Answering the Call (bnha/mha x hxh)

Chapter 16

Third Person POV

Chrollo Lucilfer, feared leader of the Phantom Troupe, 2nd in command of the Numbers, and professional ability stealer, was sitting on a bench in a playground. Why? Well, little children were the perfect unsuspecting targets for quirk theft.

Conveniently, there was a little boy sitting on the other end of the bench. A sad, lonely, little boy, who wouldn't know better than to answer his questions.

"Why aren't you playing with your friends?" Chrollo asked, he was a professional, you can never let the target know what you are really after.

The little boy sniffed, "They're my brother's friends, he doesn't want me to 'steal' them from him."

"Is he older?"

The boy shook his head, "He doesn't even have a quirk yet, but mom likes him better."

Perfect, the kid is doing Chrollo's job for him."

"And you do?"

The boy nodded eagerly, "Yeah! Youngest in my family to get one!"

The great thing about this world is that kids love heroes, and love bragging about their quirks.

"What can you do?"

"I can walk on water! But only for a few minutes.." He looked sad towards the end.

"Can you show me?" Chrollo asked.

The boy looked around before whispering, "Isn't that illegal?"

Chrollo looked around as well, no adults were turned in their direction, and the kids were all too busy playing. "No one is looking, so no one will know."

The kid didn't look convinced.

"...I'll give you a lollipop." Chrollo negotiated.

"Two."

Chrollo felt his eye twitch, this damned kid, "Fine."

The kid grinned, he got up and walked over to the little creek that ran next to the playground. Chrollo followed him.

The kid looked around one last time before stepping onto the water and taking a few steps, he quickly retreated back onto land. "My payment please." The kid grinned.

Chrollo conjured his book, "Tap the cover of this book and you will get your lollipops."

The kid scowled, "Give me three then."

"Deal."

The kid tapped his hand on the book and Chrollo handed over the lollipops feeling robbed.

He hated kids.

"Thanks mister!" The kid happily skipped off. Chrollo watched the kid hand the lollipops to his brother, likely in exchange for letting him play too as he quickly joined the kids in their game.

Chrollo swiftly left the playground to find another to shop at. If he stayed and watched little kids for too long someone would take note.

-+-

His next shopping location was a playground on the other end of town.

This time he did not sit on a bench, as that tactic got boring fast. He made his way to the swing set and sat down, swinging back and forth slowly. Soon enough a target approached.

A brave little kid poked him in the leg, "Can you push me mister?"

"What will you give me in return?" Chrollo asked.

The kid shrugged, "What do you want?"

"Do you have a quirk?"

The kid nodded hesitantly.

"Tell me about it, and I'll push you." Chrollo smiled.

The kid grinned, "Okay! I can move objects without touching them, but they can't be heavier than what I can lift with my hands or it doesn't work."

Chrollo got up from the swing and let the kid take his place, "That's very cool, can you show me?" He pushed the kid.

"Nope! You just wanted me to tell you about it, and mommy says that I'm not allowed to use it outside of the house."

"I won't tell anyone, I'll even give you a lollipop." Chrollo incentivised.

"Mommy says not to take candy from strangers." The kid stated.

Damnit, he hated kids.

"I'm Kurapika, there, now we're no longer strangers." Chrollo smiled, pushing the kid a bit harder.

The kid laughed happily, "Okay!"

When the swing came to a stop the kid happily jumped off and made a woodchip float.

Chrollo conjured his book and had the kid tap it, for which the kid demanded another lollipop.

Chrollo left the playground a power richer and two lollipops poorer.

Somehow he felt like he was bested by the two children he stole from today, but there was no way that was possible. The renowned thief and villain could not be bested by a child, that was simply impossible.

-+-

Chrollo stole from another three children before returning home. He had no lollipops left. If he weren't a professional he would have been trembling from anger and defeat.

He absolutely hated children. Unfortunately for him, adults were much too suspicious of specific questions about quirks making younger people his only target.

Chrollo sat down on the couch and conjured his book. He flipped through his book slowly, sinking into the memories that came along with each stolen power. Those from today were by far his least favourite.

He would have to devise a new method of quirk shopping soon.

Chrollo snapped his book shut and let it vanish.

He stood up and stretched. He wandered over to the kitchen and started pulling out ingredients he needed to make dinner. He was making fried tofu.

Chrollo refused to let his mind think too much about the mundane thing he was doing and just got lost in the movements.

Soon enough Feitan made his way into the kitchen drawn out by the smell.

He wordlessly sat down at the table and waited for food.

Chrollo placed a plate in front of him as soon as he was done.

Hisoka and Illumi soon joined them at the table.

Hitoshi and Shouta were the last to arrive.

"So," Shouta started once everyone was settled in with food, "what did you do today Chrollo?"

Chrollo had to fight the urge to hurt someone. He did not want to think about today for the next decade at least.

Instead he answered in typical teenage fashion, "Nothing much."

Shouta nodded, expecting a response like that, "Did you at least enjoy your day?"

The slow grin that made its way across Chrollo's face was downright terrifying, but Shouta paid it no mind, "I'll take that as a no."

The rest of dinner passed in silence.

Shouta made his way out shortly after for his night patrol.

Chrollo vanished into his room silently, but not before he added lollipops to the bottom of the shopping list.

Thoughts?

I hope you enjoyed this Chrollo-centric chapter, more character focused chapters are on the way!