Chapter Text
In all fairness, fractured glass wasn't the biggest problem they were facing. No, against a ten foot dustball with eyes, Shouto really wasn't worried as his ice might have cracked a bit of glass on the restaurant window.
He conjured up more ice, the cold seeping through as it spread in a wave towards the villain who cackled as it dodged.
"Eat my dust!" Said the dustball.
Shouto was not amused. Neither were his companions, who fought alongside him valiantly.
"lyk that's soooo gross?" Camie said as she casually changed the air to sparkles. Why, Shouto did not know. "whod wanna eat ur dust?"
"Everyone would!" The villain shouted, spewing mothballs as it hacked great giant hacks which covered them in wet accumulations of dust. "And everyone will!"
On a scale of one to annoying, this villain definitely went above and beyond. It floated in the air, gathering all the dust around it to become bigger, only to deflate as it hacked again, covering them all in gross dust. Only Camie still looked glamorous, though her cringe showed what was hiding under her facade.
"YOU FUCKMUNCH!"
Ah, there he was, Shouto thought. It was only a matter of time before expletives would be yelled by the resident Lord Explosion Murder.
"I am no fuckmunch," the villain remarked. "I am DUSTMAN!"
Dustman started to breathe in again, little specks of grey swirling in a crowd and gravitating towards it. This time when the dustballs shot out, Shouto managed to burn them all in his wake. He took gleeful pride in seeing them catch fire before crackling and falling apart. Huh. Maybe arsonist would be more up his alley.
"WINDFUCKER!" Bakugou addressed crudely.
Inasa took it all in stride, manic grin in place. "YES!"
"WHAT COLLECTS DUST?" Bakugou shouted, which seemed to relay all the information it needed to the other.
Shouto was still thinking about it. Endeavour maybe, he was getting old. Or maybe the piano no one had ever touched after Touya left. The instrument was covered in it, all grey fluff instead of the sleek black it should have been. Alas-
WOOSH!
He looked up in time to see Inasa's casual tornado suck up Dustman into pieces like a-
Vacuum. Ah. That was the word.
"ICYHOT!"
He knew what to do now; before the villain – separated into particles of dust – could recombine, he encased it all in ice. He was tempted to use his fire, to see each and every disgusting dustball burn but. Paperwork. He wasn't sure if he would file it for one being or the millions of specks, and did not want to find out anytime soon.
"wowww that was lyk so gross," Camie said, wiping off invisible dust.
Shouto wasn't so lucky. When the adrenaline wore off, so did his tolerance. He could feel himself being drenched in big clumps of wet dust and he felt so, so, so gross. He was used to blood, sweat and tears; this was a whole other story.
"Not bad," a voice came from behind them.
They turned around to see Gang Orca clapping his fins together.
"When it comes to villains taking on a more object-like persona, it is good to think about what defeats the object and not the person behind it," he mused. "Good thinking, Bakugou."
"Tch. Shoulda been obvious," he grunted, but Shouto could see that he was pleased by the praise.
"Alright, you're done for today! I suggest making good use of those showers before heading back!" Gang Orca said.
Oh, Shouto would. He could already imagine the warm water washing away the dust...
"Hey!! Stop!! You four!" An angry voice shouted at them.
"What the fuck-" Bakugou raged, but Shouto covered his mouth, only feeling slightly apologetic as dust slathered the other's face.
"Hello," Shouto said, because out of all four of them, he felt he had to do something lest it turn into a dispute. "How can we help?"
"You broke my window!" The man said, pointing at the crime scene. "I expect you to pay!"
"Hah?!" Bakugou yelled, free from the hand. "We just saved your asses-"
"WE ARE SORRY!" Inasa said, bowing further than the standard ninety degrees until his forehead cracked the ground. "OF COURSE WE WILL PAY!"
"Ah." At the genuine display, the man seemed flustered. Shouto could relate, it took time getting used to Inasa's bloodied forehead after all. "Well. The window costs 96,000 Yen each. And I believe you broke four! So that will amount to..."
As the man did the math, Shouto thought he'd play hero the second time for the day and reached for his pockets. "No need to worry, I can pay-"
Before Shouto could even withdraw a shiny credit card that was (not) his, Gang Orca gripped his shoulder.
