It was the morning of her birthday Katsumi couldn't help but feel a little excited. After all, it seemed her Dad had planned something. With all the training and stress of the exam, she honestly hadn't even thought about it much. It was her first birthday with her Dad in years and as much as she wanted to play it cool, she was thrilled he had seemingly planned something. Normally she would just have a sleepover with her friend group and her Mum would give her a couple hundred dollars, she was hoping that he would put a little more thought into it.
Speaking about her friends from back in America, she had yet to receive any happy birthdays, though she supposed it was because of the time difference. It wasn't even her birthday there yet so of course she hadn't got any messages.
As she changed out of her pyjamas her phone buzzed, and her heart leaped, it was probably Izuku. Grinning, she jumped onto her bed, picking up her phone.
1 new notification from 'Mum'
Oh.
10th of March 20XX (today)
8:04Mum
Congratulations on getting into UA.
I understand you were ranked third overall for recommended students. Slightly disappointing but still a good start. I hope your father is doing his duty and keeping you in check, don't start misbehaving just because you have gotten into UA. Study, you have a bad habit of slacking off. Enjoy your birthday.
'Wow.' Katsumi dropped her phone back on the bed. She went back to getting ready but as she did she couldn't help but start getting annoyed. God, she just had to go out of her way to be a bitch to her, didn't she? Even wrote it in Japanese- she never did that. Mum probably did that as a reminder of the fact Katsumi's Japanese wasn't that great.
'Whatever' she mumbled, turning away from her bed.
She finished changing, it was her birthday and she wanted to dress up a little more than usual. She settled on a black tank top with a rhinestone outline of a heart in the middle and brown ripped leopard print flares. It looked a little cold outside so she put on a cropped black hoodie just in case she had to go out. Adding a black choker and her usual assortment of bracelets she was happy with her outfit. Looking at herself in the mirror she wondered, why had she been upset again?
Oh wait, she remembered.
Whatever, she wasn't going to let that ruin her day. Once she had done her makeup she went straight downstairs. Skipping into the large living room she looked around.
'Dad? You here?'
She wandered around downstairs, calling out for him. When she couldn't find him she went back upstairs but he wasn't there either.
A bit dejected she went back to the living room, sitting on the sofa. She was sort of hoping she would come down to see he had made her breakfast. After all, he basically implied he had a surprise for her while they were at the beach. That and he had asked her what her favourite breakfast was last night.
'Oh well,' mumbling she grabbed the remote, 'maybe he's out getting something! It's early after all.'
The television turned on, automatically playing the news. Uninterested Katsumi went to turn the channel when the words of the reporter registered in her head.
'Another villain defeated early this morning when All Might came to rescue the situation-'
'...Huh.' Katsumi stared at the screen as the News reporter showed the footage of All Might capturing some bank robber.
She changed the channel, putting on some game show. Chewing her nails she barely paid attention to the tv. Suddenly she grabbed her phone, going to the messaging app.
8:14Katsumi
Hey Dad where are you?
She turned her phone off, staring at the blank screen. The laughter of the contestants on the TV in the background. It took a while until her phone screen lit up again, Katsumi didn't stop staring at the screen until it did.
1 new notification 'Dad': Sorry, went out to buy some stuff, be back soon
Katsumi turned her phone off, not opening the message. She felt a little sick. Shaking her head she went to the kitchen and got herself a glass of water.
Whatever, he probably did go out for that and just walked past the robbery. Besides, it was pretty early for her to be getting up, she couldn't blame him for thinking she would still be asleep. She chuckled under her breath, he was probably out getting something for today and saw the robbery happening and couldn't help himself. He probably would tell her about it when he got home, easier to explain in person than in text. He wasn't trying to lie to her.
It was about half an hour later when the front door opened and her Dad walked through holding a shopping bag. Katsumi put her phone away, turning off the candy-crush-like game she had been playing.
'Happy birthday Sumi!'
Katsumi let him approach her, as he opened his skinny arms for a hug she drove two fingers into his stomach.
'Ack!' He coughed, blood seeping out as he folded over.
