Blossoms of the Dark

CLII Selene: Crow

Trigger Warning:

- blood

- gore

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Shigaraki called me for an impromptu visit.

Not to our regular rendezvous spot, but to an abandoned, dilapidated warehouse.

"Twice found someone worth recruiting," was what he said. "And you and Compress are our diplomats. Watch from the shadows, observe the person in the light. Monitor his heartbeat to know whether the person is lying or telling the truth."

So minutes before Twice and said someone is supposed to arrive, I am sitting on one of the rafters of the warehouse, pen in one hand, notebook in the other. Before coming here, I was studying the drawing Shouto-kun had sent me: a man and a woman grieving in front of the gravestone of their baby, while the hero responsible for the baby's death repents from afar. Instinct told me that this was an allegory for Shouto-kun, but I chose not to pry at the moment. Things like this were better done in person and when the other party showed inclination toward discussion. Regardless, I had a story to write. Plot points swirled in my head. The hero and the woman were childhood friends. So close that the woman decided to make the hero is baby's godfather. But both had varying perspectives. The woman was realistic and pessimistic; the hero was idealistic and optimistic. The hero believed that this world could change for the better, and he would ensure it did. The woman had her reservations, though. Thought the heroes' intentions were noble, but his propositions were far too risky and reckless. One day-

The entrance door slides open. In enter Twice and a stranger. The stranger is a young man, with pale skin and a slight build. Possibly not older than thirty. Tall, shaggy dark brown hair, gold eyes, and narrow eyebrows. Three small piercings in his left ear, black dress shirt and trousers, ash grey tie, proper belt, and white surgical gloves. The outfit itself generates a strong first impression on me. I hardly notice the off-white sneakers and fur-collared pine green jacket. What I do notice, and very visibly, is the plague doctor mask covering the lower half of his face. Especially the gold plating on it.

I imagine what he would look like without the crow beak. An unassuming figure on the street. No one would suspect him of being a villain. But that would work in his favor. Even his pulse betrays no trace of anxiety. Just goes to show how much appearances can be deceiving. And who would know about deceptive appearances better than me?

The hem of my nightgown flutters from the action, and I rush to hide it. Thankfully, no one notices. Like me, they are focused on the stranger. Every one is dressed in their villain attire, save for me. The spy in the shadows.

No proper introductions are passed. Instead, the newcomer scoffs, "The League of Villains? What a joke."

Magne takes that as an offense. "What?" she exclaims. "Is he supposed to be famous or something? Why is he mocking us?"

Even though Magne used he, she intended for the newcomer to reply. However, Shigaraki answers the questions. "Sensei's shown me a picture of him before. The so-called yakuza. The young leader of the Eight Precepts of Death." Magne's disdain is forgotten as she squeals in delight.

I must admit that I am also intrigued. Yakuza. The Japanese equivalent for mafia. Memories of my time with Inferno have not faded, but I am curious about this particular gangster. Even Toga expresses her interest. She looks up at Mr. Compress and notes, "He's kind of different from the rest of us, don't you think?"

Mr. Compress looks down at her from his perch and very eloquently explains. "Let this old man teach you, my dear young Toga." Odd remark for someone whose voice belies that he cannot be more than fifteen years older than me. "Back in the day, there were a number of frightening organizations that ran the underworld. However, with the prospering of heroes came the systematic dismantling of those groups. The times came to an end with the rise of All Might. Those who were not caught and locked away were basically treated like criminals, under constant surveillance and living at the bottom of the barrel. Put plainly, he's an endangered species left over from old times." And now they are back to take control. The yakuza affirms as much.