Chapter Text
Rosie lay sprawled across her couch, one leg hanging off the edge, the remote balanced on her stomach, and her phone loosely gripped in one hand as she scrolled through the same three apps for the fifth time that hour. Boredom had fully settled in like a fog over her mind. Eri was off on her camping trip with Izuku and Mirio—probably roasting marshmallows or chasing fireflies under the stars. Kanako and Shinso were vacationing in freaking Bora Bora , sending her tropical selfies that made her feel more single than she already was. Akira had flown back to the States to deal with some family stuff, and her dad and uncle were buried in work, each on their own pro-hero assignments.
Rosie had already cleaned the entire apartment top to bottom. She did all her errands, even stocked the fridge, color-coded her closet, and went through her makeup drawer to toss out old lipsticks she didn’t wear anymore. That’s how bad it was—she had voluntarily organized her makeup drawer.
She groaned, tossing her phone onto the couch next to her face, where it buzzed a second later.
Maerya: You free? Meet me for coffee? I’m on break at Ishlamare near the library.
Rosie sat bolt upright.
Rosie: YES. Thank GOD. Be there in 20.
She all but jumped to her feet, scrambling to grab her keys and throw on something cuter than sweatpants. She settled on a flowy lavender blouse, high-waisted jeans, and some comfortable flats. With a touch of mascara and a bit of blush, she gave herself a once-over in the mirror, fluffed her hair, and hurried out the door.
Ishlamara was tucked between the library and an art gallery, all warm wood interiors and potted plants in every corner. Rosie spotted Maerya instantly through the large glass window. She was sitting at a table near the window, her hair tucked behind her ears, wearing a soft blue blouse and black slacks, her ID badge for her new receptionist job clipped to her neckline.
Rosie lit up as she walked in, waving excitedly. “Maerya!”
Maerya stood up with a grin, hugging her. “You look like you’ve been bored out of your mind.”
“You don’t even know,” Rosie sighed, dropping into the seat across from her. “You literally saved my life. I was one ‘what's your favorite color of nail polish’ quiz away from losing my mind.”
Maerya laughed. “I had a feeling. That’s why I texted you. I finally got a long enough break to breathe, and I missed you.”
“I missed you too,” Rosie smiled brightly. “How’s the new job going? You look so professional!”
“It’s… a lot,” Maerya admitted, sipping her latte. “Phones ringing constantly, people showing up with no appointment, me trying to look calm while internally panicking. But I’m getting the hang of it. They’ve been really patient with me.”
Rosie rested her chin in her hand, watching her with pride. “I’m so happy for you. You’re, like, an official working adult now.”
“I still feel like a fraud half the time,” Maerya joked.
They spent the next hour catching up—giggling over old gossip, swapping stories about work drama, chatting about their favorite lip glosses, and theorizing about which co-worker at her job had a crush on the other. Maerya told her about the quirky nurse who always wore neon green Crocs at the clinic, and Rosie talked about the new girl at Ignis Inferno who tried to dance in seven-inch stilettos and fell into the fog machine.
Rosie was laughing so hard at one point that she nearly choked on her iced coffee. “This is exactly what I needed,” she sighed as she dabbed her eyes. “Why don’t we hang out more?”
“I’m just trying to keep up with life,” Maerya said with a grin. “But I missed you. We need more days like this.”
“Agreed,” Rosie nodded. “Let’s make it a thing—coffee dates at least once a week.”
“Deal,” Maerya smiled. “So I heard that you ran into Katsuki at the farmer’s market the other day,” Maerya said, her tone casual but her eyes sharp with interest as she stirred her tea.
Rosie groaned quietly and set her drink down. “Still just as grumpy as ever.”
Maerya smirked behind the rim of her teacup. “And?”
Rosie sighed, brushing a curl behind her ear. “I don’t know what I did to make him dislike me so much. He barely says two words to me unless he’s lecturing me or growling.”
