I should've known things were too quiet.

Breaking into Chisaki's warehouse had been almost too easy, and let me tell you—that should've been my first clue. If there's one universal truth in life, it's that villains love setting traps. Especially guys like Kai Chisaki.

But did I listen to my instincts? No. I was too busy congratulating myself on being the smoothest, sneakiest Santa Claus this side of the underworld.

Well, the universe decided to humble me real fast.

It all went wrong the second I reached the exit.

"Leaving so soon?"

I froze mid-step, one hand on the warehouse door. That voice—that slow, dripping-with-condescension voice—hit me like a bucket of ice water.

I turned my head, and there he was.

Kai Chisaki. Overhaul himself.

He stood a few feet away, flanked by two of his creepy lackeys, wearing that signature plague mask and looking like he was just itching to deconstruct me into dust particles.

"Oh. Uh, hey there," I said, managing the world's most awkward wave. "Nice mask. Very Black Death chic."

Chisaki didn't react. Those golden eyes of his stared me down like I was something dirty on his shoe.

"Who are you?" he asked, voice calm and deadly.

I shifted on my feet, fingers tightening around the bag of stolen cash. "Just Santa Claus. Redistributing wealth. It's for the kids, I promise."

One of his lackeys stepped forward, and Chisaki held up a hand to stop him. "You don't look like a common thief."

"That's because I'm an uncommon thief," I replied. "Much classier."

Chisaki tilted his head, and I felt the temperature in the room drop about ten degrees. "What's your quirk?"

That hit me like a punch to the gut.

I stiffened, forcing a cocky grin onto my face even as my mind screamed danger. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

One of his men scoffed. "He's stalling, Boss. Let us—"

"I asked you a question," Chisaki interrupted, eyes narrowing. "What's your quirk?"

For a moment, the room felt too big and too small all at once. My heartbeat pounded in my ears. My pride didn't want me to say it, but lying wouldn't help me either.

"Quirkless."

Silence.

Chisaki blinked once, slowly, as if he hadn't heard me right. "What?"

"I said I'm quirkless," I repeated, my voice sharp now. "Surprised? Not everyone's born with a golden ticket, you know."

One of the lackeys snorted. "Seriously? This kid's quirkless?"

And just like that, something inside me snapped. Kid? Quirkless? Nah, I wasn't about to let them have the last word.

I shot forward. The lackeys weren't expecting it—probably thought I'd just roll over and accept defeat. Big mistake.

I swung my fist up and nailed the first guy in the jaw. Crack. He staggered back with a grunt, and I didn't stop there. I twisted free just enough to elbow the other thug in the ribs, my movements fast and wild.

"Still quirkless, still dangerous!" I snapped, breathing hard.

For a split second, I thought I had a shot at this. I could break free, grab the bag, and run. But then—

BANG.

The gunshot rang out like a thunderclap.

I froze.

The sound echoed in my head, and I swear I could feel the bullet whiz past me, hitting the wall behind me. My heart dropped into my stomach.

Slowly, I turned my head to see one of the lackeys holding a pistol, smoke curling from the barrel.

"Try that again, and the next one hits," he growled.

I didn't move. Didn't even breathe. My muscles were locked tight, every survival instinct screaming at me to stay very, very still.

Chisaki stepped forward, calm as ever, his gaze unreadable behind the mask. "Interesting."

I shot him a glare, trying to keep my voice steady. "Pulling guns on a quirkless kid? That's real classy, man. Big villain energy."

Chisaki ignored me, crouching slightly so he was level with my face. "Why?"

"...Why what?"

"Why risk your life like this?" he asked, his voice unnervingly smooth. "You're quirkless. Weak. You have no power, and yet here you are, stealing from me. Why?"

I scowled. "Because you don't deserve it."

Chisaki tilted his head, like I was some strange bug he couldn't quite figure out. "Is that so?"

"Yeah," I shot back, gritting my teeth. "There are kids out there freezing on the streets while you're sitting here hoarding money you don't even need. I don't need a quirk to tell me that's wrong."

For a moment, Chisaki didn't say anything. He just stared, his gaze sharp and unnerving.

Finally, he stood back up, brushing imaginary dust off his coat. "You're an anomaly."

"Thanks. I try."

He gestured to his men. "Tie him up properly. I want to know more about him."

"Wait, what?" I sputtered, struggling as the lackeys grabbed me again, zip-tying my wrists tighter and shoving me back toward the warehouse wall. "Hey! Personal space! I'm fragile!"

"You're going to answer my questions," Chisaki said, voice calm but firm. "Whether you like it or not."

"I'm more of a one-and-done conversationalist," I grunted, twisting against the ties. "Let's just skip to the part where I escape and embarrass you in front of your goons."

Chisaki ignored me, turning toward the door. "Keep him here. I'll deal with him later."

"Yeah, yeah, take your time," I called after him, craning my neck to glare at his retreating back. "I'm just hanging out."

The door slammed shut behind him, leaving me alone in the cold, dim warehouse.

I exhaled slowly, slumping back against the wall as I tested the zip ties. Still tight. Great.

"Well,.....," I muttered under my breath, staring up at the cracked ceiling. "You really outdid yourself this time."