Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The curse standing directly in front of Choso is hideous. Its skin, if it could even be called that, had an indescribable amount of acne, warts, and likely other skin conditions. The sickness it was made from bubbled over, leaking out from every possible hole.

It’s quite large, many eyes gleamed with infection. Being sickly red and dripping a steady stream of oozing puss onto the floor. He wrinkled his nose, resisting the urge to gag at the smell of it. Though it proved to be difficult as the curse persisted.

This curse in particular had hung back as its two counterparts rushed in to attack him and his little brother. With how easy they went down, this last one should be no issue especially considering it was him and his brother it was up against.

Choso’s most recent assumption was these curses has to be Geto’s, previously he had been lead to believe the man couldn’t share his senses with them. But it had been irreversibly foolish of him to simply believe what the man had told him, considering where they had ended up.

It was the only logical explanation these curses had materialized from nowhere and started to engage in an attack. Somehow, the curse user must’ve been made aware that he was reunited with his little brother and ultimately decided to side with him. Inevitably leaving him turned against his previous affiliation.

Choso should’ve known, looked into it more throughly and analyzed them all when he had the opportunity. Now he made himself a target, and ultimately pitted an even bigger one onto his brother.

Behind him Yuji visibly cringed, whether it was from the sight, smell, or the unbearable noise it made when it ground its crookeed teeth together. Choso couldn’t tell because it seemed to be an acceptable reaction for all of it.

The curse opened its mouth impossibly wider, spitting plaque built up onto the concrete ahead of it. The putrid smell wafting around them grew even heavier now.

Without hesitating any longer Choso readied his technique, aiming to take out the grotesque thing fairly quickly. It deserved it after all, for trying to attack him and his little brother.

Before he could strike, the curses large tongue flopped out lazily. Somehow distracting him enough for him not to immediately strike, like he had been planning on.

The sigil carved within the curses slimy flesh was hypnotic almost, pressing him further into his delayed reaction. It was changing, effortlessly so. From a pentagram to other symbols Choso didn’t recognize, though they seemed to be ancient, similar to the ones that he had seen surrounding artifacts of the jujutsu world.

The thing seemed to make up its mind on what sigil it wanted. If it had one to begin with. Using Choso’s state to its advantage, and blasted him and his brother with a bright light. Temporarily blinding them both.

Despite the handicap from the curses childish nature to use cheap tricks and take the lead of the situation. Choso pressed his other senses outwards, attempting to locate it and exorcise it for daring to do something so imbecilic.

To his dismay he seemed to be practically senseless now, the area surrounding them changing at an alarming rate. But the curse didn’t seem to be anywhere near, when it should’ve been easy to locate with such a vile presence.

Thankfully whatever ability the curse had used upon them was no domain, probably just more trickery. Perhaps it was trying to catch either one of them off guard before finally attacking. The extended sensory deprivation practically proved that, he could only hope his little brother understood that as well. With there being no way to outwardly communicate his thoughts.

The cursed energy from the attack suddenly dropped, the curses grasp on the attack only lasting so long before it slipped away. Choso felt a faint smile ghost his face, the curse really was weak if it couldn’t hold a stable attack like that for longer than five seconds.

The world seemed to blip back into focus, flashes of what had been stolen from him gently crawling back into his mind. White flashes, along with his perception of reality lifting him from under the water the curse had placed them into.

Sounds, smells, and his cursed energy came to him soon afterwards. Reigning him victorious over whatever standoff the curse had thrown them into.

As more of the world came into focus Choso could only become more confused, as it was not where he had left it. In front of him he was in no train station, nor was it night. The day time crowds of humans were disorienting him further, was this Geto’s plan? To bait him out here, to distract him?

Choso immediately focused into his environment as the thought circled into his head. Tensing up and entering a fighting stance, stretching his weakened senses as far as they would go to hopefully predict any possible curses next movement.

Thankfully his little brother’s presence was still near, his cursed energy was easily located only standing a few feet from him.

“Choso?” His little brother’s voice called, as soon as he ushered over. Parting the crowd of insignificant humans to get to Yuji. Who looked as bewildered as he felt. “Where the hell are we?”

“It must’ve been the curse,” Choso mused stating the obvious. “I’m not sure where we are, I wasn’t made aware of this particular curse.”

Yuji stilled, giving no reaction to Choso’s response. His gaze turning to the crowd surrounding them, though distant enough to not be pressed up against them. Yuji, growing increasingly pale, startled him. “Choso look,” he ordered his voice sounding breathless with shock.

Reluctantly letting his attention drift from his younger brother, he expected to see another curse making itself known. That somehow managed to bypass his line of sight and sense.

Brutally, Choso was met with the site of dozens, no hundreds of transfigured humans polluting the area. The cursed energy signatures, even from the more mutated ones, weren’t powerful to pose a threat.

Choso became very tense, giving himself no time to pity the poor creatures. His main priority was protecting his little brother against any and all circumstances, and while it would be laughably easy to eliminate such creatures.
There was power in numbers, something Mahito had acknowledged when they sealed Six Eyes. Sending a similar amount of such creatures towards the man as a distraction.

Though he would never expect Mahito to do something like this. There was no point, no purpose for the undeniable suffering he must’ve caused.

Luckily they didn’t seem to be attacking. Honestly, Choso couldn’t sense any outwards hostility towards them, or any at all. The city buzzing around them like there was no cruelty in their existence, that nothing had cursed them, and it was just so terribly mundane.

Perhaps that was what baffled him the most, Mahito didn’t do things without pressing for chaos. It was his purpose, the curse took pleasure in it.

Choso quickly ushered Yuji towards one of the near by alleyways, sensing his brother’s distress not decreasing, likely not drawing a similar conclusion as he had.

Yuji stumbled a bit, not expecting the movement but rather quickly relented. Growing pliant in Choso’s arms.

Almost as soon as they entered the alley Yuji collapsed down the side of the building, looking utterly exhausted. Yet never letting his guard down, his body tense still even as he tried to catch his breath.

“I’m going to kill Mahito.” Yuji hissed after a moment of silence between the two. Choso’s watchful eye keeping eye on their surroundings, letting his little brother a much needed moment of weakness.

Choso’s brow furrowed, contemplating his brother’s words. “Would you like me to help you?” He asked after a brief pause of consideration.

Truthfully, Choso never cared for Mahito, despite having to work with him. The curse was childlike and immature. He held no loyalty towards it, not after the curses inability to show sympathy towards his dead brothers. Fulfilling this request wouldn’t phase him at all.

“No, I don’t think you can. I’m the only one whose Mahitos technique can’t work on.” Yuji spoke gravely, his eyes filled with tears before the boy squeezed them shut. Refusing to allow the tears to fall. “I couldn’t do that to you, especially seeing what he’s done here.”

Choso shifted his eyes from his brother, even as every bone in his body screamed to comfort him. With everything that had happened, Choso couldn’t force that vulnerability from the boy.

Shifting slightly Choso internally debated on whether or not he should tell Yuji what he thought. Because these humans meant there could be another curse out there with a similar ability. Maybe even a curse user, though it was unlikely, it was a very real possibility they were facing.

“I don’t believe it was him.” Choso sighed, deciding it was better to not leave Yuji in the dark. They were stuck here together, and he had no right to lie to him.

“What are you saying?” Yuji muttered skeptically, his eyes tilting to meet Choso’s own. They were still slightly watery despite Yuji grounding himself.

“I don’t believe Mahito wouldn’t be so merciful.” Choso said, his voice level.
“The mutated humans seem to be acting as normal humans would during their day to day lives.”

Without moving his head, Yuji looked back into the busy street. It seemed hard to will himself to do so, but not enough that he would give up.

The realization dawned slowly across Yuji’s face as the minutes ticked by. Seemingly almost amazed as he watched a human with too many limbs, and green skin chatter with what appeared to be her classmates.

Yuji’s brows furrowed in confusion, the scene had originally also confused Choso, but he was fast to accept it. Though his little brother’s curiosity didn’t waver, practically drinking in the sight of the curse like people.

“Do you still want to kill him?” The question was direct, and likely too blunt, but Choso couldn’t bring himself to regret it.

“Yes, I won’t let him get away with anything that he’s done to me.” Yuji spat, venom dripping from his tone. “I will obliterate him into a pulp, over and over again. I will track him down if he’s reincarnated, he doesn’t deserve to live.”

Choso is momentarily stunned at his brother’s bloodlust but quickly adapts, silently nodding along with his brother’s slightly crazed monologue.

