"Just don't make a mess," Rina muttered as she finally let herself rest, curling up in the chair, her body aching with exhaustion. She could still hear the soft rustle of Dabi shifting on the couch, his movements slow and deliberate.
"Mess?" he scof...
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As the smoke and chaos settled around the remnants of Jiro's hideout, the League regrouped outside. The night air was sharp and still, but tension lingered like a tangible force. Rina trailed alongside Dabi, keeping a cautious distance, her thoughts still reeling from everything that had just happened. She barely noticed Shigaraki waiting ahead until his grating voice broke through the silence.
"So, you're the one Jiro's been trying to get on his side?" Shigaraki's tone was laced with suspicion, and his red-rimmed eyes bore into Rina with unsettling intensity. He hadn't spoken much to her directly before, and the sudden attention made her tense.
Dabi, who'd been walking beside her, slowed his steps, an eyebrow raised as he watched the exchange with mild interest. It was hard to tell if he was curious or simply enjoying the discomfort.
Rina took a steadying breath, meeting Shigaraki's gaze with as much composure as she could muster. "Jiro thought I'd be useful to him because of my quirk," she said, keeping her tone level. "But I didn't agree to anything. He wanted to recruit me, but I never accepted."
Shigaraki's eyes narrowed, a twisted grin forming on his face. "Useful, huh? And what exactly did you tell him?"
"Nothing important," Rina replied, trying to keep her voice steady. "I didn't trust him, and I told him as much."
Shigaraki stepped closer, the suffocating feeling of decay radiating from him as he assessed her with a calculated gaze. "You work at that little bar, right? What's stopping you from selling us out to the highest bidder, just like you could have done with Jiro?"
Rina tensed, feeling the weight of his words. She knew this was a critical moment; saying the wrong thing could end badly for her. She caught a glimpse of Dabi out of the corner of her eye—he was watching her, his expression unreadable but expectant, as if curious how she'd handle herself.
"I'm not looking to sell anyone out," she answered carefully, choosing her words with purpose. "I just... keep to myself. I didn't want to work for Jiro. I don't care about his business, and I don't care about yours. I only want to survive." She glanced briefly at Dabi before continuing. "That's all."
Shigaraki tilted his head, his grin widening as he considered her. "Surviving, huh?" He let the word linger, the faintest hint of mockery in his voice. "And somehow, you've ended up surrounded by people who don't just survive—they destroy." He looked at Dabi, then back to her. "Funny how people say one thing and end up doing another."
Rina didn't respond immediately, letting the silence fall between them. She didn't want to deny it outright, but she also had no intention of giving him more than he needed. She could feel Dabi watching her closely, as if her answer mattered to him too, though he hadn't said a word.
Finally, Shigaraki gave a dismissive wave. "Fine, keep your little secrets. But don't think I'll ignore them forever," he sneered, stepping back. "Just remember, Rina Nakamura—you can't hide from what you really want for long."
