"Weird... I thought he liked taking baths with me..."
Mikan couldn't help but feel reluctant as she walked out of the bath while she recalled Rito's determined rejection.
It was just a bath and she wouldn't have bitten him, so what was he refusing so hard for?
Slightly displeased, she went to the kitchen to whip up a pleasant dinner while Rito took his separate bath.
***
*Ding Dong*
A person in white mask imprinted with a skull pressed the bell as a gruff voice responded to the interruption from the other side of the room.
"Who's it?!"
A pleasant, yet, monotone voice escaped the masked figure's lips, stating his intentions.
"A delivery."
"We ain't ordered anything! Now screw off!!"
With what sounded like a fist on the wall, the gruff voice replied in annoyance while the masked figure sighed.
Removing the hood from his head, the masked figure revealed his dual-coloured hair, white on the right side and crimson-red on the left. His long hair being tied into a ponytail.
Removing the pure white gloves from the left side of his hand, the figure conjured a wisp of blue flame that immediately affected the room temperature.
"Burn."
Whispering, the masked figure touched the door with his index finger covered in blue flames and the door immediately burnt into scraps at a quick pace.
Not wanting any unnecessary attention, the figure touched the adjacent wall with his gloved, right hand and a layer of pitch-white ice was formed, immediately spreading to the expanding fire, and miraculously, the ice was cool enough to extinguish the blaze itself.
Walking inside the hallway, unaffected by the sudden rise and fall of temperature due to such strange quirk, the masked figure walked leisurely while he could hear a burst of laughter from the living room of the apartment followed by unwilling and reluctant grunts.
Within a few moments, the masked figure found himself witnessing a vile scene of imminent r-a-p-e (since the word itself is banned on wn). A good looking man in his underwear adjusting a camera on a tripod stand while a completely naked woman with her limbs tied and her mouth covered laid on the couch facing the camera.
Sighing lightly, the masked man snapped his finger as he felt distressed by the lack of control of his emotions in such cases and his left side was immediately covered by crimson-red flames, obviously different from those blue flames that could send chills to the dukes of hell.
But his pure white cloak, as if created with such circumstances in mind, didn't burn and fully accommodated the raging flames of the figure.
"W-who are you?!"
The youth immediately jumped in shock as he almost pissed his pants looking at the skeleton mask covered in flames.
"According to the intel, this isn't your first time forcing yourself on someone else. Using the tapes created in the process to blackmail the victim until the commit suicide and then selling the tape itself to some vile buyers of similar taste.
Quirk related to emotion manipulations."
The calm voice failed to hide the indescribable rage the man felt at the scene and he immediately extended his left hand towards the scum of society.
"Wai—"
"Exterminate."
The youth covered in red flames immediately felt the most brutal punishment of his life.
Burnt alive!
"Aaaaaahhhhhhhhh!"
A soul-shaking scream occurred from the burning mouth of the man while the pitiable woman felt her body tremble, thinking that she is the next one.
Honestly, she regretted lying to her parents and coming over to the date with this psychopath only to find herself to be dragged extremely close to the hell of being burnt alive.
It didn't take long before the fire died out as the crisp black corpse fell on the floor covered in ice while a thick scent of cooked meat spread inside the living room.
Seeing the man walk towards her, the girl immediately shivered and tried to speak. Heck, to save her own skin, she was willing to offer her body, alas, she couldn't propose an offer without speaking of her intentions.
"Calm down, I'm not going to hurt you."
The figure in the skeleton mask stated the obvious while the girl failed to calm down.
Taking out a knife from the inner side of his forearm, the figure sliced the cloth bindings and covered the girl with the nearby table cloth.
"Th-thank you."
Curling her body to be covered by the small table cloth, she stuttered while the figure placed the knife back into the cuffs.
"Notify the police or you will become a suspect in a criminal case."
Stating the last piece of advise, the figure covered his head and left the room while the woman immediately scourged the area for the clothes that the dead bastard hid away and called the cops quickly.
***
*Ding Dong*
"Coming~"
Mikan's shout was heard as she rushed to the door to find out the visitor. Opening the door, she found their new neighbours standing with a smile.
Well, at least, Tearju had a smile while Eve kept her stoic expression.
"Good Evening, Mikan-chan, I came here to thank you for taking care of Eve-chan."
She spoke while Rito also came out of the living room, not wishing to let Mikan greet the door alone during the night.
Straight out of the bath, he wore nothing but a black tank-top and a pair of black sweatpants.
"Who's at the door, Mikan?"
He asked out loud as he walked lazily. After having such a long day, he did feel quite tired and spoke while scratching the itch on his head after taking the bath.
"It's Lunatique-san and Eve-chan!"
She replied with a shout and then bowed towards Tearju.
"It was no problem, Miss Lunatique. Eve-chan and I are already friends."
Tearju smiled happily and placed her palm over Eve's golden hair and spoke gratefully.
"Please, call me Tearju. And I am really grateful to you, Mikan-chan. Moving is always stressful and Eve doesn't like it, but today, she kept talking about you!"
"Hey!"
A small blush crept up Eve's cheeks as she held Tearju's hand and scoffed cutely.
"Feeling embarrassed, Eve-chan? Don't worry, I have a lot of embarrassing stories of Mikan that I would love to share."
Mikan nodded at Tearju with a smile and then looked at Eve and smiled playfully, attracting her attention successfully.
"Mikan's?"
She spoke softly while Mikan immediately glared at Rito and pinched his hand.