'Katsumi.' She reminded.
Toshinori sprung back up, 'Haha!' Grinning, he wiped his mouth. 'Well, wanna see your present or no?'
Katsumi pursed her lips, feeling a little bad for her attack. She did really want to see what he got her though. Looking away she mumbled a yes.
'Too bad! You gotta wait!' He patted her on the shoulder, 'You seeing Midoriya today?'
'Uh, we haven't arranged anything,' she admitted, she had barely talked to him the past week, mainly because she was recovering from that stupid cold. That and after her little realisation anytime she wanted to message him she started to get all giddy and would end up second-guessing herself.
'Well tell him to come round! Around four should be good, tell him to save space for dinner.' He wandered over to the kitchen, Katsumi following behind him, 'You had breakfast yet?'
'No.'
'Good! Because guess what I just went and bought?' He grinned, placing the bag on the kitchen island. It sounded really heavy, the bottom of the bag taught, sharp edges gutting out. Katsumi eyed it with suspicion from the other side of the island.
'Waffles?' That's what she had asked for last night, though she doubted that was what was in that heavy-looking bag.
He laughed, leaning his elbow on the kitchen island, 'Have a look,' he said with a little too much self-satisfaction she thought.
Katsumi begrudgingly pulled the bag open, seeing its contents she chuckled and gave her Dad an amused look. 'Waffle maker 2000?'
Toshinori grinned and hastily took the box out, 'Isn't it amazing? Instead of just buying the store ones we can just make the batter, put it in here for five mins and bam! Waffle! The batters are easy enough to make, you could have waffles whenever you want with this!'
'Wow, you really latched onto this waffle idea,' she smiled, it was funny how seriously he had taken her request for waffles. Waffles were good, whenever she travelled to the midwest she would beg her mum to take her to waffle house, now, living with her Dad, she would be able to get some whenever she wanted. She would spare him the detail that she actually preferred french toast though.
'Well,' her Dad turned round, taking the waffle maker with him to place it on the counter next to the outlet, 'You go and invite Izuku round, you can come to help with the batter once you're done.'
'Huh? It's my birthday though!'
'Oh, so you don't want to spend time with your old man?' Toshinori sighed, clutching at his heart.
'Ugh! Okay gimme a minute,' Katsumi walked away as her Dad laughed. She took her phone out to message Izuku.
As she opened her phone to the messenger app she saw the unread message from her Dad, she clicked on it to get rid of the notification. Well, he didn't tell her about the robbery, but in fairness, he hadn't missed anything, just a bit late. It wasn't like before. There was no point in telling her, it would just worry her, thats what he probably thought. Whatever, it didn't matter.
She should probably reply to her Mum too, she sat down on the sofa, sighing as she started to type. Re-reading and re-typing it took a bit for her to be happy with her message.
8:30Katsumi
Thank you for your concern with my studies Mum however I have been working very hard. Seeing as I have the disadvantage of being schooled in another country I think my placing was quite impressive, especially since I was against some of the top students in Japan not to mention the fact I was indisposed. As for Dad, he was been wonderful, he really has worked hard to make me feel at home. Thanks to his training I was able to do well in the practical exam, I am immensely grateful to him for taking me in despite my prior troubles which understandably would call my character into question. I am spending my birthday with him and a friend who will also be attending UA, I will miss your presence, Mum, though I will try my very hardest to enjoy my birthday without you. Enjoy your day.
She checked it over, she wrote it in Japanese so she had to make sure the grammar was a hundred percent correct. Smirking she sent the overly formal text, she could just imagine her mum's face, tight lips snarling as she read the obviously defiant words. She knew the formal way of writing would piss her off too, she would assume it was a dig at her. Katsumi felt much better after that.
Now she just needed to text Izuku. Her good mood suddenly dissipated, replaced with a quick heartbeat that made her feel off-balanced. She pursed her lips as she clicked on Izuku's contact, their last messages popping up. The time difference between replies was enough to make her want to never touch her phone again.
30th Feburary 20XX
15:12Izuku
Hey, I hope your exam went well!