"Hello, Sir," he started, the beginning of their doom. "Please, give some of your staff their vacation- these four would be happy to work for you to repay their debt."
All of them were stunned into silence. Camie broke it first, bubblegum popping in her face.
"Ummmm-" she started.
"With all due respect," the man sneered. "I highly doubt these four heroes would know their way around a kitchen, let alone a highly-established restaurant!"
Well. The man wasn't wrong. Shouto couldn't see himself with a chef hat on, yelling orders at the poor staff, but-
"I’LL SHOW YOU!" Bakugou shouted, his default mode on. "I BET I CAN COOK BETTER THAN ALL YOU FUCKERS!"
Having tasted his cooking, Shouto bet he could too. Now that he thought about it, he could see Bakugou in a chef's hat, murderously chopping onions and letting the inevitable tears die before they even showed up. Huh.
The man narrowed his eyes, calculating. "Prove it. All of you. You will experience one day in my restaurant- if I feel like you are not competent, all of you are out! And I will demand compensation, with interest!"
Shouto had a bad, bad feeling about this.
"ummm im lyk, busy k'," Camie said. "this n school is a lot, a job wud b 2 much."
Gang Orca wrapped his fins around all four of them, putting pressure in the casual death grip as they squished together uncomfortably.
"As I said," his grip tightened. "They would be happy to! I will allot some time from this course into your new jobs."
The man looked very skeptical but nodded. "Come by tomorrow, 5PM sharp."
Another death grip. They all nodded, and giving them another nasty look, he left.
"Why'd we have to work for his shitty-" Bakugou started.
"Discipline, serving civilians, teamwork, new skills," Gang Orca said, listing them off in his fin-gers. "This job will be good for you! Think of it as part of the course."
Well. If Shouto did, that would mean-
"You will be graded of course," he confirmed. "But nevermind letter grades or percentages, this will be a real job. I will not be the only one marking you, that man will, as will all the customers. If one of you fail, all of you fail together. I encourage you to not take this lightly."
"omg." Camie uttered.
Shouto quickly translated that to oh my god and well. That summed it up nicely.
.
As they made their way back to UA, Shouto found himself dealing with an irate Bakugou. While not unusual, all the griping was making him feel worse since it related to him as well.
"-shitty extras," Bakugou complained, kicking the dust. Stopped. Kicked it again, harder this time. "Fucking hell. Who even broke the glass! I know I didn't fuckin' do it!"
It was me, Shouto confessed in his head but did not share. This would stay with him, and only him. He shrugged in reply.
"And why'd he hafta make it a group thing?" He continued, kicking rocks this time. They all skipped across the lake three times before sinking. Shouto was impressed. "I know I can make it, but I ain't trusting you meatheads to not fuck it up!'
"I'm not a meathead," Shouto pointed out, because he wasn't.
"Tch. This fucking sucks!" He kicked a nearby trashcan.
Shouto was starting to see a pattern: as Bakugou's rage grew, so did the size of his victims.
"Bakugou, none of us want to fail either," he said, gripping the other's shoulder so he would listen. "All of us will do our best. Plus Ultra."
Bakugou shrugged him off, shoving his hands in his pockets as he blazed off. "We better not fuckin' fail."
Shouto shared the sentiment. He didn't want to imagine how his dusty old man would react if he saw that he failed at a day in the kitchen. Though... Well he had been raised to be a hero, not a chef, and anything the old man would yell at him he could throw back in his face.
If he wanted me to be a cook, I would already be one, he thought.
.
"RISE AND SHINE, ASSHOLE!" A loud voice awakened Shouto from his slumber.
He merely grumbled, shoving the blankets over his head in hopes the person would go away.
"Oi, oi, oi!"
Shouto chased his dream, wanting to see the last glimpse of the cats and hoping they would lure him back to his sleep...
The door was wrenched open, hinges shuttering. Shouto still didn't get up; if the loud clamouring was any indication, it could only be one person.
"Don't ignore me!" Bakugou yelled, wrenching the blankets off him.
Instinctually Shouto warmed up his body as he felt the cold air hit him. Still. He wanted his blanket back.
"Give them back," he said petulantly with closed eyes and searching hands.
"No. Get your ass to the kitchen!" Bakugou yelled.
"....just my ass," Shouto deadpanned, one eye opening. "I fail to see the effectiveness-"
Bakugou flushed. "Get up before I drag you! You have five minutes! No, make that three!"
