Trigger Warning:

- panic attack

- implied drug abuse

Ten minutes before the new chauffeur drops me to the school, I wait in the foyer of the mansion.

I am excited.

And not in the good way.

My nerves are jittering.

My breath comes out unsteadily.

My hands wrap themselves around each other, clenching and releasing.

I was dreading what awaited me when I arrived at the mansion. A punishment? Many punishments? A beating? Many beatings? Hanada-sama had waited for me by the door and ushered me into his office the moment I stepped in. He did not even give me a chance to change out of my training uniform. Before me was a plush couch and coffee table. This section of the office was reserved for him and his private guests when they would drink late into the night. However, in place of bottles of saké or shochu, there were cakes of all kinds. Slices of butter, pound, sponge, genoise, biscuit, angel food, chiffon, carrot, chocolate, ice cream, red velvet, and cheesecakes. My suspicion and ravenous appetite were aroused instantly at the sight of this heavenly cornucopia, but for the moment, my distrust superseded my hunger. This was so unlike Hanada-sama. Since my fifth birthday, he had never treated me to sweets with his own hand.

Is this a new form of torture? The thought arose as he beckoned me to sit down. "Which one would you like? You may choose whichever you want." I did not make a move. I simply stared at him with unhidden cynicism. "Selene, I will only repeat myself once more. Sit down." There's the Hanada-sama I know. Very slowly, I sat down. He took to the sofa just beside me. "Now pick up a slice and start eating."

"What have you laced them with?" I asked him. "Alucino? Rohypnol? GHB? Or perhaps something simpler, like strong alcohol? This wouldn't be the first time you've done that."

He gives a look of mock astonishment. "Selene, please. I specifically requested the cooks to prepare your favorite dishes. I know how much you adore sweets." Well, clearly you don't know enough. Otherwise, you would have told the cooks to not put tree nut crumble on the cakes. When I still did not make an attempt to eat the cake, he huffed in frustration and took a plate himself. He ate it slowly, locking eyes with me the entire time. When he finished, he declared exasperatedly, "There. No drugs, no alcohol, no poison at all. Now eat. Do not keep me waiting any longer."

I understood the threat and reached for the plate nearest me, the one with the red velvet cake. I nibbled on it. It tasted as red velvet cakes should. I detected neither the odor nor taste of alcohol. After every few bites, I paused to check whether I felt woozy or was hallucinating. Nothing whatsoever. I finished the last of the cake. "Why this treatment? I'm sure you must know by now that I did not rank in the Top Three."

He slid another plate in my direction, and I took it obediently. "I know that you did not. I watched the Festival the entire time. Good thinking to remain inconspicuous at the start and truly use your quirk in the last event. Those rose and rainbow stunts were excellently pulled off. The company phone rang nonstop with heroes wanting a meeting with you and me. I had started to believe that you would actually meet my expectations." It sounded so strange to hear praise coming from his mouth. He even spoke pleasantly. "But then your match with Endeavor's son happened." His tone shifted menacingly. Mmm. That's more like it. "Initially, I was furious. I concocted new methods to discipline you when you would return home. However, I saw how tenderly that boy behaved toward you. The manner in which he held your arms, the care with which he took you away from the crowd. You told me that he was just an acquaintance, but no acquaintance helps a stranger so affectionately as he did."

"So will you or will you not punish me for lying to you?" I could not comprehend where Hanada-sama was going with this.

"I wanted to. You deserved it. However, apparently, this behavior was not only strange to me but to his father as well."

Now more afraid, I prompted, "What do you mean?"

"After the medal ceremony, Endeavor called my secretary. He is interested to meet the Hanada family, and possibly form a partnership. We have yet to set a time, date, and location, but he has taken a particular curiosity to you."

I coughed on the cake. As I sat, stunned in silence, my thoughts spiraled like a tempest. Just what have I done to garner the attention of such a man? I'm already living with four males who terrorize me night and day, and now this. My life at school and my life in this mansion are drawing closer. My friendship with Todoroki-kun, my abuse here, what if I let something slip? The repercussions ... they're unimaginable. Not only would I be endangering myself, I could harm Todoroki-kun, too.

It seemed as though Hanada-sama read part of my thoughts. "It should go without saying, but a little reminder won't hurt. Selene, be careful around him. He must not get an inkling of what goes on in this manor. The police have reported Scorpion as officially presumably dead, but I think he escaped to not complete his end of the deal, that bastard. What a waste of time it was! But Endeavor's interest is a golden opportunity, and I won't let it slip from my grasp. Understand, Selene?"

"I-I understand."

"Good. I heard that there is a party tomorrow night. You know what to do." It was a clear dismissal, and I took the cue instantly. I couldn't reach the bedroom fast enough. Frantic, I struggled to open the bathroom door and lock myself in.

And here I am now, just as frantic as before.

