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“It shouldn't be hard right? I mean, it’s been coming on for years. All I have to do is really go for it. With this, his reputation will take a hemorrhaging blow.” Minta whispered to herself as she slipped on her offensive gloves. The end of each tan colored finger, attached to a black base, was tipped with an inch long claw-styled blade, “Endeavour’s judgement will never be above question again.” she made sure the buckle around her upper arm was tight, holding her outfit in the proper place, “All the hypocrites walking these halls, I can’t wait to see their faces.” her giggles reverberated off the bathroom walls, “This is the day that Void will begin the steps to his final climb. At least I can be useful.” looking at herself in the bathroom mirror Minta enjoyed the familiar look in her own eyes. The dilation of pupils that meant she was now truly in hunter mode. A final flex of her deadly claws and she headed for the door with a feral grin, “For Void.”
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“Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll do fine.” She smiles at his nervous face while handing the budding hero tea. Despite his shy way of speaking he stares at all her most private areas with sure intent. After he’s accepted into the Agency he continues to find reasons to hang around her desk. His hands often land in so-called awkward places. But he thinks his little smiles and goofy laughs are enough for him to be forgiven.
“Miss Minta?” The sound is pitiful as it manages it’s way out of a blood filled throat. Not any different then the man’s first day just over a year ago, still so timid and fake.
“Pathetic.” Minta says coldly as the light fades from his eyes while his blood stains the walls and the floor. A quick flick of her hand is enough to rid her of the filthy fluid that clings to her claws, “No better than the rest of them.”
Minta stiffens when she hears footsteps out in the hallway outside of the computer lab. Some other Hero must need to check a database for something. Thinking swiftly Minta uses her natural agility to climb up to a place just over the doorway. The dead Hero, Cutter, is only mildly visible from the doorway. And just as Minta hopes the partial sight is enough to draw the new person hurriedly into the room. Before the newcomer can even call out in shock at the sight before them Minta descends. Usually she likes to play with her food. But today is not the day for that. One swift strike across the back of ReActor’s neck severed the brain stem’s connection to his spinal column. The Hero falls to the floor right next to the feet of his comrade. Minta licks the fresh blood from her claws. Mostly innocent yet still guilty by association. Or at least, that is how Society would have seen it had these people been anything but Heroes. It’s what the Courts had accused Minta’s mother of when her Father had been found guilty of Villainy and her mother, a beaten and broken woman, had known about a few small things.
Leaning down over the bodies Minta carefully places a small silver cat charm on each of their corpses. Once that is done she stands and turns to head for the door. At this time of day there should be three Heroes at maximum in the break room just down the hall. Perhaps they would have enough time for one of them to do something against her before she finished most of them off. But she’d still win, and likely without raising alarm once again. After all, she was the Silent Siamese.
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Hitoshi looks up at the clock and swallows against his dry throat.
“Get back to work.” his Dad says sternly from his place prepping the espresso machine for the small afternoon crowd that would soon arrive, “You don’t have time to worry about matters that don’t concern you.”
“Yes sir.” Hitoshi got back to sweeping the floor. It was his day off, so that meant he was helping out in the cover business. Normally he wouldn't have a problem with that. It’s just that he had this funny feeling about today. Both Hitoshi’s parents had been abnormally glued to their phones for most of breakfast. And his Pop had vanished at weird intervals for most of the late morning while Hitoshi and his Dad set up the cafe. He managed to continue to shake off his suspicions and work well for another two hours, entertaining a few people who came in, when every phone in the room pinged at least once.
Hitoshi’s own phone went off three times. Once from the National News Alert App. Another from the Hero Watch App. And lastly was a text Izuku asking him if he’d seen the news yet. As he scanned the first few lines of every alert his blood ran hot and cold. His family was moving in, and Hitoshi wasn't really sure how he felt about that.
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Enji stood in the coroner’s office. His eyes took in the 11 gurneys laid out before him. Thankfully all the bodies were covered but that didn't stop Enji from seeing them as he had found them. Slaughtered without mercy. And by someone who had worked next to him every day for years. Someone who had clearly been spying on him this whole time. Probably laughing inside as he lamented his woes. Most likely in the same way she had done aloud while killing all of these Heroes. He’d seen the security footage, heard Minta’s cackles when she’d attacked all of her victims. A few had managed to land blows. But most had hesitated too long to do any real damage. And why shouldn't they have. Minta, even when dressed in her true identity as the long sought after Silent Siamese, was a well known figure as Endeavour’s personal secretary.
