So much has happened in these last few years, hasn't it? I became student council president, joined the cheer squad with Himiko, and did a semester abroad in the States. And when it came to my relationship with Himiko, lots of amazing things happened. We adopted a beautiful puppy. I trained Himiko in her quirk and encouraged Himiko to socialize and join the theater club.

As you fill out the resume and essay for your application to Yuuei Academy, you forget about the daydreaming of what could've been and, instead, focus on the things that actually happened, looking back with a smile on your face as you head down memory lane, recalling the events of the last two years in vivid detail.


It's the day after you and Himiko officially became a couple, and you're still riding on the high of the new relationship. Horie and Yu teased you quite a bit about it the night before, but that didn't matter to you at all.

I'm in love! I'm in love, and I don't care who knows it.

Skipping through the halls of the high school, your eyes are drawn to numerous posters scattered about. Curious, you look at one of them.

"My name is Natsumi Okumura, and I am running to be your new Student Council Representative?" you read. "Please vote for me?"

Guess the elections are coming up.

"Would you?"

Turning your head, you notice the young woman on the posters standing directly behind you.

"I'll think about it," you quickly write off, ready to leave before her campaign could possibly ruin your good mood.

"That's it?' Natsumi asks, completely shocked.

"Yeah," you raise your eyebrow.

"I don't have to bribe you or anything? Like with candy?"

"Bribing is for people utterly incompetent or unconfident in their abilities as a candidate," you snide. "So if I even see you with a candy box, I won't even consider it."

"How could you be so confident?" Natsumi asks. "There are so many incredible people in this school; way more incredible than me."

"Why do you want to be on the council?" you question Natsumi.

"I-I don't know," Natsumi admits. "I know many of the candidates running are doing it to improve their resumes. They think having leadership skills will help them to get into hero schools or politics."

"That's your reason? Pretty shallow if you ask me."

"No. I just…."

Natsumi looks around.

"You won't laugh?"

"Of course not," you insist.

Probably.

Natsumi takes a deep breath. "I'm quirkless," she reveals. "And… I guess I just wanna prove to everyone that I'm not worthless."

You nod, getting a great idea. "Then let me show you how a campaign is really done."

"Huh?" Natsumi blinks as you walk up to the small staging area.

"Attention, everyone!" you scream. "Your Queen is speaking."

Most of the students nearby turn their heads.

"Firstly, I just wanted everyone to know you can put the rumors to bed. Himiko Toga is my girlfriend. You're welcome for your front page story, Mari."

The school newspaper editor looks at you sheepishly as she immediately begins to shamelessly take photos of your stunt.

"And secondly, I am announcing my candidacy for Student Council President!"

Most people look at you with a mix of confusion and amusement.

"I know that in the history of this school, a freshman has never become Student Council President, but I am here to make history!" you declare. "I am the daughter of the hero Mr. Principal. And despite only being my first year here, bullying in my grade is at an all-time low. Age is merely a number; it alone doesn't determine competence. And I promise that under my rule, our school will thrive. Because who represents us should not be determined by who spends the most amount of money on sweets. Instead, our representative should be the person who can step up and do the job the best. And that's exactly what I am, the person who can do the job better than any of the second years could ever hope to achieve. So instead of voting for the person who can give you the immediate satisfaction of candy, why not think about the long term and what a strong president, one that could last two years rather than one, can do for you?"

With your impassioned speech complete, you exit the stage, leaving Natsumi in awe.

"Wow," she says. "You really know how to get their attention."

"I've learned from the best," you reveal. "So, alliance?"

Natsumi is puzzled. "Come again?"

"Maybe bribing with candy is beneath me, but that doesn't mean other methods aren't practical. You scratch my back by supporting my campaign, and I'll scratch yours."

"Oh, okay," Natsumi squeaks… before scratching your wings.

"I didn't mean it literally," you deadpan. "God, you're almost as socially awkward as my girlfriend. You sure you aren't Himiko playing a prank on me?"

"So-sorry.'

You giggle, holding out your hand, which Natsumi accepts.

"Great, we're gonna make this election our bitch."


Figuring out a plan of attack for the election is child's play. Your grades are already top of the class, in the upper range of all the first years, but you need to be competitive with the second year's top students, many of whom are running, meaning you need to be extra sure you stay ahead of the curve. In addition to that is figuring out the best way to market yourself without devolving into handing out candy. And for that, you realize you need people to bat for you.

It's for that exact reason you've found yourself at the school gymnasium, watching the cheerleaders practice.

Watching the squad, you cannot help but find yourself enamored with their routine. The dances, the flips, and the coordination combine into a stunning show. It's more like an excuse for the girls to practice gymnastics in a short enough skirt that people might actually come to watch them than traditional cheerleading. Not all that surprising, considering your school eliminated the gymnastics program a few years back due to the demand for more hero-based electives. It makes you really sad to realize how sidelined these girls are, even if the world had adopted American Football and cheerleading by association as more recognized sports.

As the routine ends, and the coach dismisses the girls to the locker room for a day, you notice many girls gather around one Sayaka Tamaki, the youngest but clearly most talented of the squad. While becoming a cheerleader was traditionally something that wasn't allowed until the end of the first year, Sayaka's natural talent in gymnastics had propelled the school to make an exception.

A first year with strong connections to some of the school's most popular second and third years? Now that was someone that you needed on your side.

"Hey, Sayaka," you greet. "Can we talk for a minute?"

The girl gives a broad smile before turning to the other cheerleaders. "I'll, like, see you girls in a few minutes."

Your seniors don't respond, continuing their mindless debate about who the hottest active hero is.

"So, like, what does Queen bitch want with me?"

"I'll get right to the point. The Student Council Election is coming up, and Natsumi Okumura and I need your help."

"What's even, like, in it for me anyway?" Sayaka complains. "How do I benefit from Queen Bitch getting more power?"

You decide it's best to ignore the question. "I'm willing to negotiate."

"Oooh," Sayaka giggles. "That sounds like a big favor. Wanna know what it's gonna, like, cost ya?"

"Hopefully, not an arm and a leg?"

"Naw, I'm more interested in your tail, personally," Sayaka says,=openly leering at your rear. "Do you wrap Himiko up in that at night?"

