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Katsuko scowled and pushed her way through the crowd blocking the entrance to Might Tower. She hated dealing with the paparazzi, but unfortunately, it was part of being a Pro Hero.
"Dynamight! Look over here, Dynamight!" a reporter yelled to grab her attention.
"Out of the way," Katsuko shouted back gruffly, not in the mood for their harrowing questions. She shoved past them, already running late for her shift.
Normally, she would tell them all to go screw themselves, but she'd gotten in trouble with her PR manager too many times. He insisted that it was a good sign whenever the paparazzi wanted to talk to her. It meant that people were interested, and she was likely to rank high on the next hero chart if she could just grin and bear it.
The problem was, none of the reporters ever seemed interested in her recent victories or fighting techniques. More often than not, their questions were about how she maintained her weight, her fashion choices, or worst of all, the one thing that she had been able to keep private－her love life.
A man suddenly barged in front of her, blocking her path.
"Dynamight! Your goal is to become the number one hero, is that correct?" the man asked, shoving a microphone in her face.
"Duh!" she replied, glad someone was acknowledging her worth for once. She beamed and tossed her long blonde hair over her shoulder. "I won't settle for anything less than the best!"
The reporter nodded thoughtfully. "Even as a rookie, it's likely that you will rank high in the coming chart, but first place for someone as young as you is unprecedented. If you fail, how long do you plan to continue chasing that dream?"
Katsuko's eyes narrowed, suddenly wary that she was falling into a trap. "As long as it takes. I'm no quitter!"
"Any men in your life you might settle down and have kids with in the future?" He turned the mic back toward her and stared expectantly, as if he hadn't just said the most offensive thing possible. Her career had barely started, and already, they were asking about the end of it.
"Are you fucking kidding me?!" she exploded. "The day that a man takes away my title will be the day that I die. Men suck! Why would I give any of them my time, including you?"
The reporter's eyes widened, leaning in closer as if he sensed a scandal. "Are you saying that you hate men?"
"Yeah, sure, whatever!" she shouted, stomping up to the front entrance. "Leave me alone!"
Several journalists in the crowd scribbled furiously in their notebooks as she left. She hadn't answered many questions, but it didn't matter. They'd heard enough.
Katsuko's PR manager rubbed his temple, clearly stressed. "I told you to be nice to the paparazzi!" he cried. "Why is that so difficult for you?"
Katsuko leaned back in her chair, arms crossed defiantly. "It's their fault for being such assholes!"
Her manager sighed. "Don't you understand that I'm trying to help you? Of course, they're assholes, but because of this, your popularity has tanked in the last week, possibly beyond repair. Your male fans think you hate them!"
Katsuko rolled her eyes. "Ugh, whatever. What do I do to fix it?"
The man looked at her gravely. "This situation calls for drastic measures. Are you willing to do anything it takes to get popular again?"
Katsuko groaned. "Fine," she muttered.
Whatever he had in mind, she knew she was going to regret it.
"'Use your hero knowledge to win a spot on the hit TV show Game of Love and earn a date with the hero Dynamight'? Are you kidding?" Izumi couldn't help but stifle a laugh as she read the announcement.
"No. It's that stupid PR guy's idea!" Katsuko pouted. "Apparently, being number one requires men to like me. Like I give a fuck what they think."
She snatched her phone back from Izumi in frustration and shoved it into the pocket of her hero suit.
Izumi grabbed her hand, holding it still and squeezing sympathetically. "Sorry, Kacchan, but… maybe you should just go ahead and do it. I'm sure the winner will be some harmless fan who's just excited to meet their hero."
Katsuko sighed and latched onto Izumi, pulling her close and burying her face in the crook of her girlfriend's neck. "You're not jealous?" she muttered, almost sounding disappointed.
Izumi chuckled. "Are you seriously sulking because I'm not upset about this?"
"No!" Katsuko retorted, though it was clear that she was lying.
Izumi smiled brightly and pulled away from Katsuko's grip, just enough to press a soft kiss to her taller girlfriend's lips. "Sorry, Kacchan. If I could, I'd be your date on TV, but I'm sure that would cause even more rumors."
Even though they'd both been dating since their days at UA High School, no one knew about their relationship other than their close friends. It was yet another thing that they had to be smart about eventually revealing to the press. The plan was to wait until they finally proved themselves and secured their spot at the top. Luckily, they were both women, and they'd been obsessed with each other since childhood, so most people weren't suspicious of how close they'd gotten over the years.
Nevertheless, they'd had a few close calls. In high school, they were almost caught making out in the dorms more times than they could count. They're pretty sure that's how All Might found out.
Even more recently, they'd been out on a date to the aquarium near their apartment when a civilian recognized them. They broke apart quickly and hoped that the stranger hadn't noticed they'd been holding hands. Izumi had been disappointed to leave before they got to see the octopus tank, but in the end, it was necessary to avoid gossip.
"Whatever," Katsuko grumbled. "I'm gonna reach the top, no matter what!"
