Chapter 3: Chance Meeting

Age 5

December

Tatewaki Household

"I'll be going out now," Kurogane said, dressed in his usual suit, as he stood in the hallway. Earning a response from both Ayuna and Kurono, the latter of whom was sitting munching on a bowl of oats, fruits, and milk mixed together.

"Just a moment! Alright, Kurono, take care and be careful now. " Ayuna sad, in her own dress and getting ready for her hospital round, sweeping her red hair backward as she knelt down to nuzzle him. "I'll be back soon to prepare dinner. If you're hungry, there's plenty of fruits you can eat first."

"It's alright, I can handle myself." Kurono nodded at that, understanding how important their mother's job was. Not to mention that the major income comes from her, he can't imagine how much work she has to do on top of taking care of them. "Take care of yourself."

A wistful look and her smile tensed a bit but Ayuna brushed it off, ending it by rubbing the top of their head before joining Kurogane's side, slipping into her shoes and carrying her handbag before smiling apologetically as she closed the door.

"It's fine, I'll close the door for you." Kurono quickly appeared and gave her a fright as she recoiled backward.

Ignoring that, Kurono gently took the door and saw his parents off before he addressed them. "Mom, dad?"

"Yes, sweetie?"

"Hmm?"

The two stared at him for a moment quietly and Kurono moved to open their mouth several times before settling for a simple bow. "Come back home safely, please."

Kurogane's eyebrows rose alongside Ayuna who reached down to give Kurono one last hug with a large smile. "Of course. We will talk more about your project later."

Seeing them left as he closed the door left him weary but also relaxed at the same time. Taking multiple deep breaths, Kurono felt the swift freedom given to them as he swiped the television remote control and flicked the news channel, once done, he went right back to finishing his breakfast.

"They are busy of late," Crona said as they slowly ate their food, feeling downcast.

Can't be helped, Kurono said in frustration before turning their attention to the television. Ignoring the gaudy red Christmas decoration that floated around the screen but at the reporter instead.

"It has been three months since the hangman showed his work, police, and heroes have been looking for the perpetrator but yet to find a trail. Some question the dependability of the authorities as this has led to a surge of villains and copy cats-"

"I-I told you that was a terrible idea," Crona muttered as they shied away from the news, not liking that they cause trouble, more so for their parents.

Once again, if we didn't do something as crazy as that. They won't listen. Kurono stubbornly said. Crona doubted the veracity of the statement. Sighing, they at times think that Kurono can be far too stubborn for their own good.

I'm right here.

"I know, sorry," Crona muttered as they spoon another mouthful of oats before chewing, the bland taste barely felt in their mouth.

It's good for your health, gives energy, and helps with bowel movements. We're to follow strict training and menu. Kurono followed up, though Crona can feel the latter's own craving for something tastier.

Just endure it, tomorrow, I'll make pasta.

That perked up Crona a bit as they finished the last of the food and headed to clean up.

"And that concludes today's report, Merry Christmas everyone!"

Christmas huh? Kurono heard before craning his neck in thought when Crona caught a passing look at the shiny surface of the faucet. Planning on getting anything?

"I am not sure. What if Toga doesn't like it? I don't think I could handle it if she dislikes what I get for her."

Chill man, she is like five or six soon. Just get something she likes or something honest. Kurono shrugged his shoulders and waved off-handedly. It can't be worse than what I planned anyway.

"And what's that?" Crona muttered with a tilt of his head and eyebrow rose as he looked away from the bowls and at the reflection.

Deep-fried pork blood rice cake.

They stopped in their movement as the silence was filled only with the sounds of water.

"Oh, is that...tasty?" Crona blinked twice, not expecting that of all things.

You bet, it is very unhealthy though. We also need to order the pork blood in advance from the butcher.

"I see." Morbid fascination formed as they tried to take it in stride, sometimes Kurono's ideas were far too wild at times even as flashes of pride and surety emitted from him.

Crona then felt an idea slowly formed in their head, if Kurono said it was an honest gift then surely that will suffice right?

I am not one to talk but that is a very bad idea. Kurono's confidence quickly turned into dread, the latter wagging a finger at him.

I'm sure it'll be fine. Crona pointed out, after all, it seemed fitting from what Kurono filled him in about Toga.

Age 6

March

Abahafahru primary school, Quirk Counselor Office

Winter has passed as the weather slowly went from cold to a more pleasant warmth, gentle winds, sun shining regularly and the skies were clearer now.

At Abahafahru primary school, it was a great season to be in as most children now flooded outside the school ground. Some of them hang out with their friends to play heroes and villains, others practice sports or head back home.

A small minority, however, chose to stay at school out of choice due to other reasons.

Outside of the counselor room, where quirk counseling on how one is to handle their quirks, advice on career choices, and how to better fit into society with their particular quirks, a student sat down quietly as they nodded their heads left and right repeatedly as their pink hair followed suit.

