Slamming the door to Endeavor's office behind her, Hikari's brow twitched with frustration as she recalled the stupid conversation between her in the number two idiot all at once. How dare he boast about atoning when her and Touya suffered because of him.
Sure, he may have helped her out that fight with Shadow but that didn't mean it changed anything. She wasn't gonna bend backward for him now that he saved her once and knew her real name. Fuck that, she wasn't some kind of Endeavor sympathizer.
Moving back to the lobby of the agency, Hikari sighed to herself before rubbing the tired bags from her eyes. That guy was the last person she ever wanted to know her name. Now he was gonna be even more annoying because of it, great. Just great.
Just then her feathers picked up on a noise to her left, the girl turning only to find Deku, Bakugo and Todoroki running up to her with a rather panicked look. "Oh thank goodness you're okay. I was so worried! What did Endeavor say?"
Not expecting the hero kids in the slightest, Hikari remained dumbfounded as Todoroki raced toward her with a heavy amount of concern. "He better not have scolded you for that fight."
Scoffing at the idea, Bakugo only crossed his arms."Oh please, like she'd let anyone scold her. You saw that fight, how she beat up that emo bastard. I'm sure it was the other way around."
And as rare as it was, after that commission fight Katsuki found a new level of respect for the blonde haired woman before him. Fighting someone with no quirk, it was stupid in every possible way and yet she still had the upperhand for most of the fight.
That was something Bakugo couldn't have even attempted.
The bird was still hung up on their presence as a whole though, turning her head towards the dark empty hallways of the agency. "You kids are still here? Shouldn't you have headed back to U.A. by now?"
Deku only frowned in response, twisting his eyes in serious concern for the woman before them. How could she expect them to leave when she was hurt in that fight? "Yeah but we were worried about you. Everyone agreed we wouldn't head back until we found out you were okay."
Quickly widening her eyes in realization, Hikari's heart stirred with surprise before turning towards the annoying hero kids in a new light. Everyone else would've just left her to defend herself and that fight wasn't their responsibility in the first place so there was no reason for them to stay. But even so, they did.
And whether Hikari wanted to admit it or not, the woman felt slightly touched.
Lowering her eyes towards the floor in slight embarrassment, Hikari muttered back a small response. "You didn't have to do that."
Todoroki shook his head at her humble display though, his expression showing signs of regret for some reason. "Of course we did. It's our fault that we couldn't help in the first place."
The woman paused at that before allowing her lips to smirk at what he was suggesting. She knew they were rather distraught about Shadows threats but the fact that they blamed themselves for it was just silly. "Hey, don't you feel bad about that. I agreed to that fight, and the last thing I want is for you to lose what you've been working for and get involved with that guy cause of me. Trust me, kid. I'm not worth it."
In fact, she was happy that they didn't try to stop the fight anymore than a simple outburst. Then that would've made them targets for the commission as well.
Frowning once again, Todoroki didn't know much about the girl in front of him but he certainly didn't like the way she was speaking about herself. "Don't say that, Hikari. Of course you're worth it."
Although Hikari knew the truth, knowing that the only reason he was saying all this was because the boy had no idea about her villain persona. Otherwise she knew they'd be having a completely different conversation. "Nah, Shoto. I'm really not."
Seeing his expression fall ever so slightly, Hikari tried not to watch as Deku clapped his hands together once, obviously trying to cover up the bad atmosphere. "Ah, oh I almost forgot! While you were talking with Endeavor the three of us got you a little gift!"
The boy then fumbled with the small bag before him before pulling out a small white box and handing it to her. "Ta Daaa! Sorry it isn't much but it's the best we could do on short notice."
Basically shoving the box in her direction, Hikari looked down at the object in confusion. What had those idiots done now? "What are you going on about..?"
Yet that's when the girl pulled open the lid only to find a small confetti cupcake in the middle of the box, the tiny rainbow sprinkles shining against the lights of the agency.
Staring dumbfounded, Deku gave a nervous chuckle, trying to explain himself for the weird gift. "You said you didn't know when your birthday was, right? Well, Kacchan, Todoroki and I pinched together and got you this for the ones you've missed so far. Soo uhh Happy Birthday?"
Hikari still only stared at the pastry in dead silence, causing Deku to go into a full panic mood. Oh no, did she not like it? Did she think they were making fun of her because of her rough childhood, cause that wasn't the case at all. "I know it's not the best but I promise next year we'll make you something better than a convenience store cupcake."
Yet as the woman stared at the small cupcake, she couldn't help but feel a heavy lump of emotion course through her throat. She told them about her stupid birthday and deadbeat dad in a moment of weakness. It wasn't supposed to mean anything.
And even still these kids went out of their way to go to the nearest convenience store because they realized not having a birthday bothered her. No one else had ever done something like that before.
So much so that Hikari sucked in a heavy breath before a line of fresh tears brimmed the corner of her eyes. She couldn't help it, the girl was so touched and caught off guard in every way.
And from a group of heroes at that, how ironic.
Panicking at the sight of her tears, Deku gasped before lifting his hands out in an unsaid apology. Oh no! He really did offend her, didn't he? "Oh, I'm sorry! Please don't cry, I was just trying to help."
Hikari quickly pushed the tears away with her hands before forcing any semblance of words to her lips, each of them coming out raspy and small. Although the boys could also see a small genuine smile as well. "You are all real idiots, aren't ya?"
Giving a small laugh at the action, Deku and his friends immediately relaxed at her happy demainer before Todoroki pulled a small candle out of the bag in order to plop it in the center of the cupcake and light the tip on fire. "There. That's better."
Hikari looked down at the small welcoming glow before Deku clapped his hands together in excitement for the display. "Go on, make a wish, Hikari!"
Scoffing in the corner, Bakugo seemed to encourage his suggestion as well, responding in his usually gruff and rude manner. "Better not be a stupid one."
Even so, the girl felt reassurance through his words, her eyes saddening at the sight of the symbol this small cupcake held between her fingers. She had told herself that she didn't need any of this kind of pussy stuff, but deep down Hikari knew that she only said that to distract the devastation of never receiving it.
In fact, she had always wanted something like this, for people to surround her with happiness as she wished for the best in the future. It had been so long since that thought had popped in her head that the girl had forgotten it until now.
And Hikari knew she shouldn't have continued with this silly charade any longer, that she was manipulating these innocent kids into having them believe she was something she wasn't. That's why they were doing all of this, because they thought they were on the same side, fighting for the same cause.
Yet even so that familiar feeling of comfort and longing seeped into the back of her throat. Here, right now, it felt so safe, so inviting. It almost made her want to believe in something more than a dark alleyway or the constant betrayal in her life.
