Cold Instinct || Vigilante Deku

ⁿᵒ.16

- The Analyst -

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Something isn't right...

"Sorry if I kept you waiting," the man had his usual purple suit, lacking the tie as expected, but his face was a different story. His bottom lip was busted open and he had a black eye, Izuku chose not to mention anything as he shook his head and watched the man light a cigarette.

"Not much of a talker tonight huh?" The man laughed and tried to catch a glimpse of Izuku's notes, "No peeking, Giran-san." He warned and the broker took a step back as he chuckled out smoke. "Whatever you say. I don't have much time, you got what I asked for?"

Nodding, Izuku leaned against the wall and pulled out some papers, handwritten per usual, and handed them to the man, "Excellent work as always," Giran smirked as he scanned through the information, then pulled out the cash.

"Before that," Izuku put his hand up, making the man pause, "I know I said this would cost you extra but I think we can come to an arrangement; I believe it would be beneficial for us both."

"Just spill it, kid. Whatever it's you want, I'm sure I can be of service."

"I need the name of the person responsible for the fires, and," He could instantly see the shift in the broker's attire, "I know for a fact that woman is taking orders from someone, and you're the one who knows everything that's going in this city."

"Listen," Giran's voice fell quieter as the man leaned down as Izuku ignored his cigarette smoke wavering around, "You don't want to know that, alright? Leave it alone, for your own sake."

"Maybe I wasn't clear, Giran-san; I don't want the name, I need it." Izuku pressed, pushing his back away from the wall and grabbing the man by his collar.

"Wow, wow! No need to get violent!" Giran laughed, putting his hands up as if to say he surrendered, he'd taken enough beating today. He watched as the papers scattered on the ground shook with the breeze and the fire from his cigarette wasted away not far behind.

"Name. Now."

It was a demand, an order. He'd been working with the vigilante for the past four months and had never heard him so angry. He could tell though, this wasn't just anger. A person as capable as Kurai was desperate, this was pure desperation. Maybe it was pain and frustration, he couldn't tell for sure but...

"Look, if I were to tell ya, I'd lose my top analyst. And I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be beneficial to either of us-" He was cut off by a knife right under his chin, threatening to tear his veins just like that. He wouldn't cross that line, he'd sworn it but things were starting to change.

"I said name." Izuku's tone was bitter, not just cold and uncaring; not as it was. The man gulped, his apple bobbing harshly as he felt his body hit the stone wall with a shift.

"Easy, easy!" He nearly yelled, then exhaled, "The name you're looking for is--"

Izuku blinked once, twice then stepped back, gripping the knife tighter as he watched the man pass out. I was this close! Of all times... Dammit! He pressed his mask and held his nose as the pink fog spread gradually. His body felt tingly already.

He couldn't see from the thickness of the fog, suddenly his knife was whipped out of his hand, leaving behind a deep gash. Panic was starting to take over as he let out a cry, he couldn't move, couldn't think. He needed to breathe.

"My, persistent aren't you?"

Heels hitting the ground echoed through the alleyway as Izuku's eyes bounced around while he grabbed another knife from his belt, he couldn't waste his breath with chit-chat. He was starting to get dizzy from the lack of air. Just then he spots the pipes leading up.