Chapter Forty-Three
~Yuto's POV~
Yuto was pulled into the room's darkness but once he formed his visor over his eyes he was able to see better in the dim lighting. Dark Shadow looked to have taken over Tokoyami and was curled around Tokoyami almost protectively. The shadows were extended in a way that made it look as if the darkness was apart of Tokoyami's cloak even though Yuto could see Tokoyami wasn't wearing his costume. The tendril of shadow curled around his chest squeezed harshly forcing air out of Yuto's mouth with a huff.
"Dark Shadow! Please control yourself!" Yuto managed to let out. Yuto was slammed into the candle holders that Tokoyami usually kept lit in the center of the room. Yuto scrambled his hands around trying to figure out where the lighter was but he was thrown under the desk by the window. Yuto grabbed the curtain and yanked it open only to see the night sky coming through. The tendril around his chest loosened allowing Yuto to suck in air. "Why are you raging Shadow?"
"You hurt him!" Dark Shadow seethed. Yuto hadn't been aware that Dark Shadow could talk while he was in this raging state but he honestly should have expected something like this.
"Tokoyami?" Yuto asked in question. How had he hurt Tokoyami? He hadn't even seen him in the past two days! Yuto looked up just in time to see another tendril heading for him. Yuto didn't think as he instantly threw himself to the side to where Tokoyami's bed was. Yuto melted into shadow once he was out of the lights coming in from the outside. Of course this was a dumb move on his side as Dark Shadow was able to simply reach in and grab him. "Dark Shadow I need you to calm yourself." Yuto yelled out once he was free of the shadow. Yuto was slammed into the floor. Thankfully Dark Shadow was only able to do this once as Yuto forced his hands into Dark Shadow's tendril allowing him to grasp at the cold shadow's form.
The tendril jerked back as another came at him and yanked him back into the room where it was darker. Yuto was slammed into the wall before he was shoved on top of something hard that squealed before it gave away with a loud crashing sound. "Please Dark Shadow, you're going to destroy the room." Yuto coughed as he rolled on the floor. Yuto gasped, trying to get air in his lungs. He didn't want to fight back as fighting back meant he'd have to risk hurting Tokoyami. "Tokoyami! Control Dark Shadow!" Yuto got to his feet and staggered back until he felt the glass of the balcony doors behind him.
"Yami's not in control!" Dark Shadow's red eyes glared at him from across the room. Yuto had never feared the night or the shadows. He didn't fear them now. His main concern was the fact that Tokoyami was not responding to any of his pleas. Tokoyami had always been able to reply before.
"Dark Shadow I'm your friend!" Yuto called out in a calm, controlled voice. If Dark Shadow was raging then he needed to keep this as calm as he could. He couldn't run the risk of Aizawa coming in as Tokoyami would get in trouble for this lapse of control. Without Tokoyami responding Yuto would have to resort to using his control over shadows to force Dark Shadow back. He could restrain him, but the harm it would do to Tokoyami was possibly a headache, maybe more. Honestly Yuto wasn't too sure as he'd never run into another shadow user of this magnitude before.
"You are no friend of ours!" Dark Shadow yelled. Yuto clicked his teeth before he made up his mind.
"Shadow don't make me do this." Dark tendrils shot at him but Yuto was able to dodge them effectively. The last tendril that came at him had him flying across the room and into a shelf that had the objects falling off in a loud crash. Yuto grunted, trying to maneuver his body to get his hands in the shadows again but smaller tendrils worked to keep his hands immobile. Yuto wasn't one to give up so easily though as he twisted this way and that as hard as he could, trying to get the shadows to loosen in any way.
Yuto was slammed into the floor once, twice, three times before he finally managed to get his hand in Dark Shadow's tendril. Once he did Yuto forced himself to hold tightly as he commanded the shadows to bend to his will. He could feel Dark Shadow trying to wriggle away but the shadows of the room wouldn't let him as they also restrained Tokoyami's body. Dark Shadow flapped his arms trying to get away but Yuto could feel Tokoyami resisting. That was all the consent Yuto considered before he shouted out, "Shadow King's Imprisonment!"
"SKREEEE!" Yuto's shadows tightened as they forced Dark Shadow to immobilize. Yuto got up to his feet before he manipulated his arms and fingers like a puppet master trying to tie Dark Shadow down further. Once he was sure Dark Shadow was reasonably tied Yuto took off to the front door. Dark Shadow let out a wail as Yuto crashed into the light switch, making the overhead lights burst on. Yuto's breathing was ragged as he looked behind him. Tokoyami was now back in control as Dark Shadow whimpered in his arms.
"Do you have control?" Yuto ground out.
"Yes." Tokoyami answered. Yuto nodded silently before he focused on his own breathing. A couple deep breaths and then he was standing over Tokoyami with his hand out.
"Let me help you up." Tokoyami slowly reached up to take Yuto's hand. Yuto pulled Tokoyami flush against his body as he helped him to his bed and gently sat him down. Yuto glanced at the mess of Tokoyami's room and grimaced. The shelves, desk and furniture were ruined. Eh it was fine, Yuto would take care of it. "You gotta gain more control over him if your gonna leave your room dark Yami. Almost squeezed a lung out there." Yuto tried to chuckle but his ribs hurt too much so he left it. Yuto pulled out his phone and sent a text to Kana.
'I need some new furniture for Tokoyami. Can you help?'
He took a picture of Tokoyami's room before sending them to Kana.
'Don't ask and please don't tell Shina.'
'Holy crap are you okay?'
'Yeah.'
Yuto put his phone away and knelt down in front of Tokoyami to make sure he was okay. Tokoyami opened his arms allowing Yuto to search him for any injuries.
"Why are you here? Shouldn't you be with Jiro?"
"I was but I've been looking for you." Yuto stated as he finished his examination.
"Why? What could you possibly want with me?" Yuto met Tokoyami's eyes. There was a hooded darkness in them that Yuto didn't like.
"You're my friend Tokoyami, we're partners aren't we?" Tokoyami's eyes widened slightly. Yuto looked down at his hands, not wanting to see the guilt there.
"…Yes." Yuto sighed.
"I'm sorry I had to do that to Dark Shadow but," Yuto shrugged before he flinched. Guess he wasn't going to be using his shoulders for a while. He was going to need to think of a way to bribe Recovery Girl. He didn't want Aizawa to ground Tokoyami like Deku and Bakugou have been. Tokoyami didn't deserve that. "I came to ask for your help Tokoyami. I need to tell Jiro that I can't date her, that I don't want to date her."
