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historyhermann · 10 months

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Yuri Is My Job! Spoiler-Filled Review

Yuri Is My Job!, also known as Schwestern in Liebe! or Watashi no Yuri wa Oshigoto Desu!, is a yuri comedic anime based on an ongoing manga by Miman. 12 volumes of the manga have been printed, 11 of which have been translated into English. Passione and Studio Lings produced this series. It is directed by Hijiri Sanpei.

Reprinted from Pop Culture Maniacs and Wayback Machine. This was the thirty-seventh article I wrote for Pop Culture Maniacs. This post was originally published on Jun. 28, 2023.

The plot of this series is in line with many yuri manga: a high school girl named Hime Shiraki (voiced by Yui Ogura) cares about her outward image as a sweet and helpful person. In actuality, she is very self-centered. One day, she trips and accidentally injures the manager of Cafe Liebe, Mai Koshiba (voiced by Yukari Tamura). She is guilted into covering shifts at the cafe to keep her image alive. As such, Hime works at an establishment where waitresses pretend they are students at an all-girls boarding school. Each has their own persona. She is drawn to another waitress, Mitsuki Yano (voiced by Sumire Uesaka) who gives her devotion and love. In private, Yano seems to hate her, hence the title of the anime, "yuri is my job!"

The fakery that the waitresses exemplify is shown though characters like Sumika Chibana (voiced by Makoto Koichi). She is calm and collected as a waitress but a gyaru outside work. Kanoko Mamiya (voiced by Minami Tanaka) contrasts this. A shy girl, she is Hime's good friend and knows Hime's true personality. She occasionally helps Hime during their work in the cafe. This fakery is also depicted through Hime, Mai, and Yano, each in a different way.

Show director Hijiri Sanpei is known, in part, as assistant director, storyboarder, and unit director of Citrus, a problematic anime due to sexual assault, non-consensual conduct, and toxicity between the two female protagonists. Apart from a few scenes, and some fan service of Yano, this does not translate over into Yuri Is My Job! In fact, the series has more allusions to other anime. For instance, the first episode alludes to Maria Watches Over Us. The latter series is said to be sweet, witty, unique, difficult, romantic, and have strong characters.

Yuri Is My Job! has similarities in terms of appealing animation, drama, and emotional scenes. The homoerotic themes are also treated respectfully, especially when paired with self-acceptance and self-discovery. Another series that Yuri Is My Job! may be referencing is a classic 2006 anime, Strawberry Panic! It is in the Class S genre, which focuses on romantic or close relationships between girls. While Strawberry Panic! is a romantic yuri based on illustrated short stories, and set at an all-girls school, Yuri Is My Job! takes place primarily at a cafe inside a high school.

The first episode pulls in the viewer, with a poppy and bubbly opening sequence, providing viewers with a sense of the characters. As noted earlier, yuri themes are there from the get-go, in terms of Hime's attraction to Yano, and an in-canon book entitled A Maiden's Heart, which resembles the plot of Maria Watches Over Us. This includes an older "sister" (Yano) putting a cross, on a necklace, around the neck of their younger "sister" (Hime). Adding to the confusion, Sumika appears to flirt with Yano.

At first, Hime appears to be a "gold-digger" only out for herself. As the story goes on, she becomes a more sympathetic character. This is clear from the close friendship between Kanoko and Hime. The latter even results in Kanoko working at the cafe after she follows Hime there. It is easy to be drawn to Hime's side when Yano is harsh against her, especially since Yano can see through Hime's cuteness facade.

Kanoko's character seems unhelpful, possessive, and annoying in earlier episodes. However, her character grows over the course of Yuri Is My Job!. For one, she supports Hime unconditionally. She even wonders why Hime cares about Yano. Kanoko's character might be lampooning the oft-trope, especially in yuri anime (and elsewhere), of the "deranged" cuckoo lesbian who has unrequited love for another woman. She may even be a yandere character.

I liked how the backstory of Hime and Yano provided insights into both characters. From that, it is easy to see both of their perspectives and how each of them could see the other as a "traitor". This all comes to a head when it is revealed, in the fourth episode, that Yano at the cafe is the same as the one she met when she was a young schoolgirl, when they played piano together. Over time, they get over their differences and clear up their misunderstanding.

Fundamentally, Yuri is My Job! has one theme throughout: miscommunication. Characters have different ways of seeing the world. Yano is coded as autistic. Hime is driven by being approved by everyone, thanks to her facade of being "cute". All the while, there is commentary about the yuri and class-s genres, with this series exploring expectations built into existing social interactions.

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The 5th and 6th episodes of Yuri is My Job! focus on Yano and Hime being drawn to each other. They also criticize ship wars among yuri fans. In the sixth episode, some "fans" claim that Yano forced Hime to be her "sister". As rumors continue swirling, some even see Yano as a villain. Hime and Yano end up embracing one another in a very emotional scene, leading everyone to believe they are on better terms. In the process, Hime begins catching feelings for Yano. All of this reminds me of a song in The Proud Family about beating rumors, although only tangentially.

Sumika has an even more prominent role, after she learns, at the end of the sixth episode, that Kanoko is obsessed with Hime. As would be expected, Kanoko becomes suspicious of Sumika. She declares that no one will get in her way, even deeming Sumika "dangerous". While they begin to connect, this smashes apart when Sumika states that Kanoko must drop Hime or the cafe will fall apart.

Sumika's statement, cheered on by those who dislike Kanoko, seems harsh. However, it is rooted within interesting in-canon history. First of all, the person Sumika loved, Nene, was taken away by then-waitress Youko Gotou (voiced by Shizuka Itō), who she deems a seductress. Sumika is right to warn Kanoko that if she is too possessive, then Hime will dislike her. Even so, she is still interfering in their lives, almost as bad as the meddler in the 2015 comedy-drama film of the same name. Sumika's thought that romance will destroy the whole cafe is naive. For one, she is totally oblivious to Yano's feelings for Hime.

It is clear, by the eighth episode, of Yuri is My Job!, that Sumika is playing the long game. For instance, she agrees to Kanoko's request to become her sister, in the cafe. She doesn't realize, until later, that Kanoko is possessive of Hime because she is afraid of losing her. Kanoko is socially introverted, unlike Hime, and relies on her to ensure she can navigate social interactions. This is abundantly clear by the 10th episode.

In the apt flashback, in the ninth episode, Hime protects Kanoko from classroom bullies, the students that she deems "good kids". Hime comforted her after classmates were nasty to her, and defended her in class. Is it any shock that Kanoko fell for Hime, her "special person", then and there? Furthermore, Kanoko states she is the only person who knows the "true" Hime, without the facade. Her statement is incorrect, as Yano also knows the "true" Hime.

Apart from the plotlines involving Kanoko's relationship to Hime, one of the best storylines in this anime is the Blume election. The person awarded the most votes is crowned Blume-Sama. This reminds me of the elections for the student council in Maria Watches Over Us and the Etoile election in Strawberry Panic! Like the rest of the series, jealousy and emotions run high, as does blushing. The competition between the waitresses is fierce. It is later revealed that Sumika got the most votes, with Mitsuki in second, Hime in third, and Kanoko in fourth.

The final episodes of Yuri is My Job! wrap up many loose ends. Sumika reveals to Kanoko how Nene fell in love with Youko. All the while, her belief that Kanoko will "destroy" the cafe quickly dissipates. Although Kanoko's plan for the Blume election fails, Sumika's beliefs are fundamentally challenged by Nene. She says that Sumika comes from a place of compassion, but that she shouldn't dictate the love of others. This statement stands against people who position themselves as meddlers. Due to her conversation with Nene, Sumika rethinks how she should approach Kanoko.

By the 11th episode, Kanoko's actions, which might have seemed toxic or obsessive, make more sense. Sumika learns why Kanoko is drawn to Hime. She tells Kanoko that she is hiding too much of herself after she reveals that she will never confess to Hime. This conversation indicates the character development of Kanoko since she reveals all of this to Sumika, a person who understands her concerns. She even cries on her shoulder. Following the announcement that Sumika has been elected the Blume der Liebe, Kanoko even becomes the "sister". This appears surprising, at first. However, considering their mutual support for one another, it makes sense.

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The 11th episode of Yuri is My Job! begins, in earnest, the romantic feelings between Sumika and Kanoko. Obviously both characters had feelings, to some extent, before that episode. Even so, it wasn't until that episode that they began their "sister"/Schwestern relationship. This sisterhood is even embraced by Hime. She is glad to hear that Kanoko has another friend, causing Kanoko to blush. This connection is reinforced by the fact that Kanoko and Sumika know something about the other that no one else knows. In the case of Kanoko, she had not said aloud that she loved Hime, until she told Sumika exactly that.

I haven't read the manga, but I have the implication, from the 11th episode, that Hime might be asexual. Kanoko specifically states that Hime has no interest in romance. She adds that Hime never genuinely loves anyone. In fact, she also calls herself Hime's only real friend. If Kanoko's read is correct, it would mean that Hime is possible grey ace. Also known as grey asexuality, it refers to people who are "flexible in their sexual preferences".

Grey asexuality can roughly fall into three categories: those who are sex-repulsed, sex-neutral, or sex-positive. It encompasses a broad spectrum of identities, including demisexuality, and other terms, like semisexual. Grey ace individuals might be rarely attracted to others, only romantically attracted on rare occasions, or be sexually attracted only to certain individuals.

To take this a step further, grey ace people may have any possible romantic orientation. The latter refers to romantic attractions someone has toward other people. A person's romantic identity is not necessarily connected to their sexual desires (i.e. sexual orientation). This can manifest in asexuality, bisexuality, pansexuality, gay identity, lesbian identity, heterosexuality, or any of the other sexual orientations out there.

This nuance is not, necessarily, depicted in this series. Even so, Hime appears to be asexual-coded. I'm not sure about the manga, but it might be the same, from the panels I've read. She is not alone in this. Seiji Maki in Bloom Into You has been described as an aromantic asexual. The same is said about Shōko Tanimoto in The Case Files of Jeweler Richard. In Western animation, Andy Billups in Star Trek: Lower Decks is a coded asexual character.

Other characters have been confirmed as asexual outside of their respective series. The latter includes Lilith Clawthorne in the recently ended The Owl House, SpongeBob SquarePants in the series of the same name, Peridot in Steven Universe, Alastor in Hazbin Hotel, Percival "Percy" King in Epithet Erased, and Perry the Platypus in Phineas and Ferb. Additionally, there are three asexual characters in Bojack Horseman: Todd Chavez, Yolanda Buenaventura, and Maude. Many others appear in other media, such as film, literature, live-action series, video games, comics, podcasts, and elsewhere.

More than anything, Yuri Is My Job! parodies yuri tropes and the Class S genre. The characters perform an idealized girlhood, playing on tropes of affection and intimacy for an eager audience. This is capped off by a strongly ambitious and tricky female protagonist. Unlike other protagonists, she isn't likable in a traditional way.

In the series finale, the characters wear summer uniforms, with the change of seasons. After Yano's uniform is shown to be "too sexy", Hime is embarrassed to tell her the truth, while people are drawn to her breasts. This may be parodying fan service throughout anime, especially yuri anime. Hilariously, the other waitresses suggest Yano wear a cover to solve her "problem". In the cafe, Hime defends Yano, stating she is not being lewd, but mature. She even does tasks for her, to protect her from the prying eyes of patrons. Later, to the expected blushing of Yano, Hime admits that she is jealous of Yano's body, and says that she shouldn't be ashamed of anything. Unsurprisingly, she subsequently chastises Hime for saying something she "doesn't mean", confusing Hime even more.

A growing "sisterly" relationship between Kanoko and Sumika is alluded to in the series finale of Yuri Is My Job!. At one point, Kanoko blushes when Sumika describes the beauty of Kanoko when talking about the tea they recommend for customers. Later, Sumika even encourages Hime to call the Kanoko cute, resulting her in blushing yet again. There is predictable fan service. For instance, Yano brings Hime to her chest, and buries Hime's face in Yano's breasts to keep her quiet. She does this throughout the series. Predictably, this makes Hime fall even more in love with her.

One of the better parts of the episode is how Hime doesn't get her recommendation for tea correct, unlike the other workers. As a result, she leans on Yano. She teases Yano about it, even asking at one point "you must really love me, right, Onee-Sama?". Although Yano denies that she loves Hime romantically, this is clearly a lie. She is blushing while she says she "doesn't" love her.