“Mm,” Maerya hummed, setting her cup down and folding her hands together neatly. “Katsuki’s always been...disagreeable. It’s how he expresses himself. Don’t take it personally. I suggest you just keep being yourself and eventually, he’ll come around.”
Rosie blinked at her, doubtful. “You really think so?”
“I know so,” Maerya said with a mysterious smile that made Rosie narrow her eyes.
Giggling, Rosie leaned back in her chair. “You sound like Eri. That’s exactly what she says.”
“Oh?” Maerya tilted her head, clearly amused.
Rosie nodded. “Eri keeps telling me that Hiroshi isn’t good for me and keeps trying to push me toward Katsuki of all people. I swear, Dad was right—she’s been watching way too much anime and reading all those shoujo mangas. She’s convinced she’s in the middle of a romantic plot arc or something.”
Maerya’s smile didn’t falter. In fact, it deepened. “I agree with her.”
Rosie’s eyes widened, a groan escaping her throat. “Not you too.”
“Rosie,” Maerya said gently, voice soft but somehow weighted with meaning. “Hiroshi is sweet on the surface, sure—but there’s no substance there. No fire. No... depth . He’ll smile, but he won’t fight for you.”
Rosie looked down, frowning. “Katsuki doesn’t even want to be my friend. How could I expect anything more from him?”
Maerya shrugged one elegant shoulder and reached for her tea again. “Then don’t be his friend.”
Rosie’s brows furrowed. “Huh?”
Maerya lifted her cup slowly to her lips, smirking just slightly. “Be his girlfriend instead.”
Rosie choked. “W-What?”
She blinked at her, wide-eyed and stunned. The words hit her like a ton of bricks— girlfriend . The mental image of her and Katsuki as a couple immediately flooded her brain: him holding her hand, his arm around her waist, his usual scowl softening just for her. She nearly dropped her drink.
“I—he—we’re not—he doesn’t even like me!” she blurted.
Maerya chuckled softly, as though she had been expecting that exact response. “He’s the one who saved you, you know. Risked everything to find you when no one else could. Held you the entire ride to the hospital, wouldn’t let anyone else touch you. That kind of hatred looks a lot more like devotion if you ask me.”
Rosie’s cheeks burned. She looked down at her lap, picking at the edge of her sleeve.
Maerya leaned in slightly, voice quiet but clear. “You don’t see it now.”
Rosie didn’t know what to say. Her heart was doing somersaults, her thoughts a tangle of disbelief, confusion, and... something warm and terrifying beneath it all.
“Now,” Maerya said, sitting back with a graceful smile, “are we going to order dessert, or are you going to sit there thinking about him for the next hour?”
Rosie blinked again, flustered and still processing. “I—uh—yeah. Dessert. Sure. Let’s do that.”
But as Maerya signaled the server, Rosie’s thoughts were still spinning in place, her heart thudding just a little too loudly as she wondered— what if Maerya was right? Then she shook her head. Katsuki told her he only saved her because he respects her Dad. No other reason. Both Eri and Maerya were delusional.
It was late afternoon, the sky still a soft blue streaked with hints of pink as the sun lazily dipped toward the horizon. Rosie strolled down the tree-lined street in a light hoodie and shorts, Maya trotting happily beside her on her leash, the white poodle prissing as she looked around at everything. The air was warm, buzzing with the sound of cicadas and the rustle of leaves.
Rosie tugged her ponytail tighter and smiled at the quiet peace of the moment.
“Oh, hey, Rosie.”
She glanced up at the familiar voice and saw Hiroshi walking toward her from the other side of the sidewalk, his white hair slightly tousled from the breeze, a canvas tote slung over his shoulder and his usual warm smile already in place. He was dressed casually in a simple black T-shirt and jeans, sleeves pushed up his arms. He looked —well— good. Of course he did.
Her smile bloomed before she could stop it. “Hey, Hiroshi.”
Before she could say anything else, Maya’s little ears perked up, and she barked happily. Her tail began wagging furiously, and then—much to Rosie’s surprise—she took off.
“Maya—!”
