Crossroads of Worlds on the Edge of Reality

The last thing Katsuki heard before being sucked into the portal were four words. Words that were forever etched in Katsuki's mind. "Rift. That's my name." "Rift. That's the name of the one who defeated you and got away with it," the hero interprets to himself. Katsuki has always feared portals. He has always been afraid of finding himself in a situation he wouldn't be able to handle on his own. He thought that the string of such events was behind him, back when he was training at the academy. He believed that the League of Villains would be the only scum daring enough to shove him into some portal. Well, it seems that even Katsuki is prone to mistakes. He remembers that day very well. Starting with that bastard who wrapped him in some kind of ball, and that disgusting feeling of the tight grip from Shoto Todoroki's burned hand. And Deku's face. Who, as always, tried to save him. Just like in elementary school. With that muddy trash. And now, when their lives were at stake, he was saved by none other than Izuku. Katsuki still cursed himself for disobeying the orders of the older heroes. He should have hidden. For once, he should have thought with his head before mindlessly attacking everyone around. He genuinely thought he had learned this lesson. Apparently not. Because he feels the disgusting pull into the vast abyss of uncertainty once again. And this time, it seems, for the last time. “Kacchan, no!” Deku's voice is barely audible, as if Katsuki's ears were blocked. Maybe it's because of the quirk? Ashido was always getting on his nerves about that. Perhaps he really should consider learning sign language. He didn't want to admit that the blockage in his ears was due to his loathsome fear. In the next moment, something happens that throws the guy off balance: a torrent of falling debris lands on his childhood friend. Deku was shouting something, trying to warn him about the obvious thing that Katsuki was well aware of. He knew about the light barrier from the explosion, he knew how much he was risking, but that’s what being a hero is all about. It’s about taking risks and putting everything on the line. And winning. However, something went wrong with that bastard, and his risks were clearly not justified. Still, he was not surprised — at least, not completely. Katsuki felt himself being pulled into the unknown portal. Time seemed to slow down, and he managed to see the panic on Deku’s face. The familiar feeling of helplessness washed over him. “No, I can’t just give up like this!” he thought, clenching his fists. Katsuki activated his explosive quirk, trying to break free from the portal. But it was futile — the pulling force was too strong. The last thing Katsuki saw before plunging into the darkness of the portal was Deku’s outstretched hand, desperately trying to hold onto him. And those words that Katsuki still heard, as if they were hanging in the air: “Kacchan, I will save you, whether you want it or not!” He knew that Deku would say that. He always reached out a helping hand, and he, Katsuki, always rejected it. That had just become their way. However, this time, it seemed Izuku had decided to see it through to the end: but how this heroics would end for them, no one knew. Katsuki couldn’t remember anything more clearly than the expression on his friend’s face. He was crying again; then again, that wasn't surprising. And then — absolute darkness. Katsuki felt as if his body was dissolving, and his consciousness slipping away. He knew he had lost, but until the last moment, he tried to find the strength to escape. But those too had run out. Katsuki closed his eyes, ready to face the unknown. And suddenly — light. Bright, blinding. Katsuki squinted, feeling himself being pulled from the portal. He landed heavily on the ground, coughing and gasping for air. Where am I? What is this place? — flashed through Katsuki's mind as he finally managed to open his eyes and look around. An unfamiliar landscape, an unusual atmosphere... He had found himself in another world.

***

Another abstract algebra class had begun to bore Sei, who, like her classmates, was counting down the remaining minutes until the end. The teacher, an elderly professor with gray hair and a discerning gaze, was rambling on endlessly, further exhausting the weary students. She had never understood university teachers, even though she would join their ranks after a year of studying. Why not simply give herself and the students a break? The cameras, as the group discovered after years of education, were merely for show and were particularly effective only during exams. Finding no other way out, she habitually pressed the LINE icon and quickly typed to her friend: Sei: How are you? Still alive? The response came instantly, as always.

Kohari: No. There’s too much work; they’ll probably keep me here until tonight.

Sei took a long breath that anyone present in the room could hear. Sei: Then I’ll be at your place by 10.

Kohari: Agreed. We can take a walk afterward.

