-I lived in a state of constantly being threatened. Get paid to expose, get exposed. Sell out your safety for a few thousand dollars. It was all commonplace. One job is different though, and with a few second thoughts, you end up attending an underground school of hackers, each with their own little secrets. Can you really trust someone you do not know the real name of? Well dear reader, or our friend refers to us, bunny, you will soon find out much more happens in the underground than what it appears through a screen.
Hey could I put in a request for some dominant Kieran/f!reader? It can be headcanons or a fic, whatever you feel like doing. He’s such a nervous guy, but I feel like if he got real comfortable with somebody, he’d want to claim them as his.
// hmm. how about some hcs? i don’t usually do xreaders but i’ll try my best!
Kieran would honestly be so careful not to hurt you, even while he’s establishing himself as dominant. he is, after all, a feller. but he would never want to hurt a pretty lady, even if you can hold your own in a fight better than he.
He’d love to pin you down, though he can’t help but compliment you in the process.
Kieran is the kind of guy who will mark you with hickeys in places no one else will see, but the two of you know exactly where they are. It’s like a little secret between you.
At the campfire, he’ll pull you into his lap and hold you there the entire night. It’s partially so everyone can see that you belong to him and partially because he just likes to have you be as close as possible. Plus, it’s so comfortable to rest his head on your shoulder while he’s listening to everyone else tell their stories.
SORRY it’s so short! I have to admit, I don’t usually think about these things. I hope you like it, though!
Warnings: i got carried away. umm a little blood. a little fighting.
WC: 2.2k
(A/N: this one is dedicated to @sushi044123 thank you for the little message, things like that always make me wanna write more <3)
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I went to sleep quickly. I woke up early. I slept well. The next day started fine. I made coffee and pondered over the empty desk once more. I was ignorant.
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I would have never suspected any change when I stepped out into the halls and began walking to class. While on my way there, I met with Mirko, who was wearing casual yoga pants and a loose tank top. Along with that was a black bomber jacket that adorned her shoulders Her long, flawless platinum hair was pulled into a long brain. Even when put up, her hair reached her waist.
The hood of the jacket was once again, over her head, and… once again… seemed to be hiding something. Eh never mind maybe shes a catgirl. You can never really judge.
Soon every student had congregated in the classroom. It was a stark contrast to the nice elegant theme of the main room. Instead, we were in the penthouse at the top of the large building we entered on the first day. The elegant and crisp post-sunrise glow filled the room which was almost fully surrounded glass windows. Maybe only four other skyscrapers challenged the height of the one we were in.
I walked up to one of the windows, noticing a slight mature difference as the glass was icy cold and on the other side, was covered in a thin layer of mist. Even as someone who isn't afraid of heights, looking down at the world below which was engulfed in a thin layer of grey fog, overcame me with fear. To think that this thin layer of glass would protect me from the bustling world below.
How strange. We were hidden from society. The outcasts who preferred to be anonymous robin hoods than gaudy and fake heroes. But with 3 of the four walls in this room window, I felt as though I was on display to the whole world. A steel pedestal specially made for all of us.
After admiring the view, I stole a glance at Mirko. Unlike me, she didn't look at the ground below, but above, up to the clouds which we so very close. They never looked that large from the city floor.
“Students! You’re finally here!” A chipper and high squeaky voice alerted me. My footsteps were short as I stepped back from the side of the room. The students turned to the short little mouse. Small groups had formed, mostly of 2-3 people awkwardly standing next to each other from a partial distance…
for that one wooden guy and the blonde. They were standing pretty close-
“You can all remove your masks now! They were a temporary thing, now that new have completely erased all traces of who you were previous to this school, you are perfectly safe from outsides and other students. As far as the world knows, you currently don't exist.”
His sweet attitude didn’t deter me from the almost translucent threat in his voice. Hesitantly, people began to take them off and reveal their faces. After about half the classroom had removed theirs, I undid the ribbon that held it to my head and let it fall into my hand. A tingle of cool metal spread on my skin. I placed it on the ground next to my feet and glanced up at my peers.
