Mina smiles at me as she drapes a set of clothes over her arm.
"Ready to check out?"
I nod, letting a grin sneak onto my face as she leads me to the cashier.
I'll admit it, it was fun hanging out with Mina…
She greets the lady at the cashier politely as she sets the clothes on the counter and pulls out her wallet.
"Here."
Pulling some cash out of my own wallet, I give some to her as she smiles again.
"Aw, you don't have to do that, Ritsu! I can pay."
I shake my head, handing her the money then putting my hands in my pockets.
"Just take it."
She nods and hands the money to the cashier as I pull my bag onto my shoulder.
"I'll wait outside."
Mina nods as I walk towards the exit. I wait outside for a minute before a sudden hooded figure puts an arm around my shoulder and pulls me forward. Before I can shout at them for touching me, I realize It's Shigiraki. Keeping my mouth shut, I try to play it cool as I bring my voice down to a whisper.
"What are you doing here?"
He continues to guide me for a bit before we turn into an empty hallway leading towards a water fountain and bathrooms. He stops short of the entrance into the hall before his arm slides up my shoulder and rests next to my neck, pulling me ever so slightly closer to him. My whole body tenses up a bit as he whispers into my ear, his raspy voice threatening to send chills up my spine.
"I wanted to check in with that green-haired classmate of yours, then I decided to give you a last-minute visit as well."
Midoriya? What does he want with him? Whatever it is, I should warn him. What If he's already met with him?
"-And to tell you how upset I am that you've evaded your duties as a member of the League."
I try and swallow my fears and dread as I respond.
"It's been getting harder to get good info, sir. And I apologize for making you upset over my absence."
He clicks his tongue.
"Oh I'm not just upset, I'm disappointed. You were supposed to be this secret weapon that would help us destroy this pathetic hero society, yet you seem to be having a change of heart. If that were to happen, you might end up dead. And we don't want that now do we?"
I feel a drop of sweat slide across my cheek.
Damnit...! I don't think I'll be able to weasel my way out of this one...Damn you Shigiraki!
"Of course not, sir. I knew what I was getting into when I joined the League, and for me to betray it would be idiotic and irrational. Especially after all you've done for me."
Half of that was a lie. He pauses, the atmosphere motionless and eerie.
"Hmm... I suppose I'll believe you for now. Anything you need to tell me? Any information?"
I nod.
"Yes. We are scheduled to go to a special training camp starting next week. I wasn't able to get it's location exactly, but It's supposed to be somewhere surrounded by a forest and maybe mountains. All Might said the people running the place are cat pro heroes, and the only pro heroes like that I could think of are some group called the Wild Wild Pussycats or something like that."
He pauses again.
"Is this enough?"
I ask as he tilts his head.
"Meh. I guess. With master's help, we should be able to figure something out."
He laughs lightly, pulling me closer.
"But don't think I'll let you avoid your duties anymore. Roll up your sleeve."
Before I can realize the purpose behind this odd request, I hesitantly roll up my left sleeve to my elbow. Shigiraki then grabs onto my forearm, and I cup over my mouth with my other hand as I feel the immense sting and strange feeling of my skin decaying away. Biting my tongue to hold in my whimpers, I yank my arm away from him, but it's too late. The damage has been done, and the area he touched is now an open wound. It doesn't bleed, yet it stings like hell and reveals a delicate red layer of fresh skin tissue, the skin surrounding it cracked and aching. I immediately roll my sleeve back down, holding in another whimper as the cloth briefly rubs against the wound, making it sting even more. I swallow the pain as I whip around, but Shigiraki has already disappeared.
Damnit! That bastard...S-shit this hurts more than I thought...
Taking a deep breath, I try to act as normal as I can as I walk out of the hallway, being greeted by a relieved Mina. She carries a full shopping bag in one hand and puts her other hand on her hip.
"Where'd you go, silly? I thought I lost ya!"
I try to cover up my pained expression, but I fail miserably as my wound keeps rubbing against my sleeve. Then, I decided to bite back at Shigiraki.
"M-mina, we need to find security immediately."
Her smile fades in an instant as she starts panicking.
"W-what? Why? Did something happen?"
I nod as I grab her free hand and start pulling her along.
"I'll explain in a minute. I think a villain might be here. One of the League of Villains to be specific."