The Yuri Is My Job! series finale ends happily. Hime notes that employees in the cafe (her and the other protagonists) behave elegantly, like characters from a shojo manga. After that, Yano plays the piano alongside Hime. Understandably, Hime gets the last word, welcoming people to the cafe, standing alongside everyone else.

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One of the strengths of this series is the voice talent. Yui Ogura and Minami Tanaka, who voice Hime and Kanoko respectfully, are talented voice actresses. Ogara prominently voiced Kokoro in The Great Jahy Will Not Be Defeated!, Selena Burke in My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!, Sanae Tsukimoto in Teasing Master Takagi-san, Sumika Izumino in Yurikuma Arashi, and Kokona Aoba in Encouragement of Climb.

Tanaka voiced Nako Sunao in Hitori Bocchi no Marumaru Seikatsu, Ran-Ran Oneechan in Dropkick on My Devil!, Shalsha in I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level, and Himeno Toyokawa in Let's Make a Mug Too, among others.

Sumuire Uesaka, Makoto Koichi, and Yukari Tamura, who voice Yano, Sumika, and Mai, are known for their variety of voice roles. For Uesaka, this includes characters in Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions, Girls und Panzer, Luck & Logic, Boarding School Juliet, Carole & Tuesday, Lapis Re:Lights, and Spy Classroom.

Koichi has voiced characters in Hakumei and Mikochi, Märchen Mädchen, and My Roommate Is a Cat. Tamura provided her voice for characters in R.O.D the TV, Kashimashi: Girl Meets Girl, Ouran High School Host Club, and Kin-iro Mosaic. It truly shows the voice range of Tamura, that she can voice a cafe manager in this series, a golf star in Birdie Wing: Golf Girls' Story (Mizuho Himekawa) and a lustful protagonist of B Gata H Kei (Tetsuki Yamada).

Asami Seto and Shizuka Neto, who voice Nene and Youko, are well-known for their roles in Wandering Son, Valkyrie Drive: Mermaid, Macross Delta, Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai, and Tropical-Rouge! Pretty Cure. Seto is also recognized for voicing Fena Houtman in Fena: Pirate Princess and Aoi Amawashi in Birdie Wing. The latter finished its run on June 24th.

Otherwise, Neto previously voiced Rei Hasekura in Maria Watches Over Us. This makes her voice selection apt, considering Yuri Is My Job! lampoons that series. She voiced Nadie in the yurish El Cazador de la Bruja, Misa Grandwood in Bodacious Space Pirates, Bellows in Gargantia, Minami Toba in Laid-Back Camp, Yoriko Kichijouji in Oshi no Ko, and many characters in other series.

The show's crew is as talented. Apart from aforementioned work of show director Hijiri Sanpei on Citrus, he also worked on Hinako Note, the ever-controversial Interspecies Reviewers, and the adventure fantasy romance Spice and Wolf. Chief episode director Takahiro Majiima, worked on Citrus and Interspecies Reviewers as well, along with other series like BanG Dream!, Princess Principal, Puella Magi Madoka Magica, and Your Lie in April.

As for the character designer, Taisuke Iwasaki, he has worked the gamut in the animation industry, from series such as Fairy Tail, Kashimashi: Girl Meets Girl, and No. 6, to movies like Revolutionary Girl Utena: The Movie and Your Name. Show script writer Naoki Hayashi, worked on all 12 episodes of Citrus, along with the last six episodes of Flip Flappers.

Last but not least, is Yuri Is My Job! music composer Megumi Oohashi. She ensured that amazing openings, like the one in this series by Ogura, and the ending by Ogura and Uesaka, are present, making the series that much more enjoyable. Oohashi is known for music in Blue Dragon, Gundam series, and Yumeiro Pâtissière SP Professional, and work on Petite Princess Yucie.

It is unlikely there will be a second season. Four of the last anime series produced by the studio, from 2020 to present, apart from Higurashi: When They Cry – Gou, only had one season. One (Harem in the Labyrinth of Another World) did have two OVAs.

Of the eight series produced before 2020 by the studio, only two had a second cour: Haitai Nanafa and Z/X Code reunion. A possible second season could focus on the growing romantic feelings between Yano and Hime, Kanoko and Sumika, or pairs between any other characters. There are many manga volumes that could be adapted I hope that this series gets a continuation, either in an OVA or a second season, as I'd love to see these characters again in something apart from the manga.

Yuri Is My Job! is currently airing on Crunchyroll and is available for purchase on Prime Video.

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kewltie · 2 years

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When Izuku walk into the main hall of their home and see Katsuki, standing there dressed in a vest and waistcoat and looking all proper and dandy, it gives him a slight pause. He blinks, jaw loose. "Are you going somewhere?"

For which Katsuki immediately frowns. "No, we are."

Izuku’s brows furrow in thought. He can't recall any appointments they may have made to go out tonight. They’d just visited Katsuki's parents two days ago and Izuku, regretfully, doesn't have many friends here in Tokyo to make a habit of going out every night. "Am I missing something?" he prods.

"The Earl of Utaupau's soiree is this evening," Katsuki answers, as his foot taps on the floor irritably.

"Oh," he says, eyes widen in recognition, "but I declined their invitation earlier." He isn't close with the Earl of Utaupau enough to warrant an invitation but he knows her husband quite well; they're in the same book club. Fuji Jun been asking Izuku to attend their party for a while now, but he’d always declined it as he's not familiar with their social circle and doesn't want to embarrassed himself by coming alone. "Wait," a light gasp slips pass his lips, "will you be going with me?"

Katsuki gives him the most unimpressed look. "I rescinded your rejection yesterday, so hurry up and get dress already or we'll be late."

Since Izuku had moved in with him, Katsuki had avoided all social events and Izuku has always intended them unaccompanied by his husband. He had to put on a smile and braced for questions about the whereabouts of Katsuki, often making up excuses that sound less believable each time as he endured the pitiful looks directed at him. That poor omega, their eyes seemed to say, can't even keep his mate around. So, this is a momentous occasion for him. Izuku can barely contains the joy rising in his chest as he picks up the skirt of his kimono and rushes toward his bedroom to change for the party.

"Don't run, you idiot!" Katsuki shouts exasperatedly after him, but Izuku won't be stop.

All the decorum and propriety momentarily thrown aside in his excitement. He doesn't know what brought in this change of attitude in Katsuki, but he'll take it!

As soon as Izuku slips into his bedroom, he combs through his closet for an appropriate attire to match Katsuki's own.

It's the first time they'll be presented to the kazoku as a married couple and they will be representing the entire legacy of the Bakugou family, he can't afford any missteps, but more importantly he doesn't want to disappoint Mitsuki-san for all the kindness she'd bestowed upon him.

His eyes immediately fall upon the western gowns that he had purchased since his arrival here. He'd worn them to all the events he’d been invited to so far for the need to conform to the current western trend overtaking the cities, even though he's more comfortable in his traditional kimonos. He bites his lower lip in thought, looking at all the beautiful dresses in his closet. Then, he closes the door and turns around. Instead, he heads toward his drawers and pulls out a well-loved, jade color furisode with red-orange flowers woven into the silk.

It's a hand-me down from his mother who got it from her father. Traditionally worn by the omegas in his household, it has been meticulously taken care of and only to be brought out for special occasions. Today feels like it for Izuku. It's a good statement as any. He won't fail as a son-in-law of the Bakugou.

Izuku calls up on the servants to help him get dress and fix his hair. They have to rush to get it all done as Katsuki's lack of patience is thoroughly known in the household, but Katsuki shouldn't have told him about this party last minute. He could have spent hours preparing, but he knows how to make do with what he has. It's the foundation of every good omega. They have always been given so little that they learned long ago to weave the sky out of fishnets; he's nothing if not resourceful. With the help of the servants, he's done in twenty minutes.

Izuku's zori beats the floor as he hurries to the main hall as though every second slip by means the less chance Katsuki will be there waiting for him.

"I told you not to run," Katsuki says, with narrowed eyes as soon as it lands on Izuku's presence entering the room.

He’s still standing exactly where he was the last time Izuku saw him; effortlessly handsome in his formal waistcoat and tie even with the perpetual frown on his face. When Katsuki allows it, it's easy to remember why he was formerly the most desired bachelor in Tokyo and Izuku is lucky to have secured him.

"Sorry, we had a problem with tying the obi," Izuku admits sheepishly, awkwardly patting the skirt of his furisode as though he just needs something to keep his hands occupied.

Somehow, he is inexplicably shy all of sudden even though Katsuki had seen him in his furisode before. It's like they're going out on their first date. And they're married for god's sake! But they never went out together in any official's capacity so Izuku feels an equal mix of excitement and anxiety.

He wonders if Katsuki feels the same. Probably not, Izuku thinks wistfully.

Katsuki stares at him. "You look—" He stops, turns away, and then looks back at him. Jaw tightens. Shakes his head. The corner of his lips pinch before he lets out a sigh resignedly. "Whatever, let's just go," he says, and rushes right out as though the devil’s is on his heels.

Izuku had watched the entire sequence with a barely hidden puzzlement, but makes no further note of it. After all, it's not like Katsuki has indicate any interest in him in anyway. He doesn't want to get his hope up again, only to have it miserably crushed under Katsuki's boots. He pinches the back of his hand and the sharp pain is enough wakes himself up from his pool of disappointment. There's just no time to sink any deeper in it. They're going to a soiree together. As a couple. Married. And it's enough to lights the hope in him. Every little step counts in the end.

Izuku follows after Katsuki and climbs into the awaiting carriage. He takes the seat opposite of Katsuki, whose eyes been glued to the window the entire time even as the carriage starts to move.

Awkward silence descends upon them, but Izuku has long learned how to tolerate it. To live it with it comfortably.

"How do you know the Earl of Utaupau to get an invitation out of her?" Katsuki asks suddenly.

Izuku immediately perks up. "I am quite familiar with her husband rather. We're actually in the same book club. From what I know, they're a very nice couple. If you want, I can introduce you to them." He tilts his head curiously. "But why do you want to go to their party?"

Katsuki looks like he didn't want to answer, but then: "There's been several reports of missing imperial's armaments and we managed to traced it back to Fuji Momoe. We believe she’s smuggling them out of the country using her merchant ships. I need to get close to her to find the evidence and where she’s taking those weapons."

Izuku shouldn't have ask. Sometimes, it's better to stay ignorance. "Oh, I see," he says, keeping his face blank and revealing nothing. Not the disappointment settling in his stomach or the dejection that makes its way into his heart. Really, he should have known better by now.

Katsuki is devoted to the service of his country and obsessed with fixing what's wrong with it; it's a noble cause, but love much like marriage, Izuku knows, has never enter Katsuki's consideration unlike him, who dedicate his entire being to being a good spouse, a good mate. They got married young and at the behest of their parents, but while Izuku had long made his peace with it, the day after their wedding Katsuki enlisted in the army and went to war just to get away from him. That would be enough for anyone to incinerate whatever hope in their heart. But Izuku lives in a state of wishful thinking. It's all he has. They may be married for several years now, but they haven't been a couple for long. If they can learn how, maybe, just maybe—he looks at Katsuki pensively. "If there's anything I can do to assist your case then—"

"No, absolutely fucking not," Katsuki snaps abruptly.

"But I want to help!" Izuku insists, leaning forward as Katsuki leans back.

"I don't want or need it," he hisses, bristling with contempt. "What can you even do to assist me? You have no training or experience in this."

"I—" Izuku bites down on his lower lip, letting the rest of his sentence die on his tongue. "You're right." He smiles. It feels cold and artificial on him, but he keeps it firmly in place like a mask over his face. "I'm sorry, I clearly don't know what I'm talking about. I should just mind my own business and focus on the household affairs instead. That's more of my area of expertise."

"That's not—" He looks away, face pinched and hands clenched tightly in his lap before turning back to Izuku. "I didn't mean it like that," he says, chagrin.

"It's fine," Izuku dismisses with a laugh, but it doesn't sound anything like himself even to his own ears. It’s hallow, like a broken marionette who had just learned to laugh. "I understand."

