Hey, guys. BD is back with another installment of "Izuku And The Older Sister Experience." I have no comment on the four year hiatus. In this chapter, Nejire caters to her new friend "Izzy" while Izuku is still adjusting to his kid self. Meanwhile, Ochako ponders on her feelings for Izuku until she hears a certain somebody wanting to crush more than just feelings. Misadventures and mishaps will occur. Enjoy!
Izuku sat cross-legged on the floor of Nejire's living room, a small body in oversized clothes, his green curls barely poking out from under the hood of his hoodie. The room was bright and airy, filled with soft pastel colors that seemed to match Nejire's bubbly personality perfectly. A cheerful American cartoon was playing on the TV in front of him, full of exaggerated voices and vibrant, chaotic action. Normally, he would've been glued to the screen, but right now, his mind was elsewhere, racing with thoughts of how to get back to his dorm and figure out why he'd suddenly turned into a child.
In his small hands, he clutched a juice box, sipping from the straw in absent-minded gulps. The sweetness of the juice contrasted with the tension building in his chest. Despite playing the part of an innocent, lost little boy, inside, he was still seventeen-year-old Midoriya Izuku, the future Symbol of Peace, and his mind was filled with plans and strategies for how to escape Nejire's well-meaning but overbearing care. Under different circumstances, this would be any boy's dream: sitting in the home of the beautiful Nejire Hado, with her vibrant blue hair, radiant smile, and gentle presence. She was the darling of UA, admired by everyone. But in his current state, it only made the situation more surreal and embarrassing.
From the kitchen, the soft clinks and clatters of cooking floated through the air, accompanied by the delicious smell of something frying. Izuku's stomach rumbled. Nejire was famous for her cooking skills, and the scent only made him more conflicted about staying a bit longer. It felt wrong to impose, but… maybe just until breakfast?
Just as the thought crossed his mind, Nejire glided into the living room, her apron decorated with adorable cartoon characters and her face beaming with delight. She looked every bit like the perfect older sister, a role she seemed to have fully embraced.
"How is my little Izzy?" she asked in a sing-song voice, crouching down next to him with a playful smile that crinkled the corners of her sparkling eyes.
Izuku forced a bright, innocent grin onto his face. "I'm good, nee-nee! Thank you for the juice!" His voice was higher-pitched than usual, and it sounded strange to his own ears, like he was listening to a little kid version of himself from a distance. But Nejire only seemed to find it adorable.
"You're so cute, I could just eat you up!" she teased, reaching out to tousle his already messy hair with a laugh that was as warm as it was teasing. Izuku's cheeks flushed an embarrassing shade of crimson, and he quickly looked down at his juice box, avoiding her playful gaze.
She stood up and headed back into the kitchen, her apron swishing around her legs. "Breakfast is almost ready!" she called over her shoulder, her voice filled with the same cheery warmth that seemed to fill every corner of the room.
Izuku let out a deep, quiet sigh as soon as she was out of sight. He rested his chin on his hands, his mind a jumble of emotions. Nejire's kindness was overwhelming, and though he felt guilty for lying to her, the comfortable atmosphere she created made it difficult to resist staying a little longer. He knew he had to figure out how to get back to his dorm, but the thought of sneaking away felt wrong when she was being so caring.
But perhaps… just one meal wouldn't hurt. He couldn't deny that the idea of tasting Nejire's famous cooking had him more excited than he wanted to admit. As he settled back into the plush cushions, trying to find a moment of peace amidst the chaos of his situation, he listened to the clinks of plates and pans from the kitchen. Maybe after breakfast, he'd find a way to slip out and get back to normal. For now, though, he allowed himself to relax, if only just a little bit, and enjoy the warmth and comfort of Nejire's home.
A little time passed before Nejire emerged from the kitchen with a radiant smile, announcing, "Soup's on!" in her usual cheerful tone. She took Izuku's small hand in hers, leading him to the dining area like a loving older sister. His heart fluttered, though not for the usual reasons anyone might have around a girl. This whole situation felt like a strange dream he was both eager to wake from and strangely content to stay in a little longer.
