I consider myself to be a prepared woman, yet no preparation in the world was enough for me to face the absurdity of that room. Each step I took felt like a second less to my lifeline, an increased weight on my already heavy chest, yet I managed to steady myself enough to open the door to that room with a straight face.

As it slowly peeled open, I quickly met eyes with the topaz eyed blond. Toga waved happily, almost too happily, and pat the seat beside her in a joyous manner. A man that was sitting next to her was having a clear debate with himself, something about apples being better than strawberries. Next
to him sat a scaled man, more like a lizard of some sorts. He was staring off into space, half asleep despite the commotion around him. And next to him was another man, wearing a black and white mask, along with a mustard colored trench coat.

"Are we going to get this started or what? She finally got here." I turned to notice a younger boy, surely no older than fourteen, frown at the sight of me.

"We're still missing Kurogiri!" The monologuing male argued, only for the younger boy to deflate with a 'whatever' exhaling from his lips. I shifted in my stance, shuffling to sit down next to Dabi, who was staring blankly at the table, an empty yet thoughtful look to his aqua stare.

"So are these the newbies?" The reptilian-like man suddenly asked , gesturing towards Dabi, Toga and I. Nathan nodded, with an eager smile addressed on his lips. The lines of the radio repeated like a broken record in my mind.

You'll find out in the meeting.

What do you want me to know Kurogiri? I stared back at the new faces, only to see Hanako from the corner of my eye pull out a clipboard and shuffle through several papers. Although she was dressed like she just got attacked by a pack of wild birds, her stance was much more professional than when we were eating.

Many thoughts ran through my head. Doubts upon doubts on what we were doing, what was going to happen, what did they want me for. Specifically, the way Shigaraki eyed me like a sheep being led to a slaughterhouse, it all unsettled and had me constantly on edge.

My running thoughts came to a halt when, from under the table, I felt a warm palm press gently on my knee. It was a small and simple gesture. But more than enough to sizzle out the overwhelming nerves in me. I stared down at his blemished palm irradiating a comforting warmth as my cheeks heated up as well.

There I was, in a meeting full of villains, no idea what the hell I got myself into because of blind trust. And a single touch was able to make all the static fade out into a silent state of tranquility and underlying bliss, something I didn't think was possible after the whirlwind that was the last day.

I glanced at him. The same empty ocean stare was washed upon his stoic expression, yet his palm slowly traced gentle circles on my knee. Every inch of me incinerated at the electric touch, the agonizing sensation coming from his fingertips, spreading from my thigh to extend the warmth up until my heart, where it leapt and beat much faster than the usual. What the hell is this? Why, why, why, why , why?!

I refused to acknowledge the reddening tips of my ears, and the twisted and foreign tingle between my thighs. Well, it wasn't completely foreign, just different with him. What was meant to be a comfort, only flustered me much worse than I wished. Nope, no. Fuck no. Was I the only one finding it more intimate than it was? I glanced around, now paranoid anyone caught up on my flustered state.

Only me. Everyone was murmuring in between themselves, awaiting the remaining member. I glanced back at Dabi, who finally met gaze with me. For a split second, I observed a spark of mischief in his eyes. That motherfucking-

I had to hold in a yelp when he squeezed my thigh, right above my knee. His gaze was now fixated on me, piercing and serious, yet concerned. He briefly mouthed "take a breath" . I could only follow his instructions, trying not to combust then and there. Why am I feeling like this now of all times?

"I apologize for coming late. I took longer than expected." Kurogiri apologized as he walked in, the room going silent when he sat down next to Shigaraki. The blue haired man stared at us unamused, until he cleared his throat in a dry cough, nodding towards Hanako.

"Status update on the infiltration."

"Right." She instantly replied, rummaging through the many files that were laid in front of her. Her hands stopped at a tan colored folder, opening and pushing it to the center of the table for everyone to see.

"There is a soon-to-be excursion, a few weeks from now to be precise. The hero classes will be participating in a "training camp", where they will be exercising their abilities in a forest facility, to further improve their strengths." Her words were clear and stoic, carrying a professionalism I would never expect from the female that haunted my childhood.

