Blossoms of the Dark

CLIV Selene: Psychopath

The crowman told us to contact them once we were 'coolheaded' enough to discuss.

So here we are in one of the many underground sites governed by the Eight Pecepts of the Death: Shigaraki, the crowman, and I.

My mistake, Chisaki Kai.

Otherwise known as Overhaul.

I take in my surroundings. Besides the three of us, there are two other subordinates with plague doctor masks. Inconsequential at the moment. What is more interesting is the bareness of the room. Bare white walls, pristine tile floor, a single poster with the yakuza emblem, two sofas, a coffee table, and a door and window leading to a labyrinth. The atmosphere gives off the feeling of sterility and hygiene. An uncomfortable level of sanitation.

Even Shigaraki points out as much. "What a dreary office you have here," he groans.

"Cluttered configurations aren't really my taste," Chisaki-sama replies nonchalantly. He and his short lackey are already seated on one of the sofas. It does not escape my notice that he does not invite us to do the same.

Unfortunately, Shigaraki does not observe what I do. He continues to complain. "You had me going round and round underground for 30 minutes! Like an ant! What kind of yakuza house is this supposed to be?" I want to remind Shigaraki to stop scratching his neck, but that is not the kind of impression I want to give to the Eight Precepts. Eventually, silence prevails speech.

But while Shigaraki's irritation is stoked, the effect reflects off the gangster with no effect. In that same bored tone of voice, he explains, "We don't know who's watching, nor do we know what our guests are thinking. There are many routes that have been connected underground. This reception room also serves as an underground hideout." His miniature lackey adds on how this level of paranoia and caution have enabled the organization to survive despite the decline. It is then Chisaki-sama's gaze lands on me. Everyone present in this room arrived in their villain apparel. Chisaki-sama with his partial tuxedo and signature mask; Shigaraki with his long, black, leather coat and notable plaster hand; I with my white trench coat and suit ensemble. Since this rendezvous is occurring at night, even my hair has changed colors to match my clothes. "Remove the mask," Chisaki-sama commands. I comply. As I set the white masquerade mask on the table, I watch him for a reaction. He belies none. Does he truly not recognize me, or is he an actor excellent at hiding his emotions? "I didn't see you when the League and I last met. And this secret meeting was supposed to be between Shigaraki and I."

Shigaraki emits a sound of annoyance as he plops onto the sofa across without invitation. I take as my cue to sit as well. Never breaking my gaze with the gangster in front of me, I lean back and cross one leg over the other. "And yet you brought two of your subordinates to this secret meeting. I am certain you did so because you trust them. The same courtesy can be extended to us. As for your not seeing me statement ... not every member of the League of Villains was visibly present at the warehouse. One was busy recruiting members, another was occupied elsewhere, and the other was hiding in the shadows. I will let you guess which one I was."

Both Shigaraki and Chisaki-sama release a snort of approval. Their agreement over something surprises me and them. Shigaraki attempts to hide it as a cough, but Chisaki-sama's attention on me is undeterred. He scrutinizes me. "So you're the spy," he states. "There were rumors, but I did not expect it to be a teenage girl attending Japan's most famed school of heroes and the heiress to one of Japan's business magnates."

So he did know who I was. An impressive actor he is. "The same way your mafia organization has been operating under the noses of the heroes, I have been stealing information from them and feeding it to the League. Under their noses."