"What?" Yuto couldn't help the wry smile twist his lips as he glanced up at Tokoyami's surprised face.
"Apparently going to the convenience store is actually code for 'do you want to date'? Who knew?" Yuto had to admit, if his sore ribs and possible concussion weren't hindering him right now, he would have no problem watching Tokoyami's expressions. It was amusing and honestly kind of cute.
"You thought she was asking as a friend?" Did he say cute? Never mind. Yuto glanced to the side, annoyance blooming in his chest as Tokoyami dared to ask, "How could you think that?"
"Hey don't come for me please? I already got yelled at by my sisters for mistaking the situation." Yuto glanced behind him before he allowed himself to gingerly maneuver himself into a criss-cross position. "I mean I like Jiro but just as a friend you know? I've never thought of dating when it comes to my own lack of a romance life. Guess I'm a bit naïve when it comes to that stuff."
"I see."
"I was going to ask you sooner if you could help me, but I couldn't find you. Were you avoiding me?" Yuto kept his tone light as he asked but he saw the way Tokoyami's shoulders droop. He had been avoiding Yuto then. Yuto had a crazy and possibly outlandish theory on why but, well he needed Tokoyami to admit it. "Don't lie to me Yami, please."
"Yuto you are my friend, one of my dearest and truest friends." Tokoyami spoke in a gravely, serious tone that caused a burst of hysteria to bloom.
"Yeah. Uh, you're my best friend as well. I mean you give Yoshi a run for the position and you beat him out since you actually have a living, breathing Shadow. Not that Dark Shadow needs to breathe per se, but I'm probably not making much sense right now so you should talk."
"I'm sorry Yuto. I have failed you as a friend." Yuto frowned at that.
"What? Dude you are by far the best friend I've ever had! You didn't try to kill me at first sight, you haven't tried to electrocute me, drown me or attempt homicide in some type of Hunger Games style training. Plus you let me game in your room or in the living room downstairs and you don't get mad at me for using you as a pillow."
"You have odd requirements to being your friend." Tokoyami stated in a dry tone that had Yuto grinning.
"Eh, I'm sure someone has weirder." His rambling done Yuto could see Tokoyami observing him. Yuto wondered if he was thinking about continuing or simply dropping their conversation. As much as he wished otherwise, Yuto knew this needed to be discussed. "You feeling better?"
"Yes. Thank you for restraining Dark Shadow when I could not. I apologize for avoiding you, I should not have allowed myself to run away." Yuto nodded before he swallowed and asked,
"It's okay dude. But, uh why were you avoiding me? Did I do something to insult you? Or were you training? Because I know our schedule is packed enough during the day to do more training."
"I need to confess something to you."
"Is this about me using you as a pillow? Because I can stop that? Or is it because I'm always around you? I can give you space if you need it. I'm all ears." The smile he kept on his face was one of his false smiles.
"… I adore you Yuto." Yuto had expected it, he knew what words were coming. What he hadn't been expecting was the burst of happiness and hope that also came. His smile turned more genuine before he was able to catch himself. "I mean I like you in a romantic sense."
"I know." Yuto stated softly.
"You do?"
"Well, I don't think you of all people would say you 'adore me' unless you meant it in a romantic sense." Tokoyami nodded along with the logic.
"Forgive me for putting this on you when you are technically with Jiro. But, if you part ways with her, would you ever consider me in that sense?" This was the tricky part. Because yes Yuto had given this some thought, a lot of thought actually over the last two days. When Shina had asked him his initial response had been a knee jerk reaction but after he'd considered it, it honestly made so much sense to him that Tokoyami was the only person Yuto could ever see himself being with. Tokoyami was patient with him, so much more than his own siblings. He always attended to Yuto's needs before he even knew what he needed and they got along great when Yuto needed to study or wanted to game. Which is why it had physically hurt him to consider rejecting Tokoyami. Because he had to. There was no way he would have been able to lie to Tokoyami, not when the other boy would give him everything.
"…You know, I did a lot of thinking when I was told I was an idiot for not seeing Jiro's offer sooner. Truthfully, I don't think being in a romantic relationship would be good for me right now." Yuto hated every word that came out of his mouth but it was the truth, or as close to the truth as he could get. "If I'd had more context when Jiro had asked, I would have told her no."
"I see." Yuto saw the dark look come back into Tokoyami's eyes.
"I also don't want to tell you no. I do like you Tokoyami but, I don't…" The job he had to do here wasn't worth pulling Tokoyami into. Tokoyami could and would make his own choices in life as a hero and as person, but Yuto didn't want him to choose without knowing exactly what he was getting into. He also couldn't betray his family like that. "This would be easier if you knew the position I'm in currently." Yuto whispered.
"What position would that be?"
"I can't tell you."
"If it's because of school or because I am a male-" Yuto's eyes widened as he realized what Tokoyami was getting at.
"What? No, no, no I don't have a problem with school or with you being a guy. It's not because of you Tokoyami or even Dark Shadow it's…. it's me and my family actually. I don't see the point in dating someone when," If he was ever to lie, well now would be the time. Instead what came out was as close to the truth as he could manage, "I'm going to be leaving at the end of this year."
"What?" Yuto mentally beat himself as he crafted a lie in a microsecond that would impress Shina, Queen of Lies and Sarcasm.
"My sister's job has gotten complicated because of all the work she's been doing and they're expanding soon. She's already working remote but they are going to want her to be travelling soon. She moved us here because it was more 'dependable' and offered a stable environment but, with her work and with the threat of the League of Villains, I don't think we're going to be here another year."
"I see." Tokoyami looked down at his hands. Yuto wanted to reach out and hold his hands but he refrained. He couldn't do something like that and then give Tokoyami false hope. He wasn't James.
"Yeah. I do like you Yami and… I wouldn't have any issue with wanting to date you but, it would be better if we didn't."
"Would it be better to not have tried? To not know how it could work between us?" Tokoyami asked. Yuto contemplated the question. "You said you don't want to tell me no, which you haven't yet. We would have an entire school year before you have to leave." Tokoyami's words made sense but only if Yuto was willing to be selfish and take it. He could see it in his minds eye. He and Yami would be happy, until Yami found out the truth. Shigaraki was a lot of things, a crusher of dreams, murderer, persistent, cynical, and weird. But he hadn't given Yuto any reason to think he would allow Tokoyami to remain safe with him or spare them both.
"…I wish you knew how hard this offer is to refuse or accept Yami." Yuto spoke finally.