A lopsided smile spread on Shigaraki's lips, as he proceeded with the next question. "What about the student's health status?" His carmine glare bored into her, all the attention was directed at the many stacks of papers in her grasp.

"Well, they seem to be doing quite well. Most recovered exceptionally from the first attack." Her voice was detached from any emotion, no signs of joy nor anger in her report, unlike Shigaraki, who was very much visibly irritated at that statement.

Hanako placed down a few opened files, each with messy writing and hazy pictures of student files. "One of them keeps gravely injuring his arms, which is quite suspicious, but the old hag is much too protective of that boy for me to get a better examination on him." Hanako scowled, tapping the documents.

"So we ca—"

"Mr. Hand man!! I have a question!" Toga interrupted, waving her arms in the air. Shigaraki gritted his teeth, glaring right at her, which she ignored blatantly.

"Yes, Toga?" Kurogiri intervened softly, as we observed Shigaraki fume at his side.

"Weeeell, we're new here and everything. Dontcha think we at least deserve an explanation on what's going on? I mean, if we're gonna help and all, I think we should at least know what you guys are doin' and all that jazz!" For once, I agreed with the obnoxious girl.

Kurogiri folded his.. hands? God I still have no idea what those are, over his lap. "Very well then. I shall briefly explain the situation so you're all well caught up." He said tenderly, his golden slits skimmed over us.

I was now able to relax a bit more in my seat. It was comforting to know I at least was going to know what I was getting myself into.

"Well to begin, Miss.Takaoka has been going undercover as an interning nurse aside the retired hero Recovery Girl to U.A academy. Her task over these past few months she has been doing this is to bring us information about the students and the status of the academy, which is how we keep tabs on their actions." So she's a traitor. Doesn't seem too far off.

"And as she has informed here, there is to be an opening in a few weeks, which is when we will most likely attack. The Lockheart mafia will assist us in funding for the equipment we will use."

I rose an eyebrow, I was slowly putting all the pieces together. Toga was good with knives, Touya has a skilled range quirk, Hanako is an undercover agent, then that leaves Nathan and I... I glanced up towards the golden eyed male. Lockheart. Of fucking course . The realization hit me like a wave, one more piece falling in place.

"So Nathan is the fucking trust fund boy of the League?" His cheeks flourished a rose tint, he cleared his throat and shook his head.

"Not exactly. It is true I was sent here to represent the Lockheart family name, but I am also to assist in past missions and strategizing for important tasks." He fidgeted with the cuffs of his sleeves, a bashful smile teasing on his lips. I felt Hanako's piercing sky glare on my side. What's her deal?

"That is correct. Mr.Lockheart has been of great help to us, do not underestimate him because of his family name , Miss.(l/n)." Kurogiri's tone was kind, yet also carried a certain discomfort, almost an edge, to it. Was he trying to tell me something?

"To be precise, Nath is the heir of the Lockheart name. So that means he is much better trained than most of us in this field, if were being honest." Hanako defended, her words protected and backed up both Nathan and Kurogiri.

I shrugged , not having much to add, nor having the energy to argue in the early morning. "If you say so." In a way, I didn't really wish to second guess Kurogiri's word.

"We will have to secure a route and assign roles. Who will handle that?" Dabi spoke up for the first time in the meeting, the boredom in his expression was replaced by one of concentration and curiosity.

"Mr.Lockheart is our strategist. He will manage the route and squad division once Miss.Takaoka transfers him the documents she recollected this week." Kurogiri replied. Dabi gave a Single nod, yet his piercing glare expressed he wasn't content with the fact Nathan would be the one handling it.

"So what exactly will each of us do?" The young boy spoke up as he shifted uncomfortably. He straightened up to appear taller, yet he was almost practically quivering in his seat. Shigaraki let out an annoyed huff, but at least answered his question.

