Chapter 7: Co-Host
The sports festival was... inspiring.
Jhin got to see the strength of not only the heroes in training that Kirishima told him, but also the rest of the hero course, the intelligence of the support course, and see the potential in the general studies class.
That Hitoshi Shinsou looks... talented.
The only thing that annoyed him slightly, was Mei.
Watching her... lacking performance was like a glass of water splashed on his face. She looked so sad and pathetic, almost like if she was a puppy that was kicked. That... wasn't the same Mei that he met some time ago, that smiled brightly and made him happy.
This is a shadow of that, the remains of what used to be great. But he knows he can save her. After all...
Art, lasts forever.
Tomura glanced at him chuckling lowly and growled "What now?"
Jhin turned to him with a soft smile "I was just thinking on how beautiful my Mei would be when I save her from her own self-destruction." He explained and Tomura raised a brow.
"The fuck does that mean?"
Jhin chuckled "You'll have to wait and see, Dear Tomura." Tomura growled at that name "Say, the talks with the Hero Killer, how did they go?"
"Good enough. We managed to lure him into our side." Tomura said with a frown.
"You don't look pleased." Jhin commented and Tomura growled.
"That asshole tried to kill me and he only joined because we threatened him!" He explained in anger and Jhin nodded.
"I see... maybe I can talk to him. I have been told I can be very persuasive."
"Che. Do whatever you want." Jhin nodded and walked away. He put his mask over his face and went in his search for the Hero Killer, Stain.
Surprisingly, it didn't take him to much time. He asked Kurogiri to take him to Stain location, and he arrived just in time to see Stain crippling a hero.
Jhin clapped "Bravo! Genius! Magnifico!" Stain glared at him from over his shoulder "What an exciting performance! Too bad I arrived just to see the end of the play. Truly a shame."
"Khada Jhin... what are you doing here?" Stain asked and Jhin chuckled.
"I just wanted to meet my fellow league member. After all, you can say I am your senior." Jhin mocked and Stain growled "But please, refrain from calling me senpai."
"Listen to me and listen carefully," Stain started "I am above you and that league. I actually have a goal besides meaningless murder."
Jhin chuckled "Of course. Because I do too."
Stain narrowed his eyes and let him continue "I believe, in beauty in death, that once you do something so big, you will be remembered forever. That's my goal; to become immortal in people's mind. And I believe you can find my proposal... eye-catching."
"What does that mean? Aren't you one of his cronies?" Stain asked and Jhin shook his finger in a no motion.
"We are just business partners. One their usefulness ran out; I plan on leaving. And there, is where you come in." Jhin said pointing at him. "You see, I understand that your plays, are to show the message of fake heroes, but they are... how to say it... Oh! Forgettable and generic."
"Go to the point." Stain demanded and Jhin nodded.
"The point is, with my help, we can make all you do, get into the mainstream, and make your work... unique."
Stain huffed, "Not interested. I am not looking to be remembered or to be idolized." He said and was about to leave when Jhin scoffed.
"Too late for that, Chizome." Jhin tilted his head to dodge the knife aimed to his head and smirked seeing the hateful glare of Stain.
"Don't call me that again."
"If you wish, Mr. Stain. But the point remains, you are already being remembered and idolized. So, why not take advantage of that?"
Stain narrowed his eyes "Explain."
"You see, Dear Stain; what better way to expand your word, when all eyes are on you? Yes, you are doing some extraordinary work, but imagine, how much attention you will get when the only thing coming out of the news mouth is this..." He said as he opened his arms "Stain; the new hero model? Sounds nice, don't you think?"
"Hm." Stain said scratching his chin as sirens were heard. "Let's go. We'll talk in a calmer place."
*UA*
Mei was nervous and anxious. Not because the strange looks of suspicion that everybody gave her. No, it was because she hasn't be able of talk with her dear Jhin ever since the USJ. He hasn't tried to contact her, which might be because he is trying to keep a low profile, but still!
In her way, she bumped into someone, "Sorry, I wasn't looki-"
"Mei Hatsume, right?" She looked up and couldn't help to frown to see who it was.
"Yes. Katsuki Bakugo, if I am not wrong."
Katsuki nodded "I need to talk with you."
*Bar*
"You understand, Dear Stain?" Jhin asked and Stain nodded "The best way to expand your message is with the eyes of the world on you! Because in the end, there is only one thing that is true in this world!"
"Which is?" Stain asked and Jhin, without his mask grinned.
"Fear! People fear who they respect! People fear who they admire! People fear... when others are right and they aren't."
"I understand your point..." Stain said "But still, I want to see you in action first."
Jhin smirked "Of course, I wouldn't trust an actor who can't shed a tear either." He stood up and grabbed his mask. "After you."
*UA*
"Tell me what you know about him." Katsuki demanded and Mei frowned.
"Look, I already told everything to the police, and I don't have to say anything to you." Mei said and was about to leave when Katsuki grabbed her arm.
"Look, I don't know what he said to you, how he treated you, but know this; all of that were lies."
Mei got her arm free "I need to go to my internship, you should too."
*Hosu*
"Why are we waiting?" Stain asked Jhin that finished planting one of his lotus bombs.
"You see, Tomura released a couple of Nomus in Hosu, and knowing him, I'll doubt he would mind if either you or I are captured or killed. So! If we are going to appear only in one scene, we will make it in the best and most memorable one in the whole play!" Jhin explained and Stain rolled his eyes at his antics.
"Who are we hunting?" Jhin chuckled, took out Whisper and pointed at a corner and shoot. A scream was heard and the pro heroine Native. She fell to the ground while holding her knee on pain. Jhin chuckled as he walked to her.
"This fair maiden. Should I, or should I leave it to you?" Stain smirked and raised his sword over his head, ready to kill native when they heard.
"STAIN!" They turned to look at Tenya Ilda glaring at them "I came to avenge my brother!"
Jhin covered the mouth of his mask with one hand "My... Vengeance doesn't sound very heroic."
"Yes... only fake heroes are motivated by that." Stain said "But I don't kill students, so leave."
Ilda growled and rushed to them, but his foot got caught in the lotus bomb. He hissed in pain, as blood came from his thigh and the mechanism of the bomb started to work. "What's that?" Stain asked and Jhin chuckled as Ilda tried to break free of the bomb.
"This... is the climax!" Jhin exclaimed, opening his arms as the lotus bomb exploded, in a smaller radio, destroying Ilda's right leg.
"AAAAAAAAAAGH!" Ilda screamed falling to the ground, breathing hardly.
Jhin laughed madly and Stain smirked "You sure have foresight." He said before glaring at Ilda "That will call the attention. Better finish this quick."
Jhin calmed down and sighed "Guess you're right... but before... what you say; partners?" He said extending his hand to Stain that shook it.
"Partners."
Jhin looked at Ilda trying to crawl away of the alley, where the sirens were heard, Jhin chuckled "Cute. Two!" He pointed and shoot at the back of the head of Ilda. The bullet went past his head, leaving a hole behind his head, and on his forehead, between his eyes. Jhin chuckled "Now we can leave."
"What about her?" Stain asked pointing at the terrified Native.
"Let her be. She will do to expand this new..."
"I get it. Let's go." Stain interrupted as the duo left.
Jhin grinned behind his mask. Stain will be useful for a while, and once his goals that requiere Stain are completed...
He will make sure he isn't just a stain in history.
Next Chapter: Recruits