A/N: I have an exciting announcement! Next Friday, I will be posting the first chapter of a My Hero Academia/Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir crossover titled The Four Horsemen. Stay tuned!

It was another day for Kacchan, only he felt a bit lighter as he walked into the office of the Genius Agency, and Kirishima took notice:

"Whoa, brother, you've got some extra pep in your step! Havin' a girl must really be workin' out for ya!"

Kacchan shrugged. "In the past, I wouldn't have wanted anything to do with dating, but I've been thinkin', and…well…I guess it's OK."

Kirishima patted Kacchan on the shoulder. "See? Anything's worth a shot!"

"By the way, I wanted to ask ya somethin'…"

"What?"

"I told Ashido that I was a friend of yours, and she wants to hang out with both of us."

Kirishima's eyes widened. "REALLY!? Hell yeah! Why don't we grab lunch today? I know this great fried chicken place in Avondale, on North Elston Ave."

Kacchan leaned a bit closer to Kirishima. "What's it called?"

"It's called 'Honey Butter Fried Chicken'."

Kacchan stroked his chin. "That sounds vaguely familiar for some reason, but it sounds like it'd be good."

Kirishima gave a thumbs up. "Glad to hear you're on board with it!"

Today was no ordinary day for Kacchan. Today, he was assigned to patrol with Kirishima, and while this wasn't his first time being paired with his best friend/soul brother, it felt better than any of the other times they'd gone out on patrol together, mainly because of Ashido. While the bomberanian still wasn't completely fond of her, he did enjoy her company nevertheless, and he was greatly looking forward not only to having lunch with both her and Kirishima, but also visiting her house. After a break in the action following a fight with a villain who could turn things into licorice, Kacchan texted Ashido:

"Hey Ashido, how's it going?"

Then, Ashido texted back:

"Not bad! How about you, honey? 😉😉😉😉"

"Not too bad. I talked with Red Riot, by the way."

"And? 🌸🌸🌸🌸"

"He says we should go out to lunch at Honey Butter Fried Chicken, on N Elston Ave. You want in?"

"Absolutely! 😻😻😻 See you there! 😽😽😽

Kacchan cracked a slight smile.

After rescuing victims from no less than three fires, Kacchan and Kirishima were off to Honey Butter Fried Chicken. In operation since 2013, the restaurant had not only garnered its fair share of positive press, but had even opened a second location in Section 115 on the main concourse of the United Center. As soon as Kacchan and Kirishima got there, so too did…

"YAY! You two made it!"

Ashido gave a big hug to Kirishima first before kissing Kacchan, who did his best to try not to pass out. His mind was telling him to do it, but he persisted, and he actually managed to not pass out, though by the time she was finished with him, he was absolutely red in the face and doing his damndest to catch his breath, which Ashido took notice of:

"You didn't pass out, but do you really think I'm that sexy?"

Kacchan nodded. "Absolutely drop-dead so."

"Awww, you're such a sweetie!"

Ashido gave Kacchan a big hug, which he happily returned, much to Kirishima's delight:

"Wow, it really warms my heart to see two of my best friends bein' so loving with each other!"

Ashido let go of Kacchan and turned to Kirishima: "I know! Isn't it incredible how people come together in the most unexpected ways?"

Kacchan crossed his arms. "Hey, are we gonna stand around yakkin' or are we gonna go in and eat?"

Ashido smiled. "OK! Don't get so hot-blooded!"

Kacchan, Ashido and Kirishima went inside, where they were greeted by a well-decorated spot with wooden flooring and a painting of a cityscape on one wall. On another wall were two maps – one of the USA, one of the rest of the world – both with various pins stuck in random parts, presumably indicating how far people had come for their fair share of this sinfully delectable chicken. As per a sign, the three heroes waited in line at the counter. Eventually, their turn came up.

"Hi, welcome to Honey Butter Fried Chicken!" said the guy at the counter, a brown-haired man of average height with a beard. "What can I get for you?"

Kacchan stepped up first. "I'll have the Honey Buffalo Chicken sandwich and a side of Pimento Mac 'n Cheese."

"OK, and for your drink?"

"I'll have a Tecate."

Ashido put her hand on Kacchan's shoulder. "Hey, I already told you we're not supposed to drink on duty!"

Kacchan sighed. "Fine, I'll have a 50/50."

"OK."

Ashido went next. "I'll have four pieces of fried chicken and some extra honey butter, please."

"OK, and for your drink?"

"I'll have a cane sugar Coke, please."

"OK."