It made her want to drown herself in the possibility of finally forgetting her villain-soaked revenge in exchange for the happiness and love she desired for years.
So instead of shutting herself down this time, Hikari instead closed her eyes in order to play pretend a little while longer, her mind racing with unkempt thoughts in order to make the one wish she had always wanted since the beginning. I wish Endeavor was right, I wish that I could be something more than this, that I could have this forever.
Blowing out the candle ever so slightly, she was taken out of her internal bubble when Deku and Todoroki clapped wildly in celebration for the act. "Yay! There you go!"
Just then, Deku's phone began to beep inside his pocket, the boy pulling the object out with a small gasp. "Oh no, Jiro says that Aizawa has been looking for us. We better go before he gets mad again."
Todoroki still seemed apprehensive though, staring at the blonde haired girl and then the area where the commission agent injured her. "Will you be alright on your own? It's pretty dark out and you hurt your shoulder."
And although it was sweet and little stupid, Hikari still blinked in surprise at the question. Did Shoto really still think she couldn't handle herself after that fight? Ah, how naive he was.
Even so, the girl smiled at the care before placing a hand on top of Touya's brother's head in order to mess up with the candy colored surface and put him at ease. "Did you forget who you're talking to? I'm just gonna throw away this box and then I'll head out also. Don't wait up for me."
The action seemed to do the trick, Todoroki's eyes turning soft before nodding once in acceptance now that he knew she'd be okay. The last thing he wanted was for something to happen to his big brother's old friend. "Alright, see you later Hikari."
And as they followed each other out one by one, Bakugo stopped for a moment before pointing a challenging finger in her direction, his words proud and cocky. "Don't forget, I'll be kicking your ass next time we meet."
Hikari didn't seem to care though, only waving her hands away as if to shoo them away from her sight. "Yeah yeah see ya, kids."
Then the bird decided to head off on her own as well, walking over towards the back entry door of Endeavor's agency and feeling the cool brisk air blow past her when she was fully outside.
You may ask, why didn't Hikari just use the front door rather than the back alleyway like a normal person? Ah, well that was because she didn't want anyone seeing a villain like herself come out of Endeavor's agency. It had the word traitorall over it and she wasn't about to start anymore rumors.
Besides, she was currently too busy cleaning up Orthose's little gossip sessions.
Pushing her head against the cool alley wall, Hikari looked at the uneaten cupcake still in her hands before closing her eyes in utter defeat. Those hero kids were really something else, making her cry like a baby in front of them. How pathetic.
Just then, the girl heard a rustle to her left, causing the woman to perk up her head only to find an unnamed villain towards the end of the alleyway, intent in his eyes. "There you are, Valkyrie. What luck finding you here, and at Endeavor's agency at that. Guess the rumors are true after all."
Hikari didn't pay the guy any mind though, lazily pushing herself off the wall before narrowing her amber eyes at him with disinterest. "They just keep on coming, don't they? When can I get a break?"
Pushing her fingers towards the pendant on her neck, the girl fiddled with the crystal just as the man activated his quirk. Ugh how annoying. Now she was going to have to fight this guy, wasn't she?
Yet before the two even got the chance, Hikari watched a wall of blue flames appeared from seemingly nowhere, surprising the man from behind and burning him alive instantly.
The smell of rotting flesh filled the space before the body crumbled towards the ground screaming only to reveal a figure at the end of the alleyway, the man staying strangely silent for some reason.
Hikari didn't even notice the burned body though, only focusing her hallowed eyes on the purple skinned villain only a couple feet away from her and the position she was currently in.
He just saw her leave Endeavor's agency. Crap.
Watching him step over the body with ease, his lips curved into a feral smirk at the sight, taking in her obvious panicked demeanor for his presence. "Well well well, never thought I'd see the day. I mean, I knew you were stupid but not this stupid."
The bird couldn't help but flinch internally at that, forcing herself to play it cool. "Dabi, what are you doing here?"
Shoving his hands in his pockets, the villain hummed. "Oh nothing. I just heard this cute little rumor and had to go check it out for myself. Maybe you know the one. It's the one where you decided to go behind my back and work with Endeavor of all people?"
Hikari felt her heart completely stop at that, already feeling sweat start to accumulate on her forehead. Ah shit, he knows. Time to start that inevitable argument now I guess.
Dabi spoke for her though, his eyes playing with a dark glare that made every feather in her pocket seize up and sharpen on instinct. "So, was this your big brother's idea or yours?"
At the mention of Hawks, the girl twisted her brows together in disgust, knowing that he was absolutely right. This whole double agent thing was all Kei's idea.
Even still, Hikari remained unmoving, frowning with a pathetic lie. "Kei has nothing to do with it."
Dabi caught something in that response immediately, his lips curving into a cruel smirk as he called her out. "Oooh, I see. So it's back to being Kei, again? I thought you called him Hawks, considering he means nothing to you? What's next, you gonna start calling him Kei-chan again?"
For as much as the girl tried, the villain had already known every little thing about her, even the way she labeled someone, and the fact that she was reusing her big brother's name could only mean one thing.
It meant that she was looking at him as her family and not as just another hero again.
Hikari didn't like the clear call out though, her eyes lowering with a scoff. "Shut up. I'm only doing this cause we are on the same side for now."
But as I said before, Dabi read the girl like a book, knowing that she was using that pathetic excuse in order to cover up the real reason why she agreed to such an idiotic request. "Right, cause you'll do anything for your dearest Keigo, right? You want to make him happy so he'll love you again. Stupid little Princess, don't you see he's using you to get what he wants?"
And although that was true, Hikari chose not to challenge it, instead crossing her arms over her chest before tiring of his callouts. This wasn't just about Keigo, this was about getting rid of the liberation, about silencing the people that knew her real name.
Shaking her head, the bird rolled her eyes. "Why are you treating me like I'm thirteen again? I'm not an idiot. I'm not doing this because I want to. I'm only here to get rid of the liberation, that's it. I'm looking at the bigger picture."
The villain didn't seem to enjoy her words though, choosing to light his palms up with blue inferno as his emotions grew more and more unstable. "You want the bigger picture? Fine. You just made the biggest mistake of your life, Princess. I mean, working with the guy that killed your precious Touya? That is pretty fucked up I gotta say."
Seeing his anger, Hikari couldn't help but let her eyes fall. She knew he'd be upset about all of this from the beginning. Endeavor was a sensitive subject for him after all. "Dabi.."
