“~Gonna bring the flavor, show you how~” Himiko, knife in hand and cutting up vegetables, sang lowly to herself, a slight bob to her head and shoulders. “Got a question for you, better answer now.” As her voice picked up, eyes jumping to mine, I couldn’t help but match her infectious smile. “Am I original?” Himiko hummed, stepping in close enough to bump her hip to mine.

Being declared MVP of her battle trial match, Tsu agreeing to give her blood, all the things our experimenting was revealing, and a short date spent exploring more of the city. She had plenty of reason to be in a good mood and was showing it.

“Yeah.” I sang along, matching her tune while I got everything else ready.

“Am I the only one?” She got more into her singing, briefly pressing herself against me.

“Yeah.”

Backing off, she leaned herself against the kitchen counters, striking a pose that stuck out her chest. “Am I sexual?”

“Yeah.” Talk about perfectly fitting lyrics. Between the look she was giving me, the pose, and that fact that she was in nothing but her completely unbuttoned school shirt and a pair of black lace panties she’d had me make for her the other day, it was impossible not to agree. Seductive, sensual, sexy; she was the whole trifecta.

Spinning away from the counters, as usual, she seemed to forget the fact she was supposed to be helping me with the cooking. “Am I everything you need? You better rock your body now.”

Yeah, whenever I said Himiko helped me with the cooking, it was more like she made the whole process entertaining rather than actually put in much work. Which I didn’t mind. I liked seeing her in such a good mood and, even if she didn’t care that much about being a hero, her victory during the battle trials still had some effect.

With Himiko livening things up and me focused on preparing our dinner, a few ad-libs thrown in here and there when she signaled for them, the two of us were soon sitting at the coffee table, my back against the base of the couch, Himiko between my legs, and the TV turned on.

At this point I wondered if there was even point in separating our food, half the time spent stealing food from one another or feeding each other.

And while the food tasted good, it did remind me of something.

Pulling my school bag off the couch, I reached through, pulling out one of the still chilled, school provided vials of blood that’d I’d taken with me.

O type blood just like Himiko.

“Tsk.” Himiko clicked her tongue when she saw the label on it, realizing what it was. “What are you doing with that?”

Rather than answering, I just popped off the cap and took a sip.

Cool. The familiar sensation of my quirk activating. A texture no different than what Himiko’s stored blood was like, a pure sweetness there with it.

And yet-

“Himiko.” I said, caping the vial and setting it aside. “Can I get some of your blood?”

Her disdain for the vial dropping away, Himiko pressed her back against me, adjusting her shirt so more of the smooth skin of her shoulder and neck was exposed. “You never have to ask.”

Here I said I wouldn’t be making a habit of this and she was placing her neck on a golden platter for me, all but asking me to get the blood that way instead of our usual. Going along with it, I lowered my head into the crook of her neck, taking a breath of her before biting down.

The difference was immediate.

I’d never noticed it before and how could I? Whether it be myself, Aunt Nozomi, Tsu, Himiko, or even Scarlet, I’d never drunk blood from someone I didn’t know. That liveness, like a spark lighting up all my senses, just wasn’t there. And it wasn’t just a matter of a pleasure.

There was no getting around that fact that Himiko’s blood, especially when so much of it quickly flowing into me, had a taste I enjoyed far more than most things, but compared to using some stranger’s blood as fuel for my quirk?

It just felt right.

I pulled back, kissing and licking up the remaining blood. Himiko, a quiet moan having left her, turned as I let up.

“I think I get it now. Just a little anyways.” I admitted, her eyes wide and face red. “I want your blood, Himi.” Whatever role my quirk played in it, drinking the blood the school provided made that abundantly clear to me. I’d still use it if I had to, but it wouldn’t be my first choice.

I shifted my head aside for her. “You don’t need permission either.”

Given free reign, Himiko leaned forward, breaths brushing across my skin and spreading goosebumps across my neck, before she bit down, the odd pang quickly passing as she drunk down my blood.

This was such a strange sensation.

Surprisingly, Himiko indulged less than usual despite all the kissing and grinding thrown in, turning back around so we could eat once she decided she had her fill. She was on cloud nine though, all smiles and happily humming to herself as we ate.

“By the way-“ Himiko started, her humming paused as she pointed towards the third sealed bowl beside our plates. “-is that extra or something?”

Right. I got caught up in what we were doing and forgot about that. “No, actually. I was planning on bringing it over to Uraraka but I’m not really sure if I should.”

“You noticed too?” Himiko asked getting a raised brow from me. “I went through the line beside her at lunch; even though she was looking at the fancier food that was only a little more expensive, she still went all the cheapest stuff. Plus, that time at the store. And she has a flip phone too.”

“Ochaco doesn’t seem like the prideful type if that’s what you’re worried about. I don’t think she’ll get offended or anything unless you straight up call her poor or something.” Himiko finished with a shrug.

Aware of her situation and already on a first name basis. People truly were Himiko’s specialty.

“It’s not just that.” I admitted. “We’re dating. I kind of feel like it’ll give the wrong signals. I mean, who goes out their way to make food for some girl they barely know if they don’t like them?”

There was already Tsu and I didn’t want that repeating itself. Tickets be damned, I didn’t want anyone else developing some kind of crush on me or worse, making Himiko anything close to jealous or uncertain.

