CH. 2

It had been a few weeks since she started her new job and had gotten accustomed to everything. She was enjoying her students and she loved just how playful they were with her. She always tried to keep the atmosphere lively as she taught them.

"Wow Fatgum's here again?" She heard one of her student's whisper to another classmate. "He's funny but I wish a different pro would come by." Said another as she sighed and dramatically placed her chin on her hand.

"I know maybe like Almight." Said another boy.

She was writing on the board but was attentively paying attention to her students. So, it hadn't been common for the man in the yellow hoodie, Fatgum, to come to school so much. She had thought it suspicious that she kept running into him.

She stifled a snicker as she remembered him running into the wall earlier that week as he greeted her. Though she shouldn't have laughed she had blown a raspberry before covering her face with her binder and looking away. She had asked if he was okay after she speak without laughing in his face. He had told her his quirk protected him from major damage and absorbed it.

She had then said goodbye as she passed him down the hall to the teachers' lounge.

"Hey Perla Sensei." called one of the students behind her.

She turned to find a young boy she remembered as Sato pointing towards the door. She quickly turned to find said man leaning down and looking at her from the other side of the door. He waved a gloved hand at her with a huge grin on his face.

"Alright everyone if you would write down the nouns on the board and I will be right back." She headed out the class to find him there still waiting. She could see rosy cheeks underneath the black mask he wore. "Hello Mr. Fatgum." She spoke to him in English as she.

"Hel-low." He replied awkwardly.

"That was very good." She said with a smile. "What brings you in today Mr. Hero?" She wanted to tease him since he had been a big part of her enjoying her stay.

"I was just passing by-" He scratched his head looking timid, "And I jus' was wantin' to see ya' and say hi."

"Well I am grateful for that. At least I can see you are safe and unhurt."

"Oh-uh yeah ya' don't have to worry about little ol' me. I am very careful at the time."

"That's good to know." She smiled up at him before turning back to the piercing curious gazes of her students who had begun to whisper amongst themselves. "I will let you carry on with your work. I have to get back to class."

"Oh, right sorry to keep ya'." He waved and was turning to go. "Sorry Sensei, but would ya' like to go to dinner later after ya' get out?" He whispered it but it was still probably loud enough for the students to hear.

She heard some muffled sounds from the class and knew they had all heard him say it. She closed her eyes but decided to say yes. "I can meet you after school get out. I might be a little later though since I have a lesson I need to grade." At that she turned pointed looks at all her students who quickly turned their gazes to their books.

"Oh sure! Oh sure, darlin' I will be waiting for ya' no matter how long it takes." He had a wide grin.

"Bye-bye!" She waved before heading back into class. She began class as she watched him leave from the corner of her eye. "Alright everyone did all of you write down everything on the board?"

She looked at everyone who were smiling at her nodding their heads. She carried on explaining the class when she heard one of her students begin to whisper. "She could do a lot better than that obese man." Began a young girl while her back was turned. "He may be a hero, but she is too pretty for him. They would look out of place."

"You can already tell she only said yes, because she was pressured into it." Said another boy.

Putting down her dry-erase marker she turned to the class. "Alright everyone I would like to give a lesson really quick. It does not really pertain to English, but I will give you a saying we have down there that I'm not sure I've heard here." She looked at everyone not yet sure who had been whispering but addressing the entire class. "The saying goes: actions speak louder than words. In this case it's not really words but appearance." She looked back at her board and sighed, "I know many of you have probably been judged before for your appearance. Maybe your clothes are not the nicest or the more expensive brands. Maybe your hair is not cooperating with you... or perhaps you have a quirk that makes you look different or perhaps you don't even have one." she fisted her hands and sighed, "Please just let their actions and their behavior help you make better judgements of people rather of the way they look."

"Nicely said."

She jerked, startled a bit as she found her boss Mr. Ito standing at the entrance with his hands behind his back. "I was just walking by when I heard such a nice lesson from you."

She bowed, "I apologize I know it isn't my duty to-"

"No. I welcome it." He said with a smile. "But you may continue with your lesson. I am sure your students will perhaps take into consideration your words."

She bowed once again as he walked off with that same smile.

He'd been waiting for her to the entrance of the school. He had told Kirishima that he was thankful he had encouraged him to ask her out. He texted the boy and told him that she had accepted finally. He congratulated him and sent him a thumbs up sticker.

