As the first rays of sunlight filtered through the windows, Katsuki found himself immersed in the embrace of his bustling household. Footsteps echoed in the halls, along with quarrels and screams, a sound he had heard since being adopted thirteen years ago.
Joining the orchestrated chaos, Katsuki made his way to the kitchen, where Fuyumi, his adoptive sister, was already at work.
Fuyumi stood at the stove, her white patched hair up in a simple bun as she flipped pancakes with practiced ease. The aroma of sizzling batter filled the air, mixing with the faint scent of freshly brewed coffee. Katsuki walked in with a simple greeting as he reached for his apron to help, eyeing the bowl of strawberries sitting nearby.
Fuyumi shot him a playful glare, knowing exactly what was going through his mind. "Don't even think about it, Katsu. We need those for the pancakes."
"So is Natsuo visiting us this weekend?" Katsuki asked.
"Yes, he should make it home tomorrow evening, his been itching to get ahold of mom to go over the plans for their next project."
Katsuki casually took advantage of her back being turned and plucked a ripe strawberry from the bowl.
"No doubt he's going to try to convince Ma to run in the upcoming election for mayor." Katsuki said.
Fuyumi hummed in agreement, her eyes diverted as he turned his attention to Dabi, his older brother, who had just walked in and had a particular fondness for strawberries. With a smirk, he stealthily passed the fruit to Dabi, who eagerly accepted it, a mischievous glimmer in his eyes.
"Thanks, little bro," Dabi whispered, his voice barely above a murmur. "You always know how to make my morning."
Katsuki grinned, his gaze shifting back to Fuyumi, who seemed to possess an uncanny sixth sense for her precious ingredients. Despite their best efforts, it was only a matter of time before Fuyumi caught them in the act.
She turned around, a stern expression on her face as she caught sight of Katsuki and Dabi with their guilty expressions. "I knew it! You two can't resist, can you?"
Katsuki shrugged, an unapologetic smile playing on his lips. "What can I say? Dabi's weakness is strawberries, and I couldn't let him suffer."
Fuyumi crossed her arms, but a soft chuckle escaped her lips. "Well, just make sure you save some for the pancakes. They won't be complete without them."
Katsuki nodded, his hand automatically reaching for another strawberry, this time passing it to Dabi openly. "Consider it done, Sis. We'll make sure the pancakes are perfection."
With Fuyumi's watchful eye upon them, they continued their breakfast preparations. Katsuki joined Fuyumi skillfully, assisting her in cooking while keeping a steady supply of strawberries flowing to Dabi. His adopted sister frowned every time, her head shaking in disapproval.
The scent of pancakes filled the air, mingling with the enticing aroma of freshly sliced strawberries. The sound of sizzling batter on the griddle accompanied their playful banter, creating a symphony of flavors and laughter in the kitchen.
Fuyumi shot Katsuki a mock-stern look as she noticed the dwindling strawberry supply. "You two better watch yourselves. I have my eyes on you."
Katsuki and Dabi exchanged mischievous glances, their bond strengthened by their shared indulgence. Once the breakfast was ready, Katsuki was first to claim his share, before anyone else could tease him about his hearty appetite. As he moved to the dining table, he felt a soft touch on his cheek, turning to find Rei, his adoptive mother, kissing him in greeting. "Good morning, Katsu," she said, her voice filled with warmth.
"Morning," Katsuki replied, his gruff voice holding a touch of affection. It was a simple interaction, but it was their tradition—a sign of her doting nature.
Katsuki saw that Enji, his adopted father, had already sat at the table, a stern look on his face as he studied the morning newspaper. He glanced over at Katsuki as he sat down.
"Your car's still in the shop. You'll have to find your own way today."
"Fine," Katsuki grumbled, acknowledging the information with a curt nod. His gaze then landed on his brother, Shoto, who was extending a pile of college pamphlets towards him.
"Katsuki, have you reconsidered attending college with me?" Shoto asked, his voice as even and straightforward as always.
Katsuki chuckled, pushing the pamphlets away with a dismissive wave of his hand. "No thanks, Shoto. I'll leave the nerd stuff to the nerd of the family." His words were teasing, but the fondness in his eyes belied the affection he held for his younger brother.
