It had been one week since that date to the botanical garden.
A week since they began dating.
Girlfriend.
The word itself sent butterflies soaring inside her stomach.
She had yet to tell her parents about her boyfriend, but she was ecstatic, nonetheless. An education at a music school, a loving family, and a caring boyfriend. What more could she want? At least, that was how she felt until the first negative comment passed by her ears.
The racism began almost immediately as she walked into public areas. Regardless of the fact that Izuku was accompanying her, it was not a deterrent for the nasty remarks that came her way. For her sake and his, Kamiko tried to put on a brave front. Her hand twitched with the desire to hold hands with her boyfriend as a silent challenge to those who mocked her.
But the dirtier their comments became, the harder it became for Kamiko to maintain her resolve. Although the insults were hushed, spoken behind covered mouths and with side eyes, the air of hostility did not ease. She almost touched Izuku's hand but retreated at the last moment.
However, Izuku had noticed.
Before she could pull away her hand to her side, he snagged her wrist. Fingers slowly sliding down, he intertwined his with hers. He squeezed until there was no gap between their palms. Kamiko emitted a soft squeal at the sensation. His hands were callused. Perhaps from years of training as a Pro-Hero and all the battles he fought, there were patches of hardened skin and thin lines of raised scar tissue decorating his palm. They betrayed the layer of hard muscle beneath his skin.
An utter contrast to her unmarred ones, but she liked his touch anyway. His grip was firm and steady.
"Don't listen to them," he whispered to her. "Your worth is not dependent on their opinions."
She smiled softly. "Okay." Already, she began to feel more confident.
Izuku fought to hide the blush that crept up his cheeks.
Kamiko's hands were soft. Surprisingly soft.
Being a fox mutant, there were short hairs coating the surface of her palms. Feeling them tickle against his, it was a pleasant sensitivity. Not to mention the small yet thick pads on her fingertips that provided insulation and traction. Those features attuned one's senses to tactility and propioception, but it was Izuku who felt that he was all too aware of her presence.
He wanted to find somewhere secluded and take the time to study her hands. He contented himself with doing that another time. Right now, they were on a date in public. Neither had a particular plan in mind. Simply wander around the city, check out the buildings, go into any exhibit that caught their interest. They had just left a carryout restaurant. As a treat for last time, Kamiko bought peaches for him and a meat pie for herself. He insisted on carrying the bag in turn.
A sign had just caught his eye when out of nowhere he was slammed to the ground.
A villain in broad daylight! That was his immediate thought. He had managed to take the brunt of the impact to prevent the contents inside the bag of food from being destroyed. However, he internally berated himself for dropping his guard. He was the future Symbol of Peace. It did not make a good impression for Japan's protector to be so unaware of his surroundings. After heaving for oxygen a few times, he realized his assailant meant no harm to him.
It was a woman who had tackled him. With a dense undercoat and a coarse topcoat, the woman possessed long and wavy fur throughout her body. Though her snout was smaller than that of Kamiko's, Izuku could tell that this person was a mutant like her. Her coat was beautiful, though. An amalgamation of cream and caramel splotches and the occasional chocolate brown marking, Izuku tried to recall the name of the dog species she was a mutant of. Australian shepherd, he believed.
As the woman stared at him with intense curiosity, he even noted that her eye color was the same chocolate color. She was still hugging him, and she was not the slightest bit appalled by that. Instead, the woman combed her fingers through his hair and stroked his cheeks.
She had a high-pitched, energetic voice. "Ooooooh, his eyes are so big. This one is a cutie. Can I keep him, Kamiko?"
Izuku wondered just how this strange woman was related to Kamiko when he felt himself being pulled hard from behind. Really, he had lost his touch.
Since he was still lying on the ground, he looked up to see who this new person was manhandling him now. It was Kamiko. She put her arm around him and maneuvered herself so that her tail acted as a shield. Her ears were straight and horizontal, and her tail equally rigid. A menacing, deep growl echoed from her throat. As she snarled, she warned the woman, "Back off, Etsudo. He is not a purse you can just pick up from the shop shelf."
