Chapter Text
“And why is the Thirteen Killer being released?” Rock Lock waves her file. “This woman is one of the worst villains we’ve seen in years. Why is the judge even considering it?”
“Because the doctors are advocating it. They said nothing’s wrong with her.” Hawks sucks on a blue sucker and takes it out of his mouth. “In fact, they said nothing was wrong to begin with. A little trauma but nothing to constitute an admission to an insane asylum.”
Rock Lock sighs. “What the hell are these people thinking? Just look at the file!”
“Pretty privileges, maybe?” Kaminari shrugs. Deku scratches his head. His green eyes not leaving the file once. “I think it’s worth looking into. The story doesn’t add up. She never went into detail why and kept giving people different versions of the story while not actually saying the cause or even the crime."
"Plus, the people they interviewed and had on the stand didn't even know her. Just random people that might've seen her once in a while." Shinsou yawns and rubs his eyes. He just got off patrol. He leans back in his chair.
“Are you defending this? The people on the stand saw her enough.” Rock Lock argues.
“The investigators didn’t give her a chance. Look at the way she’s talking,” Uraraka points to the statements. “They have the same tone. Some truths in them but she never outrightly says it. Something happened that she isn’t saying.”
“You think she’s hiding something?” Bakugou frowns and looks up at the pink cheeked hero. “I think there is more that meets the eye. This investigation was faulty.”
Rock Lock throws his hands in the air. “Are you kidding? Look at her! We all heard this story. We’re reading the details now. There was nothing more that could’ve been done.”
“That doesn’t mean-”
“Especially when she confessed. Walked right into the station and told them where the bodies were. Why are we letting her out?”
Everyone remains silent. The only noise to be heard is the clock on the wall. Shouto breaks the silence. "She told them where the bodies were and what was used. Not that she killed them."
Hawks speaks again when the stick to his sucker is thrown in the trash. “I have to agree with Uraraka. There’s something off but I do believe she did it. That’s why this needs to be investigated again before the judge releases her.”
“Okay, okay. Other than this-” Kaminari waves the photos. “What exactly can she do? What’s her quirk?”
“She’s quirkless. That’s what was so surprising.” Shouto looks up at Kaminari. “I believe she did it or was at least an accomplice. But how? Why?” The people at the big round table look around at each other.
“I’m glad you feel that way, Shouto!” Hawks stands up. “You’re going to go in. Everyone will get to the details of the case while you tackle her. With mental health being your expertise, this will be a breeze. And if you struggle,” Hawks points to Shinsou. “He’ll come in. But I want this to be as smooth as possible. Shinsou’s quirk can be controversial, and people may question a confession if used.”
"I'm not an expert, Hawks." Hawks ignores Shouto's concern. “We got one shot at Thirteen Killer. She’ll be released and if she’s as evil as she was made to be, we’re in big trouble.”
“Hawks,” Shinsou shuffles through the file. “If Uraraka is right about the original investigation, then this woman lost years of her life.”
“Another reason why we need to do our best. Like I said, we’re in big trouble.”
Shouto steps out of the car and takes in the surroundings. For some reason, there is a fog around the hospital. A beautiful garden is covered by the mist and the trees look more twisted here. The scene is more of a spooky movie than a hospital. He walks up the cobblestone and sees someone in the window. He fails to make out any features. The policeman looks back at him. “Let’s move along, Shouto.”
He looks back at the window and the person is gone with curtains covering it.
INTERVIEW #1:
NAME: DAI SUZUKI
OCCUPATION: MRS. ISHIHARA'S LAWYER
“So, what did you think of the Thirteen Killer?”
The middle age man rubs his face then rests his head on his fist. “First off, her name is (Y/n) Ishihara. Well, her married name is. I don’t know how she feels about using it now. When we met, she insisted I call her by her first name or even a nickname.”
“So, she has a problem with it?”
“Absolutely.” Her lawyer, Suzuki, taps his fingers along the desk. “Is it from guilt? Dissociating from it?”
Suzuki hums. “No, not guilt. It’s something different. She never told me why though.”