Knowing this time limit, Shouto still dillydallied. "Why-"
"I'm teaching you how to cook," Bakugou said with vigour. "So you don't cause further damage to their kitchen."
With those hurtful words, Bakugou left, leaving Shouto with his blankets and thoughts. He wondered how this was going to go.
Oh well. The kitchen advice would be helpful at least, Shouto could admit he wasn't the most well-versed in this area.
He managed to be down in the kitchen in the alloted time, which Bakugou seemed pleased at. An apron was thrown at his face but he caught it before it could make contact. It was a garish green, with frills decorating the edges and when he put it on, Bakugou predictably cackled.
"You look like Christmas gone wrong," Bakugou commented.
Shouto had never gotten Christmas right, so maybe Bakugou was onto something. "I thought you wanted to teach me about food, not traditions."
Bakugou straightened up, mean grin still on his face. "Alright, Icyhot. Let's get fuckin' started!"
Turns out, Bakugou had done his research on the restaurant. Its name was H. Trivago and it had one Michelin star that did not justify the other man's arrogance. Their specialty was steak with roast potatoes that angel choirs sung death metal for with a dessert menu that could knock your socks off.
Well. Not Shouto's socks. As he continued listening to Bakugou's brief rundown introduction on the restaurant, he felt like the other boy was almost singing it praises.
"Are you excited for this?" Shouto asked, because it sure seemed like it.
"Fuck no!" Bakugou denied, but didn't meet his gaze. "I just don't wanna fail!"
Ah. He was. Shouto continued to try and listen to what their menu entailed but all he could think of was sleep....
"Oi, fuckmunch!"
Shouto startled awake, memories of Dustman coming in full force. "Please, not that name..."
Bakugou's face scrunched up before conceding. The dust must've gotten to him too, Shouto thought.
"-kitchen has different positions," Bakugou continued, and Shouto made sure to listen. "Knowing your skill level, you might be a dishwasher... But I'll teach you basics anyways!"
And he did. In the next hour, Shouto learned how to turn on the stove (and off!), boil some water (in a pan, not his face!), and toss some salad (in a bowl, not the floor!).
He had to say, for a grumpy gremlin who never seemed to give anyone his time of day, he seemed awfully intent of giving it to Shouto.
"Again!" Bakugou yelled.
Again, again, again... Shouto had heard that word too many times today. Nonetheless he complied, and started to chop the potatoes into six lumpy pieces on the board. He had to admit, he had improved. Before, there were only three lumpy pieces on the board, the other two chilling by the floor and the last on the ceiling.
"Again!" Bakugou yelled, again.
Shouto sulked. "I'd like to see you try..."
Bakugou did better than try. Shouto blinked and there were six pieces of perfectly cut potatoes in front of him. Like the chef who cut them, they seemed to grin mockingly at him, all chanting: 'die!'
Shouto glared back. They were the ones who were going to die today, not him. He couldn't wait to roast them.
"Again!"
.
By the time they met up with Camie and Inasa, Shouto felt like he had already worked a full day in the kitchen, because he had. His back was sore from perfecting his cutting technique and his fingerprint burnt off from the hot potatoes as their last act of revenge.
"wassup, bae," Camie said, sliding into the seat next to him on the train. "u look ruff buddy. wat gotchu down?"
"Potatoes," he uttered, because it was all he could think about.
"mood." Camie said, before sticking in an airpod, offering him the other.
He took it and she shuffled a playlist of poppy tunes. They did this sometimes, sharing music, and he always appreciated the silent companionship shared, connected by song.
His five minute nap was interrupted by a tap on his shoulder.
"time 2 go hotstuff," she said.
They all made their way to the restaurant, Bakugou leading the way in a militaristic march with emphasized stompiness.
"dangggg he lookin mad bruh," Camie remarked.
"He looks passionate!" Inasa corrected.
He looks like a potato, Shouto finalized, his mind still jumbled.
"We should all strive to be as passionate as Bakugou!" Inasa boomed, and took giant steps to catch up to the other (which didn't take long).
"u think we'll make it thru 2day?" Camie asked him.
"I'm not sure," he replied honestly. "But I think we should try our best to."
"tru dat."
.
