"Himi-chan, could you tell me again?" The woman leaned down, squatting next to the young child. "What was it that your mommy did last night?"
Himiko looked up at Ichika, confused. Didn't she just tell her? But after she did, all Ichika did was tell her to wait there as she gathered up all the other people in mama's work. Blue Specter, Fantasia, Snowstorm, and Bronze Hawk. She looked at Ichika, then the four others, before looking back at Ichika. "Why do I have to tell them?"
"Because they're going to help you." Ichika gave a comforting smile, tucking her black hair behind her ear and glancing at the heroes. She was a thin lady, a lot thinner than mama, with skinny arms and a tight black jacket that she would fiddle with whenever she was talking to other people. Especially mama. She fiddled with her buttons a lot whenever she talked to mama. Himiko wondered why.
Ichika wasn't like the other people at mama's work. All the others, they were heroes, just like mama. They wore fancy outfits and rushed off whenever Ichika got a call on her desk phone. It was loud and annoying. But Ichika simply stayed at her desk, clicking away at her computer and picking up the phone. It was boring. Sometimes, she would bring in a coloring book to give to Himiko. That made her happy! She had a few toys, too. But it was still boring.
Himiko missed going to preschool. After daddy left, mama had said they had to tighten their belts. Himiko didn't wear a belt, but mama said she couldn't go to preschool anymore anyways. So instead, she spent her time at mama's work, sitting next to Ichika.
She took another look at the heroes, scrunching her nose in confusion. Help her? Why would they help her? Mama had said that heroes helped catch criminals. What did this have to do with criminals? But… Well, Ichika said to tell them, and she liked Ichika. She was nice, and smiled a lot, and smelled just a bit like strawberries. So, Himiko turned to the heroes and grinned, big and toothy, and pulled up her sleeve, showing the big cut on her arm.
"Look, look!" She popped up on her tippy-toes, making sure all four could see. "Mama gave this to me last night, and I didn't even cry!"
It was the biggest one so far! It stretched all the way from the bottom of her wrist up to just short of her elbow, and while mama carved it, Himiko didn't even make a peep! Mama had shown her how to bite her lip and stay quiet, and it had worked this time! Himiko beamed with pride, showing off her achievement.
"... Oh god." Blue Specter spoke first, after everyone stared for a moment. He was a bulky man, a lot like mama, with big, thick arm muscles and a tight outfit the color of the sky. She liked calling him Mr. Blue. It sounded cute. But his face went pale as he reached down, plucking up her wrist and gently turning her arm to see all the cuts and scars. "Was this all… Did you mommy do all of this?"
Himiko cocked her head, furrowing her eyebrows. Why was he frowning? Did she do something wrong? Mama said not to brag, was this bragging? "Am I in trouble?"
"No, no, not at all!" Mr. Blue shook his head, giving a gentle smile. He never smiled like that. He frowned all the time. So he looked really weird now. "I just want to help. Does your mommy hurt you a lot?"
If she wasn't in trouble, why did he still look so worried? She looked up at Ichika, who smiled encouragingly.
"It doesn't hurt." She shook her head, looking up at Mr. Blue and grinning bravely. She was lying, but she didn't want to tell them that. "Mama said big girls need to be strong, and I'm a big girl!"
Mr. Blue frowned and stood up, but there was something soft in his eyes. He didn't look angry, but he didn't look happy. He took a deep breath, and breathed out slowly.
"Are you okay, Mr. Blue?" Himiko tugged at his sleeve. Papa had told her that whenever she got hurt, she should breathe like that to not cry. "Are you going to cry?"
"No." That weird smile on his face wasn't there anymore. He scowled, and nodded to the other heroes. "Ichika, make sure Himi-chan stays in here for a bit."
And then they left. The door closed, and Ichika gave her a coloring book. One page. Two pages. Three. Ichika left the room when Himiko was half done with the fourth page to do some boring adult stuff. Just a bit more, and…
The red crayon crumbled in her hand. Himiko frowned, and looked in the box. Green, purple, black, another green… No red. Looking up, she cried out. "Ms. Ichika?"