He settled himself at the low kotatsu table, the warmth from the heated blanket comforting against his legs. But what truly captured his attention was the incredible spread laid out before him. His eyes widened, sparkling with delight as he took in the sight: perfectly poached eggs that jiggled invitingly on top of golden French toast, crisp sausage links with a tantalizing aroma, fried potatoes browned to perfection, and a fresh salad that added a splash of vibrant color to the meal. It was a breakfast fit for royalty, and the rumbling in his stomach intensified at the sight.
Nejire, seeing his obvious approval, clapped her hands together in satisfaction. "Looks good, right?" she said with a proud smile, her eyes twinkling as she watched his reaction.
Izuku reached out eagerly, but before he could dig in, Nejire swatted his hands away with a playful tap. "Ah ah ah! Not so fast!" she teased. "In this house, we say grace before we eat."
Izuku blinked in surprise. Grace wasn't a common practice in his home, but before he could say anything, Nejire took his small hands in hers, gently interlacing their fingers together. His heart skipped a beat, and his face turned beet red at the sudden, intimate gesture. He didn't know how to react—part of him wanted to pull away out of embarrassment, but Nejire's warmth and sincerity kept him still.
She closed her eyes and bowed her head slightly, her voice soft but firm as she recited, "The Lord is good and He wants you to be good. And if you're not… He will come down here and bust your freaking soul. Amen!"
Izuku's eyes flew open in shock at the unexpected ending, but Nejire looked completely serene, as if what she'd just said was the most natural thing in the world. Before he could process it, she opened her eyes, smiled sweetly at him, and the two of them said in unison, "Itadakimasu!"
Each bite of the meal felt like pure heaven to Izuku. He couldn't believe it—how could someone like Nejire, this over-the-top, effervescent, somewhat scatterbrained (with all due respect), but undeniably sweet girl, whip up something so extraordinary? The eggs were creamy and rich, the French toast was perfectly sweet with just the right amount of crispness, and even the salad tasted like it had been meticulously crafted by a gourmet chef. For a moment, he lost himself in the simple pleasure of eating, a silent grin creeping across his face as he imagined the envy his classmates would feel if they knew he was sitting here, in Nejire's home, eating a breakfast like this.
Nejire, meanwhile, had taken a seat across from him, leaning on her palm as she watched "Izzy" devour his food with an amused, almost maternal gaze. There was a curious glint in her eye as she propped her chin up, tilting her head slightly as if contemplating something. Then, out of nowhere, she dropped the million-dollar question.
"Tell me, Izzy," she said, her voice full of playful curiosity, "what's a cute boy like you doing at a place like this?"
Izuku froze mid-bite, his fork halfway to his mouth as he quickly realized the danger of the situation. This was the question he had been dreading. He needed an answer—fast. Panic welled up inside him for a brief second before he tried to channel his inner detective. What would Jimmy Kudo do? he thought frantically, referencing the famous fictional detective known for quick thinking.
With as much composure as he could muster, he set his fork down, straightened his back, and smiled innocently. "I'm Izuku Midoriya's cousin," he said confidently, hoping that the lie would hold up under Nejire's scrutiny.
Her reaction was immediate and enthusiastic. Her eyes widened in surprise, and then she let out an excited squeal. "Oh my gosh! No way! You're really Izuku's cousin?" she asked, practically bouncing in her seat as her hands clasped together in delight. "I knew I saw the resemblance!"
Izuku inwardly sighed in relief. It worked—at least, for now. But Nejire, being Nejire, wasn't one to let an intriguing topic go. Her curiosity was insatiable, and now that he had mentioned his "cousin," she was full of questions. She leaned in closer, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"What's he like? Does he talk about me? Oh, oh! Did you know he's, like, super strong? I mean, everyone knows that, but still, you must have some amazing stories about him, right?" She peppered him with questions, barely pausing for breath, her enthusiasm as boundless as ever.
