The sun was high. Cafeteria smells mingled faintly with bleach and baked bread.
Ren stood at the center, apron snug, sleeves rolled up. Fire flickered faintly across his palm—not enough to alarm anyone, just warming his cooking utensils.
Kaito leaned against the counter nearby, arms crossed. "…You're really doing this?"
Ren grinned, sprinkling spices over a sizzling pan. "…Someone has to feed the academy right. And yes, I am serious."
Denki peeked over his shoulder. "…Whoa. Smells… amazing."
Kirishima rubbed his hands together. "Dude! I hope you're cooking all of it for us!"
Ren chuckled. "You'll see."
The Menu
Crispy golden tempura vegetables, with a subtle hint of fire-grilled seasoning
Teriyaki chicken that glimmered under the cafeteria lights
Fluffy omelets, folded perfectly, each bite slightly sweet and savory
Rice cooked to perfection, just the right stickiness
Fire-roasted buns for sandwiches, with a delicate smoky aroma
Kaito glanced at it all. "…I've had meals from you before, Ren. This is… on another level."
Ren smirked faintly. "…You mean it's better than usual?"
Kaito shrugged, calm as always. "It's good. Really good. But I've seen you in action before. I'm not losing my mind yet."
Mina peeked at a tray. "…Good? Ren, this is insane. Every bite is like… perfection!"
Bakugou, already halfway through a plate, grumbled through a mouthful. "Yeah, fine. Whatever. Don't choke on your ego, nerd."
Cooking With Quirks
Ren used his fire quirk carefully:
A quick flick to sear meat evenly
Subtle sparks to toast bread perfectly
Flames to caramelize sugar on desserts without overcooking
No one noticed the small sparks—everything smelled heavenly, looked flawless.
He even let Kaito try his hands at controlling the small flame for cooking. Kaito's calm, precise movements made it look easy… but Ren just watched, smiling faintly.
Cafeteria Chaos
Students filed in, eyes widening.
"Is he really making this for everyone?" someone whispered.
Even Aizawa appeared briefly at the door, arms crossed, expression unreadable. He didn't interfere, just observed.
Endeavor walked past, nose twitching at the scent. "…I may have to ask for a second helping," he muttered.
Mount Lady chuckled softly. "I've seen many professional kitchens, but…" she paused, "this is impressive."
The Taste Test
Everyone took a bite. Silence fell.
Not a single sound… except for the faint crunch of tempura, the soft exhale of satisfaction, and Denki's high-pitched squeak.
"…Oh my gosh," he breathed. "Ren… this is… literally—"
Kaito rolled his eyes. "…Yeah. Amazing. Told you. Not flustered."
Ren laughed lightly. "…You're impossible."
Kirishima's jaw dropped. "…I can't even—how do you do this?"
Ren just shrugged. "Cooking is about control. Timing. Knowing exactly when to use heat… and sometimes a little instinct."
Bakugou muttered, finishing a plate. "…This guy's gonna kill the competition. Probably my cooking. Probably everyone's."
Cleanup & Aftermath
Once plates were cleared, Ren wiped down counters, smiling faintly at Kaito.
"You're calm," Ren teased. "Not freaking out?"
Kaito smirked. "I've eaten your food before. I knew what to expect. Everyone else? Total chaos."
Ren glanced around at the other students, still marveling, eyes wide with awe. A quiet pride swelled inside him.
"…They'll remember this," he said softly.
"…Yeah," Kaito replied. "…You made an impression."
Ren exhaled, relaxed for once. The fire in his hands flickered one last time, harmlessly, as if nodding in approval.
The academy was full, happy, and for a brief moment—safe.
Even if Toga was still out there, watching.