#monoma.log

ua-bestjeanist

Don't hesitate to message or call me if you need anything.

ua-monoma

Idont need anythin g Im fine thankyou

ua-bestjeanist

You don't seem fine, Monoma-kun

ua-monoma

I dont want to talk abo uh t it

Please dont

I cant do this

ua-bestjeanist

You don't have to talk about it, but you shouldn't have to be alone right now.

ua-monoma

No. Please

She'll just kill you in front fo me if youre here please dontv

ua-bestjeanist

I wouldn't allow that to happen.

ua-monoma

You cant DO anything to stop them????? They already DID it once theyll just do it agajn and make ot worse and finish the job rhis time please dont please dont you have to be safe pl kease

ua-bestjeanist

I'm a hero, Neito, it's my job to be unsafe...I couldn't stop them last time because of the suppressants.

ua-monoma

No no no no no no no no please

ua-bestjeanist

I will be fine, I promise you.

Are you in the dorms? You should be safe there.

ua-monoma

Yes

ua-bestjeanist

Good, don't leave there. See if any of your friends are awake, if you can?

ua-monoma

Ok

ua-bestjeanist

I'll do as much as I can.

ua-monoma

Ok

Sorry

ua-bestjeanist

You don't have to apologize. You're okay.

ua-monoma

He's in a small room, similar to a regular doctors office, a long medical bed for Monoma to sit on one side, a larger, more complex computing system than usual on the other, Stein sitting in front of it. He's waiting, quite patiently, for him to arrive so they can begin, filling in some of the remaining paperwork as he waits.] [Monoma arrives as early as usual, reluctant but dutiful. If his schedule is correct, this was another routine check-up, which he didn't... terribly mind. The check-ups were never as invasive as he perhaps feared they would be, which was nice.. More importantly, they were quick, and they were easy. Usually he just had to sit there as he was poked and prodded. Maybe answer a few suspicious questions, if he were lucky. Maybe get a hint or two of what the commission's plans for him were, if he were incredibly fortunate.

Either way, he's not expecting much. He definitely wasn't expecting to see Stein in the laboratory room... alone. He hesitates for a second at the door as he opens it, gawking before he fixes his expression, giving him a short bow as he closes the door behind him.]

MONOMA: Good afternoon, Naishou-sensei... [he greets, already moving to the bed to sit down in.] STEIN: Hello, Monoma-kun, [he smiles, turning to him as he enters and sits, crossing one leg over the other.] Did you expect someone else? I have to see you for myself some time. 

[Chuckling softly, he stands, taking the stethoscope from his desk and putting it around his neck.] 

STEIN: I want to do a full physical today, and then some. I have some proposals for other tests we could do today that you'd have to sign off on.

[He moves it up to listen, pressing the flat end on Monoma's chest, murmuring to him to breathe normally and then lingering, wanting to know if he can hear how foreign the heart is. When he's satisfied he moves it to his back a moment later, telling him to take a deep breath, carefully listening to his lungs.] 

STEIN: How does that sound? [he asks, finally taking it away.] [Monoma only hums vaguely as he's teased. The man seems to be in an especially good mood... Is he just imagining that? Or was Stein truly happy to see him? Or to experiment on him, rather...? Oh, wondering about this seems silly, he thinks, berating himself briefly as he watches Stein stand and get closer. He's about to respond when he stops, a faint flush on his cheeks as his heart is listened to.

It's not a procedure he appreciates. It makes him a little too hyperaware of his body, making him fixate on every flaw he's sure he has. How foreign does his heartbeat sound? What if it sounded monstrous? Worrying, he sigh a little as Stein pulls away, simply giving him a little nod.] 

MONOMA: Sounds wonderful, sir... [he murmurs politely.] [So polite. He smiles wider.

He reaches for the blood pressure cuff next, not wasting any time in pushing up Monoma’s sleeve himself to wrap it around his arm, not bothering for his permission.] 

STEIN: I want to test your secondary quirks, [he hums, turning it on.] If you can't activate them yourself, I want to help you do it. 

[He watches the numbers tick as it tightens around his arm until it cuts off his blood flow and then relaxes.] 

STEIN: I'm sure you know that forcing quirks isn't easy.

[He slips the device off, finally looking at him again.] 

STEIN: It might be complicated. Or unpleasant. [Monoma nods slowly, wary. 'Secondary quirks'. What a strange and almost normal-sounding name for it. As Stein speaks, he tries to remember the last time he's even had access to one of them. He remembers all the damage he's suffered when he'd been taken away... and even before that, during the simulation, when he’d been...]

MONOMA: I'm... rather familiar with quirk development, considering... [he mumbles out as he watches Stein work, thinking vaguely of his childhood, how complicated he'd been told growing up with his original quirk was.] 

MONOMA: So I suppose I don't terribly mind... no matter how, ah, unpleasant it's going to be. 

[He sighs out, fixing his sleeve absentmindedly.] 

MONOMA: I've only used the regenerative one, if you recall, and I remember it being rather conditional... [Stein quirks a brow, busying himself again as he speaks, getting a small medical light and waiting for him to finish before he flicks it on and puts a hand on Monoma's face, pulling his eyelids up one after another and shining it into his eyes, watching how quickly his pupil dilates.] 

STEIN: Conditional? 

[He puts it down, slipping back to his desk to quickly type out his notes and what was recorded.] [Monoma wrinkles his nose at the sudden flash of light reaching his eyes.] 

MONOMA: Yes, well...  The whole procedure also involved another person and-

[He stops short, suddenly remembering, suddenly realizing something. Frowning, he touches his fingers to his face, rubbing his temple.] 

MONOMA: ... Toga Himiko. The League member...? Her quirk activates with blood consumption. I've only ever been able to heal after doing the same. Sir, I think... 

[He frowns.] 

MONOMA: Maybe, since her DNA is involved... [Stein turns, watching him again, very interested.] 

STEIN: ... Do you think you got her quirk as well? [He asks, voice lowered, suddenly engaged.] Or is it a variation...? Mm.. 

[Tapping on the keyboard, he takes a few more notes.] 

STEIN: I'd like to find out. 

[He takes a few papers on his desk and hands them to Monoma with a pen.]

STEIN: Sign these. They'll allow me to do what I need to do. I'll be frank, part of it is going to involve hurting you. I want to record the regeneration. You said blood consumption makes it work? Has it ever been anyone elses? [Monoma just barely holds back a groan. He hopes he hadn't inherited that as well, but he chooses not to voice that thought, only weakly shrugging as he glances listlessly at the paperwork.] 

MONOMA: Maybe a variation, or a side effect... I don't know. The memories of the procedure itself aren't the clearest, but I think... maybe...

[He sighs again, deciding he doesn't feel like pretending he's doing more than a quick skim of the papers as he starts to sign even more of his life and body away.] 

MONOMA: That's fine, though, I understand why it'd be necessary. I've never... really attempted to do it much on purpose, so... it's always been just my own. STEIN: Hm. 

[Naishou nods curtly and writes that down, copying everything he says about it.]

STEIN: We'll find out. What about the other quirks? Do you know what they are?? [He watches him sign from the corner of his eye, tapping the edge of his desk.] You can put them here when you're done.

MONOMA: Not even an inkling.

[He scrawls the last signature out with a bit of a flourish before moving to follow his instruction.] 

MONOMA: Usually I receive a sort of... impression of what a quirk is when I copy one, but since I haven't attempted to do so with those quirks yet... 

[He gestures a hand vaguely.] 

MONOMA: Otherwise I've been made to use a noumu's quirk before, though, and the experience of trying to borrow from them was.... incredibly overwhelming. It's a lot of information at once... [Stein nods, turning again once he's done typing.] 

ua-monoma 2:39 PM

HAHAHAAA you love it~

ua-kacchan 2:41 PM

Yeah, sure. Was there something you wanted, or?

ua-monoma 2:41 PM

So straight and to the point, tsk tsk. You know, that's hardly as much fun...

ua-kacchan 2:43 PM

Or maybe it's that you like having fun too much.

ua-monoma 2:43 PM

Is that so wrong...?

ua-kacchan 2:45 PM

If it's at the expense of wasting my time, then yes.

ua-monoma 2:46 PM

Aha.