Izuku did his best to keep up, but with each question, his anxiety grew. His mind raced as he struggled to maintain the lie. The more Nejire asked about "his cousin," the more he felt like his brain was short-circuiting. He tried to respond vaguely, using half-truths where he could, but Nejire's persistent inquisitiveness wasn't making it easy. He could feel his eyes starting to spiral, overwhelmed by the barrage of questions.
"Stay calm," he reminded himself. He had to keep it together. But he was quickly realizing that keeping up with Nejire's boundless curiosity was like trying to hold back a tidal wave with a teacup. This was, after all, the same girl who was known throughout UA for being a bit too inquisitive for her own good. It was only a matter of time before his story unraveled… unless he found a way to steer the conversation elsewhere.
When Nejire finished her barrage of questions, she suddenly realized how overwhelming she had been, her bubbly energy tapering off into a sheepish expression. She quickly bowed apologetically, her voice soft with regret. "I'm so sorry! I can be such a scatterbrain at times."
Izuku, still fully immersed in his role as "Izzy," mustered his most innocent and reassuring smile. "That's okay, nee-nee!" he chirped, trying to sound as sweet and unaffected as possible. But his words seemed to have an unexpected effect.
In an instant, steam metaphorically shot out of Nejire's ears as her whole face lit up with delight. She practically squealed with excitement and, before Izuku could react, she dashed around the table, wrapping him up in the tightest bear hug imaginable. "Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God!" she chanted, her voice rising with each repetition. "You're so adorable! Why can't you be my little brother? You're so sweet, so sweet, so sweet!"
Her words became a mantra of affection as she squeezed him tighter, pressing him firmly into her chest. Izuku's composure wavered as he tried to breathe, his face growing red—not just from embarrassment but from the sheer force of her hug. Her embrace was powerful, and despite being in a child's body, Izuku still felt the full effect of being buried in her bosom. It was both mortifying and suffocating.
After what felt like an eternity, Nejire finally realized how tightly she was holding him and quickly pulled back, looking at him with wide, concerned eyes. "Oh no! I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed, rushing to free him from her grip. Izuku fell back, lying on the floor with a dazed expression. His nose was bleeding slightly from the pressure, and his once pristine clothes were now smudged with food stains, the result of Nejire's enthusiasm when she climbed over the table to reach him.
She clicked her tongue in disapproval of herself, hands on her hips as she surveyed the mess she'd made. "Ugh, I can't believe I did that," she muttered, then turned to Izuku with determination. "I'm going to give you a bath!" she declared, as if it were the most obvious solution to his disheveled state.
Izuku, still trying to recover from the bear hug, quickly sat up, waving his hands in protest. "No, no! It's okay! I really should go back to my cousin!" he said, his voice a little higher than usual due to the panic of the situation.
But Nejire wouldn't hear it. She pouted, her bottom lip trembling slightly as she fixed him with a pair of glistening, teary eyes. "But I don't want your cousin to be mad at me… If I send you back all dirty, he's going to think I didn't take good care of you," she said, her voice wobbling with the beginnings of a tearful plea.
Izuku's resolve crumbled almost instantly under the weight of her watery gaze. He knew Nejire wasn't the type to get truly upset over small things, but seeing her like this made it impossible for him to argue. With a defeated sigh, he reluctantly agreed, his voice soft as he said, "Okay, nee-nee…"
The change in Nejire's mood was immediate. Her tears vanished in an instant, replaced with a gleeful shriek of excitement. "Yay! You'll be all clean and fresh in no time!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling. "I even have this oatmeal raisin shampoo I've been waiting to use! You're going to smell so good!"
Before Izuku could protest any further, Nejire grabbed his hand with surprising strength and began dragging him towards the bathroom. He stumbled along behind her, resigned to his fate as she happily prattled on about how great the shampoo was and how she'd make sure he was squeaky clean.
