*Allen's POV*
My game, bet, showdown— I don't even know how to describe it anymore— it's like riding a wild horse; I can only get off by either falling or taming it.
Every world has its own rules, conditions, and limits, which are established through prior negotiation between the parties.
I will disregard those rules until I have advanced far enough in the world so that I don't gain an unfair advantage by knowing everything beforehand. Along with that, my memory of the world and any information my spectators might give me is forbidden.
This leads me into many situations that are beyond my control. So... I have no way of knowing who this girl named Himiko Toga really is.
I don't know if she's telling the truth. I don't know if she really is my childhood friend or if we even have any kind of relationship. And yet… there's something I can see, something I can feel… this girl… is standing on top of a deep darkness.
I couldn't simply ignore Himiko, so I invited her home… I just hope she doesn't cause any trouble.
*End of POV*
...
....
...
Outside the apartment, the sky had grown cloudy and raindrops began to fall; it was as if the day had suddenly turned depressing.
The room had become isolated from the outside world; only the sound of two people breathing could be heard.
Allen pressed the girl against the bed, his hands holding her wrists.
She wore a wide smile with flushed cheeks; he had a piercing gaze.
"Why?" Allen asked in a low voice. It wasn't an accusation— not yet— it was an uncomfortable question. He didn't understand Himiko's actions.
Himiko let out a soft laugh before her eyes fixed on him with a faint obsessive glint. However, she didn't answer his question; instead, she began to narrate old memories.
"It's been years. That day the sun was high, the wind felt like spring, and cherry blossoms were falling from the trees."
Himiko slipped one of her hands free from Allen's grip and brought it to her mouth. She bit one of her own fingers, drawing a drop of blood that she then licked away with her tongue.
"The first time I saw you, you were leaning in the park reading a book… I thought you were a lonely boy..."
"I just preferred being alone," Allen said, recalling his own past— the one from his world.
He had thought about it before, but after understanding his behavior, he realized that this "Allen" who existed before the current Allen became aware didn't come from nowhere. He was very similar to how his real personality had been as a child. So Allen could understand that his younger self had simply enjoyed solitude.
"At that moment I got curious and approached you, but you rejected me, hehe I realized then that it wasn't that you were rejected— you just enjoyed being alone"
Himiko laughed as she used her hand to touch Allen's face.
"That's not what I asked," Allen said, grabbing the hand that was touching his cheek.
"Your hands are warm, big, and strong… you've really grown~" Himiko smiled with a hint of nostalgia, but it was soon swallowed by some twisted thought. "During the first month after I met you, I saw you in the park four times, but every time you didn't want to play with me."
"When I felt like you truly disliked me, I thought about giving up," Himiko said, intertwining her fingers with Allen's. "But when a huge dog attacked me, you appeared and saved me! Just like a hero❤️~"
"...If I had allowed a dog to attack a little girl, I would be a monster," Allen said, pulling his hand away from hers.
No longer feeling the warmth of Allen's hand, Himiko's smile faded and her eyes dimmed for a moment.
"Mm, I know… but that made me want to know you more and MORE… unfortunately, after that, you disappeared… for almost a year."
Allen frowned. He knew the reason— in this world, he had four guardians, so he moved every three months. He had lived like that for a decade.
"In the past, it was impossible for me to stay more than three months in the same place. However, you still haven't answered my question…"
Allen knew perfectly well he didn't have to justify himself to this girl, but seeing the hidden sadness in her eyes, he couldn't just leave it like that.
"Allen is very kind~"
Himiko smiled again, and the light returned to her eyes. She continued talking, ignoring Allen's question.
"Don't worry about that. But the next spring when I saw you again, you didn't recognize me… and that made me sad."
"...I'm sorry."
Himiko laughed softly while covering her lips. Her sweater was longer than it should've been, so her hands were hidden for a moment.
"Allen, you know? When I saw you again, I decided I would be your friend this time— not just because you saved me. Somehow I felt very comfortable by your side, like no matter what, you would never reject me."
Himiko slipped her hand into her sweater pocket and pulled out a photograph of Allen. It was blurry and tilted, as if it had been taken secretly.
"After that, I followed you and discovered where you lived…"
"That sounds like something a stalker would do," Allen joked.
"Haha, yeah, but I was just a kid— will you forgive me?~" Himiko hugged the photo against her chest.