In my opinion, I think you can afford to waste some time...

ua-kacchan 2:47 PM

...You have my attention.

ua-monoma 2:48 PM

It's been a while, hasn't it? Since we actually spent some proper time together.

ua-kacchan 2:49 PM

Oh, so are you asking now? That's something.

ua-monoma 2:51 PM

I'm suggesting something should be done about that, yes.

ua-kacchan 2:52 PM

When are you available, then?

ua-monoma 2:56 PM

After 8, if you don't mind the wait. I know it'll agonize you so.... but my afternoons have been packed as of late.

ua-kacchan 2:58 PM

Fine, but just this once.

ua-monoma 3:00 PM

Ahaha, how kind of you to grant me this one courtesy, Bakugou-kun~...

ua-kacchan 3:01 PM

You're lucky I'm feeling nice today.

ua-monoma 3:02 PM

I'm thanking every high power in the universe for it. Such mercy...

ua-kacchan 3:04 PM

Hm. See you then.

ua-monoma 3:05 PM

@ua-monoma​

Ah...

ua-todoroki

Yeah.

ua-monoma

...

ua-todoroki

Are you ok?

ua-monoma

Am I ever...

ua-todoroki

...

What can I do..

ua-monoma

You already do so much...

ua-todoroki

I want to.

ua-monoma

... I don't know...

ua-todoroki

Do you need something to drink..

.. Company..

Food.. Idk.

ua-monoma

Mm...

Talk to me...?

I guess... ahah.

ua-todoroki

Ok..

What do you want to talk about?

ua-monoma

Do you... consider us close...

ua-todoroki

Yeah.

:/... At least to me.

ua-monoma

Ah...

ua-todoroki

Idk how close you think we are.

ua-monoma

... I think that scares me.... a little, anyway...

I don't know.

ua-todoroki

Oh..

Yeah.

It's weird.

I've said a lot to you.

ua-monoma

Mm...

ua-todoroki

I can't take it back.

ua-monoma

I'm... sorry,

ua-todoroki

I'm glad it's with you.

Idk who else would be able to look at me after knowing.

ua-monoma

Oh...

... No... I think it... really, really terrifies me...

The things I can't take back...

Not knowing what the future is like, ha... I could hate you tomorrow, or lose you, or you could decide to just... stop talking to me or...

ua-todoroki

But how likely is that to actually happen..

... I like that I know you...

I like you.

ua-monoma

... Mm...

ua-todoroki

...

ua-monoma

...

I... like knowing you too.

But I feel like I'll make you regret... me...  knowing me... everything.

ua-todoroki

I won't...

ua-monoma

...

I don't know how to stop being scared...

ua-todoroki

Idk.

ua-monoma

Helpful, haha...

ua-todoroki

Yeah.

I don't. Not really anything I can say to get rid of it.

ua-monoma

Mm...

I know...

... Come over soon?

ua-todoroki

Yeah.

ua-monoma

[Hakamata hardly catches a glimpse of the boy's face when he looks up from his notes. He knows the feeling well, the exhaustion.]

HAKAMATA: Hello, Monoma-san..

[Wasting no time, he takes a bento from his bag and sets it on the table in front of the poor boy.]

HAKAMATA: Here, eat if you're hungry

MONOMA: ... Thank you... 

[He nudges the bento closer to himself but doesn't make an attempt to open it up just yet, bleary as he blinks away his tiredness.]

HAKAMATA: I've brought my own, you won't have to feel uncomfortable being the only one eating.

[He sets drinks on the table as well, thinking it's best to wait until the young man has eaten before bringing up his tired appearance.]

MONOMA: ...

[Figuring that the hero was going to keep bringing it up until he's eaten, he starts to pick up the chopsticks tucked into the bento after opening it, picking at the food with them before bringing a few small bits into his mouth.]

MONOMA: ... 

[He chews slowly.] 

MONOMA: It's good... [he mumbles.]

[Hakamata opens his own, handling his chopsticks with a shaky hand.]

HAKAMATA: ..I'm glad you like it, you can let me know if you have any food preferences for next time.

MONOMA: ... 

[He watches him struggling, already feeling sick again at the sight of it. He's still so weak... It's upsetting.

He tries to force himself to continue chewing, at the very least.] 

MONOMA: ... I will...

[Eventually, the hero just sighs and swaps hands. Bringing food to his mouth. He eats for a few minutes, letting the silence exist for maybe a bit longer than it should.]

HAKAMATA: Have you been adjusting back into class well? Your friends must have missed you dearly.

MONOMA: ... I suppose they did... [he mumbles, now picking at his food more than actually eating again.] They say they did. I don't know... mm.

[He frowns a little.]

MONOMA:  Classes are alright. I'm still catching up, so I've had a lot of extra lessons... and I haven't used my quirk much. Besides that, though, it's fine...

HAKAMATA: From what I can tell...your class is like a tightly knit family.

[After another bite, he continues.] 

HAKAMATA: Your quirk is "copy", right? Is there a reason you haven't been using it?

MONOMA: A little bit. Quite a few of us are a little more... estranged from our actual families. And Vlad-sensei is wonderful to us...

[He trails off, his bad mood soothed for the moment as he thinks of his beloved teacher, only to sour again at the next question.] 

MONOMA: Mm... It's complicated. It doesn't feel... right to, I suppose... 

[His voice drops in volume, almost inaudible as he admits it.]

HAKAMATA: I see...I won't pry further. I hope you can feel better about it soon.

[He picks up his drink.]

HAKAMATA: I can't speak for any of your friends, but your teacher seems to care for you greatly.

[Monoma nods slowly, his mood plummetting a little more at that. It's an awful contradiction in his mind, the relief that the hero wasn't prying but somehow feeling betrayed at the same time for it, like he or even the subject wasn't worth the effort. Distracted, he pries a piece of meat apart with his chopsticks.]

MONOMA: He... does. He's very kind to me despite all the trouble I've caused him... And he hasn't discarded me yet, though I'm sure he wants to...

HAKAMATA: I doubt he ever will, Monoma-san. People like Vlad King-san tend to stick in people's lives when they have that kind of relationship. A bit like a father, really.

[He finishes his own food, tucking the box back into his bag. He lifts some other things out first before placing everything back in, so they can be at the top, ready to be extracted later.]

[Monoma can't help but flush a little at the 'father' comment. Eyes flickering up quickly, he watches Hakamata packing his food away and hurries to do the same, setting his box away and placing it to the side for now.]

MONOMA: I, um. I suppose. I don't know. 

[He starts to fidget, picking at his nails as his cheeks continue to redden.]

MONOMA: I don't know... maybe...

[Hakamata notices the sudden shift of colour. Was he embarrassing him?]

HAKAMATA: I'm glad you have someone that important in your life...can you tell me about your friends?

MONOMA: ...

[He keeps fidgetting.] 

MONOMA: I don't know what to say... I suppose I'm friends with my classmates, mostly... And maybe a few in the other class, I don't know...

HAKAMATA: Is there anyone in particular you'd like to bring up that you're especially close with? I'd love to hear about the important people in your life. 

[He adjusts his legs, sitting more comfortably.] 

HAKAMATA: It helps me understand you on a special level.

[Monoma watches him move a little, feeling a little relieved at that.]

MONOMA:  ...

[Then he wilts a little as he thinks of the mess of his relationships at the moment.] 

MONOMA: I don't... know if I'd really want to bring anyone up, but I could, um... [He sighs a little.] 