She gasps as we hastily walk down an escalator, making it quickly to the floor below us.
"What?! R-Ritsu, how do you know this?!"
"Because I ran into him, and we need to find Midoriya."
After making it to the bottom of the escalator, she follows me as I spot a shaken up Midoriya being consoled by a worried Ochaco. Walking right up to them, they look at me with anxious expressions.
"Midoriya, I know what happened. Shigiraki came to you didn't he?"
His eyes widened.
"H-how did-?"
"He ran into me as well."
Rolling up my left sleeve, I reveal my bright red wound and the cracked skin around it. They all gasp as I roll it back down, once again trying to hide the pain. Yet my acting skills haven't been too convincing recently.
"Ochaco, Mina, you two should go gather the others and tell them about what happened, but don't let them panic. Midoriya and I will find security and tell them what happened."
They nod reluctantly as Ochaco turns to Midoriya.
"It'll be alright! Mina and I will find everyone else! Stay safe, Deku!"
The two run off in separate directions, beginning their search for the rest of our class. Midoriya stands up, his face now serious and one of his fists clenched.
"I have no idea why Shigiraki decided to show up, but your right. We need to report this immediately. I also don't know why he would hurt you and not me, because it seemed to me like I was his target."
I nod as we start walking. The longer we walk the more difficult it becomes to ignore the stinging.
"Did he say anything, Oritsu?"
"Yeah. He walked up to me and told me that if I tried to get help he would hurt me. I listened to what he had to say. For some reason, it was all just nonsense. He went on a short rant about heroes and how selfish they are before rolling up my sleeve and grabbing my arm. After I yanked my arm away from him he seemingly disappeared. What did he do to you?"
Midoriya gulps for a moment after hearing my story.
"H-he put his hand around my neck, his finger just barely touching me before doing the same thing. He went on about how corrupt and fragile the hero society is. B-but why would he purposely reveal himself to anyone in 1-A? It doesn't make any sense..."
I stay silent for a moment as we keep walking.
"He probably did it because he wants us to fear him even more than we do. Although I don't believe that that's the case."
"But then he said something else."
Glancing at Midoriya with intent, he mutters for a moment.
"H-he said that someone at U.A has betrayed us. That the League of Villains got into the U.S.J because of them. He never said who they were, but thinking about it makes me nervous. W-what if someone in 1-A is the traitor?!"
My eyes widen for a moment before I shake my head. It takes a lot of focus to not stutter after hearing that.
Shit, Shigiraki! He could've revealed me and I know he damn well would've done it if they didn't need me! God damn it, why does he have it out for me like this?! Is he trying to get me to lash out?!
"Don't listen to that crusty bag of sand. Hell, don't listen to anything a villain says. He's clearly just trying to make us all paranoid. Sure there's a possibility he's telling the truth, but take anything a crazed villain like him says with a grain of salt. If there really was a traitor at U.A, wouldn't we have found them already? How would they have even gotten this far without slipping up once? No plan is foolproof and that goes for spies as well. They can't keep silent forever. If there even is a traitor in the first place."
Midoriya seems calmed down by my words as he nods slowly.
"Yeah...Yeah, you're right! It seems too outlandish for it to be the truth. I knew there was something wrong with what he said! And I knew we could trust our classmates! Thanks, Oritsu."
He smiles at me in thanks as I glance away from him.
"Don't mention it..."
A pit of guilt sinks and grows in my stomach as we keep walking.
...I really hate myself now...The guilt won't end and I know that...But it doesn't mean I don't hate the feeling...
After reporting to security, the mall had closed. Once I got some first aid treatment on my wound, the rest of 1-A finally met back together outside. They all looked worried sick, and Todoroki didn't take it lightly. Shortly after that, we went home and U.A was notified about what happened, giving a detailed report including my own and Midoriya's interactions with Shigiraki. Before I went home that day, I called my aunt about what happened and after a lot of convincing, she said it would be alright if I hung out with Mina for a while longer as long as I got back home in time. Was that the truth? No. But it was the only way I could meet with the League without being suspicious. Maybe this time I wouldn't get hurt. Was I still feeling guilty about what Midoriya said when I got there? Yeah...
