[𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲]

Flyers littered UAU. I checked them out as any sane person would. Even if I weren’t interested in what was being advertised, it was important to know what was happening around you. A shifting environment presented danger. To be unaware of such things was asking for an early grave.

What shocked me was the timing of it all… I had been on my way to the library to research the creature I had encountered in Tokyo Bay. If there were going to be sea creatures infesting the lands with their merfolk-colonization, then I needed to be aware of their underwater anatomy.

“Set your sails…” I mutter, reading the slogan. Heroes were recruiting interns for a new expedition at sea. A mad scientist had set people on a hunt for his research and they were recruiting people to help defend against any — and no this isn’t an anime or manga reference — pirates.

I looked at the address and head to the agency after classes ended.

---

JoJo

[JoJo]

Being dragged by the arm, by a guy much bigger than her she couldn't believe she was being roped into joining this venture. The plate was full of problems on the land, now she had to prop another plate full of mad scientist problems?? Mad scientists had been dealt with in the past and believe her, mad scientists somehow always make problems worse!

Don't underestimate mad scientists yo

Then, while being dragged to the list by a group of go-getters, she saw it.

Her way out!

A second sheet, asking for smart cookies! That included her she was a brilliant cookie, she had been here for like a year and still hadn't been outted!

Leaping towards the clipboard with a 'determined' look on her face she signed it and set it back down onto its place in the wall. The go-getters were heading obviously for the other clipboard but that was fine! They'd still see each other and best of all now her plate would be so-so instead of heaps and heaps of meats on it.

𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲

[𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲]

It looks like I wasn’t the only one here.

Some people had dragged JoJo along before she ducked out to where I was headed. I walk into the room as she walks out and sign my name on the same sheet as her. It was the less popular of the operations here, but it’d provide unique insight I was looking for.

When I stepped out, I saw JoJo standing outside. Perhaps waiting for her friends? If the people who dragged her here were friends to begin with.

“Why’d you sign up?” I’m quick to get to the point. What was her interest in the sea creatures? What type of person was she? My questions were interrupted by a third person joining the fray, a man drawing a knife on the two of us outside the hero agency.

“You’ll never get his research…” He throws the knife and it shatters into dozens of smaller pieces, splitting like shrapnel.

Shit.

---

JoJo

[JoJo]

Turning around to face the guy, she was currently in full civilian mode so instead of expecting someone to be there the immediate question made the woman jump.

"Whoa!"

Almost jumping out of her shoes she fell back and heaved a little harder than usual in these cases.

"Don't do that, you're supposed to start with like, Hello what's up! Not a calm, did you put your name in the goblet?!"

She spoke while standing back and thinking of a way to answer his question. Though when the third one joined, she thought that was a friend of this fella. Until they pulled out a knife then this became something entirely different. Before she could say a single word the dude launched the knife and it well.. EXPLODED! Having no other choice she once again dove for the ground trying to protect her vital area though considering her clothes right now she was a sitting duck.

𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲

[𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲]

She should’ve seen me coming. If volleyball were any indication of what she was capable of then I shouldn’t have taken her by surprise. And with her reaction to the shrapnel, it confirmed my suspicion. JoJo’s reactions were superb which meant that there must have been some other reason she hadn’t noticed me. But there wasn’t time to worry about that nonsense.

Instead of retreat, I opted for a counter attack. Of course, I defended myself with blue-eyed, black rabbits. They took the brunt of shrapnel and popped into the smoke. The shrapnel clattered on the floor and I sent a fist flying through the smoke to catch the man off guard. He fell to his rear.

“You’re over reliant on your quirk.” I look down on him. “Which makes your next move obvious.”

“Too many assumptions…” The man puts his hands up.

I narrow my eyes. At this angle, I thought he’d use the metal on his belt buckle. “Oh…” I look around me as a few more figures step from the shadows. “There’s more of you.”

---

JoJo

[JoJo]

Josie looked left and right, only to see that she hadn't been pierced with a load of shrapnel and instead good ole volley was on the case.

"Nice work Volley! Being a pincushion is not on the list of things I wanna cosplay!"

Jumping up she brushed off her jacket while looking left and right only to see more of them pop up.

"Ah come on, what's this even about? Is this how ya'll get your jollies picking on two LG's ki- young adults? Honestly, ya'll better win this fight against Volley, or otherwise, it's gonna be a real blow to the gut!"

Was it rude of her to act as if she didn't fight so well so that somewhere in the back of these weasels' heads they'd focus more on Volley and less on her? Yes, yes it was but did she care?

No, No she did not. Let's be real here one punch to the gut or face and these folks would be on the pavement dreaming about the next big score. Nothing to get serious about, seriously.

𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲

[𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲]

“My name is Rahul,” I was quick to correct her lest ‘Volley’ stuck and became one of many unwelcomed nicknames. Considering they gave me time to introduce myself, I might as well make the most of it. “The rest of you can call me Playboy. If you somehow make it out of prison, please find me. I’ll be more than happy to send you back. And bed your wives while you’re gone.”

They let me talk. Despite their intentions, training, or whatever got them to the point where they could mildly coordinate, it hadn’t overwritten their submissive attitudes towards heroes — even if I wasn’t licensed. By the time they had taken a step forward, there were bunnies at their feet. Black smoke.

No one could see anything.

The same trick worked once. Unless one of them were exceptional, it’d work twice. My privilege was knowing everyone’s positions before everything went black. When the smoke cleared they were on the ground. Unconscious.

“I don’t really sleep with married women,” I step over their bodies help JoJo to her feet. “Anymore.”

---

JoJo

[JoJo]

Ya know, some people weren't meant to pick their own aliases, names, or nicknames. I mean there's a reason the most famous mouse in the world isn't named Mortimer. There's also a reason the world will forever be plagued by both P.R. firms and entertainment lawyers.

Future heroes choosing names like 'Playboy' will be one of the reasons those jobs will forever be safe. Still, it was safe to say that Volley was able to handle this completely. No offense, but if he couldn't Josie unfortunately would've been judging a little harder than normal. Especially when all these fellas had to their name was grenades.

Thankfully after taking care of them and offering his hand she took it and chuckled at his words. "Well, thank goodness someone respects the sanctity of marriage-" Until he finished his sentence and she had to try hard not to grimace.

"Well, we all make our fun little choices here and there. So I'm guessing these are your friends?" Josie spoke while taking out a phone and dialing up the proper authorities so they could take these guys away to where they belonged.

𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲

[𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲]

“Never heard of them before.” Her disappointment was palpable. I derived some sick pleasure from taking away the hope I provided. Not enough to make it a habit. “Felt like they were targeting us because we signed up with the agency. Even if we hadn’t… wrong place, wrong time.”

JoJo called the authorities. Good. I was grateful I didn’t have to clean the mess further all things considered. It also freed me up to pursue my question further. The circumstance had spared her from answering but with the tensions falling, I could once again press the issue.

“Anyway,” Right as I begin, the heroes step out from the building. The authorities contacted them and we were lucky to have a few immediately available. “Nevermind, I’ll ask you later.”

With that… the grueling Q&A began. I was familiar with the process. I respected it. I knew the value it provided to keep the hero institution running. Still… annoying. As soon as I’d get the chance, I’d step out and head back to my apartment.

I’ll corner her on the ship.

---

JoJo

[Jinx]

☆ MISSION SUCCESS ☆

On to the seas! Where nothing can continue to go wrong!
Great thread you two!

+ 7,500 EXP!!

Rahul: 7,750 // 15,250
JoJo: 17,500 // 25,000 <capped>

tag: 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲,JoJo