Adrien watched the sports festival and watched Album get eliminated in the cavalry battle, due to Monoma no less, but then watched the other boy get torn apart by someone a tad too explosive. He didn't miss Album's smirk and Adrien couldn't hear it, but Album said something to Monoma that made his disappointed expression turn furious in a split second. He hissed something back to Album in reply that made the smirk slip off his face.
Adrien just wanted to sleep. Especially since Daniel was just talking with his associates saying things like, "Oh that one looks promising." "Oh wow she really takes charge." "Now that's a flashy quirk" "What an interesting strategy."
Adrien just ignored it and sat there. The only good part about it was that he got to watch pretty good fights and epic fails. But that was the only good part about the sports festival.
And in the end, it was the only good part about the entire day.
…
"What do you mean he upped the price to 56,000 yen! You moron! What were you thinking, he's your blackmailer! You can't tell him he's a quirk-stealer!"
"How was I to know he's sensitive." Album grumbled. Adrien face-palmed and slid his hand down his face.
"You gotta suck up to him, tell him how great he is, do things like that!"
"Okay, I will! And you did talk to him, right."
"Yes I did, and he's definitely hiding something, but I'm not sure what."
"I know. So what are we going to do, how am I-er-we, going to get that blackmail and delete it!"
"I have the perfect idea actually."
Album crossed his arms and waited, unsure whether he should be scared or not. "You see, these days we can't be sure exactly how many copies of that blackmail he's made so there's no way to delete it. Even if we stole his phone and wiped it there, it's very likely he has backups. Only someone like you wouldn't."
"Shut up, I'm not that dumb. So what's your plan?"
"Well since stealing and deleting it is out of the picture, we'll just have to make him want to delete it."
Album paused, apprehensive, "How?"
"It's simple, really. Even an idiot like yourself should be able to handle it." Album crossed his arms and waited for Adrien to continue. "Well, you see, you've gotta get him to like you."
"Like me? Like…" Album cleared his throat, "Like romantically?"
Adrien snorted, "You know what, I love that's what your mind goes to. Sure, if you want. Just endear yourself to him, make him like you. Play the part of his friend, boyfriend, whatever. Just act it, you're pretty good at acting, after all."
"I don't know…"
"And once you're close enough, drop subtle hints about the blackmail. But no matter what it has to be his idea. Guys like that, even if you push them in a certain direction you cannot let them know that, no matter what. They won't do it, just to spite you. So it has to be his idea, that's the only rule here."
"It's pretty shitty to play with someone's feelings like that."
"Yeah, well it's also pretty shitty to murder someone, but it never really stopped you and I, did it?"
"This feels different."
"It's all in the name of self-preservation. There's nothing really different about it. That is, not unless your feelings are invested as well."
"Of course not!" Album snapped and then backpedaled. "It's just, I don't know how."
"How to what?"
"Be a friend."
"I would say, 'are you serious' but you're too stupid to think to joke about this." Album remained silent. "And because I know what you mean." Adrien sighed. "I could tell you it's not that hard, but I'd be lying. Be a friend is exhausting." He paused, "but worth it, if you find a real one. Let's just hope that acting like a friend is easier than actually being one."
"I wouldn't even know how to start a conversation."
"Best way is to find something he likes. Pretend you like it too, start a conversation."
"Alright." Album said uncertainly.
"But the best way to almost instantly become the most important person in his life? Weakness. Find it, and exploit it. Use it, help him overcome it or be there when it gets the better of him. You're a villain, you're good at exploiting weaknesses. Most of all, be ready for rejection. He will hate you, and he will be mean and nasty, anything to push you away. Don't let him, always come back, even if you get mad, always come back. Remember the end game, remember the job. And DO NOT let your own, personal feelings get involved. You always had trouble with that, didn't you?"
"I always got over it." Album muttered.
"Yeah, but you shouldn't have gotten in it. Doesn't matter anyway. Now you know what you need to do."
"It still doesn't feel right."