The woman didn't call back.
Maybe she was in the other room, the loud one with the machine that spat out paper? Grunting, Himiko pushed herself to her feet, and pushed open the door to the rest of mama's work.
"Toga, do you know how deep of shit you're in?" Himiko flinched at the loud, rough sound of Mr. Blue's voice. Mama stood there, looking back at him with an angry grimace. She always seemed to look like that around Mr. Blue. They were fighting again. And that meant when they went home, mama would be extra thirsty. Himiko sighed, but watched closely, her little yellow eyes focused and fearful.
"What I do in my own home is none of your business, Tanaka!" Mama growled back, crossing her arms and glaring at Mr. Blue.
Mr. Blue shook his head, rolling his eyes and scowling in disgust. "Oh sure, I could buy that excuse when it was just you and your husband having those creepy fucking blood orgies. Two freaks were none of my business. But now-"
"Don't you dare talk about my husband that way, you prick!"
Himiko shrank away at the sound of Mama's shouting, hiding as much of herself as she could behind the door while still watching with worried, curious eyes. She didn't like it when Mama shouted. When she did, Himiko knew not to be seen.
"Oh, I'm sure he'd be real angry at me, rolling in his grave at mach two." Mr. Blue sneered, and his hand shot up, pointing towards the door Himko was hiding behind. "I didn't give two rats asses about what you and your husband did, but that girl is a child!"
Mama opened her mouth, and Himiko squeezed her eyes shut, prepared for the screaming.
But it didn't come.
Nervously opening back up her eyes, Himiko saw mama pause, then close her mouth. She was still glaring, but she didn't say a word.
"Yeah, I don't wanna hear a word." Mr. Blue snorted, baring his teeth in a scowl. All Himiko could think of was an angry dog. "Do you know how much I've stuck my fucking neck out for you? If it wasn't for me, you wouldn't even be a hero."
"I became a hero myself, asshole!" Mama hissed the words, quiet and sharp.
"Uh-huh, sure, I'm certain plenty of hero agencies were just chomping at the bit to snap you up. A woman who enters a berserker rage when she drinks blood, what a steal!" He laughed, but it wasn't a happy laugh. Himiko didn't like that laugh. "You know damn well that there isn't a hero agency out there that wants to put up with the PR nightmare of literally acquiring the blood of the innocent to fuel a mess like you."
Mama raised her hand, firmly poking the man's chest. "I bring in more criminals than anyone else here!"
"And you bring in more lawsuits, too!" He grabbed her hand and pushed it away. "I covered your ass when criminals kept being turned in with bite marks. Hell, I shielded you even when they figured out you were draining villains with needles and they were showing up in jail with anemia! They just about stripped you of your license for that!"
"You know that the blood bank never gives me enough! How else am I supposed to get enough blood to fuel my patrols?!" Gritting her teeth, Mama looked down, a pain in her eyes. Was she going to cry? Mama shouldn't cry! Big girls don't cry!
"Addiction! You mean addiction!" Mr. Blue screamed at her, an accusatory finger pointed right at her. "Toga, you turned your daughter into a fucking bloodbag, and you expect me to believe this is just about work!?"
Mama sucked in a tight breath, her head lowered and her eyes squeezed shut. Hacking out a sob, she grit her teeth and wiped her eyes. She was crying! No no no, Himiko couldn't let that happen! She needed to cheer her up! How could she though? Pushing open the door, her nervous voice rattled out. "... M-mama?"
Mama's head shot up, her crimson eyes wide. She coughed, but Himiko could tell she was just trying to hide her crying as she wiped the tears from her eyes.
"H-Himi-chan, come here, come here darling." Squatting down, Mama forced a smile, and spread her arms, gesturing for a hug. It was a fake smile. It made Himiko's heart twist up, like a raggedy old t-shirt in a blender. "Don't worry, everything's alright. It's just… an adult thing."
