DRAGON'S BROOD (Kirishima x Bakugou)

Chapter 1: Fatal Mistake

Kirishima's PoV

The day that later turned out to be the most terrible day of my life began like any other. I was 17 by now, so I was about to reach adulthood. I woke up on my hard mattress in the bedroom and rubbed my face tiredly. Little Hisashi had cried all night and it took a lot of persuasion to get him to fall asleep again. It was quiet in the house, nobody was awake yet, but although I was tired, my inner clock had woken me.

When I wanted to get up and pulled the blanket to the side, I noticed the small body lying next to me. Tomoko, a five-year-old girl, had cuddled up to me. I smiled slightly and stroked her black raven hair. She sometimes crawled into my bed at night, as she often had nightmares. Every time she said that it would be the last time, because she was much too old for that, but still sneaked under my blanket from time to time.

Tomoko's eyes opened as I tried to get out of bed unnoticed. "Morning, Eiji," she said and stretched out like a cat. "I'm hungry," she said and looked at me expectantly.

I suppressed a laugh. "Let's make you something." She jumped out of bed and took my hand. Something she also said was much too old for, but she had still accepted my hand.

"Eiji! Can I have scrambled eggs?"

"You only get that on special days!"

"But today is a special day!"

Surprised, I looked at her. "Why, what's today?"

"My new parents are coming today," she beamed. Then her gaze would suddenly be sad. "But I will miss you Eiji!

I smiled slightly. "I'll miss you too."

Together we went into the kitchen and I actually made her a small plate of scrambled eggs. If this really should be her last day in the orphanage, then she should remember it well.

Shortly after I had served her breakfast Miss Crownway came in, little Hisashi in her arm. She had her grey hair tied up in her usual stern bun and, as always, a white high-necked blouse. When she saw us both sitting at the breakfast table, she smiled at us.

"Good morning, both of you," she said with her strong foreign accent, placed Hisashi in the high chair and kissed Tomoko and me on the forehead.

"Eijirou! You really should let me cut your hair," she said and looked at me critically.

Tomoko chuckled happily. The theme kept coming up and she watched us both, like a well-known but good theater play.

I sighed as I drove my fingers through my long black hair. "But I like it long!"

The strict home director pinched her lips together. "Then at least tie it up. We have visitors today," she ordered and directed her attention to Tomoko.

Groaning, I followed her instructions and tied my hair back. I didn't like that very much. My face was too unusual. There were my bright red eyes and the small but prominent scar under my right eyebrow. Behind my long hair I could hide a grin if one came over my lips. But when I tied it back in a ponytail, I had to be much more careful.

I was just about to feed Hisashi when there was an energetic knock at the door. Tomoko jumped up. "These are my new parents," she shouted and was about to run to the door.

Miss Crownway, however, held her back. "Don't be so impetuous, child!" Tomoko stopped, but the glow in her eyes didn't diminish a bit.

Miss Crownway caught up with her, and they went to the door together. I also wanted to see who would adopt Tomoko. I had secretly been a little worried. Most couples want to adopt the children at a younger age. Many even drew a line at the age of three. I was all the more relieved that Tomoko now had a chance to have a family after all. I lifted Hisashi from his child seat and put him on my hip so that I could hold him with one arm before I put him in the playpen. Then I followed them both.

I heard a deep rough voice as I stepped into the hallway. A coarse man stood in the doorway and talked to Miss Crownway. "Listen to me! We agreed on all that," he shouted angrily.

The man babbled a little and tried to grab Tomoko, but Miss Crownway quickly pushed her behind her. "No, Mr. Tekashi. I discussed with your wife that you would pick her up together so that I could get a first impression of you. The papers haven't been signed yet", her voice was calm and determined. I knew that Miss Crownway wouldn't leave Tomoko to anyone she didn't know was a good person. And Mr. Tekashi didn't do well right now.

"What? Does that mean you don't like me?" he suddenly yelled at her.

Miss Crownway flinched a little. "My dear sir, you are standing drunk on my doorstep. What are you thinking?" Her tone made it clear that she was gradually losing her patience.

I walked up to the two squabblers and stood next to the director of the home. I heard Tomoko crying quietly behind us.

"Hah? who are you?" he asked and looked at me from top to bottom.

"Eijirou. I live here. I think Miss Crownway has become very clear. Tomoko won't come with you."

Faster than I could react, I felt his hand on my cheek. My head flew to the side when he slapped me.

"Damn it. Is your face made of stone?" he shouted angrily at me as he rubbed his hand. As if it had been my fault that he had hit me.

"You mustn't hit Eiji," cried Tomoko and slipped between me and Miss Crownway. Her little arms were spread out in an attempt to protect me from Mr. Tekashi. The sight stirred me.

Then I saw the wicked eyes of the man before me flashing and knew what he was up to a moment before he could reach out. He had already raised his huge paw and wanted to beat the innocent Tomoko. But I took a step forward and pushed her with a quick movement behind me.

And then I made the mistake that turned my life upside down. I got angry and lost control. I bare my teeth when the punch hit me. My skin hardened at the spot to hard scales and smoke came out of my nose as I exhaled heavily.

Only when I saw the frightened expression on the man's face did I realize what I had done.

I had revealed my identity.