Face Me Like An Idiot

48

Being born with a Quirk that could restore fatigue at the expense of his own was… an unfortunate case. Sujikame Tasei was bullied throughout his childhood. He had no friends, and some of his peers somehow made it to becoming small-time heroes.

     As Tasei sat in a rather empty bar, his sixth glass of tequila in hand, he couldn't help the jealous scowl on his face. He didn't make it through any of the hero course exams he took. Although his Quirk was perfect for Hero Rescue, it seemed that he couldn't even do that.

     Life had always been mean to Tasei. From Monday to Saturday, he had a part-time job at a convenience store. He would also get wasted on Wednesdays and high on Sundays; that was his weekly routine.

     "A shot of vodka. Thanks."

     Tasei turned his head beside him to see a young man—he couldn't be over the age of thirteen. He had curly hair that messily stuck out, black with common tinges of forest green. The boy had wide, but slumping, eyes with sparkling verdant irises. Adorning his face were freckles that faded over his nose, with some more visible over his cheeks. He donned a black hoodie and greying ripped jeans, along with a pair of painfully prominent red sneakers.

     Without even realising it, Tasei was staring at the young man. The corners of his lips twisted downwards. "What's a kid doing here?" He had meant to mumble, but the kid had caught his question.

     The freckled boy looked over at him, a slight expression of surprise on his face. Then, he smiled. "I seek recruits for my Yakuza. Are you willing to volunteer?"

     …And just like that, Tasei became a part of the Unknown Passcodes. Granted, his drunk self thought that it was brilliant to abandon his part-time job and work for a villain boss instead. Izuku had made his life so much more interesting, and Tasei was proud to say that he will no longer die with regrets. Every time he thought back to the day Izuku recruited him by sheer chance, Tasei felt nothing but loyalty for him.

     "I don't think so."

     He witnessed everything; from Toga's transformation to her using Izuku's Quirks. He didn't step in because he figured Bakugou Katsuki of all people would be able to handle his opponent. Granted, he didn't even know if that boy was Bakugou or not, with that obnoxious hero costume he had on.

     Tasei emerged from the shadows and held Toga in a headlock, forcing her to release the boy she held captive. When he had a better look at him, Tasei was able to confirm his theory. This boy's appearance matched the description of Bakugou Katsuki—the person that Izuku had specifically told the Yakuza not to mess with.

     "Spiky blond hair and ruby eyes" — seemed about right.

     "Touch a strand of his hair, and I'll make sure you experience Hell before even going there." He had remembered Izuku's exact words, and noted that he never lied about such threats…

     Especially when it came to his precious little boyfriend.

     Tasei turned his attention to the girl struggling in his arms. She had dropped her knife when he attacked her, so that wouldn't be a problem anymore. The thing that troubled him most was the girl's appearance—she looked like the spitting image of Izuku. Don't get him wrong, he saw her transform, but to think that it was so accurate…

     Hold on, now that he thought about it…

     …Doesn't the recruit have a Quirk like this?

     "Toga Himiko, right? Do you realise the trouble you could get in for hurting him?" Tasei gestured towards Bakugou, who didn't look like he planned on running away.