Authors Note: To those reading this as of 05/21/2021 I've already written 50 chapters to this fiction. I've posted elsewhere but recently decided on utilizing this site. I'll try and get into a habit of posting regularly.
The ramen shop was nestled in an alleyway next to the mall parking garage. Convenient for us really since motorcycle parking is on the first floor. We enter and are hit with the wonderful scent of the broth simmering.
"Hey, Pops! Four tonkatsu ramens and a round of sake!" Masaru calls across the dining room without a care for the other customers. We take our normal seats right in front of the bar so we can chat with Pops. Masaru on my left and Kuroi on my right, Kenzou on Kuroi's other side. A damp towel is thrown at Masaru's face and lands with a wet splat. Stray droplets hit my face but I don't mind it. I'm too busy laughing at Masaru's shocked expression.
"Don't be disruptive in my restaurant, Masa." Pops scolds from the other side of the counter. "You're still an underaged kid anyway. The only one getting sake here is Ken." Pops crossed his arms in a commanding way, looking down at us all like the muscular grandpa that he is.
"I'll take the sake." Ken nods and Pops nods back with a grunt. Turning to serve us like he always does. We frequent this place enough, but Masaru is more familiar with the place. He once worked here until he found a better paying job at a convenience store, or so he tells us. In reality Masaru is a horrible cook and was only good at bussing tables. Pops liked Masaru as a person and we all clicked once we spent enough time together.
"How was your first day of school?" Kuroi leans back in his seat and glances my way. Glasses of water were set in front of us. A bottle of sake and a small cup was placed in front of Kenzou.
"School? Oh, that was today was it?" Pops looks a little less grumpy and kind of smiles at me. "That hero school right? UA?"
"Yup." Kenzou answers for me, sipping at his sake and sighing content.
"Yeah, today was my first day. It was, uh, interesting." I scratch at my temple and then just take my beanie off. Pops didn't like people wearing hats inside. He did his signature nod seeing me take mine off before he walked away to serve more customers. I keep talking to Kuroi, the others listening in. "All of our teachers are Pro Heroes, not surprising really. Although, my homeroom teacher is Erasurhead." The guys around me stiffen in response to this. Masaru choking on his water. Kenzou takes another shot. Kuroi looks like he bit something sour and his feathers puff up. "He had us do a few aptitude tests first things in the morning and we missed the entrance ceremony."
"Shit, Taka. Does he remember you?" Masaru coughed, clearing his throat.
"He does. He was there that day when Enji and I spoke to the principal." I took a sip of my own water. "Actually, he's the one who decided whether I got to attend UA or not. Which is even more surprising."
"Does he carry his capture scarf around with him while he teaches?" Kuroi asks wearily. Remembering the time he was snagged out of the sky and thrown around by the Hero.
"Yeah, he's actually used it on two students already. The second one deserved it though, he was being an ass for no apparent reason." I leaned my elbow on the counter and rested my head in my hand. Pops walked by delivering bowls to other customers. He glanced in my direction and narrowed his eyes. I quickly took my elbow off of the counter and sat up straighter.
"Just try and stay on his good side." Kenzou slid the little cup of sake towards Kuroi. The crow glanced back to make sure Pops was preoccupied and stealthily drank the alcohol before sliding it back to Kenzou. The restaurant was beginning to get busier, many of the seats being taken. A man and a teenager sit down in the empty seats next to Kenzou. One of the workers delivered water to the pair instead of Pops and takes their orders.
"What'd the kid do?" Kuroi asks. I pull my hair tie off my wrist and begin pulling my hair back. The hair band held in my teeth as I put it into a neater ponytail.
"He attacked another kid for some reason, I dunno why." My words were a bit garbled since I was talking with something in my teeth. Hair up and out of my face, I stuffed my beanie into my hoodie front pocket.
"That's not very heroic." Masaru hummed and crossed his arms. He looked around the restaurant realizing how backed up it was getting. "I'll be right back guys." He stands and snatches a spare apron from over the counter as well as a plastic tub. Falling right back into the routine of bussing tables. The employees and Pops gave him odd glances but didn't stop him.
Eventually Pops came back behind the counter and served us four our ramen, it smelled amazing like always. Masaru's bowl was sitting and waiting for him but he continued to assist for the time being.