I sit on a barstool in the League of Villains hideout as Shigiraki stares at a picture of Midoriya from the sports festival in his hand. Only a single seat away from him, I feel like there's been high tension ever since I arrived. He hardly spoke a word to me and I know exactly why. I rest a hand on my arm, the bandage from earlier right underneath my sleeve.
"Are you curious, Tomura Shigiraki, about this boy, Izuku Midoriya?"
Kurogiri asks as the door suddenly clicks open and I instinctively pull my black hood over my head, shielding my face. Instead, a grown man with gray hair, a smug and creepy grin, translucent glasses, and a cigarette in hand walks in. I recognize him, but I forget his name. I keep my hood pulled down nonetheless.
"Shigiraki, your League of Villains has been the talk of the town for the last several days. Word on the streets is your about to start something big."
Shigiraki crumbles the picture in his palm and lets the disintegrated flakes fall onto the bar counter as he turns to the man.
"And? Who did you bring?"
Staying silent, I watch with curiosity as the man grins and brings in two curious looking people. I sneak a glance at the two of them from underneath the brim of my hood, making sure not to reveal too much of my face.
"So it's really you, huh?"
The first one has burnt-looking purple skin under his eyes, the lower half of his face, and arms with silver metal stitching connecting them to his face. I glare at him from the corner of my eye, a little bit intimidated by his appearance. Something in his turquoise eyes seems familiar to me but I can't put a finger on it.
"I've seen you in pictures, but I gotta say you're way grosser in person."
Shigiraki's not going to like that, dumbass. Way to make a first impression.
The second one is a teenage girl, a little older than me by the looks of it with two messy ash-blonde buns, a wide and unsettling smile, and yellow eyes similar to mine that give me the feeling that she's dissecting me with a single gaze.
"Wow! It's the weird hand guy! You're friends with my hero, Stain, right? Cool! Let me join the league! I wanna be in your group!"
The way she smiles widely and the prominent blush on her cheeks makes me uncomfortable. I already get the feeling she's killed people before based on her mannerisms, and part of me pities her if she resorted to such measures. The other side of me is curious and fearful.
"Kurogiri, get rid of these two. I can already tell these people are the kind of trash I hate."
Shigiraki says, pointing at the two strangers.
"-A brat, and a guy with no manners."
Kurogiri tries to calm him down.
"Now, now, Tomura Shigiraki, they came all this way. The least we can do is hear them out. Give them a chance. Besides, this broker is respected in the underground, they're bound to be valuable assets."
The guy who brought the other two in smokes his cigarette and turns to Shigiraki with a grin.
"Like 'em or not you still owe me a finders fee. In cash. I suppose I could introduce the two of 'em before I go."
He points to the girl.
"This one looks like an adorable high school girl, right? She's actually a suspect in a series of deaths where the victims all bled out. So far her name and face have been kept out of the media."
She smiles widely and creepily.
"Toga here! Himiko Toga! Life is too hard, I just wanna make it easier to live in this dumb world! I wanna be Mr. Stainy! I wanna kill Mr. Stainy! C'mon handyman, please let me join your League of Villains!"
Already, her voice and behavior annoy me. It sounds like she annoys Shigiraki as well.
"You gotta be kidding me. Is she crazy?"
"Well, she can hold a conversation. For the most part at least. C'mon, she can be useful. And this guy, hasn't committed any flashy crimes, but he's taken Stain's ideology to heart."
"I don't like this. Is your group really dedicated to the hero killer's mission? I can't imagine you are if you'd let this little psycho join you."
The burnt guy says turning to Toga, who giggles a little.
"Grow up. She may be a psycho but at least she knows how to introduce herself to people. Don't just stare, what's your name?"
Shigiraki asks coldly.
"Right now I'm going by Dabi."
"No, I want to know your real name."
"I'll tell you when you need to know it. In any case, my new purpose is to carry out the hero killer's will."
Shigiraki starts getting a little frustrated.
"That wasn't what I asked you, patchwork. Jeez, why is everyone so hung up on Stain? He's all I ever hear about."
Shigiraki gets up from his seat, partially wobbling towards Dabi. I sense a fight about to start, but instead of intervening I just scoot my chair farther away as Kurogiri tries to stop it.
"-Every damn day... It's really pissing me off! You two are done!"
With a quick movement, Shigiraki, Toga, and Dabi all lunge for each other, but Kurogiri is faster. In the blink of an eye, he already has multiple portals scattered in the air with limbs poking out of each one, prevent the three from attacking each other.