“How did this happen?” Enji asked, his voice only just cracking, as the representative of the National Hero Council came to stand beside him, “I thought you vetted everyone who was hired for this kind of work.”
“We did. She was clean.” the representative said emotionlessly, looking out at the room like it was just another sight to see, “This is the first legitimate thing her real identity has ever done. It would seem her dedication to Void led Minta Nekotoka to finally revealing her true self.” he side eyes Enji, “Do you mean to say you, a seasoned Hero, really didn't notice a single thing this entire time?”
Enji didn't answer. He just continued to glare at the room full of people he’d failed.
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Glug Glug Glug GLUG
“AAHHH!” Minta exclaimed with joy as she took the beer stein away from her mouth, “Now that hits the spot. Zashi-chan, bring me another!”
“Don’t ask me to bring you booze so casually.” Hizashi said while sticking out his tongue and taking the glass from the woman’s waving hand. He stood from the kitchen island and headed to the counter where a small keg had been placed, “You should be groveling at our feet instead. Beer of this quality is hard to find.”
“She deserves it.” Shouta says from his place across the counter, a half finished beer placed before him, “Minta worked hard today.”
“The Boss is praising me!” Minta leaned forward, the top of her head leaning a bit in Shouta’s direction, “Right?” her tail twitched to and fro for a moment
Shouta sighed and reached out to place his palm between her two prominent ears. They flicked as he began to scratch Minta’s scalp. He let his hand follow Minta’s head down to the counter where the Cat Quirk user became a purring puddle of human being.
Hizashi chuckled as he returned to his seat and placed the fresh drink on the counter, “Such a softy, at least in private.” he nudged Shouta’s shoulder
“Only for the best of us.” Shouta mumbled, eyes fixed on where he rubbed Minta’s left ear tip. Her tail was twitching a bit more lazily now, her eyelids fluttering in a fight against peaceful sleep, “She worked so hard for so long. The least I can do is this.”
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“Thanks for staying over tonight.” Izuku said as he climbed into his bed
“No problem.” Hitoshi replied with a shrug as he pulled back the blankets on the guest cot, “My parents needed some alone time anyway. Plus, a lot happened today.”
“Yeah.” Izuku looked up at one of his many posters, “It all happened so fast that no one could do anything. To think someone who worked there for so long could…” Izuk’s fists tighten their grip on his covers
Hitoshi stepped over and placed a hand on top of those straining fists, “Zuku, listen to me.” he waited until green met lilac, “Sometimes Villains win. It’s a fact. If it weren't the crime rate would be zero and we wouldn't need so many Heroes. Also, it’s important to remember that people change. Someone who might once have been good can change in an instant given the right circumstances.” He tightened his grip on his friend’s hand just a bit, “But let's promise each other something, right now.”
“What?” Izuku asked with wide, curious eyes
“We’ll never make a choice like that without talking to the other first. Because I want...I have to trust that a person can stay strong against everything if they have the right people looking out for them.” Hitoshi let all of his trust in Izuku show with a single smile, “Let’s always be there for each other so that something like this never happens to either of us.”
“Toshi…”
“The world keeps getting dangerous.” Hitoshi couldn’t stand the sight of those innocent eyes any longer. He lowered his gaze to the edge of Izuku’s bed, “I just...want to make sure we both come out the other side.”
Hitoshi’s eyes widened when one of the hands under his palms shifted to cover his now shaking fingers, “We’ll always be there for each other Toshi. I promise.”
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...eleven dead at the scene. The perpetrator fled shortly before any real reinforcements could arrive. The Villain, since confirmed to be the Silent Siamese, was Endeavour’s personal secretary. A woman by the name of Minta Nekotoka who has been connected to several mass murder cases over the last seven years. Of course, this once more brings Endeavour’s personal character into question. Though a few are blaming the Hero Association for their vetting process most have turned the eye of persecution to the Number Two himself. The question has been raised as to why, after so many years of service, the Hero couldn't recognize…
“It’s so damn funny.” A raspy chuckled filled the dark space around it’s owner. The only source of light was the small television with spotty reception that continued to play in the background as it illuminated a crooked smile and blazing blue eyes, “The old man is being pushed into a corner so easily. I should join the fun!” the laughter grew in volume until, with a whoosh of vanishing oxygen, the dark space was engulfed in blue flames