As they reached the bathroom, Izuku couldn't help but sigh inwardly. The situation had spiraled completely out of control, and he had no idea how he was going to get himself out of this one. But for now, he was going to have to endure yet another one of Nejire's well-meaning but overwhelming acts of care.
Meanwhile….
Ochako sat slumped in one of the plush armchairs in the common room, her body weary but her mind stubbornly awake. The gentle hum of the refrigerator and the soft clatter of kitchen utensils being arranged in the distance were the only sounds breaking the quiet morning air. The television in front of her played some random morning show, but she wasn't paying any attention. Her eyes glazed over, staring blankly at the screen as her mind drifted back to the restless night she had endured.
She could still feel the lingering effects of the fevered dreams—vivid, surreal, and unsettling. Izuku had been at the center of those dreams, his face so clear in her mind's eye, almost as if he were right there beside her. But the dreams weren't innocent. They left her with a confusing mix of feelings, ones she wasn't entirely comfortable with. Ochako's face flushed at the memory, her fingers curling into the fabric of her pajama pants. Why did her subconscious conjure up such embarrassing scenarios? Izuku was her friend, her precious, dear friend—thinking about him in any other way felt like betraying that friendship. And yet…
She sighed, shifting her position to press her knees against her chest, wrapping her arms around them in an attempt to make herself feel smaller, more secure. Her breakfast sat beside her on the small table, now forgotten—toast gone cold and juice untouched. The knot in her stomach wouldn't allow her to eat anyway. Maybe it was just stress, she reasoned, or maybe she had inhaled too much of Mina's "funky" fruit punch last night. Mina, ever the wild card, had assured everyone it was just a fun, fruity drink, but Ochako had tasted a strange tang of something more. Fermentation, maybe? Whatever it was, the drink left her feeling more than a little off-kilter this morning.
She glanced at the clock. Her friends were still probably holed up in Mina's room, sleeping off the effects of the punch. Ochako hadn't wanted to stay in that room though; she needed to be alone to think. Too much had happened over the last several hours. The cryptic phone conversation she'd had with that person—"Rika"—echoed in her mind. The call had been strange, unnerving. She didn't know who Rika was or why she had contacted her, but something about the conversation left her feeling uneasy. And then there was that bizarre website she had stumbled upon late at night, a website that offered a "little brother experience." What on earth did that even mean? Was it some sort of joke, or something far weirder? She had clicked away from the site as fast as possible, not wanting to delve any deeper.
Ochako shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. The whole whirlwind of events leading up to this morning felt disorienting. She couldn't tell if it was the remnants of the fruit punch clouding her mind or if she was simply overthinking everything. Either way, she felt like she was caught in a storm, and the eye of that storm was Izuku.
She clenched her hands tighter around her legs, the warmth of her own body grounding her as her thoughts returned to him. Izuku. He was always there, wasn't he? Always so kind, so determined, so strong. His smile could light up a room, and his determination to be a hero had always inspired her. She admired him—how could she not? But now her admiration had shifted into something more complicated, something that made her heart pound in ways she didn't fully understand.
Was it just admiration anymore? Or had her feelings for Izuku crossed a line she wasn't ready to acknowledge? She replayed moments they had shared together, the countless battles, the small acts of kindness, the way his eyes lit up when he talked about his dreams. Her heart fluttered in her chest at the thought of him, and she squeezed her eyes shut, wishing that the feelings would stop. But they wouldn't. They were there, lingering, insistent.
Ochako bit her lip, her thoughts growing more tangled by the second. What would Izuku think if he knew how she felt? Did he even see her that way? She wasn't sure she could handle the idea of him rejecting her, of him seeing her differently because of these feelings she couldn't control. But hiding them wasn't easy either. Every time she saw him, every time he smiled at her, her chest tightened with a confusing blend of affection and fear.