A pen writes down his statement. “(Y/n)’s behavior during the trial caused a lot of fuss. What do you think about it?”
“The fuss? Dramatic.”
“I mean her behavior.”
“Stoic. Dazed, almost. I wouldn’t call it heartless by any means like the media and heroes did.” The subtle jab goes ignored. "What about her laughing?”
Suzuki lifts his hand to light a cigarette. “Mind?”
“Not at all.”
He takes a drag then waits for the nicotine to soothe him before he continues. “Nerves is my guess. Apparently, whenever she’s hurt in some way or scared, she laughs. It’s a normal reaction that a lot of us have. Hardly villainous.”
He taps the cigarette on the bowl when the ash gets a little high. “You seem awfully protective.”
“She’s my client whose innocence I totally believe in. Slander against her will not be tolerated.”
“What makes you think she’s innocent?”
Suzuki licks his lips. “I’ve seen a lot of villains play innocent. I’ve seen a lot of evil, as I’m sure you have. However, she was different. Her eyes were like a child’s. She never tried too hard or pleaded. She never cried or was even confused. She took it all in stride and grace and didn’t argue except for looking into her family. She drew the line there and had an outburst that everyone considered damning.”
“Her secrecy was problematic. Do you know them?”
“Secrets? No. She had multiple stories that were all relatively similar. They each told something of the truth. Personally, I think they were all true and just weren’t pieced together right.”
The ink on the papers tells of odd wordings, it's almost like an allegory or maybe even a fable. “Like, ‘a knight in hidden armor flipped false gold into a wishing well, hoping not to fall. It's a lie, he wished for the darkest of all.”
Suzuki sighs. “I admit it’s a little odd-”
“If what she’s saying is true, who was the knight?” The lawyer’s office is silent. Even the policeman paused to listen. “She never told me. I have a feeling it was him though. I can’t confirm it.”
Shouto takes in the white walls and slow-moving nurses when they’re in front of a patient of some sort. There are people muttering and even clapping to themselves in the hallway for some reason. This is totally different from his mother’s old hospital. Hers was more welcoming and less sterile. This just seems cold. He hopes they are getting proper and compassionate treatment.
He meets the doctor and shakes his hand. He introduces himself. “Shouto. Nice to meet you.”
“The pleasure is mine. My name is Doctor Marcus. I assume you’re here about (Y/n)?” He's a thin, average height man with wavy brown hair. His thick glasses emphasize and enlarge his eyes. Shouto and Doctor Marcus walk down a hallway and into an elevator. “Is she not on the ground floor?”
“Oh no, she’s on the fourth floor.” The elevator dings. In contrast to the downstairs decor, this is warmer and has a little more color. Not as much as his mother’s but to the point where nurses aren’t as slow moving.
“Here she is. Alright-”
“I would like to talk with her first, if you don’t mind. Or,” Shouto points to your door. “Can she not handle that?”
“She can. I just thought I was the one introducing you two.” The doctor sorts through his keys. “I only advise you not to call her that name and to not be too aggressive.”
He opens the door before Shouto can even ask why. He sees you in the small room facing the window. Now that he sees your clothes, he realizes that it was you he saw in the window. Why are you facing it like that in an uncomfortable looking chair?
The doctor closes the door behind Shouto with a gentle click. You still don’t turn around. The room has pictures on the wall with bright colors. It almost looks like a child did it or an abstract artist. On the bed is yarn and a quilt with several clearly homemade stuffed toys. In your file, there was one toy you didn’t want to part with and that is the red monkey on your bed. No one could figure out why you wanted something so juvenile as a twenty-three year old.
That was years ago, and you still have it and it is clearly well taken care of. How can you be so child like and seemingly wholesome when everything says otherwise?
INTERVIEW #2
NAME: YUI KIMURA
ROLE: WITNESS
“The one thing I absolutely remember was how she looked when she was walking.” She rubs her arms. The air conditioner’s vent blows air right on her, slightly moving her grey hair.
“She went down your street, correct?” The old woman nods and shivers. “Should I turn the heat on?”
