A/N: Trigger warning for suicide attempt. There is no gore involved but I'll let you know anyway. Also, I posted some fanart for this story on my deviantart iHateFridays, as well as all my other social media. :D
Umeji Kizuguchi's world was falling apart. His leader, his guidance, his goddess Osoro Shidesu had been killed. She had trusted him as her right hand-man, but he had honestly been counting on her return. He couldn't lead without her. But instead she was dead, never to return.
And it wasn't just Osoro. The rest of Umeji's group had been slaughtered as well. He had left them for a few moments to go to the bathroom, their usual spot as always, but when he returned, his friends had been turned into bloody corpses. It had happened so quickly, so effortlessly.
It was a cruel irony. Before meeting Osoro, the boys had been planning a suicide pact. In a twisted way, they got their wish in the end.
Umeji couldn't describe his feelings. He had failed as a leader, and as a friend. Thanks to him, all of his friends had been taken from him. He was completely alone in the world.
He was tempted to join them. Dying would take away all of his suffering. He would never have to worry about being bullied again. He would never have to feel lonely ever again.
But another part of him remembered Osoro. She was strong and courageous, never running away from a battle. She took down anyone who challenged her. Would she call him a coward if she knew he wanted to die?
Umeji didn't know what to do anymore. He slumped down near his old spot, right outside the incinerator. He buried his face into his knees. He had never felt so lonely.
What would Osoro do if she were me? Umeji thought, staring at his hands.
She would fight back, his conscience replied.
Yeah, but that's because she was strong and powerful, Umeji thought. I'm nothing compared to her…
She would want you to fight back in any way you can, his conscience said. She didn't make you her right hand man for no reason.
Umeji clenched his fist. That's right… I'm Osoro Shidesu's right hand man. I have to fight back, for her sake. For my friends' sake.
He stood up, digging his hands into his pockets, weapon on back. His delinquent scowl returned, frightening anyone that came near him. He refused to be a pushover, a mockery, a boy that other students took pity on. He was strong. He was a man.
He walked through the school, seeing the Student Council ahead. They observed him with blank slates.
I don't need 'em, Umeji thought. I'm gonna figure this out by myself.
That's right. He had to get the justice his friends deserved.
"Mr. Kizuguchi," Megami spoke, observing him as he walked by.
"What do you want?" he growled, glaring up at her.
"I'm aware that you were in a… gang with Ms Shidesu," Megami replied. "And that Ms Shidesu and her gang were killed."
"You tryin' to taunt me or some shit?" Umeji hissed.
"You want justice for their deaths, don't you?" Megami asked.
"What do you think, dumbass?" Umeji spat.
"You can join a new hero group I'm forming," Megami replied. "In this group we are-"
"I don't need your damn help," Umeji growled, walking away. "Like in all of Hell would I ever accept help from a fucking hero, especially you. I'm gonna figure this out by myself."
Megami's expression remained calm. "I know who killed your friends."
Umeji stopped, his shoulders stiffening.
"Don't lie to me," he growled.
"I would not lie to you, Mr. Kizuguchi," Megami told him, hand on her chest. "There's not much you can figure out by yourself. Joining forces with me is the only way you'll get the justice you deserve. You don't know who the culprit is at the moment, do you? You have no one to help you."
Umeji bared his teeth. His balled fists trembled.
You really are all alone in this world.
"Fine," he growled. "Whatever. But don't expect me to become all 'buddy-buddy' with you, got it, Princess?"
Megami simply nodded. Akane and Aoi watched in the background.
"I can't believe she's inviting that piece of trash to join her new group," Aoi growled.
"Ah, dear, no need to knock him down so hard," Akane chuckled. "He knew Osoro Shidesu better than most people do. He'll be quite useful."
Aoi tch-ed. "Maybe…"
It was no surprise to the other S Class heroes when Megami called a meeting of her own accord. More often than not she was controlling the Hero Association herself. She was just as much a staff member as one of their heroes. Heck, she was more like a leader of the Association.
However, to the surprise of the others, the meeting was at Saikou Corp HQ, instead of the Hero Association HQ. It seemed Megami truly was becoming independent from the Hero Association. Almost too independent.
Before long, the remaining S Class heroes - excluding Ayano Aishi, who Megami made sure did not learn about the meeting - arrived at Saikou Corp HQ. Megami herself appeared at the front gate, ready to lead them all inside. She tried not to feel uncomfortable at how empty the S Class was becoming. They were starting to run low on heroes.