"Eat up, I expect these bowls to be empty." Pops looked right at me and placed a small bowl of extra noodles next to my bowl. "Especially you. You'll need the energy for school so don't leave a single drop untouched." I cringed knowing that I'm gonna be leaving the restaurant beyond full. Already anticipating the stomach pains, but I didn't say no to Pops.
"Yes sir." I croaked out. Pops reached over and patted my head affectionately. Then he turned and delivered bowls to the pair on our right. Reaching under the counter I saw he pulled out a jar of chili paste and set it in front of the teenager without promoting. The teen loaded up his spoon and dumped an absurd amount into his ramen that it made me gape. I looked at his face just to see what kind of monster would submit himself to that. It was worse than I thought.
"Katsuki, you should go easy on that spice." The gentle looking man with glasses next to him warned.
"Shut up, I know what I'm doing." Bakugo picked up his chopsticks and stirred the chili further into his ramen, making sure it was thoroughly saturated. His father chuckled and turned back to his own ramen. It looked like miso ramen, tame in comparison to his son's red colored noodles.
"Taka, it's rude to stare." Kuroi bumped me lightly with one of his wings. "Although I agree, that's a shit ton of chili paste." Kuroi was also sneaking glances after he saw what I was looking at. What they didn't realize was I was just talking about Bakugo while he was right next to us. Thank goodness he didn't overhear me. Kenzou, a bit more friendly after a couple shots, turned to Bakugo's father.
"That's a brave guy. Does he always eat his chili paste with a side of ramen?" Kenzou's deep laugh rumbled in his chest. Bakugo's dad laughed casually alongside him like it was a common thing for people to comment on his son's eating habits. Meanwhile I was sweating watching the interaction.
Please don't notice me.
"It is for him. My son is a lover of spicy foods. Me, not so much." Mr. Bakugo sipped on his broth. "This is one of our favorite restaurants but we haven't been in a while. Although, since it's the first day of school, it felt like a good enough occasion to come out." It was at that point Masaru walked by with a whole arm load of dishes expertly balanced with his tail assisting. "Oh, I thought he got fired?"
"HAHAHA!" Kenzou's laugh boomed, startling half the restaurant. He slapped his hand on the counter making our drinks and bowls tremble. Kuroi and myself not hearing the comment stare at him. Bakugo also looked at Kenzou, noodles hanging out of his mouth. Kenzou rocked back in his laughter and that's when Bakugo and I locked eyes. I froze.
Please don't recognize me...
He bit his noodles in half, the other half falling back into the bowl. Narrowing his red eyes suspiciously, the recognition was there. "Hey, what the hell are you doing here?" Now all the eyes at the bar turned to Bakugo and then to where he was looking, at me.
"Oh, you know each other?" Mr. Bakugo asked me. I smiled at him politely, deliberately not answering Bakugo.
"Yeah, we go to school together actually." Turning back to my ramen, hoping to just focus on eating. Hoping he would too.
"Don't fucking ignore me!" Bakugo growled. Kenzou and Kuroi tensed and stared at him.
"Katsuki, you can't force people to talk to you. She's eating. Let her be." Mr. Bakugo tried to placate. The teen continued to stare at me, not giving a damn that Kenzou and Kuroi were doing the same to him. I mentally sighed and reminded myself that he can't be too bad, he's in the hero course.
"I'm here to eat, same as you. You don't have to fuckin' curse at me all the time, dipshit." I made it a point to slurp up a long line of noodles while staring at him. He didn't appreciate it and ground his teeth.
"Huh?!" Bakugo slammed his chopsticks down.
"What your language, Taka. Don't be rude." Kenzou scolded while sipping on his fourth cup of sake.
"Hoo, do you two know each other?" Pops had come back around and was drying his hands after helping Masaru with the dishes. Masaru himself finally plopped down next to me and dug into his bowl greedily. "You all come here often enough I'm not surprised."
"Hello Mr. Daichi. It's been a while." Mr. Bakugo spoke as if there was no rising tension between his son and myself. Bakugo's anger simmered down once Pops showed up.
"Too long it seems. You need to come more often." He looked at Bakugo who just nodded at him. "You started school as well didn't you, UA right?"
"Yeah." Bakugo's smile was more like a happy sneer. Pops placed a bowl of extra noodles next to him like he did with me.
"You'll need your strength then. Keep doing your best, Katsuki." Pops didn't pat his head though, I imagine he'd get bit if he tried. I honestly wanted to see that. "You both better keep eating here once you both are heroes. Don't let all that fame get to your heads, you hear." Bakugo scoffed and I laughed.