But, as distant as those other set of memories were, some things remained too strong to just ignore, the worst experiences chief among them. Whether I lived it or not, I knew exactly what it was like to skip out on food due to money.

Not something I ever wanted to go through here.

“You apparently.” Himiko said with a small chuckle, craning her head back and poking at my cheek. “You use your brain too much, nerd. Stop thinking so hard about it and just go be nice.” She slid off, giving me a reassuring smile. “If you don’t hurry back, I’m eating all your food.”

I better get a move on then.

XOXO

Ochaco yawned, leaning back from her desk as she stretched out.

That was all her homework down for the day and -according to LED clock at her bedside deeper in the apartment- with time to spare, a handful of hours left before she’d turn in for the night. Maybe she could take a shower early and watch TV? Get a little extra practice with her quirk? Maybe just study?

Everyone in class was so talented it didn’t feel right to consider relaxing.

Her stomach grumbled.

As much as she wished otherwise, eating wasn’t on that list of things to do, not yet at least. She’d cut Monday’s dinner in half, so she’ll have the rest tonight but only before heading to bed. Homecooked meals were somehow way more expensive overall compared to what U.A sold so even if it left her a little hungry, she could keep more money in her pocket if she relied on them for most of her food.

That meant needing less money from her parents. Which meant more money for them to use on important stuff like the company.

The perfect solution for everybody. They wouldn’t think so, but what they didn’t know wouldn’t hurt them.

Another grumble left her and she groaned. Now if only her stomach could understand and cooperate.

Maybe she should-

A series of soft knocks came from behind.

Someone’s at my door? Ochaco realized as she stood up. She sure didn’t have any deliveries coming and her parents would’ve let her know beforehand if they were visiting. “Who is it?”

“Akaguro.” His muffled come through from the other side.

What was he doing here?

Curious, she opened up the door and found herself caught off guard.

It wasn’t Katsu himself that was a surprise but how he looked. With the sun not from setting, the orange glow lit up the city horizon behind him. His dark black hair, a little messier now that they weren’t at school, swayed with the wind in the oddest way. The same with for the ends of his unbuttoned school button up, a dark shirt below.

Cool. He looked weirdly cool for someone just standing out in the open.

“Sorry if I’m bothering you.” He raised a bowl between them. “Himiko and I just finished cooking up dinner but had some leftovers. Do you want some?”

A yes tried to force its way out of her but she didn’t let it out. “You don’t mind?”

“Like I said its extra.” He said shrugging. “You can return the bowl whenever you have time.”

Well, if it really was extra food there was no reason to pass it up and, with them being neighbors, she could return it before the day was over.

“Thank you.” She said, bowing to him as she took the glass bowl, still warm enough to border on hot.

“No need for that.” He waved her off, turning. “See you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow.” Ochaco closed the door and, obeying her grumbling stomach, went straight to the table in the main room of her apartment and cracked open the bowl’s lid. Steam rose up, carrying with it a strong aroma.

Was that garlic?

A quick look in and she picked out the stir fried mix of vegetables and meats as Niratama, a good helping of pure white rice below it. It looked good. Really good. Grabbing and eating her first spoonful the hot meal packed with a savory taste that was as strong as the smell, the rice fluffy and the meat tender.

She couldn’t help but press a hand to her cheeky, savoring the first bite.

This tasted amazing!

And it’s free. Ochaco thought as she dipped in for more bites. Before she knew it, her hunger was gone and her spoon was clicking against the bottom of the now empty glass bowl, disappointment rising up.

Katsu and Himiko made that? She wished she could cook as well as them.

She stood, taking the bowl with her.

…on second thought returning it so quickly would be a little embarrassing.

Deciding to drop it in her sink, leaving it to soak in soapy water, she decided to pass the time with a hot shower before she headed over.

Unfortunately, her plan to return it right after fell through the moment she stepped out.

“Hmmm!” Muffled but too recognizable for it to be anyone but Himiko, a very expressive sound barely made it through the walls that separated her apartment from Katsu’s.

Ochaco made a sharp turn from the door and back to her bed, dropping on and stuffing her burning face in one of the pillows. Actually, sleep sounded good right about now. She was just going to sleep and pretend she had no idea what was going on over there.

Another moan bled through the walls.

Hopefully she’d get some sleep.

XOXO

(A/N: Toga and Katsu's relationship is still advancing in little but important ways which drove us further into the slice of life aspect than expected. Of course Uraraka gets to hear all that first hand, lol. She's got the worst kind of neighbors. Tragic really.

I feel like I said it before and I'm hoping I've done a good job showing it, but since the beginning of the story Katsu's gradually dissociated with much of the other life in his head. Personally I don't think I ever see that route in these sorts of stories. You get MCs who don't really give it any attention, those who might be desperate about it, and others who just embrace the old identity, more or less overriding their new life with it.

But generally speaking, they're so irrelevant to him in his day to day, that I think its fitting he's come to be the way he is about them. Its like thinking about something ten years ago. Its you, yeah, but most people make the distinction past me, so its also not you. And my yapping is trying to make this deeper than it actually is.

I just thought it might be little interesting to an MC drift away from one identity yet still wrestle with the fact some of the emotions/experiences are somewhat ingrained in him. Also worked as an easy excuse for more interaction with Uraraka, lol.

Anyways, looking to bring Deku into focus more. Maybe a bit of Todoroki too. Took longer than expected.)