(Himiko Toga POV – Unnamed City, Alley)
'He's asking about me?!' I squeal internally. 'Does he like me?'
I giggle, swaying on my feet. "I'm Himiko Toga~!" I chime.
He just stares, his expression unreadable.
"If you keep staring, I'll get embarrassed," I tease, tilting my head.
"Kata Okada," he responds.
'Kata... I love it!' My smile stretches wider.
"Why do you drink blood?" he asks. His tone is flat, like he's discussing the weather.
I twirl on my heel, arms wrapping around myself. "Because I love you, silly! That's how love works~!" My voice is singsong, dreamy. "When you love someone, don't you just wanna become them? And drinking blood is how I love!"
I watch him closely, anticipation curling in my chest.
His face remains unreadable, but he doesn't flinch. 'He's not scared? He's not disgusted?' My breath quickens. 'Does he accept me?!'
My fingers twitch toward my knife. 'I could make him even more beautiful…' The thought makes my cheeks flush. My grip tightens in anticipation.
But then—
"That must be very lonely," he says.
I freeze.
"Huh? Lonely?"
He nods, his gaze steady. "If drinking blood is how you love others, I doubt anyone has ever drunk your blood and returned that love. Isn't that lonely?"
I blink. The words bounce around in my head, like a puzzle I can't quite piece together.
"But that's just how love is!" I insist. "I give and give my love! And in return, they give me their blood."
That's common sense. That's love.
And yet—
'No one's ever asked me that before.'
My heart pounds, something electric buzzing under my skin. 'Does he understand me?!'
A thrill surges through me. 'I want more!'
My smile stretches wider. "Kata~! You're so sweet!"
I take a step forward. My grip on my knife tightens. "You understand me, don't you?"
No one else ever has.
No one else has ever spoken to me like this.
'That makes me want to love you even more!'
I close the distance, breath hitching. "Makes me wanna cut you up and watch you bleed and shiver~!"
I shudder at the thought, my body tingling with excitement. My knife flashes forward—
Clink.
Blocked. Again.
'Tch.' I press forward, stabbing again and again, but that damn invisible barrier stops me every time.
"Come on!" I whine, frustration bubbling over. "Let me cut you! Please!"
I keep stabbing, desperate now, breath heavy. 'I just want to love you!'
(Kata POV – Unnamed City, Alley)
'Okay… I don't know what I expected, but this is definitely more than that.'
I watch as she tries—begs—to stab me, excitement dancing in her golden eyes. Her fascination is unnerving, but… strangely innocent?
'Yep… she's broken. But not malicious. Not exactly.'
I sigh. "No, you can't stab me there."
I expect a pout, maybe frustration, but instead, her smile remains. Her eyes widen, sparkling with excitement.
"'There'…? That means I can stab you somewhere else, right? Right?!"
Before I can respond, she starts jabbing at my chest, arms, legs—wherever she can reach. My quirk stops her every time.
"I don't much like being stabbed," I say, deadpan. "Or running out of blood. But here."
I extend my arm again, letting the previous wound reopen.
Her smile falters for a split second, clearly disappointed that she can't cut me, but she quickly recovers. Pulling out her straw, she leans in, her lips pressing against my skin as she drinks. Her entire body trembles, eyes fluttering shut in bliss.
I watch her carefully. "Why use a straw?"
She pauses mid-sip, blinking as if the question has never crossed her mind. "I dunno? It's just easier this way."
She resumes drinking, her body practically melting in euphoria.
'I doubt that's the real reason.' It's subtle, but I see it now—she uses the straw to keep a barrier between herself and others. She probably doesn't even realize it.
I sigh internally. 'Can't believe I let my sympathy lead me to this. This is self-harm. This is reckless. But…'
I watch her—this girl who the world labeled a monster due to something she couldn't change. 'She could've been saved. If just one person had accepted her before she joined the League…'
I think about the other person I want to help.
'I need to prepare for that.'
Himiko pulls away with a happy sigh, licking her lips like she just tasted something divine. She beams at me.
"I really, really like you!" she chirps.
I arch a brow. "You're awfully carefree for someone on the run."
Her hand is on her knife before I even finish speaking.
'She got cautious when I mentioned I know she's a criminal.'
But after a few moments of tense silence, she giggles. "Aww~ Are you worried about me? That's so sweet!"