Ochako shook her head, telling herself to get it together. She took a deep breath and stood up, trying to push away the doubts and swirling emotions she had about Izuku. He would only ever be a friend, she reminded herself—why would someone as amazing as him ever fall for someone like her? The thought settled like a stone in her chest, heavy and uncomfortable, but she forced herself to move past it. She couldn't let her feelings cloud her mind. As she stood, her phone slipped from her pocket and clattered to the floor.
She bent down to pick it up and froze when she remembered Rika's strange words. "An app that could make anyone I like a little brother?" She chuckled softly to herself, shaking her head in disbelief. The entire night felt like one massive blur, probably fueled by the remnants of the punch. Surely, the app and the conversation with Rika were just part of some fever dream. Still, curiosity tugged at her. She unlocked her phone, intending to delete the app, but before she could press the button, a loud slam echoed from the kitchen.
Ochako jumped slightly and turned her head toward the noise. Her curiosity got the better of her as she overheard a familiar voice—Katsuki's—laced with fury. He was yelling about something, his words sharp and biting. She tiptoed closer, making sure to stay out of sight, and peeked around the corner to eavesdrop on the scene unfolding in the kitchen.
Katsuki and Eijiro were standing there, both of them drenched from head to toe, and the pungent smell of toilet water hung in the air. Ochako had to stifle a gasp of surprise as she pieced together what had likely happened. It wasn't hard to guess that Katsuki had been involved in some sort of explosive situation—literally. He was ranting angrily, his voice low and dangerous.
"That damn Deku made a fool out of me again!" Katsuki seethed, his fists clenched at his sides. Water dripped from his spiky blonde hair, and his normally sharp eyes were blazing with anger. Eijiro, ever the peacekeeper, stood beside him, trying his best to calm him down.
"C'mon, man," Eijiro said in his usual laid-back tone, though his voice held a nervous edge. "It's not that big of a deal. I'm sure Deku didn't mean anything by it. Besides, you kinda said some, uh, pretty choice words to provoke him."
Katsuki whipped his head around to glare at Eijiro, his expression darkening even further. "Whose side are you on, Shitty Hair?" he growled. Eijiro immediately went quiet, his confidence faltering under Katsuki's intense gaze. He scratched the back of his neck nervously, his eyes darting to the side as if searching for a way out of the conversation.
Ochako watched the exchange with wide eyes, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew how dangerous Katsuki could be when he was this angry. She had seen it countless times before, but this time felt different. The anger radiating off him seemed more personal, more intense.
Katsuki finally broke the tense silence by grabbing a roll of paper towels and tearing off a long strip. He wiped himself down roughly, muttering curses under his breath. "That damn nerd isn't getting away with this," he hissed through gritted teeth. "I don't care what you say, Kirishima. He's gonna pay for making me look like a damn idiot. No one humiliates me and gets away with it."
Eijiro sighed, clearly uncomfortable with the direction things were headed. "Bakugo, I don't think it's worth it. Just let it go, man. It's not worth getting into a fight over."
But Katsuki wasn't listening. He finished wiping off as much of the toilet water as he could and then crumpled the paper towels in his fist, tossing them aside. His eyes burned with determination, and Ochako could see that nothing Eijiro said would change his mind.
"I'm gonna find that damn sissy nerd, and when I do, he's gonna regret ever crossing me," Katsuki snarled, his voice cold and dangerous. He turned on his heel and stormed out of the kitchen, leaving a very nervous-looking Eijiro standing there, drenched and unsure of what to do.
Ochako slowly backed away from the corner, her mind racing. She knew she should probably intervene—try to talk some sense into Katsuki before things escalated—but part of her felt paralyzed by indecision. This wasn't the first time Katsuki had threatened to take his anger out on Izuku, but something about his intensity this time left her feeling uneasy.
As she slipped back into the common room, Ochako looked down at her phone again. The app was still open, its strange icon staring back at her from the screen. Maybe it was just her imagination, but the thought of a "little brother experience" seemed oddly fitting at this moment. She laughed at herself, shaking her head. As if some random app could change the dynamic between people like that. Besides, she had more pressing matters to deal with now. Like stopping Katsuki from finding Izuku before things got out of hand.
