Cat's Rule the world.... since when?!

What a morning

I wake up feeling... refreshed. My body's still sore from the fight, but after sleeping for what feels like an eternity, I'm ready to get moving again. I sit up slowly, stretching out the tightness in my limbs, and my stomach immediately growls. Loud.

I didn't eat much before crashing, just a midnight snack, but now I'm starving. With a deep sigh, I get dressed and head out. Food's the first thing on my mind, but part of me knows I'll run into someone sooner or later. Probably Kacchan, given the way things have been going.

The mansion is quiet as I make my way through the hallways. Still feels strange being here, in this place that's so different from the world I know. A world where humans are pets... I shake the thought off. No use dwelling on that right now.

As I enter the dining hall, there he is. Of course.

Bakugo is already there, leaning back in his chair, arms crossed like he's been waiting for me. I can't help but smirk a little. He always acts like he's in control, like he knows everything that's gonna happen before it even does.

"Oi, nerd," he calls out as I approach. "You look like you got run over."

"Good morning to you too, Kacchan," I reply, grabbing some food from the table. The spread's better than what I had that first day, thank God. Real food.

Bakugo watches me for a second, then breaks the silence. "You okay?"

I glance at him, a little surprised. It's not like him to ask stuff like that. Not directly, anyway. But there's something in his tone—something almost... concerned?

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just tired." I take a bite of the food, trying to hide how much I'm enjoying it. "You?"

"Tch." He grunts, leaning back further. "You think I'm not used to this crap? This is a normal day for me."

I chuckle a little, and for a moment, it's easy. Like old times, when we were kids. When things weren't so complicated. But then, Bakugo gets this serious look in his eyes, and I can tell something's on his mind. Something big.

"Look, Deku..." he starts, then pauses. It's rare for him to hesitate like this. "I've been thinking."

I raise an eyebrow, waiting for him to continue. Bakugo thinking too hard is usually a recipe for disaster, but the way he's acting now... it's different.

He looks at me, and for the first time in a long while, I see that he's genuinely struggling with whatever he's about to say. "You've been here for a bit now. And things... well, they've been a mess since you showed up."

I nod, not saying anything yet. I can feel it coming—something heavy.

"I can't guarantee your safety," he admits, his voice lower now. "Not fully, anyway."

That hits me. Bakugo, admitting there's something he can't do. He's always been so sure of himself, always so in control. But here, he's opening up, saying he might not be able to protect me. It makes me feel... strange.

"You saw what happened," he continues. "My enemies—they'll come after you. Not just 'cause you're here, but 'cause you're with me. I'll do everything I can, but I can't be everywhere at once. And you... I know you can handle yourself. Hell, you proved that more than once. But still..."

He lets out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through his hair. "I've been thinking about it, and you've got a choice to make, Deku."

"A choice?" I repeat, setting down my fork. My appetite is gone now, replaced by a knot forming in my stomach.

Bakugo looks me dead in the eye. "You can stay here as my pet. Live the easy life. Luxury, food, shelter, whatever you need. You wouldn't have to worry about a thing, but... you'd have to stay out of the mess and far away from me with some of my people. Stay away from me and everything that comes with being in my world."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. Stay out of his world. Be a pet. Live a comfortable life but always knowing that I'm... nothing more than a pet? The thought makes my skin crawl.

"Or," Bakugo adds, leaning forward now, "you can stay and become one of us. One of my people. Not a pet, but a member. My right-hand man. I need someone I can trust—someone smart enough to see the big picture. A strategist. You've got a sharp mind, Deku. You've always been good at figuring out what others can't. You could help me. You'd be valued."

I blink, stunned. 

He's offering me... a position? 

In his mafia? 

To be his right-hand man? 

My mind starts spinning, trying to process what this all means. On one hand, it's everything I've ever wanted—to prove I'm not just some weak kid, to show that I can be more than just a follower. But on the other hand... it's the mafia. Bakugo's world. A world of crime, of violence. If I say yes, does that mean I'm giving up everything I stood for as a hero?

My heart races as I think about it. I've trained my whole life to be a hero. But this... this is a different world. A world where humans are pets, where the rules are all upside down. Am I even still the same person here? Does it matter?

Bakugo's watching me carefully. He knows this isn't an easy decision. And deep down, I can tell he doesn't want me to say yes to the first option. He doesn't want me to be just a pet, locked away and safe from everything. But he's giving me the choice anyway, because he's realized something. He's realized that I'm not just some helpless kid anymore. I'm not just his 'Deku.' I'm someone who can stand on his own two feet, even in this world.

"I..." I hesitate, trying to find the words. "Kacchan, I don't know if I can do that."

He frowns. "Do what?"

"Be a part of this," I admit, feeling the weight of my words. "I trained my whole life to be a hero, to save people. But if I join you... what does that make me? A villain? I don't want to hurt people."

"You wouldn't be a villain," Bakugo snaps, his tone sharp but not angry. "You'd be with me. We'd do what we have to, but I wouldn't ask you to do anything you can't handle."

My head is spinning. I know he's serious, and I know he's right in his own way. This isn't the same world I came from. Here, being a hero doesn't mean the same thing. Hell, being human doesn't even mean the same thing. But still... the thought of giving up everything I've stood for feels like betrayal.

But what's my other option? To be a pet? To live a life of luxury but always in the shadow of what could have been? To never have the chance to prove myself, to make a difference?

I feel torn. Stuck between two lives, neither of which feels like the right choice.

"Kacchan," I say slowly, my voice quiet but firm. "I don't know if I can just... walk away from everything I've worked for. But I don't think I can live in a cage either."

He studies me, silent for a moment. Then, he nods. "I get it. Think about it, Deku. But whatever you choose, know this—I'm not letting you go easily."