"The bond between Himiko and I is deeper than sex," you scoff.

"So you're a virgin?"

You blush.

"Bitch, you gotta, like, get some of those night moves going on in your life," Sayaka insists. "Know what I'm saying?"

"Please, leave my love life out of the negotiations."

"Why?" she naively asks. "It's funny."

Sayaka begins poking and prodding at your scales. "You'd make a good squad mascot."

"I'm not an animal."

"You aren't?" Sayaka questions, genuinely surprised. "But isn't your dad an animal who developed a quirk?"

"I'm adopted," you grunt, trying not to show anger. "Besides, there are plenty of people with mutation quirks."

"True, true," Sayaka shrugs. "I think my quirk is like a mutation quirk. It's why I'm so good at gymnastics and shit. My hands aren't the only thing that's double-jointed."

"Good for you," you roll your eyes. "Anyway, if you're just gonna insult me instead of giving me an offer, then I'm just wasting my time."

Sayaka taps her chin, in 'deep' thought, "Oh! I got it!"

"Well, I'm waiting, princess."

"Next week isn't just election week; it's club week. And that means the cheer squad is finally, like, accepting new members. So like, join up, so I don't gotta be the runt of the litter anymore."

"Won't the cheer team have plenty of new recruits?"

"But not as many as cute as you and your girl toy, duh," Sayaka sticks out her tongue.

You ponder it for a moment. Considering your desire to be a hero, getting into some physical activity would be nice. And while you initially thought about joining the swim team to fix your weakness in the water ever since growing your wings, the cheer squad you realize could be another solution to your whole mobility problem, which is what your primary weakness as a hero would be right now.

Maybe by becoming a filer, I'll literally learn to fly?

"I'll agree to your terms on one condition," you preface. "If I convince Himiko to join the squad, you gotta be her friend."

"Awww," Sayaka cries. "That's so sad. You have to ask people to be Himiko's friend."

Sayaka laughs at Himiko's expense, not that the blonde is here to see it.

"What?" Sayaka rhetorically asks. "It's not like the cheerleaders aren't already a family of sorts. So long as nobody is fucking anybody else's significant other, we get along great."

You sigh. "Don't make me regret this."

Sayaka shakes your hand.

"Now," she says sinisterly, licking her lips. "Let me see what type of blackmail our seniors have on one another. I can't wait to #### over the current council with a scandal. The look on Akihiko's face is gonna be priceless."

Not quite what I had in mind, but if it's based on factual information, not like they didn't have it coming.

I made the correct decision, right?

Hearing Sayaka cackle maniacally, you're starting to wonder otherwise.


With Sayaka's help, you're not only able to get the other cheerleaders on your side to help take the 'nerds' out of power, but you've also knocked one or two prime candidates out of the race due to the squad's blackmail materials. If you were merely going for class representative, with your natural charisma, it would be no trouble at all. But instead, you're going up against the upperclassmen for President.

The start of club week also signifies when all the candidates must give a proper speech. You prepare your words carefully, but with how your very presence, at least in comparison to other teenagers, exudes an aura of charisma, the speech is child's play for you. In the span of a few minutes, you impressively lay out your concerns, bullying, and allocation of funding being chief among them, and plan of attack to address said issues, all while telling the student body why they should elect you over anyone else, this time toning back the air of superiority that had been in your tone during your first speech. You can even spin a few negatives that other candidates attacked you on previously and turn them into a positive, reinforcing your position as the best public speaker in the school.

Knowing you've done your job, you smirk.

I've won over the majority of my fellow first-year students, and the cheerleaders' influence among the second-year students should give me the bump I'll need to get over the fifty percent mark. So long as I keep up this momentum, I should be able to easily take home the votes I need to secure the win.

So on the second day of club week, you decide to kill two birds with one stone. Hence, you bring Himiko with you.

"What are we doing, Kazuha?" your girlfriend questions. "Why can't we spend lunch together like we normally do?"

"This is for your own good," you insist. "With the student council, I won't be able to spend as much time with you as I used to."

"But we're girlfriends."

"And that won't change," you affirm with a kiss. "But we need to have lives outside of each other. You may have joined the cheer squad with me, but student council work is just not your type of thing."

"So, what?" Himiko questions. "You just want me to go up to these booths and… talk to people."

"Yep."

"But… I don't talk to people."

"You're talking to me right now."

"You're not people to me."

"Wow," you roll your eyes playfully. "Do you think of me as a lizard brain now? I'm hurt."

"I-I'm sorry, Kazuha! I didn't mean it that way. Please forgive me!" Himiko says, grabbing your arm, tears threatening to fall from her eyes at the mere thought of hurting the thing she cares about in this world more than blood.

"It's fine, Himiko," you say, not wanting to make a more significant scene out of this than you already have. "I was kidding. I know what you meant. It's just this is what being social is all about. You talk to people, discover what works, learn from your mistakes, and try again. It won't matter what these kids think of us in a few years; we'll be long gone. But if you never talk to anyone else out of fear of making a bad impression, you'll never make a good one. A good one that could turn into a friendship. And I know how much you care about your friends. Because I was one of them before we became something more."

Himiko seems to understand where you're coming from. "So I shouldn't worry about embarrassing myself because if I don't try, I won't make friends?"

"Exactly. And always remember that you'll always have Horie and me."

Himiko's eyes sparkle with love. "Right."

"Just use those tips I told you, and you'll be fine.'

"Okay!" Himiko screams with renewed vigor, walking right up to the anime club.

I don't think she'll have any problems making friends at that table.


By the time you've finished making the rounds, you've visited nearly every table, telling every club what you intend to do to them budgetary-wise should you get into office, which for the most part, is excellent news for everyone around.

You're about to call it a day when you realize there's one club you and Himiko have yet to visit: the theater club. And honestly? You can't help but feel bad for them. While film and television had technically survived the era of quirks, theater had not been so lucky. Despite there being so many talented actors out there, without the level of special effects that made cinema stand out, theaters simply lost their luster. Nowadays, the only people making a living as stage actors are those on Broadway, which had remained a hub for many of the shows from the last century due to the movement for artistic preservation that arose just before the dawn of quirks. The only places you'd find stage performances in Japan are student productions like your school's.

