Authors Note: Thank you for everyone who's following this story! I really wasn't expecting too much when I started uploading on this site. I hope the direction this story takes doesn't disappoint. I'm open to suggestions but as I'm already nearing the upper 50's in chapters there's not too much I can change, but it's not impossible. This is basically my own self indulgence to keep my mind off of other stressful things in life. If you enjoy it, Im glad.

Blinking inside, not bothering to knock I accidentally scared the crap out of Ponta. The poor dog jumped up barking and tried running but her little paws were sliding on the hardwood floor.

"Oh, oops. I'm sorry baby." I knelt by her and brushed her raised hair down. She started licking my face after she realized it was me. I picked her up and carried her up the stairs with me to my room. Reiko wasn't home yet, middle school released after high school anyway. I dropped Ponta on Reiko's bed. She bounced before turning in a circle and laying down. I ripped off my uniform and pulled on some street clothes. Leaving my leggings on, I just pulled on some denim shorts and paired it with some worn black sneakers. A baggy red striped shirt and a beanie later I was heading downstairs. My phone, wallet, and keys held expertly in one hand.

"Hey!" Kai exclaimed when I bumped into him at the bottom of the stairs. He was also just getting home from school, his uniform halfway off and his jacket slung over his shoulder. I lost my grip on the items in my hand as they tumbled toward the ground.

"No!" I held my breath, slowing time. Ducking under Kai's arm I plucked my things out of the air and restarted time now behind him. "Close one. Sorry 'bout that." I walked backwards a few paces and snagged my fanny pack stored in the downstairs closet. I slipped it diagonal across my chest instead of around my waist, shoving my stuff in it. "If you see the Shiro's let them know I went to Kenzou's. Kay-thanks-bye!" I didn't wait for his reply, blinking outside and going into a full sprint. Using my quirk when there were a sparse amount of people around.

Was it illegal?

Yes.

Was it the fastest way to go through an intersection?

Most definitely.

Coming up on the guy's apartment complex I slowed to a walk. I wanted to catch my breath before seeing them. The complex they lived in was a U shape of four buildings. Each one only has six apartments per building. The guy's weren't living in luxury but they were living freely. It was a struggle to find landlords that accepted three unrelated young men without a co-signer to rent a one bedroom, one of them being underaged at the time. I noted their motorcycles in the one parking spot they shared. All of them were home. Climbing the stairs two at a time to their second level apartment.

I knocked on the door obnoxiously just so they knew it was me. Beating out the rhythm to the newest Yellow Mirror single, Blood Tongues. Halfway through the chorus the door was yanked open by Kuroi.

"Please stop." His dead eyes look brought a joyful smile to my face. I brushed past him without invitation. Hanging my fanny pack on the hook with all their jackets.

"I was getting to the best part though." Kuroi closed and locked the door behind me as I kicked my shoes off in the entryway. Kenzou was in the kitchen on my right. He was a bit hunched over because the ceiling for some reason was lower in the kitchen.

"Oh, hey Taka. Want a beer?" Kenzou offers, reaching into the fridge before I could respond. He placed a soda can in front of me instead. "Only joking." He pops open his own can of beer and walks into the living area. Snagging the cola I follow him with Kuroi behind me. Their apartment is tight. Literally four rooms, the kitchen, the living room, the bathroom, and the shared bedroom.

Masaru was sitting on the mystery colored couch playing some monster hunting game on their console. Depending on how the light hits it the thing is either some off-colored brown or a muddy green. They've tried multiple times to clean it and each attempt only made it worse. The structure was fine and they bought it at a steal, it was literally free. There was a plate of simple sandwiches on the coffee table doubling as their dining table. Seeing me Masaru took one of the extra pillow cushions from the couch and threw it to the floor. I nudge it closer to the table before sitting on it.

"So what the hell is happening?" I ask as I open my soda. Kenzou sat next to Masaru on the couch and Kuroi fell into place on another cushion beside me. His wings stretched out comfortably. Masaru takes a moment to pause his game before answering.

"Seems the Dragons are expanding. Other than that I don't have a clue." Masaru put the controller down and snagged one of the sandwiches. "There's really not much we can do about it. Just hope they've forgotten about us."

"I wouldn't bet on that." Kuroi reaches for a sandwich himself. "Yuuto is a pretty spiteful guy. I don't think he'd let a grudge go so easily."

"That's if Yuuto's still the leader." Kenzou finished the beer he'd just opened and crushed it in his large hand. Tossing it across the room into the trash bin with the skill that came from repetition. "It's been almost two years. A lot of things could have changed in that time." I tapped my fingers against my soda can while thinking.

"Still, it's better to have a semblance of a plan. What'd Aka say, 'plan for the worst and hope for the best'?" Kuroi recited the words of our old leader, Aka. The oldest one of us and Kenzou's older brother. He's currently serving time in jail for an incident two years ago. I missed him sometimes. "Say Yuuto is still with the Dragons, if not a leader, then maybe someone with authority."

"Okay. So say he is. You think it'd take him two years to finally come and fuck with us?" Masaru flicked his tail back and forth agitatedly. "The Dragons were basically disbanded like us before we moved out here."

"We're only speculating right now. Short of going up and asking one of them we might have to just do some digging of our own." Kenzou suggested. "The men at the warehouse I work in might've heard if some new idiots came to town. I know a few of them aren't as strait-laced as we are."

"I can keep an ear open at the bar." Kuroi offered. I sighed, there wasn't anything I could do. Following rules felt like a leash, I wanted to take it off sometimes. Kuroi noticed my change in posture and bumped one of his wings against my back lightly. "Just stay focused on your hero shit. No need for you to get involved again. If it gets out of control we'll call in some heroes this time."

