‘Inferno no.5’ by anonymous artist ‘X’ stirs Tokyo’s art scene once again.

It was the fifth time. Five different artworks. Five versions of his face. And that person—“X”—had never once appeared in public. Not even when everyone begged for their presence at the solo exhibition titled: Muse, or Monster?

Bakugo clicked his tongue. “What the hell is this person…”

It wasn't just irritation. It was... something colder. A chill. Because the details weren’t things you could find online. One of the previous paintings even revealed a small scar beneath his left collarbone—something only he and his doctor knew.

These works weren’t just admiration. There was something else. Too intense. Too close.

And the more he tried to ignore it, the deeper the itch in his mind grew.

Bakugo stood at the corner of the room, far from the crowd. As if the crowd would notice he was there because he's wearing a mask and a cap. The gallery was packed that night, filled with gasps and praise for a painting that—once again—depicted him in a light that felt almost... too honest.

It was a new piece. One he hadn’t seen before. The title read: "When He Burns, I Bloom."

“Freak,” he muttered under his breath.

His hands clenched in the pockets of his jacket. He hated crowds. But more than that, he hated the curiosity that dragged him here. They said X would show up. Finally.