"Hmm, hmm, hmm." Repeatedly, the tune was hummed again and again. Their skinny looks and odd movement drawing occasional glances from students whenever they passed by, the former completely ignoring them as if they didn't exist.

Inside their head, however, was a completely different story.

Don't, stop, me, now.

"Hmm, Hmm." Fingers tapped at that.

Cause I'm having a great time, having a great time.

"It's having a good time." Kurono corrected though he was too good in a mood and continued humming the song to pass the time. Feeling the quick correction of Crona as they continued the chain of the song.

Kurono stared at the digital clock, indicating that nearly half an hour has passed since they sat down here. He has tried teaching Crona all the old songs he remembered and had some success at least.

"They're sure taking their time." He sighed, stopping Crona from their singing as the latter snapped out of it.

It must be important? Crona fidgeted and Kurono followed that urge as they placed their left hand of their right arm out of habit.

"You believe that?"

Crona eyes turned to the sides and that was all he needed to know

"If it helps, it might be different this time. Who knows, maybe it'll be for the best-"

Clack!

That had both of them turned their heads as the door opened, revealing Toga who waved back to the counselor with a smile before dropping it completely the moment the door closed.

Kurono stood up quickly and slung their bag that they left next to them just as Toga spotted and latched onto them without a word. A frown still hung upon her face as she stubbornly refused to say a single word.

Sighing, Kurono decided to lead the way and headed for the park instead, ignoring some of the glances from other kids even as they left the school.

Throughout the journey, none of them said a word to one another. Mentally conversing with one another, Toga looked up and eyed Kurono when the former was distracted.

She felt like no one bothered to even understand, was it really her fault that seeing blood makes her want more? That she should just act like it never existed or bothered her, simply because it wasn't right?

At least, the doctors at the hospital try to advise her on how to deal with the urges. The school quirk counselor just couldn't be bothered and asked her to live normally.

Isn't what she's doing normal already?

Instead, she's forced to hear others calling it abnormal as they force a lie upon her then saying it's normal?

Wasn't such a thing itself abnormal? Is just living the way she wanted such an impossible thing to ask for?

Annoying, just so annoying. Toga squeezed her hands over Kurono's arms, despite her own hands turning white from the effort and straining itself. The latter didn't even seem to be bothered by it in the slightest.

They then stopped in their tracks, stopping her train of thoughts as they were at the familiar park.

"Want to play?" He looked at her, hands wiggling a frisbee that he fished out from his bag. Used and old, but she recalls that one. So many fun memories and times.

"Sure!" Toga beamed at that, feeling at ease whenever they conversed.

Only Kurono was willing to understand her and indulge in her desire. She giggled at that, then again, he too probably had his own urges.

Toga saw it before, her eyes focused on Kurono's head that shifted slightly to the sides and began mumbling to himself once again. Always doing it whenever he thinks she can't see it.

Ah, just like that day. Toga looked back fondly, an elated sigh escaping and a blush came to her face as she remembers it clear as day. With a skip in her beat and heart fluttering, it cleared away all unpleasant experience she had with the quirk counselor.

So much like her, not able to show their true faces to others. Kurono tries to keep it a secret but Toga already knows.

There were two people in that one body.

She sees fear, revulsion, disgust like those normal adults. Then sympathy, understanding and then acceptance. It switched often between the two but lately, she learned the scared one has been nicer to them.

The nice one was just like her. After all, he was the one who said to kill her without any hesitation.

Toga understood at that moment, they're both incompatible people in this world. Two gears that can't mesh with others.

Meeting one another, was the best thing she could've asked for.

"So how's the fried rice cake I gave you?" The scaredy-cat asked as he took some distance before tossing the disc towards her.

"It's tasty!" Toga said, recognizing the taste of blood immediately despite it being fully cooked. It didn't have the tang of fresh blood but it was good enough for her, she didn't even realize it was possible to cook with blood.

Though she wondered how it'll taste with his blood. Toga giggled at that thought even as she caught the frisbee and then returned it.

"No, I am not going to use mine. That's disgusting." Kurono remarked with a frown when he saw Toga's wide Cheshire grin. " I'm not going to eat or even taste test it."

"I could! Always so thick and syrupy! I don't mind it being inside of me anytime!"

"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that." Kurono missed his catch as the frisbee barreled into his chest and it clattered down to the grass much to Toga's amusement as he bent down. "Jesus, are kids always this unaware-?"

A twitch through Kurono's body when he stood upright had Toga hairs on end, she didn't see it so much that she felt it.

Minute changes like body posture, facial expression, and feel were picked up by her. The nice one came out and this redoubled her glee, nearly jumping for joy when they started the game again.

"How was the kitchen knife?" Crona asked in a much more reserved tone, hoping that they did a good job. They had to downsize and change the shape accordingly, as Kurono was very particular when it comes to kitchen utensils and knives.

"I like it, Mama said it cut very sharp!" Toga bounced as she talked about it. It was the best present she had.

Not only was it sharp but the knife was also made from his black blood. She preferred the color crimson but it was still a piece of Kurono with her!