Sei: Deal. "Inoti," the teacher distracts her from the joyful anticipation of the meeting, "you seem to be quite downcast." He adds meaningfully, referencing Sei's recent sigh. Before she can even roll her eyes mentally, he continues, "I believe solving a few problems will lift your spirits." "Damn you," the girl thinks despairingly. Kohari, on the other hand, was not having a particularly bright day either. Every day began the same way. By the beginning of eleven in the morning, Kohari was on her feet, hurrying to the restaurant kitchen. As she walked past empty streets, she inhaled the scent of blooming cherry blossoms, reminding her that it was time to update the seasonal dishes. Upon entering the kitchen, Kohari immediately set to work on her routine tasks — checking the deliveries of fresh produce, cleaning and sharpening knives, and organizing the inventory. Her movements were honed by years of practice; she seemed to dance to the rhythm of the sizzling oil and the crackling coals in the enormous oven. Gradually, the other chefs joined her — each focusing on their own tasks. Some were cutting vegetables, while others prepared marinades and sauces. Kohari was in charge of preparing the main dishes — sashimi, sushi, and meat delicacies. She skillfully handled the knife, deftly arranging pieces of fish into perfect compositions. Sometimes, amidst the hustle and bustle of lunch, Kohari caught herself thinking that she was tired of the endless repetition of the same actions. Every day seemed like an exact copy of the previous one, without any significant changes. But just when she felt a sense of pride as another dish turned out perfect, the boredom was immediately replaced by the satisfaction of a job well done. And if it weren't for the close-knit team, she surely would have gone mad. After finishing another shift, Kohari leisurely made her way home. She couldn't wait to lie down and rest, as she needed to recharge for the routine of being a chef in Japan that awaited her the next day. Returning home from yet another dull lecture, Sei replayed the familiar cycle of her life in her head. Every morning, Sei woke up in the apartment she shared with Kohari, overlooking the bustling streets of Tokyo. She quickly prepared herself, all the while suspecting that she would not look very presentable. After having breakfast, she headed to the university, which she both hated and despised (love was out of the question), commuting by subway for about half an hour until she reached her destination. Habitually making her way to the right lecture hall, Inoti reluctantly took out her headphones and entered the hellish abode. She had naively thought that it would all end with school. Returning home around noon, she sat down at her laptop and checked her schedule for online classes. Sei taught mathematics to several students of various ages, helping them understand complex topics and prepare for exams. She explained the material clearly and understandably, effortlessly finding an individual approach to each child. In the evenings, Sei spent her time studying additional literature, solving advanced problems, and preparing for the next day's lessons. More often, she allowed herself to take a break — strolling through the beautiful streets of Tokyo and visiting her friend at the restaurant. However, just like Kohari, her life was not filled with new experiences. Work, study, home, and then work again. When would it all end, they might wonder? All it takes is to wait for the cover of night.

***

Katsuki had to look around three times to realize that he was alive. So the portal didn’t kill him; but… damn it, where was he then, if he wasn’t dead? Katsuki turned sharply, trying to comprehend where he was. He still found it hard to believe that he was alive. The darkness around him was suffocating, making him anxious. He felt an unusual heaviness in his body, as if energy were leaking out of him. Looking around, Katsuki tried to make out anything in the surrounding gloom, but it was in vain. Just as he was consumed by confusion and uncertainty, a frantic cough from behind broke his concentration. Turning around, he finally distinguished the familiar silhouette of Izuku. Seeing his friend alive brought a rush of relief to Katsuki, but he quickly reprimanded himself, unwilling to show any weakness. “Ugh, Kacchan, I’m so glad you’re okay! It looks like we really ended up in the portal, and…” Katsuki irritably turned his whole body toward Izuku and quietly asked in a threatening tone, “What the hell are you doing here, Deku?” “What are you talking about, Kacchan? I told you that…” “I heard you perfectly well, idiot! I’ll ask again: what are you doing here?!” Katsuki yelled, unable to hold back his irritation. He didn’t understand why Deku acted so recklessly, abandoning his duty as the Symbol of Peace for the sake of saving just Katsuki. Although, more likely, he was pretending not to understand. “I saved you, Kacchan!” Deku's voice became as firm as steel. Izuku didn’t understand his friend’s reaction: he had finally reached him and saved him, yet in response, he was being yelled at again! “Are you seriously not getting it? You’re the damn Symbol of Peace! You should have stayed and finished off that bastard! And what did you do?! Deku, you’re insane!” “Kacchan,” Midoriya became unusually serious, distracting Katsuki from his further angry tirade, “stop freaking out. Since we’re here, let’s at least figure out a way to get home. Your shouting isn’t going to help anything.” “I know,” Katsuki rolled his eyes. “You’re such an idiot. You left an entire country to save just me! All Might would have slapped you for that.” “I don’t see it that way, Kacchan,” Izuku finally smiled, realizing that Dynamight’s panic had subsided. “What the hell is with all this darkness? We were fighting in the light, what’s going on?” Bakugou continued to grumble, not paying much attention to his friend’s replies. “You can activate your explosions as a flashlight,” Izuku suggested, unknowingly making the situation worse with his words. “Great idea, Deku, you’re just a genius,” Bakugou rolled his eyes again, barely calmed down earlier. Trying to activate his quirk, he looked at his palm in disbelief, where no explosions formed. Katsuki frowned, feeling even more confused. He tried to activate his quirk once again, but it was in vain — the explosions did not manifest. Dynamite's heart sank with anxiety. “What the hell? Why isn’t it working?” he asked, with a hint of panic in his voice, turning to Izuku. Midoriya looked equally puzzled. He examined Katsuki carefully, trying to understand what had happened. “I don’t know, Kacchan. Maybe some forces here are suppressing our abilities,” Izuku suggested, stroking his chin thoughtfully. “If that’s the case, we need to be particularly cautious.” Katsuki clenched his fists, overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness. He hated feeling so vulnerable. A rustling sound came from a distance, making both of them tense up. “Damn it, where the hell are we?” Dynamight spat through gritted teeth, straining his eyes to see into the darkness. “I don't know, Kacchan. But I think we should look for some source of light and try to get out of here,” Izuku replied calmly, signaling to his friend that panicking was pointless right now. He cautiously moved forward, intending to explore the surrounding area. Katsuki hesitated for a moment before following him, ready to react at any moment. Now that their abilities had been suppressed, they were in a highly vulnerable position. But Dynamight was determined to escape this strange place at any cost, not allowing fear to take control over him.