And yet… you notice Himiko's attention is drawn to their table more than most clubs she's already visited today. And when you see who is manning it, you get an immediate idea of why.

Saito, huh? The boy Himiko thought she had a crush on before realizing she'd been in love with me the entire time? I'm not worried about a nobody like him stealing Himiko from me, but now that I think about it, this might be a sign.

Himiko's quirk is transformation, allowing her to become anyone she wants. The better she gets at acting, the easier for her to impersonate people, which is precisely what Himiko must do. Her quirk simply isn't built to be an upfront fighter if she's to become a hero. She'll have to make do with subterfuge. This is a perfect place for someone with a quirk like hers to hone the skills necessary for her to use her quirk. And the added bonus of giving her someplace to be and people to talk to while I'm busy with student council work is the cherry on top.

You nudge Himiko on the arm, determined to convince her that joining the theater club would be best for her long-term development.

"Why don't you talk to him?" you tell your girlfriend, pointing subtly to Saito. "Maybe your 'love' for him was misplaced, but that doesn't mean you can't be his friend."

"You… wouldn't be mad?" Himiko questions.

"Why would I be mad about you being friends? It's not like you want to date him instead of me."

"Okay, but… why join the theater?"

"Because it would be fun?"

"Oh," Himiko blinks before smiling. "Alright, then."

Himiko skips over to Saito. "Where do I sign up?"

Saito is clearly taken off guard. "Right here?" he points down to the list.

Himiko quickly signs it. "So what part am I playing? And what are we performing?"

"Uh… Shrek the Musical?" Saito answers.

You burst out in laughter. "You can't be serious."

"I got an idea!" Himiko's eyes twinkle. "You should play the dragon, Kazuha. And I can be the donkey."

"But… why would you want to be… that role?" Saito questions.

'Well, Kaz and I are a thing now. And she always compliments how big my as -"

'Maybe you should pick another play?" you nearly beg Saito. "Or give Himiko a role that she'd be more fitting in?"

"Sure? We'll figure something out," Saito reassures you. "But… Thank you for joining up, Himiko."

"You're welcome."

She pauses, trying to think of how to continue the conversation. "So… what other plays have you put on in the past?"

"Well," Saito begins. "There's our production from last fall, The Bee Movie, A Stage Play."

Smiling, you decide to leave Himiko alone to develop her new friendship.


You're in the female locker room one week later, getting ready for cheer practice. While many girls had signed up, most hadn't made it through the tryout process… and that nearly included you. Luckily, you had Sayaka to go to bat for you, or else, you probably wouldn't have made it into the squad.

All because of my stupid wings. I'm not even sure they're functional.

As you get changed into your custom-fitted uniform, Sayaka sneak attacks you from behind, grabbing you in a hug, careful to not prick herself on your scales.

"Hey, Kaz," Sayaka smirks. "Wanna shower together after our workout?"

"My girlfriend is literally right behind us, and I'm pretty sure she's thinking about what your blood will taste like when she's done with you."

"Blood?" Sayaka raises an eyebrow. "I know your freaky girlfriend looks like a vampire, but now you're just being mean."

"I'm freaky?" Himiko tilts her head, baffled by Sayaka's words and actions. "And is that how the cheerleaders greet one another?"

"It's a compliment," Sayaka half-lies. "And yes, you can do this to me any time."

Himiko nods her head, and naivety copies Sayaka's actions, causing the cheerleading prodigy to blush.

"Whore," you say under your breath, just loud enough for Sayaka to hear.

"You're lucky you, like, got under Himiko's skirt first," Sayaka pouted.

"And that you have a boyfriend," you remind her.

"I do?" Sayaka questions. "Like, when did that happen?"

You groan. "You were literally telling me about him yesterday."

"Oh, Kanji," Sayaka remembers. "Yeah, I broke up with him."

"When?"

"While I was messing with you. I sent Kanji a text," Sayaka shows you. "Not only was he shit in bed, but I'd much rather see if I can insert myself into this mess of a relationship."

"I'd like to see you try," you challenge. "Cause it won't work."

"We'll see," Sayaka shrugs. "I mean unless you find me a hot stud that'll make me bend at the knees if you get what I'm saying."

Is this really what being a cheerleader is about?

"Is this really what being a cheerleader is about?" Himiko questions. "Finding love?"

I guess Himiko and I are on the same wavelength.

"And sisterhood," Sayaka mentions. "We're basically like a teenage sorority."

"I don't know what that is."

"Don't worry, we'll have plenty of fun."

The things I do because of my giant inflated ego.

Thanks a lot, Yu.

You hear the locker room door burst open before Sayaka can put any more moves on your girlfriend.

On the other side is Natsumi.

"Kazuha!" Natsumi yells in excitement. "The results came out!"

"Of your pregnancy test?" Sayaka jokes.

"No!" Natsumi dismisses. "Of the election."

Natsumi hands you her phone and, in turn, shows you the outcome.

"I-I'm looking forward to working with you, Madam President," Natsumi says.

"Madam President, eh?" you smirk. "It does have a nice ring to it."

"How about we, like, celebrate with my favorite thing… shopping!" Sayaka squeals.

"You mean… like for fruits and veggies?" Himiko questions.

"Uh, more like clothes,' Sayaka deadpans. "Whose with me?"

You shrug. "There are worse ways to spend hump day."


The rest of the semester sees you struggling to find free time. Between cheer practice, student council meetings, keeping your grades up, hanging out with Yu, and going on dates with Himiko, every day feels like you don't even have the chance to breathe. And yet you wouldn't change a minute of it.

Yet… you can't say you don't sigh in relief as finals finish and you find yourself on winter break. Especially because it gives you the chance to do something you've wanted to do for a while now.

"So… why'd you invite me to the U.A. Practice Field?" Himiko questions you. "Are we even allowed to be here?"

"Yep. It shouldn't be a problem whatsoever," you confirm. "But I called you out here for something important."

"And… what is that something?"

"Quirks want to be used, Himiko. And while I'm totally fine with me donating my blood to you, I know that sometimes you struggle on the days I'm not able to give you your daily dose for some reason or another. I figure that by having you learn more about how your quirk works and using it more often, it might help you with those blood cravings."