Regardless, she led them inside. The group followed her through the large, towering halls of the Saikou Corp HQ. Atomic Samurai was both disturbed and amazed by the amount of technology on display. Even Genos himself was impressed. The place was worth millions.
Eventually, the group reached a large meeting room, which was somewhat similar to the ones in the Hero Association. It was larger, with a smooth, marble table, and chairs all around it. A large, electronic board was on the wall, with the Saikou Corp logo in bold lettering. Other pieces of technology were on the walls.
Umeji was sitting at one of the chairs, wearing a nasty scowl on his face. Kuu was sitting there too, cold and apathetic as always. The other chairs were taken up by the Student Council Members, who were waiting patiently. (Except for Shiromi, of course, who was passing the time by juggling lollipop sticks.)
"Take a seat," Megami told the S Class heroes.
The heroes sat down, facing Megami who stood in front of the board. Her expression was neutral yet powerful. Genos had to wonder how she managed to look so calm yet so dangerous at the same time.
Megami observed the heroes. Only 9 of the 19 S Class heroes were there, including Megami herself. Of course Metal Knight was not there - he hardly showed up to anything. Child Emperor was still in hiding, but Megami knew he was still around. Bang had retired from hero duties, so he was not there either. The rest were either dead, in jail, had joined the Neo Heroes, or missing…
Except for Blast, of course. Megami truly had no idea where he was. It infuriated her to no end, but there was nothing she could do. He was her sensei, after all. She just had to wait for him to return.
"Are we done waiting around?" Tatsumaki whined. "Let's just get on with it already!"
"Thank you for coming," Megami spoke up, ignoring her. "As you are all aware, the Hero Association has been suffering with a lot of… problems as of late."
"Talk about it," Atomic Samurai scoffed.
"I don't think I need to go into detail, as I'm sure you are all aware of what's been happening," Megami continued. She put a hand on her chest. "And although it's terrible, it's our job as heroes to keep working to protect the public so terrible incidents don't keep happening."
"That's what the Hero Association's been saying these past few months," Zombieman agreed. "But they haven't done much about it."
"The staff members have been having difficulties," Megami retorted. "As S Class heroes, we must take the initiative and take care of things ourselves. It's our job to keep the Hero Association afloat, after all."
"Ugh, enough with all this responsibility crap," Tatsumaki tch-ed. "Just tell us what's happening already!"
"Contrary to popular belief, Miss Tornado of Terror, this 'responsibility crap' is more important than you might believe," Megami retorted. "After all, it seems some of you aren't responsible at all. So do pay attention."
Tatsumaki stood up. "You think you can insult me, you little brat?! You're younger than me!"
Aoi stood up as well, putting a fist in her palm. "Oh yeah? You act like a four year old, you damn runt!"
"Aoi, I have told you time and time again, no fighting," Megami scolded. She gave Tatsumaki her death-stare. "As for you, Miss Tornado of Terror, behave yourself or there will be consequences."
"You think you can boss me around?!" Tatsumaki growled.
"I don't think so," Megami replied, her stare icy. "I know so."
Tatsumaki looked like she was about to retort, but King shook his head at her. King was the only person she respected, so she returned to her seat.
"Now that we can continue," Megami spoke up, "as heroes, it's our job to stop as many disasters as we can. And right now, I have found a disaster we can stop before it even happens."
She pointed to the screen, which showed an image of the Smelly Lid Prison.
"Someone is planning to bomb this prison in three days," she said.
"Good," Tatsumaki scoffed. "They're all criminals anyway."
"Tatsumaki, the prison wardens!" Zombieman exclaimed. "They're all innocent people!"
"It's a worthy sacrifice," Tatsumaki replied.
"No, Miss Tornado of Terror," Megami said, crossing her arms. "The bombs will destroy the prison. While it may kill the prisoners, it will also destroy the strongest prison in the world. Where will we put the world's most dangerous criminals?"
"Just build a new one," Tatsumaki replied.
"That will take time," Megami responded.
"Not if you get Metal Knight to do it," Tatsumaki argued. She tch-ed. "This whole meeting is a waste of time. Why did I even bother?"
"Ah, but the bombing isn't the only thing I have to speak about," Megami ignored her again. "There is something... much more important."
"What is it?" Tatsumaki groaned.
"I believe that I know the answer to Shibabawa's final prophecy," Megami stated. "Before she died, Shibabawa told me something very important."
She did not state that Shibabawa had, in fact, given Megami her own prophecy.