"I don't want you to be uncomfortable in any way with whatever choice you make. You don't have to make this now Yuto. I'm sorry I made it seem like it." Yuto nodded as he forced himself to not get choked up. He and Tokoyami may not be a thing now, but he had another issue he needed to handle.
"Yeah, yeah I should just focus on what to tell Jiro. Any ideas?" Tokoyami nodded once before he coughed.
"Jiro is my friend as much as she is yours. As with any friend, any true friend, honesty has proven to be the best policy no matter if it hurts or not." Yuto groaned.
"I should have known you'd say that. Guess I'm not that good of a friend huh?"
"You are the best friend I could have ever asked for." Tokoyami's smile was enough to ease some of his own aching pains.
"Thanks Yami."
~Kana's POV~
"Hey Kana!" The loud call from Kiri had Kana pausing as she pulled out her earbud and looked over to the couches. Most of the class was lounging around except for a few others that were studying in their rooms. Kiri was currently among those in the living room, giving Kana an innocent smile that she did not trust. "Are you doing anything later?"
"Maybe. Why?" Kana asked slowly as dread filled her. She really hoped he didn't go through with this but her hopes were dashed a second later.
"I was going to ask if you wanted to go to the convenience store with me? You know since you're not engaged anymore?"
"Que?" Sero's head whipped towards her as well as that of Denki, Iida, Midoriya, James and Shoji. Bakugou's head was the only one that didn't turn but Kana had spent enough time around him to know he was tense.
"For what?" Kana drawled. She gave Kiri a glare that didn't look to disturb him as he kept smiling at her.
"I don't know maybe some snacks?"
"I have snacks in my room Kiri. I have a vending machine." Kana reminded him. Kiri didn't miss a beat as he asked,
"You don't want some ramen or something hot?"
"Not really no." Kana answered with a shrug. She was intending to go up to her room but paused as she considered this may have been some latent form of vengeance or just the urge to mess with someone but Kana decided to screw with Kiri's plans by stating, "Besides Denki and I have a movie date in a couple minutes."
"What?" Sero coughed as he and the rest of the boys looked over to Denki who had frozen like a deer in the headlights.
"Denki! You're dating my sister?" James demanded to know. Kana was mentally cackling over this turn of events. She stuck her tongue out at Kiri when he glanced over at her in confusion. Kiri blinked at her reaction.
"Whoa what? No!" Denki waved his hands frantically in front of him, backing away from James and Bakugou's corner. "We're just friends! Honest, I would never! Uh, no offense Kana, I mean you're a good friend but, heh..."
"She just said you two have a movie date." Shoji murmured.
"I mean yeah we do have a movie tonight but it's not just us two!" Kana hadn't thought this through if the Pikachu was going to expose Kira's unsupervised visits.
"Denki! They don't know about that other person." Denki backtracked instantly.
"Oh right, uh sorry I can't say anymore with the class president here." That got Iida involved.
"As Class President I am in charge of you unruly group of delinquents. If there is something going on that you two are hiding I will need to know." Kana had to ask,
"Do we really classify as 'delinquents'? I mean you don't see us beating each other up at night." Everyone glanced to Bakugou and Midoriya. Midoriya had let out a small 'eep' sound while Bakugou let out what sounded like a growl.
"Oi!" Bakugou yelled at her.
"What, it's true!" Kana argued. "You two are the reason UA had the dorms put in."
"That's on the League of Villains, not us. We're just being stalked by them. Or well Bakugou is." Midoriya stated before he flinched away from Bakugou's not doubt murderous glare.
"Do you want me to murder you?!"
"Hey! They took Kana too." Kiri stated.
"Thank you for bringing up that trauma." Kana grumbled.
"Sorry Kana."
"Didn't Shigaraki threaten Midoriya at the mall?" Sero asked.
"H-Hey that's a one-time thing." Midoriya protested. Kana was glad that this was distracting them enough as she was edging towards the elevator.
"So was the kidnapping." Iida stated.
"If we're going to count every instance with the LOV then we should also include the time Shigaraki went after us as a whole during the USJ incident." Sero added.
"Does that really count since he just stayed where Aizawa could get to him?" Kiri asked.
"I'm going to say maybe." James questioned, looking between the boys to find back up.
"Yes it counts, he brought a large group of wannabe villains to kill us." Kana called over.
"Are we allowed to bring in outside villains not connected with the LOV? Because I'm pretty sure Stain and that guy from I-Island also count in some way." Midoriya asked.
"No we are only counting the LOV since we ended up in the dorms because of them." Sero argued.
"The dorm system was created because of the botched training camp. No students were not forced as everyone and their parents had an option to leave." Iida stated, standing up. His arms were chopping up and down on an invisible table.
"Thanks for the reminder Iida. Now that brings me back to the original question I had which was for Kana!" Kana froze in her sneaking away as Kiri brought the boys attention back to her.
"What was your original question?" Kana asked sweetly as she turned back to them. It was glaringly obvious that she was inching away but thankfully no one called her out.
"Will you go out with me?" Kiri asked making all the boys freeze.
"Yes." The outburst and looks on the boys faces was worth it. Seeing Bakugou's twitch of the head, was not. Kana honestly worried he may have pulled a muscle.
"Really?" Kiri's eyes brightened.
"No Kiri for the second time I will not." Kana almost yelled out.
"Why not?" Kiri moaned.
"Because she has taste." James cackled.
"James!" Kiri protested.
"Bro, don't be so heartless." Denki called over.
"You know I have a movie to catch so Denki let's go ahead!" Kana called out once she was able to press the button to call the elevator. It looked like it was a moot point as the elevator was already heading her way. Perfect timing as Kana was sure to use whoever exited the elevator to use as a potential shield.
"What movie are you guys watching?" Midoriya asked.
"Transformers. Denki's never seen it." Kana called as the elevator arrived.
"Autobots, roll out!" James called as the door opened allowing Shoto to exit.
"Was that a reference?" Shoto blinked looking at Kana. Kana gave him a look of confusion as she didn't understand what Shoto meant before it hit. Of course he wouldn't know, she didn't think Shoto had ever watched a movie before. If he had he would probably understand social events more.
"My heart bleeds for you kid." Kana admitted to him.
"You're bleeding?" Shoto asked in worry looking Kana over. Kana blinked before she adopted a tone.
"Oh baby no."
"No, dude, it's a literary sentence. We need to go over your grammar skills again." James called as Denki pulled her into the elevator before the doors closed. Once they were closed Kana giggled a bit.
"I feel so bad for Todoroki."
