It had been a few days since Himiko Toga's parents were arrested, and life had slowly started to settle into a new rhythm, one where Himiko now lived under the same roof as Minoru Mineta, adjusting to a home that didn't feel suffocating or cold, but warm in a way she had never experienced before.
Right now, Mineta was still fast asleep in his room. He snored lightly, drool slipping from the corner of his mouth, one of his hands tightly wrapped around a body pillow featuring none other than Midnight, his cheeks slightly flushed as he laughed quietly in his dream.
He was wearing lavender-colored pajamas decorated with small purple grape patterns, his blanket half kicked off as he rolled slightly on the bed, mumbling incoherently while hugging the pillow tighter, clearly deep into some questionable dream.
Click.
The door to his room opened slowly.
Two yellow, cat-like eyes peeked inside.
Himiko stepped in quietly, closing the door behind her without making a sound, her movements light and careful, as if she didn't want to disturb the peaceful scene in front of her, and she stood there for a moment, simply watching him.
She was dressed in blue pajamas with soft pink flower patterns, her usual twin buns undone, letting her blonde hair fall freely over her shoulders, giving her a softer and more relaxed appearance, one that Mineta had never really seen before.
"…He looks peaceful," she whispered softly.
She walked closer to the bed, her steps gentle, and sat down beside him, the mattress dipping slightly under her weight, and with a small pout, she reached over and gently pushed the Midnight body pillow away.
"No stealing him," she muttered quietly.
Mineta stirred slightly.
"Mmm… where…?" he murmured in his sleep, his hand moving unconsciously as it searched for the missing pillow.
Himiko blinked. Then, slowly, She laid down beside him.
Almost instantly, Mineta's arm wrapped around her, pulling her closer as if she was the most natural replacement in the world, his face nuzzling slightly into her chest as he went back to sleep.
Himiko froze for a second before smiling happily.
Wrapping her arms around him gently, she closed her eyes, her body relaxing as she allowed herself to enjoy the warmth, something unfamiliar yet comforting, and just like that, both of them drifted back into sleep, quietly cuddling with each other as the morning sunlight slowly crept into the room.
The next morning.
"Ugh…"
Mineta groaned as he slowly opened his eyes, blinking lazily while rubbing the drowsiness away, his body feeling slightly stiff for some reason as he sat up and stretched his arms and shoulders.
"Why does my body feel… weird?" he muttered.
He looked down.
"…Huh?"
His Midnight body pillow was gone, and he had a morning boner.
He turned his head and spotted the pillow lying far away near the wall beside his desk.
"…Did I kick it that hard in my sleep?" he muttered, scratching his head.
Shrugging it off, he got out of bed and headed toward the washroom, still half-asleep, and as he stepped inside, he grabbed his toothbrush and started brushing his teeth.
"Morning," he said casually.
"Morning," Himiko replied from beside him.
Mineta paused for a split second, then continued brushing like nothing happened.
Both of them stood side by side, brushing their teeth in silence before leaning forward to gargle and spit out the foam at the same time.
After washing their faces, they went back to their respective rooms to change.
A little later—Both Mineta and Himiko were dressed in their school uniforms, sitting at the dining table as they ate breakfast alongside Umeko Mineta and Manami Mineta, the usual chaotic yet warm atmosphere filling the room.
"Eat properly," Umeko said, placing more food on the table.
"I am eating properly!" Manami replied, already laughing at something on his phone.
"No phones while eating!" Umeko snapped, snatching it away.
"Ah—! My entertainment!" Manami whined.
Mineta and Himiko both watched the exchange.
"…They're like this every day?" Himiko asked quietly.
"Yeah," Mineta replied. "You'll get used to it."
Himiko smiled slightly.
After finishing breakfast, both Mineta and Himiko stood up.
"Bye, Mom/Aunty! Bye, Dad/Uncle!" Mineta and Himiko said as they prepared to leave.
"Study well!" Umeko said.
"And flirt responsibly!" Manami added.
"DAD!" Mineta shouted as they walked out.
The two of them walked side by side toward school. Himiko placed her hands behind her back and looked at him.
"So… what are you doing after school, Mineta-kun?" she asked.
"I'll go train," Mineta replied simply.
Himiko puffed her cheeks slightly. "You always train. Why don't you relax sometimes? Have a little fun?"
Mineta glanced at her before answering, his voice more serious now. "Because I want to be a hero. I have to train if I want to reach that goal."
He looked forward.
"If I'm not strong enough… I won't be able to save anyone. And I might not even pass the entrance exam for U.A.," he continued. "So if I want to become a hero, I need to get stronger."
Himiko stopped walking.
Mineta noticed and turned toward her.
"You already are," she said softly.
The wind blew gently, her hair swaying slightly as she looked directly into his eyes.
"After all…" she said with a small, genuine smile, her eyes closing slightly, "you're my hero."
Mineta froze. His heart skipped a beat.
"…I—" he looked away quickly, his face turning red.
Himiko giggled softly and started walking again. Mineta followed beside her.
Slowly—Almost unconsciously—Their hands moved closer.
Their pinky fingers brushed, then hooked together.
Both of them looked away, faces slightly red, as they continued walking toward school in silence.