Izumi grinned. "Not if I get there first, Kacchan! One day, I'll surpass you, just like I promised years ago."
Katsuko smirked at her, invigorated by their usual competitive banter.
"For now, just go out there and show everyone how cool you are," Izumi continued cheerfully. "Destroy their bad impression of you, and let them see what I've always known all along: you're amazing!"
Katsuko's heart melted, but she didn't say anything. She pulled Izumi closer, wrapping her arms around her soft, curvaceous frame and sighing contentedly.
As Izumi placed a kiss on her cheek, she couldn't help wondering: how had she gotten so lucky? After all they'd been through together, she would never stop feeling amazed that, by some miracle, Izumi still wanted her. She wasn't the type to say it out loud, but she was grateful for every day they were together. She'd do anything for Izumi, even risk her career. She had confidence that, in the end, they would both end up at the top together where they belonged.
The contest didn't seem like a big deal until a month later. On some level, Katsuko hadn't thought that her PR manager would actually go through with it. It wasn't until she'd been shoved into a chair for makeup, and the producer of the stupid Game of Love show was handing her cue cards, that she fully realized what she'd been roped into doing.
Katsuko looked down at the cards in her hands and rifled through them. Her frown deepened with each one she read. It was all garbage.
"Yeah, there's no way I'm gonna say any of this shit," she scoffed, even as a makeup artist began to dab concealer under her eyes.
The producer sighed at her, a tired, unamused look on his face. "Listen, I've dealt with plenty of divas in my time, and it never goes well for them in the end. Heroes aren't worth anything if the public can't put their faith in them. You have to be likable. If you don't cooperate, then you're only proving that you're not cut out for the hero business after all."
Katsuko scowled. "Are you kidding me? I'm the best at the hero business. I ranked highest in my class at UA."
"Then, prove it," the producer replied. "All I've seen of you on TV makes me think that you're just a spoiled brat. No one's ever going to think any differently unless you do something about it. But if you mess up, you'll only make the show's ratings higher, so be my guest."
He turned around and handed more cue cards to another hero who was getting ready to go on stage right after her.
Katsuko was livid from being treated so dismissively, but she wasn't stupid. She knew he was right. If that's the way they wanted it, then fine. She'd play their little game, and she'd win.
"Hello, everyone, and welcome back to the Game of Love, Pro Hero Edition!" the show host declared. "Our next hero is one you're sure to know already. This blonde bombshell may have an explosive personality, but don't let that fool you. She's single... and ready to mingle!"
The studio audience cheered wildly, and Izumi perked up in her seat, eager for her girlfriend's segment to start. Luckily, she'd managed to blend into the crowd unnoticed with her distinctive mass of long, wavy hair hidden under a large, green hood with bunny ears.
"Give it up for Bakugou Katsuko, the young lady who calls herself 'Dynamight!'" The host gestured across the brightly colored stage to where Katsuko entered.
She seemed to be in an unusually good mood. "Oi! Cheer louder! I can't hear you!" she teased the crowd, smirking, before slumping down in her chair.
"Welcome, Dynamight! Now, in case you're just tuning in, let's remind everyone of the rules," the host continued, turning back toward the cameras. "Countless fans have submitted their answers to our very extensive hero questionnaire. Out of all those hopeful men, only three contestants remain. Let's show these lucky fellas a little appreciation!"
The audience clapped as all three of the contestants made their way toward their own separate chairs onstage, a pink wall covered in hearts blocking them from Katsuko's view.
The host smiled widely, charming the audience. "Now, in order to be the ultimate winner of her heart, these men will have to prove themselves by answering a few of our lovely bachelorette's questions. The wall is there to ensure that she will award them points based on their answers, not their looks. In the end, she and the contestant of her choice will meet for the first time and leave for their fabulous, all-expenses-paid date to the Musutafu Aquarium, including a pass to see the new octopus habitat up close."
Izumi pouted, wishing that she could go.
"Well, what do you think, folks?" the host's voice boomed. "Are you ready to see who will win the chance to tame the fearsome Dynamight?"
The crowd clapped in affirmation. Izumi's eyes darted toward Katsuko, but she was surprised to see that the comment hadn't bothered her.
"Perfect!" The host exclaimed before turning back around. "All right, Miss Dynamight, let's begin. What's your first question for these handsome boys?"
Katsuko glanced down at the card in her hand. "For our first date, we're on the beach watching the sunset. I start to shiver... How would you keep me warm?"
Izumi's eyes widened. What kind of question was that?
The first contestant bit his lip in an attempt to be sexy. "I'll warm you up with my award-winning smile, babe. One look at these pearly whites and you'll forget you're even cold."
"Ooh, creative answer!" the host said, nodding. "Contestant number two?"
"I'd lend you my jacket and snuggle you until you feel better," the second contestant replied gently.
"Very considerate! How about you, contestant number three?"
The third man frowned thoughtfully. "Uh, I have an All Might limited edition beach towel you can use if you don't get it too dirty."
Izumi gasped. That was a rare item.
