Again

I've been a hero for a while. Though one thing to know about heroes is that we aren't always out to help the little guy. It doesn't stop me from trying, though.

My wings take care of a lot of little things as I walk. It gives me the satisfaction of helping people but I know most of the time I don't take on the big stuff.

Something you need to know about heroes is we are in ranks. How did I get to the top 10? Not by taking on small fry. I take on villains who are out to truly hurt people. I'm not here to help the lady with the stolen purse but the whole jewelry shop will blast my heroism up.

I hate it.

I stare at the stack of files on my desk. I have 20 investigations in progress. Only 7 of them the commission have given me approval to even look at. The other small fry should go out to others in my agency.

I decide to take a break. I haven't eaten lunch yet. It's as I'm microwaving my food in the office breakroom I overhear something interesting.

"2 heroes were killed"

"Killed??" The other sidekick gasped

"Yeah. They were low rank heroes, but this isn't their first time. They may have killed at least 30 by now, "

"Isn't someone going to do something?"

I butt in, "Is there a villain on the loose?"

"Kind of," the sidekicks jumped

"Are you talking about the hero killer?" I question

"No, this is a different villain. Similar, though. Kills heros who are caught in scandles that get proven true. Or ex heroes who truly do something terrible"

"Why haven't I heard of them before?" I raise a brow

"She's a super low rank villain. We are talking about the type like from a cheesy comic book. Making robots and crazy elaborate traps that barely work"

"What's her quirk?" I chuckle

"No clue. We think it's genius, maybe? She builds robots, so maybe" the sidekick shrugs

"Drop her file on my desk. I want to look into this. Even if it's cheesy villainy, I can't turn a blind eye to killing heroes. "

Besides, I'm genuinely curious. I was nearly excited to see the file on my desk. Though when I opened it, I couldn't help but frown. The profile put together is...sloppy at best. Although the file is thick with past reports, the details are too hazy. Amateur work at best.

Quirk? Intelligence. Got a name but no information of who they are. The name seems like it was pulled out of nothing. A fake is my best guess.

I turn to a page, finding it empty with a single tally mark. How odd?

I find myself drowned in my other work, though. Case after case, it seems tedious. I keep going back to her file, though. When I turn to that page, something rather peculiar happens. There are many more talli marks. 12 in total.

I lean back in my chair, staring at the file... what do these mean?

More casework. I take out time finally out on investigation. Once I finish my case though I guess I'm too tired when I wake up at home...

Scratch that. I have vodka and strawberries on my breath... did I go out drinking...shit... did I get fucked up last night???

I sat up in time to have a pounding headache...maybe...I need some time off...

I left my files. Took a short 2 week break... yet I eventually go back as heroes always do. Back to work as usual.

When I open the file again with the comical villain, I am dumbfounded. The page is now full of talli marks. Someone has to be fucking with me.

Still. My interest remains here as I go out in hunt of this villain. When I think of it...I have met them. Fuck, I have fought their robot goons before. Though when it comes to them they are always too far away. I cam never seem to catch them.

Today though, I look for their base. Looking for a place that draws a lot of power. Somewhere they could be making these things. Unless they are using someone else's quirk?

I listen for rumors. Maybe I'll pick up some information somewhere. And seemingly convenient I do... with splattered paint on a wall in large letters...

'Come find me birdy'

I pull my phone snapping a picture but after the flash of my camera the writing is gone. I curse examining my photo of a blank wall.

A quirk, maybe? Who even did this? Which case? A new one? Can't be the one im working on, right?

Either way I walk up to the wall and about jump when the wall shifts oddly. I go to feel it but the wall proves to not be solid. This spells trap but...

I walk through anyway. Finding myself just where I wanted to be. A workshop. Robot parts laying around along with scribblings on papers.

I cautiously explored. I tried to stay in the shadows while feathers scouted ahead. Though I find the villain it seems they are unprepared. A bathrobe on and a hot cup of something.

She stretched with a yawn, "You know you woke me up from my nap Keigo?" She spoke...so casually, "Here, I'll even speak in villain for you, 'oh you fool, how could you think you've snuck in. I had a alarm system all along, you're only here cause I want you here' " she had the most disinterested voice

The humor had left me though...hearing my name took more presence in my brain.

"Still not coming out? OK let me fill in, 'mwah-ha-ha, how do I know your name? I've heard it before my genius ac-' ok I'm too lazy for this shit right now. Let's skip a few pages"

I didn't see her move. She was there...then gone. Then next to me a hand on my face. It a instant I saw it though...it all became clear. I felt like an idiot as all the signs were there yet I couldn't see them.

Mind manipulation. She made me forget every moment we had together. First meeting...after first meeting...after first meeting. By now, I've been to this exact building probably 100 times.

My why still remained unanswered though. Why give me the memory back? Why play this game at all?

"You try to ask everytime so imma skip that too. I don't feel like talking about it right now. I think I'd rather just sit around and bs with you." she pulled out a chair, motioning to another next to her at a work table

"So... these robots...I still don't think i get it all...I am remembering a lot, but it still feels...incomplete?"

"Don't ask dumb questions. Just have a drink with me. Let's chat and have fun knowing you won't remember anything by morning. "

I press my lips together before rubbing my face in thought. I know I've tried to run... with my memories intact, and it hasn't ever worked. I decide to play along sitting in the chair as she poured a drink for me.

"Keigo, doesn't it ever get tiring for you? I mean how often do you come here? At least once a week? On top of your other work. I, for one, am exhausted"

The way she just...said my name, "How? How do you-"

"I JUST said not to sweat the how, why, what questions" she groaned

"What can you expect?" I scoff

She rolled her eyes at me and clicked her glass with mine, "Clink, now you gotta finish all that" she downed her drink

"I didn't agree to that" I huff

"Do it or I'll kill your mother" she mumbled

I...I just down the drink absolutely beside myself.

"Its nice when you behave. Should more often" she refilled my glass

"Are you trying to get me drunk?"

"You're more fun when you're tipsy pretty boy" she shrugged

I cover the top of my glass with my hand and scowled, "Well I'm also on duty"

"When are you not? You work or sleep. So right now you drink with me"

"What do I get out of it?"

"Some R&R" she shrugged, "Cause you're not getting anything else"

"So. Since it doesn't hurt, what are your goals?" I try to sound nonchalant

"What's your history, what's your goals, what's your evil plan? I'm getting real tired of these questions. Right now you aren't a hero and I'm not a villain got it?"

"Then what are we?"

"Hmm... well neither of us went to middle school but let's try our hardest to be like reuniting classmates"

"Yes let's just pretend to be something we have no understanding of" I chuckle

"Any better ideas?" She smirked

"Look, you are a villain and I'm a hero. It's simple"

"No, we are both victims only you don't know it yet"

She's being ridiculous. I give a huff but don't particularly wish to continue this discussion, "I have other things to do"

"Oh I'm sure. I'm sure you just leisurely decided to take a mission with no clue of timeframe you have just 2 hours before an interview? Oh wait, let me guess it's a meeting this time? We both know you have no where to be"

"I have a pile of files on my desk-"

"That will be there in the morning"

Damnit! How the hell is she always one step ahead!

"I should really make a bingo board of this. Could really make it fun"

"Why not give me all of my memories back then?"

"Cause your head could go pop" she hummed, "Plus, I like to watch you think. You get more quiet" she sipped her fresh drink before pouring me another

"I just don't get it"

"Its ok. One day you'll come in here and you'll connect all the little dots. That will be the day you join me"

"We'll see" I scoff

"I know we will" she shrugged, "In the meantime I just want to treat you as an old friend"

(Plop)