1st March 20XX
16:23Katsumi
it was good thanks
16:25Izuku
The recommended exam was different from the open right? We had to fight robots
16:36Izuku
How was the written exam?
18:23Katsumi
good, we did a obstacle course
18:25Izuku
An obstacle course? Wow, how did you do?
Also I'm glad the written exam went well, all your hard work paid off!
18:56Katsumi
I got 3rd in my race
Thanks for tutoring me
19:00Izuku
No problem! And wow third is really good, especially since you are ill
Do you feel better anyways?
20:00Katsumi
im ok
20:22Izuku
Good, rest up
Katsumi had to turn her phone screen away out of sheer shame. She had to make up for being so dry. If you showed the texts to a stranger they would assume it was the last few texts before a couple broke up.
Swallowing her shame she clicked on the text box and started writing. She was planning to act cool and make it seem like she was only inviting him because her Dad told her to, but she couldn't do that. She owed him confirmation that she liked him, as a friend of course.
heyyy Izuku you wanna come round my house today? my dads planning something and he said i could invite u round, we have barely seen eachother and i really miss u. can you come round for four?
Katsumi was about to send but as she re-read her message she decided the 'really miss u' was too much.
8:34Katsumi
hey Izuku you wanna come round my house today? my dads planning something and he said i could invite u round, we have barely seen eachother recently! can you come round about fourish? or whenevers best for u
That was better, much better.
'Katsumi! How long does it take to send a text!'
'Coming!' Katsumi stood up, deciding to leave her phone on the sofa. She didn't need to be constantly waiting for a buzz while baking. She began to walk back to the kitchen when she heard a familiar buzz that made her practically pounce back to her phone.
1 new notification 'Mum':You're a very clever girl, always had a talent for writing. Wish you would have become a writer instead of a brute.
'...Huh.'
She wasn't sure how to feel about that, but the first emotion to arise was annoyance, so she went with that.
Izuku Midoriya was not having a good morning. After discovering the night before how soon Katsumi's birthday was, he was sent into a little panic. They were already on weird terms for some reason he couldn't understand, and now it was the morning of her birthday and he had no gift! He wasn't even sure if he was going to see her that day but just in case he woke up early and took the earliest train to the shopping centre.
A gift, he needs to get a gift. Katsumi was practically his best friend and he didn't have a gift! As he hurried out of the station and to the mall he couldn't help but wonder if Katsumi hadn't told him about her birthday on purpose, maybe she didn't want to see him. Maybe he had misinterpreted their relationship, she had just been hanging out with him because she had no other friends and now they were going to UA she was planning on ditching him for other people.
He shook his head, what an awful thing to assume. Katsumi wasn't that sort of person. It was more likely that she never mentioned how soon her birthday was because she didn't want to sound like she wanted him to get her something.
But she had been acting weird, she could barely look at him last night.
Izuku decided to move on, he had to focus on finding something for Katsumi, then maybe he could ask to meet her at the park to give it to her. If he had more time to prepare he would have saved up to be able to take her to that cafe she loved so much but a gift would have to do.
Buzz!
He absentmindedly grabbed his phone out of his back pocket, expecting a message from his Mum or a notification from an app.
1 new message 'Katsumi':hey Izuku you wanna come round my house today?...
He'd better hurry up and find a good gift.
Toshinori and Katsumi had cooked two waffles each and loaded them up with chocolate sauce, ice cream, M 's, berries and whipped cream. It looked delicious, and it was, but Katsumi wasn't sure that it had been worth it by the time she forced the last bites into her mouth. Her Dad had called it quits halfway through, and shamefully tossed his food remains into the bin. After they both sat on the couch, letting their food go down and feeling slightly sick from the sweet meal.
After spending a decent amount of time on the sofa her Dad decided to put up some decorations. He had planned to do it before Katsumi woke up, expecting her to sleep in till about eleven. That didn't happen obviously so instead he forced her to blow up balloons with him. He started bringing in a couple of wrapped gifts from upstairs into the living room, firmly reminding Katsumi not to open them.
'In not five!'