Most fit what I expected, they were still strangers, but now I had a chance at remembering them.
A rush of embarrassment coursed up into my brain when I took the liberty to Look up at Mirko, I traced my gaze over her face and her perfect features while she took me in as well. Our eyes met for a second too long while I drowned in a crimson abyss. My cheeks almost flushed the same shade as her eyes. I turned away and heard her quietly chuckle:
“cute”
Now I was red.
“Now that we have had time to familiarize ourselves to the minimum, I would also like to say the same for quirks!”
Mirko’s flashed a wide grin, canines showing.
“You are all now safe to show quirks, as that has also been cleaned from reality.”
In my peripheral vision was a quick flash of dirty blonde. When I glanced over, Hawks turned his head away, a distant look. I didn’t look away though, and if he was as smart as he acted, he noticed. The daggers I was shooting from my eyes aimed at the briefcase in his hand.
“So, my little criminal prodigies, though many of you are already masters in your main craft, we want to reach past those horizons-”
He cleared his throat and redirected my attention to his short stature. With a sigh he continued;
“Those horizons being combat, tactical, hardware engineering, and friendship! Within the combat course, we will be going over-” I felt a short soft tap on my shoulder. It was Mirko.
“in tactical we want to utilize your current stren-”
“Hey, pssst”
She whispered, but when I turned to her she was still looking ahead to Nezu. Ruby eyes glowing in the ethereal morning light.
“engineering will be taught for obvious rea-”
Her hand brushed across mine and my heartbeat quickly spiked. The ghost of her touch remained on the back of my wrist even when she moved. Mirko’s gaze was still stagnant, but in a hushed tone she quietly mumbled,
“This was in your jacket’s hood”
Her knuckles bumped into mine once more, though they were more demanding, silently telling me to open my hand. There was a moment of confusion when something extremely soft was placed in my hand. It was light, and there was no weight to it. Soft and light. Closing my fingers around it, I brought it up and looked at it while I was cupped in my grasp.
A single red feather and a tiny one as that sat in my palm; soft and warm. Hawks. Whatever emotion I was feeling numb all my other senses. Was it fear? Anger? A little confusion. There was some kind of shuffling around me that was dulled by my thoughts. Nezu probably gave the class some kind of directions, as they were talking among themselves. In short sentences and simple words. Surface level stuff.
Across the classroom, Hawks moved to chat with a tall guy with white hair that fell over his shoulders. He seemed knowingly more anxious now. His hand was fidgeting at his side. He knew I had the feather, but he wasn’t looking at me? Could he feel through them? It would make sense, seeing as he could control them at will.
Turning the feather in my hand I saw him physically tense up a little bit. Brushing the vane (the soft part of a feather) with one of my fingers, his hand stilled, his actions were choppy as he laughed with the other guy. Oh, he knew what I was doing. I dropped it to the ground and turned to Mirko, a little smile on my face, she had one too. I was about to talk about the feather with her when she shot me a knowing look and a curt shake of her head.
“What are we doing again?” I sheepishly asked, having zoned out the whole assembly.
“Pairing up for combat assessments, you're with me.” She playfully nudged my shoulder when I groaned, annoyed.
When I looked down at my shoes distraughtly I could see the little feather blowing softly away from me in Hawk’s direction. For good measure I stepped on it and crushed it beneath my feet, relishing in the wince I could see him make as he as stretching for warm-ups.
Mirko at the least seemed amused at what I was doing with Hawks but still wanted to begin training. She was practically bouncing on the balls of her feet in excitement.
“So basically, we get five minutes to spar with any technique we want, no biting, clawing, hair pulling, dirty plays- and then we fight there.”
She motioned over her shoulder to black mats in the center of the room. The borderline feral look in her eyes makes me feel way to arou-scared to fight her. (Woah there Clarissa this is a family-friendly account).
“Wait are you s-serious? Fight each other?” I stumbled out. She was a foot taller than me and more fit.
“Aww c’mon, I’ll go easy on you, whoever is immobile first wins?”
