Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“I’m pregnant,” Rei says in one breath.

She refuses to fidget as she’s stared down by her best friends. This might not be the ideal moment("moment" versus "time" here) for her to have a child; Enji is steadily climbing the limelight hero ranks and she's just now making a name for herself as a trusted under. The timing could be better, but she has a feeling. She says this to her friends and watches as their protests die.

Inko groans, “Fuck you and your feelings.”

Mitsuki laughs loudly, “She’s never been wrong before!”

“Doesn’t mean I have to like it!”

Rei watches, fondly, as her friends bicker. While she does have great gut feelings, she never could’ve predicted her life turning out the way it did. She places a hand on her stomach, she can’t believe how far they’ve come.

Notes and homework are spread on the table and floor, as three girls are deep in their study session. For being in three different courses at UA, a majority of their classes lineup with each other the first year and a half. Normally, it’s rare for different course students to become friends but these three have been thick as thieves since their first day.

“What’s the conjugation for this again?”

“It’s in my notes, that paper over there, in the corner, with the blue sticky notes.” Inko motions haphazardly towards the direction and Rei has to scan the area before she spots it, half buried under a textbook.

“Thanks!” Rei enthusiastically goes back to her work and Inko hums once, before they go back to their comforting silence. The only noise is pencil on paper and the AC running in the background.

Mitsuki, long done with her English assignment, sketches away for her support class. She sketches, erases, moves her sketchbook around, sketches some more, and erases some more before repeating the process.

Finally, she groans, closing her book in frustration. “Let’s get melon pan!”

Inko barely spares her a glance from her work, “We have 10 more minutes before a break.”

“Ko-chan,” Mistuki whines, “We’ve been studying for 5 hours now, we deserved a break 3 hours ago!”

Rei giggles softly at her friend’s antics, as she puts her finished homework away. Inko always did have a soft spot for making sure her friends are fed and hydrated. Proven by the fact that Inko is already packing their notes, textbooks and homework up.

“Alright,” She sighs, like it’s a great burden, “Let’s go get snacks.”

“Melon pan!”

“I hate melon pan! You can get it and I’ll get something else!”

“How are we gonna keep doing study sessions for the second half of the year?” Mitsuki asks in between bites of her prized melon pan.

Rei shrugs, “We can keep doing our study sessions, it’s not like we can’t still bounce ideas off each other.”

Inko nods in agreement, “Just because I know jackshit about support or hero-ism, doesn’t mean I still won’t support my girls to the best of my ability.”

“Ko-channnn,” Mitsuki wails, “You softy, you love us!”

Ducking her head, Inko tries to hide her face turning pink. “Shut up, Mi-chan!”

Rei laughs and swats at Mitsuki, who cradles her melon pan protectively, “Mi-chan, leave her alone.” She glances at a red-faced Inko, and can’t help but tease. “You know she’s allergic to emotions.”

Inko huffs, “See if I ever let you in my house again!”

“Oh no.” Rei deadpans, “Whatever shall I do? It’s not like I don’t have a key to your house or anything.”

“Give it back, then.”

“No.”

The train ride to UA is silent as always, none of the three girls are morning people and it shows. It’s a miracle in and of itself, that they’re able to make it to their first class on time.

Inko lightly dozes with her head tilted back against the window, soft rattling not letting her fully fall asleep. Mitsuki’s on her lap, curled up against her, deep asleep; Inko’s jealous at how easily she’s able to sleep. Rei’s to her right, head resting on her shoulder as she blinks languidly at her phone, watching a martial arts video. Inko never takes mornings like this for granted, she loves mornings like this. She hates having to interrupt them as they get closer to their stop.

“The next stop is ours,” She gives her friends a light shake. That’s all she needs; Rei’s an aspiring underground hero, she needs to be alert and ready at any given moment. Mitsuki, not liking to be outdone, trained herself for the same, but only just. Inko has a mild case of insomnia, there’s too much to be done anyways, she can’t fall asleep as easily but she also refuses to let her guard down. There’s no current threats but she always likes to be ready.

They drag themselves off the train and begin their walk towards their school.

Inko doesn’t know how it happens, Rei always had better spatial awareness than the other two. How does she end up bumping into The hero student of Class 3-A?

“O-oh! I’m so sorry!” Rei stammers as she bows, “Please forgive me!”

Todoroki Enji stares at Rei, unblinkingly, “Himura, right?”

Rei stiffens and swallows a squeak, she looks up at him shyly, “Yes, that’s me.”

Mitsuki stares at the scene with wide eyes, sleepiness gone from her body. Everyone around them on campus is staring. Inko hopes this doesn’t backfire.