Realizing that the situation was starting to spiral downward, Izuku reached for the bag of food. Opening the carton of meat pies singlehandedly, he reached for the first slice of meat pie his fingers touched and brought it close to Kamiko's nose.
Instinctively, her snout twitched at the aroma of cooked meat and hot bread. Her mouth parted just enough for Izuku to put the delicacy into her mouth. She nibbled a bit of it before chewing on the whole thing. His little trick worked. Her ears uprighted in delight, and her tail swished back and forth. Just to be safe, He sat up and activated one of the courtesies of One for All - float - to scratch the little spot behind her ear closest to his reach. Kamiko purred in response.
He did not care who was watching. Kamiko was happy, and he had deescalated a potential fight. That was all that mattered.
After the euphoria that came from the eating the pie came down, Kamiko remembered that she was irritated at Etsudo.
With a glower, she reminded Etsudo to get off of Izuku.
Kamiko released Izuku after noticing that she was still holding him to the ground. Forcing a smile, she introduced the two of them to each other. "Izuku, this is Gushiken Etsudo, my friend from primary school. As her name may imply, she is very vivacious and ignorant of personal boundaries. One of these days, she might just get arrested for that kind of behavior." Etsudo protested at the description; Kamiko did not care. "Etsudo, this is Midoriya Izuku. The renowned hero and someone special to me. Not someone you can just pounce on out of nowhere."
Etsudo laughed off her scolding. She tugged her fingers through her tawny hair. "You're too inflexible, Kamiko!" her friend giggled. "I just like greeting new people enthusiastically." Then her nose flared. She was sniffing something from their direction, and Kamiko understood that there was no preventing what was about to happen next.
A gleam appeared in Etsudo's eyes. "Oh my gosh! Are you two dating?"
Kamiko looked toward Izuku. Despite the handholding and kisses, their relationship was not something either of them had publicly disclosed. It was not a secret, but not many people knew about it. She wondered if that was something Izuku wanted to maintain, but to her astonishment, he answered Etsudo's question.
"We are dating," he replied. And kissing the back of Kamiko's hand, he added, "Boyfriend and girlfriend. A pleasure to meet you, Gushiken-san."
Etsudo barked in joy. "Polite, this one!" And for the second time, she leapt toward Izuku. This embrace was even tighter than the first one. Kamiko's anger rose once more. She knew her friend was not the type of person to steal what her friend had, but really? Basic respect and distance was something Etsudo could learn.
She wondered why Etsudo was being so touchy-feely when she got her response.
Etsudo's social demeanor vanished instantly. Replaced with a cold stare and slightly bared teeth, she spoke in a low voice. "Future Symbol of Peace or not, if you make Kamiko cry because of your actions, rest assured I will break into your home at night and give you a lifelong phobia of dogs."
Kamiko was about to interfere. She opened her mouth to tell Etsudo that although her loyalty was appreciated, her promise of revenge was too extreme. But Izuku beated her to it. To his credit, he did not cower under her glare. A commendable gesture because throughout school years, boys shivered at the idea of challenging her. She was the one mutant that no one dared to bully.
"I cannot promise you that Kamiko will never cry. Tears are natural, grief is written in everyone's fate. What I can promise you is that I have every intention to be there for her if she wants me." He spoke with so much confidence that Kamiko had no doubt that he would follow through with his vow.
Etsudo's charm returned. She smiled widely and said, "Good answer, Kamiko's boyfriend."
Izuku was not sure how, but somehow, the couple date turned into an outing of three.
He supposed that extroverted people had a preternatural ability to insert themselves into any group smoothly. His outgoing former classmates from Class 1-A were proof enough.
But seeing how Kamiko seemed more relaxed with Gushiken-san being around, Izuku decided to go along with it. Their dynamic had shifted to Gushiken-san keeping the conversation going and Kamiko and Izuku humming or affirming the things she said. Two introverts and one extrovert. Interesting combination, he thought.
