Currently, I—the peerless beauty and devilishly cute heroine, Futora Midoriya—am being held captive by Kacchan.
I don't know why. I have no idea why, but I am definitely a prisoner. He's got me by the scruff of my neck like a stray cat.
While Todoroki and Iida used my special-issue "Niko-chan Rope" (courtesy of Mei) to tie up the human ragdoll, my "Scruffing Sentence" continued to be carried out. There was nothing I could do. I simply existed in silence, like a cat brought to a strange house.
...Honestly, though, when was the last time I was scruffed like this? Probably back in middle school after I took down the "Four Heavenly Kings" of Nishi-Orijii? I got a massive earful back then, too.
Just as I was starting to actually enjoy the sensation of being carried around, I realized Todoroki was staring at me with an incredible look on his face. Well, his expression didn't actually change much, but his aura was... intense.
"...W-What?"
"? It's nothing."
It didn't feel like nothing.
Kacchan must have noticed the vibe too, because he shot Todoroki a fierce glare.
"She's mine. Hands off, Half-and-half."
"? Yeah, I know."
What do you mean, "I know"?! Hello? When did I become Kacchan's property? I'd like some details on that, please.
To make matters worse, "No-lens" Iida was giving me this strangely lukewarm look. What's with that look?! Explain yourself! Hey!! ...And Native, you too! I see you! What's with that look?! You dead weight!!
We left the Hero Killer in the hands of Native, who was finally able to move again, and I was dragged along by Kacchan toward the main street with Todoroki and Iida in tow. There, we ran into a pro hero who seemed to be heading our way. It was a tiny old man.
He had a certain mascot-like cuteness to him, so I gave him a wave.
"Explosion Brat!!! I told you not to go flying off on your own!!!"
"Shut up, you old fossil!!"
The old man's kick connected squarely with Kacchan's face. He must have held back, because Kacchan didn't look like he was in much pain. Well, it got him to let go of my neck, so I've got no complaints.
"That explosion earlier... I told you not to use that thing unless you had to! Your control is sloppy! What would you have done if you'd killed someone?!"
"Shut it! As if I'd make a mistake like that!!"
"Don't you talk back to me, you unhatched chick!!"
The old man, who was busy tearing into Kacchan, suddenly turned his gaze toward me.
"...Hm? Oh, you're Midoriya, aren't you?"
Apparently, he knew who I was. I guess my debut on TV was just that impressive.
"Do you want an autograph?"
"I don't. ...Hmph. You're prettier than you look on TV. You've got guts, too. Not bad. I guess it makes sense why the brat is so worked up over you."
"I AM NOT!!"
I didn't quite follow the flow of the conversation, but I figured I should thank him for the compliment anyway. When I did, he let out a puff of admiration. "Ho, so you have manners too, do you?"
How rude. What does he think I am? Manners like this are a piece of cake for me! Easy-peasy!
While we were talking, a group of backup heroes started to gather. I didn't recognize a single one of them. I was impressed there were so many, but secretly, I was thinking, Who even are you people?
Apparently, they'd been dispatched at the request of the Baldy. Even though he was busy with those brain-monsters, he'd managed to send this many people. That guy really is good at his job.
"Both of you... you were injured because of me. I am truly sorry... I couldn't... see... anything but..."
As the tension finally began to bleed out of the air, Iida slumped his shoulders. His frame was trembling; he might have been crying. Poor guy. The heroes around him were being considerate and giving him space.
Being the kind soul I am, I quietly pulled out my phone, angled it perfectly to catch Iida's face, and softly pressed the shutter.
Click! The flash went off.
"M-Midoriya?!"
I showed the panicked Iida the photo. It was a masterpiece of a pathetic-looking face.
"I have to send Ochaco an 'I'm safe' email."
"I don't think seeing that face will make her feel safe at all! Also, stop it! Even I have some pride!"
"It's okay. Ochaco will accept you for who you are."
"That makes it even worse?!"
Todoroki patted the shoulder of the now-energized Iida.
"Pull yourself together. You're the Class Rep, aren't you?"
"I feel like that's not something you say at a time like this! How long have you been holding onto that line?!"
"Since school. The day before the internships..."
"That was ages ago! It doesn't apply anymore!"
"Shut up, Four-eyes!!"
"B-Bakugo?! S-Sorry! And thank you for saving me!"
"I TOLD YOU TO SHUT UP!!"