"Like I want all that media attention, Pops." I lifted the bowl and drank a big amount of broth. I needed to make a dent in this thing or Pops would comment about me eating too slow.
"Oh, how are you supposed to go up in the rankings?" Mr. Bakugo asked me curiously. I swallowed what I was chewing.
"I'm not looking to go up in ranking. Being number one or whatever doesn't interest me." Of all people to piss off I angered my explosive classmate. He aggressively slurped up half his bowl and set it down with a purposefully loud thunk. Pointing his chopsticks at me, his father leaned back giving him room.
"What the hell is the point if you aren't trying to be the best?!" His mouth almost stained red from the chili paste. Pops and the others were all looking at me expecting an answer as well. I took my time sipping some water just to make him wait.
"I'm not in the hero business to rise in ranks, I'm in it to help people. You know, like a decent person should." Shrugging and leaning forward so I could see him better. "I honestly don't like the whole popularity contest of the industry. I'd rather be underground than having to worry about sponsorships and stupid shit like television interviews."
"Fine, whatever extra." He sat back and slurped up another impressive amount of noodles in one go. "I'll be the number one hero, remember that." Pops and Mr. Bakugo shared a look before laughing quietly at him. "Hey, what the hell is so funny?"
"Is that the kid that got on the bad side of Erasure?" Kuroi had leaned over and whispered in my ear. I turned to him and whispered back.
"Yeah, he's like this in class too. I accidentally bumped into him this morning and I don't think he's let it go." Kuroi hummed and continued eating his own bowl. I focused on my noodles, my stomach already stretching into uncomfortable territory. Stubbornly I took the bowl of extra noodles and dumped it in the remaining broth. Letting it sit for a moment before stirring it in. I glanced over at Bakugo's bowl again. He was more than halfway done with his noodles even though he got his after me, including the kaedama serving we both got. I was eating slower than him and it bothered me.
"What the hell are you staring at me for?" Bakugo caught me looking.
"How the hell do you taste anything with all that spice?" I said before thinking. He didn't get as angry as I thought he would. If anything he looked cocky.
"You just can't handle spice, you damn extra." That irritated me.
"I can handle spice, I just don't drown my food in it and lose all the flavor. Pops works hard to make this broth and I want to enjoy it." He matched my glare with one of his own. Then pushed the jar of chili paste across the bar to stop in front of me. That was impressive actually.
"It's better with chili paste, you just have a weak ass sense of taste." It's like he was able to throw an insult in every word he said. I sneered back at him but picked up the jar. The others at the bar were just an audience to everything that was happening between us.
"If this ruins the flavor you're buying me another bowl." I said again before thinking. I could hardly finish this one bowl let alone another.
"Like hell I will." He grumbled and continued eating his own ramen. Although he was watching me out the corner of his eye. I took a spoonful of chili, not as ginormous as his, but still it was a lot. Not giving myself time for hesitation I dropped it into the ramen and mixed it in with my chopsticks. I swore I heard Bakugo laugh at me and it just made me want to eat all the ramen in spite.
"Uh, are you sure you wanna do that?" Masaru, who was lost on all that happened, taps my shoulder. "That stuff is pretty potent." I look at him with determined eyes.
"Just get me more water, I'll be fine." Then I dig into the noodles. Those around me stopped eating to watch. Just waiting for my reaction to this ridiculous stunt I was pulling. It felt like a challenge and I didn't want to back down, for no other reason than spite. The heat didn't hit all at once but rather built upon itself with each bite I took. It was warm, then hot, then searing and painful. Tears were building in my eyes and I still had a fourth of the bowl left. When did the ramen turn red?
"She didn't need to add so much. Katsuki adds the chili in the beginning so it's all coated evenly." Mr. Bakugo was talking to Kenzou. "She just added the same amount with less than half the noodles. That's too much." In reaction to that Kenzou pushed his half finished water glass in my direction. Kuroi and Masaru did the same. I grabbed each one and downed them between bites. When I finished the bowl my mouth was red and my eyes and nose were running, but I did it. My stomach stretched to its limit and my face was on fire. My tongue hanging out like a panting dog, I looked pitiful and ridiculous. I glared at Bakugo regardless.
"Pops can't make bad ramen, so it wasn't terrible." I pushed the chili paste back in Bakugo's direction, it only made it to right in front of his father. Bakugo reached over and pulled it closer to his side. "Still better without it I say." I wiped my face with a napkin and then picked up a glass only to find it was empty. My fear must have shown obviously because Bakugo laughed at my expense.