The leash tugged from her hand as Maya ran full speed toward Hiroshi, spinning in a tight little circle at his feet and plopping her tiny butt down, tail still wagging like mad.
Rosie blinked. “Uh... wow.”
Hiroshi laughed, already crouching down. “Hey, Maya.” He scratched behind her ears, and Maya leaned into his touch like she’d known him for years.
Digging into his pocket, Hiroshi pulled out a small treat. “You want this? Sit pretty for me.”
Maya barked once, tail thumping the ground.
“You... keep treats in your pocket?” Rosie asked, amused and stunned as she walked over to them.
“Guilty,” he grinned as Maya delicately took the treat from his palm. “I just came back from the animal shelter. I volunteer there sometimes. Guess I forgot I still had these in my jacket.”
Rosie tilted her head, watching Maya nuzzle into his hand. “That’s actually really sweet. I’m surprised Maya liked you so fast—usually takes her a while to warm up to men.”
Hiroshi gave a small shrug. “Guess I’m just lucky.”
Rosie raised an eyebrow, but before she could reply, Hiroshi stood and dusted his hands off. “Hey, listen—I was about to grab something to eat. Would you want to join me?”
She blinked. “Dinner?”
“Yeah.” He smiled that easy, lopsided grin of his. “Nothing fancy. There’s a spot a few blocks over—great noodles, nice patio, dog friendly.”
Rosie glanced down at Maya, who was now sitting obediently by Hiroshi’s foot, looking up at him like he was the best thing to happen to her all day.
Rosie couldn’t help the soft laugh that slipped from her lips. “Sure. Dinner sounds nice.”
“Great.” He offered his arm in an exaggerated gentlemanly way. “Lead the way, Miss Rosie.”
She rolled her eyes playfully, linking her hand through the crook of his arm. “Let’s go before Maya decides to elope with you.”
Hiroshi chuckled, “I’d say yes. She’s a total sweetheart.”
As they started walking together, Rosie glanced at Maya once more—her little tail still wagging, ears perked, completely smitten.
Strange, she thought. But maybe good things came when you least expected them.
The outdoor patio of the noodle café was lit with warm string lights, casting a soft amber glow over the tables and flowering planters that lined the railing. A few other diners chatted in low voices, laughter echoing gently from a nearby table. Rosie sat across from Hiroshi, twirling her noodles absentmindedly with her chopsticks as Maya dozed peacefully at her feet, full from the small plate of grilled chicken the waiter had brought out just for her.
Hiroshi sipped from his iced tea, his white hair catching the lights as he leaned forward, elbows on the table. “So… what about you? Any idea what you want to do after graduation?”
Rosie blinked, caught off guard by the question—especially because she had just been about to ask him something herself. “Actually, I was gonna ask you the same thing.”
He grinned. “Alright, fair trade. You first.”
She narrowed her eyes playfully. “You just flipped that on me.”
“I did,” he admitted with a teasing shrug. “But I’m very persuasive.”
Rolling her eyes fondly, Rosie leaned back in her chair and sighed. “I don’t know,” she admitted, stirring her bowl gently. “I haven’t really figured that out yet. I guess I might just stick with my current job for a while. I like it, it pays the bills, and I’ve got Eri to take care of sometimes… I don’t know. I guess I’m still waiting for a sign or something. A reason to pick a path.”
Hiroshi watched her quietly for a moment, then smiled softly. “That’s okay, you know. Not having it all figured out yet.”
She gave him a look. “Do you have it all figured out?”
He laughed, leaning back and stretching his arms across the back of his chair. “A little bit, actually. I’m going into tech—software design and development. I’ve been working on a few prototypes already.”
“Really?” she asked, a brow arched.
“Mmhm,” he nodded. “I graduate next year, and I’ve got the capital to launch something small. My dad left me some money when he passed. I want to start my own company, keep it small and simple, and eventually grow it into something more stable.”
Rosie’s features softened. “I’m sorry about your dad.”