She pocketed her phone, determined to find a way to diffuse the situation before it spiraled any further out of control.
Back to Izuku and Nejire….
Nejire, in her usual carefree and upbeat fashion, led Izuku towards the public bath inside UA's main dorm building. It was early enough in the morning that the hallways were bathed in soft sunlight filtering through the large windows, the campus still quiet, with only a few students up and about. They walked through the expansive hallways, Izuku trailing slightly behind Nejire, his mind racing as he tried to process the sheer strangeness of the situation.
Arriving at the restroom doors, Nejire cheerfully pushed open the entrance to the large, traditional bath area that was shared among students. The space was sleek and modern, designed with a touch of elegance that one might expect from such a prestigious school. The floors were a smooth, dark stone, and the walls were lined with polished wood paneling. Warm light fixtures gave the entire area a cozy, inviting glow. The bath area itself was large, with wide, open spaces for soaking, a section with individual showers and stools, and an impressive hot spring-inspired soaking pool that steamed gently in the cool morning air.
As they stepped inside, Nejire smiled back at Izuku, her enthusiasm undiminished. "See? No one's here this early! It's the perfect time for a bath!" She playfully ruffled his hair again, making Izuku's cheeks burn as he fought to keep his composure. "And besides," she added with a grin, "if any girls do show up, I'll just tell them you're my cutesy little brother or Izuku's adorable cousin!" Her voice was filled with that signature playful energy, leaving Izuku both embarrassed and completely unsure of how to react.
The air was warm, thick with the scent of fresh soap and subtle hints of lavender. Shelves along the walls were stacked with clean towels, and rows of toiletries were neatly arranged on a wooden bench. Nejire grabbed a few bottles of shampoo and body wash, her movements quick and efficient as she prepared for their bath. Izuku watched her, trying to ignore the fact that he was about to bathe with one of the most beautiful girls at UA — in a school bathroom of all places.
"Okay, Izzy, close your eyes," she suddenly instructed, snapping him out of his thoughts. "No peeking while I change!"
Izuku quickly squeezed his eyes shut, his heart pounding in his chest as he stood in the middle of the bathroom, trying not to think too hard about what was happening. He could hear the soft rustling of fabric behind him, the sounds echoing faintly in the empty room. He focused on the distant hum of the water heaters and the occasional drip of water, doing his best to keep his mind from wandering.
"Alright, you can open them now!" Nejire chirped after a moment. Izuku cautiously opened his eyes and was greeted by the sight of Nejire in a simple yet flattering one-piece bathing suit. It hugged her form modestly but didn't hide her natural beauty. She struck a playful pose, hands on her hips and a wide grin on her face. "Just in case anyone shows up, we won't have any trouble!" she explained with a wink, clearly proud of her cleverness.
Izuku could only nod, his face burning. Before he could say anything, Nejire had already started undressing him, her actions so quick and nonchalant that it caught him completely off guard. She stripped him down to his boxer shorts in mere moments, humming softly to herself as she worked. His mind was a blur of panic and embarrassment, but before he could even protest, Nejire had turned around, pulling out a small pair of swim trunks for him.
"Here, put these on!" she said brightly, tossing them over her shoulder without even looking back. Izuku hurriedly pulled on the swim trunks, grateful for the small bit of privacy she was giving him. Once he had them on, he let out a small sigh of relief, glad to have some coverage.
Nejire turned back around, grinning as she examined him from head to toe. "Perfect! Now, let's get into the bath!"
The bathroom was still empty as they made their way toward the large soaking pool. The steam rose lazily from the water, curling in delicate tendrils toward the ceiling. The water was crystal clear, reflecting the soft light in shimmering ripples that beckoned them to enter.