We spend the rest of the night falling back into our old routine. Just enjoying each other's company and occasionally roasting one another. Their apartment was much more comfortable than the old abandoned warehouse we used to squat in. That was a long time ago of course. Now the sun had set and I had lost track of time.

There's a knocking at the door.

We all tense and looked at one another, none of us were expecting company. Kenzou got up first. His eyes steeled.

"I got it." He stands taller and squares his shoulders. Kuroi stood between me and the door, his wings spread a little wider. After looking through the peephole Kenzou curses and his posture deflates. "Fuck."

"Who is it?" Masaru had leaned over the couch arm and was looking through the patio door scanning the ground below. "I don't see anyone out back."

"It's Enji." Kenzou opens the door and steps aside as Mr. Shiro walks in. He looks sternly at me and squints his eyes.

Oh no. Is my phone still on silent?

I look at my bag hanging from the hook next to him. He followed my sight and grabbed my bag, pulling my phone out of it.

"These work better when you answer them, you know?" He shoved my phone back in my bag, zipped it up and tossed it at me. "Come on, we're going."

"Hey Mr. Shiro." Masaru smiled like a little brown noser would, his head bowed down. "Sorry, we completely lost track of time." He curled his tail around one of his legs.

"Yeah, I figured as much." Enji sighed and shook his head. He looked like he'd just come off of work and then turned around to pick me up. His button up white shirt partially untucked with the sleeves pushed up. His slicked back hair disheveled from him messing with it. No tie in sight, likely sitting on the passenger seat.

"You could have called one of us, we would have dropped her off." Kuroi tucked his wings tight against his back. A habit he did when he was tense. Enji just waved his hand unbothered.

"It's alright, Hiromi sent me out for errands anyhow. I'd prefer it if Takaomi answered her own phone." I stood and slung my bag on. He wasn't angry at the boys, he just looked irritated about going to the store. Waving goodbye to the guys as I followed my foster father out. His black car parked next to the motorcycles, it wasn't even a parking space.

"What're we getting at the store?" I try making casual conversation hoping it'll take his mind off my blunder. That or he'll lecture me about staying out late. We climbed in the car and I just tossed Enji's necktie to the backseats. "She could have sent Kai or Reiko to the convenience store down the street."

"I was 'already out and about' she said." Enji merged into traffic and got onto the highway. "I think the boys somehow got into the eggs in the fridge, I don't know how. All I know is we need eggs and Reiko was helping her clean up the mess. Also something about flour, I guess." He sighed again and leaned back. Leaving only one hand on the wheel. We pulled into the parking lot of a small grocery store. The light above the door flickering slightly, although the moths didn't seem to mind. It was a quick in and out but Enji bought himself a container of cookies. The man had a sweet tooth. When we get home he doesn't get out of the car immediately.

"I have a deal for you." Enji says seriously.

"I'm listening." I watch him fiddle with the package of cookies.

"If you can pop in and sneak this into the cupboard behind the Tupperware without getting caught. Then I won't bring up that you were out so late." I snatch the package out of his hands.

"Deal!" I open the car door and blink to the front door. I peak in through the window to get a judgment of where everyone was. Kai was sprawled on the couch playing on his phone. Hiromi was in the kitchen cooking, I didn't see anyone else. "Behind the Tupperware." I remind myself before pausing time. I open the door and leave it open behind me. Walking quickly to the kitchen Hiromi was in the process of tossing rice, the grains forming a semi circle wave hovering above the pan. The cupboard in question was to her left and there wasn't much room to get around. I did my best to squeeze past her and opened the cupboard.

This is precarious.

The Tupperware was a hazard at best, the stacking system was 'toss it in and shut the door before it fell out'. Why Enji wanted me to sneak it in here was beyond me. I did my best and buried it for good measure. Shutting the little door I shimmied past Hiromi and darted back outside before I took another breath. The front door closed behind me. I looked at Enji still sitting in the car and gave him a thumbs up. His smile was roguish, like I just helped him get away with some crime.

Possibly. I think Hiromi was talking about putting him on a diet?

Enji walked right to the kitchen with the eggs like a 'couldn't be bothered' hero. I went right to my shared room. Reiko was sitting at her desk doing homework. Once she noticed me she pushed away from her desk like it was repulsive.

"I had to scrub egg yolk and flour off the floor today. How was your evening?" She crossed her arms over her pink pajama top. Wearing glasses with her bangs tied back in a cute little ponytail. I shrugged at her and stowed my bag in my closet instead of the one downstairs.

"I visited the guys and then went with Enji to pick up more eggs. Sounds like your evening was more exciting than mine." I joked. My school uniform is still thrown all over my bed. "Oops." I began putting it back up on it's hangers. Reiko grumbled about her day while I gathered my clothes for a shower. "Sounds tough, kid. Sorry I wasn't here to help. Thanks for the leggings though, they're comfy." She pulled a pencil out of her hair and pointed it at me.

"You're just borrowing those. Buy your own when you get the chance. Better yet do it tomorrow." She swiveled her chair back to her desk and continued her homework.

After a quick shower and some homework myself I went to bed. Through the night I couldn't get comfortable, my mind kept going to the issue about the Dragons. When I finally fell asleep it wasn't much better.

A metal pipe covered in blood.

Black feathers scattered across the warehouse floor, specks of red surrounding them.

Arms snaking around my throat and squeezing.