Breakfast was a lively affair, as always, in the Todoroki household. Katsuki found himself sandwiched between Dabi and Shoto at the crowded table.
"Yeah, little brother, at this rate, Katsuki will work with me and my crew soon enough." Dabi's teasing voice sliced through the chatter.
Shoto shot Dabi a displeased look, a furrow appearing between his eyebrows. Katsuki squeezed Shoto's shoulder, silently conveying his intentions. He relaxed a little, nodding at Katsuki before turning back to his breakfast.
Enji, their adoptive father, piped up from the head of the table. "You could always apply to the police force with me? I wouldn't mind showing you the ropes."
Katsuki laughed, shaking his head. "Yeah, no thanks, old man. I'd rather stick to bartending at Mina's bar for the rest of my life than become a copper."
There was a moment of silence at the table before Dabi burst into laughter. Katsuki offered an apology under Enji's stern look, his gaze softening when he turned to Shoto and Dabi.
"Well, there's no rush, Katsuki. Just take your time to figure out what you want to do," Rei reassured him with a gentle smile.
As breakfast concluded, Katsuki agreed to help Dabi with his latest job. The plan was to head to a secluded warehouse Dabi's gang operated from. Shoto looked displeased, but didn't protest. Katsuki made a mental note to make it up to him, promising an evening hangout.
Arriving at the warehouse, they barely had time to park before a bubbly blond whirlwind—Toga Himiko, Dabi's closest friend—rushed them. "Katsu!" she squealed, launching herself at him.
"Easy there, Toga," Katsuki laughed, gently pushing her away. He couldn't help but smile at her unbridled enthusiasm.
The warehouse was a hive of activity. Gang members darted around, sorting through the piles of goods they had collected. Katsuki took charge, assigning tasks and maintaining order.
As the day wore on, Katsuki thoroughly enjoyed the work. There was something satisfying about the organized chaos. Katsuki reveled in it, enjoying it as he worked to resolve disputes, break up fights, and ensure they accounted everything for.
"Katsuki, over here!" Toga called, waving him over to a pile of strange-looking ornaments. Katsuki couldn't help but laugh as she held up an odd piece.
"What the hell is that, Toga?" he asked, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
Despite their work, Katsuki found a certain sense of belonging among the misfit crew. They might have been outcasts in the eyes of the others, but in the confines of the warehouse and, by extension, their tight-knit community, they were a family.
Once finished, Dabi thanked Katsuki for his help before going straight into another favor, much to his annoyance.
"Katsuki, could you deliver a few stolen goods to Harry's Helpers? We already had a set price so just make sure it's all there, that with the price of the stolen parts should be enough for mom's fundraiser, right?" Dabi asked.
"Yeah, just make sure these knuckle heads don't fudge it and just keep everything at the price I put down for you," Katsuki replied, accepting the keys to Dabi's truck.
His brother waved him off and Katsuki headed off with a quick goodbye to Toga.
Arriving at Harry's Helpers, Harry, an older man still as robust as ever, greeted Katsuki. Known as the neighborhood's go-to handyman, Harry had a reputation for quality work, much like Katsuki's own family. Harry inspected the items that Katsuki had brought, his hands deft from years of experience.
"Looks good, Katsuki," Harry remarked, handing over the payment once satisfied. He shot a brief glance at Katsuki, his eyes crinkling at the corners, as he offered a friendly smile. "You've grown up well, boy."
Katsuki took the compliment to heart, counting the money with trained precision, just as Dabi had taught him. "Thanks, Harry. It's always good seeing you."
There was a silent understanding between them, a shared history that spanned years. Katsuki had grown up in this neighborhood, known Harry all his life, even before his parents' untimely death.
It was then that Katsuki noticed Izuku. The newcomer at Harry's Helpers was hard to miss, his striking green eyes and toned physique commanding attention. Izuku was undeniably attractive, physically falling directly into Katsuki's preference.
As Katsuki walked toward Izuku, the clatter of the workshop dulled into the background, replaced by the rhythmic sound of his own footsteps. Izuku's expert fingers worked on a greasy engine part as Katsuki watched, his lips pressed tight as he focused on it. The scene only added to Izuku's allure and made Katsuki's pulse quicken slightly.