Himiko paused for a moment. She was lying. Himiko knew this was about her, somehow. It was her fault. It had to be. But after a moment of hesitation, she ran across the room, sinking into mama's arms. They were strong and warm, holding her close. Safe. And she smelled nice today, nicer than usual. Light and flowery, like a field of daisies. She nuzzles into the crook of mama's neck, burying herself. She didn't know what was going on, but mama would fix it. She always did. Himiko just needed to make sure she didn't cry.
"Get away from the girl, Toga." She didn't dare look at him, but Himiko could hear the scowl in Mr. Blue's voice.
"She is my daughter!" Mama's words were short and choppy, angry, and her arms squeezed tightly around Himiko, so much that it hurt a little. But Himiko didn't mind. She liked it. It showed that mama loved her. That she wanted to squeeze her this tight, and never let go, just like how the pain from the bites showed how much she loved Himiko. Taking deep, slow breaths, she just listened to mama's thudding heart.
Ba-dum.
Ba-dum.
Ba-dum.
Strong and steady. Just hearing it made Himiko feel safe.
It was quiet. But mama started to shake, and Himiko felt hot tears dripping off mama's chin and onto her head. Mama's long fingernails dug into Himiko's small frame, gripping for dear life, and finally, mama said something. "... I know it's wrong."
"What?" Mr. Blue took a moment to respond, his voice uncertain.
"I know what I'm doing is wrong." Peeling herself away from Himiko, mama's grip loosened, and she looked down at her, stroking her hair. It was calming for Himiko, but her heart still squeezed when she looked into mama's teary eyes. "I'm a fuck-up, okay? It's just… It's easier to give in to it, and I'm weak. I'm an awful parent. Hitomu was always better, he always knew what to do, what to say, but now…"
Himiko looked up at Mr. Blue. He was still scowling, but it was softer. Sadder. "... Fuyuko, do you need help?"
"I-I…" Mama squeezed her eyes shut, and her grip tightened, before she let out a long, uncertain breath, and relaxed her whole body. She nodded, however slightly. The tears began to pour out of her eyes again. "I do. I need help. You're right. I just… I don't know what to do."
"Please don't cry, mama!" Himiko clutched mama closer, and reaching up, placed a firm bite on her neck. That always made her feel better! She loved biting!
Mama just sobbed harded, pulling her daughter away from her neck and laying her forehead against hers.
"I just want Himiko to be safe. I-" Mama spoke softly, and Himiko didn't know who she was talking to. Mr. Blue? Herself? But stroking Himiko's hair, mama let out a pained sigh. "I don't know."
No one spoke for a bit. Mama's hot breath filled the space between her and Himiko. Carefully, the small girl reached up, wiping the tears from mama's eyes, and held her cheeks. Mama's face was too large for Himiko's tiny hands, but she still didn't give up, pressing her forehead to mama's and rocking slightly. That's what papa had always done when Himiko cried.
Finally, Mr. Blue spoke up, with a small, unsure voice that didn't fit him. "... The safest thing for her might be for you to give her up."
"No! No, I-I can't give her up. Without Hitomu, she's all I have left, and…" Mama's head shot up, and Himiko could see terror in her crimson eyes, that quickly gave way to pain and regret. "And I want her to grow up with a mother. I never got that chance, and I can't imagine forcing that on her."
Mr. Blue sighed, shaking his head. "Fuyuko, it's not forcing her to grow up without a mother. You can still be there. You just… need to get better first."
"What will it take?" Mama's gaze fell to the floor. "What will it take to get better?"
"... I don't know." He spoke with blatant honesty.
Mama didn't say anything for a long time. Himiko wasn't sure how long. She just held mama close, trying to make her feel better. Eventually, mama looked up, and stared at Himiko. Her eyes, so dark and red, bore into her, and Himiko twitched under the scrutiny. Mama stared deep into her soul, as if looking for some answer in her daughter's eyes. Finally, she broke away her gaze, her eyes scrunching up in concentration as she looked up towards Mr. Blue.
"... I need to do what's right. I'll do whatever it takes. Just... Put her in safe hands. M-maybe my dad, or Hitomu's brother. Just not his sister. Can you promise me that?"
