Now was the time to make a change, Tsuyu believed.
She could feel her heart race, it had been so long since she did anything new. She shuffled through catalogs for hours on end, seeking out some kind of hobby. It was her day off and the summer heat was sweltering. Clad in a sports bra and tiny sweat shorts, it was far from decent, let alone something she'd be willing to walk about the streets in. Her face covered in an exfoliating mask, her hair tied into a messy bun, she was having a lazy day as she wiped the sweat off her brow. She reached for her phone scrolling through random contacts.
'Mina...' her eyes stopped on a familiar name.
She tapped on the screen, overthinking an opening greeting.
Tsuyu: Hey.
Mina: What's up, Tsu!
Tsuyu: Nothing much… I was looking for a new hobby.
Mina: Oh? What did you have in mind?
Tsuyu: I don't know. Do you still teach that dance class?
Mina: Weekends only, hon. Wanna join?
Tsuyu: Yeah.
I feel like it might be a good change of pace.
Mina: Well you better get ready girl. you're gonna work up a sweat!
Today at 2:30, Let's Get Crazy!
Tsuyu smiled at her screen, all of Mina's text messages were littered with emojis. It was like she'd always been. She exited out of the conversation, looking for other friends to invite. Habuko was first on the list. The snake girl was first on her list, quickly typing out an invitation. She was getting pumped, maybe after this they'd have a girl's day. Tsuyu scurried to her closed looking for baggy clothes for mobility, tossing out most of her wardrobe in the process. She finally found some old sweatpants she used to train in. The faded navy from countless wash cycles, it was obvious what these pants were, her old U.A. training suit. She dug deeper into the closet looking for its matching jacket, she spotted a box in the corner, pulling it out of the closet and opening it. She found the jacket underneath a set of books, it was in much better condition than the pants, still a vibrant navy with bright red and white accents. She quickly put on the clothing, slipping in with little resistance. It still fit for the most part, though if anything it hugged her curves more, especially around her hips, thighs and chest.
Looking at herself in the mirror she was reminded of a comment from another former classmate, Minoru Mineta. Something to the extent of the fact that she had "filled out". She had ignored his appraisal of her looks, but seeing her old uniform now, it was pretty obvious that she did. She noted the impression of her underwear peeking through her clothes, maybe should wear something less noticeable. 'Thank goodness Mina's dance class was only available to women' she thought fishing out a thong from her underwear drawer. At least when she wore these under her costume, there was no risk of it showing, it was another deal to thing to have it out and about while she was dancing. She quickly packed her bag hustling out the door.
Bakugo was stubborn for sure.
He was allowed a week's rest to recoup, yet here he was back by two days, albiet two days and most of a third one. Already clad in his costume, he marched down the hall of the hero's office. Despite being a regularly seen face in the building, most people, especially the younger heroes avoided him. He gave sidelong glances to the other members of the office, many scurrying away as he spotted them. One young man however sat oblivious to the world around him. A shaggy haired hero with a wild look in his eyes, he looked like his mind was miles away.
Even as Katsuki approached, the man hummed as if nothing out of the ordinary was going on. Tapping his foot on the ground, he played to an indecipherable beat.
"Oi" Katsuki stopped in front of the man.
But the man didn't listen, continuing to perform for himself.
"You!" Katsuki raised his voice cutting the man's rhythm with a sweep of his leg.
"WHOA!" the man tripped up, falling back, slamming into a wall and slumping down.
"Oh… What gives." the man looked up with a lazy gaze. He rubbed his back, his mouth still agape.
"You. Name. Now." Katsuki spoke with authority, stomping a foot in front of the man.
"Tatsuya Yogan." Tatsuya's voice was breathy and low, but his eyes were defiant.
"Hero name, you idiot… When you're on the clock you are the costume." Katsuki chopped the lad's head.
"Magma Drake. What's it to you, Ground Zero." Tatsuya smirked.
"I'm going on patrol. You're coming with me newbie. I got a bum hand, and you get to be my assistant." Katsuki dragged Tatsuya up with his good arm.
"I'm game… I've seen how the ladies look at ya. Just don't go scaring them off." Tatsuya chuckled to himself nonchalantly patting his superior on the back. "Let's hit the road."
"Whoa, whoa, Hold it. Where are you going? Suit up, this isn't some undercover crap." Katsuki grabbed Tatsuya by the collar.
"This is my super suit man."
"What? These rags?" He scanned the young man. He clutched a loose piece of cloth
"Don't diss the duds man."
Katsuki rolled his eyes. "Whatever, just stick nearby and don't look too stupid."
"Play it cool… Got it, boss."
Katsuki was starting to regret his decision.
The city streets was bustling, the summer sun blazed on. Katsuki and Tatsuya walked along the sun scorched sidewalk. People pass by the unusual sight, sneaking peeks at the ever intimidating Ground Zero and the slovenly Magma Drake working together. The younger man tried to no avail to make conversation, to the elder's chagrin. Whenever he wasn't trying to speak, he whistled and hummed.
Katsuki whistled back at him, like an owner calling his pet. They neared a crowded area "Shut it, Magma. Look ahead." he pointed at a man from across the way. "That dude looks suspicious. Keep an eye on him." Katsuki's eyes narrowed. And as if on cue, the man snatched a woman's purse shoving her to the ground.
