Chapter Text
Bakugou Katsuki was a simple man with a… hard temper. He was considered one of the most attractive executives in the country, having been ranked as the most handsome man in Japan four times in a row, a classification guaranteed by his red eyes, golden hair and a body that he always kept in shape. But, just like the others futile things that surrounded him, he didn't care about all that. He had much more important matters in life, and of all the tiring things he had to go through during his week, meeting with his ex-wife and her lawyer were the worst of them.
The problem with being a rich man who marries for financial interests is that it’s difficult to maintain the facade of a “happy couple” when your “wife” is caught having an affair . The divorce was requested by her. For him, they could continue in that setup, he didn't care, and it would even be good for his image, being the betrayed man who forgave his “great love”. But she didn't want that, she wanted the right to love without restrictions and in plain sight. “I want that for you too, Katsuki” She had said at the time, he didn't think much about it and simply accepted her request for a divorce. However, they were rich, so they had many things shared, such as: houses, shares, and… a daughter.
Keiko was his greatest asset and treasure. The girl was smart as a fox and, aside from her red eyes, she mostly resembled her mother, but her personality was almost entirely like his. Many people would consider this a hindrance in their father-daughter relationship —after all he wasn't exactly the sweetest child at daycare— but he loved that his daughter shared his personality traits. Of course, this also worried him. His personality led him to make bad choices during his childhood and adolescence, but he would make sure that Keiko would be better than he could ever be.
In the end, he and Camie, his ex, decided to share custody of Keiko, but the paperwork still needed to be sorted out and, honestly, he preferred not to be present during those meetings.
— Okay, I believe we've resolved everything for now — said Yamiko, Camie's lawyer, while organizing the papers in his folder.
— “For now” , how can there still be anything to discuss? — Bakugou muttered, getting ready to leave.
— Is something wrong, Mr. Bakugou?— Asked the lawyer.
Bakugou just looked at him with disdain and nodded to Jinshi, his own lawyer, telling him to hurry up.
— You take too much of my time. I need to pick up Keiko from school — he was already walking through the door when Yamiko's voice made him stop.
— Of course, sir, go get her. We do not want to enter into a taking custody process due to parental negligence .
Bakugou barely felt it when his feet took him straight to the skinny man, as Jinshi's desperate intervention prevented him from advancing on the lawyer’s neck.
— You better watch your mouth — he pointed his finger at the idiot's face — I don't care what your opinion of me is, but if you dare to try taking my daughter from me, not even the president will bring your career back from the hole where I’ll put it, understand ?
When it seemed like the man was going to respond, Camie's hand fell heavily on his shoulder.
— That's enough, Yamiko — she walked in front of him and looked him in the eyes over the sunglasses she was wearing — no one is going to take away anyone's daughter here — she turned her gaze to Bakugou — you know you don't need to worry about that, right?
Bakugou looked at her in silence for a moment — I hope so. Have a good day — He turned, finally leaving that suffocating room.
— You need to be more careful with your reactions — began Jinshi when they reached the restaurant’s sidewalk — we don't want to give them reasons to sue us.
— If anyone should sue here, it's me! — Bakugou got into the car as soon as the driver opened the door, with Jinshi right behind him — we had a marriage contract which I decided to get rid of so she could live that “love without consequences” thing, and that bastard dares to threaten the custody of MY daughter?!
— I understand, sir, and I agree, but maybe a judge won't agree. Also, you know that Camie wouldn't take Keiko from you, she's not that oblivious.
The blonde took a deep breath, burying the anger deep in his chest. Keiko was smart and inquisitive, she would fill him with questions and concerns as soon as she saw him angry.
It didn't take him long to arrive at his daughter's school. Keiko attended a simpler daycare, a decision he had made himself. He didn't want his daughter to constantly be surrounded by the same affluent individuals found in more prestigious schools. He feared she might become as insipid as the individuals he encountered in his own circles. Katsuki was not a hypocrite, he knew that he had always been part of a wealthy family and that money was never a problem, but he also knew that he hadn’t become a complete idiot out of pure divine mercy.
Getting out of the car, he went to the door where the children left to meet their parents/guardians. Within minutes, he saw his daughter's head full of golden strands, accompanied by her warm laugh. She was holding hands with a girl who had brown hair and big brown eyes.