'You're extremely impatient sometimes!' Toshinori shouted up at her as she went back upstairs. Katsumi rolled her eyes, trying not to smile.
Four pm came around quickly, Izuku had messaged back not too long after she had sent her message to say he was coming. Laying on her bed looking at fashion catalogs Katsumi randomly took an actual look at her room and realised it was a pigsty. Her room was a pigsty and Izuku was coming round. She suddenly remembered the first time she had come around his house, barged into his room and started trauma dumping. Ugh, embarrassing.
She didn't think he would go into her room, but just in case she started to tidy it. Her being a slob wouldn't surprise him but it was best to have her room clean, just in case he did come in…
Katsumi's mouth widened as she realised where her mind was going, Jesus Christ! Realistically Izuku would faint from a kiss on the cheek. Covering her face she started to giggle as she imagined that, having a crush was fun.
'Midoriya is here!'
Izuku stood stiffly at the door, holding a wrapped box against his chest, 'Ah, hi All Might.'
'Come in! Put your shoes on the rack there will you?'
Running down the stairs Katsumi grinned as her eyes found Izuku.
'Hey!' Izuku hurried to finish taking off his shoes as Katsumi threw herself onto him, pulling him into a tight hug.
'Katsumi!'
'Happy birthday- yeah yeah you can save your breath,' she smiled.
All Might was not just an incredibly strong and efficient hero, he also was a pretty good cook. As it was his only daughter's birthday he was prepared to go all out (especially as it was the first time in a while he was with her for it).
'Wow, All Might that smells amazing!'
Katsumi rolled her eyes as she watched her father's wide grin. Izuku watched in awe as he puffed up into his muscle form, showing off his skills as he chopped a vegetable mid-air.
'Izuku got me a gift-' she grinned, pulling the boy closer to her, 'imma open it now.'
All Might raised his finger to point at her, 'Absolutely not young lady! Midoriya!' he pointed to the doorway, 'Put it in front of the TV with the rest of them!'
Izuku turned to look at the living room, 'Wow, you have a lot of presents.'
'You're right, she's spoiled.'
'Woah, don't forget whose birthday it is!' Katsumi let go of Izuku to shout across the kitchen island, 'You gotta be nice to me! Izuku,' she turned quickly to look at him, 'y'know he made me help him with putting up MY decorations?'
'You weren't doing anything.' Her Dad argued. Katsumi whipped back around to face him.
'Still!'
As they bickered Izuku silently went to the living room and placed his wrapped box down. He hoped the gift was okay, with such short notice he struggled to think of anything. When he came across it displayed in the window, he was pretty certain that it was the right choice.
He could breathe easy now, Katsumi was back to normal. In fact, she might be a bit more friendly than before. There was no point even trying to understand what had happened the past week, he was starting to think maybe it was all in his head and she hadn't felt weird at all. It didn't matter now, they were back to normal. Turning back to the kitchen he saw Katsumi leaning against the kitchen island as her Dad attempted to entertain her with his over-the-top cooking skills. She didn't seem too impressed, instead glancing over to where Izuku was. As they made eye contact she smiled, before quickly looking away.
All Might enlisted the help of Izuku and Katsumi, one more willing than the other, to finish cooking the birthday meal. It was a lot of work, he had been working on it for a couple of hours before Izuku arrived. The finished product was such a meal that you could probably describe it as a feast.
Dad had made a range of different foods (mostly from scratch). Not just Japanese foods as well. It ended up being a bit too much for three people, but Katsumi could eat for two if she was hungry, and she hadn't eaten since breakfast. It was a seemingly random collection of steaming rice bowls, juicy pork tacos, American fries, halloumi fries, meat and vegetable kebabs, noodles with Beijing soybean paste, meaty hot dogs with mustard, Caprese and Caesar salads. The one thing that linked them all together was that they were all Katsumi's favourite foods.
Safe to say, despite being salty about being dragged into the preparations for her own birthday meal, Katsumi was grinning from ear to ear. She started leaning across the table, loading up her plate with anything and everything, eager to get started.
'Hey! Wait a second I want to say something!'