"That makes sense," Himiko reasons. "So… where are we gonna get started?"

"Well, you continue, a bit nervous. "In order for me to understand how to help you better, I think… I'm gonna need to have your quirk?"

Himiko tilts her head, inquisitive. "Oh, is that all?"

She immediately bites the inside of her cheek before pulling you in for a kiss.

As soon as the blood hits your stomach, you feel an immediate change.

It's like you develop a sixth sense, one for blood. You can feel it flowing through your veins. There's a tinge of various different blood types in the air, mixing together into an ever-present scent in the background. And yet, it's not just blood, but other types of DNA as well. While blood is naturally the strongest, it's like you've developed a sensor attracting you to sources of DNA.

You feel your very biology change, your insides twisting as if you're growing a second stomach, one that you feel is full of goo, as it spreads throughout your body, infecting every poor. And soon, as your fangs become even sharper, to the point of truly becoming a very deadly weapon in the right mouth, you come to a realization about the very nature of Himiko's quirk.

Himiko… is a living pile of goo that can shapeshift into another fully functional living form based on the DNA she intakes. A goop that gains substance primarily by absorbing the DNA of others. If her own body wasn't constantly producing DNA, then she'd just disintegrate into a pile of slime until someone fed her. And… I guess that goes for me as well now. Considering how finicky the weaker versions of these quirks can be, I'm surprised but relieved to find that I didn't instantly melt. But… this is freaky. Are we… even humans? Maybe living antimatter is more appropriate? I don't even know. And what are the practical implications that Himiko never considered before now?

Still, no wonder Himiko's obsessed with blood. It's literally like water in Himiko's natural form and just as nutritious. Her natural body was designed to be cannibalistic; just look at her fangs. It's not just a fetish; she obsesses over blood because she's dehydrated. Thank god our human forms seem, for the most part, perfectly content with regular food and water, or Himiko and I would naturally be a predator species to humans.

Himiko catches you as you stumble. "Are you alright?" Himiko asks, panic clear in her voice.

"I-I'm fine," you insist. "It's just when you think about this quirk on a scientific level, it's… disconcerting."

"Try not thinking about it," Himiko suggests. "It's always worked for me."

"That is… probably for the best. But… I have a weaker version of your quirk, and it's already making me feel a certain way about blood. How can you tolerate it?"

"If you ignore it, the feeling goes away."

"Really?"

"No," Himiko admits. "But you get really good at ignoring it."

"That's… disturbing," you note. "And probably not healthy."

You decide against starting an argument with Himiko about the very nature of your new existence. "Anyway, I have an idea."

"Go on," Himiko encourages.

"I could feel things about your quirk when I absorbed it, and I think you're thinking too small with it."

"What does that mean?"

You stifle a small giggle. "Himiko, you're not just attracted to human blood, right?"

"Nope," Himiko confirms. "I've had the blood of a few animals once. And I love meat; the more raw, the better."

"And you've turned into me plenty of times, right?"

"Uh, huh. Like that time you needed me to sit in on that boring conference call with that boring teacher with the boring name and the boring sounding voice and the boring agenda and the boring suit and…."

"Are you done?"

"And the boring haircut," Himiko finishes. "Now I'm done."

You roll your eyes.

"Himiko, have you ever tried turning into an animal?"

"Huh," Himiko realizes. "I've never thought about it before."

Horie comes trotting along, interrupting the conversation. "Sorry, I'm late, sis. I just had to take care of some things."

"No worries," you tell her. "We understand perfectly."

"So what did I miss with your 'totally secret' training," Himiko questions, hoping to be brought back up to speed.

"I have Himiko's quirk now, and we just realized we might be able to turn into animals."

"Oh, cool," Horie responds before she can actually process the meaning of what you just said. "Wait, excuse me?"

"Did I stutter?"

"N-no. I'm just surprised you waited this long to take Himiko's quirk. Honestly, also surprised you haven't asked for mine."

"It just… hasn't come up," you shrug. "Besides, healing is your thing. If I took it, I'd just get dragged into your time with Mom."

"That's… actually pretty fair," Horie accepts.

"What are we waiting for?" Himiko asks, clearly excited by the potential new discovery of her quirk. "Let's find something to turn into!'


A few minutes later, you find your victim. It's a blue jay, alive but injured, presumably from the elements or getting away from another predator.

Assuming that getting healed after by Horie's quirk is a pretty fair trade-off for the amount of blood you'll be taking, you get two medium-sized doses of blood, one for each of you and Himiko.

"So, who is going first?" you question.

"I'll go since if it's gonna work for either of us, it would for me more than you," Himiko volunteers. "Down the hatch."

Taking it like a shot of whiskey, Himiko quickly drinks the scarlet concoction. As she sighs at the refreshment of the blood hitting her throat, she begins to concentrate. Slowly, you see Himiko's human form turn into a gray goop. The goo compounds itself into a smaller and smaller sphere before reshaping itself into that of a tiny bird. The slime turns from liquid to solid, as the gray is replaced with shades of blue, feathers, and bone emerging as what is left of Himiko is a small blue jay.

"Chirp once if you can still understand us, Himiko," you order.

The bird, or rather, Himiko, chirps as commanded.

"Chirp twice if you're not feeling any pain."

Himiko does so, making you sigh in relief.

"Alright, I'm going to join her," you tell Horie. "If this doesn't work, I leave everything to Sayaka."

"Hey!" Horie protests, sticking out her tongue. "But seriously, don't joke like that."

Drinking the blood… you instantly can tell why Himiko loves the stuff. Before, it wasn't displeasing, but with both your original quirk and new quirk amplifying the taste, it's better than an ice cream shake and feels like an instant boost from an energy drink.

I will have to keep this in check, or else we will have some problems.

And yet, you can feel the bird's blood trickling down your throat, heading not to your natural stomach but that metaphysical one you felt earlier, the home to your slime.

You've asked Himiko enough times about how it feels to transform to just focus on the image of who you want to become.

Closing your eyes, you can feel your legs dissolve, turning into literal mush.