"I'm Katsuki," he said, his tone intentionally casual as he leaned against the hood of a nearby car. His heart pounded in his chest as he extended his hand to Izuku.
Izuku's green eyes lifted, meeting Katsuki's gaze. There was a clear caution in his gaze as he shook Katsuki's hand, his grip firm yet fleeting. "Izuku," he returned curtly, his eyes not leaving Katsuki's.
The chilly reception did little to deter Katsuki, who smirked slightly, undeterred. He nodded towards the car Izuku was working on, its hood propped open, revealing a maze of wires and engine parts. "So, you're the one fixing up my car?" He asked, a teasing edge to his voice.
Izuku paused, a grease-stained wrench in his hand. He glanced back at Katsuki, a slight furrow in his brow. "I am," he confirmed, the frostiness in his voice matching his earlier demeanor.
Despite the chilly reception, Katsuki couldn't help the slight thrill that coursed through him. He chuckled lightly, running a hand through his hair, "Great. I bet it's in expert hands then," he said, his words laced with a hint of flirtation.
Izuku didn't seem impressed by Katsuki's charm. He looked back at Katsuki, his green eyes hard. "I'd suggest keeping it away from any 'business dealings' you might be involved in," he retorted, a clear judgment dripping from his words.
Katsuki felt a chill run down his spine. His smile faltered, replaced by a cold, hard stare. "What did you just say?" He asked, his tone dropping several degrees.
Izuku didn't waver under Katsuki's intense gaze. "I said your car would be better off without the involvement in shady dealings."
The cool tension between Katsuki and Izuku was palpable, each passing second fueling the fire of anger within Katsuki. He gritted his teeth, feeling his fingers twitch with the need to react. Katsuki prided himself on his self-control, but Izuku was pushing boundaries he had allowed no one else to cross.
"What's your problem?" he demanded, taking a step closer to Izuku. His tone had changed to heated, the casual flirtation from before all but gone.
Izuku maintained his cool demeanor, slowly wiping his grease-covered hands with a rag. His eyes never left Katsuki's face, seemingly unperturbed by his increasing anger. "I don't have a problem," Izuku replied, his tone nonchalant. He tossed the rag onto a nearby table, his eyes lingering on Katsuki with a challenging glint.
That was the last straw for Katsuki. He moved closer, his fists clenched at his sides. His heart pounded in his chest, the adrenaline surge of a pending altercation making his senses sharp. "You've got a lot to say for someone new in town," Katsuki growled, his face mere inches from Izuku's. "Know what's going on here, do ya? You don't know shit."
Izuku looked up, meeting Katsuki's fiery gaze with his own calm green eyes. He said nothing, the indifference on his face only serving to further provoke Katsuki.
Katsuki was on the verge of doing something he might regret, his patience worn thin, when Harry's stern voice cut through the escalating tension.
"Knock it off, you two!" Harry's warning reverberated through the workshop. His eyes were stern, flicking between Katsuki and Izuku. "This is a place of work, not a playground."
For a moment, Katsuki held Izuku's gaze, his anger still raw. But he knew better than to defy Harry. With one last glare, he pulled away, spinning on his heel.
The workshop door slammed shut behind Katsuki, echoing his frustration as he stalked towards his truck, parked a little distance away. His knuckles were white around the keys, anger still thrumming under his skin. He didn't bother to look back. Let Izuku think about what he wanted.
His shift at Mina's bar was next, a stark shift from the still-charged atmosphere of Harry's Helpers. The drive was a chance to calm down, to regain some semblance of control over his rattled emotions. Katsuki needed to clear his head before dealing with the hustle and bustle of the bar. He took deep breaths, gripping the steering wheel tighter as he tried to push Izuku and their sour confrontation out of his mind.
As he neared the bar, Katsuki found his mind replaying their meeting, from Izuku's striking eyes to his frosty demeanor. It was frustrating, to say the least, to feel such an intense pull towards someone who seemed to have formed such a negative opinion of him so quickly.
He remembered the way Izuku's face had hardened, the dismissive way he had turned back to his work. It was a cold rejection, one that clashed with the spark of attraction Katsuki had initially felt.
