The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with one of the many knives hidden around the room, and Izuku could feel it pressing down on him as he stood awkwardly in the middle of the living room. As he shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other, across from him his mother had her arms crossed, her regular gentle expression replaced by stern disapproval. His father was calling in remotely from the Appalachian mountains, just a face on a screen.

"How many times do we have to tell you, Izuku?!" Inko shouted in loud disappointment. "People can't know about the supernatural! Katsuki was bad enough, but it feels like every time you leave the house you tell someone else!"

Izuku's heart sank at her furious tone, but that teenage stubbornness flared up inside him, driving him to defend himself. "But, I didn't even—!"

Before he could finish, his father's voice crackled through the small speakers on the laptop. "Your mother's right, son. These secrets are vital, and every time you let something slip, you put us all in danger."

One of the benefits of a superpowered society was all the radio and electricity abilities meant internet access was fantastic across the globe. Even in the middle of a nigh-inhospitable mountain range, Hisashi was enjoying lightning fast 7G broadband. The disappointing fact that mobile data had only improved by two Gs in the past two hundred years was not lost on anyone, but luckily nobody knows what a G is, and was therefore unable to have a real opinion on the matter.

"But, Dad! I didn't tell her anything! She already knew about the monsters! She even helped me fight the kappas!" Izuku protested, his voice rising with desperation.

"Then you should have pretended they were something else!" Inko insisted, the tension in the room not getting any less fierce. She threw her arms up in annoyance, "Mutated platypus! Something!"

Izuku could have torn his hair out, "She already saw them, mom! It would have made no difference!"

She did have to concede that one to him, but before Inko could respond, her husband interrupted the two of them. "Now, hold on dear," Hisashi said, wishing he weren't a million miles away. "I didn't know it was a girl who helped you, is that right?"

"Um, y-yeah," Izuku stammered. "Her name's Tsuyu.

With that revelation, Hisashi's demeanor shifted instantly, dropping the concerned father act and brightening considerably. "Well, well, well! I suppose there's no harm in the boy making some friends! So tell me, son, is she cute?"

"Dad!"

"Hisashi! I really don't think that's the issue here!" Inko shot him a stern look, one that usually got him back in line.

This time, it didn't work. "Come on now! A strapping young lad like our Izuku—I bet the girls can't get enough of him!" Hisashi laughed, winking at his son.

"I mean… not really…"

His dad chuckled. "And if she already knew about the monsters, then what harm was there, really?"

"Hisashi, sweetie," Inko said gently, as if reminding him of the seriousness of the situation, "We agreed that all of this was supposed to stay secret, remember?"

"And what I was doing was a secret until I met you, remember, my little greenette?"

"We didn't exactly meet under normal circumstances, dear." Inko paused, then frowned. "And you know how much I hate that nickname!"

As his parents bickered, Izuku glanced longingly at the door leading to his bedroom, imagining an escape from the awkwardness. "...So, am I still in trouble, or…?"

Both his parents spoke in unison. "Yes."

"But… I suppose if you didn't technically tell her, it's okay," Inko conceded.

Izuku's eyes lit up. "So we can still hang out?!"

"Yes, but I want to meet her first." Inko said thoughtfully. "I want to get a clearer idea of just how much she knows."

The light that was previously in his eyes faded in an instant. "You want her to c-come here? Like, to our house? Where we live?"

"Yes, Izuku. The house where we live," Inko replied in a deadpan tone.

"But there's never been a girl in the house before! Wh-what if it smells and I never realised? What if she sits on one of our knives?! Oh god… what if she wants to take a shower?! The bathroom is right next to my room!"

Inko raised an eyebrow. "I don't know if you've noticed, son, but I'm a girl."

"You don't count!" Izuku blurted out, flustered.

"And I can assure you, our house doesn't smell. As for the knives… you might have a point, but I'll make sure to gather them all up beforehand. And darling, I sincerely doubt she will spontaneously want to take a shower."

Tsuyu stepped into the Midoriya household with a confidence that made it seem as though she had visited countless times before. There was an air of calm acceptance about her, as if being in new surroundings was second nature. It was almost as if she regularly wandered into strangers' homes. Or, she was just very laid-back "Thank you for inviting me to your home, ribbit," she said with a polite nod as she carefully hung up her yellow raincoat.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Asui." Inko greeted their guest with a warm and welcoming smile. "Please, make yourself at home."