Sighing, Mr. Blue shook his head. "It'll be up to the courts, but I'll do whatever I can."
"You're going to arrest me?" Looking back down at Himiko, then up again, she asked the question, but there was no surprise or resistance in her voice.
"I have to." His voice was laced with sadness, but not a hint of reluctance. "But I'll do everything I can to make sure you get the help you need."
Swallowing hard, Mama nodded. "... Thank you."
Mama looked back at Himiko, looking her daughter up and down, before hugging her tightly, tighter than she had ever hugged her before. Himiko squirmed, trying to find air, but when she did, she immediately hugged back.
"Mama, what's going on? What is Mr. Blue talking about?" She held Mama as tightly as she could. Something deep in the pit of her stomach told her that if she let go, she'd never hug her again. Something was wrong, and Himiko didn't want to let go, not even for a moment.
"Himi, remember, no matter what, I love you. I love you more than anything on earth, and I will always love you. And next time I see you… We'll go to Yoshino. I promise." Slowly, Her mama began to stand up, peeling Himiko off her despite all of her clinging and clawing. She clung to Mama's neck, and then her arm, and then her leg, until Mr. Blue reached down and tore her from her perch. With a gentle kiss to Himiko's forehead, Mama spoke through pained sobs. "I'm sorry, Himi. I've been a terrible mom, haven't I?"
And with that, she stepped back. The other heroes stepped forward, and a set of handcuffs rattled in one of their hands. She didn't resist them, or being led out of the building.
"Mama? Mama!" Screaming, Himiko kicked and thrashed, trying to escape Mr. Blue's firm grip. Where was she going?! Where were they taking her!? What was going on!?"Mama, where are you going?! Mama! Mama! Let me down!"
"Calm down kid, don't worry. She's going to get the help she needs. You're safe." Mr. Blue held her effortlessly, not swayed even a bit by her crazed and jerky movements. He held her close, his arms big and strong, so much like Mama's. But not like her's at all. Big and strong and warm, but not safe. A cage, not a castle.
But no matter how much she struggled, his arms didn't budge, and she couldn't slip away. The door opened, the heroes stepped through, taking Mama with them.
And with a click, the door closed.
Himiko never saw her again.
)ooOoo(
"Toga Himiko, you're under arrest for nineteen counts of second degree murder and one count of attempted first degree murder. Midoriya Izuku, you're under arrest for attempted second degree murder and conspiracy to commit first degree murder. Any questions?"
"What." Izuku's eyes didn't leave the investigator. The word wasn't a question. No, on some level, Izuku recognized that much. But… There was nothing else to say. Just...
What.
"Izuku, get away from her!" Mom suddenly shouted, nearly cowering a couple of paces behind the investigator and her dark green eyes wide and anxious like those of prey in sight of a predator. "Get away from Toga! She's a murderer!"
"Ma'am, I have this handled." Looking back, the Augur spoke calmly and firmly, though Izuku could hear the slightest touch of irritation in his low voice. "The information you provided us is helpful, but if you're unable to stop yourself from intervening in this arrest, please escort yourself from the room."
Mom didn't move. But for a few brief seconds, she didn't break eye contact with Izuku. Anxiety. Uncertainty. Fear. But above it all, there was … pleading. A pleading look in her eyes. A plea in how her eyebrows furrowed, and how her lip trembled oh so slightly. But for what? Did she want Izuku to cooperate? Or for the serious investigator to turn on his heel and reveal he was just some twisted game show host this whole time?
Izuku couldn't understand. But…
He understood the word murderer.
Clenching his fists, he looked the man up and down, from his scuffed up leather shoes and purple tie to his messy hair and dark eyes. And… and even the holster at his waist. Izuku swallowed.
Deep breaths.
Deep breaths.
This man wasn't joking around. This wasn't some theoretical situation, or a simulation. This man was a federal investigator. An armed, dangerous federal investigator with the force of the law behind him. This was a serious situation, and would impact the rest of his life.
… This would impact the rest of his life.
Those few words weighed heavy on him.