Todoroki hums and nods, “No need to apologize. It was an accident.”

Everyone watches as he gives a polite bow, before continuing his way into the school. Mitsuki turns to look at Rei in disbelief. Inko hums consideringly, “I hope you know what you’re doing, Rei-chan.”

Rei sniffs and starts walking towards the school, ignoring everyone’s stares and whispers, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You conniving, little–” Mitsuki starts off.

“Don’t be a hypocrite, Mi-chan.” Inko interrupts her. They all know she’s just like them. They reach out and take what they want and if they can’t? They’ll make it happen.

There’s a reason why, with their different personalities, they’re good friends. Their high ambition to achieve what they want in their respective careers, the way they'll support each other no matter what. The way that they’re uninterested in anyone outside their circle, until they’re not. It makes them dangerous, people give them a wide berth. Inko makes sure of it.

It doesn’t help that Rei has had her sights set on Todoroki Enji since she saw him, her first year at UA. Inko and Mitsuki trust him as far as they can throw him, collectively, and that’s not very far. But what Rei wants, she gets, and Inko and Mitsuki will bury him alive if anything happens to her.

Mitsuki groans, “Let’s just go to class. I wanna forget this ever happened.”

“I have a feeling he’s gonna be around a lot more,” Rei pipes up.

Inko closes her eyes briefly, regretting her friendship for a moment, as Mitsuki groans louder.

“Why did you say that? I hate your feelings! Remember last time? I had sand and glitter everywhere for weeks, Rei-chan! Weeks! How can you do this to us? We don’t even like him!”

“It’s not about you liking him! It’s about me!”

Inko sighs letting her friends bickering wash over her. She can only hope Rei’s feeling won’t end up like last time.

It was annoying finding sand and glitter everywhere.

He’s at their table. Ugh, Inko thinks, he looks so awkward. Inko didn’t think Todoroki Enji could look anything but powerful and commanding. He always looks so sure of himself and, according to rumors, is a bit of an asshole.

Staring at him now, as he awkwardly, stiltedly, attempts at talking to Rei it’s–

“Pathetic.” Mitsuki echoes her thoughts.

Inko hums in agreement. Rei could do better, but she sees something in him and has a feeling. Yuck.

Inko briefly hopes that, because this is the first guy Rei has liked, this is fleeting. She’ll find someone better, well-suited, for her. She knows better, though.

They watch, on one side of the table, as Rei enthralls Todoroki with her soft giggles and wise words. The way she lights up at the mention of her desired profession of being an underground hero. They watch as Todoroki confesses he doesn’t understand the underground profession but respects it. As Rei smiles fondly, listening to his thoughts of the HPSC, the different paths someone could take as a hero.

For someone who claims he doesn’t understand why anyone would choose anything other than limelight, he’s surprisingly insightful. It makes Inko think, plan, ruminate. She feels out her plans for the future and changes them accordingly. The couple in front of her and Mitsuki– Inko watches them with mild disgust and fondness, they’re going to be for life, she knows it. So, of course, Inko needs to adjust her plans to include a man. She doubts they’re going to share an apartment now, Rei always did like to have accelerated plans.

Mitsuki eyes Inko and smirks, “You know…”

“No.” Inko looks away from Rei and Todoroki, focusing back on eating and leafing through her textbook.

“Oh come on,” Mitsuki hedges, “There’s gotta be a contingency for a man for you in your 5 year plan, Ko-chan!”

“It’s not happening.” Inko denies

Mitsuki rolls her eyes, “One of these days, Ko-chan, someone’s gonna catch your eye and you’re gonna have to bite your tongue.”

Chapter Text

Inko lets out a soft sigh as she tightens her ponytail, scanning the empty, stillness of her college campus.

He’s here again.

Over the past few weeks of Inko doing her daily run, she’s been seeing someone unusual. Unusual in the way that makes her… feel. It intrigues her, and she wants more of that feeling. It’s invigorating.

She’s certain he doesn’t know she exists– yet. But she’s been content to watch from a distance, ruminate on what kind of person he is, what kind of person he could be.

She lets herself enjoy the silence of the campus before putting her “Being a Lawyer in a Hero world: What does this mean?” podcast. She stretches and shakes out her limbs, then starts at a steady pace. The path she always runs, from her dorm building, across campus and back, is usually devoid of people. The time she runs ensures it is. And yet–

6:30 in the morning and he’s, recently, always been there, walking towards the dean’s office. Inko’s memorized what style suits he wears– single-breasted, peak lapel, linen– and has noticed how his socks match his belt, which match his watch. He always looks so well put together and, delicious, Inko wants. She knows he must be older than her, the way he holds himself can't be attributed to a mere college student, but frankly she doesn’t care much. She has bills to pay, exams to pass, companies to–

Inko runs straight into solid mass and, oh, he works out.

