章 72: [71] The Double Life
I unlock the apartment door at precisely 7:30 PM, my gear bag heavy with plans for later tonight. The TV's soft glow spills into the hallway, accompanied by what sounds like a nature documentary about deep sea creatures.
"Is that an anglerfish?" Nejire's voice drifts from the living room. "Momo, look at its teeth!"
"I'm more interested in its bioluminescent properties," Momo replies. "The chemical reaction that produces-"
I round the corner to find them both sprawled on our oversized couch, Nejire's head resting on Momo's lap while Momo absently plays with her blue hair. They're both in comfortable clothes - Momo in silk pajamas, Nejire in one of my old t-shirts and shorts.
The bruising on Nejire's neck has faded to a yellowish-purple, and Momo's breathing seems easier than this morning. Not quite Recovery Girl's standard of healing, but better than I expected.
"Starting the documentary night without me?" I set my bag down quietly.
They both turn, Nejire's face lighting up despite the obvious fatigue around her eyes. "Izuku! We thought you'd be out late doing hero stuff!"
"Changed my plans." I lean over the couch, kissing first Nejire, then Momo. "How are you both feeling?"
"Better," Momo says, but I catch the slight rasp in her voice. "The hospital's healing quirk user did what she could."
"Which wasn't much," Nejire adds, pouting. "Recovery Girl would have fixed us up in seconds, but nooo, she's on vacation this week."
I sit between them as they shift to make room. "Any other symptoms I should know about?"
"Just tired," Momo says. "And sore. The density quirk strained some muscles."
"My throat itches," Nejire reports cheerfully. "But the doctor said that's normal. Oh, and I can't eat spicy food for a few days, which is totally unfair because I was craving curry."
I examine the bruising on her neck more closely. The pattern matches Metal Fingers' whips exactly. I memorize it, adding it to my mental list of debts to repay later.
"Stop plotting revenge," Nejire pokes my cheek. "We're fine. Just need cuddles and kisses. Doctor's orders!"
"The doctor definitely didn't say that."
"I'm paraphrasing." She snuggles closer. "Very accurately paraphrasing."
Momo shifts on my other side, trying to hide a yawn. "We were thinking of sleeping in your room tonight."
"Both of you?"
"Safety in numbers," Nejire declares. "Plus your bed is bigger."
"And you're warm," Momo adds. "The doctor said to stay warm."
"Now who's creatively interpreting medical advice?"
She gives me a perfectly innocent look. "I'm simply following healthcare professionals' recommendations for optimal recovery."
"Uh-huh." I wrap an arm around each of them, careful of their injuries. "And this has nothing to do with wanting cuddles?"
"Pure coincidence," Nejire says solemnly. "Very fortunate coincidence."
"Extremely fortunate," Momo agrees.
I should argue. Should point out that they both need proper rest, that my bed isn't really meant for three people, that I have plans tonight that require them safely asleep in their own rooms.
But Nejire's already half-dozing against my shoulder, and Momo's fingers are intertwined with mine, and the anglerfish documentary is oddly soothing...
"Fine," I say. "But actual sleep, okay? You both need rest."
"Yes sir, Pro Hero sir!" Nejire mock salutes, then winces as it pulls her neck muscles.
"Careful," I catch her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm. "No sudden movements."
"Does this count as sudden?" She tilts her face up, clearly asking for another kiss.
I oblige her, keeping it gentle. Her lips are slightly chapped from dehydration, reminding me again of this morning's fight.
"Water first," I say. "Both of you. Then bed."
"So bossy," Nejire grumbles, but she accepts the water bottle I grab from my bag.
Momo takes hers without complaint, though I notice her hands shake slightly. The density quirk must have taken more out of her than she's admitting.
"I can carry you," I offer.
"I can walk." She stands, swaying only slightly. "Though... maybe some support wouldn't hurt."
I help her up, keeping an arm around her waist. Nejire bounces ahead of us toward my room, moving slower than usual but still energetic.
"Your patrol ended early," Momo notes quietly as we walk.
"Miruko had a press thing."
"Mm." She gives me a sideways look. "And you're staying in tonight?"
"Planning to."
She doesn't push further, but I can feel her analyzing my expression. Momo's too smart to buy my innocent act, but she's also too tactical to call me out directly.
"Whatever you're not planning," she says finally, "be careful."
I kiss her temple. "Always am."
"Liar."
"Hey!" Nejire calls from my doorway. "Less conspiring, more cuddling!"
My room is exactly as I left it this morning - bed made with military precision, hero analysis notebooks stacked neatly on the desk, prototype support items organized on wall-mounted shelves. The only personal touches are photos: my mom, the class, and several of the three of us at various events.
Nejire's already claiming the middle of the bed, arranging pillows in what she insists is the optimal configuration for group cuddles. She's done extensive research on the subject, apparently.
"You're both sure about this?" I ask one last time. "Your own beds might be more comfortable-"
"Nope!" Nejire pats the mattress. "Doctor's orders, remember?"
"Still not what the doctor said."
"Close enough." She makes grabby hands at us. "Come on, I'm cold!"
I help Momo settle on one side before taking the other, careful not to jostle either of them. Nejire immediately latches onto me like a koala, while Momo curves against my other side more gracefully.