A small smile broke on Crona's face when they heard about it, he wouldn't know how to deal with it if Toga didn't like the gift.

"Ne, Kuro?"

"Yes?"

"Can I have some of your blood?" She cheekily asked in expectation.

"Oh-Uhm. Sure?" Crona muttered before feeling the tug of Kurono coming to the front. His speech changed into a firmer tone despite his expressionless face. "But not too much, it's not good for your health."

"Hah, you're the best!" Toga jumped excitedly before slowly sighing and looked away. "Yeah, you're the best."

"Is this about the quirk counselor?" He stated more than asked, knowing the problem already as Toga rigorous nods just reaffirm it. Leading him to hold back a curse as Crona's own annoyance rose at that too. "Ignore that counselor then, we'll help you out as much as we can."

"But no one else?" Toga swung back the frisbee somberly.

"No, my parents too. My mother likes you, and father also supports in helping you." Kurono said, their mother had explained to them thoroughly on Toga condition and her quirk.

Some call it Renfield's syndrome but in short, it's an obsession or fascination with blood that one gets pleasure from ingesting or seeing it.

In other words, it was vampirism.

They theorized that her quirk, which allows her to transform when she has ingested blood, caused her development to veer towards it. For all intents and purposes, it was a natural behavior.

I guess we're like a walking talking beef steak for her. Kurono smirked at that comparison, leading Crona to imagine it before shaking that thought off.

"Auntie Ayuna likes me, even uncle Kuro?" Toga blushed before looking away as she gripped her fist tightly. "Unlike Mama and Papa."

That had their brows raised even as they maintained their silence. Eyes alternating left and right before settling on Toga.

"They always argue with one another when I'm sleeping, sometimes they shout too. Always about me." She dropped her smile and looked at the ground. "That I'm not normal."

"It is alright." They quietly said to comfort her.

"No, no it's not." Toga clenched her teeth at that, body tensed at the unfairness of it all. She was one thing but her parents disliking Kurono was another as she bitterly remarked "I hate it. This stupid normal, and common sense."

"Why can't all of it just go away?"

That had Kurono and Crona on edge, knowing just how delicate the matter was. A moment passed as they wracked their brain for a good solution until finally coming down to honesty.

Walking forward, he placed a hand on top of her head gently.

"I will be with you, no matter what." Kurono and Crona both spoke together, both of their will synchronized together briefly. Even Kurono after a while, just can't help but sympathize and saw her more like a younger sister by now.

That seemed a more profound effect on Toga, who widened her eyes before sniffing and rubbing her eyes at that. Causing Crona to panic as they tried to assuage her but conflicting will had their nerves sent the wrong signal everywhere.

"Thanks." Toga said after a moment, rubbing her nose before chuckling when she saw Kurono flailing arms all over in trying to balance himself.

"...So what club do you plan to join?" Kurono spoke after finally getting their balance in control and changed the topic. "I'm thinking of joining the karate club to get some additional training and see how it goes. Otherwise, the go-home club is always open-"

Toga tilted her head at that, thinking of an answer as she tapped her chin before turning back to him. "Are you training to be a hero?"

"Well, not really but...yea, actually, I probably am." Kurono waved his arms to deny it at first but thinking on it, being a hero is a necessity. After all, he needed to stop the worse to come.

Though what he'll do in his future after it's over? Well, he'll figure something out. Worst comes to worst, he can always switch careers and become a baker or something.

I'm not sure If I'm suited for something like that.

You're making a cake, not a rocket. Also, I'm here. Kurono puffed his chest proudly at that.

"Alright, then I'll join you!" Toga words broke them out of their thoughts as Kurono blinked and processed her words.

"The karate club?"

"No, being a hero with you! It seems fun!"

"That's...yeah sure, why not." Kurono rubbed the back of his head mentally even as Crona smiled excitedly at that.

Toga however couldn't care less about being a hero, she wasn't about to do it out of any goodness in her heart. She simply wanted to be with Kurono and have plenty of fun side by side with him.

Not to mention, a chance to see more of him in a bloody state as well as a chance for her to do the bleeding?

There's no way she'll give up such a golden opportunity.

A few months later

Kurono sighed as he looked at the whiteboard, feeling put out as he tried to memorize all characters for Japanese. Burying his head in his hands and rubbing the temple.

You're doing better now. Crona pointed out as the latter was currently reviewing the previous math question from the book opened at the sides of his tables, making it look extremely messy and crowded even as Kurono gathered the books and swiped it to his school bag.

Joining the crowd of students, he left without looking at the back. Heading straight for the karate club otherwise, they'll be late for practice.

Can we-?

Of course. Kurono nodded to Crona's request, it was one that was on the way to the karate club anyway so it didn't take too much time.

Moving as quickly as it allowed them without tripping, they dropped by the gymnasium first. Scores of students grouped up separately and assembled within their own respective club activities.

One of whom, dressed in a blue leotard meant for gymnastics, eagerly left the formation of training. Much to the chagrin of the instructor as they made a beeline for them.

