The kitchen brimmed with the sweet, comforting smell of butter, sugar, and vanilla.
Kamiko stood in front of the counter, her hands busy as she worked on a special surprise for Izuku's graduation.
She had put on a hot pink kitchen apron - one handmade by Rin - that read 'There Is No Such Thing As Too Much Garlic' with an image of garlic cloves on it.
The thing was written in cursive, too. As expected of her sophisticated friend. Once she finished knotting the apron behind her neck, she began tying her hair back into a low ponytail. Her hands were still slightly damp from washing them, but the excitement bubbling in her chest was impossible to ignore. Izuku was finally finishing up at U.A. After everything he had been through, after all the hard work, he was nearly done. She had known about the day for months, but now that it was arriving, there was something about the quiet intensity of the moment that left her feeling oddly nostalgic. Her boyfriend had been working tirelessly toward this milestone, and Kamiko could not help but think back on their own journey together - the late nights they had spent talking, laughing, and supporting one another through their individual struggles. And now, here he was, on the cusp of greatness. Next month, she would also be completing her first year at the music academy.
But it was not just about the achievements. It was about Izuku and Kamiko - together. This was their moment. She wanted to celebrate him in a way that felt right.
Kamiko stared at the empty counter for a moment, wondering what exactly to make. Chicken katsudon was Izuku's favorite comfort food, but she wanted to do something special for this occasion, something that would really surprise him. Not to mention, it would take hours to thaw the chicken, and she did not have the luxury of that much time on her hands.
To find some inspiration, she let her thoughts wander. Her gaze landed upon a money plant atop the kitchen windowsill. Kamiko smiled to herself as she marvelled over its green leaves and how green was Izuku's color. His hair, his eyes, his nature. A vibrant green forest. That was what he was. Recently, he developed an appetite for green tea. Saying that it helped him stay awake to study for exams. From the mugs of freshly brewed matcha they had shared on lazy Sundays to the green tea-flavored sweets they enjoyed at little cafés.
Why not make a cake? A matcha cake, just for him.
She clapped her hands together, the finality of her decision ringing thorough the otherwise quiet house. Kamiko was not a stranger to the kitchen, but baking something as delicate as a matcha cake felt special - like she was pouring all her care and love into a single act. And, of course, she would make it perfect for Izuku.
She walked to the counter and laid out the ingredients one by one, a ritual that always grounded her when preparing something new. Reaching for the butter, she gently sliced it into pieces, then set it aside to soften. Her eyes scanned over the ingredients again: sugar, eggs, matcha powder, and flour. Each item seemed so ordinary on its own, but together they held the promise of something tantalizing. Her fingers lingered over the green tea powder. This was not just any matcha - this was ceremonial matcha, a high-quality, finely ground powder that would ensure the cake had that delicate, light green hue. Kamiko had spent a little extra out of her savings to buy the good stuff. After all, Izuku deserved the best. And she was determined to make something that Izuku would enjoy, something that would remind him how proud she was of him. Kamiko simply had to put the effort in.
As she carefully measured out the matcha, a thought crossed her mind: Izuku has no idea what is coming. I cannot wait to see his face when he walks in.
Grinning to herself, Kamiko sifted the matcha powder into a small ceramic bowl. Baking was not just about following the recipe for her anymore; it was about pouring her emotions into the process.
The butter and sugar were ready. Kamiko placed another, bigger bowl under the mixer and turned it on, the whirring sound filling the kitchen. She stood there, watching the mixture transform from clumps into something light and airy, the butter turning into a fluffy cream. Izuku had always been so focused on his goals, on his future, Kamiko wondered, her eyes lingering on the pale yellow mass. He worked so hard for this day. Maybe he did not realize how proud she was of him. She grabbed the eggs next, cracking them with a practiced hand before adding them to the concoction.
As the batter began to take shape, Kamiko added the vanilla extract. The smell of it wafted up, mingling with the sweetness of the butter and sugar, and for a moment, everything felt perfect. But then she caught herself. Did he know how much she had changed, too? How much this academic year had meant for her? She reflected about her own challenges - her first year at the music academy, the pressure of being a mutant in a hostile space, and the moments when she felt like she might crumble.