"Get goin', kid! I'll cut him off!" Katsuki immediately launched himself upwards with a single hand explosion. Twisting in the air, he landed at the other side of the crowd. "Gotcha!" he roared stepping forward. The criminal feinted right, juked left. Katsuki over extended his right hand, causing a jolt of pain. He winced pulling back almost losing the man.
"Shit..." He cursed, gritting his teeth.
"On it!" Magma Drake zoomed by, seemingly surfing on a flame. The heat under his feet burnt the concrete below. He hopped forward with a burst of flames, flipping around into a diving kick. "Erupting Arrow!" He shouted, using a jet of fire sprouting from his hands, pushing him ahead. He connected with the man's back, knocking him over. The man caught himself quickly, once again running in a new direction. Katsuki returned with an explosive charge, once again getting in front of the man. He pivoted midair, using the force of his explosion to deliver a crushing lariat slamming the man onto his back. He grabbed the purse, prying it from his fingers.
"Magma, get this back that woman. And make it quick." Katsuki ordered, grabbing the man by the collar. "I'll take this asshat." he dragged the man with his good arm. He mumbled and grumbled all the way until Tatsuya returned.
"Yo man, nice moves. But you should've come with me, that miss was a total babe." Katsuki rolled his eyes at the younger man's comment. "Plus she slipped me her number." he grinned.
"No playing when you're on the clock." Katsuki dropped the criminal at the nearest police post.
"Oh man. Never thought you'd be such a stick in the mud..."
"What was that?" Katsuki turned eyeing him threateningly.
"I said, you're a total killjoy, boss." Tatsuya returned the look.
"You lookin' for a fight?"
"I'd be in trouble if I couldn't take a guy with one good arm."
"Well call me trouble, cause one arm is all I need." Katsuki huffed.
"Try me." Tatsuya stood defiant, spreading his arms. The look in his eyes wasn't consistent as he cracked a smile. Howling in laughter his entire demeanor changed. "My bad boss. I just couldn't keep a straight face." he gasped for breath.
Katsuki just couldn't stay angry. He huffed walking ahead. It was like having a younger brother, an annoying one he never wanted. They continued their patrol with Magma constantly trying to make conversation, only on occasion would Katsuki humor the lad.
"Come on boss. You've never used the fame for benefits? No discounts at a local restaurant, no pick-up lines at the club, nothing?"
"No. After your first year, you realize that this is a responsibility. If you want to be the best, public image is a part of it. And being intimidating is much better than being the subject of controversy. Remember that." Katsuki lectured keeping an ever watchful eye scanning the masses.
"But what the hell do you do when you're off work then?"
"Eat. Sleep. Train. I've got no time to be gallivanting."
"No way. You got to have a life outside the costume. How do you even live?" Katsuki's patience was wearing thin, the man's constant questions aggravating his already short fuse. "A no-lifer like that, obviously you're frustrated." the implication of a special kind of 'frustration' got him even worse. "Man, why don't you get laid for once." He shrugged.
"Hey why don't you go fu-..." Katsuki turned to the man, seeing over his shoulder to a familiar face.
Tsuyu was on her way home from the dance class. It turned out Habuko already regularly joined Mina's class and the three were on route to a new restaurant, Habuko suggested. She hadn't noticed him, but Mina sure had. She tapped Tsuyu's shoulder calling her attention, Pointing at the men. She smiled and waved approaching the pair.
"Yo, Bakugo. Workin' hard?" Mina beamed, her wild nest of hair even bigger than it was back in high school.
"What do you want, Ashido. I'm still working." His squinted at her, brow furrowed and lips down-turned.
"Nothin' much. Me and the girls are headin' to that new place down by the station." She smiled, ignoring his bad mood. "So who's the fresh meat?" Mina leaned over spotting Magma Drake. A smirk formed on his lips, he began shamelessly flirting with the pink woman.
"Hold it kid. Check the finger, I'm off the market." She winked playfully, displaying the band on her ring finger. "And you, Bakugo. You know my name won't Ashido soon enough. Some best man you turned out to be." She rolled her eyes. Hopping back in front of him, "That's Mina, KI-RI-SHI-MA to you." she pointed at him. He clicked his tongue. "I didn't say I'd accept."
"That's a shame, Bakugo. I assumed more of you." Tsuyu cut in scolding the man. "So get this Mina. Big bad Bakugo here and I go drinking from time to time..." Tsuyu cupped her hand around her mouth despite being audible.
"Whoa Tsu. You drink?"
"Not much but that's besides the point. We go drinking and all I'll say is that he's a total softie. In fact, he-." She continued.
"Hold it!" Katsuki grabbed the hood of Tsuyu's jacket attempting to be threatening. "What we say when we drink stays there, Got that." The force of his tug pulling the zipper down. The sweat glistened on her body and the angle of the cloth revealed a sight only for Katsuki's eyes. His subordinate's comment of 'frustration' still in his mind. He turned away immediately.
"Whatever! Magma, we're leaving." Katsuki ordered dragging the young man away.
Habuko glared at the retreating form, Mina giggled. Tsuyu was confused.