“Oh, careful,” The man murmurs, as he makes sure Inko is steady and won’t fall.

Inko stares up at him, damn is he tall, and laughs shakily, “I’m so sorry!” She takes an ear bud off to give the man her full attention, “I got distracted.”

The man quirks his lips, gods he’s so attractive, “No harm done, are you alright?”

“I’m alright, thank you!”

He stares at her for a moment and Inko has to remember to breathe. His eyes are ruby red, she’s never seen anything like them. Sure, Mi-chan has red eyes but this man– his eyes are captivating. Like he can hold the attention of anyone. Inko takes a soft, deep breath in.

He bows respectfully, “Shigaraki Hisashi, pleasure to have been run into.”

“Shimura Inko, pleasure to have ran into you,” Inko breathes out.

Article V, Section 12, subsection 2 of Hero Bill 15 states that any hero above rank 20 is given tenure, regardless of how long they’ve been in the scene, and a certain amount of leeway. Inko scoffs, of course it’s not written that way but she’s long learned to read between the lines.

She’s glowers a bit at her current class’ book of choice, Hero Law: Bills 15 to 20. Why they need so many laws and subsections to cover their own asses, evades her. It won’t matter anyways with her plans.

Raising her mug to take a sip, only to find it empty she fixes her glare to her empty mug. A smooth chuckle startles her and she looks up at– him.

Hisashi smiles warmly at her as he switches her empty mug for a new, filled one.

“I hope you don’t mind, I took the liberty of guessing what you prefer.”

She warily eyes the cup, deciding if it’s been tampered with or not.

Following her line of thought, amused Hisashi says, “Surely if I were to poison you, it wouldn’t be in public or 5 kilometers from a hero agency.”

Inko laughs softly before taking a sip of– spiced cocoa?

“This is delicious… Thank you.”

“It’s no problem at all for my favorite,” Hisashi glances at her spread of papers and books, “aspiring lawyer?”

“I didn’t know a man like you could have a favorite anything.” Inko muses.

Hisashi’s eyes darken as he stares at Inko and she stares back. She does not fidget. She’s used to these moments as she’s been meeting up with Hisashi these past couple of months. He always shows up out of nowhere, usually when she’s alone studying, and he always allows some degree of disrespect. Until he doesn’t, of course, but Inko has long loved playing with fire and Hisashi is the only one who can burn her.

“Inko, my dear,” Hisashi murmurs, his voice makes Inko want to shiver in delight, “take care what you say, I have many things I favor. You, being the first.”

That alone makes Inko want to protest, even if they both know it’s futile. They’ve perfected this cat and mouse game, this “Will they? Won’t they?” ploy. They’ve tried outmaneuvering the other, played games of wit against each other. It’s thrilling for both of them. It seems Hisashi has reached his threshold, however.

“I have a gift.”

Inko swallows the response, don’t you always? And waits patiently. She knows this process well, and knows not to rush him. Emotions aren’t their strengths, they know this.

It takes Hisashi about 10 minutes to gather his emotions and thoughts, in which time Inko has gone back to her studies to give him a semblance of privacy. She knows how daunting it is to be vulnerable.

A smooth, white clamshell with gold details makes its way into her line of vision. She glances, briefly, up at Hisashi, who seems to be studying the interior architecture of the shop. She slowly reaches towards the shell, willing herself not to shake.

Inko doesn’t think she’s ever seen a more beautiful pearl ring.

Rei hums to herself as she busies herself with making tea in the kitchen. Mitsuki stares fondly at the twins, Touya and Fuyumi, as they sleep during their late morning nap. Inko, as always it seems recently, has books and papers surrounding her, studying for her upcoming exams.

“Have you ever thought about children?” Mitsuki breaks the silence.

Rei raises an eyebrow as she comes over with the tea spread.

“Not you!”

Inko laughs, it feels like it's been a while since she’s been at peace. No manipulation or underhanded tactics. No need to carefully calculate her every word. Don’t get her wrong, she loves enjoys when Hisashi is around, but sometimes she wishes–

“Children are step 15 in my 5 year plan.” Inko says softly.

Mitsuki groans, “I know the plan! I’m well aware of the plan! I want to know if Shimura Inko, at her core, wants children.”

Inko watches Rei as she pours everyone tea and serves finger food, only then to check on her twins, who are still peacefully sleeping.