A little before 5PM sharp they stood outside the restaurant. Shouto looked at the fractured glass streaking across four window panes. Now that he really got a good look at it, he could see his name written all over it. He hoped the others wouldn't notice, but got a bad feeling when he saw Bakugou look at the glass and back at him suspiciously.
Luckily he saw the man was waiting for them inside – tapping his foot impatiently as if they were five minutes late rather than the early they actually were – and quickly headed inside.
As they all stood in a line, his eyes scanned them, narrowing. "My name is Yoshida. State your name, quirk, and any experience you might have."
"Bakugou Katsuki," Bakugou declared first. "Explosions. I can fucking cook."
"We'll see," Yoshida said. "You'll shadow the chefs today then."
They continued with hasty introductions and Yoshida made quick work of assigning them to their stations. Shouto could understand Bakugou's and Inasa's and even Camie's position made sense but.
He blinked. "I will be... The host."
"Yes, yes, yes," Yoshida said, hand waving the air. "Some training will be provided so you don't cause further damage."
They all shuffled their feet slightly, with the exception of Bakugou who did a little stomp.
"Anyways, off you go!" Yoshida said, shooing them to their stations. "Go, go, go!"
Shouto had a quick realization that this man liked to speak in threes. Well. That was going to get old fast...
He made his way to the front counter where a man (the other host presumably) in a fancy suit greeted him.
"Ah, you must be Todoroki-kun," suit man said, reaching for a handshake. "I can see why you were chosen."
Shouto did not, but kept quiet and shook the hand instead.
"I'll be in your care," he said with a slight bow.
Suit man clapped his back. "Let's see how you'll do. My name's Yuu by the way!"
He nodded politely.
"Quiet one aren't you?" Yuu said with a friendly smile. "That's fine, adds to the mysterious charm! People will dig it!"
He didn't see any shovels around but chose not to point it out. He'd ask Camie what it meant later, for now he focused on getting through the evening.
"Right. So we usually come in at 2PM, open our doors at 5:30PM and close at 12PM, but cleanup usually takes another hour or so, so we all go home at 1AMish."
"An eleven hour shift," Shouto said. He could do that.
"Yes," Yuu confirmed. "Though usually it's the back of house that takes longer to cleanup. Our job is to maintain the front."
He nodded. He was glad for Bakugou's impromptu information session. Before this morning he didn't even know the difference between front and back of house, thinking of them as one entity.
He was led around the medium sized establishment, taking in the surprisingly inviting atmosphere.
"Make sure you remember the table numbers," Yuu warned. "If you get the orders mixed up, Yoshida-san will not be happy."
He nodded his assent. He knew his memory was good but even so, he felt a small flutter of anxiety. It hit him then that this was probably the first time where he felt so unprepared, especially for a professional setting. He had been training his whole life to be a hero, and when surrounded by that atmosphere it was easy to forget other things. But now, with a vastly different environment, he felt lost.
"But," Yuu continued. "If you're ever lost, come to me for help, ok? I know it's a bit daunting at first!"
"Ok," he said, slightly relieved. "Thank you, Yuu-san."
Yuu smiled. "Don't thank me yet. Let's go over some housekeeping and some practise. We're opening soon!"
Soon, as in fifteen minutes. Shouto wondered if maybe, he needed more training for an actual job but kept it to himself.
"Quick quiz," Yuu said, as they made their way to the kitchen. "How do you greet people when you approach their table?"
"Good evening, my name is Todoroki and I will be your host for the evening," Shouto recited. "What would you like to order?"
A thumbs up soothed his nerves. "Good! Once you're more comfortable, try initiating some small talk. A how are you or asking about their day goes a long way in tips."
Tips...?
"Next! What if they ask for recommendations?"
"I've never tried anything, sorry," Shouto said honestly.
"Hahaha! If you want to go the honest route, follow it up with popular items other customers enjoy eating! Our house special of teriyaki ribeye and roast potatoes are always a classic. For dessert, I'd stick with Dulce le leche cheesecake with fresh berries."
Dulce le leche Shouto repeated in his mind but did not feel comfortable saying out loud. He reminded himself to take a long, long look at the dessert menu next time, if only to find a more achievable name to say.
"Next! What if someone asks you for vegetarian and or vegan options?"
Why would you go to a steakhouse, Shouto did not say. "We have a variety of salads to choose from, as well as our classic roast potatoes."