"Kuro!" Toga greeted them with a smile that felt much more natural compared to the near doll-like smile she often had. "You're joining today?"

"Nope," Kurono shook his head before letting Crona take the lead with a twitch before shifting his weight to the right side. Eyes briefly glancing away from Toga sheepishly. "I just wanted to drop by to see how you're doing."

To be honest, while that was Crona's reason, Kurono was more apprehensive as he's letting Toga out of their sight.

They may not suddenly decide to cut someone's throat out and put a straw in it but one can't be too careful, and they need to keep an eye out so that word of her condition doesn't get leaked to others.

Forget ostracization, she might be thrown out from home completely out of pressure from her own family.

Will that really happen?

"I am exaggerating, "Kurono muttered under his breath before thinking about it, his lips scrunched to the sides. "Then again, this IS Japan."

"Of course we are in Japan, silly."

Hmm. That prompted Kurono to clamp his mouth shut and awkwardly pull their long pink hair bangs. Feet shuffled to the sides before deciding to move the topic quickly "-I better go, karate club is about to start."

"That would be wise." The gymnastic instructor cut into their conversation, her long hair tied into a bun and glasses pushed backward as she towered over him with a disapprovingly look. "Otherwise I will have to report you for disturbing our class. Himiko, you will have to do an extra set of stretches and warm-up for running out halfway through the exercises. Again. "

"Okay."

"Alright."

The two casual replies only served to irritate her but she quietly directed Toga back to the class.

"See you later!" Toga went back to the lesson, murmurings, and other girls looking back and forth between them as their instructor clapped her hands to get them to refocus on class but not before giving a last glare at him.

Crona felt that glare as they squirmed and looked away from it, hair raised on the back of their neck as they quickly left for the karate club.

I don't know how to deal with her. Crona commented timidly to Kurono, the latter of whom only shrugged her shoulders at that.

"Eh, to be fair, we did interrupt her class and she's a strict one." He waved his hands and eyed the reflective windows. The hallways being cleared enough that he can afford to speak more openly with Crona.

Soon, they reached their club area and started to change before heading out to join the other members.

There was no dojo available for their club, mainly they practiced outside in any wide open space available. Today, they're practicing at the volleyball club empty court.

It wasn't any different from where he used to train when he was back in his previous life.

Still, the members were serious and dedicated enough but he found another main reason why to stick to this club even more.

Even as they lined up, he approached one of the members. A plain-looking blonde hair boy who was slightly taller than him, with no other distinctive feature but his extra appendage reminiscence of a large lion tail.

"Yo, Mashirao. Want to pair up with me for stretching?"

Mashirao Ojiro always wanted to be a hero, who wouldn't after all in this day and age?

He might not have a strong quirk but he was proud of it, after all, it was from both of his parents.

With that in mind, he decided to learn one thing that he can use to compensate for his quirk.

Martial arts.

Both pro and underground heroes, Gunhead being one of them, were all prominent users of martial arts. Strengthening his foundations and then able to contribute as a hero, no matter how small, was something he aimed for.

"-want to pair up with for stretching?"

Looking towards the source, the thin and small frame of Kurono greeted him with an awkward smile.

"Sure. You want to go first?" Ojiro smiled as he gestured with a thumb. Not minding at all as he lowered his tail and felt the smaller person placed his back and lock arms.

Already, he felt Kurono's lead-like body as he had no other choice but to wrap his tail around the former waist, steadied himself and then slowly lifted him up.

Holding a grunt back and mentally counting to ten, Ojiro endured it before slowly putting Kurono down. The first time they stretched together, he nearly fell flat face first due to the weight.

Kurono had said it was part of his quirk powers, and it wasn't the heaviest he can go which boggled Ojiro's mind. The former was nearly twice the weight of most of his peers and it wasn't the limits?

On top of that, Kurono's own quirk seemed a lot cooler than his. The ability to form and shape their blood into whatever they want, admittedly, it drove a tinge of jealousy within him.

"Alright, your turn." Ojiro turned his head as Kurono slowly bent forward, giving him the chance to stretch their back.

But when he sees them struggle with basic combinations, movements and katas, it soothes his pride a bit. Not to mention the former seemed so subdued and polite compared to other kids who were born with a stronger quirk.

A bit of an oddball to be sure. Ojiro thought even as he felt his back stretched before being let go.

"Alright! Form up and perform the usual basics!" Their instructor voice boomed, springing both of them into action as they fell into line at record time as the rest caught up to their pace.

"Osu!"

"Alright, let's begin!"

As everyone else went to practice the basic forms, Ojiro's eyes briefly glanced towards Kurono. Trying to match or exceed his pace, competing against him subconsciously as the training went on.

Two hours later, with a break in between, Ojiro wiped a large amount of sweat accumulated on his brow with his Karate Gi sleeves.

