Can We Be Heroes?

Chapter 33• Night lynching with Idiots

Dabi walked down the dimly lit street, hands shoved deep into the pockets of his dark hoodie, shoulders tense, head pounding. The flickering streetlights above did little to ease the blinding headache that had been throbbing in his skull all day.

His scars itched. Burned. Pulled at his skin like they were trying to remind him of something he had long since buried. And as if that wasn’t bad enough—

“Dabiiii, are we there yet~?”

He didn’t even turn his head. “We’re not going anywhere, Toga.”

Behind him, Toga Himiko skipped along the sidewalk, her oversized coat swaying with every step, eyes wide and wild with amusement as she twirled a stolen umbrella for no reason.

“Ohhh, I know that~,” she sang. “But it’s more fun when it feels like a mission.”

“This isn’t a mission,” Dabi muttered under his breath and just behind Toga, Twice was talking to himself—again.

“I like the walk! No, I hate the walk! I wish we took a cab! Cabs are suspicious!”

Dabi winced. “For the love of—shut up, both of you.”

Twice gasped, clutching his chest. “He’s so mean! But I respect that!”

Dabi groaned, dragging his hand down his face. “Why me? Why am I the one stuck dragging around a deranged fangirl and a man with a personality disorder?”

Toga beamed. “Because you love us, Dabi~.”

“I don’t.”

“You do~.”

“I’d burn you.”

She giggled. “Kinky.”

He stopped walking for a moment, closing his eyes and inhaling slowly, trying to summon every ounce of patience he had left.

He had none. And yet, here he was—babysitting the League’s most chaotic pair, walking the late-night streets of the city like some stitched-up, half-baked bodyguard with a migraine.

They were supposed to be scouting. Watching for movement. Rumors. Vigilante chatter. Hawks. Anything at all that could be vital to the league but instead, it felt like some twisted field trip.

His head throbbed again and he groaned, muttering a few profanes under his breath when suddenly a shot rang out, shattering the quiet night.

Dabi didn’t even flinch as he turned his head slowly, a growl rising in his throat, already pissed and very much not in the mood.

Toga tilted her head like a curious cat. “Ooooh~ someone’s being rude.”

Twice crouched behind a mailbox. “I didn’t sign up for this! I did! Shut up!”

Down the street, two figures emerged from the shadows, both wearing the standard gear of pro-hero sidekicks. Their expressions were tense, weapons drawn.

“Dabi!” the taller one barked, his stance confident—but his hands trembled just slightly. “You’re coming with us!”

The shorter one flanked him, eyes darting between Twice and Toga. “You freaks don’t get to walk around like you own the city.”

Dabi’s glowing blue eyes narrowed, his irritation now replaced by something colder. Recognition. He took one slow step forward, his grin sharp and unsettling. “Wait a second…” he drawled, voice low and lazy. “I know you.”

The two sidekicks stiffened.

“I was there the night you sent your little rat into our hideout,” Dabi continued, flames licking at his fingertips. “That coward thought he could play spy in my house.”