"No." He shakes his head, looking urgent. "It's dangerous. Better trained people have been hurt on the case before. I don't want to risk it with you."

"Oh," Izuku says breathlessly, excititement seizing him.

"You're a fucking civilian," he says, a serious expression on his face. "We prefer not to risk the civilians in our dumbass, risky military operation or else it would look bad on us."

"Oh," Izuku says, less enthusiastically now. It whittles down into nothing.

This is what it's like to be bound to a man who is so entrenched in his military duty and service that he thinks everything in the context of a tactical maneuver. Marriage is a battlefield and love is a weapon of war. Sometimes, Izuku feels like he may have won the fight, but already lost the war.

It makes one want to quit before he gets too deep, but stubbornness is been bred into his bones. It's his greatest strength and greatest flaw, his mother used to say to him as a kid when he would wait patiently for Katsuki to visit him every summer but he never did again after he'd turned 13. It's how he ended up sticking through a loveless marriage for five years because he's convinced they are a good match and didn't feel the immediate urge to punch Katsuki when he came for him later just because he believes he can make their marriage work and Mitsuki had demanded Katsuki to bring Izuku back to Tokyo after having discarded him like a burden to go to war.

Looking back now, Izuku might be a little masochistic to endure so much but a part of him will always wonder if they had met under a difference circumstance and their marriage wasn't arranged, would they have work? At least let him try, let him prove that they can make it work despite everything. It's that bone-headed stubbornness of his rearing its head up again, but it doesn't make it any easier to bear.

He sighs, turning his head to look out the window as though it provides him with all the answer he's looking for. Marriage is truly a testament to a person's character. Finding nothing else to say, Izuku occupied his time with the scenery outside, but of the corner of his eyes, every now and then he can see Katsuki trying to steal glances at him; his lips open and close as though he has something to say, but his mouth just won't work right.

Katsuki looks particularly annoy with himself about it. Communication has never been his strong point.

If Izuku was feeling particularly merciful right now, he would help him out, but no. He'll let Katsuki stew in a little longer in the awkward, stilted silence between them. The rest of the ride is a tense affair, but Izuku has no intention of diffusing the situation. Let Katsuki familiarize himself with Izuku's rough waters, let him knows how his fury can ravage the sturdiest hulls and overturn ships before settling back to into calm waters.

He rarely allows himself to get caught up in his own anger, too busy balancing other people's emotions on his shoulders, but for this moment he'll indulge and give into the pettiness of it all. So, he continues to give Katsuki's the cold shoulder while Katsuki looks on in pain. Deserved.

Finally, their carriage arrive at the front of the Fuji's estate and the stalemate comes to an end. He can almost hear the respite in Katsuki's voice when he says, "We're here."

Izuku dips his head, tucking away the amusement bubbling within him at Katsuki's obvious relief. It’s admittedly fun to see Katsuki struggle so much here like a fish out of water, despite having gone through hell in war.

Katsuki gets out first and the second he land on the ground, he turns around. He holds his hand out expectantly for Izuku to take. Izuku stares at it, then smiles sweetly at him before disregarding it. He hops out of the carriage and walks pass Katsuki, not even glancing back at him. Katsuki may be a master in warfare and a veteran on multiple battlefields, but Izuku is just as eager to learn and quick to pick up lessons from the guide book: "How to Unknot Your Knot-Headed Alpha". After all, before you commit yourself to a fight, you must know your enemy first.

He may not be well-versed in military tactics, but he can use the knowledge he gained from his many readings and weaponized it against Katsuki. It's not the best idea but he knows books, he knows them intimately well, when there was nothing else to do but wait for Katsuki to come for him. Knowledge can be as potent as any gun or sword. He just need to know how to wield correctly.

"Are you really that angry?" He hears Katsuki demands from behind him.

Izuku stops, but doesn't turn around. "Am I?" he retorts back, knowing that it'll just rile Katsuki up even more when he'd always prefer direct confrontation, so Izuku's vague indirect often pisses him off.

Katsuki's expectation of honesty and transparency, lacking the patient for subterfuge versus Izuku's need to compartmentalized his emotions to mask his true feelings in order maintain the image of the perfect spouse, the idealized omega, makes their personality grinds against each other like broken glass. Izuku works hard to succeed within the expectations given to him by everyone, while Katsuki violently rebukes the chains placed upon him by his title and legacy; their creed is polarizing. It's amazing they haven't killed each other in the months that they been living together.

"You are, don't bullshit me." He scoffs loudly like he knew exactly what Izuku is doing, while Izuku chooses to ignore him and heads inside first instead.

Katsuki curses at him so vividly that it can easily be heard by many as a servant, who's there greet them, tries hold back his gasp.

"He'll be fine once he gets some food in him,” he informs the servant, the lies rolling off of his tongue so easily that he can already imagine Katsuki's scolding him severely if he'd heard it.

"Uh, yes," the young man says, largely confused still but remains prudent to his job. "This way, sir."

Izuku follows the servant into the first of many entryways of the Fuji's manor. It easily exemplified the clean, white lines of European aesthetics; it's imposing and overly ostentatious with too many square windows and pillars that opened into grand hallways and ballrooms.

He is then met with the house steward, who requests his house seal and invitation to verify his identity. Izuku hands them over to him and as soon as he was given the clear by the steward, the man coughs and looks at Izuku pointedly.

"Are you by yourself tonight, sir?" he asks.

Izuku blinks, finally realizing that he arrived here alone and in the eyes of outsiders he must have look deranged enough to come to a gathering of elites unaccompanied by neither family or friends. A social taboo in the higher circle.

"Um." He flushes, momentarily taken back.

It's not every day that he would ever make such a silly mistake. He knows better. "Well, I-"

"Sir," the steward cuts in with a frown, "do you really want to be presented alone? Even with someone of your standing, it's still strictly inappropriate for an omega go unchaperoned-"

"He's with me," he suddenly hears someone snarl behind him, "so stop accosting my husband. Know your fucking place, you unwashed cur." The pungent odor of a pissed off alpha permeates the air, sinking into every corners and crevices; it sours the scent of everything in the room.

Horrified, the steward stumbles and drops to his knees. "M-my lord," he begs, "I apologize for stepping out of line. Have mercy on me!"

Katsuki steps into the space next to Izuku, but doesn't even acknowledge his presence. His eyes are focus on the groveling man before them.

"Remember to show respect to my husband next time you see his face or I'll take you out into the yard and shoot you in the head with my pistol," he threatens, eyes narrowing in disdain. The pheromone he exudes is suffocating, even Izuku has hard time breathing under the weight of it.

That poor beta is probably experiencing the worst of it now. "Kacchan," he says, lips pressed into a thin line. Not husband, my lord, or anything respectful but Kacchan. And it's all he has to say, but it's enough to clear the heavy, choking scent and pressure around them.

Izuku clears his throat as the man gingerly gets up from the floor with shaky legs. "It’s understandable. Don’t worry, we appreciate your efforts," he says, after Katsuki refused to say anything to help him out. He rolls his eyes, because clearly he's the only one who has any manners between them.

And that's all the permission the steward needs to make a quick exit, leaving them to stand in the foyer all alone with no other servants nearby to play buffer or interrupt them.

It's uncomfortable.

Katsuki doesn't say anything and Izuku doesn't have much else to say either. They both could easily play this spat out longer if necessary. After all, they're both stupidly bullheaded enough to dig down on their respective side and refuse to budge for the other just to make their point. It's petty and juvenile and Izuku is oh, so tired of it now.

He extends a hand toward Katsuki. This time it's him who take the first step, because he's not cruelled enough to hold it over him forever. A long-lasting relationship can't be built on the fractured foundation of anger and hurt, especially if there's never any attempt to fix it.

"Truce?" Izuku asks, lips twitching. He's not angry anymore. It's hard to be when Katsuki is like this. Like an overgrown wolf at Izuku's heels, who is pretending to be unbothered but his wagging tails reveal his true feelings. "Or should we continue our fight into the party like squabbling children?"

"So you finally admit to being angry at me." He sneers.

Izuku shrugs. "I never said I wasn't."

"You—" Katsuki starts before deflating in an exasperated sigh. That seems to happen around Izuku a lot.

"Well?" He prods, wiggling his fingers pointedly as Katsuki glares at him.

For a second, he thinks Katsuki's pride won't let him take the peace offering but then he reaches over and grips his hand into his own. Katsuki squeezes it meaningfully but delicately. "You're so infuriating," he says, and if Izuku let himself believe it, it sounds almost fond.

He stifles a laugh, the long sleeve of his free hand covering the burgeoning smile on his face. "Only for you, my lord."

It would be easy to continue to nurture that anger within him, but Katsuki in his clumsy and blundering attempt of an apology snuffs out any residual anger. Sometimes when he wonders why he stay, it's moment like this that he's reminded that Katsuki for all his prickliness and general contempt, he's a good man with a good heart even if he's not very good at expressing it; he's trying, often unsuccessfully but he's definitely trying.

This time the silence that falls upon them is comfortable and easy like an old friend. It's the familiar and pleasant feeling of being around someone who know you so well that you don't need to speak to extend the time. It's what he longs for in the murky water of their marriage. The comfort and stability of a relationship built on trust and love, and effective communication should not be a difficult goalpost to achieve, at least that's what he used to think, but facing the hurdles of marriage now he understands it take time and effort to get that far.

It's okay though, they have time, many years ahead of them, if Katsuki allow it.

Izuku casts a glance at him, who has been resolutely avoiding his gaze the entire time, but Katsuki's hand is warm in his and the feeling of dampness—he stops and looks down at their joint hand.

He raises their clasped hand up for Katsuki to see. "Am I making you nervous, Kacchan? Your hand is sweating," he teases, giggling into his sleeve as Katsuki yanks his hand out of Izuku's grip.

"No!" Katsuki balks so violently that he even takes a step back, hackles rising.

His expression cloudy and dark as he glares at Izuku which only cause Izuku's smile widens even more. It feels good to have the upper hand for once. It makes him bold, daring and a little dangerous as Izuku steps forward, encroaching into Katsuki's space. "Do I scare you, hm?"

Katsuki's eyes narrow, his hands curling into a ball at his side as he makes his stand. "Do you want to die?" he grits out instead.

Izuku leans toward him till the space between them is a breath and a half, and Katsuki bristles with unresolved tension like a caged animal.

"You didn't answer my question," he says, knowingly poking the beast before him. He's mad. Gone absolutely crazy as he walks right into the gaping jaw of the beast, ready to be devoured by it.

"You dare," Katsuki bites out, his hand snapping around Izuku's waist to hold him still.

"My lords, we're ready—" The girl suddenly lets out a shocked squeak at the sight of Katsuki's arms around him and their face just about to collide. Katsuki quickly detangles himself from Izuku and shoves Izuku behind him to hide from the sudden intruder. "What," he snaps at the poor, horrified girl.

"I-I'm so, so sorry! I didn't see anything. My eyes are really bad," she scrambles to say, eyes glued to the floor. "P-please excuse me, I'll just give you two a moment." And she runs out before either of them can say anything otherwise, leaving Katsuki and Izuku equally stunned.

Haunted, Izuku stares at her retreating back before he numbly drops to the floor in humiliation, knees bent and face planted on his arms as he lets out an anguish cry. With his face in flame and the vivid memory of what he did, he feels like a criminal caught in the act.

He was practically all over Katsuki like a courtesan! No, even worst then that. A courtesan would have more decency than to harassed Katsuki like that and in public no less! So shameless, he could die right here in the face of his impropriety, unbefitting of his station. Where did all his respectability go? Just bury him six feet under already. Oh god, Mitsuki-san is going to disown him. She'll make Katsuki divorce him and forbid him from ever stepping a foot near Katsuki when she hears about how he'd dragged the Bakugou name through the mud.

All that training in etiquette and decorum that was ingrained in him went out the window because he got way over his head. Katsuki had seem frazzled, defenseless in front of him and Izuku thought he could poke at it to make Katsuki crumble. It was his turn. He had the power. Katsuki has always been so meticulous and untouchable with all that he'd accomplished and done so far that he seems to be out of Izuku's reach, but just this once Izuku felt like he had the upper hand and Katsuki was just a mere mortal before him, wholly flawed and human. Izuku thought he could conquer him.

“Are you done sulking?"

Izuku feels someone lightly kicking him in the side, but he still refuses to budge.