Shibabawa swirled her long fingernails around her glowing crystal ball. Two bodyguards surrounded her, watching her cautiously. The elderly woman's wrinkled face creased. She could sense the girl's arrival.
"Miss Shibabawa?"
The bodyguards opened the curtained entrance, allowing the S Class hero Goddess into the small tent. Two bodyguards of her own accompanied her.
"Take a seat, young Goddess…" Shibabawa croaked. Megami sat at the seat opposite Shibabawa, facing her.
"Why have you called me here, Miss Shibabawa?" Megami asked.
"Ah, young Goddess…" Shibabawa continued to wave her hands around the crystal ball. "Truly one of the greatest heroes to ever live… for you, I have a prophecy."
"A prophecy," Megami stated.
"There is a great danger approaching this world," Shibabawa said. "A danger that could wipe out the entirety of human civilisation."
Megami narrowed her eyes. "I see. Is there any way to stop this danger?"
Shibabawa began to cough. Her frail body trembled.
"Miss Shibabawa!" the bodyguards exclaimed, racing to her side. Megami herself stood up, reaching out a hand.
"Pen… paper… please…" Shibabawa coughed.
One of the bodyguards grapped a notepad and pen. Shibabawa gripped the pen, and began to write. Megami held her breath as she wrote. As soon as Shibabawa finished, the pen fell out of her hand, landing on the floor. Some of the ink splattered on the page.
"For you…" Shibabawa told Megami, raising a weak hand. She pointed at the paper.
"Miss Goddess, it is best if you leave now," one of Shibabawa's bodyguards told Megami.
"Of course," Megami said, taking the piece of paper. She left the tent, her bodyguards following behind her. The writing had been crudely scribbled on the paper. But Megami could still make out the chilling words:
The end draws near
A deathless creature with blood red strings, all-consuming
Only one hero just like it can defeat it
Of course, the prophecy had stumped Megami for months on end. Who was the deathless creature with red strings? And who was the hero?
She realised… it was still difficult to talk about such a thing with the other S Class heroes.
Megami's father Ichirou Saikou found out about the prophecy. He read over it, taking a sip of his red wine, his daughter in front of his desk. His expression did not change. He sat in a long silence.
"I am temporarily removing you from your hero duties and role as Student Council President," he finally told his daughter. "You will be preparing to inherit Saikou Corp. And you will investigate this prophecy."
Megami wanted to argue, but she could not deny her destiny of inheriting Saikou Corp.
"Yes, Father." she said, bowing her head.
With no school or hero duties, Megami had plenty of time to investigate the prophecy. During that time there, she learned about Yanderes… and realised that a Yandere was most likely the 'deathless creature'. But which Yandere was that?
"The Aishi family are all Yanderes," her father had once told her. "And that Ryoba Aishi has a daughter named Ayano Aishi."
So the villain was most likely Ayano Aishi… but then, who was the hero?
Perhaps it's egotistical, but… Megami clenched a fist. The hero… might be me. Saikous have been clashing with the Aishi family for years… it would only be fitting if I were the one to kill that Yandere.
But then Taro Yamada came into the scene. And to Megami's surprise, the boy could control red strings, like the prophecy spoke of. He had changed everything.
I still believe the Yandere is the villain, but… Megami frowned, returning her attention back to the meeting. 'Only one hero just like it can defeat it…' Yamada has red strings just like her. That means… he is the hero.
Megami would've never admitted it, but she didn't want Taro to be the hero. She herself wanted to be the hero. It was childish and innate, Megami knew it very well, but she couldn't imagine the socially awkward and frail boy defeating a Yandere. He was half dead, for crying out loud. Megami didn't even want to discuss the prophecy with him, fearing that the information would break his mind even further.
No, I must speak to Yamada about this, Megami decided, glancing at the screen behind her. He has a right to know. Before he finds out by himself…
"Before we continue, I must get someone important," Megami declared to the other heroes. "Please wait for a moment."
So she left the heroes behind for a moment in order to get Taro. He was an important part of the war, and he needed to be there during the hero meetings, especially since he was the hero. The other heroes needed to know what was going on as well. Megami had to admit, she had kept it all under wraps for far too long already.
Megami paused in front of Taro's room, breathing in. She opened the white door, entering the crisp, clean room. It had not changed much from when Taro first arrived. He spent most of his day under the white doona of his bed, or hiding in the corner of the room. And then Megami stopped.
Taro's bed was empty.
Megami kept her voice level. "Mr. Yamada? Are you here?"