***

Kohari hated cooking, especially the fact that she always ended up injuring herself while doing it, but the good company and the money she could spend on various anime figures made it worthwhile, to the astonishment of her friend. Just now, when they finally met up and headed home for dinner, another conversation on the topic began: “How’s work going?” Sei asked, devouring the delicious takoyaki her friend had prepared. She genuinely worried about the number of cuts and bruises Kohari's job inflicted on her, but Kohari continued to push beyond her limits, repeating their beloved motto, “Plus Ultra.” Kohari wearily rubbed her hands, showing her calluses and fresh cuts on her fingers. She forced a smile as Sei anxiously examined her palms. The articulate clicking of Keki expressed everything without the need for words, and Inoti also smiled wearily at her while glancing over the shelves filled with anime figures. “And how are your students? I hope they’re not tormenting you?” Following that came Kohari’s playful threat with a fist, and Inoti shook her head negatively while laughing. “I think I’ll save up a bit more money and buy an Izuku figure,” Kohari’s expression quickly changed from tired to dreamy at the mere mention of Midoriya. With a spark in her eyes, Kohari started to talk about the latest Izuku figure she planned to buy. Sei just smiled, fully aware of her friend’s boundless love for the hero. “What number will that be? The fifth?” Inoti giggled as she finished her dinner. “That’s just the beginning!” Kohari responded importantly, raising a finger in a chastising manner, which caused both of them to burst into laughter. What Kohari hated most about her routine was the absence of Izuku in it. “It's so nice that you got out early. Let’s finally take a walk.” “Exactly. This job has completely exhausted us. Who knew that adult life would be so difficult?” Sei's skeptical gaze sliced through the night’s silence with the quiet laughter of the girls. Kohari just smiled and began to talk again about her love for Izuku. Twilight slowly descended upon the city, wrapping the streets in the soft glow of the streetlights. Sei and Kohari strolled leisurely through the quiet alleys, enjoying the rare opportunity to take a break from their working days. The girls walked side by side, occasionally exchanging lazy remarks. Periodically, Kohari would perk up whenever she started talking about Izuku and his heroic feats. Sei simply smiled, listening to these enthusiastic monologues. Suddenly, a noise came from ahead — it sounded like something had fallen or someone had tripped. The girls grew alert, exchanging worried glances before cautiously moving forward, trying not to draw attention to themselves. Turning the corner, they froze, stunned by the scene before them. Right in the middle of the quiet alley stood two tall guys, hotly debating something. One had tousled blond hair, while the other had thick green curls. The painfully familiar silhouettes made both girls gasp loudly with genuine surprise, and before the strangers could notice their presence, they slipped behind the wall of a building. Frightened, they exchanged glances and listened intently to the ensuing conversation. “Did you hear that, Deku?” Katsuki asked, raising an eyebrow in confusion at his partner. “What are you talking about?” Deku replied, not having heard any outside noises due to the loud grumbling from Kacchan. “Have you completely lost your hearing?” the blonde scoffed. “Though maybe that should have happened to me,” an unpleasant thought crossed through his mind before he stepped toward the direction from which the rustling had come. The prospect of being caught in such a situation did not sit well with the girls, but there was nowhere to go. Backing away a few meters like a mouse, they merely tried to pretend that they were not involved and that there was no spying going on — something that was, in fact, true. “Who are you two?” a menacing figure towered over the thoroughly frightened Sei and Kohari. “We were just passing by,” the two responded in unison, instantly reacting to the shock. They exchanged glances, silently acknowledging their synchronization, as if the issue of two incognito figures didn’t exist at all. The girls tucked their heads into their shoulders, feeling the intense gaze of the menacing stranger upon them. The scar over his eye contrasted surprisingly with his unnaturally red eyes, as if they were top-quality contact lenses. Sei was so stunned by his resemblance to Katsuki Bakugou that she couldn't make a sound. However, to their surprise, rather than anger, a look of confusion appeared on