"Get up," Katsuki orders. "You're not a child."

"No," Izuku bemoans into his arm. "How can I ever face anyone again after this?"

"You're being overly dramatic." He grunts.

Izuku gingerly raises his head. "You don't understand!" he says, voice choked with despair. "This will be all over the news the next day. Everyone will know about it and think the worst of me. Mitsuki-san will be so disappointed that she'll never want to see me again!"

“That's unlikely." Katsuki hums thoughtfully, sounding much calmer then he has any right to be when Izuku's life is in shambles. It makes Izuku feel worst off and alone. "The old hag stupidly adores you. If she could trade me for you, she would do in a fucking a heartbeat."

Izuku's lips wobble precariously. "Even if Mitsuki-san forgive me, everybody else won't!"

"Stop worrying about it," Katsuki says, rolling his eyes. "What's done is done. Even though you were a dumbass, we didn't do anything wrong so who the fuck care with others think?"

Katsuki may not care but Izuku cares. He cares too much. The perfect image that he worked so hard to cultivate is now in ruin. Everyone will know how he tried to seduce his husband out in the foyer of the Fuji's manor because he couldn't keep it in his pants like a wanton whore.

He looks up at Katsuki with wounded eyes. "Kacchan." It's a plead and a cry all wrapped up in a single name like they're kids again and Katsuki would fight all of Izuku's enemies for him. Katsuki heaves a sigh like Izuku's existence pains him as he bends down and pulls him up.

"How are you so brazen one moment and so skittish the next?" He muses. "You're a goddamn menace. What am I even supposed to do with you?"

Izuku sulks. "You’re bullying me!"

Katsuki pinches his side meaningfully and glares. "You're the one who tried to bully me first, asshole!"

He pouts. "I was just teasing you," he protests at the defamation of his character.

"You're annoying is what you are," Katsuki scolds, but the way he suddenly reaches over to carefully dust off any dirt from the skirt of Izuku's kimono blunts the edge off of his words.

Katsuki's words are harsh and abrasive, but his actions often revealed the gentleness that undercut it. It's endearing, hopelessly so. A broad smile spread across Izuku's face and this time he doesn't try to hide it. Katsuki looks stun for a second before hurriedly looking away.

Unlike previously, Izuku doesn't make an effort to provoke him this time. He's content to quietly sit in this bubble of happiness with Katsuki as they wait for someone to come for them.

It isn't along before the same maidservant is back much to Izuku's lingering embarrassment. She doesn't look at either of them in the eyes as she says, "If you're ready, my lords. Please follow me in."

They look at each other, nod, and proceed to follow the girl beyond the heavy doubled doors. The girl leads them through a long, monotone hallway that never seems to end.

Eventually, she stops right in front of a wall of red curtains. "The master of ceremonies will announce your arrival in a moment," she tells them. "I'll be taking my leave then, my lords."

Just as she about to depart, Katsuki suddenly stops her. "Wait," he says, walking up to her. In a voice barely audible enough for Izuku to hear, he says, "If I hear anything about what you just saw this evening in the gossip column next week, I'll know where to find you." It's void of the profanities that often colored his words, but the threat is there and it's real.

The girl flinches and nods her head frantically. The second Katsuki releases her, she makes a dash for the exit like she couldn't get away from them fast enough. Which given that both Izuku and Katsuki had scared her twice already in the span of fifteen minutes is understandable.

"Kacchan," he calls out.

"What,” Katsuki snaps defensively, like he's gearing for another fight. "I'm just making sure that she knows the consequence of a loose tongue."

Honestly, Izuku shouldn't let him get away with it. It's rude and probably traumatizing for the girl. They done enough damaged to her already, but just this once though. "Thanks," he says, eyes crinkling and smiling softly.

Katsuki appears stunned by it and he seizes that chance to slide next to Katsuki. He bumps their shoulder together then hooks a pinky around Katsuki's own. He gives it a light tug, feeling his ears heating up and the roar of his heart nearly palpating right out of his chest. They often used to do this as kids, pinky hooked together whenever one of them needed comfort, before Katsuki had outgrew it, outgrew them.

Just as he about to let go, Katsuki drags his pinky back and forced them remained bound. He tucks the joint pinkies behind their back, hidden away from public view like it's a secret just for them.

"This is fine?" he asks lowly.

"Y-yes," Izuku answers, quietly and feverishly.

Izuku had done more daring things then this tiny act of familiarity, but this feels monumental and profound in a way that disturbed the calm waters of his heart. It invokes the memories of their childhood, revealing that even Katsuki hasn't completely forgotten those feelings either.

It's a comforting to know that those rose-colored summers that they'd spent together as kids still lingers within both of them. The good times may not have lasted long, but the memories of those day still remains.

He's content just to hold on to Katsuki's pinky just a bit more.

"Announcing the arrival of Lord Bakugou Katsuki and Bakugou Izuku, the Earl and Countess of Aldera," they hear the master of ceremonies introduce them to the crowd on the other side of the curtains.

Izuku lets go of Katsuki's pinky, and this time he's met with no resistance. He shut his eyes and breathes in and out, and when he opens his eyes again the person called Midoriya Izuku retreats to give away to the Countess of Aldera. It's time.

The thick curtain parts for them, and they walk through it side by side, presenting a united front.

What greet them on the other side is a wide descending staircase and an enormous ballroom that extends deep into the sanctum of the manor. A flurry of chatter rises from the crowd at their appearance, but neither Izuku or Katsuki choose to acknowledge their blatant stare.

They arrive at the bottom of the staircase and the curious gaze on them gets heavier and heavier, but no one dare to approach them. Izuku is met with the familiar faces of Tokyo's elite even though he doesn't know them but he knows their family and the influence of their name. Their judging stare and the curious murmurs of that broke among them, Izuku feels the weight of it all and endures it. It does not buckle his knees. It does not strain his shoulders. He won't be move. He does not reveal a single disturbance in the calm of water of his heart.

It's another story though when Katsuki leans near his ear and Izuku jolts slightly at the sudden close proximity. "I'm going to the salon to see if I can find Fuji and any other information there, so I'll meet you back here later," Katsuki says, and before Izuku can process the thought, off he goes into the crowd.

Abruptly, not even five steps into his departure, he stops. Looks back at Izuku with his brows pinched. "Stay out of trouble," he warns, leaving Izuku's jaw slightly slacked with disbelief.

Which is completely unfair because when has Izuku ever cause any trouble in his life?"

He can't even complain about it before Katsuki pushes his way pass the noise and disappears into the sea of party-goers, leaving Izuku to fend for himself at a hunting ground disguised as a social gathering. As though sensing his weakness at last, the vultures descend upon him.

A woman in a blue turquoise gown breaks away from the crowd to approach him. "Oh my, it is so lovely to see you tonight, Countess Bakugou," she gushes. "We weren't expecting you, but we're happy that you're here nonetheless."

Izuku lowers his head in greeting. "Lady Onaga."

"I'm curious, was that your husband with you?" Onaga asks, and at Izuku's nod her eyes light up. "Oh, I haven't seen that boy in years," she smiles sharply, "since your beautiful wedding, I reckon."

Izuku returns her smile with his own that is just as cutting. And so it begins.

It’s a sore subject. Everyone in the kazoku knows the story of how the Earl of Aldera enlisted in the military just a few days after his wedding and his new spouse was sent back home afterward like a discarded good. It was the scandal of the year. Izuku's greatest humiliation.

"It certainty has been a while," Izuku agrees amiably. "Five years in fact."

"That long?" Onaga muses and then she blinks as though taken back. "Ah, forgive me. I just realized that must have been such a difficult time for you, my dear." She looks at him with pity in her eyes.

Izuku's smile never waver. "Not as difficult as my lord having to fight on multiple battlefronts for the glory of our empire," he says, like he'd rehearsed these lines for so long, "so I can only do my part and fulfill my spousal duty at home while I wait for him to come back."

Onaga is not the first to take a jab at him like this and she certainly would not be the last, but Izuku knows the beat of this dance. He had five years to get used to it. Five years to learned how to arm himself with clever quips and a smile that was sharpened into steel.

Unperturbed and well versed in this intricate dance, Onaga's expression betrays nothing. "My mistake," she apologizes, looking contrite. "I'm relief though to know you and your husband's heart remains close to each other despite the distance and years that separate you two. Now all the rumors of Lord Bakugou spending all his free time in teahouses can be put to rest at last." Of course she couldn't stab at him without trying to dig another knife into him. "That must have been annoying to put up with. Such gossiping pests these people are." She huffs.

But Izuku's defense is not lacking either. "Thank you," he says, letting his eyes soften at the mention of Katsuki, "but our relationship is still young, so it's understandable that people speculate on it. We can only hope to measure up to you and Lord Onaga's deep bond one day."

Onaga barely manages to hold back a flinch at the mention of her wayward husband, who despite their marriage of over thirty years, is widely known for his various infidelities, but no one is brave enough to bring it up in front of her because of how she easily suppressed them. Izuku dares to though. He dares only because she took a stab at his relationship with Katsuki first. What they are and stands for is nobody's business but theirs. He doesn't need anyone's false sympathy and concern as though they actually care, as though their opinion matters.

But Onaga is a seasoned warrior on this battlefield of clashing words. Izuku's attempt at striking back at her appears to only scraped her by the way her eyes narrowed but her charitable tone never changes. "You're too kind, my dear," she says. "I'm sure you'll get there one day, but I was surprise to see your lovely face at this party though. Unexpected but not unwanted. Your presence is a delight here especially the way you chose to present yourself tonight." She looks him up and down in a slow scrutinizing motion. "How adorable. It's very, hm, quaint."

Izuku's body stiffens and his smile is frozen and rigid on his face as his eyes quickly scans across the room to see everyone else dressed in their beautiful and fashionable in western attires, while he stands alone and separated in a conventional, old kimono. It's jarring. Onaga's words play over and over in his head. Adorable and quaint she had described him, but what she had meant was traditional and out of style. Basic, boring and dull. Inflexible. Among the kazoku elite of Tokyo, Izuku is but a countryside boor with a lack of taste and grace.

Izuku suppresses the tremor rattling in his heart. Onaga truly knows how to find the chinks in his armor and dig deep into his open wound. He always been proud of who he is and where he came from, but sometimes shame creep up on him when he is reminded of his own inadequacies.

In the past decades, foreign influences swept across the land and took root among the people; the coastal towns and big cities were quick to adapt the trendy western clothes and lifestyle but in the countryside, where Izuku has lived all his life, change comes slow and reluctantly. They're less likely to accept the changes that comes from outside influences, so while Izuku is eager to learn of the strange and new western customs that made its way into his small town, their traditional way of life and values is ingrained in him. It's a key part of who he is. Having been sheltered in his hometown for so long, Izuku isn't as worldly or modern as many of the young nobles of the upper-class in the cities.

Particularly, the omegas here are forward and loud, strong in opinions. Their colorful personality makes him feel drab in comparison. He knows he doesn't quite measure up in his stale state especially when Katsuki was able to see much of the world during his enlistment, while Izuku'd never once left home until his marriage. Even Tokyo was strange and alien to him, when he'd first step foot on its cobble streets. The stuffy suit and low necklines that adorned every body, and then there are the soirees and tea parties that both served as a battleground of wits and a hub of gossip and entertainment, he had to quickly learn how to navigate these minefields in order to stand on his own.

Sometimes, it makes Izuku wonder if he was another omega from the same background as Katsuki, who was able to grow up in this city alongside him, would Katsuki have enlisted into the military right after their wedding? Would Izuku have been enough then for him to stay? It's these question that haunts him late at night when he sees the empty space next to him. Always speculating if he was slightly better, more cultured and sophisticated and bold like these omegas here would it have change anything for him? Would have it made any differences?

He doesn't know and, in that way, it terrifies him even more because now he is always left guessing the answers and doubting his own worth. This is what Onaga picked up on. It's how she know where to cut him deep and pry apart his wound. Make him hurt in a way no others can.

It's all his insecurities lay bared before her, and she is merciless.

"This furisode is a family heirloom. It was handed down to my mother and now given to me," Izuku says, even the words sound wooden in his ears as he explained it.

"Is that so?" Onaga hums. "Charming. It must be so old. Not a bad thing usually, but doesn't quite fit the theme of the party, don't you think?"

