New mob psycho story incoming! (Ft: Minori Asagiri &...)
The alleyway was a shady cut-through for students- a cramped space, noxious blend of stale garbage & cigarette smoke...only those in a rush or those who were 'up to no good' used this shortcut.
This afternoon, it was deserted as always, save for the four, figures huddled in a corner.
Three tall, lanky teenagers- highschool students who looked even older than their grades,- their dye jobs and cheap piercings- were pressing on a younger boy.
The middle schooler in pristine white uniform was visibly shaking. His backpack was on the ground, it's contents spilled- notebooks, a crumpled test paper & a pitiful mess of uneaten bento box.
" Come on fess up, Chikito!" the leader, who's face was more of a old creep in a youngster's body sneered, kicking the kid's water bottle. " where'd you stash the cash?!"
"I-I don't have any cash today!" the smaller boy whimpered, " A-and, my name is Chihiro!"
"Kha Kha Kha, a girl's name! What a loser." the other dude with a mullet laughed harshly.
She wasn't cutting through the alleyway, just trying to avoid the main street really. Her lilac hair caught the sudden chilly wind and she had slowed her pace as she approached the mouth of the alleyway.
It feels familiar doesn't it?
It's none of my business, the whisper was her instinct, immediate & cold. Keep walking, it's getting dark.
A small high-pitched cry tore through their chatter in the alley. The biggest of them had shoved the middle schooler against the brick wall.
There was it...that feeling...
The delinquents were now trying to force his mouth open, crumpling his test paper further to shove it down his throat.
The three highschoolers turned, their expressions shifting from petty cruelty to predatory annoyance.
" Aren't you all too old to be picking on a middle schooler for lunch money?" The girl had already took a few steps towards them, stepping from the afternoon sun into the shadow of the shady alley.
The leader's eye was locked with the girl. Whaddya say, brat?" they let go of the kid's collar, he slid down the wall with a thud. He took one look at the girl and back at them, seizing the opportunity- scooped the backpack in a flash & scrambled away- leaving the bento box on the pavement.
" Come again brat? Think you're so tough huh?" The mullet snarled.
" I'm not looking for a fight, I just wanted to-"
"Hey boss! Isn't this the rich kid from that school?"
" Oh yeah, you're Asagiri right? That Rich Masashi's daughter?" The leader clicked his tongue.
" Boss...should we kidnap her? "
" Are you crazy? We can't keep her hidden! The one time we-"
As she turned she realized, her way was blocked.
A huge, buffy dude was already there,, barricading her exit. She was trapped in a circle.
" Tch, tch tch- silly girl. Did you really think we'd not put a watchdog when we do business around here? " The dude licked his lips.
" Ya know...you're a pretty thing...how about we have some fun? What do you say, boys?"
They all laughed in a chorus. A sick laughter.
" I wouldn't think about that if I were you," Minori Asagiri said quietly. Her voice wasn't smug, or even a warning. It was a simple statement, the delivery was almost too wary that made them pissed.
The leader laughed again, a hacking, phlegmy sound like coughing, " OOoh, I'm scared! What are you gonna do? Call your papa? Scream all you want babe, this is a pretty deserted alleyway, I doubt anyone's gonna come for you."
The started making the circle smaller.
" Guys, you're making a mistake, you'd hurt your self-"
" We'll see about that!" The boss threw his arm and gripped the girl's shoulder forcefully, eliciting a small gasp.
Only for a fraction of second.
Then a sick crack* was heard.
The guy howled and jumped back grabbing his wrist.
His three fingers were bend all the way backwards.
Then without warning, the boss delinquent was suddenly slammed backwards, propelled by a violent unseen force. His feet actually lifted off the ground and his body connected wit the wall in a crashing sound. He slid down, leaving a think streak of dark red and crumpled on the pavement.
The other three froze, their faces turning into wide-eyed terror.
"Boss!"
"What- what happened?"
They looked from the unconcious body to Minori, then back to the body, frantically searching the source of attack.
Then a strangled gasp was heard from behind.
The big buff dude's face was contorted, his tie wrapped around his neck by themselves, strangulating him. He was already foaming in the mouth.
Before the two other lanky dudes could process their fight or flight instict, the air around them compressed. They were violently shoved at eachother, their faces connecting in a wet crunch.
The sudden, chaotic violence ended as abruptly as it began.
The two slowly slid down on the asphalt, bloody nose and all. The dude in the back had also passed out.
Minori stared at the wreak unconcious bodies, rooted in her spot, her eyes wide but not exactly surprised.
This wasn't the first time.
" Such noble act, Minori."
She felt a familiar chill, a coldness that had settled to her very marrow.
The voice was resonant, a tone that bypassed her ears as if being spoken to in her head.
"That was enough, Thanks... I'm going." She took one last look at the thugs and turned on her heels.
" Such a rude kid you are. Where is your sense of gratitude? Those human size filths would've had you ...had I not- interfered."
Because you're not my benefactor.
Yes. he was anything but.
He'd watch her get dragged by the end of a dirtbike in the slope.
He'd twist her nightmares into an endless cycle of misery.
" Chihiro ran home safely. I must say, I'm a bit surprised. However-"
" Does it cancel out your own bad deeds?"
Minori felt a fresh wave of guilt wash over her, a nausea that was her constant companion these days.
" Please, leave me alone already... I'm trying ! I've changed!"
"But have you really? " The sillhoutte solidified, upside down, his face close to hers , dark with a cruel amusement.
The vengeful spirit that changed her life.
It all started back then...