"Please calm yourself, Tomura Shigiraki. If your desire is to be realized then we must increase our numbers. Now that we're in the spotlight, our chance is at hand. I advise you to be more accepting."
Kurogiri's head floats over and whispers something into Shigiraki's ear. The portals disappear and Shigiraki's arms relax as Dabi and Toga relax as well.
"I'm not here."
Shigiraki says sulking away, heading towards the door.
"Well, where are you off to?"
"Shut up."
Shigiraki slams the door behind him as the smoking guy rubs the back of his neck.
"I've made it a point not to complain about a client, but he's too young. And far too immature."
"Really thought he was gonna kill us for a sec!"
"That guy makes me wanna vomit."
Dabi and Toga comment on the situation as Kurogiri takes responsibility for Shigiraki's outburst.
"Shall we get back to you about recruitment at a later date? I believe our leader knows what he has to do. That's why he left as he did. He understands his circumstances. All Might, the hero killer. He's been humbled twice very recently. I'm sure he'll bring you an answer. One that will satisfy both of you, as well as his own desires."
"That's fine. But I have one more question. Who's the kid in the hood?"
I tense up for a moment as the smoking guy points his cigarette at me. I feel all their eyes rest on me as Kurogiri explains.
"This is a very important member who helped us get into U.A for the U.S.J attack and has since been giving us invaluable information since. They can introduce themselves."
I reluctantly pull down my hood and stare at the three with a blank face. Toga smiles and gasps as she recognizes me from TV.
"Woah, a real U.A student! You guys managed to snag one of those? Awesome!"
She giggles and comes to sit on the barstool next to me, refusing to break eye contact as I try to keep myself from squirming. Dabi walks up to me as well.
"You're the one who got third place in the sports festival. That's something. What was your name again?"
Clearing my throat, I speak up.
"Tazuma Oritsu."
Dabi nods as Toga grabs onto my arm.
"You looked so cute in the gym uniform on TV! And you did so well! The League is so lucky to have someone like you on their side!"
She giggles again, gripping tighter onto my sleeve. Little does she know she also tugs on my bandage, which makes it sting a bit.
"Do you wanna be friends? Can I give you a nickname? How about Tazuma-chan? It sounds so cute doesn't it?"
Hesitantly I nod, deciding it would be better to go along with her even if I want to punch her for calling me by my first name. She squeals like a little girl as she stares at me with a mix of curiosity and subtle bloodlust.
"I already know what your quirk does, do you wanna know what mine is?"
Nodding again, she smiles.
"When I drink someone's blood, I can turn into them! The more I drink, the more I can stay in their form! I can also recreate their clothes but I have to get naked to do that and it makes me all embarrassed and everything!"
She laughs and her face turns a twitch of red as I turn to face Dabi, who stands still, seemingly doing nothing.
"What about your quirk?"
He sighs at my question.
"I can create lots of fire. That's all you need."
Damn it. A fire quirk.
"Point taken."
I say as I stand up and gently try to get Toga off of my arm, pulling my hood up again.
"Well, nice meeting you all. I have to go."
Gesturing to Kurogiri, he makes a quick portal and I wave goodbye as I walk up to it. Toga whines and makes a frowny face.
"Aw, you have to leave already? Well, goodbye Tazuma-chan!"
I glare at them as I disappear into the portal. Appearing in an alleyway, my whole body relaxes as I breathe a sigh of relief. Turning around, I look both ways and run across the street to my house.
...Should I have said anything about the training camp? I don't want anyone to get hurt and I might've been able to prevent myself from telling him, but I didn't want to cause a scene at the mall...And my injury would've been much worse if I refused... I know I don't have a lot of a say in what happens when we attack, but I'd prefer to have some form of control. I don't want what happened at the U.S.J to happen again... All I am is a source of information...
Opening the front door, my aunt smiles at me from the living room as I take off my shoes and close the door behind me.
"Tazuma, I'm so glad you're back! I couldn't help but worry. How was your time with Mina?"
"It was nice. I'm sorry for worrying you so much."
She sighs, relieved I made it back.
"It's alright. And, I have some good news! Your father got a job at an office so now he'll be doing something rather than staying home all day. You don't have to worry about him anymore."
