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Atsuhiro is the one to take Kumi to the foster home the first time, because no one knows what his face looks like.
Hiroshima is far, so Kurogiri gives them a portal to a park near the foster home and tells them he’ll open another portal when it’s time for dinner.
Kumi bounces excitedly as Atsuhiro talks to the lady that opened the door, Ms Hamasaki. It’s been two weeks since the kidnapping and she wants to see how the other children are doing. She’d thrown a fit about it when Keigo reminded her that she couldn’t be seen with him and her tantrum came to an abrupt end when Kurogiri suggested that someone else take her.
“Hi, there, Kumi.”
Kumi whips her gaze upwards to Ms Hamasaki. “Hi!”
Ms Hamasaki chuckles. “My, aren’t you an excited little one!”
Atsuhiro grins. “Very little fazes our baby.”
“I can see that.”
“Can I see them?” Kumi asks, practically vibrating on the spot. “Can I? Are they still here? Papa says they were brought here after everything.”
“Of course. Those little sweethearts have actually been asking about you.”
Kumi gasps. “Really?!”
“Mhm. They wanted to know what happened to their hero.”
Kumi looks up at Atsuhiro with sparkling eyes. He smiles and ruffles her hair.
Ms Hamasaki turns to Atsuhiro. “The garden is through that hallway and out back. They should be out there now. We just had lunch, so they’re out playing now.”
“C’mon, princess.”
Ms Hamasaki watches Kumi drag Atsuhiro down the hallway, skipping and bouncing. What a delightful little girl.
Kumi stops when they get outside and scans the garden.
“Kumi! Neesan, it’s Kumi!”
Kumi shrieks in delight when the child her height runs up, dragging the older one along. “Hello!”
“Kumi!” the child shouts, barrelling into Kumi and nearly toppling her over. “I’m Reiji. This is my older sister, Maki!”
Maki smiles at Atsuhiro. “Hello. Thank you for saving us.”
“You’re okay!” Kumi cries, staring at Maki while Reiji clings to her. “You were walking funny when we got out.”
“Oh, yeah, I sprained my ankle. I tripped when they pushed us down the stairs.”
“What’s a sprain?”
“Uh, it’s like when you twist your ankle really bad.”
“Ouch.”
Reiji lifts his head out of Kumi’s jacket when he spies his targets. “Aki! Emi! Look, we found Kumi!”
The twins drop their sandcastle toys and scramble out of the sandpit to join Reiji and Maki. “Kumi!”
“We didn’t get to tell you our names,” one of them says. “I’m Akiko and this is my sister, Emiko.”
“I wanted to come but Papa said it was dangerous to go outside for a while.”
Aki, the twin with her hair braided down the middle, nods. “Ms Hamasaki said we should stay inside for a while too. She said those bad guys could still be waiting somewhere.”
“Oh, don’t worry. They’re all dead.”
“Kumi!” Atsuhiro hisses.
“Good,” Maki says with a frown. “They were evil people.”
“What happened to the nice oneesan that was with you?” Emi, the twin with her hair in two space buns, asks. “See, I did my hair like her.”
“Miko’s at work,” Kumi says. “She had some extra time to put in.”
“What does Miko do?” Reiji asks. “Is she a hero too?”
Kumi shakes her head. “Miko works at a restaurant.”
“Oh. Does she cook?”
“Nah, she’s a manager. She’s the one the waiters call when they have rude customers, because she was a waitress and then she got promoted last year and she told us that she’s gonna be a better manager than the idiot one she had when she started. She’s awesome.”
“That’s so cool,” Maki says. “Come play with us.”
Kumi looks up at Atsuhiro, who nods for her to go along. While he waits, Ms Hamasaki brings him tea. She gestures for him to sit at the small table on the patio.
“She’s really quite a delight.”
“And quite the handful,” Atsuhiro says fondly, watching Kumi laugh when Reiji faceplants the sandpit. He sits up, laughing himself. “Thank you, Ms Hamasaki.”
“Goodness, aren’t you polite. You can call me Ichika.”
“Atsuhiro.”
“A pleasure to meet you.”
“Likewise.” Atsuhiro gives her a smile. “Do you run the foster home by yourself?”