Kirishima stepped up last. "I'll have some fried chicken strips and a side of candied jalapeño pimento cheese dip."

"OK, and for your drink?"

"Grape soda, please."

"So, I have a Honey Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with a side of Pimento Mac 'n Cheese and a 50/50, a four-piece meal with extra honey butter and a cane sugar Coke, and fried chicken strips with a side of candied jalapeño pimento cheese dip and a grape soda," said the cashier. "Anything else?"

"That's it," said Kacchan, Ashido and Kirishima.

Kacchan and Kirishima reached for their wallets, but Ashido was quicker on the draw.

"I've got this!"

Ashido paid for everybody's food, and after they got their drinks, a waitress escorted them to a table outside.

"So tell me, Alien Queen, how did you and Ground Zero meet?" asked Kirishima.

"Well, I first saw him when I was grocery shopping, and I asked him where some energy drinks were. He seemed really mean, but I decided not to let that stop me."

"I'm still amazed you could be so happy despite the fact that I yelled at you to get the fuck outta my face," said Kacchan.

Ashido leaned towards Kacchan a bit. "I know you were angry, but deep down inside, I could tell you were sad and scared and that you needed somebody to love you!"

Kacchan blushed.

"Interesting story!" said Kirishima. "Never in a million years did I ever imagine that my best bro and my old middle school friend would ever randomly bump into each other, never mind become boyfriend and girlfriend!"

"I know!" said Ashido. "Isn't it magical?"

Kacchan crossed his arms. "I wouldn't exactly call it magical, but I'm used to you by now."

Ashido giggled. "Oh, Ground Zero, you're so silly!"

"See?" said Kirishima. "People aren't so bad once ya get to know 'em!"

Kacchan scratched his chin with his index finger. "I mean, you're not so bad and we know each other well."

"Point proven!"

"Tell me, Ground Zero: why do you hate people so much?" asked Ashido.

Kacchan crossed his arms. "It's not that I hate people. Thing is, most of them are so self-serving that they can just go fuck themselves."

Ashido put a hand on Kacchan's cheek. "I know this world can seem like a rotten place sometimes, but really, if you learn to keep an open heart and to treasure those people who are genuinely good to you, then it will seem even less rotten!"

Kacchan took a deep breath, and then sighed. "All right, I'll try my best. Believe me, though, I wouldn't dream of becoming a villain because I admired All Might so much."

"See? You seem like you've opened your heart a bit already!"

"If I hadn't, I wouldn't be friends with Red Riot."

Kirishima pointed at Kacchan. "See, brother? Once ya let one person in, the rest will follow!"

"Good point!" Ashido removed her hand from Kacchan's cheek.

"So anyways, tell me:" said Kacchan. "What do ya like to do outside of work?"

"Well, I really love dancing! Wanna go to Faces tomorrow night?"

Kacchan crossed his arms. "No way. Disco sucks."

"Come on, it'll be fun!"

Kacchan leaned closer to Ashido. "What part of 'disco sucks' don't ya understand?"

"Oh, how would you know? Have you ever actually been to a disco before?"

"No, but I know for a fact that the music sucks."

"Please, just give it another chance!"

Kacchan growled. "NO."

Ashido put a hand on Kacchan's shoulder. "I'll do anything you want if you go with me tomorrow night!"

Kacchan stroked his chin. "If I go to the disco with ya tomorrow night, do ya promise to fuck me afterwards?"

Ashido gasped. "OH MY DAMN CHERRY BLOSSOMS*, YES!"

Ashido wrapped her arms around Kacchan and kissed him again. While not as overwhelmed by the sensation as before, it still took him plenty of resolve not to pass out. By this time, their waitress arrived with their food.

"Thank you!" said the three heroes.

"You're welcome!" said the waitress.

Everyone dug in. Ashido let out a hearty "mmmm" as the savory crunch of the fried chicken and the sweet yet savory creaminess of the honey butter mixed together in her mouth for a dance of flavors that excited her taste buds. Kirishima reacted very similarly in this regard. Even Kacchan was enjoying his chicken sandwich.

"Ya know, this might actually be the first spicy food in a while that I've been able to enjoy without Xtreme Regret sauce," said Kacchan. "We're comin' back here someday!"

Ashido swallowed. "I know, right? This is probably the best chicken I've ever had anywhere!"

"Hell yeah!" Kirishima gave a thumbs up. "That's the spirit!"

*Yet again, the phrase "OH MY DAMN CHERRY BLOSSOMS" is a registered trademark of KagamiPINKAgreste, used with permission.