The white, translucent curtain flapping in the wind caught her eye. The window was right open, leading to the balcony. Megami stalked over there, narrowing her eyes. And then she saw him.
Taro Yamada was standing at the edge of the balcony, knees bent. He gazed down at the ground, which was miles below him. And then he jumped.
"Mr. Yamada!" Megami shouted.
Taro's eyes were closed as he fell. The wind rushed through his hair. But he only felt relief. Finally, his suffering was over. No longer would he have to scream and cry for mercy. No longer would he have to see… her.
And then he stopped. Someone had grabbed his leg, stopping him mid-air. His arms hung down, the ground miles and miles away. Fiery hot rage raced down his skin. Tears burned behind his eyes. He couldn't believe someone had bothered to save him. Why couldn't they just let him go?
Megami pulled Taro up, returning him to the balcony. She breathed out, raising her hands. She kept a firm grip on his shoulder.
"Mr. Yamada," she spoke. "You-"
Taro shoved her away, his eyes puffy and red.
"Why did you do that?!" he screamed. "You should've just let me die!"
"Mr. Yamada," Megami kept her tone gentle. "Taking your life is not the answer to your problems. You-"
"SHUT UP!" Taro yelled, holding up a hand. "YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND, GODDESS! YOU'RE PERFECT AND EVERYBODY LOVES YOU! EVERYBODY SUPPORTS YOU! BUT NO ONE SUPPORTS ME… I'M A MURDERER! I'M USELESS! I'M WORTHLESS!"
He sobbed, tears trickling down his puffy red cheeks. "I DESERVE TO DIE!"
"That is not true, Taro Yamada," Megami argued, grabbing his shoulder once again. "You do not deserve to die. You are a kind and thoughtful person, and the world needs kind people like you."
"THAT'S NOT TRUE!" Taro cried. "I'M WORTHLESS! SO MANY PEOPLE DIED AND IT'S ALL MY FAULT!"
"It's not your fault," Megami reassured him. "You were abused and gaslighted by that horrible girl. It's all her fault. You didn't do anything wrong, Senpai."
"MY SISTER…" Taro sobbed. "MY BEST FRIEND… I COULDN'T HELP THEM! HANAKO COMMITED SUICIDE BECAUSE OF ME!"
"Miss Najimi was killed, and it's not your fault," Megami replied. "Your sister's suicide was a terrible thing, but you can't blame yourself for it. She refused to listen to anyone, and unfortunately she lost her way. But she loved you, Taro. So did Miss Najimi. And as for what happened to you… as I said, that wasn't your fault. You were manipulated and taken advantage of."
"Manipulated…" Taro breathed.
"That Yandere girl was controlling you like a puppet, Taro," Megami told him. "She is inhuman. She is a monster, and she has been manipulating your life. It is because of her actions that you feel this way. She only kept you around because of your strings. She doesn't see you as a person. She sees you as an object."
Taro stared at his shivering hands. She doesn't see you as a person. She sees you as an object.
Megami was right. Ayano had treated him like a toy. She had broken him and mended him to be the way she wanted, a perfect puppet. She had whispered things in his ear, making him both fear and respect her. He wanted to stay around her but he hated and feared her at the same time. He sometimes escaped her control, only to fall back into it once again. He had followed her around mindlessly, using his strings whenever she commanded. She made him feel worthless, hollow, empty. Without her he was nothing.
And now that he was away from her, he couldn't live. He didn't know how to live without her.
"I get it…" Taro whispered. "She… she set this up. So if I ever got taken away… I… I… I would…"
Megami nodded. "That girl you thought was your girlfriend… she was really your puppet master. She thought nothing of you."
"She really thought nothing of me…" Taro breathed. "But I was terrified of her…"
"She is dangerous, Senpai," Megami told him. She smiled. "But don't worry… I'll keep you safe."
"Can you really win against her?" Taro asked. "She's killed so many people…"
"Of course I can," Megami said, reassuringly. "My top priority is to put a stop to anyone that poses a threat to the world! I am Student Council President and S Class rank 2, after all. I will protect us no matter the cost." She grabbed Taro's shoulder. "So you must stay strong, Senpai. You will get through this. We will come out on top."
Taro's eyes began to water once again.
"Oh, Senpai, don't cry," Megami wiped his tears away with a gloved finger. "I told you to stay strong. Keep your head high and stand tall."
Taro lunged forward, wrapping his arms around Megami. Megami tensed for a moment, before gently returning the hug.
"Thank you, President…" he whimpered. "You're a true hero."
Megami sighed. "Of course."