Shooting up in bed I grabbed at my shirt and pulled it. A muffled shout stuck in my throat. The feeling of something wrapping around my neck still lingering. I was gasping for air and sweating. A light beside me comes on and Reiko is sitting up looking alarmed.

"Takaomi? Are you okay?" She moves out of her bed and comes to sit beside me. My hands come up and rub at my neck, knowing there's nothing there but still feeling it. "Did you have a nightmare?" I clear my throat, taking deep breaths to calm myself.

"Yeah. It's fine." I twist and motion for her to move, she does. "I just need some water. I'm okay, just a little startled. Go back to bed, Rei." I take my time walking to the kitchen, my hands shaking. Tapping my fingers individually against my thumb and repeating the cycle in a brain numbing ritual. I get the urge to contact one of the guys but push that feeling down. I didn't want to bother them at- what time was it? The clock on the stove lets me know it's near two in the morning.

The street lights glow through the windows into the home allowing my eyes to adjust well to the darkness. I get the glass of water like I said I would but don't drink it right away. Leaning my elbows on the counter I drop my head into my hands and just stay like that for a minute. I can feel my heartbeat pulsing in my chest. The pressure of it reminded me of my match against my teacher, against All Might. I laughed quietly. I hadn't even told the guys the craziness that was yesterday's battle scenario.

I sucked in a big breath and let it go slowly. Picking up the glass I guzzle it quickly before placing it in the sink. I turn to go back upstairs but then see a silhouette standing in the archway to the kitchen. I was about to scream but the figure sprints forward and there's a cold hand on my mouth muffling my yells.

"Shh! It's just me!" That voice. I grab Kai's hand and yank it off with more force than necessary.

"What the hell?!" I whisper angrily at him. Closer now I could see the yellow of his eyes and the faint green scaling poking out from his nightshirt. He pulls his hands away and keeps them up, palms facing me.

"Sorry. I just-I didn't mean to scare you." He rubbed the back of his neck. Dark green hair tousled in odd angles from his pillow. "I overheard you and Reiko. The walls are kinda thin."

Wait, is he worried?

"Yeah, well… I'm fine. Or at least I was until you scared me to death." I punched his shoulder lightly. He was a lot more solid than I anticipated. His scales felt like armor against my soft knuckles.

"Right. That's… that's good then." He turned with his tail gliding behind him gracefully. I followed and caught up to him before he entered his room.

"Hey, Kai, wait." It was darker in the hallway, but his eyes seemed to glow. "Thanks for checking on me. I appreciate it." That was the first time I saw him truly smile. His teeth were just as sharp as I imagined, his canines long and narrow. If my eyes hadn't adjusted to the dark I wouldn't have seen it.

"Yeah. Of course. Get some rest, Taka." He disappeared into his room and I did the same. Crawling back into my own bed, Reiko already asleep in hers. I didn't have a nightmare the rest of the night.

The sunlight woke me before my alarm did. Blinking blearily I reached for my phone to check the time, I had another ten minutes before my alarm was supposed to go off. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes I decided to just get up now. Enji was in the kitchen when I went down. He had quickly hidden something behind his coffee cup, his jaw jutting out in an awkward way.

"Oh ish jush yuh." His mouth apparently full of something, he continued to chew and his other hand came up. A cookie in his grasp. He swallowed. "I thought you were Hiromi."

"So she put you on a diet, I take it?" I eyed his cookie. He jammed it in his mouth shamelessly.

"Yeah. The boys are supposed to be eating healthier so she's making me do the same." He cringed. Then sipped his coffee which I suspected was half milk and sugar as much as it was coffee. I went ahead and made myself a fried egg with toast, taking the remaining coffee from the pot that Enji started. "Coffee today? Are you tired or something?"

"Kinda, yeah. I didn't sleep that well." I smelled it before drinking it. I like the smell of fresh coffee but found it to be bitter, but black coffee would wake me up faster. I didn't have nightmares the second half of the night but I also felt like I didn't sleep either. I went through my morning routine on autopilot until the coffee kicked in. Setting off for school a little earlier than I planned to.

The crowd of reporters and media professionals were still at the school gates. I stopped before they could spot me. "Ugh, when are they going to quit?" I looked to my left and right checking for anyone nearby. I wanted to use my quirk to pass them, but technically using it outside of school grounds was still illegal. I turned to check behind me and came face to face with Bakugo. I jumped back, not expecting him.

"What's wrong, Blue hair? Scared of a little attention?" He mocked me with a sarcastic smile. I scrunch my face up with no ready comeback, he was right afterall. "Didn't take you for such a coward." He brushed past me confidently.

"Shut up, I just don't like having mics shoved in my face." I followed him through the crowd. I tried to look small so they'd bug Bakugo instead. To Bakugo's irritation they did just that. A lady was keeping pace with us and kept putting a microphone near him.

"Excuse me! Can you tell me about All Might?" Bakugo ignored her. "Wait, aren't you the kid that was caught by the sludge villain?"

The Sludge Villain? What?

"Stop it!" His voice was low but it was clearly a warning. Bakugo's face soured and he walked faster. I stayed near him to keep the reporters at bay and it worked wonderfully. Safely on the other side of the gates I relaxed. He still looked pissy about the question.

"Looks like your nasty face did the trick." I chuckled with an impish smile reaching my eyes. "I'll have to scowl my way through the crowds tomorrow and see if that works for me."

"Shut the hell up," He growled.

"Yeah, just like that." My smile lessened to a smirk. He glared at me and I winked at him. The guy was fun to play with, he reminded me of Kuroi on a bad day but more explosions and less feathers.