"I can't believe you denied Kirishima a date." Denki stated in awe. Kana sighed.
"Denki we've been over this, I don't like Kiri that way. As a friend, yes he's the best but as a date? No."
"What you don't think he can be romantic?" Denki asked in confusion.
"I have no doubt that Kirishima can and would be romantic. When I think of Kiri taking a girl out it's usually the 'traditional' methods." The elevator doors opened allowing Kana and Denki to step out. Kana's eyes flicked to the stairwell where she thought she saw a flash of black. She ignored it when Denki asked,
"Traditional methods? There are dating traditional methods?"
"Yeah you know the flowers, dinner, movie, carnival or walk on the beach or through town." Kana stated. Denki blinked.
"And that's… bad?"
"No those are all good and dare I say cute but they aren't my cup of tea." Kana shuddered at the thought of going on a date like that. It was… sappy.
"Good to know. So what would you want to do on a date?" Denki asked. Kana honestly wasn't sure how to answer this question and as a result she stopped walking as she thought about it. "Kana?"
"Give me a second." Kana asked. She theoretically knew what constituted a date but what made a good date? There were a lot of options that was certain. "I- I don't know, maybe a visit to an arcade or somewhere that has a bookshop and café?" Denki nodded.
"I was not prepared for that answer but I can get down with the arcade date. VR?" Kana started to walk again.
"Maybe but I'd prefer the ones where you have to rack up points and then visit a prize counter afterwards." Denki smirked at her.
"You just want another shark plushie don't you?"
"Hey sharks are awesome. They are my spirit animal!" Kana proudly announced.
"I don't understand you but that's okay." Denki chuckled as he opened her dorm room for her. Kana entered the room before she suddenly opened a portal to the Ugly House. She always opened the portal in Shina's room as she knew the League wasn't allowed there. It was the only place she could safely open the portal when she was with one of her classmates. "Hey Kira!" Denki called. Kira was lounging on Shina's bed when the portal opened but she quickly gathered up a white Nike bag and a purple duffel bag that made a lot of noise like it held chips inside it.
"Hey you guys ready for Transformers?" Kira asked as she stepped through the portal.
"Yes!" Denki cheered as he went to claim his spot on Kana's bed. Kira noticed Kana's look and asked,
"You okay?"
"Yeah we were just talking about what date I would want." Kira tilted her head before she smiled.
"Arcade?" Kana returned the smile.
"Yes thank you! I feel validated." Kira giggled.
"I gotchu."
"Did you get the snacks Kira?" Denki asked.
"Yes they're in the bag!"
"Sweet!" Denki called as Kira tossed him the bag. Kana quickly ran to grab the white bag full of what she saw were drinks before she quickly went to claim her spot on the bed beside Denki.
"You okay?" Kana asked Kirishima the next morning as she entered the living room. She saw no one in the kitchen yet and looked at the kitchen clock. Looked like she was right on time for being early. Guess she'd had a good nights sleep after she, Kira and Denki had passed out after the third Transformers movie last night. Denki had had to run back to his room when she'd woken him and Kira up but she was good to take her time. Which probably meant she could stop by a café for something to drink.
"No I have a headache." Kiri brought Kana back to the present with his moan. "Do you know how hard it is to plan out a conversation when the one person you want to contribute doesn't?" The look he gave her was very telling.
"Are you still sore about the train wreck from yesterday?" Kana asked as she went to grab a water bottle from the kitchen. If Kiri was going to complain than she may as well be a good friend and listen. "Heh, I can't believe you thought that would work Kiri."
"How am I supposed to get you and Bakubro together if you won't cooperate? And why do you have movie nights with Denki and not me?" Kiri asked, slumping on the table. A yawn interrupted his whining. "I thought we were friends?"
"Friend's don't try and ask each other out when they're trying to set the other person up with their BFF." Kana stated as she sat down opposite Kirishima. "Besides Denki is my movie bestie. You're my bestie when it comes to work out motivation."
"I thought I was your foodie bestie?"
"Uh no Kiri, that's Sero. You don't savor your food enough." Kana took a sip of her water as Kiri slammed his hands on the table in front of them making Kana flinch slightly.
"Don't distract me Kana! I know your wiles!"
"My wiles?" Kana asked in amusement. Humoring Kiri was something she could do all day as he was so amusing to watch. Sometimes he was loud but it was funny and sometimes he was just plain cute like a puppy.
"Yes the same Wiles that you used to charm Bakugou." Kana resisted the urge to roll her eyes as Kiri announced this. She was just lucky as the living room was empty.
"Right, but I didn't charm Bakagou, he's always been grouchy with me. More so than usual lately since you made me announce my exclusive movie date nights with Denki and… uh, the third party that I can't name." Kana looked away from Kiri at the almost slip up.
"It's your friend Kira right?" Kiri asked point blank making Kana cough.
"… Maybe."
"I've seen her in the kitchen making popcorn late at night when I need a drink of water."
"Gah, Kira! I have a vending machine in my room and I can also portal her into the kitchen back home." Kana's head met the table as she groaned at her friends daring attitude to wanting to get caught.
"Don't worry I won't tell anyone."
"Oh but you will tell everyone about Denki." Kana grumbled.
"Come on Kana why don't you just ask Bakubro on a date?" Kiri asked.
"First of all, who said I had to ask that angry Pomeranian on a date?" Kana asked feeling heated for a moment before it instantly cooled as she took another sip of her water. "Second of all, I don't think I'm ready to date anyone right now."
"But you two would be so good together." Kiri protested. Kana put her water down as she took one of Kiri's hands in hers to try and talk about this calmly so Kiri could understand.
"I know you've put a lot of thought into this Kiri and I know you're trying to push this, but what if Bakugou doesn't want to date at the moment? I mean he was just targeted by the LOV so he's probably preoccupied with trying to get stronger so this doesn't happen again." Kana let go of Kiri's hand when he sat back. She saw the lost look in his eyes and asked, "Have you thought about the possibly that he may have some lingering PTSD from that? I know I still have issues sleeping most nights because of that."
"I didn't think about that." Kiri admitted slowly.
"It's okay Kiri really. Bakugou hasn't made it obvious and for the most part he's the same grouchy old man he usually is so if there was something bugging him, I doubt he would tell anyone." Anyone except maybe Midoriya and All Might of course, Kana remembered from James report.
"You don't look like you're having issues either." Kiri's soft voice pulled Kana back. She met his gentle gaze before she looked down. "I'm sorry if I pushed things on you as well."
