lets me, waiting as I process the information.
"S-Sensei?"
"Yes?"
"Y-Yamada-sensei said f-family looks out for each other."
He squats, dark eyes piercing as his hands fall to my shoulders.
"They do. Hizashi and I both love you Rin. Because of that, we will do everything in our power to look after you. Whether that means time out, hugs, or working with you after school, we will do it because we care and because it's the right thing to do."
"B-B-But why… Why didn't they care?" I whisper, eyes filling with tears again. "Is… Is there something wrong with me? All- All the homes- all the suits- Am… Am I bad? I- Is… Is that why nobody wanted me?"
"No."
I lean forward and throw my arms around Sensei's neck, not understanding but not having the words to ask.
Why?
"There is nothing wrong with you," he says, sighing as he returns the hug again. "Is there something wrong with Miska?"
"I- But- No."
"She was given up to Rin," he says, his voice gruff and his facial hair prickly as it rubs across my cheek. "I don't know why someone would do that. Maybe they had to. Maybe they wanted to. Maybe it was an accident. Maybe her last owner was cruel. It's fine to wonder, Rin, but don't let their choices define you. There isn't anything wrong with you. You're Hoki Rin, and if they didn't want you, then they're idiots."
He pulls me back and cups my cheeks.
"You are my beautiful, kind, ridiculous daughter."
My lip trembles and he sighs, face twisting in exasperation.
"You get one last hug," he says grumpily. "Then we're eating, the food's getting cold."
I don't care.
I reach out, wrapping my hands around his neck and squeeze, pressing my lips to the rough, prickly patch on his jaw.
"Thank you," I whisper, unable to stop myself, unable to stop the warmth spreading through my chest. My daughter. "I love you Sensei."
He stiffens.
I squeeze tighter, tears dripping against his neck.
"I love you too," he says after a moment, voice catching. "But I'm never cooking you pork again."
I laugh, unable to stop myself, and shove my face in his hair.
"I-I-I'm sorry. Are- Are you sure it's edible? You know you don't season it like chicken?"
"Brat," he huffs, and I sniff when he pulls us both upright, making a face as he reaches up to grab his neck. "I can cook."
"Bland chicken and vegetables don't count."
"I make chicken stock as well. Keep pushing your luck."
"That's pouring a can in a pot," I argue, letting go to swipe at my eyes. "That-That's not real cooking!"
"If it gets eaten it is."
I snort and then squeak in embarrassment when snot drips out. Sensei grimaces.
"That's gross... Bathroom, now."
.
.
.
I meet Shinsou around two, feeling lighter and more full of joy than ever. My classmates notice, of course they notice, it's hard not to when a glowing person races squealing down the lobby. I tackle him to the ground and laugh explosively when he falls over.
"R-Rin!"
"Shin-Hitoshi!" I laugh, wrestling and rolling until I land on top, hand against his chest as I straddle his stomach. "I win!"
He makes a squinty face from below and snorts, crossing his arms.
"It wasn't a competition."
"It's always a competition," I argue, wrinkling my nose. "I've got to prove my manliness-"
"Your what?" he squawks, and I explode into giggles as he pushes me over into the grass. I roll several times extra, unable to stop the dragonfly wings from flaring into life or the fireflies buzzing across my face.
"Manliness! Kirishima-kun says everything's manly! His room's a den of manliness! So I've got prove mine-"
"Stop," the purple-haired boy laughs, sitting up as he rolls his eyes. "That's terrible."
"I like it!" I giggle, rolling back and then jumping to my feet. "I'm gonna be the manliest-"
"Did someone feed you chocolate?" he asks sitting up as I cartwheel in the grass.
"-hero ever! No! I'm just happy!"
"More like manic," he grumbles, and I stop mid-flip and pout at him upside down.
"Grumpy!"
"Brat."
I squeal and his eyes widen when the wings grow, stretching a good several feet. I flush, turning pink, and he scratches his head.
"You… You wanna talk about it?"
"Not now," I grin, righting myself and screwing up my eyes to get rid of the glow. The wings disappear, but the light still covers my skin in a light halo. "We should spar!"
"Spar?" he asks, blinking and raising an eyebrow. "Isn't it supposed to be our day off?"
"Yeah," I smile, "but it's been forever! Come on! We can do it in the courtyard! Iida and Midoriya always-"
I cut off at the reminder of the green-haired boy.
Who mysteriously gained a quirk.
"Iida and Midoriya always…" Shinsou leads, raising an eyebrow.
"Train there," I huff, blushing. "Sorry. Thinking. Can we? Please? I've missed you and its fun and I can't sit still and-"
"You don't say," he grumbles under his breath.
I flush, still smiling, and tug my hands behind my back, trying not to reach out and grab him in another hug.
"Please?"
"Ask Sensei first," he says running a hand through the wild purple hairs. "If he says it's fine then… sure, I guess. I suppose it's been a while since I made you eat dirt."
I laugh.
"You're so full of yourself!" I say as I pull out my phone. "Oh! Have you been working on your ultimate move?"
"Of course I have," he huffs, coming over to watch me type out the text.
Can Shinsou and I spar?