Standing nervously beside her, Izuku suddenly exclaimed, "But, you know, not too much at home!"

Tsuyu's large, expressive eyes blinked slowly in confusion, her head tilting slightly as she replied, "What do you mean, ribbit?"

"You know, don't like, take a shower or anything like that!" Izuku quickly tried to clarify, with much too loud a voice

This only added to the confusion. "...Why would I need to take a shower, ribbit? Do I… smell or something?"

Izuku's face turned a deep shade of red as panic set in, and he stammered out a response. "No, no! You don't smell bad at all! Actually, you smell great, really great!"

Sensing the awkwardness that was quickly escalating, Inko stepped in with her usual calming presence. "Izuku, sweetheart, why don't you go and heat up some water for tea?"

He practically jumped at the chance to escape the situation he had made entirely on his own. "Yes! Tea! I'll get the tea ready!" He blurted out, hurrying toward the kitchen.

Inko offered their guest a polite smile, "Izuku can sometimes say things without really thinking them through all the way, I hope he didn't make you feel uncomfortable?"

"No, not at all, ribbit." Tsuyu shook her head, "I haven't known him long, but he's always been kind to me." Her large, round eyes wandered around the room with quiet curiosity, taking in the small details that gave the household its cozy, lived-in feel. She made sure not to stare too long, not wanting to seem intrusive. "I'm guessing you wanted to talk to me about the kappa, ribbit."

"You're a smart one," Inko's smile widened. "How much, exactly, did Izuku tell you?"

Before she could answer, Izuku burst out of the kitchen holding a tray of cups and saucers, "Tea's ready!" he announced, placing the drinks on the living room table with a cheerful clatter. Inko and Tsuyu each took a seat on opposite sides, the tea now sitting invitingly between them.

Tsuyu took a sip of her tea, her expression unreadable as she savored the warmth spreading through her. "It's good tea," she said simply, half noticing the pleased grin that spread across Izuku's face.

"So, Asui," Inko began kindly.

"You can call me Tsu."

"Alright, Tsu. Izuku mentioned you knew about Kappas. How did you come across that knowledge, if you don't mind me asking?"

Tsuyu placed her cup down gently, "My family's been aware of them for generations, ribbit. My grandmother was the one who taught me about them, it's just something we've always known."

"I see," Inko said, raising an eyebrow. She was about to ask another question, when Tsuyu was faster.

"Can I ask something too, ribbit?"

"Go ahead, dear," Inko responded, taking another sip from her cup.

"I thought at first that it was only the Kappas Midoriya knew about, and that's why he was at the river too. But you guys are monster hunters, aren't you? Ribbit."

Inko's tea splashed back into her cup as she spat it out in surprise. "I'm sure I don't know what you mean."

Standing awkwardly to the side, Izuku's eyes went wide with concern.

Tsuyu observed the two of them with a thoughtful expression. "I had my suspicions," she said, tapping her finger on her chin. "But I couldn't be certain until now."

"If I may," Inko said, trying to sound nonchalant despite her evident discomfort. "What gives you that impression?"

With her tongue sticking out slightly, Tsuyu pointed around the room with an amused expression. "You're hiding knives in the lampshade, there's a crossbow bolt sticking out of that book over there, an axe taped underneath this table, salt shakers everywhere, and you're both wearing crucifixes. Midoriya is also hiding a stake up his sleeve." She then looked Izuku straight in the eyes and added, "Either you're preparing to fight vampires or you're both serial killers, and I like the first idea better, ribbit."

Inko was momentarily silent, the realisation of their exposed secrets settling in. She could almost hear Izuku sweating behind her. After a brief pause, she finally said, "...I like you, Tsu."

"Ribbit?"

Inko nodded, "You're right, of course. Izuku, his father and I deal with a lot more than just Kappa."

"Mom," Izuku whispered, looking a bit concerned, "Are you sure it's okay to tell her all this?"

Inko gave him a reassuring nod, "Yes dear, it's perfectly fine."

Tsuyu took another drink, "I kinda always had a suspicion there was more out there."

Inko tilted her head, "For someone who just found out monsters are real, you're remarkably calm."

"I grew up hearing stories and dealing with unusual things." Tsuyu shrugged slightly, "It's not too far off from what I expected. Besides, ribbit, it's always been easier for me to accept what I see rather than be shocked by it."