— Papa! — as soon as she saw him, the girl let go of her colleague's hand and ran to him, who picked her up with a good hug.
— Ready to go, honey? — He asked, placing her on the floor beside her shy brown-haired companion.
— Papa, this is my new friend, Mao-chan — she said, ignoring her father's question.
He looked at the girl Mao, who was looking at him with big shining eyes.
— Hey, Mao, are you my daughter's friend?
The little girl shook her head in affirmation.
— Mao is quiet, she doesn't like talking to strangers. You're strange, papa!
— Oi, what do you mean “strange”? — He crossed his arms.
She shrugged and smiled at Mao, who was still staring at him as if she didn't know exactly what to say or do.
— Very well, we need to go. Are your parents coming to pick you up, Mao?
— My dad died! — the little girl spoke so loudly that, for two seconds, everyone around them stopped and looked in their direction.
Bakugou was stuck, not knowing exactly what to say in that situation, at the same time it was strange how that information didn't seem to bother the girl as much as expected.
— Mao's mother is coming to pick her up — said Keiko — she's coming in a truck.
At that moment they heard a horn, looking up he saw a slightly old but well-maintained truck parked a little further away from the other cars.
— Mama is hurry, I have to go! Bye Bye! — Mao waved at them and ran to the truck, the door opened for her and a shadow, which was all he could see at that distance, picked the girl up and placed her on the passenger side. In a short time, the car was gone.
— Les go, papa? — Keiko took his attention away from the vehicle that disappeared around the corner of the school.
— Come on, baby — he held his daughter's hand, and they went to their car.
Keiko came in excitedly, jumping on Jinshi's neck and putting her head next to Fukugo, the driver, saying hello to him and offering candy.
Bakugou sat Keiko properly in the child seat before sitting in the passenger seat. Along the way, he couldn't stop thinking about the woman in the truck. She didn't even bother to get out the truck to find her daughter, what if something happened?
— Papa, can we have spicy curry today? — His daughter's voice broke him out of his thoughts.
— Of course, darling — he replied.
— Can I bring Mao home to play with me, Pa?
— Of course, just talk to her mother first, okay?
— Okay!
And with that they continued on their way until they got home.
— This one costs 200 yen, Sir — Said the woman behind the counter.
Her brown hair was styled in a small, messy bun, and she was wearing slightly worn denim overalls.
— My God, how expensive things are these days! — said the old man, as he took the money out of his wallet.
— Yes, yes — the brunette just smiled and accepted the money — I'll help you put it in the dumpster, ok?
She held the cargo cart and fit it under the wooden dresser she made, carefully carrying it to the man's car. Opening the back of the bucket and pressing a button that raised the base of the cart, she was able to place the furniture securely.
— All done, I'm sure your wife will love it! — she gave him a smile.
— What wouldn't a husband do to see his wife's smile, right? I bet your husband surprises you too.
She felt her smile falter a little —of course! Will you need help unloading the dresser?
— No, no. My son is at home, he's going to help me. Thank you, miss... What's it?
— Uraraka Ochako!
—Miss Uraraka! Have a great day! — He said, getting into the truck and leaving.
— You need to stop offering to unload the products — a voice sounded from behind her.
She turned around in annoyance — he's an old man! Of course I wanted to know if he needed help!
The man behind her, Shinsou, stood with his arms crossed, sporting his messy purple hair and tired eyes.
— You also need to stop acting like Kenji is still alive.
She didn't respond to that, heading into the studio.
— You know I'm right.
Shinsou was a good friend and employee, always honest, but also had terrible social skills.
— There was no need to say that my husband is dead, that would lead to a conversation full of “my condolences”, “how was it?” and “how are you now?”.
— Of course… — He accompanied her to the back of the store where they made the furniture, toys and other things — how was Mao's first week in the new preschool?
— It was great! She made a friend. A very talkative girl. Today I barely saw her, I had to pick her up in a hurry because my mother had an accident on the stairs again.
— They need to get out of that house.
— Yes, it would be great if you could just get into their minds and magically make them accept that suggestion.
Ochako took the clipboard on the counter and started checking the progress of the orders. The wood crafts business made good money, although it took up a lot of her time, a thing she wished she could spend more with her daughter. The sales were going very well, in fact, Ochako never thought that the time would come where she wouldn't count every penny to see if she would get through the month.