“No, no. I just shivered because of the memory. Covered head to toe, walking funny, then running. She was a horrifying sight. So, trust me, it’s her that makes me shiver.”
“You make it sound like she’s Himiko Toga or something.”
The woman, Kimura, shakes her head. “She’s up there if not worse. This girl must be insane. The League had their own crooked reasons. As I am sure you of all people know.” The old woman deeply inhales. “She had none and decided to walk down the street so calmly and only ran because someone screamed. And it wasn’t immediate either! She sat there and just stared at them like they were crazy. She ran because she wanted to, not from fright.”
“Other than how she looked and the media coverage, what is your opinion of her?”
“She is terrifying. A true villain. Her violence is probably an urge she can't control. Or doesn't want to."
“What makes you say that? Was there something in the trial that made you feel that way? Perhaps something when you first met her?"
“No, I didn't think anything of her before this. And I don’t really remember the trial other than what I thought. She should’ve been put to death. Something that gory, that brutal, could only be done by someone who isn’t finished.”
“Hello, my name is Shouto.”
You don’t say anything, but you do cock your head. Still, you haven’t turned around. “I would like to talk to you if that’s okay?”
You nod. He sits in a white chair with light blue designs on it. “What’re here for again?” Your voice is…pretty.
“Just to ask some questions. You can stop me at any time.” Surprisingly, you turn around while still sitting in your chair. “My name’s (Y/n). Nice to meet you.”
Shouto comes face to face with the most beautiful person he’s ever seen. He knows he shouldn’t have gasped and been so obvious with it. How could he not? He quietly explains, slightly embarrassed, “You’re up for release and I wanted to know more about you.”
You hum. “Well, you better hurry up because today is one of my good days.” Shouto opens his blue notepad. "Do you have a lot of bad days?"
"No, just some plain days. I look forward to the good ones."
You turn the chair around to face him fully. “What do you want to know?”
“If I can call you by your last name.”
“Okay.”
“Mrs. Ishihara-”
“No. (L/n), please. That's my last name. You could use my first name, too. I’ll even settle for a nickname.” You haven’t been nervous this whole time. No tension or sadness. You haven't given any indication that you're bothered. It’s like a simple conversation. However, you are shockingly firm in that sentence.
“May I ask why? It says here that it is your last name.”
“How can I change that since it no longer applies to me?” He raises his eyebrow. “Why doesn't it?”
“He died a few years ago.” He hears you whisper a song. “Your candle burned out long before your legend ever did, your candle burned out long before your legend ever did.”
For obvious reasons, that piques his interest. “Is that the song you mourn to?”
“No, I don’t mourn. I’m busy.” He shuffles in his seat. “Why not? You were married to him since you were sixteen-seventeen?”
“Married at seventeen and known of him since I was sixteen."
“That’s very young.” He writes that down despite it being common knowledge. You cock your head again. “Do you want to know what my dress looked like?”
“No-”
“I think you’d look beautiful in it.” He tries to get your attention again by saying your name. “It was long sleeved and satin. I didn’t have a say in it. The detailing was extremely plain. Almost nonexistent. The gown in general wasn’t very cute now that I think about it,” You laugh. “It'd look better on your than it did on me.”
“Ma’am-”
“Miss. You’re older than me, I bet.”
“How do you figure?” You shrug your shoulders. “I don’t know. I’ve heard of you, though, when I was younger. Touya’s peppermint brother! A peppermint patty that didn't eat coal. Your brother did, though.”
Shouto is not the best at this. In fact, he’s a beginner and Hawks only bet on him because of his experience with his mother. Other than that, he isn’t qualified, and you would’ve been better with someone else. Maybe Deku or Uravity. Because all you’ve done is strike a chord, especially after what happened to Touya.
“I’ll cut to the chase. I’m here to evaluate you to see if you should even be released. I need to know the whole story in order to do that.” He snaps.
“You want me to stay?”
“I want the truth.”
You smile. “If you’re desperate, make one up. Lines to walk, and crosses to bear. Let them hear that, and they'll make you share. Hold out beautiful peppermint, don't stray from the trails, for they'll tell tall tales!"
