A/N: Going to be posting an illustration for this chapter on my social media (deviantART - iHateFridays, ihf-arts for Tumblr, FridaysHate for Twitter, ihatefridaysihf for Instagram) if you're interested.

Ayano had not been to an elementary school for almost seven years. And if she was honest with herself, she did not remember much from her elementary school years. They had been so meaningless and pointless that they had almost vanished from her mind. The only things she remembered was the mistreatment from other students. And even then, there wasn't much there.

She only had one reason to come to an elementary school.

Phone in pocket, she stayed hidden in the bushes. On her back was a large base case, but it did not contain any instruments. She had taken it from the Music Club when no one was looking. But realistically, hiding was unnecessary; who would be suspicious of an S Class hero such as her?

She was close to the entrance of the school, but also far enough away as to not be spotted. Sure enough, after a few minutes, the school bell rang. The patters of small feet rang across the pavement. Ayano narrowed her eyes, spotting the young girl she was looking for. Zenko, Metal Bat's dearly beloved little sister.

Ayano knew for a fact that her brother was dealing with hero business so he would not be around for a while. It was the perfect time to strike.

As Zenko made her way out of the school, Ayano waited until she was a good distance away from the other students. Then she made her move.

"Hello there," Ayano greeted the young girl, wearing a warm smile.

Zenko looked up, eyes flashing in recognition. "Oh! I know you, you're the S Class hero Yan-chan! What are you doing here?"

"Well, I'm sure your big brother has told you that we're good friends, right?" Ayano asked her.

Zenko nodded, eagerly.

"He's currently busy with hero stuff, so I volunteered to pick you up from school for him," Ayano told her, still smiling.

"Really?" Zenko looked so excited. "Wow, this is so cool! Sometimes bro's friends pick me up from school, but never another S Class hero!"

So she is used to her brother's friends occasionally picking her up from school, Ayano thought. Perfect. Luckily I dealt with that… other person before I came here.

Ayano offered a hand. "Come on. How about we get some ice-cream while we wait for your brother? A girl's day out." She winked.

Zenko jumped up and down. "Yeah!"

Before long, Ayano and Zenko were sitting on a park bench, wielding ice-cream cones. Ayano had purposely led Zenko to a very quiet location. There, they were surrounded by cherry blossoms and a gentle breeze. It was almost serene. Peaceful.

"Miss Yan-chan?" Zenko asked, licking her ice-cream.

"Yes?" Ayano asked.

"Do you play base?" Zenko asked, pointing to the case on her back.

"I do," Ayano told her. "I was rehearsing just before I came to pick you up. I used to be in the Strawberry Thieves."

"Wow, I love that band!" Zenko gushed. "They're my favourite band! They used to be my second favourite before… um, Sweet Mask…" She frowned.

"Yes…" Ayano stared at her ice-cream, expression darkening. "That was… very unfortunate."

"I can't believe he did that to you," Zenko's eyes watered. "I can't believe… I can't believe I liked him! I'm so sorry, Miss Yan-chan."

"Well, he is in jail now," Ayano told her, sweetly. "He's not a threat to us anymore."

Zenko licked her ice-cream, a guilty look still on her face.

"Don't look so sad, sweetie," Ayano told her. She grinned. "Look over there! Do you see some kittens?"

Zenko perked up. "Kittens?! Where?!"

The girl was well and truly off guard. She was suddenly grabbed by Ayano, who forced a tranquilizer injection into her neck. Her small body went slack in Ayano's arms.

Ayano's expression was cold and lifeless as she placed the child's body inside the base case. The young girl was practically weightless as Ayano stood up again.

Time for stage 2, she thought, pulling out her phone.

Ayano:

It is done. Come over to the warehouse, and the plan will be in action.

Osoro:

You sent the ransom?

Ayano:

I have. I told him to meet us at the warehouse at exactly 6PM.

Osoro:

… alright. I'll be over there.