The chauffeur is ready. Before I depart, I glance at myself in one of the parlour mirrors. I am wearing a princess line floor-length gown. Colored onyx black with full sleeves, decorated with white seed pearl plumerias, matched with onyx black satin gloves and lace choker, I feel ... powerful. Proud. I take comfort in this to ease my nerves. The foyer lights reflect off my silver faerie ear shells. My white hair is coiled into a tendril twist bun and adorned with blue hydrangeas, which only adds to this effect. Perhaps the effect should be diminished with my rectangular spectacles, but I don't feel it lessening.

When I arrive at the party, all sentiments of pride and dare vanish.

I'm going to be meeting with Todoroki-kun soon. Can I do it? After what Hanada-sama told me, will I be able to interact him with him as I usually do? I already revealed too much when I talked about my suicide. He already has so much on his plate, and I simply added onto that. Such a wonderful best friend I am! ... Curse my luck, he's seen me!

Desperately, I try to retain my composure. Gratefully, when he is close enough, my expression is collected. "Good evening, Todoroki-kun," I greet calmly.

"Hello to you too, Hanada-chan." He takes my outfit in as I take in his. He is wearing a white tuxedo with a black dress shirt. I notice that he is with a tie this time - azure - and his cuff links are stones of a matching shade. He does dress well for any occasion. "What a coincidence! We're overdressed and matching again. How about it? Shall we two misfits join?" He extends his arm, so I can loop mine through.

I take it without hesitation. "Once is happenstance. Two is coincidence. Three is a pattern. If such perfect color coordination happens once more, it must be fate. But I will gladly accompany you. Where to? The food counter?"

"Where else?" And he pulls me with him.

We laugh the entire way like we have no care in the world. When was the last time I was this carefree? He adjusts my grip on his arm so that I am fully hugging his.

There is an assortment of dishes, more than what was at the welcome party. Todoroki-kun releases himself from my grip to - predictably - go to the cold soba. Meanwhile, I fill one plate with only sweets and the other with, well, non-sweets. Due to my agoraphobia, I nervously glance around, looking for an empty and secluded table, when he beckons to me toward the tables reserved for the qualifiers. There are three of them, separated a decent distance from the others. Like a proper gentleman, Todoroki-kun pulls a seat for me and pushes it back. He looks at the plate of sweets and sighs fondly.

"What? No comment about the adverse effects of sugar on my health? You already used diabetes. How about cavities? Or skin inflammation, cardiovascular disease, weight gain? Perhaps worsening arthritis?" I jest.

But he doesn't take it as so. "Actually, yeah. Why do you eat so much sugar when you know that it will deteriorate your joints even more?"

I stare at the daifuku between my chopsticks and smile wistfully. "I know that it's bad for me, and I should stop. But sugar makes me happy, even for a moment. Sugar raises dopamine levels, inducing the feelings of pleasure and content. I find so little of that in my life that I resort to this poison to find some. ... It's cathartic. It's addicting." He gazes at me just as sadly. You're so foolish, Selene! You just burdened him even more. Desperate, I change the topic. "Did you visit your mother?"

It doesn't work the way I intended it to because he answers my question with a question of his own: "Do you miss your parents?" I make an incoherent sound of astonishment. He elaborates, "When you spoke to me about seeing my mom, I got the impression that you did not have one. In fact, never have I heard you mention your mom."

I hesitate for a long time. "Are you sure you want to know?"

"Yeah. That is, if it's all right with you."

I take a deep breath. "I was orphaned at birth. To me, my birth parents are simply the people who brought me into this world. I don't miss them per se, but I miss the idea of them. Often, I've wondered what it would be like if they were alive. As for my adoptive father, he has been divorced long before he took me in."

"I understand the feeling very well," he comments. "I had another older brother. Actually, oldest brother. But he died when I was young, so I don't have many memories of him. Although, occasionally, I imagine what life would be like if he were here. Every year on his birthday, I light incense for him," He reaches over to grasp my hand. "Thank you for telling me, Hanada-chan." I blush as I whisper that he is welcome. Smiling more happily this time, he says, "And yeah. I did meet my mom. In fact, I did just a few hours ago."

"Oh! How did it go, if I may inquire?"

"It was emotional, but it was a start. We might meet again soon. She wanted me to give you her thanks for giving me courage."

"That was not needed, but I appreciate it all the same."

So he's already told his parent about me, and mine heard from external sources. Perhaps that explains why our moods are different. Speaking of parents, I feel very uncomfortable.

"Hey, is everything okay? You don't look so great," he observes.

"Hmm? I'm fine. Just the crowd and noise, you know? It's a little bothersome," I say as my excuse, which isn't entirely wrong.

But he is not convinced. "Hanada-chan, you can be secretive and mysterious all you want, but your eyes are revealing. They're clear like the ocean. Like a mirror."

"Both hide many secrets," I counter.

"Not entirely. As much as they try to hide, they reflect a glimmer of those secrets, and that glimmer cannot be disguised. Right now, your eyes are telling me that there is something bothering you. Something more than agoraphobia. I want to know what it is, if you feel comfortable telling me."

Might as well tell him now because the topic will come up sooner or later. "My father told me that yours would like to visit my home."

