Ren pulled out his phone as he walked through the halls of U.A. High School. The meeting with Nemuri had taken much longer than he had anticipated.
The phone vibrated in his hand: a message from Mitsuki.
Mitsuki:Ren-kun, I heard from my idiot son about what happened at the USJ. That brat is no good with details. Are you okay? Stop by the house when you can.
A smile crossed Ren's face. Typical of Mitsuki to worry, he thought, stopping by one of the hallway windows. He typed his response while other students passed around him, some still whispering about the incident in low voices.
Ren:I'm fine, Mitsuki-san. Is this a dinner invitation? Because if it is, I gladly accept.
He put the phone back in his pocket and continued walking toward the exit. He had not even taken five steps when he felt the vibration of the reply.
Mitsuki:You're always welcome here, Ren-kun. Come whenever you want.
Perfect, Ren thought, feeling his mood improve considerably. A dinner at the Bakugo residence.
*****,
The train ride was quiet. Ren took the opportunity to mentally review the events of the USJ, particularly his collaboration with Midnight. The way his powers had complemented the heroine's Quirk had been almost perfect; his ability to manipulate the somnambulist gas from a distance had multiplied its effectiveness. It was no wonder she had noticed his potential.
A mentorship with a pro heroine, he thought, looking out the train window as the city lights began to flicker on. That is huge. Not many first year students get that kind of attention.
Twenty minutes later, Ren stood in front of the Bakugo residence. The lights inside were on and he could hear the muffled sound of the television. He rang the bell and waited.
The door flew open almost immediately, revealing Bakugo with his perpetually annoyed expression. The blonde boy wore his casual clothes: a black sleeveless shirt and sweatpants. His red eyes narrowed when he saw Ren.
"Ahh?! What are you doing here again, you damn bald guy?" Bakugo growled, blocking the entrance with his body. "Do you not have a home to go to?"
"Your mother invited me," Ren replied calmly, used to his classmate's hostility. "Besides, what kind of greeting is that for a classmate?"
"The kind of greeting you deserve," Bakugo grumbled.
Before Ren could respond with his own sarcastic comment, a female voice rang out from inside:
"Katsuki, get away from the door!"
Mitsuki appeared behind her son, pushing him slightly to the side so she could see Ren.
She wore a black designer dress that fit her as if it had been created specifically for her body. The neckline was elegant, but suggestive enough to catch attention without being vulgar. The fabric clung to her curves in a way that made it impossible not to look. The dress ended just above her knees, showing off her toned legs. She wore elegant black gloves that reached her elbows, a sophisticated detail that added an air of mystery to her appearance.
Her blonde hair, usually unruly, fell in perfect waves over her shoulders. Her makeup was flawless: crimson red lips, a subtle eyeliner that highlighted her eyes, and a touch of blush that accentuated her cheekbones. She wore black heels that made her look even taller and more elegant.
She looked completely different from her usual home beauty. This was pure sensuality wrapped in sophisticated elegance.
Shit, Ren thought, feeling his heart race in his chest. How is it possible for her to look like this? This is not fair to my poor teenage heart. Since when do the mothers of my classmates look like runway models?
"Move aside, brat," Mitsuki said, pushing Bakugo to the side without taking her eyes off Ren. A warm smile lit up her face. "Come in, Ren-kun. I am glad you came."
Ren forced himself to move, feeling his legs go slightly numb. He entered the house, still processing the image of Mitsuki in that dress.
"Thank you for having me, Mitsuki-san," he said, leaning down to remove his shoes at the entrance. The house smelled wonderful: a mixture of home cooked food and her perfume.
"You are always welcome," Mitsuki replied, leading him toward the living room with an elegant gesture of her gloved hand. "You are much better company than my grumpy son."
"Hey!" Bakugo protested from behind.
****
The Bakugo living room was comfortable and cozy. A large sofa dominated the space, with two individual armchairs on the sides. A dark wood coffee table occupied the center, with a few fashion design magazines perfectly organized. The television was on with the volume low, showing the evening news.
Bakugo slammed the door shut, the sound echoed through the house, and followed them into the room.
"I was the one who defeated the most villains at the USJ!" he suddenly announced, flopping onto the sofa with so much force that the cushions bounced. "I destroyed them all! My explosions sent them to hell in seconds! Boom, boom, boom! Just like that!"