'Tch,' Katsumi sat back down, putting her plate back on the table, 'you're not going to do a speech are you?'
'Uh, maybe. Yes! Yes, I am!' he puffed up into his hero self again, almost knocking the table as he bellowed loud laughter.
'Oh my god.' Katsumi whined, 'It's my sixteenth, not my wedding.'
'No point in saving it for then! The likelihood of that occurring doesn't look good!'
'Excuse me! You mean you don't think I can get married?'
'Not with that attitude!' He laughed.
'Oh, you're on form today Dad! Izuku do you see how he treats me?'
Izuku smiled awkwardly, 'I don't think he means it.'
'So?' Katsumi crossed her arms and turned away with overstated hurt, 'this is harming my mental health! You're destroying my confidence by saying no one would want to marry me! Bad parenting!'
'I do apologise, dear daughter,' All Might said with mock regret, 'I'm sure you could get married if you wanted to.'
'Exactly.'
'Midoriya,' All Might said, getting the boy's attention, 'you're Katasumi's age, do you think-'
'Woah woah woah,' Katsumi felt her face flush as she swiftly jumped up, waving her hands at her Dad in a panic, 'Let's not!'
'Why? It's a perfectly reasonable-' All Might stopped to take a moment to look at his daughter's panicked, red face.
'Ah,' he coughed, deflating, 'well anyways! What was I saying…'
'Speech!' Katsumi sat down keeping her eyes on her dad, not daring to look at the boy across from her. If she did, she would have seen his open mouth, pink-cheeked.
'Yes! Katsumi, sixteen years ago you were born, I remember it well, I-'
'I'd hope so.'
'Zip it! Anyway, I was in the middle of fighting a particularly strong villain when my phone just kept buzzing!' He rested a large hand on top of his head as he stared off into nothing, anything for the pose.
'Obviously, knowing how close your mother was to labour I quickly wrapped up the fight. I answered the phone in a panic! Only to be met with her shouting about how I'd forgotten to buy bread. I was pretty annoyed seeing how I thought she was about to give birth, but all the shouting ended with her starting her contractions anyway sooo…'
'Oh my god.'
'I ended up going home in the end to take her to the hospital. After ten long hours- probably longer for your mother than me-'
'Oh my god.'
'I finally I got to hold my little girl in my arms. Thats is to say, it was probably the best day of my life.' He sighed wistfully, 'I really have missed you these last few years, I hope you're enjoying your birthday-'
'I would be if you let me eat.'
'I'm almost done! I just want to say I'm really proud of who you've grown up to be. Training you two and watching you become close has really been wonderful. Midoriya, thank you for being such a great friend to Katsumi.'
'Oh uh, no problem All Might.'
'Oh my god!' Katsumi covered her face as she laughed. 'Can we eat please?'
Katsumi let the unnecessary speech go, it was kind of sweet, if not embarrassing. She wouldn't admit it but if he had said that to her without a third party present she would have hugged him. But he didn't, Izuku was there. She could see him out of the corner of her eye watching her reaction, it made her stomach churn with embarrassment. It didn't disturb her stomach enough to not stuff herself with as much grub as possible. Izuku, having learnt his lesson not to comment on her eating habits, talked to All Might about what Katsumi had been like as a child as they ate.
'She was a pretty shy child, her Mum was adamant about homeschooling her so she didn't have many friends here in Japan.'
'She was happy to send me to school in America,' Katsumi managed to say as she devoured a beef kebab.
'Yeah, well I think it was more that she didn't want you doing all the cram school when you got to high school here.'
'That's only during exam season though,' Izuku said as he took the last kebab stick.
'Well Asami had some strong feelings about academic pressure so I suppose she wanted Katsumi to avoid that as much as possible.'
'Really?' Katsumi's face scrunched, 'She always got on me bout my grades.'
All Might shrugged, 'Thats how she felt back then, don't know about now.'
Buzz Buzz Buzz
'Katsumi is that your phone?'
'Oh-' she took her ringing phone out of her pocket.
Incoming Facetime, Gymnastics gyallzzzz
'Oh! Wait can I take this?' Katsumi stood up.