He was sitting down at a bench close by while eating a snack due to his nervousness and quirk. He was feeling shy and a little troubled. He had heard what her students had been whispering. He hadn't fully left having wanted to hear her voice as she taught for just a little longer when she heard her stop her lesson to give another life lesson. He hadn't been the only one listening since he was accompanied by the short older gentleman who had been listening with a smile on his face. "I see why you have taken a liking to her." He spoke softly before entering the class.

He had been embarrassed he had been found out listening to her that he quickly took off and headed to his office. He had been so out of it all day. He was on cloud nine the whole time as he replayed her words in his head. It had only been until Sun Eater had tugged on his sleeve looking a bit concerned.

"Ya'?"

"You've been out of it all day. A-are you okay?"

"OH! Yes. Yes. I'm fine. Sorry to worry ye'."

"You sure?"

"Yup, just... I have a date later and I just can't believe it."

"You h-have a d-d-date?"

He nodded, "I finally got the courage to ask her out. I will be seeing her after school is out."

"Good for you!" He smiled hugely. "We all know you had been having a hard time bringing ourselves to do it."

"Well I did it and I feel like the luckiest man ever."

"She is beautiful." He was surprised to hear him say that. "Shouldn't you get ready to go. Its almost time for school to be let out."

He looked at the time and realized he was right. He hadn't even gone home to change into civilian clothes. He hurried off to the lockers and changed to his spare clothes he kept there but was upset they were not the best change. It was practically the same with a dark shirt instead of his usual hoodie.

That was how he got to the bench where he was waiting for her now. He was still confused as to what he wanted to do. Should he take her out to eat? But then what? He had blanked out all day he didn't even plan anything out.

"Hello Mr. Hero." he heard her sweet voice and he stood up quick standing taller than her. She smiled up at him her eyes shining like those milky moon-like jewels.

"Good work Sensei."

"Thank you, you too Mr. Hero."

He smiled hugely, "I'm so sorry to invite ya' out when ya' are probably tired and want to rest." He thought about it. "If this is inconvenient for you, we can reschedule."

Placing a hand on his arm she shook her head, "Don't worry I really don't have anything planned. I rather spend time with you than spend my time alone."

"Oh?" He didn't like the sound of that. "I wouldn't want ye' to be alone if ya' don't like. You could call me and if I'm free we can hang out or grab a bite to eat."

"Thank you that sounds good." She looked ahead and then turned to him again, "So where we going?"

"I'm really sorry but I didn't really plan this date out. So how about I take you to my favorite restaurant?"

She nodded, "Sure thing, but would you mind if I bring this home first?" She pointed at her briefcase. "It's close by."

He nodded, "Of course!"

She began leading the way for a while both of them were silent. She was quietly gazing up at the sky. It was still light out, but the sun had begun to set, painting the sky in vibrant colors. He didn't mind the silence since he enjoyed watching her. Her pale hair and eyes a huge contrast to her darker skin color. He'd been silently watching her when she turned those beautiful jewel-like eyes to him. "Tell me. What does a pro-hero like you do for fun?"

He scratched the back of his head, "Aside from work. I like treating my side-kicks out to eat and well, I like trying out new places to eat, since I have to continuously eat for my quirk might as well try new things and enjoy them."

She laughed, "Of course! You have to enjoy your craft. What type of life would it be if you hated...your quirk."

He caught the pause in her words and figured it was that perhaps she hadn't been able to find the right words to express herself, but then again she had been so well versed he felt it was something else. "I feel like your quirk would have something to do with the moon." She jerked and stiffened at the mention of it. "Since I feel like you give off such a serene feeling." then he laughed a bit awkwardly noticing how tense she looked.

She turned and faced him, her eyes searching him for a moment before smiling up at him a bit strained, "You think so?" She gave him a strained chuckle as she looked away for a moment only to return to face him with a plastered smile he was used to seeing now.

He wanted to ask if maybe talking about quirks was making her uncomfortable. Was she quirk less maybe? If so, he had royally screwed up. He was thinking about something to say when she seemed to get skipped. "Change of plans that we just made." she turned to him, walking backwards. "How about we stop at the corner store and buy stuff to make at home?"

He nodded quickly without hesitation; liking how it sounded her saying home instead of my home. It made him feel like they lived together. He wanted to go to her house and see her dwelling, but then he remembered who he was and just how much he really ate. "I'll pay for everything."

"You don't have to do that. I invited you over."

"Ya' forget I invited you first."

Her eyebrow lifted and she slowly nodded, "Toche." She gestured with a nod of her head toward the bright white store. "What would you like? I have been taking cooking courses, so I am somewhat confident with making traditional foods. If you like I can try and make anything...if I have a recipe, I can make it."

"I could help. I am good in the kitchen too."

