Chapter 72: Tome Ochiai ②
"Nice to meet you. Hello. My name’s Katagiri Inori. And you are?"
It came out like a phrase from a foreign-language textbook—stiff and overly polite.
Guess I’m nervous too.
Partly because the person I’m facing radiates serious intimidation.
Even more so than when I faced Shikarak-san.
It’s rare for me to feel pressured like this.
I always thought my nerves were tougher than that.
The old woman raised one eyebrow sharply at me.
"So you came to see me without even knowing my name? You’ve got guts, kid."
"Thank you."
"Hah! I like that! I don’t dislike reckless brats—unless I end up having to kill them."
That last part was unnecessary.
Yet somehow, it didn’t sound like a threat.
More like a simple truth.
Which meant she’d probably been in situations where she had to kill, more than once.
She took off her glasses and looked at me from her hammock.
"I’m Ochiai Tome. My villain name was… what was it again? Foreign words are hard to remember. Something like Dust, I think."
Dust.
Like dirt, debris, garbage.
Not much to guess a power from that alone.
If I ask, the Public Security Bureau will tell me anyway. Not that it’s that important.
Sometimes it’s easier to deal with someone when you don’t already know the details.
"Don’t villains choose their own names?"
"I’m not picky. Never called myself anything special. People just started calling me that on their own."
"Huh…"
I’d always assumed villains picked their own names.
But I guess not everyone goes around shouting “I’m so-and-so!” like it’s an anime.
I can’t even picture Jin doing that.
Those villains who don’t self-promote probably get named by Public Security without asking.
Or maybe other villains slap nicknames on them.
She doesn’t seem the type to come up with a moniker herself—no hang-ups, no strong sense of self.
"Interested in a career change?"
"If you mean joining Public Security, no thanks. After all, I’m the main reason they’re so short-staffed. I’ve killed every assassin they sent after me."
"Whoa…"
That’s a dangerous conversation.
No wonder Shikarak-san wants to recruit her first.
If Public Security keeps losing people, Shikarak-san will literally work himself to death.
And if he’s gone—Japan might not vanish completely, but public safety would probably collapse to the point it might as well have.
I value order.
Maybe because I can’t maintain it myself, I respect those who try.
"Then why are you letting yourself be captured so quietly right now?"
"When they seize control of infrastructure, it gets annoying. Still, my demands mostly get met here, so it evens out. If they start taking advantage, I’ll make them regret it."
"Wow, self-sufficient women are awesome."
So that’s why she seemed so calm despite being captured.
It’s the same vibe I got from Bitvine—Tsumu-chan.
In other words, she could break out anytime. She’s just waiting and watching for now.
"Then how about becoming a hero?"
"You mean me? If someone had said that when I was your age, I’d probably have jumped at it."
"Don’t you think it’s never too late for anything?"
"Nope. My hands are far too soaked in blood."
From that alone, you can picture the life she’s lived.
It matches her claim of having killed all her would-be assassins.
I paused, thinking how to respond.
What kind of people does she like?
She clearly doesn’t care for rule-followers if she couldn’t get along with anyone in Public Security.
She even said she found me interesting despite not knowing my name.
So she probably likes people who speak their mind, even if they’re cheeky.
Which is my style anyway. That makes this easy.
"I think most people, even with bloodstained hands, still want to live."
"Hah! You’ve got a mouth on you!"
I figured as much.
She’s not bloodthirsty.
She’d rather not kill if possible—but if you’re an enemy, then you die.
That seems to be her moral code.
And to her, I’m not an enemy yet.
"Or are you afraid someone will say, ‘I’d rather die than be saved by you’?"
"You’re good at provoking people!"
We locked eyes, both smiling with a hint of challenge.
"Maybe you’re the one looking for a way to die, aren’t you?"
"I figure that day’ll come eventually. But I’m still young, so I’m putting it off for now."
"Hah! I like that!"
I’d provoked her quite a bit, so I expected some sort of counterattack—yet it didn’t come.
Instead, Tome-san gave me a sly grin, amused but not unpleasant, and said:
"Maybe I could help you out a little from the sidelines. My ability doesn’t really go over well with the public, you see."
"Thank you."
She was cutting me some slack.
This whole exchange wasn’t really a negotiation anyway.
Tome-san laced her fingers behind her head, leaning back against the cushion.
"I’ve got good ears, you know. Seems to me the old man showing kids the wrong road is over there, not here. Hm? You gonna be okay?"
I instantly knew who she meant—Professor Tsukishima.
Earlier, he’d told me, "There isn’t a single old man in this world who has the right to decide a young person’s future."
When I’d spoken with him, we’d been a fair distance away from this room.
And this room should’ve been soundproof.
That wasn’t just sharp hearing—it was something else entirely.
Which meant, when Tome-san said "my ability doesn’t go over well," she’d probably overheard my conversation with Bitvine.
I’d told Tsumu-chan how hard it is for heroes, since they always have to manage public approval. That must have been what she was referring to.
So, her hearing must be tied to her quirk.
I’ll have to ask someone later about the details of her ability.
But for now, I should answer what she asked.
"Uh… well, I don’t exactly have much leeway right now. I only see one path in front of me. Whether someone eggs me on or not, I’d end up walking it anyway."
"The more I hear, the more you sound like a kid who’s bound to die young. Don’t lean too much on your ability."
"Yeees, ma’am."
Just as I let my guard down, Tome-san’s eyes sharpened. My back straightened all on its own.
"I’m not saying I’ll cooperate with Public Security unconditionally. Every time, you bring the proposal yourself. If it’s something you truly believe in, then I’ll figure it’s worth hearing too."
"Wow, sounds like I’ve been given a lot of credit. I’m honored."
"Stay like that as long as you can. When your spirit’s about to break, come see me. Grandma will lend you some wisdom."
"That’s badass."
The words slipped out before I could stop them.
Then I quickly followed with, "Thank you."
Tome-san waved me off with a casual flick of her hand.
"Next time, at least bring a gift."
"Roger that!"
I answered like a sports team rookie, bowing my head deeply.
Now that I think about it, Usui-chan had brought me a gift too.
Maybe that was her influence as well. Guess I should learn from it.
I stepped out of the room and closed the door behind me.
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