"Better?" I ask.
"Much," Momo murmurs, already sounding half-asleep. "You're warm."
"Told you," Nejire says smugly. "Best heating system ever."
I stroke her hair gently, noting how she leans into the touch. "Try to sleep, okay? Both of you."
"Mm." Nejire nuzzles my chest. "One more kiss first?"
I oblige her, then Momo, keeping the kisses soft and sweet. They both need rest more than anything else right now.
"Love you," Nejire mumbles, eyes already closing.
"Love you too." I kiss her forehead. "Both of you."
Momo makes a quiet sound of acknowledgment, her breathing evening out. Within minutes, they're both asleep, Nejire drooling slightly on my shirt while Momo maintains perfect posture even unconscious.
I wait another twenty minutes to be sure, then carefully extract myself. They shift closer together in my absence but don't wake.
I open my gear bag silently, pulling out each piece of the outfit. The black compression suit goes on first, followed by the reinforced tactical pants and jacket. Every piece is chosen for stealth and utility - no logos, no bright colors, nothing to catch attention.
The white wig sits in its own compartment. I secure it carefully, making sure the nanomaterial adheres properly to my scalp. The red contacts come next, transforming my eyes from green to blood-red. Finally, the face mask - black with a subtle geometric pattern that breaks up facial recognition software.
In the mirror, a stranger stares back. Good.
I head to toe bedroom window, pausing for one last look. They're peaceful in sleep, all traces of this morning's trauma temporarily forgotten. Nejire's hair spills across the pillows like a waterfall, while Momo's face has lost its usual analytical focus.
I memorize the image, letting it fuel the cold anger in my chest. Then I slip out, locking closing the window behind me.
Time to go to work.
The night air is cool against my mask as I pull out the encrypted earpiece - one of Mei's more practical "babies." Three taps to activate, two more for the secure channel.
"Twilight to La Brava. Are you there?"
Static crackles for exactly three seconds before her voice comes through, sharp and professional. "Reading you clear, Twilight. Wasn't expecting to hear from you tonight."
"Plans changed. Need intel on Jade Palace Apartments in Shibuya. Security systems specifically."
"Hmm." Keys click rapidly in the background. "Fancy place. High-end security to match. What's your angle?"
"Information gathering only. No direct engagement planned."
"Right." She doesn't believe me. "Give me two minutes to pull the specs."
I use the time to move across rooftops, staying in shadow. The route to Shibuya is muscle memory by now - run here, jump there, avoid the security cameras at these specific angles.
"Okay," La Brava's voice returns. "Standard setup for the building itself. Card readers, motion sensors, cameras with night vision. But there's a custom system for the penthouse. Different contractor, much higher grade."
"Who lives there?"
"On paper? Shell company owned by another shell company. But..." More typing. "Utility bills and delivery patterns suggest at least three people. Heavy power usage, lots of specialized equipment being brought in."
"What kind of equipment?"
"Medical supplies mostly. Some chemistry lab gear. Nothing illegal on its own, but the combination is interesting."
I land on a water tower, scanning the Shibuya skyline. "Send me the building specs?"
"Already done. Check your phone. But Twilight... this doesn't feel like your usual target."
"It's not." I pull up the blueprints she sent. "Someone hurt my people today. I'm returning the favor."
Silence stretches over the comm. Then: "The attack on UA students this morning. The density quirk user and the choking incident."
"You're well informed."
"I make it my business to be. The targets - they're important to you?"
I don't answer. Don't need to.
"Right." Her voice softens slightly. "Security patrol patterns are in the file too. Inner stairwell has a blind spot between floors 12 and 13. Camera feed loops every six minutes."
"Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet. There's something else. That penthouse? Gets regular visits from a Pro Hero."
My fingers tighten on the railing. "Which one?"
"Mankind."
Perfect.
"Twilight..." La Brava hesitates. "Whatever you're planning, be careful. These people have connections."
"Noted." I start moving again, closer to my target. "One more thing - can you check hospital records? See if anyone matching our suspects got treated today?"
"Already did. Nothing in official channels, but there's a private clinic in Shinjuku that had an unusual power spike around noon. Consistent with healing quirk usage."
"Address?"
"Sending it now. But it's probably a dead end. They'll have moved the wounded by now."
"Probably. But it's another thread to pull."
I reach the building adjacent to Jade Palace Apartments, staying low as I study the security patterns. La Brava's intel is solid - the guard rotations are clockwork precise, creating predictable gaps.
"Need anything else?" she asks.
"No. Thank you for the help."
"Just... whatever this is, make it clean. These people hurt someone you care about - I get that. But messy revenge brings attention we don't need."
"When have I ever been messy?"
She snorts. "Fair point. Good hunting, Twilight."
The comm goes silent. I take a moment to memorize the patrol patterns, plotting my route. The blind spot she mentioned will work perfectly - just need to time it right.
I put the phone away, focusing on the task ahead. The security looks impressive on paper, but it's designed to keep normal people out. I'm not normal people.
The first guard passes below, right on schedule. I count down in my head - thirty seconds until the next gap. Twenty. Ten. Zero.
I fire a grappling line across the gap, testing the tension. The guards won't look up unless given reason to. Human nature - we rarely check places we don't expect threats from.
Their mistake.
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