INTERVIEW #3
NAME: SERA YAMAMOTO
ROLE: ORIGINAL TRIAL JUDGE
The original judge of the case, Yamamoto, looks at the doctor’s evaluation. She sucks in her ruby lips and glares at the papers. “This is crazy. How can they think she should be let out?”
“The doctors say that she’s doing fine. Her sentence was until she was well, not to be in there forever.”
“A mistake I regret.” She slaps the stack on the mahogany desk. Izuku studies her. He chose to take on this interview since he knew it would be interesting. After talking with Uraraka, he started to see what the gravity hero meant. “It was your decision. Why did you make it? What makes you regret it now?”
“There’s something wrong with her. No remorse, no fear, nothing. She was blank or maybe just plain soulless.”
She sighs and sits in the black leather chair. Yamamoto grabs the crystal cocktail cup with brandy in it. “She laughed. She laughed and said she’d do it again, just not with him watching. What does that mean? She’d be sneaky?”
“So, why did you choose it? The prosecution was going for death. Why rule in favor for the defense?"
“She is insane. It was a good decision to put her away but not the one that was needed. She needs to be put to death.”
“That’s redundant and emotional, Ms. Yamamoto. You admit she’s insane and is in the right place, yet you want her to die. Ma’am, do you think you should’ve been the one to try this case?”
She pauses and stares at him. Her yellow eyes are round at Izuku's question. Yamamoto smacks her desk with her green hand. The few scales on her arms begin to turn a vibrant red. Izuku takes a mental note of her quirk.
“How dare-”
“It’s not making sense. Is she or is she not insane?” Izuku is relentless in his questioning and notes.
“She is-”
“So, she is in the right place with the right verdict?”
“Technically ye-” She sighs and leans back.
“So, with her verdict, she has a chance to get better and doctors have supported her release. If this is the case, why do you want her to die? You’re the one that saved her.”
She groans. Her tone becomes softer. “I know how it sounds. As a woman of the law, I have to abide by the law. She’s competent enough to stand trial but not enough to go on the streets. I went with this because there was no story yet there seems to be one." Izuku notices how much brandy she has drank since he shook hands with her. He notices the lack of eye contact. He wonders if she knows that it's not just her words that are being written down
She taps a pencil on her desk. “I’ve tried a lot of cases for decades. I’ve seen so much. This is a case no one can forget. There weren’t any answers other than the crime itself.”
“From a person with no emotion.”
“That was too quick of wording. You’re right. I’ve been emotional and I always have been. What I mean by those words are that she didn’t show anything. I don’t know if she even felt it. I think she understood them, though.”
“So, not sociopathic but liberated so to speak?"
“Liberated. There’s something there that is blameless and understanding. I can’t put my finger on it. Despite all of this, I stand by what I said: she shouldn’t be let out.” Her tone sounded desperate. This is something Izuku didn't ignore.
Shouto rubs his face. “I’m sorry. Please, don’t be upset. If you need a break I can leave and get the doctor.”
He can't believe he got snappy with someone vulnerable like this. He could only imagine his mother's face if she saw. Back when he gained the confidence to see her for the first time, he'll admit he was angry. Still, he never snapped at the woman who scarred his face. Yet with you he does. It's unacceptable.
"I am so, so, so sorry. Please, forgive me. I'll leave-" He gets up to go. He'll tell Hawks to send someone else.
“I’m not upset. This is fun.” You look so bright and jovial. He sits back down slowly. “Then may I ask, why did you do it? What happened? Why do the doctors advocate for you so much when you’ve only been here a couple of years?”
“Once upon a time-”
“No. The truth. No more riddles and stories or fables. Just plainly say it.” He says this in a gentle tone, not wanting to repeat his mistake.
“I’ve always talked like this, Shouto. Do you want to hear it or not?”
“I do but I don’t want a story. I want the truth.” You chuckle. “There are always truths in stories and legends. And the legacies left behind are often twisted. That’s where the stories come in.”
His eyes flicker to yours. The wording. Could Uraraka and Suzuki been right all along?