"Yeah! You'll definitely love those stories!"
He smiled widely while Tearju couldn't help but feel slightly awkward after looking at Rito's attire.
"Um, Yuuki-kun, you really have a well-built body."
Tearju exclaimed awkwardly.
"Oh, this is nothing. Either way, we were just going to have dinner, would you like to taste Mikan's cooking?"
He asked politely, just for the sake of formality. Understanding the social conventions, Tearju was going to decline the invitation but she felt two pair of eyes on her face.
One Mikan's and other Eve's, looking at her expectantly.
"Uh... sure, why not? I'd love to eat Mikan's dishes and I'm sure Eve would like it, too."
As if to confirm her words, Eve nodded seriously and she left Tearju's hand and proceeded to interlock her hand with Mikan's and very naturally, took her inside, leaving Tearju and Rito on the door, stunned.
Looking at Tearju's embarrassed expression due to her daughter's unsociable attitude.
"Um... Tearju-san, you wouldn't want me to lead you in the house by your hand, right?"
Rito asked with a light smile while Tearju chuckled.
"Of course, not. Thank you for the invitation."
Rito nodded and stepped sideways, making way for Tearju and then closed the door while introducing the house to the mature mother.
Complimenting some of the areas, Tearju sat on the single-seater sofa placed on the left side of the table in the living room while Mikan started placing the plates down.
Rito, on the other hand, brought the dishes. This was their routine. Mikan would cook while Rito will serve. Of course, the role is also reversed occasionally.
When Rito finally took the seat on the left couch, with Mikan and Eve taking the larger one in the middle, Tearju smiled and sniffed slightly.
"It smells wonderful, you surely are a great cook."
"Yes, Mikan-chan, it smells good."
An almost audible voice erupted from Eve's lips as she looked at Mikan. Apparently, the girl of few words did mean those words while Mikan blushed in embarrassment, stuttering slightly.
"Ah, let's— let's eat!"
She spoke while the group dug in and ate their fill.
(A/N: I won't describe the food because I don't know much about Japanese cuisine while I am also vegan... I don't wish to describe half-assed stuff.)
***
"Don't you want to say something?"
Encouraging the socially awkward Eve, Tearju smiled and knelt beside her, placing her hand over Eve's shoulder and giving her the courage to finally speak up to the expectant Mikan.
"Mikan... thank you. The food was good... better than mom."
Apparently, she spoke more than needed and Tearju's face immediately turned stunned.
Mikan immediately let out a happy smile and took Eve's hand.
"That's good! If you want, I can cook meals for you!"
Rito looked at Mikan's innocent and happy expression and sighed while Tearju felt even more terrible. Her own daughter praised someone else's food over her's. Though she really felt hurt pride as a mother hurt, she didn't say anything to break such a pure moment of friendship.
Eve thought seriously and then looked at Rito.
"Mikan... can cook for me, too?"
Her crimson eyes gazing into his seriously while he felt it harder to contain his laughter.
Before he could answer, he felt a peculiar gaze land on his face as she tilted his gaze to match Tearju's sad emerald eyes.
Falling into a dilemma, he stuttered.
"W-why don't we share? Mikan and Eve-chan can share their bentos in school, right?"
"That's a great idea."
Tearju immediately spoke up with reinvigorated expression.
Eve settled on the offer while Tearju mouthed a 'Thank You' towards Rito before leaving with a satisfied Eve.
"It was a nice dinner, tonight, could've been better."
Mikan sighed sadly while Rito placed his hand on her left shoulder, smiling weakly, he eased her tensions.
"Don't be like that. Mom and Dad aren't pro-heroes, they need to sacrifice many things to achieve the status they have in their careers.
Even now, they are out there, earning for us."
His words weren't incorrect.
Sainan Middle School was quite a prestigious institution that fashioned sky-high prices. If not for coming from a background of both the parents working hard, Mikan and Rito wouldn't have been able to attend such a school.
"You're right. Let's go and wash the dishes!"
She spoke with a small smile as she felt happy each time she recalled the compliments gained by her delicious meal.
"Sure thing."
They both entered the house while a particular family wasn't fortunate enough to have such a peaceful meal.
***
"Sir, young master was killed by the Purger! Police have already flocked the place while the media is already interviewing the minister's daughter."
A smart youth with a pair of rectangular glasses spoke while the bald middle-aged man fell on his butt with his face paled to the extreme.
"Sir, please, take control of your emotions. We must control the damage or all the hopes for this year's elections would be lost."
The young and passionate assistant immediately advised while he extended his hand towards the bald minister.
"L-l-—"
The assistant frowned, unable to understand the minister's reaction as he observed the minister's eyes full of fear, focusing behind his back.
"He means, 'look behind'."
A playful voice sent chills down the assistant's spine as he slowly turned his head, his body immediately covered in cold sweat.
There he stood, sporting a clown's mask while his forest green permy hair gave a sinister feel to the smiling mask.
"Yo—"
Before the assistant could speak, his face was smashed apart akin to a watermelon while a green-gloved fist took its place.
Blood and brain matter splattered on the nearby minister as the bald minister could distinctly see a pair of glowing green eyes behind the mask of the notorious villain, Clown.
"Now... let's start the jury, shall we?"
This was the last thing that the minister heard before a fist landed right on top of his head and knocked him unconscious.
"Oh my Purger-kun... I leave the rest of filth to you!"
He chuckled loudly and left the villa leisurely while a Phoenix comprised of blue flames descended upon the villa the moment he took a step out.
yo