I grin innocently, hiding my real reaction.
Finally... No wonder I haven't seen him around recently... At least he's putting himself to use.
She smiles back as I sit down next to her on the couch. I yawn and lean against her shoulder, finally feeling the strain and hardship of the day. She feels warm and soft as she wraps her arm around me, pulling me closer like a mother cradles a child. I pull my knees to my chest and take a calming deep breath, snuggling a little closer as she leans her head on top of mine.
I need this...I still remember a time when I hardly thought this would ever happen to me...Sometimes, I wonder what I would've turned out to be if I had a normal life...I'd probably be just like everyone else...Maybe I wouldn't have gotten into U.A...I guess I have the world to thank for giving me the role of the partially redeemable villain...If you'd even call me that...Maybe in the future, I'll be able to fix this train wreck I've found myself in...But right now, I'll focus on being at peace...
For now...
She kisses my forehead.
"I love you, Tazuma."
I smile up at her she holds me close and her body heat keeps me warm.
"I love you too, auntie."
I glare down at myself with wide eyes as Mina squeals. Apparently, Mina and the other girls had gotten permission for the class to use the pool, and even though I hated the very thought of wearing a bathing suit in front of someone, she wouldn't stop begging for me to join them until I agreed. Looking at myself in a small pocket mirror I borrowed from Momo, I glare at my reflection. The school-issued bathing suit is tight, and I hate the fact that my arms and the lower half of my legs are bare. For starters, it shows my burn scar and thanks to Shigiraki, I still have a bandage wrapped around my left forearm. Setting the mirror down on a bench, Mina smiles at me again.
"You look so cute! Has anyone told you you look great in a swimsuit?"
My cheeks turn a slight pink before quickly fading away. I brush out my hair with my fingers a bit as a tie hangs loose on my wrist.
"Of course not. And stop saying I look cute. I hate wearing this damn thing."
"Aww, but it looks so good on you!"
I growl as I pull my hair up and tie it off tightly so pieces don't come out while I swim. If I'm going to get in the pool at all.
"Whatever. I don't even want to use the pool anyway."
She giggles and grabs my arm, gently pulling me out of the girl's locker room.
"Oh, relax! It'll be fun! And what are you so embarrassed about anyway?"
Rolling my eyes, she pulls me around a bend that leads to the pool.
Damn it...We're almost there…
"I never said I was embarrassed."
The warm sun beams down on me, shimmering against the pool as Mina waves at Momo and the other girls.
"We're back! Sorry it took so long, I had to drag Ritsu out of the locker room!"
I scowl as I try to avoid eye contact with anyone, knowing full well all the boys are here as well with bathing suits on the other side of the pool. It's not that I don't want to look at them, I'm just embarrassed about wearing a tight bathing suit. Sure the shorts for my hero costume are a bit tight, but nothing was exactly like this. I might be overreacting, but how the hell would I know? It's not like I know how to react to a situation like this anyway.
Well, there's just one person I really don't want to see shirtless...Wait, I don't? Eww, It's not like me to think about stuff like that! Just shut up! Is it that gross though? Jesus how would I know…
Pulling my arm away from Mina, I sulk and sit down in the shade still panicking a bit in my mind. Laning backwards with my elbows propping myself up, I cross my legs.
"Go ahead. I'm not swimming."
Mina pouts.
"Not on my watch, you're not!"
"Eh?"
Mina suddenly grabs my arms and drags me towards the water. I thrash around a bit, but Mina's grip has gotten stronger lately.
"Let me go, Mina!"
She chuckles as she pushes me into the pool and chills from the cool water dart up my spine. Slowly, I sink to the bottom of the pool and open my mouth, knowing that water's going to fill it, but instead, it passes through a newly opened set of gills in my throat. Breathing in and out, I feel the oxygen I need pass through the filters in the gills and into my lungs. Yet the downside is that the chlorine inside the pool water hurts and stings my lungs so I should get out quickly. Staring up at the surface, I notice Mina's worried expression as I cross my arms, my gills steadily opening and closing. Glancing at my bandage, I'm glad to see it's still intact as the chlorine stinging my gills gets stronger.
"R-ritsu?"
I then launch myself off the bottom of the pool using my feet as I break through the surface. My gills shrivel from the air as they attach back to my neck and disappear. Taking a deep breath, I smirk and pull myself up onto the edge of the pool as she whines.