"I still have nightmares but I'm working through them on my own terms." Kana admitted. "I should have told you when you said you wanted to try this insanity on getting me and Bakugou on a date."
"Yeah. For what it's worth, Bakugou would have to be crazy not to want to date you. You're probably the only one who knows that he's gone through. He should be taking tips from you." Kana snorted at that.
"Fat chance." They were quiet for a moment before Kiri asked,
"So, you wouldn't agree to go on a date with Sero?"
"Kiri!" Kana snapped, leaning backwards in disgust. "It was almost a wholesome moment!"
"What you said no to me, twice!" Kiri cried out before he started to laugh.
"I'm done with this conversation. Bye Kiri!" Kana opened a portal underneath him making his chair fall down and crash into the classroom. Kiri tried to grab onto the table but he was slipping.
"What? Ah! No Kana!" Kana waved as he finally slipped through the portal. She closed it before she heard him crash into the desks.
~James POV~
"Hey Sho! Shoto!" James called as he tried to catch up to Shoto after classes. Shoto paused to wait for him to catch up. James opened his mouth to ask his question but Shoto beat him to it.
"Hello James. Did you just call me 'Sho'?" James blinked, backtracking.
"Yeah. Oh I should've asked or told you, in America we have a tendency to give nicknames instead of saying the full names of our friends. But never mind that, I wanted to ask if it would be okay if I asked Endeavor if I could join you at his agency again for my work study? You know whenever they decide to give us our licenses." Shoto seemed to mull it over before he stated,
"I don't think he would mind. If anything I can convince him to bring you on." The way Shoto said it had James ears twitching. Hesitantly James asked,
"Are you sure? I can look elsewhere if you have to force him." Shoto shook his head.
"I would be glad to have you with me. Endeavor has been attempting to contact me more frequently, but I do not wish to talk with him. I believe he may use this opportunity to try and reconnect with me." James mulled that over in his head. He knew Shoto's relationship with Endeavor wasn't the greatest but he hadn't realized how bad it was. He hadn't been able to spend much time with Endeavor and Shoto together at the last work study as he'd been going through the procedures on what made an agency an agency. Even when he had finished that, he'd been with the side kicks while Shoto had been with Endeavor until that run in with Stain. Guess it was all a ploy by Endeavor to get more Shoto time.
"I see. Well if you don't mind than I would like to request to be at Endeavor's agency again." James nodded with a fake smile. "Now that that's out of the way, I hope you don't mind me asking, why haven't you tried to go to another agency if you don't want anything to do with your father?"
"I thought about it when I originally thought about our work studies, however I failed to find anyone else that would be able to help me improve my fire side." Shoto's answer made sense.
"Hmm, is your fire really that unstable?"
"At times it seems to be yes. I am making some progress, however little it is." James hummed. He hadn't realized that fire was so unstable to work with. Did that mean Dabi had full control or did he also have issues with his Quirk? He knew Shoto had issues, as observed in their practices but from he'd seen lately it had looked like Shoto had been getting the hang of his fire side. Guess he needed to observe that more.
"Huh that's interesting." James would definitely be thinking on this later.
"What?" Shoto's question had James blinking at him. James blurted out the first thing he thought of.
"If all fire users have an issue with wielding their flames than I have to wonder about the League of Villains member Dabi, I mean he's a fire user too right?" Why did he blurt that out? He needed a cover, now! "If he's a villain then did he learn on his own? Or was he taught? If so who taught him? Wait, who taught your father?" Great cover and great question.
"I believe he is also self-taught. There is also the factor that he has been training for years now and knows his Quirk better than I do with my fire side." Yeah that was a great factor, James thought. Ha! Endeavor baby.
"Hmm, well this kills my thought that fire-users need to have teachers." James admitted, shaking his random thoughts. "Although that's still some food for thought I guess. Heh, for a second there I was about to jump on the idea that Dabi was a long-lost brother of yours." Shoto blinked at him.
"Natsuo is my only living older brother." James did a feigned double take. Before his curiosity rose at that wording.
"You have another brother? Or had?"
"Yes, Touya was my older brother." Another brother. Did Shina know this? "His Quirk grew too powerful and consumed him." Well guess not. But if his brother was dead than there went that idea. Or was he really dead?
"I'm sorry for bringing it up. Did they find his body?" James grimaced at the wording but Shoto still answered.
"They did." Disappointment at that avenue. Shina could have probably used the older sibling if Shigaraki had needed it instead of the two middle siblings.
"Oh. Again, I'm sorry for bringing it up like that. It's just Kana always listens to murder mystery podcasts and if there's one phrase that she's always repeating its 'if there's no body, how can you be sure they're dead' you know?"
"Interesting." Shoto murmured. James moved past the dead end brother questioning to ask,
"You know I didn't know you had brothers. Do you have any sisters?"
"One, Fuyumi." James nodded.
"Cool, is she older or younger?"
"She is the eldest of me and Natsuo."
"Ah, older sisters, I know the feeling well." Annoying and irritating older sisters, all of them.
"I do not know her or Natsuo as well as you know your siblings." James blinked at that. Was it just him or did Shoto sound, sad about that? Maybe just him but, James observed his face, it did seem like Shoto was sad about that.
"Why's that? Didn't you all grow up together?" James asked slowly.
"They were in the same household however Endeavor prioritized my training over family life. As such I never spent any time around Fuyumi or Natsuo."
"That… sucks." James wasn't sure how to reword that because it did suck. Kana may annoy him and Yuto may challenge him but they were still his siblings. Even Shina, bossy as she was, he knew it was only to keep them safe. How did someone grow up in such close proximity to someone and not know anything about them? "Kana's annoying, irritating and sometimes a nuisance, but I can't imagine not growing up with her or Yuto. I can't imagine life without them or our sister."
"How does one become familiar with their siblings?" Shoto asked. James had no clue about that. He supposed the closest way to view that was from a parent's perspective? How did you get one sibling to get along with the newer siblings?
"I'm not sure. I know there was a point in time that we didn't know each other that well." James stated as he looked up at the sky. "We had our own parents but then one day we were all forced together." They'd lived so close to each other on their grandparents land, he could run across the front yard and instantly be in front of Kana's front yard, or even Yuto or Shina's. Guess they'd always been in close proximity that they'd never really needed to be separate. "I remember after my parents died, I was the last one to join them. I didn't want to do anything except stay under my bed." Those were bad times that James shied away from. "I don't really remember how it happened but slowly over time I started to join them when they watched TV or we played outside. Then we moved and they were all I had. Forced closeness I'd say is the thing that did it."