But then there was Izuku, always there with a gentle smile and a quiet word of encouragement. Kamiko had not realized how much she had needed someone like him in her life until he had walked into it. She could still remember the first time she met him - that rainy, stormy night, how brave and reassuring he had been, a gaze filled with so much faith.
Kamiko shook her head, returning to the task at hand. This cake was for him. It was for the moments that they had shared and the future they were building together. There was no room for self-doubt today.
The dry ingredients, flour and baking powder, were mixed separately. She added half of the flour mixture into the wet ingredients and watched the batter fold together. Glancing at the big bowl, her mind flicked back to Izuku again, despite her best wishes. Her mind flicked back to their first walk on the beach, when they had exchanged numbers. Albeit short, their conversation was pleasant, and that night sparked the mate bond. Then they got to know each other in a way that felt so easy, so natural.
When it was time to add the buttermilk, Kamiko reached for the bottle in the fridge, pouring it in slowly. She did not have to touch the batter to know how rich its texture had become. There was something magical about watching all the components come together like this. It was like each whisk and stir held a deeper meaning, a hidden layer to the relationship she had with Izuku.
Stop that, Kamiko scold herself. Do not look for a roundabout metaphor in every little thing. It makes you look desperate.
Finally, Kamiko added the remaining dry ingredients, mixing until everything was smooth. Preheating the oven to one hundred and sixty degrees Celsius and lining a thirty centimeter by thirty centimeter baking pan with parchment paper, she lightly sprayed the pan with a baking spray. After transferring the cake batter to the prepared pan, she smoothed it evenly with the back of a spoon and placed the tray into the oven. After about half an hour, the soft green of the matcha cake was already visible, and Kamiko felt a thrill run through her. Confirming that the interior of the cake was still fluffy with a toothpick, she let the baking run its course.
Another twenty minutes later, she shut off the oven, letting the cake cool. Already, she could see that the batter had risen very nicely, at least double the height from when she initially poured the contents into the pan.
This was going to be the perfect cake.
Meanwhile, Kamiko made vanilla buttercream. The remaining softened butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and heavy cream blended together into a fluffy, light frosting. Once the cake had cooled completely, Kamiko applied the frosting with an icing spatula, topping the dessert off with some strawberries sliced down the middle. She carefully cut the confection in small squares, wanting to ensure that there would be enough pieces for everyone.
All that left was the cleanup.
Izuku's nerves jangled as he jogged toward Kamiko's home. It was not that he was scared; rather, it was more like the anxiety of something he did not fully understand yet. Kamiko had called earlier in the day, acting a little strange. She had insisted everything was fine, but there was a tone in her voice that made him worry.
Too panicked to pay mind to decorum, he entered her home with knocking. And that immediately rang warning bells inside his head. A small jiggle of the doorknob, and it gave. The door creaked open. Crossing the threshold, he noticed the lights were off, and the house was eerily quiet. A thousand possibilities raced through his mind, each one worse than the former.
Slowly, he tread past the antechamber into the living room of the home. Before he could process what was happening, the lights flicked on, and confetti exploded from two tubes - one held by his mother and the other by Kamiko herself. Izuku stumbled back in shock as everyone shouted in unison, "Surprise!"
His heart skipped a few beats as he took in the scene. Kamiko stood there beside the coffee table, beaming with pride, while his mother, her parents, and her group of friends gathered around. Much to his amazement, Kacchan was present amongst the guests. Laughter echoed and music played in the background. Everyone was smiling at him, but his focus was on Kamiko. The most important thing was that her face radiated pure joy. And if she was happy, so was he.
"Happy early graduation, Izuku!" Kamiko cheered, her amber eyes beaming like two suns. Izuku was speechless for a moment, feeling the weight of the moment hit him all at once. Kamiko had planned all of this. For him. She approached him, holding a square slice of sage green cake. It was topped with buttercream and strawberries and- was that matcha? She picked it up from the base and ushered for Izuku to open his mouth. Obediently, he did. The treat was light and airy. His eyes widened as the bitterness of the matcha melded with the sweetness of the frosting and the tartness of the fruit.
"This is amazing," he said, after swallowing his first bite, closing his eyes in appreciation.