Getting started with class as normal, nothing interesting aside from basic studying. We were going over the rules and regulations that came with being a hero. That annoying leash that kept pro's from having fun. Well, I say that but it's just ordinary rules. I just was accustomed to breaking them and getting caught. English with Present Mic is surprisingly ordinary as are all the rest of our classes. The only interesting fact is that they're dressed in their Pro Hero costumes.

Before I knew it lunch had come around. I avoided the spicy food this time in favor of a more western lunch, cheeseburgers.

"Takaomi, over here!" Mina had a table with a few other students already. There were still three open seats to one side. Waving back at her while making my way over, carefully weaving through the other students.

"Hey guys, sorry I bailed yesterday." The group was Mina, Kaminari, Kirishima, Jirou, and Sero. Toru wasn't here but I didn't think too hard about it. High school cliques weren't always consistent anyway. At least I'd assumed since that's how it was for me in middle school. I sat next to Mina, placing me in front of Kirishima.

"From what, analyzing your one minute match? There wouldn't be much to talk about that Yaoyorozu didn't already say." Kaminari said.

"No, she's talking about after. We had planned to hang out after school." Mina clarified then addressed me. "We didn't actually go out for drinks, it was too late by then." I nodded, slightly relieved that I didn't miss anything. When it came to social groups I only had my Akuma's and my foster family. There weren't any middle school friends I was close enough to keep in touch with.

"Did you want to today? I know about a karaoke place that has really good boba tea. It's not that far from the station either." I recommend it and suddenly there are butterflies in my stomach. That pesky fear of rejection. My thoughts went back to the way they stared at me when they discovered what my quirk was. The looks they threw at me when I defended Bakugo's rampage.

"Karaoke and boba tea? I'm in." Jirou spoke up. Kaminari next to her smiled and seemed drawn in by her.

"I'm down!" Kaminari bit into his own cheeseburger. The others agreed to come along as well. Bakugo sat down one seat over from me. Then I remembered something.

"Karaage!" I turned to Bakugo who was mid bite to his noodle dish.

"What the hell?" Not thrilled I interrupted his meal. I clapped my hands together and leaned closer to him. He seemed to tolerate it.

"Spicy Karaage!" I then turned to address the others at the table. "The place I'm thinking of has a spicy karaage challenge. You don't really win anything but I hear not many have finished a plate of it."

"A challenge, huh?" Kirishima smashed his fists together. "Sounds manly!"

"I think I'll pass on the spicy food." Kaminari says.

"Why, don't think you can handle it?" Sero speaks up from the other side of Mina.

"Oh I know I can't. Me and spicy foods don't mix well." Kaminari admitted. "I'll stick to the delicious drinks and watch you guys burn your taste buds off."

"That's no fun," Mina pouted then perked up at a thought. A playful smile highlighting her pink face. "Wanna make it a competition for bragging rights?"

The rental fee for the karaoke rooms was easily split between the group of us. Orders done by the way of tablet once inside, same with picking the songs. Since we came right from after school all of us were still in our school uniforms. More casually worn with ties loosened and blazers removed. Jirou and Mina were busy scrolling through the song list getting ideas and laughing about something. Sero and Kaminari were debating on drinks themselves.

I was sitting between Kirishima and surprisingly Bakugo. Through some miracle I was able to convince him to tag along. I was good about not insulting him during my persuasions. He was pretty much trapped at this point. The room was just large enough for the seven of us. The couch was wrapped around one large center table. I was sitting in the center with the two guys beside me. Kaminari and Jirou were on Kirishima's right, Mina and Sero on Bakugo's left. The other's would have to stand up and let us out.

"I'll buy the rounds of karaage since it was my idea." I offer. Reaching for the tablet with the food ordering menu. Each plate of Ultra Spicy Karaage had about twelve pieces. I counted everyone and guessed we'd need a little more just in case. Ordering three plates should do it, I hoped. "Oh, this was more expensive than I thought." I mumbled and pulled my wallet out. I had a prepaid card that the Shiro's transferred money into monthly. With a set allowance me doing this would make it difficult to buy those leggings I wanted. I added in a thai tea boba drink, a small one, and finished my order. Passing the tablet to Kirishima who ordered his own drink and then attempted to pass it to Bakugo.

"Here dude, your turn." Bakugo had to reach across me and took it scrolling quietly. One leg crossed over the other as he leaned back comfortably in the corner seat.

Mina and Sero got up to sing a duet. They sang some anime intro that they're both into. Kaminari and Kirishima ended up singing along to it as well in the sidelines. When Jirou steps up with Kirishima to sing a rock song the food and drinks arrive. It took two people carrying large platters to deliver all our stuff.

The smell of the spice hit everyone like a truck. I knew this was going to be hell, I looked forward to the chaos.

"Holy shit man, do I have to eat that?" Kaminari looked fearful at the chicken coated in pepper flakes and the red sauce of satan. "My eyes are already burning from here!"

Jirou and Kirishima end up laughing and not finishing their song.

"Don't chicken out, dude. Be a man and have at least one." Kirishima urged him on while finding his way back to his seat.

"I don't know, I kinda don't want to do it anymore either." Jirou's earjacks tapping together shyly. "That looks lethal."

"Tch, cowards." Bakugo scoffed and leaned forward, planting his feet on the ground. He opened a pair of disposable chopsticks and grabbed a piece, eating it unflinchingly. Everyone was staring at him and just waiting for a reaction. Nothing changed. "What are you all staring at? Eat some!"