"I see." Shoto murmured slowly like he still couldn't completely understand what James was saying. James glanced over at him to see him frowning in confusion.
"If you're wanting to get close to your siblings, maybe try approaching them like potential friends?"
"How do you make friends?" And they were back to that same conundrum.
"I'm a cat dude. People are always coming up to me and talking to me whether I like it or not." He never was good at making friends. It was just good luck that he'd managed to make a friend in most of his classmates. "I guess you could try just being around them and seeing what they come up with for conversation starters. I know people don't like silence so they generally come up with topics to fill it."
"Like how you're doing now?" Shoto asked it so matter-of-factly that James had to laugh.
"Yeah." James felt his tail flick as he decided to do a quick experiment. "Just go with me on this. Do you like silence?"
"No." James nodded.
"Do you like things loud or do you just like to listen to the sounds of life going on in the background?"
"I would prefer to watch. No one really pays much attention when you're simply watching." Shoto stated. James could understand that as he was the same way.
"I've noticed the same thing. What's your favorite food?"
"Cold soba." James wrinkled his nose.
"You know it's supposed to be hot right?"
"I don't like heat." James burst out laughing again.
"I can see that." The laugher subdued as James calculated his response. "So based on this little questionnaire, I was able to come to the conclusion that you don't like full silence, but background noise is okay. You like people watching and you prefer cold soba and the cold in general. You should also ask about a person's interests to gather up what you know about someone. Like I know Yuto likes games but he also likes to build things. Based on that I could also get him a kit on how to build a robot or some tools to get him for his Birthday or Christmas."
"Hmm, that is useful."
"Exactly." James agreed.
"What is your favorite food?" Shoto asked suddenly.
"Sushi."
"Do you like the cold?" A shrug.
"I can withstand it but I'd prefer to be warm, it's better to nap in." Shoto nodded before he stated simply.
"Thank you for explaining this lesson and the grammar lessons regarding sarcasm."
"You're welcome."
"Of all the things I thought you'd want to do why do you want to break into Endeavor's House tonight?" Shina grumbled as she and James crouched on the rooftops of Endeavor's Japanese style home. James glanced at his older sister but besides the frown on her face, she looked happy.
"It's not like you had anything to do. You were just sitting watching TV in your room." James reminded as he looked back at the house. No one was home from what he could hear. Shina had said Endeavor's son Natsuo had his own place and Fuyumi did come home but she was out tonight as she was having dinner at her brothers place. Shoto was at the dorm so no one was home.
"Do you know how rare that is for me nowadays? You didn't even answer my question." James rolled his eyes.
"Shoto has two older brothers, did you know about that?" The grumbling from Shina stopped at info drop.
"I did not actually. That messes with my plans on getting close to them." Shina muttered. James could have let her go on with that but, he wasn't here to mess with Shina. He was here to see Endeavor's home and also gather more intel on the older brother if he could. There was no way he was going to allow Shoto's Quirk to consume him if it came to it. But Shina didn't have to know that.
"The older brother is named Touya, he's dead."
"How dead are we talking?" Shina asked seriously. James could feel his lip quirk as he knew she was thinking about the unsolved mysteries phrase for dead bodies.
"They found a body apparently."
"If they found a body then that's usually pretty definitive that the older brother is dead." James could hear a line of suspicion in Shina's voice and knew that she didn't really believe that. After all, burned victims were easy to replace if someone knew what they were doing.
"I know." James murmured.
"So why are we breaking and entering?" Shina asked. James took back what he'd previously thought about Shina believing these potential lies.
"Because the older brothers body was burned due to his Quirk and I don't trust that this could come back to bite us in the ass later." James hissed.
"God we're paranoid if I'm actually proud of you for thinking that. And watch your language."
The house was silent as a tomb. Not even the wood creaked as he crawled on hands and feet through the house. It was unnerving as every sound from the outside was loud and crisp to his ears and caused him to freeze. James couldn't even hear Shina as they'd split up after entering the house to cover more ground. Right now he was on the second floor nearing the furthest bedroom. "Find anything?" The whisper came nearly making James yowl. Instead, he froze as he looked up at Shina who was sticking to the ceiling.
"Why are you up there?" James hissed.
"Checking for cameras. I've got the basic layout of the house memorized. Does Endeavor seem like he'd have any hidden lairs?" Shina asked. James calmed himself before he answered,
"He's not cool enough to have a hidden lair." Shina nodded. James went back to what he was doing and crawled silently across the hall to the door.
"True dat. What about a family library?"
"Found that but it's pretty bare except for the books and such." James answered as he opened the doorway to the library. Why put a library in the corner of the house anyway?
"Have I taught you kids nothing about libraries?" Shina asked as she flipped off the ceiling and to the floor. She didn't make a sound as she entered the library room. Her confidence had James straightening up out of his crouch.
"Apparently not, I'm going to look around elsewhere while you do that." James stated.
"Okay." Shina waved him off. James retraced his steps, looking through every room on the second floor before he went back downstairs. The kitchen, living room and dining room were all empty. He found what looked to be a training room that smelled of blood and burnt wood so he passed by there. There were bedrooms for the family and even a servants hall that James didn't find anything in. He was just about to head back to the stairway when he noticed a difference in the doors. The current door he stood in front of was older, more warped.
"God this place is creepy if I'm missing these doors." James whispered to himself. He quickly made his way to the door and opened it. It was relatively empty and he could have sworn he had already check here but he paused a moment later. "An old room… and a lone dresser." He had been in here, there were the same toys on the truck. He'd thought it was just an old bedroom but now that he took in everything in the room, James mentally kicked himself for passing by so quickly. James entered the room and quietly shuffled through the small amount of drawings before he saw the toys and quickly dismissed them. When he got to the dresser he opened it expecting to find clothes and almost screamed when he saw a boy staring back at him.
"Hey we have to go- oh you found the brothers alter." Shina's voice had him jumping again and he hit the dresser making the photo click against the back of the altar. "Calm down it's just me. Did you get scared?"
"No!" James hissed as Shina snorted. "And yeah it looks like the brother. Guess this was his room." Shina silently moved closer to inspect the picture.
"He was just a kid… You said his quirk consumed him?" Shina asked him, not looking away from the picture.
"That's what Sho said." Shina nodded before she reached into the pocket and pulled something out. "What are you doing?"
"I'm taking a picture what does it look like I'm doing?" Shina hissed back at him, holding up her phone. She took a quick picture with the flash on and then another before she put the phone away and closed the doors of the altar.
