Izuku decided to wander for a bit, curiosity getting the better of him. His footsteps were quiet as he headed up the stairs, glancing at the framed family photos along the wall—most of them featuring a much younger Bakugo looking just as pissed-off as he did now.

He stopped in front of a door with a massive sign plastered across it in bold, messy letters: KEEP OUT.

'Is this an American movie?' he thought, raising an eyebrow.

Without hesitation, he turned the knob and pushed the door open.

The smell hit him first—a warm, stale mix of sweat, deodorant, and too many energy drinks. Clothes were scattered across the floor like landmines, the bed was a mess of crumpled blankets, and the desk… the desk looked like it was losing a battle against the sheer amount of books, open notebooks, and empty cans stacked on it.

The windows were closed tight, trapping all that air inside like it was trying to ferment.

'Yeah, nah… I'm good,' Izuku thought as he stepped back, letting the door swing shut behind him.

His eyes drifted to the end of the hallway where one last door stood—neatly painted, with a polished handle. He knew that was Mitsuki's room.

'Soon enough,' he thought, smirking faintly before turning and heading back toward the stairs.

Just as he reached the landing, he heard the metallic creak of the front gate swinging open outside. The sound of heavy footsteps followed, and then the front door slammed open.

Bakugo stepped in, wearing his usual scowl, the glow from the streetlight catching the edge of his jawline. He looked around like the house had personally offended him, then spotted Izuku coming down the stairs.

His frown deepened.

'They had to bring Deku,' Bakugo thought bitterly as he yanked his headphones off, the music cutting off mid-beat.

"Yo," Izuku greeted casually.

Bakugo gave a curt nod and walked past him without a word, his shoulder brushing Izuku's as he headed upstairs.

Izuku didn't bother following him with his eyes—Bakugo wasn't worth the energy tonight. Instead, he strolled into the living room where Mitsuki sat comfortably on the couch, with Inko. Her legs crossed, a small plate of snacks in her lap. She glanced at him as he sat down beside her, close enough to share the same bowl of chips.

Without looking at her directly, he pulled out his phone and started playing a game, his fingers tapping the screen lazily.

Mitsuki popped a chip into her mouth, her gaze flicking toward him every now and then while talking with Inko.

...

The night dragged on in a haze of laughter, snacks, and small talk. Eventually, the clock crept past 10, and Inko stretched with a yawn.

"Well, it's getting late," she said, grabbing her bag. "I'll go start the car and wait outside."

"Alright, I'll be right out," Izuku replied casually.

Inko smiled at Mitsuki. "Thanks for having us over again, Mitsuki. And congrats to your Kacchan, too."

Mitsuki nodded warmly. "Same to you, Inko. Drive safe."

The front door clicked shut behind Inko, and the distant hum of the car engine rumbled to life in the driveway. The living room went quieter—more intimate somehow.

Izuku stood, slipping his phone into his pocket. Mitsuki walked him to the door, her arms folded loosely, eyes scanning him in that way she always did—like she was sizing him up and enjoying the view.

"Guess I'll see you around," she said, her voice low enough that it felt just for him.

"Guess so," he replied, smirking. "We still have that conversation to finish."

She tilted her head slightly, her lips curling into a sly smile. "We do, don't we?"

There was a brief pause—just long enough for both of them to know where this could go if either one pushed further. Izuku stepped closer, his hand brushing against hers in a way that made it impossible to call it accidental.

He leaned in, close enough that his breath tickled her ear. "Careful, Mitsuki… keep looking at me like that and I might start thinking you're interested."

Her cheeks warmed, but the smirk on her lips didn't falter. "Oh? And what if I am?" she shot back, tilting her head ever so slightly.

Izuku grinned, his eyes locking with hers for a moment longer before stepping back. "Then I'll make sure you can't stop thinking about me."

Mitsuki gave a soft, amused scoff, lightly pushing at his chest. "Now get out of here before I do something dangerous."

