Prodigies - My Hero Academia

How to Make an Impact

TW: manslaughter, blood, violence, torment, gore

Exiting a set of glass doors, an older man can't bother to hide his distress after witnessing an unnerving event. Cigarette hanging unlit between his lips, glasses and button-up filthy with blood that is not his own. The recent recruit option could not reach his boss's standards and the subsequently her life was taken before his eyes. Years of previous negotiations with other clients never ended in such violence. This line of work isn't clean by any means, however, such an act of brutality is far more drastic than anything he is accustomed to. Turning his head, the broker is met with his disheveled reflection. Just beyond those doors is an abandoned lobby. Once an esteemed hotel gone bankrupt years prior. Bland, gray walls are shrouded in dim light by convenience of sunlight peeking through ajar blinds. From the lobby is easy access to an open restaurant equipped with tables, chairs, stools and kitchen supplies left behind to collect dust. Connected to the restaurant is a bar that became the designated lounging area for those living inside. 

Quiet and somber, the bar is vacant aside from three bodies. One of which lays on the floor in a crimson pool. Pale pink shirt drenched, eyes wide open, red hair littered with shards of glass. Big Sis Magne, quirk: Magnetism, would have been useful for the cause, but she was a fickle dog. At least she had the gull to fight back, even if the odds were not in her favor. Lately the broker has only brought in weak links that simply will never remain loyal to his plan. To the leader of this operation, it's becoming unbearably annoying. 

Wiping dirty hands on his thin, long sleeved shirt, he roams close to the bar counter. 

"Kurogiri, get me a drink." He orders, "And go tell the brat to come down and collect blood before its dust."

As expected, a glass is placed on the counter waiting to be filled with liquor. The adrenaline has yet to subside, causing him to shake while removing a rather large taxidermized hand from his face. The one and final piece of his father he will ever have the luxury to hold near. Kurogiri shuffles through bottles before choosing Ohishi, a sherry cask whiskey. 

"We're expected in Hosu in an hour, Tomura."

He sighs, visibly irritated. "Shut up. Just come find me when it's time to go."

Snatching the glass of the counter, Shigaraki is sure to keep his ring finger and pinky up to avoid decaying his beverage. Warm, semi-sweet liquid stings his tastebuds after stepping into the lobby elevator. Second floor, South corner suite, he slams the bedroom door and beelines for his dresser. The top drawer is notably bare, containing a few extra pieces of clothing for upcoming colder months. Under an unfolded shirt is a disc case scratched to the point of illegibility, held together by several layers of tape. Removing the CD with care, Shigaraki sets down it's case next to a boombox at the top of his dresser. 

Skipping to track 3, 'Dream of me', Nagie Lane appears on the small screen.

'This is my favorite song!'

Many of his memories have been buried over time, unable to resurface clearly or at all, but her voice is one source of comfort that remains. Reflecting on those moments, Shigaraki came to the realization that he never appreciated her efforts to protect him enough. Often assuming that dragging him into her bedroom to play loud music, sing, and dance was a form of torture. He was too young to comprehend that in reality her actions were to drown out their parents consistent arguing. Older sister, her face and name is a blur. 

Taking a seat on the edge of his bed, Shigaraki takes deep breaths while absorbing the lyrics. At this point he knows every word. The instrumentals, the beat, the pause before drums. Eventually he falls to the sheets, comforter jumbled and pushed up to the mattress corner. Right hand meeting his neck, he lifts his chin then starts to scratch. His unclipped fingernails dig into rough, damaged skin.