Osoro made her way to the lot of abandoned buildings, stated in City K. It was similar to the original Ghost Town of City Z, except with less monsters and much more empty warehouses. She felt a strange serenity walking through the lot. Or was it fear? She couldn't tell. There wasn't a single person in sight. Completely deserted.

Enough with that, this is it, Osoro thought. This is my chance for revenge.

Then she saw it. The warehouse Ayano had invited her to. It was more like a shed, with weathered metal walls, a rusted door, and some broken windows. Not too big and perfectly isolated, just right for a ransom.

Ayano Aishi was standing in front of the building. She waved to Osoro, who simply crossed her arms. Both girls were dressed in their uniforms, since it was after school. Osoro, of course, wore her trademark jacket as well. Ayano was wearing gloves for whatever reason.

"Is she in there?" Osoro asked, jerking her head towards the door.

Ayano nodded. She opened the rusting door, which creaked from the pressure, letting in the lowering sunset. Osoro felt a chill down her spine. Sitting on a chair, tied up, was little Zenko. Masking tape was wrapped around her eyes and mouth. Despite that, she was still struggling to break free.

"Oh, shit…" Osoro muttered. "Oh, God… she's just a kid…" She stared at Ayano, and almost took a step back. "Y'know, maybe this isn't such a-"

"You wanted this, Osoro," Ayano told her, firmly. "You want revenge against him, don't you? Unless you want to keep losing forever and forever."

Osoro trembled.

"Yeah," she clenched her fists. "You're right."

Ayano smirked, turning away. She glanced at Osoro's hulking figure, which was facing the opposite direction. She then grabbed something she had been hiding previously: a metal bat. Her mind turned to an important conversation she'd had with Info-chan.

Info-chan:

Metal Bat made a promise with his sister to never expose her to violence. So he won't fight Osoro if she's around. Your plan has a hole in it.

Ayano:

I see. So if he won't kill her… I guess someone else will have to. But I'll make it seem like he was the one responsible for her death.

Info-chan:

And how do you plan to do that?

Ayano:

By using his bat of course.

Info-chan:

But he goes everywhere with that thing… Do you have a plan to steal it?

Ayano: I'll swap it out with a fake one. He won't notice… until he starts fighting with it. But until then, it'll be too late. For now, will these panty shots give me his address?

Info-chan: Of course…

Ayano nodded, remembering sneaking into Metal Bat's house while he was sleeping, and swapping the bats out. She was of course wearing gloves to hide her fingerprints, so no one would know of her involvement.

It had been surprisingly easy to sneak into an S Class hero's house. Then again, it did depend on the S Class hero in question.

Everything is in place, Ayano thought, glancing at Badd's weapon in her gloved fist. All I have to do is take her out… and he'll come right to the scene.

She turned back to Osoro, holding the bat in the air.

Luckily, I know just what to do…

She grabbed Osoro's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"You're doing well," Ayano smiled. "Don't worry, Osoro-chan, it'll all be okay."

Osoro's cheeks went red.

"W-What are you doing…?" Osoro asked, her voice croaking. Ayano stared into her brown eyes, causing her to go even redder.

Dammit, not again, Osoro thought, avoiding Ayano's eyes. She's… she's…

CRASH

Osoro reacted just fast enough to avoid a deadly swing from the metal baseball bat.

"What the Hell…" she muttered, staring up at Ayano holding the weapon. "Is that… his…"

Ayano made another lunge, but Osoro dodged. She bowed her head, teeth gritted. She felt a fiery surge of rage and pain rush through her. Her hands balled into fists. She couldn't stop shaking.

"Heh..." she laughed, standing straight. "So you really are just like the others. I… I can't believe I thought you were any different. So fucking typical."

They faced each other in a standoff. Osoro's eyes were wet for a brief moment.

"I'm sick of people breaking my heart," Osoro growled, removing her jacket. "So this time, I'm gonna break you."

She launched a fist in Ayano's direction. Ayano narrowly dodged, but the fist collided with the wall, almost knocking down the whole warehouse.