The man only gave a feral chuckle at the very idea before picking words he knew would upset her. "It really does break my nonexistent heart, thinking about how you just forgot about everything that bastard did to the boy you claimed to love.."
And just as he expected, Hikari's eyes widened at the mention of Touya before balling her fists in disgust for what he was suggesting. "Excuse me? Don't you dare rub my feelings in my face."
Taking another step forward, the villain then threw his arms out in explanation, the blue fire following him as he went. "Obviously I need to if you're doing this shit."
At the sound of his utter nonsense Hikari could help but mimic the action, throwing her own arms out with a raging shout. "Doing what shit?! You think I wanna be here, you think I wanna help that flamed asshole?! I haven't forgotten what he's done to you but this is the only chance we have to beat the liberation. It's not like I care about any of those hero wannabes.."
Dabi didn't seem to buy her excuse in the slightest though, taking another threatening step closer to the girl. She couldn't sweet talk him like that when he knew the truth.
Sure, maybe a couple weeks ago he would've believed that, but now he knew better, he knew just how fragile the girl was for love and affection. "Right, so then why am I hearing that you defended him in front of a room of heroes, begging everyone to take his side?"
Knowing she had been caught, Hikari cursed under her breath. Stupid rumors, he must have heard them also. "That was…"
But as much as she wanted to explain herself, even Hikari didn't know why she defended Endeavor of all people back then. It wasn't in her nature after all. It wasn't something a villain should have done and it certainly wasn't something Hikari should have done after hearing all the awful things that happened to Touya.
Dabi could also see that she lacked an answer though, the silence making him more psychotic by the second. Even he knew she was at a loss for words. "That was what? Cause from this angle it looks like you took that dumb fucks side. But that couldn't possibly be right, considering you're supposed to be on the same side as me."
Gasping at what he was suggesting, Hikari frowned. How dare he call her a dirty disgusting hero right now. Just the idea was utterly ridiculous in every way. "What are you talking about? Of course I'm on your side. I've always been. You're the one that's been so damn wishy washy all the time. Not me."
Raising his brow in confusion and frustration, Dabi just barely stopped his own psychotic thoughts before hissed back. "What the fuck are you even talking about?"
Yet Hikari was far too pissed to speak calmly anymore, her amber eyes glaring as she shouted back. "I'm talking about you, you asshole! I get you're pissed about me working with Endeavor but I'm not the one that's been so distant. Like I get that being emo is your "brand" or whatever but you're becoming a real pain in my ass. What else was I supposed to do when you weren't even around half the time..?"
She was sick of it, sick of him begging her to come back to her past only to blame her for the way she went about things. Sure, she knew he'd be mad about her working with his father but this, this was something else entirely.
If he actually did anything for this case then maybe she wouldn't have been here but Dabi was still the annoying unreliable asshole he alway seemed to be. And the fact that he was blaming her for it made her furious beyond reason.
Dabi didn't seem to share her reasoning though, the man taking another step closer until the glow of his flames lit up her face in a lying wait. "Me? I'm not the one who's a pain in my ass. You've been a pain ever since you showed back up in my life!"
Scoffing at the very idea, Hikari only slapped his hand away, not paying any mind to the dangerous fire in order to get in his face. There he was, blaming her again. "Then you should've left me alone! I would've been fine by myself but instead you drag me into this, into all of this! What's going on right now is happening because you begged me to come back and work this stupid ass job against Hawks."
And whether he wanted to admit it or not, Hikari knew she was right. Hell, she was fine on her own, forgetting about Touya and Dabi and Hawks and everyone else from her past. She was fine just rotting in her own villain persona forever, but instead she was here listening to his bullshit all over again.
Pointing an accusatory finger in his direction, Hikari spoke her frustrations openly, eyes wild as the amber color burned into his soul. "I didn't even want Kei to know I was alive but you were so pushy. From the very beginning I've done all of this bullshit for you. The reason I'm here right now is for you."
And that seemed to spark something inside the villain, his eyes growing wide with a realization unknown to the woman before him. What was he thinking right now? She was desperate to know.
Yet that's when Dabi's eyes filled with that same hidden shame that he always tried to hide, the man reaching forward before deactivating his quirk in order to grip her outstretched hand with a shaking amount of force.
He opened his mouth as if to say something only to shut it a moment later in order to erase any doubt and unkept emotions that were clearly present before returning to his usual villain state. "So when this is all done you'll let me kill Hawks and everyone on that team, right?"
Widening her eyes at his words, Hikari tried to respond quickly only to find her own words drain from her lips before they reached the surface. That was the plan, wasn't it? To let Dabi kill her brother after all this was finished, so why wasn't she saying anything?
Feeling Keigo's kind words in her own ears, the girl twisted her brow in conflict. What was wrong with her? Just say it, you're a villain right?
Yet that's when Dabi pushed her arm forward with a knowing and threatening stare, his words acid on his tongue for what the silence was implying. "You're hesitating, Princess..."
Immediately gasping, Hikari quickly swiped her hand away to mask the conflict before giving him the answer he wanted, forcing her voice not to shake on each breath. "What? No, I'm not. You can do what you want with Kei- Hawks and everyone else...I don't care.."
Taking another step back to gain some distance, the bird watched as Dabi soaked in the response before a low bitter chuckle escaped her lips, chilling her to the very bone. "You birds really are the fucking same, aren't you?"
Vaguely recalling those words before, Hikari flashed back to when they were kids in order to remember what Touya said before he burned her with his quirk. But why was he saying them again like this?
Although that's when Dabi's hands lit up with bright blue embers, his emotions far too out of hand to realize the blood lining the corner of his eyes. "You're both terrible liars."
Lifting his hands up in attack, Hikari gasped before immediately finding the crystal pendant around her neck and latching onto it without a second thought. Fine, he wanted a fight then so be it.
And as Dabi released a wave of fire towards the bird, Hikari still didn't falter, her fingers tightening around the quirk suppressor in slight wait. Just a little bit more. That's it.
Although just as she was about to rip the object from her neck, three fast blurs appeared in her vision, moving to stand in front of her as a wall of solid ice formed to block the fire. "Hikari!"
Blinking in disbelief, the ice then disappeared only for Hikari's heart to completely stop at the three U.A. kids that were standing between her and Dabi. Fuck, what were they doing here?!
Not understanding the situation before them. Deku lifted his arms outwards in front of the girl to shield her, his eyes wild and glaring. "We won't let you hurt her, villain!"
Todoroki then turned towards the silent horrified blonde before scanning her for injuries, worry on his every feature. "Are you okay? Did he hurt you?"
Forcing the words to come out, Hikari only gasped at the three kids before lifting her hands out with a very surprised shout. "Kids? What are you doing here? I thought you went home.."
