Once there was a land with well plowed fields and and hamlets. It was rich and fertile land fading into a magical forest. The rivers were full of cool clear water.

This land was Misthaven, and its ruler was Bakugo, Lord of the Eastern Lands. Bakugo was a great and powerful beast. He was a warrior with great power, even though he was a beast, none dared challenge him and his legendary quirk.

Bakugo was a young man of average height, with a slim, muscular build, and a fair skin tone. He has short, spiky, sandy blond hair with choppy bangs that hang over his eyebrows. His eyes are sharp and bright red in color.

Bakugo had many balls and filled the palace with treasures and servants. He would always invite all of Edo, including the nearby kingdom of Azumano into his palace.

However, no matter what he owned or did, Bakugo remained a reckless, immature, selfish Lord.

Adeline and Yann had brought their ten-year-old daughter, Reille, to the ball to meet the famous Lord, and she sat on the windowsill reading A Handsome Hero.

Reille was young, but she had long coppery hair with braids woven within. Her eyes were bright green and her skin was pale.

"Why are you reading this stupid book?" Bakugo snatched it.

"Give that back you brat." Reille's eyes flashed.

"No. It's stupid." Bakugo said. "Why come to a party if your just gonna read?"

He ripped a page from the book with his claw.

"Y-You're just a beast!" Reille shouted, snatching the book back.

"Why you—" Bakugo raised a hand to strike her but—

The wind howled and blew open the great front doors. People shivered as the snow and cold blew in.

Bakugo turned to see an elderly woman.

The woman had long silver hair which she kept tied behind in a long ponytail and her face was adorned with various aged creases and wrinkles. She was of short stature with slightly bigger build. The woman was seen wearing the traditional dress of a miko. She wore a white jacket with sode-kukuri (cords) through the sleeves and the open shoulders. Strings called muna-himo were attached to each lapel, and were tied in front to keep the garment in place. She wore bright red hakama, which include the small board at the lower back. On her feet, She wore common tabi (socks with a split for the big toe) and rice straw sandals.

On her shoulder was a long bow and a quiver of arrows.

"My name is Kaori." Kaori said. "I have come seeking asylum in your palace. In return I offer you this rose."

She held out a beautiful rose.

"You think I would let you stay in my home where you could purify me in my sleep, in exchange for a flower? Just how stupid do you think I am?" Bakugo said, his hands sparking with his powerful quirk.

"Do not be deceived by appearances, Katsuki Bakugo, for beauty is found within." Kaori said.

"Begone woman! You are not welcome here!" Bakugo shouted and threw her to the floor, his hand over her face. "Get out of here before you face my wrath!"

Kaori haggard appearance melted away to reveal that she was truly the young, beautiful, and powerful goddess Inari!

Reille swore under her breath. "Mother…"

"W-Wait a second, I'm s—" Bakugo began but Inari silenced him.

"Silence! There is no love in your heart! You are, as my child said, a BEAST!" Inari presented the rose to Reille, the whirled on Bakugo. "And beast you shall remain, until you can learn to love another and earn her love in return. But that will never happen. For who could learn to love a beast?"

As she spoke, Bakugo screamed as his eyes grew slit like pupils, claws formed on each digit, and short fangs grew in his mouth. His ears were furry and pointed like those of a dog. His nose, despite appearing normal was damp and twitching.

Bakugo had become a beast.. He howled into the air.

Inari vanished, and pandemonium ensued. The guests ran for their lives, and the servants had been transformed into strange forms.

All that was left was Reille. She studied the rose in her hand, realizing that it was enchanted and thus the beast's only life line. Gathering her courage, Reille strode over to the howling beast and held out the rose.

"I'm sorry I called you a beast, Lord Bakugo." Reille said. "I hope you find what you are searching for."

He snarled at her and snatched it away. "What I'm searching for does not exist!"

Reille fixed him with an intense gaze. "Love is real Lord Bakugo. And it exists for everyone. Someday I'll prove it to you."

With that she was snatched by her human mother and father and drawn out of the castle, where Lord Bakugo remained, alone, time not touching him, for ten years.