"You're going to serve as our home made knock out gas." He spat as he skimmed over one of the documents, gaze narrowing as he read. "Dabi will take care of long range and the bigger enemies to come, Toga will serve as his backup. Takaoka will not be there since she will be with the brats , and Lockheart will stand watch. Spinner will make sure the brats don't get out of hand." He pointed at each of us as he spoke. Thanks to that, I figured the name of the lizard man was Spinner.

"Compress and Twice get a more intricate job. We'll discuss that at another time, when we have a better outline on what we're working with." He added. I couldn't hold my tongue anymore on the curiosity of what was I supposed to do that day. I let the words roll of my tongue out into the air, feeling no regret

"And what task will I have?"

Shigaraki glanced upwards at me, a malicious smirk forming, an expression that stirred many waves of vertigo within me, yet I stayed still. He cackled, dry and chilling. His voice dripped of superiority, as a teacher would talk down to a misbehaved child.

"You, (l/n) , are going to play a very important part in our little game."

I leaned forwards, feigning interest. My (e/c) hues stared back at him with the same intensity, even more.

"And that is?"

You're supporting the philosophy. Don't you fucking back down now. This crusty ass man child has nothing on you.

His disturbing grin only widened at my reply. He extended a palm towards Hanako, who handed him another tan folder, which he picked up with four of his fingers, bringing it back to himself. He opened the file and proceeded to practically slam it down in the middle of the table. His outburst cause a few of us to flinch, but most looked unfazed by it.

"(y/n) (l/n)... Age 22.. Quirk.. paramnesia. 'User can secrete a hallucinogenic fog through pores that entraps the target in a psychological trance in which the toxins stimulate the amount of adrenaline that rushes through the amygdala to cause a mental state of panic. The victim will hallucinate with possible scenarios to fill in the reasoning for the stimulation, throwing them into many scenarios with their personal fears or phobias.' Interesting, isn't it?"

He clicked his tongue, tracing his finger across the thin text as he read. I raised my gaze from the open file, staring back at him. "And what is that going to help you with?" I spat. Of course they have my files. How the fuck did they even get their hands on my personal information?

"Well you see, your quirk is going to assist us with handling a very special guest. You aren't fully aware of the main purpose of this attack yet." Then, Hanako opened another file and if it to the middle with the rest. This one was a direct copy of a U.A student file, a small picture of a scowling boy adorning the information.

"We're abducting this brat. He could be an... interesting addition to the league. He won the sports festival after all, and has quite a temper." As he spoke, his hands clawed up and down his neck, scratching and reddening his already blemished skin.

I remembered vague flashes of the sports festival. Who couldn't? It was broadcasted everywhere. The same kid who had gotten attacked by some slug monster some time ago had reigned victorious, yet most mocked how he had to quite literally be shackled down just to put the medal on him. That type of energy could be helpful. I didn't add anything to his comments, waiting for him to just spit out what was awaiting for me.

"But of course, we don't know, or expect, for him to agree immediately to join our cause.. He is a U.A student after all. And that is where you will step in, to give him a gentle push into the correct decision." As his words sunk in, my thoughts came to a halt at the result imagery of his request, no- order.

"So.. you want me to torture the kid into joining?" I lowered my gaze towards the picture again, imagining the boy on his knees, coughing, screaming, as the suffocating fumes of my quirk crawled and infected every corner of his mind, with nowhere to go. Just like everyone else.

Hanako's expression remained blank, maybe even bored, while Dabi sat leaned back in his seat, observing everything with a deadly silence. The kid looked bewildered at the statement, frightened. His expression didn't give much away, yet his trembling hands expressed he was fresh to the villain industry. Spinner fidgeted with a pen, distracted from the main topic of discussion meanwhile the others seemed mostly focused on the leader's words.

"Congrats kid, you figured it out." He scoffed. "'Heroes', are trained to stand physical pain."

I reached for the file of the young student and brought it closer to me, as Shigaraki continued speaking.

"Sometimes, to break the body, first you have to kill the mind."

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Rip this week I was busy but I was able to actually post a chapter!! I apologize if it's not my best work. But hey, I did my best lol. I hope you enjoyed this week's update! And thank you all so much for 4K reads.

-takutea