He gave her a grateful smile, though there was a faint glimmer of sadness in his eyes. “Thanks. It was hard, but it gave me direction, you know? Made me realize what I wanted.”
She tilted her head, intrigued. “And what do you want?”
“A peaceful life,” he answered almost instantly. “Stable job, warm house, a golden retriever running around—”
“Wait,” she interrupted, amused, “not a poodle?”
He smirked. “Maya is special. She’s an exception.”
Rosie laughed quietly, her eyes flicking down to her snoozing pup.
“I want to be married in the next three years or so,” Hiroshi continued, voice a little quieter. “Start a family. Live comfortably. Not flashy, just… full of joy. You know?”
Rosie’s lips parted slightly at how easily he said it. Like he’d thought about it often. Like he really meant it. “That’s… kind of adorable,” she muttered.
He grinned, eyes crinkling. “Don’t tell anyone. Gotta keep the mystery alive.”
“So… what’s your real passion?” she asked, chin resting on her hand. “You said tech was the plan, but not the dream.”
His expression flickered, something warm and nostalgic flashing across it. “Art,” he said softly. “Drawing, painting, sculpture—whatever my hands want to do that day.”
She sat up straighter, clearly interested, but just as she opened her mouth to ask more—
“But enough about me,” he said abruptly, waving a hand. “Back to you. You seriously don’t have any clue what you wanna do?”
Rosie blinked. Did he just dodge her question? Still, she let it go.
“Not a clue,” she admitted. “I mean, it’s not like I don’t have dreams. But they’ve always felt… out of reach. Like, maybe I’d do them someday when life settles down. Whenever that is.”
Hiroshi leaned forward again, elbows back on the table, gaze focused entirely on her. “I think someday’s closer than you think.”
She looked at him, surprised.
“Whatever you want to do—when you’re ready—you’ll kill it, Rosie.”
She didn’t know what to say to that. No one had ever said it to her so simply, with that kind of belief.
“…Thanks,” she said, a little shyly. “You’re like… some golden retriever of positivity.”
He laughed loud and bright. “You give serious black cat energy, so we balance out.”
“Excuse me?”
“Don’t take it personally. You’re very sleek and mysterious.”
“I’m not mysterious,” she said with a snort.
“You’re impossible to read.”
She picked up her drink, sipping it slowly. “Good. Keeps people on their toes.”
He rested his chin on his hand, still smiling at her like she was a particularly fascinating book he hadn’t finished reading yet. “Works on me.”
Her heart gave a traitorous flutter—and she quickly looked away, pretending to focus on Maya. Still, she couldn’t stop smiling.
Glitter still clung to Rosie’s shoulders as she stepped down the side stairs of the stage, the final brass note of the show fading behind her. She smoothed the airy white feathers at her waist and adjusted the rhinestone straps of her ice‑blue corset.
The floor was already buzzing. The other girls—sequins flashing in ruby, emerald, and gold—zigzagged between tables with trays balanced high. Rosie caught a wave from Varsas, then pivoted toward the corner VIP booth to check on the newest arrivals.
Her heart did an involuntary skip.
Hawks, Tokoyami, Shoto, and Katsuki occupied the half‑moon seat beneath a low chandelier, a tall bottle of sparkling water sweating in the center. Hawks lounged like he owned the place, tie undone; Shoto sat with military posture, eyeing the layered drink in front of him; Tokoyami hunched over the leather‑bound menu in solemn concentration; Katsuki… well, Katsuki scowled at the condensation on his glass as though it had personally offended him.
Rosie gathered her courage, plastered on a sunny smile, and approached. “Evening, gentlemen. Welcome to Ignis Inferno. What can I get started for you?”
Hawks’s golden eyes swept over her burlesque ensemble with appreciative mischief. “My, Rosie, you look positively celestial in that color. I will take whatever’s strong enough to make me forget how many feathers I used to preen this morning.”
Rosie flushed, ducking her head. “You got it, Hawks. Something… celestial‑strength.”
Shoto ignored the banter and offered a polite nod. “The house mocktail again, please.”
