The sun had barely risen, but cold sweat trickled down Asaki's body. Her chest heaved as she wiped her brow, trying to catch her breath. In front of her stood Aiko, his blonde hair catching the light of dawn, glowing like a golden halo. His pale skin gave him the appearance of a delicate porcelain doll—though he was anything but delicate.

"Nice uppercut, Asa!" he teased, flashing her a cocky grin.

Before she could respond, Aiko rushed her his movements quick and purposeful, slamming his shoulder into her abdomen and knocking them both to the ground.

Shit. Gotta get back up.

Reacting quickly, Asaki twisted mid-fall, shoving Aiko down in an attempt to regain control. They hit the ground hard, and before she could pin him, Aiko lashed out with a powerful kick, sending her skidding backward. Her heels dug into the dirt, steadying her just in time.

"YOU DICKHEAD!" Asaki shouted, brows furrowed in frustration as she lunged forward again.

The two clashed, their fists colliding in a series of blocks and counters. Neither landed a solid hit, but the fight was fierce, their movements sharp and relentless.

"Young Masters." A calm voice cut through the air, halting their sparring.

Both siblings turned to see the housekeeper, an older man dressed in a pristine black-and-white suit. His gray hair was slicked back, and his wrinkled eyes observed them with a mix of patience and authority.

"It's time for Miss Asaki to prepare for school," he announced.

"Already?" Aiko groaned, pouting like a child. "But we were just getting started!"

"Yeah, fun," Asaki muttered, clutching her ribs. "Getting my ass kicked. Why'd you have to hit me so hard?"

Aiko's smirk faltered as he stepped closer, golden eyes filled with worry. "Wait—are you actually hurt? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to—"

Asaki seized the moment, hooking her forearm around his neck and grinding her knuckles into his scalp.

"YOU LIAR!" she yelled, laughing as Aiko flailed in her grip. After a few seconds, she released him, her signature smirk firmly in place.

"Jokes aside, it does hurt a little," she admitted.

"Well, now I don't care," Aiko huffed, crossing his arms in mock indignation. Despite his act, the two fell into step, walking side by side back to the estate.

They walked in silence for a while before Aiko glanced at her again, his concern returning as he watched as Asaki was still clutching her chest. "Does it really hurt?"

Asaki shrugged. "Only a little. You knocked the wind out of me." She glanced at him with a teasing smile. "I'll find a way to live."

"I wouldn't expect anything less from my amazing kid sister!" Aiko chirped, but his tone shifted. After a beat of silence, he added, "So... Midnight says you've been doing well at UA, but..."

"But what?" Asaki asked, her tone soft but edged with suspicion.

"She said you don't have any friends. That you sit alone at lunch and don't talk to anyone outside of class assignments."

Asaki sighed, shaking her head. "You worry too much about nothing. I have friends."

"Asa, that three-headed dog doesn't count as friends, and even if he did, he'd count as one, not three," Aiko retorted, clearly knowing where her argument was headed. "You're such a smart-ass sometimes. Everyone needs friends."

"I don't need friends. I have you," Asaki said, yawning as she stretched her arms.

Their house loomed ahead, anything but ordinary. To call it a "house" would've been an insult. Massive tinted windows reflected the morning light, a sprawling balcony held a pristine pool and lounge area, and lush greenery flourished around every corner. Black ivy crawled up the walls, and where there weren't walls, there were windows—countless windows.

"I'm your brother. That doesn't exactly count," Aiko said, rolling his eyes as he held the door open for her. "No one ever got hurt from making friends, Asa."

The warm aroma of freshly cooked food greeted them as they stepped into the kitchen.

"Is this really an argument you want to have right now?" Asaki asked, raising an eyebrow as she grabbed a freshly made rice ball from the counter.

Aiko ignored her, grabbing an apple and wiping it with a dish rag. "That little goblin from before doesn't count."

"Still someone I tried to be friends with."

Aiko sighed, taking a bite of his apple. "Asaki, one day, we're not going to be here for you."

"Where would you go?" she shot back, pointing at him with the rice ball. "Mom and Dad literally built this place for all of us. You're not leaving."

The cooks, Isha and Carlo, busied themselves at the stove, silently listening but saying nothing.

"Asaki, just listen for once," Aiko pleaded, his tone softening. "Your years at UA would be better if you made some friends—or at least opened up to people. The hero path is lonely sometimes. It's good to have someone who gets what you're going through."

"But you guys are the only ones who understand me," Asaki argued, her mouth full of rice.

"Don't talk with your mouth full—it's disgusting," Aiko scolded, rolling his eyes.

"Sorry," she mumbled through a half-swallowed bite.

Aiko continued, his tone softer, "Look, Asaki, I know it's hard. I know that Mom, Dad, Haru, Akio, and even I can't fully understand what you're going through or what it feels like to be you. But the more you isolate yourself, the harder it'll be. Letting others in doesn't make you weaker—it'll make things better. We'll always be here for you, but I just wish others could see what I see too."