The silence persists but then she pouts, crossing her arms. "Yeah, yeah, the police are such a pain~!" She huffs. "All I did was stab someone and drink their blood. And now they're acting all mean about it! Don't you think that's unfair?"
I resist the urge to roll my eyes. "Yeah… no. You can't just stab people. At the very least, you should get permission first."
I say it with obvious sarcasm that she either doesn't pick up on, or chooses to ignore.
She shrugs. "Tried that before. Doesn't usually work or end well."
I exhale through my nose. "Do you even have a place to stay?"
She hums, tilting her head. "Mmm… nope! Guess I'll just have to find a new alley to sleep in~ ...Unless~?" She drags out the word, giving me an expectant look.
I stare at her. "What are you suggesting?"
Toga grins. "I could just stick around with you! You'd be way more fun to be with than hiding from the police all the time! Plus, you like me, don't you? Aren't I cute?"
She strikes a pose, holding up both hands in victory signs.
'Like…?'
I'm not sure whether to call it that.
Do I like her? Or do I just pity her? Maybe I see too much of myself in her, but I doubt I'll figure it out in the next few seconds.
"You are cute," I admit. "But I don't get why you trust me. Or why you think I like you."
Toga tilts her head, and for a brief moment, her expression shifts. Neutral. Flat. And serious.
"You let me drink your blood," she says, voice eerily calm. "You get me. And I like you, Kata~."
Then, just like that, her usual grin returns. She leans in, her golden eyes gleaming with interest.
'That was probably the closest I've gotten to seeing the real Himiko Toga thus far.'
"So why not just keep me~?" She continues.
I maintain eye contact, then take a small step back. Just to create a little space between our faces.
"Aww~ Kata? Are you feeling shy~?" She says excitedly.
I exhale slowly. I'll ignore her comment
"…Fine. You can stay with me. I have spare rooms anyway."
Her eyes light up like a kid on Christmas.
"Yay~!" She jumps forward, grabbing my hand and pulling me along as she starts skipping. "Let's go! You'll give me directions~!"
She hums a song under her breath, practically bouncing with each step.
'What have I gotten myself into?'
...
We arrived at my house just as the first light of dawn began creeping over the horizon. I gave Himiko one of the two remaining bedrooms.
I didn't need to worry about us being tracked as I disabling security cameras I detected along the way.
I sighed. 'This was the easy part. Now for the hard part? Clearing her name.'
'Not that she's actually innocent.'
But that wasn't the point.
Before leaving, I laid down some rules for her. "For now, don't leave the house. Don't stab anyone. And definitely don't drink anyone's blood."
To my surprise, she agreed without fuss—just a playful pout before flopping onto the bed.
'That was easier than expected.'
Maybe it's because I have her my blood, or she finally has a place to rest. Either way, why would I complain?
Shoving that thought aside, I left to complete the part of this plan I was dreading the most.
(Kata's POV – Nezu's Office)
Nezu greeted me with his usual polite smile as I stepped inside.
"Good morning, Mr. Okada! I didn't expect to see students today, given that you all have the day off." His tone was amused, but I didn't miss the subtle wariness in his eyes.
'He's still cautious after last time.'
"I had something to discuss with you, so I came," I said plainly. "I hope that isn't a bother."
"Not at all." He laced his paws together. "What can I help you with?"
I exhaled slowly. "I wanted to talk about Himiko Toga."
His expression remained unreadable as I recounted her backstory—the abuse, the neglect, the way her quirk was demonized from childhood. I didn't sugarcoat what she had done either, but I made sure to emphasize what led her to that point.
"I understand that she's guilty," I admitted. "But if anyone deserves the blame, it's her parents. If you need evidence, it can easily be collected."
Nezu closed his eyes for a brief moment, as if in thought. Then, he smiled. "That is indeed tragic," he said sympathetically. "But I'm afraid I can't help you."
'As expected.'
"But," he continued, studying me closely, "I must say, Mr. Okada, I didn't take you for someone who goes out of his way to help strangers."
'He's fishing for my motive. It's definitely out of character for me to do this.'
"I'm training to be a hero," I replied smoothly. "And All Might said something recently that inspired me and reshaped my views on heroism how I should conduct myself."
'As if either of us would believe that.'
Nezu chuckled, but his eyes gleamed with a sharp light. "Ah, All Might's influence truly is remarkable. I do hope your future actions align with your words."
Silence stretched between us as neither speaks.
'It's a test... and a trade. I know what he wants in return. I expected to give up this information anyway.'