For the first time he had known her she smiled genuinely. "You are on." She hurriedly went to the convenient store and she grabbed a basket that he quickly took over. She looked at him with surprise but only smiled after while he started to add ingredients to the cart and she too looked around for her own ingredients.

She found a few items to make a steak fajita and was thankful that the store carried various spices. She couldn't find any tortillas, but she did find flour to make handmade flour tortillas. She found some ingredients to make salsa.

He paid for everything which made her even more determined to make the best dinner she could.

Allowing him entry into her home he ducked at the entrance as he was soo tall his head almost touched the ceiling. She didn't know what to do realizing that her roof was a bit low and he seemed to have to duck his head down a bit. "Please let me cook and you can have a seat. I don't want you having to bend down and being all bent the entire time we cook."

"No worries. I'm use ta' it. Most places here in Japan are low so almost everywhere I go I have to watch my head." He gave her a toothy grin.

"You sure? I am sure with the food I make might be enough for both?"

He looked at her then a ton of reusable bags they had full of ingredients. "I'm sure darlin'."

She nodded, "Alright then come with me." She led the way to the kitchen, which was decent in size, but she worried that he might not like being so close to her. "Everything is in the cabinets you are more than welcome to look through for anything you may need."

She quickly excused herself and went into her room to change into a pair of soft cotton sweats and a t-shirt she used to sleep in. Tying her hair up she headed to the kitchen washing her hands quickly. "Sorry about that." Putting on a apron with hand-made embroidery from her father's people she began to pull out pans and skillets. "Have you ever had rice water?"

"Like Sake?"

She shook her head. "Sorry it's a Mexican drink called Horchata. I had actually left some rice soaking since this morning before I left for work so the rice would be soft and ready to blend." Pulling out a large pitcher from the fridge she got the blender and added the soaked rice and cinnamon sticks she had left to soak and blended it with the water she had soaked it in. While blending she added a can of evaporated and condensed milk and a cap of vanilla. Getting a strainer, she placed it on the pitcher and strained the liquid from the remaining bits of rice. She added more water and milk and just added a bit more sugar to taste.

"Looks like milk."

She nodded, "Try it." She filled up a glass for him and handed it to him while in the meantime she started to pull out garlic onion and peppers for the steak fajitas. She began to prepare the meat when she heard him behind her appreciating the drink. "Good isn't it?" She turned to face him and gave him a smile. "It's my favorite!"

"You will have to give me your ingredients so I can make this again." He said as he polished of his drink.

"I don't mind. But then again I can make it for you anytime you'd like." She pulled out the cutting board without even thinking about her reply. She got to chopping when she realized he had gone quiet and looked up to find him watching her with a blush on his face.

He cleared his throat. "Uh- I should probably start cooking too."

She smiled. "Have you ever had Mexican rice?"

"I don't think I have."

"Well you are in luck. My father is Mexican, and his side of the family taught me all the traditions and the delicious food." She pulled out the two skillets and began to add the oil for both her courses. He began to cook moving with efficiency and without wasted movements. He had seemed stuck as to what he was doing that she smiled at him while she cooked. He slowly began to prepare his side of dinner. He had actually bought so much food to fill up her fridge but in the end, he settled for just making miso soup. Which she had come to enjoy.

She moved to and fro while cooking that she brushed against him a couple times. Sometimes knowing that she would brush up against him and would put a hand on his back to let him know she was passing behind him so he wouldn't bump into her as she went.

She loved to cook. In her family she had been so used to having a full kitchen with many people doing this and that and she felt comforted by it. She had missed this so much. He had such a warm comforting feel to him that she immediately felt so at home with him. "Usually in my family when we get together and cook like this. We usually have music playing and if it's not dangerous sometimes we end up dancing or singing." She turned to him and smiled genuinely. It had felt like she hadn't smiled like that in a long time.

With her hands deep mixing the flour mixture for tortillas she began to hum and old melody.

"I'm so glad you seem to be really enjoying yourself." He spoke softly. "I really thought you would have reservations with me here."

She turned to him and realized the blush on his face was darker, but he seemed absolutely thankful.

"I probably should. But you give me such a peaceful feeling. Though at the beginning I was weary." She continued to knead her mixture. "I haven't had the best relationship with hero's before and for some reason I always end up getting into trouble with them." She said honestly.

"You've told me you are not a villain are you?" He asked.

She silently kneaded her mixture weighing whether to tell him everything honestly. "I am not a villain and have not hurt anyone or done anything questionable before..." She paused and thought about how to word it better. "Well to myself anyway."

"What do you mean."