A scoff escaped him as he parked his truck, the loud chatter from Mina's bar drifting out from the open doors. He was angry and confused. He didn't want to admit it, but Izuku's cold rejection had stung. It was as if Izuku had deemed him unworthy without even giving him a chance to prove himself.
"Forget him," Katsuki muttered to himself, running a hand through his spiky blond hair. The green-eyed mechanic was not worth the trouble, he decided. Izuku had his prejudices, and Katsuki had no desire to change his mind.
He wasn't about to waste his time on someone who didn't even want to get to know him. It was time to let go of that ridiculous attraction he'd felt. After all, he'd only seen Izuku once. It was easy to forget someone who didn't matter.
With that resolution in mind, Katsuki stepped out of his truck, shoving his keys into his pocket as he marched towards Mina's bar. He was ready to put Izuku Midoriya behind him and focus on his job. After all, he had bigger things to worry about.
As Katsuki entered Mina's bar, he took off his jacket, revealing a simple black button down underneath. Mina, the pink-haired owner, was talking animatedly with Kirishima, the bouncer and their mutual friend from high school. The bar was a cozy, well-kept place that Katsuki had helped Mina start, and sometimes he felt more like the owner than she did, given how seriously he took his job compared to her laid-back approach.
"Oi, you two! Get back to work!" Katsuki barked, his eyes sharp. "This isn't a hangout spot!"
"Technically, it is," Mina replied, unfazed. "And who's the boss again, Katsuki?"
Katsuki grumbled, though the corners of his mouth twitched. "Then act like one."
Mina laughed and darted away to her office, leaving Katsuki shaking his head.
After Mina's departure, Katsuki fell into his usual routine, expertly mixing drinks and keeping an eagle eye on the staff. Customers started trickling in; familiar faces, residents of the neighborhood who had grown fond of the bar and its gruff yet endearing bartender. They met Katsuki with friendly smiles, pleasantries, and clear respect despite his prickly nature.
As lunchtime rolled around, the bar had gathered a decent crowd. Dabi, Katsuki's adopted brother, sauntered in, collecting the keys to the truck and the money from Harry. Mina and Kirishima welcomed Dabi warmly. As he hate he smirked as Katsuki told him about his meeting with Izuku.
"Yeah, I met him last week when he fixed my grandma's fridge. He was actually pretty nice," Kirishima added, his eyebrows creased in confusion at Katsuki's tale.
"So he was a jerk only to me, huh?" Katsuki huffed, irritation spiking.
Dabi placed a hand on Katsuki's shoulder. "Remember, not everyone understands why we do the things we do. People will always hold prejudices."
Katsuki sighed, deciding to let it go.
After their brief lunch break, Dabi clapped him on the shoulder, his usual smirk dancing on his lips.
"Walk over to Toga's place later? I'll give you a ride home," Dabi offered.
Katsuki agreed, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. The prospect of cutting through the park was a lure he couldn't resist. It was a habitual detour he had grown fond of over the years.
As his shift wound down, he exchanged farewells with Mina, stepping out into the cool night air. Their neighborhood was in the throes of twilight, the setting sun casting long shadows that danced with the sway of the breeze.
The park he traversed was technically off-limits to the public, a civic project that had run out of funds before completion. As a result, it was now a sea of nature and man-made structures, creating a unique view that Katsuki found oddly calming. His mother had been vocal about her displeasure with the Mayor's office, arguing for the allocation of funds to finish the project.
As Katsuki wound his way through the park, the silence was tangible. There were no joyful shouts of playing children, no park-goers to fill the air with conversation. The scent of damp earth, the undergrowth, and the rawness of the unfinished structures filled the air, a peculiar mix of urban and rural.
The park, in its incomplete and abandoned state, mirrored something in Katsuki. There was a certain comfort in the quiet, in the unjudging stillness of the forgotten space. This nightly detour was a moment of solitude that he relished before plunging back into the busy chaos of his life.
As he walked, his phone's dim light barely illuminating the path, he noticed something that looked out of place by the unfinished fountain. Katsuki's breath hitched as his light flashed over the pale limb jutting out from the edge of the fountain. It was a human leg; the skin illuminated eerily under his phone light. She wore a dress, white and pristine. His heart pounded a rapid, pulsing drumbeat in his ears as he moved closer, the image of the woman coming into horrifying focus.
