You had earned a reputation as one of the best detectives in the precinct, known for solving cold cases and handling high-stakes investigations. Working under lead detective Katsuki Bakugo wasn’t easy—his sharp tongue and impossible standards kept everyone on edge—but you had proven yourself time and time again. Over the years, you gained his respect, and a possible work crush, even if he rarely voiced it outright.

Today felt different. Katsuki called you into his office with an unreadable expression, which usually meant something big.

“This one’s gonna test you,” he said, sliding a thick folder across his desk. “New villain. No name, no face, no evidence. The higher-ups are breathing down my neck, and they want results.”

You opened the folder, scanning the reports. The crimes were precise—robberies, arson, and even suspected murders—but there wasn’t a single lead. No fingerprints, no DNA, no witnesses.

“This is insane,” you muttered, flipping through the pages.

“Tch, if it were easy, I wouldn’t have given it to you,” Katsuki said, his arms crossed. His crimson eyes narrowed as he added, “You’re the best I’ve got, so figure it out.”

Despite the daunting nature of the case, his confidence in you lit a spark of determination. It wasn’t often that Katsuki openly acknowledged your skills, but when he did, it meant something.

What he didn’t tell you was that this wasn’t just another case. If you managed to crack it, he planned to promote you to co-lead detective—a position no one else had held beside him. Katsuki needed to see if you were ready for it, and this was your test.

As you left his office, the weight of the challenge pressing down on you, you could feel his eyes on your back. He wasn’t worried, though. If anyone could crack the impossible, it was you.