“I guess.”
‘You can do this (y/n)’ I had to say to myself, though it wasn’t that convincing. I've done kickboxing before, so I readied myself into a prep stance. My legs were a little farther apart than my shoulders, and my hands were loose fists in front of my torse. I instinctively bent my knees and began swaying a little to prepare. I wasn’t going to throw the first fight.
Mirko was turned around, removing her jacket to reveal toned arms that flexed as she placed it on the ground. I gulped.
“Are you ready Bunny?” She inquired, calmly, even relaxed.
“Whenever you are” I replied with confidence. I can do this.
Her hand reached up to the beanie that was sat atop her head. Before touching it though she looked over her shoulder to stare me down. “Are quirks on the table?”
This was a variable I hadn’t expected, but I wasn’t going to let that phase me.
“Bet.” I softly smiled and she aggressively smirked.
“Okay Bunny,” She paused, turning towards me and throwing the hat to the ground,
“Lets fight”
Ears sprang up from her perfect hair and she lunged at me with incredible power, her leg aimed right towards my torso. I was shocked by the ears. A rabbit quirk? I didn’t have time to think when she landed a solid kick on the side of my hip.
Ouch
Her style of fighting was low and she probably intended to wipe me out, so I would have to aim for her upper body to counter.
“Oh shiiii-” I quickly dodged to the left, using my arm to block her leg and push it the other direction.
I tried to get closer and close the gap as she seemed like a mid-distance fighter. Ducking under her swinging leg that was in a circular high kick I tried knocking her to the ground with a punch to her shoulder, that should send her off balance, but she caught my hand and kicked out the back of my legs. My knees hit the floor and I was temporarily stunned. I recovered with a quick little roll the hopped up.
I faked out a right hook and grabbed her blocking arm, and attempted to get her in a headlock. She was ahead of me though. Once I tried to wrap my arm about her neck-
A firm grasp settled on my wrist and pried back my hand at an excruciatingly painful angle. I hissed through my teeth and let go, holding my hand which was sharply stinging with pain. A little bit harder and I would have tapped out and forfeited the match.
Just as I looked back up to attempt to cut my losses and aim for her head, she was running towards me. My legs were thrown out from beneath me and the breath was knocked out of my lungs, making breathing difficult. She sat on my stomach, effectively weighing me down, I couldn't get up anymore. I blindly swung a punch, hoping it would hit something that would give me leverage.
My fist connected with her upper lip. She didn’t budge from above me though, in fact, she pressed down harder as she sat on my stomach. Each breathe getting more and more labored.
She pinned me to the ground, one hand holding my arms above me, the other reaching up towards her lip. Red came back on her fingers.
“Fuck (y/n) that hurt like a bitch.”
Her grip on my hands tightened to a bruising hold that pushed my wrists together and dug them into the sparring mat. The previous sprain I suffered roared by to life and a groan resonated in my chest. That drew a dry laugh from her, obviously it was painful though. Her hand slammed next to my head, lowering herself a little closer to me. We were both tired and panting. My entire back was throbbing from being so aggressively pushed to the ground.
She gazed at my face with indistinguishable emotion. Her teeth were barred in a mix between a grimace and a smile. The blood that was smeared beneath her mouth where I had injured her; the red blood matched her wild eyes.
Warnings: HAWKS BEING A SUS BITCH 2.0 #peghawks2020
WC: 2k
(A/N: This is unedited! Please message me if you spot any annoying mistakes! I will probably have the edited version up in a day or two!)
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“Then with that I leave you, my students, sleep well!”
He left for the doors and closed them behind him, effectively leaving 15 teenage criminals in a room together.
Hah.
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After principal Nezu left, the crowd dispersed. Many chose to scout out their dorms instead of interacting. Each person was a loaded gun. Aimed at their enemies or themselves did not matter, we were all afraid for when the first bullet would strike.
That being said, most seemed overall relaxed. Students would try to start conversation and socialize, which was apparent by the mumble of voice within the school’s halls that returned from before Nezu gave his brief speech.
