Himiko had understood this for a very long time.
Back when she was younger, she had friends too.
Real friends.
Girls she laughed with after class, walked home with, whispered secrets to during lunch breaks.
Once, a few of them had even asked if they could come over to her house and play.
But before they could even step through the door, her mother had stopped them with a single sentence.
"You are not to associate with ordinary people."
Just like that, everything ended.
There was nothing Himiko could do about it.
After all, what child would continue trying to be friends with someone whose family openly looked down on them?
Especially when her parents never even bothered to hide the disgust in their eyes.
Most children could not handle that kind of pressure for long.
So one by one, those friendships disappeared.
And eventually, Himiko got used to it.
The only reason she had dared bring Shigaraki here these past few weeks was because her parents had been gone for over a month.
No calls.
No messages.
No interest in her life whatsoever.
Somewhere deep down, she had started hoping for something selfish.
Maybe they had finally forgotten about her.
Maybe they would never interfere again.
And earlier today, when she first saw her mother at home, Himiko really had considered messaging Shigaraki and telling him not to come.
She truly had.
But later, when her mother glanced at her once and then returned to treating her like she wasn't even there, Himiko allowed herself to hope again.
Maybe this time would be different.
Maybe she really wouldn't care.
Maybe she wouldn't interfere.
So she stayed silent.
And now it was obvious how foolish that hope had been.
Himiko lowered her eyes slightly, bitterness quietly filling her chest.
Of course.
Someone like her was never meant to keep happiness for long.
At best, she was only allowed to borrow it briefly before it was taken away again.
And now, because of her, even Tenko had been dragged into this mess.
Thinking that, Himiko forced herself to straighten up. She swallowed the ache in her chest, hid it behind a practiced smile, and looked at him apologetically.
"Tenko… I'm sorry, I…"
The apology carried more than one meaning.
She was apologizing for her mother's behavior.
And she was apologizing for herself.
For still being too weak to truly stand against her.
Even while smiling, her fists had already clenched tight enough for her knuckles to turn pale.
Outwardly calm.
Internally trembling.
Somewhere deep inside, it felt as though the mask she had spent years building was beginning to crack apart.
Shigaraki looked at her for a moment before shaking his head lightly with a faint smile.
"It's fine. I'm not bothered by something like this."
And he meant it.
He genuinely did not blame Himiko.
None of this was her fault.
At the end of the day, the only people worth blaming were the parents she had been born to and the household that made something as ordinary as friendship feel forbidden.
If anything, the fact that she had still spoken up for him despite all of that was already enough.
More than enough.
Of course, not blaming Himiko did not mean he intended to let this matter go.
After all, this was the first time someone had openly implied to his face that he belonged among the "abnormal."
If he let that slide, he would be annoyed enough to lose sleep over it.
So after lightly patting Himiko on the shoulder, he lifted his gaze toward the older woman.
"Ma'am," he said evenly, still perfectly polite, "criticizing someone while they're standing right in front of you is a little rude, don't you think?"
He tilted his head slightly.
"Or is that considered proper etiquette among upper-class families?"
Then his eyes narrowed faintly.
"And more importantly, you don't seem to care about Himiko's feelings at all."
His next sentence was gentle, but carried unmistakable weight.
"That doesn't feel very motherly to me."
Despite how little he liked this older version of Himiko, Shigaraki kept his manners intact from beginning to end.
Because if he lowered himself to her level, then what exactly would make him any different?
No.
Even when mocking someone, there should at least be style.
"Tenko…"
Beside him, Himiko tugged nervously at his sleeve.
She was genuinely touched that he was willing to stand up for her.
But she also did not want things to become completely irreparable between him and her mother.
Because hidden deep inside her heart was still one tiny, foolish hope.
That someday, somehow, her mother might accept him.
That someday, she could stand beside Tenko openly without hiding anything.
If things completely exploded now, that future would disappear before it ever had a chance to exist.
Leaning closer, she whispered softly enough that only he could hear.
"Mother's always like this. Don't take it personally. Just go for now… I'll explain things later."
Shigaraki casually patted her shoulder again.
"Relax," he said quietly. "Leave it to me."
Then he turned back toward her mother.
"Ma'am," he repeated calmly, "don't you think I'm right?"
At the same moment, without the slightest change in expression, he silently activated the Quirk he had copied from Hitoshi Shinso.
Brainwashing.
Across from him, Toga's mother frowned sharply, clearly irritated by the polite veneer layered over his mockery.
Her gaze turned even colder.
Then she let out a soft, contemptuous laugh.
"You sharp-tongued little brat."
Her voice carried open disdain.
"In that regard, you're exactly like your dead father. Never willing to let anything go."
Old irritation resurfaced across her face.
"As expected. Men from the Shimura family are all the same. That's the only thing any of you are good for."
She drew a breath, clearly intending to continue.
Then suddenly stopped.
Her body trembled once.
Only once.
The sharpness in her eyes vanished.
Her pupils lost focus entirely.
For a brief second, she looked like a puppet whose strings had been seized by someone else.
Because the moment she answered him, the activation condition had been fulfilled.
And just like that—
Shigaraki had taken control.
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