Musutafu, Japan
Bakugo Residence
'Come on down to Cheezy Breezy, the cheesiest playground for kids. We specialize in birthday parties, celebration parties, any parties! Bring your kids, relatives, and friends over for some fun! We might invite a special guest. You'll never know who will come.'
The advertisement for Cheezy Breezy pulsated my veins with excitement. Tomorrow marked my fifth birthday. Elementary school won't start until fall season, so I was thrilled to become a first-grader. 'We might invite a special guest' roamed through my mind.
I was in the living room when Dad walked out the kitchen. "Is that Cheezy Breezy? Do you wanna go there on your birthday?" My ears perked up when Dad suggested the ultimate playground. Games galore, prizes that'll blow your mind, and the special guest? I stood up, my fists growing tighter and eyes almost popping out. "That would be cool, Dad!"
On cue, Mom and Asano returned home from their time at the mall. Mom bought a few cute dresses for Asano, who hated what she picked. Then, a certain memory crossed me and I slouched forward, my face turning blue. "Oh. We share the same birthday." Having a twin sucks, especially if your sister is the worst sibling to walk the face of the earth. I'd kept my head low, while Dad suggested Cheezy Breezy to Mom.
"You mean the place that only makes cheese pizzas?" Mom's eyebrow raised from the response.
"Yes, that place, honey. Katsuki was watching an ad, and I thought we should plan a birthday party for him and Asano." He pointed the spatula at me and Asano.
Asano crossed her arms and huffed. "Ain't that place for babies? I'm not going there. Five-year-olds go to grown-up places, like the water park."
"Water parks are for kids and adults, Asano. Besides, Cheezy Breezy is a 'nice' establishment for children. I've heard they invite heroes for parties." Mom swayed her hips, an index finger tapping her chin.
By hearing the word, 'hero,' Asano's tone changed. 'If I meet a pro hero in-person, I'll get more attention on my birthday. Hahaha, I guess that kiddie playground isn't too bad.' She rubbed her hands like an evil villain does in an animated show. Vicious smirk and chuckle, check. Plan to get popular, check. I wouldn't like how our birthdays will turn out.
Central Park (4pm)
I visited the park to meet Izuku and our small friend group. After I'd mentioned a party at Cheezy Breezy, Izuku's eyes glimmered. "I hope we see All-Might on your birthday." Of course he would say that, although I'd imagined it, too. While we conversed, a chubby second-grader approached the monkey bars. "Hey, losers!"
Aw, Yamaguchi. Toshi Yamaguchi was like Asano, but fat and crude. Because of his intimidating size and destructive quirk, which was burping sonic-waves (don't ask), he believed the park belonged to him. His parents spoiled him, encouraging their son to use his quirk to push weaklings around. It's not like Yamaguchi was rich. His parents have the government covering their financial rent, but they think no one can touch them.
"Oh no, it's Yamaguchi. Be careful, Kacchan. He could go after our pocket change." Izuku and the others hid behind me, as Yamaguchi stood tall in front of me. He folded his chubby arms behind his head, a smug smile spreading across his rounded face. "Whatever you want, Yamaguchi, we don't have it. Can you leave us alone?" He gripped my shirt collar, my toes barely touching the ground.
"My mom told me your birthday's coming up tomorrow. Tell you what, invite me and I promise not to steal your lunch money when school begins." His breath smelled rancid. A mix of garlic and eggs.
I'd almost puked. "If I do, then you won't make a scene."
The others backed away, afraid my choice of words inflicted Yamaguchi. His nostrils flared, showing an array of nasty nose hair. "Alright, you have a deal." Before leaving, he threatened us not to eat too much food. It didn't bother me, because Cheezy Breezy has an unlimited supply of cheese pizza. "Kacchan, are you sure about this? Yamaguchi will ruin your birthday. Plus, he's a bigger meanie than Asano-chan." He frowned. It's true, Asano doesn't compare to Yamaguchi's spoiled behavior. She might think the world revolved around her, but at least she controlled her temper around us. Yamaguchi enjoyed punching 'nerdy weaklings', stealing lunch money, and using his parents to get him out of tight situations.
I had no choice but to invite him. Let fate see how my birthday will turn out. When I returned home for dinner, I used the house phone to call someone. Behind the line was Shoto's aunt, Miya. I'd asked her if Shoto can come to Cheezy Breezy for my and Asano's birthday party. "Oh, you must be the Bakugo kid. Shoto couldn't stop thinking about meeting you again. Of course he'll come tomorrow." She hung up, and I put the phone back in its charger.
I'm sure Shoto needs entertainment in his boring but complicated life. During dinner, Asano mumbled about how she'll make her name known to heroes. She'd been at it since Mom bought up heroes visiting Cheezy Breezy. I had a feeling her plan will fail, but I don't care.
