Daemon of Wrath: Oh, those bastards will definitely face consequences. If this is AO3, there will be 'HPSC Face Consequences' tag written in bold text. Bad news is that it'll take a while
Kiyashi Ward Shopping Mall
Tokyo, Japan
"I have visit this place so many times and it never fail to amaze me!"
Lulu looks around the building in awe as her lizard tail wags in excitement. Mirko tries to hold her snickers watching her co-worker's somewhat adorable reaction towards the mall.
Mirko is in her casual clothes: a white long-sleeved shirt, a pair of jeans, and a belt with the crescent moon symbol in the center. For some weird reason, people seem to ignore her as none of the people recognize her.
Her colleague jokingly calls her the current era of Clark Kent, much to her annoyance. And she wonders if everyone is just dumb. But, then again, she would rather not have fans swarming her like crazy during her day off, so to her, it's a blessing in disguise.
"I'm gonna be honest, I do not think you as someone who joins the ladies' night out." Mirko turns around to see Kaina approaches her. Kaina wears a plain white shirt with a jean jacket and a pair of black trousers. She also wears a baseball cap and a pair of glasses, ties her hair into a ponytail, and dyes her hair indigo.
"The feeling's mutual," Mirko says with a large grin. "Who knew you would love it as well?"
"I always do, ever since I was in high school. I'm still a woman, after all," Kaina mutters. adjusting her cap while hiding her pink cheeks. "HPSC always keeps me busy with their assassination missions. The female agents always keep a distance from me while the female heroes are all too busy with beauty pageants and contests."
"Geez, that's rough, girl," Mirko says with a wince as Kaina laughs humorlessly.
"I'm going, to be honest; I thought you all gonna let me cooped up in the HQ." Kaina chuckles. "Given what I've done since that day."
"Kaina, Kugo lets you join our side, not keeping you as a prisoner. Well, he will if you decide to be a threat to his cause, but since you didn't, he treats you like one of us." Lulu says gently. "He didn't just give anyone redemption like humans giving candies to kids during that one event where everyone dresses up as their favorite character."
"You mean the Halloween?" Mirko says with a raised eyebrow.
"Oh, yes! I've been trying to figure out what's the name for months!" Lulu exclaims before shaking her head. "The point is, Kugo gives you a chance of redemption because he knows you deserve it."
"Are you sure? Because in these few months, I had to deal with something worse than prison." Kaina says before shudders. "God, the paperwork."
"Haha!" Mirko chuckles before getting slapped by Lulu's tail. "Hey!"
"Don't be rude, Rumi! Besides, there's a reason why you got such a low position in the company." Lulu says.
"And may I ask what is it?" Kaina asks skeptically.
"You have a documentary worth of criminal record." Mirko bluntly says before dodging a slap from Lulu. "Kugo did everything to keep you hidden from the public and the HPSC. Letting you do so much paperwork will keep you in HQ for a while and prevent anyone from finding you. And let's be real, no one expects a 'villain' patient enough to take care of any paperwork."
"...why do I smell bullshit from you?" Kaina says as she narrows her eyes at Mirko.
"Bah, that's just your imagination." Mirko waves it off.
"I'm pretty sure it isn't," Kaina growls as her expression shows her annoyance.
"Now, now. Let's not fight, ladies." Lulu says as she stops them from starting an argument. "How about we simply enjoy our day in this mall? Especially Kaina since she doesn't have much."
"Oh, no, no, no. I am fine." Kaina immediately waves her off, nervous sweat falling from her forehead. "Thank you, but I don't need help."
"Bah, don't act tough." Lulu coughs VERY loudly, earning a glare from Mirko. "I bet my salary that you have no idea where to go!"
"Oh, I know where I am going," Kaina growls before pressing her wallet against Mirko's chest. "In fact, right now, I'm going to the clothes store without any of your help at all!" With that, Kaina storms off while huffing. Lulu stares at Mirko disapprovingly.
"That was not necessary, Rumi." Lulu says in an 'I'm disappointed' tone.
"True, but I can't help having fun once in a while," Mirko says with a shit-eating grin. "I'm so enjoying it when she's come back and-!"
"U-um..." Both ladies blink and turn around to see Kaina standing next to Mirko, looking away while lowering her cap to hide her blushing face. "W-where's the clothes store..."
Lulu and Mirko stare at her in surprise before Mirko completely loses it while Lulu looks away and covers her jaws, holding her laughter. Kaina grew redder at every second before lowering her head in shame. All she could think of right now was to dig a hole and hidee there with her remaining dignity still intact.
The bystander saw their interaction and believed that the cap-wearing woman had just embarrassed herself, and her friends laughed at her embarrassment.
Later
Kaina is still a blushing mess, completely embarrassed at what just happened. She acts so confidently, thinking she can do it herself. But, due to years of not having a girl's night out, she ends up having to deal with the most embarrassing moment in her life.
Thankfully, Mirko wasn't cruel enough to not help her and Lulu is a sweetheart. So, she was very lucky in her current situation.
Right now, she and the ladies are in the food court, sitting at the available table with tons of shopping bags surrounding them. Everyone was baffled at the quantity of the bag, wondering what stuff are they buying.
"So, Lulu." Kaina decided to start a conversation before Mirko decided to troll her by teasing her over and over again. "I can't help but wonder, you didn't know about Halloween. Why is that?"