"Hahaha!" I smiled and pulled apart my own chopsticks. The others followed suit, Kaminari and Jirou more hesitantly. I bravely went second, popping the piece of chicken into my mouth and chewing.

Oh, oh no. This is going to be bad.

I tried my best to keep a straight face. Chewing slowly and watching everyone else's reactions. They were watching me just as closely. My tongue was already starting to burn but I didn't let it show.

"Well, you guys don't look too phased. Can't be that bad." Kirishima snagged a large piece. I had successfully deceived him, I felt just a little guilty. After two seconds his eyes widened and he quickly chewed and swallowed it. Reaching for his boba tea he took a few sips. "Wow, that's spicy!" Kaminari and Jirou who both had a piece in their chopsticks halted. Their eyes honed in on both Bakugo and myself who looked fresh as daisies. Sero and Mina went next, the latter scrunching her face with discomfort. She sipped at her tea but Sero didn't.

"Oh my god that's hot, I'm gonna need more tea." She fanned at her tongue that was hanging from her lips.

"Your turn guys." Sero smiled at Kaminari and Jirou. Those of us who'd eaten a piece put the peer pressure on them, just staring and waiting.

"Ugh, fine!" Jirou chomped on the piece she had and quickly grabbed her milk tea, using it to help swallow the spicy chicken. Kaminari moaned about it but did the same.

"Hey that's cheating!" Mina complained. "You just washed it down with the drink!"

"It's a strategy! I don't want to hurt myself while I'm eating, you guys are masochists!" Kaminari retorted.

"You guys are weak." Bakugo grumbled and ate another piece. Following his lead I did, as did Kirishima and Sero. Mina gathered her determination and quickly ate a second piece. Unenthusiastically Kaminari and Jirou ate another piece and sucked down their drinks along with it. Not waiting for conversation Bakugo upped the ante again and ate two more pieces in quick succession. Sero, Kirishima, and myself followed his lead.

"Nope, not doing that." Jirou set her chopsticks down.

"You're a glutton for pain, man." Kaminari mirrored Jirou setting his chopsticks down. Mina was able to eat one more piece but refrained from eating the second piece.

"Alright, so that leaves us then?" Kirishima looked between Sero, Bakugo, and myself. "Wanna make it more interesting?" I took a sip of my drink.

"What do you have in mind?" Sero asked curiously, leaning his bulky elbows onto his knees. Like Bakugo and myself he looked unfazed by the heat. Kirishima was at least breaking a sweat. I had strategically not swallowed and allowed the milk to sit in my mouth to combat the heat. It was starting to not work anymore though, I wasn't sure how many more bites I could do.

"Winner gets a prize, seems fair." He thought for a moment and sipped his drink. "How about the winner gets to pick the next outing?"

"That's lame, Weird Hair." Bakugo sipped his coffee boba.

"I'd wanna go zip-lining!" Sero suggests.

"Ooh! That sounds fun, yes! Win Sero!" Mina cheered. I swallowed what was in my mouth.

"What'd you want to do, Kirishima?" I asked. I pushed my drink away from me, I knew I was going to need it here in a minute. Best to conserve it for now. "I was the one to pick this place so I'm not really sure where I'd pick next." He tapped his chin in thought.

"Maybe a pool, I haven't been all summer." Kirishima said and Kaminari started pointing at him excitedly while sipping his drink.

"That! Yes! Let's go to a pool next." Kaminari was a little too excited, his eager smile taking up most of his face. "You better win Kirishima." Bakugo didn't feel like waiting and grabbed another piece. I laughed and grabbed one for myself, Kirishima and Sero did as well. Kaminari hit Kirishima on the back in a supposedly supporting way, but hit him a little too hard. Kirishima choked and coughed, having to force himself to swallow. "Oh, oops."

"Dude! Ugh, that hurts." Kirishima rubbed at his throat, his tongue sticking out. "Something scratched my throat. Ah, the spice is making it worse!" He started coughing more and downed his drink. "I think I'm out guys."

"What! How'd you scratch your throat?" Kaminari grabbed his shoulders. "Isn't your thing hardening? What about the pool day!" Kirishima nudged him off.

"Sorry dude, it seriously stings." Kirishima coughed again. "That stuff is super spicy."

Yeah it fucking is. Shit.

I was starting to sweat, trying my damndest to keep a straight face. Bakugo saw through it.

"Having trouble there, Blue Hair? You're turning red." He taunted. Picking up another bite and eating it casually. He licked his teeth like it was the most delicious thing. "You know, these are pretty damn good."

"I'd have to agree with you there, Bakugo." Sero smiled and popped another piece following Bakugo's lead. I swallowed the spit collecting in my mouth. The pressure was on me to keep up with them now. My eyes were beginning to water. The spiciness was building with each bite, just compounding into a liquid fire on my tongue. "Where'd you wanna go, Takaomi?" Sero asked, a knowing smirk on his face. I opened my mouth to respond but the small movement triggered a flaring inferno. I slapped my lips and snatched my boba tea up. Sucking it down with gusto.

Bakugo and Sero laughed at me. Slamming my half empty cup on the table I plucked a piece of chicken with my chopsticks and aggressively chewed it before swallowing. My eyes were watering and my face was flushed red. I sniffed and picked up a napkin to wipe my runny nose.

"Wow you've got guts, Takaomi." Kirishima gave me a thumbs up, his voice sounded a little scratchy. He was occasionally coughing trying to clear the spice from sitting in his throat.

"You didn't answer the question though." Jirou pointed out. "Since you picked this may I suggest going to see a movie?" I didn't vocally answer her. I just pointed at her and nodded my head, my lips clamped shut so I didn't irritate the hellscape that was my mouth right now.

