Mr. Midoriya, You're Quite Illusive

Chapter 5

Izuku POV

Within an hour or two, the thief arrived and of course, she couldn't keep her silken digits to herself. She came clad In her usual tactical garments, a bodysuit pattern a greyish-silver on top of solid black with a few detailings. Her hood was down, revealing her painted face and lip. Short brown hair dangled unevenly on her shoulder, a messy aesthetic but one I find somewhat charming. Her quirk allowed her to bend light around herself and effectively become invisible on a whim, but damn I could see everything others only hoped to glimpse.

It hadn't even been 2 minutes before the poor thing clung to me while I still sat in my chair, her legs parted and on either side of my mind, her waist pressed to my lower chest. I felt both a sense of relief and guilt as she gently kissed my forehead. At one point in time, I called her my pet but now she's more akin to a mistress whom I indulge in whenever I see fit.

I remember the day I bought her. 4 years ago, for my 18th birthday, my father took me to a slave market. There were pole dancers, men and women stolen from their families to be used as toys and trained assassins ready to serve. Some of these people were kidnapped just to be violated while some willingly gave themselves up just because they had no purpose. Then I saw her and her mother. Kasumi's mother had covered her daughter's face with dirt in order to hide her dainty prettiness. Frankly, I cared very little at the moment but later I learned she was from a dying clan who specialized in espionage and thievery. I would've bought her mother as well but I had no use for her.

Kasumi was only 16 years old at the time but even I could see the spark of determination in her eyes as she was presented on stage. She was worth 450,000 yen, I almost lost her to some fatso who had racked up more bodies than a cemetery. Poor girls. Later, I came to see her as an asset and I treated her as such. I cared for her, made sure she was properly fed and soon I learned her public name. You see, she was once a hero in training until her father screwed them over. He had fled the country on charges of arms smuggling. And his haste, he somehow tricked and sold his family without alerting anyone, not even UA-- her school at the time. Sick bastard. Kasumi rid herself of the name he gave her, as a reminder of what happened.

I remember her fear, the first time I came to visit her, so helpless despite her hero training. She was cute too. Sometimes I found myself staring both at her broken face and her... vulnerable body. Maybe that's why the top-heavy princess fears me, among other things of course. I will reassess. "What're you thinking about?" Inquired the maiden, gently stroking my hair and peppering my neck with kisses. Damn this quirk, but damn does it feel good. "I... Do you recall the history of my family?" I asked. She took a few moments to recollect before leaning up to stare down at me. "Yes, mostly." She answered. "Well...-"

"Mr Shimura, please. You of all people shouldn't be stalling." She commented with a chuckle. Yes, she's right but I'll admit I've grown attached to her company, some days I'd find myself begging for it but I restrained my urges. "I have recently been espoused... to another woman... whom I'd never met... until recently." I looked up at her, wary as to her reaction. I may kill her if she gets out of hand. I pray it doesn't come to that. "That's... Wonderful! Congratulations, sir!" She tightly wrapped her thin yet toned arms around my shoulders, nuzzling her head to my back. "You do know this means, our relationship counts as an affair, correct? Surely you wouldn't wish to be a mistress in infidelity?" She lifted her head, inches away from my face as her ungloved hands cupped my cheek. "Who doesn't love a little... romantic confrontation." This woman... I can't think. I don't know what I want anymore.

"I need to get back to work. Retire to your quarters until called." I ordered my voice like gravel. I need to think about this. She obediently climbed off me, bowed at a right angle and left. Things were so simple.

Momo's POV

It's my second day at work, the same monotonous tasks for the same Illusive Man. Ever since I met him I've felt a cold, damp hand on my shoulder trailing down from my neck to the small of my back. A presence. I ignored it. Then came whispers. Ignored them. Then came a phone call. I picked it up, intently waiting for a response to my greeting. "Good Afternoon. You've reached the Secretarial Office of Green Pastures Inc. How may I be of service?" Too much? I mean, I'm still new as hell so I can be excused for any misplaced or unnecessary enthusiasm.

"Yes, I was told to call this number in regards to Project Thermopile." That name. It was on one of those files. I might be able to find it. "Hold for a moment while I retrieve the relevant data," I informed professionally, straightening my back and diverting the call to the hold-line. In reality, I had zero clue as to what I was doing. But by the power of common sense, I began doing a search for the project data. I saved it to the affectionately named 'Please Don't Arrest Me' folder. Catchy. The funny part is that from the outside, you only see the first two words. I found the corresponding folder which belonged to the project.

The data was comprised of subfolders meant for updates and classified, conclusive results. It also housed a text file that referred to the project's description. All of this was connected remotely to the company server which allowed for off-site file updates.

I picked up back the phone and transferred the man back to my line. "What in particular are you searching for?" Inquired, making sure I didn't mess with the folders at all. "I need folders b-9 sent to Mr Midoriya, he's expecting them soon." Answered the worker. They must've had a breakthrough. "Right away. Anything else?"

"No. Thank you."

The line cut, I set down my phone and prepared to forward the folder to my hus- boss. I had a sudden urge to open it and investigate. I gave it. Lord have mercy on my soul. I thought this would've been a construction project or archaeological site but no, Project Thermopile is a drug... A treatment to increase blood flow and improve circulation in the body. In minute quantities it can clear blood clots, in larger doses, it gives brief improvement to cognitive and physical activities.

Some of these files were videos. Horrific. That poor boy was strapped down, metal restraints holding him down to a metal table. He was injected with the drug. He looked fine, heathier even... Suddenly his began bulging out of his eyes sockets, blood trickling down from his nose. He violently slammed his body against the hard table while releasing a bloodcurdling screaming until he cracked his skull. This is why we have fucking monkeys. Good lord! I watched more and more of these inhumane experiments. I watched as blood erupted from pores, teared from eyes and was vomited out as if they'd drank a whole pool's worth. Some drowned in their own fluids, others had erupted into serious seizures.

This... The phone rang again and I quickly answered it. "G-good-" I was immediately cut off by the same man. "You looked at it, didn't you?" He chuckled dryly. That dry chuckle. "Theodore... You son of a..." I'm not usually prone to swearing but who could blame me for giving in just this once. "Have you watched them all? Some of those subjects survived." My heart skipped a beat. This is a test. A test, yeah. "I-um... T-this is fabricated, right?"

"No. It's all real. Does it feel good? Knowing what happened to them while the police wonder where 30 convicts ended up?" Prisoners? That doesn't make a difference! Death is death. I'm a hero for god's sake and he's admitting to- no he isn't. If anything, I'm now an accessory. My career would be over if I exposed this, he'd see to it personally. "Keep working, princess. We'll talk later."

"Sir... Theodore..."

"What?"

"I hope you burn in hell."

"There's an old saying. 'May you be in heaven an hour before the Devil knows your dead.' In my case, may the Devil know I'm dead and may he wish that he'd never draw breath."

Words 1483

Posted 12/21/2021