People liked her and Shinsou's work, they even opened a channel on a short video app, showing the preparation of the most delicate and small pieces. More than 250 thousand people were following them at the time. Sales were high and yielded well, even in months with less movement.
It was all wonderful, but she couldn't wait to grow up enough to have more time with Mao.
At that moment, the phone started ringing.
— I'll answer, can you finish checking the orders? — she said, handing the clipboard to Shinsou, who took it and nodded in confirmation.
She went to the store and answered the call.
— Hello! Uravity’s carpentry, how can I help?
— Hi Aunt! — she heard a child's voice.
— Hello? Who speaks?
— It's me, Keiko!
—Oh! Keiko-Chan, how can I help you? Do you want me to call Mao?
— I want to ask you something, auntie.
— Okay — Ochako laughed a little at the serious tone on the girl's voice
— Are you still single?
— Huh?!
— Oi, Keiko, that's not what you were going to ask, don't ask that kind of stuff, you hear? — Ochako heard a male voice in the background of the call.
— Okay, Papa — she could feel the girl rolling her eyes — Auntie, can Mao-Chan come play here with me tomorrow?
— In your house?
— At my daddy’s house!
— Well... I'm sorry, dear, but she can't. I don't have time to take her there and... don't get me wrong, but I don't know your father. Maybe another day, okay?
— Hum, okay, auntie.
The sadness in the girl's voice broke her heart, but Ochako knew how the world was. She wouldn't leave her daughter alone in an unknown man's house, not even to save her own life.
— I have to hang up now, see you later, darling! — Ochako hung up after hearing the girl's goodbye.
— Who was? — Shinsou came out from the back.
— Mao’s friend, she wanted me to take her to play, but I won't.
— Why not?
— Keiko's parents are divorced, and that's not the problem, but from what I understand she's spending her days with her father at the moment and I don't know him. In fact, it's strange that he himself didn't consider it a bad idea.
— I think you did right — he said and looked up at the clock hanging over the store door — it's closing time, do you want me to wake Mao up ?
— Yes, I'll get her things and the keys.
Shinsou went to the office, where Mao took her good afternoon nap. After everything was ready, they picked her up and got into the truck, with Shinsou at the wheel.
— Ma! — called the little girl, sitting on Ochako's lap.
— Yes, my dear?
— Today I saw Keiko-chan's father! — she said, playing with the wooden horse toy she carried everywhere — he's beautiful!
— And what do you know about beautiful people? — Ochako tickled her daughter's belly as she laughed and screamed.
— I know Mom is beautiful!
— An unquestionable fact — said Shinsou, and Ochako rolled her eyes at him.
— Ma is pretty, the boy is pretty. You shod marry him!
Ochako couldn't help but laugh — I Should marry him because we're pretty?
— A great reason — said Shinsou.
— He's rich, too!
— How do you know so much if you only saw him today?
— Keiko-chan said that if you two get married, her father will give you lots of gifts.
— Okay, let's make something very clear here, my dear: mom is not going to marry Keiko's father, okay?
— Why not?!
— Mom doesn't even know him, he could be an annoying ogre!
— He is not! — The girl puffed out her cheeks angrily — I want a new papa!
And then silence fell over the car. Mao didn’t have the time to meet her father, who died of leukemia when she was one and a half years old. Ochako always made the truth very clear to her; she didn't want the girl to grow up always wondering what happened. So when she asked for the first time why other children had dads, but she didn't, Ochako explained as much as possible to her.
— Okay, here I am — Shinsou broke the silence by parking in front of his house. He got out of the car and Ochako left Mao in the passenger seat while she went to the driver's side — good luck — he whispered to her — See you Monday, Mao-chan!
Ochako restarted the car and they headed home.
— Tomorrow we're going to buy you a new car seat, okay?
— The other one broke — the girl remembered.
— Yes.
— … Mom.
— Yes, my dear?
— Is it bad that I want a dad?
Ochako took a deep breath, blinking away the tears — of course not, dear. It's just not as simple as marrying a friend's father.
— Why not?
— One day, when you grow up, you'll understand, okay?
— Okay, Ma.