His heart began to beat faster, and his thumbs rubbed against his fingers, trying whatever they could to release his nervous energy. There was no more running, no more hiding. He had to do the right thing.
Even if it terrified him.
"I did attack Warp." His breathing was deep and shaky, but he nodded, half to the Augur, and half to himself. "I, well, she was attacking a man for spectacle, and I couldn't stand it."
The investigator quirked an eyebrow, but his heavy scowl didn't move. "You do realize that this is a confession that can be used in a court of law under my testimony?"
"Y-yes." Chewing on his lip, Izuku looked the man in the eye. The fact of the matter was that there was no 'out' for this situation. He was going to be arrested, then go on trial, and then… No, no, don't focus on that. Just focus on improving his situation. And right now, being truthful would be the best move. Not just for him, but for Himiko too. "I don't want to lie. I know it will just make things worse for me in the long run."
The Augur nodded in acknowledgement, and Izuku could see the smallest drop of respect in that small movement. "Fair enough. Anything else to confess?"
Anything else? That was all he had done. But the man had also mentioned conspiracy, attempted first degree murder, and… nineteen? Nineteen counts of second degree murder? By Himiko. That couldn't be right.
Himiko wasn't a criminal. Well, technically she had done some things that were illegal, like going to the black market, which Izuku really wished she didn't. But… she wasn't a criminal criminal. Not a real one. Despite all the little things about her, her oddities and quirks, she wasn't a violent villain. She was kind, and compassionate, and friendly. She had cared about him when no one else had, even though he was weak and alone, and that wasn't the sort of thing villains did.
She hadn't even really been involved with his attack on Warp, all she did was help him escape. Did that count as involvement? It probably did. Assisting him in committing a crime was in itself a crime. But murder? No way. And besides…
Himiko's hand snaked into his, weaving her fingers amongst his, and gave a light squeeze. Looking back, he saw fear in her eyes, her thin yellow eyes flicking between him and the investigators, almost like a cornered cat. It… It wasn't like her! Himiko was always clever and bold, even when she shouldn't be! Seeing her like this…
Clenching his jaw, he looked back towards the investigator.
He would protect her. No matter what.
"Himiko wasn't involved." Izuku spoke firmly, with all the bravery he could contain in his small frame. Was it completely true? No. But it also wasn't a lie, and she shouldn't suffer for his choices. He wouldn't let her. "I made the choice on my own, and the only reason she intervened was to save my life. So don't blame her. And… I'm not sure where you got everything else, but she's not a murderer. There's no way."
"I'm sorry to inform you otherwise." The investigator watched the pair's movements with a cold focus, as if he was trying to piece together some invisible puzzle. It made Izuku's skin crawl, but he pushed down the feeling, keeping cool eye contact with the man. Now wasn't the time to get twitchy. Just as much as his battle with Warp, this required all his firmness and focus. He couldn't afford to give in to the man's mind games. Accusing Himiko of murder? Izuku knew Himiko, and while she had some unsettling behaviours, murder wasn't one of them.
The Augur looked at Himiko, and then Izuku, and finally their hands linked together, before scowling, dissatisfied with something Izuku didn't quite grasp. "Of course, I have no reason to believe you're telling the truth, due to your likely involvement in the attack of Bakugou Katsuki."
The attack on Bakugou..?
Izuku's eyes went wide. "What? What happened to Bakugou?!"
"Katsuki was a long time bully of your's, was he not?" The Augur ignored the question, watching with those same cold, tired eyes. They seemed so much sharper now, so much angrier.
"Huh? W-well, yeah he was, but-"
"Your mother just informed me that he managed to get into U.A., a longtime dream of yours, while you failed." Cutting him off, the investigator took a casual look at one of the pictures scattered around the house, his gaze falling on one of a young Izuku in his All Might pjs. He grimaced, then turned back to Izuku. "Is this correct?"
"Yeah, but I'd never want something to happen to him-"
"Yet you have also been involved with several altercations with the boy, one of which left the two of you both severely injured?"
Izuku opened his mouth, but then paused, and closed it. The Augur waited for his response, watching him closely.