his face. “Wait, Kacchan, don’t scare them,” the green-haired boy said calmly, placing a hand on his friend's shoulder. “We didn’t mean to frighten you.” “Kacchan?” Sei thought in bewilderment. Kohari looked just as surprised as she glanced at the rushing green-eyed boy. What the heck is going on? Katsuki frowned, but complied, slightly relaxing his stance. Sei and Kohari watched his movements tensely, ready to bolt at any moment. “Do you happen to know what’s going on here?” the green-haired young man asked politely. “We seem to be a bit... lost. I hope we didn’t disturb you?” Now it was Kohari's turn to marvel at how similar this young man was to the one she dreamed about every night. The same scar, the eyes, the nervous smile... Was this some sort of joke? A prank they were filming without their knowledge? Would the entire Internet be laughing at their reaction tomorrow? The girls exchanged glances, assessing the situation. Though the boys looked intimidating, they didn't give off any threatening vibes. Sei decided to respond: “No, no, it’s fine. We were just... walking by. Sorry if we interrupted you!” She smiled nervously, feeling her insides clench with excitement. Kohari silently nodded, carefully examining the strangers. Izuku relaxed a bit, noticing that the girls didn’t seem frightened. But Katsuki was still frowning, as if he suspected them of something. “So you were just... passing by?” he asked, squinting his eyes. “Y-yes, that’s exactly it!” Sei hurriedly nodded. An awkward pause settled over the group, during which everyone seemed to be trying to figure out what to do next. The tension built, but eventually, Izuku broke the silence first: “Well, then... I’m sorry for bothering you. We’ll just be on our way. Have a nice evening!” “Wait!” Overcome by her earlier anxiety, Sei forgot herself and grabbed the blond with the scar by the sleeve. He turned slightly toward her, and she hurriedly pointed at his small wounds and the dried blood. “You and your... friend,” Sei said, not entirely sure why she turned to her silent friend for support. One glance from her gave her a bit more resolve, and she spoke more confidently, “You have blood. The wounds don’t seem critical, but if you’d like, we can help you.” Katsuki frowned upon hearing the offer of help from the unfamiliar girls. He looked at Sei’s outstretched hand with suspicion, clearly wavering on whether to accept the offer. However, Izuku, noticing the girls' concern, gently placed his hand on Katsuki's shoulder to draw his attention. “Thank you for offering to help,” he said, giving the girls a warm smile. “Our injuries aren’t that serious, but your offer is very kind.” He cast a quick glance at Katsuki, as if urging him not to reject the help so rudely. Katsuki merely frowned and then reluctantly nodded. “Fine, since you insist...” he muttered, averting his gaze. Sei beamed, realizing they had managed to persuade the guys after all. She eagerly stepped closer, carefully examining Katsuki's wounds. “Let’s go to our place; we have everything you need to treat your injuries,” Kohari suggested, noticing that Izuku winced slightly when she touched the scrape on his cheek. Izuku smiled, gratefully nodding. He clearly felt comfortable with the girls, unlike the withdrawn Katsuki. The boys exchanged glances, as if engaging in a silent dialogue, and then nodded in agreement. Sei: I’M SORRY Sei: BUT WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!

Kohari: SAME DAMN QUESTION!

Kohari: WHO ARE THESE GUYS AND WHY ARE THEY COPIES OF IZUKU AND KATSUKI?!

Sei: Maybe they’re cosplayers...? Sei quickly turned her head toward Kohari, nervously smiling, aware that this guess was a bit strange. Kohari shook her head negatively, secretly scrutinizing the faces of the boys trailing behind them. They looked remarkably similar, and Sei's guess might have been valid if not for one detail: the scars on both boys’ faces were identical to those of the anime characters. Kohari understood this better than anyone; she had spent hours studying artwork of Izuku since she was a skilled artist, and the proportions of Midoriya's scar in the anime and the one on the guy behind them were exactly the same. Plus, Bakugou's eye color — it was surprisingly natural for a cosplay. The same scar as his friend’s: in the same place and with the same proportions. Katsuki looked at the girls' phones in confusion, clearly suspecting they were messaging each other. Glancing at Deku, he took out his cell phone, which had miraculously survived the journey, and quickly whispered for his friend to get his phone out. Kacchan: Deku, are we really just going to trust them?