MONOMA: A few of my classmates I grew up with... I supose I'm closest to my friend Kendou, but we haven't been talking. That's... sort of been the trend lately. There's Shinsou-kun, who I haven't been talking with, and Yaoyorozu, who I haven't been talking with... I do have Todoroki-kun, at least, and I talk to him, but... I don't... I don't know.

[He lists off a name Hakamata recognizes, but pushes the thought aside for later.]

HAKAMATA: I see...is there any particular reason you arent talking to them? Is it just the readjustment back into your life, or other reasons?

[Monoma shrugs vaguely.] 

MONOMA: It's the readjustment... or it's our schedules never quite lining up or it's... me, I suppose... I don't know. 

[He wilts a little, looking miserable.] 

MONOMA: I haven't exactly asked. Sometimes I'll have a few guesses, a few theories, but I don't ever really know...

HAKAMATA: Well..if they're your friends, then they must care for you. Remind yourself of that if it helps. Have any of your friends reached out to you in specific?

[He writes down the names, but nothing else.]

[Watching something getting written down, though, makes him antsy, especially since he doesn't know what it is from where he's sitting.]

MONOMA: ... I don't know. I don't exactly make it easy for them... Like, I know I'm most of the problem. I've had a conversation or two with... um, I didn't list them before, Kuroiro-kun and Tokage... And if it's obvious, if I make a grand show of my suffering and all, then someone is always bound to come rushing forth to help. But I've always thought that was more because... they're good people, that's what they do. It's hard to think that it's... for me... in any way.

HAKAMATA: I'm just saving the names of your friends so I don't forget them, don't worry.

[He decides to be upfront, seeing his reaction.]

HAKAMATA: ..Is it really a show if you're hurting, Monoma-san?

[Monoma’s eyebrows furrow a little and he purses his lips at that, falling quiet.] 

MONOMA: ...

MONOMA: Isn't it...

HAKAMATA: You've been through a lot, you're allowed to hurt.  It's okay. I like to believe that your friends reach out to you because they care...you said you grew up with the other ones?

MONOMA: ... Well, I'm not an optimist like you apparently are... [he murmurs bitterly before crossing his arms, frowning to himself.] But yes. Kendou Itsuka, I've known her since we were children.

HAKAMATA: ...I wouldn't call myself an optimist..

[Shifting again, he starts to think about his own experiences, but hurriedly pushes it aside.]

HAKAMATA: Tell me about her..?

[Monoma sighs a little, sulking now.] 

MONOMA: ... She's currently our class president at UA. And she's always been that sort of type, you know... responsible. Maybe a little too much, [he adds with a huff.]

MONOMA: We met when we were children and she was one of the first kids my age that would let me borrow their quirk. Usually, that was more of a luxury shared with me by the adults in my life... [he trails off for a moment, blinking slowly before sighing again.] She used to get into little tiffs as well. To protect me. She's the protective type.

HAKAMATA: So she's like a sister, then..from the sound of it, at least.

[He scribbles a star by her name in his book.]

HAKAMATA: You're fortunate to have someone like that. I noticed you brought up your quirk again....is there any way you would like me to help you with feeling comfortable using it again?

MONOMA: ... Something like a sister. I grew up an only child, so I wouldn't know...

[He's somewhat grateful for the change in conversation, though it turns to one that's that much more uncomfortable to talk about.]

MONOMA: I don't know. I'm not... not-comfortable with it. It's just... the process has been complicated, is all. 

[He thinks a moment.] 

MONOMA: ... I think there's a way that would help, maybe, if I may ask...

HAKAMATA: I did too, I understand..

[He nods, listening carefully. His interest is caught when he starts to suggest something.]

HAKAMATA: ..Go ahead

MONOMA: ... I want to do hero work again... [he mumbles before he raises his eyes, meeting his gaze.] I want to be out there, using my quirk for good. I was in an internship before I was taken, and I've been applying for more again, I just... I think everyone thinks I'm... That I can't. And I know I can.

HAKAMATA: ...You're asking to intern with me. Or someone I know. Is that it..?

[He thinks on it for a few moments. Letting the question hang in the air.]

HAKAMATA: ..Yes, I can probably arrange that

[Monoma just nods slowly, choosing not to answer the question since it's just... easier. Really, he'd take what he could get, and as much of it as he possibly could...]

MONOMA: .. Thank you, sir...

HAKAMATA: ...It'd have to be someone else. The public doesn't even know of my return yet. Unless you'd rather work with one of my sidekicks if you want my agency. Do you have anyone in particular you'd like to work with?

MONOMA: Not really. I just... 

[He frowns a little.] 

MONOMA: I wasn't allowed in this year's Sports Festival... and you know how important that all is in having heroes see you as capable enough to work alongside them. But... it was too soon after I'd returned and I wasn't believed to be stable enough. I think people still don't think I'm stable enough, really...

[He fidgets, but tries to keep his gaze even despite his nerves.] 

MONOMA: ... but... with your word, or your permission, or... recommendation, what have you, they'd have no choice but to believe I can still handle myself...

HAKAMATA: Alright, then. I can do that for you....but it will need to wait until my return is announced. Would that be alright? The word of a man many probably believe is dead wouldn't be any help to you.

MONOMA: ... 

[He nods slowly, sulking again.] 

MONOMA: Of course...

HAKAMATA: Which should be soon, don't worry. I can get you doing hero work one way or another.

MONOMA: ... Thank you... [he mumbles.] I just... really think it would help if I had something to dedicate myself to...

HAKAMATA: For now, I can ask a few fr....coworkers if they would be willing to let you join them temporarily. Would you like that?

MONOMA: ... I would... if you don't mind...

HAKAMATA: I can do that, then. I'll get started after our session and keep you updated.

[He worries a bit. They've not even started the heavier topics.]

HAKAMATA: Speaking of..[he sighs.] Your internship was placed immediately after that traumatic game, wasn't it? Aside from what else you've been through, do you think that horrible simulation has anything to do with the way you are feeling right now?

MONOMA: ... 

[He stills slowly, in a way he prays isn't noticible, his heart skipping in his chest at the mention of the simulation. Like all this isn't bad enough, now he has to remember that Hakamata was present for that horrible event, and he would have seen... so much of such an ugly side of him.]

MONOMA: ... 

[He feels sick. He wants to go home.]

MONOMA: Not really... [he lies, a quiet restraint in his voice.] If anything, that should be proof that I could... handle myself...  That I... [he trails off, trying to remember that internship. He'd been hospitalized soon after the simulation; had he even done much...?]

MONOMA: ... 

[More reason to feel like a failure, then...]

HAKAMATA: ....I wasn't present for the end of it due to personal reasons. That simulation was too risky from the start, I am sorry that I helped in such an awful project. It pushed you to your extremes by using your fear against you in an extremely unlikely situation.

MONOMA: I understood the point of it- [he starts with a rising panic, cutting him off some as he hears the hero start to apologize.] I understood why it was needed, I know what it was trying to teach us, I know it was necessary, it's fine. I'm fine. It helped me in the end, anyway. It's fine-

HAKAMATA: ...It's not fine...it's clearly impacted you...we can move on, if you would feel more comfortable talking about something else.

MONOMA: I don't care. 

[He curls in on himself, hugging himself tight.] 

MONOMA: You brought it up for a reason. If this was about comfort, I wouldn't be here in the first place... Just ask your questions.

HAKAMATA: I just want to know if it's somehow affected how you feel about your quirk, Monoma-san, that's all. If it hasn't, we can talk about something else. My job is just to help you..

MONOMA: It's just different, [he snaps.] Of course it's different. You use your quirk to hurt someone, it's going to feel different every time you use it. And I've never had that luxury everyone else had, [he continues, raving now.] I don't get to EVER understand things about my quirk. I don't get to know what power I'll have by the end of the day. And things change and I don't get to know what until it's too late. And I hate it.

[Tears pop into his eyes but he continues.] 