Ichika nods. “My sister and I used to run it together, but I’ve been handling it myself ever since she passed.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry.”
Ichika gives him a smile and a dismissive wave. “Oh, it was a few years ago already. I’ve grieved enough. Now I simply keep her dream of providing a safe place for children like these alive. I was actually surprised when Hawks brought me those children. I haven’t fostered any for a while. Michiko would’ve liked them. Reiji reminds me a lot of her.”
Atsuhiro nods. “Kumi was very upset to learn that their parents couldn’t be found. She calmed significantly when Hawks told her that they were safe and sound.”
“Do you happen to know how Hawks found me?”
Atsuhiro knows exactly how Keigo knew, but to the outside world, Hawks is still very elusive and none of them should draw attention to themselves by claiming to know the hero persona well. “Ah, I think the vigilante that attacked the ring told him.”
Ichika sits upright. “You know Noxious?”
Atsuhiro sits upright. “You know him?”
“Know him? Sweetie, that boy saved my life.”
“Huh?”
“It was — the father of one of our foster kids came looking. Noxious was in the area. He had a choice to save me or Michiko. He chose me because the kid was behind me and — and then he cried . For hours. I talked to him through the whole thing. I told him he could always stay. I asked him why they call him Noxious. He said —”
“They don’t understand him. They think he just poisons villains. Because he doesn’t use his quirk.”
Atsuhiro remembers the incident. Tomura hadn’t told them much, but he had to explain how he got hurt and who patched him up. He told them what happened, but he never mentioned any names. Keigo was the one who convinced him that the other woman’s death was not his fault. When he said he knew a place he could send the kids, they all knew it was the same one. But Atsuhiro never thought that the owner of the foster home would know who the vigilante was.
Ichika slightly narrows her eyes at Atsuhiro. “If you know him, then you must be . . . hm. . .”
“What?”
“You’re tall. You look kind. You must be Mr Compress.”
Atsuhiro nearly drops his tea.
“Tenko talks when he’s delirious on pain medication.”
“And you — you haven’t told anyone?”
Ichika smiles. “Why would I? Noxious, Tenko, saved my life and all the foster children I had at the time. My sister’s death, though not his fault, weighs heavily on him. He tries to make up for it by bringing me both children and the things I need to care for them. Why would I ever turn in someone like that?”
“But we were. . .”
“Villains? Isn’t the important part that you wer? And that you aren’t? Isn’t it important to note that you have a child,” Ichika pauses to glance at Kumi cheering for Aki on the monkey bars, “who is happy, loved, safe and above all, good?”
Atsuhiro watches Kumi clap when Aki reaches the end.
“Doesn’t it speak to something that the scariest villain we all thought of is now a vigilante that makes us all feel safe? That you, who was part of the all-terrifying League of Villains, are now a good man, whom that little girl loves with all her heart?”
“But we’re still dangerous.”
“To who? To me, or to the people that threaten your safety? To the innocent civilians going about their day or to the people that hurt children like ours?”
Atsuhiro watches the five children try to build the biggest sandcastle they can.
“Your past does not define you, Atsuhiro. What you do now does.”
Atsuhiro’s phone buzzes and he checks the message.
“Ah, is it time to leave? Give Tenko my regards.”
“I will,” Atsuhiro says before standing. “Kumi, princess, time to go home!”
Kumi hugs Reiji tightly when they follow her to Atsuhiro and Ichika. “I’ll come visit again!”
Aki and Emi nod firmly.
Kumi squints at Maki. “How old are you?”
“Uh, ten. Why?”
“Can you read?”
“Yeah.”
“Then I’ll send you letters! You can read them to Aki, Emi and Reiji!”
Reiji stares up at Kumi in awe. “Really?”
“Yeah!” Kumi looks up at Atsuhiro. “I can send letters, right?”
“Of course, princess.” He glances at Ichika, who smiles and nods.
“I’ll write the address down for you.”
“See? I can send you letters if I can’t come visit for a while!”
When Reiji finally releases Kumi, she takes Atsuhiro’s hand and walks through the hallway, much calmer than when they were heading to the playground. “I wanna save more people,” Kumi says.