"I—" He looks down at the elaborate detailing of his furisode that once made him so proud to inherit, to honor his mother, but now it feels cumbersome and heavy to wear.

He doesn't feel embarrassed by his choice of clothing. He shouldn't have to, but Onaga manages to make doubt himself. His tongue is stuck in his throat like a stiff board that won't budge as he fumbles to find the words to defend himself, but Onaga doesn't give him any chances.

"Though, I must say it's quite lovely," a pause, "if outdated and we can't have that, now can we?" she muses. "You wouldn't want others to think you're vapid in your daily life."

Izuku freezes in place. It's his worst fear. To be boring, dull and pass over by others. By Katsuki.

A handful of the kimono's fabric bunches into a fist at his side, wrinkling it in the process but it's the last thing on his mind. With lips pressed together, he looks upon Onaga's triumphant smile and desperately tries to find a rebuttal.

"As if Izuku-san could ever be boring," a new voice disrupts their stare down.

Izuku jerks his head toward the direction of the familiar cadence. "Jun-san!" The shock and joy in his voice leak through as though the tension has finally bled out of him. It's a comforting face of someone he knows.

"Fuji-sama," Onaga greets, her smile is now less thrilling.

A handsome young man in a burgundy suit dress walks up to them. He easily dwarfs them with his height and presence, but his face is bright and warmth. He comes off as friendly but that is first and last mistake you’ll ever make. "I hope you're not bullying my friend, Lady Onaga," says Fuji Jun, the Countess of Utaupa and host of this soiree.

His bluntness mashes the smile off of Onaga's face. "I wouldn't dare," she says stiffly. "I was only commenting on Bakugou-sama's choice of attire tonight and made some helpful suggestion on improving it."

"It is a suggestion or criticism?" Jun demands, raising a brow at her. "Because there's a clear difference and from what I heard, your 'suggestions' are completely unwarranted and unnecessary anyway."

Onaga's left eye twitches. All image of pleasantries drops from her face. "What do you mean by that, Fuji-sama?" Annoyance obvious in her voice now.

Jun casts a furtive glance at Izuku, giving him a wink and the slightest uptick at corner of his mouth that settles the disturbance in Izuku's heart. I got your back, Jun manages to convey to him, and that simple gesture is enough to make him realize he's not alone anymore.

"You called him dull for not dressing like the rest of us but it's only because Izuku-san is not a sheep who blindly follow the herd." Jun roll his eyes. "Can't you see how he stands out right now because every one of us dress the same? I think that make him rather remarkable. I wish I had chosen to wear my furisode tonight so I don’t dress the same the rest."

Onaga bristles angrily. "We do not all dress the same! My gown is tailored made for me in Paris by a famous seamstress. There's no other like it in the world." She huffs in contempt, arms folded across her chest. "And there's nothing wrong with keeping up with the current trend!"

"Oh," Jun says, cocking his head thoughtfully. "So you just follow along with everyone else and have no individual thoughts of your own, I see how it is. And you would rather happily give your money to foreigners instead of supporting the people of your own country? That's nice."

Izuku lifts the sleeve of his kimono over the lower half of his face to hide the smile threatening to break through as Onaga's face goes redder by the moment. Jun's tongue is truly made of steel. It cuts deep to the bone without wasting a drop of blood. Onaga has finally met her match.

"Perhaps instead of putting others down for being different, you should praise Izuku-san for wearing what makes him comfortable and happy," Jun continues, unbothered by the growing enmity exuding from where Onaga is currently standing. "We could all learn a little from him."

And this time it's Izuku's turn to go red in the face. He desperately wants to protest these false claims but every time he attempts to open his mouth, Jun would sneak a pinch at his sleeve as though to say, let him have this. Let him strike Onaga down for the both of them.

Izuku isn't the only one who has been a victim of Onaga's barbed tongue from what Jun told him about his blacken history with her.

"I disagree," Onaga shoots back, "but clearly my opinion is unwanted here."

"I'm glad you have enough sense in you to able to take the hint," Jun retorts.

Onaga glares at Jun, then turns her attention to Izuku. "Fine, if you're not going to listen to me at least take this lesson well: don't ever get comfortable with what you have now, because it won't ever last. The person who makes you happiest now can easily ruin you one day."

It's a warning as much as she is speaking from someone who experienced it herself. "If you two would excuse me then," she says, composing herself up again with all the grace and dignify as though she hasn't been badgered by Jun in the last few minutes.

It's a stunning recovery.

"What a bitch," Jun declares at Onaga's retreating back. "That's what happen when your husband refuses to fuck you for over twenty years."

"Jun-san!" Izuku says, scandalized but the mirth in his voice says it all. It's not nice, but he bites his tongue and doesn't deny it.

Onaga is a bitter, old woman who enjoys making other miserable as entertainment, but despite knowing that he doesn't hate her. Not when she's also a tragic figure, whose marriage had failed her so now she lashes out at the world. It just makes him wonder if he's looking at his own future one day? But Izuku is not Onaga and Katsuki isn't Onaga's husband either, because for all of Katsuki's faults, fidelity is never a part of it and Izuku, no matter how stubborn he is, knows he shouldn't attach himself to a sinking ship. They won't end up like that. He'll make sure of it.

"Well, if she hadn't made me cry on my debutante ball and humiliated me so badly that I couldn't leave my house for weeks, I wouldn't have held onto my revenge for this long," Jun says with a sneer. "And she called me a leech on the Fujin's house just because I married into wealth!"

Before he was Fuji Jun, the Countess of Utaupa, he was Mitou Jun of a small, nearly insignificant barony. His family holds a title but no land or wealth was attached to it, but as the second son and omega, Jun was destined to married off to Fuji Momoe, the heir to an earldom. Childhood friends. Omega and alpha. A promise between their parents that ended with an arrange marriage between them. It's a tale Izuku knows well as it mirrors his own, but at least Jun and Momoe's story has a happy ending: they defied the odds and fell in love with each other.

"I know what she did was horrible, but we don't have to sink to her level," Izuku says instead. A slight twinge of guilt doesn't leave him. Onaga has her reason for being who she is and though it doesn't justify her actions, but he can understand where she's coming from.

Jun sighs. "That's because you're a sweetheart," he says, bumping Izuku's shoulder playfully. "You're way too good for her. For your hubby even." He makes a face at the mention of Katsuki. "I can't believe he's here with you tonight. I thought I was having a nightmare at first! You know, I invited him so many times but he never answers them, and these events aren't usually your thing either." He sulks. "You didn't even give enough time to be mentally prepare for your arrival."

Izuku giggles into his sleeve. "Kacchan was the one who wanted to come."

Jun's eyes go wide. "Has Bakugou Katsuki lost his mind then? He's so notorious for avoiding these parties that the last time I saw him at one, he only lasted ten minutes before storming out and that was the Emperor's birthday!"

Izuku's lips twitch. "That sounds like him."

"Even wifey was skeptical when I told her that you two were coming tonight. She called me a liar and told me to stop making up stuff!" he says, miffed at the reminder.

"I'm sorry," Izuku says, trying to console him. "It was a surprise for me too if it makes you feel any better."

"No." Jun sniffs, and just as Izuku frantically tries to come up with another apology, his face breaks into a big grin. "I jest. I'm just happy to see you here tonight with or without your grumpy ass hubby." He sighs wistfully. "Bakugou would be so handsome if he only smile a little more."

"I think Kacchan is handsome enough," Izuku immediately defends.

"Of course you would," Jun snorts, "you're in love. It makes everyone blind to each other's flaw."

This time it's Izuku's turn to pout. "But Kacchan is very handsome!"

Jun gives him a deeply skeptical look. "It's cute how delusion you are." Izuku opens his mouth to protest, but Jun plows on ahead without letting him get another word in. "At least tell me your relationship has improve enough for you to be his biggest defender tonight."

"Well, we're still working on it," Izuku admits.

Jun is one of the fews who knows of his tense relationship with Katsuki and whose advice been a god-send as he also had to win over his own spouse after their marriage. He's the only one who can understand Izuku's difficulties.

"Is that so?" Jun muses, looking at him dubiously. "Don't think I don't know what you two did in my foyer." He waggles his brows suggestively.

Izuku wants to cover his face in shame. "It isn't like that," he mumbles. "It's a misunderstanding!"

"Uh huh," Jun says, full of doubts. "I'm glad you guys are getting along better now." Abruptly, he leans in close and drops his voice to a whisper: "So have your hubby ravage you yet?"

Izuku chokes and goes red. "N-no!"

Jun looks at him in utter surprise. "Does the guide book I gave you not work?!" He frowns, squinting in thought. "Or is it just Bakugou's dick that isn't working?"

"No!" he says again, but louder. "It's not like that!" If Katsuki heard that, there would be blood tonight.

Jun frowns. "Then what's the problem?"

"We're still working things out." Izuku sighs, thinking of all his failed attempts at getting close to Katsuki. "It takes time."

"How much time you two even still need?!" Jun demands, throwing his hands up in the air in frustration. "It been five years, he should have you bedded and bred by now!"

Izuku flushes, wishing he can sink to the floor in total shame. "As you know, it's complicated," he explains. "Kacchan only got his discharged six months ago and I arrived in Tokyo two months after, so we may be married for five years, but in reality, we only been together for four months as a couple."

"That's all the more reason to get going." Jun shakes his head at him hopelessly. "At least tell me how far you two gotten."

"Well," his gaze drifts to the side, "we held hands earlier."

"Pathetic!" Jun snorts, making Izuku wince as though he was in school again and Jun is his teacher who finds his effort lacking. "I know you can do better than that! Wait, didn't you tell me last time that you managed to climb in Bakugou's bed?" He raises his brow.

"With clothes on!" Izuku quickly replies, like he has to defend his and Katsuki's chastity, and that they're both disappointingly still intact. "We just slept side by side."

"Izuku-chan, you can do this," Jun starts, patting Izuku's shoulder as though he needs the moral support. "As great as my wife is, you must understand that alphas are emotionally stunted and dumb, so it's up to us omegas to hammered into their thick skull what we want and need. How you think I was able to snare my lady if I didn't lock us in my bedroom one night and vehemently spelled it to her that if she didn't knot me right the fuck now, I'll find another alpha to do it?" he says, looking proud at his past accomplishment while Izuku wants to die.

Izuku shut his eyes and breathes painfully through his nose. This conversation is making him lightheaded with embarrassment, but Jun means well and he's not exactly wrong. "What do you suggest I should do then?" He bites his lower lip in thought. "How do I move Kacchan's heart?"

Jun stares at him, and Izuku is pinned in place by his gaze. "Remind him that you're beautiful, brilliant, and fertile, and that he's not the only alpha in the world," he says. "If that doesn't work, then Bakugou is either a monk or he lost his knot somewhere while at war. But you also have your guide book. Don't forget that. It'd helped me in courting my wife. Just follow their tips and you'll surely tame your own alpha!"

Izuku nods his head eagerly as though he's sitting at the feet of a master. "I'll read it in bed every night," he promises.

Delighted, he leans over and pinches Izuku's cheek even though Jun is only a few years older than himself. "It's cute how earnest you are, but you don't have to go that far."

Izuku endures the sting on his cheek, knowing that's how Jun view everyone who's younger than him. Since the day Izuku stumbled upon Jun at their book club, he'd quickly took Izuku under his wings like he's newborn chick who still has yet to learn of the world, and suddenly Izuku had a teacher to help him navigate the twist and turns of the court and the world of the kazoku.

Jun is everything Izuku could ever hope for. Bold, quick-witted, and fierce, Jun is married to his childhood sweetheart with a stable relationship and two kids by their side. If Izuku can achieve ten percent of what Jun has, maybe he would be able to grab happiness for himself.

"I want what you and Momoe-san have," Izuku replies, thinking of their missed opportunities and lost time. "A happy and fulfilling marriage."

"Well," Jun's smile goes strain, "no marriage is perfect even the seemingly happy one, so learn to manage your expectation."

Izuku's brows furrow in confusion. "What do you mean? Is there a problem between you two?"

Jun purses his lip then lets out a heavy, world-weary sigh. "My wife is great. Amazing. I couldn't ask for anyone better but lately she been acting strange. Distance and secretive even."