MONOMA: I've changed so much and I don't get a choice in the ways how and it's the same fucking thing with my quirk and I hate it. And you can't help me.

[Frowning, the hero reaches down to click something on his wheelchair before wheeling himself over to Monoma's side of the table. He doesnt say much of anything, but reaches to pull the boy into a hug.]

HAKAMATA: I want to at least try, Monoma-san

[Mouth snapping shut as he approaches, Monoma withdraws a little, but he doesn't resist more than that as he's pulled into a hug. He shivers a little, almost violently, and closes his eyes, trying to hide the way that he starts to sniffle.] 

MONOMA: ...

[A shaky hand comes up, petting his hair. He stays that way.]

HAKAMATA: You can cry, it's alright.

[He doesn't want to. He tries his damn best not to, but feeling that shaky hand against his hair, trying to comfort him despite all he's done, and intimately knowing every reason for every little tremor that goes through it- He can't. Monoma sniffles again, then slumps weakly in his arms as he starts to quietly sob against him.]

HAKAMATA: I've got you..

[He continues with it, occasionally rubbing the young hero's back with the other. He comforts Monoma much like he remembers his mother comforted him at a young age.]

HAKAMATA: ..You're a good kid, Monoma-kun.

[Monoma clutches to him, shaking his head once as his cries get a little louder, than soften into a quiet intensity. Under his hands, where he only clutches tighter, the fabric of Hakamata's clothes just barely start to unfurl and loosen under his fingers. He doesn't notice.]

HAKAMATA: Here.. 

[Also not noticing, and without letting go completely, he moves his hand for a moment to grab boxed tissues from the table. He sets them on the armrest of Neito's chair before continuing.]

MONOMA: Mm... 

[He goes to reach for one, hoping to clean his face off, feeling disgusting for such a mess he's making, and that's when he notices it, feeling the threads sticking to his hands as he pulls away from Hakamata's body. Upon feeling that, he lifts his head to look, and then immediately leaps back with a gasp of dismay, shaking his hand frantically to try and get the threads to stop clinging to him.]

MONOMA: S-sorry-- sorry, I'm- I'm not trying to, I'm sorry--

[Confused until he sees the threads, Hakamata looks down at the hole in his jacket.]

HAKAMATA: It's alright, you didn't mean it. It's a very tricky quirk..

[Gently, he helps hm get the threads off his hands, zipping them back into place once they're free.]

MONOMA: I didn't make that happen, I didn't do it on purpose... [he continues, rambling under his breath.] I'm-- I'm supposed to control it, I...

[When he watches Hakamata easily fix the damage, he finally falls silent, mouth pressing together like he's decided he's said something... forbidden, somehow. His hands lower into his lap and he bows his head a little, sullen.] 

MONOMA: Sorry... thank you...

HAKAMATA: It's alright, quirks can be activated with strong emotions. I'm assuming that's what happened.  You don't need to worry so much...

[Trying his best to reassure him, he seems to remember something.]

HAKAMATA: Ah, right. I brought dessert.

[Even with that, though, Monoma only continues to withdraw, flushing with embarrassment now, though he does perk up slightly at the mention of dessert.]

MONOMA: Um... did you?

HAKAMATA: I did, one of my favourites actually.

[He reaches into the bag again, pulling out two small containers. He passes one to Monoma.]

HAKAMATA: I do hope you like macarons..?

MONOMA: ... 

[He flushes again after feeling the automatic way he brightens slightly at the sight of one of his favorite desserts.] 

MONOMA: ...

MONOMA: I do, I really like them... [he mumbles sheepishly.]

HAKAMATA: Oh, good..! Looks like I made the right decision then.

[Inside the container, there's 4 little cookies, each a different flavour.]

MONOMA: ... 

[Monoma sniffles again. He wipes his face a little, scrubbing any lingering tears away with his hand. It's more than a little exhausting, going from so miserable to having this pleasant little surprise. The spark of happiness it gives him feels strange.]

MONOMA: ...Thank you...

HAKAMATA: You're welcome, Monona-san...

[He smiles at him, pleased to see him feeling a bit better. He hopes sessions after this will come easier.]

[Monoma returns the smile a little before managing another sniffle and wiping at his face again, now a little self conscious for his outburst.] 

MONOMA: .... 

[He fidgets a little, nervous again.] 

MONOMA: ...

[He looks concerned noticing his shift in attitude again.]

HAKAMATA: Are you alright..?

MONOMA: Just... y'know. 

[He shrugs sheepishly.] 

MONOMA: I don't... do that often, it's embarrassing...

HAKAMATA: I understand...it's nothing to worry about. Nobody knows but us, I'm legally unable to tell a single soul.

MONOMA: Well, that is comforting... [he says with a dry little laugh.]

HAKAMATA: If I do, you can sue me..! [He jokes with him a bit, feeling a bit better himself.]

[Smirking at that, Monoma manages another little laugh.] 

MONOMA: Oh, don't tempt me...

HAKAMATA: In all seriousness though, nobody will hear a word of it.

[Monoma nods, chewing his lower lip as he thinks about that.] 

MONOMA: ... Thank you.

HAKAMATA: You're welcome... ah, one more question actually. Is there any heroes you would like me to avoid asking to temporarily intern you?

[Monoma frowns. Immediately he thinks of Endeavor but... it's hard to deny just how incredible the man's influence and power is. So, instead, he just shakes his head.] 

MONOMA: I'm fine with whoever is kind enough to take me on...

[Hakamata nods.] 

HAKAMATA: I see, I've got some ideas, I'll do my best..

MONOMA: Thank you... It really means a lot to me.

HAKAMATA: It's no problem...I'll text you when I find someone.

MONOMA: Thank you...

HAKAMATA: Do you have any concerns, before our time is up?

[Monoma shrugs vaguely.]

MONOMA: ... Do you ever get sick and tired of the patients you see? I can't imagine this is a job that isn't... extremely taxing emotionally...

HAKAMATA: Your case is actually very unique. I don't typically see hero students...or teenagers at all, really. Its usually grown adults who have comitted crimes.

[He shrugs]

HAKAMATA: As someone who's worked here for years, I can't imagine how you ended up here.

[Monoma forces a humorless laugh.] 

MONOMA: Just my damned luck, I suppose...

MONOMA: ...

MONOMA: I don't have any other concerns, no...

HAKAMATA: Alright, then..! I do hope you enjoy your dessert, I am sorry that we could not talk longer.

[He ruffles Neito's hair slightly.]

HAKAMATA: I'll see you next week?

MONOMA: ...

MONOMA: Oh... 

[Not expecting the affectionate gesture, he ends up flushing again as he gathers his things, taking his bento and the little box of macarons.] 

MONOMA: Ah, yes, next week... Thank you for everything, sir...

HAKAMATA: Really, it's no problem-..  

[Another man enters, approaching Hakamata in his chair before realizing Monoma is still there. He looks embarassed and apologizes.]

MONOMA: ... 

[Monoma fights off a grimace. Instinctually, he just feels ashamed that someone else has appeared to bear witness to such a humiliating practice. Then, a bout of curiousity... Lingering for a moment, he fixes questioning eyes on Hakamata, hoping to get an explanation without having to come out and ask for it just yet.]

HAKAMATA: Ah, sorry. This is my caretaker, Gyakuten-san. He's used to coming in here at certain times.

[He gestures to the man, who looks like he feels awkward. He forces an uncomfortable smile.]

MONOMA: ... 

[Monoma politely smiles back, giving him a short bow as he comes to standing.] 

MONOMA: It's a pleasure, Gyakuten-san...

[Then, he looks over at Jeanist.] 

MONOMA: I won't keep you any longer, sir... Again, thank you for everything you've done for me today.

[He bows in return, then scoots behind the wheelchair.]

HAKAMATA: I'm glad to have helped. Have a good weekend, Monoma-san.