He didn’t know what the curse had down to Yuji, but it wasn’t solely his brother’s burden to bear anymore. He was here now, and desperately hoped his little brother would open up to him about it in due time.

It seemed too recent to poke at, like his brother had gotten no time to mourn or grieve over what Mahito did. Choso couldn’t blame him, as he had only just gotten himself out from a similar frenzy.

Choso let them both fall into a silence, refocusing on the surrounding area and sensing any cursed energy.

Yuji didn’t seem eager to break it either, content to watch the passerby of the crowd with interest. A calculating look that seemed so eerily familiar.

Each of them seemed to be fascinatingly different, but still so distinctly human. The cursed energy surrounding them seemed to be similar to a sorcerers. Though it was gentler, weak compared to what he had seen before. It would be no threat to either him or Yuji.

“Do you think this is some kind of sick joke, and we’re actually sealed as well? In some kind of technique or something.” Yuji asked, likely getting the idea due to the lack of information on the prison realm and similar cursed objects.

“While I wouldn’t put it against them, there isn’t more than one prison realm. The curse could potentially have a technique in manipulating reality, but it didn’t seem strong enough to do so.” Choso added, silently mulling over the sigils in his mind.

It wouldn’t be helpful to Yuji to mention them, but it could be part of the reason they ended here. He’d prefer to do more research into the subject rather than give him false hope.

Yuji bit his lip, refusing to look Choso in the eye. Though unfortunate it was understandable. He had played a role in sealing Six Eyes, who apparently his little brother was close with, referring to him as ‘Gojo-Sensei.’ He could only imagine he was a teacher of some sort.

It was only very recently Choso had been reunited with his brother, and his behavior beforehand was practically inexcusable to him. If not for Yuji’s own wrongdoings towards Choso, he doubts Yuji would be just as accepting otherwise.

Choso would try his best to make it up to him, his failure as a brother was unforgivable. He should’ve been there to protect Yuji, and his other brothers instead of remaining with that group of curses. Who only distracted him from what was really important.

At the very least, Choso counts himself fortunate he hadn’t tried to kill Yuji. After identifying he was his brother’s killer, Choso could only barely contain himself. Practically mauling him like a wild beast.

The realization that Yuji was his baby brother was tear jerking. His insides felt as if they were being torn apart, each half of him trying desperately to fight what they thought was right. The only issue was this time Choso hadn’t known which one had been which.

His humanity from his mother was often weak. Being drowned out with his clinical cruelty rather than impulsive and utterly useless emotion.

From the beginning Choso had known who his brother’s killers were. Etching their faces into his memory. Aiming to get revenge for everything they had done to him.

And yet, when he saw Yuji in person, he could only recognize him as his baby brother.

The two truths had collided together into something ugly inside his head. Grim and unforgiving, if he had been any weaker, Choso’s practically certain he would’ve been rendered immobile.

Yuji was no murder. Now at least he was sure of it. Seeing him for the first time, he fought himself to forgive or to hate. His brothers were everything to him, there was no valid excuse for killing them.

Now he knows Yuji had only done so out of self defense, never for the brute intent to kill. The explanation had helped him decide on what to make of his newfound little brother.

But Choso is an older brother, and he’ll be damned if he doesn’t give it his all in protecting the only brother he has left.

His desire for revenge, though burning intensely in the moment, was ultimately fickle in the grand scheme of things. Yet, despite this, he was in no way trying to forget his brothers or the bond they shared; their memory remained an indelible part of him, something he could never fully erase, no matter how much his focus shifted.

Choso’s concentration of the area slips as he continues to dig into his human emotions, they will never stop feeling comforting. No matter the sting, it reminded him that he was partly human, that he wasn’t just the curse his father forged.

That he was his own being, allowed to feel but never to be too much of either half. His lack of morals had dominated most of his time in this vessel. His humanity coming to him in fragments, like glass splinters imbedded into his skin.

Forever uncomfortable and they stung, but they reminded him he was alive nonetheless. That he wasn’t in that tube, floating in the limbo.

Choso could sense his brothers next to him back then, their cursed energy radiating and humming. Each of them being distinctly unique. It was the only thing that really kept him rooted within himself, they gave him a purpose, a reason to keep on.

Being inside a vessel was odd. Nothing compared to how he used to be, condensed and cramped within himself. Now it feels like he’s almost too big. His skin stretched out too far to be normal.

His heartbeat was faint, too slow to be a humans, but too fast to make him completely lifeless. Distantly he wondered if the only reason it continued to beat was for his technique, or if his other humanly organs were working along side it.

Choso’s eyes flickered over to Yuji, the boy had shuffled a bit. Presumably making himself more comfortable against the hard pavement.

Yuji was his only brother with a heartbeat, even when his brothers had been incarnated the bodies previous owners had completely deceased. Leaving them to puppet corpses, which likely was for the better. None of them knew how to be humans, or have a human body.

He supposed he should ask Yuji about it, whether or not he should let the organs persist, and how exactly to do so. In a way they were comforting, bringing him to reality when nothing else really could.

Choso felt inclined to keep them because of it.

Taking a closer look at Yuji’s form, his uniform was torn, showing some injuries Sukuna must’ve healed. Still Choso felt irked at the King of Curses, the parasite living under his brother’s skin preventing him from having a normal life. Instead Yuji had also been forced into the grueling limbo as well, a fate that would inevitably wear him down.

It must be more difficult for his little brother, having been fully human before becoming a vessel. With the curse underneath his skin having a mind of its own, the adaption must’ve been taxing.

Choso was sure that was an understatement, with the soul inhabiting his brother being Ryomen Sukuna.

The thought was like lightning striking his core, the glass fragments in his skin quadrupling in size as he truly comprehend what loosing part of his humanity must’ve been like for his little brother.

Curses were awful things towards humans, leeching onto their emotions to satisfy themselves. Wreaking havoc onto entire villages to taste the sweetness suffering would bring. It was their purpose to feed after all, it was all they knew how to do, being born from it. Being born for it.

Living with such a thing, knowing the limits the curse would cross in means of entertainment. Yuji could have been tortured by the devil, but yet the boy showed no signs of it. Largely shaken up from the incident in Shibuya, although Choso still wasn’t aware of the entire extent of what had happened in his absence.

Choso sincerely hoped nothing excruciating had happened to his little brother, otherwise he would never forgive himself for being available only a few minutes sooner.

—0—

It really shouldn’t have come as a surprise when they were kicked from the alleyway for loitering, having stayed in the shadows with no commotion or acknowledgement from the outside world allowed him to enlarge his database about the new place they were sent into.

His main observation was in whatever idealized world they were send into, there weren’t any curses. The civilians passing them had cursed energy, akin to one of a sorcerers. There was nothing to spill over and create curses, even in an area as populated as this one.

Geto had always talked about evolving the human race to this point, perhaps this place had been what he was talking about. It wouldn’t have surprised him if the man had been here before. Maybe it gave him hope for their own flawed fate.

“Hey- Choso?” Yuji called from just behind him, humming in affirmative to prove he was listening. “I know your part curse and all, and I don’t really know if you need to eat. But I’m really, really hungry.”

The streets were quieter as nightfall came, though their path was still occasionally littered by the passing person. Making Choso’s lack of immediate reaction more pronounced.

He was unfamiliar with the concept of hunger, he knew it had to be quite the often experience with everywhere being flooded and advertised with supposedly appealing looking food.

The sun had cast their street with an orange hue. Making everything look a special kind of soft that only poets wrote about, something he didn’t think that could exist in their world. Too full of hate to ever have the chance to seem this lovable.

“I’m sorry, the thought never crossed my mind.” Choso eventually replied, though it had to had sound sincere because Yuji’s face twisted into an anxious expression.

“No don’t apologize it’s seriously fine, I’m gonna assume you haven’t really had to buy food. I-“ Yuji stopped himself from talking further, a shocked look crossing his face.

“Oh my god I forgot my wallet.” Yuji breathed out stressed. His voice small as he patted down his clothes and reaching deep inside his pockets only for his efforts to come out unsuccessful.

Yuji seemed to accept defeat, ever so slightly tilting downwards before letting out a heavy sigh. While Choso wasn’t the best at reading expressions, Yuji immediately was downcast. The reason was unknown to Choso, but if it had anything to do with hunger he would be able to help. He would have to start to keep food regularly on his person.

“You shouldn’t stress, this place might not even take the same currency.” Choso tried to calm Yuji’s panic with reasoning. The words didn’t seem to have much of an effect, the boy only nodded his mood entirely too downcast.