"That's a very mature outlook!" Inko said with admiration.

"I guess once you've taken your first step into this world there's not much that can surprise you afterward," Izuku added.

Tsuyu's curiosity seemed to grow by the second, "So, what other things do you have to deal with, Ribbit?"

Inko glanced at Izuku, then back at Tsu, a sparkle in her eye. "How would you like to join us and find out?"

It was a pleasant and sunny afternoon when Inko, Izuku and Tsuyu found themselves standing outside an apartment building on the outskirts of town. The building was of a fairly modern design, clearly kept under decent maintenance, with an entrance framed by clean white columns and neatly landscaped hedges. It looked like the kind of place where nothing bad ever happened—a far cry from the mystery that had drawn them there.

"Well, here we are," Inko announced, her hands on her hips as she surveyed the building. "Eisley Apartments. Apparently cats keep going missing and the tenants are at a loss, so we're going to figure it out for them."

Tsuyu looked up at the building, "You think it was a monster? Ribbit."

Before Inko could respond, Izuku jumped in, excitement buzzing in his voice. "I've got this one! Usually, when pets go missing like this, there's a reason—breeding farms, resale of exotic breeds, or, you know, someone making a coat... But these cats aren't anything special. They're just... gone. Without a trace."

Tsuyu's expression didn't change, but her tone grew a little darker. "Ribbit, so you think something is eating the cats?"

"Yeah… Like ALF."

Izuku hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Yeah... Like ALF."

Inko placed a comforting hand on her son's shoulder. "Izuku, sweetie, it's not ALF."

"It could be." He grumbled, his eyes narrowing as he glanced at them.

Just as the three of them approached the entrance to the building, they spotted Katsuki Bakugo leaning against a wall. He was dressed in a typical combat ready style - cargo pants tucked into sturdy boots and a black tanktop - but he also had a red bandana tied around his head. The fabric looked crisp, but with creases in it which suggested it had been removed from the packaging that morning. Strapped across his chest was a bandolier, criss-crossing his torso, filled with wooden stakes all sharpened to a lethal point. He looked like a soldier ready for war.

"Took you long enough," he tutted.

Izuku blinked, utterly perplexed, and before he could think twice about his mother standing right next to him, the words flew out of his mouth. "Kacchan, what the fuck are you wearing?"

"Izuku! Language!" Inko scolded. "...But he has a point, Katsuki. What the fuck are you wearing?"

Katsuki cracked his neck like a wrestler about to step into the ring. "If there's a goddamn bloodsucker in there, I'm taking it out."

"We don't know it's a vampire, and you're definitely not going in there dressed like that. You'll terrify everyone." Inko quickly removed the bandolier from him, her motherly authority impossible to resist. Katsuki let her take it, but the scowl on his face said he wasn't happy about it.

Turning to Tsuyu, Katsuki sneered. "Nerd blabbed, huh?"

"Yep, ribbit," Tsuyu replied, completely unfazed.

As they all stepped inside the apartment building, the first thing they noticed was the utter lack of anything to notice. The walls were a sterile white, the floors a sterile silver, the decor as uninspired as it was possible for decor to be. It was as if white noise had decorated the lobby. But crucially, there was none of the usual sounds of life. Footsteps, distant conversations, even the hum of a television set were completely absent. Even the air felt heavy.

Izuku glanced around, his earlier excitement starting to fade into an unease. "Where is everyone?"

Inko gestured for them to follow her deeper into the foyer, "The tenants have been staying inside and keeping their doors locked. The building manager sent out a notice telling everyone to avoid the halls unless necessary."

"That's weird, ribbit." Tsuyu said. "I'm surprised they would listen. People usually want to know what's going on."

"That's the thing," Inko nodded, leading them to the lift. "Something's making them feel uneasy. It's not just the missing cats, it's that something is wrong with the building. Once it gets in a person's head that there's danger it can be difficult to get past it."

"Don't go in the woods…" Izuku nodded gravely.

"Exactly. Fear of the unknown can be worse than fear of the known."

Katsuki scoffed, itching for action. "And they think hiding away is gonna make them feel better? Bunch of cowards."

"It's fear, Katsuki. Fear makes people do strange things." As they entered the lift, the oppressive quiet seemed to intensify in the small space. "Okay, we need to cover as much ground as possible. If there is something lurking here, we need to find it before it can do more harm."

