"See you tomorrow, Tenko~"
After waving goodbye to the new friend she had made today, Himiko Toga skipped lightly back into the room where they had eaten together earlier.
Her steps were cheerful.
Almost childlike.
The quiet house echoed faintly with the soft rhythm of her footsteps.
Once inside the room, she casually closed the door behind her.
Click.
The lock slid into place.
For a brief moment, she stood there silently.
Then—
the bright smile on her face froze.
It was as if someone had suddenly removed a mask.
The lively, innocent expression that had been there moments ago slowly melted away, replaced by complete stillness.
No smile.
No warmth.
Just a calm, expressionless face.
The change was abrupt—almost eerie.
But for Himiko Toga, this was nothing unusual.
This was her normal.
She didn't do it because she liked pretending.
And it wasn't because she enjoyed deceiving people.
It was simply easier this way.
As long as she wore that cheerful mask, her family wouldn't look at her with disgust.
Her classmates wouldn't whisper behind her back.
People would treat her like a normal girl.
And that…
made life much more comfortable.
After standing quietly for a while, something seemed to cross her mind.
Slowly—
a smile appeared on her face again.
But this smile was completely different.
It was no longer the bright, lovable smile she showed others.
Instead—
it was twisted.
Crooked.
Almost feverish.
A smile that carried traces of obsession and madness.
In truth, this was what her real smile looked like.
Unfortunately, nobody liked that smile.
Not her parents.
Not her teachers.
Not her classmates.
So she learned to hide it.
She learned to wear a mask.
"Aah… I really didn't expect it."
Her voice was soft as she spoke to herself.
"Shimura-kun… no, Tenko."
"He's such an interesting person."
She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply.
As if trying to capture the faint scent still lingering in the air.
Then—
her cheeks slowly flushed red.
Her golden eyes glowed with excitement.
"Yes…"
"This smell…"
"This is the one…"
Her breathing grew slightly uneven as she whispered happily.
While savoring that lingering scent, memories surfaced in her mind.
She saw the moment again.
The terrifying instant when death had been right in front of her.
When the iron giant's fist had descended like a falling meteor.
When she had thought—
I'm going to die.
But then—
someone appeared.
A boy in a black uniform stepped forward and blocked that attack.
His back had looked thin.
Fragile even.
Yet somehow—
it felt strong enough to shield the entire night sky.
That image had burned itself into her mind.
But the moment that left the deepest impression came later.
The moment when Tenko—
killed Steel Boy in front of All Might.
Without hesitation.
Without fear.
Without mercy.
That ruthless decisiveness…
That calm brutality…
It made her heart tremble.
Remembering that scene, Toga's golden eyes sparkled brightly like tiny stars.
Her pale cheeks flushed deeper.
"So cool…"
"So cold…"
"So mysterious…"
Her voice trembled with excitement.
"I can't believe someone like that has been living so close to me all this time."
"Discovering him… was the best thing that happened today."
The more she thought about it, the more convinced she became.
Inviting Tenko home.
Becoming his friend.
Those decisions had been absolutely correct.
Because she truly wanted to get closer to him.
Closer to the boy who radiated such fascinating mystery.
It was like discovering a box full of scattered puzzle pieces.
Naturally—
you would want to assemble them.
To uncover the picture hidden inside.
Or perhaps it was something else entirely.
Something psychological.
A reaction born from years of suppressing her true nature.
Like the bridge effect—
where intense emotions during a life-or-death moment become attached to the person who saved you.
At the brink of death…
her subconscious had chosen Tenko as an anchor.
"Hehe…"
"I can't wait to see Tenko again tomorrow…"
While murmuring those words, she reached out and picked up the small handkerchief Shigaraki had used earlier.
She pressed it gently against her face.
Then buried her nose into the fabric.
"Aah…"
"Tenko's scent…"
"That's the one…"
The faint smell of mint lingered in the cloth.
Her eyes gradually grew hazy.
At the same time—
a vivid image appeared inside her mind.
In that vision—
she pinned Tenko down beneath her.
Ignoring his struggle, she leaned forward and bit into his slender neck.
Like a vampire—
she drank his warm crimson blood.
"Clink—"
Suddenly, the sound of something falling snapped her back to reality.
A spoon had slipped from the table and dropped onto the floor.
Luckily, it hadn't broken.
Startled awake from her fantasy, Toga stared at the spoon for a moment.
Then she sighed softly.
Raising both hands, she slapped her cheeks lightly.
"No."
"I can't do that."
"If I did…"
"Tenko would think I'm a monster."
"And if that happens…"
"He'll hate me."
The thought made her chest tighten painfully.
Her fingers clenched unconsciously.
She absolutely didn't want Tenko to hate her.
So—
if she wanted to keep this new friend…
she would have to endure it.
While thinking about how to behave normally around him, Toga quietly began cleaning the dishes.
By the time she finished washing everything, it was already past eleven at night.
Outside—
the pale moon hung high in the sky.
The darkness of night seemed thick enough to swallow the world whole.
Toga glanced toward the entrance of the house.
Still no sign of her parents.
Her expression dimmed slightly.
Because she knew—
if they hadn't returned by now…
they wouldn't be coming home tonight.
Even if they did come back…
they probably wouldn't speak to her anyway.
But still—
having them there meant something.
At least there would be someone in the house.
Someone to hope for.
Unfortunately—
even that small comfort had been denied to her.
Perhaps…
she should have gotten used to it by now.
A faint bitterness tugged at the corners of her mouth.
"…Never mind."
"Better go to sleep."
She stretched slightly.
"Tomorrow I have to keep being a normal girl."
"If I don't…"
"People will hate me."
And tomorrow—
she also had a promise.
A promise with her new friend.
The boy who seemed to hide secrets just like she did.
If she was late…
that would be embarrassing.
With that thought, Toga forced herself to cheer up.
She quietly laid out her futon.
Then lay down beneath the silent moonlight.
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