(First Person: Jirou Kyoka's point of view.)
Honestly, I wanted Momo's plan to go wrong somehow. I hoped maybe Midoriya would get caught by the guards, or Uraraka accidentally brought Denki to the ground instead of the roof. Sure, I trusted Momo, and sure, I wanted to save my boyfriend but...when I got the huge responsibility of executing the rest of the plan, I felt like (and still feel like) everybody just threw a giant boulder on my shoulders.
(Flashback)
Class 1-A (except Kirishima, Midoriya, and Todoroki), and Camie Utsushimi from Shiketsu High were in the common room that night, discussing how we wanted everything to go down. Somehow, Utsushimi and Momo got close over the past year, which was why Utsushimi didn't hesitate to help us when Momo brought it up. "Anything to help a pal, XOXO" she had texted.
Anyway, there we were, hanging around the common room couches as Momo explained her idea, and everybody agreed without a second thought...well, except for me.
"I can't do it," I said.
Everybody turned their heads towards me, and I ducked down low. I may enjoy rock concerts, but I especially hate being in the spotlight.
"You said... you want me to talk to him?" I whispered, "I...I don't want to. I'm not sure I can...not after seeing him in my bedroom that night."
Sero threw his arms up in exasperation.
"Jirou, you're the only one who he'll actually open up to!" he exclaimed, "I mean, seriously, can you imagine Bakugo talking to that guy? News flash, there won't be any talking, it'll just be a freaking death battle!"
Mina Ashido elbowed Sero in the ribs, and gave me a smile.
"It's okay, sweetie," she said, "We won't force you if you don't want to."
"No," Momo interrupted, "This is the only way."
My best friend hand gripped comfortably on my shoulder. She used to do that a lot ever since Denki betrayed us, but this time, the grip didn't feel sympathetic. It was tight, like she was trying to squeeze some sense into me.
"I'm sorry Jirou, but we need you to do this," she said, "I understand full well why you're frightened, and I am not going to tell you to push those fears aside for the sake of the mission. I want you to use those fears. Remember why we're doing this in the first place. Remember why you miss him so much! . Remember who you dated. We can bring him back!"
Momo and I had a silent staring contest, and nobody else dared to break the tension between us.
Finally, I let out a sigh, and started telling everybody what happened that night when Denki came into my room. Grief boiled up inside me as I spoke. That night was indubitably the worst night of my entire life. "...He told me he loved me," I spoke through tears and hiccups. Just when I was ready to get over Denki's betrayal, just when I was ready to accept the fact that he didn't need me anymore, he kissed me and he had told me he loved me. He loved me? What kind of bullshit answer is that? He was teasing me, he thought breaking my heart was just a game to him.
Just as I was developing hatred for this traitor, just as I was about to accept his moving on, he confessed to me again in that charming, smooth voice of his. It was heartbreaking. As I heard those three words, all my love for him came pouring back in, along with the immense feeling of guilt for loving a villain—a traitor that didn't deserve any warmth. "I love you" made it impossible for me to move on again. I was torn.
As I began finishing up the story, I knew something had changed within me. It was then when I noticed how angry I truly was. I'm getting fooled way too easily, this is exactly what Kaminari wanted. He trapped me in this cage of heartbreak and sorrow, lusting for his former self. I've been stupid.
"I'll do it. I'll talk to Denki," I declared, "You're right, Momo. I will no longer hide in the shadows. No more of that. That villain thinks I'm just some precious little glass bead he can toy with? Well, he's about to learn how dead wrong he is."
...............................
Easier said than done, Earphone Jack. Seeing him sitting there in front of me right now, I wanted to cry so bad. If only I could fall into Denki's arms and hug him so tight, the monster inside of him would escape. But I forced myself not to. You no longer have me trapped in your little cage, I thought.
As I looked around, I noted that the roof was a vast, open space, big enough to hold two volleyball courts. There was nothing else on the beige surface except for a few cardboard boxes at the back, and some old candy bar wrappers here and there. Of course, there was also me and my crazy boyfriend.
I took a huge gulp before speaking up.
"Denki, I—"
"K-Kyoka..." said Kaminari, clutching onto his hair, "I...League of Villains...Kirishima...Dabi...No! Noooo!" He rolled onto the floor, and let loose a strangling scream. It shook the whole building, and I was sure the others felt it too, 'cause I heard Momo through my earpiece immediately.
"Jirou?" Momo called from the other side of my earpiece, "Everything okay up there?"
I stared at my insane boyfriend, and somehow, I had an idea of what was happening. But first, I had to make sure.
"Momo," I whispered, "Don't worry. I've got it under control."
