Finding Me (Todoroki x Reader)

Chapter 102

I was so close now. Kirishima's energy signature was so strong now that I could practically smell him. However, he must've still been chasing that white-haired dude with the gun because no matter how many corners I turned or how close I got to catching up, he always slipped out of reach.

"Damnit," I grumbled. "Since when did Kirishima get so fast?"

"RED COUNTER!"

Rounding yet another corner, I expected another long corridor to race down. Instead, I was met with a dead-end filled with some civilians and low and behold Kirishima and the white-haired villain. The villain was lying on his back whilst Kirishima stood a few metres away from him in a hardened state, fist clenched together as if he'd punched the guy. The villain didn't make another move.

"All right, Red Riot," I cheered, running up beside Kirishima. "You did it, man. Nice work."

Kirishima relaxed a little, a small smiling stretching his lips. "Thanks, Nova. Now..." He turned back to face the man lying on the ground, all serious, again. "That was nothing. Now, come quietly or it's going to get a lot worse."

The man didn't reply, only kept his head down like a wounded puppy. Maybe Kirishima had hit him too hard? But before I could do anything, quiet sniffling broke the silence.

"Wait," I said, stepping forward cautiously. "Are you crying?"

"It's not fair," he sputtered out, repressed cries escaping past his lips. "You know what my quirk does. It pops up blades of up to ten centimetres long like a bunch of dinky box cutters! Of course I want to save my bros, you jerk. But I'm scared. At least I was brave enough to shoot, though."

I stared wide-eyed at the snivelling man beneath me. I couldn't believe that he was actually crying about all this. I took it back: this night was definitely not like the night in Hosu City. That night, I had been the one snivelling and crying - on the inside, mind you - and Stain had stood above me. But just because I didn't view myself as the villain, didn't make it anymore terrifying for the white-haired guy crying his eyes out. There was no masking the absolute terror he felt lying there. He truly was just... scared.

Kirishima let out a disgruntled sound, walking up beside me to crouch beside the man. "Shut up. If you're gonna whine and cry about getting caught, then you shouldn't be committing crimes in the first place. Come on, up you go..."

"I don't you expect me to believe me when I say that we understand," I started, helping Kirishima haul the man to his feet. "But we do. But this isn't the way to help them. Violence and breaking the law for selfish acts is never the way."

Another sniffle escaped the man as he hung between Kirishima and I. "I wanted... to get stronger," he managed out. "I thought if I hung out with strong guys, that I would get strong, too."

"Look," Kirishima started," I understand how you feel, but-"

"If I'd stuck with my bros, I'd have a shot at real power. You don't understand anything, heroes. Don't act like you do."

In one swift motion, the man had untangled his arm from around me, dropped something from his sleeve into his hand and stabbed his neck. I jumped back at the bright light that flashed around him, blinding me for a second. What the heck was that?

Both Kirishima and I stood back as the man started convulsing where he stood, pain-filled wails echoing through the alley like haunting ghosts. Something wasn't right here.

"Wait, what did you give yourself?" Kirishima asked. "Hey, are you okay?!"

"His energy levels have sky-rocketed," I noted, grabbing Kirisima's hand. "It feels like he's about to explode! We gotta alert Fat Gum and get these civilians out-"