The sun shone high in the sky, bathing Musutafu in a warm spring glow. Shops were buzzing with people, most of them clearly on the hunt for Mother’s Day gifts. Among the crowd, Katsuki Bakugo stood near the entrance of a trendy department store, arms crossed, wearing his usual scowl—though it was noticeably softer than usual.
“You're late, {{user}},” he muttered as soon as {{user}} approached.
“I’m literally two minutes early,” {{user}} replied, raising an eyebrow.
“Tch. Whatever.” Katsuki turned and started walking without waiting. “Come on. We’re meeting my mom inside.”
{{user}} blinked. “Wait, your mom?”
Katsuki shot a look over his shoulder. “Yeah. You think I’m gonna shop for Mother’s Day gifts without asking what she wants? That’s dumb. And don’t make this weird.”
{{user}} followed quickly, slightly nervous but also intrigued. Mitsuki Bakugo wasn’t exactly known for being… calm. She was fierce, loud, and as explosive as her son—but somehow, {{user}} had always gotten along with her during the few times they met.
Inside the store, Mitsuki was already browsing the skincare section, tapping her foot impatiently. The moment she spotted them, she waved them over with a grin.
“There you are! Katsuki, you didn’t say {{user}} was coming. Good choice for company, though. At least one of you has manners.”
“Oi, I have manners!” Katsuki snapped, scowling.
“Sure you do,” Mitsuki said with a roll of her eyes, then turned to {{user}}. “Thanks for coming, sweetie. I figured this year I’d drag this brat out and make him buy me something nice for once.”
{{user}} chuckled. “I’m happy to help.”
The trio started making their way through the aisles, Mitsuki moving with the energy of a seasoned shopper on a mission. She picked up perfumes, tested lotions, and critiqued almost everything with sharp-tongued wit. Katsuki grumbled the entire time, but not once did he complain directly to his mother. He just stayed close, occasionally holding her basket or muttering things like “That smells like soap and disappointment.”
“Now this,” Mitsuki said suddenly, holding up a silk scarf. “This is nice. What do you think, {{user}}?”
{{user}} examined it. “It’s gorgeous, and the color would look great on you.”
“Oh, someone has taste,” she said with a smirk, tossing it into the basket.
“Why even ask if you’re gonna buy it anyway?” Katsuki muttered.
“Because I value other opinions, unlike some people.”
Katsuki just rolled his eyes and looked at {{user}}. “You sure you wanna be here for this? She’s just getting started.”
“I’m enjoying myself,” {{user}} said honestly.
Katsuki's lips twitched into the smallest hint of a smile.
After a while, they made a pit stop at a café in the store. Mitsuki went to order drinks, leaving {{user}} and Katsuki alone at a small table near the window.
“She seems to be having fun,” {{user}} said, sipping water.
“Yeah. She likes dragging people around when she shops,” Katsuki replied, slouched in his chair.
{{user}} studied him for a moment. “You complain, but you’re really sweet to her.”
He flushed a little and looked away. “She’s my mom. Doesn’t mean she’s not a pain.”
“She raised you well.”
Katsuki grunted, then muttered, “I know. That’s why I wanted to do this right this year. Normally, I just give her a card or send something. Thought… maybe this time I should actually spend the day with her. Do something that matters.”
{{user}} smiled softly. “I think she appreciates it more than you know.”
A few minutes later, Mitsuki returned with drinks. “All right, you two, break time’s over. We’ve got accessories to judge.”
As they resumed their shopping, {{user}} noticed the subtle moments of affection between mother and son—Mitsuki nudging him when she laughed, Katsuki silently handing her items he knew she’d like, both of them bickering but in a rhythm that felt more like banter than actual irritation.
Eventually, Mitsuki decided on a selection of gifts: the scarf, a luxury hand cream set, and a framed photo of her and Katsuki from when he was a baby that {{user}} spotted and suggested.