He chuckled as he stepped out into the night air. "Sweet dreams, Mitsuki."

He walked toward the car where Inko was waiting, and as he opened the passenger door, he glanced back just in time to see Mitsuki leaning on the doorway, watching him leave with that same unreadable, dangerous smile.

'Wow, it went quicker than I thought. But I'm still going to take my time before we do the deed. I'm not in any rush.' Izuku thought as he leaned back in the passenger seat, the faint hum of the car filling the quiet ride home.

Inko was humming softly to herself, clearly in a good mood from the evening. She didn't ask about why he had taken so long to leave Mitsuki's house, and he didn't offer any explanation.

When they got home, Izuku headed straight for his room, tossing his jacket onto his chair before collapsing on the bed. Thinking about what happened with Mitsuki just moment ago. He couldn't seem to get his mind straight.

' I mean i might not lack experience mentally but damn. This body is buzzing with emotions ' he thought.

A little past midnight, his phone buzzed.

[Mitsuki: Get home safe?]

He stared at the screen for a second before replying.

[Izuku: Yeah, why?]

The reply came almost instantly.

[Mitsuki: Just making sure. Can't have my favorite UA student getting hurt before classes start.]

He chuckled, typing back.

[Izuku: Favorite already? That was fast.]

A longer pause this time. Then—

[Mitsuki: Don't push your luck, kid. …But you looked good tonight.]

Izuku smirked, leaning back against his pillows.

[Izuku: You didn't look too bad yourself.]

A final message came through.

[Mitsuki: Goodnight, Izuku.]

With a little winking emoji at the end.

He locked his phone, still smiling faintly.

'Yeah… the seed's definitely growing.'

Suddenly, Izuku's sharp ears picked up a desperate cry for help—faint, but urgent—echoing from deep within the city. His eyes narrowed. Without a second thought, he tossed his phone aside, pulled on his black hoodie, gloves, and mask, and stepped out onto the balcony.

Whoosh!

With a single burst of wind, he was gone—soaring high above the glittering skyline. The cold night air rushed past his face, and for the first time in weeks, his heart raced with that familiar thrill.

'Man… I missed this feeling. There hasn't been much to do lately—no kidnappers, no cartels, no back-alley scum. Guess tonight's an exception.'

The city lights blurred beneath him as he closed in on the sound. Soon, he spotted the scene below—a lone man sprinting down a narrow street, panic in every step, with a group of suited men hot on his heels. They moved in formation, their tattoos flashing under the streetlights.

Yakuza.

Izuku adjusted his flight path, preparing to swoop down—when suddenly, a booming, heroic theme blared from somewhere.

And then—

"I AM HERE!"

The street shook as All Might landed in front of the fleeing man, his presence alone forcing the Yakuza to freeze. His cape whipped in the wind as he struck a perfect heroic pose. The next moment, he moved in a blur—disarming, disorienting, and knocking the gang out cold with overwhelming force.

Izuku hovered above, watching with a deadpan stare.

'Great… instead of running into a hot hero chick tonight, I meet All Might.'

He dropped down slowly, landing with almost no sound behind the No. 1 Hero.

All Might turned, eyes locking on him instantly.

"If it isn't… the Hoodie Hero. The world's most infamous vigilante."

"Yeah," Izuku said casually, hands in his pockets. "What's up?"

"Nothing much," All Might replied with a small smirk. "I suppose I… took your save?"

Izuku tilted his head. "Kinda. But it doesn't matter. As long as the person's safe, the job's done. That's what matters." He gave a small wave as he stepped back. "Anyway… I'll catch you later, All Might."

Before the Symbol of Peace could say anything more, Izuku shot back into the night sky, vanishing between the clouds.

All Might remained where he stood, looking up at the empty space above him. A rare, genuine smile formed on his face.

'If only he were a registered hero… I have no doubt we'd make great friends.'

TO BE CONTINUED