"Why?" James asked not seeing why Shina would need a picture of a dead boy.
"Because Endeavor is home, we gotta go now!" Shina hissed making James instantly bolt into action as he looked out the door and down the hallway. There were some lights on but the stairway was cleared.
"Why didn't you say anything sooner?" James asked when Shina was right behind him.
"…" He glanced over at her only to see an obvious look on her face that was screaming sarcasm.
"Oh right. Let's go." James led the way to the stairway and up the stairs to the second floor before he grabbed the edge of the second floor and hoisted himself up onto the roof. Shina was right behind him as they both ran on the rooftop and disappeared into the shadows.
The car ride back to the Ugly House, Shina was quiet. James knew from the look on her face that she was thinking hard about something but he didn't know what it was. He gave her until they were entering the house before he spoke,
"What?" Shina stopped, glancing back at him.
"What?"
"You look like you're thinking too hard. What are you thinking about?" James asked. Shina didn't answer as she sat down on the stairs, resting her hand under her chin. The look she gave him wasn't one he'd seen before.
"The altar for Touya Todoroki." James frowned before he dismissed it. There were a lot of altars in Japan,
"So? Don't most Japanese homes have them?"
"Yeah." James was getting frustrated now as Shina was deliberately holding back on him.
"Are you gonna spell it out for me?" He asked. Shina sighed, dropping her hands as she leaned back on her elbows. She chewed her bottom lip, looking past him at the front door.
"I need to have Yoshi find the death certificate to verify the cause of death but, this is going to sound weird."
"Everything you say is weird." James reminded her.
"Thanks, but I feel like I've seen the kid before. I just can't remember where." Shina groaned as she dropped her head back. James rolled his eyes.
"He died when he was a kid, he looks younger than you when we moved here. I doubt you've seen him before."
"I know that but, there's something niggling at me, I know I've seen him before. I just don't know where." Shina groaned.
"Hmm." James gave a dubious hum before a thought occurred to him. The house was quiet, too quiet. "Hey where's the League?" Shina sighed,
"I don't know, maybe in their rooms?" Right at the moment the front doors opened with a bang making James turn to glare. Toga was the first one through and he saw the solemn look on her face as well as was looked to be still wet eyes. Toga was crying? Toga knew how to cry?
"Uh, Toga you okay?" James asked as he looked past her when Shina suddenly gasped.
"Compress your arm!" Shina shot past James as he registered Compress's form with no left arm, only a bloody stump and lots of blood. The moment James saw that he could smell it.
"I will be fine milady." Compress stated in a strained voice. James watched as Shina glared at him when he tried to move past her.
"Like hell you will. Claude, first aid now!" James took in everyone else who entered the house but only Spinner, Toga, Twice and Shigaraki had entered. Unlike the others, Shigaraki looked contemplative as he also watched Shina take control. "Did you all go out? Where's Mange and Dabi?"
"Mange is dead." Twice wailed making James twitch.
"What?" He asked.
"We went to meet with a potential ally, Overhaul and he killed Mange. He took Compress' arm." Spinner reported loud enough for all of them to hear.
"Was it just you guys?" Shina asked. James knew that tone of voice. Shina was angry and someone, probably Shigaraki, was going to get it later.
"Yes." Toga answered. James blinked at her. Her silence was understandable now as this was the first time they'd lost a well-known comrade. Guess it wasn't all fun and games for them now was it.
"Mistress," Claude's voice broke through James thoughts. Celeste stood next to him dressed in a simple white robe with her hair pulled into a neat bun.
"Compress go with Celeste, she's our Healer." Shina ordered as she helped him go to her. Shina switched to Spanish as she told Celeste, "Don't absorb too much Celeste." Celeste nodded before she pulled Compress away to the kitchen. "J, go back to school. I'll give you an update later after I talk with Shiggy." James swallowed before nodding.
"Okay." James jumped up the stairs and sent a text to Kana to pick him up.
~Shina's POV~
Shina waited until Spinner, Toga and Twice were taken care of and sent off to bed. She also checked on Compress and made sure he was okay before she pulled Shigaraki into her office. Her anger at him rushing off without telling her anything was mounting but she kept a lid on it as anger wouldn't have solved anything. Instead, she asked in a tightly controlled voice, "You didn't tell me about the meeting with Overhaul, why?"
"You weren't needed." Shigaraki stated with a wave of his hand as he walked over to her desk.
"Compress lost his arm. You lost Mange. She could still be here if you'd told me!" Shigaraki sat down in her chair, "I don't like this potential alliance with Overhaul, Shigaraki. He obviously has no issues with killing any of us if it delights him, he could even harm you."
"Is that concern for me?" Shigaraki asked before he started to laugh. Shina frowned.
"You're my boss, you literally hold the contract that states I am to protect you and make sure your plans are enacted."
"Funny you seem to be quoting that at me, and yet you're not around when I do need you." Shina took in a deep breath before she snapped. She needed to stay calm and in control of herself. No sense in letting her frustration about this loss on someone who probably wouldn't even care.
"That's usually because I'm still trying to do the last thing you asked me." Shina responded. Shigaraki pouted as if he was disappointed in not getting her anger to present itself. Shina watched him as he picked up a pen and started to twirl it. He suddenly dissolved the pen between his fingers.
"He was too fast. I underestimated him. I won't next time. We don't need Overhaul's cooperation for long. Just long enough for Toga and Twice to get a hold of this serum that Overhaul has."
"Well apparently I really haven't been in tune with you lately, what serum?"
"…" Shigaraki looked at her, assessing. Shina figured she may as well play along with whatever game he was trying to play with her. After all, if he admitted his failing for not being good enough, she dearly hoped he realized that not everyone was going to just roll over and bow for him.
"Do I have to do some investigating on my own? That's gonna suck, although if I get close to Overhaul guess Toga and Twice won't be able to do much then huh?" Shigaraki's eyes seemed to harden.
"You wouldn't dare." Shina shrugged.
"I'm looking for information Shiggy, there's not a lot I wouldn't do to find this out. If it's got you so concerned then yes I want to know. Least if I have to worry about you potentially releasing a possible Zombie virus than I want sufficient warning."
"Your delusions of zombies is laughable." Shina shrugged.
"Then tell me what the serum is. Or do you not trust me anymore?" Shigaraki looked away, picking up another pen and twirling it in his fingers.