'Woah,' her Dad raised an eyebrow, 'who is it?'
'My gymnastics team!'
'Oh,' he shrugged, 'well try to be quick, you don't want the food getting-' he looked at the table in front of him, his eyes widening, 'Where'd all the kebabs go!'
Katsumi giggled as she slipped out of the room.
'Hey! Katsumi!' he shouted after her, 'You didn't leave any for me!'
'I only had one…' Izuku quickly pointed at the single kebab stick on his plate, not about to have any blame shifted on him.
'Omgeee Katsumi!' Immediately after she had accepted the call she was met with loud squeals.
'Katsumi happy birthday!'
'Thank you!' It was slightly strange for her to be talking in English after using Japanese for so long. She was surprised to see most of the girls on the team on the call. She hadn't spoken to any of them in a while, she rarely went on her phone and wasn't much of a texter. It was nice to see their faces again.
They were told she was moving overseas to live with her Dad, but not what school she was trying out for. She decided to tell them about what school she had gotten into. The shock on their faces was hilarious. There wasn't much time to talk though, she apologised about how she couldn't talk about it for long because she was having dinner with her Dad and a friend.
'Oh, a friend? Where'd you meet her?'
'Ah- no he's a guy,' Katsumi said a little shyly.
'Woah, why do you look so embarrassed?'
'Oh is itthatsort of guy-friend?'
'Omg let's see him! Is he hot?'
'Well-' Katsumi began to speak but she wasn't sure what to say. She was glad she had moved away from her Dad and Izuku to take the call.
'He's going to UA too,' she said.
'Oh wow really?'
'Omg, we gotta get together to watch the UA sports festival!'
'Oh my god yes!'
Katsumi grinned, though she probably would slowly lose contact with them, it was nice to know they would be watching her. The really interesting thing would be how they'd react when the public found out All Might had a daughter. Back in America, Katsumi lived in a wealthy neighbourhood, all her friends being pretty well off, they lived near LA, so most people had some connection to someone in the entertainment industry. Katsumi was known as the model turned Magazine CEO's daughter already, still, the knowledge of who her Dad is would be big news. Katsumi was a little nervous about that.
They only talked for five or so minutes before Katsumi went back to the table, smiling even more than normal. She also had a couple of happy birthday messages from people who went to her school along with a couple of Instagram tags. She could look at the stories later.
There wasn't much left once they were full, they were all feeling a little tired but Katsumi didn't have time for that.
'C'mon let me open my gifts already!'
'You should do the dishes first.'
'Oh piss off.'
Ding Dong
'Ah, I'll get that- you two just go to the living room'
Toshinori got up and jogged out of the room, leaving Katsumi and Izuku alone.
'Uh, I'm so full,' Izuku sighed.
'C'mon,' Katsumi jumped up, 'I wanna see what you got me!'
'Oh! Uh,' He got up quick, following Katsumi out of the room, 'It's not that amazing, I'm not sure you'd like it…'
She just rolled her eyes and laughed, 'Relax, you had like, half a day to get something. I'm surprised you got anything at all, so thanks.'
Izuku smiled. Plopping herself on the long couch, Katsumi patted the seat next to her, 'Come sit next to me.'
'Okay!' He nodded, sucking in a deep breath as he sat down stiffly. Katsumi, arms open wide on the back of the sofa, raised an eyebrow.
'Why you being so awkward?'
'Sorry- it's just uh…' he trailed off, not sure what to say.
Katsumi sat up, leaning out to look at his face, she watched as he squirmed under her gaze, looking away as his cheeks grew red. She couldn't help but smile, and before she could second guess herself asked, 'Would you wanna-'
'A gift for you Katsumi!' All Might appeared behind them, making them both yelp, Katsumi sitting back. He plopped a box onto her lap, her name written on the delivery address.
'Huh? Who's that from?' Izuku asked. Katsumi didn't even react to the box, too busy with the realisation of what she had come so close to asking Izuku.
'I believe it is from Mum, Katsumi.'
Katsumi snapped back to reality, pouting her lips, she picked the box up, the cogs in her head turning. What would her Mum get her?