"So what does the great Bakugo have in mind?" Kaminari sat back, hands behind his head just enjoying our torment.

"Mountain climbing." Bakugo answered simply and ate two more pieces at once. This time it did look like it was giving him trouble, if only slightly. His eyes squinted and he picked up his drink faster than before. Sero took a breath before following his example. He seemed to have more trouble as well, he made a face while he was chewing. The heat was getting to the two.

"Your turn Takaomi." Mina said sweetly, the most innocent expression on her face. She had the menu tablet in her hand, clicking a few things before putting it down. I picked up one piece with my chopsticks and stared at it like it was my enemy. Then I chomped down on it and chewed quickly, my mouth ignited painfully. My hand flew back up to my face and I had to force myself to swallow. The tears at my eyes actually spilled over.

"What a trooper." Kaminari whistled and leaned forward handing me another napkin. I took it and wiped my face. "Don't hurt yourself now."

"Can you keep up, Takaomi?" Bakugo already picked up another piece of chicken, prepared for the next round. Sero eyed it warily, he didn't look like he wanted to keep going. I tentatively picked up the second piece I needed to keep pace with the boys. The second it hit my lips my face flared again and more tears spilled over.

"Okay, maybe that's enough." Kirishima suggested putting his hand on mine and making me lower the chicken. "You're just punishing yourself at this point." I didn't fight him. I let the chopsticks go and wiped the tears from my face with the back of my hand.

"That's fuckin' hot, damnit!" I said loudly. Ripping the plastic cover off my boba and drinking from the large hole. I was after the ice and crunched on it loudly. "Fuuuck this." I moaned and leaned back against the couch.

"And then there were two." Jirou announced. All eyes on Bakugo and Sero now. I was busy fanning my open mouth and occasionally crunching on ice to try and numb the pain. Sero and Bakugo look at each other before getting it over with. Their faces now a little flush from the heat, Bakugo sipped his drink and Sero let his tongue hang out. Their discomfort is a lot more obvious now. I heard Bakugo curse quietly and side eye Sero. He probably wasn't expecting someone to keep up with him. Sero definitely was having a harder time though, he was beginning to sweat.

"Damn, this competition is close." Kaminari mentions.

"Yeah, you're right." Mina looks at the plates, there's still a generous amount of sauce on them. "Hey, since it's the last bites. Why don't you guys smear it around the plate and make it hotter!" Sero whipped his head around to Mina glaring at her.

"That's a horrible idea!" He exclaimed and brought his hand to his mouth. The talking igniting the pain. "Urk!" Bakugo meanwhile just smiled, victory in sight.

"Nice try losers," He stabbed the last piece dragging it around on the plate. The sauce was basically straight chili paste anyways. Something he's accustomed to. "Looks like we're going mountain climbing." He chewed on it triumphantly, like the heat no longer affected him. Then he made a cringe face and coughed. "Fuck. Ugh."

"Yeah, nope! I'm out." Sero put his chopsticks down. "If the man who is a living explosion is having trouble, I don't want to be a part of it." He did the same as me and speared his hand through the plastic cover of the boba tea. Dumping whatever remained into his open mouth while going after the sweet relief of ice cubes.

"Aw, mountain climbing?" Kaminari moaned, "That's extra effort." He crossed a leg over the other. There was a knock at the door and a server came in carrying a whole second round of what drinks we all ordered. "Huh, I didn't-,"

"I did," Mina thanked the server and passed out our drinks. I held mine like a treasure and let the milky goodness sit on my tongue. "I figured since Takaomi paid for the karaage I could buy everyone a round of boba."

"Thanks, Mina. You didn't have to though." Jirou accepted the drink and noticed the table was getting really crowded. I saw it as well and reached forward picking up the plates from the karaage with one hand placing them on top of each other. Jirou brought a few empty cups to the trash bin in the corner. "I wonder why they didn't pick up the plate when they were here?" Jirou mused as I passed her the sauce covered plates. "Oh, they're paper." She turned again and tossed them in the trash bin as well.

"Who hasn't sung yet?" Mina bounced in her seat and scanned the room.

"I know I haven't gone, but I'm not the best singer." Kaminari stood and accepted the song tablet from Mina. "What's hot right now, Yellow Mirror? Maybe Polaris?"

"Sing Polaris, I like that one." Jirou was wiping her hands on napkins and tossing them in the bin as well. "I'll sing with you." She passed him and picked up the spare microphone. Kaminari's face split into a smile but then he tried to temper it. Trying to come off as cool and aloof.

"Oh, sure if you want" We could tell the idiot was beyond happy. His crush was obvious. I sniffed and wiped the tears from my eyes, unwisely using my fingers and then quickly regretted it. The guitar intro drowned out my cussing.

"Ah shit. Fucking dammit!" I had the palms of my hands pressing into my eyes as they were shut tightly. I had some chili paste on my fingers from when I picked up the plates. I just wiped my eyes with chili paste and it burned worse than my mouth did. I felt a hand on my right shoulder.

"Hey, you okay?" Kirishima had leaned down and asked. "Here's a napkin. I'm not sure if it'll help." I sat up a little taller and tried dabbing my tears and hopefully chili paste.

"Thanks. I think I got some of the sauce in my eyes." I attempted to open my eyes but shut them immediately. The burning feeling renewed. I kept the napkin pressed to my face. "I definitely got some in my eyes." I couldn't see but Kirishima had gotten Mina's attention. Jirou and Kaminari stopped singing.