I was turning towards the dorm hallway with my bags in hand. The gentle tap of my shoes along the hardwood floors could be heard in crisp, purposeful taps. Right as I walked through the threshold of the door connecting the dorm corridor and the main hall, I heard footsteps growing louder behind me.
I kept walking forward and kept a close eye at the plaques on each room’s door that signified who was housed where.
The footsteps continued getting closer until in my peripheral vision I could see a lock of white hair swaying.
“You again?” I asked, feigning annoyance. Of course, her presence wasn’t exactly unwanted but it was unneeded.
“Mmmhmm” Mirko hummed while gazing down at me.
The image of her and Hawks pushed itself into the forefront of my mind, leaving residues of anger wherever it bounced in my brain.
“So… you and Hawks?” I looking at the hallway door when I said it. I slowed my walking down to almost a complete stop before turning towards her.
“Are you guys dati-“ I made the mistake of looking into her piercing red eyes and caught a glare, making me stop my sentence.
I held my breath for a second, thinking I angered her in some way, but to my surprise she let out a laugh.
“You got so scared! Look at you! You’re just a bottom little bunny” She relaxed and leaned her arm down to rest on my shoulder. The height difference was so obvious when she was standing this close.
“C’mon (Y/N), lighten up, combat training is going to be a breeze! I bet the view from the floor will be nice.”
Did she just- never mind.
“Oh as if.” I rolled my eyes and started walking again towards my door that came into view. She followed me and watched as struggled with the door.
The doorknob was plain and silver, with a small black pad above it. I was more than confused.
“Were we supposed to get a key or something?”
I continued jamming the doorknob and pressing at the black pad in frustration. It was getting late, and being locked out of my room wasn’t on my list of things I can emotionally handle.
One of Mirko’s hands came to rest at about my elbow from behind me. Delicately moving her hands up towards me wrist, she paused, before gently holding the back my hand, her nails ghosting against my palm.
My heart was racing, none of her arm’s subtle movements went unnoticed. I feared that with how close she was, with her right behind me, and this, whatever this is, she could hear my heartbeat pounding in my chest.
She guided my hand towards the black pad and brought my left pointer finger down on the sensor.
With a small green light and a click, the door swung open. She kept her grasp on my hand for what felt like a moment too long yet still too short before stepping back and turning towards the door across from me room.
“The doors are locked via fingerprint,” She stated matter-of-factly with a smirk.
“Tell me if you have any more troubles (y/n), I’m right next door.” She seemed way too pleased with herself when she walked back into her room, not sparing a glance over towards me, standing in the door frame of my room when her’s closed.
That night I laid awake staring at the ceiling, just as I had done last night. Though the only difference was last night I was contemplating to even go here, now I was contemplating how I would even survive here.
The dorms were nice and decently sized for the whole ‘underground secret society’ thing. A bathroom with all the basics including a deep bathtub, a queen bed, a mini fridge, and coffee machine. What set t apart from average was two things. Color changing lights that were set under the bed and desk, giving everything a vibrant glow (A/N no reason for the lights they just look cool :))
The last special thing in the room was a giant black desk, obviously set up for a giant desktop and even more hardware, but the surface with unscratched, unused, and empty. It sat in the corner of the room alone, unlike the other areas that had lamps, colored lights, or fake plants; the desk had nothing.
I would still have to grow accustomed to the new and pristine room. It smelled clean. Like fresh disinfectant and fake lavender that is just slightly off from the real thing. I could not say I missed the cans of soda on the floor and random sticky notes everywhere.
The old apartment was crammed with miscellaneous objects. All the things I was too attached to throw out, but not too attached to leave all together, I guess.
I rolled over, suddenly very aware of my awakens. I checked my clock. A large sigh eased from my lungs. It was only 11pm. That meant I was not losing too much sleep on my first day. I could only imagine how screwed I would be if those led screen lights were showing 3am or any other blatantly early time.