“I can get you some if you are going to be guilty.” Choso offered after another moment of silence. Money was a common occurrence he knew, everything and anything being valued and priced. Having none would likely cause his brother to distress, or maybe it was morally wrong for him to steal.

“No really you don’t need to, I wasn’t all that hungry anyways.” Yuji answered his voice choked. It was understandable with the popularity of food it must be a common necessity. With the grueling day Yuji had in Shibuya fighting curses along side him, it was no wonder he was exhausted.

Choso silenced him with an unimpressed glare.
“Just stay here alright? I believe I saw a store a little ways back. If anything tries to attack you, signal for me.” He ordered, while the presence of danger was unlikely in this world with the time they spent in it. If something or someone was watching them that he hadn’t detected, they might have been waiting for this moment to strike.

Before his brother could protest yet again Choso has already turned his back on him, walking briskly a few feet behind Yuji. Retracing their path to the quaint little store he had seen people exit with a variety of foods, each being served in a white plastic bag.

Choso had no clue how exactly to get such a thing, considering he hadn’t been inside a store. Only occasionally passing by one back in their world. He pondered whether or not it would be easier to steal directly from the store, or if he should steal the money necessary from someone.

It would be easy to do so, while these humans had sorcery of some sorts. He would barely pass them as a grade four, he’s not even entirely certain some of them could beat a squirrel in a fight. Even with their added strength they seemed very similar to non-sorcerers from his home.

Choso still didn’t know too much about where they were now though. Deciding ultimately that if he were to provoke one of them it could have unforeseen consequences against him, and even possibly Yuji.

As he drew closer to the shop, the large billboards practically blinded him from the windows. Advertising whatever they had in stock, and being obnoxious about it as well. People in odd costumes danced, or grinned cheekily as their logo was imprinted onto a product. Maybe it was a great feat to accomplish?

The glass door was cold against his palms, making a chiming noise to alert everyone he had entered the building. It would have made him nervous if Choso hadn’t sensed the minuscule cursed energy coming from the building.

He was proved correct when the shop was empty, spare the cashier. Who looked no older than 19, typing on the phones all humans seemed to carry. The bright light illuminating their dreary face, making them almost look paper white. Only briefly looking up to acknowledge him before focusing back into their device.

The store in comparison was quite dim, the fluorescent lights hanging above him had a couple of the bulbs turned off. All while the rest were flickering, Choso knew if he was in here long enough he would grow to detest it.

The store was lined with shelf’s of unidentifiable foods in bright packaging, some of them featuring the same colorful people in skimpy outfits. Choso’s sure this wasn’t a thing in their world, he would’ve remembered the peculiarity.

He walked over to the coolers, curious he had never before been in one of these, accurate to Yuji’s assumption. Human food didn’t have a strong flavor to him, and he didn’t require it to keep living.

He trudged to the back of the store, finding the coolers also lined with bottles and cans being named ridiculously. The reason for a ‘All might special edition, Detroit Smash flavored energy drink.’ With the words ‘Go Plus Ultra!’ Underneath the muscular mascot. Was ultimately lost on him.

The other ones, thankfully, had some more normal names. He eventually picked up a sweetened tea that was a rich brown color, deciding that most people liked tea.

Catching himself in the reflection of the translucent door Choso grimaced. It truly was a wonder no one had come up to him, his sleeves were drenched in drying curse blood, as well as some of his own. Making him look alarming to say the least. He knew the people of this world could see him, with their slight acknowledgement. So he would have to be more careful if their indifference suddenly let up.

Deciding it was best to stop taking his sweet time observing the variety of food options, Choso made it over to the hot food area. It carried a lot of things wrapped in a yellow paper, stuffed inside of a box, or tub.

Hesitantly he grabbed a few of each, looking at the cashier every so often to make sure he wasn’t being watched. Choso must be having a stroke of luck as they never did, even when he pushed open the door, making the door chime again. It was almost comical with his arms full of food, obviously stealing.

Choso’s steps back to Yuji were heavy, looking over to see if he would be caught. Surprisingly, or maybe unsurprisingly people barely glanced in his direction. Back home he’s sure he would have gotten a few stares at the very least, especially considering his state of dress.

Even back at that alley way attention would’ve been drawn towards him and Yuji for looking overly suspicious. Maybe it was a normal thing here though, sorcerers were all kinds of crazy, and they all seemed to be weak sorcerers.

Choso made sure to be faster this time around, making his walking pace brisk as the sun was just set by now. The bright screens and lampposts illuminated his way just fine though, but it’s not like he would ever need them anyways. His senses weren’t that dull.

He tried to pay attention to the passerby, looking for anyone that was stronger than a grade 3 curse. While they wouldn’t be able to physically harm him or his brother, with the amount of techniques surrounding them. Any one of them could be dangerous or tricky.

It wasn’t long before he was passing the alley where him and Yuji had camped that afternoon. The narrow path looked more ominous now for certain, the city’s illumination not reaching it. It was a black hole with the way it had been sucking in light, if Choso didn’t know better he would’ve been on guard for a curse.

Just as he passes it he sees a glimpse of two people in there. Their cursed energy seemed to be stronger and less dormant than the other people he had seen today, maybe it was in action or one of the people had been stronger than the average citizen.

He immediately started to observe, rationally thinking, the area is still close to where he left Yuji. If anything that could affect either of them occurred, he would simply extinguish it now, rather than having it bite him in the ass later.

Inside of the alleyway stood a woman with long lightly colored hair, the exact shade was hard to distinguish in the lighting. Her cursed technique seemed to be activated, a gold hue surrounding her and another woman.

The other woman had a physical mutation on her body, much like the other ones he had seen in passing today. She had an uncountable amount of eyes from this angle, blinking and changing positions to form a sort of optical illusion.

His curiosity wasn’t overpowering to continue to stare, leading him back in his mission to find Yuji. They weren’t going to overpower him or his brother, leaving them to be put into the back burner in his mind. It was none of Choso’s business what goes on in this realities alleyways in the early evening.

The boy should be just a few buildings away, but he’s sure Yuji had taken to an empty pathway rather than standing around. So it would be a little more difficult to scout him out if he didn’t sense his cursed energy before he saw him.

It wasn’t long before his assumption was proven correct, his little brother was leaning against one of the walls, much like Choso had been earlier that day. Yuji seemed to be lost in thought before he abruptly shot his head up. Making eye contact with Choso before his gaze eventually turned to the food in his arms.

“Oh damn you got a lot!” Yuji exclaimed taking a step towards him. He had a sweet smile on his face as his eyes drifted to each of the items. His demeanor seemed to have brightened up since he left him, perhaps coming to a realization or comforting himself in Choso’s absence.

“I didn’t know what you would like.” Choso shrugged nonchalantly, pushing the food out towards Yuji so he could see it better.

“You shouldn’t have worried about that, I’m not picky.” Yuji lips tugged up higher as he eagerly took most of the food in Choso’s arms. Already looking over with the mood Choso had left him in.

By the time Yuji had finished one of the sandwiches wrapped in the pale yellow. Choso’s attention was alerted as he heard footsteps barreling straight towards them. Jumping to attention when their follower came into view. “You, aren’t you a hero? I saw you. Please I need your help.” The woman from before questioned.

She was disheveled and panting from the strain of exercise. Her eyes being slower to move than they had been a moment ago.

“No I’m not a hero.” Choso answered bluntly, much to the disappointment of the girl. She looked completely crestfallen at his statement, like he had crushed on her hope with his boots. Turning it into a pulp.

“Why the hell are you wearing that costume at a time like this then?” She interrogated, sounding frustrated. “I hate people like you. You really had me thinking I could get someone to help me, now I’m so screwed.” She hissed, her words growing softer as she neared the end of her tangent.

“What do you need help with ma’am?” Yuji asked politely, making the woman perk up. Then deflate again as she took in his brother’s childlike form.

“It’s nothing, I don’t want you guys getting arrested. Do either of you have a phone? I need to call the police, I was just mugged.” She asked sullenly.

Choso shook his head, while Yuji mumbled out a sheepish no making the woman look like she was about to start bawling. Choso glanced to the side, looking at his younger brother to gage his reaction on the strangeness of the situation.

Yuji seemed to perk up at the incentive, pushing himself off the wall before chattering with the woman for a moment. Asking where the incident had occurred and where the so called ‘villian’ had gone afterwards.

The information was easy to pry out of the woman. Though Yuji had lied saying he would be reporting the incident himself to the police. On someone else’s phone while she rested here. Frankly it was quite easy to tell Yuji was lying, with his voice raising up a pitch when he crafted up a story.