"Dumb ass, you just can't handle the heat. It's better with chili paste, you're just weak." As he says this he adds a little more to his bowl to prove his point.
"Good effort, Taka." Pops had come around and refilled my glass mercifully before going to refill other guests' waters. One of the bus boys walked past and gave me a thumbs up as well. I guess I was the show of the evening. Masaru leaned forward and looked down at the pair we'd been talking to. Brightening up like he saw an old friend.
"Masaru!" Masaru nearly shouted and stood up. Walking around until he was right behind Mr. Bakugo. "Long time no see man!" Mr. Bakugo turned in his chair and caught Masaru's hand in a strong handshake.
"Good to see you too, Masa. I was certain you'd gotten fired." He smiled pleasantly. Kenzou busted out laughing again.
"Oh. I kinda did." Masaru looked to the side embarrassed. Kuroi and I both joined in on the laughter as well. I couldn't take the confusion though and had to ask, scooting my chair back so I could see them both. Kenzou is a fucking wall.
"Hold on, why are you calling him Masaru?" I asked my Masaru. Bakugo was the one to answer me.
"Because that's his fucking name." He leaned comfortably against the seat's backing, looking at me like I was stupid. Both Masaru's turned to me with a smile.
"Yup, we share a name. That's what struck up a conversation one day while he still worked here. We got to know each other after that." Mr. Bakugo turned back around. "That is until you stopped working here. I wondered where you went but felt it was rude to ask. It's nice seeing you again, Masa.".
"Yeah, it's a cool coincidence. I work at a convenience store closer to my apartment so it works out. I still stop by to give Pops a hard time." Masaru caught eyes with Pops and winked at him. The look it earned him promised pain later. "So your kid goes to UA High too? Same as our Takaomi." Masaru looked unflinchingly at Bakugo. "She was just telling us about a kid who got snagged by Erasurhead because he attacked another student. Did you hear about that?" I looked up at the heavens and took a big breath. My fiery mouth no longer an issue as I just wished to turn to stone. Kuroi facepalmed next to me because he knew. Instead of bursting out, Bakugo froze and glanced briefly at his father.
"Oh? I didn't hear about that." Mr. Bakugo seemed slightly concerned and turned to his son. "Isn't Erasurhead your homeroom teacher?"
"Uh, yeah." Bakugo took a long swig of water. Mr. Bakugo seemed to ponder and touched his chin in thought.
"Maybe I should say something to Mitsuki." He wondered aloud. Bakugo coughed into his glass spraying water on the counter. "Oh, are you okay son?" He attempted to pat Bakugo's back but the teen lazily brushed him away.
"It's not a big deal, Mr. Bakugo. The teacher dealt with it so there shouldn't be any more problems." I'm not sure why I wanted to steer the conversation away. Part of me wanted to rat out Bakugo. Although, the other part of me saw how uncomfortable he was in confronting the topic in front of his father.
"That's reassuring. I thought it might have been Katsuki, haha. He's got a temper." Mr. Bakugo hardly seemed concerned. A woman, who could only have been Bakugo's mother, appeared behind the pair next to Masaru. She had the same eyes and hair color as Bakugo.
"What'd Katsuki do this time?" The woman crossed her arms and looked down at her son who glared back at her. I honestly wasn't expecting the obvious animosity in his eyes.
"Oh, hello dear. Done shopping?" Mr. Bakugo smiled with such warmth at his wife. She leaned down and kissed his forehead. "I'm not sure if it was Katsuki this time."
"I didn't do shit!" Bakugo spoke up suddenly. Mitsuki swiftly slapped his head making him bow forward almost into his empty bowl. He snapped back up quickly and shouted. "Don't fucking hit me!"
"Stop shouting in a restaurant!" Mitsuki yelled back at him. Bakugo flinched and glared at her, looking like an angry dog backed into a corner. Crossing her arms over her chest again and glowering down at him. "Sheesh, if you weren't such a brat I wouldn't have to worry about you so much." Pops walked by with an armful of empty bowls. "Oh, hey Daichi." Pops just nodded politely in her direction without stopping.
"Hey, ma'am." Masaru piped up and raised his hand in a friendly hello. Mitsuki's eyes widened slightly, acknowledging him.