“I think you will,” Atsuhiro tells her. “Just grow up a little first, okay? The idea of you doing what Tenko does while you’re so little is going to give us all heart attacks.”
Kumi huffs. “Fine.”
“That’s my princess.”
“Can we get ice cream on the way back?”
“Sure.”
Kumi cheers as they head down the street.
Ichika watches from the door as Kumi blabbers on excitedly and when she’s about to head inside, she spies a figure she knows well walking up the stone pathway.
“Hi, I’m Mirko,” the hero says, “I’d like to have a word with you.”
Himiko brings Kumi to the foster home on her second visit.
“Whose face are you wearing, Miko?” Kumi asks as they walk down the street.
“Iori,” Himiko says. “You remember her, don’t you?”
Kumi thinks hard. “Iori . . . is she the pretty lady that came to the house for dinner the other day?”
Himiko nods. “Yes, she is. Do you remember what else she is?”
Kumi furrows her eyebrows and squeezes her eyes shut. Then she gasps and points at Himiko. “She’s Miko’s girlfriend!”
“Mhm.”
“Does Iori let you borrow her face because she knows you could still get arrested even so many years after the League stopped doing villain things?”
Himiko nods.
“Wow. Iori is so kind. When’s she coming again?”
“As soon as your fathers and uncles decide they’re ready for another big dinner. Iori likes to cook, you know.”
“How’d you meet Iori?”
Himiko laughs. “You don’t remember? I told all of you when Iori came for dinner.”
“I was distracted by Iori’s food. It was very tasty. Almost better than Touya Papa’s.”
“Oh! Don’t let him hear you saying that.”
“So? How’d you meet Iori?”
“Well, Iori used to work at the restaurant with me. We were both waitresses, but Iori had college classes and our manager kept yelling at her for having to miss her shifts. Then one day, Iori caught me leaving the restaurant and she found out that I was using my quirk to look like someone so I wouldn’t get caught.”
Kumi jumps and skips a step. “Oh, I remember! You started working some of Iori’s shifts for her too so she could go to her classes and she wouldn’t lose her job! How come Iori didn’t try to get you arrested?”
Himiko shrugs. “Maybe she was just glad I was willing to help her.”
“How come Iori doesn’t work there anymore? If you’re the manager now, you’d let her go for classes, right?”
“When I got promoted, I asked Iori if she wanted to work more flexible hours — you remember what flexible means?”
Kumi nods.
“So, I asked her and she said just until she graduates. She’s got a fancy degree now, so she can go and get a fancy job that she likes. Iori works at a hospital now.”
Kumi gasps. “I didn’t know that! Iori’s a doctor?”
“Nurse.”
“Woah. That’s so cool. Wait, do the people at your restaurant know you’re Miko? Not Iori?”
Himiko smiles. “The customers don’t, because we can’t trust them all and some of them are strangers. But everyone who works there does.”
Kumi bounces. “So that means that one day you guys won’t have to go outside with disguises! And Kei Papa won’t have to lie about where he is when he meets his hero coworkers and they ask him!”
Himiko smiles. “I hope so. C’mon, let’s go greet Ms Hamasaki and then you can play with your friends. Wanna ring the bell?”
Ichika smiles when she opens the door and sees Kumi. “Good afternoon, Kumi! How are you today?”
“Awesome, Ms Hamasaki! Can I go play with my friends?”
“Of course! They’re upstairs with their books. Did Maki tell you she’s going to school now?”
Kumi nods. “She wrote me a letter about it! I can’t wait to go to school too!”
“You will next year,” Himiko tells her, ruffling her hair.
“Yeah!”
Kumi starts towards the stairs before Ichika calls her name. “Don’t you want to say bye-bye to your aunt before you go?”
Himiko thinks it’s a little strange that the woman knew she was Kumi’s aunt, but knowing Kumi, she must’ve already told Ichika that she has two fathers, four uncles and an aunt.
“Bye!” Kumi says, squeezing Himiko’s leg. “I’ll ask Ms Hamasaki to text Atsu if I need anything.”
“Okay, sunshine. Have fun.”