Bakugo only frowned in response though, his palms sparking with small explosions in silent wait. "We heard screaming and turned back around. It's a good thing too or else you would've had to fight this bastard alone."
Yet that's when they heard a loud cluster of chuckles pour from the villains mouth, watching at the idiotic hero kids defended someone that clearly wasn't on their side. "Oh, how rich this is. I should take a picture, what a sight to see indeed. It's like it's fucking Christmas morning.."
Narrowing his eyes, Deku frowned. "Your fight is with us. Hikari is innocent."
His words were so funny though, causing Dabi to grow a feral smirk at the very idea. "Innocent? Do you even know who you are protecting right now? Do you even realize how stupid your little hero brain is?"
Hikari only balled her hands at that, speaking with warning. "Dabi.."
The villain had other plans though, immediately turning towards his ignorant little brother before cocking his head to the side and enjoying the pure fury in his expression. "Hello, Todoroki Shoto. Nice to see you again. Did you miss me from the last time when I kidnapped the angry one here? I sure hope so."
Gritting his teeth, Bakugo recalled the event immediately, shouting back. "You won't get the chance again, you bastard!"
Then before he could do anything, Todoroki moved in front of Bakugo, his hands outstretched as ice crystals started to form on his fingers in silent wait. "Back off, Dabi. I won't let you hurt my friends."
Seeing his eyes lit up with annoyance for his little brother's words, Dabi only shook his head, jealousy clear in his voice. "Oh so is that what my Princess is to you? I didn't know you two had gotten so close in the last few weeks. Course that does make sense, you are a Todoroki after all, the idiot is apparently drawn to them."
And Dabi meant that, knowing that Hikari was now pals with not only him, but also Shoto and Endeavor. She really had low standards apparently, even now.
Then the villain's palms erupted with fire once more as he found a new set of targets to play with. He had been wanting to kill these kids ever since that training camp raid. Guess now was as good a time as any. "But it really is my lucky day, isn't it? Now I can kill some hero kids to blow off some steam."
Letting the flames escape his palms, a wall of blue heat appeared across the small alleyway, the speed far too fast and massive for anyone to react to as Dabi grinned widely at the looming glow.
There was no one to stop him now after all. Those kids were as good as dead.
Hikari widened her eyes at the action, watching as the fire made its way to the children before her. They were so stupid, why did they turn back around and get caught up in this bullshit? Now they were going to die because of their curiosity and their mistakes.
At first, the woman frowned before she was reminded of every cute and naive word Deku, Todoroki and Bakugo had said to her. She was reminded of that small singular cupcake that made her cry tears of joy and she was reminded of the pure desires that still filled their hearts.
And before she knew it, Hikari felt her feet start to move.
Widening his eyes, Dabi then watched as the supposed "villain" in front of him used her body as a shield for his raging fire, stepping in front of the kids and lifting her arms upwards as the blue inferno covered the surface immediately.
Hikari gasped at the burning sensation, gritting her teeth before quickly batting the painful flames onto her jacket to rid herself of the sensation with a hiss.
Then the villain blinked in pure shock at the burned red skin that painted the surface of Hikari's once clear skin, the sleeves of her jackets completely burned off from his quirk. He had just hurt her again and not only that, she willingly took that hit for those hero kids.
She had chosen not to use her quirk in front of them either.
Almost immediately, the boys behind her gasped, panicking at the ghastly sight. "Hikari!"
The woman still only had eyes for Dabi though, her amber filled glare never leaving him. "Cut it out Dabi. Just leave them alone. They didn't mean to walk into this, this fight was between us so keep it that way and let them go."
Dabi was absolutely dumbfounded by the display before him, wondering what had caused this crazy bird to defend the very people they were supposed to hate? It wasn't very villainous of her, that was for sure.
And yet here she was, betraying him right before his eyes, standing on the opposite side of him, both mentally and physically. It made his heart twist with a familiar discomfort of rejection, just like how he felt with Keigo all those years ago.
But like brother, like sister, he supposed.
Quickly finding his humor once again, Dabi pulled back his flames only to give a condescending smirk at the betrayal. "Wow, look who's playing hero now. I can't believe my eyes. Did you forget what side you are on, did you forget what you just told me before? Cause from here it looks like you were lying again."
Realizing that he had a point, Hikari remained silent. Before she told them that she didn't care if any hero was killed but that clearly wasn't the case. Sure, she should've just let it happen like she usually did but there was something else about these kids.
She always thought that all heroes were evil, that was the mentality she had throughout her entire life because that's simply what they showed her. Hatred, betrayal and disrespect.
And call her crazy but Hikari just couldn't judge those kids with the same kind of evil as the commission. They had shown her kindness and love time and time again after all. They had cared for her well being and made sure she was okay, they even tried to fix the pain of the past in their own way.
So for that reason she didn't deny the villains claims, instead lowering her eyes in unkempt sadness instead. "They're just kids.."
Frowning, Dabi clarified something she was forgetting. "Hero kids."
Pushing her lips together in bitter distaste, the woman pushed her eyes away from his watchful stares. Of course they were hero kids but she just couldn't register that. To her they were just kids.
Deku's voice then rang from the silence, obviously very upset about Hikari's burnt arms and downcast expression. "How dare you attack someone without a quirk. That's a new low, even for you."
Immediately turning to him in slight panic, the woman hissed back. "Hey broccoli, shut up."
Yet Dabi had already caught up on his words, dropping his mouth open with surprise before turning his head in knowing a challenge for the woman before him. "No quirk? You're so wrong that it's fucking hilarious. What a lie you've created this time."
Just what did these bastards think Hikari was? Some kind of weak little damsel that needed to hide behind them? Oh, if only they knew the blood on her hands and the torture she had participated in time and time again. Then they wouldn't be feeling that way.
The man then coaxed her further, eyes traveling to the crystal around her neck with dark suggestion. "Come on Princess, show them what you're really made of. Show what's under that pretty little pendant of yours."
Feeling her pendant twitch at the suggestion, Hikari instinctually put her hands to cover the object as Dabi laughed at the pathetic move. "Oh, what is it? Afraid your new friends won't like you once they know the truth? Did you want to play make believe forever? How lucky for you, hiding your ugly deformity to fit in. I wonder who gave you that to begin with?"
And although his words were cruel Hikari knew they were right. The last thing she wanted was to pop this bubble of normality she had built up in these past few weeks, and if these kids knew the truth about her then everything would be over.
Sure, he may have given her the pedant all those years ago but he was not going to take it from her, she wasn't going to go back to being a freak and a monster to everyone around her.