His head spun as blood rushed to his head, leaving a dizzying sensation that was both confusing and liberating as well. Most kids were left exhausted by the training today, from the looks of it, Ojiro doubted most would stay.

"Alright. Thanks for your hard work today." Kurono bowed to him, prompting him to do the same in a respectful manner. Ojiro noted that he had already changed and was ready to leave.

"Going out so soon?" Ojiro took a swig from his bottle even as Kurono nodded.

"Yea, I'm meeting with Toga to play frisbee," Kurono said, looking none the worse.

For a brief moment, his stance changed as Kurono seemed to stare upwards before turning to him slowly. "Wanna join us?"

"...Sure, but can you teach me?" Ojiro hummed as he kept a neutral tone, accepting the offer despite his body wishing for a break.

"Just throw it like this, I'm sure you can handle it-" Kurono smiled as he demonstrated the movement, then his eyes shifted to sides, widened, and then a blur rammed right into him.

Ojiro recoiled backward as he saw Kurono get tackled, bending forward all the way down like a wet towel, his face grimacing more from shock rather than pain.

What the-?! Ojiro's eyes darted and wind-whipped past him as he watched the entire debacle happen less than a second.

Kurono was pushed all the way forward until he slammed his foot to the ground with a grunt, skidding all the way before coming to a stop.

"Aw, you didn't fall!" A cheery voice made itself known as the culprit complained playfully and looked upwards, past the messy blonde hair tied into two buns was a wide smile and grin.

"Toga, can you please greet me normally?" Kurono muttered wearily even as he stood back up slowly.

"But that's no fun!" She broke off from him with a twirl in her step, huffing and shrugging. "Besides, aren't you the one who asked me to help you practice dealing with a tackle?"

"I didn't mean that you should do it all the time." A deep sigh came in between rubbing his stomach as Toga's attention quickly spun around and met with Ojiro.

Immediately, Ojiro felt a shiver going down his spine when her eyes focused on him. It seemed unusually intense. Slowly, her smile changed slightly as she greeted him. "Ah, Ojiro! How's your day?"

"F-Fine, thank you." Ojiro nodded politely to the energetic girl, ignoring and shaking that feeling off. "Kurono just invited me to play frisbee together."

"That's great! I can show you a few nice tricks! Oh, nice tail you have there too!" That seemed to liven her up as she quickly mimed a few imaginary throws and intercepts with her moves. Prompting him to raise an eyebrow at that. "I bet you can do tons of cool tricks and intercept passes."

"Hmm, true, you would be great at intercepting passes. I wonder if we can make a team that allows people to use quirks-" Kurono muttered to himself as he tapped his chin, before Toga joined in the possible application of his quirk.

It was a new experience, to hear his own quirk being praised. He could only smile sheepishly and rubbed the back of his head at that. "Oh, thanks."

"Come on then, let's find somewhere larger and start playing." Kurono gestured as he went forward, stride much faster and confident. Toga followed next to him as the two interacted with each other.

Looking at the two, Ojiro only chuckled as he followed them behind.

Age 6

July

Tokyo outer city

From the outer area of Tokyo closer to the residential area, where high rise buildings were seen less, small shops and convenience stores littered the area that leads to the center of the city.

Down in the streets, a small figure walked on the sidewalk, wearing a hoodie that had All Might color pattern and a tight fit grey collar shirt that stretched all the way to his arms underneath, their pinkish hair swaying alongside the cool wind that blew past them in the summer heat.

Moving down the street, their green eyes caught the sunlight and they winced at it before quickly moving to a shade.

"It's warm," Crona said as he looked at the sun beneath a tree. Feeling stuffy and uncomfortable as sweat clung to him, further making his clothes even tighter and heavy. "I don't know how to handle this..."

Stay in the shade and avoid direct sunlight. Since we didn't pack a water bottle, we'll just have to tough it out for now.

Crona mutely nodded as they continued without a word, thankful that at least they completed the major work and can leave the area.

Yea, this time we're going subtle. That way, we can avoid another resurgence of crime.

"Y-Yea, that'll be best." Crona nodded at that, recalling a large number of villains surging cases, alongside copycats of people trying to emulate them. Sending out weird messages alongside crime committed in their name, thankfully so far, no murders had happened just yet.

People are dumb, christ, if it wasn't because of the law on vigilantism, I would have gone out and put our foot down on that. Kurono clicked his tongue and shook his head at that, something that Crona passing glance at a reflection from a road mirror saw.

"But will they know it was us?"

Of course they will, I sent it to Torino instead of All Might or Nighteye.

"Now what then?" Crona eyes looked left and right for any oddity, or people following them.

Lay low, we're just a kid that went to Roppongi ward to buy an All Might hoodie for the cheap. Kurono said, the two having gone to Might tower area for scouting realized that something was off.

If it wasn't for Crona, he definitely would've missed that there are far more plain police or sidekicks than before. Without a doubt, they've gotten caught long before getting close.

Man, Nighteye has no chill. Kurono threw his arms to the back of his head before seeing a sundry store, feeling a little pang of hunger and heat, he shared his thoughts with Crona.