"And?" I ask, waiting for the reply. "You know, I could just go get him and ask, right? He's just down the hall."
The phone vibrates and I pump my fist in excitement at yes.
No quirks. Don't hurt each other, and if either of you catches an attitude about winning or losing, you won't do it again.
Thank you! I send back instantly. Then, in a moment of impulsiveness, I turn on the camera and flip it around. Shinsou blinks when both our faces appear in the camera, and I grin at his bewildered expression before snapping the shot.
"Seriously?" he grumbles, ears turning red.
"Sensei will like it!" I tell him, before looking suggestively at his back. "Want a piggyback ride?"
"Do you?" he asks, rolling his eyes.
"Yes!"
"Well too bad," he snorts, already starting towards the dorm. I blink at him before skipping across the yard to join his side. He gives me a rather pointed side-eye. "You sure no one gave you chocolate?"
"Yes!" I squeal, bouncing on my toes. "But Sensei did try to make pork! It was sweet!"
"You're this happy because you ate something besides chicken?" he asks, raising an eyebrow. "Tch. Why isn't that surprising? Should I get you fish or something for your birthday?"
"I do like fish," I admit, unlocking the door.
Shinsou snorts.
"Duly noted."
We walk into the lobby, and several of my classmates turn to blink in our direction. I grin back, but Shinsou's ears burn again. Kaminari, sprawled across one of the couches gives out an excited shout.
"Told yah it was Purple!"
Shinsou shoots me a dirty look.
I shrug and scratch my neck.
"Ah…"
"What are you two doing?" the blonde asks curiously, raising an eyebrow. Behind the couch, Ochako and Mina both nod curiously.
I flush at all of their stares.
"Oh, um… S-Sparing?" I stutter out uselessly, suddenly uncomfortable at all their attention. I pull at Shinsou's sleeve and nervously smile.
"Ooh? Sparing huh?" the boy asks with a wink.
Shinsou doesn't smile back. In fact, he stops, and I blink when his eyes narrow.
"Shin-Hitoshi-kun?" I ask questioningly.
"You know, I don't particularly like what you're insinuating," my best friend says sharply.
I frown, uncertain.
"Insinuating?" I repeat, eyebrows furrowing. "He... He just asked if we were sparing?"
Shinsou doesn't even glance my way, eyes locked on the blonde.
Kaminari throws up his hands immediately, eyes going wide.
"Oh, hey! My bad man!"
The purple-haired boy doesn't smile back.
"It is your bad," he says sharply. "Don't make perverted comments around her. She doesn't get them and it's not funny."
"P-Perverted?" I squeak, sending the blond a surprised glance.
He flushes, his entire face turning red, and Mina, standing behind him, smacks the boy's blonde head.
"He's right, you know," the pink girl huffs. "That really wasn't called for."
Ochako, crossing her arms, nods, but unlike Mina, her expression is more surprised, the curiosity evident as she looks between the three of us.
I open my mouth to ask what in the world they're talking about, but Shinsou snags my wrist and pulls me away, clearly annoyed. I hurry beside him, offering a small smile to my ninja-classmate, Shoji I think, as we head out the door. One of his weird hand things smiles back.
Strange.
Stepping into the grassy courtyard, Shinsou lets out a strangled groan before turning back to me with narrowed eyes.
"What have you been telling them?"
I squeak, completely at a loss.
"I… nothing? I mean, I don't think I have! But… um, about what, exactly though?"
"Us," he says, eye twitching.
"Us?" I repeat back with a strange face. "What do you mean us? Us what? I… Shinsou, I don't get it! What are you guys even talking about? What was perverted about any of that?"
Shinsou glowers, turns, and glares at the doors.
I rub my cheek, wishing he'd at least try to explain.
"Um… Is... Is it because I said we were sparing?" I guess.
"He thought we were coming out here to make out," Shinsou says, shooting me a dirty look.
I flush, face immediately burning.
"I… What? When!?"
"You…"
He makes another face, clearly exasperated, and I cover mine, utterly embarrassed. Why would I... I don't want to... Why would anyone think I'd want to do- do that, especially with him! He was my best friend! I'd seen Kagura-nee-chan make out plenty of times, it was kind of hard not to when any time she was with a male she'd either be shoved up against a wall or- or something with her tongue shoved down his throat. I grimace and shiver, not even wanting to imagine drooling all over Shinsou's face.
He scowls and crosses his arms, eyes narrowed.
"Why are you looking like that? You look like I suggested we eat bugs."
"B-Because that's gross!" I squawk, hands flapping as I wrinkle my nose. "I-I don't wanna drool on you!"
"Drool," he repeats, his frustration melting away as he stares at me incredulously. "What- What the hell are you talking about?"
"I…" I flush and consider returning to my room, too embarrassed to even continue this conversation. "Can… Can we just spar? Please?"
Shinsou, apparently not all that eager to continue either, nods and stretches out his arms.
I fall into step beside him, and, after several moments, relax into the familiar routine.
By the time we finish, I can almost pretend that never happened.
"Ready? I ask, taking up a stance a decent distance away.
"Tch, to trounce you? Anytime."