"Well it's going to feel even less right when they slam the prison cell closed and you're forced to spend the rest of your life in there!"
"Alright, I understand. Just shut up about it already. I know what I have to do, and I'm not going to let my feelings get involved."
"Good."
They fell silent for a moment before Daniel came from behind the hallway, into the living room. Album wondered how long he'd been standing there.
"What's all this about a prison cell?"
"Oh nothing, I was just telling Album he'd never survive in prison. Too weak and too stupid."
"Well that's not very nice. Personally, I think Album is a smart, young man."
"Right, and your opinion means everything."
"Perhaps not everything, but I believe it counts for something, just as yours does. No opinion is unnecessary, it's just that there are times when that opinion doesn't necessarily need to be voiced aloud."
"Tell that to the internet." Adrien snorted.
"I'm sure they'd agree with me."
"Oh Daniel, dearest, innocent cousin, they'd eat you alive."
"Why must you be so patronizing? Can't you say something nice?"
"That would be against the teenager handbook, sorry."
Daniel rolled his eyes and reached over, "Is it also in the handbook to act cool and snarky all the time?"
"That would be correct."
"Even when… his cousin's tired of his shit and knows he's ticklish?"
"Why yes, that would also… wait, what?"
Album retreated behind the couch so he wouldn't get kicked in the face and watched them wrestle on the floor. Adrien crawled his way out and Album soon found himself in the middle of the two of them, and then on the floor.
He didn't kick and scream at the best of times, but this was not the best of times. "I hate you guys." Album grumbled, staring listlessly at the ceiling.
"You know you love us." Adrien grumbled, an arm draped over Album's chest.
"I love you both."
Album craned his neck to look at Daniel. "Really?"
"Yeah, of course I do." Daniel sat up and smiled at them. "Now, I have to go make dinner, get along."
They watched Daniel leave and waited a few minutes before Adrien whispered, "So you're going through with it?"
"Yes." Album said and nothing else. No hesitation.
"You'll start tomorrow."
"Okay." Album said and went to his room immediately after to think about what exactly he was going to say tomorrow, and how he was going to survive it.
The following morning Album woke up earlier than normal and left the house somewhat presentable, not like usual. Album didn't see Monoma, however, all day. He couldn't say whether he felt frustrated or relieved by that.
But at the end, Album checked his phone and found Daniel wanted him to run by the store and pick up spaghetti noodles, saying he'd pay Album back.
He rolled his eyes and took a few back allies to cut the travel time in half. But, as he was walking he caught a glimpse of familiar blonde hair and hurriedly got out of sight.
Album peeked around the corner and saw Monoma with a woman, she was pressed against the wall, Album would've interpreted it as rape, except the woman was obviously enjoying it. She also couldn't have been younger than thirty.
She whispered something in his ear and he pulled back. Album watched her slip something in Monoma's hand, though Album couldn't see what, but Monoma did stuff it in his pocket and he watch the woman walk out of the alley, into the crowded streets.
Album watched Monoma turn towards him and start nearing his hiding place so Album hurriedly left. "I wonder what that was." Album mumbled out loud. "Maybe they're druggies…" Monoma didn't look like one, but he'd learned that people often weren't what they appeared to be.
Album dismissed the encounter and bought the spaghetti noodles Daniel had wanted before returning home.
"Ah, you're back, perfect timing, I need those!" Daniel said and grabbed the bag of spaghetti noodles before practically flying back into the kitchen.
Album sighed and went to his room, laying down on the bed. "How was your first day?"
"I didn't talk to him today." Album said.
"Seriously? I bet you were just scared. Fine, but you can't use that excuse every day."
"Shut up, I'll talk to him tomorrow, and I looked everywhere for him, I just couldn't find him. Or… I mean, I did see him today, but he seemed busy." Album paused, wondering if he should tell Adrien what he saw, and then decided it couldn't hurt. "I saw him after school today when I was going to the store to pick up some spaghetti noodles. I was cutting through the allies and he was in one of them, kissing this woman."