Hey, want to get some ice cream?

"Sure, can I pick this time? The lime ones are too...strong for me."

Come on, lime is good!

"It's also too sugary-Is there a robbery happening?" Crona eyes drew their attention to a figure dressed in a smart black suit as they looked from the outside of the store, the ends of the far exaggerated as they seemed to have a camera recording the entire process much to the chagrin of the older lady who seemed far more annoyed with the villain antics.

Who's robbing a sundry store in this day and age-oh my god it's that idiot. Kurono blurted out in disbelief, making their brows rise as they looked at the ensuing scenario.

"Should we intervene?" They tilted their heads, right-hand flexing and opening itself.

Forget it, he is a nuisance at worst and an actual good person. Kurono sighed as that was another day ruined, heading to contact the closest heroes before an idea formed in his head.

Slowly, it formed and then bloomed as his eyes widened in a stroke of brilliance.

Crona, I got an idea.

"That sounds like a bad idea, I don't think we can handle it." Crona hesitantly pointed out, not liking the choice at all.

Don't, worry I'll take the lead. You just focused on movement or restrained him if needed.

Swallowing nervously, Crona nodded as they grabbed the end of the hoodie and flipped it over their head.

Alright, I should've four to five minutes before the heroes arrive.

Quickly, he closed the briefcase, took a moment to flipped the back of his coat, put on a charming smile, and carefully raised his camera to feature him.

"Welcome back, today, I, Gentle Criminal, is robbing a convenience store." He put on his best charm as the angle of the camera was sure to take the best shot of him before showcasing the items stolen.

A large brown porcelain jar, the top sealed completely with wax paper tightly.

"This shop is famed for its pickle, a recipe that's been passed down the owner's family. Isn't that right?"

"Get out of my store already, you thief!"

"Haha, I shall be taking this." He laughed before promising the old lady, after all, he was a gentleman. "Worry not, I shall give it back to you once I'm done with the contents. Till then, I take my leave!"

"Hmph, at least pay for what you took!" The old lady shouted and raised her arms even as Gentle Criminal took his leave. Feeling extremely satisfied with his performance so far, no doubt, it shall net him plenty of views and begin his journey into being a villain!

Besides, he intends to reimburse her completely for the pickles. The jar, however, was his main target.

Made before the quirk emergence, it was an item that was crafted by a world-renown pottery master. During the long period of chaos, it was thought lost. Yet by chance, he found it being used by a humble family that didn't realize its value!

There's no way he could've let such a rough diamond sit in a place, certainly, if he took it and showed the world that such a masterpiece wasn't lost by donating it to the museum, it'll be a great start to his career as the Gentle Criminal.

Now, he just needed to wait for the heroes, make his grand escape, and then-

"Having fun?"

Gentle Criminal snapped his head faster than possible as he saw a small childlike figure with their hand in their pocket, face covered by the hoodie as it was pulled forward as the yellow, blue and red colors distinctive of one the most famous heroes in Japan currently patterned all over it.

"Oh ho, boya, you shouldn't hang around." That had him relaxed his guard, for a moment, he had thought the heroes had arrived far earlier than expected. Still, best to get the kid out of the line before the heroes came. "After all, I'm a villain, Gent-"

"-Le Criminal? You're here for the purpose of making your videos that you can post online in order to get famous?"

A moment passed as Gentle Criminal stared wide-eyed, slack-jawed, and nearly dropped the jar in his hand alongside the camera. Quickly, he cleared his throat with a cough before putting on a brave front by grinning widely. "I didn't realize I was already recognized-!"

"Let's cut to the chase, Gentle, or do you prefer to be called Danjuro?"

That had him narrowed his eyes as he turned the camera off immediately, placed it back to a holster attached to his back, and stretched his fingers. The hair on his nape bristled and his attention now fully on the person in front of him.

With a sway of his arm, he prepared himself by taking a formal pose and bowed. Arms going in a circular manner before putting it to his chest. "Hmm, interesting. You certainly have this villain's attention now. May I have the pleasure of knowing the name of the man I am addressing?"

"That barrier is useless, Gentle. I already prepared in advance in case you did run." The small figure voice was a lot deeper now and looked upwards. Giving Danjuro a brief glimpse of his chin, though it was fully black and a weird iron smell. "I have a proposition for you. My name's...Bozu."

"...I see, then Mr. Bozu, what can a person like you offer me?" He was on guard but nevertheless intrigued now.

"A possible partner, you're lacking in the means of being a gentleman thief after all and no gentleman thief is without their own sidekick."

"Ho, and you're offering to be partners?" That seems too good to be true.

"Obviously not," Bozu replied to him flatly, shoulders lowered at that and such frankness had him raised an eyebrow. "Consider this an...investment, there's a man with a quirk that's able to replicate anything he wants so long he has full information on it but only two things from his hands."

"That doesn't seem helpful, do you have a name?"

