Rising Smoke || A Radioactive Biohazard

Chapter 8: Lay Low?

Failed. That's how the mission ended up going. At least, that's how it felt. While Shigaraki was being bandaged up and being taken care of first by Kurogiri, there was some information they gathered from this. Midoriya seemed to have a similar power to All Might. Which meant that the kid will be on their radar often. Hōsha was still bleeding, but Kurogiri put a temporary fix on him until he was finished with the leader. His mask was expelling the smoke still so Kurogiri put a mask on Tomura to keep him safe. His neck brace actually filtered the air around him so he didn't need one. Shigaraki was livid, not only was this a total loss, his nomu turned was beaten by All Might. The very person the nomu was created to destroy. Adding to the fact that Hōsha so carelessly said his name; he might be a new villain but that slip up? It was one of the most basic things in being a hero or villain. However, it would be nice to have his name out there. 

"Hōshasei. While I know you're in pain I ask that you calm your breathing. Your quirk is starting to fill the room." Kurogiri spoke calmly but in a firm tone. 

Hōsha could only let out a wheeze in response. Calm? How in the great heaven and hell could he be calm when he literally got shot not even five minutes ago?!  As well as the fact that he is still currently bleeding on the cold wooden floors of a run-down bar! His first 'mission', his first time making an appearance as a villain, his first attack in any place- too much shit happened in that small amount of time and this wisp of a person is telling him to be calm!? Hōsha could only breathe another wheeze as the corner of his eyes began to darken as he slowly began to fight to stay awake. Though if he goes to sleep, maybe he will wake up and be at home without any gunshot wounds. He decides to take the risk and close his eyes. 

Shigaraki was patched up, he noticed the younger closed his eyes as his body relaxed. He knew he wasn't dead but was getting there. Kurogiri noticed as well and made his way to the teen with the first aid kit. He quickly started patching him up as Shigaraki talked to their Master. His Master eventually came to the topic of the newest addition to the League of Villains. 

"I didn't expect him to do anything, but he just stood there! He didn't even try to look threatening. Since he was afk- I used him as a hostage, but he destroyed my upper hand when he mentioned my name after I got hit. While I was getting up, he was surrounded by the little heroes. They could've attack him but they didn't. He could've attacked them, but he didn't. I don't know what you see in him Master, I say we should've left him to die." Shigaraki spoke as he scratched his neck towards the end.

"What you don't see is an opportunity. He hesitates to be a villain because he thinks that there is hope. I saw that hope dying more and more each time those heroes did not extend their hand. However, after today you must fight for him to open his eyes. This is the project I give you, my successor. I have raised you from when I found you, showed you what others are blinded by. Now I need you to do the same for him. Think of it as a bonus challenge. If you can convince Hōshasei Yūdoku to open his eyes, then you can open many others who stand in the gray area as well." The voice of his Master spoke from the TV.  

After a few hours pass, Hōsha wakes up to the ceiling of...his room.? Shooting up quickly to look around, he is stopped by a sharp pain that practically was everywhere in his body. Looking down he noticed that he still wore the same clothes and that there was a slightly darker patch around certain areas. Blood. That's what it was. He remembers now, it all came back, laying on the floor in the bar bleeding. Kurogiri must've patched him up but how did they know where he lived? Choosing to ask them another day, he slowly gets up and slides off the bed. It was the next day, a little past seven in the morning. Hōsha shakily gets up and changes into something that didn't smell of copper. It was a painful 10 minute process but once he was finished he went to the kitchen and started cooking. Once finished he set everything on plates onto the table. Hōsha left to the bathroom to get some pain medication; this was because he didn't want his father being suspicious about him wincing or anything of that nature. What was he going to do now? How can he go back to the League after he pretty much gave away the leader's identity. 

Numbly, he walks back to his room and noticed the sheets are stained with the red from his clothes. Must've absorbed some from his tarnished clothing. He'd have to throw them away now. Upsetting really, those sheets were his favorite, it was his mom's. He washed them a lot in order to keep it smelling nice and so the scent of his mom would be there. After last night however, she no longer will lull him to sleep. Hōsha growled at the thought of getting rid of one of her memories. He'll find a way. He'll clean it up. Sure it'd be gross to sleep on a stained sheet but it's not like he's a slob. 

The whole week rolled by without any word from the League of Villains. No letter, no stranger bumping him in the streets. Nothing. Just...silence. Hōsha couldn't tell if this was because they needed to lay low or that he wasn't allowed back in after that day. He was shocked when the Sports Festival still continued on as if the villain attack never even happened. Watching it always made him so happy that people with diverse quirks are becoming heroes, but watching them now? 

Hōsha felt like he couldn't even glance in the TV's direction without feeling some type of guilt or jealously in his chest; maybe even a hint of longing after seeing the heroes in person no more than a few days ago. His wounds have been healing quite well, but the lingering sickness he felt in his stomach wouldn't go away. He was at war in his own mind and body. One half of him wanted to still be the hero he wanted to be, save others, and be the hero he never gotten for himself. The other half of Hōsha wanted to just accept the fact he had become a villain; that there was no way to redeem himself. Just to stop fighting and give into what the people wanted of him. With all the proof of what he's done then what was the point? He hated this tug of war within his body. Every few minutes he would question himself if what he was doing was right anymore. This even kept happening every time Hōsha went out to do Enmaku's errands. 

Speaking of Enmaku, within that week as well, he noticed the lack of appearance his father gave. It gave him some concern but at the same time it gave relief, he didn't have to deal with his father more than he had to. Another thing is some of the villains that got away had been captured. All except Hōshasei Yūdoku himself. No one has come knocking at the house yet, he could only take one of two conclusions. The first one being that the student heroes didn't tell the police about him yet. The second one being that he wasn't exactly a threat since he just stood there. However if the police looked him up there would be a record. Either way, Hōsha was confused with both answers he came up with. 

After the week was over, he received a letter in the mail. He opened it with haste only to read six words and a time. He only frowns at the paper before glancing at the clock. 

"Come in at 18:27. Don't be late."