THIRTY-THREE - DIABOLICAL

Takami was one of the last students to file out of the classroom for the day. He stopped by the desk previously occupied by Shigaraki's new BFF, noticing something had been left behind. Kai had forgotten his school journal in his rush to get out. Takami grinned wickedly, swiping the book up. This was exactly what he needed to get a little face time with the transfer student, alone - the timing could not have been better.

He whistled jauntily as he skipped outside into the hall and low and behold, up ahead and walking straight towards him was Kai - no doubt returning to the classroom for his missing book.

"Forgot something?" Takami asked, presenting the misplaced journal with an over-dramatic flair.

Kai's brow furrowed, and he reached for the journal but Takami jerked his arm back, effectively denying him his own property.

"You know, you shouldn't just leave this lying around." Takami quipped, flipping quickly and absently through the pages. "Journals are pretty private things. I wonder what you ha-"

"Give that to me." Kai hissed and then snatched the book out of Takami's hands, tucking it away safely under his arm.

Takami was sure he saw a hint of a blush on the highpoints of the other boy's cheeks behind his mask and it almost made him wish he had taken a moment to look through the journal properly, there must be some juicy details written on the pages. He snickered and then leaned back against the nearest wall, amused.

"Did you look through this?"

"I did not."

Kai eyed him and then tipped his chin away. He wasn't sure whether to believe Takami or not. It was hard to say. His classmate always had the same, somewhat devious looking grin plastered on his face - regardless of the situation. Kai could only hope he was telling the truth - there may or may not have been some suggestive things written inside, things that he did not want to be leaked.

"Scouts honor." Takami said, holding his hand up and crossing his fingers.

"Well, thanks. I guess. For returning it." Kai muttered and then took a step back in the direction he had just come from. "See ya."

"Hold on." Takami requested, "I want to ask you something."

Kai sighed hard and then turned back, unprepared for a conversation with Takami. He was supposed to be on his way to the agency. Monday's were a busy work day and Fourth Kind did not appreciate tardiness. And without Shigaraki as a helpful buffer, he would get an earful if he wasn't on time.

"What is it?"

"Well, it's more of a-" Takami paused and rolled his wrist, waving his hand around like he was trying to find the right words to say. "A proposition."

Kai tilted his head slightly and arched one brow. "A proposition?"

Hm. Did Takami know who he really was? Was that what this was about?

Kai instantly assumed it had something to do with his families… business and depending on the next words that came out of his classmates mouth he might have to exercise his privileged status in said business. He was curious though. Did Takami need a loan? Drugs? Or perhaps it was something more… sinister. Kai wouldn't ask because questioning him would reveal all and everything that he had access too and if Takami didn't know who he or his family were then he was just exposing himself unnecessarily.

"I can see that you are not going to ask so let me just go ahead and tell you what I have." Takami grinned and pushed away from the wall, closing the distance between them. "I know about your little crush on Shigaraki." He tapped his index finger against Kai's chest.

Kai scoffed. "I don't know what you are talking about."

"Oh really?"

"Really."

"I think you do. And I think I can help you out with that." Takami spoke low, casually examining his black-painted nails while he talked, "We can help each other."

Kai didn't respond, impassive as he waited for Takami to continue.

"Walk with me." The bird boy requested, suddenly cautious about their surroundings. There were still other students loitering in the halls and he didn't want his proposal to be overheard by anyone other than Kai. Gossip travelled fast in this school.

Kai reluctantly followed, keeping a wary distance behind him - curiosity killed the cat, he had to know where this was going even if he had no intention of fulfilling his classmates request.

"I am going to be completely honest with you Chisaki." Takami spoke softly, so the words remained between them and only them, "I'm not exactly fond of Shigaraki. No offence or anything to you."

Kai scoffed. "Well, I can honestly tell you that the feeling is completely mutual. Shigaraki does not like you either."

"Obviously." Takami rolled his eyes and nonchalantly rubbed at the bridge of his nose. Shigaraki had broken it on several occasions. "We have history."

They walked in silence for a few yards until they reached an empty classroom. Takami gestured for Kai to go inside and entered right after, pulling the door closed behind him.

"So what do you want from me, Takami?"

"I need Dabi and Shigaraki to break up." Takami said blatantly. "Their relationship needs to end."

"I see." Kai tugged his mask down to his chin. "I wonder why that is."

"That's my business."

Kai narrowed his golden gaze at his classmate and then leaned back to sit against a vacant desk, folding his arms neatly over his chest.

"And what has this got to do with me?"

"Don't you want Shigaraki?"

Kai snorted a laugh and shook his head. "Like I said, I don't know what you are talking about. We're just friends."

"Oh, please. I see the way you look at him." Takami pretended to gag, sticking his tongue out in disgust, "Again, no offence. But I do have a plan that will push him right into your desirous arms. If you're game."

"I'm not and you're unbelievable. I'm leaving." Kai chided, making a move for the door. Takami stopped him with a firm hand pressed against his chest.

"Hear me out." He demanded. "I just want my best friend back and I am offering you the collateral. That's all."

"Take your hand off me."

Takami sneered but complied with his request, removing his hand. "Look, all I need you to do is physically pursue your crush so that the aforementioned break-up can happen. Isn't that what you want anyway?"

"You want me to make a move on Shigaraki?"

"Bingo!" Takami beamed, his wings fluttering excitedly. "Simple."

"That's your plan?" Kai asked, dumbfounded. "You think if I hit on him, he'll just dump Dabi and jump right into my arms?"

"No. That would be stupid."

"Yeah, no shit." Kai scoffed again thinking his classmate had a bird sized brain in his thick skull. He was absolutely delusional.

"I need Dabi to witness it of course. That'll turn into a fight and then you-"

"Let me stop you right there." Kai interjected. "Dabi will absolutely lose his mind. He'll probably kill me. Or try to at least. And I guarantee that he will become even more possessive of Shigaraki. He's not going to break up with him."

"Hm." Takami replied, thoughtful. "Which means Dabi will probably spend even more time with him." He mumbled more to himself than to Kai. His classmate was probably right. He hadn't thought his plan through properly, he was too eager - too hasty, but he did have an option B, a contingency plan.

"This is ridiculous," Kai spat. "I'm not going to be your scapegoat. I'm out."

Takami sighed and pushed his fingers back through his blonde locks, "I guess i'll just have to take things into my own hands."

"Good luck." Kai ducked around him, his shoulder clipping Takami's and pushing him aside as he stomped towards the exit.

"Wait." Takami appealed before his classmate managed to slip out of the room.

"What?" Kai snapped. He was usually a very calm and patient person but was quickly growing tired of Takami and his shrewdness.

"I'm a generous kind of guy so here's a little tip for you. Call it a gift. From me to you." Takami grinned, a mouth full of daggers hidden behind a pretty smile, "If you still want a chance at Shigaraki, I would suggest from now on you stick around him as much as you can. You just never know when he might need a comforting shoulder to cry on."

Kai shook his head but didn't turn back as he exited the classroom. "Yeah, whatever."

"Hey, you just might get lucky after all." Takami called after him. The sound of nasty snickering followed Kai down the hall. "You'll thank me later."