"Good, great!"
They arrived in the kitchen. Shouto could see Bakugou slicing mushrooms faster than the chef and Inasa drying dishes with his quirk. They seem to be fitting in nicely, he thought.
"Let's go over how to carry plates," Yuu said, leading him to the service area where there were four plates waiting for him. "It's fine if you can only carry two at first, it's better to be safe than sorry after all. But if you can, carry more."
Shouto watched the way the plates were carried and mimicked it. He felt hands press down on his shoulders.
"Don't be too tense! You'll get a stiff neck and spine."
He relaxed slightly, feeling the tension dissipate before rising back up when he heard some attention claps.
"Service will begin in two minutes!" Yoshida said. "I'm expecting a great service today."
The ‘or else’ was left unsaid, but Shouto could feel the words from the man's intense stare.
"Yes, Chef!"
.
Shouto saw the first customers come in and approach the front desk where Camie was. She was the designated hostess and ensured that people had reservations before telling them where their seat was. So far it looked like she was getting along with the other hostess, who gave off a similar bubbly aura.
"Just shadow me for one or two people, and then I'll assign you to certain tables," Yuu said as the customers started sitting.
They headed to the first table.
"Good evening! My name is Yuu and I will be your host for tonight," he said as he passed out the menus. "Please, take your time, and let me know whenever you are ready to order."
The customers seemed more interested in Shouto however, ogling him slightly. He noted that they were two old ladies. He smiled. He left. He shadowed Yuu for a bit longer until he noticed a huge line outside.
"Wow we're busy tonight! Sorry, Todoroki-kun, but could you hand out menus to tables three, six and twelve?"
"Yes," he said, because a no wouldn't be accepted.
"Great. Don't panic now!"
Even if he was, he wouldn't let it appear outwardly. He grabbed some menus and headed to his assigned tables.
"Hello, my name is Todoroki and I will be your host for this evening..."
.
"COULD YOU BE ANY SLOWER?" Bakugou raged as Shouto picked up the two plates.
"I could," Shouto said. "But I don't think that would be wise."
He felt he was getting the hang of it. Ignoring Bakugou's reply, he carried the plates to the table and set them down carefully.
"A house special for you," he droned, putting it in front of the lady. "And the Caesar salad for you. I hope you enjoy."
"Thank you, Todoroki-kun!" The girl intoned with a bright smile. "Say, are you working here now?"
That seemed to be a common question he had received from several other girls...
"For now," he said with a nod. "If you'll excuse me..."
They giggled as he left with a bow and he frowned.
"Is there something on my face," he asked Camie the next time he saw her.
"nuthin' but bae material," Camie said distractedly, writing down something. "y, wassup?"
"The girls keep giggling around me," he pointed out, feeling ridiculed.
Camie paused. "oh honey."
"What-"
"Get back to work!" Yoshida yelled.
He hastily grabbed some menus and made his rounds to new customers, always encountering giggles.
"Who pissed in your tea," Bakugou asked him when he shuffled over to retrieve more dishes.
"Everyone," he replied, and: "girls keep giggling around me. Do I look bad?"
Bakugou broke into his own little giggle, a cackle often heard among hyenas. "You couldn't if you tried, dumbass."
"What-"
"Get back to work!" Yoshida yelled, again.
Shouto did. As he picked up the plates, he could feel a small hunger fester in his stomach. Constantly being surrounded by food but not being able to eat it was nightmarish. He tried not to breathe in the aroma wafting off the plates in fear it would lead to his stomach giving off hungry grumbles and lead to further giggling.
"The teriyaki sirloin," he said, dead. "And the salad niçoise. I hope you enjoy your meal."
"Todoroki huh?" A guy this time, around the same age as him. "You were pretty cool in the sports festival."
"Ah, thank you," he said, because he'd heard it a million times before today for some reason. "If you'll excuse me…"
A hand reached for his and before he could tug away he felt a napkin in them. He scrunched it into his pocket where dozens other lied, crumpled. With a short bow he fled, taking some plates from other tables and heading over to the dish pit.
"You look unpassionate!" Inasa boomed as he scrubbed the plates with passion. "What has gotten you down, my friend?"
"People keep giggling around me and giving me napkins," he said lifelessly.