"You good, Takaomi?" Kaminari asked over the microphone, their song continuing in the background. With my one hand holding the napkin to my eyes I raised the other in a peace sign.

"I'm peachy. Just blind right now." I pulled the napkin away and tried opening my eyes again. I kept them open for a second before having to close them again.

"Oh crap, your eyes are super red." Jirou stated. I heard a rustling of people moving.

"Come on, let's wash your eyes out in the restroom." Mina was closer now. "Give me your hand." I raised my one free hand and allowed her to take it as I stood. Someone else, I suspect Kirishima, guided me by my elbows around the table since I couldn't see it. Mina was my seeing-eye-dog out the door and down the hallway.

I felt the temperature difference as we walked through the door into the ladies room. It was colder.

"Ah, they're motion sensors. Here, I'll keep my hand in front of it."

"Okay, thanks Mina." I put the napkin down on the counter as she guided my hands to the sink. Splashing the water against my eyes and trying to flush the chili paste out. "Ugh, this sucks." Eventually I was able to keep them open, I just looked like I bawled my eyes out.

"Does it hurt?"

"A little bit, but it's fine." I wet some paper towels and folded them into a rectangle. Leaning back against the counter I held the cold towel against my eyes to cool. "This helps."

"Well, since we're here I'm going to use the toilet real quick." I heard her enter a stall and lock it. Removing the towel I let my eye adjust. The sting was annoying and my eyes felt strained as if I pulled an all nighter. Seeing how I didn't get a restful sleep last night it only doubled that feeling. The cold water from the damp towel dribbled down my neck and made me shiver.

"I'll be in the hall, it's cold in here."

"Okay."

Stepping into the hallway the temperature difference made my eyes water again. I held a hand out to hold the wall as I shut my eyes. Holding my breath and activating my quirk I stayed that way until my eyes didn't sting as much. Standing taller I released my breath, time continuing.

"Excuse me?" A gruff voice from behind me. I turned, and opened my eyes to them.

"Oh, sorry." I pressed myself closer to the wall. Blinking the last of the burn away, a few tears escaping. "I didn't see you." The man was taller and had black spiked hair. He looked maybe twenty and was a whole head taller than me. Small dragon-like wings jutting from his green jacket. He titled his head and the three piercings on his one ear clinked like a wind chime. His eyes felt like they were judging me.

"Are you crying?" His breath smelled of a freshly smoked cigarette.

"No, no. It's not like that." My answer was suspiciously too fast. I just didn't want to admit I'd basically pepper-sprayed myself. The man took a confident step forward and bent down to me. His clove scented cologne mixed with the nicotine smell.

"If you're having guy problems I can fix it. Let me show you a good time to forget all about them." Swiftly he took my free hand and brought it to his warm lips. "I can be a gentleman." Winking into a smirk, he was smooth as hell. Then I noticed there was a mirror at the end of the hallway that I hadn't seen until he'd bent down. In the reflection I could make out the image on the back of his jacket. A blue Asian dragon with European dragon wings. I pulled my hand away cautiously and he didn't stop me. Just smiling at what he thought was a coy reaction. I didn't recognize him but that didn't mean he didn't recognize me.

"I'm… I'm alright, thank you though. I, uh, just got chili sauce in my eye." My voice was starting to catch in my throat. I swallowed the lump that was building. My stomach churned with emotions that were conflicting.

I need to get away.

I have to fight.

Did he see me use my quirk?!

"Hey, Takaomi." Mina emerged from the bathroom and noticed the other man. "Oh, a friend of yours?" She came to stand beside me while extending her hand to greet the guy. "I'm Mina, who're you?"

"Whoever you want me to be," The Dragon member replied smoothly while taking her hand. He brought her knuckles to his lips briefly like he did to me. "Most people call me Scales."

"Scales?" Before Mina could ask him, little black specs were falling off his miniature dragon wings. Floating around him like a school of fish. "Whoa, that's cool." She'd taken a step back to admire the show, her hand falling out of his.

"Yeah, I got a lot of cool tricks up my sleeves." He pushed his jacket's cuffs up farther, showing that his scales extended down his arms as well. I thought his nails were painted black, but that was just his claws. He controlled the shiny black specs to form a heart shape. "Cute shit too, if you like that." Mina did seem to like it.

"Thank you, but we really have to get back to our group." I reached forward and laced my fingers with Mina's. Scales didn't look too put off but fished into his pocket and pulled out a phone. He was about to ask something when he was cut off by a voice down the hall.

"Oi, Taka. Pinky. What's taking so long?" Bakugo had come around the corner. "Huh, who's that?" Mean eyed and intimidating Bakugo came waltzing down the hall with his hands in his pockets.

"Taka?" Scales let the name hang in his mouth. His eyes searched my face and it made me panic. I yanked Mina down the hall toward Bakugo a bit too forcefully.

"Whoa, what's up Takaomi?" Mina squeezed my hand and quickly stepped in sync beside me. She turned back toward Scales and threw him an apologetic smile. "Bye, Scales!" The man recalled all his scales back to himself. His eyes not looking anywhere else but me and my sky blue hair. That wasn't a good sign. Bakugo followed me as I drug Mina back to our room. We entered as Sero and Kaminari were singing a Latin influenced pop song.

"You're eyes any better?" Kirishima greeted, now sitting on the edge of the couch. I dropped Mina's hand and scooted passed him to my seat. Grabbing my drink and sitting with a big sigh.

"My eyes are fine now." My drink was getting watered down, the melted ice making it seem full again. Mina hopped over the table and plopped down next to me.