The Next Day
Cheezy Breezy (12pm)
"Welcome to Cheezy Breezy, the cheesiest playground for kids! Enjoy yourselves and win a lot of prizes!"
The slice-of-cheese mascot greeted us near the entrance, as we strolled in. Like with any entertainment building targeted to children, it was big. Scratch that, it was massive! We scanned the area, noting the many arcade games, prizes, and delicious pizzas. My stomach rumbled just from smelling six-cheese slices and stringy mozzarella sticks. "I've never been so excited in my life."
"Well, have fun, everyone. Parents? The preparations are near the play pit." The staff member motioned us to the right.
A wall with pizza discs and a giant play pit amazed our sights. "In a matter of minutes, our special guest will arrive."
A wave of cheers erupted as we scattered. "Let's get some tickets!" Since they were six of us, we split into two teams of three. Asano laid back and ordered snacks from the counter. Ugh, some day, she'll end up like Yamaguchi. Speak of the devil, he arrived with his overweight parents fifteen minutes later. He noticed us carrying piles of tickets in our hands and smirked. Oh, heck!
"Share half of your tickets with me! Refuse or there's gonna be pain and embarrassment." He extended his fluffy fist at us. I sighed as I didn't want any of us to feel embarrassed. As we were told, half our tickets belonged to Yamaguchi, who jogged away to the prize section. "Aw, I was going to use those tickets to buy a toy car." I patted Izuku's back, while addressing him about recovering our tickets. A few more games and we recollected our pile.
Out the corner of my eye, Shoto and his mother passed through the entranceway. He saw us and ran, his face showed a brimming grin. "You made it. Good, we need an extra pair of hands to collect more tickets." Afterward, we continued playing games, now that Shoto was here. Although Yamaguchi and Asano were eyesores, I was having the time of my life.
Downtown (1:30pm)
*punch* "What did you say about Shoto getting invited to a party?" *punch*
"This Bakugo kid from the park called me last night. He said…" *punch* "He wanted to bring Shoto to Cheezy Breezy on his birthday." *roundhouse kick*
"Cheezy Breezy? Is that the place for childish games?" *battle axe*
*right jab, left jab* "Yeah, that place. I've heard their pizzas are the bomb. You should try them." *Somersaulted away*
"No thank you. Cheese can slow your digestive system. Besides, there's no way Rei would agree to sent Shoto to a place for minors. He should be training his quirk to best All-Might." *Fire Wave*
"Actually, I approved it. I'd talked to Rei about it and she agreed, too. She's there as of this moment." *right hook*
"WHAT!?"
My older brother, Enji, flared his fiery beard and mustache. That must have scared the burglars from our easy fight. My nose picked up a faint scent of crap, meaning they soiled their undergarments. I smiled and elbow-punched a charging big boy. "I've never approved of that! Why would she agree to send our son to a party that only serves pizza!?" He threw one scrawny burglar across the pavement without looking.
"Cheezy Breezy doesn't just serve pizza, Enji. They have pasta and desserts. Mmm, I thought about their cheesecakes and remembered something. They'd released a new flavor. Brownie Fudge!" I back-kicked another robber in the groin without looking. After the police rolled in and arrested the crooks, we sat on the sidewalk. Enji's facial features still released a burning sensation, but I wasn't bothered by it.
"I can't believe Rei never mentioned this to me! I'm the man of the house, I should approve whatever event comes to us!" As if. It's because of his bossy attitude and obsession to overthrow All-Might that his family wasn't normal. Good thing I returned to Japan and became their beacon of hope. I patted Enji's scorching back and grinned from cheek to cheek. "I'm sure Shoto is having an enjoyable time. You shouldn't worry about him. Let him have a break. He deserves it."
The police chief approached us. He took off his hat and bowed down. "Thank you, Endeavor and Mrs. Plume. Without you, those robbers almost stole $400,000 from a bank." The police drove away with the criminals in handcuffs and humiliation. Beating up crooks felt satisfying, to me at least. Endeavor, aka my brother, just does his job. We walked down the street and onto our next destination, when my phone rang. I'd picked it up and answered. "Miya, this is Rei. Is Enji with you?"
"Yeah, he is." I poked Enji's bulky deltoids and waved the phone over his chest.
He swiped the phone off my hand and talked to his wife. "What is it?"
"I was wondering if you'll be at Cheezy Breezy. From what I'm seeing, Shoto's enjoying himself. I'd never seen him so happy." I can hear Rei's cheerful laughter from the phone's speaker.
"Really? He's not bored or anything?" Enji raised an eyebrow from this, baffled of my assumption being correct.
"You need to come. It's so fun." That was Rei's last words before hanging up.