He saw what the man meant. Bakugou was hurt somehow. Severely. And Izuku had a motive. Several, really. But he hadn't done it. As much as he hated the boy, on some basic level, he still cared about him. Maybe it was stupid, but even with everything Bakugou had done, Izuku had still grown up with him. He grit his teeth, and looked the investigator straight in the eye. "What happened to Katsuki?"
The man didn't so much as flinch at Izuku's change in tone. He doubted the man didn't notice. More likely, the man was keeping his cards close to his chest. If the investigator showed no reaction, he avoided being reactive, and maintained control of the conversation. Logical.
"Do tell me if this rings any bells. You, a long bullied and quirkless kid, become close friends with a mysterious girl that simply appears out of nowhere. This girl has a myriad of odd and violent tendencies, but despite this, you decide to shield and protect her. Maybe you even try to calm her down, and try to be a pillar of support in her life." The Augur spoke calmly and slowly, but his words were sharp and accusatory. "However, there is this Bakugou character, your longtime tormentor. He constantly harasses you, both physically and mentally. You fight back, but you always seem to be on the losing side. Finally, he achieves your childhood dream and gloats endlessly about it, and you finally snap. You know your friend here has some violent tendencies, and simply decide to direct her towards a new target, one that she can let out all her hate and frustration on. Maybe leave him in a state where being a hero is impossible, with some targeted cuts on key tendons that would leave him completely immobile for a very long time. Does this sound familiar?"
Show no reaction.
Show no reaction.
He's playing mind games. That's all.
Izuku hated it. He hated even thinking it. He hated that the cold, practical part of his mind saw it as a possibility.
But…
His fist squeezed into a tight ball.
"... Himiko, where were you last night?"
There was no answer. No response, except for her grip on his hand tightening. Dead silence.
No.
Please no.
He sucked in a tight breath, and turned to face her. And there was a look on her face that he'd never seen.
Shame.
Genuine, unfiltered, painful, shame.
Her toxic yellow eyes were soft and hesitant, cast towards the ground. Her lips were pressed into a thin, nervous line. Her shoulders were narrow and unsure, making her thin frame even thinner.
No.
God no.
"Himiko, did you kill nineteen people?" He spat out each word, hating each and every one. All she needed to do was say no, and he'd believe her.
Just that one simple word.
That one word and he'd fight tooth and nail to defend her, come hell or high water.
Please.
But she said nothing.
"Himiko, answer me!" Tearing his hand away from hers, he grabbed her shoulders and screamed. Hot tears seared the corners of his eyes, and his heart thudded like a drummer with 20,000 watts put through them. "Please! Please answer me!"
She couldn't even meet his eyes.
Only a few weak words escaped her mouth.
"... I never wanted to hurt them…"
Izuku let go of her, taking a shaky step back.
It was true.
It-
All of it was true.
She killed nearly twenty people.
And-
Oh god.
His knees simply gave out. Collapsing to the floor, he stared at the wooden boards, holding his head just to make sure it didn't split in two. "Oooh god. Oh god. Ooooh goood."
Was it a lie?
How many lies had she told him?
And how many did he just believe out of desperation?
Idiot!
Idiot idiot idiot!
His breaths were sharp and shallow, over and over and over, in and out and in, but his lungs still burned like he had just run a dozen marathons. Tears rolled down his cheeks, stinging like acid, and his nails dug into his scalp, trying to dig through his skin and shred this nightmare.
But this was no nightmare.
This was no theoretical situation, or a simulation.
He couldn't wake up and just go about his day like normal.
Himiko was a murderer.
A firm hand was placed on his shoulder, heavy and strong, and Izuku looked up to see the investigator squatting down. He was still grimacing, but through his foggy, bloodshot vision, Izuku could see a certain worry in his eyes.
"Mr. Midoriya, I need you to answer me a very simple question." His voice was quieter than before, almost kinder. "Do you care about this girl?"
Did he care about her? This girl who had lied to him, who had tricked him, who had burst into his life and changed everything?