Izuku's mouth pops open in an ah moment. "Is this about Momoe-san secretly meeting up with Seno Yasuko?”

Jun appears relieve. "You remember!" he says, reaching for Izuku's hand and clutching it in desperation. "I knew I can trust you."

"I try," he replies, smiling abashedly.

"When I brought it up to the other members of the club about my concern, they had dismissed it as paranoid on my part," Jun complains, dropping their clasped hands. "She's a beta and came from nothing so she was no threat to me, but I know there's something going on between them!"

Izuku recalls that particular day when Jun vented his fears to the club members during their weekly book club meeting and while most of them had laughed it off as an overactive imagination, Izuku had quietly sat there and listened. He listened well.

It proves to be beneficial in the end.

"If you need an ear, I don't mind lending it to you," he offers, letting concern leak through his voice.

"Oh, I couldn't," Jun says, touching the side of his face. "I don't want to occupied your entire time here with my marital issue. It wouldn't sit right with me as the host."

Izuku makes a show of looking around and sees how everyone else is either on the dance floor or congregate in a social circle where there's doesn't seem to be any room for him. "Do you think anyone would dare approach me now, knowing that I'm an enemy of Lady Onaga?" he muses.

Jun grimaces. "I'm sorry."

Unlike Jun, Izuku's family belongs to the merchant class therefore he has no personal title to his name even though they got the wealth behind them but for the kazoku purity of lineage is more important than the gold that lined their wallet. It's the prestige. In the same way that Jun can go toe to toe with Onaga and still saved face because he was born into the kazoku, even if his family was poor, they are still of someone of influence and his wife would fight to defend his honor, while Izuku's turbulent marriage to Katsuki is common knowledge.

Marrying into the Bakugou had given him everything—a title, connections and even more wealth—but not a spouse he can rely on. Even now he stands alone in this ballroom, absence of a husband because Katsuki doesn't have time or the patience for the petty squabbles of the kazoku.

"It's not your fault," Izuku says, offering up a reassuring smile. His lack of standing among the kazoku is his problem and nobody's else. "But you know what can make this night a little better?" He cocks his head. "Distract me with your company and tell me about your troubles."

Jun's face lights up as though he hits gold. "Only because you're so insistent," he says. It's all an act in the end as if they both aren't aware of Jun's famous loose tongue.

Izuku's smile widens. "I do." He makes a gesture for Jun to proceed and Jun happily complies.

Jun talks and talks for the rest of the time. He demonstrates why he's a masterful storyteller with exaggerated hand movements and facial expressions that accompanies his story, and Izuku does what he does best he listens, taking notes of everything that is said for later.

A servant boy suddenly approaches them. "My lord?" he nervously interrupts them. "I'm sorry, but the young miss wants you to tell her a bedtime story or she won't go to sleep."

Izuku stifles a laugh behind his sleeve as Jun just shakes his head and sighs exasperatedly.

"Children," he says, lips pursed, "they make you regret that you didn't pump and dump."

Izuku gasps, face immediately going up in flame and even the poor servant boy looks like he wants to sink into the floor by Jun's explicitness. "Jun-san, please!" he cries out, embarrassed.

"It's cute how innocent you still are." Jun chuckles. "Just wait until you have children of your own."

Izuku stiffens. "I guess we'll see, then," he says, his voice betraying nothing, not the disturbance in his heart, and the knowledge that maybe it'll never happen for him.

Not sensing anything wrong with Izuku, Jun says, "I'm going to attend to my princess then but," he frowns, "I can't leave you all alone here."

Izuku waves him off. "I'm fine. Don't worry about me, just go see your daughter."

"Absolutely not!" He shakes his head furiously. "That would not only make me a bad host but a terrible friend too."

For which Izuku finds himself extremely grateful for because he has associates and people that he knows well thanks to Katsuki and the Bakugou's name, but friends whom he’d found for himself are rare. Precious.

"Well, I may have an idea," Jun continues, scratching his chin in thought. "This just might work." He turns toward the servant boy. "Get my brother for me."

"Yes, my lord," the servant quickly says as though he can't escape from here any faster, leaving Izuku in befuddlement.

"Your brother?" Izuku asks. He doesn't know why the subject suddenly changed to Jun's infamous younger brother.

Jun winks at him. "You'll see in a moment." And it doesn't take long before Izuku get his answer in the form of Mitou Shun.

"What is it, nii-san?" Shun grumbles.

Broad in shoulders, tall, and sharing similar facial features, Shun could be Jun's twin. Their only difference is that Shun's scent is uniquely alpha.

"This is my friend, Izuku-chan, and I want you to keep him company while I take care of Kimiko for a bit," Jun explains. Then he shifts his focus to Izuku. "Don't worry, my brother may look untrustworthy but he won't make a move on you."

Shun bristles. "I could, you know."

Jun roll his eyes. "You can't because he's married." He pauses. "To the younger Bakugou."

"What?!" Shun shouts in horror.

He hurriedly takes a step back from Izuku. "You're married to that asshole?!"

Jun gives Shun a look of utter disappointment. "My brother was such an unruly child that Bakugou used to beat him up in the school yard to teach him a lesson and ever since then he developed trauma of it," he tells Izuku.

"Don't expose my horrid past to your friend," Shun whines.

"Then don't do stupid things when you were kid.” Jun scoffs.

Their easy and comfortable siblings' banter makes Izuku's heart ache for Kouta back home. He wonders how his brother is doing and if his parents are well. Sometimes he can’t help missing home and wishes that he could go.

"Kacchan isn't here right now, don't worry," Izuku assures Shun.

Shun looks at him dubiously. "I don't think he would like another alpha to stand close to not only his husband but also his omega."

Izuku smiles self-deprecatingly. "Trust me, he wouldn't care even if he was here."

Jun looks at him pitifully. "Oh, Izuku-chan." He raises a fist up. "I'll punch him the next time I see the bastard."

"Can you not embarrass me for a moment?" Shun complains with the air of a long-suffering younger sibling.

Jun snorts derisively. "You're the embarrassing one!"

"I'm doing you a favor here," Shun points out, looking defiant. "I can leave at any moment."

Jun does not look worry by the threat. "Then I'll just cut your allowance next month."

All that bravery quickly crumbles. "I'm so sorry, nii-san. I am but your faithful servant," Shun pleads.

Appearing please at having won the upper hand again, Jun turns to Izuku. "My stupid brother," Shun lets out cry of offense at that while Jun remains unbothered, "will stay with you and keep any creepy alphas away till I come back, so use him however you like," he says.

"It's really unnecessary, but thank you, Jun-san," Izuku says, knowing that Jun won't be deterred even if he keeps on refusing.

"All right, I'll be going then," Jun declares with a clap of his hands. “Stay out of trouble," he says. Weirdly this was directed at Izuku instead. “Oh, and thanks for coming with me this Thursday! I appreciate it.”

Jun is the second person who said this to him tonight. Izuku had never caused any trouble in his life, so he doesn't know why Katsuki and Jun of all people would ever think that of him. It's truly vexing!

“Oh, and thanks for coming with me this Thursday! I appreciate it, Izuku-chan,” he continues with a wink. And with that Jun makes his exit, leaving Izuku alone with his brother.

What remains is the awkwardness of two strangers who only sole connection is the person who had just left them. The two of them neither express any interest in feign pleasantries, so they happily stand together in silence for a while. It's something Izuku is keenly familiar with, but Shun has a better idea.

"Would you care to dance while we wait for my brother, Izuku-sama?" At Izuku's surprised look, Shun scratches his cheek sheepishly. "Wait, don't get me wrong! You seem like a way too nice of a person to be friends with my brother but I'm really not interest in you like that."

Izuku's eyes crinkles. "I'm fully aware that your heart is already taken by someone," he says. "A lady by the name of Tsuda Suzume, but it's too bad that she's married."

"H-how did you know?!" He leans in and drops his voice to a whisper. "Even my brother doesn't know it."

Izuku just smiles. "I have my ways." When you're a wallpaper nobody take notice of you sitting in the background as you listened and the learned of the seedy secrets and dramas that inhabit the world of the kazoku. It also helps that Tsuda's cousin is a part of his book club.

"Please, please don't tell nii-sama," Shun pleads to him, looking on the edge of desperation like Izuku has him hanging over the cliff by a thread. "He would absolutely kill me."

Izuku pats his shoulder comfortingly. "Don't worry, I'm not one to spread other people's secrets."

"You’re so much kinder than my brother! So if you ever need anything in the future let me know, especially if you want a divorce. I know a good lawyer," Shun says, pulling back with relieve in his eyes. "You're just way too good for that asshole Bakugou."

Izuku tries hard not to laugh. "That won't be necessary, but thank you."

"If you say so," he says dubiously. He extends his hand toward Izuku. "Then shall we dance, Izuku-sama?"

Amused, Izuku takes his hand and just as they about to head off to the floor a familiar growl disrupts them. "What the fuck are you doing with my husband?!" Katsuki demands. His face is thunderous like the blacken clouds that ominously rolls in and covers the entire sky. It's a scary sight to witness.

Shun immediately drops their held hand as though it burns and swiftly hides behind him. This tall, lanky alpha, who easily dwarfs Izuku, feels genuine fear. "B-Bakugou, I s-swear I'm not doing a-anything." He holds both palms up in the air to show that he’s harmless.

"Kacchan, what are you doing here?" Izuku says, unable to keep the shock out of his voice. He's surprised but not afraid, unlike Shun who is quick to use him as shield.

Katsuki's temper is well known; it rises like a storm and overtakes everything in its path, leaving behind destruction in its wake, but Izuku has never fear it, never fear him because just like a storm it'll eventually pass. Izuku had learned to buckle down and ride it out. The day Izuku feel genuine fear toward Katsuki is the day he'll cut all ties between them and walk out. This is the promise that he made to himself when he chose to go back to Tokyo with Katsuki. Everybody has a bottom line and this is his; he hopes that Katsuki never reach it.

"I'm done with my personal matters so I went out to look for you and this is what I found instead," Katsuki tells Izuku, but directs the full force of his glare at Shun. "And who the fuck are you?"

"Huh?" Shun points to himself in disbelief. "Are you kidding me Bakugou? You know me!"

Katsuki frowns, unconvinced.

"We went to school together!" he says.

Katsuki's frown deepens.

"We were even in the same class!" he insists. "You even beat me up!"

Annoyed now, Katsuki spits out, "I used to fight with a lot of kids, so how the fuck would I know who you are?"

At this point Shun had dragged himself out from behind Izuku with each aggravating exchange and seems to find his courage again. Throwing his hand up in the air in frustration, he declares, "Whatever, I don't care anymore. You're the worst and that unfortunately hasn't change."

Unperturbed, like this is something he'd been told a hundred times before, Katsuki says blandly, "I still don't know who the hell you are but if you're still this annoying at this age, you most definitely deserve to be beaten up by me in the past."

Shun's jaw drops in outrage. "Y-you, you ass—" he sputters, then bites the rest of his sentence as Katsuki gives him as look that pretty much spell out what would happen to him if Shun to finish his insult. If he dare to anyway. "Fine, fine. I'm leaving then! I'm clearly not needed here anymore and I just can't stand you, Bakugou!" But before that, Shun bends down and whispers in Izuku’s ear. "Divorce him, please," he begs. "Even better if you ever want to commit murder, I'll help you."

"Thanks for the offer," Izuku says, humoring the poor man. He shouldn't find this funny, but laughter bubbles in his chest.

He quickly covers his mouth before it burst out and he loses his composure as Shun quickly makes his departure.

"What the fuck is wrong that guy?" Katsuki demands, confused still and that's enough to tip Izuku over the edge as laughter spills from his lips and wrecks his body.

Katsuki helplessly watches as Izuku loses himself to the laughter, drawing attention from the people around them, but for the first time in a while, Izuku doesn't care.

"S-Sorry," Izuku says, trying to collect himself back up again, but he just can't keep the grin off his face. “Do you really not know him?”

Katsuki scowls. "Why would I make up that kind of shitty lie for?"

"Right," Izuku says, lips twitching. "His name is Mitou Shun, the Countess of Utaupau's younger brother, which makes him the Earl's, your subject of interest, brother-in-law."

Katsuki frowns, brows furrowing. "That name sounds vaguely familiar, but I can't put a face to it."