Ren sat in one of the armchairs, holding back a smile. And here we go, he thought. He cannot go five minutes without bragging.
"Wasn't that Inko?" he asked in a neutral voice, looking at Bakugo with an innocent expression. "She defeated twenty villains all by herself."
A vein appeared on Bakugo's forehead. It literally pulsed, swelling and shrinking with every beat of his racing heart.
"They only cheer for her because she COUNTED how many villains she beat!" Bakugo exploded, while his hands crackled with small explosions that left a slight smell of gunpowder in the air. "I did not count! But it must have been hundreds of them! Hundreds! Maybe thousands!"
"Sure thing, champ," Mitsuki said in a sarcastic tone as she sat elegantly next to Ren, crossing her legs with grace. "Hundreds. Surely you defeated more villains than all the pro heroes combined. In fact, you probably defeated more villains than All Might in his entire career."
"Exactly!" Bakugo said, completely oblivious to his mother's sarcasm. "That is the recognition I deserve! Finally someone understands!"
Ren shook his head, suppressing a laugh. Mitsuki gave him a knowing look, her eyes shining with amusement. He turned toward her and his expression became more serious.
"It was intense," he admitted, lowering his tone. "There was a giant mutant creature. They called it Nomu. It was huge, Mitsuki-san. Bigger than anything I have ever seen. It had enough strength to rival All Might. We watched them trade blows and it was like watching two forces of nature colliding."
Mitsuki leaned forward, showing genuine concern.
"Were you close to that thing?"
"Not that close," Ren admitted. "I was in another zone when it appeared, but we could hear the impacts from where we were. The ground shook with every hit." He paused and his voice became softer. "I was really scared, Mitsuki-san. For a moment I thought we would not make it out of there."
He paused again and then his face lit up with a mischievous smile.
"I even went bald from the scare."
Mitsuki began to laugh.
"Ren-kun!" she said through her laughter, bringing a gloved hand to her mouth. "You are simply terrible."
"But it is true," Ren insisted with a smile, pointing to his head. "Look at my head. The evidence is right here. Completely smooth. I used to have beautiful black hair, and now... nothing."
"Liar," Mitsuki laughed, shaking her head. "You have always been bald."
"Not always," Ren replied with total seriousness. "It is all part of a conspiracy to hide the truth about my hair trauma."
Mitsuki laughed again, more softly, but with equal delight. She wiped a tear from the corner of her eye, being careful not to ruin her eyeliner. Ren looked directly at her, with a more appreciative and sincere expression.
"Why are you so pretty today, Mitsuki-san?"
The direct compliment seemed to take her by surprise. She blinked before a pleased smile replaced her shock. Then she stood up gracefully, her heels clicking softly against the wooden floor. She struck a pose that exuded confidence and flirtatiousness: one hand on her hip and her body turned so the dress highlighted every curve of her figure.
"Do I look pretty?" she asked with a playful voice and an arched eyebrow. There was a glint of amusement in her eyes, as if she were enjoying the attention.
"Of course you do," Ren replied without hesitation. "You look incredible. That dress fits you perfectly."
Bakugo, who had been looking at his phone in silence, looked up. His red eyes narrowed as he observed his mother, as if he were actually seeing her for the first time that night.
"Now that you mention it," he said slowly, scratching his chin with a thoughtful air, "I had not noticed you were dressed differently today."
He paused and then added with his characteristic tact:
"But you look like the same old hag as always."
Mitsuki's fist crashed into Bakugo's head with a satisfying thunk that echoed in the room.
"Ouch! What was that for?!" Bakugo screamed, rubbing his head vigorously. "I was just being honest!"
"This is why I like Ren-kun," Mitsuki said with a radiant smile as she sat back down next to Ren, smoothing her dress with elegant movements. "He knows how to treat a lady. Unlike a certain rude brat who lives in this house."
"Tch!" was Bakugo's eloquent response, returning to his phone with a grumpy expression.
Mitsuki sighed.
"Today was my anniversary," she explained, her voice softer. "Masaru and I had reservations at a fancy restaurant. I had been looking forward to this night for a long time."
She gestured toward her dress with a movement that combined pride and disappointment.
"I got ready, I put on this dress that I bought months ago specifically for the occasion. I hired a stylist for my hair and makeup." Her voice became a bit more strained. "But some last minute jobs came up for him. Apparently he has been doing well as a designer, but that leaves him with less time."