While he did so, Choso left the remainder of the food next to the woman. Assuming she wouldn’t touch it. The idea was obvious, at least to him, what his brother wanted to do about the situation. So it would be silly if Choso not to prepare accordingly, when he wasn’t particularly against it.

Yuji finished up his conversation with the girl. Bouncing up to meet Choso’s attention, directing them both out into the street.

His little brother beamed at him as soon as they left the alleyway, taking the opportunity to do good with pride. “Cmon Choso let’s go!”

Choso leveled him off with a deadpan stare. “Are you sure you want to do this? Didn’t she say something about getting arrested?” He warned carefully, but his voice didn’t hold an ounce of turning the woman’s words into a lecture.

“I mean yeah, but like she was begging us for help! It was impossible to just say no, you know?” Yuji bubbled, probably ecstatic for the distraction it brought them.

He seemed far less tense as his goal was brought back into focus. It was no secret that he wanted to help the non sorcerers back home. It was only fair to assume he would want to do similar here, even though they had some kind of power.

Choso smiled fondly at his brother’s eagerness, it didn’t mean anything at all to him to help civilians. But if it made his brother happy, and considering his mood flipping a whole 180 degrees than it had been mere moments ago, Choso would do what he could to help.

Chapter Text

Choso dutifully followed Yuji as the boy walked a few paces ahead of him. His footsteps were light, but still present. Easier to pick out with the lack of surrounding sounds. Choso assumed that Yuji was following the woman’s verbal instructions on where her attacker had went. Though Choso couldn’t be bothered enough to actually ask.

Yuji trailed into another alleyway, trash comedically lining the dilapidated buildings. The setting of this strange place was akin to a cliche comic book. So called villains hiding in obvious alleyways, attacking innocents like feral cats.

He didn’t know if he could state much about his opinion on the matter though. Choso was a curse, something made purely from nightmares and negative emotions. In some cases he’s sure that could be related to a story to scare children into staying asleep.

Barely anything slipped into the alleyway from the bustling city. Giving the illusion they were far away from the surplus of people. The only thing that filtered through was the street lights glow lapping at their feet. The constant advertisement from the billboards gave Choso an odd shadow, flickering against the bricks like a candle flame would cast it.

“Eugh this place is so creepy.” Yuji mumbled, his head tilting up to look at the bashed in windows and crumpled concrete. “If this were normal I’d so expect a curse to like jump out at me.”

“Considering what happened to the eyed woman, it very well may be likely something may jump out at you. But I’m fairly certain it won’t be a curse.” Choso responded, the entire area reeked of misery. So thick on his tongue that if curses were spun from it here, he would at least expect a grade two or three.

“Yeah you’re right, I feel like I’m in a superhero movie with everyone having powers and stuff. And this is like the perfect place some villain would pop out.” Yuji turned around to face Choso as he spoke, a delighted smile painted on the younger boys face. He waved around widely his hands gesturing to convey his thought process.

Choso nodded, allowing Yuji’s comparison to slowly sew his thoughts together. “Perhaps that’s what the woman meant when she asked if we were heroes before.”

“Does that make us heroes then? Or like vigilantes maybe?” Yuji questioned cheekily, taking Choso’s idea and running with it. Yuji fell into pace with Choso, practically numbing shoulders with him.

Helplessly, a smile stretched across his face. Yuji’s effortless excitement was something to be cherished. It was a sign Yuji would bounce back quite quickly. Whatever had happened in Shibuya distressed him to an alarming degree. And to be completely honest, Choso had no clue how to approach the subject.

“Possibly, but we shouldn’t do anything too drastic. It could have consequences if we stay here long.” Choso warns, the natural responsibility ingrained into him kicking in. He was well aware he was nagging, especially when his little brothers used to tease him about it relentlessly.

Choso hoped Yuji wouldn’t call him out on it. He was no where near prepared to deal with the fallout he would inevitably face.

Choso also had no real idea on how this hero and villain stuff worked. If his their conclusion was correct. Any step could be a misstep, and he didn’t want to subject his little brother to anything they could avoid. He hoped Yuji would be able to understand that without kicking up a fuss.

This world was no where near perfect, its rocky foundation was obvious here. Poverty hidden away by the endless flashing lights and indulgence. Choso was certain this area was purely surface level, its issues could run as deep or deeper than jujitsu society.

Yuji hummed, though it wasn’t a clear yes or no, only an indication he had heard what Choso had said. Choso was thankful that Yuji wasn’t being impulsive about the situation though, it was the least he could ask for.

Yuji’s face shifted the longer he didn’t speak, his smile falling off as a byproduct of whatever was circulating in his thoughts. Choso distinctly rethought what he had said, mentally preparing to apologize for stepping on a hidden land mine he had no prior knowledge of.

“I hope we don’t stay here long enough to get affected by those consequences.” Yuji’s voice wavered slightly, betraying his uneasiness. “Being here I feel so helpless. Back in Shibuya everything was pure chaos, and with Gojo-Sensei being sealed I don’t know what to think.” Yuji confessed, faster than his previous statement, as if it would be stuck in his throat otherwise.

His head drooped low enough Choso couldn’t see his face. Yuji was curling in onto himself, like he needed to physically protect himself from the vulnerability he expressed.

It stunned Choso for a moment, he couldn’t think of anything comforting to say. Not anything that would be genuine anyways, Choso was equally unnerved by the situation. Yuji would take what he said seriously, if Choso promised there had to be a way out he would believe him.

Lying so blatantly wouldn’t serve either of them any good. Even if it would ignite hope in Yuji, it would eventually crash down all the same. Making the sweet white lies meaningless. Choso didn’t know where they were either, nor why they were there in the first place. But if he admitted that Yuji could easily revert into the emotional state he was in moments prior.

Choso gently bit the inside of his cheek, consoling was never his forte. Only having to slightly reassure his brothers when they came into livelihood. There was never much to stress about before then. He couldn’t afford to lose this chance with Yuji though, no matter how inexperienced he may be. Whatever Choso says next would be irreversible to their already delicate affinity.

“I understand how you feel, but try to bear it.” Choso started out slowly, already feeling like a newborn fawn stumbling amuck. “If not for yourself, then think about those who depend on you back home.”

He understood from what Yuji had told him; that Yuji had been in Shibuya with his mentor and a girl named Kugisaki last. From where his brother has last seen them they weren’t in dire need of assistance, but if they could get back they would have a better chance of leaving Shibuya without injury.

Choso wasn’t exactly sure how time worked in this place compared to where him and Yuji had originally came from. Though if they could get back in a timely manner, perhaps they could even assist in unsealing the Six Eyes.

On the other hand, maybe Yuji being away from Shibuya was a good thing. While he could aid in the battle, being Sukuna’s vessel would attract unneeded attention. It pinned a huge target onto his back, and it extended to his friends as well. Especially when Mahito, and himself previously were already seeking him out solely.

From what Choso was aware, some of the curses inhabiting Shibuya were to attempt to resurrect Sukuna further. Planning on force feeding Yuji his fingers if they could grab ahold of him. That was if they could grab ahold of him before Mahito and him though, it was no wonder why Yuji despised the curse so heavily.

Yuji let out a short sigh, he lifted his head a little bit to look Choso in the eye. “You’re right. I shouldn’t be so pessimistic about it.” Yuji smiled, it was devoid of his typical joy, making it stretch along his face like a mask. “I mean we’re still helping people right? It’s just different people.” The words tumbled from his lips, it seemed like he was trying to convince himself of the fact rather than the other way around.

A pang of sympathy shot Choso directly in the heart. Unnaturally coiling around it, as Choso continued to study Yuji’s expression.

It caused him to frown slightly, Yuji was a kid and his little brother, he deserved more from him. Especially when he was trying so hard to be normal about the entire situation, when most other people would be freaking out. Probably even curses as well.

Choso laid his hand on Yuji’s shoulder, feeling the boy tense up against the unexpected contact. His head snapped fully around, looking at Choso with widened eyes, confusion drawn nearly enough for Choso to recognize.

“Don’t force yourself to not be okay about it. Nothing about this is okay, the best we can do is to find our way back as soon as possible.” He said unflinchingly. “Though until then we can continue to help as many people as you’d like.” Choso added, his lips lifting into a small smile towards the end.

Yuji’s lips quirked upwards, he leaned into the contact a bit, his shoulders relaxing. “We should probably pick up the pace huh?” Yuji suggested after soaking in their silence for a moment. “I don’t want her getting away.”

“Of course,” Choso nodded. Removing his hand from where it rested. Yuji watched him do it, an unreadable expression on his face.