Once Kumi disappears up the steps, Ichika leans towards Himiko. “You know, you don’t have to pretend in here.”
Himiko frowns and tilts her head. “Pretend?”
“To be someone else. Ah,” she adds, noting the look of surprise on Himiko’s face, “Atsuhiro didn’t tell you.”
“Tell me what?”
“That I know who you are.”
Himiko narrows her eyes slightly.
“I have to ask that since Atsuhiro hasn’t told anyone, you don’t either. I’d love to surprise the next person that brings Kumi to visit my kids.”
Himiko gapes like a fish.
Ichika chuckles. “Oh, I’m so sorry, dear! I really did think Atsuhiro told everyone.”
“He most definitely did not.”
“Well, it works for me. Say, do you know who you disguise yourself as, or do you have a collection of strangers?”
“Well — I — er — both? This is my girlfriend.”
“You seem surprised to have admitted as such.”
Himiko shrugs. “Well, I’m not used to being honest with strangers.”
“Well, then let’s say it’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Hamasaki Ichika.”
Himiko shakes her hand. “Toga Himiko.”
“Will I ever see what you look like when you are yourself?”
“I was on the news a lot. National news, too. You know what I look like.”
“Ah, but you’re older. Five years since you were last spotted.”
“Maybe someday,” Himiko says truthfully.
“Well, then I will look forward to that day. Are you expected home or will you have something to drink?”
“Ah, I can’t. I promised my girlfriend I’d treat her if she let me use her likeness.”
Ichika smiles. “Of course! Bring your girlfriend around someday, too.”
Himiko smiles warmly. “I will. Thank you — for not telling anyone.”
Ichika follows Himiko to the door, waving her hand dismissively. “My Emiko adores you. I’d never want to upset her.”
Himiko is halfway down the street when she glances back and sees Ichika still standing in the doorway. Ichika waves and Himiko grins broadly as she waves back. It’s nice to make a friend outside the restaurant.
Before she texts Kurogiri for a portal, she sends a message to Iori to let her know she’s on her way back.
In the hospital gardens, Yanase Iori glances at her phone and offers the woman in front of her a polite smile. “I’m terribly sorry, Mirko. I have an appointment to get to.”
Jin was dumbfounded to learn that dark sunglasses worked just as well as his mask. Touya laughed at him until he couldn’t breathe.
Today, Jin is out shopping for matching sunglasses with Kumi.
“He’s blind, dimwit,” Kumi told one vendor when he repeatedly asked why Jin was wearing sunglasses indoors.
“Kumi!”
“What?”
“I — you can’t call people dimwits.”
“Papa does it all the time.”
“Your father is twenty-nine. And rude.”
Kumi huffs. “Fine.”
Eventually, they find themselves in a store that Atsuhiro frequents when he takes Kumi shopping.
“Ah, it’s my favourite little customer!”
Kumi grins. “Inaban!”
“Hello, Kumi. And who’s this with you today?”
Kumi grabs Jin’s hand. “This is my uncle Jin. He lives with us too.”
“Lovely to meet you,” he tells Jin. “I’m Inaba Kosuke.”
“H-hi.”
“Wicked scar.”
“T-thanks.”
Kumi frowns at Jin. “Why are you pink?”
Jin laughs nervously. “I’m not.”
“You kind of are,” Kosuke says, grinning. “I like your sunglasses.”
“Thanks, they keep me sane.”
Kumi stares at Jin. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine!” Jin squeaks.
“Ignore him,” Kumi tells Kosuke. “He’s not used to social inter-mer-shin yet.”
“Interaction,” Jin corrects. He gives Kosuke a smile. “I like your earrings.”
Kosuke fiddles with the two little hoops in his left ear. “Thanks.”
“Why are you pink?” Kumi asks Kosuke.
“Kumi!” Jin hisses. “Go choose a pair of shoes.”
“Okay!”
“So,” Kosuke says slowly, “why are you pink?”
“Why are you?” Jin retorts immediately.
Another customer walks in, so Kosuke turns to greet them and asks if he can help with anything. The customer asks about a specific jacket, so Kosuke says he’ll be happy to show them where to find it.
Kosuke glances back as he guides the customer between the racks and winks.