As they walked, Izuku did everything he could to keep his eyes forward, desperately trying not to look at Nejire's figure. Even in her modest bathing suit, she radiated an effortless beauty that was impossible to ignore. His thoughts drifted to his classmates, particularly Minoru and Denki, who would likely be beside themselves with jealousy if they knew what was happening right now. The thought alone made him swallow hard, trying to keep his focus on staying calm.
They reached the edge of the bath, the warm steam hitting his face as Nejire took a deep breath and stretched her arms over her head. "Ahhh, this is going to feel so good!" she exclaimed, stepping into the water with a contented sigh. She looked back at Izuku and waved him over. "Come on, Izzy! Don't be shy!"
Izuku hesitated for a moment before slowly following her into the water, feeling the warmth envelop him like a soft, soothing blanket. He sank down into the bath, the heat melting away some of his tension, though the awkwardness of the situation remained firmly lodged in the back of his mind.
As Nejire settled into the water beside him, she sighed contentedly, leaning her head back and closing her eyes. "Isn't this great? Nothing beats a nice, relaxing soak," she said dreamily.
Izuku, still trying to process everything, simply nodded, grateful for the warm water and the brief moment of peace it provided. He just hoped this bath wouldn't lead to any more surprises…though knowing Nejire, he wasn't so sure about that.
Nejire leaned back in the steaming water, her hair floating gently around her shoulders as she smiled brightly at "Izzy." Her inquisitive gaze was locked on him, curiosity practically radiating from her as she asked, "So, Izzy, tell me about yourself!" Her voice was playful and light, but there was no mistaking the genuine interest behind her words. Izuku knew that Nejire wasn't just making small talk—she was fully invested in learning everything she could about him.
Izuku's mind raced. He needed to think fast, spinning a story that would satisfy her curiosity without giving anything away about his real identity. And then it struck him—he could take a page from one of his favorite fictional characters, Conan Edogawa. Minus the detective work, of course, and without the looming threat of shadowy villains named Gin or Vodka.
"My name's Itsuki Edogawa," he began, adopting a confident yet innocent tone. "But everyone calls me Izzy." Nejire nodded enthusiastically, hanging onto his every word, so he continued. "I'm originally from Japan, but my family moved to Seattle when I was little. My parents… well, they're private investigators." He paused for effect, trying to sound as casual as possible. "They're actually working on a big, high-profile case right now, so they dropped me off here to stay with my cousin Izuku for a while."
As he spoke, the steam from the bath swirled around them, curling in soft tendrils that blurred the edges of the room. The warm water lapped gently at Izuku's skin, but even its comforting heat couldn't completely ease his nerves. He watched Nejire's face carefully, searching for any sign of doubt or suspicion, but all he found was wide-eyed wonder.
"That's awesome!" Nejire exclaimed, her voice bubbling with excitement. Her whole face lit up as if she had just discovered the most fascinating secret. "Your parents are private investigators? That's like something straight out of a movie! I bet you have the coolest stories!"
Izuku let out a mental sigh of relief, though he couldn't help but think, Lovable oaf. His heart raced faster than it did during hero training, but he kept his expression calm, offering a shy smile to maintain the facade. He hadn't expected Nejire to be so easily convinced, yet here she was, completely enraptured by his fabricated tale.
But Nejire wasn't done yet. As she leaned forward slightly in the water, her hair cascading over her shoulders, her eyes sparkled with curiosity. The questions came pouring out of her like a flood, each one more eager than the last. "What's it like having parents who solve mysteries? Have you ever gone on any cases with them? Do you help them out? What's the most dangerous thing they've faced?"
The bathroom, once serene and peaceful, now felt like an interrogation chamber. The sound of trickling water seemed to fade into the background as Nejire's rapid-fire questions overwhelmed Izuku. He tried to answer as vaguely as possible, careful not to trip himself up with too much detail. "Well, I've seen them work before, but I don't really get involved," he said, sinking lower in the water. "They've told me some stories, but nothing too dangerous…" His voice trailed off as he tried to stay afloat in the sea of Nejire's curiosity.