Izuku tucks a smile behind his sleeve. "I see," he says. "It's alright, Shun-sama won't take it personal at all."

Katsuki narrow his eyes at him. "You're making fun of me."

It's accusatory, but he doesn't sound mad about it.

"I'm just amazed how you're so brilliant and capable yet you don't bother to pay attention to anything outside of your purview. It's quite remarkable how selective you can be," Izuku says dryly, finding himself bitter for some reason.

"Wait," Katsuki shakes his head in disbelief, "are you angry at me right now because I don't know who that fucker is when it been years since I last saw him and whom I probably barely interact with in the past?!"

Well, when he put it like that, it seems like an overreaction on his heart. Blushing, Izuku drops his face into his hands. "I-I guess," he mumbles.

For a brief moment, it'd consumed him when the thought if Katsuki hadn't need to bring him back to Tokyo to appease Mitsuki would he too have forgotten about Izuku years later and wouldn't be able to recognize him either like Shun? He doesn't want to be just an accessory in Katsuki's life.

He gingerly drops his hands to his side. "I'm sorry," he says, lowering his head in apology. "I don't know what got into me." That may be a possibility of it in another world, but to judge Katsuki for something that never happen is unfair. Katsuki deserves better than that at least.

"It's," Katsuki clicks his tongue, "whatever. I don't care. You apologize too much."

Izuku smiles crookedly. "I'm aware."

"You—" Katsuki stops then shakes his head. "Mitou didn't do anything inappropriate to you, right?" he presses. "I thought he was harassing you earlier."

"No, no, he was just keeping me company for bit," he quickly assures him. "Jun-san was worry I'll be alone so he sent his Shun-sama to me."

Katsuki purses his lips. "Did no one else approach you this whole night?"

Izuku shakes his head. "No," he says, slightly embarrassed. He doesn't feel ashamed when he's reminded of his place, but in front of Katsuki it's like exposing the cracks in his wall.

"I thought you would have several people on your dance card by now," Katsuki says suddenly.

Izuku jerks up in surprise. "Why would you think that?"

Katsuki looks away, and for a second Izuku swears he thought he saw a hint of redness on his ears. "You're—" He gestures wildly at Izuku's person. "You clearly know what you look like," he snaps. "So why wouldn't they want to dance with you? They would be fucking blind not to."

"Oh," Izuku says, his head completely blanking out for a moment before it comes to a conclusion: "You think I look good?!"

"T-that's not what I said," Katsuki starts, then clears his throat awkwardly. "Well, maybe yes, but that's not the point!" He holds his hand out toward him. "You wanted to dance, right?"

Izuku actually didn't. It was Shun who suggested it and he was just following along, but looking at Katsuki's akward attempt to ask him for a dance, he's hopelessly endeared.

He places a hand in Katsuki's palm. "Gently, please," he says, giving himself and his heart over to Katsuki's care. He wonders if one day Katsuki look back at this moment will understand the underlying meaning of those words.

Katsuki leads him out to the dance floor, where all eyes zeroes in on them like a spotlight and this is their stage. Except Izuku has never been a star, even if he feels like he has been putting an act since the moment he stepped foot in Tokyo; the many faces of Midoriya Izuku that he wore for the world to see. Sometimes, when he let himself think about, he ponders which is the real him underneath.

With all the stares aim at them, a bout of shyness hits him that has him feeling exposed and raw, even though he'd long been used to these scrutinizing gazes, but this is the first time he has Katsuki with him. It's scary. It has him hyperaware of every moment because one wrong move and Katsuki will fall alongside him.

His hand is suddenly squeezed, and his attention is briefly drawn away by the sullen face of a man who looks like he would rather be anywhere but here. "Ignore them," Katsuki says, not even glancing back at him, but he's still holding his hand tightly. "They're just background noise."

"I know," Izuku says, even as anxiety twists his stomach.

He snorts. "Then stop paying attention to them."

Izuku presses his lips together, momentarily closes his eyes, and breathes out. He lets go of his worry and focuses on the present and warmth of Katsuki's hand. "Okay."

The demons inside his head quiets down and he can't feel the gaze of the people around him anymore. It doesn't matter anyway; they can't touch him. He's going to enjoy this dance with his spouse like every normal couple out there. Just this once he can pretend, they're just like them.

They pull to a stop to empty space, unoccupied by no other dancing partners, as though it was made for them. In reality, people had cleared away just so they can avoid Katsuki's fraying temper as he had sent a menacing glare at everyone who had dared to approach them earlier. Luckily, they had arrived just in time as the current dance comes to an end.

In a corner of the room and on a raised platform, the conductor signals the chamber orchestra to play the new song and what is chosen next causes a commotion throughout the entire hall.

It's a waltz song.

Out of the corners of his eyes, he catches sight of blurred of red next to the conductor. Izuku squints, examines it closer and sees it's Jun on the sideline, waving at him encouragingly and with a saucy wink. It doesn't take much of a genius to figure out that Jun orchestrated this entire fiasco.

Some of the older couples on the floor quickly departs as a rush of incoming younger pairs arrive on the floor in their stead. Though the waltz been established for several years now, it's still perceived as too scandalous by many but the younger crowd loves that kind incitement.

Izuku considers exiting too, but Katsuki's grip on him keeps him in place. "Do you know the steps?" he asks, startling Izuku with his question.

"Yes," he nods his head reluctantly, "but you really still want to dance?"

Katsuki roll his eyes. "We're already here, so why not?"

Izuku opens his mouth to protest but quickly shuts it, knowing it's pointless to argue. Instead, he redirects the subject hoping it's enough to distract Katsuki: "You know how to waltz?" It didn't seem to be his thing anyway. He can't imagine Katsuki willingly take dance lessons.

"My mother—" Katsuki makes a face before correcting himself, "Your mother-in-law enjoys tormenting me, so growing up she would force me to learn ballroom dancing, because she didn't raise an ill-mannered boor who doesn't even know how to dance as she would love to tell me."

"I didn't know about this," Izuku murmurs. "You never told me any of it when you'd visited me during the summers." He'd thought he knew the real Katsuki during the two months they were allowed to spend together, where they had shared secrets and made promises to each other.

Katsuki coughs into his hand. "It wasn't important enough to warrant a conversation," he says, as though trying to comfort Izuku. "It's all in the past anyway." Then he gives Izuku a look. "And how do you know the waltz?"

"Bridal training," Izuku answers distractedly.

To prepare him to become the future Countess of Aldera, Izuku since young had all kind of lessons drilled into him just so he could support and stand beside Katsuki with his head held high in society one day. These lessons had included managing finance, basic etiquette, and of course dancing to name a few. Izuku is equipped to deal with all sort of things, but it’s not something that Katsuki would need from him. His skillset is practical but useless for Katsuki since they’re limited to household and society’s affairs.

Katsuki frowns, staring at Izuku like he got a second head on his shoulder.

"What?" Izuku demands, playing with his sleeve nervously under the scrutiny.

He sighs, holding both arms out in the proper closed hold in the starting position of the waltz. "Let's just dance."

Promptly, Izuku drops into place, his right hand entangling in Katsuki's own and his left falls on Katsuki's upper arm as Katsuki swoops his left hand toward his shoulder blade. So it begins, with the flow of the music surging them forward, they move as one across the floor. It’s the first time that Izuku feels that they’re this connected and united.

Izuku carefully counts the steps in his head as he watches their feet movement, trying not to misstep and embarrassed himself. He knows it by heart and had danced it previously, but something about facing Katsuki this close that makes him strangely nervous. With their hands on each other and they're face to face now, Izuku could feel the warmth of Katsuki's palm against his own, his left hand splayed across his back like something possessive and his hot breath breathing down on Izuku's cheek.

It's way too close. It's incendiary.

"Stop looking at your feet," Katsuki hisses after Izuku nearly side stepped them into another couple. "You said you know the dance."

"I do," he insists, unable to hide the sulk in his voice. It's not even his fault and just as he thinks this, he steps right onto Katsuki's boot.

In the midst of inevitable emotional break down, Izuku pleads to Katsuki's boots, "I-I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to do that."

"Deku," Katsuki grits out above him, "look at me instead of your fucking two left feet."

Heart racing, he slowly lifts his gaze and meets Katsuki's fierce glare.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Katsuki demands.

"N-nothing." Katsuki's glare deepens so Izuku hurriedly corrects himself, "You just make me nervous!"

"How?" he seethes. "You practically see me every day."

"But we never dance like this! Not even at our wedding," Izuku defends. "It's far too intimate!"

Katsuki stares at him in disbelief. "You forced your way into my bed like every night, and now you have the audacity to act all shy over this?"

Blushing, Izuku protests, "That's completely different! We slept on different side and didn't even touch.” Even when he was at his boldest, pushing his way into Katsuki's bed like they hadn't spent five years apart, he hadn't dare to be this close to Katsuki.

"Have you always been this brand of crazy and I just never noticed until now?" Katsuki gives him the most unimpressed stare down.

"But we're in public right now! What if people think we're being inappropriate?" The idea itself is enough to terrified Izuku.

"We're married," Katsuki says dryly. "So why can't I touch you?" As if to make his point, his left-hand slides down to Izuku's waist and holds it there.

Frantically, Izuku drops his hand from Katsuki's upper arm and reaches for the straying hand to put it back to where it belongs. "What are you doing?!" he demands. His heart was just about to collapse. When did Katsuki become the one to instigate this kind of things between them?

“You overthink things too much," Katsuki says, sneering. "Look where we are, when you're not stuck in your own head the entire time."

Finally, he notices that they're already circled the floor without any further incidence because he was too busy arguing with Katsuki. "Ah."

He was so caught up in his fight with Katsuki that he didn't have time to pay attention to his footwork or to the count the steps in his head, but somehow, they didn't collide with anyone else. And it was enough to pull his attention away from sinking into the pit of his own anxiety.

What's even more shocking is the realization that Katsuki was the one who dragged him out of it. "Did you provoke me on purpose to distract me?" he asks, unable to keep the growing smile off of his face.

"You were being an idiot," Katsuki scoffs, which didn't answer Izuku's question completely.

Yet Izuku already know the answer just by the tone of Katsuki's voice. It didn't have the expected sharp bite to it whenever he insults someone; he'd sounded suspiciously softer than usual.

Izuku's grin grows wider till he can feel it stretching painfully across his face. "Thank you," he says.

The heaviness in his heart lightens with each step they take across the floor. He no longer feels weighed down by his earlier fears and worries, and his smile could not be stopped even as he wants to hide the palpable happiness leaking through.

Katsuki is seemingly taken back momentarily by his overflowing bubbliness. The hand on Izuku's shoulder blade balls into a fist, bunching the fabric of Izuku's kimono in his palm and the line of his arms tense. His lips purse. "Do you carelessly smile like that for anybody?"

Izuku blinks. "No?"

Katsuki frowns. "Is that a supposed to be a question?"

"I—" Confused, he racks his brain for an answer. "But I smile all the time."

Katsuki shakes his head. "No, not like that you do." He looks a way for a bit as though he needed a moment to gather himself first. "You were full on smiling at that bean pole earlier."

It doesn't take much for him to connect the person in question. "But I was laughing at Shun-sama!" Then, quietly, he adds, "He was pretty funny."

"You," Katsuki starts, annoyance clear in his voice, "don't get friendly with weird alpha."

"He's Jun-san's brother though," he defends snappishly, he doesn’t know what brought this on in Katsuki. "I'm not going to avoid him just because you don't like him for whatever petty reason!"

So shocked by his words that Katsuki nearly lead them into another couple in what could have been an ugly collision. Izuku hasty apologizes to the pair as Katsuki gathers his bearing once more.

After tonight, nobody would ever think that they are any good at dancing, not after their numerous stumbles and near missed that they had. Izuku could feel the sheer horror setting in if this make it in the next society's paper that the Earl and Countess of Aldera are bad dancers. It would be terrible.

"Get that shitty look off of your face," Katsuki says, moving them back into position as though they didn't embarrass themselves in front of the whole dance floor and crowd. "We're fine."

They’re really not. "Kacchan, you should watch where you're going next time!" he scolds, annoyed now. "That could have ended much worst."

Aggrieved, Katsuki snaps, "It was your fault to begin with, throwing around accusations that aren't true." He slows them down and makes a show of scanning the hall as though looking for someone. "Actually, it's the older Mitou's fault."

