Prodigies - My Hero Academia

Complicit in Solitude

Friday, March 11, 20XX | Present Day

The streets of Azabu-Jūban carry an inattentive ambience with no shortage of small businesses and apartment complexes lining the residential area. An occasional vehicle or civilian on their bike passes by. Trees and assorted plants occupy the curb's edge, wafting a refreshing scent of morning dew after a spring shower. Seated on a bench is a male figure, face contorted by scars and staples. His back and shoulders ache from a night of uneasy rest in this public space. Despite there being holes and rips in the fabric of his clothing, the majority of his frame is still covered. Hood pressing down his head of shaggy, black hair, shoes filthy and stained, and a pair of joggers that didn't quite reach his ankles. With a deep exhale, the rugged man's impatience only grew when falling victim to listening to the morning news. 

"Tuesday afternoon U.A. University campus was attacked by a group proclaiming themselves as the 'League of Villains'. A class of twenty first years and two professors, one of which being rescue hero Thirteen, fell victim to the wrath of over fifty opponents. The students were lined up to start training in the USJ when villains arrived. Alarms were not activated, nearly causing the deaths of twenty-two heroes. As of this morning, Thirteen is still hospitalized, but stable and on a track to recovery. Where was All Might? How does U.A. plan to regain a good reputation after a stunt like this?" A news anchor reports on the monitor that faces the man's back. 

"I don't know, but they better have an answer fast. Our team is outside the gates now and it doesn't seem like we're the only ones who await a statement." A second anchor comments before the feed cuts to live footage of press swarming a pair of metal doors and fence. 

"This is news at 0600, we'll be right back to give you more updates." 

 Craning his neck, the man on the bench allows his head to fall back. Closing his eyes and face pointing to the sky, he makes an effort to drown out the remainder of this report until a hand grips his shoulder. "Long time, no see." A familiar voice snaps him back to reality, vision overtaken by an open pack of cigarettes. However, the broker isn't granted a response. "Yeah, I should have known you wouldn't be up for small talk."

"You said this would be a good payoff job."

Kagero Okuta, also known as Giran, is someone who always 'knows a guy'. Handing out odd and questionable jobs to those willing and in need of a little cash is his game. Placing a cigarette between his lips, the broker cups a hand around the flame of his lighter. Singeing the end, he inhales then exhales a cloud of foul smoke. "And have I lied to you before?" 

A short girl slithers out from behind the broker, greeting her new colleague with a toothy smile. "Hey there!"

He blinks, analyzing this girl in silence. Her blonde buns are horrendously tied in place, a tan cardigan drapes over her formal, yet tattered school uniform. "You've got to be kidding."

Giran chuckles, "Relax, she's just another recruit."

"Isn't she like fourteen?"

The girl scoffs, "I'm seventeen, thank you very much."

"Oh please, I had you running errands at a much younger age." Giran exhales, allowing another puff of smoke to pool out from his mouth. "C'mon. You don't want to keep this boss waiting." Promptly slipping the bud from his fingertips, he then steps and snuffs out the heat before moving forward.

Lifting himself from the bench, the scarred man keeps an eye on the young one, but never considers striking up a conversation. She seems much too excited to in this position. 

The monitor cuts to another news anchor at the scene of a crime. Bright tape acts as a barricade against the cameras and sparse civilians passing through. "The number of mysterious pro hero assassinations rise to fourteen today. The recent death of illusion hero Phantasm is keeping locals on the edge of their seats. Phantasm was found alone and off duty. Multiple cut wounds were found across her arms, but no signs of a deep penetration. Police report bruising around her neck, alluding to the victim being strangled to death. Commission President Enoshima asks that if anyone knows anything about a lead to this hero killer, please contact authorities immediately."