“Sorry, I’d like to hear the story. I didn’t realize that.”
“That’s what I thought. Anyway, there once was a little girl that loved chocolate coins. They had gold wrappers and were easy for her to flip in a wishing fountain. She loved them all the way up to her teen years and always had them in her pocket. She gave them to everyone and would even carry plain ones for those who had a wish for she believed in that fountain and still does to this day.”
INTERVIEW #4
NAME: AMI YAMADA
ROLE: SCHOOL TEACHER
“How would you describe (Y/n) (L/n)?” Shouto decided to interview this one. There was something that didn't sit right with him when they were delegated interviews.
“You mean (Y/n) Ishihara? I haven’t talked about her in a long time. It’s a little painful.” Since it is recess, they sit in her classroom for privacy while the kids play. The school teacher is modest and shy. On the back of her seat is a yellow cardigan and she has pearls on her neck. Neither one of them are bright or flashy.
“As I understand it, you were her sixth grade teacher?”
“Yes, that’s correct. Her sixth grade teacher and her eleventh.”
“Eleventh? It says here just sixth grade.”
“No, after her sixth year, I decided to be a high school teacher since there was a shortage. After her year, I went back to being an elementary teacher.”
“So, why does it say sixth?”
She shrugs. “I did get married then divorced. Is it under that name?” Low and behold, it’s true. Ami Shishido. How could investigators mess up that badly?
“Is this your first interview, Miss Yamada?”
“Yes, I’ve never been interviewed. They asked if I knew her but nothing else.” How could they have missed her? Eleventh grade would be your 16 to 17th year. So, it’s about the time you got married.
“Tell me about Kane Ishihara.” She looks taken back for a second then settles again. “Um, he was a weird boy. Disturbed maybe? It might’ve been his home life or the bullying. Maybe a combination. Nevertheless, I've never had a problem with him and he was respectful to others.”
“Then, how was (Y/n)?”
“The opposite. Well, not entirely. She was quiet but not broody or…scary. She just talked when she wanted to. And it was always goofy. She had a tendency to talk over people.”
“Goofy?” The interviews have always come across as disturbed or maybe like the Cheshire Cat from Wonderland. And no one denied the similarity you had to the villains he had faced in his youth. That alone made the public even more scared. You never sounded sane. You sounded like you had one bad day you were proud of.
“Yes, she always spoke with fables and tales. She could make one up with anything. Actually, she was a great teacher that way and had a magnificent way with children because of it.”
“You seem to admire her.” She plays with her hair. “She was my student since she was a child. I’m fond of her.”
“Even with her record?”
“Even still. I know her. There’s something wrong. She would have never done these things in normal circumstances.”
“Can you please explain? We’d like to know every side of her.”
She smiles. “If I had the money to bet, I would say that the problem wasn’t her. It was him.”
“Him?”
“It is wrong to speak ill of the dead, so I will whisper it in the most respectful way I can, you must believe me.”
“I do.”
She leans in. “I don’t know what happened. But I saw a normal girl descend into something scared and dull. Her eyes however, seemed more vibrant. Like the color was emphasized, near glowing. This only happened toward the end of the school year when she was talking to Ishihara.”
The paper documents all of this with every detail. “Please, you must keep what I said to yourself. I could face serious consequences if people found out.” She whispers and looks around nervously. “You being fond of her will not go on an official record. It just lets us heroes know how she is or was.”
She nods slowly and sits back into her seat. “You said Ishihara was disturbed. How so?”
“I can’t put my finger on it, but something was just off? Not in a way you’d call him a nerd or dork. Nothing like that. People were brave enough to talk trash about him but not brave enough to go head-to-head with him."
“Why would that be?”
“I hate to talk like this about him, truly I do. Especially when he may be innocent, and he wasn't a problem child at all.” She links her hands together and bites her lips. “He had a quiet and sinister energy. One I think even Shigaraki and All For One would avoid. I can’t tell what it was though.”
“And (Y/n) didn’t have that?”
“Never. Not a single hint of malice or evil. That’s why those who know her, don’t believe she was evil."
