Can We Be Heroes?

Chapter 17. Just three Guys.

Monoma currently stood in his small kitchen, furiously scrubbing his hands under the sink as if his life depended on it. The sound of running water and vigorous scrubbing was hard to ignore, punctuated by Monoma's dramatic muttering.

"I can't believe I had to touch him," the real blonde groaned, grabbing yet another soap bar from the counter. "Of all people in this world, it had to be Bakugo. And worse-" he paused, shuddering as though the thought was equal to a slimy reptile crawling on one's leg., "I used his quirk. The devil's quirk!"

Izuku and Shinso, who were seated on the couch in the living room, watched Monoma's theatrical display with varying degrees of amusement. Shinso had one eyebrow raised, his lips twitching in an attempt to suppress a smirk. Izuku, on the other hand, was trying not to laugh outright, but he appeared to be failing as the way his shoulders shook gave him away.

"You've washed your hands like... ten times now," Shinso said, leaning back against the cushions. "Pretty sure you've scrubbed off your fingerprints by now."

Monoma whipped around, holding a bottle of antiseptic spray like it was holy water. "Oh, I'm sorry, Shinso," he said in a mockingly offended tone. "I didn't realize you had to endure touching someone who reeks of nitroglycerin and bad attitude."

Izuku finally lost it, letting out a snort of laughter that he quickly tried to stifle. "Monoma, it's not that bad."

"Not that bad?!" He exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air, water droplets flying everywhere. "Izuku, do you know how many germs that boy probably carries? And don't even get me started on his personality. That alone is enough to make me want to bathe in disinfectant
... or better yet blench."

Shinso rolled his eyes. "You're ridiculous."

"Ridiculous?" Monoma repeated, clutching a towel dramatically as though Shinso had personally insulted his honor. "I'll have you know I am simply maintaining my hygiene and sanity. Both of which are at risk after today."

Izuku shook his head, still smiling as he got up and wandered into the kitchen. "Here," he said, handing Monoma a bottle of hand lotion. "You're going to need this if you don't want your hands to fall off from all the scrubbing."

Monoma sighed, taking the bottle with an air of exaggerated defeat. "Thank you, Izuku. At least someone in this household understands the importance of self-care."

Shinso snorted, leaning over to grab the remote. "Pretty sure 'self-care' isn't supposed to involve you acting like a Victorian lady who just got insulted at tea."

Monoma gasped, clutching his chest as if Shinso had struck him. "I'll have you know, Shinso, that if I were a Victorian lady, I'd be the most fashionable, intelligent, and sought-after one at the party."

"Right," Shinso drawled, turning on the TV. "And I'm sure Bakugo would be thrilled to escort you."

The sheer audacity of the comment sent Izuku into a fit of laughter, doubling over as he leaned against the counter. Monoma, meanwhile, looked absolutely scandalized.

"Shinso Hitoshi," Monoma said, pointing a soapy finger at him. "Take that back right now."

"Make me," Shinso replied with a lazy grin.

The three of them dissolved into laughter, the lighthearted banter filling the small apartment with warmth. For a while, it was easy to forget about all their worries and person problems.

Monoma's suggestions to have a sleepover at his place was a good idea. They were having fun and for a while, it was easy to forget about all their worries and personal problems.

----•----

The next morning, the trio stood at the entrance of the bustling mall, the bright sun illuminating the glass doors and the steady stream of shoppers passing through.