Enji tossed the phone back to me with a gruff sigh. "Well, I won't be able to attend. There's more crime for us to–" Now his phone rang. When he answered, a member from Cheezy Breezy had picked Endeavor to visit their establishment for a birthday party. "We tried calling All-Might, but he was too busy. Didn't want to disturb our Symbol of Peace. So, will you come?" Enji's face shifted from neutrally serious to pissed in seconds.
"Are you serious!? Not in a million years will I go to that childish entertainment!" He hung up, nearly crushing the phone in his blocky fingers. We continued walking down the street, as Enji mumbled about how All-Might got all the positive attention while he got the neutral ones. I understood his frustrations, but dammit! It's someone's birthday, and he dissed them over being a second option. "Bro, just go. If by some goddamn miracle, there's no crime, you'll go anyway."
Oh, I could've been more correct. My phone rang again, but this time it wasn't Rei. It came from my brother's agency. Burnin', one of his sidekicks, addressed a shocking turnaround. All-Might took care of the remaining crimes downtown. Wait, does that mean we're off the hook? I thanked her, hung up the phone, and tugged my brother's suit, dragging him off the streets. "On second thought, let's go to Cheezy Breezy. Burnin' just called, and she said someone put all the crimes down. Guess who finished them."
Enji's face grew sour; he knew All-Might was behind the major shift in our schedule. It doesn't matter, because we're going to Cheezy Breezy! First, we changed into our casual clothes before heading over. I levitated on a smoke cloud, while Enji used his boots to rocket himself. "We'll be quick." He crossed his arms over those massively thick pecs, eyes closed from irritation. "Yeah, you're gonna love it!"
Cheezy Breezy (2:45pm)
"Let's play 'Heroes Vs. Villains!' I'll be the villain and Asano's the hero!" Yamaguchi grew bored with the games and conjured a way to use the play pit.
Asano blew air through her greasy lips after eating two small fries. "How about Explodie and his buddies be my sidekicks? Deku can be the damsel in distress."
She and Yamaguchi stared at Izuku with devilish smirks and menacing glances. "Yeah, I agree. Come here, punk!"
Yamaguchi grabbed Izuku by his curly hair and tugged him into the pit. Our game began, but after Yamaguchi and Izuku entered the pit, Asano sat down. She chewed on the leftover fries, her eyes drooped in satisfaction. "Hey, Asano. You're supposed to lead us through the 'villain's castle.' Why are you nomming on fries?" Asano shot cold daggers at me and the gang. "Go after Deku and Burps-a-lot. Now go!" She went back to eating the fries, not listening to reason.
What a lazy sister I have! With that, I became the substitute leader and guided the gang inside. I knew where Yamaguchi was; he's at the crossing tunnels. Two matched his girth while the other don't. "Okay, me and Shoto will go after Yamaguchi. You two guide Izuku out the castle." The best plan for this approach was separating Yamaguchi and Izuku.
When the two separates Izuku from Yamaguchi, Shoto and I will use our quirks to defeat him. Though we can't actually use our quirks, it'll make our game worthwhile. Group A went east and Group B (Shoto and I) crawled straight ahead. "I've never played 'Heroes Vs. Villains.' Is it hard, Katsuki?" Even though we're not friends, I was fine with Shoto calling me by my name. He'll get used to 'Kacchan' later.
We made it to the crossing tunnels, where Yamaguchi pinned Izuku near him. He picked his nose like a lazy slob that he was. I swear, his laziness level was up there with Asano's. "What does Explodie see in you? You're a quirkless nerd. No strength or unique crap about you. I think you tag with Explodie, because he feels bad about your pathetic state." We were under them, the thick plastic walls not soundproof enough to muffle Yamaguchi's monologue.
"Kacchan and I are friends. I might not have a quirk, but Kacchan believes in me. We'll be great heroes one day. Just you wait!" His words motivated me to push forward. However, Yamaguchi doesn't believe it. "Give up already! No way a quirkless wannabe will save lives!" He backslapped Izuku across the face. We saw his shadow perform the act, which boiled my blood. "Alright, Shoto. Get ready." I crawled away from Shoto, who stayed, waiting for my signal.
I climbed up a short tunnel and laid low inside another. Yamaguchi laughed, snorted in between breathes, and spat on Izuku's stripped shirt. "Tell me, Deku. What can a quirkless hero do? Nothing, that's what! The government supports my parents. We're untouchable!" Right on time, I rushed forward and rammed my shoulder into Yamaguchi's gut. He fell into the narrow tunnel, getting stuck. "Guys, get Izuku!" Group A crawled out the other narrow tunnel and grabbed Izuku. While Yamaguchi struggled to pull himself out, Group A and Izuku exited the area.