Kamiko let out a sigh of visible relief. "Thank goodness, you liked it! I had been working on this since morning, hoping that it would be perfect."
He reached forward to tuck a loose curl of Kamiko's hair behind her ear. "Why wouldn't I like it? You put a lot of effort into preparing it. Of course, it was bound to be delicious."
As the atmosphere amongst the youngsters grew more relaxed, Inko and Kamiko's parents had gathered in the kitchen, the clinking of utensils and the low of the dishwasher occupying the room. Inko sat down at the kitchen table, cradling a warm cup of tea in her hands. Kamiko's mother, a miniature woman with striking cream fur and a welcoming smile, joined her, her movements fluid as she folded a dish towel. Kamiko's father, a giant with a gentle demeanor, leaned against the counter, occasionally glancing toward the living room where Kamiko's girl friends fiddled with the karaoke machine.
Inko smiled softly at Kamiko's mother. Akari, she learned was the fennec fox's name; Itsuki, her coyote husband's name. "The tamagoyaki was absolutely splendid. Please share the recipe with me."
Akari barked out a snort, "Sure thing. In return, I want your recipe for the curry. And please take some omelette rolls with you before you leave."
"It's been such a wonderful day. I'm so proud of Izuku. Thank you arranging this party at your home."
"Don't mention it. It was Kamiko's idea. As for Izuku, I can tell he's come a long way. Kamiko means so much to him, and his affection for her only grows day after day."
Inko's smile faltered for just a moment as she gazed down into her teacup. "I think they've been a good influence on each other. Izuku … he's become so much happier since meeting her."
Itsuki spoke, his deep voice steady. "He's a good kid. But I do wonder how they wil handle everything in the future. There's a lot of pressure on him. He's got a big responsibility with his title as the Future Symbol of Peace, and Kamiko's been through her own struggles with racist discrimination. She's stronger than she lets on, but …"
Inko placed a hand on the table. "I think Kamiko understands more than we give her credit for. Izuku has told me about what happened to her last spring. She's dealt with so much herself, so I think she's more than capable of handling whatever comes their way. And Izuku, well, he's not one to shy away from responsibility, even if he is not always sure of himself."
"I suppose you're right," Akari nodded in agreement. "Kamiko's always been strong-willed. But this is different. They're both still so young, and there's so much ahead of them. I just want them both to be happy. To not get caught up in the weight of everything else."
Inko sighed, her expression wistful. Draining the last dredges of the tea, she said, "I know what you mean. Hoping that they don't lose sight of themselves along the way."
There was a pause as the two women exchanged knowing glances. Kamiko's father chimed in again, his tone a contrast to the worrisome aura of the kitchen, "They have each other. I believe they'll be okay. And this is not a burden that only the two of them have to bear. We'll be here for them."
Kamiko beamed with pride as the guests gathered around the table, eagerly ogling the cake she had made. But it was clear from the laughter and chatter that Izuku was not the only one enjoying the surprise. Her parents, friends, Izuku's mother, Katsuki were all in good spirits. She had already cut the cake into appropriate pieces, and everyone immediately began to dig in. Within seconds, the platter was totally wiped out save for a single piece.
She had already heard Izuku's opinion, but before Kamiko could ask anyone how the cake tasted, a commotion suddenly broke out at the table. Izuku stood in front of the table, staring in disbelief at the last piece of cake, the frosting still glistening under the warm lights of the party. It was a perfect square - just enough for a final, satisfying bite. However, now it was a battlefield, and he had not expected this kind of challenge on his special day.
"It's mine!" Izuku declared, holding his hands out protectively as if the slice would sprout legs any moment and sprint away. "Kamiko prepared this cake exclusively for me. My special occasion!"
Etsudo sniffed the air with her large nose, her ears flicking in the direction of the dessert. "I don't know, Midoriya. It smells like something I've been waiting for, too." Her tail wagged in slow, deliberate motions.
Shirohana, in turn, twitched her whiskers. Joining Etsudo to gang up on Izuku, she provoked, "Do you really think you can claim it, Izuku? It's the last piece. We all waited. And besides," she added, flicking her own feline tail with a smug smirk, "a graduation is a public event. Cake is meant to be shared."
