"Why not, Nemuri?!"
Makoto slammed her hands down on the desk, the sharp impact rattling the coffee cup on its surface. She looked at her friend with eyes that begged for understanding, even though she knew she wasn't going to get it.
"Nemuri, it's me. I'm not some stranger trying to sneak onto your campus."
Nemuri stayed seated behind her desk without letting go of her coffee cup, taking a long sip before answering and letting the silence stretch between them like a reminder of who was in control of this conversation.
"That's exactly why I'm telling you to your face, sweetheart. If it were anyone else, I'd have whipped them out of here already." Nemuri set the cup down carefully. "And stop trying to intimidate my desk. It's not its fault you don't have a warrant."
Nemuri's office at UA was surprisingly professional for someone with her reputation.
"Then do it for old times' sake," Makoto insisted, softening her tone as she tried to circle around the desk and get closer. "I just wanna ask your student a few questions. Something casual, about what happened at the store. You know my nose never fails."
"A casual conversation?" Nemuri arched an eyebrow. "Makoto, you're a brilliant researcher, but you're not a cop. And this isn't some café in Naruhata, it's UA. If you wanna interrogate one of my little ones, bring Naomasa and a mountain of official paperwork."
"That's not fair. You're using bureaucracy to shut me out."
"Am I?" Nemuri set the cup back on the desk and leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs elegantly. "I get that you've got a hunch, but I'm not tossing one of my kids to the wolves. Not even when the wolf happens to be my friend."
"But Nemuri-san, I have information that—"
"Information or one of your famous obsessions?" Midnight cut in, waving a hand dismissively. "If you had anything solid, you'd already be at the HPSC office. You're here because Naomasa already brushed you off and you were hoping I'd be the weak link. You really don't know me very well."
"Nemuri..."
"My office isn't your personal archive, Makoto. And my students are definitely not test subjects to help you along with your Quirk research."
Makoto felt her frustration hit a new peak, but she forced herself to stay calm. She knew Nemuri well enough to understand that yelling wouldn't get her anywhere; if anything, it would just make her friend dig her heels in harder.
"Just let me talk to him for five minutes. It doesn't even have to be here at UA, I can catch him off campus and..."
"And what?" Nemuri leaned forward, resting her elbows on the desk. "Corner him on his way home? Follow him to some café and casually sit down next to him? Makoto, listen to yourself. You're talking about stalking a student like some kind of creep, and you know I don't even like that word."
Makoto opened her mouth to protest, but Nemuri raised a hand to stop her.
"I've known you for more than five years. I can tell when you're chasing a real lead and when you're chasing ghosts because you need something to show for whatever it is you're digging into. And right now, my gut is telling me it's the second one."
"But Nemuri-san... my gut is telling me the opposite."
"Then take your gut to the department and come back with an official warrant. Until then, my students are off limits."
Makoto turned on her heel sharply, grabbed her bag off the chair, and slung it over her shoulder.
"You know what the worst part is? If you suspected what I suspect, you'd already be breaking down his door to interview him. But because he's your student, all of a sudden you're the champion of the rulebook."
Nemuri let out a soft, melodic laugh as she walked her to the door.
"I'm not blind, honey. I'm doing my job, which is protecting the potential in these kids. If that makes me the difficult friend, so be it. You can make it up to me with dinner later."
Makoto held her gaze for a long moment before sighing and letting her shoulders drop.
"You're not the bad friend. You're just ridiculously stubborn when it comes to your students."
"And you're ridiculously stubborn when it comes to your research. That's why we get along so well."
A more comfortable silence settled between them as Makoto headed for the door. Before stepping out, she paused and looked back.
"Will you at least tell me if you notice anything... off about him? As a friend?"
Nemuri's expression softened for a brief instant.
"If Ren takes a wrong step that puts him or anyone else in danger, you'll be the first to know. Until then... trust my teacher's instincts."
Makoto nodded slowly, accepting the compromise because she knew that was the most she was going to get.
"...thanks for being honest with me. Even if I didn't like what you said."
"That's what friends are for. Telling you uncomfortable truths when you need them the most."
Makoto walked out of the office, closing the door behind her. Nemuri stayed on her feet for a moment before returning to her desk and picking up her phone.
She had a message to send.
Ren walked through the streets of Musutafu as the sun started to dip toward the horizon. It had been a long day at UA, packed with intense training sessions and the usual chaos of Class 1-A.