She sighed, "Where I come from, I always attracted the eyes of heroes." she gestured at herself with flour caked hands. "I am very noticeable." he nodded, "Well heroes always flocked to me like flies and though I had always loved the attention...that attention began to harbor bad vibes when I paid more attention to certain people and not others. I apparently have and aura that causes people to fight over me and it becomes difficult when good people begin to fight each other because of me. It's to the point that it's not normal. I believe it might be something with my quirk, but I do not know. I don't intend for people to fight over me or even get my attention. I have just always wanted to live a normal life. But everywhere I went it surely happened. I had to distance myself from my family and friends since they saw me as the cause of all their bad luck."

"Is that the reason why you had been so reserved when we first met?"

"I'm like that with everyone."

"I thought you didn't like me cause of my height and size. I thought I intimidated you or grossed you out."

"No of course not! I could never judge anyone by appearance. That would be so hypocritical of my part. Judging others like I have been judged. NO! You are a hero and the people at had more issues with were heroes. They were all so vain and wanted attention and praise more than they saved people and they were the cruelest when wanting my attention. They made it seem like it was my honor to talk to them and when I declined, they made me the villan and I didn't want to go through that here."

"Heroes did that to you?"

"Fame can be like a type of drug. It makes people vain and as if they are on top of everyone else. So, when someone turns people like that down many do not know how to handle that and causes problems." She shrugged, "Everyone said it was my quirk. My quirk to turn good people and evil beings. So, if it's true I tend to stay away from heroes regardless."

"I'm sorry ya' had to go through that."

"It's fine. I just live my life the best way I can, but that's it there's nothing more I can do."

"You shouldn't have to do that. You should live your life to the fullest. Do things you like without hesitation."

"Thanks." She turned back to her flour mixture and began to make the tortillas.

Silence filled the kitchen once again, but he didn't seem to want it to stay that way. The food was finally ready, and she served giant portions for him and quickly set up the table with the food. They spoke about the weather about how she was doing at work, but she had seen him fidgeting for a while now and was just waiting for the true words he wished to say.

Cleaning up was another thing done by both. He helped her dry the dishes while she washed them. Still she waited for him to speak.

"You might find this upsetting or perhaps you will probably hate me." There it was. She did not say anything as she focused on listening to him. "But since the moment I met you I fell in love with you." she felt her body stiffen but she kept the sudsy cup from slipping from her hands. "I know you don't want to hear this, but it's the truth. I figured at first it was because you were so beautiful, but then I heard you speak about not judging others based on their looks and I knew that my eyes hadn't deceived my heart. I knew I was in love with you."

She opened her mouth to say something. What she didn't know so she pressed her lips into a tight line.

"I have always been judged before due to my size and height. No matter if all I want to do is help and save people. It is hard when people treat you like nothing just because you are not attractive."

'You-"

He stopped her with a smile, "You very well know how people judge others by looks. So I was thankful as I am at this moment when I heard you say that you should let actions build the character not the looks. I was so happy you weren't embarrassed to be seen with me."

Wiping down her hands she moved closer to him and slowly hugged him. "Could you hold me too?" She asked after a while of him just standing there shocked and his hands were just hoovering over her unsure of whether to hug her back. He was so soft and comforting. He reminded her for a huge plushy that she had, but in this case, he felt warm pressed against her. "Thank you." She whispered gently while they hugged each other for a couple of minutes.

She broke off the hug first, "Please do not ever think that when you are with me." She said softly, "I'd hate to go out and have you believed you are not good enough to walk beside me. Because if anything it is me who is not good enough to walk beside you."

"No-"

"See?" she smiled, "Thank you so much for spending time with me. I really enjoyed our dinner date."

"D-date?"

"Isn't that what this is?" She cocked her head to the side, "If it isn't maybe we should set up a real date and use those ingredients you bought next time."

"You're inviting me over again?"

"Would you not like to?"

Y-yes!"

"It's a date." she smiled and looked up at the clock. "I didn't realize it was that late. Perhaps you have something scheduled. Or have to get up early it might be time for you to go."

"I... yes." he replied looking at how late it had gotten and realized she still had work tomorrow and so did he. "Would you allow me to ask for you contact information?"

"Yeah sure." She grabbed his phone he was handing to her and added her number. "Is it okay if I contact you tomorrow after school?"

"Contact me later when you get home that way, I know you made it home safe."

His whole demeaner brightened up so much. He reminded her of the sun, and this was icing on the cake. "I will thank you have a good night!"

"Have a safe trip home. Goodnight." She walked him to the door and stayed there until he was out of her view.