Chapter 33: Chapter 32: Villains Attack(Part-1)
The next day.
Students of Ua were put through a variety of tough exercises to help improve their quirks.
Bakugo kept releasing his explosive sweat towards the sky while shouting 'die'
Todoroki kept freezing and burning his surroundings to be able to use both his quirks at the same time.
The tape guy whose name he forgot kept throwing out large amounts of tape from his arms.
In short, everyone was working very hard to improve themselves.
Yes, everyone.
Except him.
'Why am I stuck here?'
Kurokai wondered, sitting on the ground surrounded by trees and vegetation.
Unlike his despondent self, Hero Ragdoll, sitting in front of him, was as cheerful as always.
"Alright, student let's start your counseling class!", She said, holding a notebook and pen in her hands.
Kurokai took in a deep breath to calm himself, he could tell with his eyes closed that it must be Eraser Head's revenge against him.
"Okay, let's get started. How are you feeling today? Is the weather good? WHat do you think about the wind? How was breakfast? Oh did you sleep well last night?"
Kurokai gave her a long face.
Ragdoll continued as if he didn't exist.
"Hmm, looks like we're a bit shy today. That's okay! You don't have to spill everything all at once. Let's play a quick game first! I'll ask you three silly questions, and you can answer however you want. Deal?"
Kurokai grabbed his face and sighed.
"Okay okay, Let's start for real this time.", SHe said with her signature smile.
'Her big eyes are unsettling to look at.'
"First question! Anything fun on your mind lately??", she asked casually.
Resisting the urge to facepalm he replied.
"Just the usual. Training, studying, surviving the chaos of Class 1-A."
She asked: "Chaos, huh? I've seen the reports. You guys are wild! So tell me, Kurokai, if you had to rank your class in terms of craziness, who's at the top? And where do you think you fall on that list?"
"Top? Probably Bakugo. The guy's a walking explosion. Me? I'm more... grounded. Someone has to keep their head on straight while the others are losing theirs, especially a single 30-year-old man suffering from depression...."
"Ooooh, the voice of reason in the storm, huh? That's a pretty big responsibility. So, when things get messy—like, say, you're up against some baddies—what's your go-to move? Charge in, hang back, or... something else?"
She tilts her head adorably while carefully observing his expression.
"Depends. If it's a fight I can win, I'll take the lead. If not, I'll try to think of some way to reason with them..."
"Ohoho! A thinker, huh? I like that! So... let's say you've got someone dangerous cornered. They're giving you trouble, causing harm, and they're not listening to reason. What's your next move?"
It was only now.
Kurokai felt something was wrong.
His gaze fixed on Hero Ragdoll's large eyes.
It was really unsettling.
'This.....doesn't feel like a normal counseling session.'
He decided to test the waters.
"I'd neutralize them. Quickly. Whatever stops them from hurting anyone else....."
She suddenly interrupted.
"Hmmm, efficient! I get that. But what if... let's say they're not completely bad? Maybe they've got a reason for what they're doing, something that pushed them into it. Does that change anything for you?"
'Is she trying to gauge something?.....'
"Maybe. If they've got a good reason, I'd still stop them, but... I might give them a chance to explain themselves. Depends on what they've done-"
"Interesting, interesting! You're like a puzzle, Kurokai. Lots of layers! Okay, last hypothetical, I promise..."
Again she didn't let him finish and pressed forth in a slightly loud voice.
"let's say you had the chance to do anything with your quirk. No rules, no limits. What's your ultimate goal?"
'I see I think I understand now.'
Kurokai smiled in his mind.
"Of course, I will protect everyone, I'm a hero after all.", He replied as a matter of fact.
"Then what if you weren't a hero?"
"Even if I was a civilian I would-"
"What if you were a villain?"
She silently activated her quirk to watch his every action.
"Villain? Why would you say something like that teacher..."
Kurokai was feeling a vague sense of excitement.
"Oh hahah! don't worry! don't worry! kiddo! it's just a hypothetical question!"
Using his cursed energy, he was able to identify a small electronic device hidden under Hero Ragdoll's fake paws.