Just a normal day, Ren thought as he adjusted the strap of his backpack on his shoulder. Honestly, though, I've been missing Mitsuki. Haven't seen her in a while, and those "come over for dinner" texts are music to my ears.
His phone buzzed in his pocket. Ren pulled it out expecting some throwaway message from Kaminari or Kirishima, but the name on the screen made him stop dead in his tracks.
Nemuri-sensei
Ren-kun, I had a rather... persistent visitor in my office today. An old friend. She wanted to talk with you about a vigilante case.
Ren felt his pulse pick up slightly as he processed the words. It didn't take a genius to connect the dots.
The Trigger incident. Makoto Tsukauchi was the one who showed up with the detective when Nemuri, Nejire, and I took down the villain, which means the old friend has to be Makoto: the lie detector girl.
Shit.
He typed out his reply trying to sound casual, even though his mind was already racing through every possible scenario.
A friend? Is it the girl who came with the detective? ...What exactly was she after, Sensei?
The reply came almost instantly, as if Nemuri had been waiting for his message.
My, aren't you quick! Bingo. She wants to ask you some questions. But don't worry, I reminded her that friendship aside, my students aren't at the mercy of her research curiosities. I told her no, very... definitively.
Ren let out a sigh of relief. Nemuri really is the best sensei anyone could ask for. Covering for me against police questioning when she doesn't even know the full truth.
The next message came in before he could reply.
That said, this doesn't end here. I'd like to talk with you one on one, Ren-kun. The Sports Festival is right around the corner, and I need your passion focused on the stadium, not on outside matters. So we'll save this little chat for after you shine in front of the cameras.
Translation: I know you're mixed up in something, but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt until after the festival. Ren smiled slightly. Definitely the best sensei.
One last message appeared on the screen, this one with a different tone.
Just one more thing... I really, really hope you're not doing anything stupid out there. Don't make me actually get strict with you, okay? I'll be watching. 😉
Ren looked at the winking emoji at the end of the message and couldn't help feeling a wave of appreciation.
Nemuri is covering my ass without even knowing why. I don't know if I deserve that, but I'm definitely not gonna waste it.
He pocketed the phone and kept walking toward Mitsuki's house, though his mind was now split between the anticipation of seeing his favorite MILF and the worry of having a detective with a lie detection Quirk suddenly interested in him.
Haaaa... too many things happening at once, I'm gonna end up losing my mind, he thought as he turned the corner onto the residential street where the Bakugos lived. But for now, I'm focusing on what matters: dinner with Mitsuki and, if I'm lucky, a very nice night.
The door to the Bakugo house swung open before Ren could even ring the bell. Mitsuki appeared in the doorway wearing tight denim jeans that hugged every curve of her legs and a casual green top that brought out her red eyes.
Ren felt his mouth go slightly dry. Every time I see her it's like the first time. Absolutely perfect.
"You look as beautiful as the day I lost you."
Mitsuki blinked, giving him a confused look.
"What the hell are you talking about, baldy?"
Too many romance movies. Still, Ren decided to commit fully to the moment. He spread his arms wide and stepped forward.
"Mitsuki-san!"
He buried himself straight into her chest, pressing his face against the softness of her breasts while he breathed in the jasmine scent of her perfume. The warmth of her body was exactly how he remembered it, and for one glorious second, Ren forgot everything else.
Wait! Bakugo could be here! Or worse, Masaru could be home!
He pulled away quickly, coughing awkwardly as he tried to scrape together some professional composure. Mitsuki watched him with an amused smile on her lips before grabbing his arm and yanking him inside while she slammed the door shut behind them.
BAM!
Mitsuki shoved him back against her chest, this time pressing his face directly between her breasts. Her hands clamped onto the back of his head, holding him in place while she rubbed his face against her cleavage.
"Why so shy, Ren-kun?" she murmured, stroking his bald head gently. "You haven't come by to visit in a while. Did you forget about me or something?"
This is heaven, Ren thought as he surrendered to the sensation. Absolute heaven, plush and soft, could I possibly ask for anything more? Mitsuki-san is the perfect woman...
But his survival instinct finally won out over his libido.
"Mitsuki-san, Bakugo could see us..."
She pulled back a little, just enough to let him breathe but not so much that she let go of him. A mischievous smirk crossed her face.
"Don't worry about that explosive brat. He's out training. The Sports Festival has him in a shitty mood, so I kicked him out into the street to train and give me some peace. We've got the whole night to ourselves."
