The last few weeks have been hell. Me and my team have been drowning in human trafficking cases and kidnappings. We've managed to rescue over 40 girls, 70 women, and 26 boys so far. The numbers are… acceptable. I check in with my allies. Overhaul reports solid drug dealings and several drug lords apprehended. Shinso says his end with the villains is under control, with multiple takedowns. Lady Nagant has been keeping tabs on other missions. We're managing, but the strain is palpable.
It was Tuesday, and I decided to treat myself. A dangerous thing for someone like me, but necessary. A little normalcy. I went shopping at the mall, grabbed lunch. The day slipped away, and before I knew it, night had fallen. I was cutting through an alley on my way back to my…place, when a familiar, explosive voice shattered the quiet.
"What do you want, Katsuki?" I growled, the exhaustion instantly replaced by a familiar, simmering rage.
He grinned, a cruel, predatory expression that always made my skin crawl. "Stupid Deku. When will you stop trying to play hero?"
My fists clenched. This again. Always this. "And when will you stop being an arrogant prick?"
The argument escalated quickly. Words turned to shouts, then to shoves. I knew how this dance went. Years of pent-up frustration and resentment, bottled up and ready to explode. Punches were thrown. Blood spilled, more from him than me, thankfully. I was always careful, always prepared. I had my knives on me today.
Then he used his quirk.
A deafening roar, the world exploding in a flash of blinding light and agonizing sound. My ears rang, my head swam, and then… nothing. Just darkness.
I woke up wrapped in bandages, in a room that was definitely not my own. Panic flared. Where the hell was I? Every muscle in my body screamed in protest as I sat up, pulling my jacket close. Habit, ingrained deep. I reached inside, fingers automatically finding the familiar, comforting grip of a knife. I always kept at least nine on me.
Footsteps. I tensed, gripping the knife tighter.
The door creaked open, and relief washed over me as I recognized the figure silhouetted in the doorway. Shinso.
"Damn it, Mindjack," I groaned, using his mafia name. "Don't scare me like that."
He smirked, a Cheshire cat observing its prey. "Sorry, didn't mean to. But why the hell were you fighting Katsuki?"
I rolled my eyes. "The bastard started it."
He hummed, a low, purring sound. "Of course, he did…"
My eyes met his, a strange, uncomfortable intensity in his gaze. I quickly looked away.
He grinned wider. "What? Can't handle eye contact?" he taunted.
"Shut the fuck up," I snapped, standing up, but immediately regretted it as a searing pain shot through my ribs. I stumbled, grabbing the edge of the bed to steady myself. "What the fuck…"
Shinso walked closer. "He broke your ribs and made your ears bleed. Luckily, Misty healed most of the damage."
Misty was one of Shinso's healers. Damn, I was lucky.
"Alright, I'm going. I'm going to have Kurogiri warp me home," I replied, trying to ignore the throbbing pain.
Shinso nodded. I pulled out my phone and texted Kurogiri.
Me: Need a warp. Shinso's place.
A few seconds later, Kurogiri responded.
Kurogiri: On my way, Boss.
"He said he'll be here in a few," I said, standing up again, but losing my balance and falling against Shinso.
Our faces were inches apart. His eyes, normally sharp and calculating, held a strange softness. I felt a blush creep up my neck. I pushed myself away, mortified.
"Sorry… I'll have Anna heal my ribs when I get to my base," I mumbled, avoiding his gaze. Anna was one of my best healers.
Shinso nodded, but kept a hand on my arm to steady me. In a few minutes, Kurogiri materialized in a swirl of dark mist.
"Ready, Boss?" he asked, his voice smooth and reassuring.
I nodded, stepping into the warp. As we disappeared, I caught the glint of a knowing grin on Shinso's face. Kurogiri, ever observant, noticed the blush on my cheeks, but thankfully remained silent.
I sighed as we arrived back at my base. The familiar, organised chaos was a welcome distraction. I immediately went to Anna, who wasted no time in healing my ribs. She gave me a stern warning, but i brushed it off. afterwards i went back to the main room, where the League and some of my other trusted members – Ryan, Reece, and Chloe – were hanging out. Some were playing pool, others were talking, playing cards, or just relaxing.
Dabi noticed me first. He walked over, his usual cool demeanor masking a subtle concern, and subtly asked if I was okay, his eyes flicking over the bandages on my arm and ribcage.
"Just some bruises," I said, waving him off.
He didn't look convinced. He and Shigaraki were too perceptive sometimes, digging deeper than necessary. But it was a good quality, in this line of work.
Shigaraki walked over, asking the same thing. I gave him the same response. He nodded, but his face betrayed his skepticism.
I sighed inwardly. Tonight was going to be a long night with them breathing down my neck. I decided to call it a night and go to bed early, hoping to avoid further interrogation. I didn't want to worry them with the details of my little run-in with Katsuki. It wasn't worth it.
Later that night, my phone buzzed twice. One message from an unknown number, but the veiled threat and arrogant tone made it clear who it was. Katsuki. The other was from Shinso, simply asking if I was okay.
I grinned, a genuine, albeit tired, smile. I responded to Shinso with a quick "Yeah, all good," then read Katsuki's message again. Something about our fight not being over and me eventually surrendering.
I rolled my eyes. He was such an asshole.
I silenced my phone, turned over, and finally drifted off to sleep.