'Hmmm, I'll open it later,' she said finally, placing it to the side, 'Gimme the boring presents first.'
The pile was a bit of a scam, most of the wrapped gifts being school supplies. Nice school supplies, but still school supplies. Katsumi wasn't surprised, she already had every item she could have wanted, and she hadn't asked for anything either. She was definitely hard to shop for.
'Oh wait this is actually cool.' Katsumi held up a pack of animal print pens, specifically looking at the leopard print one. Her Dad smiled.
'Hey, that one matches your pants!' Izuku commented as he picked up the torn paper from the floor.
'Oh don't worry about that kid, I'll tidy up later.'
Katsumi gasped as she tore away the paper from a soft and round plush, 'Oh my god, Jigglypuff!'
'I remember that was your favourite Pokeymon when you were little.'
Katsumi sat the plush on her lap, a toothy grin on her lips, 'it's Pokemon. But yeah it was! And- I uh,' Katsumi tripped over her tongue. 'Um imma open Izukus now!' She decided, leaning down to grab it.
'Oh uh! I have the receipt if you want to return it and excha-'
All Might sighed, 'Goodness boy!'
Katsumi ignored them both, instead taking a moment to feel the box's weight. It wasn't heavy or light. She shook it gently, but it didn't make any noise.
'Yeah I got no clue what's in here,' she relented, finally just opening it. Her Dad leaned a bit closer to see what was inside.
'I just saw it in the shop window and thought it was cool-' Izuku said quickly.
'A Polaroid camera?'
'Oh wow,' All Might said as Katsumi took it out of the box. It was a thin, purple camera with an inbuilt printer, perfect for putting in your pocket.
Izuku watched with anxious anticipation as Katsumi examined it. She shook her head and sighed, putting the gift down. She looked down for a long moment, both her Dad and Izuku waiting in confusion for her to say something. Katsumi took a deep breath in.
'Why the hell were you acting so nervous for? This awesome!' Katsumi whipped around as she grinned at Izuku. 'You're so awesome!' she didn't even let him respond as she pulled him closer to her, planting a strong kiss on his cheek. 'Thank you!' She pulled back, her grin even wider, 'We totally need to get a picture together with this!'
'Uhhhh yeah…' Izuku squeeked out. His face was redder than a tomato and mind felt as blank as a procrastinating student with an exam due in the morning's notebook. With one action Katsumi had managed to completely throw him for a loop. His cheek felt like it was burning. She didn't take any notice of his condition, or at least pretended not to, continuing to open her gifts. All Might looked at the boy with something in between amusement and pity. He gave him a look so much to say 'Good Luck'.
'Right, gimme the mystery box now.'
'Here.'
Katsumi had no clue what was in that box. It was pretty big, about the size of an A4 book. She could feel Izuku peering over her shoulder, she pursed her lips, remembering the feeling of his cheek pressed against them. That was an act of pure impulsiveness. She really had to start thinking before she acted, she'd already almost confessed now she was kissing him.
'Ugh!' she ripped the box open, the sudden burst in aggression surprising her Dad and making Izuku sit back a little.
Inside the box was a book of poems alongside a fancy notebook and old-fashioned pen. A note was folded onto one of the books, printed letters of 'NOAFASHION' clearly labelling it.
Katsumi picked the paper up and unfolded it, in an exasperated voice she read the contents, 'Dear Katsumi, as it is your first birthday away from me I decided to get you something special. With how much aggressive and brutish activity you will be engaging with I hope you can take time to rediscover- oh my god why does she talk like a fucking Victorian.'
'Poetry?' Izuku questioned as he looked at the box.
'Oh yeah, you used to be a little writer didn't you?'
Katsumi raised her eyebrows and pursed her lips, putting back the note into the box, 'Well, I probably won't use that but it's the passive-aggressive thought that counts.'
'Make sure to message her a thank you,' her Dad reminded.
'Yup.'
It was getting dark and Izuku had to go home. The three of them went to the front door and Izuku and All Might (who offered to walk him to the station) started to put on their shoes. All Might had packed up some of the leftovers for Izuku to bring home for his Mum.