Izuku flinched at her words, but he was not going to back down. "Like I said, it's my graduation, and Kamiko made the cake with me in mind. You're all guests who showed up for the snacks!" He jabbed a finger dramatically at each of them in turn.
Minato, the ever-grinning octopus mutant, stretched out her eight tentacles in a way that seemed entirely unnecessary. "Actually, I'm just here for the entertainment, but the cake isn't bad either." She reached over, tentacles snaking toward the cake, but Izuku batted them away in a fit of desperation.
"No!" Izuku shouted, clutching the plate holding the slice with both hands. "This is mine!" His face flushed red as his fingers curled around the plate, but his resolve was starting to waver.
Echidna, with her long serpentine body coiling around a nearby chair, watched the scene with a bemused expression. "Do you really think you can outlast all of us? Look at us. We're practically made for cake fights."
"No one here is made for cake fights!" Izuku argued, backing up a step, his posture still trying to appear firm. But the cake, as if mocking his attempt at strength, began to slide ever so slightly toward the edge of the table.
Rin, who had been sitting silently in the corner with her rag doll-like features and motionless body, suddenly sprang to life with surprising speed. "Actually, I think I'll take that." Her voice was eerily calm, just like her personality and sense of fashion, and before anyone could react, her hand shot out with precision, fingers closing around the delicacy.
"What-" Izuku began, but Rin's gaze silenced him.
"Mine." Her cold, calculating face cracked into something resembling an upward twitch of the lips - if a doll's smile could ever be called that. The confection was already halfway inside her mouth.
Izuku stared in horror. "You can't … you can't just steal it like that!"
Etsudo let out a short bark of laughter, tail now wagging furiously. "I knew it. I knew it would be the doll."
"I was just getting started!" Minato pouted, her tentacles still raised in protest. "We should've had a vote!"
"I'll vote next time," Echidna commented dryly, sliding back into her seat. "On food foreplay," she winked at Minato, who returned the gesture with a little growl of anticipation. "Playing with frosting seems like it would be a hell lot of fun. What do you say, Minato?"
Izuku pointedly decided to ignore them. Besides, he was exhausted from the struggle and thoroughly defeated. Sinking into a chair, he stared at the empty plate in front of him. "It was a really scrumptious cake. I wanted to have one last bite …"
Kamiko, who had been laughing till her stomach hurt throughout this entire ordeal, ultimately spoke up. Heaving between breaths, she assured, "Hey … cheer up, Izuku. I have … something sweeter than cake … for you. After the party is over."
Izuku did not respond immediately, but as the laughter and conversation carried on around him, the absurdity of it all began to settle in. Maybe the cake was not the prize he thought it was after all. Sure, it was spectacular. But this atmosphere, this moment … nothing could equate to it. He smiled wryly, deciding the evening was not so bad after all. "I look forward to your present."
Izuku leaned against the railing of the deck, hands in his pockets, staring up at the stars. The party inside was winding down, the sounds of laughter and clinking glasses still echoing faintly through the walls. He needed a break, some space to think - because the weight of his secret, the weight of One for All, was heavier than ever tonight. He had not been alone for more than a few minutes before Kacchan appeared from the living room, his usual scowl etched across his face. "Oi," Katsuki greeted, his voice carrying across the night air, "what are you doing out here by yourself?"
Izuku straightened up, a slight frown pulling at his lips. "I just needed to hink. It's been a lot today, and I-"
"Yeah, I get it," Kacchan cut him off, his sharp eyes scanning the sky. "All that hero crap on your shoulders and now this party. Big day for you, huh?"
Izuku's heart gave a little thrum at the mention of the party. It had been a whirlwind - he barely had time to process his graduation, let alone all the emotions swirling inside him. "It is. But, there's something I need to talk to Kamiko about. Something I should've told her sooner."
Katsuki raised an eyebrow but said nothing, leaning against the wall next to Izuku. They both stood in silence for some moments, the quiet of the night offering no distractions.