“Why are you red?” Kumi asks. “You look like you have a fever.”
“Bury me,” Jin whines.
“You have to buy me shoes first. I can’t reach the one I want.”
Jin follows Kumi to the shoes and helps her pick out a pair of sneakers that she likes.
When she’s happy with it, they head to the counter and find Kosuke there. Kumi squints at him. “Inaban, did you switch out with the other lady that was here when we came in?”
“Of course!” Kosuke says, smiling at Kumi as he takes the card Hawks gave Jin. “You know I like ringing your things up for you.”
“It’s because you love me.”
Kosuke pretends to look scandalised. “Who doesn’t?! Give me names!”
Kumi giggles as Kosuke leans over the counter to hand her the bag. “There you go, sweetheart.”
“Thanks! Let’s go get ice cream, Jin.”
“Sure,” Jin says.
Kumi starts to drag him away when Kosuke speaks. “I get off at five. I like action horror movies.”
“Okay,” Jin squeaks.
“What is wrong with you?” Kumi asks when they leave the store and Jin starts fanning himself with both hands. “Seriously, are you sick? You should tell Giri.”
“Do not tell anyone about today.”
“Fine, but you have to get me a waffle, then.”
“Done.”
Jin glances back to see Kosuke watching him. Kosuke waves.
“Jin! You’re going to explode!”
“Just walk. Please.”
Kosuke laughs softly and turns around only to walk right into his manager, who’s wearing an ‘I saw that’ smile.
“Flirting on the job, Inaba?” she teases.
Kosuke gasps dramatically. “Tanaka Nori, how could you accuse me of such a thing?”
“Mhm,” Nori says disbelievingly.
“Excuse me.”
They both turn to the new customer, who wears a hat over long white hair.
“Welcome to GU,” Kosuke says, “how can I help you?”
“I have some questions about the customer you just served.”
Kosuke glances at Nori, who nods. “Sure. I’ll just get someone to cover for Inaba and we can talk in my office.”
Kumi tugs on Touya’s shirt. “I wanna light the stove!”
“Absolutely not,” Touya says. “I don’t need you burning this place down too.”
Kumi’s mouth falls open. “I was a baby! Babies are stupid, they don’t know anything. I’m a whole five and three quarters old, now!”
“You’re still too small.”
Kumi huffs and folds her arms.
“Papa’s right, angel,” Keigo says as he walks towards the cabinet, ruffling Kumi’s hair. “Gas stoves are dangerous things.”
“I’m telling Giri about you guys.”
“Whatcha making?” Keigo asks as he returns with a stack of plates, pausing to lean over Kumi to peer into the pot.
“I’m just heating up yesterday’s stir fry. Get out of my way before I fry you too.”
“You can’t fry Kei Papa. Don’t be silly.”
“Watch me, birdie.”
“Bitch,” Keigo says, but he’s smiling.
“Swear jar!” Kumi shouts.
Touya grins and picks Kumi up, tossing her in the air before setting her down on the counter. “You can put the food in the pan, but only if you wear the apron Atsu made for you.”
Kumi snatches the apron out of Touya’s hand and throws it over her head in record speed. Keigo laughs as he goes to set the plates down on the table and Touya helps Kumi tie the little ribbons.
“Should I put Miko and Jin’s settings away?” Keigo asks as he returns. “They were both out all day.”
“No, they both texted to say they’re on their way back already. Yanase has a shift at the hospital tonight and Inaba is leaving this evening to visit his mom in Osaka.”
“Aw,” Kumi says, “I like Inaban. Iori came over for dinner once so Inaban should too.”
“He will, birdie,” Touya says, kissing the top of Kumi’s head. “Jin’s just too much of a wuss to ask Kosuke.”
“Don’t be mean, baby,” Keigo says, prodding Touya’s ribs.
“Don’t do that, you know Touya Papa is fragile.”
“I am not. But stop poking me or I’ll poke you.”
Keigo grins and raises his eyebrows. Touya glares at him. “Do that in front of Kumi again and I’ll burn your eyebrows off.”
“Do what?” Kumi asks.
“Nothing, angel.”
Kumi glances at the fire on the stove. “Is it hot enough now?”