“I’m terrified of being like my mother.” Inko blurts out.

Rei and Mitsuki freeze, they never, out of the 8 years of them being friends, heard Inko speak about her mother.

“She–,” Inko hesitates, “My brother and I were left at an orphanage when we were very young.”

Brother?! Rei and Mitsuki share a look at the revelation, not that Inko notices, lost as she is in her memories.

“We learned to survive and we found out why she left us the way she did. Float Hero: Erinys, that’s who our mother was. She died shortly after leaving us in the orphanage. Kotaru, my brother, decided that he hates heroes with all his being. And I–,” Inko’s voice breaks, “decided that I want to change the system that made my mother have to give us up. I don’t hate heroes…”

“Not like Kotaru does, at least. I know heroes want to help and do good to society but how can they do it when the Commission is the one who are fucking this society up–” Inko cuts herself off.

This isn’t the first time Rei or Mitsuki have heard this line of argument from Inko before. They know the thesis of why Inko decided to become a lawyer. They know her ambitions and the reasons for her 5 year plan. They just didn’t know how it started.

Mitsuki takes her chances and wraps her arm around Inko for comfort, and relaxes when she doesn’t brush her off. Rei takes that as a chance to come to Inko’s other side and lean against her.

“We’ll help you, in any way we can.” Rei says soothingly

Inko sniffs and angrily wipes her eyes, “I do want children.” She admits, “I’m just so scared.”

The days Hisashi meets Inko’s best friends is, lowkey, terrifying.

It’s ridiculous, he’s nearly 200 years old and he’s scared of some children. Yet, this is the first time he’s actually meeting the family of someone he… loves.

He doesn’t wear a suit, no he wears those for intimidation against his subordinates. Instead, he wears a nice polo and slacks with a nice– expensive watch. His curls are perfectly tousled on his head, the gel he used making his hair color, white, almost glow. He looks effortless yet still rich. Perfect.

Bakugo Mitsuki is the first one who sees him, whether that's because she’s facing the door or she just has an innate ability to sniff out her friend’s paramours. He smiles politely at her from a distance and she narrows her eyes a bit before Rei– Todoroki, his mind supplies– takes her attention away. It’s then that Inko spots him. She looks breathtaking as always.

“Hisashi!” She calls out, making her way through the crowd.

“Hello, my love.” He greets warmly, when she’s close enough.

Inko turns the lightest pink before she forces the feeling down. They’re in public, he understands.

“Come meet my friends and their husbands.” She commands, asks.

Hisashi raises an eyebrow, “Are they not your friends, too?”

Inko huffs, amused, “Enji is on thin ice and Masaru hasn’t proven himself, yet.”

That’s a story he must get, later.

Rei smiles warmly when they reach their table, “Hello, nice to meet you. I’m Todoroki Rei.”

Hisashi bows politely, “Shigaraki Hisashi.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Mitsuki cuts in, “We know your name; are you yakuza?”

Bakugo Masaru closes his eyes and Todoroki Enji stares suddenly at Hisashi, like his answer hinges on whether or not he’s going to be incinerated on the spot.

Inko laughs, “Mi-chan! You know he’s in finance.”

Mitsuki tsks, “That could be a code word for affiliation.”

“Mi-chan,” Inko chides sweetly.

Hisashi watches as the two other women still, subtly. He’s never been more in love with a woman before, ever. The way Inko commands is so captivating, enticing. He wants to see her in a non-friendly setting, against enemies. He wants to watch as she destroys people verbally, thoroughly.

He’d build a throne on the bodies Inko so viciously mutilates, he would see her as his Queen.

Chapter Text

“Why do you think anger comes to you easier than any other emotion?” Aiko-san asks.

Mitsuki hates therapy; It's invasive and she doesn’t like how Aiko-san always digs deep with seemingly innocent questions. She wishes she could skip the grueling process and reap the rewards, because while she hates therapy, she loves the results. Ever since she started, maybe 2 years ago, she’s noticed the difference in her behavior, and so have Rei and Inko. They’re proud of her even.

Despite being in therapy for close to 3 years, Aiko-san asks the same question every couple months. And every couple months, Mitsuki has a different answer.

“It feels easier to push everyone and everything away rather than confront my emotions… I think.”

Aiko-san smiles kindly, “Why do you think and not know?”

Mitsuki hates introspection.

