Sero's sister

Chapter 30: Confessions in the Shadows

The mall was buzzing with life as Y/N and the Bakusquad continued their shopping spree. Laughter filled the air, and the group was enjoying a much-needed break from the stress of training and battles. But as Y/N wandered into a quieter part of the mall, the atmosphere suddenly shifted.

Before she could react, a strong hand grabbed her from behind, and a hooded figure pulled her into a darkened corner. "No screaming," a low voice warned, sending chills down her spine.

Y/N's heart raced. She recognized the figure as a member of the League of Villains. Panic surged through her, but before she could formulate a plan, she was shoved into a small, unmarked van. The door slammed shut behind her, and the van jerked to life.

"What do you want?" Y/N demanded, her voice shaky but defiant.

"Just a little chat," the figure said, the hood obscuring his face. A second figure emerged from the shadows, and she recognized him immediately. It was Dabi.

"Guess it's time to talk about your little hero friends," he smirked, leaning against the wall of the van. "But first, let's see what you're made of."

As the van drove deeper into the night, Y/N's mind raced. She couldn't let fear take control. "You're making a mistake," she said, forcing herself to sound confident. "I'm not afraid of you."

"Oh, we're counting on that," Dabi replied, his tone mocking. "You'll see. You're going to help us in ways you can't even imagine."

The van came to a halt, and the door swung open to reveal an abandoned warehouse, dimly lit but bustling with activity. Members of the League of Villains were scattered around, and Y/N's eyes widened as she took in the scene.

"Welcome to our humble abode," a familiar voice greeted her. Shigaraki stepped forward, his gloved hands clasped together. "You're just in time for a little heart-to-heart."

Y/N swallowed hard but stood her ground. "I'm not going to help you hurt anyone."

"Relax," Shigaraki said, his voice smooth yet chilling. "We just want to understand you better. Your past... it's fascinating."

Before she could respond, Toga skipped up to her, eyes gleaming with excitement. "Ooh, you're so cute! You can tell us everything! I want to know what makes you tick!"

"Yeah, right," Y/N replied, crossing her arms. "You want to know how to be a villain? You won't find it in my story."

"Oh, but that's where you're wrong!" Toga exclaimed, her voice bubbly. "Everyone has a story! You're like us, aren't you? You have a past."

Y/N felt a pang of empathy for Toga. "You don't know what you're talking about."

"But I do!" Toga insisted, her eyes shining with understanding. "I've been through things, too! Just like you!"

"Don't let her get to you," Dabi interjected, leaning back against the wall. "She just likes to play games."

Y/N took a deep breath, feeling an unexpected connection with Toga. "Okay. What do you want to know?" she asked, surprising herself.

Toga clapped her hands together in excitement. "Start from the beginning! Tell us everything!"

As Y/N recounted her past, she felt the weight of her experiences pouring out. She spoke about her toxic ex, the fear that had gripped her, and how she had worked to reclaim her life. The villains listened intently, and she could see their faces shifting as they processed her words.

"Wow, that's rough," Twice said softly, stepping forward. "I get it. I really do. Sometimes, it feels like you're stuck in a loop, and it's hard to break free."

"You've got to give yourself a chance to breathe," Y/N advised, her heart aching for him. "You're not alone, you know. You have friends."

"Friends..." Twice repeated, a bittersweet smile creeping across his face. "Yeah, I guess I do."

Y/N turned to Shigaraki, who was observing her with a strange intensity. "What about you? You must have your reasons for doing this."

Shigaraki shifted, his expression unreadable. "My past is a little more complicated," he admitted. "But hearing yours? It makes me think. Maybe we're not so different."

Y/N met his gaze. "You don't have to be defined by your past. You can change. You can be better."

"Easy for you to say," he muttered, but there was a hint of curiosity in his voice.

Dabi stepped forward, a smirk playing on his lips. "You really think you can just talk us into changing our ways? What's in it for you?"

"Maybe I just want to help," Y/N replied, surprising herself. "You don't have to keep running. You can find your own way, even if it's difficult."

"Why would you care?" Shigaraki questioned, a hint of skepticism in his tone.

"Because I've been there," Y/N confessed, her voice steady. "I know what it feels like to be trapped. But I also know what it feels like to be free. You can find that freedom too, if you let go of your anger."

As the conversation unfolded, she felt a strange sense of camaraderie with them. They weren't just villains; they were people shaped by their own pain and struggles.

Finally, she turned to Toga, who was looking at her with wide eyes. "And you, Toga. You're more than just a villain. You're... you're a person who wants to be loved, aren't you?"

Toga's expression softened, and she nodded slowly. "I just want to be happy," she whispered, looking vulnerable for the first time.

"You deserve to be happy," Y/N said, stepping closer. "We all do."

The atmosphere shifted, and for a moment, the tension in the room eased. Shigaraki exchanged glances with Dabi and Twice, a silent understanding passing between them.

"You really think you can help us?" Dabi asked, his tone softer now.

"I think we can help each other," Y/N replied. "But it starts with letting go of the anger and finding a way to move forward."

Shigaraki studied her for a long moment, his gaze intense. "You're not what I expected. Maybe you're right."

"And maybe we're not as different as we thought," Dabi added, a hint of respect in his voice.

After a brief pause, Shigaraki nodded. "You can go. We'll let you leave."

Y/N blinked in surprise. "Just like that?"

"Yeah," he said, looking away. "Consider it... a trade. You've given us a lot to think about. We won't forget this."

"Wait," Toga said, stepping forward with a pout. "You can't just leave! I want to keep talking!"

Y/N smiled gently at Toga. "We can talk more later. I promise."

As they led her back to the van, Y/N felt a mix of emotions. She had come to the League of Villains expecting hostility but left feeling a strange connection to them. They were lost souls, much like her, trying to navigate their pain.

Once outside, she spotted Sero, Bakugou, and the rest of her friends waiting anxiously. Relief washed over her as she ran toward them, and Bakugou enveloped her in a fierce hug.

"Y/N!" he exclaimed, his voice tight with worry. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," she assured him, looking back at the villains. "You were right. I could help them."

The League of Villains stood in the shadows, a mix of anger and admiration on their faces. Y/N felt their gaze linger on her, and she knew that somehow, she had made a difference—if only for a moment.

As the van drove away, Y/N took a deep breath, feeling a sense of empowerment she hadn't felt in a long time. Maybe this wasn't just the end of a chapter; it was the beginning of something new—for her and for them.