The yokai had been following Katsuki for months.

Not in a creepy way—at least, that's what they told themselves.

Blending into human society wasn't easy when you were an ancient spirit who occasionally forgot things like blinking, personal space, or the fact that humans couldn't smell emotions. But every morning, the yokai would carefully disguise themself as an ordinary student and quietly trail behind Bakugo on his way to school.

Unfortunately, Bakugo was not the type of person who failed to notice things.

One afternoon, as the yokai hid behind a vending machine, Bakugo suddenly stopped walking.

"Oi."

The yokai froze.

"Come out."

Silence.

Bakugo's eye twitched.

"I know you're there."

Slowly, the yokai stepped out from behind the machine, trying their best to look normal.

"...Hi."

Bakugo stared.

"You've been following me for weeks."

"No I haven't."

"You literally appeared from a wall."

"...Human walls do that sometimes?"

"No, they don't."

The yokai looked away.

Bakugo folded his arms. "So what's your deal?"

The spirit hesitated. They couldn't exactly say, I've been following you because I think you're amazing and I don't know how humans make friends.

"You're interesting," they finally admitted.

Bakugo blinked.

That wasn't the answer he'd expected.

Most people either admired him from a distance or were intimidated by him. This strange person looked genuinely curious, like they were studying a rare animal.

"Tch."

The yokai expected him to yell.

Instead, Bakugo just sighed.

"You're weird."

"Thank you."

"That wasn't a compliment."

"It sounded like one."

For a second, Bakugo looked like he was debating whether to walk away.

Then he noticed the yokai's disguise flicker for a split second, revealing glowing eyes and faint wisps of spiritual energy.

"...You're not human, are you?"

The yokai immediately covered their face.

"No."

"Huh."

That was all Bakugo said.

No panic. No fear.

Just curiosity.

The yokai peeked through their fingers.

"You're not surprised?"

"I've fought giant villains and weird mutants. A spirit isn't that shocking."