The whole night, huh... Is she tempting me? Because if she is, Mitsuki-san, let me tell you, I'm not an easy guy... Okay, maybe I am, but she doesn't need to know that. LEAVE ME SOME DIGNITY, WOMAN!
"Come on, I made a special dinner just for the two of us." Mitsuki led him toward the dining room, though she didn't let go of his hand. "Hope you're hungry."
The smell filling the house was incredible. Ren recognized the aroma of Mitsuki's beef stew. The table was set for two with lit candles in the center, creating an intimate atmosphere that made this feel less like a casual dinner and more like a romantic date.
They sat down across from each other. Mitsuki spooned generous portions onto both plates as she spoke.
"The Sports Festival is a big moment for my idiot son. I offered to go running with him in the mornings to help out with his training. And you know what the little bastard said to me?"
"What?"
"That I'm an old hag." Mitsuki's grip tightened on the spoon. "Can you believe it? Like I'm seventy and can't keep up with him. I could leave that brat in the dust if I wanted to."
Ren looked her up and down, letting his gaze linger on her chest before coming back to her face. Mitsuki caught the visual tour and arched an eyebrow, waiting for his answer.
"If Bakugo thinks you're old, then that kid needs to get his eyes checked. If he doesn't want your help, I'm absolutely in." Ren took a bite of the stew and let the burst of flavor hit his tongue. "By the way, this stew is incredible. I missed you so much, Mitsuki-san."
Mitsuki looked down, and for the first time since Ren had known her, he saw a blush rise in her cheeks. She cleared her throat and snapped her usual composure back into place fast.
"Ahem!... Don't be such a suck up." Her voice came out softer than usual. "Tomorrow at six in the morning. You'd better be on time."
A running date? With Mitsuki? Ren felt a wave of happiness that was completely disproportionate to the situation. Absolutely worth sacrificing sleep for.
"I'll be here way before that! Count on me!"
"Good. Because I'm gonna make you sweat, and by the time we're done your muscles are gonna be so sore you'll be begging me to stop."
The way she said it, with a faintly suggestive tone and a half smile, forced Ren to discreetly shift his position in the chair.
They ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes, simply enjoying the food and each other's company. Ren helped wash the dishes while Mitsuki cleared the table, the two of them working side by side.
"You really are a gentleman, Ren-kun." Mitsuki watched him as he finished drying the last plate.
She turned around slowly, drying her hands on a kitchen towel while she looked at him. Her alpha woman attitude was back in full force.
"Got room for dessert?" she asked with a smug smile. "You'd better, because I'm not taking no for an answer after that ungrateful brat left me with no one to cook something special for."
She stepped over to the fridge, and Ren couldn't help but track the movement of her ass. The jeans hugged her perfectly, and the glycerin from her Quirk gave her skin a subtle sheen that made her look even younger than she already did.
I wanna sink into that ass, Ren thought. Looks so... comfy.
"I made a dark chocolate tart with a hint of cinnamon." She pulled out a pan covered in aluminum foil and set it on the counter. "Something bold, hope you like it. It's one of my favorite desserts."
She leaned slightly forward as she spoke, closing the distance between them.
"Honestly surprises me that a kid your age would rather spend the night washing dishes with an old hag than out there wasting time with people your own generation."
"You know perfectly well that you're not old, Mitsuki-san."
"Oh yeah?" She smirked as she cut a generous slice of tart. "My son seems to think otherwise."
"Well, if we're being honest, it kinda seems like Bakugo isn't really into girls."
Mitsuki let out a laugh that made her chest shake. She placed the slice of tart onto a plate and offered it to him with both hands.
"You know, Ren..." Her voice dropped a notch, turning more intimate. "You've got a good eye. My son inherited my face, but he definitely didn't inherit my manners. Or my ability to appreciate what's right in front of me."
Ren looked at the plate she was offering him. Then he raised his eyes to meet Mitsuki's, and in that moment, he made a decision.
He took the plate and set it down on the table behind him. Mitsuki blinked, confused, opening her mouth to ask what he was doing.
Ren didn't give her the chance.
His hands found the hem of the green top she was wearing and pulled it down in one smooth motion, exposing her breasts to the kitchen air. They were exactly how he remembered them: pale and flawless, crowned by light pink nipples that hardened the instant they met the cool air and the intensity of his gaze.
He pinched one of her nipples between his fingers while his mouth closed in on her other breast.
"Thought you were the dessert, Mitsuki-san."
Time to taste the real thing.
*********
Author's Note: hitting that like button is the best way to let me know you want more.