Deku: Kacchan, I understand your concerns, but right now, these girls don’t seem threatening. They just offered us help when we needed it. Let’s not immediately suspect everyone.

Kacchan: You’re always so naive, Deku. And we’re not dying to easily accept help. They seem really strange. Kacchan: Besides, who would let two unknown guys, covered in blood, stay overnight?! They’re either crazy or just as much of helpful idiots as you are.

Deku: So what, you suggest we hide and run away? That would just raise more suspicion. Let’s be polite and observe them. If anything seems off, then we can act.

Kacchan: Act? Like how? Without any quirk?

Deku: Kacchan, I know you’re worried about our safety, but I feel that everything is fine.

Kacchan rolled his eyes but nodded in response. He still remained on edge but decided to trust Deku’s judgment — their friendship had been through too much for Bakugou to doubt his intuition. Having finally reached home, Sei and Kohari carefully tended to Katsuki's and Izuku's injuries, trying to be as gentle as possible. Both heroes watched their actions tensely, clearly unaccustomed to such care from strangers. “Thank you for helping,” Izuku said quietly when Sei finished applying the last bandage. “We could have managed on our own, but your assistance is very timely.” Katsuki merely nodded grimly in acknowledgment, pursing his lips. It seemed he was still not very pleased with the situation. “It's no trouble,” Kohari replied with a sunny smile, looking directly into the green-haired boy's eyes, which made him a bit flustered. Sei obviously noticed the scene and almost squealed. Katsuki had no choice but to roll his eyes. “Alright, first aid is done,” Inoti said briskly, closing the first aid kit. “What are your names?” They don't know us here, Bakugou noted automatically, examining the bandages on his hands. Katsuki stole a quick glance at Izuku, as if evaluating whether to reveal their real names. However, any hesitation might have seemed odd. But what’s normal in a situation like this anyway? “I’m Bakugou Katsuki,” he replied shortly, carefully observing Inoti's and Sei's reactions. “And this...” he nodded toward Izuku. “My name is Midoriya Izuku,” he spoke softly, in contrast to his more brusque companion. He gave the girls a slight smile, but his eyes read carefulness. Katsuki frowned, noting that they had not recognized their real names. On one hand, this somewhat reassured him — it meant these girls did not pose a threat for now. But on the other hand, he did not understand why they found themselves in an unfamiliar place where no one knew them. Is this what parallel universes are like? “I’m Kyoki Kohari,” one of the girls introduced herself. “Inoti Sei,” the second one added, giving a slight smile. “Got it,” Kohari nodded, looking at the guys with interest. “You mentioned that you got lost, so you’re not locals? Where are you from then?” What the heck? Are they sick? “Are they making fun of us?” Sei wondered. “Why wouldn’t cosplayers, if they are indeed cosplayers, reveal their real names? Why immerse themselves so deeply in their roles? They must be some kind of crazy!” Izuku hesitated, unsure of what to say. He clearly did not want to reveal too much about their situation. “You could say that we... are from another place,” he said cautiously, casting a quick glance at Katsuki for support. The blonde pursed his lips in discontent. He wasn’t used to beating around the bush, but right now, it seemed like they needed to be more careful. “Yeah, we kind of... ended up here by accident,” Katsuki finally replied, trying to sound as natural as possible. “And now we... have nowhere to go.” He squinted, scrutinizing the girls' faces as if to gauge their reaction to this admission. Sei and Kohari exchanged glances, and an understanding expression appeared on their faces, as if they had already figured out that the guys were in an unfamiliar place. “I see,” Sei said softly. “Well, since you have nowhere to go for now, maybe you...” She cast a questioning look at Kohari, as though asking her to continue. “Maybe you could stay with us for the night?” Kohari suggested, smiling at the guys. “We wouldn’t want you to end up on the street in such a condition.” Katsuki frowned, clearly still mistrustful of the strangers. But Izuku gave a slight nod, as if thanking the girls for their hospitality. “We would be very grateful,” he replied, smiling politely. Katsuki mentally cursed but didn’t argue. They really were in a dire situation, and although he didn’t trust these girls, it seemed wise to accept their help. After all, this was an opportunity to better understand what was happening.