"What the Hell are you even trying to do?" Osoro asked her. "If you wanted to fight me yourself, why didn't you do that? What'd you bring him in for?"

Ayano swung the bat, colliding with Osoro's deadly fists.

"Eh, what does it matter?" Osoro asked, voice cracking. "You're gonna die either way."

They continued to spar with each other, colliding back and forth. S Class level power.

"Do you think you're special or some shit?" Osoro asked, sending a blow to Ayano's head. The blow knocked her into the ground; blood spilled down her cheeks. "Or did you think I'd feel bad and take it easy on you? You're not the first to treat me like a freak!"

Ayano got up, swinging her bat.

"Missed again," Osoro grumbled. "Lie down and die, bitch."

She sent another blow in Ayano's direction. Ayano narrowly dodged, dyed hair flying out behind her. Osoro was just as powerful as the rumours said.

But Ayano was not going to give up so easily. She clenched the bat tightly. She had a plan in mind.

Osoro's rage seemed to be undying. Her brown eyes were burning. She was influenced by nothing but the pain of betrayal.

So many people… she bared her teeth. So many people want to use me. I bet they don't even see me as a human. Just a tool.

She thought of her mother, the hero that had refused to save her mother, her old friend Badd… the delinquent boys…

That bastard Badd is being dragged into this mess as well, somehow, Osoro realised. Dammit. What is wrong with this girl? What is she up to?

She glared at Ayano. No. I'm not going to let anyone use me anymore.

Ayano sensed her power shifting. Something was happening to Osoro. She was getting stronger.

Wait-

Osoro's fists came flying out of nowhere. Left, right, center, they were swarming her. Ayano could barely catch a breath as the fists came down. She was being pummelled from every angle. Blood dribbled down her chin. She was slammed against the wall, like a helpless doll.

Zenko made some angry mumbling behind her taped face. Osoro was glad the child was wearing a blindfold. She didn't want to expose such a child to the bloodshed that was taking place.

Osoro panted. Ayano was slammed against the wall, her breath short and raspy. The bat was beside her, out of reach from her hand. Her body was frail and shaky. Her lifeless stare was focused on Osoro.

I did it, Osoro thought. I… I won.

She stared at Ayano's face. The girl was somehow still conscious, albeit barely. Her mask was removed, exposing a tiny smile.

Do it. Kill her. Show her who the real monster is.

Osoro raised her fists. Despite what she had done, Ayano looked so… defenseless. So lost. So scared.

Kill her.

Osoro took a step, raising a fist. She aimed it at Ayano's face. Ayano stared back up at her with defenceless innocence. She looked like a hapless child. A bullied, scared child.

You monster…

"I…" Osoro trembled. "I can't do it.."

She fell to her knees, tears burning behind her eyes. She couldn't bring herself to bring the final blow.

I'm not even strong enough to be a monster...

And that was Ayano struck.

She suddenly stood up, holding up Metal Bat's bat. And then she swung. She swung and swung, hitting Osoro repeatedly. Osoro couldn't even say a word as the bat hit her over and over again. Blood pooled around her corpse, dousing the walls, dripping across the floor. It was fast, but at the same time, painfully slow. A life being drained away.

There was nothing but a bloody corpse left behind. Osoro was gone.

Metal Bat was not having a good day.

First of all, his bat had broken. Wasn't the thing supposed to be unbreakable? He'd have to give the Hero Association an angry call later on.

But more important than his bat was his sister. She had been kidnapped and was being held hostage. Even more infuriating, the people that had kidnapped her demanded ransom from him.

Badd wasn't having any of that. He was going to find the idiots who kidnapped his sister and make them pay.

The ransomers had told him to come to some abandoned warehouse in City K at 6PM. Even though he didn't have his bat, he did have his fists, and he wasn't afraid to use them.

He managed to locate the right warehouse with fancy GPS tools Child Emperor had given to him ages ago. The first thing he noticed was a metal bat right outside the door.