"Oh, that's easy," Lulu says with a smile. "I'm one of the residents coming from the other side of the Gate." Kaina, who was sipping her milkshake, choked and spat out the content toward Mirko out of shock. Mirko sputters in surprise before grabbing a tissue to wipe it off.
"You what!?" Kaina asks in surprise.
"Oh, right, it's not something I've ever told anyone," Lulu says while sticking her tongue playfully.
"How? I thought the residents from those things are hostiles?" Kaina mutters in shock.
"Oh, not everyone is," Mirko says as she glares at Kaina. "It's very rare to find one who isn't hostile, but there's a chance to find them. Usually, those residents have very high mental resistance. And if we speak in Midoriya's gaming term, their intelligence stats are off the chart."
"So, basically, those who are very skilled in magic," Kaina says as she looks at Lulu. "I can't help but wonder, how did you end up here?"
"Well..." Lulu nervously scratches her cheek. "It's a long story. So, it might take a while."
"Well, our food won't come anytime soon," Mirko says as she points at the food stall where all the yelling comes from. It reminds her of a famous pre-quirk-era chef known for their creative insults.
"Ah, I guess you're right." Lulu sighs. "Before I explain how I got here, let me tell you my story about my old home. I was born in a village of a Lizardmen Tribe where each type of Lizardmen was separated based on their talents, Strength, Taunt, Skills, and Magic. I was part of the Magic group, and I specialize in healing magic."
"Yeah, I can see that you've been the company's backbone," Kaina says as Lulu chuckles nervously.
"Our tribe is known to be the worst tribe due to the heavy discrimination and lack of unity. The Strength and Taunt group was always on each other's head, and they made sure to always put down the rest of the group with their overwhelming strength." Lulu sighs. "Our tribe was in complete shambles, and it didn't help that when the Gate appeared, the voice started to influence their head."
"Voice?" Kaina mutters in surprise.
"It...was quite scary..." Lulu says shakily. "I heard whispers to tell me to fulfill my duty...when I heard that, I saw every Lizardman start to become feral; their eyes glow red, and they snarl like a wild monster..."
"I never know those...did you?" Kaina asks Mirko who simply nods.
"We knew the moment she joined us," Mirko says.
"After that happened, I decided to look for the rest of the unaffected Lizardmen, but for some reason...I was the only one who wasn't affected." Lulu says. "I ran away...but they started to chase after me until I bumped into Goji." Lulu's scale turns bright red as her tail wags. Kaina blinks at her sudden change of expression before it clicks.
"Ooooh..." Kaina says slowly as Lulu turns redder.
"D-don't tease me, Kaina!" Lulu says. "How can I not like him!? He's the most charming-looking person I have ever met, more than any Lizardmen I have ever encountered! Not to mention, unlike the Lizardmen, he's much nobler than them!"
"It's kinda funny when Goji-nii come back from the Dungeon while carrying you like you're his bride." Mirko teases as Lulu covers her face.
"Please stop..." Lulu mutters while biting her lips.
"So, he enters the dungeon, encounters you, beat the Lizardmen, and safe you?" Kaina summarizes as Lulu nods. "Aren't you mad? I mean, he did wipe out your tripe."
"I would if..." Lulu lowers her head. "If I wasn't forced to be married to the leader of the Strength and Taunt group."
"...fuck..." Kaina mutters in horror. She doesn't expect that at all.
"Besides, I never like my tribe. Because I wasn't good at anything other than Healing magic, they never saw me as valuable since Lizardmen are known for their regenerative ability. They can grow their limbs in just one night. So, they see me as worthless." Lulu sighs.
"This sounds so familiar..." Mirko mutters.
"I never had any resentment until they decided to treat me like I'm a mating object," Lulu mutters. "To them, I'm the only Lizardwoman worth mating. So, I'm glad Goji saved me. I just wish he would stop overdoing anything."
"Haha..." Mirko chuckles. "He's always like that, Lulu. He always did it because he was never sure if his strength was enough to keep people safe or it wasn't enough to push others to do their best, so he set an example."
"An example people continue to misunderstand." Lulu deadpans.
"True." Mirko laughs.
"So, that's my story, Kaina," Lulu says.
"I...am quite speechless," Kaina says. "I guess with how quirks have been part of society, I mistook you as a human with a lizard quirk."
"Nah, I don't mind. I prefer if people do so." Lulu says with a laugh. "It'll prevent anyone asking more questions."
"True..." Kaina nods. "So, how old are you? Does Lizardmen age differently from humans?"
"Oh, they do. Since we're descendants of the Earth Dragon that resides in our world, we have quite a long life ahead. We also mature differently as 40 years old is our maturity age. As for your question, I am 60 years old." Lulu says, causing Kaina and Mirko to choke. They look up and down towards her with disbelief expression.
"...what's your secret!?" Both say in unison.
"I...beg you pardon?" Lulu says while making a confused face. (A/N: Like this w; - (???) )
"How do you look so young!!?! I thought you were roughly 20 years old!" Kaina exclaims in disbelief.
"I...did mention it earlier, didn't I?" Lulu says as both women groan in unison.
"Not fair...I can feel wrinkles appear on my forehead when I was 30 years old..." Kaina mutters while holding her non-existent wrinkles.
"I already have one since I was 25!" Mirko says as she points at her non-existent wrinkles.
"But...there's no wrinkle?" Lulu says unsurely.
"Don't lie!!" Both women exclaim in unison as Lulu looks so confused.
Intermission 2 Ends
