8:10p.m, 31st March
It's been close to half an hour since Izuku Midoriya walked out the door. Half an hour since he picked up that phone and immediately rushed out. It was urgent, she could tell, but there was something else going on here. As soon as the phone rang, any trace of the awkward shy young man she was getting close to knowing more about was dropped in an instant. Jovial flickers of anxious life replaced with a gaze of cold steel.
A part of her wanted to be frustrated at this lost opportunity to tear down the walls that Izuku had built around him. Maybe even wish to pursue something more meaningful together. Perhaps it was Stockholm syndrome or island syndrome but ever since he blurted out that she was beautiful that night he sent her to the hospital, she found herself becoming more invested in helping him. With what, she was not sure. It started out with tidying up his living room and kitchen as her own self-imposed payment for staying with him. Then it progressed to occasionally buying rudimentary groceries from the nearby convenience store that he liked to buy his food from. And then…
And then…
She was not sure when she started to… notice things. Things that were too minor to care but stood out to her such as how Izuku always kept the fridge stocked with her favorite desserts everyday for a week without fail. She never told him what she liked recently but then it dawned on her it must have been during their school years. He remembered…
Or how the freckles on his face complimented his gentle looks quite well, how his smile and awkward laugh made her feel at ease but also make her heartbeat go awry at times. Or how underneath the two-piece suit he always wore when he came home from work hid a figure that had more to offer than the eye could see-
She slapped herself. She knew it! It was probably one of those disorders that she was experiencing because surely it wasn't normal for someone to develop feelings within a short span of time and certainly not a week! But what if it wasn't?
As she remained seated by the table, where both his and her katsudons half-eaten and with only the soft drips from the kitchen sink to fill in the silence, she slowly clutched at her chest. She hated it; that small part of herself telling her that it's real, that she could make something happen.
Remember, no survivors.
She pressed her clutched hand into her chest harder. No, it wouldn't. These hands have been stained and her deeds could never be forgiven. If she could not accept herself, then why should he? Sighing, her focus went back to the phone. Now that she stopped to think about it, why did Izuku have a rotary phone? Why did anyone have a rotary phone in this day and age?
Collector's item? Aesthetics? Some new art movement she was unaware of? It could not be any of those since the phone worked and there was someone else at the end of that line. Then, the gears in her head turned. Her eyes widened. In this modern era of electronics and complex handheld devices, no one would ever think to wiretap an old phone. This meant that whomever it was that Izuku spoke to—and vice-versa—was banking on this notion to remain anonymous.
Should she wiretap it? From her knowledge, it was going to be a bit of a challenge. Unlike a digital phone, a rotary phone operates mechanically which meant she was going to have to install a physical electrical tap among other things to intercept and record the conversation. However, the risks were high. The phone itself could be rigged to either injure the culprit or warn the owner of any tampering; her own lack of experience in the matter could also render both the tap and phone itself useless if she weren't careful and even if she managed to pull it off, Izuku's own perceptiveness could pick up on it.
If he could still remember her favorite desserts from an interaction from years back, he was also likely the sort of person that knew when a picture frame was tilted a few degrees off.
In the end, she decided against it. The risks seemed too great and she wouldn't know what she would do if Izuku felt betrayed. Finishing up the now cold katsudon, her mind wandered to the door that acted as a barrier between herself and Izuku's domain. Unlike the phone, she could be more assured about planting a few things to check. Perhaps a small robot to peer through the gap under his door or a tracking device on his shirt. She wouldn't do it now, of course. But, if incidents like this keep up, her curiosity might get the better of her.
For now, she could only hope that whatever it was that required Izuku's immediate attention, it was not that serious.
o-o
6:45pm, 31st March
It's been a slow day at work at the JNN building. Slower than usual, he noted as he vacuumed the area around the cubicles. Tired eyes scan the floor, ears straining to pick out any conversations that might be of interest.
"So, you're going to the concert this Saturday? Man, I'm jealous—"
"I can't believe that we're getting the night off today! What's the occasion?"
"Eh? The mayor's not in office? Isn't that like ultra-bad? That sounds like it totes sucks—"
"Excuse me, I can't help but notice you've been standing there for quite a while. Is everything alright?"
He turned to see one of the office workers standing next to him. A smirk crept along. The worker's expression looked perfectly blank; their eyes almost glossed over.
"It's fine, had a lot on my mind today," he replied while beckoning the worker to follow him. "We'll walk and talk as we go, alright?"