Inasa looked at him unsympathetically. "You have passionate features! I'm sure they are all just appreciating that!"
"What-"
"Get back to work!" Yoshida yelled. "Honestly, Todoroki-kun, I didn't think you'd be the gossipy bunch out of the four."
Shouto grimaced because he really wasn't, but he apologized shortly, heading back to work. He was done. So, so done and if they failed today, he might even be happy about it.
Spoiler: they-
.
-made their way back to the train station at 1AM. Shouto tried to maintain the good posture instilled in him from childhood but failed when he felt the urge to slouch in exhaustion.
"ngl," Camie said. "wasnt 2 bad."
"I agree!" Inasa confirmed.
"Tch. Not the worst." Bakugou offhandedly commented. He side-eyed Shouto. "You look like you had a fuckin' fantastic evening, Icyhot."
"I did not," Shouto said evenly before frowning. "People kept giving me their garbage and laughing at me."
"Ah," all three said in tandem, exchanging looks.
"What?" Shouto asked, slightly annoyed. "I don't think I'm that funny-"
"You're not," Bakugou confirmed. "They weren't laughing at you, dumbass."
He huffed, frosty air escaping in the humid evening. He felt humiliated. Never before had he had such blatant mockery of his visage before, and while he tried not to let it bother him, the fact that they all giggled at the sight of him left him feeling sour.
"they think u cute, bae," Camie interrupted his thoughts.
What.
"every1 b laughin' cuz u cute," she confirmed. "n dat trash probs b napkins right?"
He nodded, stilted.
"yee dat wasnt trash honey, it was their #. u still have em?"
Wordlessly, perhaps too in shock he emptied his pockets and emerged with a handful of crumply notes. His companions snoopily took a few to uncrumple.
"Such passion!" Inasa said reverently as his eyes scanned the contents.
Shouto uncrumpled one, smoothing it out so he could see what he couldn't before:
I think you're super cute :) Here's my number: xxx-xxx-xxxx. XOXO.
And another one:
xxx-xxx-xxxx. Call me ;)
And:
xxx-xxx-xxxx. (No one's home tomorrow....)
"I don't know these people," he pointed out. "Why would I call them?"
"A night of passion!" Inasa said, to which Camie looked mock scandalized by.
"oh bb," she said. "dats how it starts. how can u no sum1 if u dont call?"
Bakugou exploded the notes in his hands. "Ignore these idiots. These pathetic note-givers ain't worth your time, Halfie."
"oho?" Camie instigated, nudging Bakugou. "wat do u consider in a relationship huh?"
Bakugou looked annoyed but answered tersely, "something more genuine than this load of shit. What, you see a cute guy in a restaurant and give him your number? How can you base an entire relationship off of that? What about his strength, his morals, his attitude hah?!"
Camie cringed. "r u 1 of those 'i base my crushes off of personality, idc about looks' guys?"
"Well I wouldn't date just any old geezer!" Bakugou yelled. "I'm just fuckin' sayin; there's more to someone than their looks."
"but wat better way to begin to find out than with a lil get to kno u date?" Camie questioned, finger on her glossed lip.
Shouto supposed it was paradoxical, of how you didn't want to date someone you didn't know, but how could you get to know them if not for a date?
"I agree with Bakugou!" Inasa interjected. "It's not about looks at all! It's about passion! Why judge someone's outward appearance when the very fiber of their being brims with such life and soul and passion?"
It was always about passion when it came to Inasa.
"man," Camie said. "getchu a guy dat can b cute, passionate, strong, w/gud morals n values... wbu, Todo?"
He startled. "Hm?"
"watchu lookin' for in a person?"
He saw Bakugou stare at him intently. He shrugged. "I haven't really thought about it."
"think about it now then!" she insisted.
He thought about it. What did he look for in someone? His mind took him to what happened today, to cooking and his ultimate failure at it.
"Someone who can cook," he said, nodding.
"huh. ig dat wud b nice..."
"Low standards, Icyhot," Bakugou tched. "Anyone can fuckin' cook. You need someone who can look after your ass since you're a hopeless idiot."
"...just my ass," Shouto said, a small smile brewing.
"You lil shit," Bakugou sneered, eyes narrowing as he roughly ruffled Shouto's hair.
As they roughhoused, Shouto could see Camie watch them from the corner of his eye, a speculative gleam in her eyes.