The doors slid shut, and Inko hit the button for the top floor. "We'll split up to cover more floors, but if you find anything, anything at all, don't engage alone. Call for backup."

They all nodded in agreement as the doors slid open again, then with a final glance at each other, all went their separate ways.

Izuku moved cautiously down the long and dimly lit 7th floor hallway. It looked just like the others–clean, quiet and empty. But there was something about it that set his teeth on edge. It didn't help that there was an awful chemical cleaning smell everywhere, it reminded him of a hospital. The only noises were the occasional creak of wood and the hum of distant plumbing, and every door he passed was shut tight. Occasionally he would place his ear to the door, but still struggled to hear any signs of life.

His mother's words echoed in his head as scanned the surroundings. Something about the fear gripping the tenants felt wholly unnatural, like a fog clinging to the air. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end as his instincts told him something wasn't right. Whatever they were looking for, it was near. He unlocked his phone and hovered a finger over the send message button.

As he approached the end of the hallway, he noticed one door that stood out. Unlike the others, this one was slightly open, a faint light flickering from inside. If he had pressed the send button any harder his thumb would have shattered his phone.

Inside the room the only source of light being a flickering lamp. The furniture inside was overturned, carpet had been torn apart and it looked like suction cups had been haphazardly used on all the walls. But what really drew the attention was the thing crouched in the corner, illuminated by a tiny sliver of light escaping through the drawn curtains.

It was small, about the size of a child, with bright red skin and large frog-like eyes, and an impossibly wide mouth. A mouth that seemed to wrap almost all the way across its head, completely devoid of any teeth. Its limbs were long and spindly, but the fingers were long and tipped with suction pads. The beast turned its head towards Inko and Izuku standing dumbfounded in the doorway, as it made a "BWOP." noise.

Inko gasped lightly, bringing a hand up to her mouth. "It can't be… a Yara-ma-yha-who," she whispered, her voice trembling with shock.

"A yara…mayha…Who?"

"Yes, exactly."

"There's nothing like this in the Compendium…" Izuku said, staring wide-eyed at the bizarre creature.

Before Inko could respond, Katsuki came barging down the hallway before skidding to a stop outside the door. The moment he caught sight of the creature his eyes narrowed, "So is this the bastard? Tch, doesn't look so tough…"

Tsuyu, who had also joined them, blinked slowly. "Ribbit…it kinda looks like a frog," she observed.

Katsuki glanced at her with a smirk. "Hey, why don't you go speak frog to it or something?

"Why don't you go speak arrogant cocksucker to it? You're fluent, ribbit." she answered with a deadpan look.

The teen frowned deeply at her, before he snorted in amusement to everyone's surprise, clearly appreciating the jab. "Hah! Nice." he said with a grin. Without further hesitation, he swaggered forward, cracking his knuckles. "Alright you little red freak, let's see what you've got!"

"Kacchan, wait!"

Before anyone could stop him, Katsuki lunged at the Yara-ma-yha-who, ready to blast it into oblivion. But the creature moved faster than they expected, its wide mouth opening impossibly large. In the blink of an eye, a thick sticky tongue shot out, clung on to katsuki, and swallowed him whole in one gulp.

Everyone stared at the monster, who burped out of the side of its mouth.

"KACCHAN!" Izuku shouted in panic, Tsuyu's mouth hung open in shock, but Inko kept her wits about her.

She stepped in front of the two teenagers, putting her hands on their shoulders. "Okay, okay, listen to me," she said, her voice firm. "Yara-ma-yha-whos are a type of vampire from Australia. BUT, but, they're not like the others, okay? They swallow their prey whole, but they're not fatal. Katsuki will be fine… we just need to um… Wait."

"Wait?" Tsuyu repeated, her eyes darting between Inko and the creature that had returned to its corner, seemingly content after its meal.

"Yes, wait," Inko confirmed. "In a few hours, it'll... well, it'll puke him back out. Katsuki will be a little worse for wear, but he'll be okay. It's the creature's way of feeding, but it doesn't kill."

"So... what do we do now?" Tsuyu asked, her voice steadying as she processed the situation.

"We sneak it out of here," Inko said decisively. "We can't just leave it here, and we need to make sure it doesn't hurt anyone else. We'll take it home and keep it in a secure place until it spits Katsuki back up."

"God…" Izuku murmured. "He's going to be so pissed off…"