"Masa! I thought you got fired?" Mitsuki's posture relaxed and she smiled amiably. Regarding all of us in-between, her eyes went back and stayed on me. I was a little uncomfortable under the scrutiny.
"Yes, ma'am. I'm just here with friends." Masaru stood behind my chair placing a hand on my head. "We were treating Taka to dinner and happened to run into Masaru and your son. They're in the same class it turns out." I sniffed and rubbed at my face, it was still leaking and flushed from the heat.
"Are you okay, hun? Your eyes are red." Mitsuki pointed out. Kenzou turned in his chair to face Mitsuki.
"She tried adding chili paste to her ramen." Kenzou said simply. Then raised his hand, extending it for a handshake. Ken's cheeks were a little pink from the alcohol. "Hello, I'm Kenzou." Mitsuki and Kuroi laughed at how deadpanned he presented himself. She still accepted the handshake. "This guy behind me is Kuroi." The guy in question waved respectfully.
"Hello, ma'am."
"Nice to meet you as well." She looked back to her men, hands propped on her hips. "You boys about ready to head out?" Mr. Bakugo stood, leaving money on the counter for their meals. Bakugo kicked back from the counter and stood with unnecessary force. Kenzou pulled out some cash and did the same, he stood at a more leisurely pace.
"Have a good night, come again soon." Pops walked by with more empty bowls. It seemed the rush had come and gone. Things were much slower now and the sun had set. Through the windows we could see the street lights already on. We all coincidentally made our way to the mall parking garage.
"Why the hell are you following us?" Bakugo glared back at me. His mother swatted him on the head again, making him stumble to catch his balance. "Quit it! I'll fucking kill you!"
"You're going to kill who? Huh?!" She hit him twice more not giving him a chance to retaliate.
"Sorry about this." Mr. Bakugo regarded us, he seemed a bit embarrassed of his wife and son. Like the whole situation was commonplace and just another family outing. Mitsuki smoothly slowed her pace and ended up walking beside me. Bakugo stomped forward with his hands in his pockets. The two Masaru's were talking animatedly about whatever thing and Kuroi and Kenzou were walking silently ahead.
"So what'd my Katsuki get up to at school today?" Mitsuki's demeanor changed to a softer tone. I wasn't sure what to make of the situation. She was aggressive one second and tame the next. Was Bakugo really just an angry asshole or was he fed up from getting beat on all the time?
Is she going to hit me too?
"I don't want to get anyone in trouble, ma'am." I finally croak out. My throat sore from all the spice.
"That's fine. I suppose if it was a big enough issue the school would notify me." She sighed and stretched her arms above her. Turning her head from side to side to crack her neck. She seemed tired, probably a long day for her as well. "It can be stressful raising such an egotistical little shit. Can you keep an eye on him for me? Smack him around a bit if he needs it, lord knows he does." I took a moment to answer, pulling my beanie out and yanking it over my head again.
"I don't mean to be disrespectful, but you just met me." I stopped just short of the motorcycles. Mitsuki stopped with me. Masaru was showing Mr. Bakugo his motorcycle like a kid geeking out over his toys. Mitsuki patted my shoulder.
"I know, but you're friends with Masa. He's a straightforward guy and I like him. At least from what I can tell when he worked at Daichi's." She looked over at the guys. Bakugo looked back in the distance having not stopped when we did. "Plus when we frequented Daichi's noodle shop more, Masa would always talk about his family. He'd brag about how good of a person you were all the time." I wasn't sure how to respond to that. So I said nothing. "Katsuki isn't as tough as he'd like others to think. Anyway, have a wonderful night Takaomi." Mitsuki winked at me and walked off to join her family. I did the same, Kuroi handing me my helmet.
"What'd she want to talk about?" Kuroi asked. Kenzou was sitting straddled on his bike waiting for us. Masaru doing the same with his monkey tail lazily swinging from side to side. I pulled on my helmet and lifted the visor.
"She wants me to keep an eye on her son and smack him around if he needs it. Hah, I doubt that'll go over well. The dude sweats explosions. One high five gone wrong and I'd lose my fingers." I climbed on behind Kuroi, his wings stretching back a bit to semi-encompass me. Kuroi didn't respond, he just shook his head. His helmet bobbing as he started the bike and shifted it into first gear. We rode home and I contemplated my stupidity again. I was burping up pockets of fire from the chili paste all the way home.
Again, comments and critics are welcome. Or just a friendly hello.