So interesting that he had not realized when the three of them stopped in front of a clothing store. The posters on the inside of the windows advertised clothes, cosplay, and costumes.
"I want to check it out," Kamiko announced. "Seems friendly enough."
As Izuku stepped inside, he was hit with a wave of embarrassment. The assortment of outfits here were mostly geared toward women. And not just any kind of outfits, but the type designed to make women appear hot. Skin-fitting dresses, straps and garters, lace and other types of fabrics. If Izuku were here with a male friend such as Katsuki, perhaps he would not have felt the blood rush to his cheeks and ears. Perhaps he would have even bought something nice for Kamiko.
But being with his girlfriend here, and her female friend … his discomfort became all too apparent.
Kamiko moved ahead, perusing the contents of the shop immediately. The main reason he felt so self-aware was because he already found her so appealing. Her personality, her physique, and her way of thinking, all of them made her an incredibly attractive person. It was so much more difficult to keep calm around a person he liked in a place designed to evoke sensuality.
He thought about stepping outside and letting the two girls fulfill their shopping fantasies, but Gushiken-san blocked the doorway. When he made an excuse about buying snacks, Gushiken-san placed her hands on his shoulders and whipped him around. She began walking forward, pushing him further into the store.
"Hey!" he exclaimed as he attempted to fidget out of her grasp.
His protests were left on deaf ears. "Boys." Her eyes rolled dramatically. "So clueless. Don't you want to see your girl look pretty? She won't say it outright, but I know. Kamiko wants your opinion. She wants to look hot to you."
But she already is glamorous! Izuku swallowed down that statement at the last second. Giving up, he let Gushiken-san shove him around. They came to a fitting room area. Gushiken-san told him that Kamiko was inside, changing. Seeing how she was still hovering by the only entrance and exit to the fitting rooms, Izuku reasoned that she was still suspicious of the possibility he might escape.
Rather unnecessary, since Izuku had no inclination to flee now.
Kamiko fidgeted with the sleeves of her outfit.
Etsudo was right: she wanted to look good in Izuku's eyes, but she was too shy to say it. Best to leave these kinds of things to people who are less ashamed of voicing them.
She opened the door to the changing stall to see Izuku and Etsudo waiting for her. He was sitting on one of the stools, side-eyeing Etsudo, until his gaze landed upon her.
"You look pretty," he praised. "The color suits you."
Kamiko could feel her cheeks burn. Wearing a red mermaid skirt matched with a black high-neck blouse, she gave a little spin. The skirts billowed out in a circle, much to Etsudo's excitement. She shrieked, "Buy it! It's such a good choice!"
"Squeak! You think?" Kamiko asked tentatively. Sure, the ensemble was beautiful, but she was not convinced this aesthetic suited her. But when Izuku smiled and encouraged her, she assented.
She tried a few more combinations. A ball gown made of orange organza, a yellow yukata with a vine print, a pair of green sandals made of velvet, an ostentatious hat with plumes of feathers. Etsudo was very vocal with her opinions. She rejected more than half of the clothes. Meanwhile, Izuku tried to be courteous. His agreement or disagreement was more softspoken.
It was then that she wore the final outfit. Knee-length and white frills on the hems, the navy blue dress was her favorite. She wanted to save the best for last. Complete with an assortment of tall brown leather boots, matching leather gloves, and a belt with a gold medallion, Kamiko felt powerful. After adjusting the choker around her neck, she topped the look with a top hat of the same navy blue.
This time, when she showed the assemblage to Etsudo and Izuku, there was an audible intake of air from Izuku.
She was hot.
That one sentence reverberated in Izuku's mind like a litany. His mind briefly wandered to the meaning of the dark blue color, but the moment was short-lived. Images of how pretty she looked were the only thing occupying his thoughts. Embarrassment be damned, Izuku was half-tempted to go up to her and kiss her. Right here. In the shop. In front of her friend. Who would no doubt make lewd sounds and crude jokes.
