Blossoms of the Dark

CXVI Selene: Politics

Trigger Warnings:

- blood

- murder

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So they don't know.

Todoroki-kun, Midoriya-san, and Iida-san don't know that I was the one who killed that Pro-Hero.

I had three reasons for visiting them in the hospital:

How bad were their injuries, especially Todoroki-kun's?

I knew that the police and Pro-Heroes at the scene would come to the hospital, and some private words would be exchanged. What cover-up story would they concoct?

Did they catch me committing the murder?

And I got my answers to all three questions by eavesdropping just outside the room door and entering said room myself. It was only a few days ago, during this internship week, that Shigaraki and Kurogiri told me that they had been trying to convince Hero Killer Stain to join the League of Villains organization, but failed to do so time and time again. When they had revealed that, both of them had stab wounds all over their bodies. Shigaraki cursed him to go to hell, but All-for-One insisted that he would be a valuable asset. So, as a last resort, the three of them sent me to talk to Stain-san.

It was a very scintillating conversation. From the recent news about Pro-Hero Ingenium's encounter, it was not difficult to deduce that Stain-san was still very likely lurking in the dark alleys of Hosu City. After much argument and compromise from our side, Stain agreed to one last meeting with the League of Villains. I stepped out of Kurogiri's warp gate onto the rooftop of an abandoned apartment building. I expected Stain to display a sign of surprise at the sight of a single girl with a cane, wearing a dove white chiffon nightgown and robe - mind you, this task was rather impromptu, and I was awoken from my beauty sleep for it - and holding a carry-out carton of dango and two thermoses of warm milk tea.

Unfortunately, he was not surprised. His face revealed no twitch nor any slight widening of the eyes. Instead, he seemed dismayed seeing me because his mouth greeted me with acerbic sarcasm. "I heard rumors that his apartment building was haunted. Are you the local ghost?"

"Why yes, I am. I stole the souls of all the residents who used to live here, and yet I'm still not satiated. May I have the pleasure of consuming your soul, Hero Killer Stain?" I responded, unable to hold back my tongue. He said nothing, so I reverted to my business tone. Lifting the carton and thermoses, I said, "I come here in peace and bearing gifts. I am unarmed, cold, and quite hungry. You may join me if you would like."

"Skip the small talk," he spoke. "I've already given my answer: I am not going to join your pathetic organization. Your ideals are worthless and don't align with mine. The only reason I agreed to this plea is that I want you to give them this message: If you guys bother me one more time, I'll slaughter every one of you."

I sat down on the concrete parapet of the rooftop and open the carton and thermos bottles. "I would gladly relay your message. However, that warp gate transported me from one end of the city to the other, and it won't open again for another few hours. And given my excuses for legs, my outfit, and this frigid weather, it will take me an eternity to get back. Imagine how much unnecessary attention I will receive." I lifted my cane for emphasis. "So you can humor me by sharing this meal with me, or continue brooding over there and let me eat in peace. The choice is yours."

He stubbornly stood where he was for a long time and stared at me routinely taking a bite of dango and a sip of milk tea. After many minutes, he joined me by the parapet, albeit keeping his distance and never taking his eyes off of me. I pushed the other bottle and carton toward him. Hesitantly, he reached for the bottle and opened it. "I get the feeling you like playing with danger. This isn't the first time you've got someone who doesn't like you to do what you want."