Several streets away from where he had parted with Midoriya, Shigaraki casually swept his gaze behind him.
A faint smile curved at the corner of his lips.
He slowed his pace deliberately.
Then, as if on impulse, he turned into a narrow side alley.
Behind him, the shadow that had been tailing him quickened its steps, afraid of losing sight of him.
But when the stalker rushed into the alley—
It was empty.
No one there.
"…?"
Before confusion could fully set in, a voice sounded from directly behind him.
"Why are you following me?"
Shigaraki leaned against the wall, eyes half-lidded, studying the boy who had started trailing him back when he was still talking to Midoriya.
The stalker had been cautious.
But Shigaraki had trained for this.
Because of his double identity, he had always been wary of being followed during transitions.
So during his training, he had specifically sharpened his perception and reaction speed.
That was why, even while speaking to Midoriya, he had sensed someone watching.
At first, he thought it was just idle curiosity.
But when the shadow followed him across multiple streets—
That was intentional.
So he led him here.
A quiet alley.
A controlled space.
Interrogation-friendly.
However—
The moment he saw the boy clearly, Shigaraki paused.
He recognized him.
Not from this life—
From his previous one.
From the anime.
The boy looked about middle-school age.
Dark purple hair, messy and seaweed-like.
Drooping triangular eyes with heavy shadows beneath them.
A tired, perpetually uninterested expression.
In the world of My Hero Academia, that silhouette was unmistakable.
Hitoshi Shinso.
Originally from the General Studies course at U.A.
A student who, during the Sports Festival, nearly eliminated Izuku Midoriya—despite not being in the Hero Course.
Later, uniquely transferred into the Hero Course after demonstrating his potential.
The only student in U.A. history to be reassigned post-placement.
His Quirk:
Brainwashing.
A terrifying ability triggered through conversation.
If someone responded verbally to him—
Even once—
He could take control of their body.
Complete motor control override.
It was simple.
It was efficient.
It was lethal in the right conditions.
There was even a perfect phrase to describe it:
"Speak and you lose."
Against Shinso, reacting verbally could seal your defeat the moment the words left your mouth.
Realizing who it was, Shigaraki's heart tightened slightly.
Because this Quirk—
Was dangerous to him.
He didn't know why Shinso was following him.
He didn't know what would happen if they clashed.
And he certainly didn't know whether he could resist Brainwashing.
If he failed?
If he answered carelessly?
If he was compelled to speak truths he shouldn't?
Then everything—his identities, his plans—could collapse in an instant.
That possibility sparked a flicker of killing intent.
Because Shinso's existence near him was a risk.
And Shigaraki didn't like risks.
A gentleman avoids standing beneath a crumbling wall.
If someone with a Quirk capable of compromising him was nearby—
He either needed assurance that it wouldn't work on him—
Or he needed to remove the threat entirely.
Erase it.
But after weighing both options—
He decided to hear the boy out first.
He wasn't a mindless killer.
And more importantly—
He was genuinely curious.
Why would Hitoshi Shinso be following him?
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