~𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢 ℌ𝔞𝔰 𝔑𝔬 𝔅𝔬𝔲𝔫𝔡𝔞𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔰~ (Tokoyami Fumikage X Reader)

Chapter 23

Dabi ruffled slightly in his place, his piercing blue eyes narrowing with suspicion. He walked toward the bush where Niko and Tokoyami were hiding, each step sending a wave of tension through the air. The heat from his blue flames made the atmosphere suffocating, the fire’s glow casting eerie shadows across his face.

Tokoyami’s grip tightened on Niko’s arm. “He’s coming. We need to move—now.”

Niko’s heart pounded, her adrenaline spiking as she and Tokoyami bolted from their hiding spot. But before they could make it further, Dabi flicked his wrist, creating a ring of blazing blue fire around them. The flames surged up like walls, enclosing them in a burning trap.

Niko gasped, spinning around to find herself face-to-face with the villain. Dabi walked through the flames as if they were nothing, his dark figure cutting through the inferno with an air of calm menace. His eyes were locked on her, ignoring Tokoyami as he pushed him aside effortlessly.

“Niko-chan!” Tokoyami shouted, but his words were lost in the crackle of the flames.

Dabi stood inches from Niko now, his gaze intense and unsettling. He loomed over her, inspecting her face closely. His blue eyes flickered with something she couldn’t quite place—curiosity, recognition, something darker. His voice broke the silence, low and raspy.

“What’s your name?”

Niko swallowed, her throat dry as fear coursed through her. She had faced villains before, but this was different—this felt personal. “S-Sakura Niko,” she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Dabi stared at her, his expression unreadable. For a long moment, he said nothing, his eyes scanning her face with a strange intensity. Then, to her shock, his hand lifted, gently cupping her cheek. His touch was unexpectedly soft, belying the dangerous heat that radiated from him.

“You… look exactly like our mother,” he muttered, his voice so quiet it was almost drowned out by the roar of the fire.

Niko’s heart stopped. Her mind reeled, struggling to process the words that had just left his mouth. Our mother? The world seemed to tilt around her, her breath catching in her throat. She had no idea what he meant, but the gravity of his statement hit her like a punch to the chest.

“W-What?” Niko managed to breathe out, her voice trembling.

Dabi didn’t respond right away, but the look in his eyes told her he wasn’t lying. His hand lingered on her cheek for another moment, his touch both unfamiliar and oddly comforting, like he had known her for years. But there was also something terrifying about it—something she wasn’t ready to face.

Tokoyami, still recovering from being shoved aside, struggled to his feet. His eyes were wide with alarm as he took in the strange scene before him, the tension between Dabi and Niko palpable.

“Niko-chan!” Tokoyami’s voice was sharp, pulling her back to the present. His hand reached out toward her, but Dabi stepped between them, a dangerous glint in his eyes.

“I wouldn’t move if I were you, bird boy,” Dabi warned, his voice low and menacing. “This has nothing to do with you.”

Tokoyami gritted his teeth, Dark Shadow growling beside him. But he hesitated, unsure of what was happening. He knew they were in no position to fight Dabi alone, especially with the villain so focused on Niko.

Niko’s mind raced as she stood frozen in place, Dabi’s words echoing in her head. Our mother? She had no memory of this man, no connection to him that she could recall, but the certainty in his voice left no room for doubt.

“W-What do you mean… our mother?” Niko finally asked, her voice barely steady. “Who are you?”

Dabi’s eyes flickered with something close to pity, but there was also a deep bitterness there, a resentment that had festered for years. His hand dropped from her face, his posture shifting as he straightened up.

“Dabi,” he said, his voice hollow. “But that’s not my real name. You’ll learn the rest soon enough.”

Before Niko could ask any more questions, the sound of approaching footsteps broke through the tense moment. Reinforcements were coming—likely some of their classmates or even pro heroes. Dabi glanced in the direction of the noise, his calm demeanor faltering for just a moment.

“Tch. Looks like our little family reunion is over,” he muttered, stepping back into the flames. His blue fire flared up again, creating a barrier between him and Niko.

“Niko, we have to go!” Tokoyami urged, his voice filled with urgency. Dark Shadow hovered protectively, ready to fight if necessary.

Niko nodded numbly, still reeling from what had just happened. Her legs felt like they were moving on autopilot as she followed Tokoyami out of the burning circle, escaping into the night.

As they ran, the chaos of the battle around them came back into focus—the sounds of combat, the smell of smoke, the sight of villains clashing with their classmates. But Niko’s mind was miles away, fixated on one thing.

Dabi… was her brother.

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To be continued...

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