But Nejire was relentless. "Really? No way! You must have at least helped with something, right? Like finding clues or tracking down suspects? What's the coolest case they've solved? Did they ever go undercover?"
Izuku could feel his resolve weakening as her questions continued, her enthusiasm seemingly boundless. He sank deeper into the bath, trying to hide his embarrassment. The water was warm, almost too warm, and he felt his face grow even hotter as the pressure mounted. Soon, only his eyes and nose were above the water's surface, bubbles blowing out from his nose as he exhaled nervously.
Nejire, completely oblivious to his inner turmoil, seemed delighted by every word he said, no matter how vague or evasive. Her bright, inquisitive smile never faltered, and her eyes sparkled with an almost childlike wonder. Izuku could only watch her in silence for a moment, trying to maintain his composure as the bubbles continued to rise from his submerged face.
Meanwhile….
Ochako bolted up the stairs, her heart racing as she tried to find Izuku before Katsuki could. The last thing she wanted was for Katsuki's wrath to hit full force, especially since Izuku had probably done something innocuous to set him off again. She sprinted down the hallway, her mind fixed on the urgency of the situation. As she reached Izuku's floor, she was momentarily distracted by the sight of her classmates staggering out of Mina's room, looking like they had been through a battlefield.
Momo, Tsuyu, Tooru, and Mina were in rough shape—eyes bleary, hair disheveled, and pale as ghosts. Ochako couldn't help but crack a half-joking smile despite her frantic state. "You guys look like you've been dipped in used cooking oil," she said with a light chuckle. The comparison was almost too accurate—each of them looked greasy and worn out, the telltale signs of a wild night with Mina's funky fruit punch.
Tsuyu looked like she was about to fire off one of her witty quips, but her face paled even further. She placed a hand on her stomach, holding back a gag. "Not gonna say it," she croaked, "afraid I'll puke."
Tooru waved her arms in the air, clearly confused. "Am I faded because I'm invisible, or faded because I'm drunk?" she asked, her disembodied voice wobbling in a slurred manner. The absurdity of the question nearly made Ochako laugh again, but before she could respond, another voice chimed in.
"That's what you get for not inviting me." Kyouka appeared down the hallway, holding a large pot of soup in her hands, her signature earphone jacks dangling lazily by her sides. She had an amused smirk on her face as she offered a playful jab at the group. "Who wants some clam chowder? It's good for hangovers."
The girls immediately clamped their hands over their mouths as if the mere mention of food had flipped a switch. They groaned and made a mad dash toward the bathroom, desperate to escape the aroma that was apparently not sitting well with their delicate stomachs. Sickening cries and retching sounds soon followed from behind the bathroom door.
Kyouka burst into laughter as she watched them flee. "Guess that's a 'no' on the chowder," she snickered, clearly enjoying the chaos. She turned to Ochako, still grinning. "You want some? It's homemade."
Ochako raised her hands in polite refusal. "I'm good, Kyouka, thanks. I've got something else to handle right now." She glanced back toward the bathroom, where more painful sounds of hangover-induced misery echoed through the hallway. Kyouka shook her head with a knowing smile before holding out the pot of soup.
"I'll be right back. Gotta go take care of the babies," Kyouka said, her voice laced with amusement as she handed Ochako the pot. "Hold onto this for a sec."
With that, Kyouka sauntered off toward the bathroom to assist their poor, sick classmates. Ochako was left standing there holding the heavy pot of clam chowder, its aroma wafting up toward her. Her stomach twisted slightly, though not from hangover-induced nausea. She was still on edge about Katsuki and Izuku. She put the pot down on a nearby table and took a deep breath, her mind refocusing on the task at hand.
"Izuku… where are you?" she muttered to herself. She hadn't seen him since last night, and with Katsuki on a rampage, she needed to find him fast.
To be continued….
BD: Thank you for reading. See you guys in eight years (I hope not)!