"And after all that I've told you about him, you're nervous. That's justifiable," Todoroki-kun comments. "My dad told me about it today. He was inquisitive because he wouldn't stop asking me questions about you. He claimed that he found my behavior toward you during the festival bizarre. I thought he wanted to use you to influence me, so I told him that I would accompany him whenever he decided to go. This way I can figure out his intentions and have an excuse to see you." It goes unspoken, but the idea that I should be cautious with what I say to Endeavor is there nevertheless. So I have dangers from both sides that I will face if I make a mistake. Stressed, I eat another daifuku. "I'm going to get some baum rolls. Want some?" he asks, thankfully unaware of my mood change.

"Sure. Thank you." He leaves to do as he says. I take a deep breath to calm my nerves, but it is at this moment that someone decides to jump at the opportunity of an unattended girl sitting at a table for two. Said someone is Bakugou-san. This party just keeps getting better. He plops himself into the chair that Todoroki-kun was sitting in earlier, none too gently. I watch all of this through my peripheral vision as I continue eating and staring at my plate. I'll keep him waiting a little while. After a minute, I do glance up to see him slouching to the side and furiously tapping a finger on the tabletop. I was incorrect when I thought Todoroki-kun and I were the only ones dressed formally. Bakugou-san wears a maroon tuxedo shirt and trousers with a matching burgundy waistcoat. His tie is a shade between the two, embroidered with tiles of gold thread. All this is accentuated with his blood-red eyes. He looks dashing, even with his pointed hair. "Good evening, Bakugou-san," I address him coolly.

"Let's talk Salt-and-Pepper," is his unabashed response.

I cough on my water and sputter, "Salt-and-Pepper? Where did you come up with that nickname?"

"Your hair, obviously. Black during the day, white during the night, and gradient during twilight. It's salt-and-pepper hair on a different level."

"I suppose it's better than 'Three Legs.' What did you want to talk about?" I ask as I wipe the water with a handkerchief.

"About the Sports Festival. Our declaration of war," he replies.

I finish wiping and stare at him coldly. Setting down the handkerchief, I respond to his statement with a question of my own. "What more needs to be said? You made it to soothe your hurting ego, and we did not get a chance to act on it."

"We should have. You and Deku are the only ones who challenged me, and while I'm settling the score with him, you and I need to settle our score as well."

"So it's still a matter of ego. I must admit that my pride is a little hurt, hearing that I'm not your one and only antagonist."

"Both of you have different reasons, so don't bother comparing yourself to him," Bakugou-san huffs. "He wants to become Number One just like I do, but you want me to acknowledge that you're as good as me."

I raise an incredulous eyebrow at that. "Are you telling me that I'm less ambitious than Midoriya-san?"

He growls in frustration. "When did I say that? I'm saying that you have different ambitions than Deku, but no less." When I do not drop my cold gaze, he amends, "Fine. You're more ambitious than him. There, happy?"

"Satisfied for the time being."

He groans, "You're so annoyingly difficult. You just wanted to hear your praise from my lips, didn't you?"

I smirk in acquiescence. "Just a little sweet revenge for soothing my pride. However, we should come back to the point. What do you mean by 'settling our score?'"

"We're settling it as we speak," Bakugou-san comments. At my perplexed narrow gaze, he elaborates, "You and I won't have a match of quirks like I had initially planned. We're going to have a match of tongues. You're a smart alec, and I've got a dirty mouth. Let's make a bet and see who beats the other in this battle of wits. If you win, I'll acknowledge your strength. The day I stop calling you nicknames will be my defeat. But if I win ... you'll praise me and declare that you are nowhere as good as I am. Publicly."

I'm intrigued. "How long will this bet last?"

"Until the end of the school year."

"That's a very long time. Why this particular bet?"

"You're arrogant, and so am I. So why not gamble on it? Besides, there's nothing more appetizing than the damaged pride of an arrogant loser to an arrogant winner, and I am eager to savor yours." He gets up and parts with, "Looking forward to the bantering. Hope it's not just your hair that's spicy."

You underestimate how much I relish the same dish. Not one to let someone else have the last word, I call out to his retreating figure, "Me too. Pray that it's not just your hair that has thorns."

It could be my imagination, but I believe I heard a snort in response.

Todoroki-kun returns with the baum rolls and plenty of other dishes. He arrives just in time to see Bakugou-san seating himself in one of the other two reserved tables. "What did he want?"

"Nothing much. We started to play a game," I reply nonchalantly. One of these days, my addiction for bargains, bets, and deals is going to exert its karmic vengeance on me.

Todoroki-kun gives me a confused glance, to which I simply smile in assurance.

But I feel the furthest from assured as the energy of the party grows more chaotic.

Combined with earlier stress, I fear a panic attack will commence soon.

I have to excuse myself impromptu, immediately.

I leave a few hydrangea blooms on the table in my haste, leaving a baffled Todoroki-kun staring.

"Wait! It's okay! We'll go somewhere else!" he exclaims.

"I apologize, but I have to go now! I-it's too much!"

It's only when I reach the gazebo overlooking the lotus pond do I relax a bit, but it's not enough to stop the paralyzing wave of terror that comes washing over me.