Abruptly Yuji sprinted, laughing at Choso’s baffled expression. “Cmon then! What are you waiting for slow poke!” Yuji hollered, already far enough away to yell. It was an easy distraction.

Choso grinned at the playful insult, rising to the bait he took off in a run. He swiftly pulled their distance to an almost close, trailing a few feet behind his little brother.

Realistically Choso could pass him at the moment, but he had seen how strong his little brother was physically. Meeting his challenge head on would only provoke the boy to run faster. At that point, Choso would truly have to try to keep up. Burning both of their energy out before the fight.

The alleyway ended, releasing them into a nearly empty area. The buildings seemed similar in stature and size, having a cookie cutter feel to them, but looked a lot nicer than the ones they had just came from.

It was apparent most of them were some sort of apartment complexes, or maybe cheap hotels and motels. Signs of mundane living that had been practically eradicated in the sleeker district they had appeared from. But here it was distinct with homemade signs, bikes being locked down, and every window telling a different story about the resident.

The weak smell of rot and mold was also gone, allowing Choso to breathe in easier now. The cold air slapping him in the face as he jogged behind his brother. He undoubtedly followed Yuji, trusting he could accurately adhere to the woman’s instructions.

The advertisements were less plentiful, probably because of the apartment buildings. Choso relaxed a bit at that, the flashing intrusions unwelcome. When they surrounded them previously he avoided looking at them directly, the screens vaguely stinging his eyes.

“Wait over here!” Yuji barked, before changing courses. The sudden change slightly suprising Choso. Yuji beelined towards one of the beehive like buildings. Leaving Choso almost completely in the dust as Yuji sped up to complete whatever task that fronted in his mind.

Catching on, Choso bolted after him. Yuji didn’t attempt to hide where he was going, making it fairly easy to catch up.

Yuji turned behind one of the many structures with utmost confidence. He must’ve seen the criminal biased on the woman’s description, or had a more detailed story than what Choso had seen with his own eyes earlier that evening.

Truth be told, the woman stood unguarded. Whatever golden hue she had been using before had been deactivated. Yuji didn’t hesitate to attack her, punching the woman square in the face.

Almost pitifully the girl crumbled against the wall. Holding her bleeding nose with shaky hands. Unlike the ‘villainous’ demeanor from before, she seemed scared and shocked by her pursuers. Acting like a dog about to be put down, when she refused to stand back up. Simply staring at them both with big wide eyes.

“God damn heroes.” She spat out at Yuji and him, clutching her large tattered coat into her body. Probably where she was keeping what she had stolen that night close to her.

The wording was enough proof to confirm Choso’s belief. Two people so far had mistaken them for heroes, for some puzzling reason. He presumes his attire was similar enough to the characters in adds. Meaning eventually Choso should change into something less flashy.

Honestly Choso didn’t care about mistaken as a hero, what happened in the nightlife here was none of his business, and how this woman survived this world would never affect him or Yuji. Leaving him utterly apathetic to the woman’s struggles, and completely unheroic.

Though Choso could only say she should be more clever in the future if she were to continue this criminal act. And as for the many eyed woman, it should be in her best interest to defend herself. Or else things like this would only continue to happen.

There was no other heroes near, leaving her desperate enough to come to Choso of all people. With her already unlucky chances, it was definitely going to happen again unless she changed something herself.

Yuji didn’t comment on the hero bit, extending his arm towards the now cowering woman. Knowing Yuji, he was probably solicitous at her pitiful form. Choso could see the effects of destitution clear as day, which meant it was almost certain Yuji had as well.

“We’re not going to hurt you anymore alright? We just need the bags you’ve stolen so we can return them to their rightful owners.” Yuji demanded, but his voice sounded more like he was talking to a scared animal who would bite at any moment, rather than a woman who mugged someone.

The woman cursed under her breath before kicking out two purses and a wallet. If she had any common sense, there had to have been more underneath the large coat, or maybe not. She was stupid enough to get caught, lurking behind another poorly lit area. Probably about to pull the same shit to another unsuspecting bystander.

Despite this, Yuji beamed at the so called villain for doing as he asked. Collecting the bags full of money before stepping away from her. Likely planning on just taking the many eyed woman’s bag back to her.

“S-so what is that it? Are you going to arrest me now?” The woman asked shakily, the slight tremble at the beginning of her question revealing her fear.

“Do you need us to? I was hoping we scared the thievery out of you, but if you’re gonna keep doing it we will come back for you.” Yuji warned, his tone playful. He was obviously bluffing, chiding her like a parent would a child.

The woman’s expression filled with hope, definitely believing Yuji was giving her a second chance to do better and abide by the law. Rather than the unsavory truth being that Yuji had no real connections to any of the consequences she might face in the future. The worst he could really do was track her down again and beat her up seriously.

Her now big eyes switched onto Choso, taking in his form. “And what about you? You’re just gonna let him do this? You guys could have major consequences.” The skittish woman interrogated Choso, it was silly though. The woman should’ve just taken Yuji’s mercy and ran with it, maybe he overestimated how smart she could be.

“Y-you two seem like good heroes, I wouldn’t want that for you. Especially for your student.” Choso suppressed the urge to scoff at the woman, even if they were heroes she had no right to judge them morally. She was also just being more naive than they were, despite the fact that him and Yuji had just gotten here.

“You look homeless.” Choso observed bluntly, causing Yuji’s head to snap back towards him. He looked like he was about to rebut the insult, probably to tell him off for being rude or something along those lines. Choso held up his hand to postpone it, surprisingly it worked well to shush Yuji. His jaw snapping shut, eating the words he was about to spew out.

“If you are desperate enough to steal because of your poverty. You are desperate enough to do by the law, this is your second chance. Better yourself because if you are out here again, others might not be so merciful.” Choso monologued after he was certain he had the woman’s complete attention.

It was unfair to say that, he knew. Not everything was sunshine and rainbows, especially in poverty. It was one of the main reasons curses were created in the first place, huger, exhaustion, depression, failure, fear. Contributing to the mixing bowl of creating a curse.

It wasn’t right to leave her in this position though. Maybe Yuji’s made him a little soft, but with how afraid she seemed to be, heroes were sure to do much worse to her. Telling her this now would hopefully help her to avoid that fate.

The woman frantically nodded, her long greasy hair bouncing as she did. Eager to please someone she believed was sparing her from the fate she had feared.

“I will, I promise I will. It’s my first time doing this. I-I my sister, our mom died and I can’t support us both with my job. This was my last resort-.” The woman continued to ramble, over explaining herself in an attempt to make Choso ‘breaking the rules’ seem worthwhile.

This time Choso didn’t bother to hide the slight cringe at the woman, whatever pity he had assessed earlier drying up instantaneously. At least the sob story seemed to be effecting Yuji slightly. He was listening intently, nodding along as the woman reduced herself to tears.

“It’s difficult to ask for help, that I know. But I can imagine the people in your life supporting you if you told this to them as well.” Choso interrupted, silencing the woman’s babbling. He didn’t understand her motives, and to be honest he didn’t care.

Judging by her reaction, his voice must have sounded some form of exasperated. She gathered herself together remarkably fast. Wiping her tears dry with the back of her coat sleeve, though it was still embarrassingly obvious she had been crying. Her face still puffy, but it could’ve been from when Yuji punched her, Choso wasn’t sure.

He knows that it’ll make a nasty bruise later, or perhaps it had already started to form. In the dark it was difficult to tell, but it would serve to remind her of the encounter at least.

“Yeah, and I bet there’s like resources for people around here too! I wouldn’t know but there has to be a food pantry or something.” Yuji added on before stretching his hand out, a question if she wanted help to her feet.

The woman flinched at Yuji’s hand being so close, but she reluctantly grabbed onto it. Causing Yuji to pull her up swiftly. She wobbled as soon as Yuji let go, and silently thanked him. Now that she was standing Choso has a better view of her, the light from the apartment buildings exposing her.

She had dark, sunken eyes, contrasting her lighter hair. Which looked to be a dirty blonde. It was odd to see someone who looked so normal in this world. If Choso hadn’t seen her ability before, he could’ve assumed she might’ve come down into this world with them.

Eventually, they managed to usher the woman to go home. Yuji doing most of the work, making slight small talk with her. With digs that she shouldn’t be a criminal sewn into the conversation. Yuji talked to her as easily as breathing, to the point where Choso wondered if he was stalling the woman.

Mostly, Choso tuned out their chatter, until Yuji seemed to be shocked with the entire reason they had came this far. Remembering, that he had wanted to return the bag to the woman with many eyes from before. Choso knew this because Yuji exclaimed it out loud, and practically jumped when the idea struck him.