Asaki paused mid-bite, her eyes narrowing slightly. "And what exactly do you see?"

Aiko's serious expression morphed into a mischievous grin. "Someone who really needs a shower. You stink, kid." He pinched his nose dramatically between his thumb and forefinger.

She glared at him, but instead of responding, she took another deliberate bite of her rice ball and chewed slowly. Then, grinning wickedly, she opened her mouth wide to show him the half-chewed food.

"DISGUSTING!" Aiko shouted, waving his hand in exaggerated disgust as she laughed and darted out of the kitchen.

"Asaki!" he yelled after her, but she was already bolting down the hallway, her footsteps echoing off the walls.

She sprinted upstairs to her room, slamming the door behind her. Tossing her half-eaten rice ball on her desk, she quickly began to undress, eager to hop into the shower before Aiko could come up with another retort.

Showered and dressed in her uniform she rushed back downstairs where her brother was waiting for her with car keys in hand. "You're taking me today!" She gasped, clearly very excited.

"I have the time. Besides that I won't be in town for a bit so I might as well use this time." Aiko replied, he was dressed in black slacks and a white collared shirt. His hair was slicked back with gel and he flashed his signature smile. That's one thing the Tsukoyami family took pride in, not one of their children were born without their own charms. Whether it was with simple traits such as a smile or having the most striking cold eyes. The Tsukoyami family was recognizable, distinguishable and one day Asaki too would join their ranks.

"Let's go!" Asaki said as she grabbed her book bag from the elderly house keeper, bowing before him hastily before running out the grand doors. "Bye Alexander!" She called to him. Alexander smiled and waved as he then bowed to Aiko.

"She loves that car huh?" Aiko smirked, out in the driveway was a deep red corvette, sleek, and just by a glance you could tell it cost money.

Asaki and Aiko drove together, with Asaki controlling the radio with her music that her mother would definitely not approve of if she heard it. The trip to UA flew by and upon slowing down to a stop, Asaki's happy buzz seemed to fade away.

Aiko raised a concerned brow, "what's wrong kid?"

"Nothing just..." Asaki mumbled, "call me when you can." She opened the door and stepped out, but before she shut it, she peaked into the car once more.

"You have apple in your teeth by the way."

"I do not! Oh wait I do-" Aiko began but upon checking the mirror he found there was indeed a piece of apple.

Showered and dressed in her uniform, Asaki hurried downstairs, where her brother stood waiting with car keys in hand.

"You're taking me today?" she asked, her excitement evident in the way she gasped for breath.

"I've got the time," Aiko replied smoothly. "Besides, I won't be in town for a while, so I figured I might as well use this chance."

He looked sharp as always, dressed in black slacks and a crisp white collared shirt, his hair slicked back with gel. He flashed his signature smile—a trait all the Tsukoyami siblings seemed to inherit in their own ways. Whether it was a captivating smile or their strikingly cold eyes, the Tsukoyami family carried an undeniable presence. One day, Asaki knew she'd join their ranks, though the thought left her both eager and uncertain.

"Let's go!" Asaki exclaimed, grabbing her book bag from Alexander, their elderly housekeeper. She bowed hastily in gratitude before bolting out the grand doors.

"Goodbye, Alexander!" she called cheerfully.

Alexander smiled warmly, giving her a small wave before bowing respectfully to Aiko.

"She really loves that car, huh?" Aiko remarked, smirking as they approached the driveway. Sitting there was a sleek, deep-red Corvette—a car that screamed money and turned heads with just a glance.

"Who needs friends when you have a brother with a cool car." Alexander said turning to Aiko who was grinning from ear to ear with pride.

The drive to UA was lively, with Asaki eagerly controlling the radio and blasting music her mother would absolutely disapprove of if she ever heard it. Aiko didn't seem to mind, letting her have her moment as they cruised through the city streets.

As they pulled up to UA and slowed to a stop, Asaki's cheerful buzz seemed to dim. Her expression faltered, and she gripped the strap of her book bag a little tighter.

"What's wrong, kid?" Aiko asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Nothing, just..." she mumbled, her voice trailing off. She opened the car door and stepped out but hesitated before shutting it.

Peeking back inside, she grinned. "You've got apple in your teeth, by the way."

"I do not—wait, I do?" Aiko muttered, hastily checking the mirror. Sure enough, there it was. Aiko scowled and pulled a toothpick from his glove compartment, grumbling something about shitty apples and how he hated seeing chewed food. Asaki laughed and shut the door behind her. She waved a little as Aiko drove off, watching the red car fade into the distance.

The conversation with Aiko still lingered in her mind. In the end, she knew he was right, deep down. "He's just worrying over nothing. I'm not lonely at all," she told herself firmly as she walked into school.

It was as if the universe itself was giving her a sign. She stepped into class and saw it—everyone, chatting and laughing in their familiar groups. But Asaki didn't join in. She didn't approach anyone with a bright smile or share how her morning had been. She didn't have anyone to talk to about her brother's cool car or how she hoped to have one just like it someday.