"That was a mean trick, Ritsu! I thought you couldn't swim for a second!"
Scoffing, I roll my eyes, coughing a bit as I do so thanks to the aforementioned chlorine in the pool.
"Of course I can swim."
Her face changes into admiration as she kneels down and pokes my neck.
"But, Woah! I didn't know you could give yourself gills! That's so cool!"
I shrug, watching the water splash as I move my legs back and forth.
"I guess so."
While the other girls play water polo, I sit in the shade on a lounge chair with my arms and legs crossed. Finding no entertainment whatsoever, I felt bored and out of place as I watched the girls play water sports, and ignored the boys doing exercises. Then, the familiarly angry voice of Bakugo got my attention.
"You better! The next time I beat you, I want you to be at your strongest you damn nerd!"
Bakugo shouts at Midoriya as he walks towards him. Just like the other boys, he's wearing a bathing suit.
Oh shit.
Suddenly, I feel my face getting really warm as I growl and quickly look the other way, hiding my face in the shade.
What is this?! Why do I blush when I look at him?! I was perfectly fine before! Is something wrong with me or...?
"Kacchan!"
Kirishima puts an arm out in front of Bakugo to stop him.
"Hey, sorry we're late. Took a while to convince Bakugo to come out!"
"So, Deku! You wanna settle who's the best between us right now?!"
Making sure the blush from my cheeks is gone, I stand up and step out of the shade, raising my voice a bit so they can hear me.
"How about no, you dumbass! You two already fight every day, well, more like Bakugo gets angry for no goddamn reason other than sensitivity, but I rest my case."
Bakugo pushes Kirishima's arm out of the way and marches toward me as I walk up to him.
"What did you say?! I'm not sensitive, you damn smartass!"
Smirking maliciously, I cross my arms as we come face to face.
"Well, I just got proof that you can't handle when people talk bad about you! How about we all settle petty arguments between each other and make this into a contest, huh? Would that appeal to the great and mighty Baku-Bitch?"
His eyes widen with anger as explosions burst from his palms, clearly itching for a fight. I grow fangs and growl at him, smirking and ready to brawl. For a moment, I notice everyone watching us.
"Deal! We'll settle this right god damn now! And be prepared for me to beat your sorry ass into the god damn ground, you hear me?!"
I laugh evilly, forgetting he will most likely win after all. Maybe it's times like these that make my confidence soar even when I know all too well I can't beat him. Although it doesn't hurt to try again.
"We'll see about that, goldilocks."
He starts walking away, but as I bring up that nickname he despises so much, he shouts, and explosions rage in his palms ready to be released. He mutters curse words as Iida puts his hand in the air.
"Alright! Let's see which one of us can swim the fastest in the fifty-meter race! Anyone who wants to compete can participate!"
Glancing over at Mina with my cocky smirk, she awkwardly gives a smile and a thumbs up. Momo and the girls walk up to Iida.
"Iida, can we help out with this? I don't think any of us wanna compete other than Ritsu."
"Of course!"
Ojiro raises his hand.
"And quirks? Can we use them?"
"We're at school so there shouldn't be a problem with that. However, we can not cause damage to classmates or the building."
Ignoring me, Bakugo walks over to Deku, unknowing that I'm still paying attention to his words.
"I'm going to annihilate you, Deku! Right after I destroy that blue-haired bitchy punk over there."
I assume he gestures towards me as Deku stutters.
"I-it's not nice to call someone that, Kacchan! True she did kind of m-make fun of you a whole lot as well, but-"
"I don't give a damn you damn Deku! I call her what I want!"
Is that so? Well, I guess I should get more creative with my insults then...Fucking Baku-bitch. That's a good one.
Bakugo turns to Todoroki, who I briefly forgot was even here. I give a friendly wave to him as I smirk.
"And you too, Icy-Hot! You bastard! I'm gonna beat all three of you!"
Todoroki ignores Bakugo as he stands up. I hold in an evil laugh as I get excited about the swimming race. Again, I forget my insecurities and instead think about enjoying myself rather than winning or deciding if I'm good enough. Maybe if I let loose more often I can get more enjoyment out of things. Yeah…
Let's get this show on the road then, shall we?