"He's a Fuji now," Izuku corrects. "And what's wrong with Jun-san?" It's like Katsuki got a bone to pick with both brothers. For someone who said he doesn't pay attention to unnecessary people, Katsuki seems to be holding quite a grudge against people he can't be bother with.

"He's putting dumb things in your head," Katsuki says, looking peeved. "I got cornered by him earlier as I was leaving the salon and he told me some bullshit about you believing that I abandoned you tonight to the wolves."

"Ah," Izuku says, flatly. "That's interesting."

"The man is so condescending, talking down on people like they're children and that he knows better than them," Katsuki continues, fully committed into his rant now. "He should learn to mind his own fucking business."

Izuku smiles coldly. "I think you should choose your next words wisely, my lord. I'm fully aware of Jun-san's flaws but he only interfere because he cares and sometimes that doesn't always end up well. It doesn't make him a bad person though, just someone capable of messing up like everyone else," he says. If Izuku ever felt it was truly necessary, he would have put his foot down and establish proper boundaries with Jun. "So you can dislike him, but he's my friend and I hope you can remember that next time."

Katsuki stares at him as silence awkwardly descends upon them. It's not the first time that they fiercely butt head but to fight in public and while holding onto each other is very much new for either of them.

After a minute of Katsuki not talking, he wonders if he went too far and should he apologize for his brusque tone? He meant every word he said but his poor delivery left a sour taste in his mouth. Neither of them likes to back down, but Izuku doesn't like leave them stewing a state of awkwardness.

"Okay," Katsuki says, finally breaking their stilted silence, "I can respect that."

Which leaves Izuku in near shocked, because while it's not a full-blown apology but Katsuki actually made an effort toward reconciliation and doesn't even make a big fuss about it either this time.

"That's it?" he presses. There got to be more to this right?

Katsuki clicks in his tongue in annoyance. "What the fuck else do you want from me? I'm not going to be friends with him but I'll hold back the urge of attempt murder next time we interact," he says, rolling his eyes.

Honestly, Izuku doesn't even know what he's expecting but definitely not this. It's admittedly not a bad outcome, just surprising that Katsuki would try to compromise here. What if it's force though? He hesitates, then, "You don't have to push yourself to please me," he says.

"I’m not. I just I don’t know if I can ever get along with him," Katsuki grunts, like the words alone leave a bad taste in his mouth, "but I can put with it since it's important to you so it's important to me too."

In that moment, Izuku can almost see the potential of their future together. It's rough and barely tangible, but it's there, starting to slowly take shape for the first time since he'd arrived in Tokyo. There's hope yet in keeping their marriage alive.

Katsuki deserves a reward for it. His guidebook said that it would encourages further good behavior in the future. He was planning to talk to Katsuki about his findings later when they're at home, but this feels like a good time as any considering their subject in question.

"I think you should put up with it just little more since Jun-san is married to your target," Izuku point out in case Katsuki had forgotten.

"There's no point." He scowls, irritated. "The entire time we were in the salon, Fuji Momoe was brisk and uninterested in what I had to say. I couldn't even get a single read off of her. She was completely closed off even around other people. This entire trip is a fucking waste of my time. I hate intelligence gathering mission."

Izuku raises a brow. "You know earlier, Jun-san was telling me how he believes Momoe-san is cheating on him because she has been spending more time with her new assistant from work. They even have secret meetings and exchanged several love letters. Jun-san claimed to have never seen Momoe-san like this before. It's really strange, because I met Momoe-san before and I noticed that no matter the time or how inconvenience she is, she always make an effort to pick and drop Jun-san off at our book club,” he says pensively. “She may appear cold and standoffish to others, but she adores Jun-san and spoils him ridiculously."

Jun and Momoe's love is the kind he sees in Katsuki's and his own parents. It's steadfast devotion that bind them. He doesn’t doubt his eyes.

Impatiently, Katsuki lowers the hand on Izuku's back and pinches his waist. "Get to your point already," he snaps. "I'm not interest in other people marital dispute and idle gossip."

Just for that he steps on Katsuki's boot with his zori. "I'm sorry," he says, offering up a sheepish smile that Katsuki 100% does not buy into. "How clumsy of me."

"You little shit," he hisses, and before he could prolong their childish antics further the music comes to an abrupt end.

Izuku uses this chance to break from Katsuki's hold. He bows his head. "Thank you for the dance, my lord," he says, and hastily makes his departure before Katsuki can even get a word in otherwise.

He heads off to a private suite that Jun had mentioned is reversed for guests in need of some ‘quiet time’ and doesn't even bother to look back to see if Katsuki is following right behind him. He definitely is, Izuku has no doubt about it.

As soon as he arrives at the destination, he opens the door to the suite, revealing a small room with a loveseat and a coffee table, and simple but clean decorations lining the entire room. He takes a seat and then he waits. It isn't long before Katsuki bursts in, heaving and looking quite murderous as Izuku pats down the skirt of his kimono, unfazed by the violent intrusion.

"You fucker," he starts, stomping his way in like a bull waving his horns menacingly as the door slams close behind him. "Do you think I would go easy on you just because we're married?!" Standing in front of Izuku, Katsuki easily looms over him.

Unfazed, Izuku cocks his head. "Don't you want to hear the rest of story?"

Katsuki flatten his lips, unimpressed but he looks like he’s considering it. "Fine, convince me then."

"Well,” Izuku begins, barely able to contain his excitement now, “when did the weapons first started to go missing in the army?”

Katsuki's brows furrow. Confused, but still he answers anyway: "About two month ago."

"Hm," Izuku contemplates, "interestingly, Seno-san also appeared in front of the Fuji around the same period.” He folds his hands on his lap. "Now, this is just a theory, but I don't believe a person's feeling that had took years to developed can changed so easily. Momoe-san wouldn't just fall out of love with Jun-san so quickly just because of some random woman he’d met two months ago."

Katsuki looks skeptical. "People can change." He pauses. "People have changed. Just as marriage break down. Couples fall out of love. There's no such thing as guarantee even for childhood sweethearts."

It sounds self-defeating. An inevitability that all things come to an end.

And it cuts right into the heart of his and Katsuki's relationship, but even with all the visible cracks in their marriage Izuku remains hopeful. All cracks can be mend with time and effort. As long as he believes it's worth it, Izuku won't just give up half-way. He's committed.

Like how he also believes Momoe and Jun are fully committed to each other too.

Izuku shakes his head. "But you don't know Momoe-san. She's a creature of old habit. Jun-san once told me that she still used her favorite mug from childhood and that he's her first and last love once she made her mind up on him. Momoe-san likes her routine and rarely ever deviate from it, but since the introduction of Seno-san she been acting strangely not just around Jun-san but in the way she handles her business and people. It's not her feeling that changed, but something else that may have influenced her."

Katsuki's face is tight and grim. "But you don't know for sure."

"Yes, it's all a theory," Izuku acquiesces, he’s just connecting the dots that maybe not even there in the first place, "but I believe there's something effecting her and it's definitely related to Seno-san. In my opinion, it's not infidelity, but it's linked to your missing weapons. Seno-san has control over the majority of Momoe-san's business even though she has no right to be and curiously her background is a blank page from what I have heard. So your target shouldn't be Momoe-san, but rather Seno Yasuko instead.”

"And where do you get all these informations?" he probes, dubious still.

"From my book club of course," Izuku scoffs as though it's plainly obvious.

"I thought you only go there to drink tea and read books there!" Katsuki scrunches his face in annoyance.

"We do," Izuku nods, "but we also talk. We talk a lot. You’ll be surprise how many important and interesting information exchanged hands there."

Their book club is an actual book club, but it's also a social hub where many of the wives and husbands of influential men and women of power and wealth congregate to gossip and seek advice from each other. So many secrets are traded and spread among them. It's their currency.

Katsuki sighs, shaking his head as though Izuku exists to aggravate him. "How much do you believe in your 'theory'?"

Izuku sits up and looks at him seriously. "Just as much faith as you have in your gun not failing you, because you know you personally maintain it every day." He puts a hand over his heart. "I trust in my ability to read people and I wholeheartedly believe Momoe-san would never cheat on Jun-san," he says, "so that only leave Seno-san. It got to be her."

Katsuki runs a hand through his hair in frustration as he paces back and forth. "What you're basically saying is I should overthrow weeks of intelligence work on this case from people who have years of experience on this and believe you instead even though you have no concrete evidence to back it up except hearsay and your intuition." He huffs.

Izuku drops his gaze to his lap. "I know," he says quietly. When putting it like that, his theory does sounds like a mad conspiracy.

Why should Katsuki believe him over the people he works with on a professional capacity? He's a simple househusband who goes out and attend his book clubs, yet he trusts in his instinct. He just needs Katsuki to trust it too, which is nigh impos—

"Alright, let's just say it's true what should we do then?" Katsuki asks suddenly.

Izuku's head jerks up in shock, jaw slacked. "Wait, you actually believe me?!"

"Insane as it is," Katsuki heaves a sigh before finally settling on, "but yes, I believe you." He walks over to Izuku's side and sits down next to him.

Holding a hand out, Izuku says, "G-Give me a moment."

He leans over to the opposite side of Katsuki and covers his face, hiding a profound grin and letting out a muffled, excited squeal. For once, Izuku has proven himself he can be of use to Katsuki. It's invigorating. He knows he's lacking, but being a wallflower pays off in the end. He can't fight or wield a gun; he also isn't particularly witty or charming, but Izuku knows how to sit quietly and listen. Listening and watching people is as natural as breathing for him now because he could pick up so much things just by taking notes and paying attention.

It's not anything particularly flashy and Izuku even hesitate to call it a skillset, but it helped him immensely in navigating the murky waters of the kazoku even without anyone on his side. It's a survival skill in the end for him because he needs it to keep himself afloat here.

So to see all his hard work finally able to bear fruit. He's able to partake in Katsuki's job and help him out is the most fulfilling thing. He wants to scream in joy.

"Are you done?" Katsuki asks. The words are curt as expected but his tone is unusually soft and patience for him.

Izuku gathers himself up again, dropping his arms to the side and straightening up once more. He composes himself into the proper and prim image of a countess like he hadn't break protocol and behaved so childishly in front of his husband. It's embarrassing, but it feels good.

Izuku clears his throat. "Well, to answer your earlier question, I think you should 'visit' Momoe-san's office in Shibuya while Jun-san and I stake out her meeting with Seno-san this upcoming Thursday. The letters exchanged between them are tucked away in a secret compartment so you can go there and find it. I think if you can decode their letters, it may provide the information you need and—"

"Wait, stake out?" Katsuki pinches the center of his brows. "Hold up, nobody said anything about that!"

"But I promise Jun-san that I would help him tailed Momoe-san," Izuku says, sulking. "I can't disappoint my friend! He needs me there for the emotional support. If I bail out on him, he would be so disappointed in me." He looks at Katsuki in the eyes helplessly, lips wobbling. "Do you really want that for me?"

Katsuki drags a hand down his face, aggrieved. "Fine,” he snaps, “but what this about a secret compartment then?"

"Oh, yes, it's hidden away in a bookcase," Izuku says eagerly, “as a book called 'the Lotus Eater', but it's a fake. When you open it, there's actually box hidden inside. You can unlock it using a key concealed under a plotted plant."

Katsuki frowns, looking at him suspiciously. "And how do you know all this?"

"Jun-san told me that it's one of Momoe-san's old hiding places," Izuku recalls one of their many talks. "He'd stumbled upon the letters a few weeks ago but he couldn't understand them. He thought they were some weird love poems instead."

"Deku—" Katsuki bites down the rest of the sentence as Izuku looks at him excitedly. "Fine," he says instead, "I don't know if it'll lead to anywhere, but I'll check it out."

Izuku perks up. "T-that's great! I'm happy that you would follow through with my theory. I-it's nice.” He ducks his head, face red as he shifts nervously in his seat. "So, did I do good then? Was I any help to you today?" He desperately wants to hear those word said out lout so it’ll feel more real.

Silence. Then, just as Izuku about to take back his words in embarrassment he hears: "Yea," Katsuki says, low but firm, "you did well." Warmth radiating with each word.

#bakudeku #regency a/b/o au #fic snippet

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