I guess since I was awake, it would not hurt to get a snack or something. From my recollection, I remember seeing a café like area in the common room, though I was too preoccupied to look at it for too long. They might have a granola bar or some snack I could eat. I was really craving chocolate milk right now.
I was in the slightly delirious sleepy stage of consciousness. The point where I had no filter to what I said, and no self-preservation. In said state, I threw on some slippers, grabbed my phone and grudgingly walked out to the hallway.
“choccy milk, choccy milk!” I whispered to myself in a singsong voice. The walk to the end of the hallway seemed to only last a split second before I was there, at the door to the common room.
“choccy milk, choccy milk!” I reached towards the doorknob, shivering once the chilled metal touched my fingers. Right as I was about to pull the door with my weak and tired muscles, I heard shuffling from the other side of the door.
I opened it slowly, and peering in through the crack in the door. Though dark, and his back was towards me, I could recognize the distinct frame of Hawks. The dirty bastard. Why he be actin lik- my thoughts were interrupted by two sharp clicks. On the floor he sat a suitcase and opened it up. It was the same one that had the red unidentified fluff in it. More fuzz was on it than before, apparent as it stood out among the black fabric casing.
He moved in front of the suit case and blocked my view, but I could watch as he crouched down an opened it up. Suddenly, a flurry of red came spiraling out and circling around hawks. He stood up and the shapes were revealed to be feathers, each one different than the next. The continued to storm around like he was standing in the eye of a hurricane surrounded. Feather by feather they collected by his shoulders, forming broad wings that’s wingspan was around 10 ft.
He ruffled the wings around, spreading them out and even doing a test flap, which sent a gust of air in all directions. While he was… adjusting them? Stretching them?
This had to have been his quirk. And it was an amazing one at that. This was my rival? How was I supposed to beat that?
“Woah” I silently whispered. His wings twitched at the sound, and it appeared all the feathers stood up straight. He quickly turned around, his wings taking on a defensive position and each feather spiking outward like tiny knives. I quickly hid behind the door, hoping he didn’t see me, though he definitely heard me.
My heart pounded in my chest, and I held my breath, knowing now that whatever his quirk was, it enhanced his hearing.
I slightly turned my head to my ear was pressed up against the wall and I could hear anything he did. I cringed at the slight scratch of one of my earrings against wooden door and paused again.
Through the polished wood and all the space between us, I made out his footsteps beginning again as he walked away from the door. The breath I held in my lungs released shakily. My eyes darted across the hallway, which suddenly seemed so much longer. The expanse of parallel lines from the crown molding and the wallpaper and everything made me feel like caving in.
I had barely dodged that encounter, and I know it would not have been good if he found me snooping. I was not my intention, but it did give me a slight advantage. I knew his quirk.
I knew his quirk.
Unlike someone’s fake name or hacker alias, quirks were something you can change. They stuck with you the rest of your life, one of very few constants we could have. And because quirks, especially unique ones like Hawks’, were specific to each person they not only would let me find his real identity quickly, but also gain information on his past, something most people in this life tried to forget.
I had no intention of using this information maliciously, it was more or less self-defense. If he was out for me, its only fair that I get to build a shield. I was just evening the playing fields.
My brain was vacant of all prior need for choccy milk, now, all I wanted was answers, though for now those would have to wait. My smartphone said it was almost midnight, and I already started things at this academy on the wrong foot, I don’t want that to repeat with my teachers.
I guess it was foolish of me to believe I was always one step ahead of everyone. I was untouchable, invisible, I had power. I forgot that people don’t get into this school on daddy’s money or luck, they’re here for a reason.
But at that time I didn’t care, of course I didn’t, I just narrowly avoided my current rival, and walked away unnoticed. Untouchable.
I went to sleep quickly. I woke up early. I slept well. The next day started good. I made coffee and pondered over the empty desk once more. I was ignorant.
You were just a simple hacker. Exposing buinsess leaders and gathering information for whoever offers the highest amount. But when you take a strange job and are suddenly invited to an underground school for the best hackers in all of japan, Life is suddenly far from simple.