"If that's the worst thing you did, it's not the first time something like that has happened to me, so it doesn't bother me."
Himiko smiled sincerely before putting the photograph away. Even though he had released her hands, Allen still remained on top of her.
Himiko relaxed on Allen's bed while shamelessly hugging a pillow and smelling its scent. Then, with an intoxicated gaze, she looked at him; at this point her neckline had opened, revealing part of her bra.
"I started showing up every day— when you went out, or even knocking on your door where your beautiful older sister welcomed me. At first she didn't believe we were friends, but she was happy you had someone your age nearby and didn't reject me~"
Basically, this girl invaded his personal space, his life, and even his home.
"You— just because you were a child doesn't mean everything is forgiven." Allen flicked Himiko's forehead with his finger.
"Ouch, that's mean!~" Himiko placed her hand on Allen's chest while he still kept her confined against the bed. This ambiguous closeness and intimacy held something beyond lust and attraction.
"From that day on, our relationship grew closer…"
"..."
[Host, that last part is a lie. Due to your personality in automatic mode, you never get too close to people, but you don't reject them either to avoid becoming antisocial. This girl followed you everywhere despite your coldness… somehow, to her, you were her friend.
"Don't lie," Allen sighed before hardening his gaze. "You say we're friends, but then Himiko Toga— why did you try to stab me?"
Himiko's hand froze, and the ambiguous atmosphere turned toxic, like a twisted obsession filling the air. It came from the girl, whose smile widened— but this time it looked disturbing.
"I'm sorry, I just wanted to taste your blood!❤️" Himiko covered her face as if she had just confessed to the boy she liked.
"...?" Allen couldn't understand what she meant, but he did realize something was wrong in her head.
"Do you still remember what my Quirk is?~"
Allen remained silent while looking into Himiko's eyes. "Transformation."
"Yes. This Quirk lets me become someone else for a while. But you know, Allen… there's something I never told you~"
"..."
"The condition for me to transform into someone else… is their blood."
Allen frowned. "You want my blood for your Quirk?"
Himiko quickly grew nervous and shook her head in fear.
"No, you're wrong! For me, drinking someone's blood is a way of expressing my affection!"
"I don't understand…"
Himiko hugged Allen. "I wanted to drink your blood! I wanted to become you! Before, it was just a small desire!"
Himiko's gaze filled with corruption as her hands held Allen's cheeks. "But every second I'm with you, that desire grows and GROWS! Ah~"
"Himiko, you're not a child— do you know what you're asking for?" Setting aside the fact that Allen was used to dealing with strange girls, crazy yanderes, and women with mental issues, he wouldn't give his blood so easily.
He had seen what Lex Luthor did with Superman's blood and what Ross tried to do with Banner's.
Himiko erased her smile and grew sad…
"I just want to express my love… but nobody accepts it… You don't either."
Allen had heard it from Kaina— in this world where there are billions of Quirks, it's normal for some to be feared, hated, or rejected.
Kaina, whose Quirk specialized in killing, had been turned into a government assassin.
Even Mina had confessed to Allen through messages that she feared her acid Quirk would scare people; she had always been able to adjust its acidity long before becoming famous.
A Quirk that forces its user to drink blood— how would that be seen? It also seemed to affect her tastes and alter her behavior. Just as a bat would never find drinking blood strange, for Himiko it was natural, a need she couldn't avoid.
"I'll let you drink my blood, but I have one condition…"
Himiko's eyes lit up and she formed a beautiful smile. However, she didn't let Allen finish and covered his mouth.
"I'm begging you— don't do it…" Himiko wore an expression that was as much happiness as it was sadness.
"..."
"I feel like I could accept any condition that comes out of your mouth, but a long time ago I decided I would live my life freely. I don't want to give that up… even if my end is unpleasant…"
Himiko gently pushed Allen away before getting up from his bed.
"Today I just wanted to see you," the girl said without looking at him.
"Himiko, I can't just let you go…" Allen said, standing up. "Becoming a villain will take you down a path you can't come back from."
Himiko smiled faintly before turning around with a crazed expression. "And what are you going to do?!"
"..."
"Are you going to lock me in your house and keep me as a prisoner? That sounds wonderful!!🖤~"
"..."
"No, you won't. You're a Hero-san Are you going to arrest me and send me to prison for the rest of my life? Your 'dear' childhood friend?!" Himiko walked toward Allen and leaned against his chest. "That would be fine if you promise to visit me every day!🖤"
"Stop."