Do not become a puddle. You are not a pile of goo. Just use the bird DNA to take that form. It's not that hard. Do not get stuck as some mindless paste!

You keep focusing on the bird while focusing on your breathing, trying not to think about the fact that soon you will be a puddle, at least until the moment before you transform entirely.

You keep repeating these thoughts, and soon… you feel nothing.

Opening your 'eyes'... you realize you can't move. The 'sight' you have is over a wide area. You instantly know you've become the very puddle you were so afraid of becoming in the first place. And when you try thinking about being human again, it doesn't work.

Oh my god! Why am I not transforming?! Am I stuck like this?! I can't be a liquid for the rest of my life?! How am I even thinking?! AHHHH!

The panic on Horie's face is evident. "Kazuha? Come on, this is funny."

Luckily, you can quickly regain your composure as you realize nothing else is happening. Your consciousness isn't fading away; you've just returned to your new 'natural' state.

Come on, Kazuha. Calm down, girl. Not all hope is lost. So you're a puddle. You can still feel the DNA. There's just something I'm missing. Maybe this is a difference between Himiko's version and my own. She just needs to think about being the person, and I need to visualize it?

Okay, let's try this again.

I am a bird. I am a blue jay. I'm small. I don't have hands. I have wings. I can fly. I have a beak. I eat worms. I am a bird. I am a blue jay….

This time, you feel something. You aren't growing per se, but as you focus on individual parts of the bird, you can feel those things forming. With all of your concentration on the task of developing your new body, you regain control of the goo.

Quickly, you realize you have real eyes again. And while the world is a heck of a lot smaller, you, indeed, are an exact replica of Himiko, who flutters and jumps over to you, concerned.

"Chirp! Chirp! Chirp!"

Okay, note to self. Just because you've become a bird brain does not mean you instantly understand birds automatically. Still, better than being stuck with a brain smaller than a pea for a bit in exchange. Thank you, quirks, for defying the laws of the natural world as we knew them.

And yet… despite that… it doesn't take you too-too long to adjust.

So my arms have become my wings? At least they're as easy to flap as my old arms. And my legs might not be as mobile, but they still function. It's weird and different, but I can make this work. Heck, maybe using these wings will help me learn how to use my dragon wings.

Feeling confident, you charge forward, flapping your wings, hoping to gain some altitude like a plane would. And while unconventional for a bird, it ends up working. Soon, your feet are off the ground. You're flying!

Head first into the side of a tree.

You hear Horie laughing and Himiko chirping in such a way that it imitates laughter.

I'm never going to hear the end of this, am I?


That winter is the most memorable winter break of your life. Almost every day is spent with Himiko, training the limits and expectations of your quirks.

After the bird transformation to prove you could do it, you decided to stay away from any animal transformations for the most part. Instead, you spent days taste-testing blood samples.

Sometimes you and Himiko would spend the day as one another. One or twice, the two of you could even fool Horie into not realizing the difference. You could never fool your father, however, who was simply too keen to ever make a mistake, considering your body language.

Other times you became Sayaka's twin, acting as a 3-D mirror whenever you and your weirdly new best friend went shopping. Your bestie even allowed you to appropriate her identity in order to get Natsumi to trade in her bookish wardrobe for a more confident one, even if she'd never be caught dead in a cheerleading uniform.

Once, you even became Yu, taking her place at a press conference when she'd gotten too drunk one night and would've had to cancel otherwise. In exchange, she basically let you joyride as a nationally recognized hero and, more importantly, adult whenever you wanted after that.

It might not have necessarily been legal, but being able to sneak into bars without anyone questioning the I.D. Yu let you borrow was awesome, let alone the numerous free drinks you got from the men who hit on you. Never did you let things go too far, but the freedom of the winter break is something you'd never experienced before and is something that you might never have again.

The freedom was so great you didn't even realize there was a weekend Himiko didn't contact you, during which time she'd spent as a stray cat. She found the original dead in an alleyway and couldn't help herself from indulging in its blood before transforming on a whim. She only reverted back when the local seafood restaurant owner refused to give her more free fish for dinner. What you and Himiko quickly realized was that size and weight played an essential role in determining how long you or Himiko could stay in a form before reverting back.

One thing you realize during your time with Himiko over the break is in what manner your quirks differ. Specifically, you know that the same amount of blood, regardless of form, lasts Himiko way longer than you at first, slowly becoming more comparable in length with the longer you stay in a state. Additionally, while Himiko's transformations have evolved to the point of seamless, to become anything more than a puddle, yours requires far more concentration and cannot be done rapidly. Despite these limitations, you come to terms with your new quirk and its limitations, which at the very least, has no drawbacks in your everyday life.

More importantly, though, you'd figured out a few tips and tricks about how Himiko's quirk worked that, while disgusting and not necessarily sustainable for anyone outside of your relationship, had allowed for DNA transfers that had, while not killing your cravings entirely, had at least kept you from feeling parched. The same, of course, extends to Himiko, who further notices those blood cravings aren't as intense when in a small form, which is half the reason she'd even been a cat, to begin with.

Still, now that you understand the reason Himiko is the way she is and are in the same boat, you're incentivized more than ever to ensure your girlfriend's needs are met and she gets the care she needs for her affliction.

And you'll be with her every step of the way.


On the first day of the spring semester, the school, as is per tradition, celebrates the arrival of the new wave of students with a rally.

You have to admit, with everything going on since getting Himiko's quirk, you've been slacking slightly when it came to cheerleading practice, missing a practice or two over the break. Still, by the time you get out onto the field for your routine, you're more than confident you'll be able to handle what Sayaka and the cheer captain, Rise, have been cooking.

Despite being slightly out of practice, you put just as much hard work into cheer as you have everything else in your life. You make the twists and turns and twirls relatively easily. While you're not a natural, nor have you put in the time to keep up with Sayaka or some of the third years, it's clear that being part of the squad has given you greater flexibility and coordination than you had before joining it.

Himiko, on the other hand, while also doing her best to stick to the routine, takes a trick out of Sayaka's book, covering up any of her minor mistakes with sex appeal. You almost roll your eyes when Himiko catches the pompom she nearly dropped, only to pretend to cover up her skirt like someone might've seen something. You know Sayaka influenced her, but you're surprised by how promiscuous Himiko has become since joining the squad… and subservient to stronger personalities such as yourself and Sayaka.

