Shie Hassiki

Estelle strolled into the Yakuza stronghold with a casual slump. The previous day, she was called in by Nigheye and EraserHead. They wanted her to infiltrate the Shie Hassiki as a backup plan if the mission went south.

"I know. So, you're willing?"

"Of course, I'll get started right away."

"Estelle, are you sure about this?" Mr Aizawa questioned.

"Overhaul has some twisted ideology that we would rule together. I think he's a controlling psychopath. I refuse to be under another madman's thumb, and like hell would I allow a child to experience the same thing I did. I'll have to play the part well, but I'll get her out if you fail. Trust me."

"Your classmates will feel betrayed", Mr Aizawa pointed out.

"They will need to for this to be successful. If the students were aware, their reactions would give the mission away. Estelle may very well have to go against them," Nighteye sighed back. Mr Aizawa only nodded when he saw the determination in his students' eyes. With that, he knew that Estelle would get the job done.

After taking a quick trip down memory lane, Estelle was surrounded by goons and was placed in handcuffs and a blindfold. She begrudgingly accepted being jostled about in the name of helping the child she had yet to meet. Following the tight grip, Estelle was let into a room and forcibly placed in a seat.

A few moments later, Estelle was gifted back her sight and was given the view of Overhaul standing across from her. He had his typical beak mask over his features; his eyes could be seen scanning over her appreciatively as Estelle stared back.

'It must be so uncomfortable to wear that all the time', Estelle thought as the villain spoke.

"What a pleasant surprise; it seems like you've thought about my offer. How did you find me?" He monotones as he motioned towards Estelle's cuffs with his gloved hand. Estelle smirked as they were immediately set free. Crossing her legs, Estelle knew she would have to play this well. The vibe he gave off when he initially visited her was thick with desire, though Estelle knew it wasn't for her but for what she could give him.

"I have my own ways of finding people. I had to resort to other means when you never left me an address. Forgive me for being so forward, but your offer intrigued me."

"Ah, you used the heroes."

"Bingo."

Overhaul moved forward to tower over Estelle ever so slightly as he asked his next question. Estelle could see the eagerness within his eyes as he scanned over her entire frame.

"Does this mean that you accept my offer? You'll be by my side?"

"I wouldn't have bothered to find you if I didn't", Estelle retorted with a smirk. Overhaul made no acknowledgement as he stared down at her. Estelle titled her head in innocent curiosity as she placed the side of her bottom lip between her teeth. The older male's eyes darkened from the sight, and Estelle knew she was playing this too well.

'Chefs kiss', Estelle thought to herself in humour to distract herself from the grossness of the entire situation.

"Leave us be!" Overhaul demanded as his eyes sharpened to those standing behind the female. Only moments later, Estelle heard the door click shut behind her. Estelle focused on the male before her since his eyes were unwavering from her own.

Overhaul slowly lifted his mask over his head and placed it beside her on the desk table. His stare hoped to catch her reaction to his features. Estelle held in her surprise, she could have guessed that he was handsome, but he was more attractive with the mask off. Though a pretty face was nothing against a black heart, Estelle could still appreciate it, especially since most villains were cast out for their abnormalities. Overhaul looked like a typical Japanese male; Estelle wasn't fooled by it. She could feel the corruption hidden just beneath the surface.

Overhaul seemed to have liked what he saw since he leaned down to place his face close to her own. His eyes were dark as he towered over her frame, his arms trapping her in the seat. "So, you may have accepted to join me. But will you be the queen at my side? Will you help me to erase the uncleanliness that dirties our world?"

Estelle let out another smirk to hide the uncomfortable jolt to her stomach. Leaning forward to close the gap further, Estelle retorted, "Of course, my king."

The villain's eyes turned frenzied at the term, and he moved to close off the last of the space between them. Estelle did everything she could to hold in her displeasure. Orders were orders; Estelle would follow them to the very end. She could not back down.