He looked up at her, his breath still ragged and ripping. There was regret in her eyes. But it was a regret for being found out, wasn't it? She regretted getting caught. She wanted to slip it all under the rug, just pretend it never happened.
Just like what he wanted to do with Warp.
The difference was that he had defended someone. And she was a murderer. Nineteen times over.
But looking into those yellow eyes…
He clenched his jaw, whispering through bared teeth and burning tears.
"... Y-yes."
He still loved her. He wanted her to be happy. He just-
What was he supposed to say?
None of this was acceptable.
He should've said no. But he couldn't.
"Then I need you to believe me when I say that I'm on your side." The Augur stood up, grabbing Izuku and dragging him up with him. He spoke clearly and slowly. "Toga Himiko is a very sick, very hurt person, and no matter what good you think you're doing, you're just prolonging her suffering. She needs professional help."
Sick? She was sick?
All the pieces were there. Of course she had a mental illness.
How could he have been so stupid?
No, not stupid. Blind. He willingly blinded himself, hadn't he? Being with her, being with anyone at all, had simply been a pleasure he had been unwilling to relinquish, even though the writing was on the wall. Her weird humor, her small obsessions, the inhuman thing that lurked behind those not-quite-human eyes, the very fact that the first time they met she wanted to watch him commit suicide.
She wasn't normal.
But neither was he.
Don't-
Just-
Focus.
Izuku wiped the snot from his nose on his sleeve.
He had to focus. If he wanted the best possible outcome, he couldn't keep having this emotional breakdown. Facts were facts. He just… He had to work with them.
Help. Professional help. He meant a psychologist then. But she was a murderer. That would mean prison, right? "H-how do I know that's what she's going to get? She- She'll just go to jail."
"There are a variety of prisons across Japan that specialize in convicts with mental illnesses." The Augur nodded, acknowledging Izuku's concern, before turning and taking a few steps towards Himiko. There was a rattle as the man reached under his jacket and retracted a set of handcuffs. "Ms. Toga, I'm going to handcuff you. Thank you for your cooperation. Investigator Shimura, please cuff Mr. Midoriya."
Himiko hardly reacted as the man placed cuffs on her, her eyes firmly locked on the floor even as the restraints clicked and locked. The other investigator stepped away from the door, making her way towards Izuku with her own set of cuffs. This was it.
He had made the right choice.
He had made the only choice.
There… There was no running, no fighting. All they could do is hope for the best, and prepare for a court fight.
And hopefully, Himiko could get the help she needed.
Himiko finally looked up, and the two stared at each other. There was no resistance in her eyes. There wasn't any in Izuku's either.
The Augur looked over towards Izuku, a measure of pity in his hard expression. "I promise you, she's going to get the help she needs."
Himiko froze, and her eyes went wide.
Terror.
Pure, unbrittled, terror.
And… Betrayal.
Her eyes, usually a perfect barricade to hide her emotions, were now the window into her very soul. And it was filled with betrayal.
For Izuku, it clicked. A prison that specializes in convicts with mental illness.
A mental institute.
They were going to put Himiko in a mental institute.
'I don't want to be in a place like that ever again. I'd rather die.'
For a very brief moment, there were no investigators. No heroes, no villains. No murders, no arrest, no plans, no future. They were all gone.
No, there was only Himiko. A girl that confided in him, that trusted him, that loved him. A girl he had promised to protect, no matter what.
She had lied to him. She wasn't who he thought she was. Maybe she never would be.
Maybe she was a villain.
But he didn't care.
He didn't care, he didn't care , he didn't care he didn't care!
In that moment, all he cared about was her!
He didn't think. Her pleading gaze didn't let him.
No, it was just for a moment.
But that moment was long enough.
The knife slipped from his pocket. The metal was cold against his skin. The blade flashed silver. And then, it was launched across the room.
The Augur screamed as the knife buried itself in his stomach.
"Himiko, run!" He screamed, and Himiko's eyes lit up, a cannibalistic glint in them. Snagging another knife from his pocket, he spun on his heel to face the other investigato-
A boot slammed into his chest with the force of a sledgehammer. Izuku's knife clattered to the floor, and he stumbled back, his head spinning. Staggering, he caught himself on a chair, his vision blurry, but the woman's large figure filled his vision.
