American style pancakes were something I've only had once. A delicacy that I had only encountered through Noah whilst I was in America for consultation on one of his cases.

'There are pancakes in Japan,' I had told him.

'Not like this,' he had responded, laughing as he pulled me behind him. 'You've never had real, true, American style pancakes with authentic Canadian syrup on top.'

'If the syrup is Canadian, are they really American pancakes?'

He had shushed me, pressing his finger against my lips. It was surprising, not something I would've dreamed of doing to a co-worker or even a friend at the time. Then again, Noah wasn't one to shy away from physical touch.

'Don't think about specifics,' he said, ' it just complicates things.'

Japan does, in fact, have multiple versions of pancakes but usually they're fluffier and have more of a personality (like most things when compared to their American counterparts). Therefore, American pancakes weren't that amazing to me. Good, but not revolutionary.

To Keigo though, who had never really been interested in American cuisine, they were the best think since quirk-cancelling hand cuffs.

"They're just flat soufflé pancakes," I laughed before taking another bite of the eggs on my plate. For breakfast (at four in the morning no less), Keigo had chosen an American style diner since he "wanted to taste what the West was like."

"Yeah, but they're totally different! Western food is weird."

"Glad we're on the same page then," I said, laughing again and I reached over my shoulder, fingers reaching towards where the wings had only hours ago sprouted from my skin.

Over the course of our four hour training session we both (mostly me) learned the following five facts:

1- Making new muscles and bones in the span of thirty seconds hurts. Like ripping off a limb type pain (which is ironic considering I was growing two new limbs).

2- Learning how to use two new limbs is a bitch.

3- Bitch as it may be, I can, in fact, learn to move new limbs with the help of a third (second? Do wings count as a second party?) party.

4- Using new muscles hurts. Like way more than people would think.

5- Once I deactivate Keigo's quirk, the wings disappear into my back, leaving no scar or wound to show they even existed.

I'd have to build up my strength and muscle mass, but according Keigo, I'll be able to fly soon. The thought alone made my entire cardiovascular system drop in a heap somewhere near my feet, but hey. I'll be flying.

The thought alone is terrifying.

"So," he lowered his voice, leaned forward and biting his lip as he smiled, "how was it? How do you feel?"

He's so excited, I thought.

"I feel..." how did I feel? I wasn't really sure. This huge thing that could possibly change my way of living was just thrust upon me, how is one supposed to feel? Elated? Overwhelmed?

"I'm not sure how I feel," I admitted, laughing in attempt to seem light hearted. "But I know I'm excited. Amongst other things."

It wasn't a lie. Excitement was the only thing that I could decipher in my head, the only thing I could identify in my mess of emotions. It was odd, in a way. I always knew how I felt.

What are you doing to me Takami Keigo?

"Well that's good, right?" He exclaimed quietly, "I'm excited too! I get to share the most unique part of me with the woman I love."

He reached across, putting his hand on mine.

I wanted to reach up, to lace his fingers with mine.

How would Bakugo react?

"Here's the thing, Keigo," I said, moving my hand away from his and to my neck, where it rested, tapping out a nervous rhythm. I looked down at my plate, collecting eggs on my fork. I wasn't sure I could take looking at a rejected Keigo. "I can't... I can't be in a relationship right now."

He was silent for a moment. I ate my eggs.

"Oh."

Swallowing my pride, I looked up.

Keigo sat, staring at me with a blank look on his face. He searched my eyes and I let down my walls.

Should I make a pros and cons list for her? To help convince her? No you idiot, women need space, you can't... you can't cluster them. Anyone, for that matter.

I put them back up.

"Well," he said after a moment, "then I guess I'll wait."

Really?! Another one?!

"Unless you want me to back off! I totally can if you want!" He exclaimed, dropping his fork and waving his hands a bit.

"But let me guess," he said, seemingly finding his composure again, "it's because you don't want other people to get hurt, right?"

I stared for a moment.

I've told him he has competition before... but I'm not sure he understood how much he has.

I nodded.

"Well first off, you shouldn't even take them into consideration. This is your life; your decision. How simps number one through five feel is not your concern. If they get mad and can't understand that you just don't feel that way towards them or that you'll just be happier with someone else," he coughed, "me— then screw them. You don't need that damn negativity in your life. If they truly care about you, they'll understand. They might be a little hurt, but they'll understand. Make sense?"

I nodded, a small smile on my face.

"But that's not gonna change your mind is it?"

I thought for a moment.

If I break their hearts like that...

I shook my head 'no.'

He sighed.

"I don't like that you put others before your own happiness, it's not good."

"I know." I replied. I knew. But... if they're hurt... no, I can't see them hurt.

"Secondly," he said, eyes hardening into something playful, "can I still pursue you? Court you? Try to win you over?"

"The rest of them are doing it," I replied, chuckling. "But you might get hurt."

"Yes!" He exclaimed, clapping his hands in excitement. "I still have a chance!" I laughed slightly at his childish behavior.

"Alright, thirdly, does this mean we can't make out again?"

"Keigo!"

"What? I'm curious! I don't mind if we have a friends-with-benefits type thing going on!" We both laughed at his suggestion.

I've kissed quite a few of them, I thought, almost feeling guilty, if I'm gonna deny myself of a relationship for them, is it alright to still be touchy with another person? Or is that a double-standard?

"And finally, I have to ask. How much competition do I have? Like actually? Be frank with me, don't sugar coat it. Two? One? Three? Five?"

I bit my lip.

"More than five."

"How many more?"

"At least..." I thought for a moment. "At least eight?"

"Eight?!" He exclaimed, laughing. I laughed with him, the tense atmosphere long gone.

"And you can't call them simps either, because you top that list."

"Do not!"

"You have the number one ranking!" I exclaimed, laughing some more at Keigo's shocked face.

"No way!"

"Yes way!"

Going back to school in person on Monday and I'm totally dreading it✨✨

Fun Fact: I've discussed (Y/N)'s math setting before, but it can go from zero to a hundred real fast. With enough training, she could calculate the trajectory, timing and exact path of anything flying at her. Meaning, in theory, she can catch bullets mid air.

I imagine this chapter ending with a fade out as the view zooms out from the window of the diner like in a rom-com✨

Reminder: EYO LISTEN TO HAWKS don't put others before your own happiness, if they really care about you then they'll understand. If they don't, screw them, you don't need them anyway. You do what's gonna make you happy. I love you all💞💞

Over and out.