Ren felt a pang of sympathy. That has to be frustrating, he thought. Especially after so much effort. A smile reappeared on Mitsuki's face.
"So here you have me. Dressed up and ready for an event I did not go to. Feeling like Cinderella, except in my version the prince canceled and I am left with the pumpkin." She looked at Ren with warmth. "Fortunately I have company. And even if one of them is a handsome bald boy, the company is appreciated."
Handsome bald boy, Ren thought. I am definitely going to add that to my list of strange compliments.
"I am sorry your anniversary did not go as planned," Ren said sincerely. "But if it is any consolation, I think you look spectacular. The work on your hair and makeup is exceptional."
Mitsuki's eyes softened.
"Thank you, Ren-kun. You are a sweetheart." She gave his arm an affectionate pat. "Really. Sometimes I wonder how I ended up with a son so different from you. It must be the universe balancing things out."
"Hey!" Bakugo protested again, but he was ignored.
Ren visibly perked up, remembering something important.
"Oh! I have news," he said, leaning forward. "Midnight-sensei offered me a special mentorship. She is going to take me on her night patrols. She said my performance at the USJ impressed her, especially how I coordinated with her Quirk. Apparently, the control I had over her gas showed a precision she did not expect from a beginner."
Mitsuki's eyes lit up.
"Ren-kun, that is wonderful!" she exclaimed, taking his hand in hers. "A personal mentorship with a professional! It is incredible. Not many students get that so early."
She turned to Bakugo with a reproachful look.
"If only you were smarter and more charismatic, you would get opportunities like that. But no, you only know how to scream and blow things up."
"I am better!" Bakugo roared, letting out sparks. "I do not need any stupid mentorship! I am number one! Nobody can beat my explosions!"
"Sure thing, champ," Mitsuki repeated with sarcasm, waving her hand. "You are the second coming of All Might."
The conversation flowed as Mitsuki announced that dinner was ready. She moved toward the kitchen and Ren heard the sound of plates and the aroma of food flooding the house. He was left alone with Bakugo, who began telling exaggerated versions of his battles.
"And then a huge villain arrived!" Bakugo narrated, gesturing wildly. "He turned into a giant creature and I destroyed him with a single explosion! BAM! Right to the face!"
"Sure, sure," Ren nodded. "It must have been difficult."
Dinner consisted of delicious katsu curry with rice and salad. Bakugo devoured everything at an alarming speed. Ren, at a slower pace, shared details of the strategy against the Nomu while Mitsuki listened carefully, asking insightful questions about hero tactics.
"And All Might was actually able to defeat that creature?" she asked with concern.
"Yes, but it was hard. This time it took several minutes of intense combat. We could see the effort on his face."
"It is worrying to know that even the number one can be challenged," Mitsuki commented thoughtfully. "It makes the rest of us feel vulnerable."
When dessert arrived, chocolate cake with strawberries, Bakugo finished his portion in seconds.
"I am going to train," he announced, standing up abruptly. "I have to be ready in case they come back. I am going to crush them all."
"Do not destroy anything in your room," Mitsuki warned in a tired voice. "Last time I had to replace the wall."
"Whatever, old hag," Bakugo muttered, heading up the stairs. The ceiling shook with the closing of his door.
And then, they were alone.
The atmosphere changed subtly. Mitsuki moved closer to Ren on the sofa, leaning slightly against him. Her perfume was more intense at that distance, intoxicating. Her warm body pressed against Ren's arm and he could feel every one of her breaths.
Mitsuki gently bit her lower lip, a gesture that captured Ren's attention. Her eyes shone with a playful spark.
"Ren-kun," she murmured, in an intimate tone that sent a shiver down his spine. "Do you want to continue where we left off?"
She paused, while her gloved fingers traced lazy circles on the boy's arm. Each circle was slower and more provocative.
"Why don't you show me those telekinetic powers of yours?" she continued, with a provocative smile. She leaned in closer, leaving her warm breath against Ren's ear. "Show me what you are capable of."
*****
Power Stone Challenge!
Unfortunately, we were just shy of our goal last week, but don't worry! I'm back with a new, more achievable challenge.
The Goal: If we hit 800 Power Stones this week, I will immediately release 3 bonus chapters this Sunday to kick off the new week!
Reminder: Our regular schedule is every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Want to read ahead? You can find advanced chapters at: patreon.com/shurazero
Thank you all for the incredible support. Let's hit that goal!