"What is it?" Kacchan asked, his tone than usual. He had always been the type to push others away, but something about tonight, about the growth they had both gone through together after contending with the villains that plagued their secondary school years, made him more open than he let on. Although Izuku noticed, he did not mention it. If he did, his ally would revert to his typical brash self.
Instead, he exhaled shakily. "I need to tell her the truth about One for All. Everything. I'm serious about her, so I cannot keep hiding it. I want her to understand, but I don't know if she'll think I'm crazy. Or worse, if it puts her in danger." He gripped the railing harder, his knuckles white with the intensity of his thoughts. "What if she can't handle it? What if she-"
Katsuki's voice interrupted his spiraling worries, once more. He was surprisingly calm. "Stop. You're a mess, as usual. But you need to tell her. You're not going to get anywhere hiding shit. And Kamiko … she'll understand." He paused, and for the first time in a long while, there was a kindness in his gaze. "You don't give her enough credit. She's tougher than you think."
Izuku's chest tightened. "Kamiko's tougher than I think …" He had always known it, but hearing Kacchan say it made something in his chest flutter with hope. "I guess you're right."
Kacchan grunted, pushing off the wall and turning back toward the door. "Just don't make it more complicated than it needs to be, Izuku. You've already been through enough crap. You don't need to screw this up. She's good for you."
He nodded, feeling a little more confident. "I can do this. I have to. Thanks, Kacchan," he said, voice filled with quiet gratitude.
"Tch. Whatever," Katsuki muttered, disappearing back inside.
The moon had risen in high in the sky when the guests began to take their leave. Izuku's mother left with two bags full of meals, and Katsuki joined her to escort her home. One by one, the girls began to bid goodbye. The last to leave was Echidna, who asked Kamiko and Izuku to meet her by the stairs. Which meant that she occupied the entire stairwell, leaving the two lovebirds to stand at the base.
She slid a glass bottle across the step with a knowing smirk, her fingers brushing over the surface of the bottle as if savoring the moment. The faint clink of glass barely registered against the tension that hung in the air between Izuku and Kamiko. She watched them with an amused, almost predatory gleam in her eyes. "Here," she purred, voice oozing with a mixture of mischief and amusement. "A little gift. Something to help you two … relax."
Izuku's eyes immediately went wide. His face turned a deep shade of cherry red as he stared at the bottle, unsure if he should even touch it. Kamiko, beside him, stiffened, her own blush deepening to the point that it looked painful. She felt head spread across her chest, breath catching in her throat as she dared not to look at Izuku.
"Oh wow!" Echidna remarked. "Both of you guys understood without me having to explain it. My influence is rubbing on you guys."
"W-What is this?" Izuku's voice cracked, betraying his discomfort.
Echidna's leer stretched, her gaze flicking over both of them with a certain possessive curiosity. "It's an aphrodisiac," she answered with a casual flick of her wrist. "I brewed it myself. Tested it. It's guaranteed to be effective." She leaned forward, her eyes not leaving Kamiko's still burning face. "Trust me, you'll both enjoy it."
Kamiko swallowed, trying to steady herself, but the weight of Echidna's words was too overwhelming. "Squeak! Aphrodisiac? Squeak!" she echoed in a low whisper, full of disbelief. Her heart hammered in her chest, and she instinctively leaned away from the bottle, though her fingers twitched toward it as through she were drawn to it against her will.
"Yes, dear," Echidna replied, her tone honey-sweet but laced with something far darker. Far more … salacious. "It's safe. And it's just a little something to enhance your connection." She leaned in even closer, her amethyst eyes flickering between the two of them, lips curling into a smile that was as dangerous as it was inviting. "Unless, of course, you're both too shy for it." Izuku opened his mouth, but no words came. He was frozen, mind racing as he tried to process the situation. From the corner of his eye, Kamiko shifted uncomfortably, her focus fixed on the bottle, though she could feel the heat of Echidna's stare like a weight on her skin.
"I-I don't think …" Izuku stammered, but his words trailed off when Echidna raised a hand, cutting him off with a playful simper.