'Am I really going to have my first kiss with this madman? Sigh.'

Overhaul's lips brushed against hers ever so slightly when the door slammed open. Estelle held in her thankful relief when they were cut off just in time. Her claws were out, and she wasn't sure if she could have held them back. Due to the interruption, Overhaul moved to nuzzle his nose into her neck in his diversion.

"Report," He demanded as he stubbornly stayed in place by her throat. Estelle faked her enjoyment by moving her neck back to grant him further access to continue his ministrations. Though she hated every second of it, she was disturbed by the heat crawling up her neck from the contact.

"The heroes are here", One of the goons responded. Overhaul sighed from the words, his breath blowing onto her neck, which caused her to shiver slightly. The male smirked from the movement, believing it was from pleasure rather than discomfort. His cold hand was placed on her face, cupping her cheek as he answered the new arrival.

"Give me a second; I'll be right out."

His hand trailed down to her neck as the door shut quietly behind her. Estelle tensed when it continued to move. He dragged it further down, so his knuckles brushed against her breast. Estelle forced herself to stay in place. His eyes bore down at her while his hand continued to inch further down, Estelle was confused about his destination, but understanding zipped through her as his hand reached her clothed sex and cupped it tightly. Estelle jolted from surprise as he held her private possessively.

"It looks like I'll have to ravish you later, my queen." He monotoned as his grip tightened on the leather as if to emphasise his words.

He finally let go of Estelle and stood up straight to place his mask back on. Not even offering his gloved hand to help the female up from her chair, Estelle followed behind Overhaul as they left the room. She would process (Ignore) that later; the mission came first.

Estelle followed Overhaul and his goon down the hallways. They still hadn't informed her of the plan or their destination, but Estelle didn't want to raise suspicion by asking too many questions since she had just arrived.

When the door opened. Estelle gazed down at a young girl curled up on a bed cuddling with a toy doll. The sound of the door had startled her as she jumped off the furniture when the trio arrived. It was Eri.

The child broadened her eyes at the towering adults standing at the entrance, and she took a few steps back with a whimper. Estelle's heart dropped from the sound.

"Come on, Eri, we need to go," Overhaul deadpanned, the beak covering his expression.

The girl only whined back in response as a single tear fell from her eye. She was terrified of the man. Only when Overhaul spoke up again, Estelle understood the full scope of Overhaul's clutches. "Come here, now. You don't want to make me angry, do you?"

Estelle bit back her hiss from the words. It sounded oh so familiar. All Estelle wanted to do was bash his head against the wall like a madwoman.

"You would never disappoint me? Would you multum magna occisio machina?"

The reaction of the little girl mirrored her own as a child. As she ran towards them, the shiver of fear made Estelle want to grab her and run. Estelle knew she couldn't do that, though. The maze they were in would be impossible to get out of, and that wasn't Estelle's mission. The mission comes first.

The goon following Overhaul moved to pick Eri up, moving back into the corridors. Estelle couldn't hold her automatic response of pushing the man away. She received what she guessed was a questioning look from Overhaul.

"She needs a woman's touch. I refuse to deal with crying while I'm with you." Estelle retorted candidly as she picked up the child. Overhaul only shrugged at her words and continued walking, uncaring that Eri was now in Estelle's care. It had startled the teen; she hadn't expected him to trust her that quickly, especially with his most prized tool.

Estelle wanted to barf at the word.

Estelle held Eri in her arms as they travelled down numerous corridors, walking behind the two males. She had no care for Overhaul's monologue about the plans taking place; Estelle hoped that this whole ordeal would be over today. It was only when Eri's fingers touched her face that she turned her gaze down to the young female.

"You don't look like one of them", She muttered quietly. Estelle only smiled slightly and gave a quick wink. The little girl's eyes brightened quickly but dulled soon after. Estelle gazed down at her understandingly. She could see the conflict in her eyes as she had experienced the same thing herself.