Choso couldn’t help but be amused as Yuji hastily wrapped up his conversation with the mugger. Choso planted himself at the mouth of the building that lead into the street, waiting patiently for Yuji to finish up.

Yuji clamored after him faster than Choso expected. “Cmon we need to go! We’ve already taken up so much time being here, what if she left?”

“You’re being a hypocrite.” Choso replied effortlessly, which shut Yuji up. Shame prickling on Yuji’s face in the prominent form of a flush, his cheeks turning a blotchy red color.

“I felt bad for her!” Yuji threw out spontaneously. “She was telling me all about her life, I couldn’t just walk away! That would be so rude.”

“I would’ve.” Choso replied, lifting his eyebrow to goad a reaction out of his little brother. Yuji spluttered for a second, Choso’s sly counter embarrassing him further.

“Well you’re rude so you have an excuse.” Yuji said at last. “If I wasn’t there I bet you’d of just ignored Ms. Shimizu.”

“Who’s Shimizu?” Choso asked, truly confused. He’s eighty percent sure he’s never met someone named Shimizu, or if he had, there’s no way Yuji would know them as well.

“Are you for real? It’s the lady we’re here for, she has like a trillion eyes.” Yuji answered, sounding like a mix of shellshocked Choso would ask that, and irritated that he didn’t already know.

“And saying that isn’t rude as well?” Choso shot back, a teasing lint in his tone. ‘She has like a trillion eyes’ sounding more insulting than Yuji probably meant.

“Shut up!” Yuji immediately exclaimed. Knocking shoulders with Choso, causing him to nudge to the side and almost completely off the sidewalk.

Choso snickered at him, unable to stop the mean grin from carving across his usually stoic expression. A warm feeling bubbling up from deep in his chest, even with how personable Yuji was, Choso still couldn’t help but feel giddy that the boy had warmed up to him so soon.

The alley where they had originally met the so called ‘Shimizu’ was approaching. She should be waiting where they had left her, waiting for the police or one of the infamous heroes.

Yuji turned over the bags in his arms, examining each of them carefully. “Which one do you think is hers?” He questioned, tilting the bags down a bit so Choso could analyze them accurately.

Choso paused a bit before entering the narrow pathway. It seemed to be completely black where he stood, the shadows from the properties would’ve overtaken it. If not for those damn advertisements flashing in his peripheral vision.

“We should probably just ask her-“ Choso cut himself off as he peered into the backstreet, fully looking into it to search for the girl. Only to find that it was devoid of the many eyed woman. “She’s not in there anymore.”

“What the hell?” Yuji muttered, scrutinizing the empty alley the same way Choso had seconds before. “She should be here.” Yuji tutted looking down at the now useless bags.

Choso turned his attention around, and back onto the busier street in an attempt to find the newly dubbed ‘trillion eyed woman.’ He forced himself to tap down his discomfort to truly observe the sidewalk.

The loud wail of a police siren broke his train of thought as his head looked back to Yuji. He seemed slightly panicked, stuffing the bags in his hoodie. In a very similar fashion to the woman they had originally gotten the wallets from.

“Shit we have to get out of here if she called the police. We’ll look like we were the ones that stole this shit.”

———————————————————————

The common room in UA was either eerily silent, or buzzing with energy from the students it housed. With how all of them typically followed the same block by block schedule, Kirishima didn’t often see the quietness it could hold.

Though when he did, it was nothing compared to the liveliness it held today. There was a few of his classmates scattered around the area, lounging around or doing something involving their internships. Their chatter weaved itself into the scene in front of him, but from where he stood Kirishima couldn’t distinctly distinguish any of the conversations.

Most of his classmates internships started on Monday, but luckily Fat gum is allowing him to tour the agency early. He’s supposed to meet one of his upperclassmen, who also is working part time there. Kirishima is honestly excited, Fat gum is a great hero! He just hopes he doesn’t embarrass himself spectacularly on the first day.

He hoped whoever the mysterious upper class man was decently nice. Kirishima could never fully tell what to expect until he truly met a person. Luckily, he was a great judge of character is someone was manly or not!

Kirishima would have to meet up with mystery guy in around three or so hours. Giving him a fair amount of time to eat breakfast and get fully prepared before going to the agency.

Kirishima leisurely walked to the big kitchen, which to be fair, was a lot neater than he’d suspect a lot of high schoolers to keep it. Popping open the fridge with a sticky click, he searched for the milk jug that should be there.

Honestly he just hoped there were enough bowls. He’s not entirely sure whose turn it was to wash them, but occasionally there would be days where the bowls would go scarce.

Personally, Kirishima isn’t that lazy, so he just puts his dishes straight into the dish washer. Though it’s probably just a leftover habit from when he still lived with his mom. Plus, doing that makes it so the dishes aren’t that gross when you actually have to clean them from the sink you know?

Thankfully, it seems he’d been blessed. The cupboard was full to the brim. He grabbed one of the many stacked bowls, as well as a spoon. For a lazy meal, though he had to admit wasn’t the healthiest, Kirishima was having cereal. The cereals themselves were kept in the pantry, which they always had a surplus of.

There was also an abundance of protein bars, but not much else that was simply there for the taking. Sure, there was rice, flour, and all those things. But it was nothing compared to the bulk amount of granola like bars.

Kirishima almost wished it was a typical school day so he wouldn’t have to worry about it. Now that UA was entirely moved into dorms, they served breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Except for on weekends unfortunately. The extra meals were never as crowded in the cafeteria as they were on just normal lunch.

Hurrying up, he brought his breakfast to one of the many tables in the common room. Sitting across from where Midoriya and Kaminari were entrapped by one of their phones.

Preparing his particularly large bowl of cereal, after grabbing one out from the cardboard shell it came from. Kirishima hurried to bring it to one of the many tables in the common room.

Popping from the crowd, he easily spotted Kaminari’s lemon yellow hair near one of the windows. Balancing the wobbly bowl appropriately, He sucessfully slid into the seat next to his friend. Though he seemed preoccupied with the video Midoriya was eagerly showing him.

Kirishima somehow didn’t notice him when he was approaching, to be fair, he probably blended in with the bushes or something. But he wasn’t particularly offended at the notion either. Midoriya seemed manly, but Bakugo made it frankly difficult to talk to the guy.

From where he sat the audio was kinda grainy, like it was taken with an old camera or someone’s phone with their mic broken. With how low quality it sounded, he’s a little shocked they would bother watching it, especially at such a loud volume.

“What are you guys watching?” Kirishima asked eventually, his curiosity getting the better of him. The question seemed to snap the two of them out of the trance they had entered. Their attention now turned towards Kirishima, which was a complete 180.

Midoriya beamed at his interest, showing all of his teeth. Easily whipping the phone towards Kirishima and rewinding whatever they’d been watching.

“Okay so before you come at me, the video and audio is weird because it’s actually this guys quirk! He films hero and villain fights with these invisible drones, but without light they can like get really weird.” He started out, gesturing to the blurry quality. Midoriya looked like he wanted to say more about the drones, but bit his lip. Instead choosing to continue on.

“But this video is going insanely viral right now! It’s all because this guy.” He explains, pointing to the one that looks like a marshmallow blob. “Completely lets this villain go! Don’t worry later in the video they’ll be a close up, but anyways-“

“Don’t spoil it all to him, just let Kirishima watch the video and we’ll tell him afterwards.” Kaminari comments, interrupting Midoriya’s rambling to reach over and press the play button.

“Oh yeah sorry,” Midoriya rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. Propping the phone up more neat for Kirishima to see it better.

The video started out with the marshmallow guy, and a teenager with a red and black hoodie entering a dark area. True to Midoriya’s previous statement, the audio crackles a bit, almost automatically.

The teen immediately leaps into the area, making a loud connection with someone unseen. It sounded akin to some kind of slap, and then the low groan that immediately followed, proving Kirishima’s estimation.

The drone flew further in, showing a woman slouched against a wall, the boy standing above her. The woman looked even less clear, almost like she was intentionally blurred out compared to the other two figures.

The teen opened his mouth, obviously speaking but the drone malfunctioned. Meaning the audience couldn’t hear what he had said. Only the reaction it seemed to have on the woman, who gave him a few purses from the inside of her sweater pocket.

“And what about you? You’re just gonna let him do this? You guys could have major consequences.” The first clear sentence filtered through, hooking his attention into the video like Kirishima was some kind of fish.