Yet for Dabi, he only saw that she was trying to hide herself, hide from all of the years they had spent together and hide from just how similar the two of them truly were.
Because even though she could pretend like her wings didn't exist, Dabi knew he couldn't do the same with the dead purple scars that covered the remainder of his body.
How lucky for her, being able to act normal, not having to live in the shadows for the rest of her life. It was making her delusional, it was making her forget that people like her wouldn't be accepted in the cruel hero society before them.
And he was sick of it, sick of her pretending to be something she clearly wasn't.
Todoroki didn't understand the conversation in the slightest though, noticing the heavy tension in the air and choosing to speak out on it. "What is he talking about?"
Almost waiting for that question, Dabi then lowered his eyes towards the area covered by Hikari's hands before twisting his lips into a cruel feral smirk. "Let me show you."
Time to wake the Princess up, once and for all.
Dabi then raced forward, his quirk activating fully as Hikari quickly turned around and pushed the three kids away from the scene so that they wouldn't be caught up in the crossfire of their lovers quarrel. "Get back!"
Her action just barely allowed the boys to stumble out of the way just as a wave of fire crashed into the same spot they had once occupied, causing Deku's eyes to hallow. Hikari had just saved their lives.
Although the moment she extended her hands, Hikari felt a sharp pain travel up her shoulder from the spot Shadow reopened, causing her to grit her teeth as she turned back to Dabi with a glare.
Watching her slow movement, Dabi's only narrowed his eyes, wondering if she was seriously thinking about doing something so stupid. "You and I both know you can't win without a quirk."
The blonde didn't falter in the slightest though, only raising her injured arm up in challenge to ignore the burning pain as she made her choice. "Watch me."
Racing up to her all at once, Dabi's hand outstretched in her direction until the tip of his fingers touched her pendant only for Hikari to slap it away a moment later in order to counter with a hit of her own.
Already predicting her moves though, the villain smirked at the action before forcibly grabbing her arm with extreme force and pulling it towards him without a second thought and twisting it the wrong direction.
But because it was her good shoulder, Hikari didn't even flinch, instead choosing to ram her other elbow into his chest at the same time with enough force that he loosened his grip.
Although as they fought each other, Deku, Todoroki and Bakugo couldn't help but watch in awe how precise and well matched the villain and her were. It was almost like they already knew what kind of attack they would try next.
And even without a quirk, Hikari was still holding her own.
Of course that could have been due to the fact that Dabi's fire never actually made it to her skin, the man always shutting off his quirk in order to grab her with his bare hands instead.
Of course he'd never admit to that either though.
Yet the moment was cut short when Dabi unintentionally grabbed onto her injured shoulder, applying pressure as the girl's eyes widened with unspeakable pain in order to let out a small groan, the villain's body pausing for a millisecond. Wait, she was hurt? What had that girl done without me now?
Gasping at the display, Deku, Todoroki and Bakugo mistook the action as deliberate before immediately rushing towards her to help. They couldn't just stand back like this, they were heroes after all. They had to save her.
Although the moment Hikari sensed their presence her nerves spiked with intense fear, not wanting them to get involved or hurt with the two of them. "I said back the fuck off, idiots!"
Realizing that they didn't heed her warnings, Hikari then groaned under the pressure of her quirk before releasing three feathers from her pocket, the objects far too fast for the boys to figure out exactly what they were.
Then the girl lifted a single finger as the small objects crawled into the tops of their heroes' suits and pulled them backwards into the nearby wall in order for them to get out of their fight.
The boys groaned at the sudden pressure, reaching forward only to be pressed even harder against the cool concrete as Bakugo's eyes widened at whatever had captured them. All he saw was a flash of red and then nothing. "Whoaa, what the hell?!"
Dabi's chest couldn't help but twitch with hurt at the action seeing her defend the kind of people that ruined his life. It hurt, it hurt more than he could imagine, seeing his Princess fighting against him.
And as the smoke poured from his palms, Dabi couldn't help but laugh his darkness away, vocally reminding her of what she just did in front of him. "How cute, protecting the little heroes from me. Are you really that concerned about them? That's not very villainous of you, Princess."
Balling her fists in conflict, the girl chose to look away from the villain, shame etched upon her features with no explanation. Call it weakness but she just couldn't let them die, not like this. Not when it was her fault.
The distanced gaze only caused the man to grow even more unhinged at the sight, covering his entire hand in flames as he focused on the need to see her face, to see his Princess, his Hikari once again. "Maybe I should bring that back out.."
Then with clear intent, Dabi raced forward once again, this time not bothering to hold back in hopes that the girl would fight back like she always did, that she would finally let go of that stupid fantasy and reveal her quirk once again.
As the fire reached closer and closer, the woman twisted her face with panicked conflict before quickly touching the crystal pendant around her chest, her shaking fingers wrapping around the object all at once.
Yet at the very last second, her hand fluttered away from the sight, choosing to step to the side instead as the flames just barely graced her bad shoulder, the heat unimaginable and excruciating.
Usually she'd be better at dodging but that fight with Shadow had left her so incredibly vulnerable that her movement was far slower then they should've been. Sure, she could sense Dabi's moves but that didn't matter when her body wasn't listening to her commands.
Crumbling down to the ground in order to touch her shoulder, Hikari seethed out a heavy breath before feeling blood pool around the old bullet wound that Shadow had irritated previously as Dabi strolled to her with a cocky smirk. 'Go ahead, show them who you are. Show them the monster under that good girl attire."
Even still, the girl remained still, her mind spinning as she pathetically clutched her pendant with all of her strength, eyes casted down as she breathed roughly. She didn't want them to see, she didn't want them to know. "No.."
Looking down at the clearly injured woman, Dabi lowered his eyes at the sight of her rejection to his desire before his palms outstretched with blue in order to take away her perfect little bubble once and for all.
Yet that's when Hikari lifted her own hand, stopping his movements as the heat burned her very skin in order for him to give up on his current goal.
The move was shocking to say the least, Dabi immediately widening his eyes before turning off his quirk in order for her not to hurt herself further. Was she really going this far for a simple fantasy?
Feeling her trembling hands under her own firm grip, she finally met his eyes as the amber color pleaded with him in silent need, her own lips twisted together in order to hold in the overwhelming emotions they were both feeling.
Because she knew she was going against him, she knew that she was betraying him.
And the moment he saw her again, Dabi couldn't help but take a sharp intake of his own, not recognizing the girl before him. The girl that stared at him with so much masked fury and betrayal, the girl that used to always look at him with nothing but care and kindness.