The rest of the trip was silent, no more questions or relationship suggestions. Ochako understood that for Mao-chan the idea of a father in a close future was like a dream come true, but it would be impossible. It's been almoust five years since her husband's death, five years where her life was limited to her work and her daughter. Even if that man was someone decent and interesting, she no longer knew what it was like to live for herself.
— Whaaat? My dad is not an ogre! — Keiko exclaimed indignantly.
— Keiko-chan, silence, please! — the teacher asked and continued explaining something to one of the students sitting in front.
The girl rolled her eyes and looked at Mao — My dad is not an ogre! —she whispered, screamed.
— I know! But my mom doesn't know him, so she can think anything! — the brunette girl pouted angrily.
— That’s it! They need to meet! Is your mom coming to pick you up today?
— Yes!
— My dad is also coming to pick me up, let's make them meet.
— But how?
— You will see!
Ochako turned the corner that led to her daughter's daycare entrance, parked the truck and got out. Luckily, no one had gotten into an accident, and she could get Mao at the door. The problem was, she wasn't there.
— Mrs. Ishimura, where is Mao? — she asked the teacher who was guiding the children to the exit.
The girl opened her eyes wide and looked around — She was right behind me! I'll look for her right now!
But before the teacher could go, a male voice sounded behind Ochako.
— Oi, where is my daughter?! — His tone was clearly nervous and angry.
Ochako turned her head and found a man two heads taller than her. His blonde hair looked like it had been controlled with some effort and a good amount of gel. His strong frame filled out an expensive suit. His face wore an expression of anger, while his red eyes seemed to burn with worry.
— Mr. Bakugou! Keiko is right here- — the teacher looked around once again, but didn't find the girl.
Ochako could see the life leaving the woman's body.
— My God, where are they?! Sorry, I'll look for them right now! — She turned around, spoke to another daycare worker who took her place, while she ran and called the girls' names.
— Shit, I didn't need that today— The man muttered.
— Watch your mouth — Ochako warned — we are surrounded by children!
Only then did the man notice her, his concern for his daughter momentarily diverting his attention. But finally, he saw her.
Ochako couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable. She wasn't dressed as well as he was, with her work clothes stained with wood stain and dust. She shifted uncomfortably at his gaze on her, but Bakugou was too busy to notice, occupied with the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
From head to toe, she was naturally beautiful. Her eyes big and brown, her body hidden by her work overalls, her brown hair in a barely tied bun with strands dancing across her round face with the rosiest cheeks he had ever seen.
— Are you Keiko-chan's father? — she asked, looking away from him a few times.
He blinked, remembering why he was there — Yes, and you?
— Oh, I'm Mao-chan’s mother, nice to meet you — she offered him a handshake, which he readily accepted — I'm sorry for not letting Mao go play with Keiko last week.
— No, I already expected that. I wouldn't leave Keiko with a stranger even if they threatened me — he said and saw her smile.
— I'm glad you understand me. Keiko-chan is very special, my daughter loves her.
— My daughter loves your Mao-chan, too. She doesn't stop talking about her.
— Yes!
— Tsc. Where did this girl go? — he began to tap his foot, anxiously.
Ochako turned her gaze inside the school. The teacher didn't seem to be successful in her search.
— Excuse me — she said, entering the establishment and starting to look for the girls herself. They couldn't just disappear like that — Mao-chan! Keiko-chan! — she began to call across the courtyard.
She went to the tree house they had outside. That place always worried her a little because it was very high and, at the same time, very small, preventing adults from getting in. However, she considered the Smiling Sun daycare a miracle, since it was the only one with vacancies still available when she needed to change her daughter's daycare.
— Mao! — She stood on tiptoe, trying to look inside the house. The ladder wouldn't support her if she tried to climb it.
— Let me help you — she turned to Bakugou, who appeared behind her.
She wondered how he was going to help her when, after a small “excuse me”, he grabbed her around the waist and lifted her to the window before resting her on his shoulder. Ochako was startled, taking a moment to absorb what had just happened.
— Are they there? — she heard him ask.
Blinking out of her astonishment, she leaned in the window and looked around — Mao-chan! — she said when she saw her daughter's face, who was hiding in the right corner next to the window.
