Scene: Abandoned building – League of Villains hideout

The chair was cold.

Dust clung to the air, swirling lazily under the flickering fluorescent lights. You sat motionless, arms tied behind you, ankles bound. But your posture didn’t scream captive. You leaned back like this was a waiting room, not a kidnapping.

Your eyes swept the room—cracked concrete walls, scorched corners, and faces you recognized instantly.

Dabi, propped against the wall with his arms crossed. Toga, crouched nearby, watching you with a child’s curiosity and a predator’s grin. Kurogiri, silent behind the bar of mist that kept him anchored to this place. And at the center of it all, Shigaraki, scratching his neck like his own skin offended him.

“You let us catch you,” he said flatly.

You gave a slow blink, the corner of your mouth twitching. “Took you long enough.”

He didn’t laugh. No one did. Not even Toga, though she giggled anyway, more out of habit than humor.

“You’re a problem,” Shigaraki said. “Too strong to ignore. Too slippery for the heroes to leash.”

You raised an eyebrow. “Flattered.”

“We’ve watched you dodge every hero on the roster. Wrecked a couple villain operations too—ours included.”

Dabi stepped forward now, gaze sharp and unreadable. “What’s your deal?”

You tilted your head.

“I’m bored,” you said simply. “Didn’t feel like going home. Figured I’d see what all the League hype was about.”

Toga tilted her head to mirror yours. “You’re not scared?”

“I’ve seen scarier things in alleyways at 2 a.m. Besides…” You shifted your wrists and the ropes strained, humming faintly under your quirk. “These don’t really do much.”

The tension spiked instantly. Dabi’s hands flared. Kurogiri’s mist pulsed once, ready. But you didn’t move—just smirked.

“I’m not here to fight,” you said. “Not yet.”

Shigaraki’s lip curled. “Then what do you want?”

You leaned forward, eyes gleaming with something unreadable. “I want to see what you think you can offer me. I’m not joining you, don’t get your hopes up. But maybe… just maybe… you’ll say something interesting enough to keep me from walking out right now.”

They stared.

You stared back, utterly relaxed.

“You’re not a hero,” Dabi muttered.

“Nope.”

“But you’re not one of us.”

“Not even close.”

“Then what are you?” Shigaraki asked.

You smiled slowly.

“I’m the variable no one accounts for.”