A nod. With a shrug, he recoiled the vacuum cleaner's plug and stowed it away in his janitor's cart as he made his way towards the janitor's closet.
"So, tell me everything that you know about what's going down tonight," he ordered the worker.
Without missing a beat, the worker replied, "The CEO's monthly payment to the gang will commence around 8pm tonight. However, due to reasons that are known only to him, he needs the building empty this time around."
"I see… Have you been able to retrieve the files I told you to get?" he asked.
"Yes," she replied as she handed over a small USB stick, "I have been able to extract the files as requested within the parameters given. The program within this USB has also been installed onto the computers that he and I use."
A smirk along with a small laugh that escaped his lips. Excellent. Mei should be able to gain access to the CEO's emails, transactions and whatever incriminating evidence that might be in the building's network and servers. Of course, it goes without saying that scrubbing any footage the cameras might have of his own involvement in this affair should be within her means now.
Hopefully.
"Thank you for your cooperation," he said, "I'll make sure to fully make use of this. Now, you will return to your office and the moment you touch your doorknob, you will snap out of your trance and you will think nothing odd about it."
With those parting words, the worker took their leave. He checked his watch. Yeah, it was about time he did the same as well. Everything should now be in place. It did concern him a bit what the worker said about the CEO deliberately wanting to empty the building.
He shrugged after giving it a think and ruffled his messy purple hair. Whatever. They've been at it for a long time. He should have faith in his friends more. Still, that reckless idealism that Midoriya has was going to kill him one day.
Good grief.
Well, what's done was done. His part was over and now it was up to Mei and Midoriya to play theirs.
His phone buzzed. With a raised brow, he unlocked it to check what it was.
A message from Chiyo. On the secure application that Mei had all of them use, Chiyo's handle was that of a simple kaomoji. He knew it was for added anonymity, but it didn't stop him from giving his phone a deadpan glare.
(-wo): yo. Got done w/checkup on stray that deku picked up. All ok but she's starting to pry. wat do?
Oh? That's new. Midoriya picked someone up? Why hasn't he heard of this?
MindBender: who?
(-wo): oopsies. Forgot to tell the rest of the crew. stupid deku went and saved stray from last hit. Turns out it was Yaomomo.
He ground his teeth. Damn it, Midoriya! He should have let the authorities take her in. What was he thinking?! If anyone even remotely recognized her, it would paint a target on his back! Still, this situation might be salvageable.
MindBender: you should really let us know about things as big as this, you know
(-wo): im sorry! T-T
MindBender: it's fine. I'll see if I can do something about it.
He clicked the power shut and shoved his phone into his pocket. He was now exiting the building through the emergency exit. Keeping his janitor's cap down, Hitoshi Shinsou stepped out into the light.
Meanwhile, Secretary Kengo Ichika was wondering why she was still standing by her door but thought nothing of it. She left work shortly after.
o-o
8:00pm, 31st March
Did he feel bad?
Yes, yes, he did. Not only did he leave Momo hanging but here he was about to use the incident as an excuse to get past the armed guard that was approaching him.
"Hey, didn't you get the memo? No overtime work for today and that means you too, bud," the guard scolded him.
Tapping into his usual persona, he scratched his head and replied, "Ah, ha… I know but you see… I forgot to pick up my file from my office."
"Come on now, buddy. It's just a file! What harm is a file going to do? Don't you have a loved one to go home to?"
For some reason, that remark about a loved one made him anxious. "Yeah, about that…"
"Shit, you single? Sorry man, didn't mean to—"
"A-ah! It's fine! It's just… this file is related to a really important project that I'm working on. So important that I… uh… had to leave my d-d-date hanging…" Why the hell is this guard being so polite?!
"You serious?!" the guard blurted, aghast. "You best hope this file of yours is worth it, pal, or else I'm gonna hafta sock you right in the kisser on your date's behalf."
Then, the guard sighed and shrugged. "Well, regardless, I feel bad for you, but protocol is protocol. Let's see some ID."
Izuku complied and presented the ID tag that was provided in the usual locker.
The guard took a second to examine the tag, something that Izuku found respectable in the man since it told him that the man was sincere in his job.
"Eita Minamoto, eh? Judging by your department, you're on the third floor," said the guard before beckoning for him to follow. "Come on, buddy. I'll take you there. Normally I'll let you go on your own but quite a lot of men with guns walked in earlier. 'Security detail', they said. Can you believe that, Eita?"
"I… don't know what to say about that," Izuku replied as he strode along into the elevator.