— Oh, no, they found us — she heard Keiko's voice, who was in the opposite corner.
— They're here — she looked at Bakugou — get down from there now!
As the girls went downstairs, Bakugou took Ochako off his shoulder, placing her carefully on the ground. The first to reach the ground was Mao, who ran to Ochako and hugged her legs, before being picked up by her mother.
— What were you thinking, young lady? Don't scare me like that again, you hear?
— Did you see, mom?
— See what?
— He's not an ogre! — she pointed to Bakugou, who had picked up Keiko and seemed to be scolding the sullen-looking girl.
— But she's beautiful, dad, look! — the girl ignored what the man was saying, holding his face with her little hands and turning it so that he looked at Ochako who was already looking at him — And now she knows that you're not an ogre!
— Ogre? — he asked, looking confused at the brunette, who turned redder.
— I didn't say he was an ogre!
— You said “I don’t know him, he could be an ogre” — Mao accurately quoted his mother’s words.
— Mao-chan!
— Well, now that she knows you're not an ogre, you can ask her to marry you, Pa!
— Keiko! — Bakugou stopped laughing, something he didn't even realize he was doing, and looked at her with warning.
Ochako put Mao down and held the girl's hand — I'm sorry, my daughter lost her father very early, so this happens sometimes.
— Oh, wasn't I your first choice, Mao? — Bakugou tried to take everything lightly, not that he was good at it. The little girl hid behind her mother's leg, laughing — it's okay, I divorced Keiko's mother recently, in my case she's just being spoiled, right? — He looked at the girl in his arms as she pouted and crossed her own arms.
— Never disappear like that again, okay? — Ochako warned the two — let's go, mom has to finish two orders today.
— So you're not going to marry him? — the girl looked up with her best sad puppy look.
— Honey, we've already talked about this — Ochako sighed.
— But you know him now — she jumped up and down, upset.
— Uraraka Mao, that's enough — She knew exactly where this would all lead, and this was not a good time. Not there, not in front of people.
But it happened anyway. Mao started crying and jumping.
— Why don't you marry him!? — she screamed and sat down on the floor.
— Mao-
— Why don't you give me a Daddy? I want a DAD! — the legs and arms began to struggle.
—Mao, I said stop-
— You a bad mother! Bad mother! I want a dad!
— MAO, ENOUGH!
The girl fell silent. In fact, everyone was silent. Ochako couldn't see or hear anything. She could handle her daughter's conflicting emotions about not having a father, but she had limits, and sometimes she couldn't be the perfect mother those women on social media were showing themselves to be. Ochako screamed, reached her limits, she needed her daughter to know what a “limit” was, and she would learn.
Ochako took a deep breath — Take your things and let's go — she whispered.
— Ah, you found them! — said the teacher, relieved.
Mao wiped her tears and ran to get her things.
— Next time, I hope I don't have to look after them.
— O-of course, Mrs. Uraraka, I'm sorry. I'll keep my eyes on them!
Bakugou put Keiko down and told her to go get her things, then she ran in the same direction as Mao.
— You can start now — he said to the teacher, who nodded and went to follow the girls.
— I'm sorry about all this — Ochako said, when they got alone, still looking in the direction the girls went — I'm not usually like that.
— It's difficult to raise a child, especially alone. Don’t apologize.
A silence fell over them for a short moment.
— Mao didn't mean that — Bakugou told her.
— I know, but I wonder if she isn't right in the end.
— She is not. Children have too little understanding of what is happening around them, and they tend to be selfish sometimes… like the rest of us. She wants something you can't give her, so she'll be ungrateful and forget everything you've already given. But when she grows up, she will remember.
— How do you know that? — She looked at him, who was already looking at her.
— Because I remember the things my parents did to me and I didn't recognize at the time. In fact, it took me a long time to recognize that they loved me more than most had been lucky to be loved, but if I can do it, there's no doubt that Mao-chan will too.
Ochako blinked, her eyes filling with tears. She looked away from his gaze.
— Do you like your parents now?— she asked.
— Absolutely love them.
— Well... that's good — she smiled at him and the girls returned with their things.
— Have a good day, Mrs. Uraraka — Bakugou said goodbye.
— You too, Mr. Bakugou— She smiled at him one last time and put Mao in the truck before getting in and driving away.