“Y-you two seem like good heroes, I wouldn’t want that for you. Especially for your student.” The woman said, having more compassion than most villains did for heroes. Which was really manly of her to do especially if she was getting arrested. Most of the villains Kirishima had to deal with before were characteristically violent and petty.

“You look homeless. If you are desperate enough to steal because of your poverty. You are desperate enough to do by the law.” A male voice filtered in, which was probably marshmallow. It sounded different than the blipped audio from when the teen had spoken. “This is your second chance. Better yourself because if you are out here again, others might not be so merciful.”

Midoriya paused the video again, a huge grin stretched across his face as he scrolled a bit downwards. Showing clearer screenshots that commenters had taken. Marshmallow man was seen having a noticeable black stripe across his face, as well as some space buns. Which was more features than Kirishima had seen in the clip.

“We don’t know yet if he’s a vigilante or an underground hero, but most people are saying underground hero because he was a student, you know? But if he was a hero why wouldn’t he arrest the woman right? That’s why he’s blowing up so much, people are arguing whether or not it was right of him to like let her go. Personally, I think he should’ve just arrested her, but now that I’ve been like reading through these comments. I’ve been wondering maybe it’s wrong to think like that, I mean I know not all villains are bad people. But is it really our job to judge that, but if it’s not our job then whose else is it? Technically the law would’ve just jailed the woman without hearing her out, but-“

“So what he basically means is what do you think of it Kiri?” Kaminari smiled easily, cutting Midoriya out of another muttering spell. Midoriya grew pink from the interruption, but didn’t apologize again for talking. He simply looked at Kirishima as well. The same burning curiosity in his eyes that Kaminari had.

“It’s pretty manly that he trusted her enough to give her a second chance. But it was also pretty stupid, because there’s always a chance she’d do it again.” Kirishima said after hesitating for a few moments, the real point of the video probably flying over his head. If he had anything to go by Midoriya and Kaminari’s expressions.

“I mean I think I’d let her go honestly. If she really was homeless then I’d be more understanding than normal. It’s good that he told her to do right by the law though instead of just letting her go.” Kaminari responded, but he looked a nervous about his answer. His eyes adverting after the admission left his lips,

————————————————————————

The morning was bright and cool at the little playground they stopped at. It was nestled between a few apartment buildings, most definitely intended for the kids in the area to play there. There were a few benches camped around, and with how early it was in the morning there shouldn’t be any kids for a few hours at least.

The bench beneath Choso had grown uncomfortable the longer he was trapped sitting on it. Last night had significantly calmed down after the reverse mugging Yuji and him had committed.

The police sirens they heard were generally clueless, not once did any of the officers approach them. Which was fairly odd considering how frazzled him and Yuji both must’ve looked.

Afterwards, they leisurely walked farther away from the swarming streets and flashy lights. Concealing the epitome of human filth behind skyrocketing capitalism. The obvious bait for the consumer seemed to be worse here, and with how the poor fared like rats. The effects of it weighed down on the unfortunate. Choso was almost disappointed to say that the cycle would even continue in other worlds.

If anything the skyrocketed crime rate to the point of needing ‘heroes’ would’ve created a cesspool of curses. Though these people seemed to have evolved past that point, but even despite that, it only proved nothing could truly get rid of human suffering. They probably didn’t know how lucky they were, none of them did.

Beside him, Yuji shifted a bit in his sleep. The boy had insisted on staying up the night before, it was amusing how as soon as he stopped moving he dropped and was succumbed to it. Choso wouldn’t judge him for it, he was already so young, and after coming back from Shibuya he’s surprised exhaustion didn’t tug him under sooner.

Dutifully Choso kept awake. He didn’t need sleep like the average person, and it was utterly ridiculous to risk having anything happen to his little brother by falling asleep himself. Averagely Choso would only have to sleep once every few days, but on occasion he’s been awake for weeks. It was likely possible because Choso would occasionally take power naps, but he still counted it.

If he had to do the same thing now to ensure Yuji was safe, he would do it over and over again without question.

Resting between them was the three bags from earlier, as well as a few gift cards lying on top of one of them. Choso had counted the cash a few hours earlier when he was certain Yuji wouldn’t wake. Overall, they had around 6,175 yen. Choso didn’t know if the currency was similar to the one they had previously, but it’s not like it mattered. He’d probably just steal if he could.

The wallet was completely empty, minus the few cards they wouldn’t be able to use without a password, and a work ID. To be truthful Choso had never seen a work ID, and they could be structured differently than what he would imagine, but the year being marked as 2230 was peculiar.

It could be a prank card, but it was a good possibility that they could have been slingshot into the future rather than a different plane of existence. He would have to confirm it later by checking for the date on other media. But If that were the case, Choso’s frankly disheartened the world’s surface didn’t evolve all that much from 2018.

However, he had to give them some credit when it was earned. To as an entire species evolve into their cursed energy was impressive. Especially if it was worldwide like the billboards made it seem. Whatever was going to happen would trigger this life, and it would be an infestation globally of supernatural beings.

Choso’s best guess would be whatever the next few steps of Geto’s plan were, would cause humanity to rapidly evolve past being ‘monkeys.’ It’s what the unnerving curse user would preach about when he was able.

Choso trailed his fingers across the fake leather of the large purse. It’s manufactured stitching bulged out, making the texture of it more appealing. On the inside of it held a hefty makeup bag that took up the majority of the space inside of it. When he was rummaging through it, he had only taken a slight peak at the contents inside of it before setting it aside.

Choso was largely unaware of how to apply makeup, or what all the different products were for. He could only hope Yuji would have more of a clue than him. Considering he was a teenage boy, there was a good chance Yuji would be just as lost.

On the inner pockets of the large purse, Choso was able to find 2,315 yen. As well as other gift cards for stores he didn’t recognize imbedded in them. With the small clues due to the names of the places, Choso assumed at least three of the five were makeup centered facilities.

The smaller, brown purse had a lot more inside than either of them combined. Leading Choso to guess it was the many eyed woman’s. It held the rest of the cash for the 6,175 yen, and a sleeker looking phone than Yuji had.

Choso had refrained from turning it on, because it didn’t have any use to him. Though he was slightly nervous about the possibility of there being a tracking system within the piece of technology. Revealing him and Yuji’s location. He’s sure if he said that out loud to the boy, Yuji would cackle and say he sounded like a crazy conspiracy theorist.

The sun was shining brightly now, and it was getting to a point where Choso genuinely wondered if Yuji could get up on his own. Still, he couldn’t wake him, letting him rest was for the betterment of them both. But Choso was getting slightly restless after having minimized his movements for the past few hours.

To counter his dilemma, he decided that he would stand up for a few moments and walk around.

Fortunately or unfortunately, as soon as the thought solidified in his head. Yuji’s eyes clicked open, staring at him the daze of sleep not yet gone from him.

“We should use the money from the purses to buy clothes, ours are tattered already.” Choso voiced allowed the plan he had been steadily forming when Yuji was asleep. “Mine our also flashy enough to be mistaken as a heroes, so doing so would prevent us from further trouble.”

“Do you know where a clothes store is?” Yuji said after a beat, just around when Choso would have repeated himself.

“I’m not sure, but we could ask around or just look for one.” Choso replied smoothly, if they couldn’t find one immediately he’s sure they could follow one of the addresses on one of the a businesses or gift cards.

“Hmm alright, but we should probably buy like deodorant or something. I stink.” Yuji admitted, not an ounce of shame or embarrassment in his tone.

“Where do you buy that?” Choso asked, logically he deciphered what the word meant. It was quite easy given the context clues. It didn’t make up for his lack of knowledge though.

“Like a normal store? They’re kinda everywhere.” Yuji yawned, stretching out like a cat. His back cracked loudly, definitely due to the weird position he passed out in.

“What do they look like?” Choso knew he could just read the labels to find it. It would probably be in the self care isle to wherever they ended up, but he would appreciate the extra help.

“No way,” Yuji exclaimed looking quite stunned. “You’ve never seen deodorant? Do you like not sweat or something? Or are you just spreading your BO around like some kinda stink bomb?” He smiled meanly at the end of the sentence, poking Choso’s shoulder playfully.

“No, I don’t sweat. I don’t think.” Choso answered honestly. Not expecting the baffled expression on his brother’s face to grow tenfold.

“What do you mean you don’t think? How can you not know?” Yuji insisted, dramatically scooting away from him towards the far end of the bench.

“I don’t think I sweat, but I haven’t truly tested if I can or not.” Choso responded plainly.

“Normal people sweat regularly, you don’t need to test if you can sweat or not.” Yuji stated with absolute certainty.