The Hell? He thought. He walked over to the bat, scowling when he noticed it was doused in blood.

Wait, was that other bat… a fake? He thought. What the fuck is going on here?

He picked up the bloody bat. He realised he was… apprehensive about entering the garage.

"Hello?" he yelled, grabbing the door. "Anyone in there?"

A familiar voice made a series of noises.

Badd's shoulders slumped in relief, as he opened the door. "Zenko! Don't worry, big bro's here to…"

Then he stopped, almost dropping his bat.

Zenko made a questioning noise. Her face was covered by a blindfold, so she couldn't see what was in front of her. And Badd was glad for that.

He slumped down, reaching out for Osoro's corpse.

"Hey, Osoro…" he said. "You aren't… dead… are ya?"

But he knew there was no other way to describe it. He slumped onto the ground, blood soaking his clothes.

"Who… who did this to ya?" he asked, his body trembling as he reached out for his old friend. "Who-"

And then he heard sirens. The stomping of boots, and shouts.

"PUT YOUR HANDS UP!"

Badd whipped around, police knocking the warehouse doors down. Their guns were pointed at the hero.

And then they hesitated.

"The S Class hero Metal Bat?" they exclaimed.

Badd gritted his teeth. "You guys have the wrong idea. I didn't-"

"There's no one else here who could've done it," a policeman said. "Put your bat down."

Badd's scowl increased, and Zenko made loud vocal noises. "I didn't-"

"Put it down!" the police insisted.

Badd lowered his weapon as the police came forward.

"He didn't do it!"

"Sorry, kid, all the evidence is pointing towards him…"

"It was Yan-chan!" Zenko insisted, jumping in the police officer's face. "She kidnapped me and she and Osoro held me for ransom! And then she killed Osoro using my bro's bat!"

"I'm afraid not, kid," the officer shook his head. "Yan-chan has no tie whatsoever to the crime. She was the one who called us, and that is the only involvement she has. You see, she heard about the ransom, but then she saw what your brother had done…"

"No!" Zenko screamed. "It was all her! She killed Osoro!"

"Do you have parents we can call, kid?" the officer asked.

Zenko burst into tears, running away.

"Aw, c'mon, you should've cut her some slack," another officer said, tilting his head. "She was at the scene."

"She was blindfolded," the first officer replied. "And besides, she's a young child. Children make up stories all the time."

"Maybe, but…" the other officer frowned. "That Yan-chan has been involved in a surprising number of crimes. She was there when Asu Rito died, she was the one who Sweet Mask attacked, she was around when all those heroes died in the Monster Association, and now this. Not to mention she's the daughter of the woman who put our name to shame. Isn't that just a little bit weird?"

"You're overreacting," the first officer crossed his arms. "We can't make false assumptions. We won't be made a mockery of again. It's bad enough with all those heroes running around and putting us out of a job."

"I guess you're right," the other officer sighed.

Zenko stormed through the police station, arms hanging by her sides. Tears were dripping down her cheeks.

Big bro… she sobbed. I'm so sorry…

She sat outside the station, tears still dripping down her cheeks. And then she saw the last person she wanted to see.

Ayano Aishi walked by, casual as always. Scot-free, innocent as could be.

"You…" Zenko clenched her fists. "You're a monster! You're the one who got my bro in jail! You're the one who killed Osoro!"

Ayano stopped, face shadowing over.

"I'm gonna make sure the world hears about you," Zenko hissed. "I'll make sure they all know how terrible you are!"

"Oh, yeah?" Ayano asked, quietly. "And who's going to believe you?"

Zenko made a face.

"Those police officers certainly didn't believe you," Ayano taunted. "The evidence is all pointing against your brother. You have nothing on your side."

Zenko's body trembled.

"The only person you did have is in jail," Ayano continued. "You're all alone. Nobody can help you."

Zenko clenched her fists as Ayano cackled. She no longer looked like a cute schoolgirl, but a psychopath that had been hiding in the dark. Twisted, warped, and horrifying. Even worse than a monster.