NeonHorizon: No worries. Kugutsu might be a villain fan girl, but she's Shigaraki's fan girl. I have a separate fanfic that I have planned for Overhaul...for later. I intend to keep this just for Shigaraki. His own fun little...dark rom-com. The next chapter will be a bit longer (experimenting with chapter length) and have some extra special stuff. Thank you to those that leave reviews; it's very much appreciated ^_^
"I got a call back." Kugutsu was shaking with excitement, but she refused to show it on her face or let it leak into her voice. Though her pulse was still racing and she was still surprised to have received the call.
A sigh of frustration came before his words, but it was so exaggeratd that Kugutsu had a feeling it was forced. "Look, kid, I told you to put your project on hold until you're done with your actual job," Giran remarked.
"I am doing my actual job."
"You're supposed to meet with Shigaraki. Why are you calling-?"
"I didn't call Chisaki Kai first; he just called me while I was on the train." She had attempted to remain calm during the call, but it was difficult. If she could get this powerful yakuza member to work with her, she would have her first client. She might even dare to call herself a broker like Giran.
There was a brief pause before he spoke again. "Kugutsu-chan, if you didn't call him first, how did he get your number?"
Wait a second. How did he get my phone number? Pausing at a crosswalk, she lifted a trembling hand to her scruffy, dark hair. "He…sought me out first…?"
"Hey, you're probably fine. Just be aware of your surroundings and-"
"He sought me out first," she repeated, her voice raising in pitch slightly and a smile curling her lips. Kugutsu bowed her head, her hand covering her mouth to try to hide her delight. A powerful, ambitious person like Chisaki Kai. Someone with that much potential. He wanted to talk to me first! I can't believe it! It's so cool!
"Kugutsu-chan? If you can stop geeking out about that guy for a minute, maybe you could give me the details? What did he say?"
She took a deep breath, trying to regain control of her emotions. Putting on a neutral expression, she lowered her hand and slid it into her pocket. "He asked me to meet with him tomorrow afternoon. I chose a shady place so I should be alright if things take a turn, Giran-san."
"Send me the location; I'll ask someone to scout it out ahead of time."
"…thanks…"
"Don't think I've gone sentimental or something, got it? This is business. Speaking of which, I wouldn't bring this up around Shigaraki. Probably for the best if he thinks you're only working with him."
When the call ended, she took a moment longer to compose herself before she continued the walk to the mah-jongg parlor. If I can get Chisaki Kai to sign a contract with me, I'll be a broker, she told herself. I'll be recognized then. I'll be able to work with more villains and then…and then…
There was no proper ending to that sentence. Kugutsu had no idea what would happen then. She had already forged a working relationship with Shigaraki. She still felt her heart skip a beat when she thought about that. Now she was trying to get a contract with a yakuza member. Once she was a recognized broker, she would have reached her goal. That was it.
What her heart really wanted, more than anything else, was to be like them. To be a real villain and bring about chaos the way so many others did. She wanted to see heroes fall and civilians surge through the streets in a panic.
With each step closer to the mah-jongg bar, she could feel herself growing more nervous. Her stomach did flips until she felt like she might vomit, her pulse beat erratically, and Kugutsu found herself frantically wiping her sweaty palms on her pants. Just stay calm. This is for work. I'm getting paid to do this.
A hand lifted, trembling, and she opened the door to let herself in. I'm getting paid to do this! I'm actually getting paid to spend time with him! I never thought I'd get to meet him and now-! Kugutsu leaned against the wall in the dim corridor, allowing herself a smile. I get to see him again. I get to be around him. Shigaraki Tomura. A real villain! What did I do to deserve something this cool?!
Shift P.O.V
Hearing the door open, he paused his game and looked toward his open doorway. There were a few footsteps, followed by a quiet thud. Shigaraki saved his game progress and decided to see what it was. He was expecting his fan girl to show up. Giran had called to say that she would be stopping by because she wanted to take him somewhere.
That thought alone boosted his confidence. She wanted to see him. That girl, his fan girl, wanted to spend time with him. As he stepped out of his room, he started to think about the game they played together and how much he wanted to challenge her again. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the darkness in the hallway, but he soon recognized the shape of a figure shorter than him.
Shigaraki immediately knew it was her. Kurogiri would have said something if he was back and Kurogiri was taller than him. As he took a few quiet steps closer, he saw that she was facing away from him and seemed to be leaning against the wall. Squinting, he saw Kugutsu frantically start ruffling her hair and he chewed at his lower lip. What is she doing?
"Just…deep breaths. Why am I so nervous?! He's just a person! But he's so cool…ngh! I can't…handle this!" Her voice was a hushed whisper, but it still echoed in the empty passage.