"Keep the towel in the box. Don't you know how much that's worth?" Katsuko scolded, though Izumi could tell that she was also impressed.
"Oh, too bad!" the host said, misinterpreting her answer. "Now, which of the other—"
"Number three wins," Katsuko continued.
Izumi's eyebrows shot up in shock. She'd been fully expecting her girlfriend to avoid giving out any points at all somehow.
"Oh?" the host asked, amused. "Well, then, way to go, contestant number three. Let's see if you can keep it up."
Katsuko flipped to her next card. "For our next date, we'll go to Tokyo Disney. What matching couple outfits should we wear?"
The first guy chuckled. "Easy. I'd wear my Gaston muscle shirt, and you can hang off of my arm all day dressed like Belle or something."
"Bold choice!" the host laughed. "Very nice! And you, contestant number two?"
"You would make a lovely Cinderella," the second man said with a soft smile, "and I would be honored to go as your Prince Charming."
Many of the women in the audience collectively let out a wistful sigh.
Izumi's face scrunched together in disapproval. She couldn't believe that Katsuko hadn't punched anyone yet.
"I think it would be fun to go dressed as All Might and Nighteye," the third contestant said when it was his turn. "I'll even let you be All Might."
The host laughed. "That's a silly answer. All Might isn't even a Disney charact—"
"Third guy wins again," Katsuko interrupted.
The crowd erupted in surprised murmurs.
"Wow, maybe Dynamight's into nerdy guys," Izumi heard someone whisper behind her. "That's actually really cute of her. I didn't think she had it in her to be so nice to a guy like that!"
Izumi fought the urge to correct the stranger. Katsuko was into nerdy girls. She was the one that Dynamight was into, not anyone else.
"Amazing! Two for two!" the host exclaimed. "Moving right along. Next question!"
"My cat is at the vet getting surgery, and I'm very worried about her," Katsuko said with a coy smile. "How would you console me?"
The first contestant began flexing his arms. "I would give you a one-way ticket to the gun show. Every time I see my biceps, all I can do is smile, and you will too."
The host showed off his pearly white teeth. "They sure made me smile! Contestant number two, how can you possibly beat that answer?"
"I'd console you by treating you like a princess and pampering you the way you deserve," the second contestant said with a genuine, warm smile.
"Very good! And last, but not least, contestant number three!"
"We should just stay inside and watch our favorite hero movie together," the man replied. "That always makes me feel better."
"If you say anything other than Ultra Impact, you lose!" Katsuko cackled.
The man shook his head. "Seriously? Mighty American Hero is clearly the better choice. Sure, it's old, but it's a classic."
Katsuko crossed her arms in front of her chest, offended that the guy was absolutely right. "Fine!" she scoffed. "It's a tie."
The host's eyes widened. "Amazing! Does that mean contestant number three wins again? If so, then we may already have our winner!"
"Yeah, I guess," Katsuko replied, though she looked surprised herself. "He just—"
In the blink of an eye, Izumi shot into the air, green lightning crackling all around her. She stomped down onto the stage right next to the cowering host, her hood falling down onto her shoulders to reveal her normally happy face, twisted into a scowl.
"Is that—?" someone in the crowd gasped.
"H-Hero Deku?" The TV host stammered, at a loss for words.
Katsuko got out of her chair and approached her girlfriend, searching her eyes. "The hell are you doing here?" she asked warily.
"I thought I could do it, but I can't," Izumi replied, voice wrecked. "I don't want you to go on a date with anyone else. Not after all we've been through."
The look of relief on her girlfriend's face was all that Izumi needed to see. She grabbed Katsuko and pulled her into a deep kiss, uncaring that the whole world was their audience.
The entire room erupted with noise. Fans lost their minds at the unexpected twist.
After a moment, Izumi broke away, embarrassed. A staff member quickly ran up to her and shoved a microphone in her hands, reminding her of where she was. "I-I, uh… sorry to interrupt, everyone," she said, her freckled face burning red, "but I can't let this happen. Dynamight's mine!"
Katsuko brushed a strand of hair out of her face lovingly. This was really happening. They were finally doing this.
Contestant number three nodded in understanding, jaw set tight as if he'd just made a hard decision. "In that case, I-I'd like to give my ticket to Deku, if I may."
Contestants one and two looked at each other in shock.
The host was flabbergasted. "Y-You what?"
"I think the tickets would go to better use this way," the third contestant explained.
"Knew I picked you for a reason," Katsuko said with a half-smile.
Izumi blushed. "I… w-wow. Thank you."
"No worries at all!" The man exclaimed. "I just can't believe you're here too, Deku! You're both amazing! I'm such a big fan!"
Murmurs of approval spread slowly throughout the crowd until, one by one, they all stood up to give them a standing ovation.
The host sighed, unable to argue with the overwhelming support they were being shown. "Well, there you have it, folks! The winner of the date with Dynamight is… Hero Deku!"
Izumi giggled and kissed Katsuko again, holding her close. Just like they'd always known, they were both going to reach their dreams, and they weren't going to sacrifice anything about themselves to get there.