No, right now she looked at him like he was her enemy.
And for the first time, he pitied her, the villain facade completely disappearing as his hold softened ever so slightly. Anyone else could look at him that way, the whole entire world could look at him that way, anyone except her. "Hikari.."
He hated that look in her eyes, the one that made her so distant. She was the only one that was there for him, the only one that had reached out her hand and called him a friend, the only one that said she loved him. She was all he had, and the very thought of her disappearing made his heart squeeze with fear.
Although that's when the reality started to set in. It was always supposed to be like this, wasn't it? He knew this is where it would end, he always did but now that it was finally here Dabi couldn't help but wish to cling to that safe little bubble he had created for himself.
He was doing the same thing she was, living in denial, trying to imagine another life then the one that was so clearly destined for him, wanting to hide in that fake perfect life for over six years, ever since the day she met him.
What was wrong with him? This is what he wanted. He wanted Hikari to look at him like the bad guy, he wanted her to finally realize that he wasn't some kind of hero that came to save her. He wasn't her brother, he wasn't who she deserved.
And yet somehow, even though he knew that, he still felt Touya's pathetic fear for what this little altercation actually meant. Whether she liked it or not, soon she would find out the truth about everything and hate him just as expected.
Just as he had always planned from day one.
Hikari's eyes glossed with tears at the sight, watching as Dabi's own bloody tears reached the surface in order to pour down in cheeks in a silent line. She didn't understand them but the girl could tell he was utterly destroyed by her decision, by helping the enemy and crossing a line that should have never been crossed.
She wanted to reach out to him, she wanted to calm him down and tell him that she still loved him. She wanted to do anything, but somehow the girl's muscles refused to move, forced to watch as the blood under his stitches flowed in a sorrowful plea.
Although to Dabi, the person before him was just another cruel reminder of the twisted game he had been playing for the last ten years. The lies, the betrayal, the hidden meanings, they all had come to this moment.
And now that Princess had done the unthinkable, had betrayed him in the cruelest way possible, Dabi knew what he had to do. He knew where this would all end.
He knew he had to end the game.
So for that reason, Dabi then closed his eyes, wiping away any fear and anxiety before throwing her hand away and standing up with a vague vacant look, his voice dull and void of emotion. He seemed no longer in her necklace either. "Forget it. Keep it."
Choosing not to look at her face, the villain then turned away as Hikari blinked in surprise. She had never seen him act this way, so broken and lost. It wasn't like Dabi and all. No, in fact the man before her looked far more like Touya than his villain persona.
The girl then lifted a shaky hand in his direction, her voice so incredibly small and scared for what his response meant. Was this really it? Was there really not going back? She prayed not, she couldn't live without him. "Dabi..?"
At her voice, Dabi's shoulders immediately tensed, as if he was fighting with himself to turn back around. But even still, the man didn't move, his hands balling into fists as the surface turned white from the amount of pressure in his heart.
Then ignoring the ever telling tears upon his face, the villain forced out a low chuckle before glancing back at the bird with one of his usual cynical smirks. "Thanks for the game, Princess. It was fun while it lasted."
Yet there was someone else there that Hikari recognized immediately, something that looked like complete and utter heartbreak which made her eyes cloud with even more tears.
And just like that, the villain forced himself to move, silently leaving his friend all alone as Hikari pushed her lips together in order to hold in a sob. Why did this feel so final, why did this feel like she was losing him again?
Blinking once, Hikari saw the man disappear before lowering her head and seeing her tears fall on the pavement below. Her friend, her only friend and she betrayed him for a couple of heroes. What was wrong with her? "I'm sorry.."
It seemed her concentration caused her feathers to loosen as well because she quickly sensed Deku, Todoroki and Bakugo's presence leaning beside her a moment later, their voices frantic and full of fear for what happened. "H-Hikari?! Are you okay? Oh my god your arms..what are we going to do, we can't just leave her like this.."
The girl didn't respond though, her mind only focused on the empty space before her as Todoroki's voice just barely echoed in her ears. "I'll take her back to my house. It's the closest from here. You two head back to U.A. and explain everything to Aizawa."
Deku and Bakugo nodded in understanding as the green haired boy looked down at the strangely silent bird with concern. He had never seen her this quiet before, usually Hikari always had something to say. "Is that okay?"
Yet once again, Hikari remained silent, not disagreeing with their idea even though she probably should've, considering her ties to the Todoroki family.
No, the girl only stared ahead towards the direction Dabi had left, feeling a sharp chill course through her at the reality of the man she loved suffering for her mistakes.
What was he even talking about before? What did he mean when he said "the game was over" and "it was fun while it lasted'? None of it made any sense to her in the slightest.
Just what had she unknowingly participated in all this time?
Pulling the blanket towards her body, Hikari sat outside on the steps of the Todoroki mansion, staring out at the soft rain that covered the area a couple feet away. Luckily she was under the cover so the girl was safe but even still she hardly cared.
She barely even acknowledged how Shoto had given her the piece of fabric along with wrapping up her forearms and shoulder. She didn't even answer him when he answered about what happened back in that alleyway. It was like her mind wouldn't let her, only focusing on the strange events and Dabi's heartbroken face over and over again on a constant loop.
Perhaps it was some sort of self punishment, the girl thankful when Todoroki seemed to notice her disinterest in order to excuse him and stop the interrogation. Now she was all alone, listening to the soft rain as it pleaded against the side of the building.
What was up with her? First she defended Endeavor in front of those heroes, then she stood up and covered for Keigo and now she was betraying her best friends for the sake of some hero kids she had only met a couple days ago? She was falling apart by the second.
It was all this stupid mission's fault. If only she hadn't accepted Dabi's offer to spy on her brother back then, then maybe she wouldn't have been so conflicted now. She wouldn't be in the Todoroki house and she wouldn't be feeling this guilt for reverting back to the same weak heart that crybaby Hikari always had.
Looking down at the picture in her hands, Hikari eyed the image of young Touya before twisting her lips with shame and self hatred. She had taken it from his memorial unknowingly in order to feel closer to him, to fill the empty void in her heart.
Her first love. Why couldn't everything be simple, why couldn't they just go back to that rooftop and be normal again? Why couldn't everything go back to the way it was before Dabi and Valkyrie?
Sighing to herself, Hikari's shoulders automatically tensed when another presence seemed to appear from the corner of her vision, her feathers sharpening inside her pocket at his very voice. "Takami.."
Not even lifting her head, she then heard the sound of his feet moving closer in order to sit next to the blonde, his eyes moving to stare in the same spot as her. "Shoto informed me about that villain. Do you know why he made you a target?"