MONOMA: You too.

ua-monoma

How are you...?

ua-todoroki

I'm alright.

ua-monoma

Could be better, could be worse...?

ua-todoroki

Pretty much.

I'm tired.

Or bored.

ua-monoma

What a shame...

ua-todoroki

It is :/.

How are you?

ua-monoma

About the same, really...

Tired or bored.

ua-todoroki

Sad I can't do anything about that.

ua-monoma

Haha, oh no... Must be breaking your poor heart to hear about my predicament, huh...?

ua-todoroki

It is :/ and utterly incapable of doing anything for it.

ua-monoma

Aha... yes, utterly...

Um, before we do more of the same, can I... ask you something...?

Or... rather... can we talk... I don't know.

ua-todoroki

Oh.

Yeah.

Ok.

ua-monoma

... Not to bring down the mood or anything... because we don't have to, you can just forget I said anything...

ua-todoroki

No, it's okay.

ua-monoma

Okay...

ua-todoroki

?

ua-monoma

Mmm... I don't... really know how to phrase this...

Why haven't you really... asked about what happened to me...

Or rather... why... All that while ago, when you told me about how you were raised, all the things about your father... Why did you...?

Or... how... I guess... is more what I'm asking... I don't really know what I'm asking, really. It's just what I've been thinking about...

ua-todoroki

Oh.

I just assumed that you'd talk about it when you were ready.

But idk.

It feels like sometimes I just forget to not talk about it.

Or.. :/.. Ugh.

It's too much to not talk about it? Idk.

I guess sometimes I just. Idk.

Need people to know I'm not a freak for no reason.

ua-monoma

... Ah...

You're not that much of a freak... ahaha~...

ua-todoroki

Sure lol.

ua-monoma

Really... I don't consider you much of one, anyway.

ua-todoroki

Thank you.

ua-todoroki

I think my therapist would disagree.

ua-monoma

Mm...

I hate therapy.

I feel like a therapist shouldn't be telling you things like that...

ua-todoroki

He doesn't.

He probably thinks it.

ua-monoma

Oh...

Sounds more like you're putting words in his mouth, then...

ua-todoroki

I guess.

Whatever.

ua-todoroki

:/.

Do you want to talk about it..?

ua-monoma

... I don't know...

I don't know how I'm supposed to know if I'm ready... or not...

ua-todoroki

Idk.

You can try if you want.

You don't have to.

ua-monoma

... I don't know if I want to.

I don't really know what I want.

... I just know it's... too much...

ua-todoroki

That's ok.

It seems like it was a lot.

ua-monoma

Is it...

... It'd be different if I didn't have to keep saying it...

ua-todoroki

? Saying what.

ua-monoma

... what happened...

... or why it happened...

ua-todoroki

Oh. Yeah.

Might be easier when you're not forced to all of the time.

But if you ever want to talk about anything I'll listen.

Even if it doesn't make sense. Idk.

ua-monoma

... Thank you...

ua-todoroki

Yeah.

ua-monoma

... It's... mm.

...

Do you ever... miss it... maybe...

ua-todoroki

Yeah.

ua-monoma

...

Okay...

ua-todoroki

I think.

You mean the shitty stuff, right.

ua-monoma

...

I mean... sometimes... I don't necessarily want to go back but I wake up and I'm still here and I'm...

... not happy...

... And it's not like I was ever happy there, but...

ua-todoroki

Yeah..

I understand.

ua-monoma

... Okay...

I don't know what to do...

ua-todoroki

About what..

ua-monoma

... Feeling this way... I guess. All of it.

It's just so exhausting, I don't know. I'm tired...

ua-todoroki

Yeah.

ua-monoma

... or bored... aha.

ua-todoroki

Idk.

...

I can distract you.

ua-monoma

... Maybe.

... I've been avoiding people all weekend...

ua-todoroki

Why?

ua-monoma

There was this... incident... earlier this weekend... and I, I don't know. Lost it a little.

Honestly, it was more than a little humiliating...

ua-todoroki

..? Oh..

ua-monoma

It was awful... >:’(

ua-todoroki

I'm sorry.

ua-monoma

It's alright...

ua-todoroki

Would you be alright seeing me..

ua-monoma

... I think so...

I... hope so...

ua-todoroki

@ua-bestjeanist

Is this Monoma-san?

Yes, I did

ua-monoma

Oh. Yes, sorry... It is.

ua-bestjeanist

I assumed so

It's alright to text me as much as you need

ua-monoma

Are you sure...? I'd have to be a bother or anything. If you're busy...

ua-bestjeanist

I won't be busy for a good while, not to worry

ua-monoma

... Alright...

ua-bestjeanist

Is there something that you need help with?

ua-monoma

Oh, I don't know...

I don't know if it's a matter that could be helped really, aha...

ua-bestjeanist

I can try my best

ua-monoma

... I don't like talking about my experiences...

If I could go through this whole process without even saying a thing, I would. I still intend to, in some capacity.

But I do also understand that's impossible, and that, to cooperate, for the case, I have to allow for some... unpleasantries...

... Mmm... I just think... I would have thought there'd maybe be a limit of... or, I dunno. I don't really know what I'm trying to say.

A limit of how unpleasant it would get, I guess.

ua-bestjeanist

I don't think anyone does, really.

I haven't enjoyed talking about mine either, but I understand it must be done.

However..I won't push you for your details, I am only here to aid in your recovery

ua-monoma

... And I appreciate that...

Others haven't been giving me the same courtesy and... I don't know.

Ugh.

ua-bestjeanist

I think our world often forgets that students are still children. 

While being tough to become a hero is needed, it's okay to feel things, and people forget that.

Would it be easier for you to talk about if the setting weren't so professional and expectant?

ua-monoma

...

No, I don't mind that...

When it's professional, it doesn't feel personal, so it doesn't really bother me, I suppose...

ua-bestjeanist

If there's anything I can do, let me know?

You can ask me anything you like, as usual. Our conversations will also be confidential, even though that wasnt part of the contract.

ua-monoma

I don't know if what I want to ask is unreasonable...

ua-bestjeanist

Unreasonable in what way?

ua-monoma

...

I just don't feel safe here...

I don't like feeling like that...

ua-bestjeanist

As in the ua dorms?

ua-monoma

No.

I don't know.

ua-bestjeanist

Ah..I get it

I know the feeling, then

ua-monoma

... It's different...

Everyone's sympathetic for your cause, you don't have people assuming you're a monster and not trusting you to speak for yourself...

ua-bestjeanist

Ah..I haven't understood why people are doing that to you

ua-monoma

... Really... aha... you can't take any guesses...

Mm... it's fine. ...

[He deletes all his earlier messages]

ua-bestjeanist

I heard the notifucation but received no new message

You don't have to be aftaid to tell me anything, Monoma-san, if you have happened to have done something you regret, that's what I'm here for

You are a teen boy

Teen boys make mistakes

ua-monoma

I'm not afraid...

ua-bestjeanist

You did say you didn't feel safe, though

ua-monoma

I did...

ua-bestjeanist

Is that not based on fear?

ua-monoma

...

I suppose...

ua-bestjeanist

It's okay to be afraid, Monoma-san 

I promise you I will do my best to help you, that includes protecting you

ua-monoma

Mm. Okay.

ua-bestjeanist

You seem like you don't believe me

ua-monoma

I don't have much of a reason to...

I don't really know you. If something was... wrongfully done to me, I couldn't guess what you'd do about it. I don't know.

ua-bestjeanist

I can't do anything to fix what was done to you, I can't undo it, I can't do it for myself either

The only thing I can do is be there for you now

Would it help, if you knew me better?

ua-monoma

Maybe...

ua-bestjeanist

We can do that, then

ua-monoma

Oh... alright...

ua-bestjeanist

You can pick the activity, so long as it's after your classes 

You can also just..ask me whatever you're curious about, I suppose

ua-monoma

Oh, um...

