Imposter

"You needed me?" I enter the office

"Hawks. I have a mission for you" the head of the commission dropped a file onto her desk.

"Of course" I grab the file to skim as she spoke

"As you know the heros ball is this Saturday. This is unfortunately public knowledge. It's been made a target. There is a woman who has been targeting pro-heros across the globe"

"Do we have Intel? I don't see any pictures"

"No one's caught her yet. We just have a description from each of her victims. What's worse is its different each time. We suspect a shape-shifting quirk. She goes by a different name each time"

"Ok, what's my mission"

"Bait. As Japan's most eligible bachelor you should be her target"

"How will I know if it's her?"

"We are giving you the guest list. I need you to memorize everyone's name. The minute you don't recognize one. That's your girl"

"Where am I taking her?"

"We will put her on a transport. She is wanted across the globe but America called first dibs on her trial. She appearently made a mockery of a very powerful hero over there"

"Says here she may or may not poison her target?"

"Not sure the logistics. Some say she has a pheromone she uses, another said she poisoned their drink. Honestly can't make heads or tails of it"

Probably their pride getting in the way but can't discredit it, "that all"

"You're dismissed"

When the day finally arrived I dressed my best. Though i was anyway I took extra care to look appealing and add a few elements like a expensive wrist watch to hopefully draw in my target.

This was supposed to go smoothly. Well supposed to. I spent half the night just trying to find her. I talked to so many people. I feel exhausted. After patrolling and working, then needing to act so chipper and swave at this event. I finally give and walk outside to one of the many balconies to give myself a rest.

I was only alone for maybe 5 minutes when the balcony door opened and a woman peeked her head in, "Mind if I join you?"

"Go right ahead" I shrug. So much for my break

I focused back out at the city lights as she came to stand next to me an entire bottle of champagne in hand.

"Not scared of the public eye with that?" I raise a brow

"Im not worried about it" she shrugged sipping straight from the bottle, "The ol' liquid courage"

"Im Haw-"

"Who doesn't know who you are" she mumbled

"Point taken. What's your name?"

"Hana Izaki"

Bingo. She's the target. Of course, "What brings you here? I'm guessing you're a civi saying your name"

"Oh trust me. I wish I could be a hero"

"Maybe you could be"

"Not with my quirk" she swirled the bottle looking unenthusiastic

"It can't be that bad"

"Best I'd be is a private eye or something of that nature. But I refuse to be that" she finally looked directly at me catching my eye, "Lets not play games. You know who I am, don't you?"

I can't help but scoff in disbelief. What is her angle, "Yeah, what of it"

"Great. Then kill me now" she finished off her drink in the most casual manner

Did I hear that right? "Kill you?"

"Yup. Trust me. It's WAY better for me"

"You know you'll get a fair trial" I reason

"Look at me" she took a step back from the railing. She looked gorgeous, I don't see anything out of place.

"What?"

"This. In prison. With my quirk I'll wish I was dead in a week"

"What is your quirk?"

She scoffed seeming to laugh to herself, "I thought you were some genius detective"

"You're a shapeshifter?"

"I wish" she rolled her eyes

"Give me a hint then"

"Its not me physically, it's you mentally"

"You use a kind of glamour?"

"Its not something I control. Trust me, wish I did"

"Then, who are you really?"

"Just someone who keeps trying to run from their problems. Smoke follows beauty I guess, and where theirs smoke, there is fire"

"What do you mean" I huff but feeling like deciphering cryptic riddles tonight

"What do I look like to you? Am I the girl of your dreams?"

"So you look like everyone's dream girl?" I stare taking her in now. I guess I never really imagined who my dream girl would look like.

"Can you see my problem now?"

"So why the crimes? Why are you telling me all this?"

"Because I'm tired" she mumbled placing her empty bottle on the balcony railing, "My whole life has been just running. From my father, from creepy men, from people trying to sink their teeth into me for their company or brand or whatever else"

I...get that strangly enough. Not exactly but wanting to run away and not feel so...used.

"I think...when I die maybe I'll be reincarnated. Maybe I can be something ugly like...a blobfish or something. Or just... just normal"

"You could have had it all though. You could be a model-"

"Oh I tried. Trust me I did. It got sketchy fast. You know why I go to hero parties? I know the media is watching so I'm safe. I just need to go with someone to know when the next one is"

"And the money you steal?" I pry

"These are pro heros. High ranking ones at that. Do you really think I make a dent out of their paycheck what I steal?" She smiled to herself...so sadly

"Your family?"

"They tried to sell me off"

"Friends?"

"Who would never be able to recognize me?"

"Im just saying...death seems a bit extreme" I...I don't think I'm arguing for her as much as myself here

"You haven't lived a day in my shoes"

"And you haven't walked in mine"

We sat in silence at that. The lights of the city illuminating enough for us. I watched a nearby towers lights pulse with their red lights.

It was a long moment before I felt something in my wings. I acted first barely catching the champagne bottle before it loudly thumped on the ground if not broke.

I don't think she even realized it fell still staring out at the city lights. I couldn't help but stare for a long moment. The ornamates of her dress twinkled with the city lights reflecting in her sad eyes.

"I don't want to kill you"

"I don't want to die...but what choice do I have?"

"I don't know...but we could find one"

"You're sweet...what do I look like to you?"

"What do you look like?"

"Yeah. Different people have different tastes"

I describe her trying to find the words. Honestly sounds like I'm reporting. Her hair and eye color, her hair length and makeup. Her body type and dress. She's beautiful. I noted any beauty marks or defining features last.

She gave me a confused look before laughing to herself, "I guess I'm drunk"

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"Just an...an odd description"

"How so?

"Don't worry about it too much, it doesn't matter"

I can't hand her in like this. I just... feel bad. Something about all of this...it just doesn't feel right. I rest my elbow on the balcony while holding my face.

Problem is... this is an international case. Even if I pull my sway to the commission with everything I've got there are other countries involved here.

"I think...I think I decided what I'm going to do" I sigh

"You'll take me out... right?"

"No. I don't think so" I sigh, "This is a dumb plan but...we are going to try to fix this"

She laughed. Not a little giggle. She full on laughed in my face, "Are you really going to try to save me Mr hero?"

"Well i- uh yeah. Should i...not?" I stare at her utterly baffled by this point

"Well at least this will be amusing" she hummed

"We'll start by getting you somewhere safe. Then start building your case"

"If you say so hero" she smiled

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