My Pawfect Rebirth

29: Twisted

"You liked Izumi when she was a guy, didn't you?"

Katsuki sat there and blinked a few times to process what Aster just asked him. He'd never been asked something like this, and somehow felt conflicted on how to answer the question. 

"I-I..." 

The blond was scared to answer because he wasn't sure if what he'd say was right or wrong, he was scared to know if what Aster was asking him was true or not. 

"I-I..." 

"Hah- forget it, forget that I asked and get some sleep. You've had a long day, and we need to wake up at dawn. Good night." Aster said, as he grabbed the blankets and went to sleep.

Katsuki laid back down and stared at the ceiling, he could feel his heartbeat getting faster and the temperature of his body rise. After 7 years of not seeing his childhood friend, and figuring out that Izuku was changed into a girl, his feelings felt twisted. He didn't want to believe that such feelings existed, but now... it was much more confusing and convoluted than he thought. 

He didn't get a lot of sleep that night.

The crack of dawn arrived and the sound of a Rooster was heard through the temple and Katsuki tried to ignore it. That is, until he felt a pillow hit his face and wake him up right away. 

"Tch- why'd you throw a fucking pillow at me?!?!" 

"Well it seems you're awake. Get up, you're considered late if you sleep in after the crack of dawn." Aster said, folding all of his blankets. 

"Yah- why do we need to be up this early?" 

"It's just considered a normal tradition for Monks, and since I was raised by Monks my whole life, it's considered normal for me too. Now get up." Aster said. 

Katsuki could tell Aster's voice was almost the same from the night before when he asked the blond that surprising question. 

"You liked Izumi when she was a guy, didn't you?"

Katsuki got up and tried to forget about the question and followed Aster outside to see the other Monks getting up and getting ready for the day. 

"Okay, now what?" 

"We run." Katsuki twitched and looked at Aster. 

"Huh?" 

"C'mon, we gotta do a morning run. Follow me." Aster said and started running. 

"Wha- Yah! How can you run faster than me with 2 fake legs!?!?!" Katsuki yelled, running after Aster. 

Katsuki hadn't run in his human body for a long time and was already getting tired. 

"What the hell, why's my body so tired?" 

"Because you're so used to using all fours as a dog. The perspective can change sometimes. I would know, and me running with prosthetic legs wasn't easy my first time either." Aster said.

So after they jogged around the block a few times, Aster took the lead and showed Katsuki where they were supposed to wash up. 

"You're kidding, we shower here?"

"This is traditional for Monks too." Aster said. They stood in front of a large pond and in the distance there was a waterfall.