Alright...

ua-bestjeanist

You can bring a friend or a family member, if that helps you feel more comfortable

ua-monoma

I'll think of something... thank you...

ua-bestjeanist

Alright...it's no problem, Monoma-san

I hope you are able to rest

ua-monoma

Thank you... You too. My apologies for keeping you up...

ua-bestjeanist

It's alright, Im usually up anyway

ua-monoma

Mm... Okay.

Um.

... Goodnight, then...

ua-bestjeanist

[And he'll be left alone for a few more minutes before the door finally creaks open and the hero, Null, steps into the room. Her gaze instantly locks onto Monoma as she enters and doesn't leave him as she closes the door behind her and steps further into the room, her heels clicking sharply as she walks.]

NULL: Hello, it's nice to meet you, Monoma Neito-san, I am Rokku Koharu, otherwise known as Null and I'm here today to ask you a few questions.

[She smiles kindly at him, lifting a gloved hand to push a strand of hair behind her ear. The hero isn't dressed in her usual uniform but her hair is done up in a neat crown braid and she wears a pair of clean white gloves that are similar to the ones she wears in her uniform.]

NULL: Do you have a preference for what you're called, Monoma Neito-san?

[Monoma doesn't react much when she enters. His gaze moves along her uniform and then fix onto her hand when it comes into view. He notes the gloves, a vague annoyance tinging his observation. Best Jeanist had been successful in removing the need for quirk suppressants from his recovery regime, so he can't help but wonder the gloves are a personal choice or an attempt to protect herself.]

MONOMA: ...

[He offers a small bow in the form of a gentle nod of his head.]

MONOMA: Monoma is fine. It's nice to meet you, Null-san.

[She nods her head softly in acknowledgment.]

NULL: Monoma-san it is, then.

[She shifts in her chair, crossing her legs neatly and smoothing out her skirt, eyes still on Monoma the entire time.]

NULL: How are you today, Monoma-san?

[His head tilts slightly but he meets her eyes, keeping her gaze a little curiously.]

MONOMA: I'm fine. A little tired. And you...?

NULL: I'm doing wonderful, thank you for asking.

[Her hands finally settle in her lap, one over the other, the perfect picture of elegance as her face smoothes out into a more neutral expression.]

NULL: Your quirk allows for you to copy the quirks of others, correct? It's quite an interesting quirk, very useful. [Another kind smile is flashed at him.] Do you have a favorite type of quirk? Or specific quirks that you like?

[Monoma hums thoughtfully. It's not a question he really expects, since it's so basic, but they must really be making an attempt to be thorough today...]

MONOMA: Yes, I can. And yes, I suppose I do. The flashy ones are dreadfully fun, especially elemental ones. The power they come with.

[He nods vaguely. He's been answering this kind of question his whole life, having been asked from family to friends to strangers alike. It's an easy sort of small talk.

There's more to his answer too, usually. Usually he goes on with a speech about the power of misunderstood quirks, and how fascinating that destructive, dark power is. He thinks of Shinsou's quirk, for the moment, and all the other he's tried like it.

... Probably not the best thing to say, at the moment.]

MONOMA: I will say... psychic types, those definitely reign supreme. Brain over brawn, those more... supernatural abilities. They just feel vastly more rewarding than just being able to move water around, in my opinion...

[She nods along as he talks, paying attention to everything he tells her and storing it away for later, just in case it could ever be useful information to her.]

NULL: Yes, it can be amazing to experience such quirks and to be able to use quirks like that.

[She pauses, uncrossing her legs and then crossing them again and leaning forward, resting her head in her gloved palm and smiling at him again.]

NULL: You likely don't recognize me for my hero name, since I'm not particularly popular and I am usually not fit for many of the bigger battles that my comrades participate in, but my quirk allows for me to have a very special type of control over the emotions of those around me.

[Her smile widens, for just a moment before her face is wiped clean of any emotion.]

NULL: My quirk is called Emotional Nullification and I can completely cancel out someone's emotions.

[Monoma... nods slowly.]

MONOMA: I can see how that can be useful in an interview... [he murmurs, clearly distracted now as he thinks.]

[She nods in agreement.]

NULL: Yes, and in many other things like hostage situations too, of course.

[She takes a moment to look at him, surveying the boy for a moment.]

NULL: If you want, I could let you try it for a little.

MONOMA: ... Try? Meaning what... exactly...?

[She lifts her free hand into view, holding it up and flexing her delicate looking, gloved fingers.]

NULL: I would not mind letting you copy it for a few minutes if you would be interested in that, Monoma-san.

MONOMA: ...

[He sits back, twirling a lock of hair between his fingers slowly. When he speaks again, it's hesitant, carefully and deliberately worded.]

MONOMA: ... I would be, yes... Though, that doesn't exactly sound like a standard procedure you're suggesting right now...

[She smiles at her and moves her hand back down, resting it delicately on her knee.]

NULL: You cannot do any harm to me with my quirk, nor can you cause yourself any harm.

[He watches her hand go down, chewing on his lip now.]

MONOMA: ... No, I suppose I can't...

NULL: Exactly. [She nods her head briefly.] Now, why don't we move onto some other questions? After that, we may come back to this topic.

MONOMA: Alright...

[She sits back, placing her hands in her lap delicately like she had earlier, smiling reassuringly at him.]

NULL: Monoma-san, you were with the league for a while, weren't you? Did the members ever slip up around you and mention anything? Did you ever catch a glimpse of any of their recruitment methods?

MONOMA: Mm... Recruitment was a strict process, I don't think they allowed any member to just bring people. I know... the one called Dabi, he had a great hand on it. But, no, usually they didn't speak too much about what they were working on with me in the room, unless I was the subject. A lot of their plans did... revolve around me, in some way or another. So.

[She nods along as she listens, not even a glimmer of an emotion on her face as Monoma talks.]

NULL: The league of Villain's Dabi was the one in charge of the recruitment of new members then?

MONOMA: I'm pretty sure. I could be wrong about that, though, but that's how it seemed.

NULL: That's good to know, thank you, Monoma-san. Now, I know you don't know of their recruitment methods but have the League ever kidnapped anyone or forced someone into their ranks? Did they ever put someone else through something similar to your experience with them?

MONOMA: Well, yes, of course- Is this... Are you specifically asking about when I was there...?

[He frowns distantly.]

MONOMA: Really, it's hard to say... I was pretty isolated where I was kept. Kidnapping is... a bit of their forte, is it not? I'm sure there were others, but I didn't interact with them much...

[He pauses to think.]

MONOMA: I mentioned that they were trying to tear down what was left of the Yakuza. They had a member held captive... and then there was that one hero...? The #3... But that all was... seperate from me, I found out about all that through other means.

NULL: Do you happen to know the name of the Yakuza member that the league has in their possession?

MONOMA: ... Chisaki Kai, I think... I never really was able to tell if he were the original or some sort of alternate, however...

[She nods her head, a bit slower this time.]

NULL: Either way, it's good for us to know, thank you.

[She shifts, moving her hands so that they're resting over her knee, fingers folded together.]

NULL: Speaking of alternates though, were there any alternates that were tangled up with the league against their will? Or alternates that got pulled into their ranks without really knowing what they were getting? Any alternates that could perhaps use our help? Any that were... perhaps tangled up with the wrong sort of crowd or fooled into going down the wrong path.

MONOMA: Mm... I don't really know. It wasn't really...

MONOMA: ...

[He sighs.]

MONOMA: Of all the alternates I've named, Midoriya's is the one I interacted with the most. He's the only one who's motive for being there is something I could come close to guessing about. The others... I don't really know. I don't think so, but I could be wrong.

NULL: Even if you're wrong about their motives for being with the league, it's still better to tell us just in case you're right, and others could need a helping hand from us heroes before whatever situation they may be in spirals out of control.

