5:32 AM Prologue - Welcome to Musutafu
An energetic city where something always seems to be happening.
Many writers had visited and immediately cranked out a bestseller, hit with a certain creative stroke of genius.
It's a writer's dream city, a city of inspiration...unless you're Hitoshi Shinsou apparently.
He had just moved into his dads’ old house a few weeks ago with his little sister Eri, and still had nothing. He visited many areas with his best friend from college, Izuku, but was never hit with the creative strike other writers had claimed to have gotten. Hitoshi was a little stressed...okay, maybe not just a little.
He released a deep sigh, "still got nothing," he relayed. His green-haired best friend looked at him with concern, as writing was everything to Hitoshi. He'd never seen Hitoshi so stuck, so he patted his back with a sorry smile.
"It's okay, you're just getting settled in anyways. Art takes time, and MindJack is definitely considered art." Izuku smiled, trying to reassure Hitoshi, "Maybe you just need something to happen to YOU instead of just viewing what happens to others! Since MindJack is based on you, after all."
Hitoshi chuckled, and gave Izuku his signature sarcastic smirk, "Yeah, because something wonderful will definitely happen. Sure. Hate to break it to you Zuku, but the universe doesn't like me that much, I'm not like you or your fairytale prince of a fiancée."
Izuku sputtered and twisted his engagement ring with a blush, "He- I-...It's not that much of a fairytale..." He smiled to himself thinking about his about-to-be husband Tenya, before snapping out of it and focusing back on the subject at hand: walking to his mother's small café.
The two men arrived at Inko's, a beautiful café that was deemed a second home to many people. They entered the café door, hearing the small bell ding as they stepped inside.
They were greeted by an intoxicating scent of coffee and vanilla. Café tables adorned the sun-kissed marbled floors, as if placed there at the tip of an artists brush. The cafes honeyed hues of chestnut brown and cream bring a sweetness to the day, coaxing an inner smile that warms anyone from within. The chestnut walls were adorned with art from local artists, along with the artists information and email on small cards below.
As beautiful as the café looked, it was well known for its baked goods, from recipes made by the kind owner herself. The owner, Inko Midoriya, was a kind lady with a loving heart. She would give discounts to people who looked as if they needed it, and offer free snacks and shelter from any storms to those stuck outside. Her son Izuku gained her love of the kitchen and decided to go to culinary school, meeting his rich soon-to-be husband Tenya Iida. He offered to help Inko upgrade the café, but she politely declined, saying that it was perfect the way it was.
Inko was quick to hire Shinsou when she heard of his predicament, happy to pass her love of the café to more people. She said that any friend of her son's was welcome to the café, and she was glad to have someone so well-versed in coffee knowledge. Hitoshi, the resident insomniac, offered to take the early hours and night shifts whenever needed, as long as there was someone to stay with Eri. Inko joyfully suggested her house, which was just atop the café, so Hitoshi could still check up on her. Thus, the deal was made and Hitoshi was to be introduced to the staff the next day.
After all of Inko's baby Izuku stories and housewarming gifts (mostly consisting of baked goods), Hitoshi left the café to pick up Eri from Mirio's house.
Mirio also went to college with the insomniac, but was a few years ahead of him. Mirio had been great friends with Izuku and was introduced to Hitoshi in an attempt to get the writer to be more social. They got along pretty well, and when Mirio met Eri he immediately decided to take her under his wing. Hitoshi was glad that he had befriended the small girl, as she was scared to talk to most people, and in-turn wasn't able to make friends well.
Hitoshi knocked on the door, and was met with a shy man he'd grown to know as Tamaki. They greeted each other with a mutual wave before Tamaki let him inside, rushing off to get his husband.
Hitoshi was met with a feeling of peace as he stepped inside, only to be glomped by a tiny girl who hugged him tightly. The scent of apple shampoo was strong as he hugged Eri back, happy to see her again. He let out a small chuckle, as she squealed with joy.
“Hito’s back!!! Don’t leave for that long again, we missed you!”
“We? Wha-” He started, but then was glomped by what felt like a car...aka Mirio.
Tamaki mouthed a small ‘sorry’ as his husband said,
“SHINSOU! Good to see you buddy! It’s been too long! We should definitely go get some lunch sometime!”
Hitoshi awkwardly patted his back and nodded, as Tamaki whispered
“Uh, Mirio? I think you might be hurting him...”
“Oh, oops! Sorry Shinsou, keep forgetting my own body weight sometimes!” Mirio relayed with a smile, removing himself from Hitoshi, who looked a bit more purple than usual, “Thanks for reminding me, sunshine!”
Tamaki flushed and gave a small smile, twisting his wedding band around his finger. The two had recently gotten married, and Eri had the joy of being their flower girl. Mirio and Tamaki had offered to let Eri stay with them for a while after the wedding, so Hitoshi could go through with the move smoothly. They said that they needed a kids opinion on how to style an extra room anyways, as they were planning on adopting, and wanted to spend their honeymoon getting ready for it.
“It’s okay, but we have to go home now. I have a shift early tomorrow, so Eri needs to get to bed soon. Inko said she could stay upstairs or go to the park until school starts, she even offered to walk her there.” Hitoshi said with a smile, picking up Eri and her bag. “Is there anything you want to say to them, tiny?”
Eri smiled at the two and waved “Thank you for being good stand-in daddies!”
“Bye Eri, thank you for staying over,” Tamaki spoke, shakily smiling at the girl while Mirio waved at the two.
With that, Hitoshi and Eri walked out the door and went over to their new-old house. They went inside, where Eri got ready for bed and was read a bedtime story...or four. When she finally fell asleep, Hitoshi tucked her in and shut the door quietly.
Hitoshi smiled and went to the kitchen, where his laptop was charging, to make a pot of coffee and try to write something.
‘This is going to be a long night...’