Low and teasing, she murmured, "No need to be coy. I'm sure you both want it. I can practically feel the tension between you. You don't need to deny it." Leaning back against the stair step above her, the surrounding energy grew more and more sinful. "But then again, you could always abstain. Go without, and see how far that takes you." Kamiko shot a quick glance at Izuku, seeming like all the blood had pooled in her face. But there was something else there too, something intriguing. Her fingers hovered over the bottle, temptation battling hesitation. Echidna's laughter rang out, light and taunting. "Take it. Or don't. The choice is yours," she purred, rising slowly, movements graceful and deliberate. "But I can promise you, it'll make everything a little more interesting. One-month warranty on my behalf." With that, she slithered in between them and strode out of the stairwell, leaving the couple in stunned silence.
The front door clicked shut behind her, and the tension between Izuku and Kamiko seemed to escalate, both of them left to wonder what came next. Neither one of them knew how to act in the wake of Echidna's bold invitation.
With Kamiko's parents' permission, Izuku was allowed to stay the night in Kamiko's room. Despite the entire house having fallen asleep hours after the party ended, Izuku and Kamiko remained awake. They lied on her bed, with Kamiko resting her head on her pillow and Izuku resting his head on her stomach. Her tail curled beside her, and she propped her head up with one arm, looking down at Izuku concerningly. He kept fidgeting, hands clenching and unclenching, sighing and quieting.
Ruffling her free hand through his hair, she spoke softly, "Izuku, I can tell something's bothering you. You've been quiet ever since the party wrapped up."
She could feel his heart race. Whatever was bothering him, the words were stuck in his throat. His fingers flexed again, and he nervously ran a hand through his hair. "How do I say it?" Kamiko did not push him, sensing the unease in his posture. Rather, she chose to wait patiently. Keeping any semblance of judgment out of her eyes, she simply waited for him to be ready. And that alone was enough to help him start. "Kamiko, there's something I need to tell you. About my quirk … I haven't told you the full truth."
Her brow furrowed slightly, but she remained calm. "What do you mean?"
The deep breath he took reverberated through her. The hairs of her tail started to rise, but she forcefully suppressed the urge. Panicking would be of absolutely no help in this situation. After steeling himself, Izuku began, "It's not just a normal quirk. It's called One for All, and it's been passed down through the generations. I didn't get it because I was born with it; I was given it. It's a quirk that comes with heavy responsibility, and I've been carrying it for a long time."
Kamiko's eyes widened to the size of coins as she processed his words. "Wait. You're saying that your quirk was passed down? Like not genetically? How does that work?"
Izuku nodded, his voice trembling slightly. "One for All is a powerful quirk, and it's been passed from person to person. I'm the ninth person to carry it. The people before me … they've all died. Some of them were killed, others passed on from age or other things. But the quirk - this power - it's always been there, and it's been growing stronger each time it's passed on."
She remained silent for a long time, gaze steady and serious as she absorbed everything Izuku was saying. Then, finally, she spoke. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
He looked away from her, a wave of guilt crashing over him. "I was afraid. Afraid of what it would mean for us. Afraid of putting you in danger. This quirk comes with a lot of risks. And there are people who want it, who would hurt anyone to get their hands on it."
How could Kamiko possibly be upset with Izuku when she could see how distressing this secret was for him? Speaking softly but revealing the unwavering support in her sight, she said, "Izuku, I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of your quirk. You're the same person I have always known, the same person I care about." She curled forward, taking his hands gently in hers. "You don't have to carry this burden alone. Thank you for telling me. For being honest with me." Izuku met her eyes again, his heart swelling with relief and gratitude. The weight of his secret lifting was palpable. "I'm right here," she assured him.
"Thank you, Kamiko," Izuku whispered. "I don't deserve you, but I'm so glad you're here. I don't know what I would do without you."
Kamiko covered the distance between their lips. She teased his mouth open by brushing her lips against his again and again. When he gave way, Kamiko wasted no time deepening the kiss. Biting his lower lip, tugging it, releasing it. Only to repeat the pattern. Their tongues met.
And so did their bodies.
Without realizing it, Kamiko had climbed atop Izuku and straddled his waist.
"You'll never have to find out, Izuku," she whispered after breaking away.
"We're in this together," and she pulled him in for another kiss.
Just before his eyes shut, Izuku felt for the first time in a long time that maybe, just maybe, he was not so alone in this after all.