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Hey so I basically stole most of the school design and hierarchy from Kakegurui (the amazing gambling anime 10/10 would recommend) but twisted it to match a hacker style au. Idk I guess 707 is getting to me. Reader is female, but there isn’t any lemonade here so if need be I can change the pronouns if anyone wants. :) Other than that, I hope you like the first chapter! I hope to make this a series Maybe like 50k max. Anyways, lets get onto the story. This is my first dedicated fanfic so bear with me if I don’t update that much!
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The consistent waves of tapping sounding from the keyboard below me was the only sound present in the room, save for the occasional rubbing of my blinds up against my windowsill. The slightest breeze flew through the crack in my window, billowing and swirling around my fingers.
It was something I knew I should not be doing. God knew it was all forms of illegal, but of course, that would not stop me. I mean why would it? I got a burner drive, 2 VPNs and at least a dozen forms of encryption on my ip address, but something felt off. This job was too easy.
From the beginning I knew it would be simple, but that never meant a simple job could not take hours. It had only been 30 minutes sitting at my computer before I cracked the first firewall with ease.
An “anonymous” (or so they thought, I could back-trace to their identity within a minute) client had requested for a high-risk job. My brain instantly told me to turn it down, as messing with companies was one thing, but the government was another. Lucky for them, the hefty offer of almost $3,000USD easily swayed me.
I continued my assault on my keyboard before a small little black tab on my screen showed up and began spewing out information. To anyone who did not know what to look for, they would see it as mindless code, but there. Right there, nestled between two little brackets was a chain of numbers. Copying it by hand onto a scrap of paper then switching onto another computer monitor, I entered the digits onto a pre-determined code with one purpose. To track.
Normally this phase could take up to 1 hour depending on how hard the person on the other side of the screen was trying to hide their dirty little secrets, so I sat back, and watched the progress bar begin to tick forward in slight increments.
I had to stop taking money orders. One day I would be found, and with how often I accepted the jobs, and how little I cared these days to change up my encryption methods, it’s not going to be long before I got caught. Yet I still did it. Was it the headlines on the news? “Local millionaire exposed to embezzlement?” I found that out, the work had my name all over it. Was it the knowledge that I maybe, just maybe, might be helping the world just a little bit?
No.
I knew it was not. Deep down, I knew it was the thrill. God each time I feel the power. I can break down corporations. I can break down people! I can destroy careers and I can mess shit up. Ha!
Maybe the pride was getting to me. My popularity was rapidly growing on the black market as more and more people demanded to have their enemies exposed. The thing is. Only rich people can afford to get rid of their enemies, which puts me in a very profitable place.
Another factor was a few special rumors going around. Apparently, there were ‘hacker hunters’ trying to match people’s signature corrupt handiwork to a name. Online we all went by pseudonyms and pen names mine being Shad0w, but in the real world I guess we all were people too, none of us aware of what we were capable of.
At the amazing age of 17 I became the 12th most popular hacker-for-higher. And at the opportunist age of 18 I got my first jab to the neck. I guess got paid by a pretty sketchy person and faced his consequences. That day I had to physically destroy one of my old hard-drives just out of fear that someone was still coming for me. I did not get hurt physically of course, but the threats they shot left a deeper mark than a bullet could of. Since then I have been careful. Always covering my steps and hiding in the shadows of the web. No matter how hard I tried though I cou-
BRZZZ!
A loud hum from my computer snapped me awake, and after further inspection, the loading bar was complete. The neon colors were taking their toll on my eyes. What a struggle it was to keep them open.
The whole ordeal barley took an hour… and I was getting paid $3000? No. That could not be right. My cursor stood above the ‘next’ button that would retrieve all the data from my target, and hesitantly, I clicked it.
The little loading circle of doom (kasdjfkdjkdfd) spun around my screen before disappearing leaving nothing but white.
Nothing but a white screen.
Just a second. Did my computer crash? What is this.
Nothing but a white screen.
What is happening? This CAN’T be right. It was supposed to lead my to the retrieval page. I should be collecting my pay right now.
“Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuuuuu” I whispered to nobody other than myself. As I clicked around the screen, even tried existing before sitting back and looking at it. It was dauntingly blank, and panic was slowly beginning to creep it. It must have been a trick. They have all my information now. Is it just a virus or something more what is going on?!
As if the computer could read my mind, it began to release a distorted sounding audio from the speakers before a voice finally came through. Obviously having gone through software to make it unidentifiable, the voice was deep and smooth.
“Dear (y/n) (l/n). Hello. We have been watching your progress for a while.”
Oh no. They know my full name. At this point, they might know everything. This is bad… really bad.
“Since you began at 17 years old, you have successfully destroyed a lot of people’s lives. Good for you.”
As dull as the computer augmented voice was, it was dripping with sarcasm.
“Despite this, you have led to the downfall of quite a few toxic corporations. No matter your good though, these actions are obviously quite illegal. If you have no intention of getting well hacked yourself then it would be in your best interest to accept.”
Accept what? The voice paused before all noise cut out completely. What screen dimmed slightly before text began showing up line by line in the blandest of fonts.
The text only read:
This is your request to attend UA, the prestigious underground academy for the architypes of modern genius.
We welcome you to our decryption and data collection course.
Below we have attached the address and date for when courses start.
Should you choose not to attend, pretend you never saw this.
Should you choose to hand the address over to authorities, We will know and stop you before you get the chance to.
We look forward to seeing you in class.
Principal Nezu.
UA High
222 Enshu St.
Musutafu Japan
First semester start date:
April 14th, 2276.
You may arrive at the school 1 day before to set up in dorms. Failure to arrive on time on the fist day will result in termination from the course.
“Awww come on don’t ignore me now…” A rich and low voice like dark chocolate whispered next to my ear.
—
I jumped at the sudden presence next to my ear. Their warm breath ghosted over where my jaw met my neck, sending chills down my spine.
With a sharp turn, I came face to face with crimson and fiery eyes. She blinked calmly as I stuttered out,
“Wh- why did you do that?” My mind was racing, and jumping across all of her different features. Though like everyone else she had a mask, there was still plenty to take in. Sterling grey, almost white hair stumbled over her shoulders in perfectly straight strands from under a hat the just didn’t seem to lay on her head right. A single piece of hair even went in front of her mask.
I was still sitting in my chair, facing her, so she had bent down to me, her hands resting on her knees.
Once she heard my question, her head tilted to the side inquisitively with a calm fluidity. It reminded me of something that a puppy might do when confused, or even a rabbit, though in no way did she seem confused. She gave off the feeling of control and power, all with an unmatched grace.
With the slightest laugh, she responded, all while moving back up and standing straight.
“You’re the only one who hasn’t talked to anyone yet.” My name is Mirko, and yours?“
The reached out for my hand, once I took it she boosted me off the chair so I was standing as well. Now, with us both in front of each other, the height difference of almost a foot was obvious.
Looking back up into her vermilion eyes, I shook her hand.
“My names Shadow,”
I knew her name instantly, Mirko wasn’t exactly known for stealth missions, but taking down malware and making their corruption files readily available. The top of her competitors despite her short time in the field.
With my reply, I saw confusion flash over her eyes for a second and was then replaced with recognition. Unlike hawks though, this look held no malice. If anything, it held respect.
“Aye, you’re the one who brought the Detnerat pyramid scheme to light? I didn’t expect the renounced Shadow to be a little bunny like you? Good job.”
She released her grip on my hand and then crossed both her arms over her chest.
If I hadn’t noticed her perfect frame and figure before, it was glaringly obvious now. She was gorgeous.
“Yea, it was nothing though, they’re a support item company, not a bank, it wasn’t that har-”
Her eyes were peering right through me.
“Oh come on, of course it was hard. You weren’t the first person to get paid to do it.”
Her reply shocked me. I wasn’t? I typically didn’t delve into the intense drama that is the social aspect of the this underground community, but something vital like that… I should’ve known…
Mirko stepped forward closing the gap between up and leaned towards my ear, the plastic of our masks bumping together.
