Unveiled Winds || Katsuki Bakugou x Reader

Chapter 44 - Matching

The van rattled over the narrow coastal road, sunlight flashing through the windows in bursts. Bakugou had one hand on the wheel, the other draped casually over the open window, wind threading through his hair as he squinted ahead.

The town wasn't far now, just past the next hill, if the faded road signs were right.

You sat in the backseat, legs curled up sideways, shoulder pressed lightly against Mina's. She was scrolling through her phone, already bookmarking cafés and vintage shops like they were on a mission.

"I'm telling you," she said, holding the screen up toward you. "We have to go here. Look at the shaved ice. That's a spiritual experience waiting to happen."

You grinned, craning to see. "I'll follow your lead, but only if we get to hit that thrift shop you bookmarked last night."

"Deal."

From the passenger seat, Sero twisted around, elbow propped over the headrest. "Can we not start planning our food pilgrimage before we even park?"

"We're multitasking," Mina replied sweetly.

Kirishima leaned forward from the row behind, chin on the seat. "Let 'em plan. The faster they decide, the faster we eat."

Bakugou let out a short tch, eyes still on the road. "You idiots better not make me circle the block while you debate between three cafés and a goddamn pineapple bun."

"Oh, come on," you said, leaning forward to rest your arms on the seat in front of you. "Admit it, you're curious about the pineapple bun."

"I'm curious why I didn't just leave you all at the house," he muttered, but there was no real heat behind it.

The van dipped slightly as it crested the hill, and there it was.

The town spread out ahead of you, small and sun-washed, nestled up against the sea. Wooden storefronts lined the main road, painted in soft pastels and sea-worn grays. Noren curtains fluttered in the breeze.

Awnings cast striped shadows across the sidewalk, and a mix of old signage in kanji and hand-lettered chalkboards gave it the charm of a place both lived-in and loved.

Kaminari pressed a hand to the glass. "Yo... this place looks straight out of an anime."

"Try not to embarrass us the second we get out," Bakugou muttered as he pulled into a small gravel lot off the main street.

The engine cut. Doors slid open. Sunlight poured in.

And the day in town began.

The group spilled out of the van, stretching and blinking in the warm sun as they gathered near the sidewalk. The scent of grilled fish and fresh bread drifted through the air, carried on the breeze from somewhere down the main street. Chatter from passing locals and the gentle hum of cicadas filled the quiet spaces between conversations.

"Okay," Mina clapped her hands. "Plan of attack. Food first or shops first?"

"Shops," Sero said, already wandering toward a rack of linen shirts outside a storefront. "I need to upgrade my beach fit."

"You need to upgrade your wallet," Kaminari muttered, trailing after him.

You and Mina exchanged a glance, then fell into step behind the others, Kirishima rounding out the back of the group with Bakugou. The six of you moved down the street in a loose line, splitting up slightly every time someone spotted something interesting.

One store had hand-carved keychains, another had vintage manga stacked in milk crates. You caught Bakugou picking through a basket of knives outside a hardware shop with the most intense expression imaginable for a guy on vacation.