Iida's tears had completely dried up. He was back to moving his limbs in those weird, jerky angles. What is up with that guy? He's so strange I couldn't help but laugh internally.
Suddenly, the old man let out a roar.
"Get down!!"
Everyone's eyes snapped toward the sky. I was a fraction late, but when I looked up, a winged brain-monster was right there.
"A villain!! That one was supposed to be with Endeavor...!"
The moment the pro's voice reached my ears, my body was lifted off the ground. I was grabbed in a crushing grip.
For some reason, I was the target.
"Midoriya!!"
At the sound of Iida's scream, my grey matter finally kicked into gear. Roar, Niko-chan Brain!!
Just as I was about to act, the winged monster suddenly lost its balance. I'd been predicting its flight path and waiting for the perfect moment to counter-attack, but it just... fell.
Who did that?!
"...Whoa?!"
I turned around to see—of all people—the human ragdoll.
Then it clicked. This was Stain's Quirk. In an instant, Stain drove a knife into the monster's head, snuffing out its life. There wasn't a hint of hesitation.
I felt a fresh wave of relief that this guy hadn't been serious about killing me earlier. If he'd gone all out, I wouldn't have gotten away with just a few scratches, even if I'd won.
Stain landed on the ground with the monster, set me down, and began to mutter.
"This society... where fakes run rampant."
"And criminals who swing their power around for no reason."
"They are all targets for purgatory..."
"Everything... for the sake... of a righteous society."
Kacchan and the others were frozen, unable to react to the sudden turn. The heroes were murmuring, unsure of what to do.
"Why are you all just standing there in a heap?!"
The person who shattered the paralyzed atmosphere was the Baldy, wreathed in flickering flames. I guess he'd finished off the brain-monsters on his end. Seriously, the guy is a machine when it comes to work!
"What is this situation?! One was supposed to have escaped this way, what happened to—...Ah?!"
"Endeavor! What about the others?!"
"I had to get a little rough with them!"
The Baldy's gaze locked onto me.
"Wait... that man... is that the Hero Killer?! ...Hm? And the girl is with him?! Is she a hostage?! Hah! A foolish move!! Girl! Protect yourself!!"
From a distance, I saw the Baldy's arm begin to glow red. Even from here, I could feel the heat. That bastard! He's going to burn me right along with him!
His words were brief, but I knew what he wanted. He wanted me to do that thing from the Sports Festival. He's asking for the impossible. I won't say I can't do it, but my control is still hit-or-miss.
Still, being treated like a hostage is too annoying to bear... so, fine. I guess I've got no choice. He'll probably adjust his firepower anyway. It'll be fine.
I braced myself for the incoming flames, but Gran Torino's shout of "Wait, Todoroki!" sent a jolt of tension through the crowd. It looked like the old man's words were the cause, but it was actually something else. Everyone was being crushed by the sheer atmosphere—the burning obsession in the Hero Killer's eyes, the bone-chilling aura radiating from him.
"Endeavor... you fake...!!"
Stain began to walk, dragging his feet. It wasn't the kind of walk that should have felt threatening, yet everyone held their breath.
"It must be set right... someone... must be stained in blood...!"
His ragged breathing told us he was on his last legs. And yet, what overflowed from him was a violent intensity, like a lion facing its prey.
"True heroes... must be restored!!"
Even the Baldy took a step back under the pressure.
"Come."
"Try me, you fakes."
"The only one allowed to kill me is All Might!!"
...
...Hm?
...HMMMM?
"Actually, Muscle Man is strictly the 'no-killing' type."
"—Bwah?!"
I couldn't help but deliver a slap to correct his logic, and it was surprisingly effective. He looked like he was about to die instantly. Stain's unfocused eyes drifted toward me, as if asking me a question.
I didn't feel any obligation to answer him. Instead, I put all my effort into a jump and clamped my legs around the Hero Killer's head.
"Niko-chan's 108 Secret Techniques: The No-Release Frankensteiner!!"
I figured slamming him into the ground would kill him, so I did a backflip and threw him instead. Stain's body bounced across the concrete several times. By the time his momentum died out, he was completely unconscious.
I checked to see if he was still breathing; it was faint, but it was there.
Relieved, I gave everyone a big thumbs-up.
In return, everyone got absolutely, positively livid with me. Seriously, they were furious.
Why?! Couldn't at least one person give me a "Good job"?! I worked so hard! I worked really, really hard!!
Dammit! I hate all of you!!
***
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