I let a small, measured smile cross my lips. "I agree completely, Principal Nezu. That's why I came prepared with information that might interest you."
His smile widened slightly. "Oh? Do tell."
"But first," I interjected, "I'd appreciate your help with Toga's situation. In the pursuit of justice, of course."
His smile thinned ever so slightly. 'There it is. He'll play my game if I play his.'
"Very well," Nezu conceded, tilting his head. "Justice is important, after all."
I nodded. "Good. Now, about this information..." I reached into my bag and pulled out a stack of documents, sliding them across his desk.
Nezu's ear twitched as he glanced down at the papers. His gaze flicked back up to me, cautious curiosity replacing his usual amusement.
"An application for legal emancipation?"
I nodded. "I submitted it weeks ago, but the process has been slow. I was hoping you could help push it along."
Nezu studied me, his expression unreadable. "You wish to become legally independent?"
"Yes," I said simply. "As you know, I'm an orphan. Being under the care of an orphanage leaves me vulnerable to anyone with ill intent. I'd prefer to be responsible for myself."
Nezu hummed, scanning the documents. "Financial independence, a strong track record, and nearing the legal age…" He tapped his fingers together, his amusement returning. "I suppose it's not unreasonable."
"Then I assume you'll assist?"
Nezu's smile sharpened. "If I do, I expect to see a return on this investment, Mr. Okada."
I smirked. "Of course. The last document is a gesture of trust."
The page is blank. Nezu raises an eyebrow, his sharp eyes watching as I activate my quirk. The paper floats into the air and rapidly begins to heat up. Faint words appear briefly as the paper burns to ashes soon after.
As he reads, Nezu's calm mask falters for just a moment. His beady eyes widen ever so slightly.
"Is this true?" His voice, usually polite and controlled, turns sharp.
I nod. "Yes. Tomura Shigaraki is actually Tenko Shimura. Nana Shimura's grandson." I pause, gauging his reaction. "I assume this is enough to for the favours I asked?"
Nezu remains silent, his expression unreadable as he leans back in his chair. 'He'sprobably trying to see how plausible it all is.'
When Tomura awakened the quirk, if anyone saw the destruction and type of damage, it would look similar to when Tomura uses dacy.
Finally, he exhales. "Mr. Okada, this is a highly sensitive matter. Any further information you can provide would be invaluable."
'So he does believe me.'
I could hold off and demand he helps with my emancipation first, but that would put unnecessary strain on our relationship. Nezu and All Might are useful allies, and I'd rather keep them on my side for now.
"...Alright." I sigh. "All For One is alive. Someone saved him after his battle with All Might. And he's the one pulling the strings behind the League of Villains."
For the first time, Nezu frowns. A deep one. "That… is quite the claim. Do you have any proof?"
I shrug. "The Nomu had multiple quirks—Hyper-Regeneration and Shock Absorption. Someone had to give it those abilities. And when the villains teleported away, I caught a glimpse of AFO on the other end using my quirk."
I proceed to describe his appearance, and missing face.
That part, of course, is a lie. But there's no way for him to verify it. And considering I'd be aware of the heavy damage he suffered, it should add credibility.
Nezu narrows his eyes. "...This wasn't in the statement you originally provided."
I tilt my head slightly. "Naturally. I could only reveal this after I was strong enough to defend myself from any threats that would arise because of it. I had to ensure my own survival first."
A moment of silence passes before Nezu finally sighs. 'It makes logical sense. And he should understand that 'threat' doesn't only refer to villains.'
"Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Mr. Okada," Nezu says at last, his voice measured. "I'll see to it that both of your requests are handled accordingly."
I nod and turn to leave.
As I step out of the office, I feel like smiling, but hold it in.
'That went even better than expected.'
I wasn't detained, nor did Nezu try to worm his way out of our deal. He accepted my claims far too easily, which means…
'They already suspected AFO was alive.'
They must've done some tests on the Nomu and confirmed it's quirks, giving them some doubts that they dismissed. More importantly, my help in stopping the attack, probably added credibility.
As for how AFO will respond?
'They won't be able to find him that easily yet.'
And he's probably already targeting me after seeing the sports festival. This will only make things harder for him. Besides...
'I'm not scared of him.'
Now, there's only one thing left on my list.
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A/N: Please read the author note, as I explain somethings in there. This chapter is way more complicated than my skills allow me to express, so I recommend most find clarity in the note.
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