The tension in Shinso's room was thick as everyone held their breath, assessing Deku's uncharacteristic intensity. Kuri could feel the grip of his hand tighten, fingers cold despite the warmth he usually exuded. This wasn't the Deku she knew; this was something twisted, darkened by the cursed ring.
Reiko took a step forward, standing by Shinso's side. Her usually lighthearted expression had hardened, and Shinso could see the determination in her eyes. "Deku, you know this isn't you," she said firmly, each word laced with conviction. "That ring—it's controlling you. Let us help you."
Deku's eyes flickered, and for the briefest moment, the familiar warmth returned, as if a spark of his real self was trying to resurface. But just as quickly, the darkness took hold again, his gaze sharpening. He tilted his head, giving a low chuckle that sounded far too foreign.
"Help me? Why would I need help? For the first time, I know what I want," he replied, his voice cold and clipped. His eyes landed on Kuri with a possessiveness that sent a chill down her spine. "And I'm not letting anyone take it from me."
Shinso took a cautious step forward, his voice steady. "Deku, listen to yourself. This isn't you talking—it's the ring. It's messing with your head, the same way it did with me." He clenched his fists, pushing down the memories of what he'd nearly forced Reiko to do. He wouldn't let the ring control someone else he cared about.
Deku smirked. "You're just jealous, Shinso. Jealous that I have everything you want, while you sit back and watch."
Shinso's jaw clenched, the insult digging deeper than he expected. He wanted to shout back, to challenge the cursed version of his friend, but he knew he couldn't let it get to him. They needed to stay calm, stay rational if they were going to help him.
Kuri stepped between them, her hand reaching out gently to Deku's arm. "Deku, if you care about me—if you trust me—please, let us help you. Just take the ring off, and we'll figure this out together."
He looked down at her, and once more, there was a flash of recognition. "Kuri…" he murmured, almost as if he was coming to his senses. But then, the ring's stone glowed a faint, sinister red, and his eyes darkened again. With a sudden burst of strength, he grabbed her wrist tightly, making her wince.
"I don't need help," he insisted, his voice hard. "And I'm tired of everyone trying to stand in my way."
Reiko's hand tightened on Shinso's arm, her mind racing. If they were going to stop Deku, they needed a plan—and fast. She glanced at Shinso, a glimmer of an idea forming. "Toshi," she whispered, "what if you used your quirk on him? Maybe it could override the ring's influence, even just for a second."
Shinso's eyes widened at the suggestion, but he quickly nodded. It was risky—he knew the ring might retaliate, might make things worse. But they had no other choice.
He stepped forward, voice firm. "Deku. Look at me." Deku's eyes flicked toward him, the faintest glimmer of curiosity flickering through the cold haze. Shinso held his gaze, focusing all his energy, his quirk flaring to life. "Listen to me, Midoriya.
"What—"
"You need to let go of Kuri."
The effect was almost immediate. Deku's grip slackened, his expression shifting to one of confusion, as if he were awakening from a nightmare. He blinked, looking down at Kuri's wrist, his brow furrowing.
"Kuri… what… what am I doing?" His voice was soft, vulnerable. Kuri took advantage of the moment, pulling back and freeing herself from his grip.
"It's okay, Deku," she said gently, though her heart ached for him. "We're going to get that ring off you."
But just as he seemed to be regaining his senses, the ring flared to life once more, and his expression twisted, anger flashing in his eyes. "No… I don't need anyone's help!" He raised his hand, a tendril of black energy radiating from the ring and wrapping around his arm.
Reiko and Shinso both took a step back, but Kuri held her ground, her eyes narrowing. She couldn't let the ring win—not now.
Without hesitation, she lunged forward, her hand clasping Deku's, her fingers brushing against the cursed ring. The darkness pulsed, almost as if it recognized the threat she posed. She focused her own energy, channeling everything she could into breaking the curse. She felt her empathy quirk flare up, reaching into Deku's mind, feeling his inner conflict, his struggle to free himself from the ring's control.
For a moment, she glimpsed his true self, the boy who had always fought for justice, for his friends, for a world where everyone could be safe. The real Deku was still there, buried deep beneath the darkness, fighting to get out.
"Deku, fight it!" Kuri urged, her voice breaking with emotion. "This isn't you. Don't let it win."
Deku's hand trembled, and the ring's glow began to flicker. Slowly, his expression softened, the dark energy around him dissipating. He stared at Kuri, his eyes filled with remorse. "Kuri… I'm so sorry…"
But before they could breathe a sigh of relief, the ring emitted a violent pulse, knocking them all back. Deku's eyes widened as the ring slipped off his finger, falling to the floor with a sinister clink.
The four of them stared at it, hearts pounding, as the ring lay motionless—silent, but not defeated. Shinso glanced at the others, dread creeping over him. "We need to destroy it. Now."
Kuri nodded, determination steeling her gaze. "We can't let it hurt anyone else."
As they stood together, preparing to face the curse head-on, each of them knew they would need all their strength—and trust in each other—to end the ring's influence once and for all.