"Why you little punk! You'll pay for this!" Yamaguchi got out, but a wave of icy wind pushed him back. "Great job, Shoto!" We slid down the tunnel and traveled to the ball pit below. The game ended on an epic note, and I'd felt amazing. We left the play pit with satisfied smiles and confidence swelling in our chest. "Ugh, you finished the game? Hmph, whatever. Mom said the cake's here." Asano, holding a slice of brownie fudge cheesecake, walked away from us.
"Thanks for saving me, Kacchan. You two, Shoto." Izuku shook Shoto's hand, which flabbergasted him.
"Uh…" His gaze paced from Izuku's toothy grin to my assuring smile.
Just when Shoto opened his mouth, Yamaguchi squeezed out of the play pit's entrance. His face turned red, nostrils flared beyond imagination, and sweat glistened his chubby cheeks. "You're gonna pay for this! I'm calling my parents!" He stomped to where his parents were, worrying me and the others. We rushed after him, but it was too late. His parents shot chilling daggers on us and we stood like deers facing headlights.
"I know this is your birthday, but come on! Show some respect to our son! If you don't, I'll sue your parents for inappropriate child care! The government will arrest them and put you and your sister in an orphanage." Yamaguchi and his parents reeled their necks back, a trio of ear-splitting laughter erupted. Are they serious!? You can sue our parents for how I played with Yamaguchi? Besides, he abused Izuku and his parents are terrible guardians.
I could've asked my mom to stop this, but she was too busy with the cheesecake and pizza preparations. Just when my birthday grew too uncomfortable for me and my friends, the front entrance opened. Two menacing figures approached Yamaguchi's parents from behind, their scarlet eyes showing no mercy. "What was that about suing? I say you're the worse parents I've ever seen! Second worst is my brother!"
Miya and her older brother, Endeavor, arrived in casual clothes. We felt a breath of relief escape us, as Miya stopped Yamaguchi's parents. "I've heard everything through the entrance's glass door. How dare you threaten to separate a birthday boy's parents, just because your son wasn't having a good ass time!? You should be ashamed of yourselves! Oh, and the government paying you money doesn't cover all your financial crap! You're not untouchable!" Yamaguchi's parents went blue in the face. They couldn't defend their son or themselves from Miya's rage.
Sighing in defeat, Yamaguchi and his parents left the building, their heads hanging low. "Sorry about that. They needed to be educated." There was no need. We were glad she intervened. Endeavor cleared his throat and made an off-putting statement. "I'll make sure that kid and his parents get a taste of their medicine. I have connections with the financial company near my agency." Miya raised an eyebrow at her brother, bewildered in the gracious gesture he'd approved of.
He walked to the men's bathroom, mumbling about getting ready. With that, the party continued. Me and Asano blew our respected candles, made our wishes, and waited for the special guest. To no one's surprise, (Well, it didn't surprise me), the special guest wasn't All-Might. It was Endeavor, who looked uninterested in being here. "Boo! We wanted All-Might!" The children threw colored balls from the play pit at Endeavor, who wasn't fazed by it.
Asano, eyes beaming with joy, extended a piece of paper at Endeavor. "I'm a huge fan! Please, sign my autograph!" Wow, I didn't know she was a fan of Endeavor. Luckily, Endeavor refused autographs and turned around to leave. After he exited the area, Asano's body turned white and crumbled. Hahaha, serves her right. I guessed my birthday ended okay.
The Next Day
Now that I'm five-years-old, a long list of opportunities awaited me. Harder lessons, bigger responsibilities, and more friends to talk with. I couldn't wait. At the park, I'd encountered a strange incident. "I-I'm sorry for stealing your pocket money. Here, this is the exact amount of money I stole. Please, forgive me." Yamaguchi, who'd been confident with his parents backing him up, lowered his head.
Mom got a call from Yamaguchi's mom earlier. She also apologized for threatening to ruin my birthday by suing Mom and Dad. Upon apologizing, Yamaguchi's mom discovered what Endeavor did with their financial support. He reported their selfish behaviors to the company nearest to his agency and they cut ties with them. Without financial support, Yamaguchi was forced to apply for part-time jobs to pay their rent. Because his parents began finding jobs, Yamaguchi doesn't need to steal our money for selfish reasons.
Alongside them not getting financial support, Yamaguchi got a taste of karma, when his mom learned about his bullying. "I'm grounded for a week, put on a diet, and signed into a behavioral program." For what he did to my friends yesterday, I couldn't stay mad at him. I patted his shoulder and smiled. "It's alright, Yamaguchi. Just remember to be responsible. Alright?"
He nodded, his cheeks shifting red from the slight embarrassment. A second-grader getting moral lessons from a soon-to-be first-grader. Yamaguchi left the park, while we continued our playtime. It's a good thing I'm not a bully who teased people by their lives. That's Asano's thing.