Once, in a land of verdant fields and sprawling hamlets, there existed a kingdom called Misthaven. Its fertile lands yielded bountiful harvests, its rivers ran clear and cold, and its borders faded into a mystical forest said to be touched by gods. This land, blessed and rich, was ruled by Katsuki Bakugo, the proud and volatile Lord of the Eastern Lands.

Lord Bakugo was a figure of power and legend. A warrior of unmatched skill, his quirk alone was enough to keep would-be challengers at bay. Though human in form, his fierce temperament earned him the nickname "The Beast of the East."

Physically, Bakugo was striking—a young man of average height with a lean, muscular frame. His sandy blond hair spiked in wild disarray, his crimson eyes gleamed like embers, and his expressions were sharp enough to cut. Yet his beauty was only skin-deep. Behind his charisma and strength was a soul marked by arrogance and immaturity. He was reckless, selfish, and utterly blind to the value of kindness.

His grand palace was a reflection of his wealth and vanity, filled with priceless treasures and loyal servants. Lavish balls were held often, drawing nobles and common folk alike from across Misthaven and the neighboring kingdom of Azumano. Yet for all his riches, Bakugo's heart was as barren as the coldest winter.

Xxx

One such ball brought a peculiar guest—a ten-year-old girl named Reille, who accompanied her parents, Adeline and Yann, merchants of fine silks. While others danced and feasted in the golden glow of the great hall, Reille sat near a windowsill, her nose buried in a well-loved book titled A Handsome Hero. She had coppery hair, braided neatly, and green eyes that sparkled with intelligence and defiance. She cared little for the opulence of the palace or its proud lord.

As the evening progressed, Bakugo, clad in fine attire, moved through the crowd with his usual swagger. His crimson eyes caught sight of Reille and narrowed. It irked him to see someone ignoring his grand display. Marching over, he snatched the book from her hands.

"What the hell are you doing, brat?" he demanded, waving the book mockingly. "Why come to a party just to read?"

Reille glared at him, unafraid. "Give that back, you beast!"

"Beast?" Bakugo smirked, his tone dripping with condescension. "What kind of idiot reads this trash anyway?" With a cruel grin, he ripped a page from the book, letting it flutter to the floor like a fallen leaf.

"You monster!" Reille cried, lunging to grab her book.

"Say that again, you little—" Bakugo raised his hand, sparks crackling faintly at his fingertips.

But before his strike could land, a sudden howl of wind slammed the great doors open. Snow and ice whipped through the room, snuffing out the warm light of the chandeliers. Guests gasped and huddled together as the temperature plummeted.

Standing in the doorway was an elderly woman. Her silver hair cascaded in a long ponytail, and her attire—a red hakama and white miko jacket—marked her as a shrine priestess. On her back, she carried a bow and a quiver of arrows. Her presence commanded silence.

"I am Kaori," the woman said, her voice calm yet firm. "I have traveled far seeking refuge. In exchange for your kindness, I offer you this rose."

She held out a single bloom, vibrant red and gleaming as if it had been plucked from a summer garden.

Bakugo sneered, crossing his arms. "You think I'd let you stay here? In my palace? What, so you can purify me in my sleep? How stupid do you think I am?"

"Lord Bakugo," Kaori said patiently, "do not be deceived by appearances. True beauty is found within."

"Spare me your lectures, hag!" Bakugo growled, shoving her to the ground. "Take your stupid flower and get out before I show you why people call me the Beast of the East."

Kaori remained on the floor, her expression calm. "Very well," she whispered. Slowly, her aged features melted away, revealing the radiant form of Inari, the goddess of foxes and harvest. Her beauty was divine and terrifying, her eyes glowing with ethereal power.

The crowd gasped, falling to their knees. Reille, clutching her torn book, whispered, "Mother… it's her."

Bakugo staggered back, his face pale. "W-Wait! I didn't mean—"

"Silence!" Inari thundered, her voice echoing like a storm. "You have shown cruelty and arrogance at every turn. You lack compassion, empathy, and love. You are, as my child said, a beast. And now, you shall become one."

With a wave of her hand, Inari cast her curse. Bakugo screamed as pain wracked his body. His sharp red eyes turned feral, slit like a wolf's. Claws sprouted from his fingers, and his teeth became fangs. Furred ears twitched atop his head, and though his form remained humanoid, his aura was unmistakably beastly.

"I curse you, Katsuki Bakugo," Inari declared. "You shall remain in this form until you learn to love another and earn their love in return. But who could ever love a beast?"

The transformation rippled through the palace. Servants were turned into enchanted objects, the grand halls dimmed, and the once-vibrant palace became a shadow of its former self. Guests fled in terror, leaving behind only Reille.

The young girl hesitated as the cursed Bakugo howled in anguish. Clutching the enchanted rose that Inari had left behind, Reille stepped forward.

"I'm sorry I called you a beast, Lord Bakugo," she said softly, holding out the rose. "I hope you find what you're searching for."

Snarling, Bakugo snatched the rose from her hands. "What I'm searching for doesn't exist!" he roared.

Reille met his glare with an intense gaze. "Love does exist, Lord Bakugo. For everyone. One day, I'll prove it to you."

Before Bakugo could respond, her parents swept her away from the cursed palace, leaving the once-proud lord alone in his shadowed halls, time frozen around him.

And so, the Beast of Misthaven began his long, lonely wait.