Shigaraki and Scribe II

Chapters 16-20

Chapter 16

Scribe paced restlessly, her emotions ranging from anger to despair after he left and Kurogiri closed the portal behind them. How dare he walk out on her? What if she did just contact Eraser and arrange to turn herself and Eri in? Where would he be then? How would he feel being abandoned?

She paused, taking a deep breath. Tomura hadn't abandoned her. He would be back. They could discuss this. He was scared, uncertain what was happening to him. Quirks could do that, especially powerful ones that were always evolving. Her own quirk had concerned her when it began evolving, leaving her uncertain what she actually could do... She froze then, remembering the flaming blankets midair just before they wrapped around the villain who would have taken Eri from her...

That wasn't my quirk evolving. It was me. I never thought I could do that, but I did. I chose to kill him.

She sighed, suddenly very tired. The warring emotions ricocheting off the inside of her chest hurt, so she crossed her arms and pressed inward. It helped. At least a little. She drew in a deep breath. He wants me to turn myself in to Eraser.

The unreality of the situation made her head spin. He couldn't possibly want that. Tomura despised Eraser and All Might and all heroes. But... But he wants me to be safe. And Eri, too. She sank onto the sofa, covering her face with her hands. Her heart felt heavy, its throbbing painful. I can't. I just can't.

Even for Eri?

She groaned and lay back against the cushions, her eyes still closed. She sought refuge in her own mind, curling up on the sofa, trying to avoid the feeling of desertion and hopelessness. I can't.

Can't what?

Scribe opened her eyes, startled to find that instead of the dusty, book-filled room of her own mind, she was in a light and airy space. She was curled, not on her own comfortable sofa, but on a straw mat in something that looked like a...dojo?

She sat up, looking around. Not even three feet away from her sat Eraserhead, his legs crossed gracefully, his head bowed. "Sh...shota?" She barely managed to whisper his name but it resounded painfully in her head.

He lifted his head slowly, his dark eyes fixed on hers. Why are you here?

Where...where am I? Scribe whispered the thought because she already knew the answer. This was Shota Aizawa's consciousness. It couldn't be anyone else's. She turned slowly, scanning the large, brightly lit room. Nothing was left in shadow here. Nothing was unknown or covered in cobwebs or dust. The hero Eraserhead was too rational for cobwebs, too self-aware for dimly lit spaces.

Why are you here, Scribe? His voice made her turn and she started back a little when she found he'd crossed the room to her side.

I... She couldn't come up with a good enough reason. What could she say? That Tomura Shigaraki had told her to seek him out, to ask for immunity to turn herself and Eri over to him?

He tilted his head, a surprised look on his face. Why would Shigaraki do that?

Cursing herself for not guarding her emotions more carefully—and Tomura for putting her in this position—Scribe did her best to close down her thoughts to him, but the feeling of betrayal persisted. How could Tomura do this to her? How could he just walk out?

You can't hide things from me here, Scribe. Aizawa moved closer to her, taking her hands. He's hurt you and you're angry. Tell me why.

***

Aizawa held her eyes with his. She wanted to run but didn't. She was angry. He could feel that. He suspected part of her anger was directed at him...but most of it had to do with Shigaraki. What could he have done to send Scribe running to him?