"Hmph, well I guess that means he's straight."
"Straight?" Album frowned and then nodded in understanding. "I guess so. But she was old. Like, as old as Daniel, I mean."
"I'm gonna tell Daniel you called him old."
"You know what I mean!" Album hissed. "She was too old to be kissing him, legally anyway."
"I dunno, there are some weird things that happen here. They might be in an arranged marriage or something."
"It didn't look like that."
"Well then I don't know, ask him yourself."
"No! I mean, I'll find out on my own. I'll investigate."
"Fine go ahead, but don't blame me when your stupid ass gets caught and ends up getting us all thrown in prison."
"I won't get us thrown in prison! Don't be so dramatic. I swear I will find a way to save myself-us, and I'll talk to him tomorrow." Album sat up, more determined now. "And nothing is going to get in my way this time, I swear."
"What if he's sick and stays home?" Adrien asked with a smirk.
"Fine, I won't talk to him if that happens, but otherwise, I will."
"Alright, I'm looking forward to hearing how the conversation went."
Just then, Daniel called them for dinner so Adrien didn't have any more time to taunt him.
At school, it was hard to break away from his classmates and find Monoma and by lunch time he was very frustrated with them doing nothing but following him around and try to 'include' him and just generally getting in his way!
But it turned out none of that mattered, because Monoma made the first move. "You probably think you're all so special, class 1-A taking first, second, and third place at the sports festival. But you got lucky, and next year you will be slaughtered."
"You're all bark and no bite. Why don't you go back with your other classmates, you angry chihuahua." Album grumbled. Izuku snorted and then blushed bright red, muttering an apology. As if he had anything to be sorry for.
Album smirked up at Monoma. He didn't even know where the adjective came from but suddenly it was in his mouth and then gone and he couldn't take it back. He didn't exactly want to.
"Maybe I'm a chihuahua, but it's better than being an idiot whose wardrobe is cheaper than his own personality!"
Album frowned. The reason he kept playing Monoma's game was not because the insults actually hurt, but because he wasn't going to lose. He now wished he had Adrien's quick tongue, but it took him time to come up with things like this, except he needed a result now!
"Cheap personality, ha! You would know everything about that, considering your personality is as fake as the plastic surgery you must've had done to your face."
"Your just jealous because it's all natural."
"Jealous? I bet you would like that, wouldn't you."
"Maybe I would, maybe I wouldn't, but next time, before you start talking trash about me, maybe you should make sure you aren't the actual trash."
"The way I see it, you talk big, but can you back it up?" Album stood up from his seat, using his height to put the other boy on defensive.
It didn't work. Monoma only stepped closer and grabbed his tie, wrenching him down to make eye contact. "Why don't you see for yourself."
"You and me, behind the school after our last class. And this will in no way affect other things." Even if you lose, you will not raise the amount I owe every month.
"Of course not." He said, clucking his tongue. "Well, Album, I look forward to it. Just try not to cry when you lose, I don't do tears."
"… Neither do I."
"Nice one." Katsuki said sarcastically.
"I'm trying!"
A/N Okay guys, I really didn't know how to end this chapter, but I hope you enjoyed anyway. I'm already working on the next one and it should be out this weekend (I think) so thanks guys for all your support.
Gh (Guest): Thanks so much for your very helpful reviews, I will try to implement these things into the story. I'm not sure if Monoma will have an inferiority complex so much as he has a superiority complex, and I plan for his relationship with his classmates to improve as he gets to know them. Unfortunately I don't think I'll show much of that as class b isn't shown a lot thus far and the only people I know in that class is Monoma and Kendo. In here Monoma is very antagonistic because that is his natural personality, over-the-top and kind of mean, but he also knows how to deal with people if he has to. And I have seen things about his quirk and how people judged him for that, so I'll definitely try and incorporate that as well.
Thank you all so much for reading, I will see you next chapter, bye!