“That must suck,” Choso countered. “You could probably check the makeup bag in there then.” He gestured to the brightly colored bag. “I didn’t check inside of there fully, but if it’s essential it could be in there.”

“Yeah, it really does suck. Does your hair get greasy?” Yuji questioned curiously, picking up the pink cheetah printed bag that had more keychains than its outer layer.

“What?”

“Like your hair, when you haven’t showered in a while. Does it get greasy?” Yuji clarified, unzipping the makeup bag and searching through it seemingly unbothered.

“Yeah. I think so.” Choso nodded after a few seconds.

“How did you shower living with the curses and stuff? I know damn well they don’t shower.” Yuji muttered distraught. “And it’s not like you’re like an absolute grease ball right now.”

“Hose mostly, there was a shower at the houses we stayed at though.” It was nicer than the hose, and honestly he preferred it.

“Hose?” Yuji barked out a laugh, before a crestfallen look overcame him. “Oh my god is that how I’m gonna shower now that we’re homeless?”

“Probably. But I’m sure there are public facilities for it.” Choso shrugged, immune to Yuji’s over exaggerated misery.

“Choso, Chossooooo please be my homeless mentor. I’m gonna die starving and alone and cold on these streets!” Yuji whined, sliding back up to Choso and beginning to shake his shoulders. Completely forgetting about searching the pink bag he barely opened.

“It’s not like I’ll leave you.” Choso pushed Yuji back a tad, a small smile creeping on his face even though he was most definitely the punch line of this joke.

“Yeah okay. Get up, we’re going shopping. Tell me if you find any deodorant or not in there.”

—0—

With how many stores were flocking the streets, it was genuinely too easy to find what they were looking for. The place they had entered seemed a little touristy, but it sufficed.

Unfortunately buying their clothes drained all of their money down into nothing. It’s not like Choso didn’t manage to steal almost four more outfits out of the two they bought. With how even Yuji stayed oblivious to him do it, when he was right there. The store employees were none the wiser. It’s not like the establishment needed it too badly, it wasn’t a small business.

And when Choso had told Yuji as soon as they were far enough away from the store that it wouldn’t be reasonable to turn back. Yuji had laughed until his face was red and blotchy, tears clinging to his eyelashes. It was a goofy, wheezy laugh but it made Choso laugh with him at the absurdity of the moment.

Choso’s glad the two of them had gotten out of the grimy clothes from Shibuya, and now they effortlessly blended into the crowd of other strangely shaped people. Who looked more attention grabbing than either of them had with their ‘odd’ outfits. It was weird the many eyed woman had mistaken him for a hero when so many others would also fit the bill.

Yuji had went to drop off the brown purse and wallet at a bus bench nearby. Complaining he felt bad about holding onto the stolen items, but not really knowing where a lost and found was. Yuji had assumed by putting them there someone was bound to track the people down because of their ID cards. Even as Choso warned him they’d probably just be taken by new people.

They had decided to keep the large bag to store their extra outfits, and what Yuji had taken from the makeup bag. The bag itself was sleek and black, it felt comfortable enough to hold so Choso didn’t mind lugging around their stuff. Yuji did tease him for looking feminine with the purse, but Choso genuinely couldn’t care about how ‘feminine’ or not he looked.

Choso waited near one of the lampposts, watching as Yuji attempted to hurry back from the bus stop. He generally ignored the constant buzzing of the people around him, as well as the traffic that grated on his ears.

The streets weren’t as crowded as they were in Shibuya. He’s not entirely sure if it was normal for them to be like that, or if it was only because of Mahito’s herding that large of a group came together. Either way Choso’s just relieved this place wasn’t that badly populated, or he might have hid in the alleyway like some creep.

Despite the fact that there wasn’t as many people here, it was hard to be as perceptive as he would like to be. The abilities these people had were eye catching, as much as sorcery would be in a regular crowd. To have them all piled near him it made it increasingly more difficult to identify threats or oddities.

Sighing through his nose, Choso smiled a little seeing Yuji a few feet away from him. He was kind of making a weird face though, not looking directly at Choso but instead behind him.

Choso jolted and flew a few feet backwards when he felt a slight poke at his shoulder. Readying into a defensive stance, only to be met with a kid that could be Yuji’s age. He had pointy neon red hair, paired with some weird layered pants with a buckle that had a matching red R on it. The rest of him was bare, minus the cogs that hugged the teenager’s shoulder blades.

“Woa dude sorry I didn’t mean to scare you! I don’t really know your hero name, but my friend really likes you! And I was wondering if I could get an autograph for him? Sorry if this is rude because you’re not in costume right now.” The kid spoke brightly, not at all disturbed by Choso’s reaction.

He wasn’t in his old clothes, so it was weird that he was getting approached with the hero nonsense again. With his plain outfit as well, Choso quite literally could not blend into the sea of people better. How did he have fans? This boy must’ve been getting him and someone else mixed up.

“Oh uhm.” Choso glanced at Yuji, who was now standing in the few feet of a gap between him and the spiky haired teenager. Yuji didn’t look at Choso once, all of his attention focused on the other teen. A weird look on his face Choso couldn’t predict.

“Why are you shirtless?” Yuji rudely asked after their mini staring contest. His tone wasn’t holding any malice, but there was a little hint of judgment the other boy also picked up on.

“I’m a hero student, it’s my costume. It’s for my quirk mainly.” The red haired kid attempted to explain, but the reasoning didn’t deter Yuji at all. In fact it only spurred him further.

“How are you not cold?” Yuji questioned in disbelief.

“It’s not that bad out, but I honestly can’t complain. One of my classmates costume’s is just gloves.” The red head said sheepishly, but it only caused Yuji’s jaw to audibly drop.

“Are you so serious right now? So she’s just like naked? How did your teacher allow that.” Yuji interrupted, firing off questions like he was getting paid for them. The concern for the boys classmate was genuinely there, but he sounded more aghast than anything.

“The rules are pretty flexible because she’s invisible, but it’s still kinda weird.” The teen said awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck.

“Yeah totally, you should talk to her about that. That literally cannot be safe you know?”
Yuji suggested, his brow furrowing. “What if she gets like hypothermia and collapses.” He continued. “I mean you too, you should get a shirt on.”

“It’s not that cold out right now, and plus I have pants! So it’s not that bad.” The strangely dressed boy claimed. He didn’t seem all that effected by the weather, but Choso wasn’t close enough to see whether or not he was shivering or had goosebumps. He wouldn’t check either, it was none of his business how some kid wanted to dress.

“Not being that bad is still bad, I mean like I get it. You wanna show off your muscles, but I promise you this is not the route to go.” Yuji said it with such certainty and disdain it had to have come from experience. It didn’t really seem like something the boy would do on purpose though, he’d have to ask him about it later.

“No- what? It’s like my quirk I promise you! Did you not watch the sports festival or something?” The teenager said, it was a little arrogant to claim that some random people on the street would watch any old sports festival. Choso was actually a bit surprised they still had those things around.

“No I didn’t, but like there’s gotta be some pervs out here and plus your cold. Please just get a shirt. If it’s for the muscles I’m eighty percent sure muscle shirts will work for that effect.” Yuji pressed on, dismissing the other boys protest.

“Literally watch.” The red haired teenager’s skin rapidly hardened to a rock like consistency. Rising to create its unevenness, the effect looked painful to induce. It was even gnarly to look at, he refrained from doing anything about that thought though.

“I really still feel like.” Yuji paused to point his hand up and down at the teen. “All of this could happen with a shirt on.”

The kid quite literally deflated at Yuji’s pestering. His skin returning back into its normal state, in perfect time with the boys slouch. He redirected his focus past Yuji and back onto Choso, brushing Yuji off completely. “So how about that autograph? Or would a photo just be easier?”

“Oo can I be in the photo? Tell your friend I said hi.” Yuji cut in, glancing at Choso expectantly.

“Yeah okay!” The red haired boy smiled, showing off rows of pointy teeth. He dug into his pant leg to look for, presumably, his phone. And pulling it out with succession a few moments afterwards.

Yuji tugged him into the frame by his arm with the shark toothed boy. Throwing up a peace sign. The phones model looked a like to the many eyed woman’s phone, so he could only imagine it was the norm instead of the futuristic technology many people fantasized about in modern day.

When the photo was taken, and it was a quick photo. The boy shoved his phone into his pocket, and skittered off to a man nearby that looked like a yellow gum ball that called his name. The boy waved at them as he left, probably eager to get away from Yuji because of their weird conversation.