"Okay...but—"
I threw my earpiece over the side of the building, before she could finish her sentence. If they choose me to execute the rest of Momo's plan, then I get to choose how I want to play it. And I choose to play it alone. I was pretty much taking a gamble, since I had no solid plan, but I wasn't keen on turning back. After all, no one was better suited for this job than me.
Carefully, I kneeled down and waited for Denki to look me in the eye. He was muttering random conflicting words now, like he had two completely different personalities. Kind of reminded me of the villain, Twice. When his eyes met mine, he didn't look much better. Honestly, it looked like he wanted to puke.
"Say something," he begged, "Anything."
"Okay," I said, choosing my words carefully, "Let's see...do you remember that one rainy night in the common room, where you slapped Kirishima's soda can out of his hands?"
As I spoke, Denki began to calm down as if recalling that memory, and his evil golden eyes began to glow. I recounted the entire night, mentioning the fact that we were heartbroken from his betrayal.
"Yes..." he said, nodding, "Yes, I betrayed you. I am no hero. I am Thunderstroke, the traitor of U.A. I am invincible!" Loud thunder followed his speech, and gray clouds began to form. Denki stood straight up now, staring right at me and putting on a sly smile, the one I remember he wore when he came to my room last night. Ugh, I hate Deja-Vus.
"My darling Kyoka," he soothed, "You look ravishing as usual. Did you bring me up here to destroy your heart some more? I was sure the kiss would have done the trick but looks like you just can't get enough of my charms."
I gritted my teeth, forcing myself not to pummel him for that. I can't let him fool me, have him trap me into that cage of sorrow again. I can't show him my weaknesses. But now I knew, my theory was right. I started to realize what was happening. Because Denki's contract with the League of Villains has ended, his moralities and memories from his hero life were starting to kick in. Now, he is split between his Villain self and his Hero self. When he saw me, a memory from his Hero Life, Hero Denki was trying to take over Denki's mind, fighting against himself. When I reminded him of his evil deeds as a villain, Villain Denki easily took over. I understood now that my job was to bring out this Hero Denki.
Denki began to take off his white, silico gloves, and I shuddered because those were the ones I saw in my room that morning.
"Ah, well," he sighed, "There's more of you in this pathetic building, isn't there? Okay, tell them to come all out here, playtime with Denki is over. I've already let you guys have too much fun." He got into a crouching position, and placed both palms down on the roof surface, electricity beginning to spark on his body.
"If nobody is up here by 15 seconds, I'm going to electrocute this entire building with Thunder's Caress," he sneered, "Along with those weak police people. They really get on my nerves, you know?" He began to count down really loudly, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.
I held in my breath, trying so hard to restrain my fear. I couldn't contact anybody up here, since I already threw my earpiece down the building. And I knew Villain Denki wasn't just going to casually let me go down and retrieve it. I had to think of a plan and act fast, or my friends are all going to die. Use your fears, Yaoyorozu had said. Remember why you miss him so much.
"You're hurting me, Denki," I said, "I'm your girlfriend!"
"Please," he snorted, "You are no longer my girlfriend, Kyoka. My heart solely belongs to Himiko Toga, my future bride!"
I tried not to cringe when he mentioned her. I suspected that the only reason he chose Toga was because he wanted to prove his loyalty to the League. Still, I couldn't help but imagine Toga and Denki...going on romantic dates together, getting married...Ew. No thanks.
"You cannot marry Toga Himiko," I said, recalling what Bakugo and Momo had told me, "Because your contract with the League has ended. You killed Dabi, one of your comrades. Shigaraki banned you, so you can't see her again. Besides, you can't kill us," I said calmly, "Because we're your comrades. Sero, Mina, Sato, Tsuyu, Kirishima, and Uraraka, they're all your friends—your real friends. Come to think of it, you couldn't even kill Todoroki and Bakugo, right?"
Then...it was like a glass vase had shattered. The glow in Denki's eyes began to fade, and he flickered, as if he were a hologram. It was working. My Denki was coming back! He clutched his head again, however, this time, his eyes were full of regret and agony.
"Todoroki....Bakugo...invisible ink...Dabi..." Kaminari muttered.
I have to try harder.
"Please, Denki, remember all the good times we had together!" I persisted, "I know you were only acting, but you truly enjoyed those moments, didn't you? The Sports Festival, studying for final exams, training with the Pussy Cats, the Culture Festival...Just because you became a villain, doesn't mean you can't enjoy the little things in your Hero life."
I grab Denki's face and pull him into a sweet kiss, replicating that one special moment on our first date. As I pulled away, I was beginning to feel teary-eyed, even though I promised myself I wouldn't show him my weakness.
