Kamen Rider Deku | My Hero Academia X Kamen Rider

"Mom, Dad, I'm off to school," Katsuki called out from the front entrance, her school bag slung over her shoulder, already dressed in her black sailor uniform.

She turned around toward her parents, who were both standing nearby, their concern etched clearly on their faces.

"Are you really sure you're gonna be alright, Katsuki?" her mother asked, her brows knitting together as worry refused to leave her visage.

"You're not pushing yourself too hard, are you?" Her father chimed in, his tone mirroring his wife's concern. "You can still take some time to rest if you need it."

They had already spoken with Katsuki about this just earlier, but she had been quite adamant about going to school today, for a reason that she also did not want to elaborate on.

"I'll be fine," Katsuki reassured them, a soft smile tugging at her lips. "I promise to stay out of trouble, okay?"

"Do you promise not to skip school again?" her mother pressed sternly, her arms crossing as she brought up the events of the previous day.

"Ugh..."

Katsuki couldn't help but feel not just annoyed, but also a tad bit embarrassed. She vividly remembered how embarrassing her actions in the classroom had been the day before.

In front of her entire class, no less. She feared that weird rumors might start spreading because of it...

She quickly shook off the thought and focused back on her worried parents.

"Geez... okay, Mom. I promise that too."

"You better keep that promise, brat!"

Katsuki could only nod in reluctant agreement. Normally, she would have snapped back or made some sarcastic remark at her mother's brash tone towards her, but...

This time, she felt the genuine care beneath her mother's words.

And with that, Katsuki stepped out of the house, leaving behind her still-worried parents.

Even though her body still felt the lingering fatigue, she was determined to go to school.

And the reason was simple enough: she wanted to see Izuku.

Her mind replayed snippets of what had happened last night. It felt surreal, but the way her parents talked about how he had brought her unconscious self home... it had to be real.

But she needed to see him—to talk to him.

And so, she took her first step toward school—

"Yawn~."

"Wha-?!"

The sudden sound of a yawn startled Katsuki just as she exited the front yard!

She snapped her head toward the source... and froze.

There he was.

The very person she had been thinking about!

"I-Izuku?!"

He was leaning casually against the wall-fence of her house, his posture relaxed as if he had been there all morning. His face looked sleepy, his expression lethargic as he finished his yawn.

It wasn't until he finally noticed her that his face brightened just a little.

"Oh hey, Kacchan~," he greeted her, his tone nonchalant. "Fancy meeting you here."

"..."

Katsuki was baffled. Her brain threatened to shut down completely from his casual demeanor. But she managed to regain some semblance of composure at the last moment.

"... You know this is my house, right?"

"Oh? Is it?" he replied, his expression shifting as if he had only just realized it. "I wasn't paying attention, honestly."

"..."

She groaned internally. This childhood friend of hers was really testing her patience. All she could do now was sigh, her fingers instinctively massaging the slight headache forming at her temple.

"Forget it..." she muttered, deciding it wasn't worth the energy to deal with his antics. But a thought crossed her mind, "... wanna walk to school together?"

"Hmm?" Her sudden offer seemed to catch him off guard.

He paused, contemplating for a brief moment... before giving her a small nod.

"... Sure."

And so, the two of them began walking together toward school.

< | X | >

Ten minutes had passed...

The two high schoolers walked side by side on the path to school with him leading the way. Their footsteps were the only sound cutting through the strangely quiet morning air.

However, during that time... not a single word was exchanged between them. It was a complete, awkward silence hanging between them.

Katsuki felt the brunt of this awkwardness.

She couldn't stop fidgeting and couldn't hide her nervousness.

This—whatever this was—felt different.

Her fingers nervously toyed with the hem of her school bag's strap, her movements betraying her unease. She was definitely nervous, especially given their somewhat changed relationship status.

How was she supposed to act around him now?

How could she possibly break this unbearable silence?

On the other hand...

She stole quick glances at Izuku, trying to discern his thoughts.

Izuku, as always, appeared completely nonchalant. His gaze drifted lazily forward, his posture relaxed, as if he wasn't really bothered by the quiet at all.

He seemed perfectly content to let the quiet stretch on, as if he didn't feel the need to speak at all. His expression remained calm, almost serene, as though he was simply enjoying their walk together.

Again and again, she was baffled by his nonchalant attitude... and also somewhat annoyed that she was the only one really feeling this.

'Is he seriously not going to say anything...? Not even a single word...?'

Finally, she couldn't take it anymore.

"I-Izuku!"

"Hmm? Yeah, Kacchan?"

Both of them halted on their path, with Izuku turning toward her, a curious expression on his face.

Katsuki's grip on her school bag tightened, a strange nervousness bubbling up within her—an unfamiliar feeling she could barely contain.

"L-last night... w-well..."

"Last night?"

"T-that talk we had yesterday!" she blurted out, her voice raising slightly. "Did you really mean it...?"

Izuku blinked, realizing her intention.

"Oh, that talk," he said, nodding. "Yeah. I want to be a hero."

"...!"

Katsuki was once again baffled. She was glad he at least understood what she was trying to talk about, but... the way he said it, so casual and matter-of-fact...

It felt off to her that it honestly kind of pissed her off.

"… Are you taking this seriously?" she asked, narrowing her eyes dangerously at him, and it did make him flinch a bit.

Izuku straightened up, trying to meet her gaze.

"I am serious, Kacchan. I do want to be a hero."