"Or maybe… are you going to kill me?" Himiko began to radiate an aura of perversion, excitement, and madness. "Haha that would be fine too— then I could be a part of you for the rest of your life!🖤"
"You'd like that, wouldn't you?" Allen mocked. "Do I look that desperate for female affection that I'd deal with you like that?"
Himiko blinked in surprise before laughing. "Hahaha, that's unexpected."
"What is?"
"I expected everything— that you'd get scared, that you'd give some speech about justice and morality, that you'd reject me, or even attack me outright… but instead you joke?"
"Joke? I'm serious," Allen said, raising an eyebrow.
Himiko dropped her disturbing smile and gave Allen a kiss on the cheek before walking toward the door. The girl stopped and turned back.
"You're really very sweet to someone like me. If you asked me, I could stop… but in exchange for putting a chain on me for the rest of my life— would you do it?"
Allen shrugged. "Officially, I don't have a license. Fighting a villain would be a crime…"
"HAHAHA! I really like you!~"
Allen pointed at her. "But don't forget— this isn't over."
"Yes~" Himiko turned and kept walking while murmuring, "I hope so… my dear childhood friend…"
Himiko left. Allen couldn't find a way to deal with her right now. He didn't want to justify her way of living, didn't want to pretend nothing had happened— but he also didn't want to simply label her as a villain.
Allen's weakness— his kryptonite— was problematic women.
....
Allen remained standing at the door.
How do you stop someone like that without condemning them?
How do you prevent the madness of someone who has embraced that madness?
Can Himiko Toga be saved… or is she just a pitiful girl destined for a tragic end?
Allen punched the wall, leaving a crack.
"Alright, brat— I've dealt with girls more difficult than you. If a little mental instability scared me, I'd have a dozen fewer girlfriends!" Allen's eyes ignited.
Esdeath – Hey, who are you talking about?
Kurumi – Surely not me, since we don't have that kind of relationship.
Saeko – This is a little embarrassing…
Harley – Hehe, daddy is quite charming~
Albedo – Aw, Allen-sama is noble and perfect. His heart can hold any kind of madness without being stained❤️~
Hestia – They're talking about you, pervert.
Aphrodite – Shut up, big-chested brats! I'm only like this with my Allen!
Anemone – I guess Weddy counts too…
Wednesday – No. I just think and see the world differently— that doesn't make me crazy…
2B – I don't think collecting skulls is very healthy…
Wednesday – It's for research purposes, to see if bone structure changes in every world. It's science…
Gwen – Now that I think about it, didn't MJ stalk Allen too?
MJ – Oh seriously, that again?! It's been years! :(
Felicia – Don't worry— decades will pass and she'll still remind you, haha~
....
(One week later)
The day had arrived— the UA Sports Festival was about to begin.
Allen woke up early in the morning. Unexpectedly, Kaina was already awake making breakfast. That only happened twice a week; the rest of the time, Allen woke up first and prepared everything.
Allen walked up behind Kaina and rested his chin on the shoulder of the woman wearing an apron while shamelessly smoking a cigarette.
"Ah—"
Kaina was startled and almost dropped the frying pan, but Allen caught it and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"What are you doing?! That's dangerous!"
Despite being annoyed with Allen, she didn't push him away. In these two weeks, Kaina had grown used to the change in him, and compared to before, she was happier seeing him so open to interacting with her.
"I'm sorry."
Allen apologized but didn't let go, watching her cook. The intimacy between them felt more like that of newlyweds than what they were supposed to have.
'Ugh… at this point I can't even make fun of that woman anymore.' Kaina felt strange; every day a feeling in her heart kept growing, yet her reason kept telling her it was wrong.
"Allen, go change quickly or you'll be late!"
Allen laughed before letting go of Kaina and walking to his room.
The woman leaned against the counter, feeling her legs weaken. She gritted her teeth and cursed herself.
Allen changed clothes and looked at a huge announcement on a blimp drone advertising the UA Sports Festival. For days, the media had talked about nothing else.
Several golden and silver flashes appeared around him. From them, he chose five and then smiled with absolute confidence.
"Now let's see what this day has in store for us!"
====
A/N: Well, the sports festival is starting. Let's hope nothing bad happens. 👀
If you want to read more, there are up to ten chapters ahead on Patreon.
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