"Well, can't blame you. I don't know much either!" said the guard with a guffaw. "To be honest, me accompanying you is just as much for my own curiosity as it is for your own safety. Win-win, don'tcha think?"
"Y-yeah."
"Right? Oh look, we're almost there," he gestured to the elevator panel. "Remember, keep it cool. Let me handle the talking. By the way, where did you leave that file again?"
"Um… it's a bit embarrassing to say since I did technically say it was my office but the suitcase it was in is actually in the bathroom on the same floor."
"You serious?" The guard broke into guffaws as the elevator chimed. The guffaws quickly died as he was greeted with the sight of two armed men in white suits pointed their guns at him and 'Eita'.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Easy, easy!" he shouted at the men. "I'm here to accompany this poor fellow here pick up a file he forgot, ain't that right?"
Izuku nodded.
"See?"
The men in suits did not lower their guns.
"Hey now, you can't be serious right?" the guard said with a nervous chuckle, "There's no need for that kind of trouble. It's just a guy going to get his file, is all! Heck, even left his date hanging! Could you get a load of this, am I right—"
"Where is the file?", one of the men ordered.
"In the bathroom, right, Eita?"
Izuku nodded again.
"See? I'll stick around with him until he gets his stuff then you won't see me again for the rest of the night. Easy."
The men said nothing as they gestured with their guns to get moving.
The guard, despite his nerves, managed to handle himself quite well, Izuku noted. As for himself, he was scanning the room. This was not what he expected. In addition to the two thugs following him, there were at least ten gunmen on this floor. If the encounter at the elevator was anything to go by, it meant that not only was every floor armed to the teeth but that they were expecting him.
They knew he was coming.
However, he was as cool as he could be. They were letting him 'pick up his file'. The plan was still executable.
Once they reached the bathroom, the gunmen trained their sights on him and the guard once more.
"You, stay," one of them motioned to the guard before turning to him, "and you, no funny business."
Izuku made sure to gulp and dart into the bathroom. Once inside the bathroom, however, he marched with purpose towards one of the stalls. Climbing on the toilet, he reached the ceiling panel above and moved it aside. Then, he reached into it until he felt something. Grabbing hold of it, he pulled it down to reveal a gym bag.
Taking care to make his footfalls silent, he set the bag down and opened it. Within it were his signature mask, a gas canister fitted with an electronic control mechanism and his favorite silenced pistol along with a few loaded magazines.
Loud banging on the bathroom door nearly made him jump.
"Hey, you got everything in there?" came the guard's muffled inquiry. "These guys are starting look antsy!"
"In a bit!" Izuku shouted back. "Using the bathroom for bit, will come out in a few, I promise!"
With that, he donned his mask, equipped his pistol and magazines and picked up the gas canister before climbing back on top of the toilet to enter the hole in the ceiling. Once in there, he crawled along with the canister towards the ventilation shaft. Placing the canister by the vents of the shaft, he slid the hose through and pressed the button on the canister to release the gas within.
The moment he did, he set his timer on his watch for 45 minutes.
With this many people and floors, he was thankful for the work that Mei and Shinsou had put in. After all, by 9:00pm, the first big step in their plan will finally be underway.
A/N: Hello there, KobeNiku here. I've come back from my hiatus. Sort of. I've been busy with a lot of things; life, studies, employment prospects and also revamping some drafts for the stories I've been working on. Namely, this one, Verdant Hero and a new one in the works. For the longest time, I've been unhappy with myself in terms of the work I've put out. It felt like the ramblings of an amateur with interesting ideas and concepts throwing them into a pot at 3am in a sleep-deprived delirium and then gulping down the results. In a sense, it really was like that. Current mental health afflictions didn't help much either but they're not an excuse for poor work quality.
Some of the more attentive readers will note that I have since gotten a beta to help me with my work. I cannot stress enough how grateful I am for his assistance in my work since we have made drastic changes towards our own approaches to writing. Together we've been able to make the alphabet soup that is my thought process into something focused. So, here's my thanks to Macdellion for sticking with me for this long.
Also, I give my thanks to you, dear readers, for holding out despite not getting updates for months on end. While Togashi may create one of my favorite series of all time, I don't plan on emulating his update schedule any time soon.
Thus, I hope you enjoy reading this new chapter of Data Collector. To those of you who love to speculate, consider this a treat. I do love reading what you think the bigger picture is all about.
Have a nice day as always.
Sincerely,
KobeNiku