You sit in your chair, animatedly telling a tale. “Suddenly, the little girl with a coin became a teenager with more. Chocolate coin, chocolate coal, and a yen or two. Maybe even a sandwich to share. She skipped along and went to her fountain. There stood a boy with hair as black as night, straight as a noodle with a notepad to doodle. His eyes were darker than her chocolate coal and the light she walked in.”
“Is the girl you?”
“Way to ruin my story.” You huff. “I’m sorry. It’s just hard to keep up when you aren’t using the right person,” He stops for a split second. “Actually, I like stories like that. My mother always tells stories of her life and does it as well as a storybook, maybe even better. Can I hear it like that? You using names and such?”
You bite your lip then smile again. “I like those stories too. Okay, I’ll do that. Now shut up.”
He raises his hands in surrender, eager to listen. “Where was I?”
“Something about chocolate coal? Mayb-”
“Shush! I remember now. Then! Then I thought to myself, ‘this poor thing must be lonely, blowing down pigs’ houses.’ Still, I noticed this poor creature was always by himself and took pity. Never did I think he was lying in beds too! No wonder he was alone! I skipped over there with some sandwich to spare and offered him a bite or two. He said no, he doesn’t want too, he’ll sit on the edge with me, that he’ll do!”
Shouto writes all of this down. Despite what it looks like, it’s clear as day. She’s talking about him. Her husband and is calling him a wolf. And laying in beds? He has to investigate more on that one. Shouto writes this down then stops while you talk some more. He hurriedly gets his tape recorder out and places it on the table for reference later.
“I felt bad y’know, eating while the poor creature had none. So, I gave him a coin to wish for no bad luck and pain, with plenty of good rain!” You lean in with a big cheesy grin. “See how I did that? Ain’t that cute?” You then clap for yourself.
“Anyway, I handed him the wrong one. I gave him chocolate that I bought for myself. I didn’t notice but I heard a plop. I turned around to apologize but he said it had already dropped. We laughed and shrugged. Little did I know that’ll end me mugged.”
You clap again. “I love it when I rhyme. I’m getting better at it. Ya like it?” Shouto has an unintentional small smile. “I do. It’s still hard to keep up with. The stories I’ve heard and like were more straightforward. Can you do it?”
It’s not hard to understand at all. Shouto knows for a fact this part of your story is entirely true. At the high school, there was a fountain. And if he goes back there, he’ll see coins in it. You’re being honest the best you can.
“I don’t know.”
“Do the best you can. It’s fine.”
You nod and continue. “We were friends for a while. I sat with him and he said small words. Make sure of this, dear listener,” You lean in again with the most serious and near scary expression. “Don’t eat chocolate coins. I asked for less than gold and ended up with coal.”
He hums and hopes the recorder is catching all of this. This is the truth, a confession. He’s studied you and this case intensively. You always talked like this and would randomly sing old songs, sometimes sea shanties. Now that he’s in front of you he realizes Uraraka and Suzuki were right. You’ve been telling the truth all along in your own way. And as a child of an abuser, a survivor, someone who has lost family and pieces of himself, he knows. You married a wolf, a predator.
You stopped talking and just watch him. Then, you sing a familiar tune that was made during the trial.
“Killer thirteen married one and there was nothing to be done. All jolly men, ended up one way, then together again. Down the halls not up the street, she made sure she couldn’t flee. One after another, terrible hacks and the final man had to act. The master of the missus gave her some kisses. No matter what he had done, she made sure there was none!”
INTERVIEW #5
NAME: (M/N) (L/N)
ROLE: MRS. (Y/N) ISHIHARA'S MOTHER
“What happened?”
Your mother crosses her arms. “Before or after the trial?” Shouto looks up from his notepad. “Before, during, and after.”
“Before the trial, she seemed fine. A little skittish but alright. Then during, she was the same. And after just like that.”
“So, your daughter's always been like this? Considered insane?”
“She’s not crazy. I said she seemed like that when she was with him. A mother always knows. Something happened in that house or apartment or condo, whatever the fuck it was.” Your mother looks out the window. "They moved into this dingy little apartment when they first married and when he got that fancy job they upgraded."