"Where would be the fun in that if I just gave you everything?" Bozu shifted and finally took out one hand of his, tapping his head repeatedly. "Come now, use your head a little."

Surely he can't mean.

"...The national quirk registration department?"

"Bin-go!" Bozu gleefully said, the white of his teeth seen now as Danjuro saw the lower half of Bozu's face. Noting that the black appearance didn't stop at their face, especially when the hands were completely black as ink and an odd appearance to them.

Barely a moment later, Danjuro laughed heartily and threw his head back at it. There? That place? The heavily guarded building where it has nearly record on every Japanese citizen quirk?

"Bwahaha! That's suicidal! No fool has even dared to break into it, more so when it's one secured both by the government and heroes agency around there." It seemed like a bad joke now and a waste of his time, he was looking for fame but even he knows breaking into that and getting information on a person based on his quirk alone was foolhardy.

"And don't you want to be the first?" Bozu grinned wider as he swept his hand backward. "The great Gentle Criminal, breaking into what's supposed to be a secure area, protected by both heroes, officers and top of the line security. Broke into it and stole information from them.

"Why? Simple!" Bozu posed that question then bowed to him theatrically and mimicked his exact pose. "Because he can."

Upon hearing that, Danjuro tightened his fist as he mimed the words. The first-ever to do the impossible, and most of all, to have the fame of being the one to do it out of a whim.

Oh, that indeed had a very nice ring. Danjuro can almost taste the glory and imagined what the news, nay, the world would say about him. Gentle Criminal, extraordinaire villain, snuck into the National Quirk Registration department, stealing nothing but simply to prove that he can as a challenge.

It would be glorious.

Still, Danjuro shook his head at that. Clearly, those honeyed words are honey to attract bees or flies like him to a trap. Not to mention he was a gentleman scoundrel, he had higher standards than that.

"Such a challenge, while tempting, has no bearing on my code of justice. There's little reason for me to do it." He calmly brushed it aside. "I also see no reason why this person would even join me."

"He will, or at least, I think you can convince him." Bozu then changed his tone, from a playful mischievous tone back to a more direct one. "The man has...bad luck, it's his face you see. He just looks so villainous that he often gets the blame."

"Between the mental problems he has and soon to be trauma that he'll undergo soon. He's just gonna spiral down to a path of a villain."

Soon? Danjuro stored that tidbit, was this person able to see the future? Those quirks are ridiculously rare.

"What he needs now are people that can accept him. As a peer and most of all, a friend."

Bozu raised a finger at him directly and confidently stated. "Someone like you."

That struck him, it can't be. Does he even know about that?

"I'm a villain, you know." Danjuro dropped his speech for a moment, addressing Bozu without a single fanfare or flamboyant style as he looked away from him as his grip tightened over the jar. "I'm...no longer fit to be a hero."

"You don't have to be a hero to help someone. Just help them." Bozu's tone softened at that as he raised a hand, looked at it momentarily before gripping it. "Being a hero or not, that comes later, even if you fail, there's nothing wrong in helping someone first."

A quiet silence fell between them, Danjuro weighing the options available to him. It could be just crocodile tears and it was nothing but a suicide run. Yet, the other side pointed if that was true then he could really help this person.

"But!" Bozu then brought out his other hand and clapped them together, a ringing noise echoed as it seemed far sharper than flesh on flesh. "That's about it, whether you accept it, I've said my part."

"Huh, you're asking me to break into a secure area and all you gave me are just a vague description of a person." Danjuro huffed good-heartedly, this villain didn't seem threatening or malicious at least. "Hardly a fair trade now?"

"I'm giving you the most precious thing. Information, and most all...A goal."

Danjuro hummed at that, a goal?

"You wanted to do something great and be remembered, then tried to do so but failed, fearing being forgotten and not achieving your dream, you turned to an extreme path." Bozu then slowly turned around and leaned against the wall.

"That's precisely why you can help others who were cast out in a similar fashion." A much more passionate tone came and Bozu raised his gripped fist before swinging it to the side. "You understand the feeling of being cast aside by this hero system despite all your efforts. The unfairness of it all."

That struck a chord within him as he recalled last year's incident, his own schoolmate, now a pro-hero doesn't even remember him. Rising higher than ever while he fell far from society's eyes.

Undeterred, Bozu continued on as he held his right arm with his left hand. "There are many others who fall through this hero-centric society. Where people who had no one else to help pick them up or accept them in this increasingly black and white society."

His own parents hated and disowned him, no one wanted him due to his past mistake despite his good intentions.

He had no one.

"If you wish to make your name roar, what better way than to gather those that fallen together, and then rise up together in your dreams of being remembered in your own way."

Danjuro eyebrow rose at that, it seemed so...fitting.

How many others were in a similar predicament just like him? Hearing just how this person Bozu was asking to help, wasn't he too in a similar situation?

"So I'm pointing you to a mountain. Whether you make it or not, that's up to you." Bozu then finished his speech as he slowly placed his hands back into his pockets and leaned back against the wall to hear his decision.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, pondering on such a proposition. It did seem very romantic, beautiful, and even poetic.