"You piece of shit!"
A single, efficient jab bore into Izuku's neck, and he doubled over, gasping for air. He clung to the chair, his legs weak, as the woman brought her arm back for another train-engine punch.
"Tsu, call for backu-"
The Augur's struggling words were cut off by Himiko's cuffed wrists slamming into his head. He staggered, and Himiko moved quickly, lithely catching his neck with her leg and using the momentum to spin and pin him to the ground. He howled in pain as she tore the knife from his stomach and jammed it back in, stabbing him again and again.
And she smiled.
Oh god, she was smiling.
Izuku's stomach twisted and tightened.
"If you call for backup, I'll have to kill him!" Himiko giggled gleefully, a taunting dare in her yellow eyes and serrated smile.
The woman growled, but froze. A moment of silence passed. The only sounds were the Augur's groans and Mom's terrified whimpers. No one moved.
Izuku scooted away from the woman, trying to reach a safe distance, at least out of arms' reach. Her dark eyes darted towards him, fury in their core.
… She wasn't going to cooperate. She was planning something, she was…
Izuku gasped. "Himiko, she's stalling! We need to go! Now!"
Himiko's eyes flicked towards Izuku.
The woman reached for her holster.
A gunshot cracked the air.
Himiko screamed.
"No!" Izuku leapt, grabbing Himiko and dragging her off the man's body. The woman pulled the trigger again, and a searing pain shot up Izuku's leg. He stumbled, but shoved through the door, blocking out the pain. A full squad in black body armor was waiting, blocking the path to either stairwell. The woman shouted something, But Izuku couldn't hear it over the blood pounding in his ears.
This was it.
It was do or die.
He couldn't go left, or right, or back. The only way was forward.
Before the squad could grab him, he wrapped his arms around Himiko, and jumped off the side of the building.
The feeling of weightlessness.
That's what stuck with him. Not the pain in his thigh, not the police screaming, not even himself screaming. It was the weightlessness. The moment of flight before the fall. He should've felt terrified. He was terrified. But there was a strange sense of accomplishment. The word that came to mind was 'zenith.'
He had protected her.
He had saved her from a fate she was petrified of.
There might not have been a smile on his face, but in some twisted, confused way, it was exactly his dream of being a hero.
And as quickly as the weightlessness embraced him, it dropped him.
A sharp pain stabbed his neck, Himiko's teeth breaking his skin. Thick globs of grey goo enveloped her, and she twisted in the air, curling around him. They hit the ground with a gooey splat and a wet crunch. Before words could even form in his mind, she was already dragging him to his feet, and they began a hobbling run. More gunshots rang out, but the pair didn't look back.
They just ran.
And ran.
And ran until they reached a certain back alley, with a certain, unlit neon sign.
GATEWAY
A/N:
Good evening, all.
Hope you've all been staying safe. This chapter is a bit shorter than usual, but I hope you don't mind. This chapter was hard for me to write, because I had it planned from the very beginning, but no matter how many times I rewrote it, it just didn't feel right. But here it is. The moment Izuku crosses the point of no return.
Welcome to Compassion, and the Lack Thereof.
Quillslash_wants_to_be_friends: Look, I know it took me *checks notes* 181,000 words to get to the inciting incident, but I just feel attacked here! It's not my fault that I can't control my wordcount!
Crimson13: How was that for a confrontation? Izuku and Himiko on the run, severely injured; The Augur stabbed multiple times in the stomach; Inko left in the dust; and Tsuruko just trying to stop her dad from bleeding out. I hope you enjoyed the chapter!
It's 1:30 AM: I'm absolutely flattered that you'd read the whole thing in one day, but- Bruh. Get some sleep. Take care of yourself! My chapters ain't gonna disappear over night, and the cliff hanger will still be there! Just get some sleep! Also, I hate to inform you, but I try to end every chapter on a cliffhanger. I'm just hoping that last thing you said is a compliment and not a threat.