[He nods slowly, taking that in.]

MONOMA: ... Of course...

[She mimics his slow nod, watching him carefully.]

NULL: Can you remember anyone, Monoma-san?

MONOMA: ...

[He grimaces, shoulders drawing up just so.]

MONOMA: ... Not really...

[She nods her head again, slowly. There's not a single emotion on her face.]

NULL: We can come back to that later. Now, would you mind telling me about your time with the league, both before you were taken and during the time you were with them? Or would that be too much for you right now?

MONOMA: It's not too much, um... Before I was taken...?

[It takes him a disjointed little moment to even process the question, it seems, like he's trying to find a place in his mind for what he's being asked.]

MONOMA: Um... it's easier to talk about it when I'm asked something specific about it... I don't know...

NULL: ...

[She looks down at the table for a moment before looking back up at him, her quirk taking hold of his emotions and canceling everything out.]

NULL: Would you like a moment, Monoma-san?

[Monoma's brows furrow and he blinks a few times. It's hard to even find words for what just- happened?

Hm.]

MONOMA: ... No, I think I'm okay. What was the question again...?

NULL: Would you mind telling me about your experience with the league? What was it like before you were taken a few months ago? Did they ever contact you and if so, how did they do it? How would you describe your interactions with each member?

[He kind of laughs at that, a tiny little scoff under his breath.]

MONOMA: Each member... that might take a while. My relationship with the members of the League changed every few months depending on who was the most eager to manipulate me, I suppose. I would be contacted online mostly, through private accounts or anonymous messages. And I'd be pulled into meetings with them, usually after being cornered in public or private or teleported into a different location.

[He leans forward almost lazily, propping an elbow to the table as he leans into his hand, the other hand coming up to draw little designs on the table's surface.]

MONOMA: Pretty standard grooming, in all honesty. Any conversations were very focused on me. Comforting me, sympathizing with me, providing me with gifts, showering me with praise, et cetera, et cetera... Though, again, it depended on the member. [He smiles a little vaguely.] Very curious... Aren't you supposed to warn me at the very least before using your quirk on me...?

NULL: You knew about it.

[She tilts her head at him, observing the sudden shift in the way he acts and how big that shift is. It's quite interesting, honestly.]

NULL: What about after you were taken? How'd your relationships with the members shift then? What changed and what stayed relatively the same? What was it like and what did you experience at their hands?

[He smirks humorlessly at that.]

MONOMA: You're not going to get very good answers when you bunch them all up like that...

[He draws a little heart absentmindedly.]

MONOMA: After was the worst of it. Many of the members had growing dependencies on me throughout the year, but me being there made it all that much worse. Caused a lot of fights, and I was always being bounced back and forth, one after the other after the other and then back to the first and then to someone else. I wouldn't know how to describe it to you. Something about the sensation of just being passed along and along...

[He waves a hand dismissively through the air.]

MONOMA: Again, different with every member. But generally, they were an insanely violent group, though that varied from member to member. Largely, it was just a lot of torture disguised as loving gestures. Things like that.

[She nods in acknowledgment.]

NULL: What about their relationships with each other?

MONOMA: Suffered, while I was there. They're very easily violent with each other. Territorial. Possessive. Protective, at times. Lots of bickering over small things...

[Another little nod.]

NULL: Do you mean that they were protective over each other, or do you mean something else?

MONOMA: Over each other. It didn't matter how much they fought each other, outside threats made them band together again in an instant. They valued loyalty as well, so when one started to disobey or stray from them, they would violently go against them, too, as if they were enemies from the start.

NULL: Were there any traitors in their midst that you knew of? Anyone that has completely turned against them?

MONOMA: [Another humorless smirk.] Besides myself you mean? Well...

[He tilts his head as he pretends to think.]

MONOMA: I don't know much about it but I'm pretty sure the one, Spinner, he wasn't welcome within the League anymore, last I checked. I only saw the aftermath of that, but I'm pretty sure he's gone.

NULL: That's interesting to know, thank you, Monoma-san... [She trails off and pauses for a moment, gaze threatening to wander too far from Monoma's face before her attention is entirely on him again, her quirk still activated.] Now, speaking of that... Have you remembered the names of any more alternates that were perhaps around the League or even in their ranks?

MONOMA: Mm, no, but I'm sure if you keep asking my memory will be jogged eventually.

[He keeps smiling vaguely, returning to the little designs he was drawing, making a small circle against the table.]

MONOMA: A lot was always happening, so I apologize for the more foggy details, aha...

NULL: It's more than alright, Monoma-san. Why don't we move onto a new subject instead, hmm?

[She pauses for a moment, shifting in her seat and uncrossing and crossing her legs again.]

NULL: What do you remember about All for One?

[He makes a reluctant sound at that, mimicking her slightly by crossing and uncrossing his ankles, and then crossing them again.]

MONOMA: A little hard to forget. He kidnapped me and held me in a... a location. Reinforced through some sort of quirk, I could never enter or exit it without his say. And he was...

[He frowns, almost pouts.]

MONOMA: ... a disgusting person to be around, really. Honestly, I don't know what you want to hear here that will be helpful...

[She watches him mimic her with a blank sort of look on her face, taking note of all the little reactions he gives even when she knows that he likely isn't feeling a single emotion.]

NULL: Did you happen to overhear any plans of his?

MONOMA: He didn't have plans. Or, no... [He's frowning some more, thinking to himself.] His plans just didn't involve the League. They involved me and him. Sometimes Mystery. He wanted us to be powerful together. The same old recruitment routine, but different...

[He leans back again, a troubled look on his face, though it didn't quite reflect what he was feeling since he was still so completely numb from it all. There was just something... odd about talking about this in this way, and it distracts him, forcing his concentration elsewhere.]

MONOMA: He just wanted an heir. Another heir, like Shigaraki is.

[She nods her head slowly, careful to commit each word each reaction to memory.]

NULL: And how did he go about this? Making you into his heir.

MONOMA: ... I think he wanted to overwhelm me. It wasn't as much about torture as it was trying to raise me into something. Treating me like family, taking care of me like I was one of his own, like we were blood. He would... take my quirk as well, or he would force me to use his, or...

[He shakes his head.]

MONOMA: ...

NULL: ... Do you need a moment, Monoma-san?

MONOMA: No, I'm fine. The memories aren't really all that pleasant but I don't mind continuing. It's more that I just keep expecting...

[He gestures a hand vaguely.]

MONOMA: I don't know. I'm not upset by it all, but that's strange, isn't it? It's a very curious quirk...

NULL: Yes, I'm sure that my quirk feels very strange, especially in this moment. Now, you said that he forced you to use his quirk... I'm guessing that you meant that he would force you to copy his quirk...

[She pauses for a moment, shifting and somehow managing to sit up even straighter.]

NULL: Did you copy all of the quirks that All for One has? If so, can you remember any specific ones of his?

MONOMA: Oh. Mm...

[Another frown as he thinks.]

MONOMA: ... May I have a pad of paper or something, actually...

[She doesn't say anything at first before she suddenly standing up from her chair, carefully walking to the mirror behind them all while keeping her gaze still on Monoma, knocking her knuckles delicately against the mirror twice before returning to her seat.]

NULL: I apologize, I guess I didn't plan well enough for this.

[A detective comes walking in a moment later, Null inclining her head in a slight nod as the officer comes closer and quickly sets down a pad of paper as well as a pen on the table before leaving just as quickly as they had come in.]

NULL: Take your time, each and every detail about his quirks that you can remember is very helpful to us and greatly appreciated.

[Monoma nods, first frowning at the mirror like he's only just noticed its been there before frowning at the paper, lifting the pen and tapping it a few times.]

MONOMA: ... This might take me a while. It's not as easy as just making a list. I wasn't a proper vessel, I could never safely use his quirk. And it was never as straightforward as just...