“From what I know, bunny, Hawks got the same job, and failed.”
To be honest, it was a difficult case, and I would never judge someone for not being able to do it. This morning’s interaction though was suddenly at the forefront of my mind.
His cold behavior, he demeanor. Was that all because I beat him at one measly case? It was barley even my first day at this academy and I had an enemy trying to prove themselves.
“Oh shit” I quietly mumbled without thinking.
Still right by my ear, in much more of a sultry tone, as her breath softly hit my neck;
“But you’ll be okay right? You have one of the best right here, your’s truly…” I could practically hear the smirk in her voice.
If this was how she wanted to play, I was more than welcome to a bit of playful banter, today was way to stressful. A little flirting couldn’t hurt?
“Are you sure about that? Tough talk for someone who only works with Nomu Malware.”
Her laugh was like honey in my ear, and when she learned back so we were at a more respectable Distance apart;
“Ouch… I guess the bunny bites, Guess ill see you later shadow, orientation starts soon.”
She gestured to the screens above the fireplace mantle which displayed a thirty second countdown in vibrant red text.
With a wink and a should nudge she walked over to hawks. Did she just push him off the couch? What was once a peacefully sleeping bird was just shoved over where she began to lounge, once he saw it was her, his composure got more relaxed. They must have known each other before this.
I had little time to stew over this news when the countdown made its way the countdown made its was to 00:00 and the room previous filled with light chatter fell to dead silence. With how quiet it was, you would be able to hear a pin drop.
Through a large pair of double doors in the back the common room, short footsteps could be heard echoing. Before we had all faced the opposite wall, but now the students turned towards the doors, until with a squeak the opened.
Though we had no expectations of what the person would look like, this definitely broke the invisible line.
A mouse? Maybe its his quirk.
I could see shock on everyone’s faces except for Mirko, who just looked amused.
“Hello and welcome to UA! I am Principal Nezu!”
The large rodent replied. On second thought, I shouldn’t call him a rodent should i. Is this my teacher?
“As you may have caught on, all of you are criminals!”
He said that without a care in the world, and the smile on his face never faltered. Something about his tone and relaxed nature told me that he easily knew more about us than we knew about him. Additionally, he was the only person in this room not wearing a black mask withholding their identity.
He had nothing to hide. He had the upper hand.
“I am your principal and harborer! There might be a bit of tensions between students all ready, but rest assured, that will alliterative in the coming days, until then, classes start tomorrow, so you might choose to set up in your dormitories tonight!”
With a flourish of his hand he gestured to the large double doors behind him.
“Behind me is where your dormitories are! Each with your alias’ on the door to mark where you will stay. Breakfast will be served at the table and chair’s to the right of me at 8AM each day.”
For a second he paused, his voice taking on a more serious note.
“Of course we are not trapping you here. If you choose to go outside at any time, we will not stop you, but identity issues or legal issues will not be handled by UA. Within these walls we will keep you a secret, but on your own time, we will not waste resources.-” A pause
“Nonetheless, back in the hallway you came from, take the elevator at 8:30 and it will lead you to your first lesson in the class of 2280! Any questions?”
The girl with the blonde hair and bubbly personality raised her hand.
“What will this ‘academy’ be teaching us exactly?”
The mouse pondered for a second before-
“Currently you are nobodies! Disposable. We will change that. In this room are geniuses and the brightest minds, who waste their days breaking codes for cheap pay. You are worth more. That’s what we will teach. In short, we will give you all the skills you need to not be hackers, but spies, for the Hero Commission.”
Hawks was standing back up, the case that was overfilling with red fluff in hand.
“Combat lessons?”
“Yes” Nezu replied, seeming bored,
“Any other questions?” He asked, looking around the room. Each student looked at each other, no one raising their hand.
“Then with that I leave you, my students, sleep well!”
He left for the doors and closed them behind him, effectively leaving 15 teenage criminals in a room together.