Her body was slumped against the cold stone of the fountain, arranged in a haunting mimicry of peaceful sleep. Arms casually thrown over the fountain's edge as if it served as her pillow. Katsuki's eyes narrowed as he took in the delicate details of the scene. Silk ribbons, seemingly innocuous and eerily beautiful, were wrapped haphazardly around the woman's body. They crisscrossed her chest and waist, looped around her wrists, and wound their way up her arms. They weaved through her hair, a bizarre substitute for rope that bound her even in death.
The ribbons gave off an ethereal glow under his phone's light, their soft texture a stark contrast against the harsh reality of the situation. It seemed as if the ribbons had had been put there with a sense of twisted affection, lending a surreal beauty to the grim scene.
"Bastard..." Katsuki spat under his breath, a bitter fury rising within him. Whoever had done this had taken something violent and tried to veil it with a veneer of beauty. It was sickening, a perverse insult added to the tragedy.
As Katsuki moved closer to the woman, a grim realization washed over him. He recognized her - it was Mrs. Nana Shimura. A bitter taste like pennies flooded his mouth as he remembered her from church, from neighborhood meetings. His mother had admired her strength and resilience, often collaborating with her on various community projects.
"Mrs. Shimura," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. It was surreal seeing someone he knew in such a state, a cruel mockery of the vibrant, strong woman he remembered.
The reality hit him like a punch to the gut. The woman who had been a pillar of their community, someone his mother respected and admired, lay lifeless in front of him.
The taste of copper in his mouth intensified as his gut twisted with unease. His gaze roved over the chilling scene, every sense heightened and alert. The metallic tang of fear that hung heavy in the air overshadowed the normally comforting scent of damp earth and the heady aroma of oak trees. The chilly breeze prickled his skin, rousing goosebumps and heightening his senses.
The silence of the park, a quietude he'd always found soothing, was now eerie, a grim backdrop to the night's grim discovery. His breathing, loud and ragged in the otherwise quiet night, felt intrusive.
"Damn it, damn it, damn it," he muttered to himself, frustration gnawing at him. He wasn't afraid. Anger, revulsion, and a deep-set determination surged within him. He'd lived through enough to know fear, but this was something different.
The rustle of leaves and snap of twigs made Katsuki's head snap around instantly, his heartbeat pounding a brutal rhythm in his ears. He saw a fleeting figure disappearing into the night, swallowed by the shadows of the dense foliage.
He was on the move in a split second, fueled by adrenaline and indignation. His boots hit the ground hard as he bolted after the figure, the night air biting against his skin, the taste of anger metallic on his tongue. His phone light bobbed erratically, casting eerie, shifting patterns as he barreled through the park.
Despite his speed and determination, the figure was faster. As quickly as the figure had appeared, it vanished into the labyrinthine park. Katsuki found himself alone amidst the trees, his breath coming in ragged gasps as frustration bubbled within him. He kicked at the ground, sending a spray of loose dirt and gravel into the night.
"Bloody hell!" he spat, his voice barely more than a growl. The echo of his voice seemed to taunt him, bouncing back off the still night air.
But Katsuki wasn't done yet. As he retraced his steps, he spotted a set of footprints near the edge of the clearing, half-concealed in the undergrowth. He knelt down, illuminating the prints with his phone light. They were unremarkable, just an average size, but the stride was longer, indicating someone tall.
With a grimace, he pulled out his phone, snapping a clear photo of the prints. He headed back to the scene and, gritting his teeth, he looked back at the woman, her peaceful visage belying the horror of her fate. Swallowing down his frustration, he dialed the police, his voice steady and hard as he reported the discovery. As he waited, he sent a quick text to Dabi, simple and to the point - "Trouble."
"Damn it," he muttered again, his voice softer now. As much as he loathed the circumstances, he felt an unexpected twinge of pity for the woman, her last moments marked by such a chilling display.
Sitting in the park, bathed in the soft glow of his phone light, Katsuki couldn't help but feel a sense of dread settling in. His neighborhood, the ordinary day at work, even his confrontation with the newcomer - all of it now overshadowed by the brutal reality of what he had just discovered.