'I'll come too,' Katsumi said promptly.
'It's okay Katsumi.'
'Stay here and start the dishes.'
'What!' she gasped in horror. 'Wait, are you being serious?' She said, genuine terror in her eyes as her mind flashed to the mountain of plates left on the dining room table. Not to mention all the dishes used to make the damn food!
'Nah I'm kidding, just bring the dishes to the kitchen won't you?'
'Yeah okay.' She agreed quickly before he could change his mind.
Before they could leave Katsumi gave Izuku one more hug, thanking him again for the awesome gift, he blushed profusely, swearing that it was nothing.
'Can you two get off each other already?' All Might shook his head, tutting. His words quickly set the teens apart.
Finally, All Might and Izuku were walking along the dark, lamp lit streets in the crisp spring air.
'Thank you for walking me All Might, you really didn't have to,' Izuku said cheerfully, it had been a good evening.
'Yeah well, to be honest it was more because I need to talk to you without Katsumi around.'
'Huh?' Izuku felt his good mood halt as All Might's serious tone met his ears.
'How much was that camera?'
Izuku looked up at the old man confused, 'What? Ohhh, no All Might it's okay it wasn't too much-'
'Kid,' All Might smiled, but spoke firmly, 'trust me, it's nothing to me. Just let me pay you back.'
'Ah okay then.'
Izuku slipped the money into his rucksack as they continued walking.
'Also, remember what I told you back before you met Katsumi?'
'Uh,' Izuku furrowed his brow in thought.
'About not getting any ideas?' All Might said plainly, looking down at the boy, eyebrow raised. Izuku looked up at him blankly.
'Wait!' He jumped as he connected the dots, 'I'm not- we're not- she doesn't- I know she uh, well- but that was just a thank you-'
'Kid,' All Might chuckled, 'Just don't get distracted from what you want to do. You want to be hero right? That's what you need to be focusing on.'
'Yeah of course! It's what I want the most in the whole world.'
'I know boy, but you're still a kid, and personal relationships can be stressful. So remember the big picture if you get what I mean.'
'Yeah, of course.'
Katsumi didn't even wait for her Dad to get home to start getting ready for bed. She rushed the dishes to the kitchen, eager to get it over with as quickly as possible. After she went straight upstairs, carrying her gifts with her, washed off her makeup, brushed her teeth, got into her pyjamas and dived into bed. She practically sunk into the soft mattress, sighing in relief. Reaching for her bedside table she picked up the little photo she had taken earlier, the smiling faces of her Father, Izuku and her. It looked much cooler on a Polaroid than it would have on her phone. She smiled softly.
Pulling the cover over her she was glad to fall asleep. She hadn't even taken those sleeping pills in forever, she was just so happy. She should tell Dad not to bother getting her anymore. She could sleep perfectly well all by herself because she was just so happy.
The next morning Katsumi went out by herself. There wasn't a particular reason, she just wanted to get out, maybe go window shopping. She was just in a good mood. Maybe she might even get a little gift for Izuku, she could play it off as being a congratulations for getting into UA.
As she walked, one Airpod in playing Doechii, she felt it again. Just like she had when she got her nails done months ago, when she went to Kamino Ward with Izuku for Christmas Eve, randomly, anytime she went out. God, she had been in such a good mood, why did they have to go and ruin it?
There weren't many people around where she was, and yet someone was watching her. Again. It had gone on for too long, pretty much since she had come back to Japan. Katsumi wasn't sure why, but she decided to do something about it.
She took a sharp turn into an empty alley. Walking in a good way through she suddenly came to a stop.
'I know you're there,' her voice came out more confident than she was feeling. The dingy air of the alley made her heartbeat quicken in a sickly manner, her chest tightening.
They were behind her, she knew that. She just had to turn around and face them. That's all she had to do, she would tell them off, scare them off. The quick, upbeat rap still played in her ear as she stood there. Taking the Earbud out she put it into her pocket. The music stopped and she was suddenly left in silence. The only sound she would hear was her own breath.
She turned around.