Tokoyami looked up from the menu, crimson gaze earnest. “Your recommendations would be… enlightening. The steak looks promising, but so does this mushroom pasta.”
Rosie leaned in to point at the grilled wagyu listing. “Our chef does the steak medium‑rare with a sanshō‑pepper glaze. It’s the most popular entrée. The pasta’s rich, but lighter if you’re not starving after patrol.”
Tokoyami considered. “Steak, then. Medium‑rare.”
“Excellent choice,” she said softly, scribbling the order.
A low grunt drew her eyes to Katsuki. He sat back, arms crossed, jaw ticcing. “I’ll take the steak, too. And don’t drown it in any frou‑frou glaze.”
Rosie bit back a smile. “Plain steak, medium‑rare. Anything to drink?”
“Whatever lager you’ve got on tap.”
“Coming right up.”
Hawks propped his elbows on the table, chin in his hands. “You sure we can’t convince you to sit with us? I’m happy to relinquish my seat.”
Rosie laughed, still pink‑cheeked. “Tempting, but I should keep the other tables happy before Katsuki explodes over slow service.”
“She’s got you pegged, bro,” Hawks teased.
Katsuki shot him a glare hot enough to sear steel, but his eyes flicked to Rosie and softened by a fraction. “…Just don’t forget the drinks,” he muttered.
“I won’t.” She winked, stepping back. “I’ll be right over with rolls and butter.”
As she turned toward the bar, Hawks whistled low. “Admit it, Dynamight—service here really is explosive.”
Katsuki’s response was a growl, but Shoto caught the faint tug at the corner of his mouth—almost a smile.
Rosie balanced the tray on one hand, weaving between tables until she reached the VIP booth. The moment she set down the basket of warm rolls, the buttery smell puffed into the air. She followed with little plates of whipped herb butter, then slid Hawks’s amber cocktail, Shoto’s citrus spritzer, Tokoyami’s iced oolong, and Katsuki’s tall draft lager into place—everything in neat lines the way the manager drilled into them.
“Anything else I can grab for you before the entrées?” she asked, hands clasped behind her back.
Shoto shook his head; Tokoyami murmured a polite “No, thank you.” Hawks, though, rested his chin on his hand and gave her a slow once‑over.
“Well, an angelic smile’s always appreciated,” he said, lashes dipping. “Careful—if you keep serving looks like that, you’ll put us all in a sugar coma.”
Rosie felt heat rush up her neck to her ears. “Um—thank you? I—uh—” She tucked a curl behind her ear, trying to hide the blush. Hawks’s grin widened, clearly enjoying her fluster.
Across the table Katsuki’s fingers drummed once, sharply, on the wood. She glanced his way—he stared hard at the rolls as if they’d insulted him.
Before she found words that weren’t scrambled, the front doors swung open and a familiar voice called, “Rosie!”
Hiroshi—white hair perfectly tousled—cut across the floor with two friends in tow. He stopped right beside her and, without hesitation, kissed her cheek. Her blush went from pink to scarlet. “Think you’ve got a spot in your section?” he asked, bright as ever.
“Oh—um—actually I’m full up,” she said, stepping back a little. “Varsas has open tables, though.”
Speak of the devil—Varsas glided over in ruby sequins. “We can swap sections if you’d like?”
Before Rosie could answer, a low, dangerous growl rumbled from the booth. “Fuck no,” Katsuki snapped, voice cutting through the lounge music. Shoto blinked; Tokoyami’s feathers bristled. Even Hawks looked impressed.
Rosie only sighed—used to the outbursts. “Hiroshi,” she said gently, “it’ll be a wait since it’s a friday night, or you can come back later.”
Hiroshi straightened, glancing at Katsuki’s glare, then back to her. “I’ll wait. No problem.”
“Great.” She mustered her sweetest smile, though her pulse hammered. “I’ll let you know as soon as something opens up.”
Hiroshi nodded and stepped aside. Rosie gathered her tray, heart still thudding, and headed for the bar.