“I feel like,” she says hesitantly, “I’m more scared than anything and I don’t know how to deal with it, so…”

“So you fuel with anger.” Aiko-san claps her hands, “Great! We can work with this! Now, Mitsuki-chan– “

Mitsuki stretches with a groan, she’s been sitting for far too long; She needs a break. She turns off her desk light before moving out of her work space. In all honesty, she should be going home instead, but she knows she’s close to a breakthrough with the design. It just needs a little more tweaking. Thankfully, there’s a 24 hour access cafe here, she thinks as she rounds the corner.

There, in the corner of the cafe is a man about the same age as her, and Mitsuki… She falls in love. She stands there staring at him and his brown hair, glasses and five o’clock shadow. She stares as he frowns at some papers and takes a sip of his coffee. She stares long enough that she decides right there and then she has to make him hers before anyone else can. Before she knows it, she’s standing next to him, blocking the light and casting shadow over him and his papers. Potential layouts for the next magazine, she notes idly, under all the mine circulating around her head.

He looks up, brown eyes looking at her in confusion, “Um, hello.” He says, politely, it makes her heart pound.

“I want to go on a date with you.” Straight to the point, no need to beat around the bush.

Mitsuki watches as his face slowly turns pink then red and she feels satisfaction bubbling inside her. She did that.

“I– uhm, well,” He clears his throat and straightens up, “I need to know the name of the girl who I’m taking out, first.”

Oh. She didn’t think she could fall more in love.

She beams at him, “Bakugo Mitsuki,” here she bows, “Junior in the Fashion Design department. Nice to meet you!”

The love of her life smiles back at her, “Hello, Mitsuki, it’s a pleasure to meet my future wife.”

Mitsuki can’t hear the rest of what he says under the roar of her heartbeat in her ears. Future wife future wife future wife. That’s what he said, future wife.

“I have to get back to my desk now but, here,” He pushes some cash and a piece of paper, “My treat on coffee, text me your days off, okay?”

She nods and watches as he walks out of the cafe and stares until she can’t see him anymore. Only then, does she look down at her hands. 10 yen and a note with his number and name.

Masaru, future husband.

Inko and Rei watch as Mitsuki runs around her bedroom, throwing clothes around.

“How’re the kids?” Inko asks, keeping an eye on Mitsuki’s impending panic attack.

Rei, looking like she wants to cradle Mitsuki and force feed her tea, replies absentmindedly rubbing her very pregnant belly, “Good, I want them out now. My mom’s driving me insane with all of this baby advice as if she’s ever had twins.”

Whatever Inko was gonna say, is drowned out by Mitsuki wailing.
“The love of my life is going to propose to me today and you’re making small talk?”

Sighing, Inko gets up from her seat and starts digging through the mess of clothes Mitsuki made. Rei makes no such movement and instead motions Mitsuki over to sit down next to her. Mitsuki does as told, sniffling.

“I just want everything to be perfect.” She warbles.

Rei coos at her, “Of course you do, it’s only natural, but stressing about it isn’t helping.” She pats Mitsuki’s arm softly, “Let Ko-chan pick your outfit out and have some yummy tea. Maybe I’ll let you feel my belly for kicks if you’re good.”

Mitsuki takes a long sip of lukewarm tea and pouts, “What if she chooses an outfit that doesn’t match where we’re going?”

Inko scoffs as she comes back holding a bundle of clothes in one arm and shoes in the other, “As if we don’t know where Masaru is taking you.”

“Yeah! We wouldn’t let him take you somewhere you wouldn’t like for your proposal.” Rei adds.

Mitsuki looks at them in relief, “I love you guys so much.”

“We know!” Inko shoves the bundle at her, “Now go get ready.”

Waiting until Mitsuki locks herself in the bathroom, Rei turns to look at Inko. “Do you know Masaru’s family name?”

Inko raises an eyebrow as if asking ‘who do you think I am?’

Rei rolls her eyes, “Right, stupid question.”

“It doesn’t matter anyways, Masaru’s taking her family name.”

Masaru looks at his now-wife into her beautiful, red eyes and holds her hands as she explains why she doesn’t want children immediately.

“- and I know that this is something that we should’ve talked about before we got married but I just really think I’m not suited for motherhood right now, and–”

He can’t help himself but to lean over and kiss her cheek and watch her quiet and turn pink.

“Dear, I already knew you didn’t want kids immediately and I still married you.” He can tell she has a lot more to say and interrupts before she can, “Besides, wouldn’t it be better to have children after we establish our company?”

“Oh.” She says, “Yes, that way we wouldn’t have to worry about costs of raising a child.”

“Exactly,” He says warmly, and can’t help but tease her, “and we can have a nepo baby.”

The laugh his wife lets out is worth waiting many lifetimes for any children they may have.