It was that realization that gave him reign over his emotions.
But it was too late.
Given the blatant naughty smirk on Etsudo's face and Kamiko's averted gaze, he understood that the two of them already caught on. When Etsudo opened her mouth, he understood that inevitable, unescapable humiliation was about to come his way.
"Is it just me, or is the sexual tension making this place hot?" she teased. Izuku wanted to hide. " Seems like the polite boy is having some very impolite ideas. I guess it's true what they say: gentleman in the streets, freak in the sheets."
Izuku would have preferred a deadly head-to-head battle with Shigaraki over this. He wanted to kill himself. A quick glance at Kamiko confirmed that he was not alone in his sentiments.
Kamiko squeaked between every other word. "I! Squeak! Should! Squeak! Change! Squeak!" And with that, she slammed the changing stall door.
Izuku figured his ancestors hated him.
He would have gladly died from the humiliation, but unfortunately, he did not. By the time the little shopping outing was over, he felt his soul had bid goodbye to him forever. Off to reside with his ancestors without letting the body cremate.
He thought that Katsuki's personality was too much, but today, he was proven wrong. Goodness, Etsudo could send Mineta crying away with all the terrible pick-up lines she had.
Izuku groaned out that he needed a break. Slumping against the nearest bench, he leaned his head back and closed his eyes.
That changed when he felt a kiss on his cheek.
Kamiko did not understand what brought on such boldness from her.
She was usually such a timid, self-conscious girl. But twice, she had been the one to exert dominance during romance.
Seeing Izuku so tired like that, she felt a little guilty. This date was supposed to be one where both of them enjoyed each other's company. Not one where one became completely drained of energy. She reasoned that was why she leaned over and pressed her lips to his cheek. She wanted to salvage this tryst and give a happy memory to her boyfriend.
His eyes flew open the instant she pulled back.
"I'm sorry! Squeak!" she began. "For not asking you before doing that. It won't happen again!"
Izuku smiled. He said, "Actually, I liked it. Can I get one more?"
At that, Kamiko cupped his face and brought his face close to hers. She met his lips with her own. There was no resistance. The moment his tongue flicked against her bottom lip, she parted her mouth, granting him access. Kamiko felt a hand reach around her waist, pulling them closer together, intensifying the kiss.
No care about who might be watching. No care about the rude comments. There was only this. Two lovers snatching a moment of pleasure from an unkind world, creating their own universe of love and joy.
A mistake, given that the two were not alone.
"Oh my, aren't you two getting cuddly on this fine, sunny afternoon. How about you carry that behavior to the bedroom? Wear that blue dress and spice things up a bit." Etsudo jested. Shocked, Kamiko pulled back immediately. So quickly that Izuku almost lost his balance. He managed to plant his hand on the back of the bench just in time.
Kamiko put a hand above her heart to steady it. "Etsudo, why do you have to make everything so vulgar? We were simply kissing."
"Mmmhmm. Sure. That's all you were doing," Etsudo replied, utterly unashamed. But when Kamiko buried her face in her arms, and Izuku rubbed a hand over his own, Etsudo dropped the behavior. "Seriously, though, I'm happy for you. All throughout school, you were harassed because of your fox genes. This one genuinely sees you for who you are. Keep him."
"Thank you," Kamiko breathed out. She glanced at Izuku, who had removed his hand and was grinning at the praise.
Then Kamiko regretted thinking that her friend would keep serious.
Etsudo pouted, "I want a cute boy like him, too. Where do they make them? Is there a factory nearby? Can I place an order?"
Being ever so dramatic, Etsudo fell to the ground and begin rolling around like a dog.
Kamiko rolled her eyes and apologized on her behalf.
Izuku, however, was more entertained than insulted.
So perhaps the date was not a total disaster.
Slowly, Kamiko found herself enjoying the antics, too.