"Hm, trust is something I've given to you already, especially since you've done such a good job for me. And yet, I can't seem to trust you when it comes to that feathered hero." Shina rolled her eyes. He seemed to like picking on her relationship with Hawks when he was in a foul mood.
"Are we back to this? Because I'd swear you seem to have a fixation on me and that bird."
"Sunfire, you're my second lieutenant now that Kurogiri is gone. I have your contract and I know I'll have your word and your aid if our guidelines are followed, however, your heart seems to be getting the better of you." Shina snorted.
"How?" Shigaraki clenched his hand and the second pen dissolved into dust. Shina honestly didn't care about the pen, In the grand scheme of things, a pen was nothing. Shigaraki frowned at her non-reaction.
"Yoshi mentioned you were on a date with the bird a few nights ago. I had him pull up the cameras outside that apartment safehouse you have. I must wonder, why you're even entertaining getting close to that hero?" Shina really needed to restrict Yoshi's methods if he was spying on her now.
"First of all, we didn't go on a date. It was cancelled. Secondly, if he does decide to date me that's an advantage to me since he's now the #2 hero, he's bound to have some weaknesses besides fire." Shigaraki smiled a harsh smile.
"That's why Dabi's working on recruiting him. He's not as easily swayed as you." Shina raised an eyebrow at that.
"So if the hero is being recruited, I fail to see why you have an issue with me potentially dating the bird."
"You've gotten too close to him. One has to wonder if some of his 'heroism' has started to rub off on you. You assured me that you could get close to Endeavor's children and yet you're going after the bird." Shigaraki's tone had hardened the more he spoke. Shina honestly had forgotten what she'd initially promised on that front. Between the kids, running errands for the league and going home, things were bound to slip. But she know l knew Shigaraki wouldn't be interested in excuses so instead she asked,
"Do you not trust that I can handle myself or my 'emotions'?"
"I would trust you if you were no longer texting that birdbrain all the time." Well that crossed the line as Shina protested,
"I don't-" Shigaraki interrupted her.
"We sit beside each other during meetings. I doubt you were texting any of the League as I have yet to see any of them make you smile as you do when you read those messages of his."
"I have kids you know." Shina stated. "I could and would smile for them in a heartbeat." Shigaraki gave her a look that had a chill go up her spine.
"And do they also call you 'fox'? What about 'red rose'. Or my favorite, 'golden eyed flower'?" Shina knew without a doubt that there was no way Shigaraki would have seen those texts as she only received them when she was alone. Hawks had messaged her once during a meeting with a name that had admittedly made her blush and she hadn't responded until after the meeting. Needless to say, Hawks had learned not to message that way during those times. Which meant…
"I'm gonna kill Yoshi for hacking into my messages." Shina muttered. "But who said you could control who I talked to or texted? It's not like I'm messaging Hawks any secret plans, which you should know if you read through my messages. I can keep a conversation without talking about villains or heroes unlike some people I've met."
"True but you belong to me. One for All contracted your help and as long as we both play our roles and follow the guidelines, which aren't much, you and your family are a part of the villains. As such, it would be beneficial if you weren't fraternizing with any heroes because let's be honest, their time is coming to an end. They just don't know it yet." Shina looked away, out the window at the night garden.
"Bottom line is, you want me to cut all ties with Hawks?"
"Yes." Shina would forever deny the hard thump of her heart at that 'request'.
"If he's joining the League why would I do that?" Shina wanted to know.
"Who said he was joining?" Shigaraki asked. Shina frowned.
"What don't you think Dabi would vet him enough?" Shigaraki sighed, making Shina look back at him.
"I'm not sure I trust him as I'm pretty sure you only want Dabi around because you seem to like his rudeness." Shina couldn't deny that one as she let a sharp smile peek through.
"He's funny. Plus, his eyes are very swoon-worthy." Shigaraki stared at her a moment before he stated,
"You have odd taste in men." Shina snorted at that, rolling her eyes.
"You're preaching to the choir. But Dabi has proven himself hasn't he?"
"Hmph, yes he has."
"So, he stays?"
"For now. But I don't want you alone with him." Shina gaped.
"What why?"
"You two get along far too well for my liking." Shigaraki stated making Shina fumble for a response before she closed her eyes and pinched the space between her eyes.
"Can I not find friends in anyone? Next you'll tell me to stay away from Compress, how the heck did this turn into this kind of conversation? Do you have something you want to confess Shiggy?"
"You're a special brand of annoying." Well yeah Shina knew that.
"That's not exactly a denial though." Shina stated lowering her hand and looking at Shigaraki with a bland look.
"The day I confess to feeling anything for you is the day I allow the heroes to win." Shina shrugged.
"Fine. But back to our original conversation, the next time you meet with Overhaul I'm going. I don't care if I have to be invisible, I will be there." Shigaraki nodded, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Only if you break it off with Hawks right now." The staring match between them lasted a full three minutes as Shina thought it out in her head. Yes Shina held eye contact for three minutes but only because she was trying to think of another option. Did Shigaraki really need her at his meeting with Overhaul? As much as she wished he would perish, she didn't trust the potential for a back up to be engaged. Plus, she doubted Shigaraki would die that easily, she wasn't that lucky. Another question was, could she really hurt Hawks the way Shigaraki wanted her to? Gods, she liked Hawks, a lot! He was funny, sweet, sassy and goddamn it he made her smile! That was such a rare thing for her nowadays that she craved his next message just to have that lighthearted feeling again. He had been so understanding when she'd had to cancel their date because of her 'family emergency' and even offered to help in any way he could. He'd texted her after Kai and Kaito had come back and even sent her flowers with a bear that she'd given to Kaito. If anything could make her despise someone this would have been it. As much as she denied it her duty was to Shigaraki. As evidenced by tonight's idiocy of going to meet a potential 'ally', Shigaraki couldn't be trusted to vet someone or even prepare properly. As much as she loathed it, and she loathed it with every fiber of her being, Shigaraki did indeed own her, at least temporarily. Guess she'd have to be selfish another day.
"You drive a hard bargain, but fine." Shina stated finally. She pulled out her phone and sent a message to Hawks. When she sent it she showed her phone to Shigaraki who cackled.
"Good girl Shina. Now let's start planning some fun." Shina rolled her eyes.
"Joy." She ignored the phone vibrating in her back pocket as Shigaraki and she planned all night.
'I'm sorry Hawks. I can't do this anymore. There's another guy in my life and he deserves me more. I hope you can forgive me for leading you on. Good bye.'
GM NASAI: I was forced to write this chapter. My muses held me hostage until I had it all written down. I can never forgive myself.