Sell the Cure

Shiketsu
15:30

A sea of teenagers gives Akka their attention to varying degrees. A handful appear as focused on her as they can be; others put in the effort to pretend they're paying attention, while some make the use of "attention" questionable as they flick through their phones, absentmindedly doodle, or even lie their heads down to nap until they're prompted to do otherwise. She couldn't blame them for their lack of interest in having a complete nobody come in to talk at them. She might have been known as an infamous villain to some, but the identity she used for the day-to-day was just some loser from a perfectly insignificant family who would be lucky if she landed a job as the sidekick to Popsy — pre-comeback Popsy, at least. Now. She'd be better off trying to strike it lucky in a pachinko parlor than wasting the brainpower even dreaming of having her fake name uttered in the same breath as Sanpatchi's.

"Anyway, make her feel welcome, everyone!" A bubbly woman in a pink and black bodysuit with a cutesy look gestures to Akka with a smile. Akka herself is more put together than she usually is; her inky locks are neatly tied up, and instead of the loose outfits she usually wears, she dons a coat and sleek pants. Dressing up for this sort of gig wasn't something she did often, and the muted palette was more a matter of habit than a fashion statement. It felt somewhat uncomfortable, but that was equal parts due to the lack of anything to cover her face and the absence of spiders in her hair.

She draws a hand out from her coat and waves at the class. She tries to smile, but it comes out looking more like a sneer. A mask might have been the right call. "Nice to see so many showed up for me. Ah, or were you bribed with extra credit?" There's an accusatory edge to her question, and she grins as several kids shift in discomfort. "Well, that's fine too. You kids have had it rough, so it's my responsibility to win you over, eh? I won't beat around the bush, then — things have been getting pretty dangerous in Kyoto. On paper, hero school should teach you everything you need to know about dealing with villains, but I think some of you already know that isn't true. I can't teach you everything either, but what I can do is give you a crash course on some of the scum you'll be dealing with."

Akka pulls a stack of papers out of a bag and begins walking down the rows of desks as she passes them out. Some of the students audibly groan as they realize they're being quizzed and wonder if it counts for anything. "Half of being a hero is protecting people; the other half is putting down villains. If you like to gamble, then this will be my only session with you, but if you want to stack the deck, I'll make sure you know everything from the ins and outs of their quirks to M.O. and even which side of the bed they wake up on by the time we have to part. But first, I'll be seeing how much you all know about your local lawbreakers. Once you're done, you're free to leave without missing anything. We've still got the rest of the week together, and I will need time to review your quizzes. If you'd like to stay...I'll be here to answer any questions." Once every paper finds its place on a desk, she returns to her spot at the front of the room and begins making attempts at small talk with Junko while one eye continues to watch over the class.

As annoying as it was to have a pop quiz, there might have been some solace in the knowledge that their guest had found putting them together just as irritating. Akka would have dumped a pile of dossiers on them and been done with it if she had the option. They needed to absorb this information, though, so she was stuck playing the role of an expert. As students filter out and quizzes are handed in, Akka begins to look them over for any interesting answers. It was best to get it out of the way now, and there were a few she had high hopes for.

"Kutō-sensei," The words suddenly come as something between a whisper and a shout. Akka glances up from the quiz she's currently scanning to see one of her hopefuls, Nyoro Hoge, staring back. She can't resist letting a somewhat sinister grin form from the pleasure of the interruption from the monotonous work. "Hmm? Have a question, do you? I did say that I'd answer, so ask away~!"

If the girl is put off by her, she doesn't show it. Instead, she quietly looks Akka over while adjusting her glasses. "If it is not too much to ask, I am curious about your quirk and your experience. The introduction Hongo-sensei gave was quite lacking."

"Kehehe...was it now?" Akka leans her head from side to side as she considers the question. She already had an answer prepared, but it wouldn't look good to respond too quickly. "I can make people sick with a touch. It's not too useful unless I can get close enough. That's why I've had to...compensate." Her shoulders rise as she shrugs before a hand fishes in her pocket for a business card. "It's not too marketable either, so I get by as a consultant. Not that I haven't personally dealt with some villains, but you need people like me working in the background to keep everything running smoothly. Don't you agree, Nyoro-chan?"

Hoge glances down to scrutinize the card before once again focusing on Akka. "Consultants? I suppose Nishima-sensei must value you." Akka lets out another small chuckle at the response. She didn't have the girl's faith, but she would show her the value of a "consultant" soon enough. She leans in and slides the card into Hoge's hand, her yellow eyes taking on a predatory quality. "I hope I can be of use to you for as long you're willing to learn from me."

BZZT BZZT

The sound originates from inside Akka's coat. She quickly pulls out a flip phone from one of the inner pockets and looks it over with a bored expression. "Ah." is the only response she gives to whatever she reads on the screen, and the phone disappears after several lightning-fast clicks on the keypad. When her eyes land back on Hoge, they seem almost apologetic. "I hope you won't hold it against me, but something came up." Fortunately, the few students left had finished with their quizzes during their chat. She shoves the papers into her bag and slings it over her shoulder before making for the door. "We'll have to continue during our next session~."