"Our first kiss," I said with a blush, "It was exactly like that. Remember?" Denki's eyes grew soft.
"Y-Yes, I..." he tucked a strand of hair covering my face behind my ears, "I remember."
He was about to lean in for another soft smooch, when suddenly, Denki pulled out a little silver knife from under his jacket and aimed the tip at my neck. He used his free hand to grab onto my shoulder, so I couldn't free myself. He did it all so fast, I barely had any time to react.
"GAH!" he yelled, his voice more sinister than before, "Stupid girl! Stop reminding me of my past! I'm THUNDERSTROKE! I'M A VILLAIN! I DON'T LOVE YOU! Maybe if I kill you here, it'll shut you up."
This was no longer my Denki. My heart thumped inside my chest heavily, I thought I could no longer breathe. I was so dumb! How could I think Denki would be saved so easily?! He's clearly been training as a villain his entire life, yet here I was, stupidly thinking a little kiss would bring him back! It's over...
He pressed the knife deeper into my neck and I whimpered under the pressure.
"D-Denki, please..."
"Drop the knife, Chargebolt," a voice filled the open air. The tone was as cold as ice, but as fierce and courageous as a torch. I felt Denki's grip on my shoulder loosen, and he pulled the knife farther away from my neck.
..........................
Heavy rain started to pour down as a tall, muscular young man stood in the middle of the roof. His hair is evenly split between two colors: white on his right-side and crimson red on his left. A large burn scar covered his thin, turquoise eye.
"T-Todoroki...?" I said, "I thought...you...hospital..." I couldn't manage to get out any other words. Todoroki understood and gave me a reassuring nod, but before answering my question, he glared daggers at Denki.
"Drop. The. Knife. Now," he ordered. Surprisingly, Denki obeyed as fast as possible. I no longer felt the knife pressed against my neck. Out of sheer relief, I released all the tears I was holding in. Todoroki gave me a look that basically translated to: I got it from here.
"S-Stay back!" Denki screamed while scrambling back, "D-D-Don't come closer, you monster!" I thought I was imagining things but...could it be that Denki was scared of Todoroki? Of course he is! I thought to myself, After all, Todoroki is the reason he got kicked out of the League in the first place!
Todoroki cocked his head to the side, as if solving an impossible math problem on Aizawa's board. (That happened a lot, actually.)
"Monster?" he asked, "If anyone, you're the monster here. You were about to kill your own girlfriend."
"I hate you," said Denki, "This was your plan all along! You made me kill Dabi, get kicked out of the League, my only home! You made me like...like this!" He gestured to himself, tears streaming down his face.
Todoroki inched closer, and Denki scrambled backwards until he was almost at the edge of the roof. I wanted to yell at Todoroki to stop, and tell my boyfriend to get the hell away from the edge, but I couldn't find my voice.
"Calm down," Todoroki told Denki, "I'm not going to harm you."
The reassurance definitely didn't help. Denki still trembled like crazy.
"Look, I want to help you," Todoroki continued, "Before my brother died, he told me how dull the world can be. Kaminari, I'm sure you understand that more than anyone. Everything happens for a reason, and you can't always expect miracles to appear at your doorstep. But if we work together, I know I can save you, Denki. Let's create a miracle together."
His wet hair drooped down over his eyes as he stretched out his hand to help Denki Kaminari sit back up. Todoroki's voice was so convincing, I had to stop myself from taking his hand. Shoto Todoroki had really changed in the span of a couple weeks. I used to think he was just a dense and unemotional hunk, who liked to be alone all the time. Now, here he was, despite everything he'd been through, he was still determined to help the villain who literally killed his brother. I couldn't help but admire the guy.
Denki stared at Todoroki's hand for a few solid seconds, then he finally smiled.
"Okay."
But just as he stretched out to take Todoroki's hand, Denki's other hand accidentally slipped on the edge.
Kaminari Denki tumbled over the roof.
"DENKI!!!!!!!" I screamed.
Yoyoyoyoyoyoyoyo, it's me again.
This is probably one of my longest chapters. It's been a while since I've written in first person lol. I love first person writing 'cause it makes you feel like you can actually see through the eyes of the main character. I hope you guys could feel what Jirou felt throughout this chapter.
Fun Fact: Jirou and Kaminari had their first kiss after their first date. They sat under the stars on a tall, grassy hill, naming constellations. As Kaminari was talking about random facts about stars, Jirou kissed him and said something like "You talk too much, stupid." Yep, it's cheesy but hey, as long as it's KamiJirou, it don't matter. ;)
Thank you, everybody! Y'all have been so patient, it's awesome!
Stay tuned, folks. XD