As the dance finishes, you have to go from play mode to work mode in an instant.

Still gotta fulfill my duties as student council president, after all.

You brush aside the fact that you'll be addressing the entire school in your cheer outfit and give the biggest welcome speech you can muster for the first years, Natsumi right by your side alongside the now third-year representative, Daichi. The contrast in your means of dress to the two of your companions truly represents both sides of your personality.

And then after this, we have a council meeting? And then, isn't the first performance of the school play this month? Guess school really is back in session.


Himiko's performance during the stage play is fantastic. You've heard her talk about all the wonderful friends she's made with your encouragement, both in and out of the theater club, but seeing you gathered around her small crowd of supporters, you can't help but be proud of her. While there's still much growing to be done, Himiko is clearly on the right path. At the very least, you can't deny that she's improved greatly regarding how she holds herself out in public to others. Nobody from first impression would realize the deep psychological issues that she's dealing with due to her quirk. The only reason you're holding on mentally is due to your mutual support of one another.

And right as the play finishes, you get an email… from someone you haven't heard from since last summer.

Melissa? I wonder what she wants.

Reading through the email, you're not surprised to see that it's nothing super serious; mostly just a generic life update and letting you know that she'll be coming to Japan for a few days during her spring break.

But what catches your attention more than anything else is the name of the school she's attending.

Midtown Horizon High?

Where have I heard that name before?

It takes you a moment to piece it together.

Oh, right. My dad mentioned it to Horie and me a few weeks ago. Something about an advertisement for the student exchange program? I think that was one of the options. What a funny coincidence.

And then there's that incredible hero camp that's hosted in the States. 'Heroes of the Future' or something like that. Ranked #1 in the world, many of America's best heroes attended that camp. And it's being hosted in the ruins of Central Park, too.

Honestly, I kinda wrote it off before, but it actually could be enjoyable.

You know what? #### it. Let's do it. We can broaden our horizons… quite literally. And it'll get Himiko away from her parents. I'll talk to Melissa about maybe staying at her place for the spring and summer. After that, she'll be at I-Island Academy, and there's basically no chance I'll see her as often. This is basically our chance to have a girls' trip.

I can take care of most of my student council duties for the remaining weeks of the semester beforehand, and the rest I can manage over the Internet. It'll take some extra preparation, but it's totally gonna be worth it.

I'll just talk to Himiko and Horie about it.

With renewed vigor, you get ready to plan the trip of a lifetime.


You and Himiko are coming back from your date at the mall. While admittedly, your tail makes it difficult to find clothes that fit, you find a lovely dress, one you aren't afraid to show off to your girlfriend. Himiko returns the favor, trying on a few tight-fitting tops designed to emphasize her chest, mostly to tease you. And yet Himiko doesn't buy anything besides necessities she needs to replace. Lunch is nice, too, finding a small Italian restaurant on the border of the mall for some peace and quiet. The bath soaps that are supposed to feel magical on quirked individuals with scales like yours are merely a bonus. All in all, it's been a perfect day.

"Thank you for treating me today," you tell Himiko as you walk down the street to the subway.

Himiko hugs your arm tighter as you walk. "Anything for you, Kaz," Himiko smiles, a small tinge of pink on her face.

"Ditto," you blush. "Uh, I mean, right back at you."

Stupid word choice. Get your act together, Kaz. You're better than this!

Himiko doesn't seem to notice your poor word choice. Instead, she stops in place, her eyes drawn elsewhere.

"What's wrong?" you question your girlfriend.

Himiko doesn't say anything, instead staring quizzically at a store window. You don't get it at first glance; it seems like a generic run-down shop. But you glimpse something blonde in the slightly dusty window, and it's not Himiko's reflection.

Your girlfriend, drawn by whatever she saw in the window, runs into the store, the bell at the top giving a little chime. Confused, you instinctively follow after her….

Only to find a puppy licking Himiko's face.

"Stop it!" she protests playfully, her giggle giving away the fact she's actually enjoying the dog's antics. "That tickles!"

You smile as a young man, you presume to be in his early twenties, runs out of the back with a grooming apron. He seems incredibly worried and apologetic.

"I-I'm sorry," he quickly says, scooping the yellow lab in his arms. "I should have been paying better attention. She didn't hurt you, right?"

"No!" Himiko insists, getting off her knees and petting the puppy. "Not at all. She's a very cute doggy woggy."

"That's good," he sighs with relief. "She's very young, and I only got her a few days ago, so I'm still trying to figure out her temperament."

Looking around the store, you see a few different animals in playpens or cages, mostly other dogs or cats. You also see some pet supplies, including food and other things essential to caring for an animal.

"What is this place?" you question.

"We're a rescue," the manager explains, a sad expression on his face. "Just because owning a pet has become more of a luxury since the dawn of quirks doesn't mean there aren't plenty of animals needing a home. Now more than ever.'

"Oh, right," you realize. "Yeah, I was never allowed to have a dog. The one time my sister brought it up as a suggestion, my dad got angry."

"I take it he's got a mutation quirk like yours?"

"Sure, let's go with that," you shrug, not wanting to reveal your complicated family history to a stranger.

"Well, how would you feel about someone else owning a reptile, considering your quirk?"

"I'm not sure I'd be too bothered by it, but I totally understand where you are coming from. It might not seem like it, but the world's really changed since the dawn of quirks. Things commonplace a century ago, like television and pets, just… faded into the background. For all the good they've brought, quirks have taken over everything. It's not just stagnant, but regressive."

"Personally, I wish I was alive before this era of quirks. It's just… awful to see what has become of so many great animals just because they were born at the wrong time."

"Still, it was bad before," you reason. "Many animals who deserved homes didn't find one and were put down. It's not like that's changed."

"Yeah, but… you don't know the breeders," he hisses before showing you two small patches of discolored fur on the puppy's belly. "That's all the excuse they needed to throw an entire litter away. She was found with her siblings at the dumpster. She's the only survivor. And I'm not sure if she was the lucky one."