With this silent play of words, hiding hidden intentions, Kurokai felt ecstatic.
If it was someone else then they would have tried to play dumb, acting ignorant to play safe.
But...what is the point?
Even if he tells her he wants to destroy the world what can she do?
Even if he praises villains what can she do?
Is it wrong to express your opinion? It is the fundamental right given to every person! regardless of how terrible his thought might be.
As long as he has not done it, or rather there is nothing to prove that he has done it.
Innocent until proven guilty.
What? They will say I leaked their information to the league to villains? That I am the spy?
Then let them!
These six eyes are not for show, the only thing it will end up doing would be to bring his original plan forward and nothing else.
If you want to hear, then listen well to my thoughts.
"If I was a villain..."
A smile appeared on Kurokai's face.
"I would of course act as one."
The pen in Hero Ragdoll's hand froze.
Still maintaining the smile on her face she asked.
"....What does that mean? Student Kurokai?"
There was hesitation in her voice.
"If I choose to be a villain, then that will be it."
"I will become a villain."
He continued in a steady voice.
"I believe people should take a decision and go through with it."
He clenched his palms.
"Regardless of the consequences, regardless of everything else."
"Once I make a decision, I will see it until the end."
Hero Ragdoll tilted her head in confusion and asked.
"Then you will hurt innocent people? if you were a villain?"
"I will do everything a villain is supposed to do."
He replied as a matter of fact.
She was stunned.
For a moment she couldn't understand why a kid in school, someone as young as him would have such extreme thoughts.
'This.....is not good.'
Her eyes shook for a moment.
'It seems you have a lot of work ahead of you Eraser.....'
At first she took this little job simply for fun, to tease the little ones while also fulfilling Eraser Head's request.
"Oh, hoho! My, my, Kurokai, you've got quite the flair for the dramatic! You sound like a villain in a movie trailer. 'I will do everything a villain is supposed to do!'—so intense!"
She let out a lighthearted laugh, though her eyes subtly studied his every move.
"But let's get real for a second. If you were a villain, wouldn't that mean throwing away all the hard work you've put into becoming a hero? Seems like a waste to me, don't you think?"
Finally she asked the real question.
"So tell me Kurokai are you a Hero or a Villain?"
"Of course...."
Kurokai and Mechamaru replied at the same time.
" I am a Hero."
" I am a Villain."
'I am neither.'
But only he heard his inner voice.
----
Eraser Head was sitting quietly on the sofa with a pair of headphones in his ears, listening to Kurokai's little counseling.
"What will I do with this brat?"
Letting out a light sigh he took off his headphones and let his back relax on the sofa.
In no time the day ended and night arrived.
"Okay let's play a game!"
The ones who failed the test were taking extra classes while those who passed decided to play a scary game.
"Then let's draw lots!"
Four teams of two students each was quickly formed, only Midoriya was left because of the uneven number of students.
"Sorry Midoriya but you will have to deal with it!"
"Why me!"
Kurokai looked at the slip he drew, then saw the same one in Momo's hands.
"Kurokai-kun it seems we are a team.....", Momo said with a slight relief in her voice, while peeking at Bakugo and Todoroki.
Just then Asui suddenly appeared before her.
"Momo-chan.....can we exchange draws?"
Her big eyes stared at Momo with expectations.
'A-asui-san!'
Momo hesitated and held the lot tightly in her hand.
But after some time passed, she gave in and let Asui take her place.
She couldn't help but sigh seeing Kurokai leave with Asui.
'I feel so out of place...'
Ochaco thought helplessly in her mind, She was Asui's original partner.
----
Villians Hideout.
"Shigaraki is it alright to let them go on their own?", Kurogiri asked in a hesitant voice.
"Don't worry Kurogiri, those guys aren't so weak."
Shigaraki waved his hand, telling Kurogiri to take it easy.
"You trust them so much?"
Shigaraki laughed.
"Of course I trust them, they are strong, but most of all....."
A creepy smile appeared on his face.
"I believe my friend will never let me down."