“Then, what was it really? She seemed that way but…?”
“I’m tired. I’d like for you to go.” She stands hurriedly and points to the worn-down white door. “Just one more question, please.” She puts her hands on her hips and waits. “What if she was freed?”
It takes minutes for her to answer. “I don’t know. I would want to know she’s okay.”
“If she was?”
“Then I’d hug her if she’ll let me.”
"Alright, I'd like to talk to you tomorrow if you want."
"You're leaving already?" Your shoulder slump. "It's nine o'clock. I think it's best for us to get some rest." He hears a small gasp. "Ha! A rhyme!"
"Goodnight, Miss. I'll see you tomorrow?" You freeze. "Wait, it's nine?"
"Yes." You take a deep breath. "Um, can we do this some other time? Tomorrow is my good day too. I already missed this one." Shouto nods and gathers his things without missing how sad you look. Your foot taps on the ground then stops. "Bye Mr. Shouto."
"Goodnight, Miss (Y/n)." He opens the door and walks out, shutting the door gently. He dearly wishes you a goodnight and a pleasant dream. With not a single nightmare brave enough to come through his wish. He doesn't know why he thinks this.
Shouto walks into Hawk's office without knocking. He sees the rest of the team and Hawks sitting around, no doubt talking about the case. "I know what happened."
"Figured you would. What gave it away?" Shouto scoffs and goes towards the commissioner. "Abuse, wasn't it? This woman was locked up because of that?" Hawks finishes his meal. "It was the murder of thirteen men that did it and no one could figure out why."
"But you did."
"What? What are you talking about?" Rock Lock looks around the room, clearly wondering if anyone knows what's going on.
Shouto continues, still mad about the whole thing. "And a fucking fucked up investigation! How the hell could they have missed the teacher?"
"What is going on?"
"Of course I did. It was obvious. But why? What caused (Y/n) to snap? What was going on with the other twelve men? There's something wrong with this. It isn't just some run of the mill battered wife story, no. There's something lying underneath it. I need you guys to find out what."
Shouto lays the recorder down. "She plainly says it. In a form of a story or a fable, she outs him as a wolf." He plays the recorder to that part of the story, and everyone is at the edge of their seat listening. Bakugou frowns. "That doesn't really mean anything. She talks of a wishing fountain-"
"The one at the school."
"What does she mean with the wolf laying in the pigs' beds? Is that a part of the Three Little Pigs?" Shinsou frowns. Midoriya corrects him after thinking about it. "No, that was Goldilocks. She broke into bear's houses. The wolf just wanted to eat the pigs."
"Did he cheat on her or something?" Uraraka asks.
"This case is layered. Very layered." Hawks puts his feet down from his desk. "Shouto to handle Mrs. Ishihara-”
“She doesn’t like that. She wants to be called by her first name or her maiden name.”
Hawks claps his hands one time. “There, there is my point. Attentive, understanding, reliable-”
“Deku, Uravity, Red Riot, and every other hero fit that description.”
Hawks straightens up in his seat. “Yeah, they can. Probably even better than you. That doesn’t change the fact that you have lived it. And you know someone who has been in her shoes.” Shouto’s breath hitches. He knew this very well. "I'm not saying you have to heal her. What I'm am telling all of you is to save her. Shouto, you handle (Y/n) while they handle the evidence and the terrible investigators. Obviously, something is off. And the fact she's still on the chopping block-"
"What're you talking about?" Deku leans in, worry clear on his face.
"It's either she goes free from the facility or death. If we can't prove she's fine or exonerate her, she dies. The first in over three decades."
"For snapping?" Bakugou frowns. Rock Lock stands and refutes. "For killing thirteen men, including her husband, in the span of a few minutes with no remorse. Someone who, after killing the first twelve, went into back yard and dunked herself in the pond and then finished the thirteenth. Her husband of years, ever since she was seventeen and she has never given a reason."
"There is a reason Rock," Shouto tosses his notepad on the table. "It's all right there. She practically spells it out."
Hawks sighs. "This case has something bigger at play. Solve it."