Of course she knew, she knew exactly why he had shown up tonight. She knew everything. But it wasn't like it was his business to know.
So instead, Hikari remained silent, causing Endeavor to get the message that she obviously didn't want to be bothered right now. So much for finding any information on that attack.
Although that's when the man looked down to find his dead son's picture between her fingers, the girl not making any motion to hide it in the slightest. Perhaps she didn't care anymore or perhaps she was still too distraught to notice what that meant.
Even so, Endeavor eyed the white haired teen sadly before speaking out once again, this time far more solemn than before. "I don't know how much you know about him, but you're right. What happened in the past was my fault."
At the mention of the boy she loved, Hikari's fingers tightened on the frame ever so slightly, signaling the hero to continue. "You see, I put a lot of expectations on the boy. I thought he was the key to taking down All Might so I pressured him into perfection to fit my selfish desires. Touya never seemed to mind though, always wanting to prove himself to me."
Sucking in a heavy breath, Endeavor then narrowed his eyes in memory. "I told you before that I don't trust the commission, but there is a reason for that."
And that caused Hikari's eyes to widened before turning to stare at the man before her. He always did seem different with the commission and Shadow. But what possible reason could he have to not trust them? Usually all heroes were blinded by their fancy words.
Endeavor noticed her interest before lowering his voice with sadness. Just talking about the day was making him emotional. It always did. "The truth is, I used to. I trusted them like any other hero agency, so much so that I enrolled Touya into the commission to strengthen his training. I thought that was the best move for him and for myself."
Hikari vaguely recalled the news broadcast she heard when she was a kid. She never did hear much about Touya's past at the commission as the boy was always rather closed off about it. But even so, she was curious to know this unknown side of her friend.
Frowning at his next words, Endeavor continued roughly. "But then I found out that they were hiding the fact that Touya had developed a quirk defect during his training. The mix of my fire and Rei's ice was causing his fire to become dangerously uncontrollable, and he was killing himself every time he used it."
The information was new to her completely, Hikari never knowing that Touya was pulled out of his spot because of his unstable quirk. But she supposed that made sense, considering the bandages that always covered his arms.
The flamed hero then twisted his face in conflict, recalling the events that led to his own son's destruction. "So once I found out I immediately pulled him out of his training in order for the boy to remain safe. I stopped pushing him to be the successor and instead focused on Shoto to take his place. That way Touya could live and Shoto could carry on my wishes in his stead."
Endeavor then pushed his hands together before lowering his head down towards the ground. "At the time, I thought I was saving him, that I was doing him a favor by stopping my expectations and letting him live his life."
And it was clear that Endeavor had meant those words, that his full intention was to save his oldest son from dying. That's why he pushed him away and discouraged his attempts, why he was so harsh every single time. He was trying to help him.
Yet that's when the man's eyes grew cloudy, the age clearly showing on his face as his voice crumbled away into a small mutter, almost like he was afraid to admit it. "But because I pushed him to be perfect for so long, Touya had nothing after it was gone, and it destroyed him.."
Widening her eyes, Hikari's mind began to race as she thought about the strange desires and mannerisms of Touya. Now it all made sense, why the boy was always pressured to prove his worth to his father, why he always longed to be noticed and praised...
It was because Endeavor manufactured that mindset and then took it away.
The man seemed to realize how cruel it was though, his head unmoving as he voiced all of his overflowing thoughts with a shaking sigh. "I know Touya's death is on my hands, I know that I led him down that road of destruction and suffering. It's the same with Shoto, I only thought of myself, of my own goals, so much so that I was blinded to the very people that truly needed me."
All this time she saw Endeavor as this monster as this unfeeling cruel man that tortured and abused his kids but this was first time Hikari was seeing something more, and that terrified her.
Because in the back of her heart, the girl could see his humanity, his mistakes and crimes and weighed him down every single day. She saw the age on his face and the strain on his back, she saw not only a monster but also a very broken man.
Remaining frozen in her own thoughts, Endeavor then looked at his hands before narrowing his eyes in silent plea. "There are a lot of regrets I carry, ones that will never disappear for the rest of my life. I wish I had been there for Touya, I wish I wasn't so hard on Shoto, I wish I never walked away from you and your brother.."
Just then, the man forced himself to lift his head, taking him out of his own devastation before choosing to stare at the sky instead. "But wishing isn't going to change what happened. It isn't going to make everything alright again. That's why I'm going to spend the rest of my life atoning for the things I can fix and the things I can fight for.."
Then Endeavor reached into his pocket before lifting out a piece of paper in the girl's direction, the soft white color shining between the cloudy rain. "Like with you for instance."
Twisting her eyes in confusion, Hikari frowned. "What is this?"
She then reluctantly grabbed the piece of paper, turning it over in her hands before hearing the man's voice echo through her ears all at once. "You have suffered so long, Takami. Longer that anyone should have to live through.."
And when Hikari opened up that small piece of paper, she immediately felt her entire body freeze in shock as she gazed at an acceptance letter with her name printed on the top.
Not believing what she was seeing, Endeavor's voice softened before turning to stare at the very awestruck female before him. "That's why I want to pay for you to get the education you always deserved."
Feeling her heart twist in confusion, the girl then looked down at the paper once again before actually reading the words on the page, the black bold lettering seeping into her brain all at once.
"At the recommendation of the number one hero Endeavor we'd like to welcome Takami Hikari to join us for the spring semester."
Wait. Did that just say recommendation? Endeavor gave this recommendation for her so that she could finally go to school? No, no that was impossible. There was no way, he wasn't that kind. He wasn't that kind of person.
Although the man didn't seem to be done, passing another paper towards her with his fingers, except this one was some sort of blank form. "And if you desire, I will also help you to get your provisional hero license.."
Widening her eyes, Hikari looked down at the hero license form before immediately feeling a wave of anxiety and surprise wash over her. Just what was this idiot suggesting? Didn't he know she was a villain? If that was the case then why was he pushing this hero thing so far?
It was comical, the idea of her being the thing she always hated. He didn't know who he was talking to. She wasn't just some innocent little girl, she was Valkyrie, the most feared person in the underworld, a monster in its own right.
Feeling her voice start to break and stutter on its own, Hikari immediately pushed the paper back to Endeavor before scoffing loudly at what he was suggesting. "W-What? You don't know what you're saying. You don't even know who I am.."
The man didn't seem phased though, almost like he already knew what she was talking about before lowering his eyes with honest truth. "I know what you did for Shoto and those U.A. students…"
And that caused the bird to stop all at once, realizing what he was trying to say. What she did back in that alleyway wasn't villainous at all. No, it was quite the opposite. It wasn't what Valkyrie would have done in the slightest.