[He trails off, drawing a large circle over the entirety of the page.]

MONOMA: It was always excruciating, and it would be all at once, all these quirks, all these different versions of quirks...

[Slowly, he starts drawing a spiral from the far line of the circle, swirling over and over, smaller and smaller as he carefully approaches the center of the page.]

MONOMA: Generations' worth... [He sounds distant, talking more to himself than to her now.] It wasn't most recent to oldest, it was... what suited him most in that moment and onward... But I suppose that's always how it is... It's so much like mine, really, I think that's why...

[She stays silent as Monoma talks to himself, allowing him some time to just... sort everything out in his own mind. She's never been very interesting in how her quirks feels to the people she uses it on, but she's been told and seen with her own eyes how helpful it is both in high emotion situations and in helping victims of trauma have a moment to sort out their memories that had been clouded by other things.]

NULL: Again, take all of the time you need, Monoma-san... I'll stay in the room with you so that I can keep using my quirk, but I won't ask you any more questions until you're ready to move on.

MONOMA: I'm fine to move on. I can do both.

[He's still drawing, pen wearing down on the center of the spiral over and over as he applies more and more pressure.]

MONOMA: Honestly, I'd rather move on, I know this will be long but I don't want to keep you all night. I'd rather not be here all night, either...

[He only stops when his pen tears a hole in the paper, which is when he absentmindedly rips the page away and places it besides the pad, glancing at it before slowly starting to jot something down in small, neat characters. Every now and then, he glances at the spiral as if searching for a reference.]

MONOMA: What else did you want to ask?

[She nods slowly, almost hesitantly, but doesn't argue with him.]

NULL: If you do end up needing a moment, just tell me and we can pause for a few minutes.

[She shifts, clearing her throat quietly and taking a moment to smooth out a few wrinkles in her shirt before settling down again.]

NULL: Now, you said that all of All for One's plans didn't have anything to do with the League, correct? But his plans did involve... Mystery?

MONOMA: They might've. That's a very new factor and I didn't get to learn very much about it. But I'm sure it goes against the League. Shigaraki hates Mystery. I don't think Shigaraki even knows about the meeting, All for One seems to be acting independently, in a way.

[He pauses to jot something new down.]

MONOMA: Or not independently, rather. He's just very clearly not in a role of leadership anymore... Shigaraki is in charge, and All for One is in the sidelines with his own pet projects...

NULL: Alright, you said that he wanted for you to be powerful together... Would you know how he planned to achieve that goal?

MONOMA: Not really. More of the same, I suppose, until I was fully capable.

[She nods briefly.]

NULL: Alright, thank you. Now, you said that All for One's plans are mostly separate from the League, yes? Were you ever able to overhear any of the League's plans?

MONOMA: I don't think there were any plans to overhear, honestly.

[She quirks an eyebrow at that, thinking about it for a moment before huffing softly. It's the biggest reaction she's given to anything.]

NULL: Interesting. You don't think they had any plans of their own? Any... targets? Nothing?

MONOMA: Oh, I think they had targets. And they have goals, of course. But a plan? A strategy? An idea of how to get from A to B? Quite nonexistent.

[He sneers a little to himself.]

MONOMA: They're approaching the brink of a collapse, in my opinion. Of course, I don't know everything, I only know what was shared of me. But I was the plan for a very long time. There wasn't much else.

[She nods slowly, watching the way he reacts as the conversation shifts.]

NULL: Would you know who or what some of the League's targets were?

MONOMA: Not really. It's hard to even claim it as a target of the League when it's all so personal. Shigaraki wanted to fell Mystery, Dabi wanted revenge on Spinner, so on and so forth. But if there were even plans to go about this rather than just scorned feelings being discussed, I wasn't told them.

[A quiet hum.]

NULL: Alright, thank you, Monoma-san. Now, can you tell me a bit more about how they kept in contact with you before you were taken? How they might've known where you were?

MONOMA: You repeat questions a lot, I'm noticing... Like I said, through the internet mostly. Private or anonymous messages sent to various social media accounts. I also have to assume I was stalked for when a meeting would happen in public. I never exactly asked, but I have to assume it isn't too hard when you have someone who teleports and someone who shapeshifts under your disposal.

[She doesn't show a reaction to Monoma pointing out her repetition of certain questions.]

NULL: Would you happen to still have any of the messages that you were sent?

MONOMA: Probably not. I'm sure the more anonymous ones are available somewhere, if you're up for slogging through all the online harassment I've ever received. But I didn't think to keep many.

NULL: ... Monoma-san, can you please tell me why and how you ended up with the League of Villain?

MONOMA: How and why...?

[He stops writing, staring up at her with an eyebrow raised.]

MONOMA: I was taken against my will because they wanted to use me, did I not explain that already...?

NULL: I'm more so asking why and how you originally got tangled up with them, not why and how you were taken from your hospital bed that night.

MONOMA: ...

[He huffs.]

MONOMA: An anonymous number messaged me. This was during a period where I was being harassed online anyway, as I mentioned, so it wasn't all that alarming considering everything else I'd been receiving at the time. When I expressed reluctance to follow through to the meeting, my relationship with someone that had largely been a secret at the time was brought up, and then that person - Iida Tenya, to be specific - was threatened. So I went to the meeting.

NULL: And was it those threats that kept you from coming forward about this?

MONOMA: Partially.

NULL: There was something else?

MONOMA: Of course there was. I just didn't want to.

[He shrugs vaguely.]

MONOMA: Being saved seemed an impossibility at the time. And even if I could reach out and be taken seriously and even helped somehow, I couldn't let myself. I just don't think I wanted to be saved. I wanted to die there.

[She nods slowly, deliberately and smiles kindly at him like she had earlier.]

NULL: Thank you for answering that, I know it must've been difficult to admit something like that.

[She pauses, beginning to toy with her gloves under the table but not pulling them off.]

NULL: Now, I'd like to ask you about the therapy you were set to receive the Orientation Event... You didn't attend any of the appointment... would you mind telling me why?

[Monoma just give her an incredulous look at that.]

MONOMA: I don't like therapy.

[She's still for a moment, almost looking vaguely surprised before she nods and once again, there's nothing.]

NULL: Thank you for your honesty, Monoma-san.

[She pauses for a moment, not saying anything or moving at all before she suddenly takes a deep breath and closes her eyes for a moment, finally letting go of her grasp on Monoma's emotions and deactivating her quirk before opening her eyes again and smiling at him as she pulls off one of her gloves and reaches out to Monoma, offering her hand for him to shake. There's a few small scars on her palm that he and the camera can now see with her glove off.]

NULL: I think that'll be all today, Monoma-san, thank you for your cooperation and I do apologize if I upset you at all during this session, I just like to be thorough with these things to prevent people from having to come back in.

[Another blink, and then a few more as a vague sense of disorientation hits him. It's still not what he expects, on or off. Such a... strange quirk...

Eyeing her now, he spots her ungloved hand. His expression doesn't hint a bit of the confusion or interest he feels as he reaches out to shake her hand. He's the first to pull away, taking the notepad with him but leaving that ripped off page on the table.]

MONOMA: I'll have to come back anyway. There's no way I can get this list finished in time. May I take this with me and turn it in when I'm done...

[She takes a moment to slip her glove back on, making sure that it's neat before she stands up and begins smoothing her clothes out until finally, she finishes and looks at him, still smiling softly.]

NULL: Of course, take your time with it, Monoma-san, every detail is greatly appreciated.

MONOMA: Thank you...

[He bows slowly, lingering in the position for a moment, his face shadowed by his dangling hair.]

MONOMA: ... I'll show myself out, if you don't mind...

[He doesn't wait for an answer, breezing past her to leave without even shutting the door behind him.]

[She sighs softly as the boy leaves, only looking up at the camera that had been recording them the whole time before the video feed cuts off and the recording finally ends.]

[Transcript end.]

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