Part of you is hesitant to believe every word he's saying, considering how desperate his family's financial situation must be and his clear desire to guilt trip you into adopting one of his animals. And yet… you don't sense malice or lies. And you can see the heartache on Himiko's face.

"That's awful," you decide to play along, mostly for Himiko and the puppy's sake.

"I've been trying my best to keep these animals fed, safe, and healthy, but the government keeps cutting my budget little by little. My friends and I already had to downsize once. Honestly, the worst day of my life, that was."

"H-how old is she?" Himiko questions, taking the puppy in her arms.

"A few weeks at most," the owner answers. "Why?"

"I… I'm not sure," Himiko admits as the puppy curls up in her arms, implicitly trusting Himiko.

"Are you considering adopting her?" he asks, hopeful. "Please, you don't know how much I'd appreciate it."

Himiko turns to you as if waiting for your approval.

You sigh. "Himiko, we're heading to the States in a few weeks, and it's more than a weekend. Pet Sitting is a thing of the past, and I'm not sure how our families would feel about leaving a puppy in training with them, especially my dad and your parents."

"We could take her with us?" Himiko suggests.

"We're going to Melissa's place in New York. And then there's the hero camp. It's going to be a massive headache. I'm just not sure this is the right time, let alone are you ready for one."

Himiko looks at you with resolve. "Please, Kazuha. This dog deserves a home."

You hesitate, but…

Well, they used to say that dogs make excellent companions. I won't always be there for Himiko, and having another creature rely on her could be the incentive Himiko needs to start relying on herself more. And sure, connecting with humans is tough, but connecting with animals should be easier, right?

"Okay, fine. We can adopt the puppy."

An aura of cheerfulness engulfs Himiko. "Really?!"

"Yes," you reaffirm. "But the dog is going to primarily be your responsibility. She's going to be fully dependent on you, and you need to be a good pet owner."

"I'll do my best!"

The owner smiles, relieved. "I'll get the paperwork and our starter kit."

He quickly enters the back as Himiko holds the puppy to her face. "I promise to take good care of you, okay girl?"

The dog licks Himiko in the face again.

"I'm gonna name you Puppy," Himiko declares.

"Puppy?" you blink. "That's… not a name, Himiko. That's what she is."

"So? That makes it a great name," Himiko reasons.

You laugh. "We'll workshop it."

"Okay,' Himiko beams.

It doesn't take the owner to come back with a cart containing a massive bag of dry dog food, a case of wet food, multiple boxes of different treat brands, two dog beds, a few different shampoos, a bottle of vitamins, some leashes and collars, and even a few manuals and DVDs on owning and caring for dogs.

"Alright, for the dog and starter kit, that'll be… ¥488,727."

Well, at least that's not in U.S. currency, right? Still, half a million yen for a dog? No wonder this is a luxury. What average person could afford this?

Himiko, however, is not the average person by any means, handing him her credit card. "Keep the change."

The owner looks down at the card in his palm. "Uh… okay."

When the transaction is complete, you look back at the giant cart of stuff you have no idea what to do with.

"So… how are we supposed to get this home?"

Himiko shrugs.

"We're gonna have a lot of explaining to do."


The next day, you're on your phone trying to look up old websites for tips on caring for dogs while going through one of the manuals that Himiko bought.

We're way over our heads, aren't we? What were you thinking about allowing Himiko to do this, Kaz? Get it together. You can't refund a living thing! Just because Himiko smiled at you does not mean you bend to her will. You're the queen bitch who wears the pants in this relationship. Now you're gonna go over to Himiko's house, assuming she hasn't gotten kicked out by that damn puppy marking your territory, and… do absolutely nothing.

Ugh! Himiko can barely take care of herself! She's been in her shell more than ever lately, especially since joining the cheerleading squad with me. I know I said it was her responsibility, but… how is Himiko supposed to figure this out? She's just now learning empathy. How is she supposed to empathize with something that isn't even human?

You're broken out of your daze by the sound of the doorbell.

"I'll get it," Horie says, opening the front door to reveal Himiko, the puppy… and two suitcases.

"Uhh… Himiko," you begin. "We're not leaving for America until next week."

"I know," Himiko clarifies, giving you a peck on the cheek. "But I came up with an idea."

"Go on," you encourage, though a bit suspicious.

"Neither of us has any idea what we're doing taking care of a dog," Himiko points out.

"True," you admit.

"And we're heading to New York a week from tomorrow, so we need to figure out what we're doing by then."

You nod, implying her to continue.

"Meaning we need a crash course," Himiko declares.

"Okay," you agree. "So we're hiring a dog whisperer?"

"Nope! We're gonna become the dog whisperers!"

"Excuse me?"

Himiko pulls out her rudimentary support item, a syringe manufactured by your mother so that Himiko can painlessly extract blood.

"Remember when we were first learning about how the transform quirk works, and we turned into birds?"

"All I remember is immediately crashing into a tree and knocking myself out."

"Oh, right," Himiko laughs. "That was funny."

It doesn't take you long to piece together what Himiko has planned.

"We are not doing that."

"I never said we had to do anything," Himiko smirks. "I'm just going to have Horie here help me take some blood from Puppy here safely, drink it, and then let Horie take care of two adorable yellow labs for the weekend. That is unless you want to make it three?"

"Himiko, I mean, no offense, but what the #### are you thinking?"

You turn to Horie, exasperated. "And please tell me why you thought this was a good idea?"

Horie shies away from your glare. "I-I just wanted to help you and Himiko! It's perfectly safe, too. It's not like Himiko can't turn back if she gets scared or can't handle things."

You sigh. "And what else does this entail?"

Horie laughs at your unintentional pun before quickly shutting up. "Himiko wanted to be treated the same as Puppy. She planned to guide Puppy into the other room before taking the blood, so I couldn't tell the difference between them."

"I have trouble with… reading other people," Himiko admits. "And while you've helped me to expand my horizons and meet new friends, like the girls in the theater club or cheer squad. But at least they're human. Puppy is a dog. When will I know when she's hungry, thirsty, needs to go out or wants to play?"

Himiko pauses, trying to read your puzzled expression.