It certainly has a nice ring to it, a villain being a hero for others?

A smile came to his face as the naive but childish ambition that once thought gone had small embers of it burning back again.

"And what about you? What mountains have you climbed?" Danjuro asked, wanting to know a bit about this precocious person. He still wasn't able to tell if it was because this person was a kid or simply looked like one.

Bozu turned around one last time, looked upwards, and then smirked. His lips curled to one side heavily and raised a finger, pointing it to the sky.

"Might tower, just last year."

Last year? But the only incident was- Danjuro brows furrowed before it raised itself all the way to the top. "That was you?!"

"Funny isn't it? All I did was hang one doll for fun." Bozu boasted as he waved his hand for emphasis before gripping it into a fist. "One measly doll, and it sent the nation into a frenzy for months."

He himself saw the significance of it and admired such an act. Someone had been so bold to not only oppose a living legend, they did it right under their noses as well!

It was thanks to that act, that he couldn't afford to stay silent and thus, started his jump into the world of villainy ahead of time. Sure, he was getting negative attention but it was still a lot more than he initially expected.

Not to mention in comparison to other fakes, this one had an air of certainty around them. More so when Bozu seemed to know far more about him than any other police or heroes despite him debuting recently, solidified his opinion far above the rest.

"I'll admit I'm a fan of your work then if it was truly you who-"

"Run." Bozu's eyes stood straight up as his eyes looked past Danjuro.

"Excuse me?"

"Heroes are here, run!" Bozu snapped even as the latter dashed into the alleyway. Prompting Gentle to turn around as he heard the increasingly loud tromping footsteps

True enough, two heroes were bearing down on him quickly like the wind. The old lady was now outside and pointing a finger towards him and shouted at the heroes.

"There's that thief!"

This is it, my chance-! Gentle grinned, it looks like he can proceed with his video after all.

But a sudden realization came to him and his eyes were drawn back to the alleyway. Snapping back and forth, two decisions laid before him.

Holding back a curse, Gentle quickly sidestepped the initial barrier he erected and kicked off it, propelling himself forward and slamming into the side of a wall. A quick application of his quirk and he ricochet off deeper into the alleyway that Bozu went through.

Already, he saw the tail end of Bozu nearly reaching the exit. He can't afford to lose him now, not when he finally reached a decision.

For so long, he was searching for it.

Searching for a path in order for his name to be recognized and remembered, even if it leads him down to infamy. A childish lost dream, one that was no longer possible due to his age and choices in life.

Now, he has received both inspiration and direct contact with it. As of this moment, his mind was never clearer than before.

To help someone properly, he wanted to do it even if he was a villain.

It sounded like a poor joke, a villain helping villains?

But it was also true wasn't it? Sometimes people just had one bad day with no one to help pick themselves up.

Less than a second, he was next to Bozu. The latter of whom shooting some black tendrils or rope out of his sleeves, combining both swinging and pulling as he shot past the corners.

"How do we keep in touch?!" He quickly uttered in between hurried jumps and bounce. It was regretful that he couldn't record this for prosperity.

"Naruhata ward, Sakura street-" Bozu quickly listed the address down as Gentle committed to the words. "If I want to meet up with you, I will hang a charm there upside down."

"Very well."

"There he is! Get ready to cut him off!"

Gentle and Bozu both looked at the oncoming heroes before the former smiled.

"I'll distract them." He stated, his body brimming with determination, the heart was racing and guts churning from excitement. Still, he kept his manners and with two fingers, waved at Bozu. " Till we meet again."

"You sure about it?" Bozu asked, if it wasn't because of the situation, Gentle would have laughed at the concern shown to him.

"This is for my video. After all, I did plan to have my dashing self to be recorded."

"Very well, I look forward to it," Bozu said one last time before spotting a T-junction and took one last look at Gentle before nodding at him. "Who knows, you might get a fan."

"Haha! That's certainly encouraging!"

That seemed to get a laugh out of Bozu as well, prompting him to raise a finger. "I have a last tip for searching the man, look for an underground arms dealer named Ghiran. He prob can help you narrow down the search."

They're now a few steps away from the T-junction.

"Other than that, I wish you luck. Try not to get caught."

Gentle needed no other prompt as he slid to a halt, and waved his hand bombastically as he struck a pose and turned on the camera while it was still at his back. Shocking the heroes as he stood his ground fantastically.

"Behold, viewers! This is Gentle Criminal, currently, in a pinch, heroes chasing and determined to stop me to get this jar of pickles back!"

He just needed to stall them for a while, good enough for Bozu to disappear before he made his own getaway. A burning bright heat coursed his blood, feeling that right now, he can do everything.

"So, let's begin, this elegant fight between heroes and villains!"

Author Notes:

Sorry for taking so long, I needed some time to get Gentle Criminal personality right while keeping to his character.

As usual, please leave your thoughts in the review. Thank you.