Realizing that she was talking about him, his lip twitched at the corner. Lifting slowly as it really set in. She admired him so much that she was nervous about seeing him. Butterflies in the stomach, heart palpitating, fan girl nervousness. As he tilted his head, he wondered if All Might's fans ever acted like this and this thought gave him immense satisfaction.
Slow, quiet steps brought him closer to where Kugutsu had begun to attempt to run her fingers through her hair to untangle it. Shigaraki watched her and heard her mutter to herself, still trying to calm down. It seemed like she was trying to summon the courage to go to his room to see him.
He considered saying something, but decided to wait and see what she did next. The other villain still had her back to him, still talking to herself as she now seemed to be giving herself a pep talk. It was actually pretty entertaining to hear the weird things she was saying to herself. Shigaraki had never seen someone lose their composure over the simple idea of talking to him.
Kugutsu finally turned around to start walking toward his room and in that moment, showed more emotion than she had ever showed in front of him before. Her eyes widened in utter panic and she slammed a hand against the wall as she stumbled backwards, tripping over her own boots. The shadow along the wall came to life; writhing and squirming like a massive snake as it struggled to take a form she could use for protection.
He maintained his composure with only the faintest of smirks. When she realized that it was him, she swiftly yanked her hand away from the wall and the shadows went still once more. "What are you so nervous about?"
"I didn't…realize that you were here, Shigaraki-san. I'm sorry." She bowed again and again, trembling when she lifted those catlike eyes to meet his stare.
"I heard you talking to yourself." The villain saw it in the dimly lit passage; her face took on the faintest hint of color and she lifted a hand to begin chewing at the skin around her thumbnail. "You get so nervous…every time you see me. You must really be a big fan."
Shift P.O.V
No, no, no! How could I do something so stupid?! I panicked and I almost attacked him! Kugutsu saw him turn and begin walking back to his room. She put a hand over her heart, trying to calm its racing pace, and released a shuddering exhale.
When she saw him disappear through his doorway, a thought occurred to her. The second that she panicked and gave the shadows life, he could have reacted. He could have killed her easily. One touch and her body would have crumbled away into dust. He had stayed perfectly still; not moving any closer and not reaching out to retaliate. Shigaraki had spared her, despite her almost attacking him.
Giran told her to take him somewhere fun, but Kugutsu's idea of fun was pretty different from the average person's. She enjoyed games. She liked to indulge in the occasional horror movie, but only if it had the potential to have some intense gore. What could really put a smile on her face was when Giran sent her into a dangerous situation that would result in a bloodbath.
Following behind Shigaraki, she was hesitant to speak up. How exactly do I ask him to go somewhere with me? And where will I even take him? Kugutsu attempted to form a plan as she neared his doorway and jolted when he suddenly came out again.
He was now wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with the hood already pulled up, his mouth twisted into a frown when he saw that she had followed him. Without a word to her, he stepped around Kugutsu and moved toward the exit. When he realized that she was still standing near his room, he looked over his shoulder and narrowed his eyes. "You're supposed to take me somewhere…and entertain me. So why are you just standing there?"
"Right. I'm sorry, Shigaraki-san." She joined him and opened the door for him, heart beating so fast that it almost hurt. Just then an idea clicked in her head. There was an arcade that she liked to go to sometimes, when she had free time. The games there were nowhere near as cool as what she had for her console, but she found the place enjoyable enough.
"Take me somewhere fun," he muttered once they were outside.
I can't take him to an arcade! This is Shigaraki that we're talking about! He's a real villain; he deserves way better than a stupid little arcade! Where can I take him?! She started walking without really paying attention, her head bowed and fingers trailing through her tangled hair as she tried to come up with an idea.
Shigaraki walked behind her, believing briefly that she had a place in mind and then quickly realizing that she had no idea where she was going to take him. He watched her get a decent distance ahead of him and took brisk steps to catch up to her. A hand left his pocket, thumb and index finger gripping her shirt to stop her from leaving him behind again.
When she felt the tug at her shirt, Kugutsu felt her heart skip a beat and blood rushed to her cheeks. "Sorry, sorry. I'm rambling and I…"
"You're bad at this. So unprofessional. What kind of fan are you?"
"I'm not-" She felt the fabric of her shirt go slack and cold fingers grasped her wrist. A look down showed him holding onto her, but keeping his little finger extended away from her skin. He's…practically holding my hand.
"I know a place," he grumbled. He walked ahead of her, leading Kugutsu by his hold on her wrist. For an instant, she could swear she saw him grin.