Asaki's phone buzzed, and so did everyone else's. "Hey, check this out!" Kaminari exclaimed, pulling out his phone to show Kirishima and Ashido. Noticing the sudden flurry of activity, Asaki glanced at her own phone. A news headline blared across the screen.

Clutching her phone tightly, she pressed play on the video.

"On today's Most Wanted Japan, we have one of the nation's most infamous villains: Lilith the Demonette," the reporter began. "Earning her name for her demon-like appearance, Lilith's human form hasn't been seen in decades—only her terrifying Quirk. Lilith and her sister, Charlotte, once rampaged across Japan together before Charlotte's eventual reform as a hero."

The reporter continued, "Known as the Twin Terrors of Japan, the sisters earned their infamous title for the stranglehold they had on the city of Kyoto. After their separation, Lilith's rage tore through the city, terrorizing citizens at will. For three years, she walked freely, coming and going without any heroes able to stop her. It wasn't until The Madame made her hero debut that Lilith was finally forced into hiding.

"Until that day, Lilith was considered unstoppable, even gaining control of the Yakuza. To this day, only one known photo of Lilith exists. If anyone sees someone resembling this woman, please notify authorities or the nearest hero immediately."

The video shifted to an image Asaki recognized all too well. Her mother, Charlotte, stood on the right, dressed in a dark purple and black kimono that ended mid-thigh. Her hair was styled in a traditional, tight bun, and a Kabuki mask obscured her face. In her hand, she held an unsheathed katana, its blade resting against her back.

Asaki's grip on her phone tightened until her knuckles turned white, her teeth clenching as she stared at the screen. She had tried to keep this buried, hidden for as long as possible—so why did it have to surface now? In a matter of minutes, the entire class—no, the entire school—would see it. They'd see the undeniable resemblance, the one she worked so hard to downplay. Her heart pounded against her chest as her gaze shifted to the figure standing on the left.

There was Lilith. A wild grin stretched across her face as she stared directly into the camera. She wore a red-and-black kimono, identical to Charlotte's. Her raised hand was dark red, tipped with sharp black claws, poised as if ready to strike the photographer.

Asaki's chest tightened. There was no denying it—Lilith looked just like her. The only noticeable difference was Lilith's dark, haunting eyes.

The class went silent, and Asaki felt all eyes on her. Quickly shutting off her phone, she looked up, confirming her suspicion—everyone was staring. She swallowed hard, unsure of what to do or say, and forced herself to walk to her desk.

"Asaki, is that...?" Kirishima started hesitantly.

"My aunt," Asaki replied curtly, avoiding his gaze. Taking her seat, she clasped her hands tightly to keep them from trembling. "I know I look just like her. What about it?" she added, though her voice lacked its usual sharpness.

The room remained awkwardly quiet until Ashido spoke up. "But your eyes are different," she said, her tone surprisingly cheerful. "Totally different! Hers are all dark and scary, but yours are golden. They're only scary when you glare at us! Right, guys?" She looked around nervously, clearly trying to make Asaki feel better.

"Yeah!" Hagakure chimed in with her usual upbeat tone. "And when you smile, it gives off a completely different vibe too!"

"You know, I kind of forgot Madame was a villain," Midoriya said thoughtfully. "I've seen her so much on TV saving people that I always forget. Like, her saving all those people from the trainwreck in Musutafu? That was so heroic!"

"Or when she fought that giant snake in Hosu City!" Kirishima added, grinning. "I remember how manly she was when she sliced its tail off!"

Asaki sat there, stunned, unsure of how to respond. She listened as the class started talking about her mom's heroic moments—rescuing people, fighting villains, protecting cities.

"Just because you look like her doesn't mean anything," Todoroki said suddenly. His calm voice drew Asaki's attention. He wasn't even looking at her, just staring at his hands. "So don't worry about it."

"I remember when she wrapped her legs around that one guy!" Mineta chimed in with a pervy grin. "I wanted to be the—"

Jiro didn't let him finish. Without hesitation, she shoved one of her earphone jacks into his skull, cutting him off with a sharp jab.

Ashido leaned on Asaki's desk, smiling. "Like Todoroki said, just because you look like her doesn't mean anything. We know you're a total softie at heart!"

"That's a stretch," Asaki muttered, finally looking up. She gave a small smile. "No one said anything about me being a softie, right, Pinky?"

"Tch. As if I'd ever be scared of some shadow freak," Bakugo snorted, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Asaki rolled her eyes. "Could say the same for you, Pomeranian." She felt her chest lighten as a simple realization began to settle in—these people, her classmates, were different. "Thank you," she said, her voice softer than usual, almost unrecognizable compared to her usual sharp, curt tone. She had spent so much time around classmates who despised her simply for resembling someone she had the misfortune of being related to. She hadn't expected them to be so... kind.

A striking resemblance meant nothing to them because she was a student at UA. Maybe Aiko was right, she thought. Maybe she did need friends.