Touya nods. “Ready?”
Kumi takes the container from him and nods. Keigo watches carefully as she empties the container into the pan, just in case he needs to rescue something.
“Good job, birdie,” Touya praises when the container is empty. He pauses and frowns. “Keigo, get off me.”
“No,” Keigo says stubbornly, tightening his arms around Touya’s waist and pressing his cheek into the back of Touya’s shirt.
Kumi giggles. “Aw, Papa’s being clingy. Quick, give him a kiss before he cries.”
Keigo kisses the back of Touya’s neck and ducks to avoid a spatula to the face, grinning at Kumi.
“She was talking to me, moron!”
Keigo let’s go of Touya and tries to get away, but Touya grabs him by the front of his shirt and raises the spatula, ready to strike.
“It appears we have a guest for dinner,” Kurogiri says as he walks into the kitchen doorway.
All three of them turn to him, Touya still holding the spatula in the air.
“Did Inaban come drop Jin off?” Kumi asks.
“Erm . . . no.”
“You bastard!”
Keigo freezes in place as a familiar face shoves Kurogiri out of the way and stands in the doorway, furious as ever. “Rumi,” he says cheerfully, the effect spoiled by his nervous laugh. “Hi.”
“Hey, why’s the front door op- Why is there a hero in my house?!” Tomura yells from the dining room.
Kumi’s eyes widen. She tilts her head back to see Touya. “Which hero is that, Papa?”
“Mirko,” Touya greets. “Stir fry?”
Rumi huffs like she’s run a marathon, focused only on Keigo. “Hawks! Do you have any idea what kind of hoops I had to jump through to find you?!”
Kumi leans towards the doorway slightly and stares at Rumi with her wide eyes. “You know Papa?”
Rumi’s gaze flits between the three of them. “Wait, what is going on here?”
“Oi!” Tomura shouts. “Who let her in?!”
“She picked the lock,” Kurogiri says.
“You picked my lock?” Keigo asks. He slaps Touya’s hand and Touya lets his shirt go so Keigo can face Rumi.
“Your lock? I thought — I thought . . . who is that?”
“My name is Hinotori Kumi! Hello!”
“H-hello.”
“You thought?” Keigo prompts.
“I thought you . . . and the kid were . . . kidnapped?”
Keigo folds his arms. “So you broke into my house?”
“I didn’t know it was yours!” Rumi throws her hands up. “I thought it was a League hideout!”
“We have our name on the gate!”
“I thought Hinotori was just the previous owner!”
“Who just breaks into a house, Rumi?!”
Tomura taps Rumi’s shoulder and shrinks back, yelping, when she turns to face him. “Wow, you’re built. Uh, what — what gave you the idea that we kidnapped Kei?”
“He’s been coming to his agency less frequently lately and he hasn’t been in for the last five months and I last saw him with the kid — uh, Kumi? — on the agency rooftop with Dabi so when I saw Kumi again in Hiroshima, I had to work my ass off to follow her back here. Do you have any idea how frustrating civilians can be?”
“Civilians?” Tomura asks. “You harassed our friends?!”
“I questioned them as part of an investigation!” Rumi cries. “Wait, what do you mean, friends?”
“We have friends,” Tomura says, looking offended.
“Wait, hang on, what did you just call Hawks?”
Tomura blinks at Rumi. “Kei? It’s his nickname? Didn’t you know that?”
“I know that. How do you know that?”
Tomura stares at Rumi like she’s grown a second head. “He told us?”
Rumi whirls on Keigo. “You told them your name?!”
“I’ve been living here for the past six years!”
“Huh?”
“I’m going to help Touya with dinner,” Kurogiri says, going unheard as he walks into the kitchen.
“Rumi. Rumi, my dear sweet friend, what are you doing here?”
“I . . . came to rescue you, but I’m getting the idea that you don’t need rescuing.”
“Wait, can we go back to the part where you harassed our friends?” Tomura asks.
“I didn’t harass them! Hell, Yanase Iori didn’t even give me five minutes and the restaurant she worked at wouldn’t even speak to me. They actually kicked me out for asking about Toga.”