When an authority has its claws so deeply into your soul, it's hard to see clearly. It's difficult to rip away from the chokehold they have you in; their hands are so tightly wrapped around your very thoughts that you cannot differentiate your own wants and needs from theirs. Their word is law, and all you can do is listen. Estelle knew it all too well as she shared her gaze with the little one in her arms.

The rock in her throat was hard to swallow, and her grip tightened around the child. A meagre attempt at consoling the two of them. Estelle could only hope that this would turn out okay; she couldn't leave her after this. Eri reflected so much of herself; she would be as bad as them if she failed or walked away.

Estelle ignored the duo from the League of Villains as they stood by each side of the corridor and kept walking. She did catch the villain Twice's words. "Why do you have a UA student with you? Why hello there, pretty lady!" He asked in two different voices. Estelle realised where the name originated from.

Her thoughts were distracted by the rumbling of fighting that could be heard in the distance; Estelle perked her ear to listen out for it. It was too far away. It seemed like the heroes were nowhere near them as of yet. "The room is shaking; it seems like Irinaka had gotten so serious. He's normally so careful." The goon commented.

"As long as he holds the heroes back, then I don't care." Overhaul retorted candidly. Estelle appreciated his direct response; nowadays, too many people like to dance around the topic. Though, Estelle still couldn't deny the rising hostility beginning in her heart.

Eri was still pretty fearful of the trio but had calmed down from the gaze she shared with Estelle and the teen's soothing back rubs. They continued travelling down the hallways in peaceful silence, the rocking of the walls dimming with the distance they continued to expand on.

A thud caught the teen out of her musings, and she turned, the males following behind her. Their eyes fell onto the sight of Mirio, who was sweating, out of breath and completely exhausted. He had managed to close the distance at an impressive rate. As his eyes flicked over the group, his eyes broadened when they landed on Estelle holding Eri in her arms. Estelle felt the rock in her throat grow even more prominent from the look. She internally scolded herself; she was on a mission, she needed to remind herself of that. Emotions were secondary. The walls around her heart held her down; orders were orders. She followed them to the very end.

"Estelle. What are you doing here?" He asked.

"What does it look like? I am with the Yakuza." Estelle answered bluntly as Eri shrunk in her hands.

Mirio froze at the confirmation before his features turned betrayed. Estelle felt nothing from the gaze; her emotions locked entirely away for the time being.

"I can't believe you; I thought we were friends. You were supposed to be a hero, and here you are. I can't even look at you." He continued before swivelling to the two men behind her. Estelle was slightly relieved that he was done talking, but his words increased their perception that Estelle had truly betrayed them. The mission has been successful so far.

"We need to have a talk about Eri. Give me the girl; I'm here to rescue her."

"You were happy being ignorant when we first met. Unfortunately for you, this girl didn't want to come with you. You're no hero to her," Overhaul countered.

"That's why I'm here," Mirio retorted with a determined face.

"I'm not getting through to you. Let me be clearer; you're going to die down here," Overhaul declared as he turned back around. Estelle watched as Mirio lost his balance and struggled to stand up. His body wobbled back and forth as he tried but failed. Estelle knew she had to keep walking and forced her feet to follow the villain.

She could hear gunshots behind her as another pair of goons battled Mirio. Estelle only covered Eri's eyes from seeing the sight. The child in her arms gazed up in confusion; the moment they shared and the words she had just uttered did not align. Estelle was well aware of the contradiction, but she had a part to play.

"Are you not one of them?" She muttered, her fingers back on the Cambion's face. Estelle glanced at the villains in front of her to ensure they could not see before giving another wink.

"I'm a hero in disguise", She chuckled into her ear in hopes it would ease the worried child. Eri's eyes glinted at the older girl's response, her grip tightening on her shoulders from the safe feeling emanating from her.

"Chisaki!" Mirio yelled as he landed a hit on Overhaul and Estelle. Estelle allowed the attack to land and stumbled to permit the blonde to grab Eri. He was successful when he descended in front of the trio.

