Chapter 12 – Friends? With Benefits?

I was surprised by her actions. My body froze when I felt her tongue trying to pry my lips open. A metallic taste filled my mouth as she licked my tongue sensually.

My first kiss was a deep one. And it tasted nothing like orange or strawberry. It tasted like blood.

"Eh? Eehh!" Tooru squeaked as she watched us in shock.

Hearing her shout brought me back from my daze, and I pushed Himiko away gently.

"What the hell, Himiko-chan??"

"Hmmm, sorry! You were just too cute, I couldn't help myself."

"That doesn't justify you suddenly kissing me like that. And I am still with my friend, you know?"

"Oh, is that so? Hello there! I am Himiko Toga!" She bowed her head at Tooru politely, who stuttered in response.

"H-Hello! I am Tooru Hagakure. Nice to meet you?"

The invisible girl looked confused but tried to stay polite. She was uncomfortable with Himiko's sudden appearance, but she didn't say anything rude. Her curiosity was above her confusion.

"Are you two... together?" She asked with a nervous laugh. "I would never have thought Kuro-kun has such an interesting girlfriend."

"Hehehe, she called me your girlfriend." Himiko nudged my waist with her waist and giggled.

"You misunderstand, Tooru. Himiko-chan and I are friends." I explained calmly as I looked at the blonde-haired girl. "We've known each other for a while now, and she's quite a free spirit."

"Right? Kuro-chan is so kind to me."

"But you kissed him. And the tongue..." She muttered with a frown on her face. "Are you sure you two are not..."

"I am not Kuro-chan's girlfriend... yet." Himiko's voice suddenly turned into a seductive tone as she looked at me with upturned eyes.

"I see... K-Kuro-kun, I have to do my laundry so I will return first. Enjoy your time with her. See you at campus tomorrow." Hagakure nodded at me with a forced smile before rushing off.

When she was gone, Himiko tilted her head curiously.

"Ooh? Why is she running away?" She asked in confusion.

"Do you have to ask?" I glanced at her with a deadpan expression on my face. "She must be shocked."

"Eh? Why?"

"You suddenly appeared and kissed me. She must think that you're a weirdo."

"But you are used to me now, aren't you?"

"Still... But it's fine. You are you." I shrugged my shoulders and sighed. "I won't hold it against you."

"Hehehe, I know you're such a lovely boy, Kuro-kun. Love you~"

She jumped at me again and hugged me tightly. Her face got closer to mine again, but I dodged it quickly.

"Oops! I almost got you again!" She laughed as she let go of me. "I should be going too. My family is waiting for me."

"Really?"

"Yes, my new family." Her tone turned darker and she gave me a sinister grin. "You'll meet them soon enough."

My eyes narrowed at her words.

New family. I would meet them soon enough.

I could only think of one group.

"Are you... talking about a villain group? Why?"

"Because no one wants me anymore." She said sadly as she lowered her head. "Even you left me and became a Hero, aren't you? You have new friends, laughing and having fun without me..."

"Hey, now..."

I sighed and pulled her into a hug. She rested her head on my shoulder as she sniffled softly.

"You're always welcome to visit me, Himiko-chan. I will never be away from you. But don't tell me you are with those villains just because of me."

"Umm, well... No, I guess I am not with them for you. I want to make friends with them! They seem like nice people, and they understand me." She said with a bright smile on her face.

"You know that they aren't nice people, right?"

Hurt, yes. Nice? Hardly.

I couldn't reason or understand why Izuku forgave them in the manga. The Heroes even gave some villains they caught another chance in society or only jailed them.

If I were the one responsible for the punishment, I would give many villains death sentences or life in prison without a chance of parole.

However, Himiko didn't understand that. She was not normal, and she didn't see the world the same way as me. So I just nodded at her words and patted her head gently.

"Don't go to them, Himiko-chan. If you want, you can stay with me. I can make you a space where you can be comfortable."

"Really?" She looked at me with hopeful eyes. "Can I? I killed people, you know? You aren't afraid of me?"

"Yes, you can. But you have to promise me not to attack anyone again." I stared at her seriously as I held her shoulders. "Don't kill anyone."

She pouted and sighed, "Fiiine, I won't kill anyone unless they attack me first. No more stealing blood either."

"Good girl." I patted her head again, but she shrugged me off this time.

"Don't pat me. Rather, do something more for me."

"What do you want?"

She pointed at her lips with a grin on her face. "Kiss me."

I scratched my head at her request. We were in public space. Our display was seen by many people, who were now whispering and pointing at us with horrified looks on their faces.

"Himiko-chan, we can't do that here." I smiled awkwardly at her. "We need to go somewhere else first."

"Hmm~ Okay then. Follow me. I know a good place where we can be alone. And you can give me my first kiss again~"

She grabbed my hand and led me to a road where the atmosphere was slightly... different from before. Many girls, dressed in scantily clad clothing and heavily made-up eyes were walking around the area, looking at me with seductive eyes.

"Umm, what's going on here?"

"This is the red district. Hehehe, let's stay in the hotel here."

This was bad. Hotels in this area meant love hotels, and it was a place for sexual activities. And with Himiko at my side, I couldn't run away. Not that I wanted too.

'Well, I just need to stay calm.' I told myself as I followed Himiko into the hotel. 'This is my first rodeo. With a crazy girl at that. Surely, nothing will go wrong.'

Her mischievous grin didn't seem to fade as we walked into the hotel.

"One room please."