“Miko’s so going to kill you for harassing her girlfriend.”
“I didn’t harass —! Who’s Miko?”
“Himiko,” Keigo says. “Toga Himiko.”
Rumi suddenly squints at Tomura. “NOXIOUS?!”
“Oh, great,” Tomura says, throwing his hands up. “I knew I should’ve washed the dye out before I started asking questions.”
“I’m a little lost,” Rumi admits.
“I’ll say!” Keigo cries. “You’re a long way from your agency!”
“Hang on, are you why the League isn’t active anymore?”
“Ah, no,” Tomura says. “That would be because of our baby. Kumi.”
“Yeah, uh, whose child is that, actually?”
“Mine,” Keigo says.
“Yeah, okay, I get that she belongs to all of you. I mean biologically. Did one of you kidnap a child?”
“No! She’s mine! Biologically!”
“That makes no sense! You’ve never slept with anyone!”
“First of all, that’s not true. Anymore. Second of all, it was a quirk, okay?”
Rumi squints at Keigo. “Who’d you sleep with?”
“Oi, hero. You’re in my way,” Touya says, holding a bowl in one hand and Kumi in the other. “Move.”
Rumi gets out of the way and watches Touya set the bowl on the table. She turns back to Keigo to ask her question again and grimaces at the lovey-dovey look on his face. “With him?!”
“You don’t have to sound so appalled,” Touya says. “I happen to be great.”
“Ew,” Tomura mutters. “I did not need to know that.”
“Yeah, and we don’t care about your park crush’s dreamy eyes or whatever, you stinking sap. You still haven’t told us his name, you know. I think it’s rude of you to swear Kumi to secrecy.”
“Sorry,” Kumi tells Touya, “but Tenko says he won’t take me to the park if I tell you Daichi’s babysitter’s name.”
“You,” Rumi tells Tomura, “what the hell is your name? Is it Shigaraki Tomura or Tenko?”
“You have to call him Shigaraki,” Kumi says, sticking her tongue out. “You’re a stranger.”
“Uh, actually, baby, I’ve been thinking about using my old name all the time instead of just at home. It’s okay.”
“Oh, then you have to call him Shimura. Because you’re a stranger.”
Rumi nods. “Uh, okay.”
Tomura turns to Touya. “And for your information, he doesn’t want to attract attention and you idiots do nothing but so you’re never learning anything about him. Respect his privacy, dickhead.”
Touya mocks him under his breath.
Tomura’s mouth suddenly falls open and he turns to Rumi. “You didn’t harass Daichi’s babysitter, did you?”
“Who’s Daichi?”
“My best friend!” Kumi says.
“Oh. No. I didn’t know about him.”
Tomura heaves a relieved sigh. “Okay, good.”
“Look,” Touya says, “I frankly don’t care what you’re doing here, but are you staying for dinner or not? I need to know if I have to heat up more food.”
Rumi gapes. “Uh. . .”
“She’s leaving,” Keigo says, pushing Rumi towards the door.
The front door opens to Himiko, Jin, Shuichi and Atsuhiro, the latter two holding a soda bottle each.
“Oh, dear,” Atsuhiro says when Himiko and Jin just stare, and Shuichi snorts.
Rumi plants her feet and Keigo can’t make her move. “I’ll stay for dinner, actually. I want to know everything that’s going on here or I’m getting you all arrested.”
“I’ll bite you,” Kumi threatens, narrowing her eyes at Rumi.
Himiko nods. “She has very strong teeth. I wouldn’t risk it if I were you.”
Rumi nods slowly. “Noted. Uh, can I ask something before dinner, though?”
“What?” Keigo asks, sounding exasperated.
“Baby, be polite,” Touya chides.
Rumi’s eyebrows vanish into her hairline. “Wow, okay, we’re addressing that later. Um, what did all of you do that made it so hard for me to get any real information about any of you? People are usually all too willing to share information with heroes.”
Everyone in the house shares confused glances and shrugs with one another.
“I think they’re keeping us safe and secret,” Kumi says after a moment.
“Oh,” Rumi says.
“Dinner,” Touya says insistently. “I’m not reheating this shit twice.”
Everyone takes a seat quickly.