Chapter 29 Shadow
"You guys could never understand! I had no one to ask about the exam scope, so I studied in silence, terrified of facing my results alone. Meanwhile, you're all huddling together, comparing answers, arguing over scores, calling each other idiots, and cheering each other up to dodge reality—leaving me to face it head-on by myself!"
When Yoshikage Kira returned after a quick lap around, he saw Minoru Mineta sobbing dramatically in Denki Kaminari's arms. Ignoring the exasperated looks from those around him, Mineta wailed, "Boo-hoo, I just want friends too!"
Momo Yaoyorozu seemed to feel a twinge of sympathy for Mineta, leaning forward slightly without any guard. Mineta's crying softened, his eyes half-open, sneaking a glance.
"Oh, come on, that's enough," Kira muttered, exasperated. He stepped forward and pressed his hand over Mineta's eyes, stopping the fake tears.
"They're all your friends—assuming you don't use the girls' sympathy as an excuse to act like a perv."
Momo didn't react much, but Ochaco Uraraka and Mina Ashido instantly snapped to attention, clutching their chests and glaring at Mineta. Mina fumed, "I knew it! There's a reason your reputation's in the gutter, Mineta! And you, Kaminari, hanging out with him—are you a pervert too?!"
Kaminari was stunned, caught in the crossfire. He'd only let Mineta cry on his lap out of pity, but when he looked down, he saw Mineta drooling while staring at Momo's chest. Furious, Kaminari shoved him off. "Mineta's one thing, but I'm not like that! I'm totally pure!" he protested, raising his hands in surrender.
Kyoka Jiro, sipping juice quietly nearby, chimed in with a sly tone, "Didn't Mineta say this morning he was gonna lend you his dirty magazines…?"
Kaminari's face fell. They'd worked well together during the exam, but Jiro was clearly holding a grudge. Flat-chested traitor! he thought. "Did he? I don't remember anything like that!" he said, scratching his head and playing dumb.
The girls didn't seem convinced by his flimsy excuse. Even Tenya Iida, who'd just returned with another tray of food, gave Kaminari a strange look. Setting the tray down, Iida launched into a lecture. "Kaminari, I understand that everyone has urges, especially at our age, and Japan's industry in that area is quite developed—you can even buy those magazines at convenience stores. But as students of U.A.'s Hero Course, our actions will set a standard for society. As future heroes, how can we discuss such things in public…?"
Kaminari couldn't argue back. He shot Jiro a resentful glance. This is all your fault! You're gonna pay for this!
…
"See you all tomorrow!"
Time slipped by in their lively chatter. After leaving the restaurant and bidding farewell, everyone went their separate ways.
As usual, Yoshikage Kira returned to his small bedroom. He picked up the hand on his desk—a model hand—and placed it over his face.
"No good. This hand isn't enough anymore."
Soon, Kira tossed the hand aside in frustration, stood up from the tatami mat, and sat at his desk to boot up his computer.
Maybe the novelty had worn off, or perhaps the hand had passed its "expiration date." When Kira caught its scent, irritation surged, and his fingernails instinctively grew two millimeters longer.
Like Yoshikage Kira from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, his fingernails served as a gauge for his murderous impulses, silently monitoring his abnormality.
I want a more refined hand.
If he could obtain a hand that satisfied him, the phantom within him would quiet down, granting Kira a fleeting sense of peace—like the "sage mode" after a burst of energy, though Kira's lasted a bit longer.
This urge to kill wasn't quite like an ordinary office worker getting aroused by the Mona Lisa's hands, but it affected Kira enough to make him fixate on the hands of the girls around him…
Of course, Kira wouldn't let himself leer like a creep and ruin his reputation. Besides, just looking at girls' hands wouldn't raise suspicion, right? Well, except for Mineta, the embodiment of lust.
He moved the mouse and opened a bookmarked website—a shop called "Shadow" selling adult toys and novelties.
He intended to buy his usual model, but this time, he noticed a new product touted as "absolutely realistic" and "exceptionally lifelike," labeled the shop's "latest masterpiece." He paused and clicked the link.
Product Description:
After years of exploration, our shop owner met a noble mentor who taught us the true meaning of art and the perfect companion!
This product is a labor of love, crafted under the guidance of a master and made with materials sourced by the shop owner himself. It will not disappoint our valued members!
Due to the immense effort required, this item is available only as a custom order, exclusively for our members. Specify the appearance and measurements of your desired toy, and in just one month, you'll have the eternal love of your life!
What are you waiting for? Our shop guarantees quality and a delightful surprise!
"…"
The description sounded standard, but something about the fervent tone gave Kira the impression of a fanatic writing it…
He glanced at the price and immediately lost interest—it was five times the cost of the shop's most expensive toy.
Kira usually bought high-end items and had become a member through consistent purchases, but this price was absurd. Normally, he could weigh the value of an item, but this felt like a blatant "dare to buy" gamble, like a fukubukuro grab bag.
Everyone knows grab bags are filled with junk you don't need, priced to trick you into thinking it's a deal, with no guarantee you'll get what you want.
But… despite his mental warnings, Kira's heart wavered. He contacted the shop owner.
The response came quickly: "Ah, JOJO-san! Long time no see!"
Out of a playful whim, Kira used the username "JOJO" on these sites. No one knew what it meant, but being called that gave him a strange thrill.
After all, the Joestar family were gentlemen through the generations, so it wasn't wrong to use it here—especially for a gentleman with a perverse streak.
"I've been busy lately and don't have much cash," Kira typed back.
"Since it's you, JOJO-san, you must be working on something world-changing!" the shop owner replied.
The owner's profile described himself as "a retired criminal and a perfectionist mold-maker." Perhaps because Kira's "JOJO" persona posted anti-social, anti-hero rants, the owner saw him as someone obsessed with lifelike models. Whenever they chatted, the owner used an overly dramatic, respectful tone.
"About your new toy… can you tell me more?" Kira asked.
"Even though you're a valued member, I must apologize. This toy is still in development, and I got too excited posting it on the homepage. Specific details aren't public. You can choose to buy or not, and we'll serve you as always!"
The unexpectedly firm response caught Kira off guard.
"If I buy, what do I need to provide, or do you decide everything?"
"You only need to specify the age, appearance, and measurements of your desired toy. Wait about a month, and we'll have it ready for you!"
Kira hesitated. He didn't have that kind of money, but his foster parents had left him a sizable sum in the bank, instructing him to use it for critical moments and telling him where to find the property deed and seal.
If he didn't find a way to suppress the Yoshikage Kira impulses within him, he might become a hidden killer, destined to be taken down by a hero someday… Was this a critical moment?
Resolved, Kira typed, "I'll order it. I just hope it lives up to expectations."
"What?! You're really ordering? Everyone at Shadow guarantees it'll be worth every yen!"
A sudden chill ran through Kira, making his hair stand on end. He had a gut feeling that ordering this would cross a point of no return…
"Forget it. I'll pass."
…
Kira let out a relieved sigh. The chilling sensation faded after he sent that message.
The shop owner expressed mild disappointment but remained polite: "You're still our best customer. We'll always serve you."
As Kira shut down his computer, he realized he was sweating. Something inside him had fiercely resisted that decision.
Though he'd backed out, his mood remained heavy, unsure if he'd made the right choice…