It was heroic.
Hold on, what was wrong with her? Why was her brain going in all these different directions? Why did she end up saving those kids when she should've let them die? She didn't know.
Endeavor seemed to take her silence as an answer though, the man already rising to his feet before pushing the hero form back towards her with a knowing look. "Just think about it, Takami. Think about what you want your future to be.."
Then before she could disagree, he was gone, leaving the inviting white paper in his place as Hikari picked it up between her fingers and sighed.
After this mission everything was supposed to be over but now Endeavor was offering her the life she had always dreamed about, he was offering her a way out of the suffering and pain. He was offering her a chance to be something more than a villain.
Lifting her head up to the sky, Hikari's mind then began to wander back to the purple stitched man that always seemed to inhabit it.
Touya would've killed for this opportunity and instead it was being offered to her.
How ironic.
"My future? What are you talking about, old man? I have no future other than this. If only you knew what the world really thought of me, what the world thinks of me as. I would never fit in with you, not when they only ever see a monster.."
Not when the only thing I see is a monster.
Hawks moved back toward his room at the liberation before brushing off his hero jacket from his confrontation with Dabi. He didn't know where that man went but the bird silently hoped that his sister would be okay.
But as much as he wanted to run to her, the cameras on his back said otherwise, once again forcing the man to remain useless and unhelpful for the millionth time during this mission.
Sighing to himself, the bird felt his footsteps pause when his feathers couldn't help but pick up on a conversation going on between Re-Destro and someone else from a couple feet away. Oh? Now what was this?
The bird then moved closer to the noise, focusing his feathers as the voices grew more prominent than before, the villain's right head man speaking loudly. "Do you really believe that girl's words? She is a Takami after all, she could be lying to you.."
Re-Destro only chuckled though, obviously not concerned in the slightest. "Calm yourself, Skeptic. The last thing I'm going to do is underestimate a Takami. That's what caused my good friend Riku's demise after all."
Skeptic's voice only turned accusatory though, not understanding the motive of his bosses actions. "Then why did you let her go? You know she's going to try and betray us."
Just then, the villain gave a small dark chuckle, narrowing his eyes at the accusation. "Oh I'm counting on it. That's why I humored her with her little story before. I wanted her to get comfortable in her deception. It's obvious the hero and her are working together. I knew that from the moment I saw the two of them together at the first meeting."
Widening his eyes in shock, Hawks felt all his feathers twitch in anxiety at his words. Shit, Re-Destro knew of their betrayal from the beginning? But if that was the case then why did he let Hikari and him go so easily. None of this was making any sense.
Yet that's when Re-Destro finished plainly. "Of course none of it matters. We've moved the attack to tomorrow so Endeavor, Takami and those heroes will never see it coming."
Wait.
Did that villain just say what he thought he did? They moved the war?! They were going to attack Endeavor and his sister tomorrow?! No, it couldn't be. This couldn't be happening.
Feeling his head spin, Hawks immediately ran his anxious hand through his fingers before turning around and lifting his wings outwards in panic. He had to get to his sister before it was too late. He couldn't lose her again. He just couldn't!
Although once he was gone, Skeptic turned his head towards the cracked open door only to see the vague color of red disappear through the cracks. He knew that annoying crimson anywhere. Looks like they had a stalker.
Turning his head, the man hummed. "And what of the bird?"
Once again Re-Destro didn't seem to mind, simply swirling his glass of wine around between his fingers with a dark smile. "It doesn't matter. Let him squawk and try to warn them. He'll be too late either way."
Hawks felt his chest pound with his own fearful heartbeat before quickly removing the small cameras on his wings and finding Hikari's right hand man at the end of the stairs. "Alpha..hey kid…this is bad…this is really bad!"
Turning his head to the side, the boy only frowned. "What's the matter, Hawks?"
Speaking at a million miles per second, the bird gasped. "Re-Destro moved the war to tomorrow, Hikai's in trouble. I have to go help her before it's too late. You still have that feather she gave ya before, right? We have to warn her."
Alpha only frowned though, shaking his head sadly. "She took it back."
Cursing under his breath, Hawks felt his adrenaline pick up before quickly thinking of another plan. "Fuck. Okay okay okay you stay here and gather information from the inside. I'm going to go warn her.."
Alpha only narrowed his eyes at the frantic nature as he sensed the dread around the mansion all at once. This was the first he heard about this. "But what about the mission?"
Lifting his wings up in silent warning, Hawks only shook his head, his mind far too frantic to make sense of the situation. Fuck the mission, fuck everything, He was not about to loose his sister again, he was not going to stand on the sidelines at watch her suffer.
Not anymore
"The mission is over. The only thing that matters to me is my sister."
Pushing the newly lit cigarette up to his lips, Dabi blew out a puff of smoke as the sound of a set of heels made its way through the space, each click as obnoxious as the last. "It's about time you got here. I take it, you're interested in my offer then?"
The figure stopped a couple feet away from the man, her lips twisting together with displeasure before eying the room with disgust. "My, how much you've changed. Is this really the only place you could think of? I thought I taught you better than that, Touya."
At the sound of his dead name, the man growled before pushing himself off the wall with a glare. "You wanna talk about the fucking scenary or do you want to talk about my offer? I know you're interested, don't try to play dumb."
Sighing dramatically at his words, the woman seemed to see his point. "Fair enough. Perhaps we can come to an agreement after all. You are the one that called me tonight with such valuable information to the one I've been looking for.."
Dabi couldn't help but lower his eyes at her clear call out, placing the cigarette between his teeth with a frown. Little Princess had crossed a line and done the unthinkable tonight after all, so it was only fair he did the same.
And eye for an eye if you will.
Just then, the figure moved closer to Dabi, her heeled steps an ominous threat as the older woman stepped into the light with calculating intent. "Don't worry, we will take care of everything…"
Smiling in his direction, the commission president then lowered her eyes before finishing with great pride, completely satisfied with the plan before her.
"By this time tomorrow, Takami Hikari will no longer exist."
Anddd we have set ourselves up for the finale. Now I know what you're thinking "Dabi how could you sell Hikari out" and yeah that's pretty shitty but everything happens for a reason so don't break out your pitchforks just yet. Things and not always what they seem.
But oof, lots of big things here. We see the pieces falling into place on why Touya acts the way he does through his fathers story. Now some of his behavior from the first couple past chapters make sense. I've had this idea from the very beginning so I'm very excited to finally unfold the real complete story for you all.
Thank you for the support on this. You are all awesome!