"You haven't had a chance to sing yet, Takaomi. I'll sing with you. Help me choose a song." Jirou passed Mina the tablet and she started scrolling through the endless amount of song choices.

"Who the hell was that thug?" Bakugo didn't bother to read the mood. He just plowed on with his question.

"Thug?" Kirishima shuffled down the couch so Bakugo could sit on the end.

"That was Scales," Mina chirped. Turning to me with a smile, "A friend of yours right? He had the same vibe as Kenzou so I just assumed." I shook my head.

"Not a friend. I've never met him before, I just bumped into him when I stepped out of the bathroom." I squeezed my boba cup a little too hard, the drink spilling up through the straw. "Oh, oops." I put the drink down and started cleaning the mess with the plenty of napkins on the table.

"Oh, that's awkward. I'm sorry." Mina helped me clean the mess. "So he was just some creep hitting on you?"

"It's alright," Bundling up the dirty napkins I stepped past Mina and threw them out myself. "Pick out a song, I'll sing with you."

The group of us sang a few more songs before we called it a night. Bakugo refused to sing anything that didn't sound powerful and required at least some form of screaming in it.

Straightening out our ties and redonning our blazers to look more presentable we left the karaoke place. Walking toward the station where we'd say our goodbyes. I was antsy and wanted to get home. Some place that felt a bit more safe and not so out in the open. Knowing that I'd be walking home alone didn't help and I didn't want to freak the guys out just yet. If they pulled up on their motorcycles and someone was around to see them, any Dragon member in the know would likely put the clues together.

"Are you cold? You've been kinda tense ever since we left." Sero had fallen into step beside me. He was much taller and I had to look up to face him. "Your eyes are still red too."

"Nah, I'm just thinking about the homework I haven't done yet. I'm already tired so I'm not looking forward to it." I answered. He nodded, accepting it.

Not a lie, but also not not a lie. Half truth? Why am I trying to hide this from them? Would they really judge me for having a not-so-great past? What if they did though?

"Well, it was cool hanging with you all." Kaminari said. "See you guys in class tomorrow!" He waved and headed off into the station with Sero, Jirou and Mina following behind him. For some reason the other guys hadn't left yet, they were talking about something. I walked over to them, their eyes darting to where we'd just come from. Whispering in hushed tones with serious expressions. Bakugo's eyes narrowed dangerously.

"You guys heading out too? I walk from here," I stated and pointed to the side in the direction I had to go. The both of them stopped talking and looked at me while silently debating something.

"It's pretty late, you want us to walk you home?" Kirishima offered with a smile.

"That thug character is following us." Bakugo didn't sugar coat it. "I thought you said you didn't know him." I couldn't help the alarm that flashed across my face. That Scales guy was following us? Did he recognize me?!

"You could have said that a little more tactfully!" Kirishima scolded. Bakugo just sneered back at him.

"What? She's got a right to know. What's the point of hiding it?" Bakugo turned to face the way we came and apparently Scales, I couldn't see him though. "Might as well ask the asshole why he's stalking us." Bakugo took one step forward and I reached out and grabbed his arm stopping him. "What the hell?"

"Whoa, you alright?" Kirishima shuffled closer to me. I had my jaw set and my eyes firm. Although I wasn't looking at anything in particular and my hand holding Bakugo's biceps was shaking.

"I-I'm fine…" I pulled my hand back and stuffed them both into my blazer's pocket. Not looking either of them in the eye. I needed to buy time to think. What do I say? My mind was racing for some excuse to give them over the truth.

"Bullshit. You're practically cowering." Bakugo didn't turn, still facing the way Scales supposedly was. His red eyes watching me at a sideways glance.

"Dude, could you try to be a little nicer." Kirishima seemed unsure of what to do, he looked like he wanted to hug me.

"There he is." Bakugo's posture changed, his hands on either side of him and palms out. Little sparks already going off between his fingers. "Hey! What the hell do you want?!" On the other side of the street stood Scales, his little black dragon wings and earrings unmistakable. There weren't many people around at the moment so it felt very isolated. Kirishima took a step in front of me as well, his quirk activating. Scales had pulled something out of his pocket and held it open palmed in his hand. Then a glistening of black scales picked it up and carried it our way. Bakugo looked like he was going to just burn it up before it got to us. Kirishima stepped in front and took it before he did.

"It's a note?" We looked from the folded paper and back to Scales. He'd already recalled his quirk back to himself as soon as Kirishima accepted the paper. The man held his palms together and then mimed opening a book. "I guess he wants us to read it." He didn't hesitate and unfolded the paper. It was some notepad paper from the karaoke place, their logo on the top right. Scrawled across the middle in blue pen was the last thing I wanted it to be. "What? What's this supposed to mean?"

I didn't know they let murderers into U.A. The Dragons know you're here, Akuma.

Fuck! Double fuck! Not only does he know me he knows!

"Dragon?" Bakugo glanced down at me and then back to Scales. "Does this have to do with that 'gang' stuff Mina was talking about during lunch?"

"Gang stuff?!" Kirishima did a double take at me then Bakugo. "Hey, wait wait. What's this about a murder though? Huh?" I could feel my heart rate rising, I didn't want to talk about this. All the while I kept my eyes on Scales and he kept his eyes on me. I swallowed down my fear and steeled myself. Standing taller I jutted out my hand and flipped him off.

"Fuck off! We're done with you guys!" He laughed and smirked at me, a venom in his eyes. Then he winked. His scales shimmering in the overhead street lights before he turned and slithered into the nearest alley. He'd brought his hand up and slashed his thumb across his neck before he disappeared.