twenty-two
CHAPTER 22: MY PLAYER 2
It was the weekend, you were just brushing your teeth on a fine morning.
"[f/n]! Did you change your room again?" Chiyo abruptly yells.
You spit before running back to check— "Oh shit..!"
The bed was wider at the edge, your pillow was longer, and the small rug near your bed looked distorted. Everything else was fine, thankfully, it seemed that only the objects you could touch in your sleep were affected. Her steps could be heard, you quickly changed them back and jumped into your bed, acting like nothing happened.
Your door opens. "See? Everything's fine!" You exclaim.
She starts to walk around the room, raising your fear. "We should really check the doctor about that habit of yours, I'm worried for when you get a nightmare."
Chiyo bends down to pick up a sock, which the material was obviously stretched out in a strange way.
"It's just a sock!" You defended.
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Meanwhile, and much to Kurogiri's dismay, Tenya successfully escapes USJ to call for help. Following his failure, he is forced to warn his leader. Their plans are ruined; they knew that those Pro Heroes would come in no time. He easily warps to central and gives his report.
"...I'm afraid that the few I could not scatter managed to overcome me... resulting in one escaping with his life." He finished.
Tomura reacts as expected: grunting complaints, his nails hastily scraping his dry and scaly skin, as if it could solve his problems— similar to a child throwing a fit. Combined with the lifeless hands that are latched to his limbs, the scene was unsightly. His frustration only grows while everyone waits anxiously for his next move.
"It's game over... Agh... It's game over... for now."
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What..?! What is that..?!
The large creature has Eraserhead pinned effortlessly on the cold concrete. One of its large scarred arms dislocate the Pro Hero's right elbow, the exposed cracks leak blood and splatter all over. The broken yellow goggles indicate the past attempts to escape weren't successful, and yet he still perseveres...
The creature smashes Eraserhead's face against the concrete, another punishment for struggling again. It brings his head back up to reveal the blood running down his face. You knew losing that much blood was serious and he needed some sort of treatment immediately.
Before you could speak, you instantly put a hand to your mouth, deciding against it. You may be the nearest person to give medical attention, but now wasn't the right time and you can't help that. Students were nearby, you couldn't risk their lives; you knew Eraserhead would've thought the same.
They had nervous looks and their bodies shook in fear. You wished they weren't so near to the scene; you worry that they'll get noticed and complicate things. Taking a breath, you quickly yet quietly dove into the water and headed in their direction, while also hoping nothing happens as you're underwater.
After reaching a fair distance, you rose your head out of the water. You're right behind Midoriya's group. The villains' and their voices travel better over water, you could their conversations clearly.
"Shall we hop back?" The man covered in hands suggests.
Mineta turns to Tsuyu, "Huh..? 'Hop back'? Isn't hopping your thing?!"
"That's definitely what he said," she returns.
He happily grabs onto the her, "Yaaay! We're saved! We're saved!"
You gulped. Retreat..? Even though they've already got this far..?
Save for Mineta who was drowning at the moment, Midoriya and Tsuyu shared the same thought.
"Actually, before that," the Hand Man subtly gestured to the three figures in the water, "Why don't we use this opportunity to take..."
You couldn't help but sprint to the scene, that bad feeling in your gut erupting. Thoughts are suppressed, your body moves on its own— like a mindless autopilot mode. Regrets piled again: I should've known it was too good to be true. I should've reacted faster. I shouldn't have stayed in one place. I should've...
The time it takes to swim there seemed too long, you believed that you couldn't make it, yet you kept on. You tried not to rush your movements because in water it does the opposite. However your breathing is ragged, as a result of the anxiety.
"...the symbol of peace's pride down a notch!" Hand Man finishes, hand reaching for the students.
His fingers touch Tsuyu's terrified face, yet nothing happens. "You really are too cool..." The Pro Hero managed to defy all odds by saving his student while under the strength of a monster. "Eraserhead." The monster forces his head back down, the effects of the quirk lingering.
Now!
When your feet felt the bottom of the pool, you took advantage of it; you used your quirk to raise yourself to the surface.
? !
They pause to notice your appearance, giving you enough time to jump from your platform. You surprise them even further by kicking the Hand Man away from the students; a perfect entrance but clumsy landing. "Stay back..! Asshole..!" You managed to breath out, your soaked form creating a puddle on the concrete.
"Shuzenji..!" Midoriya exclaims.
Gathering your strength back, you take a poor stance due to your exhaustion, "Sorry... for being late..!"
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His fingers felt where you had kicked him, the damage less thanks to the hand clutching his face— despite that it still hurt. A bruise would soon form on his nose, and maybe short-term bleeding, both scenarios annoying to him. With this newborn hate, he got back on his feet, wanting to see his sudden assailant.
A female with a pale pink Hero Costume, [h/c] hair, bright [e/c] eyes—
! ! !
His eyes widen, and a grin creeping up the sides of his face, "Are you..?"
He doesn't remember your description included with the group visiting USJ, yet he knew exactly who you were. With that signature pout, how could he not? He got back up immediately, shrugging off his thoughts for revenge.
"Shuzenji! Don't let him touch you!" Midoriya yells.
Sweat went down your face, "I-I don't really get it but o-okay!"
You're startled by the strange warning, though it's best that you don't take his words lightly. Unfortunately, considering how weary you are, you aren't sure how to deal with this type of villain. An untouchable quirk..? How does that work..?
"That voice..! It's you..! It's really you..!" His steps come closer. "Shuzenji [f/n]..!"
You froze. "H-How do you—"
He takes that moment to run up to you, his arm extended, hand reaching for your face. "My..! My Player 2..!"
You take a step back in reflex, so instead he grabs your arm. Shit..! Your body flinches at the contact, in fear of what would happen— yet there was nothing. You noticed that not all his fingers touched your arm, he kept his index finger raised.
What..?
CHAPTER 22 END