"If I learned anything from the theater," Himiko continues, "it's that sometimes, the best way to understand someone is to put yourself in their shoes. I get it's supposed to be a metaphor, but with my quirk, I can actually do that. When I'm the one who is hungry, thirsty, needs to be let out, or play, then I'll be able to sympathize with her better. And when I've undergone the training, I'll know how to reinforce it with Puppy."

"So you think you'll understand your dog better by turning yourself into a puppy and being forced to act like one?"

Himiko nods. "I tried reading the books I bought, but I just got a headache. And then the DVDs were just as bad. I've never been a good student, especially a self-taught one. I have to have a teacher. That's why I rely on you to tutor me, and even then, my grades are only acceptable. And if I can't find a teacher, then I need to learn from experience."

"But there has to be another way."

"Maybe, but I want to do things my way. Like you said, I know it's unconventional, but if Puppy is to be my responsibility, I need to do it the only way I know how, Kazuha. Because it's more than about the training."

Himiko stares at the lab in her hands. "I don't want to just be Puppy's owner. I want to be her friend. And being her friend means more than giving her substance and toys. Maybe I can understand her on a deeper level the more time I spend as a dog."

"You know how crazy this sounds though," you point out.

"We're on spring break," Horie reasons. "It's not like Himiko's not allowed to decide how to spend her free time."

That's not the problem, though.

"If Kazuha thinks it's a bad idea, then I guess we can find another way," Himiko says sadly. "I guess I'm just incapable of taking care of Puppy after all.

"It's not that," you say. "I'm just… worried about you, you know? I just… don't know why you went to Horie for this instead of me."

"Because you said Puppy is my responsibility. I didn't want to burden you."

"That's not what I meant."

"Then what did you mean?"

"I don't know.'

"Then why not help Horie care for Puppy and me or join us? It'd be a lot of fun. Besides, you and Horie have your own dorm now. It's not like we'd be disturbing your parents. And I brought everything we'd need for the week and more. Please. Kazuha?"

"I…."

Hold up.

Am I actually considering this?

But this is absolute madness.

Don't fall for Himiko's puppy dog eyes.

Bet they'll be even cuter when -

NO!

Focus, Kaz. You got this. You can figure out what is best for Himiko objectively.

So the first idea I have is to squash this idea before it gets any further. It might be expensive, but we can maybe find some sort of dog trainer before we head to the United States. It's not like money is our biggest concern right now. It seems like a way more reasonable option than Himiko's plan, but… as Himiko said, it's not just about the training, and we'd be asking a LOT of the trainer. Money might not be our biggest concern, but Himiko and I's pockets only run so deep. Do I really want to leave for this trip on a potentially negative note with my parents?

Okay, so maybe getting a dog trainer isn't the be-all, end-all solution I thought it was initially, but is Himiko's idea really a better option. Couldn't we just spend our time doing what we have been doing, looking up online resources and old training books to do it ourselves? Taking care of a dog can't be that complicated, right? But taking care of a dog and training a dog is… different. Will Puppy really be ready before we go to the States? And even if I can get Puppy ready, the only way that's possible is if I go contrary to what I said before about Puppy being Himiko's responsibility. And once the imprinting process begins… well, Puppy might be my dog more than Himiko's if she's spending all her time with just me.

Does…

Fine.

I'll consider the merits of Himiko's idea.

My first option following this path would be to leave Himiko, Horie, and Puppy to their own devices. Himiko didn't want me to be in on this, to begin with, if she kept it secret. Puppy is her responsibility, and if she's somehow convinced Horie to go along with this insane plan, then maybe I should let her. Himiko's done this type of stuff before, so this really isn't all that different; in fact, it's probably safer. Life is about trying and failing, after all, and from what I understand about the transformation quirk Himiko and I now share, this shouldn't be dangerous. But… this plan is already going to be incredibly difficult for Himiko and Horie; I'm not sure they know what they're getting themselves into. And if this blows up in their face, then we won't be better off than where we started. Do I want to trust in their original idea with no meddling on my end?

My second path is to take responsibility for caring for both Himiko and Puppy myself. Horie being around to help would make taking care of two dogs manageable and allow me to take the things I learn from the DVDs and books to use. But if Himiko doesn't want me to know which one is her, just like she wouldn't Horie, then I'll have to train both of them. I won't deny this is probably easier than just trying to train Puppy normally, considering that it'll actually give Himiko something to do while I'm studying. But… while changing forms doesn't seem to cause any direct changes to our mental states, Himiko is impressionable. Himiko is already a bit dependent on me. Do I want to risk reinforcing that with dog training, even if it'll probably be easier to reinforce orders she herself has followed?

And lastly….

Ugh.

Turning into a dog alongside Himiko would be so demeaning. And to take orders from Horie? Sis would never let me hear the end of it. And that's not even the worst part? Just think about the smell of dog food. I mean, yuck! But I'm sure Himiko would feel better knowing I was going through this right alongside her, and it would allow me to keep better track of Himiko since… there's no point in hiding it from one another. Plus, while we wouldn't be able to train Puppy in the traditional sense, we'd be able to bond with her. Apparently, that tends to take months, so maybe speeding along the process before such a big trip might do us good. Who knows? Maybe I'll even learn to understand Puppy? And even if Himiko and I end up getting training from Horie, at least it's not directly reinforcing Himiko's dependency on me in the traditional sense. But do I really want to go through something so unpleasant? I mean, spending my last week in Japan being walked around by a leash was not how I planned to spend it… even if Puppy's basically quashed all those plans regardless. Still, it's not like I could visit Sayaka like if I was still human; if she found out, then I'd be screwed.

In any case, throwing a dog on Sayaka or Natsumi's shoulders at the last minute isn't gonna happen, and there's no way I'd trust Yu to do it. So… no matter what, I have to choose how I want to spend this week. Do I prioritize training or bonding? Or conventional methods against unconventional ones?


DECISION POINT: What Will You Do About Puppy?

A - Squash Himiko's Idea, Get A Trainer

B - Squash Himiko's Idea, Train Puppy Yourselves

C - Support Himiko's Idea, Leave Himiko To Her Own Devices

D - Support Himiko's Idea, Train Puppy and Himiko Yourself

E - Support Himiko's Idea, Join Himiko and Allow Horie to Care For You