"Please stop! He'll kill you!" Eri yelled out, her voice trembling from the onslaught of emotions she was experiencing. Mirio ignored her argument, fully intent on rectifying his past mistake as he placed his body protectively in front of hers.

"I'll be your hero!"

Overhaul's whole demeanour was disappointed; Estelle could see it a mile away. Her eyes narrowed as he removed his glove from his hand. "I always have to get my hands dirty because of your selfishness! Every action you take results in more people dying. You're a cursed human."

Estelle felt ice wash over her as she halted. Those words, so fucking evil. The sound of a madman attempting to use cruel words to control her, by fear and humiliation.

"It's because of you that these spirits and ghouls suffer. Your hesitation in battle is what makes you weak! You are an ungrateful brat. I do everything for you, and this is how you repay me. How do you live knowing that your own incompetence was the single reason why we haven't achieved greatness yet!? Go back to the training grounds, now!"

Estelle used all of her willpower to pull herself out of her mind. She could not do this now; a little girl needed her. A child that Estelle could relate to more than anybody else she had met in her life. Estelle could not fail her like she had failed others. Estelle refused to.

"How can you say that about your own daughter?!" Mirio screamed out in disgust.

"Oh yeah, that was the story I told you. Eri isn't my daughter." Overhaul confirmed before he activated his quirk.

Oh yeah, Estelle related to Eri more than she ever realised.

Estelle moved forward to join the fight to keep her cover intact. It was a surprise when Overhaul was the one to stop her. "I've seen your grace in a fight. Now, it's time for me to show you mine. To prove that we were meant to be. So, stand down, my queen. Let me show you how powerful I am!" Overhaul finished louder as he activated his quirk once again. Estelle slackened slightly in relief; she didn't want to interfere and fight Mirio. She knew she could beat him, but that was why she was relieved. She needed Mirio to get this over with.

The conflict carried on between Overhaul, the goon and Mirio. Estelle was caught off guard when Mirio tried to land an attack behind her which she quickly dodged. Thankfully, since the villains focused on offence, Mirio concentrated on them more.

'Fight them, you idiot, not me.'

"Do you know why heroes wear capes! So, we can use it to help those suffering!" Mirio bellowed out as he landed another strike. Estelle clenched her fist at that. Mirio was too good for this world, but she was glad they had someone like him in it. The kindness he had was unrelenting, like the sun. She wished her heart could be as pure as his.

'Could it be? Or is my soul too lost?'

Estelle saw as the bullet whizzed past her. Her eyes widened, and she began to move before she could think. Estelle was too late, though; the bullet had hit Mirio.

'Dammit!' Estelle roared out in her head. If she had taken the bullet, she would have been unaffected. He would still have his quirk right now. As much as she wished to, she couldn't turn back time. Looking around her, Estelle inwardly breathed in release when nobody noticed she moved to help. She was safe for now.

"Your quirks allow you to dream something bigger. It's an illness to the mind. My cure offers the world something bigger..." Overhaul rambled on, his eyes beginning to turn manic. Estelle could finally see the corruption finally brought to the surface. His true horrid colours.

Estelle watched Mirio fight with his entire being. Utter determination allowed him to stand tall and keep going even without his quirk. She slumped against the wall from the scene. It was stunning at that moment; he was a true hero. Something that Estelle was named after but never felt as if it was deserved. But Mirio earned all that and more for what he was doing.

Eri's eyes were wide and teary as the teenager risked everything to protect her. Estelle smiled slowly at that. Mirio was like a light. Estelle only wished she had experienced that herself. Someone so willing to stand against injustice and help another in need.

There were times Estelle felt like that to someone, but they were always short-lived. There was always something dragging her back to the mud and dirt where she could drown and get lost in. She wondered if she could be like that, an unwavering beacon to all. Her heart twisted regrettably.

Maybe she could be.

Happy New Year!